Free Ebook Friday Stealing Jake by author Pam Hillman

According to Pam Hillman's website this is free for a limited time only. Get it fast if you want it. It's free for Nook as well as Kindle.



Stealing Jake
Pam Hillman
June 24, 2011

When Livy O'Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-Fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she's helping to run an orphanage. Now she'll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.


Sheriff's deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy—literally—while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town—as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off—Jake doesn't have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better...but Livy isn't willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.

Read a excerpt more about the author and her other work by clicking here www.pamhillman.blogspot.com
She is also having a giveaway for a Kindle. See her blog about how to enter and details.

Book Review: With No Remorse by author Cindy Gerard

I ran right out last Tuesday to buy this book. OK i had to go to work first and then i ran and bought this book. I live in a very rural area where you buy your books from Wal-mart or K-mart locally and if your lucky Walgreens might have it. I usually try Wal-mart first and suffice it to say they didn't have it on the shelf. Just so happened the lady who is the book merchandiser was there still putting up books so i asked her about this book and low and behold it was in one of the boxes still. Odd thing was it wasn't on her list to put out so besides the one she gave me no one locally here got a chance to buy it this week. Very odd, but Wal-mart has been pulling back on what they put on their bookshelves. Some authors i could always buy there i have to buy online in paperback or ebook form now. Boo to that!! Anyway i got it and here my peeps is the back of the book blurb.

WITH NO REMORSE

Pocket Books
ISBN 10: 1451606818
ISBN 13: 978-1451606812
JULY 2011

His quiet vacation in the Peruvian Andes turns deadly when a Black Ops, Inc. operative rescues a stunning stranger from a mysterious train robbery and discovers she’s the target of a vengeful manhunt.

A DANGEROUS MAN

For Luke Colter, down time is an illusion. He should know better than to ever leave his gun behind. Especially since he risks his life to save world-famous supermodel Valentina.

A REBELLIOUS WOMAN

Val thought traveling incognito through the mountains would be the perfect cure for her bruised heart . . . until someone tries to kill her. Without knowing who is after her—and why—does she dare trust her irresistible protector?

A PERILOUS MISSION THAT COULD SEAL THEIR FATE

Luke’s elite military training offers little defense against his feelings for Val. When his BOI team links her ruthless enemy to the cutthroat global weapons trade—and to a man from her troubled past—he’ll do anything to save her. So when Val offers herself as bait, will he make the right call . . . or surrender to the hold she has on his heart?

If you've been keeping up with this series like i have you are probably half in love with Luke "Doc Holliday" Colter like i have been. (grin!) I was floored when it looked like it was the end of ole Doc in the last book in this series "Risk No Secrets". I thought oh my god no way! Hate when that stuff sneaks up on you in a book. Luke is back and fighting many inner demons in the aptly named "With No Remorse". Talk about action packed from start to finish not that you would expect any less from Cindy Gerard. The woman can seriously mix her romance with suspense and spin it together to tell a heck of a story. Valentina (Val) is a supermodel of epic proportions but has some demons of her own she's trying to deal with when on a train in Peru she is attacked by thugs trying to kidnap her. Luckily for her one Luke Colter BOI member is on vacation and on the train with her and comes to her rescue. This part happens within the first 30 page of the book and moves on a fast pace from there. You get to see many of the BOI members from previous books and a look at some new ones. You also get a little update on most of them and a kind of  glimpse into the next book in this series " Last Man Standin" "Mean" Joe Green's book. Read a small excerpt in the back of the book to get a idea of what's going on with Joe.  I still love me some Johnny Duane Reed from "whisper No Lies". If you haven't read any of these books go check out Cindy Gerard's website by clicking here www.cindygerard.com . Find out about all the books and where to buy them. If your caught up you can read a excerpt for this book there as well as find out about Cindy's other books. I give With No Remorse 5 out of
5 Modokker Book Picks. Must read for suspense lovers. By the way Show No Mercy is the first book in this series if you want to know where to start.

Book review: Seduced by her Highland Warrior by author Michelle Willingham

I received a copy of this book from netgally in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

This is my first Michelle Willingham book. I love historicals about highland warriors and all the Scottish clans so i wanted to try this book out of course. I wasn't sure if i was going to like this book when i first started reading it.  Let me give you the blurb and then I'll tell you what i thought when i was done reading.

Michelle Willingham
July 26, 2011

Alex MacKinloch is chief of his clan and, in these dark times of unrest, he has united his people. The void between him and his wife is proving a much harder challenge. When Alex discovers Laren has been keeping secrets from him, his thinly veiled frustration can no longer be contained.


The pleasures of the marital bed seem long forgotten to Laren. Yet her warrior husband is looking at her with increasingly hungry eyes…This powerful highlander has seduction on his mind and his wife in his sights!


This book was slow to get under my skin. What's different is this couple are already married and have 2 young girls and one baby boys who died shortly after birth. Alex is the chief of his clan and right now it's a mess. They are fighting the English and have suffered many losses. With the death of his and Laren's baby boy 3 years ago their marriage has been on a slow slide downward. The clan do not approve of Laren because she is shy and quiet and will not help Alex with his duties as chief. The communication between them has been strained or non existent and when they finally start trying there are hurt feeling and misunderstandings and Laren's been hiding herself away and keeping a secret she must confess to Alex if there is any hope for reconciliation. Then one of their young daughters is kidnapped by the enemy and Laren must assert herself to save her family.

At first i was thinking oh no I'm not sure i want to read a overly sad mushy book. There was so much sadness in the first part of the book. Alex has some brothers and so they had parts in the story along with one of the brothers wife who helps try and coax Laren out of her shell with the clan and be proud of her accomplishments she's been hiding. Alex and Laren finally start really being honest with each other and that's when the romance of this book really begins. It was a lovely story with a  really great ending. Laren learns she has courage and Alex learns to confide in the women he loves. There are a few nice surprises in there too. The book totally turned it around for me about halfway through and I'm really glad i read it. To find out more about this book and read a excerpt click here www.michellewillingham.com. I give Seduced by her Highland Warrior 3 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars.

Book review: Ideal Man by author Julie Garwood

I received a eARC through netgalley of Ideal man for my honest opinion and review.

I'm so excited about this book that I'm going to just come right out with the blurb for starters.

Ideal Man
Julie Garwood
August 9th 2011
Pre-order now.
Dr. Ellie Sullivan has just completed her residency at a large urban hospital. While jogging in a park nearby, she witnesses the shooting of an FBI agent in pursuit of wanted criminals, a couple identified as the Landrys. The only person to see the shooter's face, Ellie is suddenly at the center of a criminal investigation.


Agent Max Daniels takes over the Landry case. A no-nonsense lawman, he's definitely not the ideal man that Ellie has always imagined, yet she's attracted to him in a way she can't explain.

 I read in one big gulp and hated to see it end. Max is just plain awesome. Poor Ellie had a rough up bringing. At age 11 she found herself a child prodigy and shortly after she picked up a stalker. Evan Patterson who was 6 years older than Ellie became obsessed with her and at one point nearly killed her. Finally her parents with the help of a FBI friend found her a family to stay with 800 miles away where hopefully Evan can't find her. Now Ellie is a trauma surgeon and witnesses a FBI agent getting shot by the Landry's some baddies the FBI has been after for some time. She ends up doing surgery on the agent and this is where she meets Max Daniels FBI agent and sexiest man alive Ellie thinks.  There is instant chemistry between the two and when Max finds out the Landrys have a hit out on her he volunteers to follow her to her parents home where she is for her sisters wedding. Now Ellie has to worry about Evan Patterson and a possible hit man out to get her. Not to worry Max is there to protect her.  I just have to say that Julie Garwood is my favorite author. I have never been disappointed in any book of hers that I've picked up to read. This always makes me a bit nervous when she has a new book coming out because I'm afraid i might be disappointed. I am pleased to say that that didn't happen here. This is one of the best books I've read all year. I give Ideal man by Julie Garwood 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars. A Must read. To read more about Julie Garwood and her books click here to check out her website www.juliegarwood.com . If you are familiar with Julie Garwood's other books there is a surprise mention of Michael Buchanan at the end of this book but that's it. Wonder if that means Michael might get a book. Never hear much about him. One can hope.

Man Candy Monday! HOT!!

Free ebook Friday! Better late than never!

For some reason it totally slipped my mind it was Friday and right now it's actually almost Saturday. In any case here is this week free ebook.

Graeham Fox is on a secret mission: rescuing his lord's illegitimate daughter from the clutches of her abusive husband. As payment for his service, Graeham will receive her twin's hand in marriage and a vast estate, much more than any landless soldier could ever hope for....


Attacked in London, Graeham is almost killed. He is given a chance to heal at the humble home of Joanna Chapman, a silk merchant's lovely widow. Her past has taught her not to trust any man, especially one as rakishly handsome--and mysterious--as Graeham. But his raw strength and gentle touch unleash a blistering passion in Joanna. Caught between ambition and desire, Graeham's future hangs by a thread. And only Joanna's love can save him from himself....



 Happy Reading!!

Book Review: Playing Dirty by author Susan Anderson

I received this eARC from netgalley for my honest opinion and review.

I have not read a Susan Anderson book in quite some time so i was happy to try this new book out.  I've enjoyed many of her previous books so i was hoping for more of the same good reading. Here's the blurb.

When high school golden boy Cade Gallari publicly revealed he’d slept with “fat girl” Ava Spencer to win a bet, he broke her heart. Now a decade older and a head-turner with her own concierge business, Ava isn’t the gullible dreamer she once was—and she plans to prove it when Cade, hotter than ever, breezes back into town with an offer she can’t refuse.


A documentary film producer, Cade is shooting a movie about the mysterious mansion Ava inherited. And he wants her as his personal concierge. She’s certainly professional enough to be at his beck and call without giving him everything he wants. Like another shot at having her in his bed. But Ava doesn't count on Cade’s determination. Because he’s never gotten over her. And he’s not above playing dirty to score a second chance at a red-hot future…


I was really excited to get to read a new Susan Anderson book. As i said above i have read her in the past and loved her books but it's been a while. I love the concept of the 3 friends sticking together through school and beyond. It's so hard to find that in real life these days it seems so it was fun to see it here. Ava as a kid growing up was always dealing with weight issues. Her mother was always commenting on her weight so she was aware that she was a overweight or so she thought. Cade was a real ass in high school and it turns out he had some life issues of his own back then that he was dealing with that led to his stupid unexceptable behavior back then. For years after the big blow up in high school both Ava and Cade have been dealing with their demons. Cade has been struck on Ava still all that time and tried apologizing over and over through the years without any success in gaining forgiveness. Cade comes back to his hometown to film a documentary in a house that Ava owns with her other two friends Jane and Poppy. She is a concierge by profession these days too and takes the job as concierge then for Cade's film crew because she needs the money. It takes a whole lot of convincing Ava he's not the same guy anymore and to give him a chance but he finally does it. Will Ava's insecurities allow love to bloom for her and Cade?

There are so many funny moments in this book and for some reason i love when a guy says "Damn straight" Or "Damn right". Cade says this alot to Ava. He is such a intense guy and he wants Ava no bones about it. The friends were awesome as well and their spouses. My favorite part was the epilogue though. Of course there is going to be a happy ever after. It was alot of fun getting to it too. I give Playing Dirty by Susan Anderson 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars. A fun summer read! Check out Susan Anderson's website by click here www.susanandersen.com . You can read a excerpt and check out her back list and the other books in this series.
 
 

Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch by author B.J. Daniels (Harlequin Intrigue)

Review by Sarah

Back of the Book Blurb:


After Hudson Savage betrayed her, Dana Cardwell hoped never to lay eyes on the seductive cowboy again. Until a bunch of old bones showed up on her family ranch. Suddenly her former lover was back in her life in a big way-to investigate a decades-old crime.

Five years ago, Hud left town with a heart load of regrets. But now, as acting interim marshal, he had a job to do. And this time he wasn't walking away. Because now Dana's life was on the line-as the unsuspecting target of a killer who still walked the canyon. Hud would do whatever it took to keep Dana close. Even if it meant risking his own heart for a second chance for both of them..



Review: This is the 4th consecutive Harlequin Intrigue book review I've written, and I promise to move on to something different next! Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch was a 2009 publication and is currently being offered for free as an ebook on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. And free is good. It's the shortest of the 4 I've read, coming in at a brief 160 pages. And I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with it. The love part is for the well-crafted mystery, the confident writing style that moves along at a rapid pace and kept me reading to find out who committed the crimes. The hate part was because of the characters - I disliked every single one of them. Even the hero and heroine. They were unsympathetic, acted in extreme and unbelievable ways, and I was happy to be have them out of my head when the book ended.

As the story opens, Dana is ignoring her 31st birthday and having a bad day. A skeleton has been discovered at the bottom of an abandoned well on her beloved ranch (which her nasty siblings are forcing her to sell), and Hud Savage (his father's name is Brick Savage,and if you can read that without snickering you're a better person than me) has returned to town after a 5 year absence. He was Dana's fiance and the love of her life, but she discovered him in bed with her older sister, and rather than screaming at each other and talking about it, Hud ran to Los Angeles for 5 years while Dana nursed her anger and hatred. Dana also refused to confront her sister. I know, I don't get that either.

As it turns out, Hud and Dana had a slightly creepy history. Early in the story Hud recalls how Dana sent him love letters when he went to college, and when I read (and reread to doublecheck my math!) that she is 5 years younger, I was definitely icked out by a 13 y/o sending love letters to an 18 y/o. A couple pages later Dana recalls how Hud first kissed her on her 16th birthday, making him 21 at the time. If I made a mistake in their age difference and history I apologize, but otherwise...ick. So apparently after being together about 10 years, this awful thing happens, Hud has no memory of waking up in Dana's sister's bed, Dana won't talk to anyone, and Hud runs away.

For the next 105 pages (of a 160 page book!) Dana is alternately furious or a sobbing emotional wreck as Hud becomes a part of her life again as part of the murder investigation. He of course still loves her and wants her back, but Dana has apparently not grown or matured at all in the last 5 years, and is still acting like Hud's betrayal was last night. Lest you think that this dysfunctional relationship is special, let's count the others: Hud has not spoken to his father for 5 years, and his father is a philandering hound dog, Dana's sister Stacy was always jealous of Dana and got Hud in her bed to hurt Dana, their older brother Jordan is a violent, selfish jerk, and their other brother Clay is not really there, as a personality or character. Oh, and their father was also a philandering hound dog.

So why did I keep reading? Because while I found the characters annoying, pathetic, immature or just plain rotten, the mystery of the murdered woman was compelling, page-turning reading. And at 160 pages I didn't want to quit. The murder mystery was resolved, and in a satisfying manner. The last couple pages after that were a forced happy ending - fathers reconciling with sons and daughters, Hud and Dana back together, and the ranch is saved.

For more information about the author and this book, check out the author's website at http://www.bjdaniels.com/ .

2 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars

Man Candy Monday! Kinda cute huh?

Free ebook Friday! Giving Chase ( Chase Brothers booke 1) by Lauren Dane

This weeks free ebook is Giving Chase the first of the Chase Brothers series by author Lauren Dane. I read this one a couple weeks ago and then bought the 2nd book but have not had a chance to read it yet. I really liked this one and i hope you will too. In any case it's free so why not give it a try. If you click the picture and it doesn't come up free click this link instead.Giving Chase (Chase brothers book 1) Lauren Dane .

Find out more about Lauren Dane and this book as well as her other books by clicking www.laurendane.com/blog/ .

Book Review: Harlequin Intrigue The McKenna Legacy. Deal Breaker by author Patricia Rosemoor

Review by Sarah

Deal Breaker by Patricia Rosemoor

Back of the Book Blurb:
The McKenna legacy strikes again, and the consequences could be devastating

Bryce McKenna was a cursed man who needed a wife fast—and childhood friend Hailey Wright fit the bill perfectly. With her brother a hundred thousand dollars in debt to a loan shark, Hailey was willing to vow marriage for the money to save him. But when Hailey's own life came under attack, Bryce feared the McKenna family's dark legacy was the cause.…

While Hailey's unorthodox gift for sensing ghosts suggested there was more to Bryce's demons than an unsolved mystery, she feared falling in love with her tortured husband. But Bryce's kisses burned too hot…and made the vulnerable beauty forget her life was in jeopardy. Although they'd taken their vows, would the McKenna curse tear their new love apart?

Review:
This book had an interesting plot with a really good murder mystery from the past affecting the lives of the main characters. Bryce's mother disappeared on a stormy night several years ago, and his family believes it's because of the McKenna curse, causing anyone loved by a McKenna to be in mortal danger. Bryce has avoided an emotional relationship because of this curse. But now his business is in danger of bankruptcy, and the only potential investor wants to do business with a married man. So Bryce asks his childhood friend Hailey, a real estate agent, to marry him as a business arrangement. Hailey is desperate as well - her gambling brother is deep in debt to a loan shark. If she marries Bryce, he promises to pay her brother's loan and divorce Hailey as soon as the investor bails out his company. He believes Hailey will be safe from the McKenna curse because he does not love her. Can you see where this is going?

Hailey has had a secret crush on Bryce since they were teens, and is already attracted to him. Right after they're married someone tries to kill Hailey, and Bryce saves her, resulting in near-death sex. The sex scene was fairly mechanical. As a reader, I never felt love or affection grow between Hailey and Bryce.

Hailey is a tough heroine to like. She's loyal to her gambling addict brother to the point of stupidity, she takes cell phone photos of her brother's loan shark and then waves her phone in the criminal's face, and she likes to tell her clients about the ghosts she "senses" in the houses she's trying to sell.

As the story progresses, Hailey gets more ghostly clues concerning Bryce's mother's death, multiple suspects are established, and Bryce and Hailey's relationship grows more awkward, as they alternately rebuff and reach out to one another.


Overall this was a pretty good mystery, but was dragged down by an awkward, forced romance element To find out more about this book and the author click here www.patriciarosemoor.com. Purchase this book at eHarlquin by clicking here www.eharlequin.com .

3 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars.

Book review: Harlequin Intrigue Adventures: Bayou Bodyguard by author Jan Deleon

Reviews by Sarah

While on vacation recently I ran out of books to read - a true emergency situation! I'd left my Nook at home (why? why? why? but it seemed smart at the time....sigh). Anyway I was in WalMart and feeling desperate (not a good combo) and saw these nifty little books for under $4 each. Both are part of the Harlequin Intrigue line of romantic suspense and are July 2011 releases. At just over 200 pages each these are quick reads, and feel a bit like they were rushed to print. There were several typos in each, and both books would benefit from another round of editing. I have these same complaints for a lot of books, so maybe I'm just too nit picky. But for the price, and for light reading entertainment, I was pretty happy. So on to the actual reviews! There will be one today and the other tomorrow. Enjoy!



Bayou Bodyguard by Jana DeLeon

Back of the Book Blurb: Bodyguard Brian Marcentel knew Justine Chatry had a job to do, but so did he. He'd been hired to keep her safe—from whatever lurked behind the walls of a long-neglected mansion. And yet, the beautiful researcher insisted on helping him investigate every suspicious noise and following him through the murky bayou as he tracked down trespassers. All of that paled in comparison, though, to his greatest challenge: trying to resist her when the fear took over and she looked to him for protection. Still, no matter how fiery their attraction, there was something about this frustrating, sexy woman that seemed so familiar. But trying to penetrate her secrets was like trying to keep her out of his arms. Or out of his bed.

Review: This book grabbed me right from the first page, with a strong sense of atmosphere and an immediate sense of spooky anticipation. The characters are really well-developed. Justine is a historian with a secret past who is reclusive and private by nature. When she learns that she will have a bodyguard named Brian with her at all times, she's not happy about it, especially when she recognizes him from her past. But Justine was a little girl then, and is a strong, capable woman now. Her strength and cool, calm behavior impress Brian just as much as her Creole beauty. And Justine, who has no intention of letting her guard down, finds herself relaxing and enjoying Brian's company. The attraction and sexual tension is gradually and realistically built between them, as they get to know one another and adjust to being together in close quarters. When they do give in to their attraction, it is very sexy and realistic, and a condom is used (which was well-done and nice to read as part of a contemporary romance).


Eventually Justine's ulterior motive for taking this job come to light, and Brian finally remembers her from his past. As the danger increases, from both human and possibly ghostly enemies, it becomes obvious that Justine is the target. Brian's protective instincts are triggered, but Justine is one strong woman who carries her own weapon and knows how to use it. I loved that she was able to stand side by side with the strong hunky man, and still retain all her feminine appeal. Because there's only so many innocent, trembling virgins I can stand to read about.

The suspense is intense and created a real page-turner of a book. The setting of a giant, haunted mansion built in the middle of a steamy bayou as the backdrop for murder, madness and voodoo created a deliciously spooky atmosphere. The mystery was an intriguing blend of human threat and ghostly happenings, and the ending really caught me by surprise, which I love! The only complaint I have is the final scene, when the bad guy is caught and Justine suddenly decides to commit to a relationship with Brian. It felt forced and fast.

This was a great romantic suspense novel, and is a followup to another Harlequin Intrigue called The Secret of Cypriere Bayou. I have not read the first one, but had no problem following the storyline in Bayou Bodyguard. It's definitely an enjoyable stand-alone book. But I liked it so much I plan to read the first one as well!

5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars
Check out the author's website at www.janadeleon.net. Buy the book at eharlequin.com here www.eharlequin.com

Book review: Only Mine (Dakota Hendrix) by author Susan Mallery (Book4 in Fools Gold series)

I received a eARC of Only Mine through netgalley.com for my honest opinion and review.

This is the first of the 3 Hendrickson triplets books in the Fools Gold series. In one of the previous books Raoul observes Dakota upset but we don't find out what is the cause of that. We just get that hint that something is really wrong in Dakota's life. We find out what that is in Only Mine. Might be some spoiler info in my review so read at your own risk.



Her town's lack of men may make headlines, but it isn't news to Dakota Hendrix. The beautiful blonde has bigger problems to deal with, such as overseeing the romance reality competition filming in Fool's Gold. Screening eligible bachelors is a difficult enough task, but Dakota hits an unexpected snag when a sexy stranger comes to town. Finn Anderssen will do anything to keep his twin brothers - the perfect contestants - off the show. Despite Dakota's better judgment, she finds herself drawn to the mysterious outsider. Like her, Finn knows about heartbreak and how a family can fall apart, so she doesn't dare to hope for anything more than a fling. After all, even in the Land of Happy Endings, finding true love is never as easy as it looks on TV

 Dakota was upset about something in the last book if you can remember. We never found out what upset her but we do in this book. Due to a medical condition Dakota believes she can't get pregnant. She was devastated at first but finally decides she wanted to adopt. She wants to me a mom. In the mean time Finn Anderssen comes into town trying to get his younger twin brothers Sasha and Stephan to come back to their hometown in Alaska with him. They've run off from college with only one semester to finish up to get on the romantic reality show that Dakota is helping out with by representing Fools Gold. Dakota starts getting to know Finn and they start a relationship of sorts. She keeps Finn from getting himself arrested and sane while he tries unsuccessfully to wrangle his brothers home. She finally gets word she is getting a baby girl to adopt and Finn is a huge help getting her and her new baby girl named Hannah home and settled. Things are going OK then Dakota finds out she's pregnant. She loves Finn but Finn has said he's raised his younger brothers and he doesn't want that kind of responsibility. Now what? Will Finn accept Dakota's love and a family with the baby she's carrying and Hannah or will be opt out and go back to Alaska and forget about her? Must read the book to get that answer. I just loved Finn and Stephan was pretty great too. Sasha was a little immature but he's growing up still so expected. Several times i wanted to give Dakota or Finn a Hug. Can't wait for the next book in this series.  I give Only Mine 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars. To find out more about this book series and the author check out the the Fools Gold website www.foolsgoldca.com and Susan Mallery's website www.susanmallery.com.

Joint Book review: Savage nature by author Christine Feehan

Trying something new here on the blog. My new reviewer and friend Sarah and i both recently read this book so we're both going to tell you what we think. Savage Nature is book 5 in Christine Feehan's Leopard series. There are not to many in this series that you can't read them all and catch up. Let's start with the blurb.

Savage Nature by Christine Feehan
Published April 26th, 2011

Danger lurks in the shadows and desire shimmers in the sultry heat in an all-new novel of the leopard people from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan...


When Saria Boudreaux finds a dead body in the Louisiana bayou near her home, her first instinct is to go to the police. But there’s a problem--it looks like the victim may have been killed by a big cat, and her brothers are all shape-shifting leopards.

Sent to investigate by the land’s owner, leopard shifter Drake Donovan is ready for anything—except the insatiable hunger that rocks him when he meets Saria. Deep in his soul he knows that she is destined to be his mate. Torn between protecting her brothers and finding the truth, Saria treads warily around the powerful shifter. Yet as they venture deep into the mysterious bayou on a hunt for the killer, Saria finds herself longing for Drake’s touch and the sweet release of surrender…

If you've been reading this series like i have then you've met Drake several times before. He's a hell of a guy whose has been through hell. I was so excited to see him get his own book finally. We get some characters from previous books which is always great and finally Drake gets to shift again. I love when Christine Feehan sets her book in the bayou. It's so far removed from my life in northern part of the US and i enjoy the banter  of the characters with the great bayou accents if that the right term for it. Drake is a major alpha dog folks but he's got a huge heart too and Saria has these 4 awesome brothers who didn't take care of her like they should have while growing up and she feels disconnected from them. She has to learn to trust them. There are murders in the bayou though and Saria gets attacked by a shifter and it's getting dangerous so she calls in help and she gets Drake! I loved this one. Lots of action, hot guys and suspense. I didn't find it obvious who the bad guy was in this one. I only suspected about 3/4 of the way through and it was a toss up between two people until almost the end. I give Savage nature by Christine Feehan 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars. Can't wait for the next one.

Sarah's Review
Savage Nature (Leopard Series #5) by Christine Feehan

Savage Nature is one of those rare books that has it all - a hot paranormal romance mixed with a very good murder mystery, set in the steamy swamps of Louisiana. Add an inbred shapeshifting lair, a leadership power struggle, and botanical testosterone growing wild and you have all the makings of a great escape read.

Saria Boudreaux is a great heroine - smart, capable and able to hold her own. She's basically raised herself since childhood, and knows the swamp better than anyone else. But lately she has sensed that she is being watched, and her much older brothers, all recently returned home, have been acting strange as well. Adding to Saria's problems, she's been finding dead bodies in her beloved swamp, and she's afraid one of her brothers may be the murderer. The victims have been killed by a large cat, and while Saria is clueless about her own shifter status, she knows that her brothers are leopard shifters. Unable to confide in them, she contacts the powerful man who owns the land they live on (don't think about that decision too much, because it's how Drake ends up in Saria's swamp), and is viciously attacked by a leopard.

Drake soon arrives, sent by the landowner to investigate Saria's claim. Pretty soon all hell is breaking loose as Drake and Saria feel an intense sexual attraction, the locals let Drake know he's not welcome through deadly leopard fights and gunshots, a drug-running operation is discovered, and Saria goes into heat. Drake Donovan is a deliciously animalistic alpha male who happens to be kind and considerate. He is also strong, smart, experienced and confident, and when he first meets Saria Boudreaux in the Louisiana swamps, he realizes she's not only a fellow shifter, but also his mate. The trouble is, Saria doesn't realize she's a leopard shifter. Or that she is about to go into heat as her leopard prepares to emerge for the first time. So Drake has to initiate her into the worlds of both leopard shifters and lovemaking - thankfully he is very, very good at both.

The mysteries of the deaths, the drugs, and the history of this Louisiana leopard lair are uncovered as Drake and Saria investigate. Their lives are in constant danger as they come closer to learning the truth, and their intense attraction creates explosive passion. The action and the sexual tension are relentless, making the book impossible to put down. This paranormal romance is classic Feehan, and will not disappoint! I give Savage nature 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars.

To read more about this book, read a excerpt and sign up for great stuff in the members section click here to check out Christine Feehan's website.

Man Candy Monday! Men in Kilts

Enjoy!

Bite Club: Historical Vampire Romance 75% off!

Bite Club: Historical Vampire Romance 75% off!: "For the next ten days you can get a copy of Michele Hauf's FOLLOW THE NIGHT at Smashwords for only .99 cents. That's 75% off! Yep, less th..."

Book review: The Secret Guide to Dating Monsters by author Sierra Dean

The Secret Guide to Dating Monsters is a short little novella by author Sierra Dean. Her other book "Something Secret This way Comes" was reviewed on the blog a while back and you can find that review here. Let me give you the blurb.

The Secret Guide to Dating Monsters

A Secret McQueen Novella
Coming July 19, 2011

Are blind dates supposed to be this bloody?

They say it’s impossible to find a man in New York City. Secret McQueen needs to find two in one night. Of course, it’ll mean pulling off the impossible—find and kill a displaced rogue vampire without disrupting the first promising date she’s had in ages. As a werewolf hybrid used to walking a fine line of survival in the vampire world, though, Secret eats impossible for breakfast.

Somewhere between hello and the first round of drinks, Secret makes her move. Her target, Hollywood’s biggest star, shouldn't be hard to spot. Just look for swarms of fans. Except every time her vampire liaison, Holden, helps keep her mission on track, her date runs further off the rails.

Either Holden has a hidden agenda, or he knows more than he’s letting on about her quarry. One way or another, Secret is determined to get her man, and meet Mr. Right. Or die trying.

Warning: This book contains a sword-wielding assassin whose barbs are sharper than her blade, a vampire with serious brooding issues but a skilled tongue, and an A-lister with a bad habit of eating his fans.

Oh man this novella was to short for me. I was really enjoying it and then it was over. Definitely makes you want more. If you have not read the first Secret McQueen book. No worries you can read this one first as a stand alone. This novella takes place about a year before the events in "Something Secret This way Comes". There is a whole lot of action, hot men and hunting the bad guy in this book. Definitely a must read. To read more about this book,and Sierra Dean please check out her website by clicking here www.sierradean.com . There is a excerpt there for both book as well. I give The Secret Guide for Dating Monsters 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars. I'm ready for more Secret!

Book Review: Merciless (Long Tall Texans) by author Diane Palmer

 I received a copy of this eARC from Netgalley for my honest opinion and review.

If you've been reading my reviews here long enough you know that i have what i call a love hate relationship with Diane Palmer's books. They drive me batty when i read them usually but i still come back for more. I can't even tell you what draws me to them. Let me give the blurb then my thoughts.

MERCILESS

Long, Tall Texans
Hardcover
HQN Books July 26, 2011


Tall dark and eligible? That’s all that matters to the women of Jacobsville when it comes to handsome and aloof FBI agent Jon Blackhawk. But if it were up to him, he would never settle down. Luckily, Jon has the best gatekeeper: his efficient and reliable assistant, Joceline Perry. Without her help, he’d be at the mercy of husband hunters — but the more he comes to rely on her, the more he notices how invaluable she really is.... While Joceline can’t deny that her boss is attractive, as a single mother with responsibilities she’s determined to be professional. But when Jon is accosted by a criminal seeking revenge, she comes to his aid — fueling the spark that is growing between them. As the attempts on Jon’s life increase, Joceline stands by his side. But when the smoke clears, will the man who avoided love realize that all he ever needed was right there all along?



If you are a reader of Diane Palmer books you've probably seen Jon Blackhawk in some of her other Long Tall Texan series books. Some people say there is a pattern to Diane Palmers books. She has a older guy, usually at least 10 years older than the woman in the book and he is usually somewhat of a ass to said woman and then he finally gets a clue as to what he's missing out on. OK part of that is my description but I've heard it also. In this book Jon is 31 and Joceline is 26 so not that bad and Jon is really kind of a gentleman. In this book there is a bad guy after Jon and since Joceline helped him get the bad guy she is included in the threat.  there is ganger and bad guys after Jon and anyone close to him. The book had some odd things going for it though. Supposedly Jon at 31 is a virgin. In this day and age very odd. Joceline is a single parent and she is treated like a tramp because of it although the she gives everyone the story of the dad being in the military and missing in action and how they were going to get married and he didn't know about the pregnancy. This idea is harped on alot. I like the idea of this story but again the old fashion ideals that are portrayed in the book bring it down for me. Will it keep me from reading more from Diane Palmer. Definitely not. Sometimes her heroes have to work really hard to get me to like them but eventually they seem to get there. To read more about Diane Palmer and her books please click here www.dianapalmer.com. I give Merciless which by the way had a awesome cover 3 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars.

Book review: Craving Perfect by author Liz Fichera

I received a eARC of this book from netgalley for my honest opinion and review.



I want to start by saying this is the first book I've ever read by Liz Fichera. I requested this from Netgalley based on the recommendation of a friend. She seemed to like it so i decided i needed to give it a try. Craving perfect is referred to as chick lit/contemporary romance on the Carina Press website. Let's start with a blurb to introduce you to the book.


Craving Perfect by Liz Fichera
July 25, 2011
Pre-order now


A Life Less...Hers

Grace Mills craves being perfect almost as much as she craves raspberry scones. In fact, her life would be perfect if only she could lose ten more pounds, if only the pastry café she co-owns with her sister would turn a profit, if only the hottest guy at the gym would look her way...

And then "if only" comes true. Grace is suddenly straddling two lives: an alternate reality where she's a size two, weathergirl celebrity and being chased by the hot guy. Only Mr. Gorgeous isn't very nice, and she doesn't get to eat...anything, much less bake!

In her other life, she's starting to realize her sister is less than happy running the family café, and hunky Carlos, the gym's janitor, seems to have a secret crush on her. Maybe there's more to him than meets the eye...

Grace is living two lives and it's beginning to cost her. Is there a way to pick one...that's perfect?


I have to say i liked the concept of this book and there were parts i really liked but it was a bit to confusing for me to follow and some things to me didn't make sense. I don't think the main characters Grace and Carlos had enough time to get to know each other to get to that intense feeling of love they had in the end and I'm not talking the epilogue. Carlos was by far my favorite character.He seemed so real along with those of his family we meet in this book. I didn't get that Grace had hit her head the 2nd time on the treadmill that she ended up in a coma in the hospital and if she just had the head injury why the heck was she hooked up to so much stuff and looking worse than Carlos and Elena's mom had when she was dying. For me the epilogue was the best part of the book. The book itself seems to drag on to long but at the same time didn't give me enough info if that makes sense. I guess i didn't make enough of a connection to enjoy the book the way i was hoping to. I kept waiting for it to get better. If you've like to check out the book and it's author please click here www.lizfichera.com. I give Craving Perfect by author Liz Fichera 3 out of 5 Modokker Book Stars. I hate to say that it just didn't work for me.

Welcome a new reviewer to the blog!

I'm happy to announce that i have a new reviewer on Modokker Book Picks. Please Welcome Sarah to the blog. Below is a message to introduce herself.

I'm a stay-at-home mom with a house full of kids and pets, a home-based business and a dusty BA degree in English. I read to stay sane, and enjoy a rich fantasy life of adventures, danger and thrills.


I met Lisa in another life and another country - it's hard to believe it was 20 years ago! We've reconnected through our mutual love of all things books, and I am very happy to be joining her blog!


Sarah Conerty Jordan


Sarah was actually my boss once upon a time. I met Sarah 20 years ago in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm when i was a lowly PFC and she was the Lieutenant with my platoon in the Army. We reconnected this past year and although we live in different states have become great friends sharing our love of reading. I'm happy to have her join me. The review below is her first one.

Lisa

Book Review: Night of the Living Dandelion by author Kate Collins

Night of the Living Dandelion (Flower Shop Mystery #11) by Kate Collins
Review by Sarah J.



Back of the book Blurb:

Flower shop owner Abby Knight does not believe rumors that Vlad Serban, friend and employee of Abby's fiancé Marco, is a vampire. But how to explain that Vlad is from Romania, has prominent canines, likes bizarre plants such as bloodwort and Dracula orchid, and dresses entirely in black?


When a local woman is found dead, her body drained of blood, the stakes become life and death. With Vlad the #1 suspect, Abby and Marco race to find the real killer, before Vlad's life really starts to suck.

Review:

Night of the Living Dandelion is one of those wonderful books that keep you reading late into the night. The spunky young heroine is a flower shop owner who moonlights as a sleuth, and as an occasional partner to her bar owner/PI fiance Marco. It is a fast read, with a rapidly moving plot full of likable characters who behave in charmingly odd and extreme ways.

Although the circumstances and people's reaction to them are a bit wacky and unbelievable (some local townspeople form a vigilante group called the Garlic Party in response to the rumors that Vlad is a vampire, Abby's niece and other schoolgirls form a cordon around the bar to protect Vlad), the pace of the plot allows the reader to glide right over the improbabilities and just enjoy the ride. And the ride is funny. Abby is a klutz who is a menace, mainly to herself, while temporarily on crutches, her nutty cousin is convinced she is becoming a vampire, and her mother is an exuberant and spectacularly untalented artist.

The murder mystery is a good one, well-constructed and a nice complement to the zaniness of the characters. I really did not see how this was going to end, which I love.

There is nothing better than discovering a "new" author, and then realizing that she has a long list of books. I will definitely be looking for books 1-10 in this series. Although I started at #11, I had no problem keeping up with the characters and their relationships, and this was easily a stand-alone book. I give Night of the Living Dandelion 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick stars. You can read more about this book and other Kate Collins books by clicking here www.katecollinsbooks.com