Keeper's Reach (Sharpe & Donovan - Book 5) by Carla Neggers
Publication Date: 08/25/2015
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: MIRA
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 0778317528
ISBN-13: 978-0778317524
(Received for an honest review from MIRA)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes
Carla Neggers on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads
Books in the series:
Sharpe & Donovan
0.5. Rock Point
1. Saint's Gate
2. Heron's Cove
3. Declan's Cross
4. Harbor Island
5. Keeper's Reach
Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from Keeper's Reach, courtesy of the author's website
Synopsis:
New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers returns with this absorbing, twisting tale of suspense, romance and fast-paced action, the latest in her popular Sharpe & Donovan series.
Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan, two of the FBI's most valuable agents, are preparing for their next big assignment—their wedding—when Colin's brother Mike alerts them that onetime friends from his military past are on Sharpe and Donovan home turf on the Maine coast. Now private security contractors, they want to meet with Mike. One of them, an FBI agent named Kavanagh, is supposed to be on leave. What is he investigating—or does he have his own agenda?
Mike zeroes in on Naomi MacBride, a freelance civilian intelligence analyst who, aside from a few hot nights, has never brought him anything but trouble. Newly returned from England, Naomi clearly isn't telling Mike everything about why she's snooping around his hometown, but he has no choice but to work with her if he wants to uncover what's really going on.
But the case soon takes a drastic turn—Emma is targeted, and a connection surfaces between Naomi and Kavanagh and a recently solved international art theft case. Not every connection is a conspiracy, but as the tangled web of secrets unravels, Emma and Colin face their greatest danger yet. With everyone they know involved, they must decide who they can trust…or lose everything for good.
Thoughts:
Carla Neggers brings readers the latest book in the Sharpe & Donovan romantic suspense series, Keeper's Reach. This series, set in Maine has intrigue, suspense, fast action, a cast of lovable, if eccentric, characters and a good dose of romance. Readers looking for an author who writes with great attention to detail and intelligence will love this one. Keeper's Reach is the fifth book in the series and features not only the upcoming wedding of Emma and Colin, but also the back story of Colin's brother, Mike. A very good addition to the series!
What I liked:
I have only read one of the other books in this series, the first one, Saint's Gate. I really enjoyed that one for several reasons. Keeper's Reach is the fifth book and I still like the same things about it that I did in the beginning. Setting, characters, plotting.
Carla Neggers does such a good job with the setting for this series. Readers who don't live in New England get a taste of what Maine living can be like. In this particular series Heron's Cove, is on the ocean. Fishing villages abound and the setting takes on the characteristics of a good character. It enhances the story to a large degree. Neggers is able to draw the reader in with her descriptions of this beautiful place and make readers want to return to it time and again.
The characters have always been full of mystery and intrigue. Emma is an FBI agent and so is Colin. How difficult a relationship would that be? Exactly, there are a lot of levels to both these characters and Neggers does a fantastic job of bringing them out in each book. The secondary characters are just as multi-dimensional as the leads. In Keeper's Reach, readers get to know more about Mike, Colin's brother. Neggers is able to bring the past of a secondary character to the forefront of the story and join it with the lead characters disappearance and make it all make sense. Excellent characterizations!
The plot of every book in this series has been exceptional and Keeper's Reach is no different. Because of the occupation of the lead characters you can expect a lot of fast action, and situations with serious consequences, but in this book, the action gets a little too close for comfort, when Emma disappears. I like all that intrigue and covert operations, it gives each book that spine tingling feeling. But there is always a degree of romance as well. Emma and Colin's upcoming wedding allows the reader to focus not only on the mystery but the personal aspect of the characters relationships with each other.
Bottom Line:
I liked this one, it was just as good as the first one. I learned a lot more about Mike and what he had gone through in his life and his relationship with Naomi was interesting. Colin and Emma were amazing as usual and their upcoming wedding gave me something to look forward to, if they could get through the mess. It was a good book and I hope there will be many more like it.
Keeper's Reach is available NOW from your favorite bookseller
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Carla Neggers is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 60 novels of contemporary romance and romantic suspense, including her popular Sharpe & Donovan and Swift River Valley series. Her books have been translated into 24 languages and sold in over 30 countries. Carla is always plotting her next adventure--whether in life or for one of her novels. A frequent traveler to Ireland, she lives with her family in New England.
Ten Good Reasons (Sandy Cove - Book 2) by Lauren Christopher
Publication Date: 04/07/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 0425274497
ISBN-13: 978-0425274491
(Received for an honest review from Berkley)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, itunes
Lauren Christopher on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads
Books in the series:
Sandy Cove
1. The Red Bikini
2. Ten Good Reasons
Coverart:
Synopsis:
In the latest Sandy Cove romance from the author of The Red Bikini, ten good reasons aren’t enough to keep Lia and Evan apart…
With a crazy eighty-hour-a-week job, an almost-boyfriend who’s left her for Bora Bora, and way too many terrible bridesmaid dresses in her future, Lia McCabe needs a change of pace before the imminent crush of the big 3-0.
First up, Lia is determined to help make sure her friend Drew’s whale-watching business takes off. But when an accident leaves him unable to man the boat, Lia’s only option is to convince Drew’s brooding, sexy brother to captain the ship (and save her butt).
For the last two years, Evan Betancourt has been sailing around the world to avoid the ghosts of his past. But when he pulls into Sandy Cove for a brief stop, Lia makes him an offer she won’t let him refuse.
And as these two opposites figure out how to work together, the murky waters between denial and attraction are creeping up fast…
Thoughts:
Ten Good Reasons is the latest book in the Sandy Cove series by author Lauren Christopher. This is a great summertime story that would be perfect for the beach or for those longing for the sand and sea. Christopher follows up The Red Bikini with a story about a very driven woman and a man who has a hard time dealing with his tragic past. Readers get treated to some insider info on both the marketing business and whale watching and sightseeing tours. A very good romance with compelling characters and some spice!
What I liked:
This was my first read from Lauren Christopher and I had really high hopes for it, because I love stories that take place near bodies of water. I just like the laid back kind of atmosphere the sea provides and this book certainly created that. Sandy Cove seems the perfect little seaside town. I liked that Christoper is able to create a cast of characters to populate it that are compelling and engaging, people that you wish you could meet and make friends with. The Whale watching angle was excellent and well researched as well. Setting is sometimes very important and I think it was here. The setting was very well written and made me long for that slower, simpler pace of life. But then we meet Lia.
Lia's life is anything but slow. She is a very driven marketing exec that kind of makes you want to pull your hair out when you first meet her. She is bossy, sassy, takes over everything she touches and is a bit self serving. I thought that profile of an exec was pretty much spot on, at least from my own experience. I do think some readers may be turned off by her attitudes in the beginning but give her chance, she grows on ya. I like take charge people but I don't want them to think I can be run over and I think that's the same attitude Evan took with her. He didn't let her push him around, at least not too much, LOL!
I love a good brooding hero and Evan certainly fit the bill here. He takes to the sea after the death of his wife and son. Some might consider that running from the past, but I think it was more of soul searching kind of thing. Trying to figure out who he was without them and he needed a little nudge to get back to himself. Well, Lia certainly provided the push, a big one. I loved the family dynamics in this one. The relationship between Evan and Drew as well as his relationship with Lia. Excellent situation and characters.
What I Didn't Like:
There were a few times when Lia's ambition got in the way of doing what was right. It seemed her need to help her friend Drew was more about getting the right position at her firm than going out of her way to help a friend. The motivations for her actions were a little sketchy at times, which gave me pause about truly committing to liking her as a heroine. But like I said maybe she needed to loosen up a little and not push so hard and maybe she did that at least to an extent here. I liked her... didn't love her.
Bottom Line:
This was a good book. I loved the theme, the information about whale watching tours, the marketing aspects of the story. I loved the town of Sandy Cove and I fell totally in love with our brooding hero, Evan. I did wonder about Lia's motivations and her attitude, but I think for all intents and purposes, it worked. Christopher did excellent work with setting and characters and provided readers with a little spice as well. A good addition to this series.
Ten Good Reasons is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Lauren Christopher, author of The Red Bikini, has lived in Southern California all her life and currently makes Orange County her home. She lives with her hubby—who has always made it easy to believe in true love—and their three teenage children.
Basket Case (Silver Six Crafting Mystery - Book 1) by Nancy Haddock
Publication Date: 09/01/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425275728
ISBN-13: 978-0425275726
(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes
Nancy Haddock on the WEB: Website, Facebook, Goodreads
Excerpt from Basket Case, courtesy of the author's website
Synopsis:
First in a crafty new cozy mystery series from national bestselling author Nancy Haddock
There isn’t much crime in Lilyvale, Arkansas, but local authorities have their hands full with Ms. Sherry Mae Stanton Cutler and her housemates—a crafty group of retirees who’ve dubbed themselves the Silver Six. But when Sherry Mae’s niece, Nixy, arrives to keep them in line, Lilyvale also plays host to a killer.
When Leslee Stanton “Nixy” Nix gets the latest call from Lilyvale detective Eric Shoar, she knows it means trouble. There’s been another kitchen explosion at her Aunt Sherry’s farmhouse, and the dreamy-voiced detective has had enough. If Nixy doesn’t check on her aunt in person, the Silver Six could become wards of the court. But the trouble Nixy finds in Lilyvale is not at all what she expects.
The seniors are hosting a folk art festival at the farmhouse, featuring Sherry’s hand-woven baskets, when land developer Jill Elsman arrives to bully Nixy’s aunt into selling the property. When Jill is later found dead in the cemetery, Sherry is suspected of weaving a murder plot, and it’s up to Nixy and the Silver Six to untangle the truth.
Recipes and crafting tip included!
Thoughts:
Author Nancy Haddock is bringing readers a new series, with six, 60+ heroines with a penchant for murder and crafts. Basket Case, is great introduction to the Silver Six mystery series and readers will quickly fall in love with this eccentric cast of characters from Ms. Sherry to the local detective. Haddock does a fantastic job of setting up this series with colorful characters and back stories. You'll want to return to Lilyvale on a constant basis! Great new series!
What I Liked:
When a new cozy mystery series comes out I start speculating. How is this cozy series going to be different from the rest? How will it stand apart? Can it make it's mark? Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't, but once in a while a series comes along that is simply a stroke of genius. The new Silver Six series has tons of potential. Nancy Haddock did everything right in this first book in the series. Basket Case, introduces readers to six elderly ladies in the South who love to craft. This particular book centers around basket weaving, but the author leaves all kinds of possibilities for future books. Each of these ladies has quite the story to tell and I can just see the ideas for more books in the series on every page.
These ladies aren't just crafters though, they are mystery enthusiasts. When the dead body of a woman looking to buy Ms. Sherry's home ends up dead in the family cemetery, things don't look good. But with the help of the Silver Six, Ms. Sherry's niece, Nixy and Detective Shoar the killer will be brought to justice, one way or another. The characters in this one are just spectacular. So well developed and so fun! Haddock knew what she was doing when she started dreaming up Lilyvale, Arkansas and the people who would populate it. I can't wait to see what these ladies get into next.
What I Didn't Like:
I liked just about everything about this one and definitely feel it is 5 apple read. However, I do want to mention a strong trend in the cozy genre of late. There are a lot of 'Southern' cozies coming out. There are a lot of cozies coming out featuring older heroes and heroines, and there are a lot of cozies come out with a large group of possible heroines or heroes. I loved this one, but that just goes to show that trends happen even in the cozy genre and sometimes you get too much of a good thing. I hope to see more variety in the new cozies coming out soon, but in the mean time... this one rocks!
Bottom Line:
The mystery was well crafted and didn't start on the first page. Haddock allowed readers to get to know the town and the Silver Six first, before the murder occurred. I liked the undercurrent of romance between Nixy and Eric and I felt that added a different dimension to the story. The details about crafting and basket weaving were also nice touches. This is just a group of women I want to know more about and I think Haddock is really onto to something with this series.
Basket Case is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Nancy Haddock is the national bestselling author of La Vida Vampire, Last Vampire Standing, and Always the Vampire. A native Oklahoman and longtime resident of Texas with family roots in Arkansas, she now makes her home in the fascinating city of St. Augustine, Florida. A former speech pathologist and high school teacher, Nancy lives with her husband and a rescue dog named Baron in a little pink house on the beach with a fake flamingo in her front yard.
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Basket Case by Nancy Haddock.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, September 18th.
1. Please leave a comment. Have you ever tried your hand at basket weaving? Do you decorate with baskets?
2. Please fill out the FORM.
Too Dangerous for a Lady (Company of Rogues - Book 16) by Jo Beverley
Publication Date: 04/07/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Signet
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 432
ISBN-10: 045147189X
ISBN-13: 978-0451471895
(Received for an honest review from Signet)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, itunes
Jo Beverley on the WEB: website, twitter, facebook, goodreads
Books in the series:
Company of Rogues
1. An Arranged Marriage
2. An Unwilling Bride
3. Christmas Angel
4. Forbidden
5. Dangerous Joy
6. Forbidden Magic
7. The Dragon's Bride
8. The Devil's Heiress
9. Hazard
10. St. Raven
11. Skylark
12. The Rogue's Return
13. To Rescue a Rogue
14. Lady Beware
15. A Shocking Delight
16. Too Dangerous for a Lady
Coverart:
Excerpt from, Too Dangerous a Lady, courtesy of the author's website
Synopsis:
The new novel in the Rogue Series from the New York Times bestselling author—and five-time RITA Award winner…
Lady Hermione Merryhew, daughter of an impoverished marquess, already has her share of problems. The last thing she needs is an intruder in her bedroom, especially not a fugitive thief. She should scream, but the shabby rascal is a man from her past.
Six years ago, at her first ball, dashing Lieutenant Mark Thayne failed to steal a kiss, but succeeded in stealing a little of her heart. She's older and wiser now. She can't toss him to the wolves. Besides, she wants that kiss.
Now Viscount Faringay, Mark has never forgotten Lady Hermione, but he mustn't involve her in his dangerous life. He's infiltrated the Crimson Band, violent revolutionaries who plan a bloodbath in London, and if he survives the night he will be able to destroy them. Hermione is involved, however, and only he can protect her.
Thoughts:
Jo Beverley brings readers the latest book in the Company of Rogues series, Too Dangerous for a Lady. Beverley captures the readers imagination quickly as a sinister plot to bring terror to London is unveiled. Readers are treated to, not only another wonderful historical from Beverley, but also to a book with plenty of action and adventure to keep those pages turning. If you love a good romance with a bit of danger and spying on the side, then this might just be the book for you!
Jo Beverley is one of those writers that really gets it right when it comes to historical romance. It is easy for the reader to see that she does tons of research for her books, which gives them an authenticity that is appealing. Beverley choses to write about a period of England's history that was very turbulent in her latest book, Too Dangerous for a Lady. Social and economic unrest are at an all time high, which provides a great background for this historical spy novel. Both characters become embroiled in a an adventure to stop a revolution and readers are along for the ride. It was a wonderful concept which I think Beverley did a masterful job with. Plenty of suspense as well as romance.
The heroine in the story, Hermione, is an impoverished lady, who has a brief history with the hero. Hermione is a strong character who is willing to sacrifice for love. She isn't afraid of the danger of her situation as long as she has Mark beside her. I liked the way that Beverley wrote her character. She was very compelling and resourceful. I think she added a logical side to Mark's very passionate ideals about patriotism that was refreshing and helped to ground the story a bit. I loved the banter and desire both characters brought out in each other. Beverley does a wonderful job bringing them to life and giving them a fast paced adventure.
Mark Thayne is the hero in this one and there were things I liked about him and things I didn't. I thought Beverley was spot on by making him so intense when it came to his work and stopping the Crimson Band. What I had a hard time with was the fact that he didn't seem to think his love for Hermione would be enough once the mission was over. I liked my heroes to be sure of themselves and their relationships. I know adventure is important to the hero, but more so than his lady love? That gives me pause. LOL!
Bottom Line:
Beverley has turned out another wonderfully plotted book in the Rogues series. Some Rogues even returned for a cameo in this one and that's always nice. Hero and heroine were well suited for each other and the spy plot was simply amazing. I loved the story behind the story and the fact that Beverley based this novel on historical events. You can't go wrong with Beverley when it comes to historical romance and I think the Rogues series still has a lot of life in it. Check this one out, it's a keeper!
Too Dangerous for a Lady is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Jo Beverley is widely regarded as one of the most talented romance writers today. The New York Times bestselling author of the Rogue novels, including A Shocking Delight, and the Malloren novels, including Seduction in Silk, Ms. Beverley is a five-time winner of Romance Writers of America’s cherished RITA Award, and one of only a handful of members of the RWA Hall of Fame. She has also twice received the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. She has two grown sons and lives with her husband in England.
Black Cat Crossing (Bad Luck Cat Mystery - Book 1) by Kay Finch
Publication Date: 09/01/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425275248
ISBN-13: 978-0425275245
(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound
Kay Finch on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads
Synopsis:
In the first in this cat-filled cozy series, aspiring mystery author Sabrina Tate is about to discover that when it comes to solving murders, her new feline friend Hitchcock is a master of sleuthing…
Sabrina has never been the superstitious type. Still, when she moves to Lavender, Texas, to write her first novel and help her Aunt Rowe manage her vacation rental business, Sabrina can’t avoid listening to the rumors that a local black cat is a jinx—especially after the stray in question leads her directly to the scene of a murder.
The deceased turns out to be none other than her Aunt Rowe’s awful cousin Bobby Joe Flowers, a known cheat and womanizer who had no shortage of enemies. The only problem is that Aunt Rowe and Bobby Joe had quarreled just before the cousin turned up dead, leaving Rowe at the top of the long list of suspects. Now it’s up to Sabrina to clear her aunt’s name. Luckily for her, she’s got a new sidekick, Hitchcock the Bad Luck Cat, to help her sniff out clues and stalk a killer before Aunt Rowe winds up the victim of even more misfortune…
Thoughts:
Kay Finch brings readers the first book in her new Bad Luck Cat mystery series. Black Cat Crossing has everything from Pecan Tarts to a handsome game warden, and of course a little bit of murder. Finch takes superstition and feline hijinks and weaves them into this mystery that will have mystery lovers on cloud nine. Hitchcock, the 'bad luck cat' helps a mystery writer solve the murder at the local vacation paradise and readers are along for the ride. A great new series for cat lovers, as well as mystery fans.
What I Liked:
Now I am not really a cat person, I have a fiesty little dog, who rules the roost around here. But I am an animal person in general, so books featuring any kind of animal are always a good fit for me. The idea that Finch plays on in the first book in her new series, is that of a black cat being bad luck. Personally, I think black cats are beautiful and I was really happy to see the direction Finch went with this one. Hitchcock is the perfect name too, very original. I liked the superstition angle surrounding the cat and how the cat helped solve the murder. This is a character cat lovers will fall in love with and mystery readers will get a big kick out of him as well.
Sabrina Tate is a mystery writer who happens to working on her next novel while helping her Aunt Rowe, out at her vacation rental business. Her aunt has an injury and Sabrina helps out, but her natural curiosity gets the better of her when the local 'bad luck cat' leads her to the scene of murder. What's more, Aunt Row ends up one of the prime suspects, due to a heated argument with the victim shortly before his death. Now I don't know if Finch named her heroine Sabrina for a reason or not, but it makes me think of black cats and magic, so that was a nice touch. What she does for sure is give readers a great new cozy heroine to fall in love with.
Sabrina is a writer and that isn't always a profession that is easy to write about. Giving her the added angle of working at the vacation rental was genius and played well into the story. The local game warden, Luke is quite the catch and I feel like we haven't seen the last of him in this series. A great love interest for this sassy heroine. The secondary characters are well developed and I thought the mystery was plotted well and the clues were easy to follow, but not overly simple.
Bottom Line:
All in all this was a very good debut for the series. The writer sets a fast pace, but still gives readers plenty of time to get to know the background and some information on the town of Lavender and it's townspeople. Sabrina was a fabulous sleuth, especially with the help of Hitchcock, the bad luck cat. The characters will draw you in but the mystery will keep you flipping the pages. Nice job on this one, looking forward to new titles in the series!
Black Cat Crossing is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Kay Finch grew up on a Pennsylvania farm, but she got to Texas as fast as she could and discovered her favorite vacation spot, the Texas Hill Country. Kay is the author of the Corie McKenna, Houston PI mysteries and the Poppy Cartwright Klutter Killer mysteries. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division. Kay lives with her husband, a rescue cat, and two wild and crazy rescue dogs in a Houston suburb.
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Black Cat Crossing by Kay Finch.
~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US Addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, September 17th.
1. Please leave a comment. Are you superstitious and if so what kinds of things are you superstitious about?
2. Please fill out the FORM.
Scandal Never Sleeps (Perfect Gentleman - Book 1) by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
Publication Date: 08/18/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Pages: 400
ISBN-10: 0425275329
ISBN-13: 978-0425275320
(Received for an honest review from Berkley)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes
Shayla Black on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads
Lexi Blake on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads
Synopsis:
From the New York Times bestselling authors of the Masters of Ménage series . . .
They are the Perfect Gentlemen of Creighton Academy: privileged, wealthy, powerful friends with a wild side. But a deadly scandal is about to tear down their seemingly ideal lives . . .
Maddox Crawford’s sudden death sends Gabriel Bond reeling. Not only is he burying his best friend, he’s cleaning up Mad’s messes, including his troubled company. Grieving and restless, Gabe escapes his worries in the arms of a beautiful stranger. But his mind-blowing one-night stand is about to come back to haunt him . . .
Mad groomed Everly Parker to be a rising star in the executive world. Now that he’s gone, she’s sure her job will be the next thing she mourns, especially after she ends up accidentally sleeping with her new boss. If only their night together hadn’t been so incendiary—or Gabe like a fantasy come true . . .
As Gabe and Everly struggle to control the heated tension between them, they discover evidence that Mad’s death was no accident. Now they must bank their smoldering passions to hunt down a murderer—because Mad had secrets that someone was willing to kill for, and Gabe or Everly could be the next target . . .
Thoughts:
Shayla Black and Lexi Blake have teamed up to bring readers a super sexy, suspenseful new book, Scandal Never Sleeps. It is the first in their new Perfect Gentleman series focusing on a group of men who went prep school together at Creighton Academy. They have gone on to have lives of their own but they are still tied together by shared friendship and secrets. This is Shayla Black like you've never read her before. It's something new and different and Blake's influence is certainly felt. There is passion, suspense, intrigue and so much more going on in this one. It's going to cause many sleepless nights!
Shayla Black is well known in erotic romance circles and Lexi Blake may be new to me, but she has several books in the genre herself. I wasn't sure what to expect with this collaborative effort. Sometimes more than one author in one book can be a disadvantage. It makes the voice not as consistent and gives the action a jerky kind of motion. But in this one the transitions are seamless. I don't know what each author contributed or how the tasks were split up, but it never shows in this book. The flow is smooth and fast paced. With this much suspense it would have to be or it would certainly take away from the overall consistency of the book.
'Mad' Maddox Crawford is dead. But the circumstances surrounding his death are anything but normal. His former classmates and good friends have their suspicions about what Mad was up to before his death. The main character in this book is Gabriel Bond, one of Mad's closest friends and the one who has to pick up the pieces with Mad's company after his demise. When Gabe accidentally has a one night stand with one of Mad's employee's things get a little complicated since he's the new boss. Everly Parker is said employee and the female lead for the book. Both characters are what you would expect from the CEO and a high profile executive. They are used to getting what they want. The trouble comes in when they decide they want each other. And boy does it get steamy.
This book being an erotic romance has a lot of sex. That's to be expected. One of the things that I liked about this part of the book was Everly's adventurous side. She was by no means a wallflower. She had a little bit of wild side to her that really suited Gabe. They played well together and were a match that seemed if not perfect, definitely very plausible. I think people who have power, whether it be as the CEO of a company or some other sort, seek that out in those they chose to be with. It made for some interesting romps between these two.
Gabe is your typical corporate man. But something about Mad's death just keeps nagging at him. He is a true friend in the sense that he has to have some kind of resolution in this. The secrets just seem to keep turning up. Cleaning up Mad's mess turns into a full on suspenseful story. I liked the fact that Gabe was hotter than a firecracker in business and in his personal life. He commanded the power he had well and he acted like I expected someone in his position would. Everly was the only thing that set him off his game and that made the romantic connection between some much more palpable. You could feel the energy coming off them and off the pages.
Bottom Line:
Black and Blake did a fantastic job of making the suspense plot the main focus and the romance the added bonus. It gave the story more substance and kept it book sensual and edgy. This is the kind of plot that will keep you up at night wondering how in the world this guy got himself mixed up in all this and wondering when Everly and Gabe are going to figure it all out. The passion is hot and spicy and the characters are well suited for it. A very good new book from two great authors.
Scandal Never Sleeps is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 30 sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances, including the Wicked Lovers series (His to Take, Theirs to Cherish, and Ours to Love). She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She is the author of the Masters and Mercenaries series, including You Only Love Twice, Cherished, and A View to a Thrill.
Together, Black and Blake pen the New York Times bestselling Masters of Ménage novels, including Their Virgin Mistress, Their Virgin Secretary and Their Virgin Hostage.
The Man Who Fell From the Sky (A Wind River Mystery - Book 19) by Margaret Coel
Publication Date: 09/01/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425280306
ISBN-13: 978-0425280300
(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes
Margaret Coel on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads
Books in the series:
Wind River
1. The Eagle Catcher
2. The Ghost Walker
3. The Dream Stalker
4. The Story Teller
5. The Lost Bird
6. The Spirit Woman
7. The Thunder Keeper
8. The Shadow Dancer
9. Killing Raven
10. Wife of Moon
11. Eye of the Wolf
12. The Drowning Man
13. The Girl With Braided Hair
14. The Silent Spirit
15. The Spider's Web
16. Buffalo Bill's Dead Now
17. Killing Custer
18. Night of the White Buffalo
19. The Man Who Fell From the Sky
Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.
Excerpt from The Man Who Fell From the Sky, courtesy of the author's website
Synopsis:
New York Times bestselling author Margaret Coel returns to Wind River with Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden and Father John O’Malley investigating a lethal link between legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy and a present-day murder…
When Robert Walking Bear’s body is found in the Wind River mountains, his death appears to be accidental—except for the fact that he had been hunting for Butch Cassidy’s buried loot with a map he had gotten from his grandfather, a map believed to have been drawn by the leader of the Hole in the Wall gang himself.
It isn’t long before rumors circulate that Robert was murdered by his own cousins to get the map and find the treasure themselves. Despite there being no evidence of foul play, the gossip gains credibility when both Vicky and Father John are contacted by an anonymous Arapaho claiming to have witnessed Robert’s killing.
When one of Robert’s cousins falls prey to another deadly accident, Vicky and Father John are convinced the victim is the witness who confided in them, and the hunt for the killer is on in earnest—before more die in search of Cassidy’s cache.
Thoughts:
Margaret Coel continues the Wind River series with her latest book, The Man Who Fell From the Sky. Coel is first and foremost a historian and it shows in this series. She is considered an expert on the Arapaho which lends a lot of authenticity to her stories. Coel blends the past and the present in her new book, taking readers on a journey into the legends surrounding Butch Cassidy and his partner, the Sundance Kid. Did they escape to Bolvia? Was loot buried in 'them there hills'? And how does it all tie into a present day murder... The reader is sure to find this one appealing on a lot of levels.
What I liked:
This series has only been on my radar for the last few years. Margaret Coel's new book, The Man Who Fell From the Sky is actually the nineteenth book in this series following the antics of a Jesuit priest and an Arapaho attorney, as they solve mysteries on the Wind River Reservation. I don't know how I missed this one for so long. It's such a well written and historically accurate series. Margaret Coel's background in history is well showcased in every book in this series. Readers who like their mysteries with a little more depth will love these books. Cozies tend to be light, even though the subject is murder, but Coel just delves a little deeper into the story than most and it gives her books a different kind of feel to them that is quite addictive.
This book takes on the legend of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, by making the current murder investigation surround the possible money hidden on the Wind River Reservation buried long ago. Readers get everything from treasure maps to film crews. From a possible suicide to a murder among family members. It's quite the ride and Coel never ceases to add in historical tidbits which make the reader want to go beyond the book and learn more about the infamous leader of the Hole in the Wall gang.
The relationship between Vicky and Father John is always evolving in this series. You can certainly feel that undercurrent of tension in this book. It gives the story a different layer for readers to consider and think about beyond the actual mystery. One of the things that I find so alluring about cozy mysteries is the personal interest the reader can take in the reoccurring characters. Father John is one of those characters you wish you knew in real life and Vicky is one smart lady. Coel does an exceptional job with her characters from the leading roles to the secondary roles. Excellent characterizations.
What I Didn't Like:
There really wasn't too much I didn't like about this one except the fact that I wish I read them all in order. I think the reader misses out on a lot of the little nuances of the story when they haven't read the previous books. This is certainly a series I want to back track on and get caught up with before the next one comes out.
Bottom Line:
What more could you ask for from a great mystery? Historical detail, authentic Arapaho knowledge and the legend of Butch Cassidy. This was a top notch cozy that went a beyond the average cozy in terms of detail and characterizations. I liked the duo of the priest and the lawyer and found the mystery aspects of the book to be spot on. I had this one figured out, but it didn't go down quite how I thought it would. A series to try if you've never read one that balances history and mystery. A great addition to the series.
The Man Who Fell From the Sky is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.
I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!
About the Author:
Margaret Coel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of the acclaimed Wind River Mysteries featuring Father John O’Malley and Vicky Holden (Night of the White Buffalo, Killing Custer, Buffalo Bill’s Dead Now), as well as the Catherine McLeod Mysteries (The Perfect Suspect, Blood Memory) and several works of nonfiction. Originally a historian by trade, she is considered an expert on the Arapaho Indians.
Giveaway Details:
The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Man Who Fell From the Sky by Margaret Coel.
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~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, September 16th.
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