March 01, 2009
Kill For Me by Karen Rose, 3
Book description: Five teenage girls have been viciously attacked. One survived. Only she can reveal the secrets of a disturbing ring of people who kidnap and sell teenage girls on the black market. But those responsible for the crimes will do whatever it takes to maintain her silence.
Susannah Vartanian and Luke Papadopoulos have both sworn to stop the murderers for their own personal reasons. The investigation leads them to the shady realm of Internet chat rooms, where anyone can mask his or her identity. They soon discover a chain of deception so intricate they don't know whom to trust. Finding comfort in each other's arms, they begin to unravel the intricately knotted threads, but the killers are ruthless and determined, and won't hesitate to take extreme measures to insure their anonymity and keep their business intact. When Susannah proves to be inexplicably linked to the crimes, her life is soon in danger, and Luke will do everything he can to save the woman he loves.
Review: I normally enjoy Karen Rose’s suspense plots but the plot in Kill for Me was kind of a mess. Kill for Me is the third book in a series and the bad guys in this one were connected to the villains in the previous two books. This was my main problem with the suspense plot. Connecting a serial killer with a rape club and with human traffickers was a bit far fetched for me and the connection did not do much to aid the plot of this book. On a more positive note, I did like the romance in this one a lot more than the romance in the previous book. I’ll continue to read future books by Karen Rose but I hope she’ll write more stand alone books.
Category, Romance: Suspense|
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August 25, 2008
Dangerous Lover by Lisa Marie Rice, 3 1/2
Book description: "I don’t want to be alone tonight."
Caroline Lake can hardly believe she would ever say these words to someone she'd never met before. When a tall, dark stranger arrives wanting to rent a room in her beautiful empty shell of a mansion, she hesitates. Though she is in dire financial straits, the man looks dangerous—dangerously sexy. She's overwhelmed by the desire he sparks in her—hotter than anything she's ever felt before, making her ache to experience his sensuous touch. But who is this armed and mysterious man with danger following in his wake? He's not who she thinks he is . . .
Jack Prescott has wanted Caroline forever. He has spent the past twelve years dreaming of her, desiring her, while fighting in some of the worst hellholes on earth. Now he's back, with twenty million dollars in blood diamonds and a relentless enemy stalking him. But this time Jack's determined that nothing will stop him from finally making Caroline his.
Review: As a romance, I really enjoyed Dangerous Lover. The two main characters were well developed. Their relationship was erotic but managed to be sweet at the same time. I wasn’t so interested in the suspense part of the book. It was more of a distraction than anything. I also did not like how abruptly the book ended. It really could have used an extra chapter for Jack and Caroline to discuss everything that was revealed during the final scene. Even though I had my problems with this book, I liked the writing enough to pick up the sequel.
Category, Romance: Suspense|
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May 18, 2008
Scream for Me by Karen Rose, 4
Book description: Special Agent Daniel Vartanian has sworn to find the perpetrator of multiple killings that mimic a 13-year-old murder linked to a collection of photographs that belonged to his brother, Simon, the ruthless serial killer who met his demise in DIE FOR ME. Daniel is certain that someone even more depraved than his brother committed these crimes, and he's determined to bring the current murderer to justice and solve the mysterious crime from years ago.
With only a handful of images as a lead, Daniel's search will lead him back through the dark past of his own family, and into the realm of a mind more sinister than he could ever imagine. But his quest will also draw him to Alex Fallon, a beautiful nurse whose troubled past reflects his own. As Daniel becomes attached to Alex, he discovers that she is also the object of the obsessed murderer. Soon, he will not only be racing to discover the identity of this macabre criminal, but also to save the life of the woman he has begun to love.
Review: Scream for me is the follow up to Die for Me but it stands well on its own. I really enjoy Rose’s twisted suspense plots. This book had me hooked and kept me guessing until the end. I did liked the main characters but their romance was so so. Fortunately, the suspense plot was strong enough it didn’t matter that the romance was bland. There was a little too much sequel baiting towards the end that I could have done without but I’ll be picking up the next book in the series.
Category, Romance: Suspense|
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January 10, 2008
Die For Me by Karen Rose, 4
Book description: The first victim is found in a snow-covered Philadelphia field. Detective Vito Ciccotelli enlists the aid of archaeologist Sophie Johannsen to determine exactly what lies beneath the frozen ground. Despite years of unearthing things long buried, nothing can prepare Sophie for the matrix of graves dug with chilling precision. The victims buried there haunt her. But the empty graves terrify her-the killer isn't done yet.SCREAM FOR ME He is cold and calculating, the master of a twisted game. Even with Vito and Sophie hot on his trail, he will not stop. One more empty grave must be filled, and one last scream must be heard-the scream of an archaeologist who is too close for comfort and too near to resist...DIE FOR ME
Review: Romantic suspense is not my favorite genre but I really enjoyed Die For Me. Rose does not skimp on the suspense. She delivers a gruesome and tightly plotted serial killer mystery. The romance wasn’t quite as good as the suspense portion of the book but I still enjoyed it. I’ll be reading more from Karen Rose.
Category, Romance: Suspense|
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January 08, 2007
Dream Man by Linda Howard, 3 1/2
Book description: Marlie Keen was trying to lead a quiet, ordinary life. She thought the knowing -- the clairvoyance that allowed her to witness crimes as they happened -- had been destroyed in the nightmare of her past. Then one night it returned with a vengeance, and she desperately needed to find someone to make it stop.
Detective Dane Hollister of the Orlando police department had never met anyone like Marlie. He had doubts about her clairvoyance, but there was no doubt how much he desired her. Her soft, sweet scent set his blood afire, and he wanted to wrap her in his arms and chase the sadness from her eyes. To Marlie, Dane was all heat and hard muscle, and he made her body come alive as it never had before. But not even she could foresee where their passion would lead: a hungry quest for the elusive, dreamy ecstasies of love...and a dangerous journey into the twisted mind of a madman who would threaten their happiness and their lives....
Review: I’ve been meaning to try Linda Howard for a while now and since Dream Boy seems to be a well liked book I figured I’d start there. Unfortunately, the romance didn’t work for me. Dane walked that fine line between alpha and asshole though out the entire book and fell over to the asshole side by the end. The book wasn’t a total loss because I really enjoyed the serial killer plot. I even liked the empathic stuff and I normally hate those kind of plot lines. There’s a lot about Howard’s writing that I like but since I don’t like extremely alpha heroes I question how much I can enjoy her books.
Category, Romance: Suspense|
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August 11, 2006
She's on the Money by Stephanie Feagan, 4
Book description: Her boss gave her the ultimatum—bring in more clients or else. So when the town’s stingiest man asks Pink to investigate his mysteriously dwindling oil assets, Pink takes the case. Bad career move.
Suddenly strangers are asking for her help on “matters of national security”—then dying at her feet. A little dog—which may belong to an infamous assassin—keeps following her around. Add to that two amazing men vying for her attention and a case that’s pointing to terrorist activity, and Pink’s time sheet is full of things that won’t get her promoted, and just might get her dead...
Review: This is the second book in the Pink series which started with Show her the Money. This book is just as good as the first one. The mystery held my interest. The book is filled with colorful characters and even the side characters are memorable. Pink’s love life gets more interesting in this one too. I’m glad we got to see more of Steve. I think I like him a bit more than Ed. Can’t wait for the next one!
Category, Romance: Suspense|
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July 14, 2006
Show Her the Money by Stephanie Feagan, 4
Book description: CPA-with-an-attitude Whitney “Pink” Pearl has just blown the whistle on the accounting scam of the decade. And in true scapegoat fashion, she’s lost her job and reputation and has moved back home to start again at the bottom of the pile, working as a forensic accountant for (gasp!) Her mother. There’s no money trail too cold for Pink to follow. But trouble sure follows her—because Pink’s not taking back her accusations, no matter how many death threats, abduction attempts and steamy kisses from lawyers of questionable ethics she receives...
Review: This is a great start to a series. I really like the premise and whistle blowers have always fascinated me. Pink also has an unusual job for a romance heroine which was a nice change of pace. The writing is funny without being too cutesy. Pink is a great character and I’m sure she’ll hold my interest through out the series. She has quite a few interesting love interests as well. If you like romantic suspense with some comedy, Show Her the Money is a good bet.
Category, Romance: Suspense|
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March 24, 2006
Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz, 4
Book description: When Desdemona Wainwright tries to collect a much-needed payment for catering Sam Stark's canceled wedding reception, she encounters not a heartbroken suitor, but the steel-willed head of a multimillion-dollar consulting firm with the cold brain of a computer -- and the finely hewn body of a medieval knight. Sam sees a beautiful, theatrical hoyden with huge turquoise eyes who has the right professional catering skills he needs for his business. Opposites attract, and before long, he's sure he's found the perfect business wife; but Desdemona intends to break down the walls around his heart.
When someone tries to steal his top-secret computer program, suspisions center on the people Desdemona holds most dear. As sinister intrigues swirl around them all, this unlikely pair discover that their love and even their lives may depend on emotions and bonds that can't be measured -- like unstoppable passion and unbreakable trust.
Review: The last Krentz book I read I did not like. Fortunately, that seems to be a fluke because I liked Trust Me a lot. The hero is a computer nerd and I love that. He’s a bit of an unconventional nerd but he doesn’t fall into the dreaded fake nerd category. Desdemona is a great counterpart for him. I loved all the side characters and the family atmosphere they created. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that the suspense sub plot fit in perfectly with the story. I’m glad I picked Krentz back up.
Category, Romance: Suspense|
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January 03, 2006
Devil's Bargain by Rachel Caine, 
Jazz Callender is an ex-cop struggling to prove her partner's innocence after he is sent to prison for murder, and she's willing to take whatever help comes along ... but she's about to make a bargain with the devil. Approached by a mysterious, attractive stranger with a check and a business offer, she finds herself plunged deep into a world where nothing is as it seems ... not James Borden, Attorney At Law, who fascinates her even as she doubts his honesty ... not Lucia Garza, her beautiful, brilliant new partner with hidden depths and secrets ... not The Cross Society, who seems to be able to know more about the cases she's being sent to investigate than Jazz does herself. With each new revelation, Jazz and Lucia uncover a world of psychic predictions and unseen forces, and find themselves playing not just for keeps, but for souls ... With lives at stake, Jazz finds that every choice she makes is dangerous ... even the one to fall in love.
Devil’s Bargain is the first book in the Red Letter Days series. Jazz, the heroine, was tough and likeable. The lawyer love interest was sweet and I liked their romance. There were quite a few interesting side characters as well. The premise behind the series was intriguing. However, this book took a long time with the set up and I’m not sure how I felt about Jazz’s partner, Lucia. There’s a lot to like in this series and I’ll be reading the next one.
Category, Romance: Suspense|
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November 09, 2005
Absolutely, Positively by Jayne Ann Krentz, 
Book description: Molly Abberwick, trustee of her late father's foundation, is furious with her new consultant, scientist-philosopher Dr. Harry Stratton Trevelyan. Harry is brilliant, sexy, and absolutely impossible -- and his outrageous suggestion of a scientifically inspired affair with her is positively the last straw....Besides, Molly's got a much more serious problem; she's become the target of a stalker whose sinister pranks are swiftly escalating into violence. Only Harry, of all people, seems to comprehend the true nature of the threats against his alluring boss. As a dangerous predator closes in on Molly, the enigmatic Dr. Harry seizes the day to reveal himself in a totally unexpected light....
Review: Absolutely, Positively started out great. The characters had good chemistry and an interesting business relationship. I really liked that the hero was a knife catching science nerd who was raised by carnies. Unfortunately, the rest of the book could not live up to the amazing beginning. I really hated the psychic element in this book. As soon as Molly and Harry started down the psychic soul mate road I completely lost interest in the romance. It really irritates me when it seems like the only reason a couple is together is because of their love ESP. And the whole psychic element wasn't even explained all that well. The other elements of this book weren't that great either. The mystery sub plot seemed like an afterthought and a predictable, uninteresting one at that. There were also far too many side characters for me to remember. I hope that there are more Jayne Anne Krentz books like Grand Passion and less like this one.
Category, Romance: Suspense|
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November 07, 2005
Grand Passion by Jayne Ann Krentz,
Book description: Cleopatra Robbins has imagined the moment when she'll meet the man of her dreams. But when Max Fortune strides into the Robbins' Nest Inn, a devastating sensation sweeps through her. She knows it's him. And he's all wrong!
Head of the giant Curzon Hotel chain, a cynical man with a passion for rare works of art, Max is looking for five priceless paintings left to him by his mentor, Jason Curzon. With one long look at Cleo Robbins, Max knows he's gazing on a masterpiece?and for the first time in his life, the solitary and powerful executive is overcome with the strangest desire for that wonderful institution called home. But despite their mutual attraction, Max suspects Cleo of hiding something -- and by the time he realizes her secrets have nothing to do with the lost treasures, it may be too late to save her from the danger rising out of her past.
Review: I've been collecting Jayne Ann Krentz books from used book stores for quite some time now but had never read anything by her. I'm glad I rectified that situation with Grand Passion. I love Krentz’s writing. I got emotionally involved with the characters and story. The suspense subplot was a bit predictable but it still gave the story a sense of foreboding that it would have been a weaker book without. My only complaint was that the story dragged in places. I'm glad I've been hoarding Krentz books because I can't wait to read more.
Category, Romance: Suspense|
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