LIFE, ROMANCE AND ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS

Share,Talk, Read and Write about Life, Romance, Flying and other things.....

Tuesday 27 December 2016

Review: For All Eternity (Vampire, #2) by Linda Lael Miller (Goodreads Author)

For All Eternity (Vampire, #2)For All Eternity by Linda Lael Miller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this vampire series by Linda Lael Miller.
The first book was Forever and the Night, the story of Aidan Tremayne - see my review here https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... .

For All Eternity, the 2nd book is Maeve Tremayne, Aidan's sister's story. I loved Maeve from the very beginning and I was looking forward to her finding her very own HEA.

The story takes place over centuries. Maeve meets the mortal Dr Calder Holdbrook during the American Civil War, where they are tending to the sick and injured in the battlefields.

They fall in love but their happiness does not come quickly or easy. It will take many meetings over many years before the two finally are able to be together for eternity.

Fabulous characters...............meeting up with the evil super vampire queen Lisette, and Valerian, the maker of Maeve and Aidan. I cannot wait for his book...which is next.......YIPPEE!!!

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Review: Connected (Connections, #1) by Kim Karr (Goodreads Author)

Connected (Connections, #1)Connected by Kim Karr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Connected by Kim Karr is the 1st book in her Connections Series and the 1st that I have read by this author.

Okay, so I love rockstar stories so I was really looking forward to this one...also there were a lot of good reviews.

I didn't exactly hate this story...just didn't love it like I thought I would. It was like a case of I like it and that's that.

The story just dragged on a bit and the heroine was a bit annoying.....her whole thing with her dead fiancee drove me up the wall..........

I am going to read the next part and hopefully it will be a "love it" one story

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Review: A Child Claimed by Gold by Rachael Thomas (Goodreads Author)

A Child Claimed by GoldA Child Claimed by Gold by Rachael Thomas
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

A Child Claimed by Gold by Rachael Thomas is not only an idiotic title......really, where does the whole Gold thing come into the story I have no idea...perhaps I'm too stupid to pick it up.........but to be totally honest.....the hero and heroine in this more than mediocre story are beyond "stupidious"......
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The plot is so ludicrious that I had a few of moments like this one......l
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Abandonment issues, trust issues.......a bad childhood for the Russian hero...blah blah blah................the heroine...just whined and whined.......geez.....get with the programm girl!!! These two were a terrible match!!! Well, for me at least....

Another "dud" from Mills and Boon!!! Please please let the next one be a good one!!!!! Here's hoping!!!

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Review: Bought to Carry His Heir by Jane Porter (Goodreads Author

Bought to Carry His HeirBought to Carry His Heir by Jane Porter
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Bought to carry his Heir is written by Jane Porter, one of my bestest Mills and Boons authors, set on a Greek Island, has a Greek hero...so what could go wrong!!!! Well, lots and lots!!! I was totally be-dazed with this book!!
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I absolutely hated this story.....Nikos Panos, the Greek billionaire, hires Georgia Nielson to be a surrogate for his child....now, that doesn't sound too bad, right!!! Wrong!!! Guess why he chose Georgia? Because she's smart...yes....because she's healthy.....I guess so....what we do know for sure is that he chose her because she looks EXACTLY like his dead wife!!!!
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Seriously!!! I kid you not!!! How weird is that!!!!!

Now, that's not the only reason that I nearly made this book one of my few DNF's............yes, I did finish it because it is a JP book.......but let me tell you that these two main characters were beyond unlikable.

The heroine was cold...icy cold would be a more apt description of her. And the hero was to stupid for words!!!
I would hate to have had these two as my parents.......I just pity their poor child!!!!

This is one book I can't really recommend...even if you are a Jane Porter fan!!!

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Review: A Stone-Kissed Sea (Elemental World, #4) by Elizabeth Hunter (Goodreads Author)

A Stone-Kissed Sea (Elemental World, #4)A Stone-Kissed Sea by Elizabeth Hunter
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1,5 star

I became a fan of Elisabeth Hunter since I read A Hidden Fire, the 1st book in her Elemental Mysteries Series and I loved the spin-off, Elemental World Series - you can read my reviews on the first three books here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Needless to say, I was so excited with the arrival of book #4 - A Stone-Kissed Sea...............but that excitement soon began to fade..............throughout most of the story I spent doing more of..........
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YES.........dragging my body on the floor....trying...oh trying so very hard not to give up!!!

The story just dragged on and on.....pretty much like me on the floor!!!

The main characters...the hero....ancient vampire Lucien Thrax and the heroine, Makeda.....the human beyond intelligent scientist who never ever wants to become a vampire whilst working in the vampire world....suddenly turns beyond stupid when she's turned to save her life!!!!!OOOh, then it's hate hate hate poor old beyond stupid hero, Lucien...who just by the way did not turn her into a monster vampire...his friend did...alright Lucien did ask him to do it!!!
The two spend more time snipping and ignoring each other than any kind of loving..........I just never felt the loving...the chemistry between these two. I couldn't give a toss what happens to them.........I wanted to go out there and find a cure for their malady..........
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.............but I guess I ran out of energy after all that floor crawling!!!!

Anyway, the plot just keeps getting more and more OTT...........the ancient vampires are on a power roll....Lucien and Makeda are working on a cure for Elixir ...remember, the poison killing off vampires and humans!!!! So, let's lots and lots of travel...by private jet....by private boat.....and lots of other methods!!! Lots and lots of very very boring boring ancient vampires...........there are so many characters in the story that I had to keep reminding myself who was who!!

Although we get to see some characters from the previous books......which was the only thing that made me continue turning the next page...........what would have made it more bearable was if I could have been given a glimpse of Giovanni Vecchio and Beatrice De Novo.........which we don't get...we just get his private jet!!!

I know I'm in the minority here about this book..........all the reviews I've seen have been 4 and 5 stars............so, don't let me put you off reading this book............it's just for me................A Stone-Kissed Sea did not turn out to be a reading-kissed experience!!!!

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Monday 12 December 2016

Review: The Hot Zone: Rainshadow Island: Book 3 by Jayne Castle (Goodreads Author)

The Hot Zone: Rainshadow Island: Book 3The Hot Zone: Rainshadow Island: Book 3 by Jayne Castle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hot Zone #3 in Rainshadow Series and #11 in Harmony Series takes us back to Rainshadow Island, where Halloween is happening right now.

Sedona Snow, the manager of the local town's small hotel and bar is trying to get her life together after the tragedies that she has had in her past life. She and her dustbunny, Lyle have been living a quiet life for a while, but things are going to change dramatically for her.

When a problem occurs in the catacombs, the ghost hunters arrive trying to sort out the problem. Danger and adventure..........
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Cyrus Jones the new Guild boss has a secret agenda regarding Sedona. Of course, Lyle has good reason not to trust this guy!!!!
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The chemistry between Cyrus and Sedona is pretty hot!!!! Passion, romance....and HEA!!!!

A nice, quick and enjoyable read and a fab addition to the series.

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Review: Deception Cove (Rainshadow, #2; Harmony, #10) by Jayne Castle (Goodreads Author)

Deception Cove (Rainshadow, #2; Harmony, #10)Deception Cove by Jayne Castle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We're back to the world of Harmony and Rainshadow Island!!!

I loved Deception Cove, the 2nd book in Jayne Castle's Rainshadow Series.

Magic shows, disappearing acts, magical dustbunnies, strange things happening in the island's Preserve, lost crystals...............romance.....fabulous characters............a total magical ride.

Alice North can disappear .....that's her talent and together with her fab dustbunny, Houdini...just love his name....have a magic act, which has come to an end when her show is cancelled. Without money or job potentials, she makes a deal with gorgeous billionaire businessman, Drake Sebastian, who needs her talent to finding some kind of crystals that will stop a terrible thing from happening on the island...yes, mad scientists, scorned lovers........marriage of convenience......and a HEA!!!

I love this weird and wonderful world that the author has created and the characters are so unforgettable.....Houdini and Darwina, with her Amberella doll - these two are the cutest and adorable dustbunnies ever!!!! The dustbunnies add a certain charm to the series and I can't get enough of them.

Yes, a fab read, yet again!!!

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Review: The Lost Night (Rainshadow, #1; Harmony, #9) by Jayne Castle (Goodreads Author)

The Lost Night (Rainshadow, #1; Harmony, #9)The Lost Night by Jayne Castle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Lost Night is 2nd book in the Rainshadow Series and we go back to and takes us back to the isolated Rainshadow Island, and its inhabitants.

Harry Sebastian, descendant of one of the original settlers of Rainshadow Island, has been asked by his family to find out what is happening at the island's mysterious Preserve. He meets up with Rachel Bonner, whose psychic power is that of recognizing evil auras in people. She has settled on the island with her dustbunny...naturally.............and runs her great-aunt's quirky bookstore and cafe......but strange things have been happening to her lately....and the two now have to work together to finding out what is going on.

Nice amount of suspense, romance, with great secondary characters and lots of twists and turns.............

Jayne Castle's vivid world building is absolutely amazing. What I like about this series is that is part sci-fi, paranormal but the characters and the world is very relatable...it could be another Earth planet.

I really like this series.

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Review: Last Kiss (Dr. Kate Pearson, #3) by Louise Phillips (Goodreads Author)

Last Kiss (Dr. Kate Pearson, #3)Last Kiss by Louise Phillips
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


LAST KISS, the 3rd book in Louise Phillips Dr Kate Pearson Series is by far the most chilling, dark and raw of this series.

The story opens with a prologue that is shocking and sad and sets the mood for the story.

When a man is found brutally murdered in a Dublin hotel room, Criminal psychologist/profiler, Dr Kate Pearson is asked to assist with profiling of the killer.

Dr Kate Pearson and Garda Detective Inspector O’Connor, work together at trying to discover the killer's identity, which Kate believes may be female. When similar murders that occurred in Paris and Rome come up in their investigation, the two travel to both cities to obtain more information.

The intriguing and multi-layered storyline revolves around underground BDSM scenes in Dublin, Paris and Rome and how a child's early years can affect their behaviour as adults. Are we born or made evil? Madness, depravity, sex, greed, power, malice, hate, sexual abuse, lies, secrets............and as with previous books, the story is told through different POV's..........the most chilling and dark being the killer's thoughts and feelings.

One of the things I like about this series is how familiar Kate and O'Connor have become. The two's relationship has evolved from the 1st book...there is definitely a spark there and I look forward to seeing if it goes forward or not.

This is really a superb series and if you like psychological thrillers, this is one for you.

I really liked the cover............you feel the evil lurking in the shadows!!!!

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Review: The Girl In The Ice (DCI Erika Foster, #1) by Robert Bryndza (Goodreads Author)

The Girl In The Ice (DCI Erika Foster, #1)The Girl In The Ice by Robert Bryndza
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've rediscovered British crime writers!! And so glad I did, especially after reading the awesome debut novel, The Girl In The Ice, the 1st book in DCI Erika Foster Series by Robert Bryndza, an author unknown to me but not for long!!

What a great start to the series. The author has created an amazing cast of characters that are real and totally believable.

DCI Erika Foster, the main protagonist reminded me in some way of DCI Jane Tennison from Lynda La Plante's Prime Suspect Series. At first, Erika Forster comes across as a cold and gritty person but as we discover her back story, we get to see her vulnerability beneath that cold exterior. I admired her tenacity and her determination and her sense of what's right.


A few sections are from the killer's POV, which gives one a glimpse into their thoughts, which I really liked.

A great storyline, impressive writing, a fantastic sense of place and some clever twists and turns that had you truly guessing who the real killer was until the very end.

I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Highly recommended.

I loved this.....Erika visiting her dead husband's grave.........hell, I had a knot in my chest...
“won't be far away for life goes on. And if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near. And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear, All my love around you soft and clear. And then, when you come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile and a “Welcome Home”.


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Sunday 11 December 2016

Review: The Obsession by Nora Roberts (Goodreads Author)

The ObsessionThe Obsession by Nora Roberts
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

1,5 stars

Let me start by stating that I've been a HUGE NORA ROBERTS fan for years and years. But something seems to be off with her latest books...........maybe it's just me, but the spark in the earlier books is missing!

And The Obsession had a "spark" missing for me!!!

The beginning was pretty good and I began thinking...yay....this is going to be a winner!!! But by the middle..........hell, forget the winner!!! It was downhill all the way. I just wanted to scream....
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The only characters I kind of liked were the younger version of Naomi and her brother, Mason...........but as adults........talk about idiotic characters!!!!

Long, boring......me just trundling along, yawning....but I just have to finish this one...it's Nora Roberts!!! Suspense...where??? Romance.....where??? Serial killer on the loose........oh yes, I knew exactly the identity...no big surprise there!!!!

Another peeve..........I felt as if I had read this plot before........somewhere!!! It felt old story again!!!
I know that the majority of the reviews are high but for me..........this one didn't do it!!!!

In fact, I'm seriously rethinking any future Nora Roberts books..........
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And the only reason for 1,5 stars is because the beginning was really good.

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Review: Because I'm Watching by Christina Dodd (Goodreads Author)

Because I'm WatchingBecause I'm Watching by Christina Dodd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Because I'm Watching by Christina Dodd is the 3rd book in her Virtue Falls Series, set in the little quaint coastal town, where a lot of dangerous things can happen at any given time.

This was an engaging story of two emotionally and physically damaged characters, who meet and find love and hope and healing together.

Madeline Hewitson, a survivor of a college dorm massacre and military veteran, Jacob Denisov, who suffers from PTS and thrown together when a killer threatens her life.

An ingenious plot, with engaging local characters, the subplots, romance, suspense and even a touch of mysticism makes this another winning read and a great addition to the series.

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Review: The Doll's House (Dr. Kate Pearson, #2) by Louise Phillips (Goodreads Author)

The Doll's House (Dr. Kate Pearson, #2)The Doll's House by Louise Phillips
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Doll’s House, the 2nd book in Louise Phillips's Dr Kate Pearson Series, sees the return of criminal psychologist/profiler Dr Kate Pearson and Detective Inspector O’Connor.

From the very first page.......... "feet sinking into the sand, seaweed between my toes. In my arms I hold a doll, with curly blonde hair and sea-blue eyes." you are hooked.

Set in Dublin and its surroundings, Kate and O'Connor are both dealing with their own personal issues, and are now working together in a new case. A well-known local TV personality's body is floating in one of the city's canals and soon after, another body, with links to the first one, is also murdered.

Once again, the story is told from multiple POV'S of Kate Pearson, Clodagh McKay and the twisted and psychotic mind of the killer.

An intriguing and suspenseful plot, that digs into the depths of human nature, lies, secrets, with sub-plots that slowly build up to an explosive conclusion. Just when I thought I knew what would happen next....bam...another twist and turn.......and not even one or two that I had expected.

A refreshingly different crime story, that's well-written, well-developed and human characters.

I am really looking forward to the next book, Last Kiss.

Highly recommended.

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Review: Red Ribbons (Dr. Kate Pearson, #1) by Louise Phillips (Goodreads Author)

Red Ribbons (Dr. Kate Pearson, #1)Red Ribbons by Louise Phillips
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Red Ribbons by Louise Phillips is one of the most fantastic debut novels I have read in a very long time. I discovered this author by chance....after reading a lot of great reviews on GR's, I just wanted to get "stuck" into this book.
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This is the 1st book in the Dr. Kate Pearson Series and it's a brilliantly clever and riveting psychological crime thriller, set in Dublin, featuring Dr Kate Pearson, Criminal Psychologist/Forensic Profiler who works with and assists the Gardai, in the profiling of murder suspects.

The title. Red Ribbons,
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are the link of crimes in the past and with the present day murders of two schoolgirls who are murdered in same ritual manner of the red ribbons used to tie their plaited hair.

The plot is told from different POV's which was an unique and interesting way to do it....you have Kate Pearson's thoughts, the psychiatric patient, Ellie Brady, who has been locked away for murdering her daughter and then the killer's POV.......which was the one thing I thought so brilliant.

Despite knowing who the killer is, you are still surprised by the end and the reasons for his deeds. Another aspect was the fact that you know this is a cruel, brutal with no sense of remorse...but what makes him more frightening is how calm and sane and rational he makes his actions sound. That was one of the most unsettling facet of this killer.

Well-written, multi-layered, well-crafted and well-paced plot, with well-drawn characters with the settings of Dublin, Wexford and Tuscany vividly described, this is gripping and suspenseful and absorbing story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

One of my favourite quotes:
"The woman who stopped talking because everyone stopped listening."


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Sunday 4 December 2016

Review: Lovers & Sinners (The Dreams #1) by Hunter S. Jones (Goodreads Author)

Lovers & Sinners (The Dreams #1)Lovers & Sinners by Hunter S. Jones
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

So I love rock star stories so when I saw this one.....Lovers and Sinners by an author I have not familiar with, Hunter S Jones, and having read the blurb...I knew it was my kind of book.

Sadly, it didn't prove to be my kind of book.

By Chapter 2, I felt totally disconnected......
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Turned a few more pages......I had lost the plot!!!
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Who are all these characters? Who is James van Lee...really, rockstar!!! And where the hell does Maggie and Rhett...really....Rhett...fit into all this...and Russia's cursed royal family, Anne Boleyn!!!
No, I don't think I will turn another page!! I'm giving up..I know there are still some pages but I cannot put myself through this torture!!!
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This one..........it's not for me!!!

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Review: Cold Cold Heart by Tami Hoag (Goodreads Author)

Cold Cold HeartCold Cold Heart by Tami Hoag
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Cold Cold Heart by Tami Hoag had a great start. Then after the prologue, it was downhill all the way......right until the last page.

The story opens with Dana Nolan, the protagonist killing the serial killer than had kidnapped and tortured her. Enter detectives Liska and Kovac, who are trying to close the investigation of the serial killer known as Doc Holliday. Now, before you think that this is another book in the author's Kovac & LIska Series...it isn't. They only make a quick appearance in the beginning and that's it. The plot in this book revolves around Dana's rehabilitation from her torture and her going back to her hometown, where she begins looking into the disappearance seven years ago, of her best friend Casey.

And that's when it starts becoming a rather "painful" read............

We now get all this overload of information....repeat and repeat....of Dana before and after her terrible ordeal........and not forgetting all the PTSD that the one character suffers after being injured in Afghanistan. He's also the local bad boy and suspected of doing something to Casey. And then there's the local sheriff...geez, think I forgot his name..........another uninspiring character.

I couldn't find or feel any suspense.....any tension.....romance...nah, there's none of that here.

I could not engage with any of the characters.....even Dana.

But what I found even more irritating............there were all these little subplots that just never went anywhere.....so why they were included in the story I have no idea...but then I am not the writer here.....so maybe she had a reason for it. I would have like to have seen some closure on some of those..

I found that I skimmed a lot of the pages that were repeated again and again.

Not the best by this author....I did like the book title though!!!
“From the dawn of time to the end of time, the world would never run short of cold, cold hearts.”


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Review: Hush by Nancy Bush (Goodreads Author)

HushHush by Nancy Bush
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Hush by Nancy Bush was a bit of a let-down. A slow start but I kept hoping it would rev up a bit...but it just didn't.

The characters......geez, there were so many that after a while I lost track of who was who. Not that I found any of them engaging or even interesting.

Most of the characters are introduced in the beginning when they were still in high school.......I thought they were very immature and idiotic but hey, they're going to grow up someday and maybe, just maybe they will become more interesting characters...but no, they didn't!!

And then those secrets that the girls tell each other on the beach one night....those are suppose to be the reason for all the killing and mayhem........really!!! Hell, I thought those secrets were so trifling!!!

This is supposed to be a romance suspense story...but the romance is so uninspiring and boring that I just couldn't care what happened to these characters.

Very disappointing.

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Review: Mr. President (White House, #1) by Katy Evans (Goodreads Author)

Mr. President (White House, #1)Mr. President by Katy Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I relished reading Mr President by Katy Evans, the 1st book in her White House Series.

Oh, how I wish I was an American citizen!!!! Because if I was.........I would definitely vote for Mathew Hamilton to be the President of the USA!!!
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Matt is good looking, rich, smart, caring....yes, he cares for his fellow Americans...........in fact..........
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he's so much more elegant and fabulous and has a beyond better hairstyle than DT and he's so much much more COOLER than HC!!!!!

A winning plot, engaging characters and I loved the whole political intrigues and shenanigans. American politics fascinate me........no other country on earth brings out the glamour and excitement in politics like that country!!! It's like I'm watching a movie and everything and everyone is sooooo exciting and interesting!!!

I find the author's writing style very easy to read and despite the slow start at the beginning, I was more than happy to turning the pages so that I could see where Matt and Charlotte Wells would end up...together or apart..........would he win the election.....

Well, everyone knows by now that there's a huge cliff-hanger.............that ensures that I am going to be looking forward to the continuation of Matt and Charlotte's life at the White House ...or maybe not!!!!

Would I recommend this book? Definitely.

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Review: Superstar by Danielle Bourdon (Goodreads Author)

SuperstarSuperstar by Danielle Bourdon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Superstar by Danielle Bourdon is the first book I've read by this author.

The story revolves around the Hollywood movie superstar and heartthrob, Maximo Payne, who hates the paparazzi like a rabid puppy. Camryn Castillo has her own online gossip website that does unobtrusive interviews with stars.

The plot is a bit far-fetched. She travels to Rome, Italy to do an interview with Maximo...not sure what he was doing in that city.

Anyway Camryn and he meet up in their hotel, she doesn't tell him who she is....he takes her around doing some Rome sightseeing....etc etc....they feel attracted to each other.
The premise of the story held some promise...........but there were things that just didn't do it for me.

Okay, so I didn't feel any chemistry between the two main characters. In fact, Maximo is pretty much remote and doesn't show much passion and excitement, which I would expect from a hot blooded Italian!!!!

And all the online jargon with her friend and partner, and the bad paparazzi...blah blah blah...

The dialogue felt flat and not believable to me. The writing didn't sparkle for me. The characters were somewhat one dimensional and lacked depth and a bit too immature and never held my interest.

I did however, like the Rome and Switzerland settings.

This was a kind of okay read....something like......
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Review: Stranded by Alex Kava (Goodreads Author)

StrandedStranded by Alex Kava
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

People set out on a car journey but never arrive at their destination. It has been happening for years, and any investigations hit dead ends.
Alex Kava’s Stranded, the 11th in her Maggie O’Dell series featuring FBI profiler, Maggie O'Dell.

The story picks up where Fireproof ended, with the discovery of a body near Maggie's home which had been burnt down.

Maggie and her partner, R.J. Tully are investigating several disappearances of people from truck stops on the US interstate highways.
When an imprisoned arsonist gives an accurate location of where bodies are buried, the two travel across the country in search of the sadistic and brutal serial killer.

I love the return of Ryder Creed and his cadaver dog, Grace and learning about search dogs and procedures.

The relationship between Benjamin Platt and Maggie seems to be coming to some kind of hiatus...here we see the chemistry and attraction between her and Ryder Creed and I am looking forward how that relationship is going to move.
“Being alone could sometimes feel terribly empty...”
The tension and pacing never lets up and again, the author does a stellar job in keeping you guessing until almost the very end.

This has been a really good series so far and hopefully we will be reading more about Maggie O'Dell in the future.

Nice quote:
".....legend that says when you can't sleep it's because you're awake in someone else's dream."


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Saturday 3 December 2016

Review: Damaged (Maggie O'Dell, #8) by Alex Kava (Goodreads Author)

Damaged (Maggie O'Dell, #8)Damaged by Alex Kava
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Damaged, the 7th book in the series finds Maggie O'Dell, FBI profiler on a new assignment in Pensacola, Florida, to investigate the gruesome discover of body parts in a fisherman's boat.

At the same time, Colonel Benjamin Platt, Maggie's new love interest from Exposed, is investigating a fatal contagion outbreak that is killing soldiers who had been deployed in Afghanistan.

These two cases begin with no obvious links but as the investigations proceed, it soon becomes evident that there are connections between the two unrelated cases.

Past and new secondary characters are in this action filled and fast paced thriller.

Damaged is a solid read with a good conclusion and some open subplots that set up the next books.

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Review: Exposed by Alex Kava (Goodreads Author)

ExposedExposed by Alex Kava
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4,5 stars

Maggie O'Dell is back in a chilling and terrifying story of bioterrorism in the 6th book in the series.

When Maggie and her team arrive at FBI offices in Quantico, Virginia to investigate the exposure to a deadly and unknown virus of two people, she and her boss, the FBI’s Assistant Directorate placed in quarantine when they are exposed to the virus as well.

What happens next is a nerve-jangling and frightening time for the two, as they battle to finding the culprit and a treatment to save their lives.

The plot contains twists and turns and some shocking and surprises revelations.

The character development continues at a good pace and we are learning more about Maggie and Tully's past history.

We do get a quick sight of Sheriff Nick Morelli, who was first introduced as Maggie's love interest in A Perfect Evil, the 1st book in the series. A new and very interesting character is introduced , who may be Maggie's new love interest..

This is, for me, the best book so far in the series.

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Review: A Necessary Evil (Maggie O'Dell #5) by Alex Kava (Goodreads Author)

A Necessary Evil (Maggie O'Dell #5)A Necessary Evil by Alex Kava
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

FBI profiler, Maggie O'Dell is back in the 5th book of this series.

Maggie is working on two cases that seem linked with each other....in DC, priests are being killed and in Omaha, women's heads are being discovered.

With the help of her friend, mentor and psychologists, Gwen Patterson and Detective Julia Racine, they begin searching for the connection between two different killers, which they believe is linked to a Internet computer game where young abused victims can kill the priests that abused them.

The killers are wicked and scary characters and Father Michael Keller, a serial killer, who was introduced in A Perfect Evil, comes back and offers to help Maggie if she helps him vanish to avoid being killed.

The two sub-plots move between each other at a fast pace and reach an exhilarating conclusion.

We get a look into Maggie's personal life, which I am really enjoying.

A must read.


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Review: At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, #4) by Alex Kava (Goodreads Author)

At the Stroke of Madness (Maggie O'Dell, #4)At the Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

AT THE STROKE OF MADNESS is Alex Kava's 4th novel in the Maggie O'Dell Series and continues the life and work of the loner FBI agent.

Maggie receives a telephone call, whilst on vacation, from her best friend and psychologist, Gwen Patterson, asking her to help her find one of her patients who has disappeared, whilst attending her grandmother's funeral.

Maggie travels to Connecticut and begins an unofficial investigation, which soon turns into an official one when the body of a woman is discovered in an abandoned quarry, stuffed inside a waste drum. And as more bodies begin turning up, it becomes apparent that there is a serial killer on the loose.

The author introduces some very interesting secondary characters, in particular, Maggie's partner, R.J Tully...... although very different from each other, still have a good balance in working together

I liked the use of the multiple points of view, which gives you a look into the minds of the characters.

You are constantly being misdirected by clues and twists, as to the identity of the killer.

A nicely paced and good read.

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Review: The Soul Catcher (Maggie O'Dell, #3) by Alex Kava (Goodreads Author)

The Soul Catcher (Maggie O'Dell, #3)The Soul Catcher by Alex Kava
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Soul Catcher, 3rd book in the series has FBI profiler, Maggie O'Dell and her partner, R.J. Tully, assigned to a case in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, where the FBI and ATF agents have a standoff with members of a local cult. As the two start working with the one cult member left alive to, they are given another case of a young teenage girl found raped and murdered behind the FDR monument in Washington, D.C., which leads to them finding a connection between their two cases.

Standing in their way is the fact that Maggie's mother is a member of the cult and Tully's daughter was the last person to see the murdered young teenage victim.

I do like the character development of the characters and the secondary characters in this story are very real and relatable.

A well-crafted page turner.

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Review: Split Second (Maggie O'Dell, #2) by Alex Kava (Goodreads Author)

Split Second (Maggie O'Dell, #2)Split Second by Alex Kava


Split Second, the 2nd novel in this series begins five months after the escape of the serial killer, Albert Stuckey at the end of the previous book, A Perfect Evil.

Maggie O"Dell, the FBI profiler who had spent years profiling the killer, has been removed from working on the field after Stuckey's daring escape.

But when people close to her start being murdered with the same M.O. as Stuckey, she is back in charge of investigation

Another cat and mouse game between Maggie and the cunning killer - Maggie is determined to bring down the killer before he kills her first.

Story is well-paced filled with some chilling and scary and never slows down.

A good addition to this series.

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Review: A Perfect Evil (Maggie O'Dell, #1) by Alex Kava (Goodreads Author)

A Perfect Evil (Maggie O'Dell, #1)A Perfect Evil by Alex Kava
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Perfect Evil is Alex Kava's debut novel and the 1st book in her Maggie O'Dell Series.

We are introduced to FBI profiler, Maggie O'Dell, who has been tasked with investigating the kidnap/murders of three young boys in the small town of Platte City, Nebraska.

Working with the town's sheriff, Nick Morelli, she becomes part of a very dangerous game when the devious and evil killer becomes obsessed with her and begins playing a cat and mouse game with her.

The chemistry build up between Maggie and Nick is done in a very subtle way leaving us to wonder how that relationship will continue in the next book.

The author uses the small town setting extremely well....the tension and suspicions between the residents is palpable as they realize that the killer could be living amongst them.

A well-executed page turner that ends with a setup for the next book.

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Review: One False Move by Alex Kava (Goodreads Author)

One False MoveOne False Move by Alex Kava
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Alex Kava's stand-alone novel, ONE FALSE MOVE begins with an evil convicted murderer, Jared Barnett having his death sentence repelled with the assistance of a very shady attorney.

A story of a damaged family, who go on a murder rampage. The mix of personalities and situations. The characters development is very well done and you just never know what they will do next.....keeps you guessing from page to page. Nothing seems to be what you think it is.

Fast paced plot reaching a totally unexpected climax.

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Friday 2 December 2016

Review: Fireproof by Alex Kava (Goodreads Author)

FireproofFireproof by Alex Kava
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3,5 stars

Fireproof, the 10th book in Alex Kava's Maggie O'Dell Series has Maggie, still recovering from her head wound she got in the last book, Hotwire, back together with R J Tully as her partner to work on a series of arson crimes that are escalating to murder.

This was a better read than Hotwire. It had a good plot which ended rather abruptly with a huge cliff-hanger...I guess that's the set up for the next book in the series.

Maggie doesn't do much profiling, again, here. And her relationship with Benjamin Platt is still not going anywhere. I did enjoy seeing her partner, Tully, back in action and also Julia Rancine...I really like her character. We also get to see a bit more of Maggie's brother, Patrick, who I also like and we get a glimpse of their mad and crazy mother.
I
do like this series and I am hoping that the next book will give us a bit of the old Maggie back.

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