The Last Winter of Dani Lancing by P.D. Viner (thoughts)

If this novel couldn't be described as haunting then I don't know what else could. I am almost having a hard time putting into words my reading experience with this book.  This is yet another story where from very early on I knew that things were not going to end well (I've read a few books like this lately).  It didn't matter to me.  I was completely drawn into the book as the author portrays how Dani's murder affected the lives of those she loved and those who loved her.  This book is haunting, disturbing, and ultimately one of those gut wrenching experiences while reading that leaves you thinking about it for days afterwards.

In The Last Winter of Dani Lancing we get a glimpse into the lives of Jim and Patty Lancing.  Their only daughter Dani was murdered, and even after almost twenty years her death still plays a huge role in their every day lives.  They both dealt with the death of their daughter differently and it is because of this that they are drawn yet once again into the search for her killer.  Will they finally find the closure and answers that have eluded them after all this time?

This book was a book that kept me reading even when I didn't want to.  It was both engrossing and page turning even though it had some of the most unlikeable main characters that I have ever come across. I think that it is a mark of a good author when they can keep a reader's attention and allow them to connect to a story even though they don't care for the characters.  And that is exactly what this author did!  I may not have liked Patty or really understood Tom (Tom being Dani's old boyfriend) but I wanted to know their story.  I didn't even like Dani's character at times but I wanted to know what had happened to her and why.  I loved that the author painted such a clear picture of how Dani's death ruined the lives of those around her.  I found it entirely too easy to put myself in Dani's parent's shoes if you know what I mean.  It gave the book such an eerie atmosphere and really made it clear that everything couldn't possibly end well.  It didn't stop me from reading though and on the contrary made me want to read the book even more.  I needed to know how everything was going to end even though it felt like a train wreck waiting to happen.  There were lots of aspects of this book that surprised me but overall it was the ending that took my breath away.  This author sure knows how to pack a punch!

Overall, I found this to be a really solid thriller and debut from this new author.  I found it quite intriguing the way the author left the book open towards the end in a way that might mean more books.  I would definitely read more if this was the beginning part of a series (fingers crossed).  I would read more by this author even if this book isn't part of a series because it was such a surprisingly good read.  I'm eager to see what Viner will come up with next!  I noticed that this book was being compared to some of the other big name thrillers that have come out recently.  Do yourself a favor and just ignore the comparisons.  This one stands perfectly fine on its' own two feet in my opinion, and none of the books it was compared to really do it justice.  I would highly recommend this book but be warned that it was not always an easy read. 

Bottom Line:  A thriller that let the tension build until the very last page!

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book for review thanks to the publisher.  Thoughts are my own!

Crimson Wind by Diana Pharaoh Francis (thoughts)

Give a brief summary of the book (minor spoilers from book one):

In this book, Max is dealing with all of the aftermath after the ending in Bitter Nights.  She is officially working with Giselle (rather than against her) to begin their fight against The Guardians but first she needs to make sure that her own family will be safe.  The family that doesn't even know that she is still alive.  Or what she has become.  Nothing can go smoothly when Max is involved though so both she and Alexander are going to be up against some of the biggest challenges that they have ever faced.  The real test is going to be if they can finally work together and begin to trust one another.

Likes?

I feel like cheating here and just saying everything.  Last year Bitter Nights was on my top ten reads for the year which goes to show you how much I loved it.  Crimson Wind was just as intense, action-packed, and absolutely unputdownable (which should be a word in my opinion).  Max is such a unique main character that you just cannot help but root for.  She is seriously one of the most kick-ass characters and she is absolutely fearless.  It makes for a breath taking read because you just never know what she will do next.  I love how loyal she is to both her family and friends even when they haven't always deserved it.  The action in this book was non stop yet we also got to see a softer side of Max in regards to her relationship with Alexander.  And the ending was jaw dropping!

Dislikes?

None!  This second book has cemented my love for this series and I'm so excited to continue on with it.  I'm surprised that I haven't heard more about this author and her books because they are definitely that good.  I could say that I disliked the cliffhanger ending but I actually didn't.  I liked it....I kinda sorta saw it coming (maybe not though), and am super glad that I already have my hands on the third book.   So really no complaints over here!

Additional Thoughts?

I really, really love this series!  This is urban fantasy at its' best and I'm so glad that I found this series (and that I have more books to look forward to).  I'm definitely going to be recommending these books to just about anyone.  And I can't help but admit that this is fast becoming one of my favorite urban fantasy series.  I can't wait to see what happens next!

Bottom Line: An urban fantasy series that just keeps getting better and better!

Disclosure:  A copy of this book was provided to me for review thanks to the publisher.  Thoughts are my own!

Here are my thoughts on the first book of this series Bitter Night if you are interested.  You should definitely read this series in order!

How To Be a Good Wife by Emma Chapman (thoughts)

How To Be a Good Wife is just one of those books that begs to be read and doesn't let you set it aside.  The author creates an underlying thread of tension that is constant throughout the book but grows as you get further in.  The book had its' flaws but is one of those books that I could still easily recommend to many a reader.

In this book we meet Marta and Hector, a married couple who are struggling to figure out their new direction in life after raising their only son and seeing him move out on his own.  Marta begins to glimpse a girl that only she can see and then the world as she knows it begins to change forever....

And that is all that I'm going to tell you because this is another one of those books where knowing less is more.  What really stood out for me in this book was the unreliability of the narrator.  From the very beginning the reader begins to question Marta's motivations, her "visions", and really her overall sanity.  The biggest question that plays out throughout the entire book is if you can trust her or not.  And because I couldn't entirely trust Marta this book pulled at me in so many different ways. There is this ominious aura about the book where you just kind of know that it isn't going to end well.  I should have prepared myself more for this!  But it doesn't matter because you have to read faster just to see how it will all end.  This book was nail bitingly good because of all of this!

Overall, if I'm being honest I was able to figure out a lot of the plot twists pretty early on.  It could probably even have been considered a bit predictable but the saving grace for this book was the questioning atmosphere that the author created.  Because of it I just could not set this book down.  And because of it I was able to easily overlook some of the book's flaws that might have bothered me otherwise.  The ending for one was very frustrating to me because it felt unfinished.  Looking back on it, I actually don't think the author could have ended it any other way better but it was still frustrating to read at the time.  I wanted the truth to really come out and it didn't feel like it did.   It left me thinking though which is always the mark of a good book in my opinion.

For me this book was definitely a worthwhile read that I will be recommending.  I loved the tone that the author created with this book especially since I'm such a sucker for an unreliable narrator.  My best advice for this one is skip the summary describing it and just read.  Because the author does an amazing job of really just pulling the reader into Marta's life in a way that doesn't let you go.  I can't wait to see what this author writes next!  Definitely recommended!

Bottom Line:  A book where the atmosphere sucks you in and doesn't let you go!

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book for review courtesy of the publisher.  Thoughts are always my own!

The Stranger You Know by Andrea Kane (thoughts)

Wow!  This book was so fast paced and intense that I just could not put this book down.  I flew through the pages and was utterly satisfied by the end.  I may have started on the third book of this series but it didn't affect my enjoyment of this book at all.  I was completely hooked from the beginning to end!  And I cannot wait to read more by this author!

In The Stranger You Know,  a killer is attacking and killing college girls who all look eerily similar to one another.  The killings are also very reminiscent of a past serial killer who is still locked up behind bars.  It is into these bizarre cases that Casey Woods and her team find themselves caught up in as they struggle to figure out the identity of this new killer.  But the killer has a end target and that focus seems to be on Casey herself.  Will she and her team be able to figure out who the murderer is before he gets his hands on her?

This book was such an intense read that I cannot even begin to explain how hard it was for me to put down.  Even coming into this book without having read the previous two didn't take away from the intensity.  Instead I was turning the pages and reading as fast as I could.  I just couldn't wait to see what would happen next!  This book is focused on Casey Woods and the group of investigators that she works with that make up the Forensic Instincts team.  I really liked the entire cast of characters and can't wait to read more about them. I am eager to go back to the beginning of this series to learn more of the history that they have with one another....and I'm eager to see how it all began.  Casey and her team are trying to find a killer that seems to have many links to Glen Fisher, a serial killer that they helped put behind bars.  Glen is one of the creepiest characters that I've come across in awhile.  He gave me chills!  Yuck!  But once again it helped to create such a piercing and dark atmosphere where I just could not turn away.  I was well and truly hooked. 

One of the things that I liked most about this book was how easily I found myself drawn into the mystery that the book focused on.  I've been having a hard time lately when it comes to reading series books out of order and this book was different for me.  Yes, I'm eager to start back at the beginning and see how everything came about but it didn't feel necessary to me enjoying this book.  And enjoy it I did!  I also liked the way the author gave clues on certain plot points but others came as a complete surprise.  I was able to guess a few things as I read the book in regards to who the killer was (that kind of stuff) but I was nowhere close to having it all figured out.  And I really appreciated that I wasn't able to figure out everything before the end.

All in all, this book was quite a page-turner that left me very eager to read more.  I believe I already have more of this author's book on my shelves so it won't be long before I try her again.  I'm actually pretty excited that I found a new author to follow and read.  There are
a few graphic parts in this book that might turn off some readers but overall I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to fans of suspenseful thrillers. 

Bottom Line:  This is the type of thriller that will keep you up at night!  (both from turning the pages and being creeped out by the killer...I can't decide which kept me up later)

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a TLC book tour.  The opinions are my own.

Forgiving Lies by Molly McAdams (thoughts)

Forgiving Lies wasn't an easy book to read at times but it was a good read that left me eager to get my hands on the next book.  This was my first time reading a book in the New Adult genre and it was darker than I expected it to be.  It was also one of those books that was so easy to sink into that I found myself reading for hours on end.  Overall, I found that it left me excited to not only read more books by this author but also more books just like this.

In this book Rachel is a college student floating along in life after the death of her parents.  After a bad experience in her last relationship, she isn't eager or looking to get involved with anyone else for a very long time.  But then Kash moves in next door to her and everything changes.  Kash and Mason are undercover detectives that are investigating a pretty big case involving a serial killer.  Kash doesn't mean to get involved with Rachel either but he can't seem to resist her fiery attitude.  Will the two of them be able to figure out their feelings for one another?  And can their relationship even survive when it is all based off of one lie?

This book had some ups and downs for me but overall I found that I really enjoyed it.  Easily the best thing about this book was the chemistry between the two main characters.  I loved that they didn't just jump into a relationship and instead started off with a friendship.  It made it that much more satisfying because we were then able to see them grow together.  And then when they did really figure out their feelings for each other the heat between the two of them was off the charts.  I loved it! Without sharing spoilers (see below if you don't mind them) I thought that the author did a really great job of handling a tough subject in a sensitive manner.  She didn't gloss over it and I thought Rachel's feelings came across very genuinely.  Because of this I had a very hard time setting this book down and would find myself thinking about it for awhile afterwards.  Especially because I never knew what was going to happen next.  I found this book to also be creepy at times because of a certain character.  The suspense from that character really made me want to read this book even faster.

*Spoilers*

Okay, now be warned from here on out there are going to be spoilers so don't read this section if you don't want the book spoiled.  But there are things that I definitely want to discuss so here we go.  First off was the touchy subject that I alluded to earlier.  In the beginning of the book Rachel is raped.  I think that the author did a really solid job of handling it but this is the kind of thing that will put some readers off.  Because it definitely wasn't easy to read about Rachel trying to deal with it afterwards and boy did I want to shake her "best friend" Candace for not believing her.  Ugh!  I really didn't care for Candace's character AT ALL!  Rape is never an easy issue to read about which is why I couldn't help but mention it.  While I liked most of the book there was a believability factor that this book lacked.  And the ending really cemented that for me.  WTF?  I am so lucky that I peeked at the last few pages before I read the ending of the book (and yes I do that sometimes but not often) because I would have been pissed otherwise.  I hate when books have cliff hangers for endings and this one comes with a huge blow!  I found myself shaking my head with both disbelief and frustration.  Really, how many bad things can happen to Rachel?  It wasn't enough to take away from my overall enjoyment of the book but it was enough to effect my reading experience in a negative way.  It also means that I will be picking up book two as soon as it comes out so there is that I guess.  In the end, I'm curious to see how other readers are going to feel about this book and the ending.  If you've read it then definitely share your thoughts with me so we can discuss!

*Spoilers Over*

Overall, I liked this book and am very, very eager to get my hands on the second book.  I loved the chemistry that the author created with these characters.  The author left me with lots of questions at the end so I just cannot wait to see happens next.  I hope she also features more of Mason because I think that he would be a great lead for the next book!  I'm excited to start trying more books like this filled with some angsty romance and lots of heat.  This book took my expectations and completely shattered them in multiple ways.  That is what I get for judging a book based off of its' cover.  Lesson learned yet once again :) I would recommend this book with only one minor hesitation.

Bottom Line:  This was an intense read that left me wishing for the second book!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this books thanks to the publisher as part of a TLC book tour.  Thoughts and spoilers are my own!

Backlash by Lynda LaPlante (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Late night on an estate in Hackney and a van is being driven erratically. The driver is pulled over by the police and questioned. A woman on the street after a long evening's drinking never makes it home. A suspect, an arrest, a confession, a case done and dusted?"

My Thoughts:

Backlash is my first dip into the Anna Travis' mystery series but it certainly won't be my last!  This police procedural slowly pulled me into the mystery but by the end I just could not put it down.  After Henry Oates is arrested for the suspected murder of a young girl, he surprisingly confesses to the murders of two other young girls.  Of course, soon after his confession he begins to change his tune and claims that everything he said before was a lie.  It doesn't stop the police from investigating though and that is when Anna Travis is brought in on the case. 

Anna Travis was one of those main characters that I love: she has flaws and unknown motives that seem to drive her.  She pays attention to the little details and pushes herself just a little bit harder than everybody else.  I really liked her from the very beginning but I will admit that I feel like I missed out a bit starting in the middle of this series.  There were obviously some situations that she had gone through in previous books that were still affecting her and I would have liked to know more about them.  Once again this reinforces my need to read series books in order and start at the beginning.  Anyways.  One of the things that I liked best about this book was that the author took her time in building up the mystery.  Even though we know (or had an idea of) the bad guy from early on, there was still questions and tension that were built into the story in such a way that you had to know what would happen next.  This book is slow moving at times but even that really didn't take away from my reading experience.  Instead, I felt that the pacing of the book allowed for me to get the chance to really connect with both the book and the characters.  

Even though I ended up really enjoying this book, I feel that it would have been an even better reading experience for me if I had started with book one.  I've already mentioned it but I think that the back story would have helped me to understand some of the characters better and in particular Detective Chief Superintendent James Langton.  I never really connected to his character and there were times when he drove me absolutely batty.  I wonder if I would have liked him more if I had read the other books in this series.  I don't know the answer yet, but I will because I plan on going back to the beginning of this series soon.  

Overall, I was very pleased with this book and am eager to pick up more by this author.  Fans of gritty police procedurals will not want to miss this one....I'm already regretting not trying this author sooner.  I loved that the author took her time with building up the tension and suspense in this book.  And I really liked the way that the book ended.  I can't wait to see what mystery Anna finds herself investigating next.  Definitely recommended but especially to mystery lovers!

Bottom Line:  A mystery that builds layer upon layer until coming to a very satisfying conclusion!

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book for review from the publisher as part of a TLC book tour.  My thoughts are my own!

 

Killer Image by Wendy Tyson (thoughts)

I've been in the mood for mysteries lately and I chose to read this one thinking that it would be a lighter read.  What I actually got was so much more and I am delighted to say that I enjoyed this book more than I would have ever guessed!  It just goes to show you (and by you I mean me) that I shouldn't judge books by their covers.

In Killer Image, Allison Campbell is an image consultant which is basically a fancy way of stating that she helps people make over their lives.  Need self confidence?  She can help with lifestyle changes, new clothing/make-up, and a healthy dose of self esteem.  Allison seems to have her life completely together but under the pretty facade she has many of her own problems.  She takes on a new job against her better judgement when an upcoming senator basically bullies her into working with his troubled daughter.  Maggie isn't your typical teenager and brings along with her more trouble than even Allison can handle.  But it will be up to Allison to stand by Maggie's side when Maggie is accused of murder.  Will Allison be able to clear Maggie's name?  And why does it seem like Allison's past is coming back to haunt her?

I love when a book takes me by surprise and Killer Image did exactly that!  From the very beginning of this book the author managed to pull me into Allison's past history of dealing with a different troubled young girl.  It was easy to see that it wasn't going to have a happy ending to it since Allison was obviously still trying to get over her past but the way the author weaved it into the storyline really pulled me in.  She managed to take two different storylines and intertwine them in a way that really strengthened this book as a whole.  I was totally invested in both storylines and wanted to know how it would all end.  In fact, I NEEDED to know how it would all end so that I could find out who the killer really was.  The author did a really great job of keeping me guessing while trying to figure out who the killer could possibly be.  It really made this book stand out for me because I was so deeply entrenched in the mystery that I just couldn't put this book down.  I know that I've mentioned it here a million times but I'm always a sucker for a story with a dark and gritty atmosphere.  And this book had that in spades at certain times.  I also like when the characters have secrets and can't always be trusted.  The author did a really good job with all of the characters in this book both main and secondary.  They were completely fleshed out and I loved that we didn't always know their motivations behind their actions.  It just added to the mystery of the book for me!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am eager to read more by this author.  It looks like this is going to be the first book in this mystery series and I will definitely be willing to read the second book.  This book had basically everything that I am looking for in a mystery:  action and suspense, lots of suspects, and a dark atmosphere that sucks you in!  I'm so glad that I got the chance to read this book because I've found a new author to follow.  This is a book that I would not hesitate to recommend!

Bottom Line:  A mystery that instantly captured my attention and kept it throughout!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher to read as part of a TLC book tour.  My thoughts are my own!

**As an aside, my one and only complaint with the entire book was that they changed the cover!  I adored the cover that they originally were using but this one just doesn't do it for me as much.  So if you are a cover addict like me, please don't miss this one because it is definitely worth your time!

Fatal Strike by Shannon McKenna (thoughts)

Fatal Strike is my first read by McKenna but it definitely won't be my last.  I just wish that I would have started at the beginning of this series as I think that it would have really added to my reading experience!  That being said it was a fun way to pass a few days, and I'm eager to read more!

In Fatal Strike, Miles Davenport is having really intense and weird dreams that all center around a missing girl that he is looking for.  He is also struggling to deal with the new psychic abilities that he got unexpectedly (from a previous book I'm assuming).  He is no position to really help anybody since he can't even seem to help himself but Lara Kirk's disappearance pulls at him.  And then he finally finds that one lead that can help him to figure out where she is.  But will he really be able to keep Lara safe from the ones that have been holding her captive?

I seem to have been on a mission lately to find some good romantic suspense!  This one definitely was what I was looking for although it wasn't a perfect read for me.  The good parts were the relationship between Miles and Lara.  I loved it!  I really enjoyed the instant chemistry that they had and was eager for them to fall in love.  They both had their own flaws and issues to overcome but together they really worked well!  That being said I would have liked to have seen more of this at times.  For instance, there was a strong emphasis on the feelings that developed for one another due to the dreams that they were having.  I would have loved if one of those dreams had really been included within the book (personal preference I know).  It didn't matter in the end though because I really liked them as a couple and wanted to see their happy ending.  The bad guys in this book were bad and totally creepy.  It made for a page turning read because all I wanted was for Lara to finally be safe from them.  I also really liked getting to know some of Mile's friends that I'm assuming have been featured in previous books in this series.  It makes me anxious to start at the beginning of this series and read more about all of these characters!

While I really enjoyed most of this book I did find that the book stalled out a bit for me in the middle.  I guess I was just impatient with wanting the happy ever after for Miles and Lara.  Miles was also a bit of a jerk at one point.  I just wanted to shake him and snap him out of it!  But even though I had a few quibbles with this book I overall really enjoyed it.  And it just made me want to read even more romantic suspense!

All in all, I ended up really enjoying this one!  It wasn't perfect but I think that is my own fault for reading the series out of order.  The chemistry was there, the suspense was there, and I'm definitely ready to read more by this author so that equals success for me!  I would recommend this one but with the opinion that you should probably start at the beginning with book one.

Bottom Line:  A suspenseful read that kept me intrigued but with a few flaws.

Disclosure:  I read a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.  Thoughts are my own!

On the romantic suspense front, what other authors do you guys recommend?  So far this year I've tried Shannon McKenna, Shiloh Walker, and Maya Banks.  Who else should I be reading and trying in this genre?  Because I NEED more books like this!  They are the perfect way to just lose myself for a short period of time :)

Lost by S.J. Bolton (thoughts)

I LOVED this book so much that I've been putting off sharing my thoughts on it because I didn't know how to express how good this book (and series) really is!  This is the third book in the Lacey Flint series and it is almost impossible to review without giving away a few spoilers here and there.  So if you haven't read this series then let me make it short and sweet for you:  I LOVE this series and LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!  I honestly feel like not enough people know how amazing these books are and it makes me sad.  If you are looking for intense, dark, fast-paced, edgy thrillers and haven't tried this author then you are missing out.  Seriously!  But you must really start this series at the beginning and read in order (don't say I didn't warn you).  I highly, highly recommend these books! 

Now if you haven't read the books in this series you should probably stop reading my thoughts starting here because I'm ready to discuss the amazingness that is this book.  In Lost,  Lacey Flint is still trying to deal with everything that happened to her during her time at Cambridge University.  She has taken leave from the police force and is avoiding DI Mark Joesbury as much as possible.  But trouble always seems to find Lacey like a magnet, and it is Lacey's young neighbor Barney Roberts that brings it to her door this time.  Because there is a serial killer at large killing young boys and leaving them out in the open for the cops to find.  This killer seems to be targeting boys just like Barney and the police have little to go on.  Lacey may not be emotionally stable but she also can't seem to keep herself out of trouble.  Getting involved might mean though that Lacey loses everything and everyone that she cares about....but when has that ever stopped her?

Oh my goodness this book was so good!  It was even darker and creepier than the last book (which I didn't think was possible).  At this point I am so invested in Lacey's character and such a fan of this series that I can't even begin to put it all into words.  Lacey is a complete emotional mess, an unreliable main character at times, and yet she really pulls you in as a reader.  I never know what she is going to do next other than more often than not it will lead to trouble for her.  And that is okay because it just makes the book even more intense!  I flew through pages of this book and was absolutely hooked from the very beginning.  The author did an amazing job of creating this menacing and ominous atmosphere where it feels like no one is safe and everyone could be the killer.  The way she described water in this book gave me chills at times as she described Barney's fears of it creeping up on him.  It was completely reminiscent for me of reading King's It (which I really need to finish) and his descriptions of water that also gave me chills. I wish I would have written some quotes down but I've already turned the book back into the library so you will just have to trust me on this. 

What else did I love?  How I should always expect the unexpected when it comes to this series because this author isn't afraid of making her readers sweat!  Sometimes I feel like I miss some major clues because it never fails that I don't see the end coming.  This time I had the killer picked out at least three different times (and all three times I was completely wrong).  I love how the author has built on this series with each book.  They keep getting better and better!  Creepier and creepier!  My one and only complaint is having to wait for book four.  I don't want to wait...I need more books just like this!  I can only gush for so long though.  Read these books already! 

So in summary: I loved this book, I'm a huge fan of this series, and I really, really want to read more!  I guess that I will have to satisfy myself with trying this author's other books while I wait for the new Flint book to publish.  This book was everything that I expected it to be and then so much more!  I can't wait to see what happens with Lacey and Mark in the next book.  These are books that I just can't recommend highly enough! 

Bottom Line:  Another amazing read by one of my favorite authors!  Oh so good!

Disclosure:  Checked out from my local library and read as soon as I brought it home!  This is one series that I will set everything aside for!

If you haven't had the please of trying this author here are my thoughts on the other books in this series:

Book 1: Now You See Me
Book 2: Dead Scared

The Burning by Jane Casey (thoughts)

The Burning was definitely a thrilling read and not at all what I expected it to be!  This is the first book that I picked up for Carl's R.I.P. Challenge and it was a perfect fit for so many reasons.  I was left constantly guessing and then second guessing myself as I read the book which made it a definite winner for me!

In this book, Maeve Kerrigan is a detective helping to investigate the latest death attributed to a serial killer that the press has dubbed The Burning Man.  His victims are all women that have been severely beaten to death and then their bodies burned.  The police have little to go by and no suspects when they come across the latest victim.  Unfortunately, this victim's death seems to be a bit different than the rest and there are questions that aren't easily answered.  It will be Maeve's duty to dig into the most recent victim's life with the hope of uncovering a critical piece of evidence that will help them find the killer.  But instead Maeve finds danger like she has never known.

What I really liked about this book was that the author had me guessing from almost the very first page.  It is clear from the very beginning that the latest murder is different from the previous ones, and the question of what that means plays a very important part of this book.  I liked the way the author switched points of view between the main characters.  The way that she did it left me questioning almost everything that was happening.  The author also did a really good job of fleshing out the main characters without really letting their motivations become clear.  That sounds confusing but it wasn't.  Instead it added to the atmosphere of the book which was quite dark and thrilling!  I also really liked Maeve Kerrigan's character and am anxious to see what happens to her in future books.

My one complaint with this book was that one of the two story lines ended in a surprisingly abrupt manner.  It wasn't what I was expecting at all.  I don't want to really go into more detail than that but I will admit that it was a bit jarring.  That being said it also added to the suspense because by then I was so fully invested in this book that I could not decide on what was really going on.  I had guessed the killer, second guessed myself, convinced myself that I was wrong, then went back and forth like this for the rest of the book.  There was a lot that I didn't see coming at the end.  There was also some unresolved stuff for Maeve that left me wanting more.  I'm eager to dive into the second book just to see what happens next!

Overall, a really solid beginning to this mystery series!  I'm so glad that I finally took the time to read this book (considering I probably checked it out from the library five times before I finally did).  It was worth it though and I have high hopes that this series will get even better with the next book.  I would recommend this one to both mystery lovers and fans of thrillers as well because this book was a little bit of both.  Highly recommended!

Bottom Line:  A thrilling read with one of those dark, questioning atmospheres that I love so much!

Disclosure:  Checked out from my local library!  Like five times but who is counting???  :) And a great way to kick off the R.I.P. Challenge!

The Arrangement by Mary Balogh (thoughts)

I basically jumped at the chance to read this book as I've heard lots of good reviews for Mary Balogh's books and wanted to give her a try myself.  The Arrangement was a pleasant read that I enjoyed but it was less than I expected it to be.  I'm not sure if I had too high of expectations (entirely possible) or if it was the fact that I just didn't quite connect to the book like I had hoped to.  Either way it ended up being a good read with more positives than negatives.

Sophia Fry lives a quiet almost non-existent life with her aunt and her aunt's family.  She keeps to herself entirely and has fallen into the trap of believing that she really is the mouse that others refer her to as.  That all changes when she makes the split decision to help stop the marriage trap set up to snare Vincent Hunt who is a wealthy viscount.  Soon after Sophia finds herself caught up in an arrangement that is basically out of her control.  Her choices are to get married to a man she barely knows or find herself out on the streets with nothing.  She decides to take a chance on marriage but how she will find happiness will be entirely up to her!

I went into reading this book not really knowing anything about it. It was a great way to read this book because this book was unexpected in so many ways.  Vincent and Sophia didn't instantly fall in love like so many other romance novels.  Instead it took time and trust before they really began to realize their feelings for one another.  I really appreciated that because it helped me to connect to the characters and it felt more realistic to me.  Vincent is blind which was also very unexpected as I obviously missed that from reading the summary.  I was a bit worried with how the author would portray his disability (and whether he would magically be able to see at some point) but in the end I thought she did a really nice job with it.  Vincent wasn't your typical hero and Sophia definitely wasn't your typical romance heroine but together they worked quite nicely!  I even found myself impatient at times because I was just so ready for them to find their happy ever after.  The one thing that they did lack as a couple was with communicating their feelings.  I wanted to shake them both at certain points of the book for just not telling the other one how they felt.  But the ending came about quite nicely which helped me to appreciate their relationship that much more. 

All of those things make it seem like I really liked the book and I did.  But I did have a few issues with it as well and the main one was Sophia's lack of self esteem.  I understood it to a certain point but I really wanted her to grow more in that regard.  It felt to me that it took others believing in her rather than herself before she started to grow in strength.  Her referring to herself constantly as a mouse (or even other characters in the book comparing her to one) annoyed me.  She was so much more than that and it was an issue for me that she didn't believe in herself more.  It was harder for me to connect with her as a character because of it.

Overall, I ended up really appreciating this book for a variety of reasons but the main one was because it was so unpredictable.  I really don't think I've read another historical romance like it!  I love the concept of The Survivor's Club and will be going back to read the first book in this series.  I'm also eager to see which of the survivors book three will be about.  I would recommend this book to historical romance fans that want something a bit different compared to your typical romance read.  Because in the end even though this book had some faults, it was a still a pretty darn good read!

Bottom Line:  A romance that took its time building but was worth it in the end!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a TLC Book Tour.  Thoughts are my own as always!

There Was an Old Woman by Hallie Ephron (thoughts)

There Was an Old Woman was one of those reads that left me sitting on the fence when it comes to my feelings on it.  I enjoyed it for the most part but was left wanting by the end of the novel.  And while this book didn't blow me out of the water it left me interested in reading more by this author. 

Evie Ferrante gets the call that she both half expects/dreads.  Her alcoholic mother is in the hospital for what seems to possibly be the last time.  The only difference is that this time it is up to Evie and not her sister to go clean up the messes that their mother has left.  When Evie gets to her dying mother's house though, many weird questions arise.  Where did her mother get all of the money that Evie finds hidden in the house?  Why does it seem like someone besides Evie and her mother has been there?  And what was her mother up to before she fell into this alcohol induced coma?  Evie's mother's neighbor might have some of the answers except she is an elderly woman that seems to have lots of her own problems.  It will be up to Evie to figure out what is going on before someone really gets hurt!

There Was an Old Woman both worked and didn't work for me.  The best part of the book was that it really made me think.  Mina Yetner is Evie's mom's elderly neighbor that everyone thinks is senile and going slightly crazy.  She has a hard time getting people to listen to her and take her seriously which makes her begin to question herself.  It's a valid topic as there are many of the elderly that are mistreated and not really valued as people nowadays which is just sad.  Mina played a key role in this novel and I really, really liked her character.  It was because of her that I liked this book as much as I did. She had me turning the pages faster and faster towards the end wanting to see how it would all play out. I thought that the author did a really solid job of fleshing out her character and the history of the airplane crash (and how it related to her) really added to the book!  In fact if the author had based the book completely around her I might have had a different and slightly more enjoyable reading experience.

What didn't work for me was that the book was slightly predictable at times.  I had two of the bad guys picked out almost from the very beginning.  I also guessed as to what was going on with the main storyline pretty early on.  From the summary given on Goodreads I figured this book would be a bit more creepy then it actually was or more intense.  And it was intense at the end but for different reasons.  Mainly because I wanted to know that everything was going to be okay for Mina.  I also struggled a bit with the ending.  It just seemed to lack that extra punch that I was hoping for.  Again that comes around to the predictability factor which really detracted from my full enjoyment of this book.

Overall while I didn't love this book I did like it enough that I want to try this author again.  In fact, I've already got another of her books sitting on my shelves.  I think that there are going to be people that love this book more than I did.  But for me the predictability and lack of suspense really stopped me from loving this book. This ended up being one of those books that was good but not great.  Mina's character alone made the book for me, and I definitely appreciate a book that makes me think (both positives).  In the end I would recommend it but with a few reservations. 

Bottom Line:  A suspenseful read, a good read, but just not a great read.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher courtesy of Edelweiss.  Thoughts are my own!

Bronze Gods by A.A. Aguirre (thoughts)

Bronze Gods started off a bit slowly for me but by the end I found myself enchanted with the story in such a way that I didn't want to see the book end.  I'm a huge fan of steampunk and what I really appreciate is that this book was different from other series out there by adding a layer of fantasy to the storyline.  Before I get started on my thoughts though I better let you know a little bit of what this book is about.

Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko are lead detectives that are assigned to investigate when the daughter of one of the houses goes missing.  Their search uncovers lots of questions and a killer that seems to appear/disappear from thin air while doing the impossible.  Their jobs are about to get even harder though as the young girl's family helps to throw the entire city in an uproar over her death.  The pressure is on: now they need to figure out who the killer is, find them fast, or lose their jobs.  It's going to take a little bit of Mikani's magic and a lot of Ritsuko's determined patience to get the job done.

What really worked for me in this book was the chemistry between Mikani and Ritsuko.  I'm not sure why but I wasn't expecting it so when the attraction started to hit I was almost surprised.  Pleasantly surprised but surprised nonetheless.  Even now I'm eager to get my hands on the second book because I'm so curious to see what happens next between them.  I thought that the authors (this is a husband/wife duo that wrote this) did a really good job in creating a book that is different from others in this genre.  I liked that the Fae are tied into the storyline even though I felt like this area of the book could have been explored more.  I'm guessing that it will be in future books which is exciting.  In the world they created, some individuals have magical ties and abilities thanks to their Fae ancestors and others don't.  I loved that Ritsuko didn't have any magical skills but instead used plain old hard nosed detective work while Mikano had magical abilities.  They worked so well together because of it (and this was another reason why they clicked so well for me).  The authors also hinted at the history of the Fae and the Ferishers which I'm hoping they will also expand on in future books in this series.  The mystery was pretty darn good and I definitely didn't see the end coming.  I wanted more when the book ended and I wasn't ready for it to be done.  The book did start off slowly for me for a variety of reasons with the main one being that I kept getting Mikani and Ritsuko confused.  Obviously I've gotten it figured out now but when you only use the last names of your main characters it is easy to do at the beginning.  The characters would also switch viewpoints throughout the chapters which didn't help.  Once I really settled down into the story though I was completely hooked.  But I have to admit it took a little bit which is why I mentioned it.

Overall, a really solid beginning to a new steampunk series.  While the book wasn't a perfect read for me it was pretty darn good and I'm eager for more.  The only bad part is waiting for the next book to come out because I am not a patient person.  LOL!  I have high hopes for Mikani and Ritsuko figuring out their feelings for each other (please, please let them figure out their feelings) and am eager to see what kind of trouble they get caught up in next.  Because I definitely think that there were a few tiny questions left unanswered in this one that could become storylines in future books.  Definitely a book that I would recommend!

Bottom Line:  An interesting beginning to a steampunk series that I have high hopes for!  Read it!

Disclosure:  Checked out my copy of this book from my local library!

The Truth of All Things by Kieran Shields (thoughts)

The Truth of All Things is an engaging historical mystery that is meant to be read slowly and savored.  Filled with historical details that add layers to the story, I found this book to be a solid beginning to this mystery series.  Now I need to find more books just like this to read!

In this book a woman is found murdered in such a way as to cause instant attention and speculation as to the why's of the murder.  Detective Archie Lean instantly realizes that this isn't your typical murder so he calls in help from criminalist Perceval Grey.  It soon becomes apparent that this murder has ties to the Salem witch trials and that their murderer has a strong interest in history.  It will be up to these two men along with the help of a few others to sift through the layers and find the killer.

This book was such an interesting read because of the uniqueness of the murder and the storyline.  The author ties in the Salem witch trials from the very beginning in such a way that I felt like I was learning more about them while reading this book.  The details from history that the author included (and not just about the Salem witch trials but other events) added a depth to this story that isn't always present in other books that I have read.  I also really enjoyed the main characters for a variety of reasons.  One of the main reasons was the uniqueness that each of them shared.  They were both so different from each other.  While the two men didn't always agree with each other, they both brought so much to the table when it came to solving the crime.  I also appreciated that the author took the time to flesh out their different personalities so well.  I'm looking forward to learning more about them in future books.  While I really, really enjoyed most of this book, I did find it to be a bit on the slow side at times.  I think that this was mainly my own mind frame and once I settled into the pacing of the story it didn't bother me as much.  Also the ending was such an abrupt change of pace as all of a sudden everything was happening at once....it took me a minute (and a few pages reread) to catch up.  The ending was really solid though and tied everything up very nicely.

Overall, this was a really solid read that left me eager to continue on with this series.  I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of the second book and I definitely plan on reading it soon.  If you are of fan of historical mysteries then I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one.  I loved the details and uniqueness of this book which is why I enjoyed reading it so much.  I'm actually surprised that I haven't heard more about it because it was really good.  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  A standout historical mystery....I want to read more books just like this!

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book for review from the publisher.  The thoughts are my own :)

Three Sister's Island Trilogy (Thoughts on a Reread)

Pre-blogging days I used to read many, many books by Nora Roberts.  Now that blogging has expanded my reading horizons a bit (and led me to a truckload of new authors) I find that I don't read as many of her books any more.  Besides her In Death series under the pseudonym of J.D. Robb there are no books that I enjoy more by her than these three books.  It has been years since I indulged in a reread so I decided that now was a great time to dive back into some of my old favorites and revisit this amazing trilogy.  I can easily say that these books are just as amazing as I remembered them but obviously I'm a bit impartial.  Because of this I thought I would share my thoughts on these with some mini reviews. 

Dance Upon the Air is the first book in this trilogy and by far my favorite.  Nell has done the impossible by faking her own death and leaving her abusive husband.  She comes to Three Sister's Island on an impulse and finds so much more than she could have ever expected.  The problem is that her past is getting ready to come back to haunt her.

Just thinking about this book makes me want to read it again!  I love Nell's character and how we get to see her blossom as a person throughout the book.  Robert's does an amazing job of creating this bond between the three women that are the focus of this trilogy from the very beginning.  The romance that Nell and Zach find is both sweet and believable.  Basically, the book just pulls you in and doesn't let you go until you are wishing that you had the chance to experience life on Three Sister's Island.  I love the fact that there is a paranormal bent to these books without it being the focus.  Instead, the focus of this book is on Nell's growth and finding the courage to stand up for herself.  I love it and loved rereading it!

Heaven and Earth is the second book in this trilogy but it definitely doesn't disappoint!  In this one, Ripley has seen everything that Nell went through to save herself and is forced to come to terms with the fact that she is a witch.  After years of forcing herself to be normal, she struggles with the idea that she might have to use those powers in order to save the island that she loves so much.  Can she overcome her fears and do her part to help save the island??

What I love about this book is the chemistry between Ripley and Mac!  They are by far my favorite couple because they are so mismatched that they just work.  I love seeing their relationship develop as they get to know one another.  For just this fact alone I would reread this book again right now!  But it is also enjoyable to see Ripley begin to reconnect with Mia and begin to use her powers once again.  Ripley is a prickly character whom I just can't help but like especially because she is so stubborn headed.  It is fun to see her and Mia clash with each other but it is even better to see her and Mac clash.  HOT!  Once again Roberts does an amazing job of setting up the ending for this trilogy without making it seem like there wasn't closure with this book.  The ending of this book wasn't as heart pounding as the first book but it still pretty damn good!  Another enjoyable reread!

Last but certainly not least is Face the Fire by Nora Roberts.  By the time I get to this book I am so head over heels hooked on this series that I NEVER want it to end!  Of course it must but usually by this time I'm in denial. 

In Face the Fire, Mia Devlin faces her past when the boy she loved with all of her heart comes back into town.  She may have gotten over her broken heart from years ago but she knows that her destiny may still be tied up in her feelings towards the man that he has become.  But she has an even bigger worry to deal with as the evil that has been haunting the island is ready to make its' final stand against the three sisters.  It is going to take everything that she has to beat the legend and save the island.

I love this book for so many reasons but honestly it is because by now I have become attached to all of the characters.  I usually read these books back to back and all I want is to see how it all ends and make sure that they all get their happily ever after.  I love Mia's character because she is so strong and independent.  And the relationship between her and Sam is both enchanting and dreamy.  I love the way that they have to learn who the other one is now as a person instead of the younger teenage version that they remember.  It makes the ending so much more powerful as the reader is allowed to see everything from each book tie together into an epic finale!

Gosh I love these books!  They are the ultimate comfort reads and reading them again was such a delight.  I could read them over and over again (and I'm actually sure that I will).  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them at all and in fact usually recommend them over and over to fellow readers. 

Bottom Line:  These books are books that I plan to read again and again.  They are some of my favorites!

Disclosure:  All three of these were checked out from my local library which is a shame because I need to own these...looks like I will be getting my own copies the next time I am ready for a reread!

No Second Chance by Harlan Coben (thoughts)

No Second Chance was everything that I expected it to be.  It was fast paced, page turning action that constantly left me wondering what could possibly happen next.  This is my third book by Coben and although it wasn't my favorite (that still remains as my first read Tell No One by Coben) it was a solid second. 

In this book Dr. Marc Seidman wakes up from a coma to realize that he has lost everything.  His infant daughter has disappeared and his wife is dead.  The worst part of all is that all of Marc's memories from that awful day seem to be unclear and slightly unreliable thanks in large part to the gunshot wounds that he sustained.  But who would want Marc dead and his family destroyed?  And the real question is what happened to his daughter?  Things go from bad to worse as Marc finally hears from his daughter's kidnappers...can he get her back without getting himself killed in the process???

This book had me almost on edge from the very beginning.  A missing child??  That's a sensitive subject for me as a parent so I was unsure if I would enjoy the book or not if I'm being honest.  But even though I was uneasy about the subject matter I soon found myself caught in the author's tangled web.  I COULD NOT put this book down!  The thing about Coben's books is that they are so easy to say one more chapter to.  And that one chapter leads to another and then another....before you know it is 1:00 AM and you need to be up in less than five hours for work.  Yep, I was that girl thanks to this book.  My only slight complaint with this book was that I managed to guess the bad guy halfway through.  It didn't matter because I wasn't for sure and this is an author that constantly keeps you guessing.  But the ending was a slight let down because I realized that I had figured it out.  Even though I really hadn't.  If that makes any kind of sense to you :)  What the author did do well with the ending was come up with a realistic solution for the way things were resolved.  I'm always careful about spoilers but I will say that I was wondering how in the world he was going to be able to tie everything up.  And he took something that would have been a horrific experience for any parent and ended it in a satisfying way.  I'm not going to say any more than that so don't ask!  (Unless you've read this book that is and then we can discuss!)

Tense?  Thrilling?  Unputdownable?  Yes, yes, and a resounding yes!  This book practically had me biting my fingernails at times because of the suspense.  I'm a huge fan of this author and I've only read three of his books.  If you are a fan of thrillers and haven't read Coben before now then why not???  He is quite a talented author with a knack for keeping you guessing until the very end.  I would definitely recommend this book to those readers who are fans of suspense.  And don't let the touchy subject matter keep you from trying this one because it is definitely worth the read!  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  A breathtaking read that caused me to lose sleep!

Disclosure:  This book was loaned to me from a kind coworker.

The Hunter by Monica McCarty (thoughts)

Scottish highlander romance?  Yes, please and yum!  I'm a sucker for a good historical romance lately so I couldn't resist joining in on the blog tour for this book (even though there are like six books before this one).  And since I have never read a highlander romance before I wasn't exactly sure if I was going to like it or not.  That being said I had my expectations set low/medium but they were shattered as I tore thru this book in less than three days.  I can't wait to go back to the first book in this series to see how it all began!

In The Hunter, Ewen Lamont is part of the notorious highland guard that is fighting to get King Robert the Bruce crowned as king.  He is known for his attention to detail and ability to find/track anything.  When he meets a nun named Sister Genna his entire world is turned on its' axis.  How can he possibly be attracted to a nun?  And what kind of nun acts like she acts?  What he doesn't know is that Genna has secrets of her own that will make their paths cross in dangerous ways.  But it is the chemistry between them that causes them both to start reevaluating their lives and plans for the future.

Yowsers!  This book instantly captured my attention from the very beginning!  I couldn't put it down and flew through the pages which left me wanting more.  Luckily I have the first six books in this series to look forward to because I NEED more!  I'll admit that the first few chapters had me on edge.  I don't want to go into spoilers but there was an event that had me uncomfortable and left me wondering if I was going to be able to get past it.  But before I knew it I found myself immersed in the book wanting to know what was going to happen next.  I loved the fact that Genna stood up for herself and was so independent.  I also liked that she didn't want to change just for marriage.  I really respected that about her.  But I also LOVED the chemistry between her and Ewen.  Whew!  There were a few very HOT pages in this book if I do say so myself.  I wasn't completely thrilled with the ending but it wasn't bad.  Just not what I was expecting I guess.  Don't let that stop you from reading this book though because it is definitely worth the read!

Overall, this was a book that kept me engrossed and left me wanting more.  I have no complaints other than why did I never try a highlander romance before now???  I've definitely been missing out if they are all like this!  If you are a fan of historical romances with LOTS of chemistry then definitely give this one a try.  As for me, I have to go back to the beginning now.  Even though I didn't miss out (at all based on my reading experience) starting this series so far into it, I really want to see how it all began.  I want to get to know the other members of the highland guard so I plan on doing just that.  Definitely a book that I would recommend especially for your summer reading pleasures :)

Bottom Line:  A book that had me captivated from beginning to end! 

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a TLC book tour.  The thoughts are my own!

F is For Fugitive by Sue Grafton (thoughts)

This is one of my absolute favorite mystery series!  It is also a series that constantly makes me wonder why I don't read more books like this when I enjoy them so much.  I don't quite have the answer to that but it is probably something that I should explore.  In other words, I need to find more mysteries just like this! 

In this book, Kinsey is hired to investigate a seventeen year old murder.  With the odds stacked against her from almost the very beginning, Kinsey begins to ask questions trying to figure out the details of what happened that night.  The convicted murderer is still proclaiming his innocence and things aren't all as clean cut as they seem.  But with all of the questions that Kinsey is asking, it isn't long before she finds herself in danger.  Can she really unearth evidence to find the truth behind a murder that happened so long ago?  And will she be able to make it out alive if she does?

I'm positive that in every review that I've written about books in this series I've talked about my love of Kinsey's character.  I can't not mention it because it plays such an important role in my enjoyment of these books.  Kinsey is so easy to relate to but the author has really taken the time to flesh her out into something so much more.  I like her plain and simple.  She doesn't hesitate to tell a little white lie (for the good of her investigation of course), she likes simple things, isn't high maintenance, and is the most persistent type of character I've ever come across in a book.  She never gives up or stops asking questions even when it feels like her investigation is going nowhere or just running in circles.  I like that about her!  I really appreciate how easy it is for me to find myself lost in these books trying to find the answer to the mystery along with Kinsey.  I never seem to be able to figure it out but the fun is in the trying!

This is one of those series that I will never hesitate to recommend.  I've got my Mom reading them and I'm constantly handing off my copies to my sister with the hope that she will enjoy them as much as I have.  Kinsey is a throwback to a time before computers and electronics played such an important role in our every day life.  It is fun to see her solve mysteries without using high tech gadgets and laboratory findings; instead she figures everything out just using her inquisitiveness and some good old common sense.  This book was another great addition to this series and exactly what I have come to expect from this author!

Overall, another amazing book in this series.  Yes some are better than others, but I have yet to find a book by Grafton that I haven't enjoyed.  Now I just need to get my hands on a copy of G is for Gumshoe!  I've been buying my copies of these books from my local used bookstore, and I LOVE the old covers that I've found.  But the last two times that I was there I couldn't find a copy to take home with me so I'm probably going to have to hit the library until I come across one.  Because eventually this is a series that I would like to own in its' entirety.  The books are just that good!

Bottom Line:  A series that is a must-read in my opinion!  But you most definitely should start with the first book!

Disclosure:  I purchased a copy of this book from my local used bookstore.  It was worth every penny!

Wicked As She Wants by Delilah S. Dawson (thoughts)

Wicked As She Wants was a delight to read and such a strong follow-up to the first book that it managed to cement my love for this series!  It was up against a tall order too because although I enjoyed Wicked As They Come it was only a good read for me, and I wasn't completely positive that I would continue on with the series.  Wicked As She Wants blew the first book out of the water though and I most definitely will be reading more in this series!!

In this book we get to know Ahnastasia, a blud Princess from the land of Muscovy, that Casper finds nearly dead locked up in a suitcase.  Ahna has no idea how she got in there nor does she have any idea who has killed her parents or why.  But she does know that it is her duty to return to her homeland and take her rightful place as the Queen.  Ahna manages to convince Casper to help her on this whirlwind adventure filled with blud pirates, danger, and even a little bit of desire.  But it will take everything that both Casper and Ahna have to overthrow the "new" Queen of Muscovy that has taken over while Ahna has been gone.  Can the spoiled princess become a real Queen?

This book had everything that you can ask for: passion, adventure, mystery, and even a dash of humor.  I loved it so much and found myself easily caught within the pages from the very beginning.  The chemistry between Ahna and Casper is almost instantaneous and I loved watching their relationship develop.  It was also nice to get to know Casper's character more as he plays a semi-important role in the first book.  I wish I could tell you exactly what worked better for me with this book compared to the first but it isn't one certain thing.  I think that I just really connected with the characters more in this book!  The adventure that Ahna and Casper found themselves on was such a whirlwind and it kept me turning the pages as fast as I could!  I especially loved the scene when Ahna is boarding the airship...I couldn't help but laugh even though I'm terrified of heights myself.  I wasn't sure how the book was going to end but the author did an amazing job with it!  I sincerely hope that we get to see a bit more of Ahna and Casper in future books because this one book just wasn't enough!  And before I forget it was also a nice touch in my opinion the way the author managed to fit Tish and Criminy in without making it an issue if you haven't read the first book.  I just can't wait to read more of this series!

All in all, this book was everything that I hoped it would be and so much more!  It has me super excited to see where this author takes this series next.  From the teaser I read at the back of the book, it looks like I will be in for a treat.  Now I'm just going to have to be patient and wait for that next book to come out.  I sure hate the waiting part!  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one but especially for fans of both paranormal romance and steampunk!

Bottom Line:  Such a good read!  I can't wait for more!

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book for review from the publisher.  Actually two by accident.  One came from NetGalley and one was a surprise I found in my mailbox.  I love those!

Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Gwen Maudsley is pretty enough to be popular, and plenty wealthy, too. But what she’s best known and loved for is being so very, very nice. When a cad jilts her at the altar—again—the scandal has her outraged friends calling for blood. Only Gwen has a different plan. If nice no longer works for her, then it’s time to learn to be naughty. Happily, she knows the perfect tutor—Alexander Ramsey, her late brother’s best friend and a notorious rogue."

My Thoughts:

This is one of those books that I waited entirely too long to read.  I don't even want to mention the number of times that I checked this book out from the library and then let it go back unread.  I should really stop doing that!  On the positive side, I found a new author to follow and a new backlist of books to check out.  

I feel like 2013 has been the year for me to really dip my toes into the historical romance genre.  I'm loving every minute of it!  From almost the very beginning of this book I found myself caught up in the relationship between Gwen and Alex.  They were just perfect for each other in my opinion even if they hadn't figured it out for themselves.  And that's half of the fun for me...watching the romance develop and grow between a couple with a few stumbles along the way.  Alex and Gwen had more than there share of struggles though, and by the end of the book I was more than ready for them to find their happy ever after!  Seriously, I almost threw the book at one point when towards the end it seemed like everything was falling apart.  LOL!  I was that into this book!  There were also a few really cute parts in the beginning of this book that had me cracking up.  I love when that happens!  I thought the author did a very nice job with the ending though and I was left feeling more than satisfied.  All romance books should be this good!  

Let's sum it all up:  I enjoyed it lots and can't wait to read more from this author!  It's exciting for me especially because this is a new to me author so I have lots more of her books to look forward to (I hope...I honestly don't know how many she has written.)  But I know she has written more and I can't wait to read them!  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to fans of historical romance.  And if you aren't reading historical romances yet....then why the heck aren't you?  You're definitely missing out especially if you are a fan of romance at all!  I'm kicking myself for not really trying this genre sooner.  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  A book that has helped to cement my new found love for historical romance!  

Disclosure:  Checked out from my lovely local library a number of times before I actually read it.  But definitely worth the wait!

Have you read Duran before?  Which of her books should I read next?  And the biggest question of all:  what other historical romance authors should I be reading????  These are the things that a girl needs to know!