Category: Romantic Suspense

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Kelly’s review of In Rides Trouble by Julie Ann Walker

In Rides Trouble

Black Knight Inc #2
AUTHOR: Julie Ann Walker
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/04/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Rebel with a Cause

Becky “Rebel” Reichert never actually goes looking for trouble. It just has a tendency to find her. Like the day Frank Knight showed up at her door, wanting to use her motorcycle shop as a cover for his elite special ops team. But Becky prides herself on being able to hang with the big boys-she can weld, drive, and shoot just as well as any of them.

Man with a Mission

Munitions, missiles, and mayhem are Frank’s way of life. The last thing the ex-SEAL wants is for one brash blonde to come within fifty feet of anything that goes boom. Yet it’s just his rotten luck when she ends up in a hostage situation at sea. Come hell or high water, he will get her back-whether she says she needs him or not.

REVIEW:
Aaahhh, book 2 in Julie Ann Walker’s Black Knight Inc. series was just as good as book 1.

In Ride Trouble picks up right where Hell on Wheels leaves off (so if you are thinking about reading this series I would highly recommend you start with book 1) with Becky still on vacation.  But soon enough the resident queen greasemonkey of Black Knight Inc, finds herself and her best friend Eve in a bit of a pickle.  Being taken hostage by pirates was not on her list of things to do on vacation.  But Becky knows it is just a matter of time before her big brother and her boss Frank will be coming for her.

When word of Becky’s kidnapping reaches Frank he goes a little nuts.  Frank will not stop until Becky is safe and home with him under his roof no matter the cost.  And it almost cost Frank everything.  Because everything he wants and never thinks he can ever have, almost  doesn’t  make it home.

Love, love, loved Frank and Becky’s book.  These two are like oil and vinegar.  They don’t mix will, but just like any good vinegate if you shake them hard enough they learn to work together.
Frank and Becky both want the same thing, but neither is willing to take that first step.  But when that step is taken, OH BOY!!!!  But just like oil and vinegar the minute you stop shaking the bottle they separate again, these two really need to learn to communicate.    But in the end I think they finally got it right.

Again, Julie had me crying, laughing and on the edge of my seat nervous.   I am so excited for the next book in this series Rev’ It Up.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy (from NetGalley) of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my opinion and not a paid review.

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Kelly’s review of Chilled by Kendra Elliot

 Chilled
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE:   8/14/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
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.

REVIEW:

A plane crash.  A search team.  A murderer on the loose.

This was a great suspense romance. From the beginning you feel like you are sucked into the SAR’s team journey.  While this is Brynn’s story you get to know each of the cast of and fall in love with all of them. So much so I wanted to know more about all of them.  I am hoping that Kendra will be writing a story for a few of them.  But back to the review.

I love the suspense of this book.  We know who the bad guy is, or at least we think we do. But yet we don’t know all the variable of the whys, the hows, or the true who’s.  Kendra takes up to the very end of the book before we truly understand everything that is happening.  But along the way we have a very sweet and tender beginning of a love story if they can just get off this mountain alive.

If you love a good suspense book I would highly suggest ordering a copy of Chilled.  I am very much looking forward to the next book Kendra has in store for us.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of The Unspoken by Heather Graham

The Unspoken
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE:   07/31/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
AN AIRLESS TOMB. AN UNSPOKEN CURSE 1898: Bound for Chicago, the freighter Jerry McGuen goes down in Lake Michigan, taking with it every man aboard. But what other fate could befall a vessel carrying the ill-gotten sarcophagus of an Egyptian sorcerer? Because a curse unspoken is no less deadly. Now: A veteran diver and “ghost ship” expert is exploring the legendary wreck for a documentary. He dies inexplicably inside the freighter’s main saloon. Then another diver is killed and panicked rumors rise like bubbles from the lake: ancient demons have awakened below! The expedition’s beleaguered financier calls paranormal investigator Katya Sokolov to Chicago to save the film -and perhaps some innocent lives. Along with media forensics guru Will Chan, Kat plumbs the depths of an evil that may date back to the time of the Pharaohs. But some secrets are best drowned in the seas of the past.

REVIEW:
Once again Graham delivers a story the reader can not put down. Set in Chicago/Lake Michigan this story is a page turner. I have never read another author that puts as much research into her books as Graham does. She draws you into her story from the first chapter. While Graham is known for her ghost stories this did not have as many ghost as with most of her other stories which was a little disappointing but still an excellent story.

This is part of the Krewe (Texas Krewe) series and this books takes place right where the last book (The Unholy) left off, even having to do with “Amun Mopat”. The main characters of this book are Will and Katya. Will seems very unlikable in the beginning and there is some antagonism between Will and Kat, they do eventually warm to each other of course. Will seems almost calmed and in sync with Kat and it brings out his softer side. Kat is a M.E. that has joined the Krewe and was called to go to Chicago but she is having dreams and is not sure what they signify. I enjoyed “watching” Will soften toward Kat, wanting to protect her and yet knowing that she is just as trained as he is so he knows he needs to believe she can take care of herself. They make a great team together once you get past the roughness that Will starts out with.

As with all of Graham’s stories I never figure out the “who” or the “why” no matter how many hours I lay awake trying to think it through. And I love that about her writing. No one tells a ghost-story-who-done-it like Graham. This story can be read alone but I recommend reading The Unholy to understand the background of Amun Mopat.

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

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of The Unholy by Heather Graham

TITLE: The Unholy
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE:   06/26/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A Hollywood shrine hides unholy deeds The 1940s: hard-boiled detectives and femmes fatale are box-office gold. In one iconic scene, set in a deserted museum, the private eye arrives too late, and the buxom beauty is throttled by an ominous Egyptian priest. Now: the Black Box Cinema immortalizes Hollywood’s Golden Age in its gallery of film noir tributes. But the mannequin of that Egyptian priest is hardly lifeless. He walks-and a young starlet dies a terrifying death. Movie mogul Eddie Archer’s son is charged with the grisly murder. Eddie calls agent Sean Cameron, who specializes in…irregular investigations. As part of an FBI paranormal forensics team, Cameron knows that nightmares aren’t limited to the silver screen. Working with special-effects artist Madison Darvil-who has her own otherworldly gifts-Cameron delves into the malevolent force animating more than one movie monster.

REVIEW:
The best thing about the ghost novels by Heather Graham is they are so hard to figure out who did it and this book was no exception. I will say I had the villain in my top 3 suspects but not the why. Heather Graham is the master of ghost stories. This is the sixth in the Krewe of Hunters series and the second with the Texas Krewe characters.

This time they head to L.A. because Sean’s old boss and mentor calls to say his son was arrested for murder. Madison has actually taken the position Sean worked in L.A. and is asked to show Sean the things that have changed since he left. I really never felt a huge connection between Sean and Madison, they just didn’t have that love match that other characters from Graham have had. That being said it is still a great story. I have no idea where Graham finds the time to research so much for her stories.

I really enjoyed the ghost that lives with Madison (I won’t ruin it by telling you who it is) and enjoyed the mystery of the storyline. Another great book by Heather Graham.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Threat Of Darkness by Valerie Hansen

Threat of Darkness
AUTHOR: Valerie Hansen
PUBLICATION DATE:   06/05/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
TO PROTECT THE CHILD
As a nurse and special advocate for children, Samantha Rochard is used to danger in small town Serenity, Arkansas. But when she suspects a little boy is in jeopardy from his powerful father, the danger turns on her. Her only source of protection? The handsome police officer who broke her heart five years ago. Yet after John Waltham comes to her rescue in more ways than one, Samantha must trust in him-and the Lord-to watch over her…and save one sweet little boy.

REVIEW:
This is a short story (about 200 pages). The synopsis of this book makes it seem that the characters are on the run with this boy who has an abusive father but in all honesty the boy is barely featured for the first half of the story and while the events of the book wrap around him in the second half the child himself is not really an intrical part of the remainder of the story. The story is more about the difficulties that Samantha is going through and the fact that the love of her life is back in town and seem to be thrown together at every turn.

Samantha is a interesting character and I liked her but I was not fond of John at all. He is a cop but really he seems useless to me. He never seems to understand the danger Sam is in and seems to not be a very bright man in the face of danger. The best character in the book is the dog, Brutus, he at least knows when there is danger.

This is a Christian book so there are a lot of mentions of praying and God which was fine but it seemed at times that they only prayed when help was needed and for me that seems wrong. I am not sure that I would say this book was great but it was good and I wanted to know what happened in the end.

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Kelly’s ARC review of Shades of Desire by Virna DePaul

Shades of Desire
AUTHOR: Virna DePaul
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/22/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N


BOOK SYNOPSIS:
WHAT SHE CAN’T SEE COULD KILL HER. Natalie Jones is the lucky survivor of an elusive killer who preys on young women and then disappears from view. And since her harrowing ordeal, the once gutsy photojournalist has remained isolated in her home, paralyzed by fear and her failing vision. Special Agent Liam “Mac” McKenzie has scars of his own. But despite his efforts to ignore the attraction that simmers between him and Natalie, he needs her help to catch a predator. Soon, they will forge a tentative alliance-charged with desire. Through a soft-focus lens, Natalie dares to envision a future with Mac beyond the investigation…never guessing that the clues hidden within her photographs are drawing them into an explosive confrontation with a madman

REVIEWED BY: Kelly            
NUMBER OF STARS 4 ½ Stars

REVIEW:

Natalie has been racing the hands of time and her time has finally run out.  Her vision is now gone.  Natalie is trying to learn how to best cope with her new life, which is not easy.  But Natalie is a fighter.  She may lock herself away from the world, but she will not give up.  She will not be like her mom.   Natalie needs that fighting spirit when she is attacked in her own home and almost killed by a mad man.  

Liam “Mac” McKenzie, has seen many thing in his long career as a cop.  So this murder case was nothing new to him until he see a picture of the mad man’s latest victim.  A victim that survived.   A victim that could have seen something that will help them.  Only problem is that Natalie is blind.  

Natalie and Mac are a great team.  Both are stubborn, independent and very protective.   This was a good romantic suspense books with so many layers of who done.    If you like romantic suspenses you need to pick up a copy of Shades of Desire.