Damn good read! Pulse-pounding suspenseful romantic fiction at it's best and add in a family you will absolutely fall in love with, you cannot go wron...moreDamn good read! Pulse-pounding suspenseful romantic fiction at it's best and add in a family you will absolutely fall in love with, you cannot go wrong with this book.(less)
Acquainted With the Night by Piper Maitland is a story where Indian Jones meets Da Vinci Code with paranormal mythos peppered into the mix to create a...moreAcquainted With the Night by Piper Maitland is a story where Indian Jones meets Da Vinci Code with paranormal mythos peppered into the mix to create an original story that will keep you guessing. The book offers a lot of excitement, emotion and adventure.
Going from mundane London tour guide, Caroline (Caro) Clifford becomes a person who is sought after by many people throughout many countries. There is a massive manhunt out there searching for her. Some of them are good guys; but, most of them are not. Fate has partnered Caro with Jude Barrett, a handsome, quirky former biochemist who studied mice in his experiments in which he was able to mimic vampirism. He is on his own quest to find out more regarding the mysteries he may have unlocked. And a long the way, he ends up with a lot more than he has bargained for.
Caro has her world turned upside down when she learns her Uncle/guardian has been brutally murdered while he was on an archeological dig in Bulgaria. His death leaves Caro’s world in a literal tailspin as she travels all over the globe to unearth hidden papers and truths many would like to leave well hidden. Along the way she finds out that the night has a lot more to offer than the normal things that go “bump” in the night.
Caro also discovers some truths about her self that will make her question the foundational certainty of who she always thought she was. As the mystery unravels and her journey gets more treacherous, she makes many discoveries that would make any normal person want to surrender, turn around, and go back home; but, Caro and Jude get to a point of no return and must see this adventure to the end.
This is a good story with many exciting twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and very entertained. There is an element to the novel that I found frustrating. In my opinion, the author was trying to juggle a lot of plots and then have them all culminate together at the end to give the reader a pulse-pounding ending; but, Ms. Maitland misses the mark a little bit by “putting too many irons in the fire.” I feel that the story was a little disjointed in spots, especially in the beginning of the book. But, given that, Acquainted With the Night by Piper Maitland is a good paranormal story that offers a lot of high adventure and romance. I am looking forward to more Caro and Jude adventures in the coming book which Piper is surely writing.
4.5 stars for this debut novel! What a great, emotional read that depicts Dee Dee's life on the lamb and the lengths to which she and Special Agent Sa...more4.5 stars for this debut novel! What a great, emotional read that depicts Dee Dee's life on the lamb and the lengths to which she and Special Agent Santiago must go to protect her against the forces that would continue to threaten her and her family. Full review to come.(less)
Blind Faith by Michael Schneider is a an intriguing romantic suspense novel about Karsyn McKenna, a young woman who has let a very sheltered life unde...moreBlind Faith by Michael Schneider is a an intriguing romantic suspense novel about Karsyn McKenna, a young woman who has let a very sheltered life under her father’s careful eye. At the beginning of the story, she is a naive young woman and then life throws her a few curve balls making her grow up very fast in a short amount of time.
Karsyn has the two men in her life, Gabriel Thompson and Chase Carter and she finds herself caught between them. Chase has been her friend and personal Superman for years. Aside from her father, Chase is the one person she has been able to count on to get her through the tough times. Then Gabriel shows up in her life as her father’s new right hand man in his auto mechanic shop.
The relationship that develops between Gabriel and Karsyn threatens her friendship with Chase as Gabriel attempts to steer her away from him. She assumes Gabriel is merely jealous of Chase and she tries to hold on to her relationship with her friend. Life becomes more complicated as she gets further entrenched in her love for Gabriel. Her implacable faith in her love for Gabriel is shattered in one night and she ends up in the arms of her childhood hero even though she will never recover from her feelings for Gabriel.
Karsyn’s blind faith in Chase becomes a life-altering experience as she makes the ultimate commitment to him in marriage. She places her life and the well-being of her child in the hands of someone she believes she knows better than herself at the cost of the most important people in her life, including her father. The web of deceptions Chase is able to create will boggle the mind, as well as Karsyn’s naiveté. The lengths he goes to ensure his wife, the lady he has been in love with since she was very young, stays in his life will have the reader gasping.
As Karsyn becomes ensconced in a nightmare-reality in Blind Faith, the reader finds themselves emotionally wrapped up in her well-being, her happiness and rooting for the man she had to leave behind. Michael Schneider has written a romantic suspense novel with a diabolical twist. The reader finds themselves being hurled into a journey right along with the heroine and wanting to hold her hand while muttering “we’ll get through this, hang in there.” This debut novel is very captivating and well worth the time.
Nauti Nights by Lora Leigh is Leigh-eroticism at its best with suspense entwined in the the story arc. Crista and Dawg (a.k.a. James McKay), a former...moreNauti Nights by Lora Leigh is Leigh-eroticism at its best with suspense entwined in the the story arc. Crista and Dawg (a.k.a. James McKay), a former Marine, had a one-night stand eight years ago when Crista was eighteen. She helped him out one night when he ran his truck into a ditch and was too inebriated to get home on his own. Once she got him home, their passion took over and she lost her virginity but had the night of her life. That fated night is seared into her heart and soul. So much so, she runs away from the situation because her feelings toward Dawg are overwhelmingly strong and she does not know how to handle her emotions where he is concerned. Dawg, being schwasted that night has blurry memories of Crista as “dreams” and strong, passionate feelings. However, he has never forgotten her.
Eight years later Crista has been back in town for a year. During this time, Dawg and Crista have been playing a game of cat and mouse with each other. Then one decisive night, Dawg saves her from a very dangerous situation in which she unknowingly plays an intricate part. In order to protect her and insure her innocence, Dawg’s possessive, alpha male side dominates and blackmails Crista into staying with him so he can keep an eye on her. The extortion element in the situation sounds sinister; but, they both are looking for an excuse to connect again and allowed the situation to progress.
After years of being apart, their feelings have intensified to the point that both of their souls have been affected. Their predominant emotions boil over into some explosive bedroom (and office) antics. The passion and heat Dawg and Crista create is powerfully and emotionally well-written by Lora Leigh. Adding to that is the suspenseful story arc which unfolds into an intricate whodunnit adventure that makes reading this erotic novel worth while. To further your enjoyment of this story, I recommend reading Nauti Boy, the first book in this series. Nauti Nights is a great bookshelf addition to any fans of romantica suspense.
Some of my favorite lines from the book:
~ Fiery sweetness. Spicy ice. She was every contradiction in the world, and his blood raced at the defiance, the challenge, and the sheer response he felt radiating from her.
~ “Dawg, don’t you think—” “I never think around you,” he muttered as his lips moved back along her jaw. “All I do is feel.”
~ It was a hunger he recognized because it was the same hunger that had tormented him for too long. So many years dreaming of her, and she was better than the dream. Sweeter than passion, hotter than lust.
~ She was summer lightning, striking hot and swift to the center of his soul. She was a hot summer day and a cool, easing breeze all at once.
His Darkest Hunger by Juliana Stone is a very emotionally draining and satisfying read. Ms. Stone has created an extremely steadfast and compelling he...moreHis Darkest Hunger by Juliana Stone is a very emotionally draining and satisfying read. Ms. Stone has created an extremely steadfast and compelling heroine in Libby Jamieson. Her counterpart, Jaxon Castille is your ultimate alpha male with the obtuseness we like to encounter since those types fall the hardest.
Libby and Jaxon have a past where they worked on the same military team together and fell in love. Libby’s disappearance and other actions lead the team and Jaxon to believe she betrayed them. He has been hunting her ever since with vengeance on his mind for her betrayal to him and the team.
The journey they endure together to unravel the mystery of the events that led to Libby’s apparent betrayal is harrowing, dark, emotionally gut-wrenching, and oh so enthralling. This book is a little darker in it’s diabolical content than I usually like; but, Juliana Stone is able to keep us more tender-hearted types reading through those moments when things seem to be at their most austere.
The secondary characters were equally interesting, full of depth and personalities that snare the reader into caring about them, too. I am looking forward to continuing the series to find out what happens to them as the saga continues to hunt the bad guys and make things right with the world. The journey the reader is led on in His Darkest Hunger is fraught with dichotomous emotions leaving the reader wrung out but gratified.
Julian and Tessa burn up the pages in this installment of Pamela Clare's Hard Evidence. I absolutely loved Tessa's soft, yet tenacious and intelligent...moreJulian and Tessa burn up the pages in this installment of Pamela Clare's Hard Evidence. I absolutely loved Tessa's soft, yet tenacious and intelligent personality juxtaposed against Julian’s gruff exterior and his fiercely protective nature. They both come from similar backgrounds where poverty and abusive family circumstances ruled their worlds when they were children. It is extremely interesting to read how they each handled their circumstances and molded their adult lives to compensate for their derelict upbringing. Another great point in this book is that she puts the steam in a steamy hot shower scene and will have the reader hunting down their significant other to get some relief. I know I will never be able to look at another massaging shower head again without thinking of that scene.
The sex trafficking case they are both embroiled in becomes very dangerous and threatens both of their lives. Ms. Clare has done an excellent job of composing a story that draws the reader into a world that is difficult to comprehend but, elicits the reader’s sympathy. The reader is so drawn into the story, you will find yourself cheering on as Julian and Tessa try to bring down the antagonist and the evil world he thrives in. The plot and the passion build to a pulse-pounding conclusion. Pamela Clare is extremely skillful at creating romantic suspense. The romance reader will not want to pass up this astounding book.
I was disappointed with this book. The passion and suspense plot felt forced. The previous books in the series are genuine erotic, suspenseful enjoyme...moreI was disappointed with this book. The passion and suspense plot felt forced. The previous books in the series are genuine erotic, suspenseful enjoyment. It's like Ms. Leigh was trying to force the series beyond the first three books in the series & ride on the coat-tails of their success. I will read one more book in the series to see if this book is a fluke or if the series lost it's mojo.(less)
Mark Hunter and Sophie Alton burn up the pages in this installment of the I-Team Series. This story requires a box of tissues, especially towards the...moreMark Hunter and Sophie Alton burn up the pages in this installment of the I-Team Series. This story requires a box of tissues, especially towards the end. Romantic Suspense at it's best. Full review to come.(less)
How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper is one of those books that will make you laugh out loud and elicit a gambit of emotion. The buildin...moreHow to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper is one of those books that will make you laugh out loud and elicit a gambit of emotion. The building up of the love connection is artfully done. Ms. Harper also administers a good who-dun-it mystery in with the amalgamation of her book. Plus, she has filled this book with wacky characters and comical, snarky one-liners. This was the most fun I have had reading a book in a long while.
Something About You by Julie James was one of the most entertaining reads I have read in a long time. I loved it! It has a little bit of everything fo...moreSomething About You by Julie James was one of the most entertaining reads I have read in a long time. I loved it! It has a little bit of everything for us romance aficionados. It offers a good plot with great secondary characters, sexual tension, magnetic passion, deep abiding friendship, love, humor, mystery, and suspense.
This story has a very humorous beginning. Cameron Lynde, is in a hotel room where her sleep is rudely disturbed by a couple in the room next her having a vigorous lovemaking session. The cause for her sleep disturbance leads the story into a plot of intrigue where Cameron is reunited with FBI Agent Jack Pallas after three years where he fortuitously assigned as the agent in charge of the investigation Cameron unwittingly has found herself in the midst of.
When Jack left the Chicago area three years earlier, he and Cameron did not part on friendly terms, although they have a grudging respect for each other professionally. So, the start of their reunion has a strong cantankerous edge to it. Agent Wilkins who is Jack’s partner in the investigation adds some much needed comic relief to the strained situation. There were several laugh out loud moments in this book that were incited by Agent Wilkins. The other secondary characters in this story add a cohesive grounding in Cameron’s life and eventually, in Jack’s life.
The interest and heat that began when Cameron and Jack worked on their first case together starts to simmer again. The sexual tension that grows is thick as they feel more and more drawn to each other on a physical level. As the mystery of the plot thickens, the two learn to trust one another again despite the hurt they have caused each other in the past.
The author definitely knows how to capture her audience with mystery, suspense, sensuality, friendship, humor and love. Adding to those elements, Julie James voice is light and snarky at times. The delivery of Cameron and Jack’s story draws the reader in with her originality and sense of humor. In addition, her ability to create characters the reader will fall in love and connect with is outstanding. The romance reader would be remiss to pass up this story and this author. I highly recommend this book.
Some of my favorite quotes from Something About You are: - The manager gestured to the door. “Would you mind if I escorted you back into your room, Ms. Lynde?” This was Polite-Peninsula-Hotel-speak for “You might as well get comfortable because your eavesdropping ass isn’t going anywhere.”
- “Glowering”—she liked that description. It was certainly more insightful than the generic “asshole” she’d been going with for the past three years.
- ...she realized then that her mind was already so far down in the gutter she’d need an extension ladder to get it out so she might as well just give in to the whole darn fantasy.
- (He looked) More like a chocolate molten lava cake. A dessert so sinful, so luscious, so filled with inner heat it made a girl want to lick each and every crumb right off the plate. That was Jack Pallas.
Extreme Exposure (I-Team #1) is a marvelous, romantic suspense story. It starts off with a few laugh out loud moments and then gets down to brass tack...moreExtreme Exposure (I-Team #1) is a marvelous, romantic suspense story. It starts off with a few laugh out loud moments and then gets down to brass tacks. Kara McMillan is a tenacious investigative reporter for a newspaper called, Independent out of Denver Colorado. She meets Senator Reece Sheridan at a bar. A bar she was conned into visiting with her best friend Holly. During this chance encounter, Kara gets a little tipsy and puts her investigative talents to good use for personal inquisitiveness to find out the answers women all over the world want to know from a male’s perspective (this is a moment in the story where you’ll squirm or have tears of mirth running down your cheeks).
Kara becomes involved with an investigative story when a whistle blower brings a situation that is not only appalling but is dangerous to the Denver community to her attention. A big company is abusing the environment and has been getting away with the abuse for years by having governmental agencies look the other way. However, there is more going on with the situation than Kara knows and she ends up in the middle of a heated political scandal. As she continues to investigate, her life and everyone she cares about is threatened. It is this threat and the formidable powers behind the malice that embroils Senator Sheridan into the mix exacted from his feelings for Kara and his conscience.
When Kara first meets him, she is sure his motives are completely superficial and self-serving. After all, what else would one expect from a politician? However, in the process of becoming involved with Reece, Kara discerns that he is truly a man with ethics and morals -- a man worth respecting. But the truth of the matter is that Kara has learned to keep herself from getting involved with any man since the father of her child left her holding all of the responsibility of raising a child and taking care of herself. Compounding this way of thinking is the fact that her father left her mother much in the same way. This makes it difficult for her to let her guard down when she is around the Senator.
Due to Reece’s consummate patience and understanding of Kara’s past, he is able to whittle away at the wall she has erected around herself, ripping away her safety net so he can catch her when she falls. The intimacy that grows between Reece and Kara becomes eminently intrinsic to each others’ emotional and physical need. As the story progresses and their feelings grow more intense, the plot that builds will change their lives forever, either ripping them apart or solidifying their need for each other.
I cannot begin to relate accurately how much I really enjoyed reading this novel by Pamela Clare. It offered everything I love in a good romance: a complicated plot, loyalty to family and friends, steamy love scenes, authentic feelings, humor, an independent woman, a man who knows what he wants and a happy ending. I highly recommend Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare to all my reading audience who love romance and suspense. Ms. Clare is adept at enthralling her readers with the alchemy of her storytelling abilities. This is a great story worthy of a place on your bookshelf or e-reader.
Here are some of my favorite lines from the novel:
-- On one plate lay a single red rose. Some little romantic part of Kara -- a part of her she'd thought long dead -- sighed in feminine delight. She told it to shut up, but it didn't.
-- Kara was under a full-scale sensual assault, unable to think, barely able to keep up with the onslaught that was Reece.
-- When he touched her, his attention was focused, and his focus was total. He seemed to be right with her, through every breath, every touch, every tremor, as if he could feel what she felt, as if what she felt mattered more to him in that moment than anything else.
-- "And I can tell he's good for you." "Is my aura full of smiley faces or something?"
-- "Are you having sex with my mommy?" Still half asleep and unsure what Kara would want him to say, Reece mumbled, "Not at the moment."
Great romantic suspense that will surprise and entice you into immersing yourself into a surprisingly good plot despite the fact it revolves around th...moreGreat romantic suspense that will surprise and entice you into immersing yourself into a surprisingly good plot despite the fact it revolves around the seedier side of life.(less)
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