She Can Kill by Melinda Leigh

Sarah and Cristan have more problems than any two people should. Sarah has recently divorced her physically abusive ex but is having to comply with his court ordered visits with their daughters. He uses the visits as a means to still try to insert his control over her life. His actions and the resultant court visits have placed Sarah's much needed job in jeopardy.

Cristan isn't who he appears. Even his name it's fake. What isn't fake is his love for his daughter and the lengths he would go to in order to keep her safe from her mother's family and their enemies. He also has real feelings for Sarah but can't give himself permission to act on them. He doesn't want to put her in danger, but what he doesn't realize is that danger has already found her.

When it becomes obvious that Sarah's ex has lost his grip on sanity and Cristan's enemies have finally caught up to him, the two have to work together to protect not only their children, but also each other. Thankfully, they both have friends willing to step up and help, because they need all the help they can get.

This was a great story with a nicely convoluted plot and a few surprise twists. I really enjoyed it.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Dangerous Games by Tess Diamond

I was completely unfamiliar with Tess Diamond when I was offered an ARC for review, but the book description sounded interesting enough for me to give it a try. I actually had already downloaded another book to read first, but once I read the first couple of paragraphs in Dangerous Games, I was intrigued enough to keep reading.

The story begins when Maggie Kincaid is recruited to help with the investigation into the kidnapping of a senator's teenage daughter. Maggie was formerly with the FBI but had wit a couple of years previously due to a negotiation that went wrong. She blamed herself, and after surviving a kidnapping as a child, she couldn't deal with her failure to bring a victim home. She never wanted to be involved in that type of situation again, but with medical issues making recovering the victim even more urgent, she wasn't able to refuse.

Despite facing ridicule from former co-workers, stonewalling by the victim's father, and the cocky interference of Jake O'Connor, Maggie doggedly pursues answers. Without giving too much away, I will just say that I enjoyed the chemistry between Jake and Maggie, especially when he was trying to get a rise out of her. The story was well written and gave just enough details to draw you into the story but also keep you guessing. It did end with a pretty decent cliffhanger, but my understanding is that book two will follow close behind this one. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for it!

Shattered by Cynthia Eden

I'm absolutely addicted to this series! This is the third book, and it sucked me in just as quickly as the first two. Super sexy Jax caught my attention in the last book. I loved the way he nicknamed Sarah Pretty Sarah. Sarah had also pulled my heartstrings from the beginning, so her and Jax together seemed like a perfect fit to me.

Jax asks the LOST team for help unraveling the details of his past, but before they can even start working on his case, a young woman with ties to Sarah's past goes missing. LOST has to divert their resources toward locating her. From the beginning, it becomes obvious that Sarah could be in danger. Jax doesn't intend to leave her unprotected for even a minute. He inserts himself into the search as a way to watch over her, but as the case progresses, a killer begins taunting them. Not only does he want Sarah, but he has plans for Jax too.

This story had so much chemistry. This couple was completely breathtaking the way their darkness complemented each other. I tend to prefer my suspense with the mystery and action spread throughout the story rather than just concentrated at the end, and this fit that formula perfectly There were also a couple of plot turns which caught me by surprise in the best way. I love this author and this series!

Hold Me Close by Rosalind James

This is the second book in the Paradise, Idaho series. Though I highly recommend reading book one ( I loved it!), I think this could easily be read as a standalone.  So far, the series has focused on two brothers from a very small town where everyone knows everyone else and neighbors still help each other. Luke is the younger brother and principle of the local high school. Kayla is a single mom with a nine year old son. She has recently escaped an abusive relationship and returned to Paradise, a town where she lived briefly as a child.
Kayla literally has nothing but is determined to take care of herself and her son by herself and never be obligated to anyone again, but Luke is a born fixer, and as soon as her sees his new neighbor, he realizes she needs help. He sets out to do as much as Kayla will let him get away with while Kayla throws up roadblocks at every turn. Despite her standoffish behavior, Luke finds himself more and more attracted to Kayla. He also seems to be growing on her and her son as well.   As trust builds and Kayla reveals bits and pieces of her past experiences, Luke realizes the situation is more dangerous than he thought. He promises to stop at nothing to keep the little family safe even if they can never be his.

I love this series and the quirky way it was written. Luke is very easy going and amusing. It would be hard not to like the story. I can't wait for more Paradise.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Dead in Her Tracks by Kendra Elliot

This is book two in the collaborative novella series, Rogue Winter.  The events in this book take place only days after book one. While book one focused on Carly, book two focuses on sister, Stevie. Stevie and Zane have been seeing each other for months. Zane wants to make things more permanent but knows Stevie is a slow mover. The couple tries to keep a professional distance at work, but with multiple murders, all they do is work. It leaves very little time for them to connect with each other. Solving their most recent case seems like the only way they will ever have any peace. With their only suspect dead, the case drags on and suspects dwindle. Unfortunately, the killer has set his sights on his next victim, and Stevie fits his pattern.

I like this collaboration between Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. They definitely need to be read in order with the Rogue River series first, but following the order helps you understand the relationships and grow to love the little town of Solitude.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Tracks of Her Tears by Melinda Leigh

This is the first in a new Rogue Winter series of novellas set in Solitude. The story features Carly and Seth from the Rogue River series plus the rest of Carly's extended family. The timing of the story was a few days before Christmas. I enjoyed the holiday setting and the fact that the story wasn't overdone commercially Christmas.

At the beginning of this story, Seth is called to the scene of a murder. When he arrives, he recognizes the victim as the girlfriend of Carly's brother, Bruce. The problem is that Bruce is missing. The police have to determine whether he is the perpetrator of the crime or just another victim. In the meantime, someone has to care for the victim's toddler. Seth calls Carly to help out, but everywhere the toddler goes, trouble follows. Seth is ready to do anything to protect his family and the little girl. He promised his wife he would spend more time with family and less time on the job, but this case wasn't one that could wait, especially with Christmas so near and Bruce's safety in question. He feels torn, but in the end he has no choice. The killer is targeting his family, and he can't ignore it.

I enjoyed the Rogue River books, and this Rouge Winter series is starting out with a good suspense plot and plenty of romance.

I received an ARC from Net Galley.

No Good Deed by Allison Brennan

This was the twenty seventh book I've read by Allison Brennan, so I guess you could say I'm a huge fan. This particular series is absolutely my favorite. Just as a note, this is definitely not a standalone. It is book ten in the series, and each book builds on the previous one. Actually, in my opinion, you get the best reading experience by first reading the Evil trilogy and then the FBI trilogy. These two series help familiarize you with the Kincaid and Rogan families. They also take you through everything that happens to Lucy Kincaid, the events that shape who she is. Having this background information just makes the Lucy series ten times better.

This story has Lucy and Sean tracking prison escapee Nicole Rollins, a murderer they helped apprehend in the previous book. Lucy and Sean are FINALLY engaged ( yes, I've been waiting for that for a long time), but there is no time to celebrate. DEA and FBI agents are being murdered, and all hands are on deck working around the clock to recapture Rollins. Sean and Lucy are pulled in different directions, but try to connect as much as possible. Unfortunately, things only get worse when Kane, Sean's brother, disappears in Mexico. Sean knows he has to go find Kane, but hates to leave knowing Lucy is likely a target for Rollin's violence. He enlists the help of a trusted colleague to watch over Lucy and sets out for Mexico.

Lucy is working non-stop. Information is leaking from someone within the joint task force. The leak forces Lucy to question everyone she knows and works with. No one is above suspicion other than a couple of close friends. Lucy's brother, Jack, also arrives in town to help out.

Personally, this was my favorite Lucy story to date. The action and suspense were continuous, the depth of the relationship between Lucy and Sean is beautifully depicted, and Jack and Kane ( two of my favorites) are front and center for much of the story.  I truly can't wait for Kane and Siobhan to get their own story.  I'm completely addicted to the Kincaids and the Rogans.

I received an ARC for review from Net Galley.