Mermen by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Wow....I really have no idea what to say about what I just experienced. I read and loved this author's King's series, so I knew whatever she did next would likely have awesomely suspenseful super cliffhangers and be completely outside the realm of "normal" thinking. Honestly, when I first read about her Mermen concept I was pretty turned off. I couldn't imagine how I was going to get into a story about guys with tails. I debated even requesting the review copy I was given by Net Galley. I was just that much on the fence about it. Although I was totally right about the out of the box cliffhanger, I could never have imagined how the actual story would play out.

First of all, the mermen were sexy massively built men with no tails or scales in sight. Secondly, they are savage, brutal, and should be avoided at all cost unless you have a total death wish. While I'd love to explain this in much more detail, I enjoyed all the little shocks to my system and warps to my brain along the path of this story and refuse to deny the rest of you the pleasure of being thrown for a complete loop along with me.

I will say that Roen is drool worthy in that bad boy/good guy kind of way. He is not soft; he is not nice; he is not your typical hero. Liv is brave, resourceful, and intuitive. The two of them are not a pair you would normally put together, but somehow, through the pull of a very mysterious island, the two come together in a massive display of chemical sparks. The problem is that Roen isn't the only one who wants Liv. Some want her dead, some want her captive, and others just want her in their bed. What is so special about Liv? Maybe we will find out in book two...or maybe not.

If you enjoyed the King's series, I think you will love Mermen. Personally, my brain will probably still be trying to figure this one out when book two is released and throws me way off base again. It was everything I expect and enjoy from Mimi Jean Pamfiloff.

A Wedding to Die For by Adrianne Lee

This author was a new one for me, but I am interested in checking out more of her work. The basis for this story is two friends, Daryl Anne and Meg, leaving their big city lives to come home to Weddingville for Meg's very private celebrity wedding. As the maid of honor, Daryl Anne is working overtime to protect her friend from wedding stress, but her job becomes impossible when the mother who deserted Meg years ago shows up and sets the whole town into an uproar. It doesn't take long after that for a dead body to turn up. Not one to be easily dissuaded from what she sees as her duties, Daryl Anne decides to help out the police and make sure things don't disrupt the wedding. In the meantime, the groom is rarely to be found and acting like a jerk, the wedding venue is vandalized, and Daryl Anne is threatened. Seth, the wedding photographer and Daryl Anne's old crush, agrees to help. Chemistry sparks immediately between the two, but Daryl Anne resists. As the situations surrounding the wedding grow more mysterious and more violent, the couple grows closer and closer.

I enjoyed the storyline of this book. There was a good bit of action and mystery though much of the action was surrounding the main characters rather that involving them. Overall, the romance was sweet, the mystery had a nice plot, and the action kept the pace moving along.

Net Galley provided a copy for review.

No Woman Left Behind by Julie Moffett

This story was book 6 in the Lexi Carmichael series. I have loved the series from the beginning and recommended it to several friends. I was beyond thrilled when Net Galley provided me with an early copy for review. After reading the story, I'd have to say it was my favorite so far. Book 6 features the cyber terrorist who managed to escape in book 5. He is out for revenge, and although Lexi isn't his only target, she is his main focus. Having learned a good bit about Lexi's personality and skills, he has designed a macabre game for her to play in order to protect those she loves.

Lexi's relationship with Slash undergoes some emotional ups and downs, but their chemistry never wanes. Slash is the ultimate sexy mystery man with the ultimate accent as an added benefit. Lexi grows and changes a lot in this book. Don't get me wrong, she's still the hilariously geeky, klutzy, and completely literal girl she always was, but she gains more depth and connections. The storyline was full of suspense, action, and definitely humor. My whole family was laughing at me as I couldn't help laughing out loud at Lexi's misadventures with a certain " handle". It really was too funny! I can't wait to see what kind of craziness Lexi might stumble into next. I love that she is such a totally out of the normal suspense heroine box character. She makes this series stand out among all the other series I read. This was a great addition to a great series.

Breaking Her Rules by Katie Reus

As a part of the Red Stone Security series, a favorite of mine, this book was an absolute read for me. I enjoyed it as much as I have the other stories. This book focuses on Iris and Wyatt. Iris works security for Red Stone. Wyatt is a wealthy business tycoon who is in love with Iris. She dodges his attempts to connect with her until his life is threatened. He sees hiring her as his bodyguard as a win win for him. He gets a great bodyguard, and he gets Iris in his sights 24/7. Iris is tough and capable, but as the danger escalates, Wyatt finds himself wanting to protect her rather than let her do her job and protect him. In the end, they end up protecting each other while Wyatt tries to take advantage of the time together to win Iris over to his plans for their future.

This was one of my favorites in this series. If you have read other books in the series or just like good fast paced romantic suspense, this is the book for you. Thanks to Net Galley for providing a copy for review.

Against the Tide by Kat Martin

I read and enjoyed the first book in this series. When the opportunity to get a copy of this third book from Net Galley, I requested it despite not having read book two. I really like the three brothers this series is based around and the interesting characters included in the stories. Though all three brothers are included in this book, it focuses on Rafe who is the owner of several charter boats. Rafe has had his eye on Olivia, the local diner owner, for a while but had made a move. When one of Rafe's crew is killed, a tie to Olivia's diner brings the two together in an effort to help find the killer. Even though helping out could expose a dangerous secret from Olivia's past, she can't leave it alone. As the situation heats up, it becomes hard for her to determine whether the danger is coming from her old enemies or new ones. The chemistry between Rafe and Olivia sparks quick and grows. Rafe knows early on that he wants her, but Olivia is opposed to making connections when she might have to run at any moment. Unfortunately for her, Rafe is difficult to resist.

The Alaskan setting makes this series interesting. In my opinion, this third book was every bit as good as the first book. Now I am certain I need to go back and read book two.

Fighting for Keeps by Seleste deLaney

This is the third book in a series which I must admit I have not read. It certainly didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book since I didn't even notice that it was book 3 until after I finished it. I liked this story of two prickly characters haunted by past decisions who are thrown together suddenly and then tasked with a near impossible job. Both Finn and Jodi were moody and difficult to partner with. They were attracted to each other, but more sparks were flying due to their tempers than their chemistry at first. The longer they worked together the more their barriers against each other started to come down. Finn realized his feelings toward Jodi before she was willing to admit her own. The story had plenty of suspense and action and bedroom adventures. I did feel like the ending was a bit too cut and dried and abrupt for my taste. It seemed to leave out some of the details behind why and how this person committed the crimes he/she did. Since it is a series, I figure it is likely more will come out about the plot later. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

Net Galley provided a copy for review.

A Deep and Dark December by Beth Yarnall

This was a new author for me, and I really didn't know what to expect. I was still a little uncertain after the first chapter, but then the story really picked up. Both Erin and Graham grew up in a very small town where everybody knows everybody and gossip runs rampant. Graham was the town golden boy who left for the big city but had come back to take over the sheriff position from his sick father. Erin comes from a family of outcasts known to have strange abilities. When one of Graham's old friends kills himself after possibly murdering his wife, Erin is a witness. She and Graham end up working together to find the answers after Graham discovers the truth about Erin's special ability. Soon, it begins to seem like everything in this peaceful little town has gone crazy. The murderer uses his own ability to convince people to do things they wouldn't ordinarily, and crime becomes rampant. As Graham and Erin grow closer, the killer works harder art keeping them apart. Eventually, Erin makes a decision which brings everything to a head and puts her life in peril. Everything comes down to Erin, Graham, and the killer.

I enjoyed the story and the paranormal aspects. Graham and Erin had great chemistry, and I was close to the end before I could be certain who the killer was and how he was operating. I thought it was an interesting story. I appreciate Net Galley providing a copy for review.