Book Review: Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon

Sunday 3 October, 2010 By 10 Comments


Title: Two Lethal Lies
Author: Annie Solomon
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: September 28, 2010
Paperback: 400 pages
ISBN: 978-0446178457
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Suspense

From the Publisher:

A love to die for… On the run since his daughter was born, Mitch Turner has concealed a truth so dangerous, its discovery could jeopardize both their lives. But when a series of shocking murders hits their newfound home, the trail leads straight to Mitch. With the police out for blood and his daughter ripped from his arms, he has nowhere to turn–until a beautiful stranger offers her help. Neesy Brown has made mistakes in her life, yet she refuses to believe this mysterious man is a killer. There’s a strength in his broad shoulders that draws her to him and a weariness in his eyes that she longs to ease.

My Review:

By now I should definitely know one cannot judge a book by its cover and I am certainly glad I had the wrong impression about Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon! I had presumed, based on the cover, that this was a steamy romance novel and therefore was not looking forward to beginning it, thankfully I was wrong on both counts. Two Lethal Lies is a brilliantly crafted suspenseful mystery with a touch of romance and I was unable to set the book down. Mitch Turner has been on the run for eleven years, since Julia was a baby, constantly shifting from one location to another, often living out of their vehicle, in his attempt to keep their secrets. Julia never questioned why they moved about so much, and Mitch tried to stay off the grid, but one fateful day he saves a girl’s life in Crossroads, Tennessee, forever altering the lives of numerous people from Tennessee, Iowa, and New York. Two Lethal Lies is wonderfully crafted with the very slow unveiling of the various lies, misperceptions, and family loyalties. Solomon delivers a clever and delightful cast of characters and Jules is certain to work her charm into any reader’s heart. The storyline is fast and suspenseful yet the story is filled with unconditional, unwavering devotion and love. I highly recommend Two Lethal Lies to anyone looking for an excellent suspense novel.

About the Author:

A native New Yorker, RITA-winning author Annie Solomon has been dreaming up stories since she was ten. After a twelve-year career in advertising, where she rose to Vice President and Head Writer at a mid-size agency, she abandoned the air conditioners, furnaces, and heat pumps of her professional life for her first love–romance. An avid knitter and mother of a daughter attending college, she now lives in Nashville with her husband.

I received a complimentary copy of Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon from Hachette. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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Book Review: Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

Saturday 2 October, 2010 By 3 Comments


Title: Simply Irresistible (A Lucky Harbor Novel)
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: September 28, 2010
Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN: 978-0446571616
Genre: Fiction, Romance

From the Publisher:

Maddie Moore’s whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won’t be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she’s sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie’s struggles to overcome the past, though she’s about to discover that there’s no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

My Review:

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis is the first in her Lucky Harbor series. Maddie leaves Los Angeles and presumably all her troubles and mistakes behind to move to Lucky Harbor, Washington where her aunt has left her and her two half-sisters, Tara and Chloe, with a dilapidated old inn, Lucky Harbor Resort. Maddie believes this shall be a wonderful new start but she must work on convincing Tara and Chloe that fixing up the inn and running it is the best thing to do with the inheritance. Shalvis’ novel is fun, light-hearted, witty and filled with flawed characters and in a fun, lighthearted storyline, which I truly enjoyed sans the romance. However, this is indeed a romance novel, which I did not quite gather by the title or cover, meaning I did not entirely enjoy the novel which means romance fans should adore Simply Irresistible. Shalvis’ characters are quirky and fun to read about, the novel is very descriptive and quick to read and I enjoyed the addition of the boyfriend scarf pattern at the end of the story. Had this been a work or fiction sans romance I would have enjoyed the book a lot more. Her second novel in the Lucky Harbor series, The Sweetest Thing, is due out in April 2011. While this was not the perfect genre for me, I suggest those who enjoy fun, quirky and charming romance novels to give Simply Irresistible a try.

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author JILL SHALVIS lives in a small town in the Sierras also run by quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books are, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website at JillShalvis.com for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountain adventures.

I received a complimentary copy of Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis from Hachette. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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Book Review: Home Again by Mariah Stewart

Tuesday 28 September, 2010 By 12 Comments

Title: The Chesapeake Diaries: Home Again
Author: Mariah Stewart
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: July 27, 2010
Paperback: 464 pages
ISBN: 978-0345520357
Genre: Fiction, Romance

From the Publisher:

Dallas MacGregor is living the Hollywood dream. At thirtysomething, she’s an award-winning actress beloved by the public and bound for even bigger success. But when her soon-to-be-ex-husband, producer Emilio Baird, is caught in a sex scandal, Dallas’s charmed life turns tabloid nightmare. Determined to shield her young son, Cody, from the ugly uproar, Dallas seeks refuge in sleepy St. Dennis, Maryland—the Chesapeake Bay town where her happiest childhood days were spent.

Reunited with her boisterous great-aunt, Dallas wants nothing more than to leave her Hollywood days behind. And when she crosses paths with local veterinarian Grant Wyler, her high school summer love, she finds he’s everything she remembers, and more—and that the spark is still there. But Dallas’s promising new life takes a troubling turn when the unimaginable happens and she finds herself living a mother’s worst nightmare—and Emilio storms into St. Dennis to save the day, along with his damaged career. Trapped in the unwanted glare of the limelight once again, Dallas discovers that it’s coolheaded Grant who is willing to risk everything to protect her and her son, and to secure the future they were always meant to share.

My Review:

A Hollywood actress hounded by paparazzi due to her soon to be ex-husband’s scandalous affairs flees to her hometown to protect herself and her child is not exactly a new setting for a novel, yet Mariah Stewart pulls it off magnificently in Home Again, the second book in her series, The Chesapeake Diaries. Home Again is a stand-alone novel and the reader is drawn to the small town of St. Dennis where Dallas MacGregor brings her 6-year-old son while her divorce is finalized and the scandal blows over in Hollywood. Naturally, it would not be a romance novel if Dallas did not meet up with an old flame and there is an element of fear and tension in the novel, but to say more would give the ending away. Stewart sets the scene beautifully and creates a Hollywood actress who is relatable, her precocious and adorable son Cody, kindhearted Grant, and her brilliant Aunt Beryl, who happens to be my absolute favorite character in the book. Home Again accurately describes the book, for the reader learns a lot about St. Dennis, crabbing, the locals, and is an all around delightful and at times suspenseful novel. I enjoyed reading Home Again and look forward to the third book in The Chesapeake Diaries, Almost Home Again. I would recommend Home Again to anyone looking for a slower paced, enjoyable and descriptive book.

About the Author:

Mariah Stewart is the award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty-seven novels of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, with her husband, their daughter, and their dogs.

For more reviews of the book, please follow the book tour.

I received a complimentary copy of Home Again by Mariah Stewart from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.

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Book Review: Once Wicked Always Dead by T. Marie Benchley

Friday 24 September, 2010 By 2 Comments

Title: Once Wicked Always Dead
Author: T. Marie Benchley
Publisher: MMWE Publishing House
Publication Date: September 1, 2010
Hardcover: 296 pages
ISBN: 978-0984478705
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Thriller

About the Book:

What happens when a family’s darkest secrets put lives in jeopardy? How far would you go for love?
A sharp mystery that swirls with family secrets, betrayal, love and loss, Once Wicked Always Dead is a strong debut from an author with literary blood in her veins.

The story begins with Molly Madison unaware of the Sociopath who is on the loose, creating havoc with a sense of their own justice. Her life is shattered by the sudden death of her beloved parents and the revelation of her husband Phillip’s affair – with another man – Molly leaves the life of country clubs and the luxury of city life in Florida and heads west to Montana, resolved to run the family ranch, and to move on with her life. Her attraction to Clayton Leatherbe, the ranch foreman, is instant, but before a romance can blossom, the ranch falls prey to sabotage by wealthy land developers determined to drive Molly out, and Clayton learns of a family secret and collides with the Sociopath that could put the ranch – and Molly’s life – in jeopardy.

My Review:

I have struggled with exactly what to say about Once Wicked Always Dead by T. Marie Benchley since I did not care for this novel.   My goal as a book reviewer is to write an honest review without being disrespectful to the author and hopefully I will achieve those goals here. I truly wanted to like the book because the idea of the storyline is an intriguing one, and can be read above in the book synopsis, but unfortunately that is about as much as I cared for.   What I disliked about the book may well be the best place to start. While I do not consider myself a prude, there was far too much profanity for my liking and the gratuitous sex scenes were definitely detailed and not something I enjoy reading about.  I do think that Once Wicked Always Dead is a book that may be enjoyed by readers who like romance novels, drama, and/or soap operas but sadly, I truly do not care for any of those elements.

I received a complimentary copy of Once Wicked Always Dead by T. Marie Benchley from Newman Communications. Receiving a review copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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Book Review: Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning

Wednesday 22 September, 2010 By 4 Comments


Title: Bloodfever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Publisher: Dell
Publication Date: August 26, 2008
Paperback: 368 pages
ISBN: 978-0440240990
Genre: Fiction, Paranormal, Romance

From the Publisher:

I used to be your average, everyday girl but all that changed one night in Dublin when I saw my first Fae, and got dragged into a world of deadly immortals and ancient secrets. . . .

In her fight to stay alive, MacKayla must find the Sinsar Dubh—a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over the worlds of both the Fae and Man. Pursued by assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she can’t trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and powerful men: V’lane, the immortal Fae Prince, and Jericho Barrons, a man as irresistible as he is dangerous.

For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them.

My Review:

Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning is the second in her MacKayla Lane series and is fast paced from beginning to end. One thing I must point out, as it helped me tremendously, would be the glossary Moning includes at the back of the book with definitions and pronunciations, since I am quite new to this genre I would have been lost without the reference. Bloodfever is filled with more action and adventure than the first book, which helped the storyline move at a faster clip and having a better grasp of the Fae, I was quite taken in with the storyline. I honestly would never have thought I would ever care for this genre, but Moning has a wonderful way with words and tells a brilliant story with vivid characters. More characters are introduced in this novel, the storyline is examined more in depth, and questions were answered yet many more were raised as the story went on. Jericho Barrons is still marvelously dark and mysterious and balances out Mac’s character. Mac is still babbling too much and unfortunately she is still going on about all things pink, however she is growing as a character and becoming stronger and more confident, which I hope will mean less babbling and less pink in book three, Faefever. All told, I found myself truly enjoying Bloodfever and look forward to reading book three, Faefever and sharing my thoughts with my readers. If, like me, you are on the fence about this genre, give Moning’s series a go, she truly is a gifted storyteller and she makes the characters come to life. I would definitely recommend Bloodfever to my readers.

About the Author:

Karen Marie Moning graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Society & Law. Her novels have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists and have won numerous awards, including the prestigious RITA Award.

Visit Karen Marie Moning’s website.
Follow Karen Marie Moning on Twitter.
Karen Marie Moning’s Facebook.

For more reviews of the book, please follow the book tour.

I received a complimentary copy of Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.

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Book Review: Vanishing Act by Liz Johnson

Wednesday 1 September, 2010 By 4 Comments


Title: Vanishing Act
Author: Liz Johnson
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Publication Date: August 10, 2010
Paperback: 224 pages
ISBN: 9978-0373444069
Genre: Romance, Suspense

From the Publisher:

Eighteen months ago, Nora James watched as her father was shot in an alley—and then she fled. She changed her name, her appearance and her job, hoping to keep her father’s shooter at bay. For months, it worked…but now her luck has run out. A ruthless assassin is on her trail, and soon Nora, now known as Danielle, will be found. But this time, she has FBI agent Nate Andersen by her side—right? The handsome agent would give his life to protect Danielle, but he’s wary of giving his heart…until a deadly confrontation leaves him with both on the line.

My Review:

Vanishing Act by Liz Johnson is the second in her Love Inspired Suspense series, which I had not heard of prior to reading Vanishing Act and I am very glad to be sharing this book with my readers. For those looking for an excellent suspense novel filled with a non-graphic romantic element then this is a book to read. Nora James is in hiding after witnessing her father’s murder, she has changed her name, appearance, relocated to Colorado and is working a very unique job and feels relatively safe, yet safety can only last so long. Nate Andersen is an F.B.I. Agent who is in charged of finding Nora and protecting from an assassin. Vanishing Act moves at a quick clip as the reader becomes invested in the lives of Nora as well as Nate. The main characters are well developed and Nora’s character is wonderfully written and definitely not the stereotypical heroine. The plot has just the right amount of twists and turns to keep the readers engaged and on their toes. I would recommend Vanishing Act to any reader who is looking for a wonderful suspense novel.

About the Author:

Liz Johnson grew up reading Christian fiction, and always dreamed of being part of the publishing industry. After graduating from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a degree in public relations, she set out to fulfill her dream. In 2006 she got her wish when she accepted a publicity position at a major trade book publisher. While working as a publicist in the industry, she decided to pursue her other dream-becoming an author. Along the way to having her novel published, she completed the Christian Writers Guild apprentice course and wrote articles for several magazines. Liz makes her home in Nashville, TN, where she enjoys theater, exploring the local music scene, and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her two nephews and three nieces. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. Keep up with Liz’s adventures in writing at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com.

I received a complimentary copy of Vanishing Act by Liz Johnson from Liz Johnson to review. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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Book Review: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Monday 23 August, 2010 By 6 Comments

Title: Darkfever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Publisher: Dell
Publication Date: August 28, 2007
Paperback: 384 pages
ISBN: 978-0440240983
Genre: Fiction, Paranormal, Romance

From the Publisher:

MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….

My Review:

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning is the first book in The MacKayla Lane series. Mac’s life is forever changed on July 9 when she learns her older sister Alina was murdered in Dublin. Determined to find out who could have done such a thing, 22-year-old Mac quits her job, drops out of college, and cashes in her savings and heads to Ireland where she hopes to learn what her sister meant in her last message about being deceived and about the Sinsar Dubh. Darkfever chronicles the year Mac spends in Ireland and the knowledge she learns through Fiona and Jericho Barrons. Moning writes a fast-paced novel which is easy to read and oddly compelling, especially considering I do not believe in any sort of magic, otherworlds and the like. Typically I have no interest in this subject matter and yet toward the end of the book I found myself wanting to read the second book, Bloodfever in hopes of having some of my questions answered about Fiona and Barrons. Mac makes an unfortunate heroine, as she is an extremely immature 22 year old. As the book opens, the reader is not aware of her age and I had guessed she was a spoiled and pampered 14 year old. It is my hope that as the books continue I will hear less and less about the various shades of pink she paints her fingernails and toenails and more about her. Aside from her petulance for all things pink and the oddities of the Unseelie, Moning does write an intriguing story of good verses evil and the possible extinction of humankind, so much so that I am indeed looking forward to reading Bloodfever in hopes of gaining insight and answers. I was delightfully surprised that I was pulled into the story, and thrilled there is a mini-glossary of terms for those of us who do not typically read this genre. I would recommend Darkfever to anyone intrigued by the world of the Fae.

About the Author:

Karen Marie Moning graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Society & Law. Her novels have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists and have won numerous awards, including the prestigious RITA Award.

Visit Karen Marie Moning’s website.
Follow Karen Marie Moning on Twitter.
Karen Marie Moning’s Facebook.

For more reviews of the book, please follow the book tour.

I received a complimentary copy of Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.

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Book Review: Desperate Deeds by Dee Davis

Tuesday 10 August, 2010 By 2 Comments

Title: Desperate Deeds
Author: Dee Davis
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: August 2, 2010
Paperback: 400 pages
ISBN: 978-0446542029
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Suspense

From the Publisher:

As the demolitions expert for A-Tac, a black-ops CIA unit masquerading as Ivy League faculty, Tyler Hanson has two great loves: literature and explosives. She lives by the motto “Duty First” and doesn’t have time for personal attachments . . . until a steamy one-night stand turns into a professional partnership.

BURNED BY BETRAYAL
When Tyler meets Owen Wakefield, a handsome British operative, she seduces him with no intention of ever seeing him again. But then the sexy Brit is brought into A-Tac, and despite Tyler’s efforts to keep her distance, she finds herself falling for him. Trusting him.

Owen seems too good to be true – and he is. He’s hiding his true motives and identity, and no matter how he feels about Tyler, he can’t keep her secrets. One of A-Tac’s members has turned traitor and helped terrorists to hijack a shipment of nuclear weapons. As witnesses start dying and evidence starts disappearing, Owen and Tyler must race to find the mole – and prevent a final, cataclysmic act of destruction.

My Review:

Dee Davis does it once again with her third A-Tac suspense novel Desperate Deeds. Having read and reviewed the two previous novels in the series, Dark Deceptions and Dangerous Desires, I would say Davis has outdone herself with Desperate Deeds.  Each A-Tac novel can easily stand alone, however, once one is read, the reader will want to read the others, they truly are that good.  Davis brilliantly masters the genre of suspense and adds in her own twist of romance in such a way that it does not detract from the plot.  The characters are believable and people who would be interesting to at least meet. They are charming, clever, deceptive, and lethal, and yet still work their way into the reader’s heart; most of them anyway.  This time around the team has added a British agent who is quite secretive and the team has a rogue agent who must be flushed out.  Desperate Deeds is filled with enough plot twists to delight any suspense fan and I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone.

About the Author:

Dee Davis has a BA in Political Science and History, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration. During a ten-year career in public relations, she spent three years on the public speaking circuit, edited two newsletters, wrote three award winning public service announcements, did television and radio commercials, starred in the Seven Year Itch, taught college classes, lobbied both the Texas State Legislature and the US Congress, and served as the director of two associations.

Her highly acclaimed first novel, Everything In Its Time, was published in July 2000. Since then, among others, she’s won the Booksellers Best, Golden Leaf, Texas Gold and Prism awards, and been nominated for the National Readers Choice Award, the Holt and two RT Reviewers Choice Awards. To date, she has sold eighteen books and three novellas, including Chain Reaction and A Match Made on Madison.

She’s lived in Austria and traveled in Europe extensively. And although she now lives in Manhattan she still calls Texas home.

  • Five Fun Facts
  • Enter A-Tac
  • Follow @DeeSDavis on Twitter
  • Check out Dee Davis’ blog posts on WhineSisters.com
  • Join Dee Davis on MySpace
  • Visit DeeDavis.com

    • I received a complimentary copy of Desperate Deeds by Dee Davis from Hachette. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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    Book Review: Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt

    Monday 2 August, 2010 By 5 Comments

    Title: Wicked Intentions
    Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
    Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
    Publication Date: July 27, 2010
    Paperback: 416 pages
    ISBN: 9978-0446558945
    Genre: Fiction, Historical Romance, Suspense

    From the Publisher:

    A MAN CONTROLLED BY HIS DESIRES . . .

    Infamous for his wild, sensual needs, Lazarus Huntington, Lord Caire, is searching for a savage killer in St. Giles, London’s most notorious slum. Widowed Temperance Dews knows St. Giles like the back of her hand-she’s spent a lifetime caring for its inhabitants at the foundling home her family established. Now that home is at risk . . .

    A WOMAN HAUNTED BY HER PAST . . .

    Caire makes a simple offer-in return for Temperance’s help navigating the perilous alleys of St. Giles, he will introduce her to London’s high society so that she can find a benefactor for the home. But Temperance may not be the innocent she seems, and what begins as cold calculation soon falls prey to a passion that neither can control-one that may well destroy them both.

    A BARGAIN NEITHER COULD REFUSE

    My Review:

    Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt is the first book in her Maiden Lane series. Temperance Dews is a widow who is running, with the assistance of her brother Winter and maidservant Nell, the Home for Unfortunate Infants and Foundling Children, located in St. Giles. One evening after rescuing yet another baby, Temperance receives a visit from Lazarus Huntington, the notorious Lord Caire, during which they make an agreement. Temperance will show Lord Caire around St. Giles in return for him introducing Temperance to the wealthy and entitled in hopes of finding a new patron for the Foundling home. Temperance has taken on far more than she first thought in meeting up with Lord Caire. Wicked Intentions is a deeply engaging book where the reader is easily drawn not only into the story, but also into life in 18th century St. Giles. Hoyt’s characters are realistic, diverse, witty and strong. Temperance is not the average widow; she is strong willed, disciplined, and clever. Wicked Intentions is filled with mystery, intrigue, witty dialogue, secrets and several delightful plot twists. The second novel, Notorious Pleasures will be available in February 2011. I highly recommend Wicked Intentions to anyone who enjoys well-written historical romance/mystery that is not only engaging but also rather difficult to set down.

    About the Author:

    Elizabeth Hoyt is a USA Today bestselling author of historical romance. She also writes deliciously fun contemporary romance under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in central Illinois with three untrained dogs, two angelic but bickering children, and one long-suffering husband. Please visit her websites for chapter excerpts, book extras, and author appearances: www.elizabethhoyt.com and www.juliaharper.com.

    Further Information:

    Visit the author’s website.
    Follow the author on Twitter.
    The author’s FaceBook page.

    I received a complimentary copy of Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt from Hachette. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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    Book Review: Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden

    Saturday 31 July, 2010 By 7 Comments

    Title: Deadly Fear
    Author: Cynthia Eden
    Publisher: Forever
    Publication Date: July 27, 2010
    Paperback: 416 pages
    ISBN: 978-0446559249
    Genre: Fiction, Romance, Suspense

    From the Publisher:

    TWO BRILLIANT AGENTS
    FBI Special Agent Monica Davenport has made a career out of profiling serial killers. But getting inside the twisted minds of the cruel and the sadistic has taken its toll: She’s walled herself off from the world. Yet Monica can’t ignore fellow agent Luke Dante, the only man who ever broke through her defenses.
    ONE DREAM TEAM
    Luke has the unique ability to put victims at ease . . . professionally, he and Monica made a perfect team. Now they’re reunited to catch a murderer who uses his victims’ deepest, darkest fears for sport – but their investigative skills aren’t enough. Luke and Monica will have to face the secrets from their past, the ones that terrify them the most, if they are to have a future together.
    But can they catch a killer whose weapon is . . .
    DEADLY FEAR

    My Review:

    Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden is a fast-paced thriller with the added elements of romance and mystery amongst the members of the Serial Services Division of the FBI.  Special Agent Monica “Ice” Davenport is a profiler with a hidden past who is about to be partnered up with an old fling, Agent Luke Dante, who is new to the Serial Services Division of the FBI and eager to show the team he is worth being there.  Luke and Monica are sent to coordinate efforts with Jasper County’s sheriff Hank Davies to help stop a serial killer who is intelligent, sadistically brutal, appears to know his victim’s biggest fears, and is not only escalating in his killings; he is also targeting Special Agent Davenport.  Agent Davenport may need to confront her past to survive this case.   Deadly Fear is a definite page-turner, which takes the reader through a maze of clues, setbacks and plot twists making Deadly Fear an exceptional book to read.  I have two minor complaints about the novel and the first is not legitimate and the second is minor.  I know this is a romance suspense novel but it would have been just as good without the romance sections and as I mentioned, that one truly is not a valid complaint as it is the genre of the book.  The second is more a pet peeve of mine and in this case it came in the form Luke’s apparent habit of calling Monica “baby”, pet names have always irritated me, minor as I said and did not detract from the novel.   With those being my only grievances, minor as they are, I can say without a doubt, this is a brilliant suspense novel.  The characters are flawed which makes them all the more vulnerable and realistic.  Deadly Fear is the first novel in Cynthia Eden’s newest series and fortunately her next book, Deadly Heat will be available in February.  I recommend Deadly Fear to anyone who likes a well thought out and planned suspense novel.

    About the Author:

    Cynthia Eden also writes tales of paranormal suspense and erotic romance for Kensington Brava, Avon Red, and Red Sage. In college, she majored in Communication and Sociology, graduating summa cum laude and spending many hours working on the campus paper. She soon decided writing fiction was much more fun than just sticking to the facts. Later, as she traveled the long and bumpy road to romance publication, Cynthia was employed as a teacher and a college counselor. She is a member of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the RWA and Mensa.

    Further Information:

    Visit the author’s website.
    Follow the author on Twitter.
    Five Fun Facts.
    The author’s FaceBook page.
    The author’s MySpace page.

    I received a complimentary copy of Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden from Hachette. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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