Book review: Shades of Passion (Special Investigations Group (SIG) #3) by Virna DePaul

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Shades of the past

Detective Simon Granger has devoted his life to solving high-risk cases, and he's vowed never again to get involved with a woman whose work is equally as dangerous. But when the Special Investigations Group teams him with a beautiful psychiatrist , his resolve is shattered by the tense and emotionally charged partnership.... 

Shades of intrigue

Determined to outrun the grief over her sister's death, Dr. Nina Whitaker reluctantly agrees to use her training to help the police. Despite Detective Granger's disdain for her profession, she believes she can change his mind. But then a grieving father begins a deadly game of revenge, threatening Nina's life, challenging her beliefs, and drawing Nina and Simon together in an explosive endgame of intrigue...and unstoppable passion. 

Shades of passion...

This is book 3 in the Special Investigations Group series or SIG as it is often referred to in the books. We met Simon in book one and got a little more of him in book two when the woman he had been involved with was murdered. Now he finds himself face to face with a woman who looks quite a bit like Lana, the woman he lost and she is a psychiatrist as well just like Lana. Now what? He's stuck with her shadowing him on the job but being close to her is dangerous for various reasons he doesn't want to think about to closely. Nina doesn't really want to shadow Simon she is a giver though and is guilted into helping out her boss to shadow Simon and observe the how the police deal with suspects who suffer from mental illness.  Both Simon and Nina have things in their pasts they are struggling with. Simon's ex-girlfriends murder and Nina's sisters suicide and the suicide of a young patient a few years ago. Unfortunately things turn deadly when homeless men turn up dead and with initials carved in their backs which looks like someone is after Nina. Simon thinks he knows who is doing it but things are not adding up after a while. This is is a raw thrill ride of suspense, mystery and murder. The author kept me guessing the whole book. I could never get a good bead on who the killer could be and was surprised at the outcome. Most times you can usually get idea where things are going but Virna DePaul doesn't even give you a inkling. All the books in this series are like this. The thriller/suspense part of this book is in full evidence in this book but the romantic sexy side is equally delicious. 4 out of 5 stars for Shades of Passion by Virna Depaul.

Find out more about the series and Virna Depaul on her website here. www.virnadepaul.com

Book review: Shades of Temptation (Book 2 Special Investigations series) by Virna DePaul

WILL HE HELP PROTECT HER...
Carrie Ward understands dangerous men, and she's got the scars to prove it.
These days, the Special Investigations Group detective saves her risk taking for
the job. But when she's asked to pursue a high-profile serial killer, she'll
have to join forces with the last man she wants to depend on-Jase Tyler, an ace
senior detective who's as reckless as she is cautious. And despite her best
intentions, the sparks begin to fly.


OR DRAW A KILLER FROM THE SHADOWS?
As Carrie and Jase race to try to save the next victim, the passion that
simmers between them ignites. But a cunning killer at the top of his game is
challenging Carrie to play to the very end. Now all she can count on are her
instincts-and Jase, the one man daring enough to keep her safe....

Shades of Temptation is the follow up to Shades of Desire in the Special Investigations group series by Virna DePaul. I read book one and enjoyed it. It was a bit more intense than what i usually read for romantic suspense but i liked it. Shades of Temptation is book two and for me a whole lot more intense than book one. Jase and Carrie are on the same team, both are attracted to each other but have never acted on it. They each have their own internal problems with their pasts and their family lives growing up. Carrie is the most messed up in that area though. There are trust issues that the two have to work through. The romance portion of this book is small compared to the suspense part but for me it was part thriller as well. There is more violence that what i would expect in a romantic suspense.The writing was excellent and well done and i was surprised by the twists and turns throughout the story. Several things surprised me but i think that as i said already it's part thriller too and so the violence was a bit for me but true to the story being told. By the end i was stunned by some of how the story wound itself up. I was pretty torn up on how i felt about it. 4 out of 5 Modokker Book Picks starts for Shades of Temptation by Virna DePaul.

Find out more about Virna DePaul on her website here www.virnadepaul.com

Modokker's visits Lori Foster's Readers and Authors weekend (RAGT2012)

Wow so i got to go to my first readers and author's shindig. Can't call it a conference it was way to much fun to be that. My weekend trip started Friday morning about 8:30 AM when i left my small town in Michigan to head out to West Chester, Ohio which is just barely north of Cincinnati. After about 15 minutes in the car i was bored with my own company but about 6 and 1/2 hours later i made it to the Marriott in West Chester in one piece.  I was supposed to be meeting a old Army friend. Not that i consider either of us old or anything. lol My friend Sarah was coming in from Tennessee and was 3 hours in driving time behind me. OK so there i stood. Didn't know anyone or anything. Babe in the woods and all that. Couldn't find my way out of paper bag right then. I look around at the people standing all over and think OK now what? I turn around and there sits the lovely Jules Bennett. Who miracles of miracles recognizes me from my twitter picture. A friendly face in the sea of faces. After a few minutes chatting with Jules she's got to go and so as I'm saying goodbye  there walking towards me is Jill Shalvis who also recognizes me. I was told by many i look just like my twitter pic. I must look ok because no one ran away screaming. Chatted with Jill for a few minutes( who BTW is one of my fav authors. You should totally read her books). OK so yeah i have 2 more hours i think at this point to kill. I sit on this cute round couch chair and tweet on my iPhone. If your at #RAGT2012 and if that's possible bored I am sitting in front of the doors. Come say hello! Like 2 seconds later the wonderfully funny Dee Carney comes up and says HI! OK this is when i realize this is going to OK. It's going to be fun. As 6 pm is coming up and everyone is registered with their cute name badges and making their way into the ballroom for the pizza party i still have not seen Sarah ( my friend who met me there) and so i am standing there thinking,"um OK there for over 400 people in this ballroom and i don't see anyone i know to sit with, time to go hideout for a bit". Yes i thought that. Then the lovely Virna DePaul walks up and asks me if i need help. Isn't she sweet? She found me a seat at a really great table with some authors and readers and i had some really good conversation waiting for my friend  who finally gets there around 6 pm. No girlish screams because #1 the room is crowded with people and we don't want anyone thinking we're nuts and #2 we were starving and needed to eat pronto. It had been 21 years or so  since we last saw each other but it was like no time had passed and we chatted like girlfriends who know each other always do.

Anyway cutting to chase as they say. It was a really great weekend. I met tons of authors, readers and fellow bloggers, ate drank and was merry! Yes i did! It was a very comfortable setting once i got into the swing of things and everyone was friendly and nice and fun. Lori Foster and Duffy Brown and their families put a lot into this weekend. They have lots of help from volunteers too. I hope they all think it's well worth the effort but it's the best time I've had in ages. My friend Sarah and i plan to make it a yearly thing for us. I'm going to add some pics below. I didn't take as many as I should've and i have been kicking myself every since but here you go.

Jill Shalvis Book signing. She is as wonderful and witty as you think she is.


Vicky Dreiling who is amazing to talk to. Lots of fun too!


Erin McCarthy who writes some amazing books. With hot guys of course!


Leah Braemel who loads of fun. Writes really hot books. Sizzling hot!


Carly Phillips. I attended her speedchat with Jill Shalvis. The two of them together = trouble and fun!


Virna DePaul who is just a all around wonderful lady.


Jules Bennett Aren't we the cutes pair of short people you ever saw?? I know. She's really sweet too.


Of course we have to have Lori Foster! She looks amazing doesn't she? She's got to be tired after her long week too. Amazing lady with a great family backing her up.


Sue Grimshaw from Random house and Romance at Random.com


My friend Sarah who i was in the Army with during Desert Storm over 20 years ago now. This was our reunion too. Lots of fun. We hope to repeat it next year.


Just because well i just have to here is my pic with my many men at RAGT2012 provided by Hot Damn Designs ( this is a picture of a picture btw) Yes those are handcuffs in my hand and i wanted to take Dare and Spencer home with me but i couldn't figure out how to sneak them out to my car. Least i would've had someone to talk to on the way home. lol


Hope i didn't overload with the pics. I had a great time and i hope some of you will consider going next year. Some links below to find out about these lovely ladies and the RAGT as well.
http://jillshalvis.com/
http://www.deecarney.com/
http://julesbennett.com/
http://virnadepaul.com/
http://www.romanceatrandom.com/
http://lorifoster.com/
http://www.lorifoster.com/community/readergettogether.php
http://vickydreiling.com/
http://www.erinmccarthy.net/
http://leahbraemel.com/
http://www.carlyphillips.com/