Dangerous Ground by Josh Lanyon

Grade: B
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary, m/m, mystery, suspense
Series: Dangerous Ground #1

Published: 4/22/2008

Reviewed by Anne

89 ebook pages

Taylor and Will are special agents for the Department of Diplomatic Security.  They've been together for three years.  They're great friends and are both out of the closet gay men, but not lovers.  That doesn't mean they don't have an attraction to each other, but they've never acted on it.  Still, things were thrown out of balance a few weeks ago when Taylor was shot.  He's almost ready to come back to work, but the strain between them is an issue.  They decide that a weekend camping together will give them time to work through things.  As if working around emotional shrapnel between the two of them isn't enough, they stumble across the remains of a plane used in a crime a few months ago.  Now there's a lot more on the line than just their friendship and work relationship.

I'm pretty picky when it comes to mysteries.  I really enjoy some authors, but find others to be way too intense for me, especially without the balance of a romance or HEA.  I do enjoy JD Robb, Julia Spencer-Fleming, and Josh Lanyon, though.  I've been slowly working my way through Lanyon's backlist.  That's what brought me to Dangerous Ground.  

Lanyon hasn't failed me yet, and this was no exception.  Will and Taylor are interesting and distinct characters.  I liked the way they were both caught off guard by their feelings for each other and it was interesting to watch how they handled them.  They have a banter and humor together that kept me smiling.  The suspense was realistic enough to keep me wondering how in the world they would work things out.

I'm glad I read it, and now I've got a new series to read!  That said, it didn't grab me and refuse to let go the way that the Adrien English series did.  Still, I look forward to the rest of Taylor and Will's stories.  How about you?  Do you read mysteries?  If so, do you have a favorite series?

Wild Hearts by Tina Wainscott

Grade-A
Hotness Level-None
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Justiss Alliance #0.5
Reviewed by Kay
72 pages

This is a prequel novella to spawn a series about five ex-Navy SEALs. After a mission that was a clusterfuck, these men were discharged but thankfully not court martialled. Even though they were not responsible for this screwed up mission, they were the ones that were blamed to appease the masses. To avoid jail time they had to sign contracts forbidding them to talk about what really happened on that ill fated mission.

As they are leaving the courthouse, a man approaches them with a job offer. He is the founder of the Justiss Alliance and they handle what sounds like protection and black ops work. He leaves his cards with each of the men and asks them to consider his offer.

At this point, you get a glimpse at each of the men in this SEAL group. Some of their home lives and if they will join the Justiss Alliance. These men are named: Risk, Rath, Saxby, Knox and Julian.

I can't wait to read this series. I have the first one loaded and ready on my Kindle. I hope they are as good as Maya Banks' KGI series or Cindy Gerard's Black Ops Inc. series. I love romantic suspense and I adore military romantic suspense. This prequel had no sex in it and I do hope the series does. If it doesn't, well that's just stupid.

Throwback Thursday-Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #6
Genre-Romantic Suspense, Futuristic
Reviewed by Kay

Eve and Roark were at it again. They were tracking a sadistic killer that had ties to Roark in his youth. The bad guy was a total whack job complete with a God complex. Or maybe he thought he was a messenger of God. Either way, he was a major creeper. Eve had her hands full skirting the lines of legality in this one. She had to trust McNabb who was covering for Feeney when he was on vacation. Trying herself to cover Somerset to protect Roark. Uncovering more of Roark's checkered past and attempts on her life.

I really enjoyed this story because it was fast paced and they even went to Ireland. I enjoyed all the accents when they were in Roark's homeland. I like that maybe in the future there will be some sort of a truce between Eve and Somerset.

 As usual, I enjoyed the on going love story of Eve and Roark, Peabody and the rest of the gang. Still a good series and I will continue on after a short break.

Throwback Thursday- Ceremony in Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #5
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
327 pages

It amazes me that this series hasn't lost any luster for me yet. The build up of all the characters is slow but steady. I always enjoy these books and anticipate what will come next. Honestly, when I started this I was apprehensive and even had to call one of my blog partners to make sure there wouldn't be demonic happenings in this story.

Eve's latest case involves witchcraft and of course, murder. Ritualistic killings that are chilling in detail. Eve has to clear a deceased colleague which puts her at odds with Feeney, her mentor. Their big blow up scene left me in tears. Pain and anger are horrible feelings that evoke even more horrible responses. Guilt eats at Eve, to her very soul. She has to investigate a colleague, murders and fear for her very life. People are falsely accused and reputations left in tatters. The bad guys in this story are very bad and crazed. With the help of her usual cohorts she cracks this case where nothing is as it seems.

As usual, J.D Robb spins a great mystery and the ever growing love of Roarke for Eve. He is a great romantic lead male. I've already started the next book and look forward to the latest mystery unfolding before me.

Mounting Danger by Karis Walsh

Grade: B-
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary, F/F
Published: 10/15/13

Reviewed by Anne

264 pages

 

I have never read a f/f romance before this one, though I've read one f/f/m story.  I liked the set up for this story and it turned out to be a good read.  I'll definitely read more f/f romance!

 

Rachel, a police officer, made a decision (before the story starts) that has left her estranged from the rest of the police force.  She feels very alone.  And when she's assigned to lead the new mounted division, she knows it's not a compliment.  She thinks she's being set up to fail.  She ends up asking a woman she knew in college, Callan, to help her train the other mounted police squad officers.  Callan is about as far from a lowly police officer as you can get.  She's a polo star from a family with a lot of money.  She doesn't really have time to help Rachel, but she's interested enough in Rachel to make the time.

 

Into this reunion, the author mixes a mystery and some suspense.  It appears that someone really doesn't want Rachel to succeed.  But who is it?  And why?  I enjoyed the mystery and thought it was well written.

Fear For Me by Cynthia Eden

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
356 pages

Warning! Lovers of straight romance, this is not the book for you. That being said, lovers of romantic suspense, pull up a chair and enjoy.

Lauren is a District Attorney in Baton Rouge. She always fights for justice for the victims of violent crimes. Not only is it her job but it's also her purpose. Her sister disappeared at age 16 and has never been seen again. She misses her sister every day and uses the energy to find closure and peace for other families. She had an affair five years ago with Anthony that ended with him walking away from her. She tried to move on but Anthony owns her heart.

Anthony is a United States Marshall who is very good at his job. He helps track and apprehend serial killers. A recent case almost killed him, making him realize what really matters in life, Lauren. It happens that he gets a case in Baton Rouge that involves Lauren and himself. The Bayou butcher escaped from prison and murdered a woman in Lauren's home. He has to protect Lauren at all costs.

This is a good, solid read. Romantic suspense but very heavy on the suspense. I really enjoyed the cat and mouse chase in the story. You were kept guessing until the end. Just when you thought you knew who it was, you didn't. I picture Cynthia Eden sitting back and laughing maniacally at the readers as they try to figure out this plot twisting mystery. She helps you feel the characters' pain and at one point, I was brought to tears. I really needed a break from the so-so books I've been reading and this was just what I needed. I probably would've given it five stars I'd there would've been more sex. What sex there was, was hot but not near frequent enough for me.

                      

Hard As It Gets by Laura Kaye

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Hard Ink #1
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
368 pages

Nick Rixey is a former Special Forces soldier who was less than honorably discharged after a mission went terribly wrong. Half of his group was dead and the rest were left with basically nothing. He and his team know their commanding officer was responsible. He is trying to find his way in civilian life as a process server and a tattoo artist. He works with his brother, Jeremy at his tattoo parlor. One day a beautiful blond walks in asking for his help and his life will never be the same.

Becca Merritt is a nurse. She had a fight with her brother and now he's missing. He left her instructions to find Nick Rixey to help her uncover the dangerous secrets he thinks he's stumbled onto. Becca is unprepared for Nick. Her reaction to him is powerful and combustible but she desperately needs his help to find her brother.

This is a solid start to what I think will be a good series. I liked the characters and the suspense was good. As far as the suspense story, it's a cliffhanger. The love story though has an HEA. The chemistry was hot and you couldn't wait for the sex to start. The love scenes were good and steamy. I just wish they would've been a little hotter. Anyone who likes military romantic suspense will enjoy this new series.

                       

 

Throwback Thursday-Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #4
Genre-Contemporary/Futuristic
Reviewed by Kay

Eve and Roarke's latest adventure has to do with virtual reality machines and subliminal messaging. They find themselves in the thick of it when a worker at Roarke's resort supposedly commits suicide. His autopsy shows an abnormality and Eve wants to discover its cause. When more suicides start happening, they don't set well with Eve any more than the first one did. Meanwhile, Mavis has her career start to take off with the help of a well known musician/musicologist. Eve enlists the help of Roarke, Pheeney, Peabody and Dr. Mira to crack the case.

I honestly didn't enjoy this one as much as I did the first three in the series. It was just a little too far fetched for me. I always enjoy the cast of characters. Roarke is as dreamy and perfect as ever. His love for Eve never fails to astonish or disappoint me. I will definitely read more in this series even though this wasn't my favorite.

Mine to Hold by Cynthia Eden

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Mine #3
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
265 pages

Claire Kramer is a complex woman. Considered fragile but also cunning. She's either broken or a calculating seductress. She has lost everything. Her mom and dad, her sister and for a moment, her sanity. After being in an abusive relationship, she found the courage to leave him. This led to the death of her parents by her ex. Then she lost her sister to murder. She doesn't like to be touched but Noah York wants to touch her, badly.

Noah York is a hotel chain owner, ex-military and a womanizer. He met Claire three months ago and has never forgotten her. He has his own demons to overcome. His own darkness to conquer. He only cares about his two friends and now Claire. She fills this need in him and he can't explain it. When she is stalked, he takes over her life.

I love this series. It has everything I really love. Suspense, really bad, bad guys, sizzling love scenes and a consuming love story. I have to say it again, please Cynthia Eden, never stop writing romantic suspense. This is totally your genre. These two characters had my interest at the close of her previous book and I was looking forward to their story. Now, I want Drake's story. Soon!

Throwback Thursday- Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #3
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
322 pages

Eve Dallas' latest case hits a little too close to home. Her best friend, Mavis is accused of murdering a top fashion model who used to date Mavis' current boyfriend, Leonardo. Mavis had a few physical altercations with Pandora (the model), so when Pandora ends up dead, naturally Mavis is in trouble. Eve has to prove Mavis is innocent, she has to. So she enlists the help of Feeney (spell), Peabody, a illegals cop named Casto and Roark of course.

She goes into the most seedy clubs and meets sketchy characters all in her quest to prove Mavis' innocence. And all the while getting ready for upcoming wedding to Roark. What she doesn't realize is that proving her friend's innocence is just the beginning of this mystery.

I really do like this series more and more as I go on. I love the characters and the relationships that take place here. Eve is a tough bitch, Peabody, a straight laced, no nonsense cop, Feeney, comic relief and Roark is sigh worthy, as always. I have already started book four and look forward to the next mystery to be solved.

Throw Back Thursday- Naked In Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #1
Genre-Romantic Suspense/Mystery
Reviewed by Kay
294 pages

Eve Dallas is police officer in the year 2058 and also a childhood sexual abuse survivor. She has a couple of good friends and rarely dates. Her work is her life pretty much. She is fresh off of a case that has scarred her emotionally when she inherits a mess of a case. It involves the death of a Senator's granddaughter, who was a licensed companion. In this future you can be a prostitute as long as you're licensed to do so. What makes the case more interesting is that the victim was shot with a gun from our current time period. Guns are outlawed in the future. Only serious collectors have them, which leads her to Roarke as a suspect.

Roarke is a very wealthy man with a collection of 20th century guns and he is friends with family of the deceased. But the death of the prostitute is only the first victim and the beginning of this mystery. As Eve gets sexually involved with Roarke, she endangers not only her career but her life as they work together to find this killer that has scared the community.

This was an audio read for me and the first In Death book for me. I enjoyed it and am headed to the library for the second one in audio form. Anyone who likes romantic suspense and a good whodunnit, this is a good start to what I hope is an exciting series. My only complaint as a romance reader is that it could've been hotter. Thank you to Anne and my friend Wendy for suggesting this series to me.

Mine To Take by Cynthia Eden

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Genre-Contemporary/Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
151 pages

Trace and Skye were foster children at the same home in their teenage years. Skye's parents died and Trace's just didn't care to raise him. After Trace saves Skye from an attempted rape by their foster brother, they became friends and then lovers. Trace broke up with Skye and joined the Army. Skye became a ballerina and pined for Trace. After an auto accident and the feeling she was being watched, she moved back to Chicago. She tried to hire Trace's security firm but he offered to help her find her stalker for free. Trace wants Skye back in no uncertain terms.

It was good suspense but I think it's hard to build great suspense in a novella. The romance was rushed and the lone love scene was hot. I wanted to like it more than I ended up liking it. It was just an okay read for me but I would definitely read more from this author again. Cynthia Eden writes good paranormal books with blistering love scenes that I missed here. Are you a romantic suspense fan?

Macrieve by Kresley Cole

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series- Immortals After Dark #13
Genre-Paranormal
Reviewed by Kay
358 pages

Uilleam Macrieve, Will, is a Lykae. He has a twin brother, Munro. He's extremely powerful, handsome, wealthy and on a course of self-destruction. Ever since his parents' deaths and his part in it he has been guilt ridden. Couple that with his capture and torture at the hands of the Order, he is a train wreck. Fighting, drinking and rough sex are his normal. He has given up on any happiness. His only hope, finding his mate.

Chloe Todd is a human soccer player headed for the Olympics. She has had to fight for everything she has ever wanted, despite having a loving father. She has noticed changes in herself for a while now. Subtle changes but changes still. After a rather disturbing discussion with her father, her world implodes. She's faced with things she's only read about. Horrible things. She's rescued by a huge, scary, sexy Scotsman.

This installment of Cole's outstanding IAD series is a great book. Funny, sexy and a little mystery thrown in. You find out who Chloe's add really is, what she really is and if she can save the doomed Macrieve. My two complaints with the book: Will's treatment of Chloe before he accepts her and not enough of the Valkyries. Not having enough of the Valkyries brought the rating of the book down for me. Otherwise, a great addition to one of my very favorite series.

Lover Undercover by Samanthe Beck

Grade-C-
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Love Undercover #1
Reviewed by Kay

Kylie Roberts is a great twin sister. She's such a great twin sister that she takes her sister, Stacy's place as a stripper. Stacy broke her leg and can't dance. Without Stacy's income they can't make their bills. Kylie manages to find a way to take off her clothes in front of strangers but still has an innocence to her.

Trevor McCade is a detective with the LAPD. He's looking for a killer who is beating his victim's to death around the strip club where Kylie is filling in for Stacy. He sees Kylie dancing and is instantly attracted to her. He thinks there's a connection to Stacy. It's her clients that are ending up dead.

Honestly, I love romantic suspense. Love, love , love it. I would actually say it's probably my favorite romance genre to read. Love story and mystery together? Color me giddy as hell. This story had a lot of romantic suspense requirements: Good main couple, good secondary couple, decent mystery, secret identity and an HEA. But the love scenes, UGH! They started off almost off page and I thought, Um Hello! The author had me up until then. She has a good voice but after the fizzled love scenes, I just wanted to finish the book and be done.

Shades Of Desire by Virna DePaul

 

 

Loading...

 

Loading...

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-SIG #1
Reviewed by Kay

Natalie Jones is a photographer who has recently become legally blind. She has many personal issue she is trying to overcome. With trying to become accustomed to her loss of sight, she is also being stalked by a killer. That brings in Special Agent Liam "Mac" Mackenzie to handle the investigation that is the suspense part of this story.

The suspense part of the story was better than the romance part. I used to read strictly mystery/suspense years ago so I hoped to enjoy this story. I also am a big fan of romantic suspense. This story had a lot of sexual tension but when it came time to close the deal so to speak, it was almost boring. There was explicit language and scene description but I just couldn't connect with the characters by that time. It was too far into the book(over 250 pages) for me. I expect more from a contemporary romantic suspense novel. I hate to say it but I won't be reading anything by this author which is sad because when it is done right, romantic suspense is a personal favorite genre of mine.