I was both excited and scared to death when it came time to sign up for the RITA Reader Challenge this year so I was more than relieved when I had the chance to choose a book from my favorite genre – romantic suspense. After I looked up the blurb for each offering in the category, I happily selected J.T. Ellison’s Field of Graves because it seemed to have so much catnip for me: a … Continue reading Field of Graves by J. T. Ellison
In this second book of the Untamed Highlander series, Andrew Lochlannach gets sent by his brother to help protect the lands that Susana, Andrew’s brother’s sister-in-law, has been in charge of defending for her aging father. In a huge coincidence that can be easily forgiven in romance-land, Susana and Andrew fell in love in Perth six years ago, were broken up by a deceitful friend, and still haven’t gotten over each other. In an excellent … Continue reading Susana and the Scot by Sabrina York
All the Dead Girls is the third book in the Graveyard Falls series and the plot is centered on the town’s third serial killer (maybe fourth, but as I didn’t read the previous two books, the few references to previous events were a little confusing). The town of Graveyard Falls should really consider changing it’s name. It seems to be attracting some terrible people. But that aside, it makes for some really interesting crimes, criminal … Continue reading All the Dead Girls by Rita Herron
TW for victim blaming and discussion of rape, kidnapping, suicide, and sexual assault. As someone who likes a good suspenseful story and is a fan of the My Favorite Murder podcast (hey, fellow Murderinos!), I was very on board for this story when I saw the summary. Women in law enforcement stopping serial killers? Yes, please! Maybe this will fill The Fall-shaped hole in my heart, I thought. When I found out that I’d gotten … Continue reading All the Dead Girls by Rita Herron
I was excited at the thought of snagging a book for the Smart Bitches Trashy Books RITA Reader Challenge. SBTB is the first book blog I read, and a great example of what I want our blog to be when it grows up. I carefully went over the list (well, what was left of the list, it was kind of slim pickings by the time I looked) and Enchanted Warrior stood out. The King Arthur … Continue reading Enchanted Warrior by Sharon Ashwood
This book reads like the R-rated cousin of a BBC Merlin episode. Some cheesy writing and slightly rushed plot points: check. Knights of the Round Table making questionable decisions: check. A badass sorcerer who takes no shit and saves literally everyone, all the time: check and mate. As a huge Merlin fan, overall, I enjoyed myself. The reasons why: Tamsin Greene, healer, witch, and historian extraordinaire. Tamsin is following in her missing they-never-found-the-body dead father’s … Continue reading Enchanted Warrior by Sharon Ashwood
Christmas on Crimson Mountain is a perfectly serviceable romance novel featuring a woman who’s had breast cancer, a man who lost his wife and child in a car accident, and the woman’s two wards, the daughters of her best friend, who has just died of cancer. So there’s a lot of recent death in these people’s lives. The female lead, April, is scared of commitment and not very good with children but is a very … Continue reading Christmas on Crimson Mountain by Michelle Major
Firstly, despite the very contemporary cover of 2 people embracing, this is an inspirational romance so physical displays of affection are very limited – 2 kisses over the entire book! Also I thought the cover appeared slightly young adulty. However, it is definitely a story with adult characterisation and plot. The book has a rather unique setting of a luxury tour of New Zealand aimed at Tolkien enthusiasts and is really quite charming. The heroine … Continue reading Close to You by Kara Isaac
Trigger Warnings: suicide, rape, attempted rape, drug use, physical abuse I stopped playing the flute after sixth grade. As much as I enjoyed orchestra performances and placing in competitions, I hated practicing and it became clear this would not change. For that reason alone, musicians have always intrigued me. Their dedication to their craft and their willingness to practice for hours (HOW?!) is impressive and I enjoy novels that allow us to peek behind the … Continue reading Before Goodbye by Mimi Cross
Although I used to mainline teen fiction like there was no tomorrow, I’ve largely taken a break for the last couple of years. This is partly because I spent the last two years reading 300+ adult fiction books while I served on a committee which I lovingly referred to as “My Crazy Ass Reading Committee” but which is properly known as The Reading List Committee. Reading Alterations, I was reminded of the other reason teen … Continue reading Alterations by Stephanie Scott
First, let us all enjoy the Post-It notes that I jotted down thoughts on. It was a library book, so no notes in the margins. I’m not getting hunted down for a librarian for nobody. So I am familiar with the fact that this website loves them some Julie Anne Long, and their effusive love for her has actually caused me to one-click at least two Pennyroyal Green books. That doesn’t mean I have actually … Continue reading Hot in Hellcat Canyon by Julie Anne Long
