Book review: Hotshot (Buchanan-Renard #11) by Julie Garwood

Available August 6, 2013
Peyton Lockhart and her sisters have inherited Bishop’s Cove, a small, luxurious oceanfront resort, but it comes with a condition: The girls must run the resort for one year and show a profit—only then will they own it.

A graduate of a prestigious French culinary school, Peyton has just lost her job as a food critic. Out of work and in a bad place personally, a year doing something completely different sounds wonderful.

There are countless challenges and too many people who want to stop the sisters from succeeding. Among them are Peyton’s contentious cousins, who are outraged that they didn’t inherit the resort, as well as a powerful group of land developers who have been eyeing the coveted beachfront property.

It’s soon apparent to Peyton that their efforts are being sabotaged, but she refuses to let the threats scare her—until she’s nearly killed. She calls on her childhood friend and protector, Finn MacBain, now with the FBI, and asks for his help. He saved her life once; he can do it again.


Finn MacBain meets Peyton Lockhart when she's a little girl in the beginning of this book. He's 14 and she's 6. Peyton's family is the MacBain's new neighbors and because of a incident with the Lockhart's pool Finn and his 2 brothers aren't allowed over there.  Just so happens the evening the Lockharts are having a party Finns observes a little girl wander out to their pool and sit down and in a matter of minutes she falls in. Finn runs to the rescue when he bursts into the party knocking Mr Lockhart down in the process and dives into the pool and saves her. From then on Finn has a fan for life in Peyton.  Years later Finn is with the FBI now and home for one of his twin brothers wedding. Peyton walks right up to him and says hi and he has no idea who she is until she calls him the knickname she gave him years before,"Hotshot".  Peyton  has just gotten a job at a foodie magazine and uproots herself from  her home to move to another state only to find out her new boss is a major sexual predator. After getting some evidence against him she takes off only to be chased in a snow storm and almost run off the road and shot at.  When Finn notices the bullet holes in Peyton's car he starts looking into what's going on. In the mean time  Peyton and her two sisters are offered a deal by their wealthy uncle who owns a bunch of resorts.  They can run Bishop's Cove in Florida for one year and make a profit they can keep it forever. While Peyton and her sister Lucy move down there to start working on the resort and getting it ready they have to deal with a cousin who is hell bent on ruining their chances. All the while this is going on someone is still trying to kill Peyton or at the very least scare her to death.  Finn is on the job and although they become close he's in denial that he he loves her can't leave her alone. He can't although he does try it just doesn't work.   This book has  a lot going on. Peyton and her sisters trying to fix up the resort while someone is trying to sabatoge the whole thing and then Peyton nasty ex-boss  trying to silence her from exposing what he's been doing  to his father in law. Peyton comes across as a strong female character trying to do the right thing by exposing her boss and protecting other women from him and trying to run a resort while dealing with her crazy family. Finn is this larger than life good guy, former Olympic champion and now super FBI agent. The man is saving the world one day at a time.  I love how Julie Garwood brings back past characters in small ways.  You'll find a few previous characters mentioned in this book and hearing tidbits about past characters always gives me a thrill.  This is a fast read and i enjoyed the main characters as well as all the secondary characters. Another win for me from Julie Garwood. 5 out of 5 stars for Hotshot!

Find out more about this book and everything Julie Garwood on her website here www.juliegarwood.com

Hot Cover Monday! The Hitwoman and Neurotic Witness ( Hitwoman series Book 5) by JB Lynn

When her apartment building is blown to smithereens, bumbling hitwoman Maggie Lee is forced to move back into the Bed & Breakfast she grew up in.

Living with her three meddling aunts is bad enough, but it just so happens that the B&B is also occupied by a U.S. Marshal, an FBI agent, her old friend Zeke who’s on a mysterious mission, and a woman who claims she can see dead people. These aren’t the kinds of roomies Maggie wants to spend time with, considering that in order to pay for her niece’s medical care she supplements her income by killing people.

Maggie avoids arrest and deals with a crazier-than-usual home life while trying to track down exactly who is blowing up the holdings of various crime families. To make matters worse, she’s walking a precarious tightrope between keeping her mobster bosses happy and protecting her murder mentor (and almost lover) Patrick Mulligan.

Aided by the warped predictions of her semi-psychic friend; her sarcastic, demanding, talking lizard; and an always ravenous, dyslexic Doberman; Maggie juggles keeping secrets, unraveling riddles and protecting those she loves.

Can she do it all? Or will she suffer yet another unspeakable loss?

Find out more about JB Lynn and the Hitwoman series on her website here www.jblynn.com

Book review: Deathtrap (Broslin Creek Trilogy #2) by Dana Marton

Available June 3rd.

She'd been "the sick girl" for most of her life. She refused to go straight to "the weird girl". Heart-transplant recipient Sophie Curtis has been in her own antiseptic bubble for so long, she just might not be able to venture out into the real world again. Her spooky body memories are scary enough, but then she finds herself in the cross hairs of a killer.

"Love was blind, people said. But lust was blind, deaf and reckless." Ethan Bing hadn't been a great romantic before he became a cop. Whatever shred of optimism he had left after becoming Broslin Chief of Police had been seared out of him by the unsolved murder of his wife two years before. A new case brings the killer within reach just as Sophie pops into his life. She gets through his defenses like no other before, but soon it becomes clear that she's been selected as the killer's next victim.

This is book 2 in the Broslin Creek series but  is essentially a stand alone book. The characters from book one are only mentioned in this book. I have not read any book that i can recall with a heart transplant person in them. Sophie Curtis is one such person. Her whole life she's been the sick girl. Unable to do the things she's dreamed of. Now though with a new heart she's starting to work on a long list of things she wants to do. She broke up with her boyfriend who only wanted her if he could run her life. She moved away from where she grey up and bought a place of her own and is running a successful company from home.  While out for a walk she comes across a stray dog. A rottweiler with a sweet disposition really but it takes her a while to get used to him when she can't find the owner and is stuck with him. The dog is what causes her to meet Ethan Bing. Ethan or "Bing" as everyone calls him is the towns police chief. He's got his own demons. Hi wife was murdered two years ago and he still has no clue as to who killed her and why. Then another murder takes place with a connection to his wife's murder. Between investigating the murders and  Sophie he is twisted up inside about where his loyalties should be. Guilt is a heady thing sometimes. Then comes a HUGE twist in the investigation when he realizes that Sophie is tied up into things. This is a another example of Dana Marton's ability to write romantic suspense.  She keeps you guessing right up to the end. The emotional factor in this story is huge when you see everything that is going on with both main characters and you can get a little hung up on that and you ask yourself what would you do if it was you.  5 out of 5 stars for Deathtrap by Dana Marton.

Find out more about this author and this series on her website here. www.danamarton.com

Hot Cover Monday!! THE HITWOMAN AND THE FAMILY JEWELS (Book 4) by JB Lynn

Coming May 2013

How do you say “no” to a mob boss?

When bumbling hitwoman Maggie Lee is asked by her mob boss employer to kill a cop, she wants to say no.

When her sexy murder mentor, Patrick Mulligan tells her the cop in question is a guy she once dated, she REALLY wants to refuse.

But when her former date, Paul Kowalski tries to kill her, she changes her tune to “Hell, yes!”

Maggie and Patrick grow closer as they scramble to figure out what it is that Kowalski is looking for and what it has to do with her prison escapee father.

Maggie’s search is hampered by the presence of US Marshals hunting her father and her crazier-than-usual family.

Along with her snarky talking lizard, grammatically-challenged Doberman, and a pissy cat, she races to solve the mystery and protect her family. But nothing in Maggie’s life ever goes as planned….

Find out more about this series on JB Lynn's website here www.jblynn.com

The Hitwoman Gets Lucky (Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman 2.5) by J.B. Lynn

Available NOW!!
A novella about the further misadventures of Maggie Lee and the rest of the cast of zany characters from CONFESSIONS OF A SLIGHTLY NEUROTIC HITWOMAN:

Maggie Lee’s a lot of things:

The daughter of a mom in a mental institution and a dad serving time;
The niece of three meddling aunts;
The aunt (and now legal guardian) of her beloved niece, Katie;
The friend of a snarky lizard, a dyslexic Doberman, and a semi-psychic co-worker;
A contract killer.

But one thing she'd never thought she'd be is a thief.

That's about to change as she heads to the casinos of Atlantic City to
help her sexy murder mentor, Patrick Mulligan, steal something from a professional thief.

Maggie's never been lucky in love or money. Will this gamble pay off or will she lose her shirt, her heart or even her life?

I've been reading this series since book 1.The Hitwoman Gets Lucky is a novella that goes with the series. A little glimpse into what's going on with Maggie while we wait for the next full book. JB Lynn does not disappoint.  Maggie has a lot of stuff going on as it is but Patrick, her murder mentor wants a personal favor. He wants her to help steal something that might compromise him if it gets out. Of course God, the lizard has to tag a long to Atlantic City to do this favor and he is full of sass as usual.  The title hints at Maggie getting lucky and you automatically think her and Patrick get together. I can't tell you if they will or not but it's a lot of fun guessing the whole way through. lol . JB Lynn has a way of making murder and in this case stealing serious business but funny at the same time with a twist of almost romance. You can sit down and read this in one sitting and come away with a smile on your face excited for book 3. 5 out of 5 stars for The Hitwoman gets Lucky by JB Lynn.

Find out more about this series and JB Lynn here www.jblynn.com

Die for Me: A Novel of the Valentine Killer by Cynthia Eden

She thought her fiancé was the perfect man—until he turned out to be the perfect killer…

Katherine Cole is running for her life, desperate to escape the Valentine Killer—so-called because he stabs his victims through the heart and leaves them holding a telltale single red rose. Still he tracks her to New Orleans and begins carving a bloody path to her door. But this time, Katherine refuses to run any farther. This time, she’ll do anything to stop the madman she once loved, even trust the sexy cop promising to keep her safe…

Detective Dane Black never lets his emotions interfere with his job, even as the Valentine Killer surfaces in New Orleans to stalk his prey. But when Dane agrees to protect the killer’s ex-fiancée, Katherine Cole, he can’t ignore the passion kindling between them. After a single unforgettable night binds them body and soul, Dane knows he won’t rest until Katherine is safe in his arms—and the Valentine Killer is dead.

I have no idea why but when i saw this cover i just had to read this book. I like my romantic suspense but not so much when there is a lot of killing in them. It's more of a thriller is some ways than a romantic suspense. In any case it turned out to be a damn good mix. If i could have blocked out the time to read this in one sitting i would have. It didn't take me long to realize i was really going to enjoy this book. If after 3 chapters you don't want to put it down to do anything it's probably going to be a keeper. There is so much going on in this book but the pace is great. It's not too fast not too slow. The characters are complex and fleshed out. I always like to think i can figure out who the killer is when reading a book like this and for a while your sure it's Michael like it's supposed to be. Then the doubts come. lol I know i was off a time or two and thought there was a twist coming i could see but it wasn't what i thought.  Cynthia Eden keeps you guessing. Not only about the killer but the characters as well. Lots of suspicion and doubts among her characters. The only put off for me and it was slight is i felt the book went on a little to long.  That's it and it really wasn't a big factor at all for me. Would i recommend this book to a friend? Heck yes! It's a thrill ride for sure. 5 out of 5 stars for Die For Me by Cynthia Eden.

Find out more here www.cynthiaeden.com

Book review: Tactical Advantage (The Precinct: Task Force #3) by Julie Miller

His only job was to protect her—not to get her into bed. When his co-investigator was attacked just moments after Detective Nick Fensom left the scene, he swore he'd never let her get hurt again. Thanks to their tense relationship, criminologist Annie Hermann wasn't happy to have Nick as her newly appointed protector. And although Nick couldn't blame her, being together 24/7 caused him to see Annie in a whole new light. Before long, he couldn't stop picturing the beautiful brunette wrapped up in his arms—and in his sheets. But allowing unfamiliar feelings to get in the way of the job was completely unprofessional …especially once Annie discovered the evidence that could cost her her life

I believe this is my first Julie Miller book. I'm a big fan of romantic suspense and i have really good luck with Harlequin's Intrigue line. This was no exception. Nick and Annie were like oil and water. Didn't mix. Annie has a sad background though. Her parents were killed in a car accident when she was a young girl and she had a fiance who dumped her when she wouldn't conform to what he thought she should be. After being hurt and left alone so many times she's insulated herself from any kind of relationship where she could get hurt and left again. Then she gets attacked on the job and Nick who she was partnered with when it happens saves her and decides he will protect her at all costs.  This book is action packed from start to finish. I was rooting for Nick and Annie right from the start. You can't help but like both characters. The one thing that confused me is they catch one of the bad guys in the story but not the two that the whole thing is focused on. I'm not sure if that's part of the series or if it's just not that important to the love story part of the book. I did enjoy the writing. It was fantastic. I was guessing the wrong guy the whole time. lol 4 out of 4 stars for Tactical Advantage by Julie Miller.

Find out more on the Julie Miller website. www.juliemiller.org

Book review: Stolen by Shiloh Walker

Shay Morgan has stayed hidden for a long time. Living a reclusive life in Earth’s End, Alaska, she’s as far away as she can get from the trauma of her childhood and the man who hurt her long ago. But terror takes over Shay’s life yet again when an unknown stalker steals away the fragile peace she’s built for herself—targeting not only her but the one man who’s ever managed to get past the walls she’s built around herself.

Elliot Winter has lived through being falsely accused before—it ruined his military career. Now it’s happening all over again. And this time, his accuser is a twisted impostor who’s targeting his ex-girlfriend, Shay. Despite a fierce mutual attraction, Shay and Elliot broke up because Shay couldn’t let her guard down, couldn’t let Elliot in. But now they both need to trust each other to confront a psycho who seems to know all their secrets.

This is my first Shiloh Walker book. I have heard really good things about her books so i was excited to give one a try. I do enjoy my romantic suspense but this book is one of those that kicks it up a notch in the intensity.  Shay first four years of life is pretty much a blank. She can't remember but tiny bits and pieces. Just enough to haunt her. Her step father blamed her for something but she wasn't sure what. She was taken in at age 4 by a wonderful social worker and adopted. All that changed when she hit 16 and her step father got out of prison and found her. He beat her adoptive mother to death and kidnapped her and did terrible things before she got away.  Two years later when her stepfather was sent back to prison for what he did she simply disappeared.  Now in Alaska she's write of thrillers. She pretty much thinks she's anonymous.  Only 2 people know who she was back then. Doesn't mean she's still not having trouble dealing with everything. She has nightmares about her past that she can't explain. Luckily she has a wonderful man named Elliot though and when things get really bad he's there to help her. It didn't take very long to figure out who the bad guy was in this book so i kept waiting for me to be wrong lol. It didn't happen but there is still a bit of a twist towards the end even though it's not really a big revelation how it comes out.  This book is gritty and intense in some places. Little more than i like but pushing beyond what your used to is always a good thing. The characters are well fleshed out and you just want to hug Shay. Shay may have some pretty big demons in her closet but Elliot has a couple as well that they have to deal with. Shiloh Walker does a thorough job and getting all the details right. My one small problem would be it lagged just a little about halfway through or more. I knew who the bad guy was but it seemed to take to long before the characters did anything logical about it. It is fiction though so it isn't a what would i have done thing. lol 4 out of 5 stars for Stolen by Shiloh Walker.

Find out more about this book and read a excerpt on Shiloh Walkers website here www.shilohwalker.com

Shades of Desire(Special Investigations Groups Series) by author Virna DePaul

Releases May 29th. Shades Of Desire, Book 1 in the Special Investigations Groups Series (HQN - Now available for pre-order on Amazon, B&N, Powell’s and Indie Bound


Natalie Jones is the lucky survivor of an elusive killer who preys on young women and then disappears from view. And since her harrowing ordeal, the once gutsy photojournalist has remained isolated in her home, paralyzed by fear and her failing vision.

Special Agent Liam “Mac” McKenzie has scars of his own. But despite his efforts to ignore the attraction that simmers between him and Natalie, he needs her help to catch a predator. Soon, they will forge a tentative alliance—charged with desire. Through a soft-focus lens, Natalie dares to envision a future with Mac beyond the investigation...never guessing that the clues hidden within her photographs are drawing them into an explosive confrontation with a madman.

This is the first book I've ever read by Virna DePaul. This is the first book in a series (Special Investigations Groups Series, or SIG) so it's a nice place to start with a new to me author as well. Natalie Jones is a very complicated character with a very difficult past and possibly a very difficult future as well. Abused by her mother as a child and then sent to a foster home when her mother was committed to a hospital diagnosed insane. Her mother had a degenerating eye problem that she blamed on Natalie. Punished her cruelly for it as well. When she was 17 she finds out she has the same thing.She's going blind. In spite of that she becomes this awesome well know photojournalist. Years later it finally starts to happen she starts losing her eyesight. One of the last thing she shoots pictures of is the local Farmers market. Already she can't see very well but still she is enjoying herself when sudden pain in her head takes her to the ground and her eyesight disappears. Although she gets enough of it back later to mainly just see shadows she has to now learn how to live with it. In steps Liam "Mac" McKenzie cop extraordinaire. OK lol He's actually a part of the Special Investigations group or SIG for short. He's had a bout of bad luck in the relationships department. Given up on relationships all together. He figures with the kind of life and career he leads he's not made for it. Then he gets a load of Natalie Jones. He's immediately drawn to her. He's is investigating a murder that leads him to her door when she is attacked by who he thinks is the same killer.

I really enjoyed this book. There is the suspense part of the book with a killer or killers on the loose. Your never really sure who is involved til later in the book. There is the romance part. Mac has a thing for Natalie right from the start. He fights it and fights it but it's no use. She feels it too, but has her own demons. She's trying to figure out how to live like she did before she was blind. She goes back and forth between being tough and doing things she feels she needs to, to feeling as if she is not enough anymore. I leads her to do some stupid things. The heroine being blind i thought was a interesting idea and different for me. I was curious to see how the author would portray that and make it work especially with the suspense pieces of the story. She really works it out nicely though. Natalie is a strong character and so she is determined to live her life to the fullest. She sure takes a beating in this story but it doesn't keep her down. The action starts out fast and quick but there were a few times it felt off. I think that's where you have to remember this is a contemporary romantic suspense. A mixture of the two separate genre's. In that case i think the author hits it about right. 4out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars for Shades of Desire by Virna DePaul.

Find out more about Virna De Paul and her other work on her website here www.virnadepaul.com