synopsis:
A prostitute lies strangled in a seedy French Quarter hotel room. Miles away, in a rambling plantation house on the sultry shores of Lake Pontchartrain, popular late-night host Dr. Samantha Leeds receives a threatening crank call. All in a day's work for a celebrity. Who would think to link the two?
A second hooker's corpse turns up. Samantha's ominous caller persists, along with a mysterious female claiming to be a woman from her past--a woman who's been dead for years. With Detective Rick Bentz convinced that the serial killer prowling the shadowy streets of New Orleans is somebody close to Samantha, she doesn't dare trust anyone. Especially not Ty Wheeler, her seductive new neighbor who seems to know more about her than a stranger should.
***Another one of the books i picked up on a whim, and it sat in my "to be read" pile for weeks. With nothing else to read i gave it a shot. I was not disappointed. It grabs you right away and has so many layers, it was hard to figure out who the killer was. Jackson kept me in suspense until the very end. Samantha is a late night radio "shrink", escaping from a terrible incident in Houston, but it has followed her to New Orleans. Ty Wheeler was a part of the Houston investigation, and is in New Orleans to meet Samantha so he can right a book. Little did he know he would fall for her and be immersed in the killers new game of revenge. Definitely a page-turner.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Margaret Weis-- "Warrior Angel"
synopsis:
Once a dedicated soldier of the Knights Templar, Derek de Molay was betrayed and killed. So instead of an eternity in Heaven, he has decided to battle the Dark Angels of Hell. But as the war between good and evil rages, he is summoned back to the mortal realm to protect a woman standing too close to the edge of darkness.
Rachel Duncan has never felt this way before. A mysterious man is intent on seducing her with expensive gifts and trips on his private plane, yet it is Derek, a breathtaking stranger, who tugs at her heart. With him, there is laughter, light ... and love. But Derek tells an impossible, insane story, though deep in her hear she knows it to be true. Now Derek and Rachel must race against time to save the mortal souls of mankind ... and each other.
***This was another one of the books that i bought because the synopsis was interesting. But it sat on my desk in the "to be read" pile for months because each time i picked it up, I just couldn't get into it. This weekend, with nothing else to read, i gave it another chance. I finished it, it is slow and at times boring. It is very tame for a romance book. The undercurrent of this story is about the good and evil in all of us, and how true love can save you. It is a charming book, but not one i would put in my "must read" list. The best part of this book is Sampson, the cat who is an angel.
Once a dedicated soldier of the Knights Templar, Derek de Molay was betrayed and killed. So instead of an eternity in Heaven, he has decided to battle the Dark Angels of Hell. But as the war between good and evil rages, he is summoned back to the mortal realm to protect a woman standing too close to the edge of darkness.
Rachel Duncan has never felt this way before. A mysterious man is intent on seducing her with expensive gifts and trips on his private plane, yet it is Derek, a breathtaking stranger, who tugs at her heart. With him, there is laughter, light ... and love. But Derek tells an impossible, insane story, though deep in her hear she knows it to be true. Now Derek and Rachel must race against time to save the mortal souls of mankind ... and each other.
***This was another one of the books that i bought because the synopsis was interesting. But it sat on my desk in the "to be read" pile for months because each time i picked it up, I just couldn't get into it. This weekend, with nothing else to read, i gave it another chance. I finished it, it is slow and at times boring. It is very tame for a romance book. The undercurrent of this story is about the good and evil in all of us, and how true love can save you. It is a charming book, but not one i would put in my "must read" list. The best part of this book is Sampson, the cat who is an angel.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Nalini Singh-- "Angels Blood"
synopsis:
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she is the best, but she does not know if even she is good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, Elena knows failure is not an option, even if the task is impossible. Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. Its an archangel gone bad.
The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other, and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt does not destroy her, succumbing to Raphael's seductive touch just might. For when archangels play, mortals break.....
***Let me start by saying, that i purchased this book solely because one of my favorite authors recommended it. It sat on my desk for weeks, i tried several times to get into it. But always found something better to read. I finally sat down and gave it a try and i was not disappointed. It is not your usual vampire story. It is mainly based around archangels, but not like any angels you have ever read about. Vampires are just a "by product" of the angels 'so to speak'. I got so into the story i finished it in 2 days. The banter between the guild hunter and the archangel Raphael is funny and intriguing. I can't wait until the next book in the series.
Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she is the best, but she does not know if even she is good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, Elena knows failure is not an option, even if the task is impossible. Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. Its an archangel gone bad.
The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other, and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt does not destroy her, succumbing to Raphael's seductive touch just might. For when archangels play, mortals break.....
***Let me start by saying, that i purchased this book solely because one of my favorite authors recommended it. It sat on my desk for weeks, i tried several times to get into it. But always found something better to read. I finally sat down and gave it a try and i was not disappointed. It is not your usual vampire story. It is mainly based around archangels, but not like any angels you have ever read about. Vampires are just a "by product" of the angels 'so to speak'. I got so into the story i finished it in 2 days. The banter between the guild hunter and the archangel Raphael is funny and intriguing. I can't wait until the next book in the series.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Amanda Stevens-- "The Dollmaker"
synopsis:
In Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, a terrible secret is about to be uncovered by a woman whose daughter vanished 7 years ago without a trace....
And now a new clue has surfaced..a doll that is the spitting image of Claire doucett's missing child, right down to the tiny birthmark on the girl's arm. A chance sighting of the eerily lifelike doll in a french quarter collectibles shop leaves Claire shaken to her core...and more determined than ever to find out what happened to her beloved Ruby.
***I liked the book, but there were 2 different stories going on. Claire's ex-husband and the father of the missing girl is returning to life so to speak, and Stevens spends way too much time solving one of his old cases rather than moving us thru the story of the dollmaker and the 30 years history of his story. The only tie these stories have is that they share Claire and Dave, and the cops involved in the murder Dave is trying to solve, use Ruby's kidnapping to get Dave to destroy evidence. It wasted a good portion of the book, when i really wanted to know more about the dollmaker story. Too many holes. Stevens never ties up her books in neat little packages with all questions answered, but out of her 3 novels, i was disappointed in the path this book took. And the end did not satisfy me.
In Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, a terrible secret is about to be uncovered by a woman whose daughter vanished 7 years ago without a trace....
And now a new clue has surfaced..a doll that is the spitting image of Claire doucett's missing child, right down to the tiny birthmark on the girl's arm. A chance sighting of the eerily lifelike doll in a french quarter collectibles shop leaves Claire shaken to her core...and more determined than ever to find out what happened to her beloved Ruby.
***I liked the book, but there were 2 different stories going on. Claire's ex-husband and the father of the missing girl is returning to life so to speak, and Stevens spends way too much time solving one of his old cases rather than moving us thru the story of the dollmaker and the 30 years history of his story. The only tie these stories have is that they share Claire and Dave, and the cops involved in the murder Dave is trying to solve, use Ruby's kidnapping to get Dave to destroy evidence. It wasted a good portion of the book, when i really wanted to know more about the dollmaker story. Too many holes. Stevens never ties up her books in neat little packages with all questions answered, but out of her 3 novels, i was disappointed in the path this book took. And the end did not satisfy me.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Amanda Stevens-- "The Devil's Footprints"
synopsis:
In 1922 a farmer in Adamant, Arkansas, awakes to a noise on his roof and finds his snow-blanketed yard marked with thousands of cloven footprints. The prints vanish with the melting snow...only to reappear seventy years later near the gruesome killing of Rachel Delaune.
Years after her sister's unsolved murder, New Orleans tattoo artist Sarah Delaune is haunted by the mysteries of her past. Sarah has always believed that her sister was killed by a man named Ashe. He had "appeared" to Sarah when she needed a friend the most, only to vanish on the night of her sister's murder. The past bleeds into the present when two mutilated bodies are found near Sarah's home, the crime scene desecrated by cloven footprints.
***Wow! This book has so many layers, it's hard to know where to start. The killer is not truly revealed until the last 20 pages. Every time i thought i had it, i was tripped up. And even though we don't really find out why the killer is the way they are, it really is a page-turning thriller. I was unable to put it down once i hit the home stretch. Not all questions are answered in Steven's books, but she gives you enough in this story to keep you on the edge of your seat. This book did not disappoint.
In 1922 a farmer in Adamant, Arkansas, awakes to a noise on his roof and finds his snow-blanketed yard marked with thousands of cloven footprints. The prints vanish with the melting snow...only to reappear seventy years later near the gruesome killing of Rachel Delaune.
Years after her sister's unsolved murder, New Orleans tattoo artist Sarah Delaune is haunted by the mysteries of her past. Sarah has always believed that her sister was killed by a man named Ashe. He had "appeared" to Sarah when she needed a friend the most, only to vanish on the night of her sister's murder. The past bleeds into the present when two mutilated bodies are found near Sarah's home, the crime scene desecrated by cloven footprints.
***Wow! This book has so many layers, it's hard to know where to start. The killer is not truly revealed until the last 20 pages. Every time i thought i had it, i was tripped up. And even though we don't really find out why the killer is the way they are, it really is a page-turning thriller. I was unable to put it down once i hit the home stretch. Not all questions are answered in Steven's books, but she gives you enough in this story to keep you on the edge of your seat. This book did not disappoint.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Chelsea Cain-- "Evil at Heart"
synopsis:
Gretchen Lowell is still on the loose. These days, she's more of a celebrity than a feared killer, thanks to sensationalist news coverage that has made her a star. Her face graces magazine covers weekly and there have been sightings of her around the world. Most shocking of all, Portland Herald reporter Susan Ward has uncovered a bizarre kind of fan club, which celebrates the number of days she's been free. Archie Sheridan hunted her for a decade, and after his last ploy to catch her went spectacularly wrong, remains hospitalized months later. When they last spoke, they entered a detente of sorts--Archie agreed not to kill himself if she agreed not to kill anyone else. But when a new body is found accompanied by Gretchen's trademark heart, all bets are off and Archie is forced back to her gruesome ways, or has the cult surrounding her created a whole new evil?
***This is the 3rd installment in the Gretchen Lowell series, and it does not disappoint. Archie is pulled back into the hunt from his room in the psych ward where Gretchen has been keeping tabs on him thru clever means. But is she the one hunting again, or is it the leader of the fan club whose sister was murdered and tortured by Gretchen in front of him? Or was it really Gretchen who killed her? I love that the gender of the superbly twisted killer is a female. It makes the battle between her and Archie all the more interesting. Archie has survived her scalpel and torture where she took him to the brink of death over and over for days before being caught. I could go on and on about this series, but i think i have spoiled enough already. Start at the beginning with Heartsick, and you will be hooked!
Gretchen Lowell is still on the loose. These days, she's more of a celebrity than a feared killer, thanks to sensationalist news coverage that has made her a star. Her face graces magazine covers weekly and there have been sightings of her around the world. Most shocking of all, Portland Herald reporter Susan Ward has uncovered a bizarre kind of fan club, which celebrates the number of days she's been free. Archie Sheridan hunted her for a decade, and after his last ploy to catch her went spectacularly wrong, remains hospitalized months later. When they last spoke, they entered a detente of sorts--Archie agreed not to kill himself if she agreed not to kill anyone else. But when a new body is found accompanied by Gretchen's trademark heart, all bets are off and Archie is forced back to her gruesome ways, or has the cult surrounding her created a whole new evil?
***This is the 3rd installment in the Gretchen Lowell series, and it does not disappoint. Archie is pulled back into the hunt from his room in the psych ward where Gretchen has been keeping tabs on him thru clever means. But is she the one hunting again, or is it the leader of the fan club whose sister was murdered and tortured by Gretchen in front of him? Or was it really Gretchen who killed her? I love that the gender of the superbly twisted killer is a female. It makes the battle between her and Archie all the more interesting. Archie has survived her scalpel and torture where she took him to the brink of death over and over for days before being caught. I could go on and on about this series, but i think i have spoiled enough already. Start at the beginning with Heartsick, and you will be hooked!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Patricia Briggs-- "Hunting Ground"
Alpha & Omega series
synopsis:
Anna Latham didn't know how complicated life could be until she became a werewolf. And until she was mated to Charles Cornick, the son--and enforcer-- of Bran, the leader of the North American werewolves, she didn't know how dangerous it could be, either...
Anna and Charles have just been enlisted to attend a summit to present Bran's controversial proposition: that the wolves should finally reveal themselves to humans. But the most feared Alpha in Europe is dead set against the plan--and it seems like someone else might be, too. When Anna is attacked by vampires using pack magic, the kind of power only werewolves should be able to draw on, Charles and Anna must combine their talents to hunt down whoever is behind it all--or risk everything....
**this is book 2 in the series. It is an another "branch" of the Mercy Thompson series, which i have to say i favor more. This series is nice, not overly exciting or a page turner. But it is a good book to fill a Sunday afternoon.
synopsis:
Anna Latham didn't know how complicated life could be until she became a werewolf. And until she was mated to Charles Cornick, the son--and enforcer-- of Bran, the leader of the North American werewolves, she didn't know how dangerous it could be, either...
Anna and Charles have just been enlisted to attend a summit to present Bran's controversial proposition: that the wolves should finally reveal themselves to humans. But the most feared Alpha in Europe is dead set against the plan--and it seems like someone else might be, too. When Anna is attacked by vampires using pack magic, the kind of power only werewolves should be able to draw on, Charles and Anna must combine their talents to hunt down whoever is behind it all--or risk everything....
**this is book 2 in the series. It is an another "branch" of the Mercy Thompson series, which i have to say i favor more. This series is nice, not overly exciting or a page turner. But it is a good book to fill a Sunday afternoon.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Jacquelyn Frank-- "Pleasure"
Shadowdwellers series
synopsis:
Discipline. Penance. Order. A Sanctuary priests life revolves around such things. But then Sagan is taken captive and thrust into the Alaskan Wilderness, he encounters a woman who challenges his faith and his self-control. Valera is a natural born witch who almost lost herself to the lure of dark magic. By rights, Sagan should shun her, but convention will count for nothing in the face of a passion that could change the world of the Shadowdwellers forever....
As Chancellor of the Shadowdwellers, Malaya's first duty is to her people. Her bodyguard, Guin, knows this only too well. For tradition's sake, Malaya must marry, and the thought of this lush vibrant woman in a loveless union is impossible for him to bear. Guin loves Malaya--not as a subject loves his queen but as a man craves a woman. And even if he cannot keep her, he'll show her everything she stands to lose....
***(spoiler alert)This is the 3rd book in the series and i like all 3 equally. And it may be the last since the villain Acadian has been caught and murdered in this book. But sometimes i think having a series that has only a few books is far better than a series that goes on and on without changing the premise but only changes the names. If you have never read Jacquelyn Frank, be prepared, she is vivid in her detailed descriptions about what happens in the bedroom (and the living room, the bathroom, the hallway, wherever) if you get my meaning. But the murder/suspense/love story factor is also a strong part to her stories.
synopsis:
Discipline. Penance. Order. A Sanctuary priests life revolves around such things. But then Sagan is taken captive and thrust into the Alaskan Wilderness, he encounters a woman who challenges his faith and his self-control. Valera is a natural born witch who almost lost herself to the lure of dark magic. By rights, Sagan should shun her, but convention will count for nothing in the face of a passion that could change the world of the Shadowdwellers forever....
As Chancellor of the Shadowdwellers, Malaya's first duty is to her people. Her bodyguard, Guin, knows this only too well. For tradition's sake, Malaya must marry, and the thought of this lush vibrant woman in a loveless union is impossible for him to bear. Guin loves Malaya--not as a subject loves his queen but as a man craves a woman. And even if he cannot keep her, he'll show her everything she stands to lose....
***(spoiler alert)This is the 3rd book in the series and i like all 3 equally. And it may be the last since the villain Acadian has been caught and murdered in this book. But sometimes i think having a series that has only a few books is far better than a series that goes on and on without changing the premise but only changes the names. If you have never read Jacquelyn Frank, be prepared, she is vivid in her detailed descriptions about what happens in the bedroom (and the living room, the bathroom, the hallway, wherever) if you get my meaning. But the murder/suspense/love story factor is also a strong part to her stories.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Gena Showalter-- "Darkest Whisper"
Lords of the underworld series
synopsis:
Bound by the demon of Doubt, Sabin unintentionally destroys even the most confident of lovers. So the immortal warrior spends his time on the battlefield instead of the bedroom, victory his only concern ... until he meets Gwendolyn the Timid. One taste of the beautiful redhead, and he craves more. Gwen, an immortal herself, always thought she'd fall for a kind human who wouldn't rouse her darker side. But when Sabin frees her from prison, battling their enemies for the claim to Pandora's box turns out to be nothing compared to the battle Sabin and Gwen will wage against love ....
***This is the 4th installment in the Lords of the Underworld series. It is not my favorite, but it does move the series along a little faster. And i love all stories based around Greek mythology. And there are a lot more stories happening at one time besides just the Gwen and Sabin story. Still a good read since the series seems to be continuing on.......
synopsis:
Bound by the demon of Doubt, Sabin unintentionally destroys even the most confident of lovers. So the immortal warrior spends his time on the battlefield instead of the bedroom, victory his only concern ... until he meets Gwendolyn the Timid. One taste of the beautiful redhead, and he craves more. Gwen, an immortal herself, always thought she'd fall for a kind human who wouldn't rouse her darker side. But when Sabin frees her from prison, battling their enemies for the claim to Pandora's box turns out to be nothing compared to the battle Sabin and Gwen will wage against love ....
***This is the 4th installment in the Lords of the Underworld series. It is not my favorite, but it does move the series along a little faster. And i love all stories based around Greek mythology. And there are a lot more stories happening at one time besides just the Gwen and Sabin story. Still a good read since the series seems to be continuing on.......
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Charlaine Harris-- "Shakespeare's counselor"
synopsis:
Cleaning lady Lily bard is a pro when it comes to keeping the exteriors of Shakespeare, Arkansas, absolutely spotless. But it's the dirt below the surface that really keeps her busy. Even Lily herself has her share of secrets. That's why she's joined a weekly group therapy session---to open up and finally face the past. That sounds positively enlightening, until the gruesome murder of a fellow member sends a terrifying warning. But which person in the group is the message meant for? Why? And who next will suffer the consequences of a killer's head games?
***This is the 5th and last installment in the Lily Bard series. This is a quick series to read, a nice book for a Sunday afternoon. It is amazing how much murder can happen in one small town, but everyone has secrets right? I think anyone who gives this series a chance will enjoy it. Harris has quite a sense of humor!
Cleaning lady Lily bard is a pro when it comes to keeping the exteriors of Shakespeare, Arkansas, absolutely spotless. But it's the dirt below the surface that really keeps her busy. Even Lily herself has her share of secrets. That's why she's joined a weekly group therapy session---to open up and finally face the past. That sounds positively enlightening, until the gruesome murder of a fellow member sends a terrifying warning. But which person in the group is the message meant for? Why? And who next will suffer the consequences of a killer's head games?
***This is the 5th and last installment in the Lily Bard series. This is a quick series to read, a nice book for a Sunday afternoon. It is amazing how much murder can happen in one small town, but everyone has secrets right? I think anyone who gives this series a chance will enjoy it. Harris has quite a sense of humor!
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