This Week's New Releases

So much goodness this week! Some from favorite authors as well as new to me authors. Also one with a type of heroine we rarely read about.

I find my curiosity quite high for this story. A heroine who can not hear and a hero who speaks her language. I'm intrigued and can't wait to see how different, if any, the romance is as they communicate without the spoken word.

Signs of Attraction
Laura Brown
Contemporary Romance

Do you know what hearing loss sounds like? I do.

All my life I've tried to be like you. I've failed.

So I keep it hidden.

But on the day my world crashed down around me, Reed was there.

He showed me just how loud and vibrant silence can be, even when I struggled to understand.

He's unlike anyone I've ever known. His soulful eyes and strong hands pulled me in before I knew what was happening.

And as I saw those hands sign, felt them sparking on me, I knew: imperfect could be perfect.

Reed makes me feel things I've never felt. It's exciting...and terrifying.

Because he sees me like no one else has, and I'm afraid of what he'll find if he looks too closely.

The only thing that scares me more than being with him? Letting him go.

I'm almost always in the mood for romantic suspense. Karen Rose is my go-to author but I'm always on the look out for new RS authors and thought I'd give Ms. Fenech a try.

Breath of Malice
Karen Fenech
Romantic Suspense

FBI special agent Paige Carson hoped she'd be able to start a new life in small-town South Carolina. But when a senator's sister is murdered and a blank postcard is left next to the body, Paige realizes that a killer from her past has found her - and is sending her a very personal message.

From the moment he hired her, FBI special agent in charge Sam McKade knew Paige was hiding something. Prompted by this recent threat, she finally opens up: one year ago, she caught the eye of suspected serial killer Todd Thames. Now he's come back to pull her into his game, whether she wants to play or not.

As the danger increases, Paige and Sam give in to their growing attraction, and he vows to protect her no matter the cost. But he murderer will stop at nothing to get to his intended prey, and the strong arm of the law - and the shelter of her new love - may not be enough to save her.

I love a good road trip story! Add in a heroine with an unusual career and a man she can drive crazy. Sounds like the makings for an exciting trip!

Driven to Temptation
Melia Alexander
Contemporary Romance

Aidan Ross might be an engineering genius, but people skills? Not this soldier's forte. Thankfully, a trusted friend is accompanying him to a make-or-break tradeshow...but then a bubbly redhead hops into his truck, claiming to be his new road trip buddy. She's a gorgeous distraction he can't afford. Or ignore.

Delaney Harper comes from a family of engineers - male engineers. With several impressive projects under her belt, she's on a mission to prove she can hang with the big boys, too. but cracking the sexy, closed-off CEO is tougher than she expects...and hotter than she could have imagined.

With the tempting woman disrupting his carefully planned schedule, Aidan can't focus on the road, much less their upcoming presentation. The future of his company is riding on this trip, and if they're to land a huge account, he has to keep his head - and his heart - in the game...

It's Sarina Bowen writing a lubersexual farmer. How can I resist? : ')

Bittersweet
Sarina Bowen
Contemporary Romance
True North/Book 1

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the orchard. The last person Griffin Shipley expects to find stuck in a ditch on his Vermont country road is his ex-hookup. Five years ago they’d shared a couple of steamy nights together. But that was a lifetime ago.

At twenty-seven, Griff is now the accidental patriarch of his family farm. Even his enormous shoulders feel the strain of supporting his mother, three siblings and a dotty grandfather. He doesn’t have time for the sorority girl who’s shown up expecting to buy his harvest at half price.

Vermont was never in Audrey Kidder’s travel plans. Neither was Griff Shipley. But she needs a second chance with the restaurant conglomerate employing her. Okay—a fifth chance. And no self-righteous lumbersexual farmer will stand in her way.

They’re adversaries. They want entirely different things from life. Too bad their sexual chemistry is as hot as Audrey’s top secret enchilada sauce, and then some.

So, so far behind on this series. But I will catch up. I don't know when. I don't know how, probably by audio book, but I will catch up. (Show of hands - how many of us have made this vow before?) *raises hand*

Allegiance of Honor
Nalini Singh
Paranormal Romance
Psy-Changeling Series/Book 15

The Psy-Changeling world has undergone a staggering transformation and now stands at a crossroads. The Trinity Accord promises a new era of cooperation between disparate races and groups. It is a beacon of hope held together by many hands: Old enemies. New allies. Wary loners.

But a century of distrust and suspicion can’t be so easily forgotten and threatens to shatter Trinity from within at any moment. As rival members vie for dominance, chaos and evil gather in the shadows and a kidnapped woman’s cry for help washes up in San Francisco, while the Consortium turns its murderous gaze toward a child who is the embodiment of change, of love, of piercing hope: A child who is both Psy…and changeling.

To find the lost, protect the vulnerable—and save Trinity—no one can stand alone. This is a time of loyalty across divisions, of bonds woven into the heart and the soul, of heroes known and unknown standing back to back and holding the line. But is an allegiance of honor even possible with traitors lurking in their midst?

I'm usually not drawn to romances with wealthy businessmen as the hero. But this is Megan Hart, a favorite author, and it sounds like she's turned the table on the usual set up of dominate male, submissive female.

Beg for It
Megan Hart
Contemporary Romance

He’s gonna have to beg for it…

Corinne was young once. She did everything—girls, boys, drugs, toys—and did it in high funky fashion. Reese wasn’t her first lover, but he was the first to submit to her. For a while they had something special, but it ended badly.

She’s a little older now. And the wealthy businessman who just bought the company she works for bears little resemblance to that boy. He’s commanding, domineering, and seems hell-bent on pushing her past her limits.

In a flash of anger, she falls back into their old pattern—and Reese falls right in with her. Before she knows it, she’s testing him. Then tasting him. But she can’t afford to get involved again. Her life is complicated enough without throwing in a slew of kink.

Now if only Reese would stop making her feel like the goddess she used to be…and showing her who’s been the boss all along. Then…and now.

Warning: Contains thousand-dollar, custom-tailored business suits, fuzzy green boots, goth eyeliner, and fishnet sleeves. We’ll let you discover who wears what.

This Weeks New Releases

And the TBR pile continues to grow. Many a good book is coming out this week. I've added six to my list and I have no doubt more will be added before the week is out.

This sounds intense and different from my usual reads. The friends to lovers trope is one of my favorites but this, this has it's own twist. I have not read anything from Kendall Ryan, so we'll see if she can convince me of the set-up. I hope she can.

Wednesday
Kendall Ryan
Contemporary Romance

Hard-core fucking.

It’s not what I really want, but it’s all he has to offer. He’s filled with turmoil and heartache and regrets, but for two hours every Wednesday all he feels is me. How much I desire him, how desperate he makes me, how much I’d like things to be different between us. Real.

He used to be my best friend back before he got married. And now? Now, he’s a young widower. It would be wrong on so many levels to expect something more from him, so I give him what he needs. Dark, delicious fucking.

But I know I can’t keep this up. I’ve already given him my body, my soul. I want him to have my heart. It might drive him away forever, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.

Wednesday is an angsty romp told from dual points of view. If you’re in the mood for something quick and dirty, you’ve found it. Proceed at your own risk.

Oh, yes! This has been a wild ride. The movie based on the first book was a little of a disappointment. No surprise it wasn't as good as the book. But I have been looking forward to this third and final installment ever since reading the last book.

The Last Star
Rick Yancey
Young Adult/Dystopian
The Fifth Wave/Book 3

We’re here, then we’re gone, and that was true before they came. That’s always been true. The Others didn’t invent death; they just perfected it. Gave death a face to put back in our face, because they knew that was the only way to crush us. It won’t end on any continent or ocean, no mountain or plain, jungle or desert. It will end where it began, where it had been from the beginning, on the battlefield of the last beating human heart.

Master storyteller Rick Yancey invokes triumph, loss, and unrelenting action as the fate of the planet is decided in the conclusion to this epic series.

Recently finished listening to the audio book of Built, the first book in Jay Crownover's newest series and no surprise, enjoyed the heck out of it. It's a spin-off of her Marked Men series which I would definitely recommend. Happy I didn't have to wait long for this next book. The hero and heroine both first appear in the Marked Men series, and I've been wondering about them ever since.

Charged 
Jay Crownover
Contemporary Romance
Saints of Denver/Book 2

Avett Walker and Quaid Jackson’s worlds have no reason to collide. Ever. Quaid is a high powered criminal attorney as slick as he is handsome. Avett is a pink-haired troublemaker with a bad attitude and a history of picking the wrong men.

When Avett lands in a sea of hot water because of one terrible mistake, the only person who can get her out of it is the insanely sexy lawyer. The last thing on earth she wants to do is rely on the no-nonsense attorney who thinks of her as nothing more than a nuisance. He literally has her fate in his hands. Yet there is something about him that makes her want to convince him to loosen his tie and have a little fun…with her.

Quaid never takes on clients like the impulsive young woman with a Technicolor dye job. She could stand to learn a hard lesson or two, but something about her guileless hazel eyes intrigues him. Still, he’s determined to keep their relationship strictly business. But doing so is becoming more impossible with each day he spends with her.

As they work side-by-side, they’ll have to figure out a way to get along and keep their hands off each other—because the chemistry between them is beyond charged.

After reading Sawyer Bennett's Cold Fury Hockey series, I knew I had to read more from this author. Her newest, a trilogy, begins with Sugar Daddy. I'm cautious about reading this too soon since it ends on a cliffhanger with the hero/heroines story continuing in the second book, which also ends on a cliffhanger. I might just wait until the final book of the trilogy comes out and read the three back to back like one long romance.

Sugar Daddy
Sawyer Bennett
Contemporary Romance
Sugar Bowl Trilogy/Book 1

Sela Halstead lost her innocence in a way that no sixteen-year-old should ever have to endure. She’s spent years trying to forget that night even while wondering about the identities of the monsters who brutalized her—until a telltale tattoo flashes across Sela’s TV screen. The incriminating ink belongs to Jonathon Townsend, the millionaire founder of The Sugar Bowl, a website that matches rich older men with impressionable young women. Obsessed with revenge, Sela infiltrates Townsend’s world, only to come face-to-face with a tantalizing complication: Beckett North, his charismatic business partner.

The tech mastermind behind The Sugar Bowl, Beck always gets what he wants, in business and in bed. And yet, for a man who’s done every dirty thing imaginable, there’s something about the naïve, fresh-faced Sela that sparks his hottest fantasies. Because with her, it’s not just about sex. Beck opens up to her in ways he never has with other girls. So why does he get the feeling that she’s hiding something? In a world of pleasure and power, the shocking truth could turn them against each other—or bind them forever.

Laura Griffin's Tracers series has provided hours of suspenseful reading along with romantic high jinx. Can't believe this is already book ten in the series. I might be a book or two behind but still plan to get this one.

Deep Dark
Laura Griffin
Romantic Suspense
Tracers Series/Book 10

The moment detective Reed Novak steps onto the crime scene, he knows the case is going to rock his world. A beautiful young woman murdered at home. No sign of forced entry. No motive. She’s obviously not the killer’s first victim, and Reed’s instincts tell him she won’t be his last. Reed’s first clue comes via a mysterious text that links to a dating profile, but even more intriguing than the clue is the person who sent it.

As a white-hat hacker in the Delphi Center’s cyber investigation unit, Laney Knox sneaks into some of the deepest, darkest corners of the Internet looking for predators. Laney would prefer to stay away from Austin PD’s most recent murder case, but she can’t ignore the chilling similarities between that crime and her own brutal attack years ago. Laney offers to help the sexy lead detective, but he wants more from her than just a promising tip—Reed wants her trust. Laney resists, but as their relationship deepens she’s tempted to reveal the closely guarded secrets that could make her a key witness…or the killer’s next victim.

A debut author with an intriguing premise. I'm curious as to the relationship between the twins. If there is possibly something darker going on than one twin protecting the other.

Please Don't Tell
Laura Tims
Young Adult/Suspense

Joy killed Adam Gordon—at least, that’s what she thinks. The night of the party is hazy at best. But she knows what Adam did to her twin sister, Grace, and she knows he had to pay for it.

What Joy doesn’t expect is that someone else saw what happened. And one night a note is shoved through her open window, threatening Joy that all will be revealed. Now the anonymous blackmailer starts using Joy to expose the secrets of their placid hometown. And as the demands escalate, Joy must somehow uncover the blackmailer’s identity before Joy is forced to make a terrible choice.

In this darkly compelling narrative, debut author Laura Tims explores the complicated relationship between two sisters, and what one will do for the other. It’s a story that will keep readers turning pages and questioning their own sense of right and wrong.

Review: Alone in the Dark ~ Karen Rose

Alone in the Dark
Karen Rose
Romantic Suspense
Cincinnati Series/Book 2
Signet/February 2, 2016

Homicide Detective Scarlett Bishop has seen enough bad guys slip through the cracks and innocent victims go unavenged to know that good doesn't always prevail. So far she’s been able to lock away her rage and her vigilante fantasies. That lock is about to break.

Former Army Ranger Marcus O'Bannion is a fierce champion of victims’ rights. His secret past gives him good reason. He believes he’s seen the depths of human depravity, but then his investigation into the murder of a young girl who once asked for his help lures him and Scarlett down a dark, dark road—and straight into the crosshairs of a dangerous, powerful underground ring that deals in human trafficking. To stop them, Scarlett and Marcus have to be just as cunning and just as ruthless. But first they have to make it out alive.

One of my favorite romantic suspense authors is Karen Rose. She never disappoints and always freaks me out with her villians. Alone in the Dark didn't disappoint and it certainly had its freak-out moments.

If you've read the first book in the Cincinnati Series, then you're familiar with Detective Scarlett Bishop and Marcus O'Bannion. Both captured my attention in Closer Than You Think. Scarlett because she is not only a cop but a detective in a decidedly man dominated world. And, she can kick-ass. Marcus because he was hiding some secrets and I'm nosy. I had to find out what was up with this guy. He's was also an Army Ranger so you know he's had some experience in the ass-kicking department too.

Detective Scarlett Bishop walks a thin line. She has to because of what she sees on the job. Imagine some of the worst crimes of murder and then having to talk to suspects, some of whom you know are guilty and be professional. I don't think I would ever have the patience to be a cop. I'd probably end up pulling my gun too often. But Scarlett keeps her cool for the most part. She's easy to like and possible one of my favorite Karen Rose heroines.

Marcus O'Bannion runs a newspaper but he has a side gig which he keeps a secret. It's dangerous and straddles the line between the legal and not so legal. Marcus also has an attraction to Scarlett and he trusts her about as much as he can because of her profession. So when he asks Scarlett for help, it felt natural as well as Scarlett answering Marcus' late night call.

Scarlett and Marcus have this balancing act they perform through much of the story. With Marcus' secret and Scarlett trying to enforce the law, however imperfect it sometimes is, they form an interesting alliance. Their romantic interest in each other is right there, just below the surface but they push forward with their investigation into the death of a young girl. Scarlett and Marcus form a great team and their chemistry and romance is made authentic because of their physical attraction as well as how they feel safe sharing their worst nightmares with each other. The way it's written, I completely fell for their romance.

One of the things I especially liked was the team effort of Marcus and his newspaper employees. It was interesting to see how they all worked together not only to print the news but in their other endeavor. They understood and lived the phrase "I've got your back." The secondary characters add much to the plot and are fittingly developed for their roles.

The intricacies of the criminals and their viciousness in which they execute their business is disturbing because it is doubtful it is pure fiction. Ms. Rose gives us plenty of reasons to despise the antagonists. Which is a good when the author gives the reader antagonists who are interesting but you also hate them. I was ready for all of them to end in a bloody, painful death. I did get my wish for at least a few of them. That made me happy.

Alone in the Dark is pure Karen Rose. My only complaint is having to wait for the next book. Bring on Stone.

Rating: A

Cincinnati Series ~

Closer Than You Think
Alone in the Dark

Review: Closer Than You Think

Closer Than You Think
Karen Rose
Romantic Suspense
Cincinnati/Book 1
Signet/February 3, 2015

Psychologist Faith Corcoran is desperate to escape the stalker who’s made her life a nightmare for the past year—desperate enough to run to the one place that has been her nightmare far longer. Both boon and bane, her recent inheritance of her grandmother’s old house in Cincinnati offers sanctuary in which she can start her life anew, but requires that she face the dark memories that still resonate to this day. 

But she has no idea how close to home her fears still are. 

Two college girls have gone missing in the area, and FBI Special Agent Deacon Novak is called to work on the case. When his inquiry unexpectedly leads him to Faith, he finds a beautiful and brave woman he can’t help but fall for. Soon they’ll discover that this seemingly simple investigation is anything but. Reaching back decades into Faith’s own past, it will shatter everything she believes to be true and will give terrifying new meaning to flesh and blood.

The start of a new series from a favorite author can be exciting. While this is a new location and some new characters there are a few familiar characters, most notably the hero, Deacon Novak.

Deacon is a very physically distinct character but beyond his physical attributes, he is intelligent, determined and a risk taker. He's an FBI agent and while he follows the rules, he also thinks outside the box. It was good to learn more about Deacon, about his past and his family. It helped make him a more complete character rather than this shadowy form in a leather coat. I did find him almost ordinary but I think that was due more to the build up in previous books as well as his unique features. Was I expecting some type of superhero? Maybe. Turns out he's more of an everyday hero.

Faith Corcoran is an intelligent psychologist who is trying to escape her past. She has changed her name and moved in an attempt to be safe. Faith's intelligence is not hidden or downplayed in a false attempt to make her seem more vulnerable and I liked that. Faith certainly still has vulnerable moments, but through intelligence and sometimes luck, she survives. She also doesn't treat Deacon like a freak of nature but sees the allure of his physical differences.

I've always thought Rose can write some creepy, nasty villains,but this time she may have just outdone herself. Sick bastard sounds about right. Rose keeps the reader guessing as to who the villain really is. We are also introduced to some new secondary characters who added another layer to the plot. The plot itself is intrinsic to both Deacon and Faith resolving the struggles and suffering in their pasts.

Like many of Rose's romances, this one happens quickly but doesn't feel rushed. Along with the quick pace of the suspense, so goes the romance between Deacon and Faith. At one point I couldn't believe it had only been two days since Deacon and Faith met. It felt like they had known each other for years. It had to do with the way they clicked with each other. The suspense and danger do throw them together in stressful situations which only seems to enhance the attraction.

With the first book in a "newish" series read, I already find myself looking forward to the next book. I wonder who the hero and heroine will be? For now, only Ms. Rose knows.

Rating: B+

Cincinnati Series ~

Closer Than You Think

Review: Do or Die

Do or Die

Suzanne Brockmann
Romantic Suspense

Reluctant Heroes/Book 1

Random House/February 4, 2014

Navy SEAL Ian Dunn went rogue in a big way when he turned his talents to a lawless life of jewel heists and con jobs. Or so the world has been led to believe. In reality, the former Special Ops warrior is still fighting for good, leading a small band of freelance covert operatives who take care of high-stakes business in highly unofficial ways. That makes Ian the hands-down choice when the U.S. government must breach a heavily guarded embassy and rescue a pair of children kidnapped by their own father, a sinister foreign national willing to turn his own kids into casualties. Shockingly, Ian passes on the mission... for reasons he will not–or cannot–reveal.

But saying no is not an option. Especially not to Phoebe Kruger, Ian’s bespectacled, beautiful, and unexpectedly brash new attorney. Determined to see the abducted children set free, she not only gets Ian on board but insists on riding shotgun on his Mission: Impossible-style operation, whether he likes it or not.

Though Phoebe has a valuable knack for getting out of tight spots, there’s no denying the intensely intimate feelings growing between Ian and Phoebe as the team gears up for combat. But these are feelings they both must fight to control as they face an array of cold-blooded adversaries, including a vindictive mob boss who’s got Ian at the top of his hit list and a wealthy psychopath who loves murder as much as money. As they dodge death squads and play lethal games of deception, Ian and Phoebe will do whatever it takes to save the innocent and vanquish the guilty.

Or die trying.

First off, if you loved Brockmann's Troubleshooters series, this is a spin-off so you can expect more of the same fast paced action and a  hard bodied alpha male to take on the bad guys and win.  Do or Die is actually set in Florida and we meet up with some secondary characters from the Troubleshooters world.  

One thing Brockmann always brings to her stories are those smartass alpha heroes and Ian Dunn is certainly one of those.  He may have been a Navy SEAL but he is not into listening to authority anymore but instead prefers to do things his way.  Of course this causes numerous clash with his heroine Phoebe Kruger.  She's no pushover and Ian must learn to listen to Phoebe and respect her expertise in certain areas.  

Phoebe is a lawyer who is more than meets the eye.  She's smart and thinks quick on her feet which comes in handy when she gets caught up in Ian's world.  She isn't use to Ian's intense world of danger and intrigue.  Her world is filled with suits and courtrooms, not guns and surveillance vans.  While I thought Phoebe was an okay heroine, she didn't standout from previous Brockmann heroines.  

There is a lot going on in Do or Die, maybe a little too much.  The different story threads mixed in with the numerous characters became overwhelming at times.  The pace is fast, with some down time but that fast pace got in the way of realistically developing the potential for a long lasting relationship between Ian and Phoebe.  But by the end of the story, that's what we are suppose to believe.  there was attraction but too much going on and too many people involved to lend itself to deep romantic discovery between theses two, let alone love.

The plot itself is a bit familiar and Ian and Phoebe could be switched out for any number of Troubleshooter couples.  Still, there is a reason why that series was and is still so popular.  And for many readers familiar with Ms. Brockmann's novels, the gay rights theme is present in the form of two secondary characters.  I almost hesitate to call them secondary characters since their story seems to have nearly as much development as Ian and Phoebe romance.  While I understand how close this cause is to the author, it can be a little tedious to continually be reminded how horrible it can be to be gay in America when you are reading a romance novel.  

Rating: C

Review: Watch Your Back

Watch Your Back
Karen Rose
Romantic Suspense
Baltimore/Book 4
Signet/February 4, 2014

A cold case reopened. A murderer re-emerging more deadly than ever before.

Baltimore Homicide Detective Stevie Mazzetti has suffered losses no woman should have to endure. And, despite it all, she’s still a fighter. When she learns that her ex-partner might have miscarried justice, she’s determined to put the past to rights, even when she becomes a target.

It’s former Marine Clay Maynard’s job to see the risk in every situation, but he doesn’t have to look hard to find the danger surrounding Stevie. Since the minute he first saw her, Clay has wanted to protect the wounded officer, and he started loving her not long after that. So when Stevie attracts the attention of a vicious psychopath, Clay will do whatever it takes to keep her alive. That is, if he can stay ahead of a killer with everything to lose—and something terrifying to hide...

Ms. Rose has once again delivered an amazing suspenseful romance that kept me on the edge of my seat.  It's Stevie and Clay's turn to have their lives turned upside down.

Stevie Mazzetti is looking into the corruption of her former partner.  She is determined to bring the right criminals to justice and free the innocent.  Not everyone is happy about this which is why Stevie's and everyone around her is in danger.  Someone keeps trying to kill her and Clay is determined to keep her safe.  I enjoyed this storyline with Clay adding his experience as a Marine and a police office to that of his PI work to not only keep Stevie and her daughter Cordelia safe but to unravel the who and whys.

Stevie, well I liked her, have liked her since she first showed up a few books ago but she really needs to work on relying on her police training and not fall for being lured out into the open.  It irritated me the way she would go running into a situation with little or no thought for the fact that someone has been trying to kill her on nearly a daily basis.  Use your head Stevie!

The romance was sometimes a bit of a two steps forward and one step back which isn't surprising given the situation Stevie and Clay find themselves in.  There isn't a lot of alone time and the stress factor is over the top with a killer on the loose.  Still, Clay and Stevie do find some moments and eventually give in to those raging hormones.  They still have to deal with keeping Stevie and her daughter safe while unraveling the mystery of who is trying to kill them.  I liked how the story continued to progress, unfolding the layers of mystery while giving reminders of the romance that is also developing amid the chaos.

The plot moves along at a steady pace, keeping the interest high between the hunt for the killer, the mystery of dirty cops, and how it's all connected to Stevie's past.  Loved the way everyone gets involved in helping not only protect Stevie but those she loves.  Another winner from Ms. Rose.

Rating: A-

Baltimore Series ~

You Belong to Me
No One Left to Tell
Did You Miss Me?
Watch Your Back

ARC Review: Hard As It Gets

Hard As It Gets
Laura Kaye
Romantic Suspense
Hard Ink Series/Book 1
Avon/November 26, 2013

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey's tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome--pure temptation to a very jaded Nick. He's left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander's daughter. Loyalty won't let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn't expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge...

Never having read Ms. Kaye I wasn't sure what to expect so I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying the suspenseful romance of Becca and Nick (or Rixey as he is also referred to).

Becca Merritt is a very capable ER nurse.  She's use to stressful, tense situations but nothing has prepared her for her brother's kidnapping.  So she turns to Nick Rixey for help.  I liked Becca and how she was portrayed as an intelligent women with faults and flaws.  She makes some mistakes but it's realistic since her experiences have not prepared her for where she has found herself.  Even though Becca is worried, stressed and scared, she holds her own with the big bad Rixey.  He's actually not that bad, he just gives off that attitude.

Nicholas Rixey is still recovering from his injuries sustained during his last battle.  He has withdrawn from his friends, his military brothers and would probably withdraw from his brother Jeremy if Jeremy let him.  Instead they work and live together, Jeremy having taken Nick in when Nick was drifting after his release from the Army.  Rixey is a wounded warrior without a war to fight.  Becca gives him that fight and makes him want to do more than just exist.

There is mistrust at the beginning between Becca and Rixey.  She doesn't know him, only that he was one of her father's men.  He has reason to hate Becca's father and in the beginning, transfers his attitude towards Becca.  He quickly changes his mind when he admits to himself what he knew all along - Becca is not responsible for her father's actions. Rixey is written in a way that you get why he reacts and thinks the way he does.  He is far from perfect and is willing to ask for help, even if it means humbling himself.  I liked how he and Becca learn to trust each other as they are falling for each other.  If there had been no trust, the relationship would have felt hollow.  Instead, it felt real.

I think real is a good word to describe Hard As It Gets.  The action, romance and characters all feel real.  The secondary characters fulfill their roles without overwhelming the hero and heroine and the suspense.  There were a few periods of a little too much character introspective, throwing the pace off but not enough to dampen the enjoyment.  Can't wait to see what happens next!

Rating: A-

Hard Ink Series ~

Hard As It Gets
Hard As You Can (February 25, 2014)

TBR Challenge: Break the Night

Break the Night
Anne Stuart
Romantic Suspense
Silhouette/May 1, 1993

A silent scream, a bloodstained knife... A century past, the faceless killer had strolled out of the London fog and into history, the most infamous murderer who ever lived. And only reporter J. R. Damien knew he had never died, could never die. It was impossible, and yet it was true--Saucy Jack was back, plying his trade in the back alleys of Venice, California... 

And Saucy Jack takes another life...

Lizzie Stride refused to accept the ravings of this man who swore she was fated to die, again and again, at the hands of a long-dead madman. But J. R. Damien's haunted eyes told her she must follow in a century-old dance of death and desire--with a man who feared he was the reincarnation of Jack the Ripper...

Finally made it!  Every month this year I had every intention of joining the challenge.  I've enjoyed participating in past years and have been disappointed in myself for not doing it this year.  But now, I finally got one off the TBR pile!

While I've certainly heard of Anne Stuart and have a few more of her books, this is the first one of hers I've read.  It proved to be an interesting read; past lives, psychic abilities and one creep villain combined for something different.  There wasn't a whole heck of a lot of romance, what with the Venice Ripper on the loose and the heroine and hero having an eerie connection to him.  But that was okay since it didn't have a romantic feel to it.

Lizzy Stride is pulled into the grisly murders and becomes more terrified as each prostitute is killed. She is also pulled into reporter J. R. Damien's world since he is devoting his life to finding the Venice Ripper.  Damien will do anything to catch the killer, even using Lizzy to lure him out.  Lizzy doesn't want anything to do with Damien but is giving little choice when her life is in danger and the police can't be trusted to keep her safe.  This is where Damien started getting on my nerves.

First he insisted he would protect Lizzy, since in his opinion, the police were worthless.  Then he would change his mind and tell Lizzy she needed to get out of town and as far away from him as possible.  Then, he decides he can't live without her and he'll protect her.  Then, he changes his mind again saying, "you're not safe with me Lizzy".  Those voices in Damien's were driving him nuts!

Lizzy, for her part, does a similar dance.  First, she is angry at Damien and blames him for putting her in danger.  Then she comes to care about this damaged man.  Then she wants to get as far away from him as possible.  Unfortunately, she wants this when he wants her close to him.  While this is going on, Ripper is busy with his killing spree.  He was one nasty bastard.

The past lives slant was interesting, but ultimately what kept me reading was not the relationship between the hero and heroine but the Ripper himself.  I wanted to find out who or what he really was.

Rating: C+

Review: Did You Miss Me?

Did You Miss Me?
Karen Rose
Romantic Suspense
Baltimore/Book 3
Signet/February 5, 2013

Baltimore prosecutor Daphne Montgomery pulled herself out of a damaged past to build a solid life for herself and her son. But after she helps to convict a killer, her confidence is shattered once again by the news that her son has been kidnapped.

Daphne believes it’s connected to the recent high-profile trial, and at first FBI special agent Joseph Carter agrees. But together they find the reality to be even more troubling, and it runs deeper than Daphne fears. With her son’s life in jeopardy, she must unlock a dreadful secret about her past—and confront a truth that will change everything for those closest to her. And, if she survives, threaten the lives of everyone she loves.

Ever since I read my first Karen Rose book, I've been a fan.  Rose's writing is equal parts suspense, mystery and romance.  The suspense is intense at times, grabbing the reader and holding on.   The mystery isn't always so mysterious, sometimes it becomes obvious who's sporting the face of evil before the big reveal.  One thing I've always liked about Rose's writing is how she is able to mesh the romance within the suspense.  

In Did You Miss Me? Daphne Montgomery and Joseph Carter are thrown together when Daphne's son is kidnapped.  This isn't the first time these two have worked together towards a common goal. But it is the first time they are able to let themselves imagine a life together as more than just acquaintances.  The suspense is kept at the forefront with the romance developing as the investigation allowed.  

Daphne is a strong heroine with a combination of intelligence and beauty that could easily intimidate some men.  Joseph isn't easily intimidated.  When they do get together it's easy to see how well they fit and how their experiences and maturity can make the reader believe these two have a shot at a long term relationship.  

The suspense is multi-layered with a variety of evilness that Rose is able to pull together and make a plot that is fairly easy to follow.  The make antagonist has this ability to be a sociopath at one moment and then leave the reader feeling a small moment of pity for him.  This ability to have the reader emphasize with the murderer, even for a second is part of Rose's talent. 

If there was one problem I had with the story it was the  police and their sometimes narrow focus on one suspect.  Yes, as the reader I had a different perspective and knowledge than the characters.  But the job of the police should be to explore all possible, viable suspects, not just the obvious ones.  

Even feeling that I might do a better job than the police (yeah, right), I still enjoyed Did You Miss Me? and am eagerly anticipating Ms. Rose's next novel. 

Rating: B+

Baltimore Series ~

You Belong to Me
No One Left to Tell
Did You Miss Me?

Review: Nowhere to Run

Nowhere to Run
Nancy Bush
Romantic Suspense
Zebra/July 31, 2012

Some Secrets

When Liv Dugan ducks out of work for lunch, it’s just an ordinary day. When she returns, she stumbles onto a massacre. All her colleagues at Zuma Software have been shot. Only luck has left Liv unscathed, and that might be running out…

Will Follow You

Liv suspects the shootings are tied to her past—and to the package she recently received from her long-dead adoptive mother. Sensing she’s being followed, Liv jumps into a stranger’s car and orders him to drive. Her “hostage” complies, listening carefully as her story unwinds. Skeptical at first, he ultimately begins to believe all Liv’s fears are justified…

To Your Grave

Together, Liv and her unlikely confidant try to uncover the truth about her adoptive family, her birth parents, and her troubled childhood. Because somewhere in Liv’s past is a secret worth killing for, and a nightmare she can never outrun…

A shout out to Hilcia from Impressions of a Reader for sending Ms. Bush's romantic suspense my way.   :)

Romantic suspense has become one of my favorite romantic sub-genres but isn't always easy to pull off. In the case of Nowhere to Run, the romance happens on the run with little build up from first meet to first sexual encounter.  Add in deception on the part of both the hero and the heroine, and you have a less than believable romance. 

Liv Dugan is no stranger to trauma.  Liv's mother died when Liv was six years old leaving Liv with nightmares and a history of mental anguish.  She tries to keep her life as uncomplicated as possible, living life while trying to maintain a calmness she never really achieves.  Liv is running on auto-pilot after fleeing a shooting at her workplace.  She doesn't always make the best decisions and her paranoia, while much deserved, colors those decisions.  We always think we'll know how to react in a crises but that isn't always the case and Liv's reactions came off as more realistic than had she done everything perfectly in planning and executing her escape.  Her paranoia had a tendency to take over her personality and she jumped into bed a little too quickly with the hero but she also didn't pull the "why me" crap so I'd give her bonus points for that.  

Auggie is an odd name for a hero but it ended up suiting this hero.  Auggie is walking a very thin line when it comes to his relationship with Liv.  He meets her when she takes him hostage at gunpoint then tries to help her, all the while falling for her.  Interesting role reversal but unfortunately I didn't buy it.  It is mentioned a time or two that Auggie has a weakness for damsel's in distress and boy did Liv fit that description.  But having a weakness for helping someone and falling into bed with someone are two very different things.  I also got the impression that Auggie was not the type to jump in bed with just any woman.  Again, liked him except for how quickly he hit the sheets with Liv.  Not only were his deep feelings for her unbelievable in such a short period of time (less than a week), there was a very clear conflict of interest.  

The suspense of the story centers around the mysterious package Liv received from her mother who had been dead for nearly twenty years.  Then there is the workplace shooting and a gruesome murder.  This is what drove the plot far more than the developing romance.  Often I get a feeling, if not outright knowing who the murderer is.  This time it was almost too obvious who it was not.  There are a number of twists to the plot but in the end, it wasn't apparent who the threat to Liv was and I'm not sure the clues were there throughout the story.   The murderer seems to come out of nowhere. 

The secondary characters are interesting enough but there is definite sequel bait in the form of the hero's sister.  She had a decent size role and the ending did leave me wanting to read her story.   So in that sense the book did work.  I only wish the romance had been stronger and better woven within the suspense plot. 

Rating:  C+

Nowhere to Run
Nowhere to Hide

Review: No One Left to Tell

No One Left to Tell
Karen Rose
Romantic Suspense
Baltimore, MD
Signet/June 5, 2012

A woman is dead and her fiance is serving a life sentence for a murder he didn't commit.  Now PI Paige Holden holds the only piece of evidence that could see him freed, and she cannot take it to the police. With the help of disarming state attorney, Grayson Smith, Paige is determined to avenge the murdered woman and set an innocent man free. 

But Paige has only scratched the surface of a cover-up far deadlier than she could ever imagine. A string of mysterious deaths of women with a shared past sets Paige on the trail of a ruthless killer. The problem is, the killer's on her trail too ...

No One Left to Tell is a stand alone but is linked through characters to Rose's previous book, You Belong to Me.  Personally, I wouldn't skip any of Karen Rose's books but if you are anxious to read No One Left to Tell, I won't tell if you skip right to it.  The heroine, Paige Holden, is from Minneapolis and has ties to characters from Rose's two books (Silent Scream and I Can See You) set in that city.

Paige Holden is trying to make a fresh start.  She's still ruled by a past tragedy but is determined to move on with her life.  In her previous life she worked towards helping people, women in particular, especially those who had experienced domestic violence. To say Paige can kick-ass isn't stretching the truth. She's a black belt who has competed internationally for many years.  Paige is portrayed as this strong, intelligent, capable woman who locks herself up at night in her apartment.  The contrast is profound and Rose does well showing how Paige is constantly battling her demons and trying to get to a new normal but still has a long way to go.

Grayson Smith may look like he has it all but he's missing a few things.  One would be down time.  He's a workaholic and his conviction records shows it.  Grayson is certainly an alpha hero not only with his courtroom dominance but also with his ability to take charge in tension situations.  He doesn't hold a black belt like Paige but his is familiar with guns.  For all his toughness, Grayson has a softer side when it comes to his family.  He's such a sweetie when it comes to his mom!  Loved seeing their relationship.  It told a lot about the type of man he is.

Ms. Rose is a master at the suspense, giving the reader not only heart-stopping action but intricate plots that are woven together so by the end it become a complete and fulfilling story.  She's very good at connecting the dots and dropping the hints along the way.  She's also very good at distracting the reader with potential suspects which makes the story that much more interesting when the true criminals are finally revealed.

Grayson and Paige are thrown together and basically stay together for a great deal of the story.  Even with the time spent together I was a bit surprised at how quickly Grayson fell for Paige.  At first, skeptical that it would feel real and not just an "in the moment" type of falling when people find themselves in stressful and dangerous situations.  But as Grayson and Paige continue their investigation to find out who is behind the attacks and the cover-up, they learn about each other as only two people who must trust each other can.  Before the end of the book I believed in Grayson's feelings for Paige and it didn't feel like he fell for her too fast.

No One Left To Tell is a powerful, complex romantic suspense novel.  It pulls the reader in with it's fascinating characters and a riveting plot that will leave you wanting more from this author.

Rating: A

Review: Last Man Standing

Last Man Standing
Cindy Gerard
Romantic Suspense
Black Ops Inc. Series/Book 7
Pocket/January 31, 2012

*Spoilers for Previous Books*

A deadly mission. 

A thirst for revenge.

One headstrong alpha hero and one daring woman will settle the score. 

Special operative Joe Green has gone vigilante. His mission: avenge his Black Ops, Inc., brother’s death during a bloody ambush years ago in Sierra Leone. He refuses to drag the BOI team or his lover, Stephanie Tompkins, into the hunt for the man responsible, so when he finds himself beaten, starving, and alone after being falsely imprisoned for the murder of a Freetown priest, he knows he’s as good as dead. 

Joe meant to protect Stephanie when he walked out on their relationship, but he can’t stop her now from executing his escape. Breaking him out of prison is the easy part. After Joe’s explosive theory pans out and his cunning enemy emerges as the front runner for a high-level presidential appointment, he and Stephanie must race to derail the traitor’s conspiracy if they are to save their loved ones, the nation, and each other.

The very last book in the series, or is it?  Actually, per Ms. Gerard's website her next series, One Eyed Jacks, is a spin-off of her popular Black Ops Inc (BOI) series.  The first book, Killing Time, has a tentative publication date of February 2013 and features a secondary character from the BOI series.  I can't tell you how happy I am to hear this news!  I know I'll be reading Ms. Gerard new series.

"Mean" Joe Green, tough on the outside, sweet on the inside.  Okay, maybe sweet is taking it a little too far but he does have a soft, tender side when it comes to Stephanie Tompkins.  That's why he is trying desperately to keep her out of the danger he finds himself in.  Joe is the strong, silent type so I didn't feel like I really knew much of him from prior books.  A little bit once he and Stephanie became intimate so it was satisfying to get his point of view as well as Stephanie's take on him.  I found I liked his quietness, his hidden sense of humor and his deep loyalty towards him team members, friends and Stephanie.

Stephanie Tompkins comes from money and power but those things can not keep pain and loss from entering her world.  She is close to the guys from the BOI but finally got her wish when she became closer to Joe Green.  It's obvious she loves him but she also understand him enough not to pressure him into talking about things he doesn't want to.  Stephanie is very smart but doesn't think of herself as kick-ass so it was fun to see her take on a physical role alongside Joe.  She's resourceful and continues to surprise Joe with her abilities.  Loved it!

The suspense is an important part of the series and would venture to say as important as the action.  Even though we know Stephanie and Joe will make it to the end alive and get their Happy Ever After, there is still much anxiety and concern for their well-being.  The romance is there, Joe and Stephanie love each other, but they are realistic when dealing with their situations and know that sex while bullets are flying isn't a good idea.  Thank god, cause one thing that will irritate the heck out of me is when the hero and heroine are running for their lives but have sex when they should be planning their next move.  

Joe wanted to keep everyone out of the mission and to a certain extent, he did just that.  But a one man team is not going to get the job done this time.  Joe's ass needs saving and Stephanie is just the one to do it.  We do get to see the rest of the team and their wives but much of this is focused on Stephanie and Joe, which worked well.   

Last Man Standing is a fitting end to a wonderful series.  The action, suspense and romance are well balanced with just the right amount of humor and passion.  It's about smart, strong and loyal men and women who go to phenomenal lengths for their brothers in arms and their families. 

Rating:  A-  

Black Ops Inc Series 

Show No Mercy
Take No Prisoners
Whisper No Lies
Feel the Heat
Risk No Secrets
Leave No Trace novella in Deadly Promises anthology
With No Remorse
Last Man Standing

Review: Twisted

Twisted
Laura Griffin
Romantic Suspense
Tracers Series/Book 5
Pocket/April 17, 2012

Motive, opportunity, and no alibi—it seems close to a slam-dunk. But while rookie detective Allison Doyle’s department has ID’d a suspect in a young woman’s vicious murder, she is uneasy. Then legendary FBI profiler Mark Wolfe shows up with a startling theory: if he’s right, the real murderer is an elusive psychopath just days away from another kill.

Using Allison’s contacts at the Delphi Center crime lab, Wolfe is finally in striking distance of the monster he’s pursued for ten years. Except that as they work together, Wolfe finds the ambitious, stubborn woman a tempting distraction. And with this brutal predator, every thread of evidence can make the difference between being the hunter . . . and the prey.

If you haven't started this series, start it Now.  Griffin continues to get better and better, expanding her characters and plots while making them believable.  Not only do we get well developed characters, the police procedural aspects and the DNA analysis are well written.  This is one romantic suspense series, heavy on the suspense, that you do not want to miss!

Allison Doyle is a good cop but doesn't always get the respect her male counterparts get.  She knows some of the men think she got the promotion to detective because of her sex and not her abilities.  She doesn't let it get to her, instead working her ass off to be the best and solve the cases.  Allison isn't intimidated by the guys and boy did I like that about her.  She's learning to trust her instincts and those instincts are telling her that something isn't right about a recent murder and her boss might just be looking in the wrong direction for the murderer.

Mark Wolfe is an older hero, forty-three.  I liked that he had some years on him, nicely seasoned but not too old to have a huge age-gap between the hero and heroine.  He has a lot of experience but those experiences are getting to him.  Mark has no real home, instead living out of hotels, eating at restaurants and spending a lot of time in airports.   He's well known and well respected which puts him in high demand.  Add in the demands he makes of himself and you've got a guy with not much life outside of work.  Mark is a quiet alpha, the type that sits back and watches until it's time to take down his target.  He is such an interesting character - easily one of my favorite heroes of the series. 

Allison and Mark clash a bit at first.  They both think there's more to the recent murder than the  ex-boyfriend as the suspect but Mark is talking serial killer and Allison isn't even officially on the case.  Plus, Mark prefers to work alone.  They have some obstacles to overcome, not the least of which is Allison's idiot boss.  One of the things that made me enjoy the heck out this suspenseful romance was how Allison and Mark's relationship went from professional to personal.  Allison has respect for Mark's experience and what he can teach her.  Mark learns to respect Allison's tenacity and her raw instincts which continue to develop with her experiences.  Even when they venture into intimacy, they keep developing their professional relationship right alongside their romantic one.

The romance is there but it is muted, with the main focus on the mystery and suspense.  But what is there is very passionate, with Allison and Mark trying to keep their focus on the murder case while going through this fierce need for each other.  Mark thinks he too old, too jaded for Allison's far less jaded outlook but Allison is persistent in not only her search for the real killer but in her need to get even closer to Mark.

The suspense is so well done!  Griffin keeps the reader on edge, giving plenty of details of the murders and getting into the killers mind through Mark's profiling.  It's a scary place and one that Mark has been to, many times over.  I loved following Mark and Allison through their discovering evidence and putting the pieces together.  The brilliant minds at the Delphi Center also contributed their cutting-edge resources in helping Allison and Mark with the case.  I find the details of the DNA and the computer sleuthing absorbing without going over my head.  Seeing past and hopefully future heroes and heroines adds to the overall cohesiveness of the series.  There is enough back story given that this could be read as a stand alone but to get a greater enjoyment, I would recommend reading the series from the beginning.

Twisted is a highly addictive, fast paced romantic suspense.   Allison and Mark are two dynamic characters with very different experiences who kept this reader wanting more!

Rating:  A

Tracers Series ~ 

Untraceable
Unspeakable
Unforgivable
Snapped
Unstoppable (novella in the Deadly Promises anthology)
Twisted
Scorched (October 30, 2012)