I was actually THIS CLOSE to not finishing this book. Why, you ask? Because the first 50 pages or so were full of my number one pet peeve!! Front loading: when you describe everything about a character as soon as they appear without letting those details come out naturally. UGH. Not my favorite way to start a book at all. However, I gotta say the book redeemed itself quite nicely. I can’t point to exactly … Continue reading Killer Countdown by Amelia Autin
I chose Killer Countdown because I was excited to read a book where the hero had a chronic illness. I also like political thrillers and this seemed more escapist than the current season of Scandal. Ultimately, I fell hard for a man in the book but it sadly wasn’t deadly boring Senator Shane Jones. From the moment reporter Carly sneaks into Shane’s hospital room seeking a scoop, the two of them fall into insta-lust. …she … Continue reading Killer Countdown by Amelia Autin
I don’t read much M/M romance. However, when HelenKay Dimon announced this series, I knew that I trusted her enough as an author to give it a try. I wasn’t disappointed. The action is fast, often reading like an action adventure movie, men in suits with guns chasing after bad guys & girls. It should be noted I’m half-watching Skyfall as I write this review, so I’m channeling a Daniel Craig style Bond vibe for … Continue reading Mr. and Mr. Smith by HelenKay Dimon
This is the first book I’ve ever read by HelenKay Dimon, so I can’t tell you if it’s a typical book for her, or some new and exciting direction she’s taking her fiction in. A quick glance at Goodreads shows me that she has written quite a lot of books that all seem to be romantic suspense, some with a m/f and others with m/m focus. In this series, Tough Love, we are introduced to … Continue reading Mr. and Mr. Smith by HelenKay Dimon
Have you ever read a book or watched a show, and after it’s over and someone asks you what you think, all you can do is scrunch your face, hunch your shoulders, and make a sound that sounds something like “Hmnghhhhh?” So they ask you if that means you didn’t like it, you say “Mmmm no…” but when they ask if you did like it, you say “Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm nooo…” And any attempts to properly explain … Continue reading Always a Bridesmaid by Lizzie Shane
The first thing that you should know about this book is that it is YA romance, which I didn’t realize when I signed up for it since it was under the “best first book” category. Abby and Zeke’s ages are never actually given, although their French professor ensures they are both over 17 due to some explicit course content. It is difficult to review it because certain things that are hallmarks of YA don’t work … Continue reading The Distance from A to Z by Natalie Blitt
This book about a marriage of convenience almost works. I enjoyed it the first time through, but it didn’t benefit from a second reading. I usually don’t like modern day marriage of convenience plots. I just don’t find it believable that someone would require their child or grandchild to marry someone to inherit the family corporation or a trust fund. I’m all for suspension of disbelief, but my logical brain balks when it has to … Continue reading Once and For All by Cheryl Etchison
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
