16 Lighthouse Road

In Debbie Macomber's 16 Lighthouse Road, the first book in the Cedar Cove series, she told us a beautiful story about romance and family. We were introduced to Olivia Lockhart and to her friends, family, and other people in the community. It all started with the divorce proceedings for Cecilia and Ian Randall. For the past couple of months, we showed how Olivia began a new relationship with Jack Griffin, how Grace Sherman dealt with her husband's disappearance, how Olivia's daughter Justine got caught up in a love triangle, and how the Randalls began to fall in love with each other again to start a new life. This was wonderfully written that touched my heart, just like Hallmark Channel's Cedar Cove series.

I really enjoyed this romance/woman's fiction series. I cared about Olivia and the people in the series. I found Cedar Cove a real charming town to be in for the state of Washington. However, I did find some inconsistencies that weren't in Hallmark's Cedar Cove series that differed from the book: there was no mention of Kelly and Paul, nor of James. I also found out that the cancer bit with Eric to father children were also different in the series, too, just as Justine's marriage to Seth, when in the TV show, she was engaged to him, on and off. This made me laugh, cry, sigh and cringe as well. You'll fall in love with the Cedar Cove series--both versions--when you're hooked in the first page.

Ready to visit Cedar Cove? Give this series a try in 2015!

Rip Tide

In the 3rd installment of Debbi Mack's Sam McRae mystery series, Rip Tide, she told us an excellent storyline. When Sam and her best friend Jamilla were confronted by racists in front of the building, racial tension were high. Then the police came to the door to arrest Jamilla for murder. Now it was up to Sam to clear her best friend's name, while she was being blackmailed by a close associate of hers named Jinx. Sam discovered some interesting insights that goes into the poultry farming business and learned some hidden tidbits as well to save her best friend.

This was a charming mystery series. I really liked it. I loved the Baltimore central location for the storyline. I also loved the environmental connection to it. But I hated the racial tension in the beginning and also in the flashback scene. But I could see how it could serve this purpose for the storyline as well. I did care about Sam and Jamilla. I didn't like Billy Ray and his friends or the Bowers. Jinx was okay. This light read would take you on a whirlwind journey like a rip tide. Great drama, intense suspense, and nice action throughout this mystery.

Don't get caught up in the rip tide? Give this book a try in 2015!

Twenty-Eight_and_a-Half Wishes

In the first installment of the Rose Gardner mystery series, Twenty-Eight-and-a-Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank, she introduced us to a great mystery series with a romantic comedy twist. For 24-year-old Rose, she lived with her verbal abuse mother at home and worked at the DMW, when she had a vision of her own death. When she finally stood up to her mother, she came home to her own mother murdered. That's when her own neighborhood believed she killed her own mother, except for her sister and her hunky and mysterious next-door neighbor Joe McAllister. From there, she needed to clear her name and make a wish list of things she wanted to do, since she saw more visions of her impending death. In the end, she discovered freedom and who wanted to do her in, too, with a surprising twist.

This was a terrific mystery series with hints of romantic comedy to give you laughs and goosebumps. I did like the small town Arkansas location for the series. I did feel sorry for Rose that everything bad had happened to her in a span of a week or two. Sometimes Joe aggravated me, like I knew he had a deep secret to hide. They make a cute couple together. This would leave you laughing in stitches and give you chills as well. Great comedic elements with tons of romance, new hints of intrigue and suspense to keep my mystery going to the end.

Ready for your own 28.5 Wishes? Pick up a copy today!

Special Review: Zodiac from December 2008

In Neal Stephenson's Zodiac, we were introduced to Sangamon Taylor and his world in this eco-thriller. He knew about chemical sludge and evil very well. He followed the trail of sludge that led him to some nasty places. They bombed his house and shadowed his every footstep, when he was listed on the FBI's Most Wanted List and played a starring role for a near-assassination of the president. He would need help from his tofu-eating compadres to find an escape and to get out of his scrape on a Zodiac and save the day as a good guy.

At first, I had a love/hate relationship with this book. But in the end, I really did enjoy it. I did care about Sangamon Taylor and his ecological fight for the planet. I love the ecological theme to this novel, when it dealt with chemical sludge that could do harm to the planet. I love the central location of the Boston Harbor area in this one. This would take you for a wild ride for sure. Great tension, plenty of suspense and intrigue with an interesting mystery and non-stop action to the end.

Ready to ride the zodiac? Hop aboard with a copy today!

An Evil Shadow

In the first installment of the Val Bosanquet Mystery series by AJ Davidson, An Evil Shadow, we were introduced to his wild and wacky world. Set in New Orleans, Louisiana, Valentino "Val" Bosanquet was a former NOPD detective and lost his finger, a decade ago, to one of his cases. When his brother Marcus asked him to step in to be the interim security chief for the University of New Orleans, when Marie Duvall, a young Haitian girl who lost her mother due a brutal crime, she was accused of the crime. He needed to step in to protect, though he had his druthers. Along the way, he dealt with his soon to be ex-wife, who was in love with his brother, dirty cops and other nefarious types of people who didn't want him to stand in the way of their schemes. He would stop at nothing to get to the both of it.

This was a fantastic mystery series with a great introduction to Val Bosanquet and his family. I loved the New Orleans location and Val's background. I did feel bad for Marie Duvall, who was accused of killing her mother. I also felt the same way about Val, who lost his finger, quit his job, and now losing his wife to his own brother. Talk about an awkward love triangle! I did feel bad about the Jacksons and for Marcus as well. This would enthrall you through and through, straight to the end. Fantastic drama, excellent suspense and mystery, and plenty of fast-paced action.

Ready to stop an evil shadow? Pick up a copy today!

Snow Crash

In Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash, he took us on a wild and wacky ride for this futuristic thriller. With fantasy and science fiction elements, he introduced us to Hiro Protagonist and Y.T., two heroic characters who braved the Metaverse. For both of them, they were Kouriers for a pizza company and were taken in for a ride. They dealt with Sumerian myths, alternative and virtual reality with a futuristic view of California and elsewhere. They deal with some unlikely characters like Russian assassins and the mob and a religious cult outfit as well, when Snow Crash was about a computer data virus and how they stopped it from taking over the world.

This was a weird and wild thriller. It was part science fiction, part fantasy to comprehend it. I did care about Hiro and YT and couldn't care less for the others. But this novel gave us a peek at the future via alternative and virtual reality. I found it a bit confusing and amusing at the same time. Some parts towards the middle and the end were a bit graphic for the virtual reality scenes. This send me some chilling thrills all the same in the end. So I found it a bit average with a three-star rating. Great drama, tons of action and adventure in two different realities, and plenty of interesting fun.

Ready to search for a snow crash? Give it a try today!

Political Suicide

In the second installment of Michael Palmer's Dr. Lou Welcome medical thriller series, Political Suicide, Lou Welcome returned into another excellent medical thriller. This time, when one of his friends was arrested for a crime he didn't commit, it was up to Lou to prove his innocence. While he continued to bond with his daughter Emily, he fought his toughest adversaries yet, Spencer Hogarth and Commander Wyatt Brody of the Mantis Company, a special military outfit who fought the war against terrorism. With help from Sarah Cooper, Gary's attorney, they formed a formidable team as friends and later possible a love connection between them to stop Mantis before it was too late.

This was another terrific medical thriller from Michael Palmer. This had some political thriller elements into it as well. I liked Lou bonding with the daughter. I felt sorry for him, for the Colstons, Gary McHugh, and for Edith Harmon as well. I found Sarah a bit rough around the edges. But she softened up to Lou. I think they could make a great couple in the future. I didn't like Brody one bit, while I didn't care so much for Hogarth and the dirty cop. Some scenes were a bit rough to stomach, too. Great drama, excellent action, and tons of suspense with a major medical connection, too.

Ready to discover Political Suicide? Check this out today!

Dead Lift

In the second--and perhaps final?--installment of the Emily Locke mystery series from Rachel Brady, Dead Lift, Emily Locke returned to solve another gripping mystery. For Emily, she tried to build a new life as a single mom to Annette, while she placed her career on hold as a private investigator. But she'd gotten embroiled into a case, when a plastic surgeon was found killed and her client was arrested in prison. It was up to Emily to discover who was the murder and link it to an elderly abuse scam case as well. The closer she'd gotten to the truth, the more endangered she placed herself into harm's way for her and her daughter.

This was another great and fantastic read. I did feel sorry for Emily, who tried to reach out to her daughter Annette, when the Fosters became her real "parents." It just wasn't fair, though they're putting her best interest at heart. I was also sad to believe there was no other books in the series that I know of. This was a gripping mystery that would pull at your heart strings real tight. This made me cringe, cry and sigh a few times. I loved the Houston backdrop as well. I do like Emily and Vince as a new couple, since she last her husband Jack. Great drama, nice easy reading with a shocking twist for a mystery, and plenty of action all around.

Ready for a good read? Pick up a copy today!

Special Review: The Crocodile on the Sandbank from February 2009

In the first installment of the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters, The Crocodile on the Sandbank, we were introduced to the heroine of the series. For Amelia Peabody, she loved to take an adventure and spend her inheritance traveling the world. She was always fascinated with Egyptology. From there, she met and rescued Evelyn Barton-Forbes and became fast friends with her. Along the way, they ran into the Emerson brothers, Walter and Radcliffe, while they were on a dig. But when they were a kidnapping attempt on Evelyn, it was up to Amelia to figure out who've done it. Amelia and Radcliffe fall in love, get married and have baby Ramses, too.

This was a great introduction to the Amelia Peabody historical mystery series and to everything related to Egyptology, too. I became in awe of Amelia who had a love for travel, even if it took her to far out places like Egypt, to explore the world. I believe Radcliffe and Amelia make a lovely couple, the same for Walter and Evelyn too as well. I did feel sorry for Evelyn who was abandoned by her lover. This was a fascinating read. Great drama, nice action and suspense, and pure adventure with intrigue along the way.

Ready to meet Amelia? Order a copy today!

The Curse of the Pharoahs

In the second installment of Elizabeth Peters's Amelia Peabody series, The Curse of the Pharoahs, Amelia and Radcliffe Emerson return to Egypt in this newest adventure. This time, they went to deal with an ancient curse in Luxor Egypt, when the late Lord Baskerville was found dead. When they left their son, Ramses, behind in England, they meet an interesting array of characters, like the crazy Lady Berengeria. They came to a bunch of mishaps and accidents, when it dealt with the lady in white floating around, and the curse of King Tut's tomb. It was up to them to discover who was the murderer, too.

I always found this series charming and intellectual at the same time. I loved the concept of setting a mystery in the 1800s for Egypt. It seemed to me, that Egyptology is still now a fascinating subject for novels. I found Amelia and Radcliffe a helluva pair for a couple, while Ramses, I did find a tiny bit sad for him, when they left him behind. But I'm always amused when they manage to solve the crime in the end of the novel.  Great mystery, nice action and adventure, and plenty of intrigue and danger along the way.

Ready to uncover the curse? Round up a copy today!

The Orion Project

In Edward Marin's The Orion Project, this action-adventure was something different than your typical action-adventure novel. For Dan and Linda, two museum workers who were in charge of the Egyptian sarcophagi for display. When one mummy named Tonemcadu reawakened, it took them a wild ride for them. From there, they taught him English and the modern technology, when he informed him about his special project. Later on, he went on his adventure to find work, love, and to complete his mission with some complications with a surprise ending. This action-adventure had some fantasy elements in it, too.

For starters, I only gave this three stars, because it was a bit whimsical and not a typical action-adventure. I did feel sorry for Dan and Linda, when they had to deal with Tonemcadu, and the aftermath when he wanted to be free. For awhile, it took me awhile to get used to him. He was okay for the mummy. I was happy that he was happy to find new love, since he was separated from his own family from centuries, and to complete his mission on time. I liked the adventure it took us from Chicago to Egypt in the end. This did feel a bit like a fantasy to me. Good humor, a light pace for action, and plenty of drama for a quick read.

Ready to walk like an Egyptian? Pick up a try today!

SEAL's Seduction

If you love sexy romantic suspense novels with a military theme, you'll love the first installment in the Uniformly Hot SEALs book, SEAL's Seduction, by Tawny Weber. For Lieutenant Blake Landon from the Navy SEALs, he needed to distract himself while he on leave, and mourned the loss of his best friend. He wasn't looking for a commitment or serious relationship. And that's when he met Alexia Pierce, the admiral's daughter, this red-headed spitfire who turned his world upside down and seduced him. After their first encounter, it was nothing but hot sex to turn up the heat. She was a linguist who studied sexual behavior, but didn't want to get involved with anybody in the military. And things change between them, a year later, when she got abducted and Blake had to rescue her, before they sorted out their feelings.

This steamy military romance would turn up the heat and melt the cold weather outside. I loved how Alexia became her own person in spite of her father's orders. I loved how close she was to her brother Michael, though her parents weren't so much, either. I loved how Blake was a military man and wanted something more permanent. The chemistry between them was so palpable and heated. I loved the dual locations of Alaska and California, when they've gotten close and almost too close to comfort. I did feel for Blake on losing her best friend in the war. Great romance, sexy intrigue, and plenty of hot dramatic action to keep you warm all over.

Ready to be seduced? Pick up a copy today!

Special review: Salvation in Death from December 2008

In the 27th installment of the In Death series by JD Robb, Salvation in Death, we've returned back to the year of 2060. When Father Flores sipped wine from his chalice during a funeral mass, he fell over and wounded up dead. Now it was up to Eve to discover the true story behind that unholy act, when she uncovered he was poisoned. For Eve, Roarke, and the NYSPD, they dug into his background and unearthed his shady background of being a former gang member. When they've thought they've got it all figured out, a second murder occurred in front of worshippers, threw them for a loop.

This futuristic romantic suspense dealt with some shady religious overtones. I still love the futuristic backdrop of a future New York in 2060 with modernized and advanced high technology in communications and transportation. I loved how Eve worked well with her fellow superiors and with Roarke with this grisly murders.  This one dealt with some sinister and nefarious twists to leave you at the edge of your seat and then some. Great drama, hot passion between Eve and Roarke, and plenty of suspense and intrigue with non-stop action to leave you cold all over.

Ready for some salvation? Pick up a copy this week!

The Wishing Season

Welcome to Chapel Springs, Indiana. In the third installment of the Chapel Springs series by Denise Hunter, The Wishing Season, she told us a heart-warming love story about a small town. For Penelope Jane "PJ" McKinley, she wanted to open her own restaurant and B&B to prove to her family she could do it on her own. For Cole Evans, a handyman and adopted by a foster family, he wanted a transitional house for young adults to learn life skills before they can life on their own. When they proposed their idea dreams for Mrs. Simmons's old ancestral home, they had a year to make it work before a final decision would be made. For PJ and Cole, they started out as rivals and friends and later to something more, when  they went through their own ups and downs in life and realized they wished for something better and more... each other, when their wishes and dreams would come true.

This was a wonderful small town contemporary romance. This would move you to tears and warm your heart. I loved the community connections in Chapel Springs, Indiana. It sounded ideal to have both a B&B/restaurant and a transitional house for adopted kids too. I instantly cared about Cole and PJ and how they worked things out. I fell in love with then, since I could see how they were well made for each other. My heart broke into a thousand pieces for Cole a few times and for PJ, too. You would fall in love with this book. It had a blooming romance, a hint of intrigue and suspense, and an excellent storyline.

Ready to make a wish? Pick up a copy today!

Special review: Promises in Death from March 2009

Welcome back to the year 2060 in the 28th installment of the In Death series, Promises in Death, by JD Robb. For Amaryllis Coltraine, she was a recent transfer to the New York City Police Department from Atlanta, and knew how to defend herself against an assailant. When she was killed in front of her own place by her own weapon, this was more than personal for Eve Dallas and the rest of the NYPSD, too. For all of them who mourned her loss, it was up to Eve to investigate her background to see who wanted to take one of their own. And this time, she didn't take taunted treats too kindly, when the next one was aimed at her.

This was a wild and crazy futuristic romantic suspense. I loved the futuristic outlook of New York in 2060 in ways of communication and technology that have improved ten times over.  I loved how Eve became strong, while letting no one ever bring her down. I like how Roarke backed her up and assist her on these cases. I loved how their romance and marriage was strong as hard nails. I did care about Eve, Roarke and the others in this novel. To lose one of their own in the worst unimaginable way was unconscionable to me. Great drama, terrific intrigue and plenty of suspense for a perfect page-turner to the end.

Promise to give this a good read? Give this book a try today!

A Fatal Grace

In Three Pines, Canada, it was a bitter cold winter and holiday season. In the second installment of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny, a Fatal Grace (or Cold Death), Chief Inspector Gamache was asked to investigator the murder of CC de Pointiers, a most despicable woman. At the same time, he looked in the murder of a vagrant woman who died right before her. When Gamache and his team returned to Three Pines, he interviewed the same people he met, a year ago, when Jane Neal died. This time, he learned about the emotional abuse of CC's daughter and the hunt for her heritage. While he understood why people hated her, he needed to get a closer look on who wanted to do her in and why, before it was too late. The ending had a shocking twist, too.

This was a compelling mystery series. I did feel sorry for Crie, for CC naming her that way and giving her emotional abuse. I don't blame her one bit for acting out. I did feel sorry for those who knew CC. I loved how Armand and Reine-Marie worked together in two complex mysteries. I loved the recurring characters from Three Pines, except for Ruth, who I didn't like so as much. Her poetry was terrible in my opinion. I love the Quebecois location for Three Pines in their small knit community. I loved the little bit of curling as an interesting tidbit in the storyline. Great suspenseful drama, good action, and an interesting story to boot for this mystery.

Ready to embrace a cold death? Pick up a copy today!

Dark Storm

In the 23rd installment of the Dark series by Christine Feehan, Dark Storm, welcome to the world like no other... of the Carpathians. For Riley Parker and her mom, they went to the Peruvian rain forest for a journey. For others, it was to find a precious rare flower. But they experienced an evil like no other. Riley encountered tragedy, when one of their porters killed her mother. While she experienced sorrow for losing her mother, she didn't expect to come across a Carpathian hunter named Danutdaxton "Dax", who was after an ancient vampire named Mitro. With many perils of the rain forest, Riley learned more about Dax as her lifemate and fell in love with him. Together they would take on Mitro, before they would embark on their new life together.

This was a fascinating and compelling paranormal romance. This also had a bit of eroticism and urban fantasy elements to it as well. I have to admit, since it's been a few years, since I last read a book in the series, the fighting scenes in the novel are a bit graphic, gory and gruesome to get through. I loved the South American rain forest backdrop and how Riley used her white magic to help fight good with evil. I loved how Dax shifted into a dragon and flew in the skies. He sorta dreamy in a way. This was well-written with some dark elements of drama, intense passion and plenty of action.

Embrace the dark storm? Take shelter with a copy today!

Special review: Naked in Death from October 2008

Welcome to the year of 2058! In the first installment of the In Death series by JD Robb, aka Nora Roberts, Naked in Death, she took us to the adventure of how it turned out from her vision. We met Eve Dallas, the lieutenant of the New York Safety and Police Department, when she was brought into the helm of her first disturbing case. As the technology had ruled the world and Eve knew a lot about dangerous and seductive passion, she never ever saw this first shocking crime coming. When the senator's daughter was found killed, she was put in charge of this high-profile case. And Roarke, one of the most influential and wealthiest man in the world was the prime suspect, there was nothing but sparking fires between Eve and Roarke.

This was a sexy and seductive introduction to the In Death series.  I loved the futuristic outlook of technology and how our country would be, thirty years down the road or so. The introduction and backstory of Eve was quite compelling and interesting as well. The same went for Roarke, when you've got to love his sexy Irish brogue. Although the crime scene might be a little upsetting at first, the search for a ruthless killer was nothing but hot to the touch. Great chemistry, perfect drama and an intense action to segue between the scenes.

Don't read this book naked without its cover! Pick up a copy today!

Blood Orchids

Aloha! Welcome to Hawaii! In the first installment of the Lei Crime Mystery series, Blood Orchids, by Toby Neal, we were introduced to Leilani "Lei" Texeira. She came from a troubled childhood and now working her way as a detective of the Hilo Police Department, while she worked on a most disturbing case. When she found two dead bodies in the water, while searching for evidence, she became the center of the attention. She met Michael Stevens and his partner, Jeremy Ito, when they focused on who targeted on the case. Someone had their eye on Lei and stalked her. But it became personal, when her friend and colleague Mary was targeted, raped and killed. There was a lot of surprising twists and turns in this excellent Hawaiian mystery.

This was a compelling mystery. I loved the Hawaiian backdrop and the tropical locations that place you right there. I did love Lei, who later became a strong female lead and someone to admire. I did feel sorry for her, since she was dealt from a bad childhood. I hated it when she was stalked and when her dog, Keiki, was also caught in the fire. I believe Michael and Lei make a terrific couple. This was well-written with excellent dramatic suspense and tons of non-stop action.

Ready to head to Hawaii? You got to check out this mystery today!

Against the WInd

In the first installment of the Raines of Wind Canyon romantic suspense series by Kat Martin, Against the Wind, she introduced us to a wonderful and spiritual small Wyoming town. For Sarah Allen Hollister, she was a widow, a single mother of a little girl, and left Los Angeles to hide out from the law and live a new life. She also wanted to dodge the people who harrased her, since she had a turbulent marriage from an abusive husband. When she reunited with Jackson Raines, a former flame from high school, when she broke his heart and humiliated him. He was now a ranch owner and a cowboy with a big heart. He would do anything to protect them from anything that came his way and to make her his own. Tons of great drama, lots of great chemistry, and nice action as well to melt your heart.

This was a wonderful romantic suspense.  I loved the dual backdrops of Wind Canyon, Wyoming and Los Angeles, California. Wind Canyon sounded picturesque and ideal for a quick getaway. I loved how Sarah protected Holly from harm. I knew her troubling secret of her shooting her husband in self-defense was the only answer. I hated her husband Andrew with a passion via flashbacks. He was no good to her and Holly. I loved how Jackson found his way to her and Holly's heart by being a better man for them. I loved how his brothers protected them too. This would sweep you away and off your feet.

Ready to take a trip to Wind Canyon? Check this out tonight!

Compelling Evidence

Get ready for a wild courtroom case in the legal thriller debut from Steve Martini. In Compelling Evidence, the first installment in the Paul Madriani, it was told from his point of view in this explosive story. For Paul, he had a full plate on his hands. He tried to pick up the pieces of his failing marriage for his daughter, while he handed a probate issue and then later learned about one of his bosses at the law firm was dead. Staged to look like a suicide, all eyes were turned to his widow. With a lot of compelling damning evidence against her, it was up to Paul to prove her innocence to win the case. And in the end, there was a shocking ending that would blow you away on the true culprit.

This was a compelling legal thriller, two hands down. I loved the California backdrop for the legal thriller series. I loved how we get to see Paul inside and outside the courtroom, too. I did feel a bit of resentment toward his estranged wife Nikki and to Talia Potter. I couldn't stand Tony, who was a pain in the butt. I liked the built up of the trial from jury selection to the reading of the verdict. We can feel a lot of drama and action into this powerhouse legal thriller. From the first chapter to the conclusion, you would be hooked and reeled in like a big fish to keep on reading and find out what happened next.

Ready to hear the verdict? Grab a copy today!

Special Review: Virgin River from December 2008

Welcome to Virgin River. In Robyn Carr's contemporary romance debut, Virgin River, she introduced us to a small-town in California, when everyone pitched in to help each other. For Melinda Monroe, a widowed midwife, had answered the call from a newspaper's classified ad. From there, she knew it was the perfect place to have a clean fresh start to heal her heart and to regenerate her nursing career. When she arrived there, she met an array of friends who welcomed her with opened arms. She also met Jack Sheridan, a rugged Marine and bartender at the local bar, who befriended her and helped cemented her new life there as well.

This was a wonderful introduction to the series. It had five-star quality in my opinion.  In my eyes, I could visualize Virgin River with its scenic depictions and lovely scenery for the setting. I loved how the community came together to meet Melinda and how Jack became the champion she needed in tough times. The pairing with Jack and Mel was perfect in my opinion. This was packed with a hint of drama, tons of hot romance, and plenty of intrigue to spice things up. I love this series. That's my kind of place I want to live in, too.

Want to make a pit-stop in Virgin River? Come on over to check out a copy today!

Death by Blue Water

In the first book in the Hayden Kent Cozy Mystery series, Death by Blue Water, Kait Carson took us to the dangerous depth of scuba diving in the Florida Keys. Hayden Kent was a paralegal and a fellow professional scuba diver, when she discovered a dead body in a salvaged shipwreck. Before she knew it, she'd gotten embroiled into a conspiracy and a controversy, too. Due to blackouts, the police focused her attention on her as a prime suspect, when she'd done her own investigation and ran into her ex who wanted to do her in. A lot of dramatic depth and cutthroat action under the water and above the surface with tons of twists and turns in the Florid Keys, too.

This was a fantastic introduction to the Hayden Kent series. I did feel true emotions for Hayden, who's love for scuba diving became dangerous to her life and others. My heart ached for when she had blackouts and had run-ins with the law and with her icky ex, Kevin.  I felt the same way for Elena, who was stuck into the same rut as she did. I liked how Hayden and Mallory came together to clear her name and protect each others. I loved the settings of the Florida Keys, above and under the water. Very intricate and visual with bright colors. It made me want to go there, too.

Don't go under! Order a copy today!

Special review: Unleash the Night from September 2008

In Sherrilyn Kenyon's Unleash the Night, the 2nd book in the Were-Hunter Series, the 9th in the Dark Hunter World, she told us a different kind of story. Meet Wren Tigerian, a lone were-hunter with no clan to claim him, since he was born of a forbidden species between snow leopard and white tiger. He never listened to anyone when they was something he wanted... and that was Marguerite. Marguerite D'Aubert Goudeau was the daughter of a U.S. senator who was tired of living the socialite life in New Orleans. Like her mother before her, she had no choice but to conform. Her human realm shouldn't ever meet the world of the were-hunters that existed by their side, undetected and unseen. In order to have Marguerite, it was a race against time for the weres who wanted him dead and the humans who would never accept his human nature.

This was a compelling paranormal romance. I loved how she introduced us to a new kind of species or breed in the series. I loved the New Orleans locale too. It was so vivid and rich in detail for the scenery. My heart cried, when no one wanted Wren as one of his own. I felt bad and sorrow for him. I also felt the same kind of feelings for Marguerite, when she was stuck in the life of the rich. But I loved how they broke barrier laws in order to be together and went against the odds. This would send you on an adrenalin rush for sure.

Ready, set, go! Check this out today!

Red, White and Dead

In the third installment of Laura Caldwell's Izzy McNeil legal thriller series, Red, White and Dead, Izzy McNeil was on an adventure of her life. Unemployed and looking for work, she always wondered about the mystery of her father's death. Little did she knew, it would take her to Italy to search for answers from her own aunt. The more she discovered the truth behind it and the Camorra mob connection, the more perilous she and her family would be. And in the end, there was an explosive ending that lead her back to home with a big bang! This one would blow you away...sky high!

I loved how this took center stage and away from the legal firm. This made it more personal for Izzy and for her whole family too. I loved the Chicago and Italy locations, especially to the island of Ischia. I didn't like Dez Romano and Ransom who went after Izzy. I was heartbroken to find out the truth and how it unraveled with a bittersweet mob connection. I loved how Theo and Izzy came together and how her brother Charlie had a pivotal secondary role. Plenty of non-stop action with a grand pace and plenty of dramatic suspense as well.

Ready for a wild ride? Check out the series today!

The Dream Hunter

Welcome to your dream world! In the first installment of the Dream-Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, she introduced us to a world of Greek mythology and the human realm. In the Dream Hunter,  for Megeara "Geary" Kalfieri, all she wanted was to prove Atlantis existed in the memory of her late father. And in her dreams, she entertained erotic dreams to a god-like man. For Arikos "Arik" Contranides, he was her dream god. He was also an Oneroi and a Skotoa, an emotion-less god. And for once, he would want to be human. For by a price for her soul, this was when two worlds collided with a big bang. When Geary met Arik in human form, she couldn't believe her eyes. And for a price, Arik had two weeks to live, when he never experienced emotions or true love, not until he met Geary and wowed her world. With lots of interesting godlike characters and plenty of drama with a hint of eroticism, this paranormal romance is way out of this world and so much more.

I loved how she portrayed ancient and present day Greece for humans and mythic beings alike. That was great world building to see their world in vivid colors. I loved the introduction of the Oneroi, dream hunters and the vast array of characters in the Greek mythic world. I really felt bad for Geary throughout this storyline about the search for Atlantis, her loss of her family, and about losing Arik in a heart-breaking way. I also felt bad for Arik who want to be human and almost lost his life for it. I didn't like Thia a tiny bit, but I hated the bad Oneroi and the Fueries to claim him. Some characters who grew to love or hate. This paranormal romance had a hint of Greek mythic eroticism to take you above and beyond.

Ready to fall in love with a Greek God? Grab a copy today!

Died in the Wool

In the 10th installment of the Torie O'Shea series by Rett MacPherson, Died in the Wool,  she'd gotten herself into a pickle this time around. She had a lot of hands, since she ran the Gaheimer House of genealogical research and handling artifacts. One of her daughters, Mary, had a rebellious streak. Plus she was in charge of the rose show, and buying the Kendall house. When Evan Merchant decided to sell his house, Torie wanted to buy it for a textile museum. From there, she decided to uncover the mystery behind the Kendall siblings "suicides" and the story behind their life. When one of her neighbors accidentally gotten "poisoned", she wanted to take a closer look behind the tragedy behind. When she finally figured it out, she would never believe the truth to shock her small town.

For starters, I really felt sorry for Torie, since her daughter Mary was a bit rebellious and a troublemaker. She did it all for attention. I love Rudy and Torie. Eleanore, she can be annoying sometimes. New Kassel was an interesting German small town in Missouri with its own charm. I also felt bad for Glory Kendall, when she was trapped in an abusive home. I love the genealogical mystery angle to this cozy series.

Ready for a good tale? Give this one a try!

Daring a Duke

In the fifth installment of the Courtesan series by Claudia Dain, you'll be intrigued to read Daring a Duke. When New Yorker Jane Elliott and her two brothers arrive in England for their cousin's wedding, she had an aire about her. When her cousin-in-laws placed a wager on her, this was more than bets were off. With two protective brothers, she became tempted not to marry the Duke of Edenham, Hugh Austen. Thrice married and widowed with two young children, he became hooked on Jane and wants to marry her. But Jane had other plans for him, which would leave him begging for more. There's Sophia Dalby, a half-English, half-Iroquois woman who dared not to fall in love with another and seeking revenge on her mother's death. Her brothers were also become entangled with their own romances as well. Daring, swift and passionate, this historical romance would make you swoon.

In this historical romance, I loved the daring wits of Jane Elliott. She did lead him on, but she did win him over in the end. There's something you've got to love about her. She didn't let anyone sway her decision. I loved how it all took place in one setting--her cousin's wedding and following breakfast. There's a lot of action and drama in one swooping motion. I loved how Sophia kept her promise to her mother to herself and sought it out in the end. This made me hoot with laughter and root for both of them in the end.

Ready to read this if you dare? Grab a copy this weekend!

The Killer Next Door

In Alex Marwood's latest spine-tingling thriller, The Killer Next Door, she would make you gasping for air with many surprises. When Collette "Lisa" Dunne arrived at her new apartment complex to hide out from someone who was after her, and dealt with losing her mom, she didn't know what she was in for. Every one of her new neighbors had something to hide.  It all started with the disappearance with one of their neighbors. There's Vesta Collins, who wanted to move out and had been stiffed for her rent. Gerald Bright was a quiet type who loved to play music, Cheryl "Cher" Farrell was an African-American teenage runaway, and Houssein, an Iraqi refugee who mourns the loss of his wife while seeking asylum. And there's Thomas Dunbar...  If you think your landlord/landlady was the pits, try Roy Preece, who was a voyeur and a pervert. When there was a plumbing problem, their landlord accidentally fell and drowned in the slop. And that's when they covered up the murder. But that's not the worst of it... Someone in the midst had a sick collection in his apartment, one of their own, who kept his home closed. There was a surprise ending you would never see coming for miles...

This was leaving you gasping for air with every sick twist and turn. I did care for Collette, Cher, and the other tenant in this slum apartment building. Roy was a sick pervert I didn't care about, who got what he deserved. And Thomas Dunbar gave me the creeps with his surgical precisions on his "collection" of his trophies. I did feel bad for Lisa/Collette, who had to hide from the law and her mother was dying from a terrible disease. I loved how Vesta cared for her, how Cher befriended her, and Hossein, I don't know what he was thinking. This left me in a cold sweat to the very end.

How well do you know your neighbors? Buy a copy today!

Dawn Keepers

In the second installment of the Final Prophecy in Jessica Andersen's Dawn Keepers, Strike and his Night Keepers team continue to fight the battle before the end-time of 2012. A lot of his crew dealt with ongoing battles. For Anna, who kept her family background a secret from her estranged husband and colleagues. For Rabbit, he was still struggling with his half-bloodline and usage of the magical powers. But this was mainly Alexis's and Nate's story of finding themselves and each other, when they can't deny their true feelings. Nate wanted to be free as a shifter, while Alexis didn't want to follow in her mother's footsteps. What an awesome and intense urban fantasy/paranormal romance novel.

This was another fantastic UF/PNR novel with exciting scenic descriptions and intense mythic action. I really enjoyed this continuation of the series on how each Keeper had found its own human mate and their own true powers. For Alexis's and Nate's story, this only showed how you can be true to yourself and not be pressured to something you're not. It applied to everyday life for everyone. I didn't care for much for Iago and Desiree. Myrinne was something else--I'm so glad she got to be with Rabbit. Their winikins were always something special in an advisory capacity.

Ready for the fight for the future? Pick up a copy right away!

PIck Your Poison from September 2008

In Leann Sweeney's Pick Your Poison, the first installment in the Yellow Rose Mystery series,  we were introduced to Abby Rose. She was out of work, out of motivation and out of school. And when she returned home to Texas, she found Ben, her dead gardener in her greenhouse. When the local hot Houston PD detective Jeff informed her about the poison, it was now up to Abby to find out who killed Ben and why. And while she looked for clues, she also find some hidden secrets from her past that might help her solve the case, before the killer came for her next.

This is a delightful introduction to the Yellow Rose Mystery series. We do get to know more about Abby a bit more, when she learned more about her own family. I liked her very much and could see possible sparks between her and Jeff in the future. This had a nice floral theme to it as well. She was a charming young woman for this new cozy series.

Intrigued for a light cozy read? Check this book out today!

Unzipped

In Lois Greiman's cozy debut, Unzipped, the first book in the Chrissy McMullen cozy series, we were introduced to Christina "Chrissy" McMullen in Chicago. She was a former cocktail waitress turned shrink, who were literally caught into a compromised position. Former Detroit Lions lineman Andrea "Bomber" Bomstad came into her office for a therapy session, he propositioned her by trying to rape her and literally dropped dead minutes later. From there, the CPD have been hounding her and claiming she was a suspect in his murder. For Chrissy, one annoying Detective Jack Rivera remained on her case, while there was some heated sparks between them. As Chrissy dug deeper into his life, more attempts were made on her life to silence her. It was up to her to crack the case and clear her name, when the true suspect was closer to her than she ever thought.

There was some sassy chemistry brewing between Chrissy and Jack who couldn't stand each other. I loved the love/hate relationship and how one irked one another to get on each other's nerves. I also liked the chapter quotes by someone close to Chrissy that set the path for the chapter for the storyline. I really didn't like Andrew Bomstad, since as Chrissy dug into his past, he was really a creep and a monster. I also didn't like David and Katherine, which irked me so much on how they used Chrissy's friendship for their own nefarious ways. I cringed a couple of times in this cozy.

If you love witty cozies, check this cozy out!

Special review: Justice for Sara from August 2013

Erica Spindler was back with her latest thriller that came out last summer. In Justice for Sara, we were introduced to Katherine "Kat" McCall who returned back to her small town of Liberty, Louisiana, ten years after the brutal death of her older sister. And it wasn't easy, when everyone was out to get her, when she was acquitted for her sister's death and moved away. While she looked to have a brand new start for her bakery business, old friends and foes made it hard on her. With Sergeant Luke Tanner on her side for her own ally, these two had a powerful chemistry together that was explosive. Together, they uncovered the truth of her sister's death and who killed a police officer on the same night. The closer she was to the truth, the more attempts were on her life to drive her away. In a small town, she discovered the hard truth on who was a friend or her foe with lies, and a devastating mind-blowing family secret that imploded right open. In the end, she did get justice for her sister and wouldn't ever look back again.

Once again, I was in shock and awe with the drama and intense action in this thriller.  I loved the driving force for Kat to clear her name on her sister's murder. I was glad that she had Luke on her side, when her own former town and friends were against her. I hated her cousins and her former ex-boyfriend and best friend who wanted to do her in. In the end, I was glad she was vindicated and started over with a new life. 

What are you waiting for? Grab an e-copy out today for your Kindle!

Special review: No One Heard Her Scream from May 2009

In Jordan Dane's thriller debut, No One Heard Her Scream,  the first book in the No One series, she delivered us a spine-tingling thriller set in San Antonio, Texas. For Detective Rebecca Montgomery, they never felt her sister's body. With two more abductions in the same area in five months, since her sister went missing. She knew her killer was still out there. She would do anything to stop him in his tracks. But as a seductive stranger that shadowed her every move, she met Diego Galvan at the crime scene of they've found a young woman's remains inside a burnt-down movie theater. This had plunged Rebecca from grief to her new worst nightmare. With Diego's dark connections, it lead them to a new break in both cases. But somehow she found herself painted into a corner, when she couldn't stop Diego's seductive powers of persuasion, it would leave her vulnerable to become the killer's next preying victim, before anyone could hear her scream.

Man oh man, I was definitely hooked in the first page. I liked Rebecca and her determination to solve her sister's murder. When she experienced the nightmare, I felt the same heartache and pain, too. As for Diego, he was definitely a man of mystery and precarious as well.  You can really feel a sense of foreshadowing danger in this thriller. Cold chills went down my spine. My heart raced as well to raise my pulse up a notch.

If you love chilling thrillers, check this out this weekend!

Slices of Night

In Slices of Night from three best-selling authors Erica Spindler, JT Ellison, and Alex Kava, they come together in a thrilling novella that would shock and scintillate you with their best-selling leads.  It all started out in New Orleans, when NOPD Detective Stacy Killian, from Erica Spindler's Stacy Killian series, was first on the scene of a killer who killed two homeless people, one of them a teen mother. Stacy also dealt with her miscarriage, when this mini case hit close to her. Then the killer headed over to Nashville, Tennessee, when he also made honed in on two targets, one of them close to him who knew his identity. For Taylor Jackson, from JT Ellison's Taylor Jackson series, newly engaged to FBI Profiler John Baldwin, she discovered the same kills there and tracked him down with CODIS for his past kills. Finally, it ended in Kansas City, Missouri and Omaha, Nebraska, when FBI Profiler Maggie O'Dell, from Alex Kava's Maggie O'Dell series, tied the trio of cases together, while she recovered from her own injuries from the past case. Three times the thrills in one whopping thriller novella.

For this thriller, I enjoyed the collaboration of one cases with three mini stories that linked together. Across the country, they all took you on a thrill ride with an evil menacing serial killer. All roads lead back to him on this triple treat of thrills and chills, when the trail of his crimes happen at night. For the first page to the last, this would grip and hook you in one setting. They also collaborated in another novella, Storm Season, too.

Ready for a thriller trifecta? Check out this novella right now!

Here in my Heart

In Anna De Stefano's novella spinoff from her Mimosa Lane contemporary romance series, we return to the small community of Chandlerville, Georgia. For Dru Hampton, she ran the radKIDS program and worked at the Dream Whip restaurant. She was a strong role model for her younger adoptive sister Lisa with the Dixon family. But she had issues of her own, when she was reunited with her former childhood sweetheart, Officer Brad Douglas. They were separated seven years ago and now come together again, when Brad's 91-year-old grandmother, Vivian, was dying for cancer. For Dru and Brad, they needed to work through their issues and proclaim their love for each other. For Lisa, she just wanted to fit in and be loved by everyone, when she ventured into online chat rooms and the dangers from there. If you have fallen in love with the Mimosa Lane series, you'll fall in love with Here in My Heart as well.

This was a beautiful heart-wrenching contemporary romance. This dealt with adoption, a sense of belonging, life and love, and following your heart. I loved Dru's story on how she overcame the odds to get where she was today. I loved how she started a self-defense class for kids to fight back and how she knew Brad was meant for her. I loved how they cared for Vivian and mourned her loss with a heavy heart. I loved how Brad helped her out and how he figured out his feelings for her as they worked together. I did feel a bit sad for Lisa, who wanted a little attention with a little jealousy. I did became concerned for her, when she dabbled with online chatting. I loved the small town community of Chandlerville, Georgia, and how they came together. Beautiful heart-warming with emotional drama and a sense of romance.

Ready to follow your heart? Give this one your best shot today!

Special review: Sirius about Murder from May 2008

In the second installment of the Beanie and Cruiser series from Sue Owens Wright, Sirius about Murder, Beanie and Cruiser have found themselves stuck in another mystery in South Lake Tahoe around Halloween. Some residents were up for another debate about how the land should be used--some want a dog park while the others want it to be used for expensive housing for more revenue. When Abigail Haversham, the leader of the dog park movement, was found murdered by a killer known as Sirius, it was now up to Beanie and Cruiser to help the local police investigate the murder for suspects, except for the pet psychic at the fair. They might have another quarry to interview about the land debate controversy, they hoped the real killer wouldn't be serious about making them the next victims on their list.

This was another delightful cozy from Sue Owens Wright. I love the pairing of Beanie and Cruiser in this adventurous mysteries. I loved the backdrop of South Lake Tahoe in the California-Nevada area. It was so very picturesque and visual to see the dog park protest and the fair. And to center it around Halloween was ideal as well.  For a light quick read, this one packed a lot of surprises with light humor and a good suspenseful action-packed book.

Are you serious about books? Give this one a try now!

Special review: Howling Bloody Murder from April 2005

In the cozy mystery debut from Sue Owens Wright, Howling Bloody Murder, she introduced us to a remarkable team of Elsinore "Elsie, Beanie" MacBean, a widow with an adult daughter with Washoe heritage through her blood, and her faithful basset hound, Cruiser. When she worked for the local newspaper, she reported about a grisly murder that hit her town of Lake Tahoe. Beanie and Cruiser teamed up with the local law to compare notes about all of the victims, who were all powerful businessmen, who were all up in arms about the environmental dispute about the land. Police leads to the militant tribal councils, who didn't want the local casino built there. Add some supernatural twists and Nona's detestable boyfriend to add to the mix of the plot, when it was up to Beanie and Cruiser to collar the killer before it was too late.

This was another great light cozy. I loved  Beanie and Cruiser together. They make a helluva team. You've got to lose him. I liked the backdrop of South Lake Tahoe along with the Halloween season. I loved the concept that dealt with environmental issues. I do care about them and Nona, though I disliked Nona's boyfriend. I liked Skip working with them too. There's not much here not to like or love at all. For a gentle and light reading, good dramatic action, nice mystery with a hint of humor and suspense.

Ready to howl at the moon? Go grab a copy today!

Special review: Whiteout from February 2009

In Ken Follett's Whiteout, he put the thrill back into thriller and added some medical elements. Before a Christmas blizzard in Scotland, Toni Gallo, the security director of a medical research firm had more problems that she bargained for. Twelve virus samples went missing, while one lab tech ending up bleeding. During the Whiteout, several people converged in front of a family home. Everyone inside had something to win or lose with the end results of the drug been developed to fight against the virus. That's when tempers went high and turned up the heat with jealousies and a boatload of explosive emotions, causing them to reveal family secrets,as heroes and villains emerge in the end.

This was another exhillerating thriller dealing with medical science. I loved the concept of a Scottish  winter season during the holidays. And to have a whiteout happen to trap everyone with snow and ice made it more thrilling as well. Toni Gallo was an interesting and intriguing character. I admired her and love the work she did. As for the  people at the home, that was a whole another story altogether. This would leave you speechless at the end after the gripping hook to start it off.

Don't get caught in the blizzard! Buy a copy this weekend!

Special review: The World WIthout End from April 2009

Eighteen years after the Pillars of the Earth was published, the long awaited sequel, The World Without End, continued the historical fiction saga from where it left off. Two centuries later, the same fight continued against the rich and the poor in Kingsbridge, England. The royal family and the priory were at ends for the same thing, when with a new set of characters that rule the world, they were at the crossroads with a new set of ideas in medicine, architecture, commerce and justice. At this time, this was when the fatal disease of Black Death ravaged their world for this backdrop in a fight against evil. Rich tones of historical facts of how the people lived and died with factual based knowledge on customs and cultures in this fantastic conclusion.

I continued to love the fantastic intricate details on knowing how a new generation of people lived during the Black Death Plague era.  The battle over the priory continued with new and interesting people. The backdrop of the Renaissance period was always amazing to learn about in this long book. I hated another long read and the war against the rich over the poor. Some things haven't changed. When some details were overwhelming with detail, it still made a good read with great drama, excellent action and a hint of romance.

Ready to relive a new war? Grab a copy today!

Embarking on Murder

Elsie "Beanie" MacBean and Cruiser return in the 3rd installment of the Beanie and Cruiser series in Embarking on Murder. For this adventure, it happened upon Beanie's 50th birthday on a ship. It was no way to celebrate her birthday. From there, she witnessed an argument between a couple and later become embroiled into a murder mystery of their own. While Beanie still wrote for the paper, she was also a mystery writer to boot and interviewed an English geology professor who was quite a man of mystery and a charmer. With wild rumors about a Loch Ness-like monster roaming around Lake Tahoe and a disappearance of a woman who was presumed dead by drowning. Besides a twisted love triangle between Professor Blayne and Skip, it was more than she can handle, while more lies and suspicious people collided with the truth and a deadly revelation in the end, that changes their lives forever. Cruiser was always there to protect her.

This was another fantastic Beanie and Cruiser cozy series. I do love how Beanie interacted with her daughter Nona and with Skip. I love the South Lake Tahoe location and how this took place on a cruise ship. That Crispin Blayne was a slimy person. I didn't like him as much. I wished Beanie would get together with Skip. They seemed to be perfect together. This had plenty for a good and light read to warm your hearts. Cruiser was a real cutie. Good drama, tons of action, and a light-hearted geological mystery in between to solve.

Ready to go on an adventure? Give this one a go today!

Where the rain is made

In Keta Diablo's Where the Rain is Made, she told us a fantastic story that's part historical romance, part futuristic time-travel romance as well. For Francesca "Cesca" Duvall, she lost her family in an Indian rampage and couldn't find her brother, Marshall "Marsh" Duvall. For the two siblings, they were in for a ride of their life. Cesca was abducted from a savage Indian, while Marshall was adopted by an Indian tribe to undergo their latest customs. Cesca and Meko had a heated love/hate relationship. For Meko, he was also known as Ethan Gray in the futuristic world who worked for an Indian museum and transformed himself into a raven. Their love went above and beyond the call of his duty for both of his worlds, while they went through marriage, birth of their daughter, and the deadly Indian battles from the red coats. You would really feel for Cesca throughout this beautiful romance and bring a tissue with it at the end.

This was an amazing historical Paranormal romance. I love the bridge between the two parallel words of past and future with the time travel element. I did care for Francesca and Marshall and for the Indians as well. I loved the American Indian-attributed names they winded up with. When she experienced horrible ordeals, we did, too. I loved the Indian reservation and present-day experiences through time, too, in the western part of the world. You would be taken on a magical journey with this novel.

Ready to be enchanted by this love story? Pick up a copy today!

Special review: The Pillars of the Earth from September 2008

In Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth, the first book in the Pillars of the Earth series, he took us back into time of the Renaissance and Medieval Period in the 12th century. In this long book, it was jam-packed with intense history of the customs and cultures of how people lived in there. It wasn't only educational and entertaining at the same time, it set the stage of the cast of enriched characters about Tom Builder's  attempt of building the cathedral in Kingsbridge, England. It dealt with royalty and Tom's family, as we followed them throughout the years with romance, drama, intrigue, action-adventure and suspense. If you haven't seen the TV  mini-series version on Starz's, you'll be hooked in this book and read the sequel later on.

I'm a big sucker for medieval and Renaissance historical fiction. Ken Follett had did his research for this book and the sequel years later. It was so intricate and fascinating to learn about their culture, customs and to learn their way of life. I loved Tom's family and despised the royal prince. I also loved the priory too. I hated that it was so long at a 1000 pages to cram everything in for this saga. This also had some historical romance too as well. You'll be sucked into this ancient world of our past too, when you read this book!

Ready to time travel? Get ready to be intrigued in the Medieval world!

Special review: Jackdaws from April 2009

In Ken Follett's Jackdaws, he took us back to World War Two to tell us an enthralling historical fiction/romance story. During D Day, the United Kingdom had no idea when the Germans would raid their country. It was now up to Felicity "Flick" Clairet, the leader of an all French operative company to attack  against the Germans for the UK Forces. But during their head-on assault, everything went wrong. Her group was destroyed, her husband was MIA, her superiors were unsure of her, while her own self-confidence was shaken up a bit. That's when she developed a new plan of unprofessional all-female operatives for her team, which was later called the Jackdaws, and placed it into action. While she lead her new team onward and forward, that was secrets she kept to herself and haven't revealed to others, including those that were within herself.

This was a fantastic cross-blend of historical fiction and historical romance. During war-time Europe made it a picture perfect setting for this novel. I did begin to feel strong emotions for Flick and her fellow jackdaw spies. She had overcame a lot of things to accomplish that impossible mission. She was a true heroine in this novel, too. I didn't like it, when she lost her husband during the war, or when her team was defeated. With non-stop action, this would launch you right into the scenery to blend in and to join forces as well. This left a smile on my face in the end.

Ready to be recruited? Sign up with a copy today!

KIller Cuts

In the 8th installment of the Dead-End Job Mystery series by Elaine Viets, we've found Helen working as a gopher for the stylist to the stars and regulars in Killer Cuts. While Helen prepared for her own wedding, she helped Miguel Angel with the wedding details for Honey and King Oden's wedding. A lot of drama happened at the salon, when Phoebe, one of the assistants made rude comments to his customers and flirted with the wedding guests. On Honey's wedding day, it turned out to be a nightmare, when King Oden, a blog communist about gossip ended up dead by drowning, after they said "I Do." From there, Miguel fired Phoebe and rumors spread about Miguel being a person of interest. It was up to Helen and Phil to clear his name and save his business, before it would become too late for Helen's second wedding.

I love the couple of Phil and Helen. They both get a second chance in romance. I also love the Florida location and the scenic backdrop. To have it feature a hair salon was quick and witty with some interesting characters. I didn't like King Oden or Phoebe one bit. Miguel was an interesting and unusual character as well. But he did grew on me. There were some parts that I moaned and groaned  and let out a quick breath. I always look forward for more Helen Hawthorne cozies in the series.

Ready for a trim? Grab a copy or place it on your wish list!

Special review: Deadly Safari from November 2008

In the first installment of the Jazz Jasper series by Karin McQuillen, Deadly Safari, she introduced us to Jazz Jasper, an American woman who escaped America and a painful divorce to start her own African safari as an indepedemt guide. She met Striker, a pilot, and started a relationship with him. She also made new friends there as well. But two ad reps, two wealthy businessmen and two models all gave her a headache. When two of them ended up killed mysteriously, she feared her first safari might be her last. She went on the case to solve the murders to track down a killer, may be it human or animal, and face this human predator once and for all.

This was a great introduction to the short-lived Jazz Jasper series. I loved the African location for the series, when we learn more about their customs and cultures. The scenery depicted was rich with descriptions of the landscape and animals. I did feel bad for Jazz to go through a painful divorce and needed to escape from the pain. I did think Striker was an interesting character for the pilot. I did worry about Jazz, when she was a newcomer to Africa. This was a pleasant and light read for those who needed to escape to other places. Great drama, nice storyline with a hint of romance and intrigue.

Ready to go on a safari? Hop aboard with your copy today!

Special review: Devil's Bride from March 2009

In Stephanie Laurens's historical romance debut, Devil's Bride, the first book in the Cynster series, she told us a story about the Cynster family. In the first installment, Sylvester "Devil" Cynster was caught in a compromising position with Honoria Wetherby, he shocked the world by offering her marriage. No one suspected this rake, England's most eligible bachelor, would settle down. But Honoria wasn't about to bend down to society's demands to marry him. She wanted to go on adventures and solve a Cynster murder mystery. When that was solved, she wanted to see the world. She couldn't escape the desirable heat from Devil, which only made her want to crave something more--him! Would she cave in to his pleasure and a lifelong adventure with him?

I really loved learning about Sly's wild bachelorhood and his intriguing family. I enjoyed the intriguing mystery inside the plotline to tie Honoria to Sly together. Dealing with the ton's norms back in the day, we learned how passion can sweep anyone way with the deepest of their desires.  I liked how the cousins and brothers got together in the sake of crisis and scandal.  The English countryside leaves much to be desired back then and even now.

Ready to get swept away? Check it out right now!