In The Shadow of Gotham

by Stefanie Pintoff

I was out of town a few months ago and had run out of all reading materials. I was on one of my daily walks and I found a small, quaint bookstore in the alley of a shopping complex. It was the kind of bookstore where the person behind the counter could tell you about every book in the store and every great book and staff recommendations. That’s how I came upon In The Shadow of Gotham.

This is not a romance. I haven’t read too many of these books. There was no handsome man to fall for and no sex to be had. Just old fashion whodunit mystery.

1905, suburb of Dobson, a suburb of NYC, Detective Simon Ziele encounters the stabbing of prominent Sarah Wingate, left in her house with part of her hair cut off. There’s no motive, no suspect.

Michael Fromley, a man with a violent past but with no evidence linking him to the crime can Detective Ziele piece together all the threads to make an arrest?

The novel is beautifully written with a lot of historical details. Detective Ziele is just beginning to use forensic techniques that were available at the turn of the century. That’s one of the aspects that I enjoyed about this book. It seems that we are inundated with CSI type shows on every channel so I enjoyed reading about when these techniques were first coming into practice.

As a reader who normally reads romance I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was scared and once I got past the first 70 pages I couldn’t put it down. Pintoff puts enough clues in to lead you in one direction all the while taking you in different direction that you won’t get to until the end.

This is the first book for Stefanie Pintoff and this is the first of series focusing around Detective Ziele. Happy reading!

Lost and Found

by Jayne Ann Krentz

I loved this book. It’s sweet and easy and enjoyable. The perfect read to laze around in this HOT California weather. A combination of mystery, suspense and a bit of romance.


Amidst the world of art, old antiquities and the beautiful setting of San Francisco exists a lovely adventure and a sexy man.

Mack Easton is an older man, refined, cultured and has the sexiest voice a woman has ever heard. He’s a widower with a daughter in college and ready to meet the right woman. Of course, I liked him. Maybe enough to put him on my top six. He was kinda irresistible. He is definitely “Fantasy Man”.

Cady Briggs is an expert in the art world and her expertise brings her into the world of the mysterious Mr. Easton, whom she’s only had telephone conversations. However, when a family tragedy occurs Cady and Mack must meet to track down the missing masterpieces and possibly a killer.

It’s been awhile since I truly enjoyed the mystery and suspense of a romance novel. Although, I was sure of where the story was going, JAK did it in a page turner that kept me engrossed for the entire book. The romance was second fiddle to the plot in this case and that was OK with me. Mack and Cady brought enough heat and a little sweetness and formulaic romance for me to enjoy. They connected emotionally in a way that was endearing. I’ll say it again I really really liked this book.

The secondary characters were a treat to read about as well. Aunt Vesta, Gabriella and the computer whiz and a lot of fun to the story. JAK certainly can do quirky characters. If you find this book at a library, garage sale or thrift store don’t pass it up. It might just be what you’re looking for.

The Neighbor

by Lisa Gardner

I’ve never read a Lisa Gardner novel before. I wasn’t disappointed. This is a Detective D.D. Warren novel and I will keep a lookout for other ones. From the beginning this story had my attention and didn’t let it go. I wasn’t able to put it down.


The narrator opens telling us she knew she was going to die, hearing the intruder in her home, not making a sound to protect her daughter, and seeing him raise both his hands…

Detective D.D. Warren is called on the scene. The husband’s not talking, no trace that anything nefarious happened and a lot of unanswered questions. No blood, signs of struggle, broken glass, and doors made of steel in a safe, Boston neighborhood. But there’s something suspicious about Jason Jones’ reaction and that has Detective Warren determined to find the killer. Because isn’t it always the husband?

But there’s Aiden Brewster, the neighbor who’s a registered sex offender, the enamored student who is in love with his teacher. So who are the Joneses? The secretive family with no friends, no family and no past.

Where is Sandy Jones? The Neighbor will keep readers hooked until the very end.

Black Hills

by Nora Roberts

If you’re looking for a reliable, fun, summer read then Black Hills will surely bring enjoyment to your reading. Having moved in with my mom and no love life to speak of Black Hills put me in the mood for romance and reading.


Cooper Sullivan is an 11 year old boy sent to spend his summer in the quaintness of his youth on his grandparents’ ranch where he meets the girl next door, Lil Chance. Theirs is a sweet, saccharine friendship that only exists before you’re a teenager. And I loved it.

But everything changes as Lil and Coop get older and give in to the attraction and become lovers who are separated by life. However, they are forever bonded by the site of a rare cougar close-up and a murdered hiker in their beloved Black Hills.

As adults, Coop is brought back to Black Hills (and Lil) after his grandfather becomes injured. Childhood resentments and the distant feelings of long lost lovers percolate the relationship between Coop and Lil who is now owner of a Wildlife Refuge. As their relationship works itself out Coop and Lil are faced with murders in their beloved community as well as threats to the Lil’s beloved wildlife refuge.

I admit I am a Roberts fan. If you’ve ever read Nora Roberts than this book holds few surprises. The characters are interesting, sweet and perfect. The suspense is a bit lacking due to knowing who the killer is fairly early in the plot. And Roberts could have cut the book by about 50-100 pages. BUT, she knows how to tell a story. And she knows how to tell romance that resonates with he reader. I liked how she brought the wild cats to life as well as the workings of a wildlife refuge. If you’re a Roberts junkie and need your fix pick this up. It’s enjoyable and fun. You won’t be disappointed. Now it’s on to…The Search.

Freefall

by Joann Ross

I love a good romance novel. Good characters, good story and good sex. So when an author throws a man and a woman together a makes a mystery where there should be none really frustrates me. And I was frustrated with Freefall. Loved Zach, the hunky ex-Navy SEAL. Liked Sabrina, the ex-corporate bigwig. Hated that the moment they meet up under stressful circumstances also happens to be the same time a serial killer comes to their quaint and quiet island in South Carolina.

Totally believed that Zach and Sabrina wanted each other and liked the hot sex. But I didn’t believe that within a week they were ready to get married, have kids and live happily ever after. A little bit too much with no build-up of the relationship even if they did have the hots for each other when they were sixteen. Really, if a man told me that my skin felt "like Gardenia petals warmed in the sun." I might burst out laughing and wonder what kind of man knows about Gardenia petals. Too schmalzy! But Zach, with his hot bod, is enough to keep any reader interested.

I liked the flashbacks of the storylines of Sabrina and Zach more than the contrived present day danger of Swann Island. Because I found the search for a serial killer to be so unrealistic the story didn’t keep my attention. And sometimes even steamy scenes with Zach Tremayne couldn’t keep me interested. However, I didn’t guess who the real killer was. It was a shock. But still not enough of a one to highly recommend this romance.

In some ways this reminds me of a lot of Nora Robert’s books. The ones where everything begins to read the same and there’s nothing that differentiates any of her stories. Not even the details of Southern Plantations could keep me that interested. This is just another novel that isn’t anything special. Although the man's body on the book cover is hot and hard, I don't quite get what the woman in the bikini is doing.  Maybe she's there to indicate she's sexy and high risk.  Reach for Ross’s Blaze if looking for a good story and hot romance.

A Faint Cold Fear

by Karin Slaughter
I recently moved back in with my mother because I’m unemployed and broke. I am no living in the suburbs instead of the big city and it’s driving me a bit insane. I haven’t seen my sexy boy toy in a few weeks. His sister is staying with him until school starts. I don’t have a place of my own so we have no where to go for privacy unless you count my car. And I haven’t done that since I was 18. Being in a bleak state of mind my mother gave me A Faint Cold Fear to read.


Not a typical romance but packed with suspense, mystery, tension and a complicated relationship between medical examiner Sara Linton and her ex-husband, police chief Jeff Tolliver. Exes who can’t stand to be away from each other and have engaged in a sex only relationship until they figure it out. Slaughter flushes out their relationship with tender and frustrating moments and happy and sad moments. It feels like a real life relationship that is totally relatable.

The story begins with the unexpected attack of a pregnant woman in broad daylight amoungst a slew of police officers. The story bobs and weaves in surprising plot twists that last throughout the entire book. The detail of the medical examinations are interesting and provide insight into the dangerous world of homicide. Although I thought I knew who the killer was I was pleasantly surprised at the ending twist.

If you’re looking for full fledged romance this isn’t the book for you. However, if you’re in the mood for something a bit different with hints of love and sex this is definitely an enjoyable and fast read that is sure to satisfy.

Romantic Musings

So I’ve been unemployed almost a year. Sleeping in, visiting friends, lounging in my PJ’s, watching Lifetime and reading. That’s what my days have been like. Until about three weeks ago. I started a part time job for the next six weeks. It’s fun, I’m learning a lot and am meeting a lot of great people. There’s just one problem. A HUGE problem. I HAVE to wear high heels. And there’s a lot of walking. Like 4 hours of standing and walking…in high heels!! My feet were not made for stilettos or pumps. My first day at work I could barely walk out the door at the end of the day. My feet were burning. I had blisters on toes. And calluses. I’ve never had this problem. My handsome fella always comments on how nice my feet are.


The next day I wore shoes that were flatter with a bit of a heel but I have wide feet. So my little toes were screaming in agony at the end of the night. More blisters. Well, I trekked to target and bought inserts, moleskin, band-aids, callus removers and blister covers. I think I bought every product they offered for feet. And for the most part they worked until the next night. I forgot to put on my moleskin on the delicate part of my feet. I’m in agony all over again. I don’t know how women do it day in day out.

I’ve officially decided to stop seeing my good looking male friend until these blisters are gone, gone, gone. AGH!!

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

by Steig Larsson

I kept reading here and there about this book and its two sequels, that I figured I needed to read it asap. The Millennium Trilogy is an international phenomenon and I wanted to be in on it. I became obsessed with finding the book and seeing what the fuss was about. I couldn’t find it a Barnes and Noble so I bought it at a quaint little bookstore in the back of a shopping complex. Really was the last place I expected to find this book.

If you’ve read it you know it’s a quick, gripping mystery/thriller. And the standout of the book is Lisbeth Salander, a complicated heroine with her own sense of morality and a serious attitude problem. She’s such a badass and in some ways I wish I was like her. Lisbeth takes care of business according to her own rules even if it means ripping balls off. Although Lisbeth might not do the right thing according to the majority but I had no problem with her being a woman who won’t be taken advantage of. Lisbeth is a vengeful, violent sometimes infuriating character and at the same time she is incorruptible. Love her.

I recently rented the Swedish adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and was impressed. The actors are real with lines and wrinkles. And Noomi Rapace delivers an asskicking performance. She brings all the nuances to Lisbeth Salander I envisioned. The Swedish adaptation was critically acclaimed and was the most successful movie in Europe last year.  Rent it if you can. 

You need to beg, borrow or steal this book and get into what all the hoopla is about.  Happy reading!

Blaze

by Joann Ross

Gage O’Halloran, hot, bad-boy, ATF Agent on a mission to apprehend serial arsonist The Flamemaster. Tess Gannon is a no nonsense fire cop who is on the trail of the pyromaniac setting fires to buildings in the small town of Sommersett, South Carolina. Together they are on a race against time to stop the next blaze from claiming innocent lives. A perfect summer read with good suspense and enough steamy romance scenes for all lovers of romance novels.

Tess Gannon is a woman whose life revolves around firefighting. And Gage is just the man to aide her on the hunt to find a serial arsonist. Gage is the perfect man. He’s super rich with a private estate on the coast of California, the ability to rent a private jet a moment’s notice and likes to rent Porsches to roam around town. He’s a man’s man who likes to get dirty and likes to take control. Also, firemen just ooze sexiness. Just the type of man I’m looking for.

Tess is a professional woman who is extremely competent and does not engage in stupid things. Tess is my kind of woman. Not afraid to use a man for her own satisfaction. Tess and Gage are a great couple with great chemistry. Their sarcasm and humor were right up my alley. Joann Ross has built enough heat in this book for anyone seeking romance and seductive love scenes.

The ending of the book surprised me very much. I thought I figured out who The Flamemaster was but Ross threw in a twist I was not expecting. Joann Ross is a welcome addition to my list of good romantic suspense authors. I recommend her wholeheartedly.

New and Improved?

I realize I haven't posted for awhile. But I haven't felt like reading much which, for me is uncharacteristic. I guess you can credit still being unemployed, broke, and a bat sh!t crazy landlord for my lack of being able to relax and enjoy a book.  Hell, I haven't even been able to just relax at the beach working on my tan.  However, I finally moved from the dilapidated building and out of the crosshairs of the looney tunes landlord and have finished 3 books in 7 days. Amazingness. So I'm in the middle of a Joann Ross romance about a tough as nails fire cop and am convinced I missed my calling.  At least as a firefighter I could meet other cute muscular, easy on the eyes firefighters. le sigh. I'll be resuming my reviews and hopefully reading some really good books.  Also, I'm contemplating moving to Alaska for a year.  It's like a Nora Roberts novel.  Happy Weekend!