Showing posts with label Romance Suspense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romance Suspense. Show all posts
Recipe for Love by Dyann Love Barr
Melody

ISBN-13: 9781633751521
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Publication Date: 17 November 2014
Format: eBook, 334 pgs
Source: NetGalley




 Top Chef Tilly Danes is pissed with Maxwell Etheridge, an international food critic who slammed her on his blog, on the day of the big Personal Chef Showdown for the Culinary Channel. If it's not for the owner of the Channel, she wouldn't be rubbing elbows with that man. 

Jordan Kelly shares the same sentiments with Tilly. Like Tilly, he is a chef and both of them own a restaurant of their own. He too, is invited by the Channel to be one of the judging panels for the show. Despite their dislike towards the arrogant man, they aren't really in friendly terms. Tilly thinks Jordan is too charming and a flirt, while Jordan thinks Tilly is too tough and independent for a woman in his opinion. You can say they are nemesis in each other's eyes, still they tolerated each other. 

As much as they dislike Maxwell, they couldn't imagine anyone murdering him, especially not having one of his organs severed. Unfortunately, Tilly and Jordan are the twosome who have found Maxwell's dead body in his suite before the show. And since Maxwell is not a well-liked person, it seems difficult to pinpoint anyone. Everyone becomes a suspect; from the host, the contestants and even Maxwell's lover. 

Added to the story is Detective Jericho's attraction towards Tilly. Though Tilly is somewhat flattered by his admiration, she isn't ready for a relationship, especially she got pregnant when she was fifteen and the two relationships thereafter made her think that it is hard to find a decent man and get settled down. 

Now Jordan and Tilly may hate each other guts, still it doesn't please Jordan to see Jericho and Tilly as a pair. And despite their awkward situation, they find themselves working together with the investigation. The owner of the Channel claimed their involvement in the case might help to boost viewership but they know better. 

Romantic suspense is one of my favourite genres. I think a great romantic suspense is having these two elements well balanced with interesting characters. In this case, I think the suspense (intensity as well as the police procedural) element in Recipe for Love did not feel up to par. However, the exchanges between Tilly and Jordan could be amusing at times, though. And if you are going for the romance the chemistry between Tilly and Jordan is sizzling, from their snarky comments to the opposite attracts. While I find Recipe for Love an entertaining read, I couldn't help feeling let down on the suspense part (and not a glimpse of some food recipes and cooking too? Aw.)
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Sleepwalker by Karen Robards
Melody
ISBN-13:  9781439183731
Publisher:  Pocket Books
Publication Date: July 2012
Format: Paperback, 483 pgs
Source: Personal Library



Oil and water. Fire and water. Those are the stuff that don't mix; and the same goes to cops and robbers. 

Micayla "Mick" Lange is a cop in Karen Robards' Sleepwalker. When a family friend, "Uncle" Nicco Marino hires her to house-sit his house while they spend their week in Palm Beach for the New Year, Mick agrees since she has broken up with her boyfriend after finding him cheating on her. Her elder sister, Jenny, has her own family and she doesn't want to impose on them. She isn't in good terms with her father and her mother was murdered when she was a girl. Till present, the death of her mother shook her and she hopes to catch the murderer one day. 

Unlike Mick, Jason Davis steals things for a living. On New Year's Eve, he decided that he would break into a gangster's house. He has planned for this robbery and knew that the house would be deserted with New Year just around the corner, but he never expects that he would run into a sexy young woman, let alone a police officer. 

Mick is equally shocked to find a robber in the house, but what most shocking is finding incriminating photos in "Uncle" Nicco's safe that indicate he might be connected with the murder of the city councilman. Unfortunately, their presence in Nicco's office was captured by a security camera and Mick knew she has no choice but to "escape" with Jason, for she doesn't want to take any chances when her life is at stake and who knows what "Uncle" Nicco may do to them once he finds out what they have seen. On the other hand, Mick doesn't like the thought of "helping" Jason to escape, especially he has a bag full of Nicco's money and her cop instincts keep nudging her. 

As Mick and Jason race for their lives across Michigan wilderness on speedboat and snow-mobile, Mick begins to see a new light in Jason the more they spend their time together but would they be able to escape from the pursue of Nicco's men? What's more, being a law enforcer Mick has to turn Jason in if they managed to escape from Nicco and his men. Torn between her profession and love, what is Mick to do?

I have to confess I love reading stories when the protagonist is caught in a dilemma/situation and I want to see where the author is taking them. In a plot like Sleepwalker, one would think it is impossible (and unthinkable) to have a cop and a thief to fall in love with each other but Karen Robards did a great job in creating the two characterisations and allowed me to believe in the relationship they have come to develop during the run. 

Also, I find the plot intriguing but I have to admit that the beginning of the story is a tad slow and then it speeds up towards the end, which I didn't find it very convincing for some scenes. All in all, I enjoyed reading Sleepwalker and it made me feel good to read Karen Robard's book again as I haven't read her books for a while. I really liked her older titles such as Forbidden Love, Dark Torment, To Love a Man, just to name a few. 
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Veil of Night by Linda Howard
Melody
ISBN-13: 9780345506900
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Publication date: June 2011
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 400 pgs
Source: Personal Library




It has been a long while since I read a romance suspense novel; I picked Linda Howard's Veil of Night because I enjoyed reading Linda's previous novels, plus the heroine in this story is a wedding planner and I was interested to know more about the profession through the story.

Jaclyn Wilde loves her job and she put in all her time and efforts in running her own events business, Premier. Together with her mother, they had built up Premier's name through their detailed and well organised planning and although their work is not entirely a bed of roses, Jaclyn and Madelyn always see through everything no matter how difficult the clients and/or the tasks at hand.

However, Carrie Edwards, her latest client has ways of irritating her and making things difficult not only to her and to the other vendors as well. She would decide to change the colour of the bridesmaids' wedding dresses at the last minute, or criticise that the food is not up to her taste and status, blah blah blah. As much as she is annoying and demanding, many people figured it wouldn't do them any good should they want to make a huge fuss over her unreasonable tantrums, considering that she is marrying the son of a senator.

Just as Jaclyn is trying to get over another one of Carrie's unreasonable demands and the slap she had given her, she is shocked to learn that Carrie was murdered after they had arranged to meet up to discuss more of the wedding details, together with the other vendors as well. Now everyone that is present during that meeting became a suspect and it doesn't put Jaclyn in a favourable spot as she had forgotten and left her briefcase where the crime scene is.

Detective Eric Wilder is assigned to the case, but he is in an awkward situation since he had had one passionate night with Jaclyn and although he is professional enough to not let his personal life mingle with his job, it bugs him as that means he has to lay his hands off of her and on top of that, Jaclyn is giving him a cold shoulder. Jaclyn knew he is doing his job, but she couldn't help feeling hurt and offended when Eric starts to question her.

What Jaclyn and Eric didn't know is while they are trying to sort out their situations the murderer has moved on to the next unaware target - Jaclyn.

I enjoyed reading Veil of Night and I think Jaclyn and Eric are both very likeable characters. While I think their chemistry and their exchanges are entertaining and add some spice to the story, however on the suspense front it lacks the punch. The whodunnit effect wasn't as great as what I had anticipated; I supposed I wanted a list of suspects for me to guess and to see if my hunch is correct. The real action only began towards the last quarter of the book and while I think there is nothing wrong with this approach, I have to say it somewhat took some of my patience away but suffice to say that the attraction between Jaclyn and Eric is enough to keep me occupied.

I have Linda Howard's latest release, Prey, in my TBR pile and I hope that it would be better on the suspense front.
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Dying Scream by Mary Burton
Melody
ISBN-13: 978-1420100280
Publisher: Zebra
Published: December 2009
379 pgs
Source: Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting





Adrianna Barrington thinks it was someone's cruel joke when she receives flowers and cards signed in her late husband's name. She has a few reasons for assuming so because she has recently sold the Thornton estate (belonging to her late husband's family) and she knew most of the residents in the neighbourhood are not pleased with her deeds considering the estate has a long line of history. But what most shocked her was when two bodies are found buried on the estate's cemetery and they were believed to have connections to her late husband, and it was then she realized there is certainly a lot more to it than meets the eye.

Homicide detective Gage Hudson has had a relationship with Adrianna many years back. She broke off with him mainly due to his work commitments and that he could not make enough time for her. After her marriage to Craig Thornton, she thought she would be happy since she was pregnant with his child, but unfortunately they met in an automobile accident and it put Craig in a coma. Adrianna lost her baby and her husband died following after. She is a strong woman and has slowly moved on with her life until the pranks started and now the dead bodies. Where could she go? And could she ever escape from the killer's grasp?

When I first picked up the book, I thought there would be a fair balance of suspense and romance (after all the spine read romantic suspense) but unfortunately, it does not seem to turn out that way, at least to me, that is. I have to admit the first few chapters are intense, and I was very eager to learn more about Adrianna's past and hoping to find some clues to the killer's motives. However, I find the story seems to drag a little as the following chapters are focused more on Detective Hudson going to places to track down witnesses and/or interviewing them. Though I can totally understand Detective Hudson's motives of doing so, I find it a little too much and think it would probably work better in a thriller than a romantic suspense. The chemistry between Adrianna and Detective Gage Hudson is not as intense or explosive as I first anticipated, considering they are lovers before. To be fair, I think Dying Scream makes a great suspense novel, but it does not meet my expectations in a romantic suspense genre. Still, I would recommend this book to readers who love a good suspense read.

Other reviews:
(Let me know if I missed yours.)
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Silver Falls by Anne Stuart
Melody
ISBN-13: 9780778325970
Publisher: Mira
Published: May 2009
384 pgs



Synopsis:

Rachel is finally getting it right. After years of wandering, she's married the perfect man and settled into the ideal life. But as her sleepy little town turns into a killing ground, she realizes that this new life might come at too high a price.

Caleb Middleton says he's returned home to set things right. But as her husband's dangerous brother circles like a hungry wolf, poking holes in her perfect world, Rachel draws her young daughter in close. The rain and violence keep coming, and Rachel must decide whether to trust her dream life or her instincts…before the town of Silver Falls becomes her grave.

~*~*~*~*~*

Julia and Alice are my two favourite blogger friends and whenever there is any new releases by Anne Stuart (or any other books that interest us for that matter), we always make it a "tradition" to read it together. We will drop notes to each other's emails to inform about our progress and also to discuss about the book and so forth; it is always fun and I always look forward to our joint-readings.

Anyway, this time round we decided to do something different for our reviews. So instead of us posting our reviews and thoughts about the book as usual, each of us will prepare three questions and we will answer them accordingly. Below are our questions as well as my answers to them. Please don't forget to visit Alice's and Julia's blogs to read their answers too!

Our Joint-Reading Q&As

Alice's questions:

1. Are there any ideas that make you stop and think, lessons learned, etc.; for example, be more wary before jumping into a relationship – and how have you changed after reading it?
I would say never to judge a person by his looks and also to trust your instincts. For Rachel's (the heroine) case, her weakness is that though she knows in a way that something is not right with her husband, David, but she still go on into telling herself to believe him (despite her daughter, Sophie, who is also thinking the same thing). Although I can't really blame Rachel since she is marrying David thinking he would provide security and a place for Sophie to stay, I think that she should at least know that person well enough before she jumps into a relationship with him, no matter how trustworthy or harmless he may seem to be (I know this can be pretty hard and tricky).

2. Were you able to think of any connections between the book and your life, perhaps in ways that touched you, reminded you of your own life, or reminded you of event(s) that happened to someone else? It may not be murder...
Hmm... I can't really think of any connections between the book and my life, but I would say all mothers would be able to understand Rachel's concern and devotion to Sophie. I wouldn't want anyone or anything to hurt my children too, and I will do all means to protect them. In the story, Rachel did whatever she can to provide a safe and happy life for Sophie. Being a photographer, she gets to travel around the world but she chooses to stay in Silver Falls and married David, thinking she has finally found a home for Sophie but unfortunately David turned out to be the wrong man for her.

3. Relating to the characters in the book, which one is your favorite? Is there anyone that you hate or detest? Is there something about the character that you'd like to change? If yes, what?
Caleb, the hero and Maggie, the town sheriff are my favourite characters in this story. I liked Caleb because he doesn't seem to bear any grudges (it has to do with his family) and he, in fact is a responsible man in my opinion. As for Maggie, I admire her because she is simply one heroic lady cop.

Well, I can't say there's anyone whom I really hate or detest. If I have to name one, it has to be David since he is the bad guy here but I believe there are reasons why he chose to be one. And for the last question, I would like Rachel to be able to view things clearly instead of contradicting herself at times (which I have to say irritates me on most occasions).

Julia's questions:

1. I remember Anne Stuart said that SILVER FALLS was inspired by Ted Bundy who lived with a woman and her daughter during part of his killing spree and never touched them. And she wondered what that would be like for woman who living with a monster and never knew it. How did that affected you while reading SILVER FALLS, knowing that in real life there were a Ted Bundy just like David?
Wow, that's interesting! I never knew this book was inspired by a person, no matter how bad he is. I think it is terrifying to live with a monster without knowing it. It is equally terrifying to marry someone who has a split personality; meaning he/she could treat you very well but doing other bad things behind your back (I am not talking about extramarital affairs). There are all sorts of people in this world, I just think that one should be alert and careful who he/she should befriend with.

2. Anne Stuart's books are more on the dark, thrilling and Gothics side with a element of good vs evil. From her earlier work or most of her recent work, how does SILVER FALLS compare to those? Was there any difference? What did you like and didn't like about SILVER FALLS?
One thing I love about Anne Stuart's books is the way she portrays her heroes in a dark sort of way. He could be a bad boy or even an assassin, but in the end her readers always fall in love with her heroes because they are not as bad or as dark as they seem in the beginning. Silver Falls falls into that category because of Caleb and how bad or 'dangerous' he appears to be.

As much as I love Anne Stuart's book, I have not read all of her books though. I had read most of her recent ones, and I am very interested to read her works published during the 80s. They are so hard to find! I managed to mooch one or two copy and I read from Anne Stuart's blog that you could get a used copy of her first published book (1974), Barrett's Hill, at a mere US$200 on Amazon! (I would be the first one to grab it if I have some extra money!)

I think Anne Stuart's signature is writing dark heroes and she is very good at it! I like everything she writes, and Silver Falls is no exception.

3. What did you think about the cover art for SILVER FALLS? Love it? Hate it? Your opinion?
I don't know about you, but I think the cover for Silver Falls looks more like a horror/thriller book than a romantic suspense. Needless to say, this is my least favourite cover among all Stuart's books but still, what most matters is the story and not the cover art, although I think the latter would be useful to entice a new reader into picking up her books and read them.

And finally, here's my questions:

1. What do you think of the hero and the heroine?
I think there is only one word to describe the hero and the heroine: opposite attracts! Caleb is unpredictable at times, and Rachel is just plain stubborn. I just liked reading the tension and how chemistry sparks between them.

2. What do you think of David's behaviour to the victims? Did it take away all your surprises when he is shown as the murderer from the beginning of the story? Or would you prefer to find out who's the murderer towards the end of the story? Why or why not?
I think David is simply a sick man, but I also felt sorry for him after reading the end of the story. Apparently he needs help in certain departments, but he is also a proud man so maybe this is one reason why he took the wrong path and towards the end of no return. I have to admit I was a little disappointed when David is portrayed as the murderer from the beginning of the story, but that does not stop me from reading it because finding out what he might do next is equally thrilling. Anyway, this is just another writing style and as long as the story entice me, I am all for anything.

3. What attracts the heroine to the hero, considering he is her "brother-in-law"?
I would think it is his never-give-up attitude that attracts Rachel to Caleb; and moreover Caleb is a very persistent man so there is no way Rachel could resist him and say no to him (although it took Caleb several attempts!). Besides that, I couldn't feel the chemistry between Rachel and David, despite they are married. I am not surprised she is not in love with him in the first place, after all she did state that she is marrying David because she thinks she could trust him and that he could provide a home to Sophie.

~*~*~*~*~*

I hope you enjoyed reading this Q&A review. Do you prefer this format, or the usual review format? I would love to hear from you!


Other reviews:
(Let me know if I missed yours.)
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Death Angel by Linda Howard
Melody
ISBN-13: 9780345486554
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Published: 2009
377 pgs





Drea Rousseau is not your typical, ordinary heroine as in the other books of the romance genre. For starters, she is mistress to Rafael Salinas, a notorious crime lord who would use every means to get the things he wants, even though he has to spend a bomb on hiring the best assassin to finish any job for him.

One thing about Drea is, she is not as dumb as anyone would think. Besides beauty, she has brains too but she chose to play dumb in front of Rafael and his men. It is her one way of survival, knowing very well she might not be Rafael's woman forever and that she needs the jewelry and all the finances she could get from him when she can. Through years of playing dumb, she has long ago gained the trust of Rafael and the latter has stopped observing and guarding against her.

Drea's luxurious life has finally came to an end when she decided to ditch Rafael for good after he gave her to the assassin's request (never mind if it is only for once and that the act lasted only for a few hours). Infuriated, she decided to teach him a lesson by stealing a huge amount of money right under his nose without arousing his suspicions since he has always thought her as a simple-minded woman who only cares nothing but her looks and shopping. When Rafael found out he has been duped, Drea has already gotten a head start but she did not expect Rafael would pay the assassin to have her tailed. Drea is intimidated by the assassin, but that is because she sensed he is very different from Rafael and other men and also that they had shared an intimate affair even if it is a short one.

With some assistance from the right sources, the assassin managed to trail Drea's track in no time. And this is where the turn of events began. During the pursuit, Drea met in an accident and from there it takes on a little spiritual turn when Drea is given a second chance and as a result she lives from the fatal accident. Although I have mixed feelings about the spiritual element during this part of the story, however I feel it is crucial to the role of the heroine thereafter and the readers would be able to understand more about her past as well as her future life.

It is at this time that the assassin aborted his plan for killing her after finding she is still very much alive, and the readers would be able to see the relations have changed between them. Now that Andie (she has ditched the old name) has been given a chance for redemption she would take matters into her own hands and see that Rafael gets the justice he so deserved.

One of the things I loved about Death Angel is the characters. I find it refreshing to have an assassin and a crime lord's mistress as the protagonists and see them falling in love as the story progress. I was simply moved by the accident scene because there is the part where I see the emotions in the assassin and knowing that despite his profession, he is not really a person without feelings. As for the heroine, though one might think lowly of her due to her role being a mistress from the beginning, I have to say she has guts and is not afraid of any consequences once she has decided to leave Rafael.

Death Angel is one intense romance suspense; be sure to pick up this book if you are looking for some thrills with a sizzling romance.

Other reviews:
Book Binge (Casee)
Book Binge (Holly)
Thrifty Reader
(Let me know if I have missed yours.)

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No Escape
Melody
ISBN-13: 9780446510288
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: October 2008
432 pgs




Isabelle Carson could not believe three of her childhood friends committed suicide, although the police believed so. Isabelle knew them well enough, after all they had escaped from Lavine, their abusive foster father and had moved on with their life. Moreover, Lavine was already dead so there is no reason they would commit suicide, at least not after what they had gone through and survived.

Fearing that the murders are connected and she might be the next target, Isabelle contacted Grant Kent, who had saved her from Lavine's sexual abuse and is now a security consultant after retired from Delta Force. Isabelle has not seen Grant since they had all left the foster home but she still sends him greeting cards throughout the years. And at that moment, Isabelle knew Grant is the only one she could trust.

On the other hand, Isabelle is a foster mother to seventeen-year-old Dale, whose father is now out of jail and wants custody of his son. Isabelle understood all about those abusive parent stuff and being a victim herself so many years ago, she does not want Dale to go through that experience again. And this is another thing she is worried about besides the murder cases. Grant vowed to protect Isabelle and Dale together, and the longer he stayed, the more attached he is to them. However, Isabelle thought otherwise as she does not want to be hurt in love again. With the killer still on the loose, would she dare to hope for love?

No Escape is an intense romance suspense with a psychological element. Although readers will get to find out the killer towards the middle of the book, it does not whip away the suspense as the killer is always plotting ways and no one knows what is going to happen next. However, there are several intense moments between Isabelle and Grant, both emotional and physical. However, there are death and some violence in this story, and a few murder scenes as well that I find can be quite gruesome but that does not take away my reading interest.

I enjoyed reading about the relationship between Isabelle and Dale, besides her love for Grant that is. I liked it that Isabelle takes on the role of a foster parent even though she had bad memories with Lavine, and that shows she does not allow the past to stop her from helping other children. As for Grant, he has his past but he is one alpha hero to boot.

No Escape is the third in the series about Delta Force operatives, following No Regrets and No Control. Although these books are connected in some ways, however each of them can be read as stand-alone. For those of you who might not know, Shannon K. Butcher is the wife of Jim Butcher, who is well known for his Dresden files series featuring the wizard Harry Dresden who solves crimes in modern-day Chicago. Besides romance suspense, I am thrilled to learn that Shannon is also writing paranormal books and her first book in The Sentinel Wars series will be released in May. You may wish to read more about Shannon K. Butcher and her books here.

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Fire and Ice
Melody





ISBN-13: 9780778325369
Publisher: Mira
Published: May 2008
384pp



What does a tattooed Japanese Yakuza punk has in common with a leggy and brainy California beauty? At first glance, they make an odd couple but sparks fly between them in this exciting romance suspense, Fire and Ice by Anne Stuart. This is a joint-reading with Alice and Julia, and I had a great time reading with them as usual.

20-year-old Jilly Lovitz takes off for Japan not only she wants to pay a surprise visit to her sister, Summer and her Japanese brother-in-law, Takashi O'Brien but also secretly hoping she will meet Reno, Taka's cousin. A notorious Yakuza punk with a head of flaming-red hair and red tattooed tears on his cheekbones, Reno is not your typical hero but Jilly had a crush on him ever since she had met him two years ago.

But it is bad timing for she is being chased by a group of ruthless Russian hitmen that intend to use her as a bait to lure Taka out and she has no one to turn to except Reno. She never expects them to meet again under this bizarre situation, and not only she has to get used of him being her protector but they have to stay close together wherever they go.

Reno is attracted to her, but he cannot allow himself to get any closer to her as Taka and her sister have ever warned him not to hurt her, given his notorious reputation. He did not think she is his type anyway, and he is glad of this arrangement but things are not what they had hoped or expected. There are a few occasions that each of them are separated while escaping from the assassins and though they don't want to admit it, both of them do actually care for each other. With no way to go, Reno decided to keep Jilly at his grandfather's place, knowing that no one will dare to mess around with the elderly Ojiisan with his team of bodyguards. But never did they know that a traitor is hiding in disguise being one of the bodyguards and Reno later found out that Ojiisan's heavily guarded place is as dangerous as the outside world.

Soon they find themselves on the run again, and this time their attraction for each other is coming on too strong and unfortunately when Jilly is being captured by the baddies, Reno will have to find a solution and risk himself before he gets both of them killed.

Fire and Ice is an exciting, fast-paced romance suspense that got me hooked from the very first page and never let go till the end. Besides the plot, I also find it interesting to read the two protagonists that appears to be so different from each other and yet you could see sparks fly whenever they are in each other's company. Though Reno gives me the impression of being a tough and bad boy, he is not what I expected him to be initially. Funnily, it is Jilly who annoys me at times because she can be a tad stubborn and in my opinion she is a lot more trouble than Reno appears to be.

This book can be read as a stand alone but I would recommend to read the Ice series in order:

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The Mercenary
Melody




ISBN-13: 9780373772483
Publisher: Harlequin
Pub. Date: February 2008
256pp


This is a reissue copy, and a refreshed version revised by author, Cherry Adair which was originally published in 1994. Because this book is printed this year, I will add this book to The Pub Challenge.

T-FLAC is an elite antiterrorist task force and agent Alexander "Lynx" Stone went missing. When his sister, Victoria Jones, a sensible bookkeeper, finds out that her brother is being held prisoner, she approaches his brother's T-FLAC partner, Marc Sarvin to rescue him. However, Marc left T-FLAC after his lover Krista is dead and what's worse was she used to be a double agent and had lied to him from the start. Marc then decided to live a solitary life on a ranch and wanted nothing to do with T-FLAC anymore.

So when he finds Victoria came uninvited to his house, he is surprised because he just couldn't picture she and Alex being siblings. In the end, Victoria managed to convince him after she has told him about the special assignment Alex was in before he had gone missing, for no one knew about this and Alex has told her to look for Marc in case she hasn't heard from him for some time. Marc is reluctant to help her in the beginning; he is sure Alex is dead and she is just wasting her time but Victoria explained that she and Alex are twins and they have a special ability of communicating through telepathy. She is very sure that Alex is alive and is being held captive somewhere.

With Victoria's special ability, Marc brings her along for this rescue mission as they travel to various locations to find the man they love, and couldn't help falling in love with each other along the way.

The Mercenary starts the beginning of Cherry Adair's T-FLAC series. I didn't know about this until I read her note to her readers from this book. As I have yet to follow the series, I couldn't comment much but the heroine in this book has left a deep impression on me. Despite Marc giving her a cold shoulder in the beginning, she still manages to grit her teeth and stand her ground through the whole "confrontation" with him. Some might be put off by Marc's attitude towards Victoria initially, but then he had had a bad experience and was hurt before so that explains his behaviour and his outlook of life. I was glad he had overcame it all in the end, and that the readers of romance suspense genre will enjoy this revised copy of The Mercenary.

__________________________

Due to some medical problems, I was told by the doc to stay in bed for the past few days, thus that explains my absence from internet/blogging. Believe me, it was boring and wasn't fun at all, but I did spend some time reading a few books and clearing some from my TBR pile! I can't wait to catch up with reading everyone's blog and I too hope you all have read some good books as well. :)
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Thigh High
Melody




ISBN-13: 9780451223371
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Pub. Date: March 2008
400pp



I have been catching up with my reading lately, and this book is my first selection for The Pub Challenge (2008). The rule is to read books that are published in 2008 so Thigh High by Christina Dodd fits just right for this purpose. I picked up this book by chance, because the blurb caught my attention; and don't you agree this cover is eye-catching too? But of course the latter is not the main reason I picked up this book, although it doesn't hurt to have an attractive bookcover isn't it?

Though I had read Christina Dodd's historical romances in the past, I never have the chance to read her romance suspense novels so I figure this book should make a good start. Thigh High is the third book in Christina's Fortune Hunter series, following Trouble in High Heels and Tongue in Chic. This is one of those times that I picked up a book without realizing it is part of a series, but still that doesn't stop me from reading it.

Ionessa Dahl, otherwise fondly called Nessa, dedicates her hard work at the Premier Central Bank in New Orleans. Due to an error she had made out of compassion to a client, she lost the chance of a good promotion to fellow colleague, Stephanie Decker who is now bank manager. To make matters worse, the CEO of the bank assumes she is linked to the Beaded Bandits robberies of his Premier Central Bank during Mardi Gras so he decided someone has to spy on Nessa at work.

Jeremiah 'Mac' MacNaught is introduced to the staff as an insurance investigator, but actually he works as an undercover. He is intrigued with Nessa as he is with the mysterious Beaded Bandits robberies cases, and slowly both of them are attracted to each other as they began to see more of each other at work. To make things more interesting, Nessa's two zany aunts are always keen to play matchmakers to Nessa whenever they have a chance so they are delighted to find Mac an eligible applicant. But later, Mac is trapped in a difficult situation as he soon finds himself falling hard for Nessa, and on top of that he isn't sure what Nessa will think if she finds out the truth about his real identity in the end.

Christina Dodd has weaved a witty and fun romance suspense in Thigh High, taking her readers to a trip in New Orleans where readers get a glimpse of the colourful city and the residents' lifestyles. I was most amazed by their Mardi Gras parade, where during this festive event the performers will dress in different costumes with masks on their faces as they happily danced around the streets. It must be a sight to a foreigner like myself.

Besides this, I also enjoyed the characters in this book and the dialogue between the two protagonists; and I too find it a delight reading Nessa's two chirpy elderly aunts who are both young at heart despite they are in their eighties. I think readers who like a fun romance read will enjoy Thigh High. Although I'd still prefer Christina's historical romances, overall I'd say this book is a satisfying read.
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Next to Die
Melody




ISBN-13: 9780446618342
Publisher: Warner
Pub. Date: August 2007
336pp


This is the fourth book written by romance suspense writer, Marliss Melton. I first came across her book Time to Run two years ago and had enjoyed reading it, not realizing that this book is part of a series. I used to have this tendency of reading books out of order but this doesn't really bothers me provided their stories are not connected. However if I realize that the book is somehow connected and has sparked my interest, I will go out the way of buying the rest.

Next to Die is a thrilling romance suspense that has got me hooked from the first page till the end. Navy SEAL hero Joe Montgomery has been carrying this guilt ever since his mission failed and had lost his men in Afghanistan. Being the only survivor, he feels he is responsible in a way for the death of his squad even though in reality it isn't entirely his fault. After this incident and back at home, he becomes a changed person, indulging in drinks and feeling sorry for himself.

Penny Price lives next door to Joe and is attracted to him, but Joe is too busy indulging in his own misery and remaining anonymous from the media after the horrible incident. Being a trained navy physical therapist, Penny not only helps Joe in the healing but getting out of his own demons as well. However, she has her own problem too as she believes the person who is responsible for her father's death five years ago is back into her and her younger sister, Ophelia's life. After reading a journey left by their father, they are convinced that it was their father's partner, Eric Tomlinson, who had murdered him. But their judgement are wrong as they will soon find out, and as Joe goes out to protecting Penny he then finds himself attracted to her along the way.

Aside from these tensions, there is also a subplot of Ophelia and another SEAL Vinny DeInnocentis whose car she has crashes into. Vinny is smitten by her at first sight, but on the other hand Ophelia isn't sure about him especially she finds out he is four years younger than her.

I enjoyed reading Next to Die as the characters are engaging and the story is intriguing. I also liked the part where there is another villian besides Eric Tomlinson whom the author wants us to believe him to be from the beginning. However, I find it amusing that Ophelia is having a fuss about the age difference between herself and Vinny initially; the way she reacts it is as if he is ten years older than she is. I have some friends whose husbands are several years younger than they are, so perhaps this explains why Ophelia's attitude seems a little exaggerating to me. But I will leave it to you to find out whether or not if she and Vinny's relationship works.

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Ice Storm
Melody



ISBN-13: 9780778325000
Publisher: Mira, 347pp
Pub. Date: November 2007


This is the fourth installment of the Ice Series by Anne Stuart. Unlike her previous installments (i.e. Black Ice, Cold As Ice and Ice Blue) that focus more on the heroes' perspectives, the protagonist in Ice Storm is a strong, enigmatic and icy cool heroine who heads The Committee where their roles are international secret agents.

Isobel Lambert was used to giving orders. But after having lost her capable operatives to their loved ones and fearing she would complicate things with their new lives by assigning them dangerous tasks, thus she had no one but herself when a next assignment was called for. However, it didn't make things any easier for her either as she was about to meet the dangerous Josef Serafin, an assassin and also a terrorist threat and later found out he was once the man she loved and had killed seventeen years ago.

Josef, or better known as Killian, had made a deal with the Committee that he would trade his inside information in exchange for his security. He knew this was an offer the Committee wouldn't turn down, and knowing he had found Isobel he wasn't about to let her go, for he had to settle a score with her for what she had done to him several years back. And it was later that they realized someone wanted them dead, and they had to find out who before it was all too late.

I always enjoyed reading Anne Stuart's book because she writes interesting characters, great dialogues and most of the times they are an intense read. Ice Storm is a page-turner in my opinion; and there wasn't a time you will find a scene boring as Josef and Isobel managed to keep your attention till the end of the book with their cat and mouse games as they raced against time and each other. Readers will also get to revisit Bastien and Peter's lives (the heroes from the previous installments Black Ice and Cold As Ice respectively) as they supported Isobel in tackling her current difficult task. This book is definitely a keeper for me, along with Anne Stuart's other Ice series.


Note: Once again, I would like to thank Julia for reading this book together with me. It is always a pleasure reading with her and I am definitely looking forward to more reading-together with her next time round.
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Hidden Agendas
Melody






ISBN-10: 0312939930
Format: Paperback, 352pp
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pub. Date: June 2007




This is the fourth installment of Lora Leigh's Tempting SEALs series. This is one of my picks for the 2nds Challenge Read, and I had a great time reading this with Julia.

Ever since Senator Stanton ruined drug lord, Diego Fuentes' plan, he had feared for her daughter's safety. In the past he had had several bodyguards to keep an eye on Emily, but due to her stubborness and her fierce independent character they didn't last, until Kell Krieger came along. However this time, Senator Stanton had came up with another strategy. He wanted Kell to pose as Emily's lover in order not to have his cover blown. Emily strongly objected to her father's plan, but Senator Stanton was firm about his decision.

Kell Krieger knew the Stanton's family for years, and he had watched Emily in between his missions. Haunted by his past, he vowed to himself that he would protect Emily at all costs but Emily didn't make things easy for him as she wanted to be in control of her life. It didn't matter even if she had loved him all her life when she was younger.

But the attractions they had for each other was getting on too strong, and little did they know that Diego Fuentes was slowing catching up on them as the latter had a spy who had been feeding him information.

I enjoyed reading this steamy romance suspense. It is always a joy to read those sexy Alpha male heroes and how they fell in love with their heroines during their missions. In this case, the hero had known the heroine since they were young so I could feel the strong and intense attractions they had for each other. I liked the heroine's never-say-die attitude even though there were times that her behaviour annoyed me. But nonetheless I still admire her bravery for standing up for herself and saying no under some circumstances.

There is a short excerpt at the end of the book so I knew there will be another installment featuring these sexy SEALs. I can't wait to read it.

Here is a list of Lora Leigh's Tempting SEAL series:
  2. Dangerous Games (Read my review here)
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High Noon
Melody



ISBN: 0399154345
Pub. Date: July 10, 2007
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)

Wow! I absolutely enjoyed this book! I'd have finished this book sooner, if I wasn't sick and delayed my reading. Anyway, I like the plot, as well as the characters and the suspense behind the story.

Phoebe MacNamara is the top hostage negotiator with the Savannah Police Department. While trying to prevent a suicidal bartender from jumping off the roof, she gets to know Duncan Swift, who happens to be the bartender's employer and he owns a sports bar. She manages to coax the bartender down from the roof, and after this incident Duncan can't seem to stop thinking about her. Phoebe, on the other hand isn't so sure about their relationship, since she has left her ex-husband some years ago and is very happy with her young daughter and her agoraphobic mother whom they have survived from her ex-lover who had broke into their house and terrorized them when she was younger. Till now, Phoebe's mom doesn't dare to step out from her house. It was partly this incident that Phoebe decides to become a hostage negotiator, taking after Dave, who was the negotiator then and is now her mentor/superior.

Then, someone assaults her in the police station by putting a hood over her head and humiliates her. Subsequently, she starts to receive a mutilated doll and dead animals at her doorstep. Thinking it is a subordinate she had had an issue with, she confronts him but later finds out that someone other than her subordinate is watching her every moment closely. She soon learns he is out to get revenge, and she intends to stop him before he succeeds in getting what he wants.

I was really hooked to the story from the beginning to its ending. Nora Roberts succeeds in creating a great suspense and holding it and never let go. There were times I was impatient and couldn't wait to find out what happened next. And another thing is, I like everything about the hero, Duncan. He is such a sweet and understanding man, that at times I wish he is real. High Noon is definitely a keeper for me.
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Shadows at Sunset
Melody
What can I say? This book is awesome! I really like the way Anne Stuart plots her stories and of course, not to mention her writing style is superb! I have read most of her recent releases, and am looking up her past releases as well. Although I did manage to find a few, sadly her very much earlier ones are really hard to find! I'm hoping her publishers will consider to re-issue those books. Anyway, quit my ramblings and back to the review.

La Casa de Sombras was once a beautiful mansion occupied by the Hollywood movie's elite in the fifties. During that time, there was an uproar of a murder-suicide case. Everyone speculated that movie star, Brenda de Lorillard had killed her director lover Ted Hughes before she took the gun on herself. Although the incident had died down through the years, but the ghosts of Lorillard and Huges still roam about in that mansion.

The heroine, Jilly Meyer, with her two siblings, Rachel-Ann and Dean inherited this mansion from their grandmother. Jackson, their father wants the house to be demolished but couldn't do anything because Jilly wouldn't allow it. A millionaire, Jackson is known to be ruthless and couldn't give a damn about his children except Rachel-Ann, who is his favourite amongst the siblings.

Then enters the hero, Coltrane who works as a right hand man to Jackson. Jackson trusted him and wants him to keep an eye on his children and have them off his back while he deals illegal stuff for his businesses. But Coltrane has other agenda on mind, for he is out to destroy Jackson as he knows Jackson was the murderer who had killed his mother back when they were having an affair at the old mansion. His original plan is to use Rachel-Ann to get back at Jackson, because he knows Jackson cares Rachel-Ann more than her other siblings, but after he meets Jilly, he changes his mind as he finds her attractive and different; moreover he loves a challenge. Later, what seems like an easy plan becomes a tricky situation to him, as he soon finds himself deeply engrossed with the Meyer's family relationships and getting too personal with it.

I am really drawn to this intriguing romance suspense and besides the taut plotting, I also enjoyed reading the two spirits' POVs in the story. Although it was weird reading them at first, but I quickly understand Anne's purpose of doing so and that it makes sense and goes well with the whole story. This is one of Anne Stuart's fine classics in my opinion; and after reading it really makes me want to find her other older releases.
Note: Julia, it is always fun to read Anne Stuart's books with you. Looking forward for more!
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Ice Blue
Melody
Anne Stuart has done it again! This latest release is the third book of her Ice series, and like her previous books - Black Ice and Cold As Ice, I was once again swept off by Anne's another creation of a dark hero and strong heroine in Ice Blue. If you have read this series, you should have known the heroes in this series are members of the Committee - a secret anti-terrorism organization led by their leader Madame Isobel Lambert, in which they are known to be cold and ruthless.

The heroine, Summer Hawthorne is a museum curator; she also owns a priceless blue ceramic bowl which was passed down from her beloved nanny, whom had told her to take good care of it before she died. But what Summer doesn't know is this bowl - which is actually an ancient urn is also sought after by Shirosama. He is the leader of the True Realization Fellowship, a Japanese religious cult which they believe they can "cleanse" the world (i.e. to kill the people so that they can reach the other stage of life) once he gets the urn and the location of the shrine to perform the deeds. Shirosama ordered his followers (so called 'brothers') to capture Summer and have her to hand over the urn, but before he could get hold of her, she manages to escape with the help of an exotic, attractive man by the name of Takashi O'Brien ("Taka").

Taka thinks this is one of his other assignments, that is to get rid of the woman who holds a dangerous secret before this is acquired by the cult. There are a few times he had saved her from Shirosama's followers and that he keeps telling himself he will make it a quick and painless death for her, but yet he doesn't understand why he couldn't bring himself to killing her. Then that's when Summer tells him the bowl displays at the museum is actually a fake, Taka further convinces himself he will protect her and gets the actual urn and learn about the location of a shrine before he kills her, which is his original plan anyway.

From there onwards, the story picks up quickly and I am drawn to the suspense as I am dying to find out what happens next, as well as the intense relationship between Taka and Summer as their adventure begins whey they flew off to Japan to find the shrine. I absolutely like the half Asian hero and the heroine in this book. Summer is one brave lady, who doesn't succumb to the hands of fate even though she is held as a hostage for several occasions. Taka, on the other hand does has a soft spot although he appears to be a cold-hearted killer, which I find it rather sexy.

I really enjoyed reading this book, even more so while reading this with my good friend, Julia. We have made a pact that we will read all the Ice series books together, and that makes me think I can't wait to get a copy of Ice Storm, which will be released in November. This will be a story of Madame Isobel Lambert, the woman behind the Committee. While reading Ice Blue, I can also sense a spark between Jilly (Summer's younger sister) and Reno (Taka's younger cousin) towards the end of the story. I'm hoping Anne Stuart will write about them next.
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Sight Unseen
Melody
Raven Callahan is a thief. But she isn't your ordinary thief, you see, for she works at Antiquities Preservation Institute and she recovers stolen art to their lawful owners. Besides the specialty of her job, through her special gift she is also able to feel the objects when touching them (i.e. she can feel the emotions of the person that owned or is connected to the objects).

Then her superior Bigley asks her to go for an auction with her partner Walter to bid for a Vassalo painting, but Walter was kidnapped and she has to steal the painting if she wants him to be alive.

Ex-cop David "Dax" Maddox cannot let go of his past after his rookie partner, Nick was murdered some time ago. He blames himself for Nick's death and vows to catch the killer, hoping to seek revenge for Nick which leads him to the Matador's Auction House in Miami, where he recognizes the woman thief. Initially, Raven is reluctant to team up with Dax but after seeing the threat note which is left by the maniac kidnapper, she has no choice but to work with Dax even though they have different perspectives.

Samantha Graves succeeded in writing this fast paced story packed with action and romance. This book will definitely keep your heart racing.
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No Regrets
Melody
The heroine, Noelle Blanche is a cryptologist. She refuses to accept a grant from the military when they asks for her help in an operation, although it will cause her her job for she wouldn't want blood on her hands should her specialized field be used for violence. But things don't go well as she expects when she finds her house is raided and she has no choice but to seek for safety.

David Wolfe is a former Delta Force operative and he thinks he has finally lay the ugly terrors behind him after the Swarm, a terrorist organization had murdered his wife. But when his former superior seeks for his assistance to work on a mission, he isn't sure if he is able to do it again but when he hears the Swarm members are back, he accepts the mission for he wants to wipe them out this time round.

And the action begins when David and Noelle go on the run until they found a safe place where she can work on breaking the code. It is at this time when their feelings for each other begins to grow but David thinks it is too dangerous for Noelle to be with him and that he doesn't want her to follow in his ex-wife's path. But Noelle has her own thoughts and she has no fear nor regrets being with David.

I enjoyed reading the story and how it flows smoothly, as well as the characters. I am also awed by Noelle's intelligence, as well as her bravery. I will be checking out Shannon K. Butcher's upcoming releases.
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