Hero

Hero by Samantha Young

Publisher: New American Library

February 2015

ISBN: 978-0-451-47560-2

Pages: 410

Contemporary, Romance

Boston, Massachusetts

Alexa Holland thought her father was a hero. At least until her world was thrown into turmoil when she learned that her mother and she were not her father’s only family.  Since that time Alexa has worked to turn her life in a direction that was different and make an identity outside the secrets of her father.  At least until she meets a man that was as damaged by Alexa’s father’s mistakes as she was.  Alexa feels she must help him.

Caine Carraway wants nothing to do with Alexa’s efforts to redeem him.  Unfortunately it isn’t easy to push her away.  Since he can’t push her away he is determined to make her hate him.  So with that thought in mind he pushes her to the edge of her patience and waits for her to walk away from him.  What he doesn’t count on is his actions actually bringing them together.  Even with the odds against them they end up in an explosive and intense affair.

Caine knows he can never be the white knight Alexa has always wanted. Though with them on the edge of danger Caine discovers he will do anything to protect them both from ever being hurt again.

This is story that pulls readers in and makes it very difficult to put it down for any reason.  It is a story that will have readers staying up late into the night just to see how this ultimately works out for Alexa and Caine.  While page wise it is a sizeable book it never reads that way.  The characters are relatable with all their flaws, insecurities and damage from their families.  It will also have readers wanting to read more from this author especially if the other stories end up as well written as this one.

Received a review copy

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

Pretty Poison

Pretty Poison by Kari Gregg

Publisher: Kari Gregg

December 2013

Pages: 153

Contemporary, Paranormal, m/m

When Noah was a toddler he fell from an eighth story balcony which shattered his body and cracked open his skull. Had he not had shifter blood the fall would have killed him had he been human.  The pack wanted a mercy killing but instead his family ran with him.  What they can’t out run is the mating pact that was formed even before Noah was born.

Wade is the new alpha of the pack.  He also chooses an adult Noah to fulfill the pact that was made.  Wade doesn’t agree with what the former alpha did and he also feels that the former alpha was a fool to reject Noah as an inferior and weak wolf.  Wade also thinks that Noah’s family is wrong to hide him and starve Noah’s wolf.  Human medicines and human doctors are poison to shifter physiology.  Noah is fully grown but his ability to shift has been stopped to keep the pins, plates and bars holding him together in his body.  They are also the things that hurt Noah rather than helps and for Wade there is more at stake than just Noah’s recovery.

Noah will do whatever necessary to keep his family safe especially since they sacrificed everything to keep him alive.  Even if that means mating with the alpha.  An alpha that is determined to correct the mistakes of the past and defeat the old prejudices that still infect the shifter community.

Unfortunately some still believe Noah is the true poison than needs to be culled from the pack.

This is a story that will stay with readers long after they finish it.  The characters are complex and well written and reading how they overcome their own insecurities and the obstacles that are thrown in their path makes for a story that is very hard to put done once it is started.  Overall it is a fast read but so worth the time it takes to read it.  It ends very nicely though readers will want to read more from this world and be able to revisit the characters that make this world up.  It makes for a very satisfying read as the story follows Noah’s struggle to heal from all he has gone through.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

One Step Too Far

One Step Too Far by Tina Seskis

Publisher: William Morrow

January 2015

ISBN: 978-0-06-234007-8

Pages: 304

Contemporary, Mystery, Romantic Elements

London & Manchester England

Emily Coleman had a happy marriage, a lovely home and a beautiful family.  At least she did until one morning when she walks out on all of it and right out of her life.  She wants to start a life as someone new. 

Emily is now Cat and is working at a hip advertising agency in London.  She has a new friend, Angel that she is living on the edge with.  Cat has done everything possible to bury her old life and self.  If fact she has managed to do it so well that no one can find her.  What she can’t do is truly bury the past nor can she forget her memories.

Soon she will have to face the truth of what she has done.  It is a revelation so shocking it just might push her one step too far.

This is a story the expertly weaves the past and present together in such a way that the reader slowly gets the whole picture.  It also keeps readers guessing just why Emily walked out of her life.  The story takes the reader on a wild ride with Emily as they work to figure out just what caused all that Emily does.  Just as the reader thinks they have it figured out another clue is tossed out to make them guess again.  This is an emotional story that pulls the reader in and keeps them captive until the very last page when the story ultimately comes full circle.  It is definitely worth reading and getting lost in the story.

Received a review copy

I give this one 4 red roses

LRH

Want Me

Want Me by Cynthia Eden

Publisher: Hocus Pocus Publishing, Inc.

January 2015

Pages: 168

Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

Sophie Sarantos doesn’t play it safe.  Her weakness is dangerous men.  She doesn’t like her lovers to be safe, she likes them with a rough, wild edge. Though this time Sophie may have attracted a lover that is too dangerous.  Too dangerous even for her.  Sophie is being stalked by someone that has the ability to slip into her home and that watches her night and day.  It is someone that seems to know all of Sophie’s secrets, even her darkest ones.  Secrets that should never be revealed.

Lex knows all about secrets because he has his own.  He also doesn’t play at all.  Lex knows that he is going to have to stop acting like a gentleman when it comes to Sophie especially as his feelings for her are growing stronger.  He is instead going to have to show Sophie the true man underneath.  The man that has been trained to kill.  One that is used to facing evil.  Lex is also willing to take any risk so that he can claim Sophie for his own.

Lex truly wants only one thing in this world, one person and that is Sophie.  He is also determined that no one will hurt her ever on his watch.

This is the next book in a trilogy that gets even better with the second book in the series.  The trilogy makes more sense if it is read in order as they are linked and intertwined together and the second book takes place shortly after the first book ends.  The action is even more prevalent in this story than in the first book and that is hard to believe.  The suspense builds until the explosive end and makes for a story that is addictive.  It will also have readers eagerly awaiting the next book so they can see what will happen next.  The author manages to continually amaze with each story that she writes.  This will also have readers that are new to this author wanting to check out more books by her.  It will also have readers counting down the days until the third book is released.  For readers that enjoy romantic suspense this is one series to definitely read.

Received a review copy

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

Unbecoming

Unbecoming by Rebecca Scherm

Publisher: Viking

January 2015

ISBN: 978-0-525-42750-6

Pages: 308

Contemporary, Suspense, Some Romantic Elements

Garland, Tennessee and Paris, France

Grace restores bric-a-brac, resets gems and mends teapots on the outskirts of Paris.  The first lie that Grace told Hanna was her name.  Grace now calls herself Julie and tells people she is from California. At night she goes back to her rented room.  She is really from Garland, Tennessee. It is also where two young men have just been paroled.  She is married to one and in love with the other.  They both went to prison for a crime that Grace planned in great detail. Now a game of cat-and-mouse begins as all of Grace’s lies start to unravel.

This is a book that weaves a tale so intricately twisted that it keeps readers wondering just what is going to happen next and where it will end up.  The characters are complex and flawed and make for a story that is riveting.  Just as readers think they know where this one is headed it takes another twist and readers are back to wondering just where this is headed and now it will end.  It switches back and forth from the past to the present but in such a way that the reader is never lost and it fills in all the little details that makes for a fascinating story. At the end all the threads are neatly tied up to give the reader a very satisfying end.  It is also a story that will have them thinking about it long after they have finished the book.

Received a review copy

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

A SEAL's Secret

A SEAL’s Secret by Tawny Weber

Publisher: Harlequin

February 2015

ISBN: 978-0-373-79835-3

Pages: 216

Contemporary Romance

California

Lt. Commander Mitch “Irish” Donovan is a Navy SEAL that plays to win, always.  At a Halloween party he does a push-up contest that should have been a piece of cake.  Instead he is dealing with a woman dressed as a delicious dessert and is very hot.  The only thing on Mitch’s mind now is exercising restraint. 

Livi Kane is known as the Body Babe but that doesn’t mean she has any confidence.  Dealing with a hunky SEAL has managed to make her forget everything except a different kind of workout.  One that involves his hot, naked body and a lot of sweaty sexy fun.  Both Mitch and Livi have their secrets though.  Though with one unexpected encounter their steamy attraction is turning into an even bigger secret that is about to start showing any day.

This is a fun story that has a sexy SEAL and adds a lot of fun to it.  The characters are complex and reading how they work through their different dilemmas makes for a fascinating read.  It is also interesting to read how Livi grows in the story and finds a way to a happiness that eluded her before now.  It also will have readers hoping that a couple of the secondary characters will be getting their own stories and their own happily-ever-after. 

Received a review copy

I give this one 4 red roses.  

LRH