romantic-suspense

REVIEW:  Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden

REVIEW: Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden

Dear Ms. Camden, I’m always on the hunt for new and different in romance, and when it comes in the form of an inspirational historical suspense story centering on the opium trade in late 19th-century Boston – with a gorgeous cover as a bonus – I am helpless to resist. As a child, Lydia Pallas(…)

REVIEW:  Midnight Secrets by Ella Grace

REVIEW: Midnight Secrets by Ella Grace

Dear Ella Grace: I found this book to be rather bland. The heroine is nice. The hero is nice. There is a certain Robyn Carr Virgin River tone to it which made sense when I learned that Ella Grace was a penname for Christy Reece, whose work I had tried in the past and put(…)

REVIEW:  Muscle for Hire by  Lexxie Couper

REVIEW: Muscle for Hire by Lexxie Couper

Dear Ms. Couper: I loved the cover on this book. It depicts exactly the image I have a rock star’s bodyguard. I couldn’t resist requesting it from Samhain when the review copy list was sent. This is a sequel to Love’s Rhythm which I reviewed last summer. While I enjoyed Muscle for Hire more than(…)

REVIEW:  Wildfire at Midnight by Mary Stewart

REVIEW: Wildfire at Midnight by Mary Stewart

Dear Ms. Stewart: Among my first and most beloved romantic novels are the novels of Mary Stewart. Although probably best known for the Merlin fantasy trilogy, I first discovered the romantic suspense novels. When I saw that at least one was being rereleased I quickly asked to review, despite the fact that it was a(…)

REVIEW:  Hero at Large by Robyn Amos

REVIEW: Hero at Large by Robyn Amos

THE AGENT: Tall, dark and devastatingly handsome Keshon Gray THE MISSION: To smoke out a deadly traitor–or die trying THE OBSTACLE: The sweet temptation of the only woman he’d ever loved! Keshon Gray had never regretted anything he’d had to do in the line of duty–until now. For entering the dangerous world of gang warfare(…)

REVIEW:  Killing Time by Cindy Gerard

REVIEW: Killing Time by Cindy Gerard

Dear Ms. Gerard: “Killing Time” makes a smooth transition from the Black Ops, Inc. to the One Eyed Jacks series with pilot Mike Brown and CIA attorney Eva Salinas.  Eight years ago, Eva’s husband died in Afghanistan in a terrible mission gone wrong, a mission that Mike Brown was involved in and one that haunts(…)

REVIEW:  Midnight Alias by Elle Kennedy

REVIEW: Midnight Alias by Elle Kennedy

Dear Ms. Kennedy: I keep trying your non Samhain titles in hopes that I can find another winner but while this book started out with promise it fizzled after the first 1/3. The hero, Luke Dubois, is staking out a club and falls for one of the strippers. Olivia Taylor is thought to be the mob(…)

REVIEW:  Did You Miss Me? by Karen Rose

REVIEW: Did You Miss Me? by Karen Rose

Dear Ms. Rose: In “Did You Miss Me?” part of the reason the romance works is because the characters have had unrequited feelings for each other prior to the start of the book.  The romance in the story basically consists of coming to an understanding of those feelings so that the romance can swim underneath(…)

REVIEW:  His Kind of Trouble by Samantha Hunter

REVIEW: His Kind of Trouble by Samantha Hunter

Name: Chance Berringer Trademarks: Chance by name…chance by nature! Biggest weakness: Adventure and beautiful women—especially when combined in one caliente cook! Danger is bodyguard Chance Berringer’s first, last and middle name. Protecting celebrity chef Ana Perez—a hot little firecracker with a mouth to match—for two weeks in Mexico is more vacation than job. Just keep(…)

REVIEW:  Aftershock by Jill Sorenson

REVIEW: Aftershock by Jill Sorenson

Dear Ms. Sorenson, Last year I read and enjoyed your romantic suspense novel, The Edge of Night, and ever since then I have been interested in reading another of your books. When I heard about Aftershock, a book set during and in the aftermath of an earthquake, my interest perked up and I decided to(…)

REVIEW:  Any Way You Want It by Maureen Smith

REVIEW: Any Way You Want It by Maureen Smith

Dear Ms. Smith What I appreciated most about this book was the pro woman message delivered at the end.  I thought it could have gone farther in support of the idea that a woman doesn’t need to be ashamed of what she does and with whom she consorts.  Mostly I found this book was heavy(…)

REVIEW:  Razing Kayne by Julieanne Reeves

REVIEW: Razing Kayne by Julieanne Reeves

Dear Julieanne Reeves: I saw this on a list I follow as a recommended read but at $6.99 I was very reluctant to try it. Apparently Pamela Clare blurbed this but I can’t help but wonder if they are chapter mates or friends because the writing isn’t remotely as good as Clare’s book. I know(…)

REVIEW:  Running Wild by Linda Howard, Linda Jones

REVIEW: Running Wild by Linda Howard, Linda Jones

Dear Ms. Howard and Ms. Jones: I’ve read one collaboration by you before and it was a … less than successfully executed paranormal romance. I had low expectations going into this book but I was secretly hopeful. Linda Howard’s books remain some of my favorite in the genre. I keep waiting for the magic to(…)

REVIEW:  Scorched by Laura Griffin

REVIEW: Scorched by Laura Griffin

“The dead don’t speak, but Kelsey Quinn knows their secrets. As a forensic anthropologist at the Delphi Center crime lab, Kelsey makes it her mission to identify bodies, often using no more than shards of bone. Her find at a remote Philippines dig hints at a sinister story. When Kelsey’s search for answers puts her(…)

REVIEW:  Heart of Danger by Lisa Marie Rice

REVIEW: Heart of Danger by Lisa Marie Rice

Dear Ms. Rice: Your voice, your storytelling style just works for me. This means that whatever flaws may be apparent for other readers are hidden from me. Am I the best person to review your books? Perhaps not. I tried to pinpoint what it is that I enjoy about the stories that you tell. First,(…)