Cold Sight

Cold Sight is the newest release by romantic suspense writer Leslie Parrish. From the back cover.~

Her Black CATs series “crackles with dark, edgy danger.” Now Leslie Parrish introduces Extrasensory Agents, a band of psychic investigators interested only in the cases nobody else wants-the coldest one.

After being made a scapegoat in a botched investigation that led to a child’s death, Aidan McConnell becomes a recluse. Still, as favors to an old friend, Aidan will help on the occasional case. But under his handsome, rugged facade, he keeps his emotions in check for fear of being burned again.

Reporter Lexie Nolan has a nose for news-and she believes a serial killer has been targeting teen girls near Savannah, Georgia. But no one believes her. So she turns to the new paranormal detective agency and sexy, mysterious Aidan for help. But just as the two begin forging a relationship, the case turns eerily personal for Lexie-and Aidan discovers that maybe he hasn’t lost the ability to feel after all.

I am a huge fan when it comes to books by Leslie Parrish, and I’m proud to admit it. I loved the Black CATs series, and am still hoping we get more books in that series. Cold Sight is the first book in Leslie Parrish’s exciting new Extrasensory Agents series. I was very lucky to be sent an ARC from the author for review, and I dropped all other books to move this one to the top of my list. I try not to put spoilers in my reviews, but there are a few semi-spoilers to come. I can say with totally honesty that I loved this book. It pushed me emotionally on every level and kept me thinking about the story long after I’d finished reading. Lexie Nolan feels in her gut there is a serial killer targeting teen girls in her town. Since the girls who have been targeted so far are all from the “wrong side of the tracks” no one believes her. When Vonnie Jackson turns up missing, Lexie seeks help in a somewhat unusual source. Aidan McConnell has psychic abilities and Lexie hopes he can help her find Vonnie before another teen girl disappears forever. Aidan is the first person to actually believe Lexie about the missing girls. Aidan had actually met Vonnie before and had been having visions of a young woman, but had not put it together yet. As Aidan helps Lexie investigate, they grow closer each day.

Lexie and Aidan discover a group of affluent men in the small town are behind a very distasteful practice. They would “borrow” many young girls from the wrong side of the tracks to use at will for their carnal pleasure and entertainment. Parrish doesn’t actually show us the flashbacks, but since Vonnie was one of the young girls, she has memories, luckily we just don’t have see them just know they existed. The adults in the small town of Granville want to shove the missing girls under the mat, with the exception of Lexie and Aidan. Only after the students of the two town schools push for their friend Vonnie, do the adults have to admit something is going on.

At this point in the story, Parrish throws a curve ball at the reader that made me cry my eyes out. A principle supporting character, which I didn’t see on the chopping block, is murdered by out villain. As this young girl is from the “right side of the tracks”, the police immediately rush into action. I totally understand why this character had to die, since it was extremely pivotal to the outcome of the book. But it didn’t make it any easier for me to read. I will say I loved reading about the strength of Vonnie. Even at one of the most horrific times in her life, she is still trying to figure out a way to take down the person who kidnapped her and get away. Such strength in a time of terror was inspiring to read. I had trouble figuring out the “bad guy” in the Black CATs series, until the last book. I’m happy to say I had the actual villain within my 3 suspects.

Although Cold Sight has paranormal elements, I would say it is more a story of psychological suspense than a paranormal. The romance between Aidan and Lexie was filled with sexual tension and banter and I couldn’t wait for them to finally give in to their attraction. Leslie Parrish gives her readers a roller coaster ride with Cold Sight. Even with the bumps and surprises, I totally enjoyed the ride. I look forward to more books in the Extrasensory Agents series in the future.

The release date for Cold Sight is July 6, 2010, but I've seen online where some people have already seen it on the bookshelves. To read more about Leslie Parrish and her books, visit her website www.authorleslieparrish.com.

Kiss of the Phantom

Kiss of the Phantom by Julie Leto is currently the final book in her Phantom series. From the back cover.~

The youngest of all the Forsyth brothers, Rafe believes mysterious Lord Rogan will protect the Romani inhabitants of Valoren against the vicious mercenaries threatening them. Instead, Rogan’s dark magic traps Rafe inside a stone, forcing him to watch his wife’s murder. Consumed by grief and guilt, Rafe doesn’t wish to be freed-he wants only to be left alone.

Nearly three hundred years later, a beautiful treasure hunter travels to a remote corner of Germany, in search of a stone that could solve her financial troubles. But from the moment Mariah Hunter touches the artifact, she is haunted by erotic images of a man with eyes as silver as the moon-a man who appears out of nowhere just in time to save her from certain death.

As Mariah finds herself undeniably drawn to her dark savior, it might be Rafe who is the real danger to her heart.

Julie gives the reader another winner with Kiss of the Phantom. The chemistry between Rafe and Mariah is sizzling from their very first encounter. I also love the mystery of the artifacts connected to Lord Rogan. Mariah has no idea that she is the woman who can help Rafe become human again, since she is the one who awakened him from his stone prison. Mariah and Rafe are on the run from a client of Mariah’s and an enemy after the stone, and become as close to one another as either will allow.  Mariah doesn’t know the only way to free Rafe is to admit she is in love with him. Both Mariah and Rafe have things in their past they must overcome to have a lasting relationship.

I loved Kiss of the Phantom and look forward to more books from Julie Leto in the future.  At this time, there are no more books scheduled in the Phantom series, luckily Julie has More Blazing Bedtime Stories coming out in November.

Pitch Black

Pitch Black by Leslie Parrish is the second book in her phenomenal Black CATs series. From the back cover.~

A group of elite FBI special agents has been brought together to form the Cyber Action Team, aka CAT – and they have one mission: to solve Internet-related murders.

Former profiler Alec Lambert would give anything to catch the Professor, a serial killer who lures his victims with Internet scams. Now working with the Black CATs, Alec finally has his chance.

When two teen boys are lured to a cruel, icy death, Alec teams up with reclusive scam expert Samantha Dalton, who may be able to find out where the madman will strike next. Despite Alec’s intense attraction to Sam, he’s fiercely determined to keep their relationship professional. As they draw ever closer to discovering the Professor’s identity and stopping his murderous rampage, they realize Sam is the psychotic killer’s new obsession. And possibly his next target…

As I said when I read Fade to Black, the first book in the Black CATs series, Leslie has found her true voice with romantic suspense. Pitch Black is filled with mystery, romance and suspense.  Alec Lambert is new to the Black CATs and immediately starts to investigate the Professor, who he had investigated in the past as a member of the Behavioral Analysis Unit. When two teen boys are killed, the email correspondence between one of the boys and Samantha Dalton sends Alec and his partner to Sam’s door for help. Alec is attracted to Sam from the very first, but she is still recovering from her divorce and fights her attraction in the beginning. Unknown to Alec or any of the other agents in the Black CATs, the Professor has set his sights on Sam.  I thought I had who the Professor was figured out several times throughout Pitch Black, but Leslie kept me in the dark until almost the very end. I really liked the build- up of tension between Alec and Sam. Alec wants to keep their relationship strictly professional until the case is solved, but Sam doesn’t want to let another day go by without being with him. The passion between them is so true to life that it leaps off the pages.

I think the Black CATs series gets better with each book. I have really loved both Fade to Black and Pitch Black.  The release date for Pitch Black  is August 4, 2009 and everyone should pre-order it today! I've also already read Black at Heart, the third and currently final book in this series and will blog about it soon. As much as I loved Fade to Black and Pitch Black, Black at Heart is my favorite book in the series!

How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire

How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks is the first book in her Love at Stake series. From the back cover.~

Nobody said love was perfect...

Roman Draganesti is charming, handsome, rich...he's also a vampire. But this vampire just lost one of his fangs sinking his teeth into something he shouldn't have. Now he has one night to find a dentist before his natural healing abilities close the wound, leaving him a lop-sided eater for all eternity.

Things aren't going well for Shanna Whelan, either. After witnessing a gruesome murder, she's next on the mob's hit list. And her career as a dentist appears to be on a downward spiral because she's afraid of blood. When Roman rescues her from an assassination attempt, she wonders if she's found the one man who can keep her alive. Though the attraction between them is immediate and hot, can Shanna conquer her fear of blood to fix Roman's fang? And if she does, what will prevent Roman from using his fangs on her...?

I read the 4th book in this series a few months ago thru Jennifer's Random Musings book club. I'm glad that I was introduced to Sparks thru the book club, and didn't even mind that I read this series out of order. How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire was a very funny and sexy read. There were undertones of mystery in the story, but overall it was a classic romance, with elements of the paranormal, since it involves vampires.

Roman and Shanna are attracted to one another from the very first moment they meet. Roman is a vampire who develops a synthetic blood so he can protect both vampires and humans. Shanna is a dentist who is in the witness protection program after being a witness to a mob hit. Shanna only has one little problem, she now faints at the site of blood, which is hindering her ability to be a dentist. Roman needs a dentist to implant his lost fang before he becomes a one-fanged vampire.

Sparks give the reader a fun and sexy read with How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire. I loved the romance between Roman and Shanna and liked that there was a bit of mystery to the story too. I look forward to reading more books by Sparks in the future.

Promises in Death

Promises in Death is the latest book by JD Robb in her In Death series. From the back cover.~

Number-one New York Times-bestselling author J.D. Robb takes us to the New York City of 2060, where Lieutenant Eve Dallas faces down a cop killer.

Amaryllis Coltraine may have recently transferred to the New York City police force from Atlanta, but she's been a cop long enough to know how to defend herself against an assailant. When she's taken down just steps away from her apartment, killed with her own weapon, for Eve the victim isn't just "one of us."

Dallas's friend Chief Medical Examiner Morris had started a serious relationship with Coltraine, and from all accounts the two were headed for a happy future together. But someone has put an end to all that. After breaking the news to Morris, Eve starts questioning everyone, including Coltraine's squad, informants, and neighbors, while Eve's husband, Roarke, digs into computer data on the dead woman's life back in Atlanta. To their shock, they discover a connection between this case and their own painful, shadowy pasts.

The truth will need to be uncovered one layer at a time, starting with the box that arrives at Cop Central addressed to Eve, containing Coltraine's guns, badge, and a note from her killer: "You can have them back. Maybe someday soon, I'll be sending yours to somebody else." But Eve Dallas doesn't take too kindly to personal threats, and she is going to break this case, whatever it takes. And that's a promise.

I loved Promises in Death! I think that Robb got back to her old style of story-telling with this book in the In Death series. I loved that it wasn't just about the mystery with Promises in Death. Robb wrote about the relationships between Eve and Roarke, as well as their relationships with co-workers and friends. As much as I enjoy trying to keep up with Eve and solve the crimes before the end of the book, I enjoy seeing she and Roarke interact with friends and family, or at least those friends who have become family just as much. It makes the perfect cop and the perfect man seem more human.

I highly recommend Promise in Death to all fans of JD Robb, as well as anyone looking to read a fabulous romantic mystery that takes place in the future. Of course, since I read Promises in Death as fast as possible, I now have to wait eight months for the next book in the series, Kindred in Death.

Rites of Spring (Break)

Rites of Spring (Break) by Diana Peterfreund is the third in An Ivy League Series. The story centers around Amy Haskel and her friends that are in the Rose & Grave secret society. The first two books in the series mainly take place at Eli University. ROSB starts at Eli University and then takes the Diggers to Cavador Key, which is the Rose & Grave's private island off of Florida. Amy and her friends grow up so much over the course of ROSB. They must watch out for one another like never before and still keep all the secrets for Rose & Grave.

I loved Rites of Spring (Break) and can't really tell much about the book without giving away great information. I was so excited with who Amy finally ends up with in this book and hope they survive the 4th and final book in the series that comes out next summer.

Hot Property

Hot Property by Carly Phillips is the fourth and final book in the Hot Zone series. Hot Property is John Roper's and Amy Stone's story. Amy has just moved to New York to work for the Hot Zone-Athletes Only public relations firm. Her first client is John Roper and from their first meeting at her cousin's wedding, Amy feels she must fight her attraction to John. John has no such need and pursues Amy from their very first meeting.

Amy must find a way for John to rehab from an injury while keeping his family occupied so they don't interfere with his health. The only way to keep John from his family is to take him away and not let anyone know where he will be. Only when they are out of the public eye does Amy finally give into her feelings for John.

Both John and Amy must find ways to change their personal lives to make things work for them together. Only with courage and strength do they each grow and become strong enough to be together. Carly Phillips writes another winner with Hot Property and we will all miss the Hot Zone characters in the future.

Wild & Hexy

Wild & Hexy by Vicki Lewis Thompson is the second in the Big Knob series. Wild & Hexy is the story of Jeremy Dunstan and Annie Winston. Jeremy has lived in Big Knob, Indiana almost his whole life and has secretly lusted after Annie since they were teenagers. Annie is back in Big Knob for her younger sister's wedding and is the former Dairy Queen of Big Knob, but no longer feels like one since she is 20 pounds heavier than in high school. Jeremy needs some help to get Annie to look at him, so Dorcas and Ambrose Lowell, the local matchmaking witches, decide to make it their mission to get Jeremy and Annie together.

On Jeremy & Annie's first date, the lake monster, Dee-Dee appears on Dorcas's command to give Annie, who is a reporter, something to write about. Jeremy doesn't believe there is anything in the lake, but is willing to look into anything to spend time with Annie. The chemistry between Annie and Jeremy is fabulous. Both have very real feelings for the other that come out even more when they are together. Of course, Annie has no plans to ever stay in Big Knob and Jeremy would be totally miserable anywhere else. Both must decide if their feelings for each other are more important than where each wants to live. Vicki Lewis Thompson writes another winner with Wild & Hexy and keeps the reader wanting more. Casual Hex is the next in the Big Knob series and we only have to wait until February 2009.

Wild For Him

Wild for Him by Janelle Denison is the first book in a new "Wild series", that focuses on Joel Wilde's Marine friends. First up is Ben Cabrera, who is hired to keep Christine "Christy" Delacroix safe during her father's run for mayor of Chicago, as threatening letters have been delivered to her father. Ben and Christy are from two different worlds, but they have been attracted to each other from the moment they set eyes on each other. Ben is willing to keep the business only relationship, but Christy is determined to take their relationship to the next level.

The chemistry between Ben and Christy burns up the pages and keep the reader begging for more. With a bit of a mystery, as to who is trying to hurt Christy, Denison writes another winner with Wild for Him. I'm not sure when the next "Wild" book comes out, but I can promise I'll be at the bookstore that day.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me NOT

He Loves Me, He Loves Me NOT is the true life story of Trish Ryan and her search for God and a husband. Trish starts her search as most women do, but dating each man that ask her out and following all the normal dating rituals. She even marries one of "the wrong men" that she has dated. As she is going through her divorce from her abusive husband, she hides out with the help of her friends and family.

Trish finally gives God a try and although she doesn't understand much of what she is hearing, she immediately can feel that there is something to God. At the urging of her pastor, Trish, as well as the rest of her church, goes through a "40 Days of Faith" during Lent. Each member would pray their greatest heart's desire for 40 days, give up something for 40 days, and fast every week from Thursday evening to Friday evening. Trish prayed for a husband and met someone very soon after thinking he was who God had sent her. When again things didn't work out, Trish finally forgave all of her past relationships, got rid of all her former spiritual books, and became a co-leader of a "small group" with the church. At this time, God finally sent Trish who she been waiting on her entire life(no spoilers here, it is stated in the back of the book). Trish and Steve take things slow and base their relationship on the teaching in the Bible. Trish and Steve face all of the normal challenges that face any new couple, with a couple of major exceptions. Trish and Steve have decided to forgo premarital sex and must pray about her former marriage to know if they can move forward. Because Trish's ex-husband cheated on her and was married 2 times before her, her divorce and her accepting Jesus as her savior, wiped out her former life. Steve proposed to Trish in the most romantic way and God made sure that they were married on the day He had chosen for them.

Trish gives all of the single women out there more hope that God has a husband all picked out waiting for the two of you to be ready for each other. I enjoyed He Loves Me, He Loves Me NOT very much and can't wait to see what Trish's next book has for all of her readers.

Superb and Sexy

Superb and Sexy by Jill Shalvis is the final book on the Sky High trilogy. Shalvis scores again with a can't miss, sexy book. Superb and Sexy is the story of Brody, the third owner of Sky High Airlines, and Maddie, Sky High's gorgeous, wise-cracking concierge. Maddie is in over her head trying to protect her twin sister Leena from their ruthless family. Brody, who is just beginning to admit his feelings for Maddie to himself, decides it is his job to protect Maddie from herself.

Things really heat up when Maddie and Brody finally give into the passion and attraction they feel for one another. I loved reading Noah and Shayne's stories, but I feel that Shalvis saved the best for last with Brody and Maddie's story. There is drama, passion, and heart-felt romance with both Maddie and Brody growing as the story progresses.

Slow Hands

Slow Hands by Leslie Kelly is a hot, sexy read from page one. Maddy Turner goes to a bachelor charity auction to stop her stepmother from bidding on a European gigolo. Jake Wallace is bachelor number 19, who Maddy bids on and wins. Jake has no idea that Maddy believes he is a gigolo and Maddy has no idea that Jake is really a paramedic. Maddy has always had to protect herself because of her family's money. She has never known if men were attracted to her for her or for her money. Jake wants Maddy from the minute he sees her across the room at the auction. He fights his attraction to show Maddy that he can be a gentleman. One of the hottest scenes I've ever read occurs on Maddy and Jake's first date. He tells her exactly what he wants to do to her, while sitting in a public bar following a Cubs game. The passion between Jake and Maddy jumps off the pages from their first meeting and continues throughout the entire book. Maddy and Jake learn the truth about each other as they find true love along the way.


Slow Hands is a Blaze book in The Wrong Bed miniseries and Leslie Kelly just keeps you wanting more! Luckily for the readers, Kelly's next book, Heated Rush, comes out next month from Blaze.

Smart and Sexy

Smart and Sexy is the first in a trilogy by Jill Shalvis. The trilogy centers around Sky High charter airlines and the 3 owners Noah, Shayne, and Brody. Smart and Sexy focuses on Noah as he is taking his first flight in 6 months following a crash. Noah is flying to the slopes to ski, drink beer and find some hot ski bunnies. Unknown to Noah, Bailey Sinclair has hitched a ride on Noah's plane to get to the slopes as well. Bailey doesn't want to let Noah know that bad guys are after her. Bailey and Noah also are both fighting their attraction for each other.

Bailey and Noah are both fighting against incidents in their past, and must learn to trust again to move forward. Noah wants to protect Bailey and will do everything in has power to keep her safe. Bailey also wants to protect Noah and will stop at nothing to keep him safe. Bailey and Noah finally give in to their attraction to fireworks and mutual satisfaction. With much action and lots of romance, Shalvis writes a series that you just can't put down.

Strong and Sexy is the next in the series, which focuses on Shayne.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

I read The Memory Keeper's Daughter for two reasons. One it was recommended by both my sister and my aunt. Two, Lifetime made a movie out of the book. Lifetime did a really great job adapting the book into a movie. Any changes from the book to the movie were strictly time driven. The Memory Keeper's Daughter focuses on Dr. David Henry, his wife Norah, his son Paul, Caroline Gill, and David and Norah's daughter Phoebe. The book starts in 1964, at a time when any disability of a child was looked at much more harshly than it is today. When David must deliver his own child, Paul is born first and is in perfect health. Next Phoebe is born and immediately David could tell that something wasn't right. Rather than let his wife know that their daughter suffers from Down Syndrome, David tells his wife their little girl died in childbirth. He then sends baby Phoebe off with Caroline Gill to a home for children that suffer from disabilities. Of course, once Caroline gets to the home, she knows that she can't leave Phoebe with those people. From that point on, David and Caroline trade pictures and letters for many years. Only later in life does David realize he should have trusted Norah to be strong enough to deal with the reality of Phoebe's disabilities.

All members of both families suffer for the years of untruths that are woven into their lives.

Twilight

Twilight was a great book! Stephenie Meyer keeps you reading with action, romance, and suspense. Edward and Bella can't stay away from each other, no matter how much either of them tries. I look forward to seeing the movie Twilight when it comes to the theaters. The sequel is called New Moon and it comes out in paperback in May. I'll try to wait that long, but will make sure to get on the hold list at the library so I can read the series a little bit faster.

Finished Dance with the Devil

I think it only took me about 3 hours total to finish Dance with the Devil. It was a very fast read and I loved the story of Zarek. Zarek is the Dark-Hunter that has been exiled to Alaska for over 900 years. He is up for judgement for crimes that could have him put to death. The judge that Acheron and Artemis send to give the final answer is Astrid, who is the youngest sister of the Fates. Astrid must find something good in Zarek to keep him from being turned into a Shade. Unknown to Zarek and Astrid, Artemis has sent out Thanatos to dispose of Zarek and he won't answer her summons to return to her. Dance with the Devil is a fast paced book that keeps you going until you get to the very last page. Zarek becomes so much more than even Acheron knew he was capable of becoming. I planned on going right into the next Dark-Hunter novel, but I picked up Phantom Pleasures by Julie Leto after church, and must finish it first. Julie has been posting a chapter a day since Monday, so I can't wait to see what happens in the next chapter!

Night Pleasures

I finished Night Pleasures first thing this morning. I have to admit that I'm totally hooked on the Dark-Hunter series! Kyrian and Amanda have great chemistry. When they have a fight, it's just like any other couple fighting. I'm starting Night Embrace today, and can't wait to get home to start reading tonight. I was told about this series several months ago at a JR Ward signing, and can only say that I'm glad I listened to the suggestion!

Started Night Pleasures

I am starting Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon. It is the second book in The Dark-Hunter series. As I said when I read Fantasy Lover, I only started the series because someone told me I would enjoy them as much as JR Ward's BDB series. So far I'm very impressed with the series, but not sure that it will surpass the BDB series on my top 10 list.

Reading Dark Lover

I started Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon, which is the first in The Dark Hunter series. I picked up this book because several other readers that have read JR Ward suggested it would be a good read. I love this book! It has a great combo of romance, mystery, and history that keeps me on the edge of my seat. I believe there are about 10 more in the series that already been written, so I should have many days of reading ahead.