[Reviewer’s biases: This reviewer’s creds/quirks may help explain why I reacted so strongly to some elements in the book: Introvert. ADD. Previous panic disorder. Social and cultural anthropologist.] The Cover One must not judge this book by its cover because it is… Just. Plain. Wrong. 1) Our Hero, Seth, is recognized across a crowded marketplace by his blue eyes. Not grey, not white, not pale green; they were recognizably blue. 2) The Hero wore a … Continue reading Honor Reclaimed by Tonya Burrows →
This review contains spoilers. Some I have tried to hide, and others will be revealed. You have been warned. I haven’t read the previous books in this trilogy (this being the third of the Private Justice series), but I have read books by the author before. I really enjoyed the author’s Heroes of Quantico trilogy, to which there was a nice reference to the RITA-Winning Award third book of that trilogy: In Harm’s Way. I don’t … Continue reading Deceived by Irene Hannon →
Before I start talking about the book, let me preface it with TRIGGER WARNING TRIGGER WARNING TRIGGER WARNING. While I may not discuss it heavily in the review, there is very graphic violence (mostly as backstory) and rape as backstory. If either of those are triggering for you in any way, I suggest forgoing this book. If not, please read on. For those who may remember, I reviewed the first Blood Money book – Blamed – and I enjoyed … Continue reading Ripped by Edie Harris →
This book is part of Harlequin Intrigue NOIR, a digital-first line. The book was originally titled The Precinct: After Dark and is set in the world of Miller’s fictional Fourth Precinct. Her long-running The Precinct series for Harlequin Intrigue started back in 2005 and includes over 25 books. But unlike many of her miniseries within The Precinct series, this book totally works as a stand-alone. The heroine’s teenaged sister has gone missing and she puts … Continue reading Bad Girl by Julie Miller →
My name is Elyse, and I’m a Nora Roberts virgin. Well, I was; I punched that v-card reading The Liar. I have to say losing my Nora virginity was more enjoyable and less awkward than losing my actual virginity. Also, like every old skool historical heroine, I feel like only Nora can give me what I want again. Witness my credit card bill, full of Nora one-click buys. The thing I loved about The Liar was that … Continue reading The Liar by Nora Roberts →
At Wolf Ranch by Jennifer Ryan is a romantic suspense with a sexy cowboy hero that both Amanda and I loved. Ella and Lela Wolf are twins and heiresses set to take ownership of their late father’s company when they turn 25. One night Ella receives a strange call from Lela and returns home just in time to see their uncle Phillip murder her. Ella overhears Phillip and a corrupt police detective as they plan … Continue reading At Wolf Ranch by Jennifer Ryan →
Get out the squee mop because I loved Playing Dirty by HelenKay Dimon like whoa. This is the kind of romantic suspense I love so much: action oriented, low on violence, loaded with larger-than-life heroes and sexytimes. See, here’s the thing: 1. I love action movies and 2. I love romantic suspense that reads like an action movie. I don’t dislike detective stories, but I’m less and less excited about books that feature a shitload of violence. … Continue reading Playing Dirty by HelenKay Dimon →
Marian would like you to know that this was her first DNF of the year. I suppose it’s good to get that out of the way. Says Marian: I had to stop reading this book before I even got halfway. There was nothing shocking like assault or abuse… just endless, misogynistic objectification and harassment from the hero. Rape culture alert! One positive review on Amazon said he was a throwback to the 40’s, and I … Continue reading Book Rant: The Man for the Job Is Not For the Job →
This book was an amazingly pleasant surprise and I lost track of the number of good book noises I made while reading it. I’m still getting my feet wet when it comes to romantic suspense, but I picked a good book to try out. It opens with the heroine post-torture. So I’d definitely issue a trigger warning for violence. Later on, there are some semi-graphic descriptions of said torture. Admittedly, dropping me into the middle of … Continue reading Blamed by Edie Harris →
Intrusion by Charlotte Stein is an unusual novel. It’s part romantic suspense, part moody, intense contemporary. It almost defies categorization. Both Sarah and I read and it we had a lot to say. Intrusion opens with Beth, our heroine and narrator, worried that her creepy neighbor Noah Gideon Grant has stolen her dog. Noah never leaves his slightly decrepit house, and there’s a rumor in the neighborhood that he killed his wife. Beth confronts Noah, … Continue reading Intrusion by Charlotte Stein →
I didn't receive a RITA® Reader Challenge 2014 review for this book, so I'm compiling quotes from reviews online and using the grade average from Goodreads as a substitute. This book has a 3.89 review average, which I'm interpreting as a B-. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Romantic Suspense category. The summary: SHE MAY BE HIS WORST ENEMY… For deadly secret agent Peter Macmillan, language is a weapon—one he uses to … Continue reading RITA Reader Challenge: Off the Edge by Carolyn Crane →
