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date:
November 03, 2011 06:17AM
location:
The United States
description:
Stop by and check out my interview with historical romance author Beverly Jenkins about her latest book Night Hawk and enter to win a print copy of her Avon Historical Romance Midnight!
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It was immediately obvious to me that this book is part of a series, one of which I haven’t read. That being said – I was surprised that I didn’t get lost or feel like I didn’t get to know the characters. Sometimes with a series, the author relies ...moreIt was immediately obvious to me that this book is part of a series, one of which I haven’t read. That being said – I was surprised that I didn’t get lost or feel like I didn’t get to know the characters. Sometimes with a series, the author relies on previous books to do the character building and doesn’t give enough in the current book for the story to really click with a reader who hasn’t read the previous book…kudos to Dee Davis for keeping this one a stand-alone within a series.
I loved Madeline and Drake…and I especially loved them together. There is nothing that draws me in more than two very strong characters. Madeline is one tough cookie. She doesn’t give in to anything that has happened in her life – and let’s just say she hasn’t exactly gotten it easy. She is a true survivor, doing whatever it takes and dealing with the emotional backfire later.
Strong women need strong men – and Drake is all that and more. His attitude towards women is a bit suspicious at first, but the man has his reasons and he’s about to get a reality check on the integrity of the opposite sex. For such a tough guy, Drake has a sensitive side that is endearing and adds to the complexity of his character. He isn’t perfect, but neither is Madeline. As for the rest of the A-Tac team, the term “adrenaline junkie” comes up a lot, and I have a feeling this is a recurring theme throughout the books.
Dee doesn’t delve into each character as thoroughly as I would expect from a stand-alone book, but since this is a series, the glimpses of each character’s personality makes me want to read more about each one. I haven’t yet looked up the first book in the series (this is the second), but I don’t think it would take you long to figure out which characters were the main ones. But that’s what I love about series, you get to visit the characters you fell in love with after their “happy ending” and see the continuation of their lives.
The “bad guys” in this book are cunning, ruthless, and surprising. While Madeline and Drake are battling their own enemies, there is a much larger villain that appears to operate throughout the books. I’m a sucker for undercover operatives – give me a SEAL, or in this case CIA agent, any day and I’m a happy reader.
If you’re looking for a hot romance with lots of action and intrigue, don’t hesitate to grab Dangerous Desires. If you can’t wait to read this one, but like to start from the beginning, go ahead and do what I’m about to do – check out Dark Deceptions for the first book of the series. Either way, you won’t be disappointed with this Dee Davis book. I’m looking forward to seeing what the rest of this series has to offer.
Review by Cheeky Girl L.A. @ CheekyReads(less)
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I was a little dubious about whether I would enjoy a story set over 24 hours as I’ve never read anything like it before but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.
Maggie is a very confused and desperate person who has one last chance to contact her...moreI was a little dubious about whether I would enjoy a story set over 24 hours as I’ve never read anything like it before but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.
Maggie is a very confused and desperate person who has one last chance to contact her step brother to see if he is willing to help her so she doesn’t lose everything. She has had a complicated life that never seems to go right for her.
Jack lost the love of his life when Maggie left him but he picked up the pieces and carried on, burying the heartache and concentrating on his career. He has done well for himself and has convinced himself that he is happy. But when he begins to remember the past he has buried he starts to question his current situation.
Maggie attends the ball in a last ditch effort to try to find her step brother who she hasn’t spoken to for years. When she unexpectedly bumps in to Jack it brings the past and the memories that have been plaguing her to the surface. The relationship between Maggie and Jack is a complicated one but made me hope that they would find a way to work through their past problems and have their happily ever after.
Maggie used to have a great relationship with her step brother, Dillon. But after one fateful night when they were younger their relationship became strained and eventually Maggie severed all contact.
The anger and pain that Maggie felt made her seem more real to me although I did question the depth and the reasons for this on occasion. I liked the strong friends that surrounded Maggie and provided her the support she so obviously needed. Eden and Neve were fantastic characters and seemed like true friends to Maggie.
I did struggle a bit with all the flashbacks from the different perspectives throughout the story but it did help develop an understanding of how and why the situation that the characters found themselves in at the present had been affected by the past.
Ms Boniface did a fantastic job of keeping this a fast paced story, with all the twists and turns to keep it interesting but still developed the characters so it felt like grew to know them. I enjoyed this story and felt all the highs and lows right along with the characters. The twists kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next and I couldn’t put the book down. I was kept me guessing all the way through whether Maggie and Jack would get their HEA and also if there was a chance for Maggie to reconcile her relationship with Dillon.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a complicated, angst filled love story.
Reviewed by Cheeky Girl Vicky @ CheekyReads(less)
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This book is one of the best I've read in a long time.
It was one sitting book! I rarely care for romance books by men, but this story is sweet, poignant and very well written. The way he brings Andy and Denny together is very well done. I was afra...moreThis book is one of the best I've read in a long time.
It was one sitting book! I rarely care for romance books by men, but this story is sweet, poignant and very well written. The way he brings Andy and Denny together is very well done. I was afraid that one personality would become lost in the other but Dean manages to keep the best of both.
The author creates such wonderful word pictures that you feel like you are living it too. My favorite part is the music, I've never had the emotions of music described in words that were so powerful, it is very stirring.
Dean depicts the Chicago underworld graphically and has some pretty raw sex and language at the beginning. Please don't let this stop you from reading the rest. You will be glad you did! This is a great book.
Reviewed at Cheeky Reads by Reviewer Sharon(less)
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" Oh - I LOVE her Tumble Creek series - Start Me Up, Talk Me Down, Lead Me On. So good. So are all her historicals. She's in my top 5 authors. The only ...moreOh - I LOVE her Tumble Creek series - Start Me Up, Talk Me Down, Lead Me On. So good. So are all her historicals. She's in my top 5 authors. The only book of hers I didn't adore was Crazy for Love. Just didn't connect with characters.(less)"
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It's something I never thought I'd be able to say, but this book actually brings something new and fresh to vampire lore! J.K. Beck has created a new world with a very creative and compelling take on how vampires are created and what they do to stay ...moreIt's something I never thought I'd be able to say, but this book actually brings something new and fresh to vampire lore! J.K. Beck has created a new world with a very creative and compelling take on how vampires are created and what they do to stay "alive". I usually steer clear of vampire romances lately because they are like cookie-cutter imitations, but I was really excited to get into this one.
Likewise, I was equally interested in the entire world of creatures that the author has created and again felt that there's a new twist to all of them. This isn't just any old world-building. It's different and unique.
The heroine Sara appealed to me and I liked that she was neither a silly fool or overly rigid when faced with this brand new world. Her reactions felt honest to the character and I felt her back story really played well into the plot and conflict.
Lucius made for an hero that really rode that line of good and bad with a past that lets you in on why he lives his life in such extremes and makes you go back and forth in how you as a reader feels about him, his being a vampire, and if it's smart to be with him.
There were a few things about this story that threw me off slightly but it's hard to go into without plot telling a little. I will say that I felt the ending was a little predictable with what happens to Sara and wish this part of the book would have been drawn out more to really play with some twists before the inevitable happens. Other than that, I thought it was a really awesome debut book and a great start to the series!
If you think Vampires are getting tired, give this one a try and it might revitalize your feelings on them!(less)
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I really enjoyed this and even though it was a short story it didn’t feel like it was missing anything.
I was impressed with Bridget and how she responded to the events within the story and she came over a strong and intelligent woman who knew her ow...moreI really enjoyed this and even though it was a short story it didn’t feel like it was missing anything.
I was impressed with Bridget and how she responded to the events within the story and she came over a strong and intelligent woman who knew her own mind. Even with some of the bizarre events she approached them with a level head and trusted her instincts which made her a very likable character to me.
Ash had a mysterious air about him and on occasion I was unsure how he was going to react but he always kept the story interesting.
Bridget and Ash made a really appealing and enjoyable couple and the passion between them was believable and at times intense! I liked the fact that they didn’t instantly fall for each other but had time to get to know each other. The twist near the end of the story had me a little disappointed, but only briefly!
I haven’t read many books about the Jin but this has made me want to give them a try and I will definitely be on the look out for more books by this author!
Reviewed by Cheeky Girl Vicky @ CheekyReads(less)
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This book was actually only the second one Victoria Alexander wrote, but you won’t be able to tell by reading it. Aside from a few awkward scenes – the whole let’s go on a treasure hunt was a little random even with Sabrina’s reasoning – her story f...moreThis book was actually only the second one Victoria Alexander wrote, but you won’t be able to tell by reading it. Aside from a few awkward scenes – the whole let’s go on a treasure hunt was a little random even with Sabrina’s reasoning – her story flow is top level. I was surprised at how well she was able to juggle several side stories and multiple characters. Usually I feel like I don’t get to know the characters well enough when there is more than one love story happening at the same time, but I was able to get into each story and root for the characters. And I loved how they all related to one another and interacted. There isn’t anything I love more than a complicated cast. Although, I will say that part of me wishes I had more time with the secondary characters. I could easily see a trilogy here instead of one book.
Sabrina isn’t your typical Victorian-era heroine. Instead of writing about a virginal maiden making her debut into society, Victoria tells the story of a grown woman who, according to society, is past her prime. Don’t let her age fool you though; Sabrina acts more like a teenager than a woman closing in on 40. The mother/daughter relationship portrayed is also unusual for this genre, but greatly refreshing. I love the banter between Sabrina and Belinda, even if at times they act more like sisters than mother/daughter. Think Gilmore Girls in the early 1800’s.
Nicholas is exactly the type of man to balance Sabrina’s wild side. He is arrogant, stubborn, and prideful. There is nothing more exciting in a book than two people who get on each other’s nerves so much they end up falling in love. I do think Nicholas’ fall could have had a little more depth to it. I wanted to really see him start to admire Sabrina, not just lust after her.
If you’re seeking adventure and romance, and don’t mind overlooking a few minor flaws, look no further. You’ll fall in love with these characters and enjoy every twist and turn this treasure-seeking tale has to offer.
Reviewed by Cheeky Girl Lauren on CheekyReads(less)
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