Monday, October 31, 2011

Dana Marton

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up on a new book that is being released this month. I have not read it yet, so I can't post a review but you should hear the buzz around this book! Here is a glimpse into this incredible romantic suspense book. Warrior Agent by Dana Marton.

Blurb
Troy Hill has been tirelessly working for months to bring down a corrupt congressman. When the man’s goons capture him and lock him up, he knows they can’t afford to leave him alive. His only chance at escape is the congressman’s new security guard, Claire Montgomery. He expects he’ll have to either manipulate her into setting him free or kill her. He doesn’t expect to fall in love with her.

You can buy Warrior Agent here

As if that weren't enough, this story is part of a SERIES! Yes people, Warrior Agent is part of the Agents Under Fire series. I'm a total series hog! I devour them and then hurry up and wait on the next book. Here is a list of the books in the series. Just click on the title and it will take you to the buy link.


Guardian Agent


Avenging Agent


Warrior Agent










To read more about Dana Marton's books, click here to go to her Author Website

Secrets and Lies by Jamie Hill



Blurb:
Natalie Jameson has a handsome husband, three wonderful children, and one very big secret. She's managed to keep it under wraps for over twenty years, but recent events lead her to decide she has no choice but to reveal the terrible truth. 

Alex Jameson has had one goal in life since the minute he met Natalie on their college campus. Do whatever it takes to make this woman happy. When circumstances threaten to unravel the web of secrets and lies they've built around themselves, will their love be strong enough to survive?

Review:
Natalie and Alex are the couple everyone strives to be. They adore each other and their children. Everything is perfect in their lives until one day when everything is changed. It makes me wonder how I would have reacted. The way that Natalie felt about having children made me laugh, I've been her. Poor Alex, I felt for him and had to laugh each time Natalie said "Honey, I want to have another baby." Through their fights, laughs, and struggles with their own feelings, I found Natalie and Alex to be a perfectly imperfect couple. The daughter Gillian had me balling my fists in frustration from time to time and simply because I have daughters that would react as she did. I wish I could say more about this book but it would give away the story, so on that front, I'm zipping the lip.

Seldom does a short book deserve the highest rating from me, but Secrets and Lies moved me more than I expected. Since it is a short read, the excitement is in finding out what actually happened twenty years ago. I must say that this was a very touching story that at times made me want to cry. Yes, this is a very heavy topic but Ms. Hill has done an outstanding job of weaving her way through the story in a manner that does not bring the reader down. The characters throughout the story were so realistic and the topic is something that I am sure many people have faced in real life. Ms. Hill nailed the relationship between a husband and a wife. Yes, they fight but how they deal with their arguments is so like a normal couple that I couldn't help but to draw from my past experiences. Relatable, memorable characters along with an amazing plot line make Secrets and Lies a story that you simply cannot miss.

Buy Secrets and Lies here

Saturday, October 29, 2011

My Life As A Dog by Mike and Cynthia Arsuaga


Blurb:
Drake Martin is a unique shape shifter. Instead of transforming into a ferocious animal, he morphs into an eight pound Yorkshire terrier. Six year old Kady Hartley rescued him from an animal shelter. As "Precious" he was her "bestest friend" for twelve years, leaving when she started college. Ten years later they cross paths.
He’s a PI; she’s FBI. Continuing to keep his abilities secret from her, he follows Kady as she pursues a case. Accompany them on an odyssey to New Orleans investigating human traffickers and watch the fur fly. To protect Kady, Drake remains in the shadows. For her sake he puts aside his loner life and accepts protection and assistance of the local shifter pack under its leader, the Sufi. The pack and Drake soon discover they have a common cause, leading to a bloody confrontation with the Russian human traffickers.

During the adventure, will Drake and Kady rekindle their loving friendship or will it become much more?

Review:
After reading the very last sentence on the very last page, my first reaction is WOW. I say this for a couple of reasons. First, I am not ordinarily a shifter reader and second, how in the world can a shifter who turns into a Yorkie be sexy? This is where the "wow" factor comes in. Never have I read a book that has thrown my preconceptions out the window as this book has. Very early in the book, the first shifter scene actually, it is evident how being able to turn into a cute little dog works to Drake's advantage. His reaction to what he turns into was priceless and made me laugh out loud. A very important part of the book is the beginning. Although the pacing does seem a little slow at first, this is where the foundation lies for the rest of the book. No worries though, when the book does pick up, it is a very fast paced action packed book.

Drake Martin and Kady Harley have a relationship like none I've ever read before. It was fascinating how Mike and Cynthia Arsuaga have developed these two characters in such a tender way. They are able to bond in a way a normal couple never can. The loyalty that Drake shows toward Kady touched my heart and made me just want to say awwwww. As the book develops, so does the relationship between these two exciting and funny characters. The heat level between Drake and Kady soars and I'm more than surprised that my book didn't spontaneously combust! I am a die hard romantic suspense reader who loves humor sprinkled throughout the pages of whatever it may be that I am reading. My Life as a Dog had me laughing out loud at moments and holding my breath at others. This is, hands down, a book that captured my attention and kept it there.

I would like to tell Mike and Cynthia Arsuaga BRAVO! It is not very often that I can say a book changed my opinion about an entire genre. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in paranormal romance. Please keep in mind that some scenes are very erotic and may offend those who aren't interested in erotic. Otherwise, I suggest you run out and buy this book. Read at your leisure because you don't want to miss one thing. I enjoyed my time spent reading My Life as a Dog and look forward to reading more from these authors.

Buy My Life As A Dog here

Charity by Anne Holly


Blurb:
Charity Miller has spent her whole life in an urban island surrounded by the wilds of Montana where she’s never ventured too far from her plans. But when she heads into the Big Snowy Mountains to square a land deal one chilly November, her normally-professional self fades away. Maybe it’s the mountain air or finally quitting her diet. Or maybe it’s “real-live-cowboy” Joshua Rollings and his many attractions that has her off balance.

Whatever it is, this Thanksgiving could give her a reason to be thankful for the rest of her life.

Review:
What do you get when you combine a tall cowboy with to die for good looks and one very independent real estate agent? Hotness that's what! I instantly fell in love with Charity's character. She was the city girl with a no nonsense attitude. Joshua was the type of character I love to read about. The tall brooding cowboy with a sentimental streak won me over the moment I was introduced to him. The pull between Joshua and Charity was intense with sparks flying between the two the entire story. If I set aside the fact that these two characters lit the pages on fire, one element that impressed me was the medical angle. I don't want to give away that part of the story but by addressing the medical issues surrounding Joshua's mother, another layer was subtly added to the story.

What a perfect way to get in the holiday spirit. With compelling characters and steamy love scenes, I found Charity to be a page turner. I have never read anything by Ms. Holly in the past and thoroughly enjoyed this quick read. I would have loved to see Charity in full novel length. If you are looking for a fun filled novella to read on your lunch break, I highly recommend buying this book. It will definitely put you in the Thanksgiving mood! This author has now become an automatic add to my "to be read" list.

Buy Charity here

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Twist of Fate by Sandy James


Blurb:
What happens when happily ever after meets reality? Susan and James Williams are drifting apart. After a devastating loss, their lives are thrown into further turmoil when a mysterious stone at a museum hurtles them back to the Old West. Their supernatural experience only intensifies the chasm between them, and when James realizes where they are, in a moment of anger, he pronounces that they were never married.  

They go their separate ways, unsure of what this new world holds in store. James settles into a job as bartender. Befriended by local rancher Daniel Miller, Susan soon develops feelings for him. She's torn between starting a new life in a new time and healing her marriage and returning to the twenty-first century.  

Will the miraculous journey back in time help Susan and James reconcile, or has destiny set new roads for them to travel that lead them away from each other?  


Review:
Little House on the Prairie, watch out, you have competition!  Nelly has nothing on Caroline (from Twist of Fate) and Daniel is the new Charles.  Let's start with James and Susan shall we?  It's obvious these two are head over heels in love with each other but over time have forgotten the qualities that once took each other's breath away.  The qualities that once endeared them to one another are now viewed as annoyances. The sensual tension between these two was electrifying.  Abigail is the good daughter who wants the best for her father Daniel.  Daniel, having lost his wife a couple of years earlier, had lost the spark in his life.  That is, until he meets Susan.  There are other quirky characters in the book but I have to say my favorite was Caroline.  She was full of manipulation and games yet such a child, a fun character indeed. 

On to the plot line.  I love this particular story for several reasons.  Not only is this not like the other books in the Damaged Heroes series because of the time travel aspect, it is also not your typical romance book.  Normally, it's the beautiful young heroine and the devastatingly handsome hero.  In Twist of Fate, it's about real people.  People who have self-esteem issues, ego issues and control issues.  It's about making a decision that will affect the future of many people, not just those involved.  It makes you think about the paradox.  If you do something in an era gone by, would it affect the future?  Who will Susan pick, the man who is everything she could possibly want?  Or will she choose the one man that she has always loved that may not love her back? 

Twist of Fate is certainly a book that will stay with me for a long time.  In fact, when I am driving and every song I hear reminds me of the book, I know that book is going to be a winner.  I wish each book had a soundtrack to it, because I heard some perfect songs for it on the way home.  It must be said that I have loved every one of the Damaged Heroes books and all for different reasons.  Each book can be read as a stand alone book.  The one constant is the talent with which Ms. James writes.  In my opinion, a talented writer is one who can evoke almost every emotion you possess and still leave you wanting more.  Ms. James is most certainly one of the top authors on my list to highly recommend to others.  To Ms. James, I would like to say "Job well done and I can't wait to read more."  To the potential buyer of this book, BUY IT!  You will not be disappointed.  If you love Twist of Fate, here is a list of the other books in the series.  They are all books you just GOTTA read! 

Buy Twist of Fate here

Murphy's Law (Damaged Heroes Book 1) 

Free Falling (Damaged Heroes Book 2) 

All the right Reasons (Damaged Heroes Book 3) 

Faith of the Heart (Damaged Heroes Book 4)