Friday, August 28, 2015

The Knight (The Patrick Bowers Files #3) by Steven James

The Knight (The Patrick Bowers Files #3) by Steven James

This is a police procedural novel (Rated R)

♥♥♥♥1/2
(Four and a Half Shiny Hearts)


Book Summary

In "The Knight," the third installment in the bestselling series of thrillers featuring FBI criminologist Patrick Bowers, the stakes have never been higher. 


Agent Bowers is used to tracking the country's most dangerous killers, but now it looks like a killer is tracking him. When he realizes the murderer is using clues from an ancient manuscript as a blueprint for his crimes, Bowers faces a race against time to decipher who the next victim will be and to stop the final shocking murder--which he's beginning to believe might be his own. 


Gritty, chilling, and intense, this psychological thriller is guaranteed to keep readers up all night.


My Review

This installment has a sadistic killer that will make you cringe at the details that are given. Still, this author knows how to weave a story.

At the beginning I was quite surprised to find out that Patrick’s love interest was out of the picture and in steps someone new. It kind of bothered me because I never really understood what the problem was with the old relationship and why the break up.

Then there was Tessa, an interesting character she is. We learned the truth about her. There were points when I was mad at her for the reactions she had. As smart as she is, I didn’t understand how she could discount feelings she learned and take them as a bad thing. She seemed to help Patrick on every case but she couldn’t see a scared young woman debate a decision she obviously didn’t make.

Sorry so cryptic, I don’t want to give spoilers.

And this mystery had me baffled. I never guessed who done it until literally right before Patrick did, so well done there.

This book is fast pace and this series is fast becoming one of my favorites.

Audio Review
Richard Ferrone did a good job with the narration and capturing the emotions from all the characters.

My book boyfriend is Patrick.


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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Boundary Crossed (Boundary Magic #1) by Melissa F. Olson

Boundary Crossed (Boundary Magic #1) by Melissa F. Olson

This is an adult urban fantasy novel (Rated PG-13)

♥♥♥1/2
(Three and half Witchy Hearts)


Book Summary

After her twin sister’s brutal murder, former US Army Sergeant Allison “Lex” Luther vowed to protect her niece, Charlie. So when two vampires try to kidnap the baby, it quickly turns into a fight to the death—Lex’s death, that is.

She wakes up to two shocking discoveries: she has miraculously survived the fight, and baby Charlie is a “null,” gifted with the ability to weaken supernatural forces...and a target for creatures who want to control that power. Determined to guarantee her niece’s safety, Lex makes a deal with the local vampires. She sets out with the mysterious—and undead—“fixer” Quinn to track down whoever’s responsible for the kidnapping, sharpening her newfound magic skills along the way. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous her powers become.

Boundary Crossed is a dark, thrilling journey into a world where the line between living and dead isn’t nearly as solid as it appears...


My Review

First let me say that the initial setup of the story/series is pretty strong. The backstory is interesting enough to draw you in. The author doesn’t dump everything out at you all at once. She gives you information along the way in such a fashion to keep you reading. Great Job there.

The romance is an undercurrent of the story to the point of almost non-existent. But that is to be expected in an urban fantasy novel. However, by the end, you can’t help but wonder where the two will go. There is almost a feeling of a love triangle, but trust me, it’s not there and I’m so glad for it.

MILD SPOILERS

Lex’s brother in law John is a total douchebag in my opinion. He’s interested in Lex and they have a minor fling (like sex and stuff) like right after or during her last year of high school. He admits he has feelings for her and she admits hers. However, she’s determined to enlist and does. While she’s away, he starts dating her twin sister. And I don’t care that they are fraternal twins. It’s her sister and worse her twin. John and her sister end up getting married and having a kid. If that’s not bad enough, her twin dies in the other series (Dead Spots). It’s almost a year after her death and John tells Lex she needs to move on and not think so much about her dead twin. AND that he’s moved on, he’s seeing someone. Total douche. I don’t like him at all, not that he’s not entitled to move on, but it’s the way it comes across in the story that bothers me.

There was one part where Lex is told about a party for her father. Immediately, I knew who Lex would end up going with even initially he’s going alone (yeah, right). And things don’t change until later in the story. I also knew what would happen to Charlie. And all the attempts to get Charlie, I can’t believe they didn’t anticipate and have protection for her. I thought that whole part was an epic fail
END OF SPOILER

I did figure out the who done it pretty early. I can’t believe that Lex didn’t figure it out.
The way the book ends, you can see that things have the potential of being an outstanding read. I sure hope so. Only, I want more of the Dead Spots series (whatever that series is called) and it looks like this author has moved on to this series. I’m sort of sad.

Audio Review
Kate Rudd does a good job. Her separation of voices was pretty easy to follow.

My book boyfriend Quinn.


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Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Sense of Deception (Psychic Eye Mystery #13) by Victoria Laurie

Sense of Deception (Psychic Eye Mystery #13) by Victoria Laurie

This is an adult mystery/thriller novel (Rated PG-13)

♥♥♥♥
(Four Deceptive Hearts)


Book Summary

In New York Times bestselling author Victoria Laurie’s newest Psychic Eye Mystery, Abby Cooper senses a convicted killer is innocent, but she’ll need hard evidence to save the woman before it’s too late… 

A ticked-off judge has tossed Abby in the slammer for contempt of court, and during her brief but unpleasant stay she learns the story of a condemned woman who is facing a far more serious sentence. Skylar Miller has been found guilty of murder and faces the death penalty. Everyone believes she’s guilty, including her own family and her ex-husband—everyone, that is, except Abby, whose finely honed intuition tells her this woman doesn’t belong behind bars.

With the help of her husband Dutch and her friend Candice, Abby launches into her own investigation to clear Skylar and find the real killer. But after a final appeal is denied and Skylar’s attorney scrambles for a stay of execution, time is running short—and the list of suspects keeps growing. There’s no margin for error as the life of an innocent woman hangs in the balance…


My Review

I really enjoy this series. It’s fun and light-hearted. I know I can count on Abby stumbling her way through an investigation.

This installment wasn’t a disappointment in that respect. I did figure out who did it early on. I thought the motive was flimsy. Anyway, I can’t say more without giving too much away. I think the choice of killer might have been to throw the reader off, but it didn’t really. I am glad it was fiction.

I look forward to another installment of the series. Dutch was in the book but not. Oscar was really the one in the supportive role with Abby this book. But I love how Dutch and Abby’s marriage was real and how Abby knew what she had to do to help keep the marriage going on a good foot.

Audio Review
Elizabeth Michaels did a good job with narration.


My book boyfriend is Oscar.


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Monday, August 24, 2015

Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts

Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts

This is an adult contemporary romance (Rated NC-17)

♥♥♥1/2
(Three and a half Beachy Hearts)


Book Summary

For more than three hundred years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore - and its secrets.

To summer tourists, it's the crown jewel of the town's stunning scenery. To the residents of Whiskey Beach, it's landmark and legend. To Eli Landon, it's home...

A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigation after being accused of murdering his soon-to-be ex-wife. And though there was never enough evidence to have him arrested, his reputation is in tatters as well as his soul. He need sanctuary. He needs Bluff House.

While Eli's beloved grandmother is in Boston, recuperating from a nasty fall, Abra Walsh has card for Bluff House, among her other jobs as yoga instructor, jewelry maker, and massage therapist. She is a woman with an open heart and a wide embrace, and no one is safe from her special, some would say over-bearing, brand of nurturing - including Eli.

He begins to count on Abra for far more than her cooking, cleaning, and massage skills, and starts to feel less like a victim - and more like the kind of man who can finally solve the murder of his wife and clear his name. But Bluff House's many mysteries are a siren song to someone intent on destroying Eli and reaping the rewards. He and Abra will become entangled in a centuries-old net of rumors and half-truths that could pull them under the thunderous waters of Whiskey Beach...

Passion and obsession, humor and heart flow together in a novel about two people opening themselves up to the truth - and to each other.


My Review

This isn’t one of my better reads of Nora Roberts. While the premise of the book is good, too much is put into making the characters different that I found Abra a little unbelievable.

I liked that Abra was self-confident, but I didn’t think she’s was Eli’s match. Their relationship seemed a little too convenient and forced to be believable. They also felt more like friends than lovers. I didn’t actual buy it when they said I love you. And I think that’s what made the story not work for me.

Other than that, I enjoyed Eli. I thought he was believable and strong.

For a little while I became confused as to the who done it, probably before I DNF it. But when I came back to the book, I knew without a doubt who did it which was kind of a disappointment. I’m not sure why the police never really looked into that option. Yes, the one was focused on Eli. Still.

Overall, I can’t really recommend this one. Nora has hundreds of books. Plenty that are really good. Why waste time on something a bit mediocre. Then again, give it a shot it you like. You may enjoy it more than me.

Audio Review
Luke Daniels does a good job with the narration.


My book boyfriend is Eli.


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Thursday, August 13, 2015

Ride Steady (Chaos #3) by Kristen Ashley

Ride Steady (Chaos #3) by Kristen Ashley 

This is an adult motorcycle club romance novel (Rated NC-17)

♥♥♥♥1/2
(Four and a Half Joker Hearts)



Book Summary

The ride of her life . . . 
Once upon a time, Carissa Teodoro believed in happy endings. Money, marriage, motherhood: everything came easy---until she woke up to the ugly truth about her Prince Charming. Now a struggling, single mom and stranded by a flat tire, Carissa's pondering her mistakes when a vaguely familiar knight rides to her rescue on a ton of horsepower.

Climb on and hold tight . . . 
In high school, Carson Steele was a bad boy loner who put Carissa on a pedestal where she stayed far beyond his reach. Today, he's the hard-bodied biker known only as Joker, and from the way Carissa's acting, it's clear she's falling fast. While catching her is irresistible, knowing what to do with her is a different story. A good girl like Carissa is the least likely fit with the Chaos Motorcycle Club. Too bad holding back is so damned hard. Now, as Joker's secrets are revealed and an outside threat endangers the club, Joker must decide whether to ride steady with Carissa---or ride away forever . . .


My Review

This is my first time reading a Kristen Ashley book and thanks to Net Galley and the Publisher for giving me a copy.

Wow, I’ve been recommended this author many times. However, in recent years I find that sometimes the hype is just hype. So I stick to book and authors I know, so my reading experience will be enjoyable. (Except review, beta, and Arc books I receive).

I’m glad I was granted this book. Now being that this is my first KA book, I haven’t read the other books in this series. I’ve been told by reading friends that it isn’t necessary. And it isn’t. However, I can see how having read the others books would have acclimated me to the cast/players a lot easier.
This book is fantastic from the start. I love a broken man and Carson surely had it rough from the start. I’ve been rooting for him and actually her.

And can I just say, it’s unlikely that Kristen Ashley has read my reviews seeing I’ve never written a review about her before. However, it’s like she saw into my brain. Her characters say weeks into the relationship, I’M FALLING IN LOVE. They don’t jump in and say I’m in love. BRAVO!

So why not five stars? Why the half? This is an ARC provided to me, so I’m not sure if this is fixed. However, there is a house and it’s described as having one bathroom. Then later, the woman says she’s in the master bathroom. Small plot hole and a few grammar errors which I didn’t take off for.
I think what bugged me most is in the prologue, Carissa makes it seem like she won’t fall into the trap of a relationship with someone because she doesn’t love that person. However, in the following chapter, we learn she is in love with that person and goes the next step with that person. I’m trying to be cryptic. But it bothered me. It’s almost like why say that in the prologue if it’s not true.

The other thing, Carson’s biker name is Joker and I don’t really get why. He’s not a joker (someone that goes around telling jokes or kidding around). And he’s not sadistic like the Joker in the more recent installments of Batman. So why the name and it’s never really explained to us? If it was in previous installments, seeing that this is his book, I would think it would be explained again.
Anyway, excellent book. I will read the first two books in the series. I think KA has found a new fan in me.

My book boyfriend Carson/Joker.





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Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8) by Ilona Andrews

Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8) by Ilona Andrews

This is an adult urban fantasy novel (Rated NC-17)

♥♥♥♥♥
(Five Outstanding Hearts)



Book Summary

In the latest Kate Daniels novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews, magic is coming and going in waves in post-Shift Atlanta—and each crest leaves danger in its wake…

After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate—former Beast Lord Curran Lennart—are adjusting to a very different pace. While they’re thrilled to escape all the infighting, Curran misses the constant challenges of leading the shapeshifters.

So when the Pack offers him its stake in the Mercenary Guild, Curran seizes the opportunity—too bad the Guild wants nothing to do with him and Kate. Luckily, as a veteran merc, Kate can take over any of the Guild’s unfinished jobs in order to bring in money and build their reputation. But what Kate and Curran don’t realize is that the odd jobs they’ve been working are all connected.

An ancient enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it—before it takes their city apart piece by piece…


My Review

No, this installment was not about romance. But then again, romance was in the air. And our author duo treated up to a love scene for all love scenes in this series. And we don’t get them often. I was quite shocked and satisfied at the same time. I hope they aren’t setting us up for this being a one-time deal.

This book answers some questions and foreshadows the future. It is sweet and heart-wrenching what Kate experiences with this book, so be prepared. This isn’t an easy journey for her or the reader.
And Curran. I love that man even more. I’m still sad what he gave up but for the fact that he makes Kate see he’s made peace with it and she’s worth it, makes me swoon. And the damn ending… it’s not a cliffy that I’m talking about. It’s the sweetness that is Curran that made me wish there was more to the story.

Oh, one more thing. This book made me cry. This author duo pulled out all the stops and made me feel so much, I was balling at one time in the story. And hell, how often does that happen in an urban fantasy book. Two thumbs up for them (author duo).

Audio Review
Renee Raudman did an excellent job with narration.

My book boyfriend is Curran. (He is who I would cast)


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Friday, August 7, 2015

Hung (Selected Sinners MC #4) by Scott Hildreth

Hung (Selected Sinners MC #4) by Scott Hildreth

This is an adult romance novel (Rated NC-17)

♥♥♥♥
(Four Hanging Hearts)


Book Summary


Stand-alone. No cheating, no sex outside the relationship, no love triangles, no club whores, HEA, no cliffhanger. 

Kat 
Being raised by my asshole police officer father and my subservient mother, I went to college with a penchant for outlaw alpha males. I knew Dalton Biskette was in the Selected Sinners MC, and a bad boy; but the night he walked into my bar I had no idea how bad he really was. He was tall, covered in tattoos, had gauged ears, was muscular, and had awesome beard. Just watching him walk was enough to make my lady bits itch, but after our first night together I found out although he was a bad boy, he was really good at some things...

He was perfect in my eyes. 

My police officer father disagrees… 

And so does my former Marine ex-boyfriend who just got out of jail. 

Biscuit 
The license plate on my bike says it all – RFOF – Ride, Fuck, Or Fight. 

I’ve never met a girl who made me stop and pay attention to her until I met Kat. Kat's tall and gorgeous and is able to take all I can sexually dish out without complaint. There’s only one problem, her father’s a cop. 

And I hate cops. 

If he thinks he can stop me from fucking his daughter, he’s as wrong as the day is long. 

HUNG is a stand-alone MC Romance with an HEA, and is book IV in the Selected Sinners series of stand-alone full length novels. This novel is 71,000 words of action-packed erotic romance. There is no cheating, nor is there sharing of partners, but the sex is detailed, graphically depicted, and frequent. No other book is required to tell this tale. PLEASE be over 18 to enjoy this book. 


My Review

This book had some serious laugh out loud moments. I mean burst out people staring at you kinds of laughs. They catch you off guard and blurt out of your mouth. Beware of drinking while reading, you just might snort some liquid.

Okay, but it’s not like the entire book is funny. I would say the first half is funnier than the second, but that didn’t take away my enjoyment of the book.

I really liked Dalton and he felt like a guy (basically he felt real, like a guy wrote him). It was different than some books that “claimed” to be written by guys. This felt spot on. With that said, there are some crude moments, especially in some of the humor that felt like guy talk and I loved it.

And well, the woman in the story felt real too. All her emotions and “girly”ness felt real too. And the sexy times, yum. A little stretch here and there like the length of his tongue, but a girl can dream.

The one thing that shot this book down from five stars is that it didn’t feel like a biker’s book. Some of the things that happened with the club were glossed over and a summary of the events were given. I would have liked to explore some of those topics. Please note, I haven’t read the rest of the series. So this could be my problem and not the book or the author.

Overall, I liked this book enough to go back to read the series from the beginning. I just hope the other books live up to this one.

My book boyfriend Dalton/Biscuit.



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Thursday, August 6, 2015

Labeled Love (Labeled Series #1) by Danielle Rocco

Labeled Love (Labeled Series #1) by Danielle Rocco

This is a young adult to new adult coming of age story (Rated R)

♥♥♥♥♥
(Five Amazing Balls Hearts)


Book Summary

I was twelve years old when I met him. I guess you could say opposites attract. We didn’t know it then. Or maybe we did, but we didn’t care. It’s not easy growing up in Los Angeles. Well, for me it was. But, not for him.

I’m a Hollywood girl born and raised in the business.

I have everything I’ve ever needed 

and only wanted him.


Is it possible to find your forever love when you’re thirteen? Maybe not for most, but I did.

I’m just a boy raised in the pits of Los Angeles.

I have nothing

and only ever wanted her.


Worlds apart

Miles away


It would only be her

It would only be him


Labels never defined us

But will they tear us apart


My Review

Some books make you smile, others make you cry. While the best of the books will give you all the feels and chills that will leave you wanting for more. This is true with Labeled Love.

I had no idea what to expect when I got this book. What I couldn’t imagine was picking up a book from a first-time writer and after reading, believing she knocked it out of the park.

The characters are rich on paper they step into your mind in Technicolor. The sound of their voices is as if they were speaking in your ear. The emotions they feel will make you swoon or want to be there for them. Hell, you want to be them. As you turn each page, you won’t want it to end.

When you get there, you will be begging for more. I can’t say enough good things about this book other than STEP OFF, JACE JAMES is MINE! Lol

If I had an award to give for BEST NEW AUTHOR OF THE YEAR, it would easily go to Danielle Rocco. This book is amazing and I look forward to more great things from her.

PICK THIS ONE UP. It’s on a ONE DAY ONLY SALE for 99 cents, today (August 6th) only.  It’s a bargain at that price but even for a few bucks more, you won’t regret the purchase.

MY BOOK BOYFRIEND IS JACE JAMES (and I’m so not sharing, lol)





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Wednesday, August 5, 2015

This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

(ARC provided by publisher)
This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

This is a young adult realistic fiction (Rated PG-13)

♥♥♥
(Three Weeping Hearts)


Book Summary


10:00 a.m.

The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m.

The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03

The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05

Someone starts shooting.

Told over the span of 54 harrowing minutes from four different perspectives, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.



My Review

In recent years, more and more senseless acts of violence have invaded our school. I was particularly interested to see how things would turn out.

I think for me the biggest disappointment from this story was that I didn’t even begin to connect with the characters until about 40% in. I think most of that had to do with how the story was told. While the multiple POVs should have given me more insight, instead it hampered the story because we would get snippets of each POV in a chapter ending on tiny cliffies. It should have made me want to turn the page to find more, instead, I didn’t connect with characters enough to care what happened.

One of the other big issues for me is Claire’s brother Matt. This isn’t a spoiler. He has lupus or so we are told by Claire. Yet he acts like he’s mildly retarded and has some other disabling disease that I know for a fact isn’t a result of lupus. As I’ve had friends and family with the disease and none of them are retarded or disabled in any way. So I thought it was rather odd for the author to portray the lupus in such an incorrect light. Lupus is when you’re immunity system attacks your organs. And this isn’t something you are born with per se. It’s something that manifests itself later in life. Thus it’s not the cause of retardation or being unable to walk. And it’s managed with drugs and you can live a rather long life with minor disruptions. Most people who walk by a person with lupus would never know they have it. So for the author to mention it without explaining what else was wrong with Matt (unless I missed it) seems unfair to those dealing with those diseases.

Other than that, while I liked the diversity of the characters such as race, sexual orientation, jock or not, I thought that the important stories around the main characters that should have been reminders and morals of stories were lost in the multiple jumping around POV.s I think one POV per chapter or even telling the story in third person would have served this story better.

I also think that the blog post and tweets were unnecessary and added no value to the story.

Still with all that said, there was something there. I did tear up, not so much of the characters as the situation lended itself to so many emotions. Just sad situation. I just wished the story and the characters would have been fleshed out better.

Don’t take my word on it. If the blurb captures you, you should give it a try. You might love it.

My book boyfriend Tomas.


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Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Spider's Trap (Elemental Assassin #13) by Jennifer Estep

Spider's Trap (Elemental Assassin #13) by Jennifer Estep

This is an adult urban fantasy novel (Rated NC-17)

♥♥♥♥
(Four Metal Hearts)


Book Summary

The next thrilling book in Jennifer Estep’s New York Times andUSA Today bestselling Elemental Assassin series—“an extraordinary series… One of the most intriguing heroines in the genre” (Romantic Times Book Reviews).

Keep your friends close but your enemies within stabbing distance.

One important lesson I’ve learned in the assassination business is that to be the best you have to roll with the punches. Now that I’m queen of Ashland’s underworld—by default, not by choice—a lot more punches are being thrown my way. But I suppose that’s the price of victory for taking down some of the underworld’s top dogs. Good thing I have my Ice and Stone magic to help me survive my volatile new position. Just when I think things are finally settling down, someone tries to murder me during a hush-hush underworld meeting. But the real surprise is how strangely familiar my shadowy assailant seems to be.

My job is to maintain order among killers, crooks, and thieves, and soon I’m embroiled in a bloody game where the ability to keep secrets could be the greatest superpower of all. My enemies have all sharpened their knives and laid their traps, waiting for me to fall. But this Spider weaves her own webs of death…


My Review

With a long standing series, you want to read more about the characters at the same time, you hope for new innovated storylines.

It’s never a bad day to read about Gin and her struggles to survive. So here is the good and bad.

The Good

-We finally get some extra smexy time with Owen. The scene doesn’t seem like a last minute add to make the reader happy. It had all the feels. And I felt especially because it reminds us when disaster strikes.

- Kinkaid. Oh how I miss him. Parts of me wish Gin could be with Finn, Owen and Kinkaid. I love all of them. Kinkaid barely shows up these days. And a part of me feared that I wished to hard when something bad happens to someone in the book.

- I like that Gin is taking on a different role in the city.

The Bad

- I can’t imagine how Gin would forget Lorelei. Too much happened for her to forget. I wish it was more of Lorelei didn’t look familiar. So much time past and she didn’t recognize her from the girl she’d been??? But to conveniently have a dream to all of a sudden remember felt contrived.

- A couple of times weapons that wouldn’t be useful were brought into a fight and it seemed stupid on the part of the players using them to not choose better in advance as they weren’t sneak attacks against them.

- I just wish the storyline would change more to evolve around Gin’s new position instead of the same old fight. (She goes in and is unsuccessful against her foe, she fights again and the foe gets away, she fights again and barely overcomes to be the victor). (How about she goes in and defeats the foe but lets them live, they come back and kidnap someone, then she has to go in and save the day and off that person) IDK. Something different.

- I wonder why Owen and Gin haven’t progressed their relationship. Most of the time, they spend their nights separate. For two single people with their own place who claim to love each other so much, I’m shocked at the lack of “nights” they spend together. And I don’t mean we need to see (or be shown) the smexy time. But Gin spent a fair amount of time in the book at night home alone.

Audio Review

I couldn’t image anyone else other than Lauren narrate this series. However, with new players, Lauren is forced to use voices for players long dead but remembered for new characters. Not her fault.

Overall, I do look forward to the next installment. Based on the info we got at the end, I’m curious to see how things play out.

My book boyfriend is Owen.


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Monday, August 3, 2015

The Rook (The Patrick Bowers Files #2) by Steven James

The Rook (The Patrick Bowers Files #2) by Steven James

This is an adult crime/mystery novel (Rated R)

♥♥♥♥
(Four Drowning Hearts)


Book Summary

An arsonist has struck a top-secret research facility at a key US naval base. But it's not just a random terrorist attack. These people were after something specific. When Special Agent Patrick Bowers is called in to investigate, he is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue and deception. With his own criminology research being turned against him and one of the world's most deadly devices missing, Bowers is caught up in a race against time to stop an international assassin before it's too late.

Full of fast-paced action and mind-bending plot twists, The Rook is an adrenaline-laced page-turner that will keep readers up all night. Book 2 in the Bowers Files, this riveting look into the criminal mind is the perfect follow-up to James's well-reviewed The Pawn.


My Review

Mystery/Thriller/police Procedural books are my first love.

While the first book had me excited, this book left me a tiny bit disappointed. I didn’t go through the changes of trying to decide who did it, well, that’s not true. There was one player I couldn’t decide on.

This book sinks us into another mystery. What’s nice is there is somewhat of a tie into the previous book. However, I think if you skipped the first book, you wouldn’t have a hard time following.

The characters are well developed and you feel a part of the story. The plot isn’t convoluted and is plausible.

I also love that this author has a secondary storyline that is somewhat separate from the main mystery which keeps this a series. And the realism in the relationship between Pat and his stepdaughter and her choices are brilliant.

I will dive into the next book after I read a few books that were recently released that I was waiting for. Not that this isn’t’ good. But it has been around the block and isn’t going anywhere, lol.

Audio Review

Richard Ferrone did a good job with the narration and capturing the emotions from all the characters.

My book boyfriend is Patrick.


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