Treachery in Death

Detective Eve Dallas and her partner, Peabody, are following up on a senseless crime-an elderly grocery owner killed by three stoned punks for nothing more than kicks and snacks. This is Peabody's first case as primary detective-good thing she learned from the master. 
But Peabody soon stumbles upon a trickier situation. After a hard workout, she's all alone in the locker room when the gym door clatters open; and-while hiding inside a shower stall trying not to make a sound-she overhears two fellow officers, Garnet and Oberman, arguing. It doesn't take long to realize they're both crooked-guilty not just of corruption but of murder. Now Peabody, Eve, and Eve's husband, Roarke, are trying to get the hard evidence they need to bring the dirty cops down-knowing all the while that the two are willing to kill to keep their secret.

I have had this book, in ebook format, in my possession since it was published, but as usual didn't get around to reading it...until now.  You can't go wrong with a J.D. Robb book, you have a great story, great characters, and great suspense and of course there's Roarke.


I couldn't put this book down.  I loved that the author focused on strong female characters in this book.  You have Eve, which uses her power and skills to get justice for those that cannot do it themselves, there's also Peabody who is being trained by the best Homicide detective around and who believes that an officer has a duty to uphold the truth at all times. And then there's Oberman...wow...I loved her character. She uses her power within the police force for her own gain.  She is a master manipulator.  Oh my goodness, she was quite a character, she was so bad, and she was good at it too.  I don't want to give away too much of the story...


I can't wait to get my hands on the next book, New York to Dallas.


Treachery In Death by J.D. Robb (4.5/5) Futuristic Romantic Suspense; Published: Putman Adult (2/2011); Series: # 32, Eve Dallas; TBR read; Format: Ebook for Kindle; Mystery Suspense Reading Challenge 2012 (7); Books 2012 (31) 

Out of Body

Forced to witness unspeakable horrors...

Born of an ancient family of clairvoyants, Marley Millet finds that her psychic gift is both unsettling and incredibly dangerous.  She never wants to "travel" again - but the choice is not hers to make.

After glimpsing the fates of two missing New Orleans jazz singers, Marley knows she has no choice and must speak up before more women disappear.  Flinty cop-turned-writer Gray Fisher, who interviewed both chanteuses before they vanished, takes special interest in Marley's incredible story - and in Marley.

Scouring the wild clubs of the French Quarter, Marley and Gray make an unlikely and uneasy team.  But their determination is matched only by the heat between them...and the evil they uncovered.

It's been years since I last read a Stella Cameron novel.  She used to be one of my must read authors, but I slowly got tired of out she was writing, I don't quite remember when and why that happened but it did.  I got this book along with the other books of the Court of Angels trilogy through a book swap.  They've been in my TBR pit for almost two years.  It's about time I got around to reading them.

I found it very hard to get into the book.  It felt complicated and hard to follow and at times it was dull.  Thank goodness I made it halfway through, and then it happened...The story actually got interesting, Marley and Gray actually made an effort to get to know each other, Marley spent most of her time keeping Gray at arms length. Eventually she gives him a chance and bam they end up in bed together.  I have a problem with that, I didn't find that realistic it felt like the author just put a sex scene there because she had to....didn't make sense for me.

The suspense/mystery in the book was very good.  It had me guessing throughout the book, had a few thoughts on who done it and why but I was surprised on the cuprits.  I have to say that the paranormal added an extra layer of creepiness to story and overall it was a pretty good story.

Out of Body by Stella Cameron (3/5) Romantic Suspense; Published: Mira (2010); Series: # 1, Court of Angels; Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2012 (1); TBR Read; Books 2012 (7);

Austin

World champion rodeo star Austin McKettrick finally got bested by an angry bull. His career over, his love life a mess, the lone maverick has nowhere to go when the hospital releases him. Except back home to Blue River and the Silver Spur ranch. But his overachieving brothers won't allow this cowboy to brood in peace. They've even hired a nurse to speed his recovery. Paige Remington's bossy brand of TLC is driving him crazy. As is her beautiful face, sexy figure and silky black hair.

Paige has lost count of how many times Austin has tried to fire her. She's not going anywhere till he's healed—body and heart.

And by then her place in his life just might become permanent….

The final book of the trilogy and the final brother and sister. I know I've mentioned before but it still bothers me. This book also shares the theme of the first book, high school sweethearts.

Here's how I saw this one. Austin is a stubborn man, he knows what he wants and he isn't afraid to do the hard work to achieve it. But when he hurts himself bull riding his brother hire Paige as his nurse/babysitter. Paige is in between jobs and needs a distraction to all the wedding business going around so she accepts the challenge/job.

I found their story to be truthful. In the way that sometimes you carry these residual feelings from things that happened to you as a teen. Especially when you think you are in love. That being said, Austin and Paigeare good together, they have that connection that I didn't feel with the other two books. Plus their banter was very entertaining.

The secondary plot, which was develop throughout the series seemed to truly hit the high and low in this book. I found that too much happened too quickly. Maybe it could have been divided up a little better...but that's just my opinion.

Austin by Linda Lael Miller (3/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: HQN Books (6/2010); Series: # 3, The McKettricks of Texas; Source: TBR Read; Books 2011 (39);

Garrett

Fast track up the political ladder, fast cars, fast women - that's Garrett McKettrick. Make that was. A scandal has brought him home to Blue River, Texas, a place where a man can slow down, take stock and plan his next move. Which doesn't include staying at the family ranch with his brothers. A city boy, Garrett doesn't think he has the land in his blood.

But Blue River has other attractions, like his former high school nemesis, Julie Remington. Now a striking woman, Julie comes complete with a four-year-old cowboy, a three-legged beagle and deep ties to the community. Good thing they have nothing in common...except their undeniable attraction a future brighter than the Texas sun.

Another nice story starring a McKettrick and a Remington. Am I the only one that thinks it's strange that three brothers would fall for three sisters - the premise of the series. I think it is, but that won't stop me from reading the books.

Garrett is in a crossroads of sorts, the Senator that he worked for is involved in a scandal and Garrett is licking his wounds at home. I found him somewhat naive when it came the the "good" senator. Or maybe just idealistic about this person he put on a pedestal. Julie is a high school English teacher who is also in charge of the theatre program at school, she has a asthmatic child who she at times over protects. All of the sudden the absent father wants to be a part of the child's life and Julia is having a hard time adjusting. Garrett and Julia are instantly attracted to each other and suddenly the feelings run deeper than they thought they would.

Like I said above it was a nice story, the characters likable enough, the sex scenes were good but I found their connection to be lacking. I'm starting to sound like a broken record....

Garrett by Linda Lael Miller (2.75/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: HQN Books (5/2010); Series # 2, McKettricks of Texas; Source: TBR Read; Books 2011 (38);

Tate

There are barely enough hours for divorced dad Tate McKettrick to run the Silver Spur ranch, do the suit-and-tie thing for his business and run herd on his beloved six-year-old twin daughters. But time stands still at the sight of Libby Remington. When they were high school sweethearts, the wealthy McKettrick couldn't convince Libby he loved her. But now they're both back in Blue River, Texas. And cattle rustlers, a manipulative ex-wife and a killer stallion can't keep him from trying again.

Libby has her hands full taking care of her mother—and running the Perk Up Coffee Shop. Caffeine, she needs. Tate McKettrick, with his blazing blue eyes and black hair? No. Oh, heck—yes. But can they really hope for a second chance?

I tend to like the high-school sweathearts give it another chance theme. And I was pretty excited about reading Linda Lael Miller again. It's been years since I've read a book by her, she used to be a must read years ago. I loved her historicals.

I liked Tate and Libby. They are both very good characters, but for the life of me I cannot understand their attraction. There was something missing, and I can't pinpoint it either. So reading this book involved more skimming than anything else. I guess overall it was ok. Just ok.

Tate by Linda Lael Miller (2.5/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: HQN Books 1/10); Series: # 1, McKettricks of Texas; Source: TBR Read; Books 2011 (37)

Driftwood Cottage

Single mom Heather Donovan's dreams of home and family are tantalizingly within reach when she settles in Chesapeake Shores. The welcoming arms of the boisterous, loving O'Brien clan embrace her and her son. But accepting their support seems to further alienate her son's father, Connor O'Brien. His parents' divorce and his career as a high-powered divorce attorney have left him jaded about marriage.

Then everything changes. Will the possibility of a future without Heather make Connor look at love and his career differently? Heather's just about given up on her old dreams—of love, of family and especially of Driftwood Cottage, the home she secretly wishes were hers. It's going to take a lot of persuasion—and some help from the O'Brien family—to make Heather believe that some dreams are worth fighting for.

Reading Sherryl Woods is like having comfort food. Soothing, satisfying and it hits the spot. And Driftwood Cottage definitely hit the spot.

Of all the quirky O'Brien's Connor is the least known. He's a very successful divorce attorney, and his job has left him jaded when it comes to marriage. Heather on the other hand, although she had a bad example for a god marriage growing up, she hasn't lost hope that marriage to the right person is magical and loving. If only Connor could see the light...

This book is all about Connor's reluctance to marry. And by the end of the book I was ready to scream. Enough! But overall it was what a wanted, cosy comfort.

Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods (3/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: Mira (3/2011); Series: # 5, Chesapeake Shores; Source: TBR Read; Books 2011 (35)

Love and Mayhem

Try getting married when your betrothed can wield an iron pot with deadly accuracy, her mad uncle thinks he's William Wllace, and her two maiden aunts can't finish a sentence - or a thought - on their own...

Sir Iain Armstrong is trying to wed Lady Marion, a convent-raised spitfire. All Iain wants to do is fulfill his father's wishes, appease two royal courts, and do what is best for the future of Scotland by putting an end to all the troubles in his part of the Borders. All Lady Marion has to do is agree to marry him, which is the last thing on her mind when Iain arrives at the convent. Until she realizes that Iain is a man of courage, intelligence, and seductively powerful shoulders. But now her eccentric family might do what she's already failed to do-drive him away forever.

I've had this book in my TBR pit for a very long time. I'm not sure when it was bought, but after reading the blurb I know why I bought it, funny historical MIK read. I love those!

And for the first half of the book I thought that I was correct, but somewhere it somehow just unraveled for me. I lost interest and I skimmed the rest of the book, and not even the mad rants of the heroine's uncle helped.

I hate when that happens!

Love and Mayhem by Nicole Cody (2.5/5) Historical Romance; Published: Signet Eclipse (4/2006); New Author; TBR Read; Books 2011 (27);