Kimberly reviews Dying Breath by Heather Graham

dying breathTITLE: Dying Breath
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #21
CHARACTERS: Vickie & Griffin
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/30/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Buried alive…

As a teenager, Vickie Preston survived an attack by a serial killer. That was the first time she saw a ghost. Now the city of Boston is being terrorized—someone is kidnapping women and burying them alive, but cruelly leaving a glimmer of hope for the authorities by sending a clue about their location. Vickie is pulled into the investigation when her name is mentioned in one of the notes. And as a historian, she has the knowledge to help uncover the graves the killer known as the Undertaker is choosing. But she also has another, unique lead: the spirit of one of the victims is appearing to her in dreams.

Special Agent Griffin Price is on the case for the Krewe of Hunters, the FBI’s special unit for paranormal investigators. He feels particularly protective of Vickie, since their shared past is connected to the threat that currently surrounds them. With the killer accelerating his plans, time is running out for more victims hidden around the city. Vickie is becoming closer with Griffin, but she’s getting too close to the danger, and every breath could be her last.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Another wonderful adventure with the Krewe of Hunters. What I enjoy most about this series is the history that Graham puts into each book. This one is set in Boston. One of my favorite cities that I haven’t been to since I was a kid. And now I just want to jump on a plane and head back for a visit.

The second biggest enjoyment for me is the ghost interaction. Some of the books have more than others and this was one of them. Dylan does quite a bit of visiting and is adorable when he does. Noah (not a ghost) is written so grown up that it is interesting to see the differences in the “brothers”. You will understand that more after reading the story.

And then there is the suspense part of the story. This is #21 in the series and I swear I have read at least 90% of them and have figured out the “who-dun-it” less than a handful of times. Graham has a way of throwing the reader (as least this reader) off the scent of the real person. I can usually tell who it is *not* but not who it is.

The thing about this series if each book can be a stand alone romantic paranormal suspense but I have no idea why someone who is a fan of the genre isn’t already a connoisseur of this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Blue Heaven, Black Night by Heather Graham

blue heavenTITLE: 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.

3hearts-68-77

Kimberly reviews Natchez Burning by Greg Iles

natchez burningTITLE: Natchez Burning
SERIES #: Penn Cage #4
CHARACTERS: Penn & Cailtlin
AUTHOR: Greg Iles
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/13/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Greg Iles comes the first novel in his Natchez Burning trilogy—which also includes The Bone Tree and the upcoming Mississippi Blood—an epic trilogy that interweaves crimes, lies, and secrets past and present in a mesmerizing thriller featuring Southern lawyer and former prosecutor Penn Cage.
Raised in the southern splendor of Natchez, Mississippi, Penn Cage learned all he knows of duty from his father, Dr. Tom Cage. But now the beloved family doctor has been accused of murdering the African American nurse with whom he worked in the dark days of the 1960s. Once a crusading prosecutor, Penn is determined to save his father, but Tom, stubbornly invoking doctor-patient privilege, refuses even to speak in his own defense.
Penn’s quest for the truth sends him deep into his father’s past, where a sexually charged secret lies. More chilling, this long-buried sin is only one thread in a conspiracy of greed and murder involving the vicious Double Eagles, an offshoot of the KKK controlled by some of the most powerful men in the state. Aided by a dedicated reporter privy to Natchez’s oldest secrets and by his fiancée, Caitlin Masters, Penn uncovers a trail of corruption and brutality that places his family squarely in the Double Eagles’ crosshairs.
With every step costing blood and faith, Penn is forced to confront the most wrenching dilemma of his life: Does a man of honor choose his father or the truth?

REVIEW:
I requested this book seeing only the name of the author, who is a author I really enjoy, but after reading the description I realized I had already read this book when it came out. This is the fourth in the series of Penn Cage but a trilogy inside the series.

Penn is an interesting character. But since this is a trilogy inside the series you can pick this up and not be confused about the characters. What I enjoyed was how much Penn wants to protect his father but also he needs to prove the truth to everyone.

If you are a fan of suspense Greg Iles is a great author to turn to. Don’t miss this book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Kimberly reviews Lethal Lies by Rebecca Zanetti

lethal liesTITLE: Lethal Lies
SERIES #: Blood Brothers #2
CHARACTERS: Anya & Heath
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/16/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A deadly secret can’t stay buried forever . . .

Revenge. It’s the only thing that will help Anya Best sleep at night. The serial killer who murdered her sister is on the loose, and Anya will stop at nothing to put him behind bars-even use herself as bait to lure him out of hiding. But she can’t do this alone.

Private investigator Heath Jones’s job is to bring bastards to justice. This time it’s personal. He knew the Copper Killer’s latest victim so when her sister asks for his help, he’s all in. But when Anya uses the media to taunt the killer, she exposes Heath’s identity, putting them both in jeopardy. Now, secrets buried long ago are coming to light and the forces determined to destroy him are watching Heath’s every move, waiting to exact their own revenge. And they’ll use anything and anyone to get to Heath.

With twists and turns that will take your breath away, LETHAL LIES is sexy, action-packed suspense at its very best from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Can I say enough good things about Rebecca Zanetti and her books? Probably not. But I will try. Lethal Lies is another wonderful novel by Zanetti. This is Heath’s story. We met Heath in the first book as one of the Blood Brothers/Lost Boys. Heath is smart and handsome but more so he is all about his brothers and finding the Copper Killer (also from book 1). That is until he meets Anya.

Anya is the main focus of the Copper Killer but we do not know what why. But when the sister of Anya is caught by the Cooper Killer the two begin to work together and Heath is going to protector no matter what. But Anya has other plans. Like using herself as bait.

I enjoyed Anya very much. She is strong and even though she gets scared she pushes forward. She is going to find this serial killer no matter what. Heath is, well, like all of Zanetti’s men. HOT but also sweet and loving.

I really enjoy the bro-mance these blood brothers have. I really can’t wait for Denver’s story!!! And hope the series continues (or branches off) to include the Grey Brothers.

No book by Zanetti should be missed but this series (as well as many others) is one that you do not want to miss. It is worth every page. However, I will say you do need to read book 1 before reading this story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Full Wolf Moon by Lincoln Child

full wolf moonTITLE: Full Wolf Moon
CHARACTERS: Jeremy Logan
AUTHOR: Lincoln Child
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/16/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The New York Times bestselling author of The Forgotten Room and Deep Storm is back with a new thriller that follows the trail of a killer who cannot exist…featuring Jeremy Logan, the renowned investigator of the supernatural and fantastic.

Legends, no matter how outlandish, are often grounded in reality. This has been the guiding principle behind the exhilarating career of Jeremy Logan, the “enigmologist”–an investigator who specializes in analyzing phenomena that have no obvious explanation–previously seen in The Forgotten Room, The Third Gate, and Deep Storm. Logan has often found himself in situations where keeping an open mind could mean the difference between life and death, and that has never been more true than now.
Logan travels to an isolated writers’ retreat deep in the Adirondacks to finally work on his book when the remote community is rocked by the grisly discovery of a dead hiker on Desolation Mountain. The body has been severely mauled, but the unusual savagery of the bite and claw marks call into question the initial suspicions of a wild bear attack. When Logan is asked to help investigate, he discovers no shortage of suspects capable of such an attack–and no shortage of locals willing to point the finger and spread incredible rumors. One rumor, too impossible to believe, has even the forest ranger believing in werewolves. As Logan gets to know the remote deep-woods landscape, including a respected woman scientist still struggling with the violent loss of her father in these very woods, Logan realizes he’s up against something he has never seen before.
His most action-packed and white-knuckled novel to date, Full Wolf Moon is the perfect combination of exotic locales, provocative science, and raw action that make for a deeply entertaining Lincoln Child blockbuster.”

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This is the 5th in the Jeremy Logan series. Logan is one who studies odd phenomenon. So when he goes up to the mountains to work his friend from the area asks him to help investigate some problems that seem to happen when there is a full moon. Logan can also feel the feelings of others when he touches items. Be ready for a bit of paranormal/psychological storyline.

This is a quick read mainly because it has your interest from the first chapter. All stories from Lincoln Child are a bit out of the norm but that is what makes his books so interesting.

This can be a stand alone but I really feel like the reader would understand the story better if the others in the series have been read. Logan is not a normal character and having read his whole background.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

3hearts-68-77

Kimberly reviews The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick

girl who knew too muchTITLE: The Girl Who Knew Too Much
CHARACTERS: Irene & Oliver
AUTHOR: Amanda Quick
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/09/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Amanda Quick, the bestselling author of ’Til Death Do Us Part, transports readers to 1930s California, where glamour and seduction spawn a multitude of sins…

When Hollywood moguls and stars want privacy, they head to an idyllic small town on the coast, where the exclusive Burning Cove Hotel caters to their every need. It’s where reporter Irene Glasson finds herself staring down at a beautiful actress at the bottom of a pool.

Seeking the truth, Irene finds herself drawn to a master of deception. Oliver Ward was once a world-famous magician—until he was mysteriously injured during his last performance. Now the owner of the Burning Cove Hotel, he can’t let scandal threaten his livelihood, even if it means trusting Irene, a woman who seems to have appeared in Los Angeles out of nowhere four months ago.

With Oliver’s help, Irene soon learns that the glamorous paradise of Burning Cove hides dark and dangerous secrets. And that the past—always just out of sight—could drag them both under…

REVIEW:
I am a fan of Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick so I was looking forward to this story but it just didn’t meet my expectations. Most of the book Amanda Quick are historical romance but this was set in the 1930’s. The other problem is it just didn’t have the writing style I am used to with Quick/JAK.

I think it was supposed to be a form of Film Noir but it felt really cheesy. Gosh I really hate saying that since I love JAK so much and wouldn’t miss one of her books if at all possible.

I want to make one thing clear though. I have based the stars on the books I normally read by this author. If based on a standard book the stars might be higher but this book is just not up to JAK/Quick’s par.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

3hearts-68-77

Kimberly reviews Dating The Undead by Juliet Lyons

dating the undeadTITLE: Dating The Undead
SERIES #: V-Date.com #1
CHARACTERS: Silver & Logan
AUTHOR: Juliet Lyons
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/02/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It’s Bridget Jones with vampires in this fresh and funny paranormal romance from debut author Juliet Lyons

When Silver Harris kisses sexy Irish vampire Logan Byrne on New Year’s Eve, she knows other humans just won’t suffice. Convinced she’ll never see him again, she joins the uber-popular vampire dating site, V-Date.com.

What Silver doesn’t know is that the site is more dangerous than she could ever imagined, and soon she’s in over her head. When Logan returns, sparks fly and attraction sizzles, but they’ll have to escape some very real demons if they have any chance of lasting forever.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I read the synopsis of this book and was really excited about all the differences this book would have from other vampire stories but I have to say I was wrong. Not that this book is bad. It isn’t. It’s actually good but the parts I thought I would enjoy like people knowing vampires exist, vampires needing a dating site, etc just seemed to take away from the enthralling vampires I am used to.

The characters are well written and I enjoyed them I am just not sure that I thought the story flowed. And maybe I missed it but I am not sure why all of a sudden they are in a world where vampires are known about and the world doesn’t care. Well they care and want more information but it just doesn’t seem to be a big deal.

Maybe the others in the series will address this but I am not sure if I will be picking them up.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

3hearts-68-77

Kimberly reviews Natchez Burning by Greg Iles

natchez burningTITLE: Natchez Burning
SERIES #: Penn Cage #4
CHARACTERS: Penn & Cailtlin
AUTHOR: Greg Iles
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/13/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Greg Iles comes the first novel in his Natchez Burning trilogy—which also includes The Bone Tree and the upcoming Mississippi Blood—an epic trilogy that interweaves crimes, lies, and secrets past and present in a mesmerizing thriller featuring Southern lawyer and former prosecutor Penn Cage.
Raised in the southern splendor of Natchez, Mississippi, Penn Cage learned all he knows of duty from his father, Dr. Tom Cage. But now the beloved family doctor has been accused of murdering the African American nurse with whom he worked in the dark days of the 1960s. Once a crusading prosecutor, Penn is determined to save his father, but Tom, stubbornly invoking doctor-patient privilege, refuses even to speak in his own defense.
Penn’s quest for the truth sends him deep into his father’s past, where a sexually charged secret lies. More chilling, this long-buried sin is only one thread in a conspiracy of greed and murder involving the vicious Double Eagles, an offshoot of the KKK controlled by some of the most powerful men in the state. Aided by a dedicated reporter privy to Natchez’s oldest secrets and by his fiancée, Caitlin Masters, Penn uncovers a trail of corruption and brutality that places his family squarely in the Double Eagles’ crosshairs.
With every step costing blood and faith, Penn is forced to confront the most wrenching dilemma of his life: Does a man of honor choose his father or the truth?

REVIEW:
I requested this book seeing only the name of the author, who is a author I really enjoy, but after reading the description I realized I had already read this book when it came out. This is the fourth in the series of Penn Cage but a trilogy inside the series.

Penn is an interesting character. But since this is a trilogy inside the series you can pick this up and not be confused about the characters. What I enjoyed was how much Penn wants to protect his father but also he needs to prove the truth to everyone.

If you are a fan of suspense Greg Iles is a great author to turn to. Don’t miss this book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews A Fire In The Blood by Amanda Ashley

a fire in the bloodTITLE: A Fire In The Blood
SERIES #: Series Name (if series)
CHARACTERS: Tessa & Andrei
AUTHOR: Amanda Ashley
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/25/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
I see a man. He is old. Very old. He will come into your life in a moment of danger. He will watch over you and protect you. The gypsy’s hand gripped Tessa’s tighter. He will bring you death, she whispered, her voice like the rustle of dry leaves. And life.

Ten years later, when Andrei Dinescu saves Tessa from a vicious attacker, she has no idea that the handsome stranger the gypsy fortune teller predicted is not a hunter but a seven-hundred-year-old vampire. Darkly powerful, unbelievably compelling, he is obviously pursuing Tessa, but is it her love he’s after or her blood?

REVIEW:
2.75 Hearts So this was a difficult story to read. First there are a number of “typical” vampire characteristics but there are a number that are not. But even that would have been ok if the story had been interesting. It took forever for me to even like Andrei and then I wouldn’t say he was great. Then Tessa is just an odd character. She is so accepting of things and then questions the littlest things. It didn’t make sense.

The background characters are irritating if you ask me. Jilly is a know it all and it gets to be too much. Bailey is great. I might have enjoyed the story of Bailey and Tristan more than this story.

I usually like Amanda Ashley’s stories but this one just didn’t do it for me.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

3hearts-68-77

Kimberly reviews The Hangman by Mary Burton

HangmanTITLE: The Hangman
SERIES #: The Forgotten Files #3
CHARACTERS: Julia & Jim
AUTHOR: Mary Burton
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/25/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Julia Vargas is a cop with a mission. When she’s not chasing down bad guys, Julia dedicates her time to investigating the Hangman serial killer…the same unsolved case that her father, Jim Vargas, was working on when he supposedly shot and killed himself three decades before. While rumors continue to swirl around her father’s death, Julia attempts to hunt down the truth.

The case once again hits dangerously close, however, when a woman’s bones are discovered in a historic downtown home, together with a photograph of Jim and Julia as a young girl. As horrifying as this discovery is, it may just be the break Julia has waited for. Working alongside Tobias Novak, a homicide detective with whom she shares a complicated—and steamy—history, she’s forced to confront her own past even as the Hangman looms in the shadows. But as the mysterious killer circles closer, Julia can feel her own noose begin to tighten…

REVIEW:
This is the third in the series but can be read as a stand alone since the characters have not carried over. These stories are more of a suspense with romance. The male and female characters of this book are already starting a relationship but the evidence that Tobias finds has him call Julia in to check out. The evidence includes a picture with her and her father. Because of this she starts up the investigation her father had started years ago. But now she has Tobias to help her.

Mary Burton is quickly becoming a favorite authors of mine. She does follow the same outline on a lot of her books but they are really well written that they are enjoyable.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Cauldrons & Confessions by Michelle M. Pillow

cauldrons & confessionsTITLE: Cauldrons & Confessions
SERIES #: Warlocks MacGregor #4
CHARACTERS: Malina & Dar
AUTHOR: Michelle M Pillow
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/28/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Malina MacGregor is more than just a delicate flower in need of manly protection, but you wouldn’t know it by the slew of male family members who show up anytime she tries to go on a date. Sure, she’s made some poor choices in men in the past—like the demon she mistakenly hooked up with in Las Vegas years ago. But that was then, and this is now, and she more than made up for that mistake.

Darragh “Dar” Lahey may be a luck demon, but his luck ran out the night he met the temptress—Malina. Now he’s back, and he has an axe to grind. Malina needs to pay for what she did to him, and the supernatural attacks he’s firing at her magickal family is just the beginning. There is only one hitch in his plans for revenge—even after all this time the stubborn woman can still make his heart ache, and his body burn with need.

REVIEW:
So I have read the first two books in the series but somehow missed the third (What???) which makes this one #4 and I am so glad I did not miss this one. Malina is the only girl in the MacGregor family and because of that the most protected and cherished. But now we know she has a past that haunts her as much as the ghosts who come into the mansion causing chaos.

I enjoy this clan so much. There are such great senses of humors these clansmen have but there wasn’t too much in this one even though there was plenty. And because it is a short read a lot gets thrown into the pages but it doesn’t matter because the book holds you and makes you want to read it all in one sitting.

You can not go wrong with these Scots or with Michelle Pillow’s books.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Any Day Now by Robyn Carr

any day nowTITLE: Any Day Now
SERIES #: Sullivan’s Crossing #2
CHARACTERS: Sierra Jones
AUTHOR: Robyn Carr
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/18/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The highly anticipated sequel to #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr’s What We Find transports readers back to Sullivan’s Crossing. The rustic campground at the crossroads of the Colorado and Continental Divide trails welcomes everyone—whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway or a whole new lease on life. It’s a wonderful place where good people face their challenges with humor, strength and love.

For Sierra Jones, Sullivan’s Crossing is meant to be a brief stopover. She’s put her troubled past behind her but the path forward isn’t yet clear. A visit with her big brother Cal and his new bride, Maggie, seems to be the best option to help her get back on her feet.

Not wanting to burden or depend on anyone, Sierra is surprised to find the Crossing offers so much more than a place to rest her head. Cal and Maggie welcome her into their busy lives and she quickly finds herself bonding with Sully, the quirky campground owner who is the father figure she’s always wanted. But when her past catches up with her, it’s a special man and an adorable puppy who give her the strength to face the truth and fight for a brighter future. In Sullivan’s Crossing Sierra learns to cherish the family you are given and the family you choose.

REVIEW:
This is the second in the Sullivan’s Crossing series. I enjoyed book 1 so I was excited to get this story. I was not disappointed.

The story is well written and perfect for woman’s lit fans. Sierra is trying so hard to prove herself, more so to herself than anyone else. But as we all know we are not meant to live a solitary life and needing someone is not a show of weakness. And it was great to see Sierra learn this lesson.

And I would bet any reader of this story is going to say how much they loved the dog rescue scene. LOVED IT!

Another great read from Robyn Carr.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts