Review: Intense Pleasure

Intense Pleasure (Bound Hearts - Book 14) by Lora Leigh

Publication Date: 1/3/2017
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Genre: Erotic Romance
Pages: 320
ISBN-10: 1250105412
ISBN-13: 978-1250105417

(Received for an honest review from St. Martin's Paperbacks)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Lora Leigh on the WEB: Website, Blog, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the series:

Bound Hearts
1. Surrender 
2. Submission 
3. Seduction 
4. Wicked Intent 
5. Sacrifice 
6. Embraced 
7. Shameless 
8. Forbidden Pleasure 
9. Wicked Pleasure 
10. Only Pleasure 
11. Guilty Pleasure 
12. Dangerous Pleasure 
13. Secret Pleasure
14. Intense Pleasure

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Intense Pleasure, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

The brand new, never-before-published novel in #1 New York Times bestseller Lora Leigh's deliciously sexy Bound Hearts series, where one woman must accept--or reject--the love of a lifetime.

TOO HOT TO HANDLE
Her name is Summer, as beautiful and occasionally fierce as her name suggests. Her past has just come back to haunt her, and suddenly she’s not sure who she can trust. Her longtime confidantes Falcone and Raeg seem to have Summer’s best interests at heart. . .but it’s clear that their desire for her still burns between them. Can they find a way to keep Summer safe―or will a bitter rivalry stand in their way?

Falcone and Raeg need to work together, now more than ever, if they intend to protect Summer from an old enemy who knows her dangerous secret. When Summer’s identity as a sweet, Southern socialite gets out, the two men must find a way to draw out the ruthless assassin on her trail. . .and keep their illicit romance with her under wraps. But some passions are so intense they can’t remain hidden. What are Falcone and Raeg willing to risk for the woman they both crave like no other, in Intense Pleasure, the next Bound Hearts novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh.

Thoughts:

When many readers think erotic romance, Lora Leigh's name usually comes to mind. Her Breeds series, is one of my favorites, but I had never read any of the Bound Hearts books before. Intense Pleasure is book fourteen in the series, which means I'm starting kind of late and that likely influenced how I felt about this book. If a menage story just isn't your thing, this ain't the book for you! lol. Readers looking for a book that is both passionate and suspenseful will find this one very satisfying.

What I liked:

I really like this author. I have read a ton of Lora Leigh's books and I have to say there are very few that I didn't like. She knows her stuff. When it comes to erotic romance and what the reader needs from the genre, Leigh just seems to get it. It takes a fine line balance to make this kind of romance work. You have to have those intense sexual experiences, but you also have to have some emotional aspects and even a bit of conflict to make the story move. It's not all about the sex, at least for most readers. Leigh often has the scales balanced perfectly for me and I had great expectations for this read.

There is a lot of great stuff in Intense Pleasure, from the menage, three way relationship to psychopathic killers. Writing a great romance between two characters is hard enough, but adding a third to the mix takes some talent. The brothers, Raeg and Falcon are as alpha male as they come. Dominant, protective and very sexy. That's not what I think of when it comes to someone who is good at sharing anything, especially a woman. Leigh not only makes it work, but she makes it believable. Falcon is the charming, funny brother, while Raeg is the dark and broody one. You can guess which one was my favorite. Raeg has a lot of emotional stuff going on and provides a lot of conflict for the story. Yes, they are trying to protect Summer from a killer, but Raeg and his relationship issues still takes center stage.

Summer was my kind of heroine. She is independent and strong. She does what she has to do. Unfortunately, that involved killing someone she loved and thought was her friend. That would take an emotional toil on anyone. I loved her big southern family and the Georgia setting for this one, but more importantly I loved Summer as a character. She did seem a bit needy here and there and that did not seem true to character, but she had her reasons and they were for the most part believable.

What I didn't like:

Oh, the secrets we keep! This book thrives on secrecy. The brothers have secrets. Summer has secrets. There are underlying currents of things not being said that need to be said. I had a bit of a struggle trying to keep it all straight and then when I thought it going to be revealed I still had to wait. I'm not even sure I still have it all right, lol. It was one of those books that I really felt I would have benefited from reading the entire series. There were characters and situations that I felt completely clueless about. And then all the sudden we get a very convenient ending that pulls it all together. I suppose I wanted more revealed in small doses throughout than all at once.

There was a ton of emotional angst and general heart wrenching, shredding and shattering going on. These poor boys were a mess at times. I felt bad for Raeg. I felt bad for Falcon. I felt bad for Summer. Maybe a little less feeling bad for everyone and more feeling glad they were together. I needed a bit less emotional brouhaha and more understanding and communication. I know that without it the book would have suffered, but I still got too much of it. 

Bottom Line:

This is a good book. There are some very good points. Sexy brothers. Menage action. Great heroine. But there were some on the negative side too. Too much drama, not enough explanation. Way too many secrets. It kind of balanced itself out, which doesn't surprise me. This author is a master at balance. The sex was great by the way. I've always wondered if one person got left out in this kind of situation lol. Apparently, not! (wink)...

Intense Pleasure is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

#1 New York Times bestseller Lora Leigh is the author of the Navy SEALS, the Breeds, the Elite Ops, the Callahans, the Bound Hearts, and the Nauti series.

Review: Wyoming Brave

Wyoming Brave (Wyoming Men - Book 6) by Diana Palmer

Publication Date: 12/27/2016
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN Books
Genre: Western Romance
Pages: 352
ISBN-10: 0373789947
ISBN-13: 978-0373789948

(Received for an honest review from Harlequin HQN)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Diana Palmer on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the series:

1. Wyoming Tough
2. Wyoming Fierce
3. Wyoming Bold
4. Wyoming Strong
5. Wyoming Rugged
6. Wyoming Brave

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Wyoming Brave, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

The Wyoming men are back! In their quest for true love on the range, are these ranchers bold enough to open their hearts to the women under their protection? 

Ren Colter may own an enormous ranch in Wyoming, but he scorns his wealth. He's closed himself off since his fiancée left him months ago, so he's shocked when he allows Meredith Grayling to stay with him. He tells himself it's only to protect the blonde beauty from a stalker, but Ren's alpha instincts soon kick in. 

The last thing Merrie wants is a devastatingly handsome man like Ren lurking around her. He's too experienced, too appealing for her already shot nerves. What she needs is just to get away from it all: the man haunting her waking dreams and the one hunting her like an animal. But no woman escapes this Colter cowboy!

Thoughts:

Diana Palmer is a prolific author. She has written over 100 novels. That's a huge accomplishment in the publishing world. She was even named one of the top one hundred romance writers in America and for some reason I never reviewed one of her books, though I have read several. The last few years her books have followed a more prescribed pattern that allows the reader some comfort in knowing what to expect, but unusual and sensitive characters are able to transform each book into a separate adventure. Her latest novel in the Wyoming Men series, Wyoming Brave is somewhat of a continuation from her previous novel Defender, a part of the Long, Tall, Texan's series. The crossover aspect of this book was intriguing and allows readers who have read each series to appreciate the other. A very good book, by a master in the western romance subgenre.

What I liked:

I'm a sucker for a brooding hero and Diana Palmer does not disappoint with Ren Colter. This guy has alpha male written all over him. He's very protective and sexy, if a bit overbearing at times. Ren has a broken heart that has turned him hard as stone and cold as ice. I loved his very realistic and hard nosed approach to life, but it was certainly hard to handle in the area of love. When he is faced with an innocent woman in need of his protection he relents but not very quickly and not very easily. Merrie and Ren don't find love at first sight, but it definitely grows on them.

I don't usually go for the sweet, pure heroine. I like independent, strong female characters, but there is something to be said for innocence. That idea of first love and the first sexual experience of a woman was enticing in this one and I found myself very taken with Merrie. She had a great moral compass and she had been through some tragedy in her life. To have her first experience at love with a man like Ren, experienced, wealthy, and very hesitant was maybe not the best but it was satisfying to see him let down his guard and let her in. It happened too quickly, I wanted the angst and anticipation to last, but I still loved every second of it.

One of the best parts of this book was the suspense. Merrie has a stalker, a man determined to end her in one way or another. The story starts out in Defender and ends up in Wyoming Brave. I would advise reading Defender for background on the story and for more insight into Merrie's life. There is everything from passion and love to moral dilemmas and physical danger in this one. Palmer might be known for typical small town romances but this one had a different feel to it. There was a sense of urgency that I don't usually find in her novels. It was a nice change of pace.

What I didn't like:

I have read several of Palmer's romances over the years and have enjoyed them all. However, they often follow a pattern or formula. That is perfect for some readers who want to know what they are getting when they buy a book. But a little tedious for those who want to be surprised. In most of Palmer's books you have an experienced hero and an inexperienced heroine and we do find that here in this book as well. They are usually set in small towns, most usually western in nature. We had all of that here. Her hero's are often alpha male and can be seen as overbearing. We also got that. I think what made this one different for me was the suspenseful nature of the book and I liked the coming of age, innocence of Merrie. Though, the book is similar to Palmer's other offerings I don't think that should deter every reader. Just be aware of it and know what you want to read.

Bottom Line:

I liked this book. It was enjoyable, albeit a little like most others I have read from this author. I liked the story crossover from a previous series and felt like I had something to go on before starting this one. I loved Ren, even though he might seem a little over the top to some. I like that manly man attitude. He was cynical but that paired well with Merrie's innocence and sweetness. Too much of that is just an overload for me. Pick this one up. It's a keeper!

Wyoming Brave is available now from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

I was born in south Georgia(USA), graduated from high school in Atlanta, married my husband, James, in Habersham County, and graduated from Piedmont College(Demorest, GA) summa cum laude in history with minors in anthropology and Spanish in 1995.

I worked for over 16 years as a newspaper reporter on both weekly and daily papers. In between reporting jobs, I had a son, Blayne, my greatest creative achievement. I love iguanas and most other animals, and am the biggest geek on earth. If it's electronic, and non-lethal, I probably have one. I was always the kid who was out of step with the rest of the world, and I still am. My father was a college professor, so my sister and I grew up not quite understanding what prejudice was.

I traveled a lot when I was more mobile than I am now, and I never met a person I didn't like. Writing books is more than a job to me, it's my life, next to being a wife, mother and grandmother. I am a person of faith, but I respect all religions and all cultures.

I write romantic suspense for HQN books, mass market and series contemporary romance for Harlequin, and science fiction novels for Luna Books. In my spare time, I sleep. :)

Review: Wild Wicked Scot

Wild Wicked Scot (Highland Grooms - Book 1) by Julia London

Publication Date: 12/27/2016
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HQN Books
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 384
ISBN-10: 0373789661
ISBN-13: 978-0373789665

(Received for an honest review from Harlequin HQN)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Julia London on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram

Excerpt from Wild Wicked Scot, courtesy of the author's website

Synopsis:

Wicked intrigue unfolds as an unlikely marriage leads to a path of risky desire in the lush, green Scottish Highlands 

Born into riches and groomed in English luxury, Margot Armstrong didn't belong in a Scottish chieftain's devil-may-care world. Three years ago she fled their marriage of convenience and hasn't looked back—except to relive the moments spent in wild, rugged Arran McKenzie's passionate embrace. But as their respective countries' fragile unity threatens to unravel, Margot must return to her husband to uncover his role in the treachery before her family can be accused of it. 

Red-haired, green-eyed Margot was Arran's beautiful bride. Her loss has haunted him, but her return threatens everything he has gained. As the Highland mists carry whispers of an English plot to seize McKenzie territory, he must outmaneuver her in games of espionage…and seduction. But even as their secrets tangle together, there's nothing to prevent love from capturing them both and leading them straight into danger.

Thoughts:

Julia London is one of those author's that makes a reader stand up and take notice. Her storytelling skills are impeccable and her characters are often surprising, as well as, passionate. Her latest series, The Highland Grooms, begins with a story of political intrigue and a marriage of convenience. Wild Wicked Scot, is quite unpredictable for the genre. This is a hard fought HEA and readers will find themselves absorbed and unable to figure out just how things will shake out. 

What I liked:

I read of a lot of Scottish romances. It's a given coming from a Scottish background that any book I read from the subgenre has to meet a few criterion for me to like it. Historical romances have to have some history. It's in the name... lol. Wild Wicked Scot is set in a particularly tumultuous time in Scottish history, at the beginnings of the Jacobite Rebellion. The tension is high between the English crown and the Scottish clans. London's portrayal of a romance set smack dab in the middle of it was both satisfying and highly emotional, but it's the political climate and the underlying sense of urgency that propels this book from good to great. London knows how to use the history to enhance the romance. It's an acquired skill. 

Can't have a great romance without a sexy hero. It's part of the outline. Arran Mackenzie, fits that description to a tee. He's a laird, commanding and competent. He's a warrior, passionate and protective and he's wearing a kilt. That never hurts. I liked Arran a lot. Margot is his wife, but she isn't his partner in the beginning. It was a marriage of convenience. Her father wanted something and Arran wanted something, but Margot wasn't necessarily it. When she returns after three years he is clearly skeptical, but he doesn't let that stop him from being attracted to her. He is very open with his feelings for her and I liked that he didn't try to hide it even though he doesn't trust her. He is very much a man, but he is also a leader and that comes with responsibilities to his people. He shows caution and compassion with Margot and that was very attractive.

The plot centers around Margot's return to the highland's as a spy for her father. She is supposed to find out if Arran is in fact a supporter of the Jacobite Rebellion. In order to do that she not only has to win over a husband she deserted but also a clan who desperately needs something or someone to believe in. I loved the fact that London's plot is so unconventional. Most marriage's of convenience in historical romances follow a prescribed pattern. Most often the hero and the heroine fall in love and live happily ever after. Not so, in this one. It starts out bad and gets worse. The reader will have a hard time trying to figure out how in the world this one will work out. They know what kind of romance it is but then again maybe it's not. Are they going to stay together... yes, of course they are. But maybe they're not. Oh dear! London really keeps you on your toes with this one... loved that part. 

London brings together two people from two totally different backgrounds. They have no basis to understand each other. Nothing but attraction to bond them. They have different expectations in life. Different ideas of romance and love. I liked the idea of the spoiled English bride and the stoic Scottish laird. It really worked. Margot was certainly a hand full. Arran has his work cut out of him. When they both finally get over their own expectations and start to see each other for the unique and interesting people they have become, it's on (like Donkey Kong!)

What I didn't like:

There were a lot of things I liked about this book, but there was one thing I didn't like. And it's a big one. I didn't like Margot. I didn't like the heroine. How can I possibly say this a great book, without liking the heroine? Even though, I found her a bit spoiled and pretentious in the beginning she did grow on me. I didn't find myself falling in love with her character by any means, but the idea behind her was compelling. She was the bad girl who won the day in a sense. She had her faults and don't we all, but it just goes to show you that there's someone out there for everyone.

Bottom Line:

This was a deeply romantic book. The characters were well drawn and interesting. It felt very unpredictable and hard to pin down and that's a good thing. I like books that don't follow the norms. I like saucy, savvy characters and even though I didn't like Margot she was both of those things. Arran was a very good hero, if a bit clueless about how to make his wife happy. Pick this one up you'll be glad you did. It's a really good romance balanced with political intrigue and a lot of sexy highlanders! 

Wild Wicked Scot is available now from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Julia London is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of more than thirty romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular  Cabot Sisters historical series, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch and The Perfect Homecoming.

Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction.

She lives in Austin, Texas.

Changes Ahead!

Hi, everyone! It's been a minute... almost a year. 

As many of you know my dad passed away about a year and a half ago. To say that I have went threw a few life changes is probably an understatement. 

I tried to blog for a little while during that time. I thought it would keep my mind busy and help me cope with all the changes in my little world. Unfortunately, with health issues and taking care of my mom it got away from me a bit and the blog suffered because of it. 

I have, however, still been reading. I have many thoughts on all the wonderful books I have read during my hiatus. I have also done a lot of thinking about the scope of the blog and where I want it to go from here. 

This has always been a personal project for me. It was about introducing readers to good books. My reviews have always reflected the idea that I can usually find something I like about a book whether I liked it in it's entirety or not. I don't usually read books that I think for any reason I might not like. That's why my reviews are generally favorable. I don't waste my time on books that I know I will struggle to give a good review for. It's just the way I do it. I don't give good reviews because I think that's what I need to do or because I want to get more books from a specific author or publisher. I give good reviews because I liked the book. That's it. 

I read a lot. Several books a week sometimes. I don't post reviews of everything I read. If I did, this would be a 24/7 job. I have more requests than I know what to do with and I haven't blogged in a year, if that tells you anything. Once I start again I will be covered up and I just can't do them all. 

I have always read a variety of books and genres and I continue to do so. I love memoirs and historical romances. I love gritty urban fantasy and magical contemporary romances. I love a good cozy mystery and a touch of horror never hurts when you want something different. I have always made this blog eclectic and open. I have struggled with the idea that I need to settle on one genre and stick to it. 

Maybe this should be a cozy mystery blog only. Or perhaps a romance blog that encompasses all the subgenres of romance from romantic suspense to historical. It's always been a challenge for me to settle to one thing where reading is concerned. That's something I don't really want to change but there are advantages in doing so. I would be afforded a lot more opportunities to review specific kinds of books. I think my blog would probably benefit from a sharper focus. I think I would gain more followers if I paid a little more attention to who my audience is and what they want. 

I'm not really sure what that means just yet. I'm not sure of what changes I am going to implement or if changes are needed. I do feel like I need a new start. Next week on Monday I will be posting a new review and perhaps a giveaway if I can arrange it. I hope that you will take this journey with me into something new. Life has many changes, we just have to learn how to adapt. I've adapted to a lot of new things in my world and I have seen changes in myself that were unexpected. I hope the changes here will be what's needed to make this blog successful and enjoyable.

Thanks for your support in all things~   Deb

MIA: Missing in Action

Hey everyone! I've been MIA for about a week now, dealing with kidney stones. It's been pretty awful, but I'm going to try to play catch up and get some reviews out as quickly as possible! Just thought I'd let you know I haven't deserted you again...

Review: How to Handle a Scandal

How to Handle a Scandal (Scandalous Sisters - Book 2) by Emily Greenwood

Publication Date: 03/01/2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 384
ISBN-10: 1492613681
ISBN-13: 978-1492613688

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, itunes

Emily Greenwood on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Excerpt from How to Handle a Scandal, courtesy of the author's website

Books in the series:

Scandalous Sisters 

1. The Beautiful One
2. How to Handle a Scandal

Coverart: Click the photo for a larger, clearer picture of the covers in this series.

Synopsis:

They thought the debutante was scandalous
Miss Elizabeth Tarryton was the toast of the London Season the year she was seventeen and spurned young Tommy Halifax. A careless flirt who didn't know what she wanted, she was startled into laughter by his public proposal of marriage. Furious and heartbroken, Tommy promptly left home for a life of adventure in India.

If they only knew about the widow
Seven years later, Elizabeth has much to make up for, but the methods she chooses for doing good are as shocking as her earlier wanton behavior―should the ton ever find out. Tommy returns to England a hero, with no intention of allowing himself to be hurt by a woman ever again, but he's fascinated nonetheless by Elizabeth, now widowed and more alluring than ever.

Thoughts:

Emily Greenwood returns to her Scandalous Sisters series with How to Handle a Scandal. Greenwood is a proven Regency writer, who knows the ins and outs of the ton like the back of her hand. Readers who love a good second chance romance will find this one enchanting, if a bit trying at times. Greenwood is always good for a great scandal and when Lizzy laughs at Tommy's high profile proposal, sparks fly. But there is still more scandal in their future and readers will find these intense characters full of surprises.

What I liked:

I can totally believe that a young girl could laugh at a young man's proposal. Been there myself actually. I don't think Eliza meant to be so insensitive, but Tommy certainly didn't see it that way. Emily Greenwood gives readers an interesting premise for her latest book, How to Handle a Scandal. Readers get a second chance romance, but that's not all. Scandal abounds, and that is definitely what a reader looks for in a great Regency novel. If an author can pull off a good scandal, half of the battle is won with her audience. Greenwood proves she can do that here.

Tommy isn't the wide eyed young man he once was when he returns to the ton. He is being knighted for his service and doesn't have any plans for romance. But as often happens, one thing leads to another and he ends up in the middle of another scandal... with the same woman, no less. I liked Tommy even though he has become a bit jaded where women are concerned. He could be harsh and he seemed a bit unfeeling at moments, but I'm telling you, Eliza could make a priest curse. This was one hard fought HEA. He had his hands full and it wasn't what he bargained for.

I can see Eliza making a turn around. She grows up a lot in this novel. She changes for the better. Since she is a widow with a lot to make up for, seeing her mentor young women to keep them off the streets was satisfying. She has a new purpose in life. But she tends to go a bit overboard with everything. Dressing the part of a prostitute in an actual brothel, probably not the learning experience she expected. I found her a bit childish at times, bratty, self serving. I wasn't too sure she was the right woman for Tommy even after all these years. 

What I didn't like:

The heroine in this one was a bit much for me. I liked parts of her story, but other parts left me a bit aggravated. She wants to make a great turn around in her life and she does, but not when it comes to the romance of the story. She lies to Tommy, time and time again. She tricks him, she throws temper tantrums and just made me a little disgusted with her at times. The action lagged a little because of it and I just felt he deserved a lot better. Not the kind of feelings you want when it comes to a good romance. 

Bottom Line:

Loved the hero, even if he was a bit gruff at times. Liked the heroine in some ways and detested her in others. Not the couple I would have chosen. The scandal was good, well written. The heat was good to a point and certain will cause some readers to need a fan. But the romance was a bit flat, because the heroine wasn't very honest and when she did tell the truth, she made it seem like the hero was to blame. Ughhh! I was wringing my hands with this one. Take it with a grain of salt, you might like Eliza, she just wasn't my cup of tea.

How to Handle a Scandal is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 3 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Emily Greenwood worked for a number of years as a writer, crafting newsletters and fundraising brochures, but she far prefers writing playful love stories set in Regency England, and she thinks romance is the chocolate-and in some exquisite cases, the wine-of literature. A Golden Heart finalist, she lives with her husband and their two daughters in Kensington, Maryland.

Review: At the Edge

At the Edge (Alpha Crew Part 1) by Laura Griffin

Publication Date: 03/07/2016
Publisher: Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books
Imprint: Pocket Star
Genre: Romantic Suspense
File Size: 2426 KB
ASIN: B010MH19K0

(Received for an honest review from Pocket Star)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, itunes, Kobo

Laura Griffin on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Excerpt from At the Edge, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

Dive into Part One of this heart-pounding romantic suspense story, which continues in Edge of Surrender: Alpha Crew Part Two!

When Emma Wright’s government plane goes down over the Philippine jungle, she’s forced to survive alone until an ultra-elite SEAL team goes in after her. As the leader of Alpha Crew, Ryan Owen is no stranger to challenges, but he’s never tackled anything quite like this sexy, smart, and resourceful woman. The mission is to get Emma home safely, but danger is everywhere, and Ryan’s unexpected desire for Emma could be a deadly distraction.

Back home in California, Ryan’s mission is over—but Emma’s has just begun. She knows her plane crash was no accident, and she’s determined to uncover the truth about what happened—even if her quest for answers puts her at risk. Torn between duty and desire, Ryan searches for a way win Emma’s heart while protecting her from an invisible enemy who wants her dead.

The thrilling conclusion to this Alpha Crew romance is just weeks away!

Thoughts:

Laura Griffin brings her readers a new series and a new format. The first part of the Alpha Crew series, At the Edge is a heart pounding, suspenseful story with plenty of romance. Don't be surprised with the cliff hanger at the end, since this is just the first part of the book. Readers looking for a challenging story in a new format will find this one right up their alley. Griffin is a master at romantic suspense and readers will love this new offering.

What I liked:

I have become a big fan of romantic suspense of late. But, I still have a few qualms about it. When I read romantic suspense, I want the balance to be good and I want the suspense and the romance to be believable. Laura Griffin is one of those writers who can give readers what they want in a novel like this. Her suspense is generally well thought out and has some action packed moments. Her romance is most often strong and passionate, but still has those tender moments readers love. When it comes to balance, Griffin has it down to a science. Not too much action, not too much romance. Weighed in the balance, At the Edge comes out with equal parts of both.

In a romantic suspense novel, I think one of the key elements is having a strong, commanding hero. In At the Edge readers get that in Ryan Owen. I don't think you can go wrong with a character who may be a bit of an alpha male, but still has a heart. Ryan was very focused on his mission, but he couldn't help falling under Emma's spell. Romance can be a distraction in his line of work and I wasn't sure I could believe he would just dive into it so quickly. But I misjudged the format of this one and didn't realize he had more time than I thought. I liked him a lot. He was a little over the top but I think that's believable in a Navy SEAL. 

Emma was strong and sassy. She never let Ryan get in the last word and she made some smart decisions. I liked her character a lot. I wanted to find out what happened to her. It meant something to me. Her plane crashes, she ends up surviving in the jungle until she can be rescued and she still has time to fall in love. Not every writer could pull that off, but Griffin made me believe it was not only possible, but realistic. If a writer can pull the wool over the readers eye in that way, she knows what she's doing.

What I didn't Like:

There was plenty of action, with the jungle rescue and the story heating up when Emma becomes convinced it was no accident that her plane went down. The romance was good, intense and passionate, but the format for this one didn't work for me. I think I was expecting something different. I figured Part 1 would still be a book unto itself, but it wasn't. It was basically, just half of the book, which made me feel a little like I'd been cheated. I wasn't expecting a cliff hanger and I thought there would be a plausible ending. It might be perfect for some readers and maybe I just need to get used to the idea that's more serialized. But I didn't find it as enjoyable as I would have, had it been the whole thing.

Bottom Line:

Great writing. Griffin's style always appeals to me. She has great balance, plenty of action, plenty of romance. I thought the main characters were not only believable but enjoyable to read about. I wanted to give this one a 5 apple review, but the format threw me off a bit. I didn't like it. I guess I'm greedy, wanted it all at the same time. Serial stories are good sometimes I just wasn't expecting that with this one. Regardless of that, this good romantic suspense. If you haven't tried Laura Griffin, you should!

At the Edge is available NOW from your favorite bookseller. 

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author LAURA GRIFFIN started her career in journalism before venturing into the world of romantic suspense. She is a two-time RITA Award winner (for the books Scorched and Whisper of Warning) as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award (for Untraceable). Laura currently lives in Austin where she is working on her next book. Visit her website at http://www.lauragriffin.com and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LauraGriffinAuthor