Cold Case, Hot Accomplice

Cold Case, Hot Accomplice by Carla Cassidy

Publisher: Harlequin

December 2013

ISBN: 978-0-373-27849-7

Pages: 288

Contemporary, Wolf Creek, Pennsylvania

Roxy Marcoli has three things that matter to her in life, her restaurant, her aunt, Liz and her sisters.  When Liz disappears Roxy ends up turning to Steve Kincaid, a cop with a playboy reputation.  A man that tries to charm Roxy but gets her hackles up every time instead.

Steve Kincaid isn’t anything like the ladies man reputation that he has.  His flirting covers up a loss that is unbearable. As Roxy and Steve search for clues to what has happened to Liz, Steve gets to see what really lies beneath Roxy’s sharp tongue and prickly attitude. The more Steve gets to know the more he wants Roxy.  As his desire grows so does the fear Steve now has because it seems Aunt Liz isn’t the only one a killer wants, they are now after Roxy.

This story proves to be a great romantic suspense with twists and turns that are sure to keep the reader guessing as to who is behind what is happening. Just as the reader thinks they have it figured out another twist comes along that will have the reader second guessing themselves.  The ending is great and this book proves to be very hard to put down.  This story has a couple of plots going that make it that much more intriguing and sure to grab the reader’s attention.  This one is definitely worth taking the time to check out and read.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

The Killing Game

The Killing Game by Toni Anderson

Publisher: Toni Anderson

March 2013

ISBN: 9780991895816

Pages: 361

Contemporary

Axelle Dehn is a wildlife biologist that is determined to protect what she considers her snow leopards.  No one will get in her way not the poachers that are intent on killing them or the soldier that wants to use them as bait.  Then Axelle becomes entangled in a conflict that dates back three decades.  A conflict that could easily spark a war between a couple of the world’s nations.

Ty Dempsey is a British SAS soldier that was sent to hunt down a notorious Russian terrorist that is in a remote region of Afghanistan.  As Ty has never failed on a mission he is determined to see to the success of this one also.  Though things take a turn when Axelle is kidnapped by the Russian and Ty is forced to choose between his mission and his heart that wants only Axelle.  Ty is wiling to risk everything for the woman he has fallen in love with but by saving her he puts a very successful spy in danger of being exposed.  One that will do whatever it takes to make sure no one gets in his way. 

This is a story that starts off a little slow but once it takes off the action doesn’t stop and has a great many twists and turns that are sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.  The plot is different and very intriguing.  While this brings hints of the Cold War to life it is set very much in today’s time.  This is a fantastic romantic suspense that builds to a very explosive and satisfying ending. The action continues to the very end.  The characters are well rounded and engaging.  This is a very interesting book that gives a glimpse into a region that isn’t in very many stories.   It is also written in such a way that the reader will feel like there are right there with the characters and seeing and feeling what they are.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

The Golden Locket

The Golden Locket by Primula Bond

Publisher: Avon

November 2013

ISBN: 978-0-00-752414-3

Pages: 400

Contemporary, New York City & Venice

Serena Folkes and Gustav Levi are now in Manhattan enjoying their new found love.  As they settle in their new penthouse they have every satisfaction they could need.  Though they are enjoying their new pleasure ground in New York, ghosts from Gustav’s past start to intrude into their lives.  When Gustav’s younger brother, Pierre, who is damaged comes back into Gustav’s life he brings problems with him including a dangerous threat.

With all the temptations and ghosts waiting at every turn for Gustav and Serena it will test them in ways that they have not been tempted so far.  Will they survive what they are facing or will this end up destroying them?

This story picks up shortly after the first book ends filling in what the reader needs to know in such a way as to make it intriguing to read.  This is one trilogy that is proving that it needs to be read in order so that the reader gets all the nuances of the plot that has so far been weaved through the first two books.  With a fascinating cliff hanger at the end that is sure to have readers eagerly awaiting the third and final book in this trilogy just to see how things will ultimately turn out for Gustav and Serena and if it will be possible for them to have a very well deserved happily ever after.  This is one book that should be read with the ac on full blast with a glass of ice water sitting nearby.  The series is proving to be extremely hot and explosive.  This is one for reader of erotic romances to definitely check out. They will not be disappointed.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Infinite Possibilities

Infinite Possibilities: The Secret Life of Amy Benson by Lisa Renee Jones

Publisher: Julie Patra Publishing

November 2013

Pages: 243

Contemporary, New York City & Texas

Amy Benson is being tormented by lies and secrets because they are everywhere she turns. In the midst of the hell she has been living in for six years she meets a man that has proven to be her escape and her passion in a life turned upside down. The one person she felt she could trust in six very long years.  Then he made her doubt that trust.  Now she is determined to find the truth no matter what. Nothing will stand in her way of that truth not even the man she felt she could trust. She may be damaged but through it all she has not been broken and she won’t be now either.  She has survived this long and now finally she is ready to fight to find the truth she so desperately needs.

This story continues what the first book in the series started. A great suspenseful story with a wonderful romance story all in one book that is sure to please readers.  Seeing how Amy finds her way through all that is going on in her life and that no matter what is thrown at her she still manages to keep fighting for survival is as intriguing as it is engrossing.  It is a hard book to put down one the reader starts it.  And while to a certain extent Amy’s story is wrapped up it ends with a cliff hanger of sorts that makes the reader want the next book in the series to see how ultimately the whole of the plot ends.  This is sure to keep the reader guessing as to what will happen next and with every twist and turn that the story takes it never disappoints at all.  This is a great series for those that love romantic suspense.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

A Vampire's Christmas Carol

A Vampire’s Christmas Carol by Cynthia Eden

Publisher: Cynthia Eden

November 2013

Pages: 2013

Contemporary, Paranormal, New York City & North Dakota

Ben Prescott is a vampire that has lost the Christmas spirit.  While humans are busy celebrating the season, Ben is busy hunting in the shadows. His way of celebrating is stalking deadly prey. At least that was his plan on dealing with the holidays this year.  It seems fate has different plans for this particular vampire.

There are three visitors headed Ben’s way.  A demon that is determined to make Ben face a past that Ben has been trying his hardest to forget and leave behind.   A ghost that will show him the present that is possible if he tries and a shifter that will show him the darkness of his future if he doesn’t change the present.  If Ben doesn’t change than he is going truly become a real monster not just the one he already thinks he is.

There is one whose hands Ben’s redemption truly lies in, Simone Laurent, the woman he loved and lost. For Ben to have a better future he has to prove himself to Simone.  A task made all the harder considering once upon a time, on a very different Christmas Eve, Simone died in Ben’s arms.

This story is a wonderful twist to a Christmas classic that is sure to please anyone that enjoys the holidays.  This book is sure to help readers really get into the spirit of Christmas. This is a relatively short story that pulls the reader in until the very last page.  Anyone that enjoys the original Christmas Carol will love this one as it takes the original and bring it into modern era and gives it a great paranormal twist.  This is one holiday story not to miss.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

A Rogue's Proposal

The Rogue’s Proposal by Jennifer Haymore

Publisher: Grand Central

November 2013

ISBN: 978-1-455-52337-5

Pages: 416

Historical, England

Lukas “Luke” Hawkins is determined to find his missing mother and the man that is accused of kidnapping her, Roger Morton.  He will do anything to find her even if it means breaking a few laws in the process. Luke suddenly finds his task and heart in jeopardy when he meets a mysterious woman with the face of an angel and a body made for sin.

Emma Curtis has heard all about Lord Lukas’ rakish reputation and she hopes to use that to her advantage.  Most men of honor wouldn’t dream of taking an unmarried woman on the road with them. Luckily Luke is a man that is more than willing to take her on the road with him and into his bed.  As their journey takes them to unexpected places Luke and Emma indulge every one of their secret fantasies.  Just when they think they have a chance of having something permanent a secret comes to light that threatens to end the love they have found forever.

This is proving to be a wonderful series and will have readers eagerly awaiting all the siblings’ stories.  Watching Emma and Luke overcome the tragedies of their pasts makes for some great reading.  While this is good size book it proves to be a very fast reading as the reader will want to keep turning the pages just to see what will happen next and if it will work out for the characters.  There are parts of the storyline that tends to be a little dark but it works very well in the story.  It will have readers hoping for the best for the characters.  This is proving to be series not to miss and with the central plot tying all the books together so well this is one series readers will be eagerly awaiting each and every book.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

Escaping Reality

Escaping Reality: The Secret Life of Amy Benson by Lisa Renee Jones

Publisher: Lisa Renee Jones

July 2013

ISBN: 0985817089

Pages: 252

Contemporary, New Adult, New York City & Denver

Amy Benson has been on the run for the past six years, since she was 18 years old. Then she was known as Lara and a tragedy and a dark secret forced her to change her identity and go into hiding. Just as she is finally starting to believe she has been forgotten the past comes back with a vengeance to punish and send her running yet again.

On a plane dealing with the devastating fact of having to start over yet again Amy meets Liam Stone, a billionaire that is reclusive, brilliant and famous as a prodigy architect.  A man that knows what he wants when he sets eyes on it and goes after it with everything he has.  Now what he wants is Amy and he will not take no for an answer.  He sweeps her into an affair that is both passionate and has the ability of taking her to her erotic limits.  Liam demands everything Amy has and will accept nothing less. He is determined to possess her and make her want to be possessed.  Amy starts wondering if she is too effected by the tragedy to really know if he wants more than she should give.  It is also starting to look like Liam is a lot more than meets the eye.

This is great suspense story that will keep the readers on the edge of their seats as with every page they turn they find out more of what is going on.  It also builds the suspense as more characters are introduced and each seems to be hiding something.  Amy has to figure out just what is going on and the reader gets taken along on a ride that proves to be as wild as they could ever hope for.  This is one book that starts off fast and doesn’t slow down for a single moment.  This is one story that lovers of romantic suspense should not miss.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH