Book Review: Ten Plagues

Author: Mary Nealy
Genre: Suspense, Thriller
Release: October, 2011
Source: Netgalley Rating: 4/5


Description: Join the breakneck chase through Chicago for a murderous maniac. As the victims begin piling up, detective Keren Collins’s spiritual discernment is on high alert. Will she capture the killer before another body floats to the surface? Ex-cop, now mission pastor Paul Morris has seen his share of tragedy, but nothing prepared him to be a murderer’s messenger boy. Will his old ruthless cop personality take over, leading him to the brink of self-destruction? Can Keren and Paul catch the killer before the corpse count reaches a perfect ten?


Review:


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

• The book started off a bit slow. I kept reading because the book sounded interesting and I wanted to know where Ms. Nealy was going to go with it. I'm glad I didn't stop reading.

WHAT I DID LIKE

• I loved the suspense. It kept me wanting to know what would happen next. What will the killer do to show the next plague? Who will be the next victim? And when I found that the killer had been close, I wanted to know who it was.
• Keren and Paul's relationship. There was a bit of romance there, but it wasn't a major part. I like the banter they had. Keren develops feelings, but she's hesitant, not because he's now a preacher, but because of a past incident that he doesn't even remember.
• I liked that Paul still struggled. In the past, his anger was definitely an issue. In his cop days, he was not a likeable man. But, after losing his wife and daughter (first by divorce, then by death) he changed, became a Christian and preacher. He still struggles with his anger, especially during this ordeal. He's not perfect, but he's trying to live right.

I enjoyed reading Ten Plagues. If you're into suspenseful thrillers with a bit of romance, this book is just for you!

Book Review: Blood Trails

Author: Sharon Sala
Genre: Mystery, Romantic Suspense
Release: September, 2011
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3.5/5

Description: Her "father's" deathbed confession reveals that Holly's real father was almost certainly the notorious serial killer known as "The Hunter," and that her mother gave Holly up to save her life. But The Hunter was never caught--and Holly's mother simply "vanished."

In search of her past, Holly leaves both her home and Bud Tate, the handsome ranch foreman she's afraid to love, horrified by the knowledge that the blood of a depraved killer might run through her veins. Haunted, driven, she searches for The Hunter and hopes her mother was wrong.

But her search leads to a terrible truth no one could have imagined, and even Bud's determination to follow and protect the woman he loves may not be enough to save Holly from the terrors of a past become present.

Review: Blood Trails is actually the third, and final, book in Sharon Sala's The Searchers series. The series features three sisters - Maria, Savannah, and Holly - who after their father dies, find out that they really aren't blood related and the man who raised them wasn't their father. He leaves each of them a journal with info that can lead them to their true identity. Each book features a sister and her journey for the truth. Blood Stains features Maria, Blood Ties features Savannah, and Blood Trails features Holly.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

• It was slow at times in the novel.
• Although overall interesting, it was pretty predictable.

WHAT I DID LIKE

• Besides the slow parts of the novel, it held my interest throughout most of the novel.
• The relationship between Holly and Bud was sweet. Bud started out as a family friend, but feelings grew between him and Holly. And I like how protective he was of her.
• I like Holly's strength. She found out some frightening things about her past, but it didn't stop her from looking for justice.
• I like that this book can stand on its own. I haven't read the other two books, but it didn't cause me to be lost while reading Blood Trails.

This book wasn't the best book I've read, but it did hold my interest, especially when Holly discovers the truth and the events that come because of it. And I did find myself rooting for Holly and Bud. If you enjoy romantic suspense, you may want to give this one a try!

I is for...In Seconds (Book Review)

Author: Brenda Novak
Genre: Fiction, Romantic Suspense
Release: August, 2011
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 4/5


Description: In the whole state of Montana, there's nowhere to hide. . .

Laurel Hodges has changed her identity twice. She's been on the run for the past four years, trying to outdistance the men who blame her for the death of one of their own. She's finally found the peace and stability she needs, for herself and her two children, in the small town of Pineview, Montana. But just when she thinks they're safe — the nightmare starts all over again.

The Crew, a ruthless prison gang with ties to Laurel's brother, will never forget and they'll never forgive. And now that they've finally found her again, they'll stop at nothing. It could all end in seconds.

Only Sheriff Myles King stands between Laurel and the men who want her dead. 

Review: In Seconds is Ms. Novak's second book in her Bulletproof series (Inside, being #1). Where Inside focuses on Virgil, In Seconds focuses on his sister, Laurel, who now goes by Vivian. She's running from the gang called The Crew, set on revenge. She's left witness protection with her two kids and now live in a small town, Pineview, Montana. Her next door neighbor happens to be the town's sexy sheriff, Myles King. Laurel develops feelings for Myles, but she fights them, believing she can't trust anyone in law enforcement. Myles develops feelings for Laurel, but is still hurting from his wife's death three years ago. Will these two lovebirds be able to get past their hurts and mistrust? And if they do, will The Crew get to Laurel before they can get something started? You'll have to read to find out!


WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

• The fact that I couldn't put the book down. This is only cos it meant I stayed up til all hours of the night trying to finish the book.

WHAT I LIKED

• The fact that I couldn't put the book down. You know the book's good when you absolutely must keep reading to find out what happens next.
• Ms. Novak paints pictures with her words. I can see in my head the scenes in the book.
• I didn't have to read Inside to understand this book. Though I probably would've understood more had I read Inside, In Seconds can be a standalone book.
• I liked the relationship between Myles and Laurel. They both feel something for each other, but they don't rush and jump right into bed with each other. They took their time. They both had children and they put their children first. 
• The characters were realistic...not perfect; not terribly flawed that I couldn't stand them. They were just right.

If you love romantic suspense, you'll definitely love Brenda Novak's In Seconds. I definitely have to read book #3, In Close.

ARC Review: Midnight Caller

Author: Leslie Tentler
Genre: Romance, Suspense, Mystery, Paranormal
Release: February, 2011
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3.5/5

Description: Late-night radio-show psychologist Rain Sommers is used to the crazies who call in to rage from the back alleys of the French Quarter and the shadows of the bayou. But one caller's chilling obsession with her and her long-ago murdered mother—an iconic singer beloved among the city's Goth community—has even the jaded Rain running scared as a sadistic serial killer known as the Vampire prowls New Orleans.

FBI agent Trevor Rivette is convinced her midnight caller and the killer are one and the same. As it becomes disturbingly clear that the Vampire has a sick bloodlust only Rain can satisfy, she allows Trevor to get closer and closer. But he soon discovers that his secretive past and troubled present are intertwined—and that he may die trying to keep Rain's fate out of a madman's control.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

• The fact that Trevor's dad, who was extremely abusive to his kids (he almost killed Trevor), did all he did and still was able to walk the streets freely. I get that he was a cop and cops protect their own, but I don't know. I think he got off too easily.
• It left me hanging with the paranormal aspect. The serial killer drained the victims' blood and drank it, he looked impossibly young despite being an older guy...but it said nothing about whether or not he was a vamp or just a sick guy blessed with youthful looks.
  
  
• Rain annoyed me at times, especially when the serial killer set his sights on her. I get being independent and wanting to take care of yourself, but I mean come on. When the killer stalked her and Trevor stationed an officer to stay at her house, she snook out of the house to meet Trevor's sister. She made a few not-so-smart decisions like that.
  

WHAT I LIKED

• The description is excellent. I love it when the author's writing allows me to visualize the setting and what's going on.
• Trevor Rivette. I mean, yeah he had major issues stemming from his abusive childhood, but I kind of liked him as a hero.
• Trevor's siblings and the fact that they went on with their lives in spite of what their father did to them. They were still hurting and dealing with the issues, but they moved forward instead of stayed stuck. And they loved their big brother so much, that they wanted him to move forward also.
• The twists and turns kept me guessing. The story was very complex, but it worked.

I'm looking forward to reading the second book, Midnight Fear.

ARC Review: The Lying Game

Author: Sara Shepard
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction, Mystery/Suspense
Release: December, 2010
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3/5

Description: I had a life anyone would kill for. Then someone did.

The worst part of being dead is that there’s nothing left to live for. No more kisses. No more secrets. No more gossip. It’s enough to kill a girl all over again. But I’m about to get something no one else does—an encore performance, thanks to Emma, the long-lost twin sister I never even got to meet.

Now Emma’s desperate to know what happened to me. And the only way to figure it out is to be me—to slip into my old life and piece it all together. But can she laugh at inside jokes with my best friends? Convince my boyfriend she’s the girl he fell in love with? Pretend to be a happy, carefree daughter when she hugs my parents good night? And can she keep up the charade, even after she realizes my murderer is watching her every move?

Review: The Lying Game is a game where Sutton and her friends get together and plan elaborate pranks on other people as well as each other. One particular video, with Sutton as the star, is posted on Youtube and Emma, Sutton's long-lost twin,sees it. She contacts Sutton through Facebook and decides to leave her current foster home to meet the twin (they were separated from each other as litle girls). But when Emma arrives, she quickly finds out that there's more to the video than meets the eye. Sutton is a victim of The Lying Game. Emma has two choices: become Sutton or die.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

• The story is narrated in both Emma and Sutton's voice. This caused the story to get confusing at times...sometimes, you didn't know if it was Sutton or Emma, tho Sutton was actually a ghost.

• Some things were revealed to Sutton and the reader, but not to Emma. So we kind of knew what happened before Emma did.

• Sutton's character is quite unlikeable, tho I understand the "mean girl" image. There were a few (very few) times I actually felt sorry for her.

WHAT I LIKED

• The story, though unbelievable at times, pulled you in. I couldn't put stop reading cos I wanted to know what was going to happen.

• The mystery, "whodunit", element was cool. I won't spoil the ending for you. Just know that it's a series.

• I like Emma's character. She's definitely the more likeable twin!

Fans of Pretty Little Liars (also by Sara Shepard) will definitely dig into this mystery. If you like "whodunit" mysteries, this is the book for you.

P is for The Paris Secret

Author: Angela Henry
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Mystery
Release January, 2011
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 4.5/5

Description:Less than twenty-four hours after fleeing to Paris, Maya Sinclair is the prime suspect in a brutal murder—and targeted by the real killer. When she's viciously attacked in the gardens of Versailles, Maya barely escapes with her life thanks to sexy French journalist Simon Girard.

Simon has been investigating the mysterious death of his brother, an art forger with ties to the woman Maya is suspected of killing. Still healing from heartbreak of his own, Simon reluctantly joins forces with Maya, who has awakened feelings within him he thought long dead.

Their search for answers uncovers the existence of a secret society, and puts them on a quest to find a missing crucifix rumored to hold the key to everlasting life. Together, Maya and Simon race through Paris one step ahead of a killer who will do anything to ensure some secrets remain buried forever...

Review: Ok, can I just say that I love Angela Henry? Cos I do. She's such an awesome writer. I got The Paris Secret expecting awesomeness and I'm glad to say Ms. Henry delivers.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

• While wearing the ring that supposedly belonged to the Black Nun of Moret, a 17th century nun, Maya has flashbacks of the nun's life. This would've been cool if this were a paranormal/fantasy/mystified book, but it's not. It's a romantic suspense. The flashbacks kind of came out of nowhere. Ms. Henry really didn't need them. With that being said, it didn't take away from the awesomeness that is this book.

WHAT I DID LIKE

• I LOVE the character of Maya. She's feisty and strong. Her boyfriend broke her heart, but instead of staying home an wallowing in self-pity, she flies off to Paris to mend her broken heart. What she goes through didn't break her.

• I like the fact that Maya's a librarian, but not a stereotypical librarian.

• The action. I've mentioned it so many times before, but I love action. The Paris Secret had it. It kind of reminds me of something like The Da Vinci Code with secret societies and the "whodunit" factor.

• Simon is a worthy hero for Maya. He's sexy and passionate. He's masculine, but not too masculine enough where you don't see his emotions as he tries to solve his brother's murder. The romance between Simon and Maya is HAWT!

• Through Ms. Henry's descriptions, I can "see" Paris. Her descriptions are vivid.

If you like romance, mystery, and suspense, The Paris Secret is definitely the book to get!