Category Archives: Romantic Suspense

Review: Edge of Light – Carina Press – Cynthia Justlin

May 14, 2012

Expected Release Date: May 14, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Carina Press
Author’s Website: http://www.cynthiajustlin.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: No
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Warm

Official Blurb:

Taken prisoner by a ruthless group of anarchists deep in the Cambodian jungle, anthropologist Jocelyn Hewitt is isolated in a dark prison cell. Without chance of rescue. Or hope. Until the man in the next cell reaches out to let her know she’s not as alone as she thinks.

CIA agent Oliver Shaw has been held prisoner for over two years. Forced to witness the brutal torture and slow murder of his entire team, his spirit is not just broken, it’s crushed. He no longer believes in hope. Until he hears Jocelyn through the wall, and suddenly feels like a glimpse of light is trying to reach in…

Jocelyn’s heart aches for the tortured man whose presence and voice give her the courage to risk their escape. But first she’ll have to remind Oliver who he once was, what he once loved, and bring him back to life. Only then will they have a chance for freedom—and the kind of love neither ever thought possible

What Worked For Me:

  • I am a huge sucker for tortured characters, especially when that torture is both physical and mental. Both Josie and Oliver are brutalized and forced to witness absolutely horrifying situations, and I just loved it.
  • I really liked how Josie forced Oliver out of his complacency, metaphorically kicking and screaming.
  • One thing I really enjoyed was the author’s tendency to kill off her major characters without compunction. The reader is never quite certain exactly who is going to be killed next, and what horrific manner of death they will suffer.  This added a great edge of suspense to the book, and helped to keep the pacing ramped up .
  • I also enjoyed the mystery about the diamonds, the map, and Josie’s father’s “hints” in his journal.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

  • I do think that both Josie and Oliver needed some heavy-duty therapy to deal with the emotional and psychological aftermath of their ordeals. I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t mentioned as something either was actively pursuing. I think that would’ve made it a little easier for me to believe in their Happily Ever After.
  • Honestly the love scenes were pretty much take ‘em or leave ‘em.  There were only two, and there wasn’t much “substance” to either, and to be perfectly honest I think I would have preferred that they simply not be in there at all.
  • As always, forced nudity is something I despise in romance. There were two graphic incidences, though it was implied that she suffered it many times over the course of her captivity.  However, this didn’t count as much against my final rating as it normally might have, for the simple fact that being what is essentially a prisoner of war, I would have been shocked had she not been stripped of her dignity in such a manner.

With plenty of action, horror, and even a mystery of a lost treasure, I ended up staying up WAY too late reading because I didn’t want to put it down.   While the “steam” wasn’t all that “steamy”, I did enjoy the wide gamut of emotions between Oliver and Josie experienced during their captivity, and was really rooting for them as a couple even as I was terrified by their actions.

While definitely not for sensitive readers, as there is a lot of violence and horror, the pacing was perfect, and the villain was terrifyingly insane.

Overall, a very fast-paced, exciting read, recommended for fans of abused protagonists, high-octane escapes, and finding love in the most unexpected of places.

A very solid 4/5 Stars.

 

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Review: Run From Fear – Forever – Jami Alden

May 13, 2012

Expected Release Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: Forever
Author’s Website: http://jamialden.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 3, “Trilogy”
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Steamy

Official Blurb:

With each step she takes, he tracks her every move, waiting for the perfect time. The perfect revenge. Until then, he’ll watch her . . .

RUN FROM FEAR

More than anything, Talia Vega wanted to leave behind her harrowing past. Moving eight hundred miles away, she succeeded . . . until the one man who knows her darkest secrets wanders into the restaurant where she works. Now the agonizing memories come crashing back-along with an undeniable desire for Jack Brooks, the ex-Green Beret who rescued her from a sadistic monster two years ago.

Jack Brooks knows that showing up unannounced is a purely selfish move. Talia doesn’t need his protection anymore, but he can’t get the raven-haired beauty out of his mind. And when a twisted madman is hell-bent on resurrecting her torturous past, Jack vows to do anything to keep her safe-even risk his own life to save the only woman he’s ever loved.

What Worked For Me:

  • I just adored Jack.  Handsome, strong, protective, and unable to resist Talia no matter how much he knows he “should”, he was a wonderful hero.
  • I also liked Rosalie, which surprised me considering how bratty she was in this story. I think her presence added some much-needed real-world connection and relatability to the story.
  • I really liked that there was no “magic penis” going on in this story. Talia had been raped in her previous relationship, and then kidnapped and tortured by a sadistic killer before this book even started, and as such, it would’ve been unreasonable to have everything smooth sailing. Instead, the author chose to include several “false starts” so to speak, and I for one could not be happier about it.
  • The chemistry between Jack and Talia was palpable, and the heat level balanced perfectly with the action.
  • I really enjoyed that there were several shocking twists and turns to the story, and as always, the villain is terrifyingly creepy.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

  • Physically gorgeous, she was also very emotionally damaged due to her having been kidnapped and tortured in the previous book. Trying to move on past her own notoriety having been involved not only with the serial killer case but having been the very public mistress of a powerful (married) man, Talia was certainly not one of those “Everywoman” heroines, and I for one had trouble connecting with her.

While I enjoyed the seriously creepy villain, and one or two surprising twists along the way, I just never really connected with Talia. I did, however, enjoy that there was no magic peen and instead some realistic “false-starts” along the way — this was a BIG plus for me — and I really loved Jack.

There was plenty of action, and while I wasn’t thrilled with Talia as a character, I have to admit that her history created a beautiful setup for this story.

Sensitive readers should be aware that this story contains explicit rape of a minor character.

Recommended for fans of tortured heroines trying to rebuild after tragedy, of deliciously over-protective alpha males, and exciting mystery with a delicious splash of heat.

4/5 Stars

Trilogy Reading Order:

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Review: Edge of Midnight – Harlequin Mira – Leslie Tentler

January 28, 2012

Expected Release Date: January 24, 2012 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Harelquin
Imprint: Mira
Author’s Website: http://leslietentler.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 3, Chasing Evil Trilogy
Series Best Read In Order: Works well as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy

Official Blurb:

The writer becomes the story when crime reporter Mia Hale is discovered on a Jacksonville beach—bloodied and disoriented, but alive. She remembers nothing, but her wounds bear the signature of a sadistic serial killer. After years lying dormant, The Collector has resumed his grim hobby: abducting women and taking gruesome souvenirs before dumping their bodies. But none of his victims has ever escaped—and he wants Mia back, more than he ever wanted any of the others.

FBI agent Eric MacFarlane has pursued The Collector for a long time. The case runs deep in his veins, bordering on obsession…and Mia holds the key. She’ll risk everything to recover her memory and bring the madman to justice, and Eric swears to protect this fierce, fragile survivor. But The Collector will not be denied. In his mind, he knows just how their story ends.

Crime reporter Mia Hale has been following a series of disappearances in the Jacksonville beach area when she postulates a connection between the disappearances that even local law enforcement seems to have overlooked.  Unfortunately for Mia, her interest in the disappearances has put her firmly in the sights of a sadistic killer who takes her, thinking to add her to his gruesome collection.

When Mia is found wounded and disoriented on a beach in Jacksonville, it becomes evident that not only had she been taken by the serial killer dubbed The Collector, but that she is the first woman ever to escape from his clutches.

When FBI agent Eric MacFarlane discovers that The Collector has come out of hiding and is once again taking and mutilating women, he knows that Mia Hale is the key to the case. Unfortunately, Mia has been left with no memory of her captivity, and outside of the physical scars of the torture she endured, it appears there is nothing she can do to help law enforcement.

Eric has a very personal history with The Collector, however, and isn’t about to let a little amnesia stand between him and what could be the only break the case has ever had.  Strong-arming Mia into doing whatever is necessary to recover her memory, Eric soon finds himself struggling between his determination to stop The Collector and protecting the fiery woman who holds the key to his capture.

But The Collector isn’t finished with the tough and determined Mia Hale, and it soon becomes very clear that Mia is to be the pinnacle of his collection, and Eric and Mia both find themselves firmly in the sights of a brutal and sadistic killer..

What Worked For Me:

  • I admit it, I’m a total sucker for a book with an FBI protagonist.  Eric is delicious, both with his traumatic past in connection to The Collector, and with trying to balance his protective instincts with Mia against his need to find the sadistic serial killer who had attacked her.
  • I loved Mia’s spunk.  While she wasn’t one of those heroines who was magically “just fine” after being horrifically attacked, she also refused to be a “victim”, even when she knew that it put her in danger.  Plus, she wasn’t one of those idiotic heroines who tried to go out on her own and solve the mystery herself without thought to personal danger — instead, she dug in her heels and insisted on assisting the FBI in their investigation, even when it meant that she had to relive the horrors of her capture.
  • While hard to read about, I loved that Ms. Tentler didn’t pull any punches when it came to The Collector and his attacks.  Sick and twisted, he quite literally tortured his victims, including Mia.   I easily admit that he freaked me out, and there were many instances where I was literally biting my nails while reading this one.
  • I really liked the “experimental therapy” that helped Mia retrieve her memory. It wasn’t so “out there” that a reader would start to think this was a sci-fi blend, but at the same time it was different enough that readers wouldn’t roll their eyes at the cliche of the swinging pocket watch or something.  I especially liked the risks involved in the therapy, because that both showed Mia’s determination to find the killer and illustrated the intense struggle Eric was going through trying to balance his caring and concern for Mia with his bone-deep need to stop The Collector.
  • The action in the story was wonderful as well, and worked perfectly with the pacing. I found myself holding my breath and chewing on my nails several times while reading, and loved that this book kept me firmly on the edge (no pun intended) for the entire experience.
  • One drawback to many romantic suspense books in general is that I’ve always got that nagging concern that the love discovered between characters is a result of the intense situation and won’t last.  I loved how Ms. Tentler handled that situation. No spoilers, but I will say that I wasn’t left with that feeling with this book.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

  • I wasn’t 100% on board with the connection between Mia and The Collector.  In my mind, it turned the story a bit hokey in that area, and took away from the main story.

Overall, this was an exciting, terrifying read.  The Collector was one of the scariest fictional serial killers I’ve read about, and the pacing was absolutely perfect. Adding in Mia’s amnesia and the slow recovery of her memories, as well as Eric’s connection to The Collector added a wonderful amount of tension to the story, and several unexpected twists and turns kept me on my toes for the entire read.

I also loved the way that Mia and Eric’s relationship developed, with both the pacing of their physical relationship ,and the unexpected emotions developing along the way.

Recommended for fans of brutally terrifying serial killers, of survivors refusing to be kept down, and of sexy FBI agents battling between catching a killer and protecting the woman they’re falling for.

A scary 5/5 Stars.

 

Also posted in Contemporary – 2 Comments

Guest Blog & Giveaway: Nothing is Better Than Romantic Suspense

January 20, 2012

 

Welcome to the Kiss of Death Romantic Suspense Rocks Blog Tour hosted by the Romance Writers of America’s Kiss of Death chapter!  The Romanceaholic is proud to welcome author Diane Kratz to tell us why nothing is better than Romantic Suspense.
Nothing is Better Than Romantic Suspense
 By Diane Kratz

Romantic suspense for me involves an equal mix of romance and suspense. This of course produces conflict and conflict propels a story forward. You know something is going to happen, something bad, something sinister. It hooks you into reading more. The romance usually starts out with them working towards the same goal…stopping the villain. Along the way the hero and heroine meet and usually they dislike each other but eventually they see that opposites attract and fall in love. Will they catch the bad guy? What will happen to the hero? What will happen to the heroine? Will their love survive?

Their love motivates them to stay the course and stop the villain from succeeding in destroying everything they hold dear. You not only have a great mystery to solve, but a great love story to tell. We get to see them overcome obstacles, them working together, them working apart, and finally them catching the bad guy and love is their grand prize. I ask you, what could be better than that?

Diane is one of the many talented authors who belong to the Romance Writers of America’s Kiss of Death chapter. At Kiss of Death we believe that every great romance should include suspense. Whether a spy thriller in Regency times, a paranormal romance with a revenge-seeking zombie, or a traditional serial killer after the heroine, romance relies on suspense, leading the reader through the trials of the heroine and hero to see if they will get their happily ever after ending. If you can call your writing suspenseful, then the Kiss of Death has something for you! Find out more and join at http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org and follow us on Twitter at @RWAKissofDeath.

Diane is currently working on her dark psychological thriller novel called: Victims of Love-Genesis, the first of five, and hopes to have it polished and published by the end of next year. She is a member of Midwest Romance Writers in Kansas and has a column in MRW newsletter called, “Writing is Murder”, which has been picked up and used in other chapters newsletters. She is a member of KOD, Sisters In Crime, International Thriller Writers Organization. She has started her own thriller critique group, offered to writers who write in this genre. For information about this critique group please contact her at: kgabauer@yahoo.com.

A big thank you to Diane for stopping by!

As part of the Kiss of Death Romantic Suspense Rocks Blog Tour, the generous members of the Romance Writers of America’s Kiss of Death Chapter are giving away one digital copy of SOMEONE ELSE’S DAUGHTER by Linsey Lanier!

In ritzy Buckhead, Georgia a serial killer is targeting thirteen-year-old girls, and smart-talking, pepper-eating road crew worker Miranda Steele is caught in the middle of it.Thirteen years ago, Miranda Steele’s abusive husband stole her baby and gave it up for adoption, then kicked Miranda out of his house. So she remade herself. Now, the smart-talking, hot pepper-eating loner has a letter from a thirteen-year-old girl in a mansion in Georgia, who claims she’s adopted. Could this be her long lost child? She’s determined to find out. But on a dark night in ritzy Buckhead, she discovers the body of a young girl, strangled in a serial killer’s ritual—and is accused of her murder.

When a sexy, southern gentleman detective bent on finding the killer comes to her rescue, Miranda rejects him. She’s made herself strong and independent. She doesn’t need a savior. But maybe the smooth-talking investigator can tell her what she’s burning to know.

Is the dead girl is her child? Or is she someone else’s daughter?

To enter to win a digital copy of Someone Else’s Daughter by Linsey Lanier, simply comment on this post and answer the following question:

What is your favorite thing about Romantic Suspense?

Also posted in -- Contests --, -- Random Mutterings -- – 20 Comments

Review: Tracking Shadows – Regan Black

December 10, 2011

Expected Release Date: May 3, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Self Published
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: http://www.reganblack.com/
My Source for This Book: Won in a contest, picked up from Smashwords.
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 4, Shadows of Justice Series
Series Best Read In Order: Yes
Steam Level: Steamy

Official Blurb:

In 2096, the American government has gone above and beyond to ‘protect its citizens’, even regulating sugar and coffee. Every new legislative measure opens up a black market for an enterprising person willing to seize the opportunity.

In Chicago, Slick Micky is the king of smuggling. Known to deliver anything, anytime, anywhere, he specializes in caffeine and sugar and works in the anonymity of shadows. But recently an old enemy is tired of waiting for Micky’s empire to crumble and has called in the best assassin in the business to take him out.

Trina Durham is an assassin with a sterling reputation, thanks to her unique ability to induce deadly hallucinations. When Slick Micky killed her best friend, she left Chicago – forever. She’s back now, unable to resist the perfect opportunity for vengeance. But no one warned her Slick Micky might as well be a shadow. Or that shedding light on the man and his secrets would put both her heart and reputation at risk.

What Worked For Me:

  • I loved Trina’s ability to bend people’s perceptions by inducing hallucinations.  It’s not a power that I as a reader come across often in paranormal stories, but it’s certainly one of the more interesting abilities out there, and I loved the way Trina used her powers to manipulate both friends and enemies alike.
  • The love scenes were surprisingly hot.  As an Urban Fantasy title, I hadn’t expected such a strong connection between Micky and Trina, so it was a very pleasant surprise.
  • I also really enjoyed the idea of the government banning such substances as caffeine and refined sugar. As a proponent for our own personal rights, it’s easy to see how giving up our smaller rights today could lead to much stricter regulations in the future, and it also added quite a bit of realism to Micky’s enterprise — when most people view the product being moved as harmless, or the ban on the substances as ridiculous, it makes more sense that many officials would look the other way.
  • The Invisi-Suit was a blast as well, and I loved that Micky had been cautioned about becoming addicted to it. I can easily imagine becoming addicted to being able to move about unseen, especially if working in an illegal operation.
  • I couldn’t help but enjoy how Micky kept “ruining” things for Trina. So often it’s a bumbling (but well-intentioned) female who ends up foiling the plans of the intrepid alpha male, and to see the roles reversed definitely made me smile.  Of course, Trina was not completely innocent, because had she simply trusted Micky enough to confide in him, things would’ve progressed much more smoothly, but even so, it was fun to witness.
  • Despite the intricacies of Micky and Trina’s pasts, and the large amount of action in the book, the pacing was perfect — quick but smooth, without leaving the reader exhausted from the action, but also not dragging through the emotional parts.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

  • There were a few times where I felt rather “out of the loop” for lack of a better term. I didn’t realize going into this story that it was the fourth installment of a previously establish series, and while there was a good amount of world-building, and the characters stood well on their own, I couldn’t help but feel like there was something missing from my reading experience. I can only assume that it’s due to having not read the previous books in the series before having started this one.
  • I also wish that the “addictive” properties of the InvisiSuit and its side effects had played a larger part in the story.

I’ll admit, I was a bit surprised that I’d never heard of this author until I was lucky enough to snag this book in a contest.  With plenty of action, a solid dose of romance, plenty of angst, and a very intriguing future society, this book was truly wonderful.

I didn’t realize going into this story that it was part of a previously established series, and as such there were occasions where I felt as though I’d missed something, but in general I think it stood quite well on its own.

The entire concept of the government controlling such innocuous substances as caffeine and refined sugar was believable to anyone who has their eye on the ever-shrinking personal rights of Americans these days, and just as with the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920′s, it is easy to see that some higher-ups would easily turn a blind eye to illegal activity in smuggling and distributing the very products many of these people consume themselves.

Overall, I loved it.  The angst surrounding Micky’s identity, and Trina’s belief that she wasn’t worthy of him due to all of the blood on her hands was well played, and the romance felt organic without overtaking the plot.  There were just enough fantastical elements to keep the story solidly in the realm of urban fantasy, and the pacing was fast without exhausting the reader.

Highly recommended for fans of slightly futuristic urban fantasy and a welcome reprieve from vampires, werewolves, and magic.  A solid 4/5 Stars

Also posted in -- Book Bargains --, Sci-Fi and/or Futuristic, Urban Fantasy – 0 Comments

Review: Edge of Survival – Carina Press – Toni Anderson

December 3, 2011

Expected Release Date: November 11, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Carina Press
Author’s Website: http://tonianderson.blogspot.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: No
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Steamy

Official Blurb:
Dr. Cameran Young knew her assignment wouldn’t be easy. As lead biologist on the Environment Impact Assessment team, her findings would determine the future of a large mining project in the northern Canadian bush. She expected rough conditions and hostile miners-but she didn’t expect to find a dead body her first day on the job. Former SAS Sergeant Daniel Fox forged a career as a helicopter pilot, working as far from the rest of the human race as possible. The thrill of flying makes his civilian life bearable, and he lives by his mantra: don’t get involved. But when he’s charged with transporting the biologist to her research vessel, he can’t help but get involved in the murder investigation-and with Cameran, who awakens emotions he’s desperate to suppress. In the harsh and rugged wilderness, Daniel and Cameran must battle their intense and growing attraction while keeping ahead of a killer who will stop at nothing to silence her… 

Dr. Cameran Young is the lead biologist on the Environment Impact Assessment team sent to monitor fish migration patterns in relation to the building of a dam in the Labrador, Canada.  Expecting difficulties with the locals as well as the challenges of the location and of maintaining her health despite a chronic medical condition, she immediately found herself out of her element when on her first day she discovered the victim of a grisly murder. Both dazzled and disgusted by the handsome — and promiscuous — helicopter pilot, Daniel, who comes to her rescue, she can’t help but be attracted to him. She knows his kind, however, and while he makes it more than obvious that he’s a charming rogue ready to bed-hop with anyone willing, Cameran’s own self respect requires that there be some sort of emotional connection between her and a lover.

Daniel is more than just a pretty face with a womanizing reputation, however.  Once a valued member of Britain’s Special Air Service, when a mission went horribly wrong he willingly took the fall to protect his team from the fallout, and now relies on booze, fast women, and the thrill of flying to keep his fragile grip on his sanity.

But Daniel can’t seem to get past his fascination with the girl-next-door looks and sassy personality of Dr. Cameran, and when it becomes evident that she is at risk due to not only her job but also her connection to the murder investigation, his protective instincts come roaring to the surface.   Knowing that he can no longer keep his distance, he will risk his heart, and his life, to keep her safe.

What Worked For Me:

  • I really enjoyed Cameran’s medical condition. Diabetes is not something that most people think of when chronic diseases are brought to the forefront, but it’s one of the most prevalent — and most misunderstood — conditions out there today.  Seeing Cameran deal with the everyday issues of her disease while still maintaining a full and active life was wonderful, as was watching her have to deal with the obnoxious overprotective instinct  and morbid curiosity that her condition seems to bring out in others.
  • Oh I loved Daniel. From his accent to his charming good looks to his tendency to self-medicate with booze and unemotional sex.  He was an absolute trainwreck after an incident from his military days, and seeing him not only fall in love with Cameran, which frankly terrified him, but also finally realizing that he had to change his behavior before he ended up losing everything, made me love him all the more.
  • I also enjoyed the unusual setting.  The sheer magesty of the location came through in the writing, and I loved that it was almost a character unto itself, with the isolation and dangerous creatures, both four-legged and otherwise.
  • The twist was wonderful.  Completely unexpected at first glance but beautifully woven into the story when you knew which clues to look for, I loved it.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

  • Although it was realistic, and was necessary for the character’s development, I prefer that my slutty heroes not have sex with anyone else after they’ve met the heroine. I know, it’s a little quirk of mine. Don’t get me wrong — there was no infidelity of any sort, and to be honest, it really was necessary to the storyline, but even so, it was a minor mark against the book for me.

Cameran’s medical condition put her in a position of constantly being cosseted or seen as fragile, and she fights every single day to not only keep her condition under control but to fight stereotypes and misconceptions about it.  A strong, intelligent woman, she also recognizes that while a fling with Daniel might break her heart, it might also be worth it just to experience a single moment in her life where she’s able to just enjoy herself without really thinking too hard about the consequences.

For Daniel, no-strings sex and alcohol have been his crutch after his fall from grace in the military. Suffering from a fairly strong case of PTSD, he doesn’t dare seek out a meaningful relationship because he really has nothing to offer.  When he meets Cameran, however, he can’t help but be attracted to her, and when he learns of his disorder, long-dead protective instincts rise to the surface, until he will do anything to keep her safe.

The mystery behind the grisly murder of a young woman and the unknown killer who will not let Cameran stand in their way added a great deal of intensity to the story, and the twist at the end was masterfully done.

Overall, this was a fast-paced, exciting story with both large amounts of action and drama and a strong dose of sexy romance. Recommended for fans of tortured heroes, tough yet vulnerable heroines, and exciting suspense.

4.5/5 Stars

Also posted in Contemporary – 0 Comments

Review & Interview: Entice Me – Entangled Publishing – Lucianne Rivers

November 23, 2011

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Expected Release Date: September 29, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: luciannerivers.com
My Source for This Book: Gift from the publisher
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 3, Caldwell Sisters Series
Series Best Read In Order: Works well as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy

Official Blurb:

Heartsick over the untimely death of her mother, Allison Caldwell is blindsided again by the secret revealed in her mom’s will. Her supposedly dead father is alive, and she and her two sisters must find him in order to settle the Caldwell estate.

Robert Rivera, private investigator and former Navy SEAL, alerts Allison to new intel identifying her father as a P.O.W. in Afghanistan. With her sisters out of the country pursuing leads, Allison insists on heading to the war-ravaged country to find him. Robert doesn’t want his naïve client to take the risk. He knows what danger lays in that godforsaken land…he’s lived through it. Barely.

But Allison is determined to go, and Robert can’t let her travel alone. Reluctantly appreciative, Allison quickly realizes how much she needs his guidance and protection, and how deeply she longs for his love. Robert struggles to understand her effect on his battle-weary heart.

The path to Allison’s father is blocked by terrorists, traps and treachery—all demons of Robert’s past. Can he survive a second round with the enemy and keep Allison out of harm’s way?

Allison Caldwell may be perceived as the “gentle sister” in the Caldwell family, but when a private investigator finds a man fitting the description of her long-lost father, she isn’t about to sit back and wait for results.  Determined to find the man herself, she insists on going to Afghanistan herself.

Luckily for her, Robert Rivera, former Navy SEAL and current private investigator, knows that despite her bravado, Allison will be completely out of her league in the war-torn country, and insinuates himself into her rescue plans.

Having lived through more than Allison could even dream about, Robert knows the dangers that she — and her P.O.W. father — face in Afghanistan.

The exciting third and final installment in the Caldwell Sisters Trilogy ends things with a bang, with a story full of danger, terrorists, betrayal, and delicious sensuality.

What Worked For Me:

  • One thing that I can always count on from Ms. Rivers is that her love scenes are HOT.  While there was no actual intercourse in this story, the sensuality certainly didn’t suffer from the lack — there was plenty of tension and hot action going on despite any lack of a home run.
  • Robert was wonderful. Cynical, mildly traumatized, and reluctant to revisit the country that took everything away from him, his personal honor and protective instincts wouldn’t let him just sit back and do nothing while Allison went and got herself killed.
  • I loved the excitement of such an exotic location. Not many books are set in Afghanistan these days, and it was fun experiencing the journey without actually having to renew my passport.
  • I loved the twist, and how you never really knew who to trust.
  • I also enjoyed the fact that Robert was so much older than Allison. I don’t always care for May-December relationships, but there was just something about the two that seemed to help balance each other out.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

  • As I’ve mentioned in other reviews, I’m not a big fan of falling in love at the drop of a hat. When the I Love You’s are brought out after only a short acquaintance, I can’t bring myself to have faith in a Happily Ever After, simply because the characters don’t actually know each other yet.
  • I couldn’t help but find it a bit ridiculous that a homebody would rush off to Afghanistan of all places. Not only that, she insisted on going herself.  Now, I’m not always up on the news, but even I know it’s a ridiculous idea for a white American female with now knowledge or experience of the area to just show up and start mucking around searching for a man believed to be a hostage of a terrorist organization.
  • I was highly disappointed by a bit of a deus ex machina during the rescue of Zach Caldwell.  While I understand the need to cut word count to remain a novella, I couldn’t help but feel that the author missed out on an opportunity for some really incredible suspense and action.

Even though I wanted to shake Allison for most of the book, I still enjoyed not only the setting and the exciting action, but also the romance that developed between Allison and Robert.   It was also great to see the story arc that’s taken place over the course of the trilogy come to a satisfying resolution.

A very quick read, this book is perfect for those times when you need a bit of action and intrigue liberally doused with some steamy sensuality.

3/5 Stars.

About The Author…

Lucianne writes sensual romance for Entangled Publishing and Cobblestone Press. Born and raised in Ireland, she currently lives in New Mexico with her young daughter.

Formerly a stage and television actress, she now manages a non-profit and is NM State Champion in her weight class for Olympic-style weightlifting. Long story.

A big  Thank You to Lucianne Rivers for joining me here today to answer a few questions about her contemporary Caldwell Sisters series: Hold Me, Thrill Me, and Entice Me.

What inspired you to write this series?

My travels to Guatemala and the Virgin Islands. Also, in the case of HOLD
Me, seeing a picture of a grown-up Corey Feldman (The Goonies/80′s teen
star) recently and wondering where he’d been hiding out all these years.

 The three heroes and three heroines in this series are all so different from one another — do you have a favorite hero and/or from the series, and if so, why?

Hands down, Margo. She’s strong, determined, sexy and a cop.

A common theme throughout the series is that of soul mates, and of quickly falling in love. Do you believe in love at first sight and soul mates in real life?

I do believe in love at first sight. Not sure if it’s the lasting kind,
but it’s a heck of a wild ride, so why not enjoy it if it happens to you?

These three installments of the Caldwell Sisters Series are novellas – have you considered writing a trade-length novel?

I’m actually leaving writing to become a police officer. I kid you not.

What do you think most readers will be surprised to learn about this series?

That I am embarking on a journey similar to that of my favorite sister,
Margo? Why write about it when you can do it?

Entice Me features a retired Navy Seal, as well as a Middle Eastern setting. What type of research went into this story to give it a feel of realism?

Much Googling.

What can readers expect next from you?

A speeding ticket.

There you have it!  Thanks again to Ms. Rivers for stopping by.

Don’t Forget…

For a limited time you can snag the first novella in the Caldwell Sisters series, Hold Me, (which happens to be my personal favorite), for only $0.99 at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble!

Also posted in -- Random Mutterings --, Contemporary, Short Story Or Novella – 0 Comments

Review: Thrill Me – Entangled Publishing – Lucianne Rivers

November 12, 2011

Click on Bookcover to Visit Purchase Page

Expected Release Date: September 30, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: luciannerivers.com
My Source for This Book: Gift from the author
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 2, Caldwell Sisters
Series Best Read In Order: Worked well as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy

Official Blurb:

Santa Fe Police Detective Margo Caldwell needs a vacation, but the wild goose chase her mother’s death triggers isn’t quite what she had in mind. Margo and her sisters must locate their father, or the Caldwell estate will remain unsettled—and they’ll never know why their father didn’t return from the Gulf War.

Pursuing a lead, Margo heads to the Virgin Islands in search of Zach Caldwell. To navigate the waters of the Caribbean, she needs a boat and a captain. Too bad Captain Adrian Prince, with his mesmerizing muscles and wicked grin, may be gunrunner.

Adrian takes Margo on his delivery route to small islands near St. Thomas that hide more than wildlife, booze, and sexy boaters. On a remote, mangrove-ridden patch of sand, they find gun-toting Zach Caldwell. When their mission turns deadly, Margo must save Adrian’s life—and her own—even if she loses her heart in the process.

Margo Caldwell has finally made detective in the Santa Fe Police Department.  With her talent for Olympic-style weightlifting and her modern approach to personal relationships, her family may not understand her, but they love and support her.  When her mother’s death forces her to take time away from her job, she’s stunned to learn that not only is her long-dead father actually alive, but that her mother’s will demands that she and her two sisters pick up the search for him, or lose part of their inheritance.

Traveling to the Virgin Islands in search of a man she’s never met, she meets the handsome Captain Adrian Prince.  Unfortunately, when the sexy Captain Prince agrees to take Margo on his delivery route to remote islands near St. Thomas so that she can follow some leads on the missing Caldwell, it becomes apparent that his “supply deliveries” aren’t simple groceries. A grizzled and trigger-happy Zach Caldwell turns out to be in the illegal gun trade, and has both Margo and Adrian in his sights.  Barely escaping with their lives, Margo must fall back on all of her experience as a police officer, but is she ready to turn her back on the unexpected passion and connection she found with Adrian?

What Worked For Me:

  • I really liked Margo. Tough, cunning, and beautiful, she’s no fainting flower. Instead, she’s made it to the rank of detective in the Santa Fe Police Department, which is no easy feat in and of itself, but she’s also worked very hard to be strong physically despite the fact that her chosen sport of Olympic-style lifting is not one many would associate with women.  Her resourcefulness when confronted with a seemingly-impossible situation also earned my respect, because she didn’t panic as many other people would have.
  • Adrian was delicious. In a bit of a tough spot due to a family member, he had also just broken up with his long-term girlfriend, which could make anyone have an off day.  When presented by Margo, a woman nothing like the dishwater ladies of his experience, he’s intrigued but also more than a little smitten.  I loved that he was the once chasing something more serious than just a fling as well.
  • The incredibly sexy and intriguing Adrian is not nearly as worldly as his appearance would suggest *waggles eyebrows*
  • I also liked the high level of thrills for such a small word count, and loved Margo’s quick thinking and resourcefulness.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

  • I personally am not a huge fan of whirlwind romances or love at first sight in romances, because I find it hard to believe in a Happily Ever After in those cases.  When the ILY’s are broken out in the first week or so of knowing someone, I can’t help but think it’s just lust and a bit of affection, which is always a bit of a downer for me because I live for the HEA.

Overall, despite the extremely rapid development of their relationship, I enjoyed this one.  It was a fast read with plenty of danger and action, with a solid dose of yummy sensuality.

While I don’t really care for the speed of the relationship, the chemistry between Margo and Adrian was wonderful, and the novella length makes a great fast read.

Recommended for fans of exotic locations, tough modern heroines, and of finding your soulmate in the most unexpected of places.  3/5 Stars.

Also posted in Contemporary, Short Story Or Novella – 2 Comments

Review: Hold Me – Entangled Publishing – Lucianne Rivers

November 7, 2011

Click on Bookcover to Visit Purchase Page

Expected Release Date: July 27, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Imprint: N/A
Author’s Website: luciannerivers.com
My Source for This Book: Gift from the publisher
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1, Caldwell Sisters
Series Best Read In Order: N/A
Steam Level: Hot

Official Blurb:

Still reeling from her mother’s death, news anchor Jane Caldwell’s life is upended further when she learns the father she lost twenty years ago is still alive. Her mother’s will unleashes a manhunt—the Caldwell sisters must find their father, or their mother’s estate will not be settled, and their questions about his disappearance will remain unanswered.

Jane’s search leads her to Guatemala to investigate a man who claims to be her father and heir to the family fortune. Needing a translator, she enlists enigmatic Harrison DeNeuve, a sexy ex-patriot with a penchant for wearing dark sunglasses in public.

As Jane struggles to reunite with her would-be father, Harrison fights to suppress his desire for Jane. He has a secret—one he’s sequestered himself in a third-world jungle hideaway to keep safe—and falling for Jane puts more than his heart at risk.

Jane finds two men in Guatemala—a father and a lover—but can she trust either of them?

What Worked For Me:

  • I really enjoyed how out-of-place Jane was in her search for her father.  A television personality, Jane is accustomed to being fashionable and perfectly polished in public, yet her foray to Guatemala brings her to some very poverty-stricken areas, and being an obviously wealthy American female on her own in a country that speaks a different language has her sticking out like a sore thumb.
  • Oh Harrison was delicious.  Handsome, intelligent, and determined not to get involved, he can’t help but be drawn to Jane despite his wariness and desire to just be left alone.  I also loved his big secret, as well as his innate chivalry.
  • The love scenes were incredible. The sexual tension and chemistry between Jane and Harrison was so thick you could cut it with a knife, and the mere fact that Harrison actually turned down a sure thing with Jane because he knew she was grieving and slightly intoxicated made me fall head over heels in love with him myself.
  • While their relationship was a bit of a whirlwind, which is common in novellas due to a limited word count, it still felt believable.  Here were two people with incredible sexual chemistry, both having to trust each other fairly quickly, and then faced with a dangerous situation. One thing I enjoyed was the fact that I could absolutely see these two making a solid go of things, which helps me to believe in the strong possibility of a HEA.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

  • The biggest negative point to the entire story was the basic premise.  Don’t get me wrong, I love when parents leave ridiculous clauses in their wills, but in this particular instance, I couldn’t get over the idea that the mother wanted her daughters to traipse all over the world in search of a man they’d all believed was dead for the past two decades.   Happily, though, this is a relatively minor point in my overall enjoyment of this story, as Harrison and Jane more than made up for the contrived feeling of the original story arc.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this one.  There’s chemistry, passion, angst, danger, secrets, and betrayal, all wrapped up in a wonderfully fast read.

Harrison was delicious, and though Jane and I have very little in common, she was very easy to relate to.   The love scenes were incredible, and the mystery, danger, and exotic setting all added a wonderful sense of excitement.

A very solid 4/5 Stars.

Bonus!  Right now, HOLD ME is only $0.99 at Amazon.com!

Also posted in Contemporary, Short Story Or Novella – 1 Comment

Review: Hide From Evil – Forever – Jami Alden

October 31, 2011

Click on Bookcover to Visit Purchase Page

Expected Release Date: November 1, 2011
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: Forever
Author’s Website: http://www.jamialden.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 2, Trilogy
Series Best Read In Order: Works well as a standalone, but would suggest reading in order
Steam Level: Steamy

SPOILER WARNING: This review contains spoilers for the first book in the series, BEG FOR MERCY.

Official Blurb:

Sean Flynn should feel lucky he’s alive. But a betrayal by a close friend-and two years on death row-has left him feeling only numb. When his conviction was overturned, Sean retreated to a quiet woodland cabin, far away from prying eyes. There, he believed, the past couldn’t come back to haunt him . . . until she showed up.

Overcome with guilt, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Krista Slater can’t forgive herself for convicting an innocent man. But when another brutal murder reveals chilling, new facts about his case, she must turn to Sean for help. She’s ready to face his anger, but the desire in his eyes ignites a need she’s never felt before. Shadowed by danger, Sean and Krista uncover a twisted maze of deception and betrayal-all under the dangerous gaze of a cunning mastermind who will do whatever it takes to keep his evil secrets safe.

Sean Flynn spent two years on death row for a murder he did not commit — a murder he was framed for by his own closest friend. Now out of prison, but still suffering daily as a result of his wrongful incarceration, all Sean wants is to find some peace and quiet. The last thing he wants is to have the woman who pushed so hard for his conviction — Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Krista Slater — butting back into his life.

Unfortunately for Sean, Krista is determined to follow the trail left behind by the real killer, and to bring down those who had possibly hired him for the brutal murders.  Coming up against a wall with the police department and the DA office, she seeks Sean out to see if he can shed light on his former friend’s secret lifestyle.

When Krista’s investigation draws attention from the wrong people, she’s thrown into a world that completely destroys her faith in the system — one filled with corruption on every level of government and law enforcement, and one where nothing is black and white.  Dragged unwillingly into the hornet’s nest that Krista has stirred up, Sean focuses on getting them both to safety, but safety may be a pipedream when there’s no one left you can trust.

Together, Sean and Krista struggle to stay one step ahead of their pursuers. and to ignore the sizzling attraction blossoming between them.

What Worked For Me:

  • Sean. Oh, Sean.  I’ve loved Sean ever since we met him in Beg For Mercy, and he’d decided to stop appealing his death sentence because he was just done.  It was such a heart-wrenching attitude for someone who has been falsely accused, and now that he’s been cleared, his life will still never return to normal.  Now suffering from cleithrophobia (fear of being locked in with no escape), he can’t even stand to have the doors shut in his house or windows closed on his car.  Not to mention having to suffer through the suspicions of old acquaintances and strangers alike, and of realizing that even his closest friends thought him truly capable of raping and brutally murdering a woman.   He can’t understand his attraction to Krista, and more than that, he actually resents her for breaking him out of the comfortable numbness he’s been existing in since his release from prison.
  • On the same note, I was thankful that Sean’s cleithrophobia didn’t just go away. All the way to the end, he was affected just as strongly by this irrational panic as he was in the beginning, and it added a lot of depth to Sean’s character.
  • I also liked Kristen. A bit of a ball-buster (because she’s always had to be), she’s also incredibly naive when it comes to her faith in the system.  Even knowing that she and her office had sent a man to death row for a crime he didn’t commit hasn’t shaken her belief that those in power are generally good, and then that reality is brutally shattered when she becomes a target, set up by someone she loved and trusted, she’s completely at a loss.
  • I loved that things weren’t “story book perfect” in the first intimate situation between Sean and Krista.  No spoilers, but the events felt very realistic, and also added a delicious amount of angst to the story.
  • The love scenes were deliciously intense.  Once Sean and Krista both moved past the fact that they were supposed to hate each other because of their history, they were absolutely explosive together.
  • The suspense element was incredible.  While Sean was accustomed to not being able to trust or rely on anyone, it was an incredible shock to Kristen when the reality of their situation became clear. Not being able to trust anyone for fear that they were corrupt added an incredible amount of tension to the story, and the final confrontation was terrifying.  I think that the fact that there was no “one” villain for most of the story is what made it so incredible. Sure, there was a ringleader of sorts, but never knowing who could be trusted added an awesome amount of tension to the situation.
  • I’m very excited that Brooks is to be the hero of the next story, and I admit, even though this is a trilogy, I’m kind of hoping Ibarra gets his own book one day (hot ex-military guy who’s also a total computer geek? I’d be all over that!)

What Didn’t Work For Me:

  • The copy that I read for review was an “uncorrected proof” and not the final print version.  In my copy, there was a small continuity error that pulled me out of the action.  The error in question was a minor one concerning Krista’s wardrobe in one chapter, and very well may have been corrected in the final copy. However, it pulled me out of the action enough that I felt it was worth mentioning.
  • As always, I’m not a big fan of forced nudity.  While it definitely fit with the events of the story, it’s still not my thing.

Sensitive readers should be aware that there is a fairly graphic scene detailing an attempted sexual assault.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, BEG FOR MERCY, and am very happy to say that I enjoyed this one even more.  While Beg For Mercy was more about rebuilding trust between estranged lovers, Hide From Evil was much more focused on the suspense.  The mystery element was not quite as strong, as the “villains” of the story were revealed to the reader fairly early on, but the necessary paranoia for Sean and Krista more than made up for it.

In addition, the sexual tension and chemistry between them was absolutely delicious, especially when compounded by their previous bad history together.

Overall, I adored this one. While I do think that this one would work just fine as a standalone, I would still suggest that newcomers still read Beg For Mercy first, simply because it gives a lot of insight to the depths of betrayal that Sean suffered, but also gives quite a bit of insight into his psyche as his execution date approached.

Recommended for fans of damaged yet honorable heroes who have been dragged into danger against their will, of naive heroines battling not only for their lives but also a strong sense of disillusionment, and of realizing that sometimes the deepest betrayals can lead to the happiest endings.

4.5/5 Stars

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