Book Reviews - I love reading!
Take a peek at what I've been reading, and I'd love to hear about your reading escapades via my contact form or Facebook.
“The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading in order to write. A man will turn over half a library to make a book.”
Samuel Johnson
“The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading in order to write. A man will turn over half a library to make a book.”
Samuel Johnson
Suspense and Crime
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Romance
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Comedy
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General Fiction
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Women's Fiction
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Young Adult
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Other books I've read
Long Way Home by Susanne Bellamy. This is the 3rd novella in the Heart of the Outback series, and I thoroughly enjoyed the tense ride. The heroine was suitably damaged and determined to show everyone that she was nothing like the rest of her family. The hero was a dashing policeman with an eye for detail and dedication to his job. His gut instinct is telling him one thing, but his boss has other ideas. It's tough when you don't have a choice to work with your arch enemy for a cause you're passionate about, but horse whisperer Sarah has a lot to prove and this detective surprises her with his kindness.
Lost Cause by JL Simpson is a fun and sassy suspense story. Daisy Dunlop is determined, flirty and thinks heir hunting is the perfect career for her, if only she didn't have to work with the the Irish git, Solomon. One day she's going to figure out what secret her hubby is holding over Solomon to force him to pair up with her. It must be a beauty. Daisy doesn't let a little thing like lack of skill or any real leads hold her back from her case, and gets into all sorts of trouble. There is plenty of action and dead bodies, but when Solomon goes missing the detecting responsibility will fall to Daisy.
Chasing the Runaway Bride by Susan Meier. When Cade Donovan wanders back into his hometown for the reading of his grandfather's will, he doesn't expect to receive a windfall, or for it to tie him to his family's enemy. But the bane of his existance is also sexy and kind and determined. She chips away at his resolve and their partnership gradually melts loyalties on each side of the Donovan-O'Reily family feud. They are each working to clear their family's name, unfortunately working together every day makes it difficult to ignore their attraction and growing respect. The whole town expects Cade to walk away once the forced partnership is over, but Piper is relying on an inner faith to heal him.
Hidden Identity by Carol J Post. I loved the unusual and tense opening for this story. Meagan has a frightening past that she needs to keep secret, so she can stay safe, but after getting herself in the local papers, reporters are sniffing around. Someone is out to kill her, and Meagan believes it's her abusive ex-husband. Suspicious policeman, Hunter, will have to stay close to protect her, and he doesn't like the fact that she's obviously hiding from something. This story kept me turning the pages quickly. I identified with the characters and got involved in the small-town life.
Safe in the Fireman's Arms by Tina Radcliffe. The opening was a little stiff and there were a lot of distancing words used, but the story quickly warmed up and kept me engaged right through. There was a nice 'meet cute' between Maggie and Jake. I like the way even secondary characters had a role that tied into another part of the story, and the romance developed steadily and believeably. There was even a little humour thrown in. Lots of conflict, engaging characters, and personal demons to face.
Head Over Heels for the Boss by Susan Meier. Devon Donovan has spent his life protecting his family and taking on all of the responsibilities. When he uses his enormous wealth to buy the local flower businesses, Isabelle Cooper is part of the deal. They each have something to offer the other, and don't want to spoil a great working relationship by acting on their attraction. The plan they come up with to have the best of both worlds is bound to end in tears, especially now that Isabelle is so entrenched in the Donovan family. There's a great push and pull between responsibility and enjoying life.
Her Summer with the Marine by Susan Meier is an angsty read with heart. When Ellie returns to the home town that made her childhood a misery, because her sick father needs her, the last thing she wants is Finn adding morel stress to the situation. He's smoking hot and stirs all sorts of sordid thoughts every time Ellie's within 10 feet of him, but their competitive natures always goes too far. These characters were well drawn, relatable, and ooze chemistry. I bawled my eyes out at the end (in a good way of course).
Changeling by Debbie Herbert was a great story with quirky characters and nice magical content. There were some interesting and grose creatures. I enjoyed the personal dramas and the tentative relationship as it developed between Skye and Kheelan.
Pretty Shore by Carla Caruso. Professional organiser, Celeste, and new beau, Lenny, plan on enjoying time out in the seaside town of Robe. Celeste plans to work part of the time to de-clutter the holiday home of fashion designer Sabine. Her assistant, Flip, becomes embroiled in a murder mystery about how Sabine's daughter, Romy, died. Flip is distracted by the appearance of bad-boy rock star's son, Blaise, who is somehow involved in Romy's death. They characters were well drawn and the mystery at the heart of this story had me enthralled.
Beneath this Ink by Meghan March is a sexy ride on a rumbling Harley, with a gritty hero and apprehensive heroine. They enter into a complicated deal to each get what they want, but end up with a whole lot more than they bargained for. You won't be disappointed. Tattooed bad boy, Con, blew his one shot with the wealthy Vanessa, but it didn't matter because she was too good for him anyway. But when she needs something from him, he uses her vulnerability to get under her skin.
Step on a Crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge. A group of homeland terrorists brilliantly orchestrate a plan to take high profile people hostage in New York, and extricate a number of small ransoms that add up to a vast amount of money. Detective Tom Bennett is trying to cope with 10 children while his wife, Maeve, is dying of cancer, when he's called in to do hostage negotiation. He soon realises the terrorists are intelligent, American and have all the power. They know all about hostage techniques and do unexpected things. Their associate, the Neat Man, is really creepy. Many of the hostages try to fight back, but aren't prepared for the determination of their captors. The police tactical team come up with various plans to get the upper hand. The terrorists clever escape plan and other surprises will keep you guessing all the way. Tom's little family dramas and the personalities of his 10 kids are wonderfully detailed and easy to relate to and make this story a winner.
Beach Road by James Patterson and Peter De Jonge. Unusual storytelling with 7 characters telling their version of events in first person POV, which of course allows for differences of opinion & outright lies. Tom is shunned for representing a black teenager alledged to have murdered 3 white boys & his partner. It shows how quickly a whole community & friends can turn on you. Evidence mounts, tensions explode & Tom teams up with his ex, Katherine, to free Dante. Their relationship rekindles during the process. There are lots of twists & turns & scary characters in the story, but nothing like the mind-bender ending! (I was left with my mouth hanging open.)
Charming the Outback by Leesa Bow. This tale of how far a woman is prepared to go to win her soul mate, came alive with great outback scenery, accurate details of station life and rural attitudes. I wasn't convinced of Maddy's resolve to win Luke back early on, but warmed to the characters and their motivations, enjoying the push and pull of expectations and hearts. By the end I had cried and laughed and was guessing which minor chacter would be the next start in Leesa's creative universe.
Last Rights by Pamela Fryer. The story built slowly, focuing on the intriguing idea of cloning humans, mingled with all kinds of social dilemas. Fallon is forced to team up with John to save a cloned child called Jamie. A human rights group wants to kill her, the police to apprehend her, news stations to condem her, many of the public to judge her and she has no idea who to trust. The romance scenes were primal and yet beautifully tender. I wriggled to the edge of my seat with anticipation as the danger increased. It was painful to see the differing points of view of the characters and how a technique that started out to save lives, was manipulated into a money-making scheme.
Jet by Russell Blake. I've read all 7 books in this series. They're about just how far a woman is prepared to go to protect what she loves and discover the past she is hiding from. What sets this series apart is the details; they are in the layered characters, vivid scenery and meticulous combat elements. To steal from Russell Blakes own words, this series is... 'unapologetically over-the-top, with an emphasis on larger-than-life breakneck action...' Russell has a gift for describing complex action scenes without losing the reader. I was totally hooked by the character of Jet, because I love a kick-ass, intelligent, female heroine. Combine that with her complex background, a vulnerable toddler and a host of villains with almost infinite means and you've got non-stop action. The action is well crafted and the settings vivid, taking you on a tour of all the seediest locations on earth.
Paycheque by Fiona McCallum. Engaging story about a rural girl being dragged back from the city to a life she doesn't want... or at least that's what she's been telling herself. I was completely engrossed in the beautifully painted scenery and rustic rural details and took the journey with Claire as she tried to heal herself and be everything to everyone around her. A heartfelt tale and real characters that you will love.
Monkey Business by Kathryn Ledson. A great follow-up from the fantastic 'Rough Diamond', with more of Erica's tongue-in-cheek sarcasm and sizzling sexual tension with Jack. This time Erica (suburban trash talker) has to save Jack (military commando) - yeah, like that's going to go well. There is a prostitue whose help is dangerous, hot Tupperware and loads of quirky characters that'll have you in stitches. It's amazing what a woman will do for her decidely hunky man and how mean she can get when there's another woman sniffing around. Watch out bad guys! Great fun and adventure in this story.
The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen. Ella and Micha's story of childhood friends who have shared everything, including things to scary even to admit to themselves, is one of teenage confusion, passion and exploration. Ella is afraid of repeating her parent's mistakes and being stuck in a dead-end town. I enjoyed the age-appropriate thought processes and emotional roller-coaster. Their gradual reconnection is both touching and sensual, building in intensity as secrets are releaved and skeltons in the closet faced. A little something for every reader to relate to.
The Back Road by Rachel Abbott took me a while to warm up to, because there were so many characters, but there was intrigue in every scene that kept me hooked. The prologue was confronting, but the horror the characters had endured and the skeletons in their closets were slowly revealed. Rachel is skilled at seeding doubt in the reader's mind about almost every character and their motivations. There were some tricky scenes in which you weren't quite sure who's head you were in, and couldn't even rely on knowing if they were male or female. It all made for a gripping read that kept me guessing until the very end.
One Perfect Night by Rachael Johns was immediately engrossing and I couldn't put it down. Cameron is a dashing and romantic hero, with a heart warped by pain. Peppa has low self-confidence after a nasty break-up and losing what she wanted most in life. There are fireworks immediately, but when they come together they are both careful to remember they don't want anything long term. They can't bear to be apart, but when the unexpected happens it will force them to face their fears and possibly send them running in opposite directions.
Jilted by Rachael Johns. Couldn't put this book down! I cried a lot and it kept me guessing, which is everything I want in a great story. Ellie left Flynn at the alter 10 years ago and has never told anyone the reason why. Now she has to return to the country town to nurse her God Mother. The towns folk being mean to her and trying to avoid Flynn isn't much fun, but the more they are forced together, the more they enjoy each other's company.
Cade by Liliana Hart. A sizzling sexual attraction between two people who are desperate to stay apart. What can go wrong with that? Cade is dark and mysterious and hot! Bayleigh is timid, unless provoked, sexy and determined. As she's drawn into his life, a sick and twisted danger follows. Suspenseful with plenty of openings for more books. There were the odd times when I wasn't sure I bought Bayleigh's motivation.
The Housewife Assassin's Handbook + Guide to Gracious Killing by Josie Brown. These books have murder, suspense and sex all wrapped in a polite, neat package with a pistol slipped under the covers. I loved the fun tongue-in-cheek attitude of typical suburban mum. Donna doesn't take shit from anyone (except the kids) and is so determined to find her husband's murderer that she becomes a spy. It would make the bake sale ladies hair stand on end if they knew. The trouble she gets into is serious, but her positive attitude makes her a winner, even when people won't stay dead. The kids are her toughest critics and 2 husbands is more trouble than they're worth, but what's a girl to do? Keep up appearances and kill the bad guys of course.
Dangerous Desire by Annie Seaton. When Gracie (kindergarten teacher) searches for her missing sister, she’s thrown into a world of sex and crime syndicates. She sneaks onto hunky Jake's (ex cop) yacht to stake-out the Midas party boat and interrupts his insurance stake-out. He's worried she's going to blow his cover, or worse, get turned into fish food by the criminals he's watching. They decide to team up and a sizzling attraction ignites. If you can overlook the editing oopes, this is a fun mystery.
Unseen by Alexandra Sokoloff. Excellent story that really kept my heart rate up. I was guessing at the motivations and perpetrators of everyone involved and those insinuated into the story. I didn't connect to the characters as solidly as I have with other books by Alexandra, but still thoroughly enjoyed it.
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. Even better than the movie! Despite Erin being trapped in an abusive relationship, I could see her inner-strength. The inclusion of a ghost-like character was interesting and well done. Alex was immediately likeable as the strong-silent hero and his Criminal Investigation Division experience in the army allowed him additional insight into Katie’s situation. The relationship grew slowly as they explored their ability to move forward proportionate to their previous emotional turmoil. Katie's husband, Kevin, was a suitably creepy abusive drunk, with the added complication of also being a detective. The scenes from his perspective were a chilling read.
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith. (JK Rowling) I really enjoyed this crime story. There was a lot of description and some unusual formatting of dialogue, but the characters were rivetting and there were loads of irresistable hooks. I was certainly engrosed in trying to figure out whodunnit!
Half Moon Bay by Helene Young (one of my favourite Aussie authors). I didn't think she could top the enjoyment factor of her first two books, but this is brilliant. The content is fresh and heart felt. I immediately loved the tenacity of Ellie - there's something about a person who has lost so much in their life still having a fighting spirit. The strong, sexy Nick is an action hero, slightly damaged, gentlemanly and utterly committed to his cause. There was a host of other creepy bad guys and wonderful members of the community who all touched my heart, but the effortless descriptions of Australian life was a real winner for me. This tale had me intrigued from the get go and built to a suspenseful crescendo. Definitely worth a read.
Rivet Your Reader with Deep Point of View by Jill Elizabeth Nelson. This is a great little booklet that gives a run down of tenses, types of POV and provides plenty of examples. I found it clarified how to achieve it deep POV in a simple way.
The Goodbye Ride by Lily Malone was an excellent Aussie flavoured novella. I was tickled pink by being immersed in the Adelaide hills scenery, being a local and all. Liv's attitude made her instantly likeable and Owen was an all around good guy. They overcame their hang-ups with a shared love of motorbikes.
Huntress Moon and Blood Moon by Alexandra Sokoloff were utterly rivetting reads. The increasing tension made my heart beat faster quite a few times. The police procedural details were excellent and the characters flawed, but with aspects I could sympathise with. The connection between Rouke and Cara was otherworldly and Alexandra cleverly wove tender moments and sickening evil together, and finished it with a breathless ending.
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons is literary fiction and I'm used to fast paced popular fiction, so found it a bit drawnout. Having said that, the characters were well developed and layered, the historical and social aspects fascinating and it made me laugh and cry. Still, a great book.
Run to Me by Diane Hester was a brilliant debut novel! At the end of the prologue I was on the edge of my seat and the suspense just didn't let up. Not only was the writing and editing of a high quality, but I giggled in places and even cried. Everything I look for in a great story! The characters were well developed with traits I could sympathise with as well as complex and beliveable flaws, and some really creepy bad guys. The internal battle of Zack was heart wrenching, but his strength only made me love him more. And the ending...well, you'll have to wait and find out! (Also see my blog dated 3/3/13.)
Rough Diamond by Kathryn Ledson was a fast-paced, amusing and totally engaging story set in Sydney. When Jack came into Erica's life in an unexpected way, it threw her best laid plans in the air. Suddenly she was involved in a secret society, fighting for a greater cause, but in mortal danger. I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book by this new Aussie author!
Lost and Found Groom by Patricia McLinn started with Daniel and Kendra in a dangerous and unique situation. It was a long and difficult road for their relationship. I was engrosed in the story, couldn't put it down all the way to a tense and exciting climax.
Burning Lies by Helene Young is an exciting romantic suspense with a plethora of likeable characters and hateable bad guys. An intriguing plot meant every one was not what they seemed. I particularly liked that characters from the previous 2 books were involved in this story. Helene has a gift for uniquely describing the Australian landscape and effortlessly revealing details about her characters. I was brought to tears, smiled and even mumbled abuse at a few of the characters, before it came to a nail biting criscendo and satisfying ending. This author is a staple on my bookshelf!
The Man Plan by Elise Ackers is a fun story about stresses that cause Cora to set a deadline for finding a husband, so she won't be alone anymore. She develops a strong friendship with her neighbour, Matt, who isn't capable of a long-term relationship. The search puts Cora into some interesting situations and a twist of fate exposes Matt's toxic upbringing. Can they reconcile their differences?
Birthright by Valerie Parv. A interesting sci-fi twist on the romantic suspense genre. The characters were well developed and likeable and the plot unravelled in a way that made me want to read on. I second-guessed assumptions and enjoyed the climax, but was left wanting with the romantic resolution.
The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I am hooked on this action packed, fast paced series, because it keeps me giggling throughout, and is packed with details of burg life, which are fascinating, but don't weigh the story down. Stephanie Plum is a regular girl who turns to bounty hunting when she loses her job, but isn't particularly good at it; however, she is creative, tenacious and has a talent for accidentally finding criminals, putting herself in danger and getting things blown up. The characters are clearly depicted and interesting, so I want to delve into their lives. Grandma Mazure is hysterical in her search for excitement and gossip. The sexual tension between Stephanie and ex-fling, super-hot cop Joe Morelli, is constant, but he's not the commitment type and they don't see eye to eye on her minor law indiscretion.
Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter. I couldn't put it down! A story about Zacharel, a loveless angel warrior, who rescues Annabelle, a human, and falls in love, all the while being hunted by demons and penalised by his superiors for bending the rules. A demon has claimed Annabelle, murdered her parents and sends a constant stream of demons to torment her.
Holiday Affair by Annie Seaton. This story starts with a hot bodied sailor (Nick) and a staid professor (Lissy) in a romantic fling in an exotic location. Work, friends, family and life in general conspire to keep the love birds apart. Each of them have hang-ups and they end up hurting one another when their hearts tell them otherwise.
Cityglitter by Carla Caruso. Watch this space, because I'm still reading Carla's first book, but it's shaping up to be a glittery feast of fun!
Texas Manhunt by Linda Conrad. A great romantic-suspense that kept me guess who the bad guy was the whole way through. Good motivation and strong characters.
Shattered Sky by Helene Young. This story had good pace, identifiable characters and the tension built right to the end. There was plenty of sexual tension, but not a lot of sex (although what there was was good). Helene's aviation background came through in the technical details and she really does produce wonderfully strong, sexy heros.
The Dragon Man by Gary Disher. A gripping police procedural with lots of characters and subplots, that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The POV changed frequently and all the sex happened off screen, but Gary is a master wordsmith.
Blue by Lou Aronica was a great read. Although slow to build, I connected with the characters right away and there were plenty of hooks to keep me reading. The world building was well done and the whole idea unique. I liked the parallels between the two planes and Becky's illness and the environmental blight. The ending was a thought-provoking tear jerker.
Lone Wolf was of the heart-wrenching quality I expect from Jodi Piccoult. Despite being mostly internal monologue, it shows the viewpoints of 5 people, how choices in life have affected them and how they have affected one another. Two siblings are forced to make an impossible choice and it puts them at odds, secrets are revealed, but will it be enough to mend relationships? The life of a man who lived with wolves for 2 years and preferred them to humans, was fascinating.
The Pact, by Jodi Piccoult. Still reading this one, but from experience, Jodi always chooses heart wrenching topics and creates realistic, layered characters. I previously enjoyed My Sister's Keeper, Plain Truth and Change of Heart.
Foundling, by D M Cornish. The 1st in the Monster Blood Tattoo Series, fantasy for young adults. A fabulous new world has been created, full of great ideas, unique monsters and its own language. Although it was interesting, I found it slow moving and the language difficult to read, so it took me 3 weeks to read something that I'd usually read in 3 days.
Along Came a Spider, by James Patterson. Distinct and layered characters, wildly twisted plot, it was great to watch the relationships build and unravel, an artful psychopath, plenty of details, kept me engrossed. A must read!
When the Wind Blows, by James Patterson. The 3 different points of view were easy to keep track of, because they had distinctive voices (one was a child). Genetic research to improve the human race is done is secret & without any care to the harm inflicted and morals ignored. Awesome characters that are always true to the personalities they've been given.
Elemental Assassin Series, by Jennifer Estep. A kick-arse female protagonist, unique story with mild fatasy, the odd hot sex scene, laid down plenty of plants for future plot threads. A couple of repetative explanations became frustrating, but couldn't detract from my enjoyment. I'm looking forward to the sixth book in the series next March.
City of Fallen Angels, by Cassandra Clare. Part of the Imortal Instruments Series, it took a while to get exciting, but was interesting.
The Iron Witch, by Karen Mahoney. The first in this young adult fantasy. A simple story with building tension. Enjoyable.
Bye Bye Baby, by Fiona McIntosh. Her first crime story is brilliant, with an awesome twist in the middle and a satisfying ending. A must read!
King's Wrath, by Fiona McIntosh. I waited a whole year for the final in this fabulous fantasy trilogy and wasn't disappointed as the intricate plot came together. A must read.
Halo, by Alexandra Adornetto. This is an enjoyable paranormal romance for young adults. An engaging love story, but there isn't a lot of action until the last third.
Lost Cause by JL Simpson is a fun and sassy suspense story. Daisy Dunlop is determined, flirty and thinks heir hunting is the perfect career for her, if only she didn't have to work with the the Irish git, Solomon. One day she's going to figure out what secret her hubby is holding over Solomon to force him to pair up with her. It must be a beauty. Daisy doesn't let a little thing like lack of skill or any real leads hold her back from her case, and gets into all sorts of trouble. There is plenty of action and dead bodies, but when Solomon goes missing the detecting responsibility will fall to Daisy.
Chasing the Runaway Bride by Susan Meier. When Cade Donovan wanders back into his hometown for the reading of his grandfather's will, he doesn't expect to receive a windfall, or for it to tie him to his family's enemy. But the bane of his existance is also sexy and kind and determined. She chips away at his resolve and their partnership gradually melts loyalties on each side of the Donovan-O'Reily family feud. They are each working to clear their family's name, unfortunately working together every day makes it difficult to ignore their attraction and growing respect. The whole town expects Cade to walk away once the forced partnership is over, but Piper is relying on an inner faith to heal him.
Hidden Identity by Carol J Post. I loved the unusual and tense opening for this story. Meagan has a frightening past that she needs to keep secret, so she can stay safe, but after getting herself in the local papers, reporters are sniffing around. Someone is out to kill her, and Meagan believes it's her abusive ex-husband. Suspicious policeman, Hunter, will have to stay close to protect her, and he doesn't like the fact that she's obviously hiding from something. This story kept me turning the pages quickly. I identified with the characters and got involved in the small-town life.
Safe in the Fireman's Arms by Tina Radcliffe. The opening was a little stiff and there were a lot of distancing words used, but the story quickly warmed up and kept me engaged right through. There was a nice 'meet cute' between Maggie and Jake. I like the way even secondary characters had a role that tied into another part of the story, and the romance developed steadily and believeably. There was even a little humour thrown in. Lots of conflict, engaging characters, and personal demons to face.
Head Over Heels for the Boss by Susan Meier. Devon Donovan has spent his life protecting his family and taking on all of the responsibilities. When he uses his enormous wealth to buy the local flower businesses, Isabelle Cooper is part of the deal. They each have something to offer the other, and don't want to spoil a great working relationship by acting on their attraction. The plan they come up with to have the best of both worlds is bound to end in tears, especially now that Isabelle is so entrenched in the Donovan family. There's a great push and pull between responsibility and enjoying life.
Her Summer with the Marine by Susan Meier is an angsty read with heart. When Ellie returns to the home town that made her childhood a misery, because her sick father needs her, the last thing she wants is Finn adding morel stress to the situation. He's smoking hot and stirs all sorts of sordid thoughts every time Ellie's within 10 feet of him, but their competitive natures always goes too far. These characters were well drawn, relatable, and ooze chemistry. I bawled my eyes out at the end (in a good way of course).
Changeling by Debbie Herbert was a great story with quirky characters and nice magical content. There were some interesting and grose creatures. I enjoyed the personal dramas and the tentative relationship as it developed between Skye and Kheelan.
Pretty Shore by Carla Caruso. Professional organiser, Celeste, and new beau, Lenny, plan on enjoying time out in the seaside town of Robe. Celeste plans to work part of the time to de-clutter the holiday home of fashion designer Sabine. Her assistant, Flip, becomes embroiled in a murder mystery about how Sabine's daughter, Romy, died. Flip is distracted by the appearance of bad-boy rock star's son, Blaise, who is somehow involved in Romy's death. They characters were well drawn and the mystery at the heart of this story had me enthralled.
Beneath this Ink by Meghan March is a sexy ride on a rumbling Harley, with a gritty hero and apprehensive heroine. They enter into a complicated deal to each get what they want, but end up with a whole lot more than they bargained for. You won't be disappointed. Tattooed bad boy, Con, blew his one shot with the wealthy Vanessa, but it didn't matter because she was too good for him anyway. But when she needs something from him, he uses her vulnerability to get under her skin.
Step on a Crack by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge. A group of homeland terrorists brilliantly orchestrate a plan to take high profile people hostage in New York, and extricate a number of small ransoms that add up to a vast amount of money. Detective Tom Bennett is trying to cope with 10 children while his wife, Maeve, is dying of cancer, when he's called in to do hostage negotiation. He soon realises the terrorists are intelligent, American and have all the power. They know all about hostage techniques and do unexpected things. Their associate, the Neat Man, is really creepy. Many of the hostages try to fight back, but aren't prepared for the determination of their captors. The police tactical team come up with various plans to get the upper hand. The terrorists clever escape plan and other surprises will keep you guessing all the way. Tom's little family dramas and the personalities of his 10 kids are wonderfully detailed and easy to relate to and make this story a winner.
Beach Road by James Patterson and Peter De Jonge. Unusual storytelling with 7 characters telling their version of events in first person POV, which of course allows for differences of opinion & outright lies. Tom is shunned for representing a black teenager alledged to have murdered 3 white boys & his partner. It shows how quickly a whole community & friends can turn on you. Evidence mounts, tensions explode & Tom teams up with his ex, Katherine, to free Dante. Their relationship rekindles during the process. There are lots of twists & turns & scary characters in the story, but nothing like the mind-bender ending! (I was left with my mouth hanging open.)
Charming the Outback by Leesa Bow. This tale of how far a woman is prepared to go to win her soul mate, came alive with great outback scenery, accurate details of station life and rural attitudes. I wasn't convinced of Maddy's resolve to win Luke back early on, but warmed to the characters and their motivations, enjoying the push and pull of expectations and hearts. By the end I had cried and laughed and was guessing which minor chacter would be the next start in Leesa's creative universe.
Last Rights by Pamela Fryer. The story built slowly, focuing on the intriguing idea of cloning humans, mingled with all kinds of social dilemas. Fallon is forced to team up with John to save a cloned child called Jamie. A human rights group wants to kill her, the police to apprehend her, news stations to condem her, many of the public to judge her and she has no idea who to trust. The romance scenes were primal and yet beautifully tender. I wriggled to the edge of my seat with anticipation as the danger increased. It was painful to see the differing points of view of the characters and how a technique that started out to save lives, was manipulated into a money-making scheme.
Jet by Russell Blake. I've read all 7 books in this series. They're about just how far a woman is prepared to go to protect what she loves and discover the past she is hiding from. What sets this series apart is the details; they are in the layered characters, vivid scenery and meticulous combat elements. To steal from Russell Blakes own words, this series is... 'unapologetically over-the-top, with an emphasis on larger-than-life breakneck action...' Russell has a gift for describing complex action scenes without losing the reader. I was totally hooked by the character of Jet, because I love a kick-ass, intelligent, female heroine. Combine that with her complex background, a vulnerable toddler and a host of villains with almost infinite means and you've got non-stop action. The action is well crafted and the settings vivid, taking you on a tour of all the seediest locations on earth.
Paycheque by Fiona McCallum. Engaging story about a rural girl being dragged back from the city to a life she doesn't want... or at least that's what she's been telling herself. I was completely engrossed in the beautifully painted scenery and rustic rural details and took the journey with Claire as she tried to heal herself and be everything to everyone around her. A heartfelt tale and real characters that you will love.
Monkey Business by Kathryn Ledson. A great follow-up from the fantastic 'Rough Diamond', with more of Erica's tongue-in-cheek sarcasm and sizzling sexual tension with Jack. This time Erica (suburban trash talker) has to save Jack (military commando) - yeah, like that's going to go well. There is a prostitue whose help is dangerous, hot Tupperware and loads of quirky characters that'll have you in stitches. It's amazing what a woman will do for her decidely hunky man and how mean she can get when there's another woman sniffing around. Watch out bad guys! Great fun and adventure in this story.
The Secret of Ella and Micha by Jessica Sorensen. Ella and Micha's story of childhood friends who have shared everything, including things to scary even to admit to themselves, is one of teenage confusion, passion and exploration. Ella is afraid of repeating her parent's mistakes and being stuck in a dead-end town. I enjoyed the age-appropriate thought processes and emotional roller-coaster. Their gradual reconnection is both touching and sensual, building in intensity as secrets are releaved and skeltons in the closet faced. A little something for every reader to relate to.
The Back Road by Rachel Abbott took me a while to warm up to, because there were so many characters, but there was intrigue in every scene that kept me hooked. The prologue was confronting, but the horror the characters had endured and the skeletons in their closets were slowly revealed. Rachel is skilled at seeding doubt in the reader's mind about almost every character and their motivations. There were some tricky scenes in which you weren't quite sure who's head you were in, and couldn't even rely on knowing if they were male or female. It all made for a gripping read that kept me guessing until the very end.
One Perfect Night by Rachael Johns was immediately engrossing and I couldn't put it down. Cameron is a dashing and romantic hero, with a heart warped by pain. Peppa has low self-confidence after a nasty break-up and losing what she wanted most in life. There are fireworks immediately, but when they come together they are both careful to remember they don't want anything long term. They can't bear to be apart, but when the unexpected happens it will force them to face their fears and possibly send them running in opposite directions.
Jilted by Rachael Johns. Couldn't put this book down! I cried a lot and it kept me guessing, which is everything I want in a great story. Ellie left Flynn at the alter 10 years ago and has never told anyone the reason why. Now she has to return to the country town to nurse her God Mother. The towns folk being mean to her and trying to avoid Flynn isn't much fun, but the more they are forced together, the more they enjoy each other's company.
Cade by Liliana Hart. A sizzling sexual attraction between two people who are desperate to stay apart. What can go wrong with that? Cade is dark and mysterious and hot! Bayleigh is timid, unless provoked, sexy and determined. As she's drawn into his life, a sick and twisted danger follows. Suspenseful with plenty of openings for more books. There were the odd times when I wasn't sure I bought Bayleigh's motivation.
The Housewife Assassin's Handbook + Guide to Gracious Killing by Josie Brown. These books have murder, suspense and sex all wrapped in a polite, neat package with a pistol slipped under the covers. I loved the fun tongue-in-cheek attitude of typical suburban mum. Donna doesn't take shit from anyone (except the kids) and is so determined to find her husband's murderer that she becomes a spy. It would make the bake sale ladies hair stand on end if they knew. The trouble she gets into is serious, but her positive attitude makes her a winner, even when people won't stay dead. The kids are her toughest critics and 2 husbands is more trouble than they're worth, but what's a girl to do? Keep up appearances and kill the bad guys of course.
Dangerous Desire by Annie Seaton. When Gracie (kindergarten teacher) searches for her missing sister, she’s thrown into a world of sex and crime syndicates. She sneaks onto hunky Jake's (ex cop) yacht to stake-out the Midas party boat and interrupts his insurance stake-out. He's worried she's going to blow his cover, or worse, get turned into fish food by the criminals he's watching. They decide to team up and a sizzling attraction ignites. If you can overlook the editing oopes, this is a fun mystery.
Unseen by Alexandra Sokoloff. Excellent story that really kept my heart rate up. I was guessing at the motivations and perpetrators of everyone involved and those insinuated into the story. I didn't connect to the characters as solidly as I have with other books by Alexandra, but still thoroughly enjoyed it.
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. Even better than the movie! Despite Erin being trapped in an abusive relationship, I could see her inner-strength. The inclusion of a ghost-like character was interesting and well done. Alex was immediately likeable as the strong-silent hero and his Criminal Investigation Division experience in the army allowed him additional insight into Katie’s situation. The relationship grew slowly as they explored their ability to move forward proportionate to their previous emotional turmoil. Katie's husband, Kevin, was a suitably creepy abusive drunk, with the added complication of also being a detective. The scenes from his perspective were a chilling read.
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith. (JK Rowling) I really enjoyed this crime story. There was a lot of description and some unusual formatting of dialogue, but the characters were rivetting and there were loads of irresistable hooks. I was certainly engrosed in trying to figure out whodunnit!
Half Moon Bay by Helene Young (one of my favourite Aussie authors). I didn't think she could top the enjoyment factor of her first two books, but this is brilliant. The content is fresh and heart felt. I immediately loved the tenacity of Ellie - there's something about a person who has lost so much in their life still having a fighting spirit. The strong, sexy Nick is an action hero, slightly damaged, gentlemanly and utterly committed to his cause. There was a host of other creepy bad guys and wonderful members of the community who all touched my heart, but the effortless descriptions of Australian life was a real winner for me. This tale had me intrigued from the get go and built to a suspenseful crescendo. Definitely worth a read.
Rivet Your Reader with Deep Point of View by Jill Elizabeth Nelson. This is a great little booklet that gives a run down of tenses, types of POV and provides plenty of examples. I found it clarified how to achieve it deep POV in a simple way.
The Goodbye Ride by Lily Malone was an excellent Aussie flavoured novella. I was tickled pink by being immersed in the Adelaide hills scenery, being a local and all. Liv's attitude made her instantly likeable and Owen was an all around good guy. They overcame their hang-ups with a shared love of motorbikes.
Huntress Moon and Blood Moon by Alexandra Sokoloff were utterly rivetting reads. The increasing tension made my heart beat faster quite a few times. The police procedural details were excellent and the characters flawed, but with aspects I could sympathise with. The connection between Rouke and Cara was otherworldly and Alexandra cleverly wove tender moments and sickening evil together, and finished it with a breathless ending.
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons is literary fiction and I'm used to fast paced popular fiction, so found it a bit drawnout. Having said that, the characters were well developed and layered, the historical and social aspects fascinating and it made me laugh and cry. Still, a great book.
Run to Me by Diane Hester was a brilliant debut novel! At the end of the prologue I was on the edge of my seat and the suspense just didn't let up. Not only was the writing and editing of a high quality, but I giggled in places and even cried. Everything I look for in a great story! The characters were well developed with traits I could sympathise with as well as complex and beliveable flaws, and some really creepy bad guys. The internal battle of Zack was heart wrenching, but his strength only made me love him more. And the ending...well, you'll have to wait and find out! (Also see my blog dated 3/3/13.)
Rough Diamond by Kathryn Ledson was a fast-paced, amusing and totally engaging story set in Sydney. When Jack came into Erica's life in an unexpected way, it threw her best laid plans in the air. Suddenly she was involved in a secret society, fighting for a greater cause, but in mortal danger. I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book by this new Aussie author!
Lost and Found Groom by Patricia McLinn started with Daniel and Kendra in a dangerous and unique situation. It was a long and difficult road for their relationship. I was engrosed in the story, couldn't put it down all the way to a tense and exciting climax.
Burning Lies by Helene Young is an exciting romantic suspense with a plethora of likeable characters and hateable bad guys. An intriguing plot meant every one was not what they seemed. I particularly liked that characters from the previous 2 books were involved in this story. Helene has a gift for uniquely describing the Australian landscape and effortlessly revealing details about her characters. I was brought to tears, smiled and even mumbled abuse at a few of the characters, before it came to a nail biting criscendo and satisfying ending. This author is a staple on my bookshelf!
The Man Plan by Elise Ackers is a fun story about stresses that cause Cora to set a deadline for finding a husband, so she won't be alone anymore. She develops a strong friendship with her neighbour, Matt, who isn't capable of a long-term relationship. The search puts Cora into some interesting situations and a twist of fate exposes Matt's toxic upbringing. Can they reconcile their differences?
Birthright by Valerie Parv. A interesting sci-fi twist on the romantic suspense genre. The characters were well developed and likeable and the plot unravelled in a way that made me want to read on. I second-guessed assumptions and enjoyed the climax, but was left wanting with the romantic resolution.
The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I am hooked on this action packed, fast paced series, because it keeps me giggling throughout, and is packed with details of burg life, which are fascinating, but don't weigh the story down. Stephanie Plum is a regular girl who turns to bounty hunting when she loses her job, but isn't particularly good at it; however, she is creative, tenacious and has a talent for accidentally finding criminals, putting herself in danger and getting things blown up. The characters are clearly depicted and interesting, so I want to delve into their lives. Grandma Mazure is hysterical in her search for excitement and gossip. The sexual tension between Stephanie and ex-fling, super-hot cop Joe Morelli, is constant, but he's not the commitment type and they don't see eye to eye on her minor law indiscretion.
Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter. I couldn't put it down! A story about Zacharel, a loveless angel warrior, who rescues Annabelle, a human, and falls in love, all the while being hunted by demons and penalised by his superiors for bending the rules. A demon has claimed Annabelle, murdered her parents and sends a constant stream of demons to torment her.
Holiday Affair by Annie Seaton. This story starts with a hot bodied sailor (Nick) and a staid professor (Lissy) in a romantic fling in an exotic location. Work, friends, family and life in general conspire to keep the love birds apart. Each of them have hang-ups and they end up hurting one another when their hearts tell them otherwise.
Cityglitter by Carla Caruso. Watch this space, because I'm still reading Carla's first book, but it's shaping up to be a glittery feast of fun!
Texas Manhunt by Linda Conrad. A great romantic-suspense that kept me guess who the bad guy was the whole way through. Good motivation and strong characters.
Shattered Sky by Helene Young. This story had good pace, identifiable characters and the tension built right to the end. There was plenty of sexual tension, but not a lot of sex (although what there was was good). Helene's aviation background came through in the technical details and she really does produce wonderfully strong, sexy heros.
The Dragon Man by Gary Disher. A gripping police procedural with lots of characters and subplots, that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The POV changed frequently and all the sex happened off screen, but Gary is a master wordsmith.
Blue by Lou Aronica was a great read. Although slow to build, I connected with the characters right away and there were plenty of hooks to keep me reading. The world building was well done and the whole idea unique. I liked the parallels between the two planes and Becky's illness and the environmental blight. The ending was a thought-provoking tear jerker.
Lone Wolf was of the heart-wrenching quality I expect from Jodi Piccoult. Despite being mostly internal monologue, it shows the viewpoints of 5 people, how choices in life have affected them and how they have affected one another. Two siblings are forced to make an impossible choice and it puts them at odds, secrets are revealed, but will it be enough to mend relationships? The life of a man who lived with wolves for 2 years and preferred them to humans, was fascinating.
The Pact, by Jodi Piccoult. Still reading this one, but from experience, Jodi always chooses heart wrenching topics and creates realistic, layered characters. I previously enjoyed My Sister's Keeper, Plain Truth and Change of Heart.
Foundling, by D M Cornish. The 1st in the Monster Blood Tattoo Series, fantasy for young adults. A fabulous new world has been created, full of great ideas, unique monsters and its own language. Although it was interesting, I found it slow moving and the language difficult to read, so it took me 3 weeks to read something that I'd usually read in 3 days.
Along Came a Spider, by James Patterson. Distinct and layered characters, wildly twisted plot, it was great to watch the relationships build and unravel, an artful psychopath, plenty of details, kept me engrossed. A must read!
When the Wind Blows, by James Patterson. The 3 different points of view were easy to keep track of, because they had distinctive voices (one was a child). Genetic research to improve the human race is done is secret & without any care to the harm inflicted and morals ignored. Awesome characters that are always true to the personalities they've been given.
Elemental Assassin Series, by Jennifer Estep. A kick-arse female protagonist, unique story with mild fatasy, the odd hot sex scene, laid down plenty of plants for future plot threads. A couple of repetative explanations became frustrating, but couldn't detract from my enjoyment. I'm looking forward to the sixth book in the series next March.
City of Fallen Angels, by Cassandra Clare. Part of the Imortal Instruments Series, it took a while to get exciting, but was interesting.
The Iron Witch, by Karen Mahoney. The first in this young adult fantasy. A simple story with building tension. Enjoyable.
Bye Bye Baby, by Fiona McIntosh. Her first crime story is brilliant, with an awesome twist in the middle and a satisfying ending. A must read!
King's Wrath, by Fiona McIntosh. I waited a whole year for the final in this fabulous fantasy trilogy and wasn't disappointed as the intricate plot came together. A must read.
Halo, by Alexandra Adornetto. This is an enjoyable paranormal romance for young adults. An engaging love story, but there isn't a lot of action until the last third.