Abby Thompson didn’t sign up to be the daughter of the President of the United States. The position was forced on her by the small matter of her birth. Preferring a quiet life of study, she’s content to leave the politics and the international intrigue to her father. Unfortunately, the most powerful man on the planet is sure to make enemies. When a group of armed thugs takes her hostage half a world away, demanding the U.S. government release prisoners in exchange for her safe return, she fears her father’s policy of “not negotiating with terrorists” means she’ll never see the shores of the Potomac again. Luckily, there’s one glimmer of hope. His name is Carlos Soto. And though she abruptly ended things with him years ago, she knows now he’s the only man who can save her…
Carlos “Steady” Soto has taken part in his fair share of dangerous missions working at the covert government defense firm of Black Knights Inc. But nothing prepared him for the emotional rollercoaster he faces when he’s tasked with rescuing the only woman he ever loved-who also broke his heart. Racing against time and outmaneuvering a group of trained terrorists will take everything he’s got. Plus there’s the heat simmering between them which is threatening to ignite into an inferno. While ruthless enemies stalk them, they must learn to trust each other again. Even if they do make it out alive, will Abby turn her back on him… for the second time?
It was the second time the thought screamed through Abby’s brain. But once again, she chose to ignore it.
Yes, she shouldn’t be doing this. She shouldn’t be kissing Carlos like her life depended on it. She shouldn’t be sucking his tongue into her mouth as if the world would end if she didn’t. But she’d wanted this for so long. Wanted him for so long. And she’d never dreamed he might want her, too. Not in her wildest fantasies could she have imagined smart, sexy Carlos Soto would be interested in her.
Yet here he was…his thick fingers speared into her hair, his hard palms framing her face and showing her just what to do, how to kiss him. And every dart of his tongue, each hot glide between her lips might as well have been a wicked lick to the center of her sex. She burned and would have sworn on a stack of bibles she was seconds away from going up in flames. Just poof! A human torch…
“Abby,” he whispered again before leaving a trail of hungry, hasty kisses across her cheek and back to her ear. “Dios, Abby, you taste so good.” He sucked her sensitive lobe into his sinfully knowledgeable mouth.
She tasted good? She did? No, no. He was the one who should be on the menu of the finest restaurant. Because his breath was fresh and warm, and the sweat on his skin when she turned her head to gently sink her teeth into his wrist was sweet and delightful. He was the appetizer, entrée, and dessert all rolled into one wonderfully decadent male feast.
He moaned against her neck when she darted out her tongue, flicking at the pulse beating heavily in his wrist. The sound went all through her, making her nipples tighten, her toes curl, and her womb contract and ache anew. It was a wanton sound. A shameless sound. The sound a man makes when he’s mindless and in need of a woman.
She couldn’t believe it. Carlos…in need of her. Carlos…wanting her. She was surrounded by him, overpowered by him. His height. His breadth. His sheer masculinity. She reveled in the feel of the muscles in his shoulders, so large her hands couldn’t grip the entirety of them when she dug in her fingers to pull him closer, closer… He could never be too close.
A little about Julie Ann Walker:
Julie Ann Walker is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of award-winning romantic suspense. She has won the Book Buyers Best Award, been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award. Her latest release was named a Top Ten Romance of 2014 by Booklist. Her books have been described as “alpha, edgy, and downright hot.” Most days you can find her on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission.
TITLE: Walking on Her Grave
SERIES #: Rogue River #4
CHARACTERS: Seth Harding & Carly Taylor
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: November 18, 2014
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N (coming soon)
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The electrifying conclusion of the romantic suspense novella series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot.
The sleepy town of Solitude, Oregon, has turned into ground zero for a turf war between the manufacturers and distributors of a lethal new drug. When a teenage witness disappears, social worker Carly Taylor must find him before he’s silenced permanently.
Rogue County investigator Seth Harding wants to keep Carly, his estranged wife, out of harm’s way, but she refuses to let his concern keep her from doing her job. When one of her young charges vanishes, Carly gets pulled even deeper into the deadly case, and Seth knows he must help her…even if it leads them right into the criminals’ crosshairs.
Explosive and exciting to the last page, Walking on Her Grave is the fourth and final thrilling addition to the new romantic suspense series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot.
KELLY’S REVIEW:
WOW…
I was not expecting that. What you ask? Right like I am going to tell you. Why on earth would I give away anything? I want you to read this book. But if you have not started this series you have to start with book one!! I loved seeing Seth and Carly work together.
Oh I am so happy and sad all at the same time. I am happy that the small Oregon town of Solitude (and I) finally gets some answers about the events that have been surrounding them. But I am so sad that this series is over. I really hope that this is not the only series that Melinda & Kendra will team up on.
If you enjoy romance suspense you really should check out this series and the Ladies. Both are amazing story tellers and will keep you guessing until the end.
NATASHA’S REVIEW:
This was the final book in the quartet novella series Rogue River. This book takes us back to Seth and Carly’s story while continuing with the overarching plot for the whole series. I really love Seth! Carly and Seth had so many problems, hurt feelings and egos to overcome. They are both extremely head strong and stubborn; so naturally they butt heads. I’m very pleased with how this series was closed out and I’m so happy that we finally got answers to the big mysteries happening around Solitude! We also got to see our favorite characters Zane and Stevie. This whole series has been a pleasant read and opened me up to a new author with Melinda Leigh! I’m very happy I read it, it’s definitely worth the time.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
Darkly gifted and dangerously skilled, they were once the nation’s most powerful asset. Betrayed by unknown enemies, unable to trust anyone—not even one another—the Phoenix hold the key to unlocking a conspiracy steeped in blood and fire. To survive, they’ll have to solve… The Phoenix Code
CUT by Lara Adrian
Community college professor Ethan Jones is living a lie. A precognitive agent known as Zephyr, Ethan is accustomed to subterfuge and deception, but when the Phoenix program is betrayed, he’s forced to cut all ties to the life he’s made and everyone in it—including smart, beautiful Tori Connors, the one woman who tempted the cold agent to let down his impenetrable facade.
A chance encounter years later and thousands of miles away thrusts the lovers together again, and this time Tori refuses to let Ethan deceive her. Although he is a dangerous enigma, Tori still desires him, and soon their inconvenient reunion becomes a temptation too strong to resist. With assassins closing in, Ethan and Tori embark on a desperate race for their lives—one that will put their tentative trust to the ultimate test.
RUN by Tina Folsom
Motorcycle mechanic Scott Thompson isn’t the laid-back loner he makes everyone believe. Three years ago, he was known as Ace, one of an elite group of agents in a top secret CIA program. However, the preternatural ability that made him invaluable to the government could now be his downfall, when his skill alerts him to a disaster bound to kill dozens of innocents unless he intervenes.
Journalist Phoebe Chadwick needs to persuade her editor to spare her from department cuts that threaten her job. When a mysterious stranger prevents an accident that would have killed her and many others, Phoebe goes after the story. But bad boy Scott is a reluctant hero unwilling to answer her questions, despite the sizzling chemistry that ignites between them. As his enemies hunt him down, Scott must decide if he can trust Phoebe—and how far he’s willing to go to keep her safe at his side.
Make sure to check out Kelly’s review of CUT and RUN HERE
*****
A little about Lara:
LARA ADRIAN is a New York Times and #1 internationally best-selling author with nearly 4 million books in print and digital worldwide and translations licensed to more than 20 countries. Her books have been named among Amazon’s Top Ten Romances of the Year, and have also been nominated by readers multiple times as finalists for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance of the Year. Reviewers have called Lara’s books “addictively readable” (Chicago Tribune), “extraordinary” (Fresh Fiction), “strikingly original” (Booklist), and “one of the best vampire series on the market” (Romantic Times).
Writing as TINA ST. JOHN, her historical romances have won numerous awards including the National Readers Choice; Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer’s Choice; Booksellers Best; and many others. She was twice named a Finalist in Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards, for Best Historical Romance (White Lion’s Lady) and Best Paranormal Romance (Heart of the Hunter). More recently, the German translation of Heart of the Hunter debuted on Der Spiegel bestseller list.
With an ancestry stretching back to the Mayflower and the court of King Henry VIII, the author lives with her husband in New England, where she is working on her next novel. Visit Lara’s website and sign up for new release announcements at http://bit.ly/LaraAdrianNews
*****
A little about Tina:
Tina is currently developing a new super-cool series with New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Lara Adrian!
Tina Folsom is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. She’s always been self-published and has found tremendous success with her paranormal series, Scanguards Vampires, Venice Vampyr, and Out of Olympus, selling more than 1.5 million copies of her 50 titles (which includes titles in German, French, and Spanish) in almost 4 years.
Tina writes about hot alpha heroes, bad boys, and kick-ass heroines. Fast-paced plots and steamy scenes are her specialty. She loves vampires and the concept of immortality, and now also writes contemporary romance and has launched the Eternal Bachelors Club series.
Tina is a one-women-enterprise. She writes constantly and translates her own books into German, her native language. Her books are available in e-book format, as paperbacks, as audio books, and in foreign languages.
Tina Folsom was born in Germany and has been living in English speaking countries for over 25 years, the last 13 of them in San Francisco, where she’s married to an American. Tina has always been a bit of a globe trotter: after living in Lausanne, Switzerland, she briefly worked on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, then lived a year in Munich, before moving to London. There, she became an accountant. But after 8 years she decided to move overseas.
In New York she studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts then moved to Los Angeles a year later to pursue studies in screenwriting. In 2008 she wrote her first romance. She now has 18 novels in English and dozens in other languages.
Sign up for her newsletter on her website to be kept apprised of new releases: tinawritesromance.com
*****
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!
Lara & Tina are offering up a trade paperback copy of CUT AND RUN signed by both Lara Adrian and Tina Folsom, plus Phoenix Code sticky notes, temporary tattoos, bookmarks and other fun swag.
This is a quick giveaway. Make sure to enter today!!
To enter please leave the ladies a question or comment.
Make sure you leave your EMAIL so that I can contact you.
The only commitment Saxby Cole has ever made is to the SEALs. He follows a long line of Southern charmers who swear monogamy isn’t in their blood. He’s never met a woman who made him want to swear his allegiance—until, while undercover for a Justiss Alliance assignment, he finds a woman who makes him think twice.
When Jennessy Shaw’s boyfriend dumps her right before their vacation to a hedonistic Caribbean resort, she goes without him to explore her wild side. Throwing caution to the wind, she propositions Saxby—only to suffer his gentle rejection.
When she wakes in Saxby’s room with no memory of the night before, Jennessy discovers his real purpose: to sniff out an operation where women like her are drugged and prostituted to resort guests. She goes from victim to his investigative partner . . . but getting too close to the sexier-than-sin Saxby may be her wildest move yet.
How humiliating. The first time Jennessy had ever done something impetuous like kiss a guy she’d just met, and he’d rejected her. What a terrible start to her wild weekend. Even the pleasant buzz—which had probably prompted the impulse in the first place—had abandoned her.
Jennessy chose the seat in the front of the van next to the new driver and peppered him with inane questions. He chatted in a sing song voice characteristic of the Caribbean.
Every time she slipped and glanced back at Saxby, he flashed her an apologetic look. It wasn’t his fault she’d nearly jumped him. As she replayed their conversation, she realized he’d never actually given her any signals that he was interested. In fact, he’d tried to read his magazine, and she’d talked his ear off. And apparently he was a nice guy, because he was remaining faithful.
She watched him from the corner of her eye while pretending to take in the pine forest they ambled past. He sat slumped in his seat, staring out the window with a glum expression. He definitely wasn’t her type, which, of course, had been the appeal. The only appeal, right? Yes, definitely. Far different than Lane, with his over attention to his appearance, his cocky posture, and gregarious personality.
His hair was still ruffled from when she’d run her fingers through the silky strands. Damn, he did have amazing eyes, with a shape that gave the appearance of a smile and fringed with thick lashes. But his clothing style, awful. Every time his eyes flashed in her memory, with that intriguing twinkle, she pulled up the image of his boring shirt and shapeless khakis. Every time she remembered his smile, she recalled the embarrassment of his rejection.
She focused on another subject, though not much better—the glimpse of her crazy curls she could see in the side mirror. Even in September, it was warm and humid, which sent her curls into a frizz frenzy. She dreaded seeing her whole reflection.
The forest, interspersed with palm trees, started to thin out, revealing buildings and tennis courts in the distance. Her chest tightened. They were almost at the resort.
They passed through an elegant entrance of coral columns and bright foliage. The driver flashed her and Saxby a white smile as he pulled up to a large portico, then hopped out of his seat. “Welcome to Decadence! Let the fun begin!”
Yippee. She sprang up, eager to grab her bag and scoot inside. Saxby was right behind her, and she wondered if he’d take her bag again. He was polite, and his slight Southern accent made her think he’d come from the same town his friend with the cheating genetics lived. Then she remembered how she’d stayed near him as they filed into the luggage claim area. He hadn’t engaged her in conversation, hadn’t given her any indication that he’d wanted her company. God, she must have come off like a puppy.
She stepped away from Saxby and focused on the people wandering around the entrance, drinks in hand, very little clothing on their bodies. None were naked, but there certainly wasn’t much left to the imagination in many cases.
“It’s not clothing optional here,” the driver said, obviously seeing her looking at the guests. “You are on the Wild side, miss?” He popped open the luggage compartment and set the pieces on a cart that a bellhop had wheeled out.
“No, Mild.”
He grinned, his laugh deep.“I bet you get wild before long.”
About the Author:
USA Today bestselling author Tina Wainscott has always loved the combination of romance and suspense, because nothing complements falling in love better than being hunted down. The author of more than thirty novels and novellas, Wainscott creates characters with baggage, past hurts, and vulnerabilities. They go through hell, find love, and, at the end, find peace in who they are and everything they’ve gone through. And isn’t that what everyone wants?
Review (3.75 Stars):Wild Nights was an entertaining thrill-ride with an intriguing mystery with a sexy alpha hero in an exotic locale. I liked Saxby and Jennessy together as a couple because she was sweet and sassy and just the right woman to make this smooth-talking man think about settling down. Saxby knew from the instant that he met Jennessy that she was different from the women that he had met before and the fact that she was involved in criminal investigation, made it perfect for him. She understood what he went through working undercover and was willing to do anything to help Sax solve his case.
I haven’t read the other books in the series but that didn’t matter because I was able to follow along with the characters just fine. This book can stand on its own and I enjoyed the time that I spent with Saxby and Jennessy. Looking forward to reading more from Ms. Wainscott and her hot, sexy Navy SEALS.
Eleven years ago, the Co-Ed Slayer murdered nine female college students on the Oregon State University campus. Lacey Campbell barely survived his attack, but he killed her best friend, Suzanne, whose body was never found. Now a forensic odontologist analyzing teeth and bones for the state medical examiner, Lacey is devastated when she identifies Suzanne’s remains at a crime scene. She finds comfort in the arms of ex-cop Jack Harper, and sparks fly between them even as a new reign of terror begins. Someone is killing the witnesses who sent the Co-ed Slayer to prison a decade ago. All the evidence points to the Co-ed Slayer as the culprit, only he’s long since dead. So who’s the new killer? And is Lacey next in line to die? Golden Heart finalist Kendra Elliot unites in-depth forensic knowledge with a passion for thrillers. Set amid the snowy backdrop of Oregon, Hidden creates spine-tingling chills.
As a forensic nurse on a search and rescue team, Brynn Nealey braves a dangerous blizzard to find the survivors of a plane crash in the Cascade Mountains. Joining her is Alex Kinton, a former US marshal with self-destructive tendencies. Alex lies his way onto Brynn’s team to find the man who killed his brother—and then return the favor. But once the team members reach the plane’s wreckage, they discover everyone aboard has perished…except for the man Alex is hunting. Alex will do whatever it takes to track his target through the vast, snowy wilderness.
As the temperatures drop, however, so do Alex’s defenses. His contact with the sharp, kindhearted Brynn makes his lust for vengeance difficult to reconcile with his growing feelings for a woman who risks her life to help others. What will happen to Alex’s savage instincts when he finally has the opportunity to confront his brother’s killer?
In Chilled, the next thrilling tale in the Bone Secrets saga, Golden Heart finalist Kendra Elliot weaves an icy tale of cold nights, cold hearts, and cold-blooded killers.
Reporter Michael Brody is used to getting answers. The one that’s eluded him, though, for twenty long years is learning what happened to his brother Daniel the day his school bus disappeared. When the remains of the other children are discovered—and Daniel’s aren’t among them—a desperate Michael calls upon the sole survivor of the tragedy, Chris Jacobs, hoping he will finally break his silence.
Constant fear of being found by his kidnapper has driven Chris into hiding. The only lead Michael has is Chris’s sister, Jamie. Strong and impenetrable, she’s capable of burrowing deep into Michael’s heart. As they race to find Chris, Michael and Jamie somehow find each other among the decades of wreckage. But locating Chris may not be so easy. Now grown, his scars go far deeper than skin.
In Buried, the next thrilling Bone Secrets novel from bestselling author Kendra Elliot, a damaged hero digs deep into his terrifying past…and unearths a chance at love for the future
Forensic investigator Lacey Campbell is trying to relax. She and her fiancé have escaped to a high-end resort on the Oregon Coast that they’re scoping out for their wedding venue. But when a murdered woman turns up in the hot tub, there’s no more relaxing for the couple. Neither can resist getting pulled into the case.
Tragically, the dead woman is dressed in a wedding gown, even more disturbing for Lacey given she’s about to be a bride. When the victim turns out to be a beloved bartender with a bad-news ex-husband, it looks like a domestic quarrel turned deadly. But could there be something more sinister going on in this tight-knit community?
One rainy night in the woods outside of Portland, Dr. Victoria Peres is called to the site of a haunting crime scene. Six beautiful young girls—all in white dresses and arranged in a perfect circle—have been left for dead. Only one girl, fighting for her life at a nearby hospital, has survived the carnage. Things get stranger still when Victoria and the police discover that the disturbing arrangement of the bodies—as meticulous as it is mysterious—is straight from the pages of a decades-old cold case. Victoria is called on to do what she does best, read the bones of the dead for clues…while dealing with the surprise return of her first love, medical examiner Seth Rutledge. Only this time she must figure out how the two cases, fifty years apart, are connected.
TITLE: Protecting His Witness
SERIES #: Red Stone Security #7
CHARACTERS: Vincent Hansen & Jordan Alvarado
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
NARRATOR: Sophia Eastlake
RUN TIME: 4 Hours & 8 Minutes
AUDIO PUBLICATION DATE: October 29, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N | Audible
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Seven years ago she broke his heart…
Leaving Vincent was the hardest thing Jordan Alvarado ever had to do, but she had no choice. Now she’s back and looking for forgiveness so she can move on with her life. She doesn’t expect the smoldering attraction between them to still be there, burning hotter than ever. After the way she hurt him she knows things will never be the same again and that in the end, she’s the one who will get her heart broken when he walks away.
He’s not letting her go again…
Former SEAL Vincent Hansen never got over Jordan and the way she up and left him without a trace. After she suddenly reappears and explains what happened, he’s even more furious. He doesn’t know what he wants from her, but when she’s targeted in a series of potentially deadly attacks, he realizes he can’t give her up again. He won’t. Now he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and convince her that she was always meant to be his.
REVIEW:
This was my second time reading this book and I had the great pleasure of listening to Protecting His Witness on audio.
I will say that I enjoyed this book just as much the second time as I did the first time.I enjoyed Vincent & Jordan’s story. They both were so in love with each other. But when Jordan disappeared over night Vincent was left with a broken heart and no answers. When Jordan reappears out of nowhere Vincent has a hard time keeping his feelings in check. He can’t decide if he is mad and wants to push Jordan away or grab her and hold her tight so she can never leave again.
Sophia does a pretty good job narrating this book. I think that she told the story very well and she did great justice to Jordan’s voice. But when it came to Vincent’s voice it was a little off to me. I can’t quite put finger on it but there was just a little something off. It didn’t take away from the story, but was just something off.
I look forward to more of Katie’s Red Stone stories. I will be watching for them on audio too.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: The Silent Wife
CHARACTERS: Jodi and Todd
AUTHOR: A.S.A. Harrison
PUBLICATION DATE: 6/25/13
ORDER LINKS:Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A chilling psychological thriller about a marriage, a way of life, and how far one woman will go to keep what is rightfully hersJodi and Todd are at a bad place in their marriage. Much is at stake, including the affluent life they lead in their beautiful waterfront condo in Chicago, as she, the killer, and he, the victim, rush haplessly toward the main event. He is a committed cheater. She lives and breathes denial. He exists in dual worlds. She likes to settle scores. He decides to play for keeps. She has nothing left to lose. Told in alternating voices, The Silent Wife is about a marriage in the throes of dissolution, a couple headed for catastrophe, concessions that can’t be made, and promises that won’t be kept. Expertly plotted and reminiscent of Gone Girl and These Things Hidden, The Silent Wife ensnares the reader from page one and does not let go.
REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Well, I don’t even know where to start with this story. Jodi and Todd have a very complicated relationship. Though not married, they’ve been together for 20 years. When Todd makes a life altering decision it throws Jodi’s world into chaos. I found that both of these characters were extremely difficult to like. I didn’t particularly care about either of them, because they both bred such negativity and deception. They were actually perfect for each other – which I guess is the point. Though not likable characters I found myself very curious how the story would unfold and if it would follow the expected path the author had set up. Some parts of the story were dull, but overall I was pleased with how the whole story unfolded, though much of the time I was just shaking my head in disbelief. I really love that we actually do not have a concrete conclusion in the end; readers are left to their own opinions on some of the events in the story which creates a fun twist on a dark tale. It was an interesting read and I’m happy I gave it a go.
Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: Her Lone Wolf
SERIES #: X-Ops #2
CHARACTERS: Clayne Buchanan & Danica Beckett
AUTHOR: Paige Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: November 4, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Leaving him was Impossible…
It took everything she had for FBI Special Agent Danica Beckett to walk away from the man she loved. But if she wants to save his life, she has to keep her distance. Now, with a killer on the loose and the stakes higher than ever before, the Department of Covert Ops is forcing these former lovers into an uneasy alliance…whether they like it or not.
Seeing her again is even worse…
The last thing Clayne Buchanan wants is to be shackled to the woman who broke his heart. She gets under his skin in a way no one ever has and makes him want things he has no right to anymore. All he has to do is suffer through this case and he can be free of her for good. But when Clayne finds out why Danica left in the first place, everything he’s tried to bury comes roaring back—and there’s no way this wolf shifter is going to take no for an answer this time.
KELLY’S REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I think I can sum up this book in a few words: Tension, Anxiety, Deception and Relief.
Her Lone Wolf is book 2 in Paige Tyler’s X-Ops series. We pick up shortly after the events from book one (I would suggest reading in order, but you don’t have to). Ivy and Landon are still working on the issues from book one (no I am not going to tell you what they are). But Clayne is sent on a mission to help hunt a serial killer. But when Clayne gets to the west coast a very unpleasant surprise is waiting for him. The woman who broke his heart 2 years ago.
To say that the tension between Clayne & Danica was mild would be understated. These two love and hate each other for many reason all of which boils down to the fact that neither wants to live without the other.
There is a lot going on in this book. We jump from Clayne & Danica in the future, to them in the past, to Ivy & Landon back to Clayne & Danica’s current mission. It took me a while to figure out how Clayne & Danica’s mission factored in with Landon & Ivy’s but it all came clear the farther I got into the book. Unfortunately it left many questions unanswered and left me wondering just who can they trust.
I am looking forward to the next book in these series. The epilogue was a little disturbing……..
KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3 Hearts I am not sure why but I had a hard time reading this story. First Clayne is just mean. Yeah he lightens up some but he has anger management problems that make me just want to slap him and walk away and never look back. Danica seems strong but I think it says something about her that she is into Clayne.
This is the second in the series and the first was a bit different so I was looking forward to this one but it just didn’t interest me at all. I enjoy the background story and am looking forward to reading more in the series to see what happens but I could have done without this part of the story… Or maybe just done without Clayne because if he had been written different I might have been more inclined to enjoy the story.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: Her Grave Secret
SERIES #: Rogue River #3
CHARACTERS: Zane Duncan & Stevie Taylor
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: November
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N coming soon
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There are no secrets in a small town—until someone has one worth dying for.
Local cop Stevie Taylor and police chief Zane Duncan have startling new proof that a deadly street drug is expanding its poisonous grip on their small town: a skull found on the banks of the Rogue River has two bullet holes in the back. Still caught up in the excitement of their new relationship, Stevie and Zane are determined to track down the drug’s source before more lives in Solitude, Oregon, are lost.
Then one death strikes especially close to home, leading to heartache and confusion for Stevie. As the drug distributors strike hard and the body count in Solitude grows higher, she and Zane must hunt down the deadly killer—but are they the predators, or the prey?
Filled with unexpected twists, Her Grave Secrets is the third exciting Rogue River novella in the romantic suspense series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
KELLY’S REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Don’t you hate it when you are reading a book and you get to the end of a chapter and turn the page only to find you are at the end of the book? I kept hitting the turn page on my kindle and nothing. Nothing. There was just no more for me to read.
UGGGG why do authors leave me like that? Well if you have started this series then you know that this is not the end of the story. But that Ms. Elliot & Ms. Leigh love to leave you with more questions then answers. As the body’s start piling up, the list of suspects grows longer. I am so confused as to who did it. I have a guess but I am afraid I am wrong. Can’t wait to see if I am write.
Please make sure that you start this novella series from the beginning. It is an on going story. Loved seeing Zane & Stevie again. Love seeing their relationship grow. Can’t wait for the next & last installment in this series.
NATASHA’S REVIEW:
5 Hearts Another great installment in this fabulous novella series. I love the people of Solitude, and Stevie & Zane are my favorite! I feel like I’m trudging right along with them in finding out what’s happening in Solitude and cannot wait for the conclusion to this series! The great interaction between Stevie and Zane is strong and I have no complaints. I love them together! Great story.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & Montlake in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
TITLE: Midnight Action
SERIES #: Killer Instinct #5
CHARACTERS: Jim Morgan & Noelle
AUTHOR: Elle Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: November 4, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She’s got a broken heart…
and a fully loaded arsenal….
Ex–army ranger Jim Morgan leads a team of elite mercenaries, but eighteen years ago in Paris, he was part of a black ops unit whose mission was to hunt down a rogue operative. In order to trap the criminal, Jim seduced Noelle, the man’s daughter—a ruthless act that cost him the love of his life and turned her into a mortal enemy. Now he can’t trust her, but he still desires her. He also needs her help….
Older, wiser, and unwilling to play the fool again, Noelle runs a group of highly skilled assassins. And she’s just been offered the hit of the century: Eliminate Jim Morgan. History gives them no reason to trust each other, but with their lives in jeopardy at the hands of a common enemy, the lines between love and hate are soon blurred. Now Noelle and Jim must face the past if they want to have a future—let alone a future together
REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I have to start by saying that I could not wait to learn more about Jim & Noelle’s history. There has been so much tension between Jim & Noelle in all the prior books that you knew that their book would be full of tension.
There was a lot of tension between them for sure. There was also a lot of heat. Jim & Noelle have such a sad and heartbreaking history that is filled with a lot of lies, betrayals and misunderstandings. All of these issues lead them to hating each other for a very very long time. But when Jim’s life is in the crosshairs of an assassin, Noelle warns him and finds herself catch up in Jim’s web again. But this time she is not the same young native kid she was when they first meet.
And while I was excited to read their book it feel a little short of what I had hoped for. I am not sure what was missing for me. These two are so hot together. And they both do truly love each other. I really did like the story. I liked that new characters. I really like Ash 🙂 and the side stories about Liam & Sully. So all in all I liked this book and am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
I am so excited to have two of my favorite authors on the blog today. I mean super excited!!!!
I just love Kendra & Melinda. I have had the great pleasure of meeting Kendra and she such a sweet person.
I have yet to meet Melinda in person but in talking with her online I know she is the real deal.
To say I was beyond excited that these two are teaming up to write a 4 novella series is an understatement. So how about we talk to the ladies and find out how this all came about and the trials and tribulations of writing together.
*****
Hi Kendra & Melinda! Welcome back to the blog. This will be the first time you are on the blog at the same time. I am super excited to have you both here.
So normally I start off by asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself. But since I have you both here how about you tell me a little about one another.
Kendra, please tell me about Melinda: Don’t underestimate her! She may be tiny but she will kick your ass with her martial arts skills. She’s got a dry sense of humor, passionately loves all animals, and likes her vodka tonics. She overflows with energy, loves to talk with strangers, and can turn into a protective mama bear in a split second. I won’t tell you how often she gets her hair colored.
Melinda, please tell me about Kendra: She dotes on her daughters, loves Project Runway, and gives her beer options careful consideration. Kendra has a dog that looks like an Ewok. Dog lovers should go to her Facebook page just to see a picture of Max. Adorable! Kendra On the hair color: I won’t tell if she won’t.
Kelly: You both write in the romance suspense genre. Have you ever been mistaken for one another?
KE: Recently a review on one of Melinda’s books suggested we were pen names for the same person. We got a good laugh out of that. Readers occasionally mix us up. We’ve both been mistaken for writing the other person’s books on Goodreads or in reviews and blogs.
ML: People have also commented that we look enough alike to be sisters.
Nope not the same person
Kelly: If so can you explain why you are not the same person? And how people might think you are?
KE: Only someone crazy could have managed to write all our titles within the last three years. I like to think our quality of writing couldn’t be met by someone writing that fast. I know Melinda’s nearly gone nuts meeting just her own schedule.
ML: We have photographic evidence there are two of us! But we do write in the same genre, and since we share a publisher, there is a small amount of similarity in our book covers and sometimes we share promotion. That could explain the confusion.
Kelly: Have you thought about writing in a different genre? If yes, which one?
KE: I considered writing a Young Adult historical. Something like Outlander for teens. But romantic suspense has been really good to me, so I want to focus on maintaining that momentum.
ML: I love all sorts of fiction. Writing a straight mystery thriller sounds like fun, but right now I’m enjoying being able to blend genres however I choose. Each book comes out a bit different.
Kelly: I have to say when I found out that the two of you were teaming up to write a set of novellas I was super excited. What made you finally decided to take the plunge and work together?
KE: We’d remarked casually on it a few times but never thought about it seriously. I think we’d believed the only way to do it was to collaborate on a single book which is VERY complicated with two opinionated authors. In 2013, I got an early copy of Allison Brennan’s and Laura Griffin’s CRASH AND BURN in which they each wrote their own story but made them related and a light bulb went off.
ML: Yes! Writing one book together seemed difficult given we live on opposite coasts. The idea of related stories quickly evolved into a television-like series. Each novella has it’s own plot, but there’s also an overall plot arc to carry the reader from one story to the next, like episodes in a TV series. Plotting together was a lot of fun.
Kelly: How did you come up with the idea of the Rogue River series?
KE: Hmmm. How I remember it was that we knew we wanted to each write from the point of view of two sisters. We wanted them to have a big family. And live in a small town. And water needed to be prominent in the title and books. We tossed around a few river names and I remember Melinda really liking the sound of the Rogue River. Maybe Melinda remembers more…
ML: Magic? I flew out to Seattle to visit our publisher, and Kendra drove up. We plotted all four novellas in one day. Yes, there was definitely magic involved in getting that done so quickly.
Kelly: Whose idea was it to have it set in Oregon?
KE: Melinda was polite and offered to go with my home state. I needed to be comfortable and write about an area I knew. Melinda is tougher than that.
ML: I knew I could rely on Kendra to fill me in on any necessary local details.
Kelly: Are any of your characters Oregon State Beaver fans?
KE: NO
Kelly: Boo!! “Go Beavs”
ML: Whispers, “What’s an Oregon State beaver?”
Kelly: *GASP* we will talk after Melinda
Kelly: Ladies, can you give us a look at the 1st novella in this series, which is written by Kendra ‘On Her Father’s Grave’ (released October 7th).
KE: In a small town like Solitude, Oregon, keeping a secret can be murder.
Stevie Taylor had left her sleepy Oregon hometown for a more exciting life. But after her police chief father passes away, the LAPD cop returns to Solitude and signs on as a patrol officer, hoping to heal from her loss…and from the horrific things she’s seen in the city.
In Solitude, everyone knows everyone else’s business—and, to Stevie’s dismay, local gossip soon ties her to the new police chief and a man from her past. Tragedy then shakes up the small town when a teenager dies after taking a strange new drug. Now, the seasoned LA cop must hunt down the dealer while investigating the most important case of her life, one that could divide her tranquil town.
Kelly: How about we take a look at the second novella in the series, which is written by Melinda ‘Gone To Her Grave’ (released October 21st)
ML: In Solitude, Oregon, everyone has secrets…and some will kill to keep them.
When she believes a teen is falsely accused of drug dealing, social worker Carly Taylor takes on a high-risk case and her estranged husband—the detective in charge of the investigation—to prove the boy innocent. A deadly new designer drug has taken hold of her small rural hometown of Solitude, Oregon, and Carly is determined to find the real dealer and clear the teen’s name. But the deeper she digs into the case, the more danger she unearths, until someone decides it’s time for Carly to move on…permanently.
Investigator Seth Harding knows he can’t stop his wife when she has a child to protect. But he risks any chance of reconciliation with Carly if he can’t learn to accept her dangerous job. When a drug dealer decides Carly is getting too close, will Seth lose her altogether?
Kelly: I know that there will be 4 novella’s in the Rogue River series, book 3 Her Grave Secret by Kendra and book 4 Walking on Her Grave by Melinda will both be out in November. Is there potential for more? Or maybe a spin-off?
KE: Oy. We introduced a big cast. I think there is always potential for more. But I feel like I’ve been living and breathing the Rogue River for several months in addition to writing my novels. I’m ready for a break, but it might look different in the future. Writing books is like childbirth. Down the road you forget the pain. I’m excited each time I start a new project, but I get a tenth of the way in and start asking why I keep doing this.
ML: You never know! It was a fun project. I love tackling a new and different challenge to add variety to my work, but it was also tough to juggle two extra novellas with my full-length writing commitments. I didn’t see much of my family between January and May of 2014. But stories are like Jell-O. There’s always room for more.
Kelly : What was the hardest part about writing a story together?
KE: Seriously, writing together wasn’t hard. We knew the other person was disciplined and would get done what needed to be done. With each of us writing our own novellas, it allowed us to write as we pleased. It protected our voices and gave us the decision making power over our particular books. We never felt forced to compromise something or rewrite something because the other person didn’t like it. We read each other’s work for continuity and brainstormed together when one of us got stuck.
ML: The plotting process was more complicated that we expected, with four separate stories and an overall storyline to keep in line, but having a writing partner was helpful. If one of us got stuck while writing, there was another person equally invested in the story ready to jump in and offer suggestions. Typically, writing is a solo event, and when you’re stuck, you’re all alone.
Kelly: Do you think that you will work together on another project in the future?
KE: I’d love to but I know we both have tight schedules to meet. My first love is full-length novels. The novellas are fun and have been great to experiment with, but I think we both want to focus on getting our novels written.
ML: The novellas were a fun change of pace, but also I love digging into a long, complicated (and dark) plot.
Kelly: I have an idea for you!!! You should team up to write a story about a kick-ass accountant/part time blogger who is an Oregon State Beaver fan who solves a cold case by total accident. And yes, you can base her off me.
KE: Ummm…
ML: Sounds interesting…
Kelly: Why do you have blank stares? It is a good idea!!!
KE: *hands off to Melinda*
ML: Oh, look at the time.
Kelly: Fine moving on…..
Kelly to Melinda: You have two ongoing series right now, the ‘Midnight series’ and the ‘She Can series’. Midnight Betrayal which was release in September 2014 is your latest book. Can you tell us a little about Midnight Betrayal (which was awesome, check out my review here).
ML: In Midnight Betrayal, a museum curator falls for the prime suspect in the grisly murder of an intern. It’s an edgy, dark, and sexy read.
Kelly: It looks like you have the start of a new series to The Scarlet Falls series. Book one Hour of Need is scheduled to be released on December 9, 2014. Tell us a little about Hour of Need.
ML: After the murder of his brother and sister-in-law, Major Grant Barrett returns home from Afghanistan to take temporary custody of their young children only to learn that his six-year-old nephew saw the killer and has become the next target.
Kelly: What is next for you after Hour of Need?
ML: I’m currently working on book 2 in the Scarlet Falls series. My working title is Minutes to Kill, and the tentative release date is June 2015. On a business trip, Hannah Barrett witnesses a crime and soon learns that what happens in Vegas can follow you home. Next on my plate (probably) is another She Can book for December 2015. I have a few possible characters in mind. I’ve always thought Sarah Mitchell deserves her own story after everything she endured in SHE CAN TELL.
Kelly to Kendra: You have two ongoing series also, the ‘Bone Secret series’ and your new series the ‘Callahan & McLane Series’. Bridged, book two in the Callahan series is to be released on January 13, 2015 can you tell us a little about Mason’s next adventure.
KE: In BRIDGED, Mason and Ava are assigned to the same serial killer case. A killer is hanging dead bodies off the bridges in the Portland metropolitan area. Of course, Ava’s unbalanced twin Jayne manages to disrupt everything she can in Ava’s life while Ava and Mason take the next step in their relationship.
Kelly: Well we get any more Bone Secret novels?
KE: Yes. First SPIRALED, the third Callahan and McLane book will be out next summer and then my publisher has requested a fifth Bone Secrets book for January 2016. I have no idea who will be featured in that book.
Kelly: Seriously I am thinking the book idea of that kick-ass accountant needs to be on your to do list.
KE: Maybe a forensic accountant…I’ve heard of them…I have no idea what they do, but it sounds like a Bone Secrets book.
ML: There’s no reason an accountant can’t kick major ass, but as a former banker, the thought of writing a story involving the financial sector gives me hives.
Kelly: Fine!!! But, I still think it is a good idea.
Kelly: Is there anything else you would like to add or any deep dark secrets you want to share about each other with your readers?
KE: Melinda doesn’t like sweet mixed drinks. She says my drinks are froo-froo. But we share a weakness for all things chocolate and ice cream.
ML: And coffee! Which is like oxygen for writers.
Kelly: Again ladies, Thank you so very much for coming on the blog I love you both (Top #12 baby) and hope that you keep writing amazing books.
Kendra we need that cake date soon! Melinda I hope to meet you in person very soon!!
KE: You’re my number one blogger-girl, Kelly!
ML: Thanks so much for hosting us. Kelly rocks!
Kelly: And now you know why these two are two of my all time favorites!!!!
Here is a look at the ladies Rogue River Novella series
In a small town like Solitude, Oregon, keeping a secret can be murder.
Stevie Taylor had left her sleepy Oregon hometown for a more exciting life. But after her police chief father passes away, the LAPD cop returns to Solitude and signs on as a patrol officer, hoping to heal from her loss…and from the horrific things she’s seen in the city.
In Solitude, everyone knows everyone else’s business—and, to Stevie’s dismay, local gossip soon ties her to the new police chief and a man from her past. Tragedy then shakes up the small town when a teenager dies after taking a strange new drug. Now, the seasoned LA cop must hunt down the dealer while investigating the most important case of her life, one that could divide her tranquil town.
The first of four thrilling Rogue River novellas, On Her Father’s Grave launches a new romantic suspense series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
In Solitude, Oregon, everyone has secrets…and some will kill to keep them.
When she believes a teen is falsely accused of drug dealing, social worker Carly Taylor takes on a high-risk case and her estranged husband—the detective in charge of the investigation—to prove the boy innocent. A deadly new designer drug has taken hold of her small rural hometown of Solitude, Oregon, and Carly is determined to find the real dealer and clear the teen’s name. But the deeper she digs into the case, the more danger she unearths, until someone decides it’s time for Carly to move on…permanently.
Investigator Seth Harding knows he can’t stop his wife when she has a child to protect. But he risks any chance of reconciliation with Carly if he can’t learn to accept her dangerous job. When a drug dealer decides Carly is getting too close, will Seth lose her altogether?
A pulse-pounding Rogue River novella, Gone to Her Grave is the second exciting addition to the new romantic suspense series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot.
There are no secrets in a small town—until someone has one worth dying for.
Local cop Stevie Taylor and police chief Zane Duncan have startling new proof that a deadly street drug is expanding its poisonous grip on their small town: a skull found on the banks of the Rogue River has two bullet holes in the back. Still caught up in the excitement of their new relationship, Stevie and Zane are determined to track down the drug’s source before more lives in Solitude, Oregon, are lost.
Then one death strikes especially close to home, leading to heartache and confusion for Stevie. As the drug distributers strike hard and the body count in Solitude grows higher, she and Zane must hunt down the deadly killer—but are they the predators, or the prey?
Filled with unexpected twists, Her Grave Secrets is the third exciting Rogue River novella in the romantic suspense series from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh.
The electrifying conclusion of the romantic suspense novella series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot.
The sleepy town of Solitude, Oregon, has turned into ground zero for a turf war between the manufacturers and distributors of a lethal new drug. When a teenage witness disappears, social worker Carly Taylor must find him before he’s silenced permanently.
Rogue County investigator Seth Harding wants to keep Carly, his estranged wife, out of harm’s way, but she refuses to let his concern keep her from doing her job. When one of her young charges vanishes, Carly gets pulled even deeper into the deadly case, and Seth knows he must help her…even if it leads them right into the criminals’ crosshairs.
Explosive and exciting to the last page, Walking on Her Grave is the fourth and final thrilling addition to the new romantic suspense series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot
TITLE: Gone to Her Grave
SERIES #: Rogue River Novella #2
CHARACTERS: Seth Harding & Carly Taylor
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: October 21, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N (coming soon)
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In Solitude, Oregon, everyone has secrets…and some will kill to keep them.
When she believes a teen is falsely accused of drug dealing, social worker Carly Taylor takes on a high-risk case and her estranged husband—the detective in charge of the investigation—to prove the boy innocent. A deadly new designer drug has taken hold of her small rural hometown of Solitude, Oregon, and Carly is determined to find the real dealer and clear the teen’s name. But the deeper she digs into the case, the more danger she unearths, until someone decides it’s time for Carly to move on…permanently.
Investigator Seth Harding knows he can’t stop his wife when she has a child to protect. But he risks any chance of reconciliation with Carly if he can’t learn to accept her dangerous job. When a drug dealer decides Carly is getting too close, will Seth lose her altogether?
A pulse-pounding Rogue River novella, Gone to Her Grave is the second exciting addition to the new romantic suspense series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot.
REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Carly is a social worker that will do anything for the kids she is trying to protect. Even give up the man she loves. But when push comes to shove there is only one person that Carly will trust. The question is has she pushed him away for good?
Seth loves his wife and would do anything for her. Except be 100% understanding when it comes to the dangerous of her job. Except he is starting to see the errors of his ways and when Carly calls in need of help there is no way he can let her face trouble alone.
Gone to Her Grave is the second novella in Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot’s Rogue River Novella series. To say that I devoured this novella would be a complete understatement. I read this story in one bite.
After reading On Her Father’s Grave I could not wait to find out more about the events that are happening in Solitude, Oregon. And like any good evil suspense author Ms. Leigh’s’ Gone to Her Grave left me with so many more questions. I am dying to have all my questions answered.
What are my questions? Well if I told you that I would give away too much of the plot line. So my suggestion would be to pick up Novella #1 On Her Father’s Grave, then read Gone to Her Grave and find out the questions yourself 😉 I can not wait for the next two novella’s in this series!! Answers I need answers darn it
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
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A little about Julie Ann Walker: 
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