Wednesday, April 25, 2012

About That Night (FBI / US Attorney, #3)About That Night by Julie James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In About That Night, Rylann Pierce is a new assistant U.S. attorney who has recently moved back to Colorado after a breakup with her fiancĂ©. Her first task is a simple “agreed motion” on the release of a prisoner; since it was a case that all parties were in agreement on, Rylann was just going to sit in for another attorney who was busy. She receives the file from Cameron (newly appointed U.S. attorney in charge) and almost falls over as she reads the title: United States v. Kyle Rhodes. Rylann is not sure if she should say anything to Cameron or just let it go, nine years ago she met Kyle Rhodes in a bar and he walked her home. They felt an instant attraction toward each other and if there had not been a tragedy in Kyle’s life the next day they may have experienced much more than one amazing kiss. Rylann decides she will be professional and represent the U.S. attorney’s office without saying anything.

Kyle Rhodes is the son of a billionaire and brother of Jordan who is dating an FBI agent. He is a computer genius and one year ago he did a very stupid thing because of a woman, he shut down the social media website Twitter for two days therefore causing worldwide panic. The U.S. attorney’s office prosecuted him to the fullest, calling him a terrorist as they and the FBI wanted to prove that they would not show favoritism to someone just because he was from a wealthy family. He pleaded guilty (because he wanted to own up to his mistake) and was sent to jail for 18 months. He was recently granted a released when his sister Jordan made a deal with the US attorney’s office. At the hearing he immediately recognizes Rylann as the young law student he met years ago.

Rylann keeps her distance from Kyle even after the court date until the U. S. attorney’s office realizes that while in prison Kyle overheard a prison guard plotting murder. So the attorney’s office contacts Kyle to see if he would be their witness. This throws Rylann and Kyle together, and as they work through the case, they realize that the chemistry between them has not diminished in the nine years since they met.

This story was very good, although it did not have as much suspense as the first two books in the series; I kept expecting something more to happen. It was as if this story just finished up the total story arc that started in the first book. You do not have to read the first two books since About That Night will catch you up to date, however all are great books and you get to see how the characters grow with each book. The writing was well done, the chemistry between Rylann and Kyle is believable, and they are very likable people as they tried to stay away from each other during the investigation. Even when Kyle was no longer a witness, Rylann backs off because of the way it may look to others. However in the end she finally tells all that she is falling in love with the Twitter Terrorist.


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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Rainshadow Road

Rainshadow Road (Friday Harbor, #2)Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a charming romance that is a delightful story to read. Rainshadow Road is the first book in a trilogy that takes place near the fictional bay of Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands. A previous novel entitled Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor (October 2010) introduces Mark, Sam and Alex Nolan and tells the story of how Mark and Maggie meet as well as how they become the guardians of their niece Holly. To enjoy this story you do not need to read Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor as Rainshadow Road brings you into the world seamlessly.

Lucy Marinn leads an uneventful life in Friday Harbor as a glass artist. Living with her boyfriend Kevin and believing everything is fine until that one fateful day when Kevin says he needs more than she can give and asks her to move out. At first he claims there is no one else, however eventually he states that there is someone, Lucy’s sister Alice. Lucy and Alice have had a turbulent relationship since they were little when Alice came down with meningitis and she became the child that everyone treated with kid gloves. Lucy grows up with this understanding and consequently protects her heart more than most. With the knowledge that she must move out of Kevin’s house, she asks her friends Zoe and Justine if she can stay at their Bed & Breakfast for awhile.

Sam Nolan grew up in Friday Harbor and has been enjoying his life creating a vineyard and helping his brother Mark raise Holly. Sam and his two brothers were raised in a dysfunctional home where both parents were alcoholics and as such all three have trouble with commitment. However all is not lost as Sam’s brother Mark recently found love with Maggie.

Lucy has a magical affinity with glass which she uses to create beautiful designs that have gained her national attention. At times when she feels stressed or passionate about something the glass has turned into beautiful winged creatures, a colorful hummingbird one time and another time it was fireflies.

Kevin and Alice are feeling the heat from those that care about Lucy so Kevin wants Sam to ask Lucy out on a date to get her mind off the breakup. Sam and Lucy had briefly met so Sam tells Lucy about the arrangement; she in turn is shocked and a little embarrassed. However what really brings Sam and Lucy together is when Lucy is hurt and must be off her feet for several days. Zoe and Justine have a large wedding at their B&B so they ask Sam to take care of Lucy at his place. Since he already feels some attraction toward Lucy, Sam balks at having her that close to him, however with Zoe and Justine’s pleading, he relents. Feeling unwanted and a little embarrassed, Lucy finds herself eventually feeling comfortable with the help of Holly.

With the wedding of Alice and Kevin fast approaching and an artistic grant offer in the works Lucy and Sam have some decisions that must be made about their future. All in all an enjoyable romance full of apprehension, friendship and magic. The characters are believable and I enjoyed catching up with Mark, Maggie and Holly, we even see a troubled Alex who will be the center of the next book.




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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Sins Of The Son

Sins of the Son (Grigori Legacy #2)Sins of the Son by Linda Poitevin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is the second in the series of The Grigori Legacy and it is a wonderful addition. Action packed from start to finish.



Alexandra is recovering both physically and mentally from being a pawn in the dealings of Heaven and Hell. She is required to see a psychiatrist and reluctantly agrees in order to get her non-desk job back. She picks and chooses what to tell the doctor and her boss knows she is not dealing well. Her sister, who is dealing with her own problems and those of her daughter who witnessed unspeakable things, is also pressuring Alex to answer questions she does not want to answer



In Alexandra’s life both immortals responsible for her past problems have disappeared. Aramael her supposed soul-mate and now banished Angel, is suffering at the hands of the Fallon Ones who want to punish him for killing Caim (a fellow Fallen) and Seth who is the Appointed One is now in a mental institution with no knowledge of who or what he is. Alexandra sees a bulletin asking for help with Seth’s identity and rushes to Vancouver to see what has happened. A visit to Seth’s room gets an introduction to Dr Riley (a psychiatrist) and Hugh Henderson a detective (sex crimes) with the Vancouver police. Both have been seeing some unusual things with assaulted women and are very suspicious of Alex’s story and her relationship with Seth.



Alex, Seth and Aramael are again used as pawns between Heaven (The One) and Hell (Lucifer) and things spiral out of control as they fight to keep the truth from the general public. The fact that they are fighting to stop the annihilation of the human race is met with obstacles in all directions.



The development of the story is fast and unpredictable, as Alex and the gang are thrown once again into a life and death struggle against good and evil. The characters are compelling and I enjoyed how they have developed into their roles in keeping the world intact. The conclusion is unexpected and we see a glance of what will come as the fight for Heaven and Hell continue – because you know Lucifer is not done yet.





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Friday, April 6, 2012

Alpha Instinct

Alpha Instinct (Moon Shifter, #1)Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I enjoyed this book tremendously, a great start to a new series.

Ana Cordona is now the leader of a pack of women shifters after poison killed many in their group, including her parents. She is trying to keep things together while trouble is coming at her from many directions. As she is defending herself against a neighbor (Sean Taggart) who is particularly bothersome, a man (along with his pack mates) from her past comes to help.

Conner Armstrong lived on the ranch with the Cordona family many years ago and Ana thought that they would be mates in time, until the day he walked away without a word. He had his reasons for leaving and although he does not want to tell Ana, he still has strong feelings for her. He has heard about her troubles and is back to become the Alpha of the pack to help, the only condition he has is that she becomes his mate. Conner would prefer that Ana become his bond-mate but will take it slow until he can again gain her trust.

Several years ago, Shifters and Vampires came out to the world and though they are living in the open there are still many prejudices, many choose to live quiet lives within their own groups. As Ana and Conner sort out their personal issues they must deal with the fact that people in their neighboring small town are getting hurt with the blame falling on shifters. The violence escalates and shifters on their own land start to get hurt, Ana and Conner realize they may need to contact the council to help with the continuing problems.

The story is a gripping journey with many twists and turns as forces from several sides bring about an eventful conclusion. I enjoyed Ana and Conner’s chemistry very much their as the feelings they have for each other pickup from years ago. I also liked the secondary characters and will look forward to seeing them again in future books.




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Wednesday, April 4, 2012

A Rogue by Any Other Name

A Rogue By Any Other Name (The Rules of Scoundrels, #1)A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A wonderful first in a series about four owners of a gambling hall (hell) who have fallen a little from grace in London’s society in the 1830’s.

The Marquess of Bourne (Michael) lost everything on one card when he was 21. He disappeared for several years and lost track of friends who loved and missed him. Nine years later he reappeared as a wealthy part owner in one of the most successful gaming halls in London called The Fallen Angel. Although very well off, he has become consumed with revenge against the man who destroyed him all those years ago and vows to correct things.

Lady Penelope Marbury, an unmarried woman who is a little older than most eligible debutantes in London has braved her own scandal in her younger years. Her betrothed left her for a marriage of love after only weeks of being engaged, leaving Penelope devastated and to face many years of humiliation in London’s rigid society.

After only a few marriage proposals in nine years, her father adds more incentive to her dowry, Bourne’s land that was lost all those years ago. Penelope is about to accept a dear friend’s marriage request when out of nowhere Bourne comes home and decides it is time to gain back the land he lost and marriage to Penelope is the way to get it.

As Bourne decides the fate of Penelope she has some requirements of her own to make before the rushed wedding. She wants her two sisters to have better matches in their marriages and devises a plan to bring Bourne some respectability in society.

This is a great start to a series. I think Penelope and Bourne have great chemistry, loved the back-story of their lives and believed in the relationship that is growing between them. I enjoyed meeting the secondary characters in the book, the other owners of the club, Penelope’s sisters and the wonderful, funny people that work for Bourne. I am excited for the next installment of the series.




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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Highland Pleasures, #1)The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Loved this book.

The characters were wonderful. I loved Ian as a tortured soul struggling with Aspergers in an age without understanding. Beth is a wonderful heroine willing to except her way in life as a widow.

When they meet the chemistry is electric and the relationship just grows. There are many bumps along the way of course but the story is so good. I loved the brothers in this story and look forward to seeing them again.






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Monday, April 2, 2012

Up A Dry Creek

UP A DRY CREEK (Dry Creek #1)UP A DRY CREEK by Avery Flynn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A great book - first in a series.



Claire lives in a small town with her close family near. A family that includes three brothers that want to take care of her. She is enjoying being the owner of a successful restaurant even though there are always problems.



Her life changes when she finds the body of a women in the dumpster, a women that spent the evening at her restaurant. Jake Warrick is a private investigator trying to find out what happened to woman for the her family.



Things spiral out of control when Claire starts getting death threats and her home is trashed. Everyone seems to want the same thing and Claire has no idea how to find it. Jake becomes protective of Claire while investigating the murder and their relationship heats up as their attraction to each other grows.



I really enjoyed this story, the chemistry between Jake and Claire was great and I loved the interaction between the family and the small town.







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A Dry Creek Bed

A Dry Creek Bed (Dry Creek Series #2)A Dry Creek Bed by Avery Flynn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another great story in this series.



Hank Layton is the Sheriff of Dry Creek County and has known Beth Martinez most of his life. They even tried to see if they had a thing going several years ago but it did not go far. However Hank has been looking at Beth differently lately and although she denies it, Hank thinks she feels the same attraction.



Beth had a rough time early in life, her parents were killed in a car accident that she survived and she has always felt it was her fault. Recently she has been getting threatening phone messages and her grandparents home was trashed all because she is the last holdout of a land purchase. Although it is in a different county, Hank wants to step in to help when he finds out about her trouble.



Hank and Beth are both in Las Vegas for different reasons when her life is threatened and things heat up romantically between them.



A great story with humor, suspense and romance.









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Margot's Lawman

Margot's Lawman (Sisters of McDougal Ranch, #3)Margot's Lawman by Debra Kayn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a great series. Margot’s Lawman is the third in the series about the McDougal sisters in small town Montana.

Margot is the area veterinarian and has lived here her whole life, only leaving to go to school. She loves the area but knows what happens with gossip around a small town so chooses to keeps some things in her life private. Roy Lee Harding also has lived here his whole life and his family farm bordered the McDougal's farm, and he would often run around with the sisters while growing up. Roy Lee and Margot share a huge secret, they have been dating for a year and although he wants to tell the world, Margot does not.

Margot is still dealing with the death of her father and feels guilty that she never told him she was in love with Roy Lee. It was her father’s wish to have all his daughters ready to move on with their lives and settle down with the right man before he died. Margot and Roy Lee did end up telling their sisters but they have agreed to keep the secret for awhile.

Keeping everyone else in the dark about their relationship had not been a problem before Margot hired a new veterinarian assistant to help her growing business. Ryan is from the city and having a hard time fitting in and the fact that Roy Lee does not trust him does not help. Roy Lee believes Ryan wants to date Margot and that he is hiding something that is threatening to the town.

Margot finds out about Ryan’s secret about the time she and Roy Lee decide to share their news with the town, she is afraid of how Roy Lee will handle the news so she respects Ryan’s wishes to keep quiet. What she does not realize is the damage it may do to her relationship with Roy Lee.

Margot’s Lawman is a wonderful romance full of humor and tears; I love the family and small town interaction. The chemistry between Roy Lee and Margot is believable and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow even with some bumps along the way.




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