Entries Tagged 'Suspense/Thriller' ↓
March 13th, 2010 — 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, ARC, Blackmail, Counts, Marquis, Viscounts, Georgian, Gothic, Great Britain, Paranormal, Revenge, S-U, Spinster, Survival, Suspense/Thriller, Werewolf
I have a funny story with this book and by story I mean an epic fail. I was returning some books back to the library and somehow Lady Anne sneaked back with them. When I realized what I’d done it was as if I’d been amputated! So painful. Of course I returned the books on a Sunday; the only day in the week the library isn’t open until late in the afternoon or early in the day.
After a pretty good freak out, I waited until I could call. Ended hanging up once because I was on hold for five minutes and called back. Then I had to wait on the phone for twenty plus minutes before somebody from circulation got to me. They either forgot me or they were busy. I told them about the book and the person I talked with probably never got a call like this before because I was given a hard time.
Finally, I managed to convince them that the book was mine and not a library book. I don’t understand how this was so difficult as 1) it is not stamped with the library name nor was it 2) tagged with a detector strip or that pocket thing and 3) clearly says advance review copy on the cover! This is why I write in books to identify and claim them.
In the end they put the book on hold for me and now it was a matter of getting back over there. The library where I dropped the books off while on errands was all the way across town. I really didn’t make this easy on myself. Luckily I got there, but it was close! One more red light and it would have been better luck next time. Needless to say I was very, very pleased to get this book back and finish it… which I did later that night.
What I liked best about Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark was its tribute to Gothic romance, followed swiftly by a capable intelligent heroine. The hero liked that best about her too so how could you not fall in love with him? Lady Anne is very plain and a spinster to boot, which are some of my very favorite things to read in romance.
Simpson writes in a witty and engaging voice. I loved Lady Anne. She was such a treat. Her musings on Lord Darkefell are particularly fabulous:
It was either that or go back to pondering the feel of Lord Darkefell’s too-perfect lips pressed against hers. And his too-perfect body against hers. He was entirely too perfect—if there was such a concept as overabundant perfection—in a physical sense and entirely too maddeningly imperfect in every other way.
Without giving anything else away I will say this: if you like mystery, intrigue, werewolves, and Gothic you will love this book! Oh and chances are you're going to jump to conclusions about the mystery and be totally wrong - I was!
Rating: 3.5-4 Stars
Buy: Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark
Originally posted 2009-03-29 05:55:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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March 10th, 2010 — 2 Stars, 4 Stars, A-C, ARC, Contemporary, Crime and Protection, Guest Reviews, Lawyer, Paranormal, Supernatural, Suspense/Thriller, United States of America
by Cara Lynn, guest reviewer
Préjà Vu is a book right up my alley in many ways. I like romantic suspense, because it is a little less hard-edged than most mystery or detective stories that are gore filled. At the same time I suppose you could call this a psychic romance instead of a romantic suspense novel, because there is the added element of premonition, something I am also interested in.
And a clever title too!
The book:
Ryann Phillips' dreams are filled with psychic premonitions. It is rare for her to have a normal dream. For the most part, she is able to live with them, but one night her premonition is of a woman who will be murdered, so she thinks. Somehow she has to warn the victim.
It turns out the victim in her dream is none other than Victoria Joyce who has a few secrets of her own and is not a very likable character. Victoria is in the midst of a divorce, and she is quick to assert that her ex is trying to kill her.
And there are a couple of dead bodies along the way.
Trevor Kearney is Victoria's attorney (and colleague.) He thinks, at first, that Victoria has hired a fake psychic. Against his better judgment, he learns more about Ryann and her ability.
And along the way there is both sexual tension and the beginning of a firm relationship with Ryann. And they heat up the sheets.
My take:
There was a lot I liked about this book. I liked Ryann (and her friend.) I even liked Trevor. I figured out where it was going, but it wasn't so clear that I didn't have my doubts.
I'm not so hot on jumping into bed with someone who is as condescending and argumentative as he is, a somewhat Harlequin take on romance. No matter how hot the tension, and it is hot.
I don't think rescuing a man from his own tendencies is a very good bode for romance in real life. He's going to change? I'm going to like it, dealing constantly with an irascible male? Nope. Even if the author does give some motivation for his behavior.
'course, I'm supposed to suspend reality, but there's only so far I can go.
I don't like that he almost forces her in his office. That's a turn off to me.
And I don't like the bondage sex in it -- not only was there no need, but it wasn't really believable that she wouldn't wake up while he is tying her up.
And this makes it all right? Not in my book.
I suppose, in retrospect, the only characters I really liked in this book were Ryann and her friend.
My rating:
I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars if it weren't for the above aspects to it.
I'd have to give it a 2 at best, because of that. But if you are forewarned, you can read the story and skip those parts. Or not.
Buy: Préjà Vu
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February 28th, 2010 — 5 Stars, ARC, Artist, Blackmail, Friends, Gentry, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, Magic Users, Mystery, P-R, Paranormal, Rape/Abuse, Regency, Scarred Hero, Suspense/Thriller, Virgin Hero
by Susan S., Guest Reviewer
“Huzzah” for this Kensington Zebra debut author! Erica Ridley’s Too Wicked To Kiss is a titillating whodunit set in a London castle. There’s unlit corridors, secret passageways, stolen kisses, and a hero in cravats and breeches, “Oh my!” I may not wield powers of clairvoyance like (Evangeline) Ridley’s heroine, but I’m predicting this author will receive many calling cards from readers.
Are you going to like this historical romance? Ooo…yeah! I received the eARC for review and pre-ordered the paperback from B&N. I simply must procure the paperback for my bookshelf! Just picture me for a second, walking on hot coals repeating, “Hot, hot, hot, hot!”
Evangeline Pemberton is no stranger to heartache. Her mother has recently passed, and she’s just ran-away from her physically abusive stepfather (Neal) who aside from hitting her also entertains lascivious thoughts regarding his stepdaughter. Evangeline’s clairvoyant gift has caused her to shun both friends and the touch of others. Any touch brings about visions either past or yet-to-be along with one hellacious headache. Alone and out of options, she turns to Lady Stanton and her daughter Miss Susan Stanton. They offer to take her to Blackberry Manor in London with “one” simple stipulation; entrap Gavin Lioncroft (hero) into a betrothal contract with Susan. Evangeline’s not sure which of these three options terrifies her more: (1) deceiving an innocent bachelor into marriage with a total stranger (2) the fact that Gavin is a presumed murderer and they’re to stay in his manor for two weeks or (3) that Neal will find her.
When a murder is committed in Blackberry Manor everyone’s suspect, with at least 15 suspects and three with a motive to kill, this whodunit will leave you second-guessing the guilty party until the very end.
Evangeline finds her upcoming deception harder and harder to accomplish. Gavin is stirring passions within her both new and wonderful. Will she entrap Gavin for Susan? Or will Evangeline keep this “sinfully handsome” man for herself?
My favorite character was the hero, Gavin. What’s not to love? He’s a wickedly handsome tease. He protects those he loves; he’s passionate and goes after what he wants. Not to mention, here’s a man who knows how to apologize.
My favorite scene: In the dining room Gavin’s gaze slides down Evangeline’s body and retraces the path back up. He stares boldly and lifts an eyebrow to let her know, he likes what he sees. When she does the same to him and looks up at his face, he winks.
Too Wicked To Kiss is funny, sensual, entertaining and has a happily-ever-after. A must read!
Recommendations: If you like romances, this novel is a must read. I’m also recommending it to readers who like Sherlock Holmes, whodunits, Nancy Drew, mystery, romantic suspense, hot reads, Regency, historical and happily ever afters.
The sequel to Too Wicked To Kiss is set to release in the spring of 2011. Too Sinful To Deny is the story of a gossip-hungry heroine Miss Susan Stanton. Susan is Evangeline’s friend in book one. Something tells me there are lots of changes to come for Miss Stanton and some of which include…pirates!
Rating: 5 Stars
Buy: Too Wicked To Kiss
Zebra Books, An Imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp., Historical Romance, Regency, Paranormal, eARC, Copyright March 2, 2010, pages 451. ISBN (10) 142 010 9936. ISBN (13) 978-1420109931.
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February 20th, 2010 — 2 Stars, 5 Stars, ARC, Contemporary, Crime and Protection, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, J-L, Suspense/Thriller
By Susan S., Guest Reviewer
Almost Home is a beautifully, captivating read, with plot twists galore and a who done it feel until the very end!
Jordan Weiss (heroine) is an intelligence officer from Washington, D.C. She’s about to embark on a journey, which terrifies her, more than any covert operation she’s ever had. One where she must travel to London and confront a painful past.
Her new assignment is to find the person(s) responsible for a money laundering scheme. Money which is being funneled for illegal activities. But, when her main lead goes missing and people start turning up dead, it’s a race against time to find answers. After all, the Albanian mobsters aren’t known for their kindness. They’ll shoot to kill if anyone stands in their way.
When an old rowing buddy from Cambridge (Chris Bannister) rips open old wounds, Jordan will have to uncover dark secrets, before she can begin to heal. Her ex-boyfriend’s drowning 10 years ago hasn’t been easy on either of them. Jared’s death left grief and unanswered questions in its wake. Chris’s re-emergence has brought along a slew of dangerous potholes. Will Jordan complete her assignment, and maneuver them like a professional operative? Or, will she find herself on the wrong side of a gun wielding mobster.
Recommendations:
You “should” read this novel, if you enjoy Harlequin Intrigue and romantic suspense. Almost Home intermingles elements from the movies Clear and Present Danger
and Oxford Blues
. Jenoff’s novel “may not” be for you, if you like short reads like categories. Or, if you’re hoping to read erotica scenes, or are eager for that happily ever after.
Pam Jenoff is a new-to-me author. Can she write? Oh, absolutely! In fact, her writing is almost poetic. While reading, she had me so engrossed in the story; I’d lose all track of time. Be forewarned though, there is “no” happily ever after. The author leaves us with an unanswered question in the end. Leaving a door open for a sequel, maybe? I’d like to read it, if she does write one.
POV: Heroine’s, first person.
My favorite scene: Jordan has a flash back of an intimate moment spent with Jared. It’s raining; they’re in the ruins of a chapel, making love. The author does a beautiful job of setting that scene up for us.
Almost Home does not have a “developing relationship” between a hero and a heroine. As a contemporary fiction with suspense elements it garners a 5 star rating. As a romance novel, it earns a 2 star rating.
2 Stars, 5 Stars, Fiction, Contemporary, Suspense, ATRIA Books, A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., Copyright 2009, Print Pages, 376. ISBN-10: 1-4165-9069-2 ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-9069-9
Buy: Almost Home: A Novel
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February 15th, 2010 — Guest Blogger, J-L, Suspense/Thriller
by Cym Lowell, guest blogger and author of Riddle of Berlin.
When a writer crafts a thriller, is there a role that romance should play in the plot? This would be a great question for a creative writing class, along with other plot elements. Why? I can think of at least two reasons. First, there is no formula or stock answer so the question should generate plenty of lively discussion. Second, the lively discussion would be fascinating, reflecting the individual tastes of the participants.
As a practical matter, the thriller genre has enough sub-genres to absorb any level of romance that a reader could want. We have books that are described and promoted as romantic suspense or romantic mystery. There are probably books promoted as romantic thrillers, though none come to mind immediately. There are several that I think are romantic, as will be noted below, but I do not think they are promoted as such.
The place to begin this inquiry is to ask “what is romance?” Is it the subtle intrigue in the evolution of a relationship that seems too bizarre to be possible (this was the case in the now best seller The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova). Or is it the sensuality of James Bond and his “Bond girls?” There are plenty of books that seem to surf on swells of voyeurism as the plots center around sex.
Which of these areas is romantic to you? To me, “romance” is a critical element of the humanity of characters. For me to find kinship and interest in characters, I want to know that they have needs, hopes, and dreams. As a story progresses, I will identify with and be concerned about a character who is brave enough to address the danger in the story that is always on the horizon (after all, we are talking about thrillers). As empathy grows for the character, I am hopeful that he or she will find that dream at the end of the chase. If such elements of humanity are taken out of the character, it generally becomes more one dimensional and my interest is likely to wane.
For every successful thriller writer, there is a different formula that works for that author and the style of story that he or she likes to tell. If the style resonates with a large enough group of readers, then the author will find at least creative success, and maybe financial as well. At the end of the day, fiction writers address what they know, with their own insecurities, hopes, or desires in full bloom for readers to enjoy as they will. Some of us are romantics. Others of us are, no doubt, so insecure in our own lives concerning romance that it is hard to imagine how characters would experience the romance that can only be dreamed of.
What do you want in a thriller in terms of romance? Do you enjoy the intellectual stimulation of genuinely intriguing action story line (First Blood by David Morrell, the classic beginning of the Rambo saga. The only romance in that wonderful book was understanding what made that interesting young man home from war tick. What about the chase to determine the famous Jason Bourne’s identity as the bad guys seek to shut him up forever (The Bourne Legacy by Eric Von Lustbader and Robert Ludlum)? The romance here is often in the nature of liaisons that are consumed in the fire of the action. Do you want to understand the psyche of Jason and the sensuality that be hidden beneath the exterior that is painted vividly? Or the romance could be a bit of prop to establish the humanity of a thriller character, which is a common way in which romance seems to be embraced in thrillers?
I read a lot of books and I am constantly amazed at the prop nature of romance. In this sense, I think of a “prop” as being something that is necessary for the story but really has no role in it. How about romance being the real story and the action parts being the background (Terms of Attraction by Kylie Brant). I loved this book because it was so easy to attach to the characters and wonder what possibility there was between. The needs of both male and female protagonists were plainly established from the first moment. She is a professional killer (a police sniper), who is needful. Can she find it? Don’t you want your protagonists, male or female, to find excitement in their romantic lives? Don’t you want to read of them experiencing what you dream of for yourself? Do you want to see how the protagonists deal with emotions that you have felt in your life, reading the story amazed that fictional characters could experience what you have, then become hooked to see if they handle it better or worse that you did in your life?
For me? I love to combine an exciting thriller story-line with situations in which real people, like you or me, could find themselves ensnared. In my novel, Riddle of Berlin
, the female protagonist sees a likely dead body in the waters of the Seine River in Paris. She strips naked, jumps in, hauls the inert carcass aboard, nurtures it back to health, as her boat traverses the waterways of Europe. She falls in love, as does he with her. Initially, he thinks he died and awoke in Heaven in the arms of angel. “Angels are soft,” he said, “and delicious.”
My conclusion about the role of romance in thrillers is that a fiction writer puts his or her own feelings on paper, whether it is conscious or not. A few months ago, I was honored to be asked to address an African-American reading club. One of the ladies had read Riddle of Berlin and wanted me to address its Christian themes. Frankly, I was delighted to accept but mystified about the suggestion that there were Christian or even religious themes in the book. Upon reflection and preparation, I was surprised to find a wide range of such themes. When I then thought through why they were so apparent when I was looking for them, but not when the words were getting on the page, I had an interesting self-revelation. Religion is an important part of my life, so as I write it is inevitable that such themes find their way into the storyline.
Similarly, romance is a driving force in my life so it is not surprising that it is front and center in what I write.
Buy: Riddle of Berlin
Author Bio:
Cym is a thriller writer who lives on a lake in East Texas. A romantic, he enjoys weaving romance, spirituality, and experience from the world into his international thriller stories. He also enjoys reviewing a wide range of books, including romance stories, especially if the stories expose the souls of their characters.
You can find more information about Cym on his blog, www.cymlowell.blogspot.com and connect with him on Twitter, www.twitter.com/cymlowell.
Giveaway: Cym Lowell is offering two versions of his bookRiddle of Berlin to two readers today. One will get a a signed copy and the other will get an ebook version. Both are open to international readers. If you have a preference, please indicate in your comment. To enter leave a comment or ask Cym a question! One entry per relevant comment/question; multiple entries allowed. Ends: February 28, 2010. Good luck!
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February 5th, 2010 — 4 Stars, Contemporary, Guest Reviews, J-L, Sailing, Secret Agent, Suspense/Thriller
By: Marcia, guest reviewer
The great thing about a series is that the writer has the freedom to explore themes and develop characters in greater detail than in a single average sized novel. This is true of Lora Leigh’s ‘Tempting Seals Series’. Durango Team, of the Navy Seals, is working for Homeland Security trying to shut down a drug cartel and capture a mysterious terrorist. Each novel in the series follows the members of Durango Team as they meet and fall in love with their soul mates. Of course, love never runs smooth. Killer Secrets is the third novel in the series.
Ian Fuentes is the illegitimate son of Diego Fuentes, the leader of a very successful drug cartel. He is also a sadist and murderer. Ian hates him and has vowed to kill him for not protecting him as a child and for kidnapping and torturing a fellow Seal, Nathan. He is working, alone and undercover posing as traitor to the U.S., in his father’s drug cartel. In return his father has agreed to help him trap and kill the terrorist known only as Sorrell.
Kira Porter is an independent undercover operative for DHS known as the Chameleon. Her disguises are so good than no one has ever recognized her as the very wealthy socialite and niece of a very powerful Washington politician. She and Ian have crossed paths on occasion and he always recognizes her by the way her body moves and the shape of her ears. They have long ignored the attraction they feel for one another since the job always comes first.
This time they meet in Aruba at a weapons deal gone wrong. Kira has infiltrated a terrorist group with ties to Sorrell and has accompanied them to what is supposed to be a weapons deal. Unknown to her, the real objective is to kill Ian. In the mist of the action she recognizes Ian and quickly changes sides, helping him turn the tables on the terrorist group. Afterward, instead of disappearing, she rents a villa under her real identity with the intent of joining Ian’s operation. DHS has agreed and asked that she keep Ian from killing his father or Sorrell since both are wanted for the information they can provide. Ian is an admitted chauvinist and does not want a woman in his operation, especially Kira.
The themes of betrayal, trust, fear of intimacy and commitment unfold in a highly erotic, sexual arena. Leigh’s dialog is bold and her bedroom scenes leave nothing to the imagination. Romantic Times BOOKreviews is quoted on the cover as saying, “Leigh’s books can scorch the ink off the page.” This is certainly true. This book is HOT, HOT, HOT!
Four Stars
LRP relies on its readers, we want to feature novels you like to read and we can only do that with your help. Suggest novels in the forum or write us a review and get posted on the blog! We look forward to hearing from you!
Originally posted 2008-09-04 05:35:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 26th, 2010 — 4.5 Stars, ARC, Contemporary, Detective, Guest Reviews, Paranormal, Police, S-U, Science, Survival, Suspense/Thriller, United States of America, Werewolf
by Susan S., guest reviewer
Spear’s latest novel is bursting with romance, suspense, and heart-pounding excitement!
Legend of the White Wolf is the fourth book in Terry Spear’s werewolf series.
Does it stand alone? Yes.
Recommendations: This novel will appeal to readers who enjoy both paranormal romance, and romantic suspense.
The heroine (Faith O’Malley) is a forensic scientist working with the police dept. in Portland, Oregon. She’s also a woman on a mission. Faith is traveling from Oregon to Maine, in search of her soon-to-be, ex-boyfriend Hilson. Apparently, he just stole her father’s research.
Meet Cameron MacPherson, a sandy haired, blue-eyed gorgeous hero. He’s a physically fit private investigator, and former police officer. Cameron has a mission of his own, to find his missing partners, Owen and David.
But, when Faith and Cameron stumble onto a murder scene, their plans are not only sidetracked, but they are now persons of interest in a murder-mystery.
Will they find the person(s) responsible, or will they become the next targets?
More importantly, can two jilted people learn to love and trust their hearts again? Read Legend of the White Wolf to find out.
Here are some things I enjoyed: There’s a scene, where Cameron runs a towel over Faith’s wet hair. I thought it was both simple and utterly romantic. The author’s description of an Aurora Borealis was also beautifully written.
What will you enjoy? Hunky- wolfish men shedding their clothes, wolf bites, hotel clerk’s key mix-ups, and the reference to the Sleeping Beauty trio.
Legend of the White Wolf will leave you howling for more! Don’t worry, Terry Spear promises to feed our wolf addiction with books five and six, set to release by fall of 2010. Both novels will be published by Sourcebooks, Inc., Casablanca-titled Seduced by the Wolf and Wolf Fever.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Buy: Legend of the White Wolf
Paranormal Romance, ARC, Series, Sourcebooks, Inc., Casablanca, February 2010, Mass Market Paperback, Print Pages, 367. ISBN-13# 978-1-4022-1905-4.
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January 10th, 2010 — 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, Book Review, Dukes and Earls, Farming, Great Britain, Historical Romance, Kidnapping, P-R, Suspense/Thriller, Virgin Heroine, Widow or Widower
This lovely little book was a quick and delightful read. I was sad to finish it because it meant that I would have to let the leads Julian Ravenwood and Sophy Dorring go their own way. The novel starts out with Julian accepting Sophy’s refusal to marry him. The word was passed down to him through her grandfather and Julian is stunned. Little Sophy could not hope to make a better match and his offer was generous to the extreme. Determined to gain an audience with Sophy Julian contrives of a way to do so. He tracks her down and demands to know her requirements to marry him. She spouts of a few outrageous ideas and he agrees and adds a few of his own turning the tables and leaving Sophy stunned.
Julian is an earl and all that implies. He’s the epitome of the controlling domineering alpha male. He’s also a widower; his late wife drowned. Not that this was a hardship, there was something wrong with the woman. Elizabeth, the dead wife, was for the lack of a better word a nymphomaniac. She loved to cuckold Julian, especially since she didn’t want to marry him in the first place. She took what was warm and good inside Julian and killed it. After the second duel to defend her honor, Julian came to the realization that his wife was not virtuous and didn’t have any honor. He labeled all women susceptible to the madness and vowed never to risk his fool neck for a woman again, but he needs a wife to supply him an heir and Sophy as far as he’s concerned is as different from Elizabeth as night and day.
Sophy is a typical unusual female for her times, but in slightly new way. She’s not put together and far from sophisticated. Pieces of her clothing and accessories like ribbons and feathers are always askew. She loves to read (mostly herbals and a treatise on women’s rights). She doesn’t trust seduction or lust without love. The reason Sophy doesn’t trust a man’s passion is because her sister, Amelia, was seduced and killed by one man’s passion. Sophy thinks sex without love is the epitome of masculine ruthlessness. She has the ring of the man who seduced Amelia and plans to find him and ruin him.
When Julian corner’s her for her list of demands she begs of him three things. One, that she not be forced into the childbed right away or more accurately forced into the marriage bed. Julian promises her three months of leeway. This is acceptable to her because she’s loved Julian since she was 18 not that the fool would notice, panting after Elizabeth as he was. She hopes to make him love her in the time they are not sharing a bed. Two, she wants to control her inheritance. Julian counters that his quarterly allowance for her exceeds the money her grandfather will leave her, but she insists. Three, she wants no interference from him on what she can and cannot read.
Sophy was quite loveable as a character I thought; Julian on the other hand at times was not. While his motives are quite known he still comes off as stern, intractable, and unwilling to reach compromises not in his favor… he breaks his side of the bargain while Sophy always keeps hers and dares to get mad when Sophy questions his honor. Depending on the reader you might be tempted to throw the book because of his outlandish behavior. Also true, however, is that you might enjoy his high handedness. In addition Julian is protective and concerned for his new wife. By the end I was persuaded to like him, but he was definitely ridiculous at times. Perhaps that makes him flawed realistically. Grin.
Rating 3.5 to 4 Stars
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Originally posted 2008-12-19 19:25:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 5th, 2010 — 5 Stars, A-C, ARC, Contemporary, Crime and Protection, Guest Reviews, Revenge, Science, Soldier, Survival, Suspense/Thriller, United States of America
by Karin of Savvy Thinker, guest reviewer.
No spoiler.
The Cost of Love, Drue Allen’s first book, is terrific! I hope she has more up her sleeve.
Genre: romantic suspense
Format: hardback
Length: 311 pages
ISBN 13: 9781594148675
ISBN 10: 1594148678
Publisher: Five Star
Author name: Drue Allen
Pub Date: March, 2010
In the interests of transparency: I was given a pdf to read by LRP who received it from Drue. I put it on my Kindle, and unfortunately it didn’t format perfectly, which was super annoying, but the book was so good, I could overlook all that.
National security comes with a price.
My take:
It has been a long time since I read a book that held my interest to such a level. I didn’t want to put it down. Besides that, it is very well written. If you like romantic suspense, you will love this one.
I rate it 8* out of 5, that’s how good it is. Seriously.
And it is contemporary, in that what it posits is something that is truly fearful.
The characters:
The characters are very well drawn. They are interesting, from the youngest to the oldest.
Dean Dreiser is a hard bitten operative, sent undercover to flush out terrorists who are bent on using biological weapons in an escalating situation. Its capabilities are gruesome. He is given a new partner, one too young for him, one hardly out of school, Dr. Lucinda Brown. She has no field expertise, but she is the leading expert in molecular biology. It’s up to her to find out what the weapon is and how it works. It’s up to both of them to stop it, if they can.
Undercover
Together they are working undercover in a bar. Dean is the bartender. She is one of the waitresses. It is thought that something is going down in the bar. And, as you’d expect, the bar offers many opportunities for odd characters, any of which could be one of the baddies.
Dean expected her cover to be that she is interested in UFO’s. The cover that she felt was believable is: he is interesting enough to spend her summer vacation getting to know him. That doesn’t thrill the bar owner who is a character herself – quick to pick up her shotgun to stop a fight; chain smoking, though supposedly stopping; questionable enough to be a suspect.
The place
Roswell, home of the extraterrestrial sightings. So you have UFO groupies that forward the story.
Suspense:
Yes, every page. I completely missed who the baddie is.
Trust no one
Someone on base is feeding the terrorists the news as to what is happening. Dean is smart enough to have figured out how to meet with his superior, but even his superior is suspect.
Only Aiden (who has a back story with Dean – and hopefully this story will be written in book form too!) is free and clear. Good thing Dean has him to rely on!
Murder and gore
Yes. And yes. Gruesome, made all the more so because it is so believable. Murders upon murders. Shoot to kill to protect oneself. Be prepared for anything. Trust no one. Hope to make it out alive.
Romance
Yes, and believable.
Peripheral characters:
I’d read stories about them too. I can’t tell you which one(s) because then you would know they weren’t a baddie, but trust me, they are interesting enough to become part of the next main stories or for back stories, and each has enough info that they would easily become part of a new team.
Buy: The Cost of Love
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January 1st, 2010 — 2 Stars, 5 Stars, ARC, Children, Contemporary, Crime and Protection, Estranged, Guest Reviews, J-L, Kidnapping, Police, Survival, Suspense/Thriller, United States of America
by Karin of Savvy Thinker, guest reviewer.
LRP gave me an arc copy to review.
The genre
Romantic Suspense
Shattered has plenty of suspense.
The sex
Hot, hot, hot, but not crude.
There is one scene of angry sex, but they are both equally angry, it is not one-sided.
Lots of twists and turns
This includes intertwined relationships which might seem contrived (and they are) but they don't read as contrived. In the context of marital separation, there is a hint of another romance, but it is never consummated.
Violence
Yes. Torture (off page but strongly hinted at.) Murders. Kidnapping. Children witnessing murder.
Heads up
Negatives to me
One of the children in the book is diagnosed with Leukemia. I'd rather have had this left out of the book. Is it a romance book or reality book?
There are a number of treatments discussed in the book.
The child survives and likely goes into remission in a relatively short time, which might not happen in RL.
All's well that ends well.
The ending is satisfying. Everything is settled in 423 pages and a pretty fast read, one you won't want to put down. If only life would follow suit!
Part of the Bitter Creek novel series
This book is part of the Bitter Creek series, one of seven other books. There is enough information given within the book that someone who has never read any of the other books, can get a sense of who is who and have a pretty good guess at what the other books contain.
My take
I liked this book a lot, but then romantic suspense is a genre I particularly like to read.
Rating: I'd rate it a 5 Stars for romantic suspense, and a 2 Stars because of the Leukemia thread.
Buy: Shattered (Bitter Creek Novels)
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December 31st, 2009 — A-C, Crime and Protection, Detective, Guest Blogger, Mystery, Suspense/Thriller
by Mary Burton, guest blogger and author of Dying Scream.
The average daily chase for me doesn’t have a whole lot of thrill attached to it. I’m usually chasing my miniature dachshunds, Buddy and Bella, through the woods because they’ve gotten onto the scent of something. I’m chasing a deadline or I’m chasing down a recipe for another kind of cookie or bread. All good stuff, but not so thrilling.
However, when I pick up a book, especially a romantic suspense, I can really sink into a thrilling chase. Not only is there a sense of the romantic chase (the chemistry, the tension, the energy that hooks the hero and heroine together) but there is the added layer of a very literal chase—the race to catch a killer. It’s this double pursuit for love and justice that drew me first as a reader and then as a writer to romantic suspense.
In DYING SCREAM, the hero and heroine don’t seem to be in any kind of chase when the story opens. If anything, they are running in opposite directions. Adrianna Barrington and Gage Hudson are not only former lovers with far too many unresolved emotions, but they quickly find themselves on opposite sides of a murder investigation. There are so many reasons why these two would never make it and yet the Pull between them, which they thought was long dead, is so strong that the race toward true love quickly begins.
And if the emotional struggle is not enough for these two, they also have a serial killer that is quite literally chasing Adrianna. If Gage can’t out guess this dangerous killer, he will lose the woman he has finally come so far to find.
So, if you’d like to escape the mundane and sink into a book that feeds your need for a thrilling chase, consider DYING SCREAM. It was great fun for me chasing after these two characters as their story unfolded and I hope you’ll find their journey as thrilling as I did.
Mary Burton
www.maryburton.com
Buy: Dying Scream
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December 18th, 2009 — Author Interviews, Georgian, Gothic, Paranormal, S-U, Suspense/Thriller, Werewolf
Q - I had so much fun reading Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark; what was your inspiration for the book? Do you have any photos you worked from for the imposing castle and grounds?
A - Thank you, Keira... I appreciate the kind words! I am a rational person, and so is Lady Anne. When she hears a werewolf has been spotted, she thinks, 'big dog on the loose'. Once I saw that, and put it together with the Georgian era, when there was a lot of superstition (not that there isn't that now!) the rest flowed from there. As for photos of the castle... what actually inspired Darkefell Castle is a pen, ink and watercolor picture I bought at a rummage sale; it is of an old castle with a modern (Georgian modern, probably mid-1700s) addition, and it is exactly Darkefell Castle! I've searched and searched online, but I can't find the original that the artist worked from.
Q - What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Thinking up the plot.
Outlining.
Writing it.
Editing final drafts.
Depends upon what stage I'm at working, what I would answer to that question. Right now I would say, final editing is agonizing, because you know that after it's gone, sent off to your editor, you will likely not have any opportunity to substantially change the course of the book again. You have to be sure of it!
Q - How did Sourcebooks find out about your novel?
I have a great agent with his nose to the ground, looking for intriguing new opportunities. When we were looking about for a publisher for the Lady Anne series, he included Sourcebooks Casablanca among the recipients, as he found their recent acquisitions interesting. We took it from there, sending it to the acquisitions editor, Deb Werksman, and she like it!
Q - How much time do you spend writing each day (or each week, if you prefer)?
It depends on a) what I'm writing and b) what else is on my plate. If I have a book due, it's full-time days writing. If I have a book being released, then promotion takes over. But most days, overall, I tend to write about five hours a day.
Q - What do you think is the greatest creative risk you've taken?
Blending mystery and romance so thoroughly in the Lady Anne series. I adore romances with mystery elements and love mysteries with a strong thread of romance, and I hope readers do, too. I mean, both romance and mystery are parts of life, why can't they co-exist in a novel genre?
Q - What are some plot devices you like? Can't stand?
I don't know so much if they are plot devices, but I despise emotionally manipulative writers, the ones who set you up to have certain expectations, then dash them. I think they believe that it's more 'literary' to put characters (and readers) through pain than to give them a happy ending. Not necessarily.
Also, I hatehatehate (I feel so strongly about this I had to repeat it three times!) writers who aren't true to their characters. When I close a book, I want to know, even if the end is sad, that it makes sense, that how the characters acted was true to their soul as the writer created them, and not some behavior that feels superimposed by the author because he or she had a certain ending in mind.
As for plot devices I like, all I ask of a writer is that they are true to their characters, and I'll go with almost anything!
Q - Could you provide a picture of your bookshelf?
I don't have just one bookshelf! They're kind of scattered all over the house!
Q - Share some of your favorite books!
Favorite books... ah, the list is endless! A Flaw in the Blood
, by Stephanie Barron blew me away... such a great writer. People know her from her fabulous Jane Austen as a detective series, but she's good at everything she writes. I like classics, of course. Who hasn't been inspired by Pride & Prejudice? But for day-to-day reading, I love mystery novels! Anne Perry, Victoria Thompson, many others!
Q - What do you do to relax and get away from writing? Is there something that really gets you away from it all?
Mostly, just ordinary stuff. I love to read; I can't imagine there's an author alive who wouldn't say that! Reading is such a great escape, and that's what I try to write for my readers, a great escape from care and worry. I do have a few hobbies - including karaoke - and hanging out with friends on the weekend. That is about it. I'm a very simple gal. A good book on the patio and a glass of wine or cup of tea is about the perfect end of a day.
Q - I have a spoiler question... Will there be a sequel so that Darkefell can win over Lady Anne? Oh please say yes!
Okay, I'm not one to release spoilers, but I will say this much, in Lady Anne and the Ghost's Revenge
(August 2009) things heat up considerably between Darkefell and Anne, and in Lady Anne and the Gypsy Curse (November 2009) the passion reaches bonfire proportions on the heat scale! Some do like it hot!
Q - How do you define love?
Love: wow, definitions are tough, but my idea of love is caring so much about another person, that you put them first in your thoughts. You know their faults and don't give a damn. You would make any sacrifice to make them happy.
Q - Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
I had a great time with these characters; they often did quite unexpected things! And I hope readers enjoy them as much as I did writing about their adventures.
Visit me at http://www.donnaleasimpson.com for more information on the Lady Anne series, and if you'd like to learn more about the Georgian era, in which they are set!
Originally posted 2009-04-04 05:11:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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December 16th, 2009 — Gothic, Guest Blogger, S-U, Suspense/Thriller
by Donna Lea Simpson, guest blogger
I read a few gothic romances when I was much younger... you know, the kind with the cover that shows the girl running from a castle wearing a floaty dress. I keep getting, from readers and reviewers, that I write Gothic historicals, but I never set out to do that. Maybe Gothic style just comes naturally to me.
The usual set up of a Gothic, historic or modern, has the heroine trapped somewhere with a man who may be some kind of dangerous, murdering madman. Or... he may just be a nice misunderstood guy, but he insists on keeping secrets from the heroine and everyone else! The one facet of the heroine's character that is vital to the Gothic plot, is that she cannot leave the mystery alone. She doesn't pack her bags and escape the castle in a timely fashion, she doesn't just shut her mouth and ignore the weirdness, she's compelled to pick away at the hero's mysterious behavior, open the door to the forbidden room, or descend to the cellar from which the weird, clanking noises come.
In this sense, I suppose Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark (Sourcebooks Casablanca - April 2009) does follow classic Gothic sensibility. There are mysteries here, weird things afoot at night, and Lord Anthony Darkefell, the dark brooding hero, is not telling all he knows. Lady Anne Addison is the ultimate intrepid heroine, not willing to let the mystery rest. She must know the truth! However, Gothic heroines often seem to blunder mindlessly through the novel, making discoveries by accident, and Lady Anne uses all of her wits and considerable skepticism.
One enormous difference between Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark and the true Gothic is the use of the hero's viewpoint. Gothic novels never feature the hero's viewpoint, because to do so dilutes the 'unknown'; a viewpoint character exposes some of their soul to the reader, or it's not proper characterization. I wanted readers to get to know Darkefell, to understand him, and his changing feelings for Anne.
I guess when you get down to it, the use of some aspects of the Gothic is just plain fun, both for the reader and writer. In Northanger Abbey
, Jane Austen had great fun with Gothic sensibility. Her heroine, Catherine Morland, imagines all kinds of horrible things-that General Tilney murdered his wife, or imprisoned her-until she is shown how wrong it is to let her imagination run riot like that.
Now, in a true Gothic, Catherine's worst fears would have been proved right!
Another big difference between my Lady Anne books and classic Gothic style, is, you never get a sequel to a Gothic. I have managed to stretch the series to Lady Anne and the Ghost's Revenge (Sourcebooks Casablanca - August 2009) and Lady Anne and the Gypsy Curse (Sourcebooks Casablanca - November 2009), and having fun all the way, with Lady Anne and Darkefell's increasingly romantic entanglement.
I hope you all enjoy the books, and I would be interested in hearing if you feel there are Gothic elements in the book, and how they work to the story's benefit, or detriment. I had a great time with these characters; they often do quite unexpected things!
Visit me at http://www.donnaleasimpson.com for more information on the Lady Anne series!
Donna Lea Simpson is giving away one copy of Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark today. Open to US and Canada readers only. Enter by leaving a question for Donna or by telling us why you love/hate Gothic elements in romance! Winner will be announced April 1, 2009, no joke... sorry couldn't help myself. 
Originally posted 2009-03-31 05:57:47. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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December 13th, 2009 — 4 Stars, A-C, Book Review, Children, Contemporary, Crime and Protection, Estranged, Kidnapping, Mistaken Identity, Poor Eyesight, Secret Agent, Secret Baby, Survival, Suspense/Thriller, United States of America, Widow or Widower
Remember when I ran into Roxanne St. Claire at the bookstore? I asked her what her favorite books were that she wrote and Hunt Her Down was one of them. I was not disappointed in fact my socks were knocked off! I think I may just have to get back into reading lots and lots of romantic suspense because of this novel.
There’s this sexy shed scene where Dan masturbates that really did it. The scene is so hot you boil reading the pages. See, Dan has bad night vision and thought the heroine couldn’t see him. They were locked inside the shed (were they used to make love a lot when they knew each other years ago) by the bad guys and while they were waiting to be rescued they had a little trip down memory lane.
As Roxanne St. Claire said on twitter:
You know, every hero has to have a flaw. 
To which I said:
I'd take that flaw in a few more heroes haha
I so would! Whew!
Maggie Varcek believes in signs from the universe or at least her Baba (grandmother). When a fortune cookie fortune accurately acknowledges her pregnancy, Maggie is ecstatic and determined to go to the baby’s father to tell him the news. She knew he’d take care of her and they’d figure out what to do (e.g. how to get away and stay safe.) On that fateful night however, Maggie does not get the chance because Michael Scott dies when the FBI and DEA rush in to haul Ramon and Alonso Jimenez off to prison.
Flash forward a decade later. Ramon is released and back on the streets. Dan Gallagher, formerly Michael Scott, undercover Bullet Catcher, knows his ex-lover Maggie might be in danger if Ramon figured out she was the leak. His plans to protect her go awry when he finds out they had a kid. Now he’s racing to solve a case of missing millions, 100 million to be precise, and the mysteries of the heart, specifically his own.
Sizzling, suspenseful, and superb. As I said before, I think I may just have to get back into reading lots and lots of romantic suspense because of this novel. Can’t wait to read Make Her Pay
!
Rating: 4 Stars
Buy: Hunt Her Down (Bullet Catchers)
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December 10th, 2009 — Author Interviews, Bodyguard, S-U, Suspense/Thriller
Keira: Good morning everyone! Today we have a very special guest and a giveaway. Please join me in welcoming Roxanne St. Claire to the blog!
Roxanne: First of all, thank you SO much for inviting me to do this interview! I love the blog and how much you clearly love our genre.
Susan: For readers who are unfamiliar with your Bullet Catcher series, who are the Bullet Catchers?
Roxanne: The Bullet Catchers series consists of eight novels and two novellas. Each one stands alone as an individual romantic suspense adventure, but many of the characters reoccur over the books and each has their own story. The Bullet Catchers organization is an elite group of bodyguards, investigators, security specialists and all around brilliant, hot crime fighters run by a former CIA operative named Lucy Sharpe.
Keira: Bodyguard romance – be still my heart. What do you think is most appealing about bodyguard romance
Roxanne: Who doesn’t want to be protected by a fearless, sexy, smart, resourceful, gorgeous (did I mention sexy?) guy who is willing to die for you? I’ve no doubt that’s the timeless and universal appeal of the bodyguard romance.
Keira: What qualities must every Bullet Catcher have? What makes them unique heroes?
Roxanne: In every story, a Bullet Catcher is given an assignment that will test them physically and emotionally, so the hero (it is usually the hero, although there have been two stories with female Bullet Catchers as the heroine) has to strong on the outside and the inside. He (or she) has to make split second decisions, face ruthless villains, and solve complex crimes…and he (or she) has to navigate the treacherous seas of love that they think they don’t want or need…but can’t live without.
Keira: You’ve written and published 25 books so far, of which 8 (+2 novellas) are Bullet Catcher stories. How do you come up with all the plots? Is it hard for you to keep it fresh?
Roxanne: Ideas are easy – execution is a bear! The concept of the Bullet Catchers has a built-in “danger and romance” element that is at the heart of every book I write. The challenge is to keep it fresh, of course, give each character memorable and appealing traits (and some flaws, yes, they must have those) and craft a non-stop story that continually ups the stakes and increases the passion. It’s not easy, but usually it is fun. Sometimes, it is harrowing and I want to weep until I get the story just write.
Keira: What do you like best about writing romantic suspense?
Roxanne: I like the mix of sensuality and danger, and how things are constantly “at the edge” for the characters. But it does complicate a love story, and usually the plots have to unfold over a very short period of time, so it’s difficult to make the romance believable.
Keira: How do you define love?
Roxanne: Complete and utter trust combined with toe-curling attraction and a willingness to do anything – absolutely anything – to protect and save the relationship and the other person.
Keira: What do you think makes a great sex scene?
Roxanne: Conflict and plenty of it. I try to end every sex/love scene with a twist of precisely the thing that makes what they just did a HUGE mistake. Then they have to work through that.
Keira: Do you read what you write? Is suspense romance your favorite genre to read?
Roxanne: I do read, but I read very little romantic suspense. I should read more and I try to, but I also like to read YA, straight romance, some thrillers, and nonfiction. When I’m deep into a book, it’s hard to read anything at all because, frankly, I’m too tired and when I’m done writing, I just want to hang with my family and watch TV.
Jane: Will there be more Bullet Catcher books?
Roxanne: I honestly don’t know. Right now, they are on hiatus as I write a spin off series for a new publisher. Called The Guardian Angelinos, this series is about an extended family of renegade crimefighters based in Boston. It will be similar to the Bullet Catchers (and may have some overlapping Bullet Catcher characters as the Angelinos are distant cousins of Johnny Christiano, the hero of Take Me Tonight) but I think the new series will be a little bit grittier, and the stories will have higher “save the world” kind of stakes. I’ve turned in the first one and am currently writing the second. The series will launch next fall, and I’m really excited to see what my new publisher, Grand Central, does with the packaging and promotion. I expect great things!
Keira: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Roxanne: Just that I’d love to introduce your readers to a Bullet Catcher! I’ll give one commenter the Bullet Catcher book of her choice! To see the complete list and read excerpts (and bios/pics of the hotties) go to my website: www.roxannestclaire.com. Leave a comment (or question – I’ll answer anything!) at the end of this interview and we’ll pick a winner!!!
And thank you!
Giveaway Ends: December 17th, 2009 and is open to all readers worldwide.
Author Bio:
Roxanne St. Claire is a bestselling, RITA-award winning author of twenty-four novels of suspense and romance. She currently writes a popular romantic suspense series called “The Bullet Catchers” that features the adventures of an elite cadre of bodyguards and security professionals, published by Simon & Schuster's Pocket Books. In addition to being a four-time RITA nominee, her books have won the National Reader’s Choice Award for best romantic suspense for two consecutive years, as well as the Daphne du Maurier Award, the HOLT Medallion, the Maggie, Booksellers Best, Book Buyers Best, several Awards of Excellence, the Aspen Gold and multiple Gayle Wilson Awards of Excellence. In 2011, she will launch a new romantic suspense series, featuring a renegade family of street smart crime fighters known as the Guardian Angelinos, published by Grand Central Publishing.
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