TITLE: Blue Heaven, Black Night
CHARACTERS: Elise & Bryan
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/30/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
THE DREAM
The living image of a knight’s dream, Elise conceals a shocking secret: she is the illegitimate daughter of Henry II.
THE BLACK KNIGHT
A fierce and magnificent warrior, Sir Bryan Stede follows no law but his own . . . until he beholds the exquisite Elise.
Duty keeps her his reluctant prisoner. Fate will transform her into his cherished bride. Despite everything between heaven and hell that will come between them . . .
REVIEW:
This is a re-release under Shannon Drake from 1995. And while it may sound weird when talking about a historical romance this story is dated. There are a few things in the book that if written now would make a woman’s spidey senses go nuts like rape and just all around women being less than, if you know what I mean.
Now that being said, the story is good and as always Graham’s writing keeps you interested. She is one of the few I still read historical romance for.
I think you just need to give it a read and accept it for what it is. A dated historical romance.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: A Perfect Obsession
SERIES #: New York Confidential #2
CHARACTERS: Craig & Kieran
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/28/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Someone is murdering beautiful young women in the New York area and displaying them in mausoleums and underground tombs. The FBI is handling the case, with Special Agent Craig Frasier as lead.
Kieran Finnegan, forensic psychologist and part owner of Finnegan’s, her family’s pub, is consulting on the case. Craig and Kieran are a couple who’ve worked together on more than one occasion. On this occasion, though, Craig fears for the safety of the woman he loves. Because the killer is too close. The body of a young model is found in a catacomb under a two-hundred-year-old church, now deconsecrated and turned into a nightclub. A church directly behind Finnegan’s in lower Manhattan.
As more women are murdered, their bodies discovered in underground locations in New York, it’s clear that the police and the FBI are dealing with a serial killer. Craig and Kieran are desperate to track down the murderer, a man obsessed with female perfection. Obsessed enough to want to “preserve” that beauty by destroying the women who embody it”
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts So here is the thing. Graham is one of my favorites. I love the Krewe Of Hunters series soooooo much. And I read the first one in this series and don‘t get me wrong it is a good story and I am happy to read the series but it is not my favorite by Graham.
The problem is there is not much originality to this story. If you are a fan of suspense/romantic suspense nothing in this story will come as a surprise.
Now that being said it is still a good read. Just not as good as Krewe Of Hunters.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Law And Disorder
SERIES #: The Finnegan Connection #1
CHARACTERS: Kody & Nick
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/17/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Trust the enemy?
Desperate to escape her kidnappers, Kody Cameron can turn to only one man…and he’s holding a gun. Outnumbered and trapped in the deadly Everglades, she has little recourse, but something in this captor’s eyes makes her believe she can trust him. Does she dare to take the risk?
Undercover agent Nick Connolly has met Kody before and knows she might very well blow his cover. Though determined to maintain his facade, he can’t let Kody die. He won’t. And his decision to change his own rules of law and order are about to make all hell break loose.
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I am a fan of Heather Graham’s. I love her Krewe of Hunters series and usually pick up every one of her books so I didn’t pass this one up. And mostly enjoyed it. But here is the thing the writing seemed early. What I mean is I went back to see if this was a reprint of one of her earlier works but I can’t find that it is.
Kody is a strong woman willing to do what she needs and I liked her. She was willing to put herself out there in the midst of danger to protect her people. But yet when it comes to Nick/Barrow she is a bit girly. She has feelings for the guy that just kidnapped her. But it is a little early for Stockholm Syndrome when it has only been a day. Nick doesn’t seem like a very good cop. I mean Kody does all the heavy lifting but he does seem sweet.
I will of course pick up the next one in the series when it comes out.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Flawless
CHARACTERS: Craig & Kieran
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/29/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Everyone goes to Finnegan’s…
It’s a pub in lower Manhattan, run by the Finnegan family for generations and now owned by Kieran and her three brothers. Kieran Finnegan, who still works there whenever she can, has become a criminal psychologist—a fitting reaction, perhaps, to her less-than-lawful past.
Meanwhile, New York’s Diamond District has been hit by a rash of thefts. No one’s been killed—until now. FBI agent Craig Frasier is brought in to investigate; he and Kieran meet at a jewelry store in the middle of a heist. She’s there to “unsteal” a flawless stone taken by her light-fingered youngest brother as an act of vengeance. He’s there to stop the gang.
But the police and FBI soon discover that there are two gangs of diamond thieves, the original and a copycat group of killers. And the second group seems to think their scheme is as flawless as the stones they steal.
Thrown together by circumstance, drawn together by attraction, Kieran and Craig both end up working on the case. Unfortunately, there’s more and more evidence that, somehow, the pub is involved. Because everyone goes to Finnegan’s…
REVIEW:
This is a new series by Graham. I am a huge fan of her Krewe Of Hunters series which has a bit of paranormal (ghosts) to the mystery. This does not have that paranormal it is just pure suspense.
I loved the Irish NYC family right from the start. They are so messed up and yet have a heart of gold. They are trying to go straight from their illegal activities in the past but when her brother and best friend decide one more job needs to be done Kieran has to clean up the mess.
I really enjoyed this story. I liked Kieran very much and while I was never really head over heels for her relationship with Craig the suspense was well written and the family is great. I look forward to more in this series… well I hope it ends up being a series.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Darkest Journey
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #20
CHARACTERS: Ethan & Charlene
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/27/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
They say it’s about the journey, not the destination…
Charlene “Charlie” Moreau is back in St. Francisville, Louisiana, to work on a movie. One night, she stumbles across the body of a Civil War reenactor, the second murdered in two days. Charlie is shocked to learn that her father—a guide on the Journey, a historic paddle wheeler that’s sponsoring the reenactment—is a suspect.
Meanwhile, Ethan Delaney, new to the FBI’s Krewe of Hunters, is brought in on the case. He and Charlie have a history of their own, dating back to when he rescued her from a graveyard—led there by a Confederate ghost!
Charlie arranges a Mississippi River cruise so she and Ethan can get close to the reenactors, find out who knows what, who has a motive. They discover a lot more as they resume the relationship that ended ten years ago…but might die, along with them, on the Journey.
REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts I am so happy to say that the Krewe is back to the way it should be. One of the best parts of Graham’s books is the history she adds. The story isn’t real but the places and history are. The stories make me want to jump on a plane and go visit parts of this wonderful country that I didn’t previously know the history of… or at minimum the books make me want to look up the information on the internet. But the last two books just didn’t have that. They were set on a cruise line that left little room for history.
But in this story we are back to the Civil War era and the background story is really interesting… enough I went online for a bit more information. I also enjoyed that we had a bit more of a ghostly presence than we have had lately.
I liked Charlie. She stood her ground when she needed to but was also a good daughter and friend. I liked that Charlie and Ethan had a previous relationship and yet were not lovers. I also enjoyed that the characters from the last two books were back in more than a passing moment.
Graham is a master of romance with a historical feel and it is great that she is back at it in this story.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: When We Touch
SERIES #: Graham Clan #6
CHARACTERS: Maggie & Jamie
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/30/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Queen Victoria’s London is a teeming metropolis of pageantry, forbidden desire, and danger—especially in the East End, a hotbed of vice, witchcraft, and murder. What widow Lady Maggie Graham does there more than greases the rumor mill. When she agrees to wed the Viscount Langdon, there are those who would act upon their suspicions . . .
Experience has taught Lord Jamie well. He has seen his fair share of women behave inappropriately — enjoying risqué amusements in secret theatres, running about disguised in the seediest parts of the city — and then they call you vile names for coming to their rescue. And no woman is more shameless, more cunning, more intoxicating than Lady Maggie . . .
REVIEW:
This is a re-release from under the name Shannon Drake, series name Graham #6 from 2004.
As a fan of Heather Graham I picked up this book from NetGalley. I don’t read historicals very often any more but I was interested to read Graham’s work before she started writing more contemporary/paranormal (Krewe Of Hunters) stories .
I have to say it was good. But I am glad she went into the other genres.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Deadly Fate
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #19
CHARACTERS: Clara & Thor
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/26/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Alaska—the final frontier?
When Clara Avery, an entertainer working on the Fate, an Alaskan cruise ship, goes to nearby Bear Island, she comes across a scene of bloody mayhem. She also comes across Thor Erikson, who will soon be a member of the FBI’s elite paranormal unit, the Krewe of Hunters.
Thor’s been sent from the Alaska field office to investigate several grotesque killings, with the dead posed to resemble the victims of notorious murderers. The prime suspect is a serial killer Thor once put behind bars. The man escaped from a prison in the Midwest, and all the evidence says he was headed to Alaska…
Thor and Clara share an unusual skill: the ability to communicate with the dead. Their growing love—and their contact with the ghosts of the victims—brings them together to solve the case…and prevent a deadly fate of their own!
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts We met Clara in the book before this one, Haunted Destiny, when Clara was the friend of the female lead. So we know that Clara can see ghost but she just didn’t know they are ghost. And now we meet Thor who is the next Krewe of Hunters (to be) member. However, you do not need to have read Haunted Destiny to read this story of Clara.
I love the Krewe books, I enjoy the ghost stories and the suspense, but mostly I think I enjoy the history that gets painted by Graham. She brings you to a point that you want to jump on the next plane and go to that location to read up on the history, to see the sights she is talking about or at minimum grab a history book. But this book (and Haunted Destiny) are different. There doesn’t seem to be that bit of history in these last books. I lived in Alaska and appreciated the realness of what she was talking about but the history of it is just missing.
The other part of Graham’s books is that I rarely figure out who did it. But I knew from the moment the character was introduced who it was. And that just took some of the joy of the book away.
Now this is not to say you shouldn’t read it. It’s a good read and if I hadn’t read all of the Krewe books I may have a different review I just feel this one didn’t stand up to the others.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Haunted Destiny
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #18
CHARACTERS: Jude & Alexi
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/24/16
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Between the evil and the deep blue sea…
A historic cruise ship, a haunted ship, the Celtic American Line’s Destiny, sets sail from the Port of New Orleans—with a killer on board. He’s known as the Archangel Killer because of the way he displays his victims in churches. And how he places a different saint’s medallion on each body. No one knows exactly who he is or why he’s doing this.
Jackson Crow—head of the FBI’s Krewe of Hunters, a special unit of paranormal investigators—is assigned to the case, along with local agent Jude McCoy. Then Alexi Cromwell, who works in the ship’s piano bar, is drawn into the situation when a victim’s ghost appears to her—and to Jude. She and Jude share an attraction, and not just because of their mutual talent.
There are many suspects, but one by one they’re ruled out… Or are they? In the end, Jude and Alexi have to rely on each other to catch the killer and escape his evil plans for Alexi.
REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I usually enjoy the Krewe Of Hunters series but this wasn’t one of my favorites. It took me a while to realize why I didn’t enjoy it as much was because there was no real history. One of the things I like most in these stories is learning the history of the area that Graham has written about. Learning about certain events makes me want to hop a plane and head to the scene of the book. This book just didn’t have that. Set on an ocean liner it just doesn’t have that the same feeling.
Also Alexi and Jude really jumped into the relationship and were talking love practically before the ship sailed. I did enjoy the ghost and the ending actually choked me up a little but this story just doesn’t match up to most of the Krewe stories.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Blood on the Bayou
SERIES #: Cafferty and Quinn #3.6
CHARACTERS: Micheal Quinn & Danni Caffery
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: January 26, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From New York Times bestseller Heather Graham…
It’s winter and a chill has settled over New Orleans, binding a stream of blood that leads a tourist to a dead man, face down in the bayou.
The man has been done in by a vicious beating, so violent that his skull has been crashed in.
It’s barely a day before a second victim is found . . . once again so badly thrashed that the water runs red. The city becomes riddled with fear.
An old family friend comes to Danni Cafferty, telling her that he’s terrified, he’s certain that he’s received a message from the Blood Bayou killer–It’s your turn to pay, blood on the bayou.
The two quickly become involved, and–as they all begin to realize that a gruesome local history is being repeated–they find themselves in a fight to save not just a friend, but, perhaps, their very own lives.
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 3
Just to let you know I have not read any of the books prior to this one in the Cafferty and Quinn series. I liked this story, but it didn’t grab me the way that I had hoped when I started. I did enjoy the history of New Orleans and the monster in the story. I think It may have been better if I had read the prior books to understand the characters a little better. But even with that I think that this story can stand alone.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Evil Eye Concepts in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the Review/Excerpt Tour for BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham! BLOOD ON THE BAYOU is A Cafferty & Quinn Series Novella brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights. It is available now, so grab your copy of this sexy novella today!
About BLOOD ON THE BAYOU: A Cafferty & Quinn Novella
From New York Times bestseller Heather Graham…
It’s winter and a chill has settled over New Orleans, binding a stream of blood that leads a tourist to a dead man, face down in the bayou.
The man has been done in by a vicious beating, so violent that his skull has been crashed in.
It’s barely a day before a second victim is found . . . once again so badly thrashed that the water runs red. The city becomes riddled with fear.
An old family friend comes to Danni Cafferty, telling her that he’s terrified, he’s certain that he’s received a message from the Blood Bayou killer–It’s your turn to pay, blood on the bayou.
The two quickly become involved, and–as they all begin to realize that a gruesome local history is being repeated–they find themselves in a fight to save not just a friend, but, perhaps, their very own lives.
an old house in the French quarter of New Orleans
Excerpt:
“People in this area all know the legends about the rougarou. Someone out there might be using the legend. In this day and age, it’s quite possible to fake a monster.”
They both looked at him with huge eyes, seemingly wanting to trust in him.
“Sound like a plan?” Quinn asked Larue.
The detective nodded. “Let’s move, though. We have to get out to Honey Swamp. We’re going to help the task force with the investigation.”
Ten minutes later they were at the hotel where the young women were staying. Quinn inspected the balcony while they gathered their belongings together. The room sat on the second floor, but the balcony might have been easily accessed from the street. There was a heavy pipe near enough for someone to crawl up and gain a grip on one of the wrought iron rails. “How did someone walk through the French Quarter all dressed up without being noticed?”
“This is New Orleans,” Larue said. “Not far from Bourbon Street. Think about it, Quinn. Does anyone really notice crazy around here? I mean, there’s a lot of crazy.”
“Something like the rougarou? A giant man with a wolf’s head?”
“Somebody walked stark naked down Bourbon Street about two days ago, and it took that long for anyone to report it to the police,” Larue told him.
“That’s not a rougarou.”
Larue shrugged. “Okay. I’ll give you that.”
“To put a spin of logic on this, I’d say that it was more than possible for a man to dress up, then crawl up here to scare Jane and Lana. It’s also possible that whoever was here had nothing to do with the murder in the swamp, or maybe someone got wind of the situation and knew that the two young women had been on the tour and decided to scare them. They’re visitors, yes, but they know the city and they might have met a young man anxious to scare them. Then he comes along and offers his presence as protection against whatever has them frightened.”
Larue did not argue.
“At any rate,” Quinn said. “Let’s go meet your friends from Pearl River.”
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly NUMBER OF HEARTS: 3
Just to let you know I have not read any of the books prior to this one in the Cafferty and Quinn series. I liked this story, but it didn’t grab me the way that I had hoped when I started. I did enjoy the history of New Orleans and the monster in the story. I think It may have been better if I had read the prior books to understand the characters a little better. But even with that I think that this story can stand alone.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Evil Eye Concepts in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Square photo of couple kissing each others. without eyes only lips. square photo
About Heather Graham:
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell’s Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette’s Shadows, and for Harlequin’s mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children’s charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards from Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter Sign Up | BLOOD ON THE BAYOU on Goodreads
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Heather Graham’s BLOOD ON THE BAYOU – Review & Excerpt Tour
TITLE: The Hidden
SERIES #: Krewe of Hunters # 17
CHARACTERS: Scarlet & Diego
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/29/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Can the same killer strike again—a hundred and fifty years later?
Estes Park, Colorado, is a place of serenity. But it wasn’t always so serene. Shortly after the Civil War, Nathan Kendall and his wife were murdered there, leaving behind a young son. The crime was never solved.
Now…historian Scarlet Barlow is working at a small museum attached to a B and B, the same building where that murder occurred. She recently came to Colorado, reeling after her divorce from FBI agent Diego McCullough. Diego—who’s just been asked to join the Krewe of Hunters, a unit dealing with “unusual” situations…
When Scarlet unwittingly takes pictures of people who’ve been murdered—just like the Kendalls a hundred and fifty years before—the police look at her with suspicion. Then the museum’s statues of historic people, including Nathan Kendall, begin to talk to her, and she knows it’s time to call her ex-husband. Diego heads to Estes Park, determined to solve the bizarre case that threatens Scarlet’s life—and to reunite with the woman he never stopped loving.
REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts So this story is a little different at least to me than most of the books from Heather Graham. Not because it wasn’t good but because it didn’t have the history that Graham usually puts in her books. This book is set in Estes Park, Colorado and while it gives a little bit of the town there is really not a lot of other information given. The reason I really enjoy the books from Graham is she always includes so much history of the area that you want to book the next flight out to visit. This book just didn’t have that at all.
Not that being said the story was really interesting. The other part of the books Graham writes that I enjoy is that I never seem to figure out “who-dun-it” and this book was no exception. The ghost were fine. I enjoy when they have a bit more interaction. The suspense part of this was good as well.
I liked the romance of the story. Again it is a bit different than what Graham usually writes. Diego and Scarlet were married once so they have the connection already. They have a history that they could not work out but never stopped loving each other so when they are reunited the romance is rekindled versus having the new shine of a romance.
Any fan of Graham’s will enjoy this story. If you like romances with a bit of suspense you will enjoy it. I just wouldn’t say it is one of the best of the series. But I did want to thank Graham for the shout out to Asheville, NC (since I live near there). Maybe the next book can be set there… hint hint.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: The Silenced
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #15
CHARACTERS: Meg & Matt
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/30/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Where is Lara Mayhew?
Lara, a congressman’s media assistant, suddenly quits her job—and disappears on the way to her Washington, DC, apartment.
Novice FBI agent Meg Murray, a childhood friend of Lara’s, gets a message from her that same night, a message that says she’s disillusioned and “going home.” To Richmond, Virginia. Meg discovers that she never got there. And bodies fitting Lara’s description are showing up in nearby rivers… Could she be the victim of a serial killer?
Meg is assigned to work with special agent Matt Bosworth, a hard-nosed pro in the FBI’s unit of paranormal investigators—the Krewe of Hunters. They trace the route Meg and Lara took more than once in the past, visiting battlefields and graveyards from Harpers Ferry to Gettysburg. Places where the dead share their secrets with those who can hear… As Meg and Matt pursue the possibility of a serial killer, they find themselves in the middle of a political conspiracy. Is there a connection? And who—besides each other—can they trust?
REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Heather Graham has a way of writing that many try to emulate and few can. She mixes the paranormal with suspense in a way that catches the reader’s attention from moment one. She also adds facts to the background that make the reader want to catch the next plane to go see the sights. In this one Graham brings us to the war of the states. The Civil War is steep in stories of brother vs brother and the some say the ghost of the soldiers still walk the fields. And Graham takes us there with a good story.
Now all the above being said I want to say I enjoyed the book and if I had read it as a stand alone without the rest of the series influencing me then I would probably given it more stars than I did but having read the entire series this just wasn’t one of my favorites. Maybe because there was very little paranormal in it. I doubt we had a total of one chapter length of visiting spirits and that saddens me. I love the connection with the ghosts that Graham usually brings in but it almost seemed like an after thought for this book. The suspense was good and as per the normal I was not sure “who-dun-it”. I had a bit of an idea but was only half right.
And to be honest I am not sure I felt that Matt and Meg had a solid connection. I know it sounds weird but if I had to finish the story it would say that “Matt and Meg got together but after being together for a short time realized their connection was more about the case and have decided to part as friends”. OK maybe not but still just not the explosive connection we hope for.
Again I want to say I really enjoyed the story. I loved reading the history even though this is not usually one of the parts of history I am interested in stories from Graham always leave me wanting more information and this one is no different but comparing this with the others in the series I have to say that I hope the next book in the series gives us a little more.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
TITLE: Blue Heaven, Black Night
TITLE: A Perfect Obsession
TITLE: Law And Disorder
TITLE: Flawless
TITLE: Darkest Journey
TITLE: When We Touch
TITLE: Deadly Fate
TITLE: Haunted Destiny
About Heather Graham:
