Review: Angels Fall by Nora Roberts

Angels Fall by Nora Roberts

Genre: Romantic Suspense

I always enjoy Nora Roberts's romantic suspense books. I just like the combination of romance and suspense which are paired together wonderfully. This is was the case here. After all Reece has been through (she has a pretty tragic past) I wanted her to find peace and love. I knew that to have this she also needed to face her past, which she definitely did. I was really involved in the mystery. It took almost to the end for me to solve the mystery and it was a good one. Is Reece going crazy, or is there something more sinister going on? In comes Brody, whose traits match his name well. He's rugged, gruffy and very much like a mountain man. It works considering the environment. I really liked the setting. I could understand why Reece would run away to such a wild and isolate, yet beautiful place.

Other romantic suspenses by Nora Roberts:
High Noon
Midnight Bayou
Blue Smoke
The Search
The Witness

Right after reading this I knew I wanted to see the film version just to see the story come to life. It wasn't as good as the novel but I did enjoy seeing the setting and the characters act out certain scenes.

 

Review: Mirror Image by Sandra Brown

Mirror Image by Sandra Brown

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Thriller

It's hard to imagine being in Avery's shoes, especially since she survived a horrific plane crash and undergoes drastic facial reconstructive surgery. It's to the point where she looks just like another woman and finds herself playing the role of wife to that woman's husband. That said, the plot was an interesting one and I found myself quickly turning the pages. It turns out the person she impersonates isn't a normal everyday wife, but one to a powerful man with many enemies. Being a reporter she takes it upon herself to investigate and uncover the mystery and stay away from the danger that lurks everywhere. There was some great chemistry between Avery and Tate. I found it hard at times that he really couldn't tell Avery apart from Carole, his wife that Avery is pretending to be. Aside from that the plot was complex with a lot of players involved and the mystery kept me guessing as to who were the bad guys. The story was fast-paced, had dangerous moments, and romance. These are all the things I like in a romantic suspense. It isn't my favorite book by Sandra Brown but still a good read.

Recommendation:
Obsession by Karen Robards

Review: For You by Kristen Ashley

For You by Kristen Ashley

Series: The 'Burg #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense

This is one of my favorite book by Kristen Ashley ever. It's a second chance romance with a great suspenseful mystery. Like most of Ashley's couples, Colt and Feb have this amazing chemistry even when they are not together. They have this long history that is both mysterious and painful. Even when keeping his distance, Colt is still super protective of Feb, which is one of many great trait he has. Feb is also a great character. She has a unique personality and quirks that makes her really lovable. She wasn't perfect but has her flaws and hardships. I was really rooting for them and curious as to what went wrong. Well, I got my answer to that in a really interesting plot. I did wish it didn't take them so long to find each other again but I'm so glad they did. If you are new to her books, definitely try this one.

The 'Burg series order:

Review: Truth by Aleatha Romig

Truth by Aleatha Romig

Series: Consequences #2
Genre Thriller

If you haven't read Consequences then you need to read it! It was such a thrill ride with such an ending that I absolutely needed to find the Truth and learn more about these characters. Ms. Romig did not let me down! The twists and turns and compelling characters which I found in the first book have returned with more mysteries and higher stakes. There are new characters introduced who added to the plot. One of the best thing about the series is definitely the plot. It's so intelligent and has so many layers and characters and significant events involved. Everything matters, from the people, the past and present events, and especially people's actions which always have consequences. Tony, the villain is back and I found he was even more interesting because he has so many faces to him. He's still cunning but he has a weakness and that is Claire. She has toughened up and isn't about to allow herself to be controlled by Tony (or so she thinks). Claire has her much fought for freedom but quickly realizes she is far from escaping Tony and his plan. What exactly is his plan? What past actions is Claire paying for? Who is the mastermind? All this will be revealed in this book and it is revealed in an addictive way. The book switches from characters and although it's not always clear purpose at first,  it does eventually make sense. Towards the end, I was in for another twist. Some things I expected and some I did not. What I expected and got was a compelling read.

Series order:
Consequences
Truth
Convicted

Check out the giveaway to win both Consequences and Truth!

Review: Consequences by Aleatha Romig

Consequences is one of those books that will leave you stunned in the end. You'll be trying to wrap your mind around every single event that has happened and be wanting more. There are so many twists and turns, you may think you know what is coming and you'll second guess that. I enjoyed every minute of this thrill ride. I was curious about the premise and am so glad I decided to try it. The story is a long one and it took a while to pick up but once it did I really got into it. Basically, it's about a woman who is abducted and held hostage by a man with a hidden agenda. Claire doesn't know what to make of Anthony. One minute he's charming and other times he is chillingly scary. There are moments that she finds herself falling for him (Stockholm Syndrome) and others where she finds him unbearable. Where it gets interesting is how Claire manages to get under his skin. She toughens up and earns his admiration. There is a game to be played and the question is who will be the pawn? Despite being a long story I flew through it pretty quickly. Sometimes Claire frustrated me and I wondered why she didn't try harder to escape and other times I could see where she was coming from. Anthony was a very interesting villain. The cliffhanger ending will have you desperate to find the Truth.

Consequences and Truth by Aleatha Romig
Genre: Thriller

Check out the giveaway to win both Consequences and Truth here! 

 

Review: Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

Catherine takes us step in step into her dark past and the post-traumatic world she now lives in. Having barely escaped alive from an abusive man she lives with OCD and has some major trust issues. It was so interesting to see how her normal world changed into a scary one and now into a dysfunctional life where she spends her days checking and double-checking locks, obsesses over what to wear, when to wear and which days to buy groceries. All this is the result of her terrible experience with Lee, the man who tormented her and held her under his control during their relationship. I like seeing both Cathy's past and present. It was interesting to see how events unfolded and how she came to be. When Lee is released it turns suspenseful and I anticipated every move. It wasn't easy for her but I was proud to see Cathy begin to trust again and gain strength to face her future.

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

Genre: General Fiction, Thriller

Review: Shiver by Karen Robards

Thrilling! I was in the mood for a suspenseful story with lots of action and some romance and this book had it. Within a few pages, the action starts and it continues like that almost the entire book. Some of the scenes were scary because they were disturbing and violent but it goes to show the kind of trouble Sam finds herself in. I like the way she came across, a bit down on her luck but working very hard to change that being a single mother to a young child. She is both vulnerable and independent. Then there's Danny, who's just plain trouble. Wherever he goes trouble finds him but he's strong and able to protect. They are both caught up in Danny's mission with bad guys chasing after them. Danny's mysterious and being secretive doesn't exactly help him earn Sam's trust, but she does anyway. I thought they worked well as partners. He gets his moments to protect her but in some situations she has her own strengths. I liked Tyler, Sam's son. He was adorable but also helped soften Sam and Danny's personalities and brought out their protective sides. Around the middle of the story I did wish the action would pick up since they were holed up in the safe house for a while, but overall when there was action it was memorable. It's not my favorite book by this author but it was good.

Shiver by Karen Robards
Genre: Romantic Suspense

When she swore off love, he was the last man she imagined would steal her heart.

If driving a piece-of-crap tow truck through the seediest part of town with a Smith & Wesson beside her means putting a roof over her son’s head, then Samantha Jones is going to be the best damn repo woman on the books. The streetwalkers, the drug pushers, the bands of looking-for-trouble punks haunting the mean streets at midnight don’t intimidate her. These are her people. The guy she finds bound and bloodied in the trunk of her latest conquest, a flashy new BMW, is a different breed entirely.

Daniel Panterro was certain he was going to die. Instead, by a stroke of luck, he was beaten to within an inch of his life and left for dead. But if he’s having a bad day, Sam’s day is about to get way worse. Danny knows he hasn’t seen the last of the vicious drug runners who kidnapped him from protective custody. His only recourse is to take his pretty savior hostage and force her to help him. There’s no going back for Sam and her four-yearold son, Tyler. They’re in way too deep.

With ruthless killers stalking their trail, Sam’s only choice is to trust this handsome, menacing stranger. But as she relinquishes control, Sam feels an unmistakable desire. Could she be tempted by Danny, who seems intent on protecting her and Tyler from even his own darkest secrets? And what is the price of falling in love with a man who operates on the edge of danger—her heart, her life . . . or both?

Other books by Karen Robards:
Pursuit
Sleepwalker
Shattered 

Review: Lethal by Sandra Brown

The action is there practically from the start and doesn't really let up until the end. Loved that! I like Honor who came across as strong and protective of her daughter. She's not helpless but able to hold her own. Considering the life threatening situation she finds herself in she definitely needs her smarts with her. Then there's Lee who like many of Brown's heroes is dark and mysterious. I found him intriguing because of all his secrets. It was obvious he was hiding something and just like Honor I was looking forward to finding the truth behind him and about the people in Honor's lives. She's in danger and needs someone to trust, but who? I read through this pretty quickly and it was a thrilling ride. In this story there is a nice combination of action and romance, mainly action which kept me reading on.

Lethal by Sandra Brown
Genre: Suspense

When her four year old daughter informs her a sick man is in their yard, Honor Gillette rushes out to help him. But that "sick" man turns out to be Lee Coburn, the man accused of murdering seven people the night before. Dangerous, desperate, and armed, he promises Honor that she and her daughter won't be hurt as long as she does everything he asks. She has no choice but to accept him at his word.

But Honor soon discovers that even those close to her can't be trusted. Coburn claims that her beloved late husband possessed something extremely valuable that places Honor and her daughter in grave danger. Coburn is there to retrieve it -- at any cost. From FBI offices in Washington, D.C., to a rundown shrimp boat in coastal Louisiana, Coburn and Honor run for their lives from the very people sworn to protect them, and unravel a web of corruption and depravity that threatens not only them, but the fabric of our society.

Review: Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas

I think I would like to live in a town like Friday Harbor because it's a small island full of magical and sweet things. There is everything from the picturesque sights, the waters, a bit of magic and a toy shop. Everything is quaint and welcoming. It's the perfect place to fall in love, the perfect place to heal the soul. That is exactly what Lucy and Sam find there. I liked the first book in this series, Christmas at Friday Harbor but I liked this book even better. Lucy has such a unique occupation and the way it's described throughout the story is stunning. It's more than art because there is a bit of magic involved. It was semi-believable and not intrusive on the story. The way the romance started out was a bit unconventional and I wasn't sure I would like it (Lucy's ex asks his friend to romance her) but their relationship worked out nicely. It's a tender romance in a beautiful town.

Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Friday Harbor #2

Lucy Marinn is a glass artist living in mystical, beautiful, Friday Harbor, Washington. She is stunned and blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal: her fiancé Kevin has left her. His new lover is Lucy’s own sister. Lucy's bitterness over being dumped is multiplied by the fact that she has constantly made the wrong choices in her romantic life. Facing the severe disapproval of Lucy's parents, Kevin asks his friend Sam Nolan, a local vineyard owner on San Juan Island, to "romance" Lucy and hopefully loosen her up and get her over her anger. Complications ensue when Sam and Lucy begin to fall in love, Kevin has second thoughts, and Lucy discovers that the new relationship in her life began under false pretenses. Questions about love, loyalty, old patterns, mistakes, and new beginnings are explored as Lucy learns that some things in life—even after being broken—can be made into something new and beautiful.

Review: My One and Only by Kristan Higgins

I think this was my second book by Kristan Higgins and My One and Only is one of my favorite contemporary romances. It's sweet, funny and entertaining, which sums up all of Higgins's books. I especially adored this one because of Harper and Nick. They had their chance at love, it didn't work and now in this story it's their second chance. I definitely wanted them to find their happily ever after. Harper seems so cynical when it comes to love, whereas Nick easily expresses his love. He needs her and lets her know it. He also gets her and that scares her. Despite their imperfections I did see them being right for each other and enjoyed their journey towards love. Expect fun moments and lots of cool characters.

My One and Only by Kristan Higgins

Genre: Contemporary Romance


Divorce attorney Harper James can't catch a break. Bad enough that she runs into her ex-hubby, Nick, at her sister's destination wedding, but now, by a cruel twist of fate, she's being forced to make a cross-country road trip with him. And her almost-fiancé back at home is not likely to be sympathetic.

 Harper can't help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick's eyes, Harper's always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting—just around the bend.

Review: Annie's Song by Catherine Anderson

Annie's Song was my first book by Catherine Anderson and it is one of my favorite written by her. The story was so sweet and at times, sad. It is about Annie, a deaf girl who lives a simple and lonely life. She comes across gentle and almost fragile but instead of feeling sorry for her, I was inspired. Especially since she is assaulted and as a result becomes pregnant. She finds her knight in shining armor in Alex. He was a wonderful hero. Usually I like alpha heroes but he was a beta whose traits made him likeable and perfect for Annie. They both brought something to the relationship. She taught him how to look at life differently, to appreciate the simple and meaningful things. He teaches her to face her fears and take on challenges. They were a couple I wanted to make it from the start. Their journey is so beautiful and in the end it did leave me satisfied and very happy.

Annie's Song by Catherine Anderson

Genre: Historical Romance

The Gift Annie Trimble lives in a solitary world that no one enters or understands. As delicate and beautiful as the tender blossoms of the Oregon spring, she is shunned by a town that misinterprets her affliction. But cruelty cannot destroy the love Annie holds in her heart.

Alex Montgomery is horrified to learn his wild younger brother forced himself on a helpless "idiot girl." Tormented by guilt, Alex agrees to marry her and raise the babe she carries as his own. But he never dreams he will grow to cherish his lovely, mute, misjudged Annie--her childlike innocence, her womanly charms and the wondrous way she views her world. And he becomes determined to break through the wall of silence surrounding her--to heal...and to healed by Annie's sweet song of love.

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Other books by this author:

Review: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Catching Jordan was such a fun book! I'm not much of a football fan so I was a bit wary of reading a story that centered on football players in high school, but I can safely say I am a fan of Jordan and her friends after reading this. Jordan is a typical tomboy almost to the point of not being girly. She's focused on the sport and not much else, especially not boys until Ty comes along. I really liked her relationship with her best friend, a guy. They have amazing chemistry not just as best friends but for the potential for something else. A minor con for me was that there seemed to be a lot of sex in the story. Everyone seemed to be sleeping with everyone which I found not quite realistic. What was realistic was seeing Jordan struggle to deal with family, with relationships, with fitting in with the girls, and the pressure to get a scholarship to realize her dreams of playing football. Her life definitely isn't boring here. It's the first book in the Hundred Oaks series, which I believe can be read as a standalone.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Genre: Young Adult
Series: Hundred Oaks #1

ONE OF THE BOYS

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

Other books in the series:

Review: The Witness by Nora Roberts

I have enjoyed so many books by Nora Roberts, it's not really a surprise The Witness is a winner for me. She writes sweet contemporaries which I adore, and romantic suspense stories that I can turn to for a nice balance of romance and danger. I found this here and this book is one my newest favorites by her. The scene starts with a young Elizabeth who is ready to rebel against her strict life. What occurs is an experience that will forever change her life and follow her to twelve years later. Elizabeth has changed her identity, her world and lives in fear. During this time she learns how to protect herself and puts her smart to good use. The setting is a small town, which doesn't invite a lot of danger but works for the characters. It gives Elizabeth, now Abigail a chance to live the life she wants. And there is a great hero around. I like how Brooks managed to get under her  skin and he doesn't give up on getting to know her. It's a nice slow-paced kind of suspense, with some minor dangerous moments.

The Witness by Nora Roberts

Genre: Romantic Suspense

 Daughter of a controlling mother, Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever.

Twelve years later, the woman known as Abigail Lowery lives on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she designs sophisticated security systems—and supplements her own security with a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. But Abigail’s reserve only intrigues police chief Brooks Gleason. Her logical mind, her secretive nature, and her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something—and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.

With a quirky, unforgettable heroine and a pulse-pounding plotline, Nora Roberts presents a riveting new read that cements her place as today’s most reliably entertaining thriller
author—and will leave people hungering for more.

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I'm super excited that her next release in April will be another romantic suspense. Whiskey Beach sounds so good!

Review: Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

When I need a funny and romantic read, I know I can always turn to Susan Elizabeth Phillips's books. She can make me really care for the characters and enjoy seeing them fall in love. One of my favorite books by her is Kiss an Angel. The heroine, Daisy is so friendly, though a bit too soft but it's a nice contrast to the hero, Alex, who is very much jaded and bitter. Ah, you can definitely see the potential for entertaining dialogue here! I also found the story entertaining in other ways. There's a circus on hand, some adorable animals and a couple you'll want to root on. In this setting I met a lot of unusual characters and learned a thing or two about the circus business. It's a hard life and one Alex is determined to introduce to Daisy. Thankfully, she continually surprises him and herself. It is a very heart-warming story.

Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Genre: Contemporary Romance

How did pretty, flighty Daisy Devreaux find herself in this fix? She can either go to jail or marry the mystery man her father has chosen for her. Alex Markov, however, has no intention of playing the loving bridegroom to a spoiled little featherhead with champagne tastes. As humorless as he is deadly handsome, he drags the irrepressible Daisy away from her uptown life and sets out to tame her.

Except it won't be as easy as he thinks. This man without a soul has met a woman who's nothing but heart. Will vows spoken in haste shatter . . . or offer the promise of love everlasting?