The Prey

by Allison Brennan

Rowan, gorgeous ex-FBI agent, has a big problem; someone is committing crimes from her bestselling crime books. And it looks like the next victim is going to be her. Fast-paced, a lot of romance and a hot ex-Special Forces bodyguard make this a book not to miss.

Michael has a penchant for falling for clients and Rowan is no exception. Lanky, blond and good-looking make her irresistible to the man hired to protect her. Unfortunately for him he has a brother with muscles for days and gorgeous hair to fight with for the affections of the lovely lady. Fortunately, for the reader Joe wins out. Always out to get the bad guy, sensitive, caring, athletic and a bit dangerous makes him just about perfect. Rowan and Joe are a great couple and I enjoyed reading about them throughout the search. It always amazes me that in books true love is found in 3 days while a maniac is on the loose trying to kill you and those close to you. I guess that’s the only way I’ll find a hot ex-Special Forces guy.

The story was engaging and fast-paced. The secret that Rowan was keeping was complex and sad and definitely made her human and identifiable. There are twists and turns that will have you engrossed until the end. I’m a sucker for well-written killers and the reasons behind their actions. And The Prey didn’t disappoint. I almost wanted the killer to live. He was fascinating and smart and kept me on my toes.

I liked Rowan and Joe and their chemistry so much I hope they have a sequel. It’s nice to believe that romance can bloom, blossom and sustain in less than a week with a rugged handsome man. Definitely enjoyable. Allison Brennan is on my authors to watch list.

Dumped by Text Message

Miley & Nick, Chace & Carrie, both dumped via text message by their young boyfriends. I always thought that’s the price of young love nowadays in the tech age. Courting, relationships and dissatisfaction are all now communicated through a type pad on a Smartphone. You don’t even have to know how to spell because the phone auto-completes the words for you.


Being a young, somewhat attractive, thirty-something I believed my relationships were with smart sophisticated, older men, who know how to communicate in person. But I was wrong. Absolutely wrong.

I was dumped via text message two weeks ago: I’m trying to do the ‘right’ thing…but let’s keep in touch.

I had so many questions. Namely, who does this over the age of 25?! With someone they’ve known over 6 months? I felt like Carrie when Berger dumped her with a post-it note. Seriously, a text message? I don’t know what the ‘right’ thing. But for me it’s being a man and talking to a woman you’ve been seeing. 

I’m just wondering, is there any hope if a man, in his 30’s, communicates about a relationship via text message? I guess I need to start dating much, much older. Hello, any single man, older than 40, I’m available.

The Hourglass Door

by Lisa Mangum

Deciding that I wanted to continue my latest interest in teen romance I picked up this book. The plot sounded interesting; an Italian exchange student,Dante, comes to town and he’s hiding a secret. What kind of secret I wondered. Obviously something to do with a mysterious door. Abby, enamoured by the Italian, must discover what secrets are hidden before she falls in love with him.

The story was stale and the plot was slow. Dante and Abby have no chemistry. By the end of the story I was perplexed why she loved him and would risk herself to be with him. Abby had a perfectly good boyfriend in Jason albeit a bit boring. Who cares if there were no sparks during the first kiss.   The secondary characters were bland.  The only one I thought was okay was Leo but he talked a LOT about mysteries of yonder.  Kind of boring.

The supernatural aspects of the story were confusing. Time and the absence of time and living outside of time were a bit too complicated for me to understand. And by the time the otherworldly aspects of the plot came into play I didn’t care.

I was ready to stop reading less than halfway through the book. It was slow and uninteresting. Save yourself the time and move on to something other than The Hourglass Door.

That Perfect Someone

by Johanna Lindsey

I think I’m in love. With Richard Allen. Pirate and artistocrat. Tall, long black hair that skims the shoulders, broad shoulders, sensual lips, green eyes, good kisser. Oh yes, I’m in love.


He had to come back. She was married to someone else but he couldn’t stay away. But he didn’t count on meeting another beautiful woman, Julia Miller. But theirs is no easy romance. How could it be when they were engaged when they were 5 by their parents?

They makeout in a country inn, have sex on a boat, swim almost nude in a lake, cuddle in bed and kiss a whole bunch. In between they try to break the arrangement their parent’s made for them years ago. And Richard must deal with the past hurts suffered at the hand of his father. Their plan is idiotic and misguided. But the story really is just fodder to fantasize about the delectable Richard Allen.

He’s flirtatious, sarcastic, funny, caring, dominate at all the right times, sensual and passionate. I didn’t want his story to end. I just keep looking at the gorgeous man on the cover and dream…

He had me when he said: She’s little spitfire…but when she stands in your corner, it’s rather endearing. Absolute hotness. Richard Allen is now #1 on my Sultry Six.

Paradise Wild

by Johanna Lindsey

As far as romances go Paradise Wild has to be one of the worst love stories I’ve ever read. Jared and Corrine are the antithesis of a loving and caring relationship. Like Heathcliff and Catherine they bring out the absolute worst in each other, but neither has any redeeming or sympathetic quality. I finished the book quickly. I couldn’t put it down; it was like a horrendous car wreck that you can’t take your eyes off of.


Corrine is a young, spoiled, petulant, obnoxious, insecure girl who is obsessed with clothes, jewelry and gambling. Her goal is to find a man whom her father approves and make sure she can dominate him in the relationship. Corinne’s condescending dialogue towards everyone in the beginning of the book had me hating her less than 20 pages in.

Jared has serious anger management issues. Mixed with that is his body and soul consuming hate towards Corinne’s father. A man he blames for killing his mother. And if destroying Mr. Barrows destroys Corinne well then so be it.

Johanna Lindsey seems to have thought that bringing together a couple based on rape was a good foundation for an everlasting relationship which results in an unplanned pregnancy. Combined with a husband that deserts you less than a day after the wedding is not a romantic combination.

To exact revenge on her husband Corinne decides to move to Hawaii to flaunt her wanton behavior with the island men in her husband’s face. Not a brilliant move, especially if your husband has anger management problems. Throughout the story they rape, yell, hit, bruise and mistreat one another with anger sex mixed with lust thrown in. And every character in the book seems to think it’s okay to be abused if it’s love and the sex is hot.

Corinne through all her faults comes across as the more sympathetic character through her love and care of her son. Jared is a creep who needs to go back to his mistress.

Unless you like stories based on misogyny and hate and evil I suggest you forget this book was ever published and move on to something a little bit more fun and loving.

Unspeakable

by Laura Griffin

This was one of the best romances I’ve read in a long long time. I finished it last week and I’m still thinking about it. It’s the perfect combination of mystery, forensics, romance, action, great plot and fabulous characters. Troy and Elaina are the perfect couple who set off sparks that will keep you reading. Loved it!

Elaina McCord is a newbie FBI agent sent to the worst place after graduation, a remote town in Texas near the Mexican border. Here she catches her first case, a string of murders, victims all young women. Shut out by the locals, all men, Troy Stockton, true crime writer, is willing and able to help out the sexy Agent.

I loved these characters, separately and together. Elaina is the girl who always did the right thing and wants to impress afraid to mess up. She wants to be taken seriously by her male co-workers. I identified on a lot of levels with Elaina. I loved her. I think we could be friend. Troy is the redeemed bad boy who genuinely wants to help the newbie solve the case. Laura Griffin has created a palpable tension between these two characters before they even kiss. Being let in on their smart dialogue as they methodically work the case is a thrilling and engrossing as you’re pulling for them to get together.

Their relationship isn’t easy but it’s real and taut with the undercurrents of trust and distrust and passion and sex and danger. Theirs is a romance with red hot and delicious sex. Troy is smart and sexy, with a strong work ethic and a penchant for fast cars or slower trucks when need be. He’s not intimidated by strong women and he likes to give…and take. Elaina could take care of herself but Troy was there for support.

As the clues come together and the DNA tests are being conducted and bodies are piling up…you’re in for great storytelling with a great ending. How could he kill…why did he kill…is there a future for Elaina and Troy because they deserve one.

Out of the Storm

by JoAnn Ross

I think it’s time for me to move on from JoAnn Ross for a bit. I'm a bit bored with her stories right now. This book is part of the Stewart Sisters trilogy but this is the first book from the series I’ve read. I enjoyed it but I didn’t think it was anything that I haven’t read from Ross before.

White House correspondent Laurel Stewart is drawn to Somersett, South Carolina, after she discovers her roommate and friend has gone missing while on a business trip. She has some psychic abilities but they come out of nowhere and as a reader I was a bit lost while Laurel is detailing the intimate details of another murder in Somersett.

Joe Gannon is the homicide cop who meets Laurel at the station while she’s giving trying to find her friend. And damn, he just loves sexy Laurel. Because there are no hotel rooms available Laurel has to stay in the extra bedroom of Gannon. Together they must solve a mystery and give in to the passion. Which they do.

The mystery is a good read. It stalls a little bit in the middle but it’s enjoyable. Great if you’re looking for something light and fun and easy to read.