Rush

Rush by Maya Banks

Publisher: Berkley

February 2013

ISBN: 978-0-425-26704-2

Pages: 396

Contemporary, New York City

Mia Crestwell has had the biggest crush on her brother’s best friend since she was a teenager.  It doesn’t matter to her that he is fourteen years older than she is.  She knows he is completely out of her league but over the years her attraction has just gotten stronger.  Now that she is an adult there is nothing to stop her from trying to act on her desires.

Gabe Hamilton takes one look at Mia when she walks into his hotel’s grand opening and knows he is going to go to hell for the ideas and plans going through his mind. Mia may be his best friend’s little sister but she is definitely all grown up now.  Gabe is going to act on his desires since he was been waiting for a long time to do so.

As Mia moves more into Gabe’s world she finds out there is a lot more to him that she ever knew.  As their secret relationship gets more intense and their emotions get deeper it puts them at risk of being exposed.  It also makes them vulnerable to a betrayal more intimate than they expected.  They will find out just now deep their feelings goes and if they are strong enough to survive.

This is a very hot book that is hard to put down once the reader starts it.  The characters are interesting and as the story moves along the reader learns more about them and what motivates them.  This one will take readers on an emotional roller coaster that will have readers reading just to see what will happen between Mia and Gabe and if they will be able to have the happy ever after that they deserve.  This is the first book in a trilogy and will have readers wanting to read the next one just to see what happens with the two secondary characters that play a major role to this story line. This is another great book from this author and for readers that have not read her other books they will find themselves looking for more from this author.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH 

Mine To Hold

Mine to Hold by Cynthia Eden

Publisher: Cynthia Eden

October 2013

ISBN: 978-0-98555-449-1

Pages: 265

Contemporary, Suspense

Claire Kramer has been trying to get past the fact that nine years ago her lover killed her family and also tried to kill her.  She survived but ever since she has been haunted by that incident.  She is too afraid to trust another man and worried that her past will eventually catch up to her.  Since she cannot be sure her past won’t come back to get her she keeps everyone at a distance as that is safer for her.  Then she meets a man that she can’t seem to keep away from or to keep at a distance, Noah York.

Noah York is now a billionaire tycoon and that is how everyone in the world sees him.  Before becoming a tycoon he worked covert military operations for years.  This has made sure that death and Noah are no strangers.  He knows it would be better if he stayed away from Claire but the white-hot attraction between them just won’t let him do that.  Noah is consumed by the attraction between them.

Though there is someone else that is consumed by Claire too.  Someone who will do anything, even kill to possess her.  Noah is determined to protect Claire no matter what since the alternative would be having to live without the one woman he cannot live without. 

This is a story that grabs the reader from the very beginning and doesn’t let go until the very last page.  The twists and turns will have the reader trying to guess just who is behind everything that is happening and just what will happen next.  This is one story that does not disappoint in the slightest.   The action and suspense is non stop and will have readers on the very edge of their seats.  This is a romantic suspense that does not let the reader down at all.  This is the third book in a series though it can be read as a stand alone it is much better if the reader has read the first two book first. 

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH 

Hush, Hush

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Teen Simon & Schuster

September 2010

ISBN: 978-1-4169-8942-4

Pages: 391

Contemporary, Paranormal Coldwater, Maine

Nora is forced to be a lab partner to Patch.  Nora would rather fall to her death rather than put up with his teasing and elusive answers to her questions.  His handsome face and hypnotizing eyes don’t help either.  It seems that Patch’s only reason to be on earth is to driver her crazy. 

Now Nora’s defenses are starting to break down as her curiosity gets more intense regarding Patch.  It seems that every time she turns around Patch is there and seems to know exactly what she is thinking.  He also somehow manages to both attract and repulse her and she doesn’t know why.  And then there are the V-shaped scars on his back that has her wondering just what they could possibly be.

The stronger their connection the more fragile Nora’s life becomes.  Nora has a decision to make: Is Patch the one that is going to hurt her or keep her safe.  Has she managed to fall for a fallen?

This is a series that is starting out very strong and is sure to pull readers into it.  The characters are well written and very interesting.  The story has a great mystery in it that keeps the reader guessing just who is who and what is going to happen next.  The story takes some great turns so the reader doesn’t see what is coming next at any given point.  It will also have the reader wanting to read the next book in this series.  It proves to be a fast read as the reader won’t want to put it down for any reason.  This is one series to definitely check out.

I give this one 5 red roses   

The Haunted

The Haunted by Jessica Verday

Publisher: Simon Pulse

August 2011

ISBN: 978-1-4169-7896-1

Pages: 467

Contemporary, Sleepy Hollow

Abbey has spent several months trying to forget a boy that she fell in love with that couldn’t possibly have happened as she now knows the boy is dead.  She has been trying to reclaim her sanity since then.  Coming back to Sleepy Hollow she is ready to face the future and leave the ghosts behind.  Working on schoolwork and her friendship with her lab partner, Ben and her perfume just might be what she needs to get over Caspian finally. But Abbey is finding that she just can’t get over Caspian.

Caspian returns to Abbey’s side as he has no other choice.  Caspian is a Shade and Abbey is his destiny.  The two of them are tied to each other and to the town of Sleepy Hollow. The town that also binds their fates.  A town with dark truths that they are only beginning to find the answers to. 

This story picks up shortly after the first one left off and is not a disappointment at all.  The story arc continues in this second book of the trilogy and gives the reader more answers as to just what is going on in the small town of Sleepy Hollow.  Readers of paranormal and mystery stories is sure to love this series as so far it is delivering on both very well.  The characters pull the reader into the story and keeps the reader engrossed until the very end.  The end will have readers reaching for the last book in the trilogy just to see what happens and to hopefully finally get all the answers.  The suspense so far in this series keeps the reader on the edge of their seat turning pages to see what will happen next.  This is a young adult series but readers of all ages are sure to love it.

I give this one 5 red roses 

Mine To Keep

Mine To Keep by Cynthia Eden

Publisher: Cynthia Eden

September 2013

ISBN: 1492388416

Pages: 280

Contemporary, Suspense Chicago

Skye Sullivan has survived a brutal attack by a stalker and is now trying to put her life back together.  She is also looking forward to her future, a future that now includes her billionaire lover, Trace Weston.  Skye thinks that now that they have no longer have worry about her stalker that the danger is past and they can move forward.  She couldn’t be more wrong.

Trace Weston has made enemies, first in the Special Forces and later as he built his security empire.  Trace lives a double life and now Skye is discovering that Traces isn’t quite the man that he has always seemed to be.  He was trained by the military to be a killing machine.  Now his past is coming back and one of his enemies is after them.

Skye is Trace’s only vulnerability and he is determined that he will not lose her.  Skye is everything to Trace and he can’t lose her.  He will do anything to protect Skye especially from his past.  Anything.  Then Skye discovers Trace’s past, a past Trace never wanted Skye to know about or let touch her in any way, and now her rage and pain just might put her in the way of the killer that is after Trace. 

This book is just as good as the first book in the series.  It also picks up just a few weeks after the first one left off.  These books are definitely meant to be read in order as things in the second book make much more sense if the reader has first read the first book.  This one has great suspense that will keep the reader on the edge of their seats as they try to figure out just who is who and what is going to happen next.  This story also makes sure the reader keeps guessing as to just who is out to get Trace and Skye.  This has some great twists and turns that will not disappoint.  If you like suspense in your romances this is one series to check out.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

The Silver Chain

The Silver Chain by Primula Bond

Publisher: Avon

July 2013

ISBN: 978-0-007-52417-4

Pages: 400

Contemporary, England

Serena Folkes is a photographer that decides to indulge her impulsive side by doing a night-time shoot.  She doesn’t expect to acquire a watcher someone who is as mysterious as he is handsome.  An entrepreneur, though she doesn’t know it yet will end up changing her live forever.  Gustav Levi is the entrepreneur.

Serena is completely fascinated by Gustav.  The enigmatic owner of the Levi Gallery.  She is drawn to him by the irresistible pull of attraction.  She quickly finds out that the feeling is completely mutual.  Gustav promises to launch Serena’s career only if she is willing to agree to become his exclusive companion. 

As a mark of their agreement Gustav gives Serena a silver bracelet to wear at all times.  With the bracelet comes a silver chain that Gustav is in control of.  It gives him the power over Serena both physically and symbolically.  A physical symbol that Serena is under his power.

As the passion intensifies between them Gustav’s past is threatening to tear them apart.  Are the feelings that are developing between Serena and Gustav strong enough to survive Gustav’s dark past?  Or will those secrets prove to be too much for their feeling to withstand.

This is an interesting book that at times proves to be a little slow.  The plot is very good and despite the slow spots the rest of story will have the readers reading past those areas just to see what will happen between Serena and Gustav.  This is one book that will have readers reaching for the ice water just to cool off.  This is the first book in a trilogy so while some questions are answered there are still others that lead into the next book.  This is one to check out. 

I give this one 4 red roses

Glitter and Gunfire

Glitter and Gunfire by Cynthia Eden

Publisher: Harlequin

September 2013

ISBN: 978-0-373-69712-0

Pages: 218

Contemporary, Suspense, Rio & Washington DC

Cale Lane’s orders were simple, keep Cassidy Sherridan safe no matter what.  When six gunmen stormed the Rio ballroom to take her out he has to wonder just what is going on and who is behind it.  The party girl isn’t giving any information so Cale is going to have to find a way to get the information if he is going to have a chance at keeping her alive. 

Cassidy Sherridan doesn’t need Cale to mess up her cover by playing hero.  She is determined to bring a killer to justice even if that means using herself as bait.  How is she going to do that if Cale is determined to shadow her every step?  Another thing she doesn’t need right now is the feelings Cale is awakening in her and that can cause her to put both her life and her heart on the line.

This is one book that has so many twists and turns that it will keep readers guessing until everything is revealed.  This has some twists that are sure have readers saying they didn’t see that one coming. The series is turning into an action packed series that is sure to please any one.  The story lines are woven together and yet are always different and fresh.  This one will also have readers hoping there will be more books in this series.  This is one series not to miss.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses