Fierce Justice by Piper J. Drake (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"As a K9 handler on the Search and Protect team, Arin Siri needs to be where the action is--and right now that's investigating a trafficking operation in Hawaii. When an enemy from her past shows up bleeding, she's torn between the desire to patch Jason up or put more holes in him. Then again, the hotshot mercenary could be the person she needs to bust open her case.

Jason Landon's team had always been about taking the contract, getting paid, and not asking questions. But after his last mission went south, he started to get curious. His questions quickly drove him out of his mercenary group and off the grid. Now, the only people he can think of to help him are the Search and Protect team -- and the dark beauty who is as ready to kill him as she is to bed him. And he's totally ready to risk the former for the chance at the latter. But he isn't the only person with a target on his back. Arin's in danger too, and he'll do everything he can to keep her safe."

My Thoughts:

Fierce Justice is a book that I read earlier this year and then just never shared my thoughts on it.  I'm going to work on catching up on reviews before the end of the year so wanted to finally write up my thoughts on this one.  I knew I wanted to read this book based off of that cover alone.  Our family has a German Shepherd that we love and adore so any book with one on the cover is one that is bound to draw my interest!  I'm also always on the hunt for good romantic suspense series to follow so I couldn't resist giving this book a try.  I started this series completely out of order as it looks like this is book five but it didn't effect my enjoyment of this book at all.  I do think I missed out on some details as I believe that Jason and Arin met in a previous book.  The author did a good job of filling in the details though so I didn't feel lost at all.  One of things that I really enjoyed about this book was the setting.  I haven't read many books set in Hawaii and I thought that the Hawaiian setting really added to this book.  I also really liked the suspense portion of this book.  The suspense portion was what kept me turning the pages the entire time.  I will be honest and say that the romance portion of this book wasn't really what drew me into it.  I liked Arin and Jason together but their relationship just felt like it almost took a backseat to everything else that was going on.  Which is almost more realistic if you think about it - when someone is in the midst of a dangerous situation I feel like the last thing that they are going to be focused on is falling deeply in love.  I liked that the author gave their relationship a more realistic feel (I don't want to say more because spoilers).  I'm also hoping that we will get to see more of them in future books!  

Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book and plan on reading more from this series.  I think that I will try and go back to the beginning with the first book.  If you enjoy suspenseful reads, then I definitely think that this book is one to check out (and you don't need to read this series in order which is always a positive in my opinion).  I would recommend this book to romantic suspense fans and romance readers.  It's an enjoyable read!  

Bottom Line:  An enjoyable romantic suspense!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.  Honest thoughts are my own. 

The Cost of Honor by Diana Muñoz Stewart (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"He gave up everything to escape his family

The only male to be adopted into the notorious Parish family, Tony Parish always did right by his vigilante sisters. But when an attempt to protect one of them went horribly wrong, he had to fake his own death to escape his fanatical family. Tony set sail and ended up in Dominica—face to face with the woman of his dreams...

Now he must give up Honor to save her

After the death of her mother, Honor Silva moved to Dominica, where her family could help her heal and move on. But her activist mother left her more than money, she left her proof that could take down one of the richest and most powerful men in the world.

Tony gave up everything he thought he knew when he fled his family. But when a threat too dangerous for Tony and Honor to fight on their own closes in, he has no choice but to go to them for help. Problem is, they'll demand something in return—something that could cost Tony not just Honor, but also the love that changed him forever."

My Thoughts:

I am officially hooked on this series!  A few months ago I read (and really enjoyed) the second book in this series The Price of Grace.  It left me completely excited about this book and happily it was just as good as I had hoped!  What a page turner this book was!  I swear I was 100 pages into this one and then all of a sudden I hit this point and knew that I wasn't going to be able to stop reading until I finished.  It was just that good and I HAD to see how everything was going to turn out.  One of the things that I really liked about this book was that there were two separate threats that Tony and Honor are facing.  One is an unknown threat to Honor's business that Tony is attempting to help her with.  The second one is the threat that Tony's family will find him and wipe his memories. These two things added a lot of suspense and tension to this book.  It also helped for me to really understand and get behind the relationship that developed between these two.  I'm not usually one for relationships that develop super fast - I prefer the building up of a relationship the majority of the time.  Not in this case though because I was completely behind their relationship and the why's that they were diving into it so fast.  They knew that there time was limited together so they weren't going to waste one second of the time that they did have.  They had the perfect blend of chemistry and heat which had me rooting for their happy ever after the entire time.  I really, really liked this book so I'm eager to see if there are going to be more books in this series.  In the meantime, I need to go back and finally read that first book that started this series.  I do recommend reading these books in order if possible.  I didn't feel like it hurt my enjoyment in the second book at all (not having read the first) but by the time that you get to this one, I'm sure there are too many spoilers otherwise.  Also, things that happened in that second book definitely carry over into this one so that's another reason to read them in order if at all possible.  Plus, the two that I've read were so good so definitely worth your time!

Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book and this series in general so far.  I'm really, really hoping that we get more books featuring the Parish family because I'm not ready for it to be done.  This book had the perfect blend of heat and suspense - this is romantic suspense at its best in my opinion!  I would recommend this book and series to fans of romantic suspense, romance, and even suspense readers in general.  Read it in order if you can or start with The Price of Grace like I did!  An easy book to recommend!

Bottom Line:  The perfect blend of romance and suspense - what more do you need?

Disclosure:   I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher as part of a TLC book tour.  Honest thoughts are my own.

Nothing to Fear by Juno Rushdan (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Fearsome Gray Box operative Gideon Stone is devoted to his work and his team. He's never given reason to doubt his loyalty...until he's tasked with investigating Willow Harper, a beguiling cryptologist suspected of selling deadly bio-agents on the black market.

He knows she's innocent. He knows she's being framed. And he knows that without him, Willow will be dead before sunrise.

Thrust into the crossfire of an insidious international conspiracy, Gideon will do anything to keep Willow safe...even if that means waging war against his own. With time running out, an unlikely bond pushes limits―and forges loyalties. Every move they make counts. And the real traitor is always watching..."

My Thoughts:

Let me tell you how much I enjoy romantic suspense when it is done like this!  Books like this are why I enjoy this genre so much.  This book was the perfect blend of suspense and romance.  I was turning the pages as fast as I could the majority of this book while reading, but also just loving the developing relationship between Willow and Gideon.  And can we just shout out the fact that Willow is on the spectrum and the amazing way that the author writes her character.  She is who she is and we got to the struggles that she faces from being "different" (for lack of better word here) as well as the strengths that she has from it.  It isn't something that is glossed over at all in this book but is instead such an integral part of her character.  I cannot honestly say that I've ever read a romantic suspense book featuring a character like this until now which is a shame. How lucky am I though that I have another book in this series to catch up on after enjoying this one so much?  The chemistry between Gideon and Willow was HOT!  I enjoyed that they each had their own issues that they needed to work through before they were ready to even think about being in a relationship.  And I also have to say how much I appreciated that their romance came together during reasonable times - and not when they were literally in the middle of being chased by the bad guys like it does sometime in other books of this genre.  The feelings that grew between the two of them felt natural and I was completely here for it all.  I have a copy of the first book but didn't get the chance to read it before this one and it didn't affect my enjoyment in the slightest.  I'm super excited though to go back to that first book after enjoying this one so much!

Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book immensely!  It was the perfect mix of suspense and romance with characters that I just couldn't get enough of.  I'm so glad that I have now found this author and series because this book was that good!  I don't want to say too much more as I don't want to spoil anything.  If you enjoy action-packed, suspenseful books with romance mixed in, check this one out.  I would highly recommend it and am really looking forward to seeing what other readers think of it!

Bottom Line:  A book that has me just itching for more books just like it!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher as part of a TLC book tour.  Honest thoughts are my own.

The Price of Grace by Diana Muñoz Stewart (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Gracie Parish knows the true cost of trust. Rescued as a child by the infamous Parish family, she became a member of their covert sisterhood of vigilantes. Gracie saw her most precious relationships destroyed by secrecy. She learned long ago to protect her heart as well as her family's secrets.

Special Agent Leif "Dusty" McAllister will do anything to uncover the truth about the Parish family's covert operations. Dusty knows Gracie is his ticket in. He'll use everything he's got—fair, unfair, and just plain wrong—to break through her defenses. But the more he gets to know Gracie and her family's mission, the harder he starts to fall. Neither one is sure they'll get out of this with their lives—or their hearts—intact."

My Thoughts:

This is the kind of romantic suspense read that I could not help but enjoy!  It was fast paced and unexpected throughout the entire book which I couldn't help but love!  This is actually the second book in the series but I decided to start with it first (and now will soon be going back to the first book to catch up on what I've missed).  One of the main things that made this book stand out for me was Gracie's family and the things that she has given up to protect her family.  I don't want to spoil anything for readers so I'll just leave it at that.  As the book goes along, we get to see that she is struggling with the things she has given up and is wanting to make changes to her life.  At the same time, she is dealing with Dusty's arrival back into her life after other certain events.  Grace knows that Dusty is investigating her family for the FBI but she just can't seem to keep away from him herself.  The chemistry between these two is definitely hot!  Before I go any further, I have to tell you my one small gripe with this book.  It starts off when these two first meet and there was such a huge case of insta-lust that I was immediately thrown off especially with the dangerous situation that they were in.  I'm only telling you this because I think that there are other readers like myself that aren't quite as huge fans of insta-love or lust and might feel similarly.  I'm super glad that those opening scenes didn't stop me from continuing because the rest of the book wasn't like that at all.  Yes, they are still attracted to each other from the beginning but they both understand why a relationship between the two of them is a bad idea and probably wouldn't work.  Gracie fights her attraction to Dusty which just made the moments when they finally came together (not a spoiler - this IS a romance) that much sweeter.  I actually really adored both of their characters so I was rooting for them to find their happy ever after. The suspense portion was very well done and was why I just couldn't seem to set this book down!  The way this book ended left me very curious to see what will happen next in book three.  To make the wait seem shorter though, I definitely plan on going back to the first book I Am Justice!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and flew through the pages of it!  One of the things that I'm most excited about with reading more books in this series is learning more about Gracie's family.  They have me so intrigued so I can't wait to read more about them all.  This book was also another really great reminder of why I enjoy romantic suspense so much!  There is just something about a book with a romance and a mystery mixed together that I can't get enough of!  It's like the best of both worlds when it is done right and this book definitely was!  I would recommend this book to readers of romance and romantic suspense easily!  You definitely don't have to read this series in order (I didn't).  I didn't feel like I was missing out whatsoever.  That being said, this book and series has me wanting to go back to that first book which should tell you all that you need to know!

Bottom Line:  A romantic suspense that reminded me exactly why I love this genre so much!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher as part of a TLC book tour.  Honest thoughts are my own.

Hidden by Rebecca Zanetti (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Hide. That’s all Pippa can do to escape the terror chasing her. But now that she’s off the grid in a safe house, she finds plenty of interesting things to watch through the window. Like her new neighbor, with his startling green eyes, killer smile, and sexy bad-boy tattoo . . .

Run. Malcolm West is fleeing the hell he unleashed in his last assignment as an undercover cop. A backwoods bungalow sounds like the perfect place to start over. Until he discovers he’s been set up . . .

Fight. Someone’s gone to a lot of trouble to bring them together. No matter how much he resents that, and his own driving needs, Malcolm will have to dig deep and let loose the banished killer inside himself, or Pippa’s fears could come true faster than the flip of a bolt in a lock . . ."

My Thoughts:


Funny story with this book:  I started reading it unintentionally at my son's football game.  To be fair this was the varsity game which he only usually dresses for but doesn't usually play in (he starts on both offense and defense for JV but that's neither here nor there).  Our varsity team was getting stomped so I decided to download a book to my phone during a break in the game.  Which turned into me almost missing my son FINALLY going in because shortly after I was sucked into the book and not paying attention to the game any longer.  Luckily my youngest announced that his brother was in the game so we didn't miss it.  It's a mark of how readable and compelling I found this book that I was even able to read during a loud football game.  I have to admit I was instantly sucked in!  This is my second book by this author and both reads (two separate series) were books that I just could not stop reading.  The thing that made this book so compelling for me was that the two main characters were both hiding major secrets from each other while also beginning a relationship.  A relationship that may or may not have survived if the other found out about the other's secrets.  It's a twisty read like that and as much as I wanted each of the characters to be honest with the other one already, I also found that I couldn't put this book down because of the tension created from those secrets.  I also really enjoyed the humorous moments that the author included in this book.  Malcolm's new work team is filled with amazing secondary characters that I'm looking forward to each getting their own book.  I'm especially a fan of the quirky German Shepard names Roscoe - some of his funnier moments where the perfect break from all of the seriousness and tension that filled the pages of this book.  I found that the pages of this book just flew on by - so fast that before I knew it I was at the end and was reading as fast as I could to see how it would all turn out.  It turned out to be a very enjoyable read for me that I'm glad I picked up!

Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book and am looking forward to reading more books featuring these characters.  I love a good romantic suspense but don't always find authors that do it well.  This author does romantic suspense well though and has me adding the rest of her books to my TBR list (it's out of control anyways so why not).  And the good news is that I have lots of her other books waiting for me to catch up on while I wait for the second book in this series to release.  Always a good thing in my opinion!  I don't have much else to say as I really don't want to give anything away with this book.  It was a very enjoyable read that I think other romance readers will enjoy.  If you are a fan of romantic suspense and you're not reading this author - I feel like you missing out.  I certainly was!  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  An edgy and compelling read that left me unable to stop reading!

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

Dead Girl Running by Christina Dodd (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"I have three confessions to make:
1. I've got the scar of gunshot on my forehead.
2. I don't remember an entire year of my life.
3. My name is Kellen Adams...and that's half a lie.

Girl running...from a year she can't remember, from a husband she prays is dead, from homelessness and fear. Tough, capable Kellen Adams takes a job as assistant manager of a remote vacation resort on the North Pacific Coast. There amid the towering storms and the lashing waves, she hopes to find sanctuary. But when she discovers a woman's dead and mutilated body, she's soon trying to keep her own secrets while investigating first one murder...then another. 

Now every guest and employee is a suspect. Every friendly face a mask. Every kind word a lie. Kellen's driven to defend her job, her friends and the place she's come to call home. Yet she wonders--with the scar of a gunshot on her forehead and amnesia that leaves her unsure of her own past--could the killer be staring her in the face?"

My Thoughts:

I picked this book up because I loved the sound of that summary and decided it needed to be my next read.  It was a pretty great choice and I'm excited because it is the beginning to a series which I didn't realize until I finished.  There was so much going on in this book that I almost don't know where to begin. Kellen has had a bad run of things which is why she is now working at a vacation resort far away from the life she once led.  As you begin to read this book, there are chapters that explain her past and help to make more sense of why she is the way she is now.  I liked the back and forth and felt that it helped flesh out Kellen as the main character.  There was a really solid layer of tension to this book thanks to everything that was happening.  And because Kellen is missing memories from a year of her life there is also a slightly unreliable narrator feel going on with Kellen.  She doesn't know the full truth of what happened so I as the reader couldn't fully trust her memories in relation to everything that was going on.  I'm trying to not give too many details as I don't want to spoil anything for anyone that hasn't yet had the chance to read this book.  Fair warning though - I'm going to get a little more detailed now so if you want to skip ahead to the next paragraph and avoid spoilers feel free.  My one and only complaint with this book was that it lacked believability at times.  Letting Kellen be involved in the investigation of the woman's body for one.  I found early on that for me to really enjoy this one to let those details go and just enjoy the ride the author was taking me on.  I only mention it because it did bother me at first and may also bother other readers in the same way.  On a different note, I loved the ending of this book!  I realized that I was getting towards the end and didn't yet have all of the answers so it wasn't a surprise to me that the book ended in a cliff hanger.  But what did surprise me was how that all played out - boy do I sure wish I already had that next book waiting in my hands!  I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Overall I really enjoyed my time with this book and am left wanting more!  This is my first book by Dodd but it won't be my last.  A couple of times this book mentioned a place called Virtue Falls and I believe that I have the first book in that series on my own shelves.  Maybe I'll go and try that series while I wait for the next book in this series to release.  It wasn't a perfect read but it was a book that sucked me in so I couldn't stop reading.  I would rate this one a solid four stars which is pretty darn good.  It wasn't perfect but I enjoyed my time with it which is all I can really ask.  I'm excited to go and check out Dodd's backlist now to see what else I've been missing out on.  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  A suspenseful read that left me wishing for the next book!

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

Be A Good Girl by Tess Diamond (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"As the head of an elite FBI unit, Special Agent Paul Harrison seems to have everything figured out, but beneath the surface, an internal war is raging. When he returns to his rural hometown for the first time in a few years, he’s faced with the memories that led to his losing the love of his life.

Fifteen years ago, Abigail Winthrop’s best friend, and Paul’s girlfriend, was murdered by the infamous serial killer Doctor X. Now an investigative journalist, she’s determined to find the truth. But when Abigail discovers evidence that clears Doctor X, she realizes the real killer is still out there and is striking again when local young girls begin disappearing.

Turning to Paul for help, Abigail joins forces with him. As an undeniable attraction develops between them, they must heal deep wounds from their past—and find a relentless psychopath who could extinguish their hopes for a future together."

My Thoughts:

This is exactly the type of book I have been looking for when it comes to romantic suspense!  As a girl that enjoys a good mystery and also a good romance, romantic suspense should be the perfect blend of the two for me.  For whatever reason though, I have a hard time finding romantic suspense books that I really enjoy.  This author changed all of that for me now.  I enjoyed both parts of this book equally and felt that it was a good blend of the two genres.  In fact, I really couldn't stop reading this book once I got going.  It was just so good and so hard to put down!  In this book, Abigail is searching for the truth behind her best friend's death that happened many years ago.  The police believe that they found her killer and he is sitting in prison for his crimes.  When she comes across evidence that may prove otherwise, she is drawn into the hunt for the real truth behind her friend's death.  The mystery portion of this book was both suspenseful and very intense.  Like reading as fast as I possibly could intense to see how everything would turn out.  But what also drew me into this book was the history between Abigail and Paul.  There was this easy chemistry between them from the very beginning pages and I couldn't get enough of it.  I also think that their shared history helped to make the relationship developing between them feel more natural.  It wasn't one of those instal-loves that I despise so much.  Instead, it almost felt like the relationship that developing was like coming home after being gone for too long - that feeling is the best way to describe it!

Overall, I am so excited to have found this author's books because I enjoyed this one so much!  I actually already have another of her books on my shelves waiting to be read which pleases me to no end.  I need more romantic suspense reads just like this in my life!  I found this to be a heart-poundingly good read and one that I couldn't get enough of.  I think that fans of mysteries and thrillers would enjoy this book just as much as fans of romance would.  I'm planning on reading more by this author sooner rather than later.  I would highly recommend!

Bottom Line:  One of the best romantic suspense reads I've read in a long time!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher.

Escape to You (Montana Heat) by Jennifer Ryan (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"He discovered her during a Montana blizzard, freezing cold, impossibly vulnerable, a little boy by her side. Undercover DEA Agent Beck “Trigger” Cooke is astonished to recognize Ashley Swan—award-winning actress, famous beauty—and missing for over a year. To keep her and the child hidden from a sadistic madman, he secrets the pair away to his isolated home.

No longer a prisoner, and protected at Hope Ranch, Ashley recovers and learns the tall, tempting federal agent may have a dark past, but it hasn’t destroyed his sense of honor.

As they shed past roles and find common ground, Ashley and Trigger can’t help but fall slowly, carefully, in love. But danger still lurks outside the boundaries of Hope Ranch, for until her crazed captor is brought to justice, and Trigger’s undercover past is laid to rest, none of them will ever be truly safe…"

My Thoughts:

My feelings for this book were kinda all over the place so my apologies ahead of time if my review is all over the place as well.  I wanted to love this book, I really did.  The summary sounded right up my alley, and as I love a good romantic suspense I was really looking forward to this one.  The suspense portions of this book were super good and were what made this such a fast read.  This author has created such a creepy "bad guy" and the idea of him finding Ashley again gave me chills.  I honestly feel like if this just had been a suspense/mystery read I probably would have given the book four stars.  That's how much I liked those portions of this book.  What I just couldn't get behind though was the insta-love between Ashley and Trigger.  I never connected to them as a couple even when I really wanted to.  It wasn't that I didn't like them together because I actually did.  I just didn't find their relationship believable in how instantly they came together and fell in love.  After everything that Ashley went through, you would think it would take time for her to trust another man let alone fall in love.  And from reading that above summary, I totally thought that was how it was going to happen.  Honestly, this could be a "it's not you, it's me" type of thing.  I don't usually care for insta-love romances in general.  I much prefer the slow burns where the couple have to really get to know each and build a relationship instead.  For me, Ashley and Trigger's relationship didn't add to my enjoyment of this book which is why this book is only a three star read for me.

All of that being said, I really do want to read more by this author.  I've heard from other readers that this wasn't their favorite book as well so maybe I just picked the wrong one to begin with.  I could definitely get behind the suspense and tense atmosphere that the author created with this book though!  It had me thoroughly creeped out at times - especially at the beginning before Ashley makes her escape.  I also really loved the snowstorm setting in this book!  I felt like this was the perfect time of year to pick this book up even if I didn't love it as much as I had hoped to.  I'm going to recommend this one but with hesitations.  If you don't mind relationships between characters that develop almost instantly, this is a book that you will probably enjoy more than I did.  For me, I will check out some of this author's other books instead.

Bottom Line:  A romantic suspense read that was better for me on the suspense portion, less so on the actual romance.

Disclosure:  I checked this book out from my local library.

Troublemaker by Linda Howard (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"For Morgan Yancy, an operative and team leader in a paramilitary group, nothing comes before his job. But when he’s ambushed and almost killed, his supervisor is determined to find out who’s after the members of his elite squad—and why. Due to worries that this unknown enemy will strike again, Morgan is sent to a remote location and told to lay low and stay vigilant. But between a tempting housemate he’s determined to protect and a deadly threat waiting in the shadows, keeping under the radar is proving to be his most dangerous mission yet.

The part-time police chief of a small West Virginian mountain town, Isabeau “Bo” Maran finally has her life figured out. She’s got friends, a dog, and a little money in the bank. Then Morgan Yancy shows up on her doorstep. Bo doesn’t need a mysterious man in her life—especially a troublemaker as enticing and secretive as Morgan.

The harder they fight the intense heat between them, the closer Morgan and Bo become, even though she knows he’s hiding from something. But discovering the truth could cost Bo more than she’s willing to give. And when Morgan’s cover is blown, it might just cost her life."

My Thoughts:

I wanted to read this book mainly based off the fact that it was written by Linda Howard, and I've been meaning to read her books for some time now.  Also, I'm a sucker for the romantic suspense genre so that of course made me want to read this book more.  Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book although I would classify it as more of a romance if I'm being honest.  There were some elements of suspense but really this book was more focused on the romance developing between Morgan and Bo.  And what a romance that was!  One of the things that I love for my romance books to have is a realistic feel to them.  I am not huge on when relationships happen overnight or when there is insta-love with no build up.  In this book, Bo takes Morgan into her home not because she wants to but because she can't turn him away in the shape that is in.  Their relationship develops over the course of the book (I don't really feel that this is a spoiler thanks to above summary) in a way that actually feels natural.  Also, their relationship didn't just solve all of their problems either- another pet peeve of mine in romances.  I just really loved the way the author set this book up in a way that you couldn't help but want to root for their happy ever after.

I also really, really loved how much of this book was focused on Bo's dog Tricks.  As my family just recently got a puppy, I adored how much of this book focused on Tricks and what an important part she played in Bo's life.  This is definitely a dog lover's type of book which I found to be just perfect.  There was never a time when Tricks didn't play an important part of the story which just really added to the story for me.  I also loved that the author really brought the small town that Bo lived in to life.  There were a bunch of secondary characters that I enjoyed reading about as well.  I found this book to be the perfect read during a stressful time of year.  I was able to just lose myself within this book's pages and the romance that was brewing between Bo and Morgan.  Sometimes that is exactly what you need especially when life is hectic and busy.  I liked that the ending tied everything up although I didn't find it to be as suspenseful as I expected.  Really by that time I was okay with the lack of suspense.  I was more focused on the romance and seeing how Morgan and Bo would work everything out.  

Overall, I enjoyed this book and found it to be a solid romance.  I'm planning on reading more by this author, and I believe that she has an extensive backlist so I have a lot to look forward to which makes me happy.  I'm glad that I finally took the plunge to give this author a try because it was a great reading experience.  I think that both dog lovers and romance fans will enjoy this book.  I can easily recommend this one!

Bottom Line:  A slow building romance that I really enjoyed!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss.

How Secrets Die by Marta Perry (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"As Laurel Ridge embraces a stranger hungry for answers, a sinister truth is awakened.

A hard-hitting reporter, Kate Beaumont unearths the deepest lies and brings harsh truths to light, but the story that lures her to the gentle town of Laurel Ridge, Pennsylvania, is closer to her heart than anyone knows. The details of her half brother's sudden death have never made sense. She owes him justice, yet the one man who can help her is the stubborn sheriff she can't stand.

Protecting his town is Mac Whiting's top priority. Everything else, including pacifying a beautiful crusader on a mission best left resting in peace, is secondary. But as Kate's search embeds her in his world and attracts a skilled criminal, she needs Mac's protection. Drawn together by deadly secrets, they must find a way to trust each other before a killer silences them both."

My Thoughts:

This is an author that I've always added to my TBR list but had never tried until now.  I am so glad that has changed because I really found this book to be a pleasurable read.  I'm always looking for good romantic suspense reads and I believe that this book would fit that genre.  The focus was more on the mystery in comparison to the romance but that actually worked really well for me.  I liked that the main characters realized that they had something more important to worry about but were still trying to work through their feelings for one another.  In fact, their relationship just came to life in the pages of this book and I loved every moment of it.  They went from not particularly liking each other at all (there is some strong resentment on Kate's part but you will have to read the book to see why) to working together to figure out what really happened to Kate's brother.  The mystery of Kate's brother's death was definitely a good one.  I found myself intrigued by it from the very beginning but especially because of the circumstances surrounding his death.  The question of what Kate was actually looking for/if she was going to get any answers was a constant presence throughout this book, and I feel like it added to the suspense.  It sure did make me want to turn the pages of this book that much faster!

What I enjoyed most about this book though was how easily I was able to immerse myself within it.  I found myself reading it between innings at my kid's baseball games.  I found myself reading this book basically every free second that I had.  And with how slow my reading has been going lately, that is really saying something!  I didn't want to set this book down so I didn't.  I just read to my heart's content and enjoyed every minute of it.  I found the ending of this book to be pretty intense although I did manage to figure out part of it.  It didn't matter though because by that point I was just trying to read as fast as possible to see how it would all end.  This was the perfect book to read during this reading slump or whatever I seem to be going through.  It left me excited to read more by this author and to find other books just like this!  I've got more of this author's books on my TBR list so I at least have more to look forward to.  Fans of romantic suspense should definitely give this book a try- I can easily recommend it!  

Bottom Line:  A perfect summer read with both romance and mystery!  

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher as part of a TLC Book Tour.


 

Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

With nothing but rumors to lead her, Lynn Harmony has trekked across a nightmare landscape to find one man—a mysterious, damaged legend who protects the weak and leads the strong. He’s more than muscle and firepower—and in post-plague L.A., he’s her only hope. As the one woman who could cure the disease, Lynn is the single most volatile—and vulnerable—creature in this new and ruthless world. But face to face with Jax Mercury…

Danger has never looked quite so delicious…

My Thoughts:

Post-apocalyptic romance.  That is all I needed to hear before I was adding this book on to my TBR wishlist.  It is so easy sometimes, isn't it?  This is a genre that I cannot resist and always want to read more of although really I've read very few books like this.  This book was just as good as I had hoped it would be, and I am delighted that it is the beginning to a series.  A post-apocalyptic romantic series...be still my heart!  After finishing this book I am already eagerly anticipating book two because this book was just that good.  It was unique, kick-ass, and intense which are all things that made this book a winner for me.  It would be most accurate to say that I devoured this book- I started reading it and just couldn't stop.  

I have a certain weakness for books and shows (evidenced by my obsession to The Walking Dead) that feature "the end of society as we know it".  It is a scary thing to read about at times because it can feel all too real.  The world that this author created was perfect because it felt so real.  The constant hunt and search for supplies.  The attempt at creating a life and some new version of normal.   And of course the need to fight to survive.  If society really was to end, I am sure that all three of these things would be necessary which is a terrifying thought.  I loved how easily this author pulled me into this dark world that she had created.  It was so different from other books that I have read like this and I couldn't help but appreciate that fact alone.  Add to that two really great main characters and you have a winning read!  Oh, but I just loved the characters in this book and especially Jax and Lynn.  The chemistry between these two was just as hot as I had hoped for.  There are some secondary characters that really had me intrigued as well and I'm hoping to see more of them in the next book.  The ending of this book was completely intense!  I was on the edge of my seat reading as fast as I possibly could.  The author had some super creepy moments in there that made it even more intense!  I finished this book all too soon and was left wishing for more.  At least I have another book to look forward to although I sure do wish that I had it in my hands now!

Overall, this book was an amazing read that left me wanting more.  If anyone has recommendations for other post-apocalyptic romance reads, do share!  I love books like this but just don't know of enough of them.  I sure would like to add more to my TBR wishlist!  The romance in this book fit in perfectly with the story line (and didn't feel like it was shoved in as a side note) and left me feeling completely satisfied.  The intensity of this book and the world that the author created made this a thrilling read that I just couldn't get enough of.  I would highly recommend this book to romance fans and especially those of romantic suspense.  Highly recommended!

Bottom Line:  A great beginning to this series- it was just as good as I wanted it to be!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. 

If you are interested, here is a link to another series that I have really loved similar to this one.  Nightfall by Ellen Conner was just as intense as this book was and also one that I loved to pieces!

Out Rider by Lindsay McKenna (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"A fresh start—that's all Devorah McGuire wants. As a former Marine and current Ranger with the US Forest Service, she's grown accustomed to keeping others safe. But when the unthinkable happens, she can only hope that a transfer to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, will allow her to put the past behind her for good.

Dev's mentor at Grand Tetons National Park is fellow canine handler and horseman Sloan Rankin. He shows Dev the spectacular trails, never knowing the terror that stalks her every move. Despite her lingering fear, Dev feels an attraction for Sloan as wild as their surroundings.

With Sloan, Dev can envision a new life—a real home. Unless a vengeful man fresh out of prison succeeds in finishing what he started…"

My Thoughts:

With all of the mysteries and thrillers that I've been reading lately, a romance was the perfect change of pace for me.  I eagerly picked up my copy of this book as I've read one other book by this author that I enjoyed awhile back.  Now I've only read two books so far by this author but both featured romance and the military which is something that I always seem to enjoy in my books.  This book was set in Montana and both main characters had served time in the military which I found very intriguing.  Especially because both Dev and Sloan were dealing with the after effects of having PTSD from their time in service.  It was just one of those small connections that combined to really make their relationship believable for me as the reader.  Speaking of their relationship, this was one of those books that I love when it comes to the building of a relationship.  They didn't just fall in love with each other despite the fact that they had an instant connection or attraction.  This was more of a friends to lovers story in a way even though they had just met at the very beginning of the book.  There were tons of factors and obstacles that led to them holding off on their feelings for one another but I really just appreciated that it came across more naturally than many other books.  In fact, I was almost impatient at points because I was so ready for them to take that next step.  LOL!  The wait was worth it though and I feel like I enjoyed this book more because of it.

The story line featured the fact that Dev had a stalker where she previously lived (not really a spoiler since it is mentioned in the summary).  The author goes into detail in what Dev previously went through which wasn't always easy to read at times so I thought I better throw that out there.  It might just be me but reading about stalkers always gives me the heeby jeeby's. It sure did add a layer of suspense to this book and especially to the ending!  I got to a certain point near the end and just wasn't able to set this book down.  It was really intense but I loved the way that the author wrapped everything up!  I also really, really loved the way that the author described Wyoming.  I've never been but from the descriptions I could just picture everything in my head.  I love when I am able to visualize a place that I've never been to while reading.  It just adds to the reading experience for me!  My one and only complaint with this book was that it felt repetitive at times.  I felt like there were certain things that were brought up over and over again.  It might just have been me though as sometimes I prefer more showing rather than telling.  All in all though, this was an enjoyable reading experience that made me glad to have read this author again.

Overall, I found this book to be a solid romance that was the perfect change of pace to everything else that I have been reading.  I'm curious to check out this author's other books because I believe that some of them might be loosely connected to this one (I'm guessing here on this).  Like maybe some of the other characters that were in this book have their own books?  A girl can hope!  This was a quiet romance with an explosive finish- that is the best way that I can describe it.  I would recommend it to other romance readers easily.  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  Another enjoyable read by this author!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley as part of a TLC book tour.

Cuff Me by Lauren Layne (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Vincent Moretti is one of the NYPD's top homicide detectives-and one of the most eligible bachelors in town. His family, however, thinks he should date his longtime partner, Jill-a sassy, sexy, smart-mouthed blonde who drives him absolutely crazy.

Behind the quiet authority, tough-guy demeanor, and dark aviator glasses lies a man with a big soul-and a hard body that can soften any girl's heart. After years as his coworker, Jill Henley has given up hope that anything could happen between her and Vin. Besides, loving him would break all the rules. But seeing Jill with someone else triggers feelings in Vincent he never knew he had. Now he'll have to stop playing good cop/bad cop-and find a way to convince her to be his partner for life. . ."

My Thoughts: 

One of the things that I love so much about the blogging world is the fact that I find all of these new authors thanks to blogger recommendations.  I've had this author on my radar now thanks to a blogging friend who I trust when it comes to romance recommendations (thanks Lisa!) so I jumped at the opportunity to read this one.  Verdict on this author and book?  I loved her voice, enjoyed this book, and am left really excited to read more of the books in this series!  All very good things if I do say so myself!  This was one of those books that I found myself unable to put down which meant that I read it in a matter of days.  The chemistry and tension between the two main characters was so good and it just meant that I couldn't stop reading.  What is funny about this book (and my reading experience) is that this is the second romance I've read this year where one of the main characters in a serious relationship with someone else.  I totally would have said before now that I wouldn't have enjoyed this kind of story line but both of these authors have managed to make it work.  And actually work quite well despite my misgivings early on.  I found myself eagerly reading trying to figure out how Vin and Jill were going to find their happy ever after when there were so many complications in front of them.  I loved every minute of it!

I also really enjoyed that with this book there was also a mystery story line present.  Vincent and Jill are both detectives and also partners that were investigating the death of a famous actress.  The question of who killed the famous leading lady gave this book a layer of suspense that I wasn't actually expecting.  Basically I was reading for two different things.  One, for Vincent to finally realize that Jill was the best thing that ever happened to them so they could fall in love.  Two, I was reading to see who the killer was and how these two were going to figure it all out.  As I'm a mystery lover as well, this book basically was hitting all of my sweet spots which is one of the reasons why I just couldn't stop reading.  I loved the ending of this book so much although I won't say more than that.  I finished this book with a smile on my face and was left very excited to the other books in this series.  I have to see what I've missed with these other brothers and how they fell in love!! 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am thrilled that I had the chance to read it!  I found myself reading this one during ALL of my free time and even when I shouldn't have been reading (like when I was supposed to be helping the oldest child with math).  The chemistry between the two main characters was exactly how I like it to be with my romance reads:  steamy and hot but also filled with obstacles that need to be overcome.  I am a sucker for a book where the main characters have to fight to be together in some way rather than the insta-love that sometimes happens.  This is easily a book that I would recommend to other romance readers!  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  A book that I found myself swept away in!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley as part of a Tasty Book Tour. 

 Here is just a taste of this book but is the perfect one to make you want to read it (at least it sure worked for me!):

 

Drive by Sidney Bristol (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Aiden DeHart has a history—and secrets. His classic car garage is a front for an FBI operation. His current mission: get some evidence from a drug dealer’s ex-wife, then get out. Madison Haughton sending his engine into overdrive isn’t part of the plan, though, especially considering she might not be as innocent as Aiden thought…

Since her divorce from her sleazeball ex, Madison has sworn off bad boys, gotten some sweet tattoos, and become a star of Miami’s roller derby scene. But however fast she skates, her ex is always on her tail. When the sexy guy in the muscle car offers to help, he could be her ticket to safety—or a detour down a deadly road…"

My Thoughts:

I've been on a bit of a romance kick as of late and the summary of this one was just too good to pass up.  Also this sounded like romantic suspense which I can never resist.  It was a pretty good choice on my part as I enjoyed this one.  Last weekend we took the kiddos for a quick weekend getaway to an indoor water park and while the kiddos swam I sat poolside and devoured this book.  It was the perfect read for a weekend like this as I was able to set it down and pick it back up with ease, jumping right back in where I had left off.  It was fast paced enough to keep my attention and had me intrigued throughout the entire book.  You can't ask for more than that!  

What I really enjoyed about this book though was the chemistry and developing relationship between Aiden and Madison.  These two were so different from each other but I couldn't help but love them together!  One of the things that I loved about Madison was her drive and motivation.  She used her divorce from a truly bad individual to better herself and really develop her own identity.  I loved that she was in roller derby which isn't something that I know much about.  Heck, the entire book could have focused on her roller derby experiences and I bet I would have loved it.  It was so unique and fun, and I definitely wanted to read more about it.  I also really liked Aiden's character and was pulled in by his back story.  There is definitely more that the author hasn't shared in regards to Aiden and his partner Julian.  Actually all of the secondary characters or Aiden's "group" that he worked with left me excited as I'm eager to read their books.  The relationship between Aiden and Madison though was definitely what I wanted to read the most about and I really enjoyed watching this relationship develop.  The ending of this book was definitely the most intense part for me!  I found myself unable to put the book down by that point (no worries we were home by then).  I liked the way it ended but am curious to see what happens next.  Because you kind of know that everything can't possibly be over...not yet anyways.  Bring on the next book!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a fun read!  The characters were really great and left me especially eager to learn more about some of those secondary characters that we got glimpses of.  I loved the racing and car themes that were present throughout the book.  And I especially adored the parts that focused on roller derby.  This book was a solid read and if I still did ratings would probably be an easy 3.5 stars.  I found it a perfect way to spend the weekend and can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  A fun and suspenseful read that I enjoyed.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher as part of a Tasty book tour.

Thanks to the publisher I also have an excerpt from the book to share with all of you.  To get a taste of this book read on below:

"There was a good way to start a week, and there was a bad one. Aiden

DeHart figured the jury was still out on this one.

“DeHart, microphones are live. Keep Ross near the car.”

“It’s a Chevelle, Kathy,” he replied to the disembodied woman’s voice only he

could hear. He hated this, working with the FBI, but they had him by the balls.

“Yeah, whatever. Keep him near the Chevelle.” Kathy chuckled.

Aiden tapped the steering wheel of his Chevrolet Chevelle and rolled his eyes

at the FBI agent chirping more reminders in his ear. Kathy was a good agent, a little

too motherly for his tastes, but a good woman.

He tuned her out and cleared his mind, inhaling the scent of the beach. The

simple truth was that every word he said needed to be carefully chosen.

Microphones were all over the damn car, which irritated the hell out of him that his

classic restore was getting adhesive all over the leather. He wouldn’t normally allow

it, but if this job led to taking down Michael Evers, it was worth it. The son of a bitch

had murdered Aiden’s sister and her cop husband to make a point to the Miami-

Dade PD. His brother-in-law had been a good cop. A bit too

good, unfortunately, and it had gotten both him and Andrea killed.

“DeHart, we’re in place.” CJ’s voice echoed in Aiden’s ear. Great, he had not

one, but two Feds in his head.

CJ and his wife, Kathy, were FBI agents undercover in Aiden’s garage, and

often worked support for him and his crew. He hadn’t known FBI agents could be

married to another agent in the Qeld, but he had the proof under his roof. Hell, there

was likely some extensive study with all sorts of data to justify the work/wed

arrangement. He could imagine CJ spouting said data as he got down on one knee.

Kathy and CJ were a . . .unique couple. He overlooked their uniqueness because

they knew their shit.

“Try not to break too many laws,” CJ warned. They might be FBI, but the deep

cover operation had them bending and breaking laws. Which was why it was Aiden

doing this gig instead of his co-owner and best friend, Julian. While Julian was a full-

Oedged undercover FBI agent, Aiden was a contracted employee, or asset. He could

break rules Julian couldn’t, though that line had begun to blur as of late.

“No promises there. Going silent.” Aiden sucked in a deep breath and blew it

out.

It was time.

He emptied his mind of the two people on the other end of the radio, of all

the little things he needed to do today and simply—let go. The road stretched out

ahead of him, a path to anywhere.

He hit the accelerator and shifted gears. The old muscle car roared to life. He

blazed down the well-kept street, mansions sprawling on either side of him. His

awareness narrowed to the bend in the road ahead and the gate leading to their

target’s home.

The humid Miami air rushed through the windows, beating him in the face

and carrying with it the cry of seagulls. The scents of freshly cut grass, salt water,

and Oowers drifted on the wind. Here, there was no Latino hip-hop music breaking

up the pristine silence. It was all opulence and wealth.

The gate yawned open to his right. He grabbed the hand brake, turned the

wheel, and let the Chevelle drift sideways through the space. The whole car

vibrated, tires squealing with the maneuver. A security guard in the gatehouse

dropped a magazine out of the window and yelled something, but Aiden was already

through and accelerating up the drive. Palm trees lined the quarter mile to the two-

story mansion. The drive circled around a fountain. Several sleek sports cars were

parked around the bend, like some fancy magazine spread. Those cars might have

the Oash, but his Chevelle had double the horsepower.

Aiden brought the car around the fountain, breaking and letting the tail end

swing around. It made for a jarring, Oashy stop.

Flash was what he was going for.

“Fuck, Aiden. Did you have to burn so much rubber?” CJ whispered in his ear.

The agent was a stickler for following the rules, and one of their biggest ones

was: stay under the radar. The Feds didn’t want to have to cover up their shit if

Aiden got in trouble, which was bound to happen on occasion. CJ had proven to be

an invaluable member of their team. Between his experience in the Qeld and his

wife’s quick thinking, they’d saved Aiden’s ass more than a few times.

He snorted and climbed out of the car. A trio of men in suits stood on the

stairs leading to the grand double doors. It might have been impressive, except the

whole community was one mansion trying to outdo its neighbors. At least a half

dozen guys in suits hung around, hands poised on their barely concealed weapons.

The whole setup was a little pretentious, but then again, men like Dustin Ross

weren’t exactly classy folk.

Two years ago, Dustin barely registered on the lowlevel crime scale. He’d

climbed the ladder fast thanks to his greed, and he liked to show it o/, unlike his

boss, Michael Evers. What Dustin probably didn’t know was that Evers ran through

guys like Dustin every two years, using them up and spitting them out to save his

own ass.

Dustin was just the latest in a string of dummies stupid enough to get into bed with

the Evers operation.

Aiden pushed his sunglasses up on his head and leaned against his car.

“Aiden DeHart.” Dustin shook the hand of one of the men he was standing

with before heading down the stairs toward him. “Wasn’t expecting you so soon.”

“I drive fast. You said you wanted to see me?”

 

“Yeah, why don’t you show me what this baby can do?” Dustin didn’t wait for

permission. He climbed in the passenger side and settled in.

Well, that was easy.

“Sure. Whatever you say, boss.” Aiden sank into the driver’s seat while CJ

snickered in his ear.

Aiden didn’t punch it hard out of the driveway. He did want to hear what the other

man had to say, after all.

And they needed a clean recording. Dustin suggesting they leave his property—

without security—confirmed Aiden’s suspicions. Whatever this job was, Dustin didn’t

want his boss to know about it.

In the grand scheme of things, Michael Evers was the real target. Dustin was

just a stepping-stone to taking down the criminal mastermind. Jobs like this should

never be personal, and yet here he was. Driving an asshole around one of the

ritziest areas of Miami, neither speaking. Which was Qne with him. Conversation

with

Dustin was about as stimulating as watching oil drip out of a car. He took his time,

winding through the houses, around the properties and eventually out onto the

highway.

“How fast does she go?” Dustin asked.

“One-eighty if I’ve got the distance.” The Chevelle wasn’t a race car, though

he liked its speed. It could perform, but he didn’t like to push the car too much. It

was a classic that deserved the respect of the road. He had a few newer, American

muscle cars tricked out and outfitted for racing.

“Nice.” He cleared his throat. “I really appreciate that job you did for me. The

guys were right when they said you were the person to go to if I wanted something

done quiet—and right.” Dustin peered at him through tinted glasses. For someone

with so much money, he still seemed sleazy. Maybe it was the o/-the-rack suit with

the

Rolex watch and store-bought tan.

“Glad I could be of assistance,” Aiden drawled. Thanks to a few dings on his

record, the FBI had been able to embellish the truth a little. Between their additions

and what came naturally due to racing, he had plenty of street cred and the

experience to back it up. He doubted old Uncle Sam had intended him to put the

skills he’d learned in the service to use chopping cars and pretending to be one of

the bad guys.

“That street gang, they don’t want to mess with us.” Dustin acted like he

were the one who’d chopped six cars of the rival gang.

“They’re punks. Kids. They don’t have any business playing with the big boys.

Just let them drive their toy cars in circles.”

 Dustin approaching Aiden out of the blue like that had shocked him and sent

their entire operation into chaos. While they’d had their heads shoved up Evers’s

ass, Dustin had begun a little war with one of the street gangs. One Aiden knew all

too well because he raced against them regularly."