Saturday, May 30, 2015

Diamond Legacy by Monica McCabe

This was my first experience with this author, so I had no idea what to expect. What I found was an exciting story set in Africa. The author's descriptions made the location seem real and beautifully untamed. Miranda is a veterinary dentist who was commissioned to travel with her intern to an animal preserve in Africa to work for several weeks. Before she even gets to the presence, she is confronted with the violence of the country and also the presence of Matt who works with local law enforcement. When she later sees Matt acting as a janitor at the presence, she realizes he is undercover. Fearing his investigation will in some way harm the prestige she is coming to love, Miranda uses Matt's fear of having his cover blown in order to work her way into his investigation of diamond and gun smuggling. Miranda tends to just plunge in and look later, so Matt has his hands full trying to protect her.  The more time the two spend together, the more they realize they might have something that could last if they can survive the investigation.

I enjoyed the story and the lighthearted banter between Matt and Miranda. There were also several endearing and funny animal moments. Overall, it was a great relaxing read.

I received a copy from Net Galley for review.

Midnight Secrets by Lisa Marie Rice

I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but when I had the opportunity through Net Galley to read an advance copy of this story, I was hooked by the description. Once I started reading, I was immediately intrigued by the portrayal of two broken characters. One was pushing himself and healing, but the other was overwhelmed by grief and couldn't seem to get back on her feet. Despite his injuries, Joe has been looking out for Isabel both with and without her knowledge. She allows it but keeps herself isolated and distant. Isabel has a big secret. She has changed her name and hidden, but someone knows who she is and is just waiting to strike if her memories begin to return. Once Joe and the security team he had been hired to work for discover the truth, they pull out all the stops to help Isabel and maybe even save the nation in the process. The chemistry was great in this story. I also loved how Isabel regained her personality and her courage. The secondary characters were well written and had enough depth to have me adding this whole series to my wish list.

Sinclair Justice by Colleen Shannon

This story features a couple slightly older than typically found in this type of novel. Ross was a never before married Texas Ranger in his early fifties. He has some silver in his hair, but he still came off totally alpha, completely confident, and undeniably sexy. Emm was fast approaching forty having never focused on a family of her own, just living vicariously through her sister and her niece. When first her niece and then her sister disappear, Emm fears they have been taken by a human trafficking ring located in Texas. A recent job assignment takes her not only to Texas, but also to Ross, surprisingly the focus of her assignment and her personal investigation. The two don't hit it off at first, but attitudes quickly change as they realize the attraction between them is strong. When Ross catches on to Emm's dangerous little side investigation and her determination to do whatever it takes to get her sister back, he has to make some tough choices in order to protect her.

As you might deduce from the description of the book, it does deal with human trafficking, so expect some violence including sexual violence. While it wasn't overly graphic, it did try to portray a realistic view of the situation. I liked the story and the more realistic happy but not quite perfect ending.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley for review.

Friday, May 22, 2015

Treasured by Thursday by Catherine Bybee

This is the final book in the Weekday Brides series, and I am really hating that fact. I have enjoyed every book in this series and literally squealed with excitement when I was able to get an advance copy of Treasured by Thursday from Net Galley. Gabi was such a great character. I felt such sympathy for her in the last book and curiosity as to what would happen to her in the future and how she would recover. To see her on her feet working through her problems and making friends was great...until Hunter threatened it all. He was completely ruthless in his hostile takeover of Gabi's life. How she handled him was masterful. I loved all the little barbs and death wishes she threw Hunter's way and his pithy responses. Hunter grew on me quickly despite his less than honorable beginnings. He also grew on Gabi despite her efforts to keep him at a distance.  As the couple fights a losing battle to resist their obvious chemistry, secrets they have both kept closely held begin to unravel and threaten not only their fledgling relationship but also Gabi's life. Hunter increases security and begins to realize how much he actually has to lose if anyone gets to Gabi.

All my favorite characters from the previous novels step up throughout the story to confront Hunter and protect Gabi. Overall, this was probably my favorite book in the series. I've already gone back and re-read my bookmarked sections a couple of times and wished this wasn't the last of the Weekday Brides. I certainly hope a new suspenseful series is in the works and can't wait to read whatever Catherine Bybee writes next.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Every Step She Takes by Jannine Gallant

This is the second book in a series by an author I wasn't familiar with. I liked the cover and the synopsis, so I requested an advance copy from Net Galley despite not having read the first book. I did not find myself lost at all and really enjoyed the story. I now want to go back and read book one. I'm guessing it is Rachel's story. This book focused on Grace. She is a very intrepid reporter with a long slew of previous bad relationships. Shew heads of too Alaska in portrait of the story of a lifetime and ends up chasing her story with private protection specialist Travis. His job is to protect the story Grace is desperate to find. The two have instant chemistry and connect pretty quickly. Finding the source of Grace's story has them dodging bullets and also managing to bring back to life an assassin's need for retribution against Grace. With danger coming from two fronts, the couple heads back to the lower forty eight to see whether a long distance relationship between them can work. Things seem calm at first until the killer begins taunting Grace. Travis puts everything on hold to travel to her home and protect her. The only problem is whether Grace will also put him first, or will her career win out?

Travis and Grace had a lot of amusing dialog. Grace's personality was stuffed full of spunk while Travis was defined by his loyalty. I really enjoyed the story and can't wait too check out more by this author.

Covert Evidence by Rachel Grant

This book is the fifth in a series. While it can be read as a standalone, it certainly makes more sense of you have read the other books in the series. The whole series is great, so you might as well start from the beginning. The series is a blend of archeology and suspense. Cressida is an underwater archeologist working on her dissertation. She has a theory which has her looking for undiscovered tunnels in terrorist controlled countries. She believes herself safe until she discovers the translator she hired has placed her in grave danger. Ian is a covert operative who believes Cressida is knowingly working with the terrorists. He happens to save her from an attack then ingratiates himself into her life and trip while lying about his identity. In the end, the two discover they need each other's help to survive and possibly thwart further terrorist actions. Unfortunately, they both have secrets, and Ian's is a big one. When all the lies blow up in their faces, it will take everything they have plus the help of Cressida's friends at Raptor to get them out alive.

As was the case with all the other books in this series, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I was very excited to be given an advance copy for review from Net Galley.

Leverage by Janie Crouch

Shelby and Dylan are two loners thrown together by unusual circumstances. Dylan agrees to take on what he believes will be a brief and simple mission to pick up and deliver computer codes to his sister in law via his charter plane. When the codes arrive, however, he discovers he will be delivering a person. Shelby is a loner with some social anxiety issues. She discovered codes indicating a terrorist attack embedded in a video game. She now needs to input the codes from her memory into her friend's ultra powerful computer in order to help divert the impending attack. Dylan finds himself immediately attracted to Shelby. He leads her on then freaks when he realizes she is his cargo. Dylan kind of blows hot and cold throughout the story. I felt bad for Shelby who was pretty straightforward. When a mole is discovered inside the agency where Dylan's family works, the agency supposedly helping Shelby, her life is placed in danger. Shelby is the only one who can stop the terrorists...if they don't stop her first. Dylan steps up to the plate and vows to protect her.

I enjoyed the story and the secondary characters. I do feel the need to read the other books in this series and have the next one available for pre-order on my wish list. I appreciate Net Galley providing a copy for review.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Thirty-four and a Half Predicaments by Denise Grover Swank

When I read the first book in this series, I immediately fell in love with Rose. There was just something about her that drew me, and I couldn't put the story down. Rose is such a tragic heroine. She is so pure and good that you might wish you were like her, but so many things go wrong for her that you would never want to be stuck in her life. She is kind of like a magnet that pulls the good out in other people and inspires them. I enjoyed the first story so much that I emailed the author. She was kind and down to earth enough to email back and forth with me and send me a copy of one of her other books. For that, I am totally a fan. (Her Curse Keepers series is also a fave of mine.)

So, back to this book. Things are really heating up in Henrietta. Rose and Neely Kate decide to find out who Rose's biological father really was. The investigation only leads to more questions rather than the answers she seeks. Unfortunately, the new questions seem to place Rose in even more danger. Mason is also digging into something big but keeps Rose out of the loop. It also appears he is working with Joe on his new project. Skeeter is also still in the picture, and his deal with Rose for The Lady in Black undergoes some adaptations when Skeeter realizes just how dangerous Rose's life and investigative activities can be. Despite supposedly having Joe, Bruce Wayne, Mason, Skeeter, Jed, Neely Kate, Maeve, and Violet all looking out for her, dangerous trouble finds her in the end....and what an end it was! Wow! I really didn't see that coming! Although one of my favorite things about this series is never being able to predict where it is going to go or what is going to happen, I still can't believe that ending. Whew! If book eight released tomorrow, it wouldn't be soon enough.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Carry Me Home by Rosalind James

I can't remember ever reading anything by this author before, but the preview on Net Galley sounded interesting. It turns out I'm really glad I requested an early copy. The story had great characters. I especially enjoyed Cal's dialog. He was really amusing and was a great counterpart to serious Zoe.

Zoe is a college geology professor in a very small town. While she takes an interest in her students, she mainly has her eyes on the prize her father has pushed her toward for most of her life, an ivy league professor position and the academic accolades to go with it. Cal is the small town football hero who made it big but came back home. He values his family and is trying to make the family farm profitable and help better his community. The two first meet when Zoe runs of the road in the snow and Cal stops to help. Cal sees something he likes in the prim buttoned up professor and pursues her full out. Zoe is too career focused to give him much of her attention but finds herself liking him nonetheless. When Zoe finds herself helping a student who was attacked and almost violated, she places herself in the attacker's crosshairs. Cal finds himself unable to stay away from Zoe and ends up doing everything he can to protect her and win her over.

The story had many ups and downs and hints to throw the reader off course. I really enjoyed reading it. I hope Cal's equally amusing brother, Luke, gets his own story. I would love to check it out!

You Can't Escape by Nancy Bush

This book is the fourth in the author's Nowhere series. I can honestly say the books in this series read well as standalones since I had only read book 2 before getting a chance to read an early copy of this book from Net Galley. In my opinion, the series is a bit more on the procedural side than the suspense side, but has enough suspense to keep me guessing and just enough romance to keep me interested.

Jordanna and "Dance" are featured in this book (although August and September Rafferty from the previous books are still featured prominently). Jordanna is what some might call a cub reporter while Dance has made a name for himself with hard hitting journalism. Having a bit of hero worship, with maybe a bit of lust tangled in, Jordanna has been following Dance around without his knowledge. When Dance is injured in a bomb blast, Jordanna believes the danger to his life is greater than most believe. She takes it upon herself to devise a crazy scheme to sneak Dance out of town. Surprisingly, Dance goes along with it, and Jordanna whisks him away to the last place on earth she would ever want to visit but the only safe haven she knows...home. Unfortunately, in her efforts to keep Dance safe, she has placed herself directly in the sights of a deranged killer who sees her as tainted and in need of the redemption only death and his branding iron can provide. Dance and Jordanna are left with two mysteries and their future on the line. Will they be able to save each other in the end, or will their pasts finally catch up with them?




Spiraled by Kendra Elliot

I really enjoy this series, and I was thrilled when Net Galley offered me the chance to read it early. In my opinion, the author totally nailed it when she wrote Mason and Ava into life. They are such a realistically believable couple. Nothing is ever really easy for them, but they create an ease and peace for each other. They just seem to truly get each other and relate on a plane that is more actions than words. I like seeing how they not only want each other but now have enmeshed to the point of truly needing each other.

In this story, Ava tends to be the main focus. The vacation she is using to recover from events in the previous book is interrupted when she lands in the middle of a mass shooting in the mall. Ava is trapped trying to save a gravely injured friend and ends up relaying information back to law enforcement via her phone. When the dust settles, so to speak, and Ava is reunited unharmed with a beyond frantic Mason, she uses Mason's assignment to the case as a way to hold her fears and post traumatic stress at bay by inserting herself into the investigation. As Ava and the team uncover more and more clues pointing to a killer mastermind, Ava becomes a target of the killer's hatred.

To add even more tension to the mix, when Ava's mentally unstable twin sister goes off the deep end, Ava finally takes the advice many, including Mason, have given her and stands up to her. She stops allowing herself to be walked all over in an effort to keep the peace and tells her sister how she really feels and how she is affected by her sister's tantrums. The stress of breaking life long patterns shakes Ava, and when her sister takes life threatening action in retaliation, Ava is broken. Mason fears for her sanity and tries frantically to hold her together while Ava fractures on the inside.

Ava tries to use the case to help her focus, but will the case end up saving her or killing her?

This book was the best yet in the series for me. The deepening of Ava and Mason's relationship, the changes Ava tried to make in her relationship with her twin, and the current events type of believable action had me glued to the story. While not at all a cliffhanger, the ending did leave me wondering what's next for Mason and Ava and anxiously awaiting the next book.