Category: Romance

Contemporary · Mystery/Crime · Romance · Suspense

Ashes, ashes, they all fall dead – Lena Diaz

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18274980| GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ |

Goodreads synopsis: What she doesn’t remember … will kill her.

One by one the letters arrive at the FBI office in Savannah, Georgia. Inside, each bears a name—a victim of a twisted crime—and the singsong phrase Ashes, ashes, they all fall dead. Special Agent Tessa James becomes obsessed with finding the killer whose victims are crying out to her for justice.

When sexy, brilliant consultant Matt Buchanan is paired with Tessa to discover who’s sending the “Ashes” letters, he discovers a serial arsonist who is leaving nothing but murder in his wake. Inexplicably, the clues point to Tessa herself, forcing her to realize that if she can’t remember the forgotten years of her past, the name on the next letter will be hers.

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My thoughts: This book has seriously everything an romantic suspense geek like me can wish for. You get scorching hot characters, a mystery story you think you can foresee but really dont and romantic in the way that it feels like you are actually reading a book. Not an erotic novella where the goal is the sex and everything around it is just a story leading up to the sex. No, here it is so much more. More feelings and relationships that just makes the whole story complete.

This book is an great example of what I search for when choosing an romantic suspense book. There is one more book in the series. This one is book number three. I dont know if Lena Diaz will writhe anymore in this series but I hope so. The last book is about Devlin but I would have loved to read a book about Austin and see how his life turns out. He haven’t had it easy but always been one of those side characters you dont see much off.

Romance

Making the cut – Anne Malcom

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25442666| GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY RATING: ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: Gwen Alexandra does not need a man in her life. Especially not a man who looks like Chris Hemsworth and Joe Manganiello’s love child. One wearing leather, riding a Harley, and covered in tattoos.

Gwen can bet every pair of her Manolos that Cade Fletcher is trouble. From the moment she meets him, the attraction sizzles between them. Gwen has a problem when it comes to attractive men in motorcycle clubs. The last one she got involved with almost killed her.

After healing physically, Gwen decides to get a new start in a small town, half a country away from the man who nearly cost her her life. She isn’t in town five minutes when she runs into Cade, a man that is too sexy and dangerous for his own good.

She tries to keep away from him, to ignore the attraction between them. But the biker has other ideas, soon she is in way over her head. Her heart, and her life are in danger once again.

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My thoughts: I feel that this is gonna be an hard review to write and it will probably not make any sense but I will try my best and hope I can put words on my tougths and feelings.

I had really trouble reading the book. I did not like the way it was written. It was predictable and all the clichés you can think off, they are in the book. I did not really like the female characters either. I feel they were superficial and quite frankly a little stupid. I can’t connect with an character that think fashion is the highest reason to live and constantly thinking about how she or everyone around her looks. And it is described in detail trough out the book. I did not like the relationship between Gwen and Cade and felt that there was no depth and it all was just excessive.

So what did I like enough to give the book a two star rating. I dont know. Really! Even though I wanted to mark it as DNF (did not finish) at 40% in the book, I could not stop reading and I could not stop thinking on the book. I dont know what made me invested in the book but there is certainly something in there that makes it all worth it. I dont know if it is enough to make me read the second book in the series, but it was enough to make me finish it.

Have you ever read a book that you not really like and are on the edge to stop reading, but still there is something unexplained to make you read it anyway? Please tell me.

Romance · Suspense · War/Military

Rekindled – Kaylea Cross

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19547589.jpg| GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis:He left her when she needed him most…

Four years ago, Dr. Grace Fallon lost everything that mattered in a terrorist attack she barely survived. Now she’s stronger than ever and in Pakistan with a UN-sanctioned team for the most important assignment of her career. She’s dedicated her life to eradicating the world of chemical weapons, and long ago accepted the inherent risks associated with her job. Until the man whose memory has haunted her for so long suddenly reappears and inadvertently makes her the target of one of the most dangerous terrorists on the planet. Forced to accept Alex’s protection, it’s impossible to deny the white-hot attraction still burning between them. And while she trusts him to guard her from this new threat, Grace must once again decide whether to risk her heart to the man who once shattered her entire world.

Now he’ll risk everything to win her back…

Four years ago, NSA agent Alex Rycroft left Grace because had no choice. But never again. Malik Hassani has escaped custody, he’s on the run, and has locked onto Grace as a means to target Alex. This time Alex will do whatever it takes to protect her—and convince her to give them another chance. Walking away from her nearly destroyed him and now that she’s back in his life, he can’t let her go. When the unthinkable happens and Grace’s life hangs in the balance, he’ll sacrifice everything to save her—including himself.

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My thoughts: I’m glad I finally got the chance to learn more about Alex and his history. He is the oldest character in the books and the most mysterious. I really liked the plot but it was somewhat slow written. And I feel that in a situation as the 5th book is taking place, should not be slow. At all! I did however like that I got to know how it would go with Dunphy. The 4th book quite ended on a cliffhanger when Dunphy regarded. It was hard to read but with a great end. Perfect when it comes to the circumstances.

Alex end Grace though  is quite slow and some what repeatably. Grace is hurt and I understand that but then they dont really talk about it. It just “fixes” itself and that was an downer.

The story about the terrorist is as exciting as ever. Cant say to much about it without giving out spoilers.

There is one more book in the series. It is an short book on 160 pages and more or less suppose to wrap any loose ends. I have read the five books in the series and will at some point in the future read the last one to. Just to be done. But I dont really feel the need to it. This book did not end on any cliffhangers and what ever question i sit left with is not that important to get an answer to. But I will still read it.

Fantasy/Paranormal · Fiction/Science Fiction · Romance

Voyager – Diana Gabaldon

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Goodreads synopsis: From the author of the breathtaking bestsellers Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber, the extraordinary saga continues.

Their passionate encounter happened long ago by whatever measurement Claire Randall took. Two decades before, she had traveled back in time and into the arms of a gallant eighteenth-century Scot named Jamie Fraser. Then she returned to her own century to bear his child, believing him dead in the tragic battle of Culloden. Yet his memory has never lessened its hold on her… and her body still cries out for him in her dreams.

Then Claire discovers that Jamie survived. Torn between returning to him and staying with their daughter in her own era, Claire must choose her destiny. And as time and space come full circle, she must find the courage to face the passion and pain awaiting her…the deadly intrigues raging in a divided Scotland… and the daring voyage into the dark unknown that can reunite or forever doom her timeless love.

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My thoughts: It took me a while before I started on the third book in the Outlander series by Gabaldon. That’s because the books are really mentally heavy with a lot of information and feelings and after both the first and second book I have felt emotional drained and need time to put myself together. I did start the third book in February 2017 but was not mentally ready yet and could not finished it. But now (October 2017) I´m trying again. The audio book is separated in three parts, probably because it is so large. I decided that I will be reviewing each part by them self. Mostly because i don’t know or probably will not Finnish this book in one go. There is a high chance of me take a break some times during the book. This review will not be public until I´m finished with the book. So I will try to name dates to make it a little easier.

Part One
27 September – 2 October. Started listening again, had to take a break to finish the hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy, but did take it up again at 2 October. If you do not know it, there is a chance to be really confuses because the book starts 20 years in the “future” and you feel like you have missed a couple of books. But no this is correct. I have checked. And it will make a lot more sense later in the book. Even though I’m not sure that I like that way it was build. I would want it more in a chronological order. The part One is mostly about what have happen the latest 20 years and it makes my heart hurt. Off course the book is as always good written with the extreme detail work on both history and scenery. The part one ends a little on a cliffhanger so I will start the second part as soon as I get a chance. Life and work needs a place in my life to.

Part Two
10 – 11 October. Part two was a little more slow than first expected. Here we get to met a lot of the characters from the earlier books and that is just wonderful. To “see” them again and read about what they have been up to the last 20 years. I do feel that Claire in this part is a little to much of a diva. She overreact on somethings and I totally understand Jamie and I feel that a lot of what is happening, he do not deserve. Off course there is some traveling (A lot of traveling in this series) and there is some fights and the some love of course. You get to meet new characters who was not even born the earlier books and you get to meet characters that was born but still just an infant. It is wonderful. But the cliffhanger on the end. OH My! Jamie is soo “dead” or he will wish he was!

Part Three
27 – 31 October. Quite happy that I’m now finished with the book. This last part was kind of slow and not as exciting as the rest of the book. There is a lot of traveling and there is some things you just need to know and that was what kept me going.
Ends pretty great and if I use my imagination, I could stop here and not read/listening further in the series. I probably will in the future but now I need a break.

Overall a great book as usual. The first book in the series is still my favorite and this one is the least favorite so far. There is several books left in the series so that can change in the future. Still would recommend this book to anyone who needs something to read.

Adult fiction/Erotica · Fiction/Science Fiction · Romance · Suspense

Tyrant – T.M Frazier

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Goodreads synopsis: I. Remember. Everything.

Only now I wish I didn’t.
When the fog is sucked away from my mind like smoke through a vacuum, the truth that has been beyond my reach for months finally reveals itself.
But the relief I thought I would feel never comes, and I’m more afraid now than I was the morning I woke up handcuffed in King’s bed.
Because with the truth comes dark secrets I was never meant to know.

I will put the lives of those I love most at risk if I let on that my memory has returned, or if I seek help from the heavily tattooed felon who owns me body and soul.
I don’t know if I’m strong enough to resist the magnetic pull toward King that grows stronger every day.
He’s already saved me in more ways than one. Now it’s my turn to do whatever it takes to save him.

Even if that means marrying someone else…

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My thoughts: I’m so split when it comes to this book. At first I did not like it at all. It is slow, boring and I just want to bang my head in the wall because I also cant stop reading. I need to know how it will end. But if you are strong enough to keep reading, you get that mushi, suspense that is just what the book and story needs.

Well, if you can pass like 60% of the book it is starting to get good. Real good. And I mean, there is twists that I never had foreseen and that totally saved the book up from 1 star to 3 stars. Or like in this blog, hearts. 🙂

Contemporary · Fiction/Science Fiction · Mystery/Crime · Romance · Suspense

Sacred Sins – Nora Roberts

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682156| GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: 
In the lazy days of summer, a merciless heat wave is the biggest story in Washington, D.C. But the weather is knocked off the front pages when a young woman is found strangled to death. A note left behind reads Her sins are forgiven her.

Two more victims soon follow, and suddenly every headline is devoted to the killer the press has dubbed “the Priest.” When the police ask top-notch psychiatrist Dr. Tess Court to help with their investigation, she comes up with a disturbing portrait of a twisted soul.

Detective Ben Paris doesn’t give a damn about the killer’s psyche. What he can’t easily dismiss is Tess. Tall, dark, and good-looking, Ben has a legendary reputation with women, but the coolly elegant Tess doesn’t react to him like other women he’s known — and he finds the challenge enticing.

Now, as the two are thrown together in a perilous quest to stop a serial killer, the flame of white-hot passion flares. But someone also has his eyes on the beautiful blond doctor … and Ben can only pray that if the madman strikes, he’ll be able to stop him before it’s too late….

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My thoughts: The book is from the late 80’s and actually is older than me. But you do not notice the time difference which is great. It makes the book like one of those timeless classics and a book you really notice is written by Nora Roberts when you read it.

Roberts have an huge talent for characters development and it is no difference in this book. Even though it did not happen that much for the majority of the book, it was the progress of the story that just made it all great. Unfortunately the end of the book took away one star in my rating. This because it was to predicable and really no suspense and excitement. It was boring and felt more like Roberts just wanted to be done with the book so the end got rushed.

Contemporary · Romance

Pagan – Jessica Gadziala

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Goodreads synopsis:
Pagan-
Fighting. F@cking. F@cking things up. That was my life. That was how I got out of the world I had been raised in. And it was how I intended to keep living my life.

That was, of course, until I came across her. The game changer.

Kennedy-
Hard work. That was pretty much all you could say my life consisted of. It was what got me out of a rough childhood. It was what made me get my first taste of success. Before things went to hell, that is. But it was what was going to get me back on my feet too. So I didn’t need any distractions. Certainly not one that came covered in scars, blood, leather, and in a cloud of cigarette smoke.

Yet, there he was.
And I was thinking maybe a distraction wouldn’t be that bad, right?

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My thoughts:
My biggest problem with this one is that I totally did not connect with either Pagan or Kennedy. I really did not like Pagan at all. Kennedy was somewhat nice. A girl I probably could have connected with if it was not for that the book was kind of superficial.

As you probably now by now, I love Gadziala and her books. But I do not love every book by her and this is one of them. It felt forced and superficial. Not even the “dark things” was that dark. It took me like 50% before I started to like the book and then it was suddenly over. It all was just a little to easy and a little to perfect.

Dont get me wrong here. I do love a happy ending and I do not want to change that. But the road to that ending dont have to be as fluffy, easy and perfect all the time. Yeah there are happening some “dark” stuff but it all it´s fixed a little to easy.

Maybe I´m not giving the book justice here. Maybe I´m still fucked in my head, since I read the book by Karin Slaughter. Maybe I need some time. Get my head on straight again.

Oh well. One great thing about the book though is that I have started to learn to know some of the new characters and oh my. I see some really good books in the future.

Contemporary · Romance · Suspense

Run To Ground – Katie Ruggle

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32331591| GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY RATING: ♥ ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: He lost his mentor.
He lost his K9 partner.
He almost lost his will to live.
But when a ruthless killer targets a woman on the run, Theo and his new K9 companion will do whatever it takes to survive—and save the woman neither can live without.

Grieving the death of his partner, Theo Bosco has no room in his life for distractions. Though his instincts scream that he should avoid Juliet ‘Jules’ Jackson, he can’t seem to stay away. It doesn’t help that Theo’s new K9 companion has fallen head over paws with Jules’s rambunctious family.

Or that when he’s with her, Theo finally knows peace.

When Jules rescued her siblings, whisking them away to the safety of the beautifully rugged Colorado Rockies, she never expected to catch the eye—or the heart—of a cop. Yet as Jules struggles to fight her growing attraction to the brooding K9 officer, another threat lurks much closer to home…

And this time, there’s no escape.

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My thoughts: I dont know what I expected and had a pretty much of an open mind before I started this book. It is a new series from an author I totally fell in love with earlier last year. I loved that her first series all hang together but still was like stand alones. And even this series is based out in the Colorado mountain. You just get this warm, fuzzy feeling when you read her books. She makes everything come alive and it is like you are there. I can really see the mountains, feel the sun and everything that is around it.

The story however I did not feel for this time. It was no big things really that can give me a concrete reason to why I not liked this book more than a three star rating. It was just a lot of small stuff that made the story not as great as it could have been.

I felt that it was somewhat wordy and repeatedly. The dynamic between Theo and Jules was not as natural as it could have been. And it is pretty irritating that the same words was used to describe his mood and her fright all the time. If you dont have any words left to describe something, you have probably described it to often and it is time to say stop, that is enough. We get it.

I do have to say that I really liked the twist that started up in the end. It was some what predictable but I still liked it because it was a little different from what you first would expect.

There will be more books in the series and even tough this first one not was a top favorite, I still like her books and story’s and I will read more by her. 🙂

Fantasy/Paranormal · Fiction/Science Fiction · Romance · Suspense

Wolf Trouble – Paige Tyler

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Goodreads synopsis: He’s in trouble with a capital T…

There’s never been a female on the Dallas SWAT team and Senior Corporal Xander Riggs prefers it that way. The elite pack of alpha male wolfshifters is no place for a woman. But Khaki Blake is no ordinary woman.

When Khaki walks through the door attractive as hell and smelling like heaven, Xander doesn’t know what the heck to do. Worse, she’s put under his command and Xander’s protective instincts go on high alert. When things start heating up both on and off the clock, it’s almost impossible to keep their heads in the game and their hands off each other…

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My thoughts: I´m still kind of uncertain when it comes to the genre fantasy/shapeshifters. It´s a little to much make believe for my taste but I still need to say that I really enjoy this series. How weird am I? And a hypocrite! Because I can read and enjoy books about worlds that is so far fetched that make these books look like reality, and still I have problem with them. And I blame the Twilight hysteria of 2008 and forward. I read some of the books before they even was a thought about make them into movies, loved them. When the films came out the hysteria around it wanted to make me gag and ever since I have had such problems with vampires, werewolfs and what not. But i´m trying. There is so many good books out there that I want to take part of.

I did like this book more than the first one. I think it is because the story is a little bit more exciting with the stalker and forbidden attraction and what not. But I would have liked to see/feel more from Khaki since she is a new wolf. Only three months in and I feel she took way to easy on the whole situation. At least one freak out would have made it a little more believable.

I do feel a larger connection with the characters this time. Most of them I have meet before in the first book and I really start to love some of the guys in the group and I can hardly wait to read there own books.

Overall an easy read. Doesn’t make your heart beat to hard and fast and you don’t loose any sleep over it but it is still a great read that I could recommend to those who would like this kind of books.

 

Contemporary · Romance · Suspense

14 Weeks – Jessica Gadziala

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33950707| GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY RATING: ♥ ♥|

Goodreads synopsis: I was a bit of a wild child.
I had a past.
I had gotten into trouble.
All that was behind me, though.
And for the first time in my life, trouble had found me.

When the other private investigators wouldn’t help me, I found the huge, hulking Tig willing to lend his expertise. What I didn’t expect was the growing attraction between us or the crazy series of events that would put our budding relationship to the test.

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My thoughts: Well, the book is okay. I got myself through it. But it was not one of my favorites which is to bad. I do really like Gadziala and her books but obviously, I can’t like them all. And this one is not on the top of the list.

I didn’t really like Kenzi. I understand that she wanted to be strong and independent but you don’t have to be a bitch about it. And since it was such an focus on her strength and attitude I felt that Tig just got lost. And the constant repeating of thoughts about them self and each other was a little irritating and later on just boring. When they started a rant about there feelings och thoughts and questions (that they have already ranted about before) I started to skim read. And I hardly never skim read Gadzialas books, even if it´s not one of my favorites. And that just show how unenthusiastic I was about the book.

The story is nice but i would have liked to read more about the abduction because that really was no suspense at all. And I did have ha feeling from the start which made it easy for me to figure out what is what and how. And the part with Kenzie and Cass in the park was just fantastic. I loved that part and I needed that. It probably saved the book a star.

I really liked Reese though and she was hardly not there the entire book. But she is a character I probably will completely love when I get to her book. She will get her man in the Henchman series and there I still have book nr 8 to read before I can read about Reese and she is in book nr 9. But i´m really looking forward to it.