Suspense – Page 39 – Read-Love-Blog

Ivory Ghosts by Caitlin O’Connell…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

In a blockbuster debut thriller brimming with majestic wildlife, village politics, and international intrigue, a chilling quadruple homicide raises the stakes in the battle to save Africa’s elephants.

Still grieving over the tragic death of her fiancé, American wildlife biologist Catherine Sohon leaves South Africa and drives to a remote outpost in northeast Namibia, where she plans to face off against the shadowy forces of corruption and relentless human greed in the fight against elephant poaching. Undercover as a census pilot tracking the local elephant population, she’ll really be collecting evidence on the ruthless ivory traffickers.

But before she even reaches her destination, Catherine stumbles onto a scene of horrifying carnage: three people shot dead in their car, and a fourth nearby—with his brain removed. The slaughter appears to be the handiwork of a Zambian smuggler known as “the witchdoctor,” a figure reviled by activists and poachers alike. Forced to play nice with local officials, Catherine finds herself drawn to the prickly but charismatic Jon Baggs, head of the Ministry of Conservation, whose blustery exterior belies his deep investment in the poaching wars.

Torn between her developing feelings and her unofficial investigation, she takes to the air, only to be grounded by a vicious turf war between competing factions of a black-market operation that reaches far beyond the borders of Africa. With the mortality rate—both human and animal—skyrocketing, Catherine races to intercept a valuable shipment. Now she’s flying blind, and a cunning killer is on the move.

My review:

From the very beginning, Ivory Ghosts was filled with rich description, thoughtfully developed characters, and tons of suspense and mystery.

I loved Catherine, her tenacity and belief in doing what’s right by the people of the village she was living in and the elephants she loved so much. I appreciated her strength in overcoming the loss of her fiancée and her determination in getting to the bottom of the illegal trade happening on her doorstep.

There are many faces to the multi-layered illegal trade storyline and I was truly kept guessing until the very end who the mastermind behind it all was. The players in the game were reveled at a pace that was perfect. Nothing was revealed too early and I really enjoy that in a story as this.

I also really enjoyed that there is a romantic layer that develops between Catherine and one of the gentlemen she is working for. It had an enemies-to-lovers vibe that I enjoyed a lot.

Now, in the copy I received, the author’s note was at the end, after I had finished the story. I loved reading about the author’s background and connection with Africa. It gave me an even greater appreciation for the lush description of the sights, sounds, and smells Catherine experienced in this book. I highly recommend reading it before starting the story and think it will really give the reader a greater connection to the character and the book.

Thank you, Caitlin, for a wonderful read!

Four Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | Goodreads | B&N

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

Dr. Caitlin O’Connell is a Consulting Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and a world renowned expert on elephants and vibrotactile sensitivity. She is the author of the internationally acclaimed nonfiction science memoir, The Elephant’s Secret Sense (2007, Free Press), which highlights a novel form of elephant communication as well as their conservation plight. Her narrative nonfiction photo book An Elephant’s Life (2011, Lyons Press) uses a graphic novel approach to revealing subtle and intimate aspects of elephant society. Her co-authored nonfiction children’s book, The Elephant Scientist (2011, Houghton Mifflin Children’s Books) won five awards, including the Robert F. Sibert Honor and Horn Book Honor for 2012. A Baby Elephant In The Wild (2014, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers) is a Junior Library Guild Select and winner of the 2015 NSTA award for Outstanding Science Trade Book for students K-12. Elephant Don: The Politics Of A Pachyderm Posse (University of Chicago Press) comes out May, 2015. Her debut novel, Ivory Ghosts, comes out with Random House, April 7, 2015. O’Connell is the co-founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization, Utopia Scientific (www.utopiascientific.org), dedicated to research and science education. She is also co-director of Triple Helix Productions, with a mandate to develop more accurate science content for the media. She has taught Science Writing for Stanford University and The New York Times Knowledge Network.

Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

An old case makes Detective Inspector Louisa Smith some new enemies in this spellbinding second installment of New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Haynes’s Briarstone crime series that combines literary suspense and page-turning thrills.

Ten years ago, 15-year-old Scarlett Rainsford vanished while on a family holiday in Greece. Was she abducted, or did she run away from her severely dysfunctional family? Lou Smith worked the case as a police constable, and failing to find Scarlett has been one of the biggest regrets of her career. No one is more shocked than Lou to learn that Scarlett has unexpectedly been found during a Special Branch raid of a brothel in Briarstone.

Lou and her Major Crime team are already stretched working two troubling cases: nineteen-year-old Ian Palmer was found badly beaten; and soon after, bar owner Carl McVey was found half-buried in the woods, his Rolex and money gone. While Lou tries to establish the links between the two cases, DS Sam Hollands works with Special Branch to question Scarlett. What happened to her? Where has she been until now? How did she end up back here? And why is her family–with the exception of her emotionally fragile younger sister, Juliette–less than enthusiastic about her return?

When another brutal assault and homicide are linked to the McVey murder, Lou’s cases collide, and the clues all point in one terrifying direction. As the pressure and the danger mount, it becomes clear that the silent, secretive Scarlett holds the key to everything.

My Review:

Behind Closed Doors is the second book in author Elizabeth Hayes DCI Louisa Smith series and the first of author Hayes’ work I’ve read. While this is, in fact, a book centered around the victim of human trafficking, and obviously a bit dark, I did enjoy it quite a bit.

We follow the ten-year journey a young girl, Scarlett, who was taken away from her family while vacationing in Greece. What follows is the mystery and story of a young woman being trapped in a very dark and dangerous world with no way out for those ten years and her sudden and unexpected return.

Of course, there were clear hints that all was not as it had appeared within Scarlett’s home life and that even though she was in the awful world of human trafficking, it wasn’t as though she had been taken from a world of warmth and love. I was kept on the edge of my seat, waiting to get the bottom of why this girl had returned to her hometown, after being missing for ten long years, but had no desire to see her mother and father. She did, however, share a close bond with her sister and I was hoping the two girls would have a nice reunion. Of course, with things not as they seem within the family, things will get worse before they have a chance at getting better…if at all possible.

The story also mirrors the current investigation into Scarlett’s return and the detectives working to get to the bottom of where she had been and hopefully will result in some arrests and rescues of other woman being held against their will. These detectives are pretty amazing, excelling at their careers while possessing big hearts and the gift of being able to deal with the most fragile of victims. I really enjoyed reading the two sides simultaneously. It added a nice layer to the book.

I went through many emotions while reading this story. I was anxious and sickened by what women go through every day in this very real situation. I was filled with emotion and worry for Scarlett and wasn’t sure there was any way she could have a normal life again. Through reading her journey, and having suspicions that her childhood before she was taken wasn’t ideal, I knew there would be one hell of an ending and I wasn’t disappointed. Up until the very end I was kept on the edge of my seat and I loved the amount of suspense that was written into the situations.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. If you’re a fan of mystery and suspense, this is a book I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Thank you, Ms. Haynes, for an emotional and thrilling read!

Four Loves

Purchase Links

Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

About Elizabeth Haynes

Elizabeth Haynes is a police intelligence analyst, a civilian role that involves determining patterns in offending and criminal behavior. Dark Tide is her second novel; rights to her first, Into the Darkest Corner, have been sold in twenty-five territories. Haynes lives in England in a village near Maidstone, Kent, with her husband and son.

Visit her at elizabeth-haynes.com, connect with her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Blush by Cherry Adair…ARC Review

Blush releases tomorrow, 4/7

“She was the witch with the pretty, shiny red apple. Delilah with the scissors hidden innocently behind her back. The beautiful vampire sleeping at night, mouth closed, fangs covered. It was damn impossible not to want to touch her.”

Synopsis:

In the same pulse-pounding style as Maya Banks and Kresley Cole, New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair delivers a sizzling erotic romance about a sexy billionaire who’s on the run—and the hit-man-turned-handyman who’s supposed to kill her.

Sex with a stranger. Learn to drive. Learn to cook. Learn to pole dance. Sex under the stars. Buy a truck. These are just a few of the things on Amelia Wentworth’s bucket list, but as the CEO and face of a multi-billion-dollar cosmetic empire, she’s never quite found the time to do them.

Until, after a series of accidents, Amelia discovers that someone wants her dead. But who? And why? She has no time for questions as she changes her name to Mia, buys a secluded fixer-upper near the Louisiana bayou where no one will recognize her, and starts checking things off her bucket list like there’s no tomorrow—which there might not be.

Meanwhile, Cruz Barcelona is a hit man who’s promised himself this will be his last job. Then he’ll take the money and move to a warm, sunny place where he doesn’t have to hide anymore. But when Cruz goes undercover to Mia’s ramshackle house, he starts to realize there’s far more to this poor-little-rich-girl than he thought—and he starts to fall for her. Which is going to make his job a whole lot harder…

My Review:

Blush is the newest work from author Cherry Adair, and admittedly the first of her work I have read. I clearly have been missing out because this book was fantastic. Filled with a scorching amount of heat and thrilling suspense, I was glued to every page.

CEO Amelia Wentworth was in a huge amount of danger, and now, in hiding. It became clear to her that someone wanted her dead. But being the head of one of the biggest, if not the biggest, cosmetic empires has taught her more than a few things about resolve and strength. All of those lessons were being put to good use now, while trying to stay out of the public eye. While trying to stay alive. But being in hiding didn’t mean life had to stop being lived and truly, this was the perfect opportunity to live out her bucket list. Of course it would have to be done in the backwoods of Louisiana, but she was ok with that. And the man standing at her door getting ready to help her cross of one of those list items? Yeah, she was ok with him too…more than ok. He was sexy as hell and she had no idea who he was. Sex with a stranger was ready to get a check mark. Too bad Amelia had no idea this stranger was sent here to end her life…

Hitman Cruz Barcelona had made death his life’s work. All of that work and the payouts, had led him to this very moment. His last mission. This was the hit that would put him into retirement. He excelled at this. Keep emotions out of it, know your mark, do the job, and get out. Too bad this one last job will turn his life completely upside-down…

Two people thrown together in the most dire of situations. Two people who met by some twist of fate. Two people who couldn’t be more wrong for one another. Two people who realize soon enough that fate has a plan for them…

Wow. From almost the very first page, I was treated to a delicious amount of heat and suspense. And what better way to start off a book, right?

Cruz finds himself in a bit of an awkward situation when he opens the door (to kill Amelia) and is treated to a half-naked woman ready to get busy. She had wanted sex with a stranger, and she got it alright…and it was that moment that sealed Amelia’s fate. Only not for what Cruz had been sent for. He can’t stay away from her and she doesn’t want him to. It doesn’t hurt that she needs work done around her fixer upper and he has the skills to do it. This, of course leads to a bit of a conundrum for Cruz. There was no way, even after a few days together, that he could kill her. But just because he didn’t want to do the deed didn’t mean there wasn’t someone else hired to get it done. Soon enough Cruz finds himself in a completely different role. The role of protector.

I was so nervous for both Cruz and Amelia. Of course, for her safety, but I was more worried for their relationship. How could Cruz go from seducing her to telling her she was a hit man? Nothing good was going to come of that conversation and yet, against all odds, I was pulling for them to somehow find a way. Cruz, despite being a killer, has a good heart. A murderer with a conscience, if you will. He only killed the immoral and the perverse. Neither of which Amelia was. Again, I have to say how worried I was! Now, I can’t ruin anything for you, but after a huge “whoa moment” when we find out who is responsible for the hit, I was beyond happy with how Ms. Adair ended this story.

I once again have an author I will be looking forward to reading more from! Thank you, Ms. Adair, for a smoldering, sexy, suspenseful read.

Four-And-A-Half Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | B&N

About the author:

Always an adventurer in life as well as writing, New York Times best-selling author Cherry Adair moved halfway across the globe from Cape Town, South Africa to the United States in her early years to become a interior designer. Now a resident of the Pacific Northwest she shares the award- winning adventures of her fictional T-FLAC counter terrorism operatives with her readers.

Cherry settled in beautiful San Francisco, where she started what eventually became a thriving interior design business. “I loved being a designer because it was varied and creative, and I enjoyed working with the public.” A voracious reader when she was able to carve out the time, Cherry found her brain crowded with characters and stories of her own. “Eventually,” she says, “the stories demanded to be told.”

When asked why she chooses to write romantic action adventure, she says, “Who says you can’t have adventure and a great love life? Of course if you’re talking about an adventurous love life, that’s another thing altogether. I write romantic suspense coupled heart-pounding adventure because I like to entertain, and nothing keeps readers happier than a rollercoaster read, followed by a happy ending.”

Popular on the workshop circuit, Cherry gives lively classes on writing and the writing life. Pulling no punches when asked how to become a published writer, Cherry insists, “Sit your butt in the chair and write. There’s no magic to it. Writing is hard work. It isn’t for sissies or whiners.”

Cherry loves to spend time at home. A corner desk keeps her focused on writing, but the windows behind her, with a panoramic view of the front gardens, are always calling her to come outside and play. Her office has nine-foot ceilings, a fireplace, a television and built-in bookcases that will house approximately 3,500 paperback books.

“What can I say? My keeper shelf has been breeding in the middle of the night, rather like drycleaners’ wire clothes hangers.”

Website | Twitter

Vanished by Elizabeth Heiter…Review

Synopsis:

Sometimes the past can haunt you…

Eighteen years ago, FBI profiler Evelyn Baine s best friend, Cassie Byers, disappeared, the third in a series of unsolved abductions. Only a macabre nursery rhyme was left at the scene, a nursery rhyme that claimed Evelyn was also an intended victim. Now, after all these years of silence, another girl has gone missing in South Carolina, and the Nursery Rhyme Killer is taking credit. But is Cassie s abductor really back, or is there a copycat at work?

Sometimes the past is best forgotten…

Evelyn has waited eighteen years for a chance to investigate, but when she returns to Rose Bay, she finds a dark side to the seemingly idyllic town. As the place erupts in violence and the kidnapper strikes again, Evelyn knows this is her last chance. If she doesn t figure out what happened to Cassie eighteen years ago, it may be Evelyn s turn to vanish without a trace.

My review:

Vanished is the second book in author Elizabeth Heiter’s The Profiler Series and the first that I have read. Well, I can say after delving into this pulse pounding and suspenseful world, this will certainly NOT be my last!

FBI profiler Evelyn Baine has never been able to forget the night that forever changed her life eighteen years ago. The night that put her on the path to her current position in the FBI. She was determined to do all that was in her power to make sure no other family ever went through what her best friend’s family went through when her best friend was abducted that night, eighteen years ago. Evelyn never expected that she would be working on the very case that changed her. But here she was in her hometown, looking at the distinct possibility that the kidnapper was back and targeting new children. She shouldn’t be here. She shouldn’t be working on this case with such a conflict of interest…but there was no way in hell she would stay away. She would solve this case, not just for her long-lost friend, but for the new victims, and to make damn sure it never happened in this town again.

Wow. Talk about one hell of a thrill ride! As we follow the amazing and determined Evelyn Blaine through her ups and downs working on a case that hits so close to home for her, I was pulled in so many different directions. I was emotional when she recalled her missing childhood friends, I was angry when she encounters ill will from the local police in her hometown, and I was torn on who I suspected as the kidnapper. At first there are two main suspects I kept throwing my suspicion toward, but then there is another addition to the line-up and I was truly torn until the very end. I absolutely love that in a book! And when the mystery is finally brought to an end? Whoa. I never saw it coming. Kudos to Ms. Heiter for keeping me guessing and on the edge of my seat!

Thrilling, suspenseful, and emotional, Vanished is the whole package! Thank you, Elizabeth, for giving me a new series to put on my list!

Four Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N

About the author:

ELIZABETH HEITER likes her suspense to feature strong heroines, chilling villains, psychological twists, and a little bit (or a lot!) of romance. Her research has taken her into the minds of serial killers, through murder investigations, and onto the FBI Academy’s shooting range.

Her suspense series, The Profiler novels, have received critical acclaim. BookReporter called her debut HUNTED “a thriller that grabs readers from the first page” and Fresh Fiction said the sequel VANISHED “is a fast paced thriller that keeps the reader on the edge of the seat.” Her romantic suspense series, The Lawmen series, will release in early 2015.

Elizabeth graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English Literature. She’s a member of International Thriller Writers and Romance Writers of America. You can also find Elizabeth on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elizabeth.heiter.author

Ryder: American Treasure by Nick Pengelley…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

Fast-paced, edgy, and action-packed, the perfect read for anyone who loves the novels of Steve Berry or James Rollins, Ryder: American Treasure marks the return of Ayesha Ryder, a woman digging into history’s most dangerous secrets—and hiding some of her own.

During of the War of 1812, British troops ransacked the White House and made off with valuables that were never returned. Two centuries later, a British curator finds a vital clue to the long-vanished loot. Within hours, the curator is assassinated—and Ayesha Ryder, a Palestinian-born antiquities expert, is expertly framed for his murder.

Who could be behind such a conspiracy? And why do they want Ryder out of the way? To find out, she picks up a trail leading from a mysterious nineteenth-century letter to the upcoming presidential election. As Ryder dodges killers in the shadow of hidden alliances, sexual blackmail, and international power plays, she finds that all roads lead to the Middle East, where a fragile peace agreement threatens to unravel . . . and another mystery begs to be discovered.

Ryder’s rarefied academic career and her violent past are about to collide. And her only hope of survival is to confront a powerful secret agent who has been waiting for one thing: the chance to kill Ayesha Ryder with his own two hands.

My Review:

Ryder: American Treasure is the second book from author Nick Pengelley and after enjoying Ryder’s first adventure, I was looking forward to jumping into this next installment.

Well, my thirst for reading adventure was quenched with this thrill-a-minute read. This book was also decidedly more sexy than the first book and I was happy to see that layer added to the action and duplicity. I think that by added that element, author Pengelley has a great chance that this story will win over some romantic suspense fans. It was pretty fantastic!

Ayesha Ryder finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation when a British museum curator is found murdered. She is being framed by some of the most powerful and dangerous people to date, and with time running out and the threats growing every second, she finds herself on the run. Can’t a girl catch a break? All she wants to be able to do is continue her search for the mysterious Ark of the Covenant, and yet here she is, on another hunt for a long-lost item that could not only clear her, but put the guilty party and their accomplices behind bars. Easier said than done when this latest predicament crosses both U.S. and British governments and some very high-profile members. Would Ryder make it out alive this time?

I believe I had mentioned, after reading the first Ryder story, that she reminds me of a Lara Croft meets Indiana Jones type character, and this latest installment only solidified that amazing combination. This book was a thrill a minute with twists and turns in every chapter. There are some serious lies and deceit being peddled by some serious political players. There’s a lot at stake for more than one of these players and I was worried that this may end up being too big a problem for Ryder to fix. But, she’s kick ass so she certainly holds her own when faced with unimaginable odds.

Beyond a wonderful heroine, this book is packed with rich history and I enjoyed that aspect immensely. Of course, I was thrilled to see my other favorite cast member, Lady Madrigal, who is still sipping on martinis and being one hell of a dame. I adore that woman!

If you’re fan of mystery and suspense with a dash of sexiness, Ryder: American Treasure is a book you should get on your list! Thank you, Mr. Pengelley, for another fantastic adventure!

Four Loves

Book links:

Amazon | Goodreads

Giveaway:

Enter to win a $25 gift card to the eBook Retailer of the winner’s choice + a copy of RYDER, the first book in the series!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the author:

lives in Toronto, Canada with his family. He has had a varied career as a law librarian and law professor (specializing in international commercial arbitration) in Australia, Canada and the U.K. He has also worked as an analyst for a major Canadian NGO that focuses on the culture and politics of the Middle East, a field about which he is passionate. He is currently a consultant on Australasian law.

Nick cites many influences on his writing. Readers of “Ryder” will not be surprised that authors like H. Rider Haggard, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, John Buchan and Peter O’Donnell figure prominently. He is a fan of the ripping yarns of the inter-war years – by writers such as Sapper, Dornford Yates, Edgar Wallace and Leslie Charteris.

His more modern favourites include Umberto Eco (particularly “The Name of the Rose”), Alan Furst, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman and Elizabeth Kostova (“The Historian”). Nicholas reads a “book or so” a week (and is horrified to think that, if he lives to be 200, he may only get to read 10,000). These days, although he still reads fiction, he is mainly interested in modern European and Middle Eastern history, and biography, having discovered some years ago that truth really is stranger than fiction. He lists his heroes, literary adventurers all, as Winston Churchill, T.E. Lawrence, Gertrude Bell and Teddy Roosevelt.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Nick Pengelley’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:
Tuesday, January 13th: Patricia’s Wisdom
Tuesday, January 13th: Bell, Book & Candle
Wednesday, January 14th: Book Nerd
Thursday, January 15th: Queen of All She Reads
Monday, January 19th: Omnimystery News – author guest post
Monday, January 19th: Reading Reality
Tuesday, January 20th: Vic’s Media Room
Tuesday, January 20th: 2 Kids and Tired
Wednesday, January 21st: Reading to Distraction
Thursday, January 22nd: Joyfully Retired
Monday, January 26th: Dwell in Possibility
Tuesday, January 27th: Read-Love-Blog
Tuesday, January 27th: Words by Webb
Monday, February 2nd: No More Grumpy Bookseller
Wednesday, February 4th: ImaginativeMinds*
Thursday, February 5th: From the TBR Pile
Monday, February 9th: Brooke Blogs
Tuesday, February 10th: A Fantastical Librarian

Want You Dead by Peter James…ARC Review

Want You Dead releases TODAY

Book links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

Synopsis:

The 10th book in Peter James’ multi-million-copy selling crime series, featuring the definitive Brighton detective, Roy Grace.

IF HE CAN’T HAVE HER, THEN NOBODY CAN . . .

Virtual romance becomes a terrifying obsession in Want You Dead . . .

Single girl, 33, redhead and smouldering, love life that’s crashed and burned. Seeks new flame to rekindle her fire. Fun, friendship and—who knows—more maybe?

In Peter James’ Want You Dead, thirty-year old Red Cameron meets handsome, charming and rich thirty-five year old Bryce Laurent through an online dating agency, and is instantly attracted to him. But as their love blossoms, the truth about his past begins to emerge, and with it his dark side. Everything he has told Red about himself turns out to be a tissue of lies, and her infatuation with him gradually turns to terror.

Within a year, and under police protection, she evicts him from her flat and her life. But far from being over, her nightmare is only just beginning. For Bryce is obsessed and besotted with her. He intends to destroy, by fire, everything and everyone she has ever known and loved—and then her, too. It’s up to Detective Superintendent Roy Grace to stop him before it’s too late…

My review:

Want You Dead is the tenth book in author Peter James’ Roy Grace Series and admittedly the first of Mr. James’ work that I have read. While this is the tenth book in the series, I didn’t feel lost in any way as this book follows one case in particular, and I believe the series is written in a way that you can pick up any of the books and enjoy it as a standalone novel. This particular story was done really well and I enjoyed the characters as well as the plot, even though it was a bit twisted and dark.

Bachelorette Red Cameron was still getting over her last breakup, but not for the reasons one would think. She dated Bryce Laurent for almost a year and in that year he had gone from a charming and wealthy man to a complete nightmare. She had to go to great lengths to get him out of her life, including moving and getting the authorities involved. He was completely controlling and unbalanced…to the point she was petrified. Finally, she thinks she is done with him for good. She couldn’t be more wrong. When she finally decides to date again, and meets a wonderful widower, she is thrilled to be starting this new chapter in her life. That elation is short lived when her new love interest is brutally murdered. Red is devastated and has a sneaking suspicion that her unbalanced ex may have something to do with it. Could he still be holding her in his psychotic grasp?

What I liked most about this book was that the reader, from the very beginning, knew who was responsible for the murder. We got to see it all play out knowing that one crucially important piece of information and I thought it was done really well. Watching Detective Grace and Red try to put the pieces together was an interesting point of view for the reader and one I really enjoyed. This book was a bit dark and not for the faint of heart, but if you love a good drama, and a villain you just love to hate, and can’t wait for him to be brought to justice, this is a book for you. Now there are more than a few things I can’t give away so while this review may be short, you know I don’t do spoilers.

As I stated earlier, this is the first book of author James’ that I have read and I can say that I will be looking into more of his work. Thank you Mr. James, for a terrific read!

Four Loves

“…With over 14 million book sales, there’s no arguing with James’ lethal talent but even by his stellar standards this terrifying, excruciatingly tense tale of twisted obsession is outstanding.”
—The Daily Record

“James continues to impress with his great imagination, conjuring up grisly murders and improbable crime scenes.”
— RT Book Reviews

About the author:

An established film producer and scriptwriter, James (@peterjamesuk) lived in the U.S. for a number of years and produced films, including The Merchant of Venice, starring Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, and Joseph Fiennes. A TV adaptation of the Roy Grace series is currently in development, with James overseeing all aspects, including scriptwriting, In 2009, James was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Brighton in recognition of his services to literature and the community. He is Patron of Crimestoppers in Sussex alongside Vera Lynn and in 2012 was made Patron of The Whitehawk Inn. In 2011, James became Chair of the Crime Writers’ Association. He has won many literary awards, including the publicly voted ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards People’s Bestseller Dagger in 2011 and was shortlisted for the Wellcome Trust Book Prize for Perfect People in 2012.
James’ novels have been translated into thirty-six languages and three have been turned into films. All of his novels reflect a deep interest in the world of the police, with whom he does in-depth research and has unprecedented access, as well as science, medicine, and the paranormal. James divides his time between his homes in Notting Hill in London and near Brighton in Sussex.

Visit Peter James’ Website
Vist Peter James on Facebook
Visit Peter James on Twitter

Other novels in the Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series
DEAD SIMPLE * LOOKING GOOD DEAD * NOT DEAD ENOUGH * DEAD MAN’S FOOTSTEPS * DEAD TOMORROW * DEAD LIKE YOU * DEAD MAN’S GRIP * NOT DEAD YET * DEAD MAN’S TIME * WANT YOU DEAD
Also by Peter James
DEAD LETTER DROP * ATOM BOMB ANGEL * BILLIONAIRE * POSSESSION DREAMER * SWEET HEART * TWILIGHT * PROPHECY * ALCHEMIST HOST * THE TRUTH * DENIAL FAITH * PERFECT PEOPLE

The Betrayed by Heather Graham….Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

Sleepy Hollow isn’t so sleepy anymore…

One night, New York FBI agent Aiden Mahoney receives a visitor in a dream–an old friend named Richard Highsmith. The very next day he’s sent to Sleepy Hollow because Richard’s gone missing there.

Maureen–Mo–Deauville now lives in the historic town and works with her dog, Rollo, to search for missing people. She’s actually the one to find Richard?or more precisely his head, stuck on a statue of the legendary Headless Horseman.

Mo and Aiden, a new member of the Krewe of Hunters, the FBI’s unit of paranormal investigators, explore both past and present events to figure out who betrayed Richard, who killed him and now wants to kill them, too. As they work together, they discover that they share an unusual trait?the ability to communicate with the dead. They also share an attraction that’s as intense as it is unexpected?if they live long enough to enjoy it!

My review:

The Betrayed is the 14th book in author Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters Series and can absolutely be read as a stand alone. In this installment, Ms. Graham weaves a thrilling mystery with rich, small-town history delivering another novel I wasn’t able to put down.

New York FBI agent Aiden Mahoney is new to the agency’s paranormal division, the Krewe of Hunters, and is just getting used to the idea when, one night, he hears the voice of an old friend in a dream and isn’t sure what to make of it. He won’t have to wonder long because the very next morning, he is sent to the town his friend went missing from to start his investigation. That investigation turns into a murder investigation when his friend’s body is found…in two separate parts. With the investigation in its infancy, he can’t help but notice that the circumstances surrounding the murder are a direct link to the town’s history….the town being Sleepy Hollow. Adding to the overall creepiness to the murder is the fact that it’s so close to Halloween. Aiden definitely has his work cut out for him. Luckily he will have the help of the local police, a few more of his fellow Krewe of Hunters team members and Mo and Rollo. Although if he’s being honest, Mo and Rollo are almost as big a mystery as the murder itself. He can’t quite put his finger on it, but he knows she’s hiding some sort of psychic ability. He knows that because he once hid his ability as well…

Mo knew all too well what would happen if she revealed her ability to see and speak with the dead to the handsome FBI agent. He would never believe her and it was for the best that she keep it to herself. She had her dog, Rollo, and together they would help with this murder like they had with many other cases. But there was something about him that Mo couldn’t quite put her finger on…it was almost as though he had some sort of ability as well. Maybe she could get him to open up to her? After all, they would be working together until this horrible crime had been solved. She just hoped they could catch the killer before anyone else got hurt.

The murders gripping Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown are gruesome and utterly unnerving. Aiden can’t believe his old friend has been murdered and Mo can’t believe it could be someone from her very own town. With time ticking and not too many clues, the pressure is on both Aiden and Mo to get to the bottom of this mystery. Can they do it without the number of victims increasing?

Again, I have to say that one of my favorite things about Ms. Graham’s writing is her ability to weave a town’s real history with a fictional mystery. It’s a beautiful balance that adds something special to each book she writes. I loved the setting of this particular installment, Sleepy Hollow, and that is was so close to Halloween. I don’t think it is possible to find a better place and time to set a murder mystery in. The other thrilling aspect was that the murderer is using that rich and creepy history to add an even more twisted facet to the story. I had chills too many times to count while reading it and I love that in a story!

Of course, the characters were also fabulous. Aiden is all business and I loved watching him try to figure Mo out. Mo and Rollo were equally terrific to read. They were both bound and determined to solve this crime and they ended up worked beautifully together…and that lead to a mutual attraction as well, which was yet another reason to love this story.

Now, I have to say, I was totally shocked when the murdered was revealed. The build up was so well done and few things are better than that “aha” moment. Simply fantastic!

Thank you, Ms. Graham, for another suspenseful and history filled read!

Four Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

About the author:

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Heather Graham has written more than a hundred novels and has been published in more than 20 languages. An avid scuba diver, ballroom dancer and the mother of five, she enjoys her south Florida home, but loves to travel as well, from locations such as Cairo, Egypt, to her own backyard, the Florida Keys. Reading is still the pastime she still loves best, and she is a member of many writing groups. She’s a winner of the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Thriller Writers’ Silver Bullet. She is an active member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America, and also the founder of The Slush Pile Players, an author band and theatrical group.
Heather annually hosts the Writers for New Orleans conference to benefit both the city, which is near and dear to her heart, and various other causes, and she hosts a ball each year at the RT Booklovers Convention to benefit pediatric AIDS foundations.
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The Hexed by Heather Graham…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

A place of history, secrets…and witchcraft.

Devin Lyle has recently returned to the Salem area, but her timing couldn’t be worse. Soon after she moved into the eighteenth-century cabin she inherited from her great-aunt Mina—her “crazy” great-aunt, who spoke to the dead—a woman was murdered nearby.

Craig Rockwell—known as Rocky—is a new member of the Krewe of Hunters, the FBI’s team of paranormal investigators. He never got over finding a friend dead in the woods. Now another body’s been found in those same woods, not far from the home of Devin Lyle. And Devin’s been led to a third body—by…a ghost?

Her discovery draws them both deeper into the case and Salem’s rich and disturbing history. Even as the danger mounts, Devin and Rocky begin to fall for each other, something the ghosts of Mina and past witches seem to approve of. But the two of them need every skill they possess to learn the truth—or Devin’s might be the next body in the woods.

My review:

The Hexed is author Heather Graham’s thirteenth novel in her Krewe of Hunters Series and can absolutely be read as a stand alone. Being intrigued by Salem and the practice of witchcraft I was excited to read this book. Ms. Graham delivered mystery, murder and history sprinkled with romance and a charming ghost. I loved everything about this story and didn’t want it to end!

Children’s book author Devin Lyle was accustomed to the allure surrounding Salem and her nearby town. She was knowledgeable of the history and knew a great deal about Wicca and the truths and myths about being a Wiccan. She wasn’t one herself but many of her fellow townspeople were as was her best friend. Now, residing in the quaint cottage her beloved Auntie Mina had left her upon her passing, she spent her days quietly writing and speaking to her aunt’s ghost. Yes, it was a bit startling to realize she wasn’t seeing things after all and her aunt was indeed here in ghost form, but I guess you could say stranger things have happened…maybe? The bigger problem now, however, was the nearby murder of a young woman and that it was appearing that someone was trying to make it look as though Wicca had something to do with it…and that it wasn’t a harmless worship of mother earth but something evil instead. Devin knew that couldn’t be true and was visited by yet another ghost who seems to be trying to lead Devin to the one responsible for the heinous crime. Would anyone believe a woman getting clues from a ghost?

Newly appointed to the Krewe of Hunters division of the FBI, agent Craig Rockwell (aka Rocky) was back in his hometown and investigating a murder that was eerily similar to one that had happened when he was a teenager. He would never forget that murder. A crime that took away one of his closest friends and one that made him realize he had the gift to see and hear ghosts. That crime was never solved and now, coming back to town, he vowed to bring his friend justice. With the help of old friends and his new unit, it seemed more possible now than ever and also proving to be invaluable was the help of an interesting and beautiful local author who had stumbled across the body. Turns out she has s similar gift with the departed and didn’t that just add to her intrigue. But he was here for official reasons and come hell or high water he will solve this case. Now, if only the murders would stop….

With more murders happening faster than clues coming in, Rocky has his hands full and with time running out the help he is receiving from Devin and her ghostly grandmother turn out to be invaluable. But when Devin seems to be in the killer’s sights, Rocky realizes his feelings for her are growing and he prays he can solve this case before someone else gets hurt…mostly Devin.

The Hexed weaves an amazing tale of modern-day Salem with the area’s tragic past while adding a murder mystery and a dash of romance. I was kept wondering about the identity of the killer until the very end, and it was a person I never expected. To me, that is the gift of a great read. There were bits and pieces along the way that would lead me one way but then throw my suspicion in another direction entirely. I loved that. Rocky had been haunted by his friend’s murder for far too long and now being back it has really pushed his resolve. Combining his childhood friends (which includes a local police detective and lawyer) who were united in their grief, with his new Krewe team members was fantastic to read. Rocky is a professional, a gentleman, and has one hell of a sense of determination. I loved reading him. Devin is fabulous as well. Smart and witty, she is loyal to her friends and has a deep connection to her town. I appreciated her willingness to lend a hand and help with the investigation. Of course, the connection that grew between Rocky and Devin was just as amazing as every other aspect of this story.

I have to say, though, what I loved most was the way Ms. Graham made me feel as if I were a part of all of it. As if I was actually there in the cottage with ghostly Mina, Poe the raven and Devin. Every point was illustrated beautifully…even the history of the witch trials. I really adore that feeling and always appreciate when a book takes me away in such vivid ways.

Thank you, Ms. Graham, for a beautifully written suspenseful and mysterious story.

Four-and-a-Half Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

About the author:

Also published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell’s Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette’s Shadows, and for Harlequin’s mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.

Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children’s charity.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.

Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.

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ARC Review…The Collector of Dying Breaths by M.J. Rose

The Collector of Dying Breaths releases today

Synopsis:

A lush and imaginative novel that crisscrosses time as a perfumer and a mythologist search for the fine line between potion and poison, poison and passion…and past and present.

Florence, Italy—1533: An orphan named René le Florentin is plucked from poverty to become Catherine de Medici’s perfumer. Traveling with the young duchessina from Italy to France, René brings with him a cache of secret documents from the monastery where he was trained: recipes for exotic fragrances and potent medicines—and a formula for an alchemic process said to have the potential to reanimate the dead. In France, René becomes not only the greatest perfumer in the country but the most dangerous, creating deadly poisons for his Queen to use against her rivals. But while mixing herbs and essences under the light of flickering candles, Rene doesn’t begin to imagine the tragic and personal consequences for which his lethal potions will be responsible.

Paris, France—The Present: A renowned mythologist, Jac L’Etoile, is trying to recover from personal heartache by throwing herself into her work, learns of the 16th century perfumer who may have been working on an elixir that would unlock the secret to immortality. She becomes obsessed with René le Florentin’s work—particularly when she discovers the dying breaths he had collected during his lifetime. Jac’s efforts put her in the path of her estranged lover, Griffin North, a linguist who has already begun translating René le Florentin’s mysterious formula. Together they confront an eccentric heiress in possession of a world-class art collection. A woman who has her own dark purpose for the elixir… a purpose for which she believes the ends will justify her deadly means. This mesmerizing gothic tale of passion and obsession crisscrosses time, zigzagging from the violent days of Catherine de Medici’s court to twenty-first century France. Fiery and lush, set against deep, wild forests and dimly lit chateaus, The Collector of Dying Breaths illuminates the true path to immortality: the legacies we leave behind.

My review:

The Collector of Dying Breaths is the sixth novel in author M.J. Rose’s Reincarnationist series and admittedly the first in the series I have read. However, not having read the previous stories did not leave me loving this story any less. It was a work of art.

This novel is essentially two stories happening centuries apart being told in tandem all leading up to an emotional and fascinating end.

The early tale being of René le Florentin, perfumer to Catherine de Medici, and his life from orphan to alchemy apprentice to de Medici’s personal perfumer, friend, and loyal subject and importantly, collector of dying breaths. René had been fascinated and compelled to learn about the possibility of reincarnating souls using the dying breath captured on one’s deathbed. Ever since his mentor and teacher, Brother Serapino, had died and René collected his last breath, he had been attempting to complete the proper mixture of ingredients to make reincarnation possible. He was a renowned perfumer and cunning adversary to de Medici, using his knowledge of scents and poisons to help keep her reign intact. René had no way of knowing then that eventually his loyalty to Catherine would tragically cost him the only love he’d ever known. Fortunately, a bond of true love had been formed and would end up spanning centuries, looking for a chance to grow and blossom without being cut short.

The later tale being of mythologist Jac L’Etoile and her journey of healing after the devastating loss of her brother. It’s because of that loss that she finds herself in the middle of a project her brother had been working on before his death. The project involved a wealthy heiress and her obsession with immortality. The heiress had amassed an impressive collection of items needed to complete an elixir and finally harness the properties of the dying breaths that had been captured all those centuries ago. But Jac would need help and calls on her former love, Griffin, to aid in her quest. While working on the project, Jac has experiences that tell her that this is much more than an eccentric woman’s latest obsession. This could be the chance for two lost souls to finally be reunited after hundreds of years of trying to get it right. Could she and Griffin be fated to be together in this life?

The two stories weaved together to make one harmonious and entertaining read. On top of the rich and beautiful storytelling with detail that made me believe I could smell the scents being so richly described, there was deceit, mystery, and murder. I felt a connection to René from the very beginning and was so emotional reading the end to his part of the story. Jac was smart and full of emotion being torn between not wanting to believe she had a connection to the past and opening up to the notion that it was possible. The heiress, Melinoe, reminded me of an old porcelain doll. The kind that looks beautiful at a glance but if you really look closely, and stare long enough, becomes unnerving and frightening.

My favorite parts of this experience were how gorgeously author Rose described everything from the perfumery workspaces to the décor in rooms to the scent in each moment. And finally, how it all culminated into a heartbreaking yet beautiful ending.

This is quite different from the books I’ve been reading lately, and I’m grateful I had the chance to read The Collector of Dying Breaths….it was the coffee beans to my reading palate. Thank you, Ms. Rose, for a stunning read.

Five Loves

About the author:

M.J. Rose grew up in New York City mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum, the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park and reading her mother’s favorite books before she was allowed. She believes mystery and magic are all around us but we are too often too busy to notice… Books that exaggerate mystery and magic draw attention to it and remind us to look for it and revel in it.

She lives in Connecticut with Doug Scofield, a composer, and their very spoiled dog, Winka.

Rose is a the Co-President and founding member ofInternational Thriller Writers and the founder of the first marketing company for authors: AuthorBuzz. She runs the blog, Museum of Mysteries.

In 1998, her first novel Lip Service was the first e-book and the first self-published novel chosen by the LiteraryGuild/Doubleday Book Club as well as the first e-book to go on to be published by a mainstream New York publishing house.

Rose has been profiled in Time magazine, Forbes, The New York Times, Business 2.0, Working Woman, Newsweek, andNew York Magazine.

She has appeared on The Today Show, Fox News, The Jim Lehrer NewsHour, and features on her have appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers in the U.S. and abroad, including USAToday, Stern, L’Official, Poets and Writers, and Publishers Weekly.

Rose graduated from Syracuse University and spent the ’80s in advertising. She was the Creative Director of Rosenfeld Sirowitz and Lawson and she has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.

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