Fatal Affair - Marie Force

Synopsis:
Washington, D.C., Metro Police Detective Sergeant Sam Holland needs a big win to salvage her career—and her confidence—after a disastrous investigation. The perfect opportunity arises when Senator John O'Connor is found brutally murdered in his bed, and Sam is assigned to the case. Matters get complicated when Sam has to team up with Nick Cappuano, O'Connor's friend and chief of staff...and the man Sam had a memorable one-night stand with years earlier. Their sexual chemistry still sizzles, and Sam has to fight to stay focused on the case. Sleeping with a material witness is another mistake she can't afford—especially when the bodies keep piling up.

Review:
A classic who-did-it book, that keeps you guessing till the very end.  I loved the chemistry between Sam and Nick.  Sam is a tough female cop trying to work hard to work in a mans world and to be more than Skip's daughter and the boss' niece.  After an investigation goes horribly wrong and a child dies, Sam has to put the pieces back together and get her career back on track.  When a US Senator is brutally murdered, she and her boss see a chance to set it all straight.  Enter stage left, Nick...the Senator's right hand man and a man she has been dreaming about for 6 years.  The banter between Sam and her partner is great, I love seeing him "grow-up" throughout the book.  This book will remain on my keeper shelf, and I can't wait for the next one to come out.

Notable Quote:
"You owe me twenty-six minutes in handcuffs, and I fully intend to collect." (Nick angry with Sam for handcuffing him to a bed so she can do some investigative work)

Rating:
5 out of 5.  I loved this book from cover to cover.  The characters are believable and the banter is funny and entertaining but the amount of details that Marie Force put in to the investigative side of things is interesting and informative.  I look forward to January 3rd, when the next installment is available.

The Hunt - Allison Brennan

Synopsis:
Twelve years ago, Miranda Moore miraculously survived the torture of a serial killer who was never caught.  Since then, Miranda, a former FBI trainee and now a member of a local search and rescue squad, has witnessed with horror the recovery of the mutilated bodies of seven young women, all victims of her tormentor, known as The Butcher.  When another beautiful Montana college student goes missing, the Feds get involved, and an agent, a man Miranda once trusted with her heart, arrives to take over the investigation, forcing her toward a painful choice.  Now, while Miranda battles her demons, while friends, lovers, and traitors are caught up in a frantic race against time, a killer hides in plain sight, waiting to finish the one hunt he has left undone.

Review:
Miranda had been through so much and was trying so very hard to move on with her life while trying to catch the one person that had haunted her dreams.  She was betrayed by the one person she trusted more than anyone, Quinn who helped her get in to the FBI program, decided she wasn't ready to graduate with her peers thus sending her back to her hometown and the lodge with her father and far away from Quinn.  Miranda heads up the search and rescue team for her best friend and former flame, Nick, who is now the sheriff.  When another woman goes missing, Nick feels it is best to call Quinn and ask for help, Quinn being a Fed, would have more resources then the sheriff's department.  Through many twists and turns the story comes to life.  The torment that is put upon these victims is spelled out in excruciating detail, and made me feel so much hurt, just by reading the words.  I loved that Miranda had so much strength, but that it was a struggle for her daily to put her past behind her.  Some of the book was in way to much detail and I found myself skipping over the descriptions of the woods, since they were described several times.  I wish there had been a conclusion for Nick, it was kind of left hanging, only hoping he finds himself in the next novel.

Notable Quote:
We all have choices, they chose to be evil.

Rating:
3 out of 5...while I enjoyed the story line, it was a bit to descriptive for my tastes.  There was a lot left unsaid at the end, and I felt it left the story unfinished.  Nick was a big part of the book, and then at the end, it was just kind of done.

A Wallflower Christmas - Lisa Kleypas

Synopsis:
Rafe Bowman has just arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford.  His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady-in-waiting, and if it weren't for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed.  Before the courtship can begin, Rage realizes he must learn the rules of London society.  Bit when four former Wallflowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen...Winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman had anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants.  however, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic...and inspiring passion in the most timid hearts.

Review:
Take a trip down memory lane with the Wallflowers.  I loved revisiting all of our "friends" in this story.  It was great to see the relationships that blossomed and have continued to grow.  Rafe tries his best to be the "American" that everyone is expecting, rude, rakish and extravagant.  Natalie is a beautiful socialite that has recently come out to society, he cousin and best friend and companion is Hannah, an unassuming lovely woman, who comes from the wrong side of the family's wealth.  Rafe has met his match in Natalie's companion, Hannah.  She takes none of his nonsense and calls him out when he steps over the line, but their attraction is evident from the very first meeting.  The question becomes, will they give in, OR will Rafe remain honor bound to marry Natalie to appease his father and not be disinherited???

Notable Quote:
..."I've missed you Sebastian"...."What part did you miss most?"  "Your mind" she said".  "I was hoping for a more depraved answer than that."  "Your mind is depraved", she told him solemnly.  (Evie and St. Vincent after a brief reunion while he was away).

Rating:
5 out of 5 for this 5th and final Wallflower book.  It was wonderful that all of the wallflowers were brought back and had big parts in this story.  I loved it from cover to cover.

Tall Dark & Dangerous - Suzanne Brockmann

Synopsis: (2 stories - 1 book)
Joe - Media consultant Veronica St. John has been hired to teach a rugged Navy SEAL to impersonate a European prince who has been targeted by terrorists.  But on conversation and Veronica knows there's no way she can turn streetwise New Yorker Joe Catalanotto into nobility.  Joe, on the other hand, is confident he's got what it takes to complete his mission.  Two days isn't a lot of time to get the job done...but it's just enough time to fall in love.

Blue - Lucy Tait has fantasized about Blue McCoy since high school.  With the Navy SEAL back in town, nothing's changed...except that Lucy's a police officer and Blue's been charged with murder.  As the investigation heats up, so does their relationship.  Now they're working to save Blue's future before they lose their hearts.

Review:
Joe - I really loved Joe's story.  Veronica is a high society kind of gal, used to flying first class and drinking from crystal.  Joe is a laid back leader of Alpha Team, an elite SEAL team.  When Veronica has to turn Joe in to an actual prince, she thinks her new business of being a media consultant is over.  This story has so many dynamics, you get to meet the whole team, who are more like brothers (and each cool in their own way).

Blue - I love it when an old crush comes back in the picture, even when Blue didn't realize he was being crushed on.  Lucy was 15 when Blue was a senior in high school.  Blue saved her from some rough guys and she was smitten ever since.  He shows back up to attend his step-brothers wedding, to his high school sweetheart, and the brother ends up murdered and Blue is set up to take the fall.  Lucy is charged with finding out if Blue was the actual murderer, but do the police actually want her to find out?  There was a lot of action in Blue and Lucy's story.  I can't wait to see which SEAL we get to meet next.

Notable Quote:
Joe's book - ..."We've got to work on Tedric's walk.  he's got a rather peculiar, rolling gait" Veronica said "He walks like he has a fire poker in his pants" Joe replied (Veronica coaching Joe on everything princely)

Blue's Book - "Don't tell me SEALs are trained in astronomy" Lucy asked  "Intergalactic space navigation" he corrected her "in case we need to run a rescue mission on some planet in the Andromeda galaxy." (Joe filling Lucy in on what a SEAL is trained to do)

Rating:
I gave both of these stories a 4 1/2 out of 5.  I loved the Alpha males, they were strong but also showed the softer side while remaining alpha.  I liked that the women were "real".  The women were soft and kind, but also could be trusted and was allowed to help, while protected of course.  I can't wait to continue this series.

Ride The Fire - Jo Davis

Synopsis:
After a tragedy took the lives of his wife and children, Sean was a shattered man who drowned his pain and heartbreak in alcohol.  Now, fresh from rehab, he wants to stay clean, regain the trust of his team, and begin again.  The last thing he needs is to have feelings for beautiful Eve Marshall, the lone female at the station.  But even as they dare to explore their mutual desires, Sean discovers that the accident that stole his family may have been cold-blooded murder.  Ant that a vengeful shadow from his past has returned to commit a shocking act of terror and finish off Sean and anyone he loves...

Review:
This is the 5th book in the Station 5 series and Jo Davis has done it again.  I was pulled in to Sean's story long before his book was written and I wasn't disappointed.  Sean had to overcome so much heartache and addiction that it I wasn't sure he would ever get his happily-ever-after.  The family that "Ride The Fire" portrays the firefighters is unparalleled blood or not, this crew took care of each other.  Eve is a strong woman that found her man long before he was available to her, but her patience and heart are rewarded.  The villain wasn't expected for me, but I enjoyed the flashbacks to Sean's military days.

Notable Quote:
"...Because if I find out you are?  I'll cut off your balls and use them as Christmas ornaments..." (Eve's mother making sure that Sean was on the up and up where her daughter was concerned)

Rating:
5 out of 5.  This story had everything in it, there was heartache, love, passion and a deep abiding friendship among all of the characters.  Definitely going on my keeper shelf.

My Give A Damn's Busted - Carolyn Brown

Synopsis:
He's just doing his job...If Hank Wells thinks he can dig up dirt on the 

new owner of the Honky Tonk beer join for his employer, he's got no idea what kind of trouble he's courting... She's not going down without a fight... If any dime store cowboy thinks he is going to get the best of Larissa Morley, or her Honkey Tonk, then she's got another thing coming... As secrets emerge, and passion vies with ulterior motives, it's winner takes all at the Honky Tonk.

Review:
"My Give A Damn's Busted" is an exciting contemporary romance set in modern day rural town Texas. It is the third in the Honky Tonk series, book one Hell Yeah and book two I Love This Bar. It is well written with details and depth. It has all the components for a wonderful love story with, quick wit, romance, rural charm, gutsy characters, betrayal, secrets, messed up families, a sexy cowboy, sassy women and great country music.  The books gets really interesting when back woods meet high society.  The one thing I can say that I didn't really like, or understand was when the betrayal happened, she pretty much forgave him very easily.  It wasn't a little betrayal, I thought he should have to grovel a little more.

Notable Quote:

"...My wife wasn't going to own a beer joint and I told her so.  Asked her to marry me and move to the ranch with me.  She tole me to ride that idea straight to hell and hiss the devil right smack on the ass when I got there..." (Henry talking to Larissa about Ruby Lee...I love that woman)

Rating:

4 out of 5.  I would have rated this higher, but I was disappointed that there wasn't much of a reunion after the big upheaval and it was pretty much back to normal after the big betrayal.  Great book, and I am looking forward to Sharleen's story.

Virgin River - Rabyn Carr

Synopsis:
When the recently widowed Melinda Monroe sees this ad she quickly decides that the remote mountain town of Virgin River might be the perfect place to escape her heartache, and to re-energize the nursing career she loves. But her high hopes are dashed within an hour of arriving: the cabin is a dump, the roads are treacherous and the local doctor wants nothing to do with her. Realizing she’s made a huge mistake, Mel decides to leave town the following morning. But a tiny baby, abandoned on a front porch, changes her plans...and a former marine cements them into place. Melinda Monroe may have come to Virgin River looking for escape, but instead she finds her home.

Review:
I can't wait to read more in this series. This wasn't a book with a huge who-done-it plot, this was plainly a book about a woman who needed a change after the loss of her husband. She has some serious revelations of the heart while in this small town. She meets Jack, and are instantly attracted to each other, BUT first and foremost are friends. I love the chemistry that these two have AND the chemistry that the whole town has. Mel selling everything and moving to this small podunk town was very brave and it takes her a long time to feel like she belongs. The only negative thing I could say about this story is that it was a little hard for me to keep all of the characters straight cause you meet soooo many new people. That being said....I can't wait for the next book.

Notable Quote:
"We better get back to the kitchen, he gets surly when I brag" (Sam saying to Mel after he showed her all of Jack's accomplishments in the military)

Rating:
5 out of 5. This is my first 5 book, but I just LOVED it. I honestly can't wait to order then next in line.

One Fine Cowboy - Joanne Kennedy

Synopsis:
His hears is as wild as the horses he trained...Nate Shawcross is perfectly content to spend his days training wild horses.  So when a beautiful greenhorn unexpectedly shows up for a seminar from the famous "Horse Whisperer" of Wyoming, all Nate wants to do is send her packing...  The last thing she expects is a lesson in romance... Graduate student Charlie Banks came to the ranch to learn about horse communication, but when she meets the ruggedly handsome cowboy, she starts to fantasize about another connection entirely... Nate needs to stay focused if he is going to save his ranch from foreclosure, but he can't help being distracted by the brainy and breathtakingly sexy Charlie.  Could it be that after all this time Nate has finally found the one woman who can tame his wild heart?

Review:
The dynamics between all of the characters that come to the ranch is great.  There are so many different personalities.  You have an old time cowgirl Doris that comes from her own ranch and has been around the block a time or two and takes no guff from anyone, just tells it like it is.  Then you have Phaedra, a teenager that is a little to in to her heavy eyeliner and black dress-code.  A gothic cowgirl, with a little chip on her shoulder and a daddy complex.  Bring in her dad, Taylor, a well known cowboy actor to round out the bunch of unlikely students, that become fast friends and help Nate and Charlie find their way not only away from trouble (by way of an ex), but to happiness and love, not only in each other, but in the ranch.

Notable Quote:
“I never thought I’d have to say this”, Charlie said. “Never in a million years.” She took a shaky, deep breath. “But—shut up Nate.” (Charlie says to Nate, and it is extremely funny cause she gripes at him almost the whole book cause he doesn't talk at all)

Rating:
4 1/2 out of 5 is my rating for this book. I really enjoyed the characters and the differences that make them all so....human. A real feel good book that has some laugh out loud moments as well as some feel good moments. A definite must read.

Promises In The Dark - Stephanie Tyler

Synopsis:
A rugged Navy SEAL, Zane Scott, was part of a failed mission to rescue Dr. Olivia Strohm from abduction by the terrorist group Dead man's Hand - and her anguished screams have haunted him ever since.  So when he gets word that the beautiful physician has escaped from her captors in Africa, he's got personal reasons to storm the continent and save her. like her would-be liberator, Olivia carries the burden of a dark secret from her past.  Ruthless and relentless, the DMH has threatened to hunt her down - and to systematically hurt anyone she's close to.  The last thing she wants is to be rescued - even by someone as shockingly handsome as Zane.  Yet the hotheaded special ops hero has come for her, and together she and Zane just might have a shot at not only stopping DMH's reign of terror, but also saving what's left of their souls.

Review:
I was really looking forward to this book.  This is the 2nd book in the Shadow force series and I enjoyed the first book immensely.  This book was VERY hard for me to get in to.  There is actually 3 stories going on and there is a lot of ground work that had to be laid down for the story to melt cohesively.  I am a bit disappointed that only one of the stories came to an "end" at the end of the book.  Caleb, Zane's brother, had a big role in this book and a love interest of his own, but it never got to an ending and while reading the preview of the next book, it is about a different team member.  So I was a bit confused by that and was left....wanting more, and not in a great way.  After all of the ground work was finally laid, I actually got in to the book and enjoyed it a great deal.

Notable Quote:
"Is that why you hit me in the head with a frying pan, to stop me from leaving?" Zane and Liv convincing each other they are in it for the long haul.

Rating:
I have this story a 3 out of 5.  Zane's story was great, but I was left asking more questions and wondering about the other 2 couples.  Not giving up, I love Stephanie Tyler, and I will be first in line to buy the next Shadow Force book.

The Prey - Allison Brennan

Synopsis:
Rowan Smith is living in a borrowed Malibu beach house while her bestselling novel is made into a Hollywood movie.  A former FBI agent with a haunted past.  Rowan thinks she has outrun her demons.  But fiction and reality collide when a dismembered body is found in Colorado the real-life victim had the same name, occupation and looks as a character in Rowan's novel.  By the time the FBI, the LAPD and her pen private bodyguard gather around her, another person is killed - again, the murder is ripped from the pages of Rowan's book.  In the company of a former Delta Force officer with secrets of his own.  Rowan faces and excruciating dilemma: the only way to chase down the tormenting killer is by revisiting the darkness of her past and praying for some way out again.

Review:
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this book.  It is full of action and detective work. There was so much emotion brought on by this book, I was crying then I was angry, then I was contemplative.  You think you have it figured out then, you are let in on another piece of the puzzle.  The villain is twisted beyond words and the hatred he feels for Rowan comes through in every word that is written.  The chemistry between Rowan and her leading man is evident, and while there are some romance scenes, this book it truly about the crimes that are being committed and getting them solved before he strikes again.

Notable Quotes:
"You do have sulking down to an are.  I don't think I have ever been around a woman who could be quiet for three solid hours"  John talking to Rowan on a drive.

Rating:
I gave this book a 4 1/2 out of 5. I loved the story, the characters and how it all played out.  I can't wait for the next book in this series..."The Hunt"

Deep In the Heart - Sharon Sala

Overview:
Samantha Carlyle knows someone is watching her, someone who wants her dead. So she runs to the safety of her tiny Texas hometown, and to the sweet, haunting memories of John Thomas Knight. A dedicated small-town sheriff as tender as he is tough, John Thomas was Sam's best friend and her first love. Fate has carried them down different roads. Sam must trust the proud, strong, and devastatingly handsome lawman with more than her heart, she must trust him with her life. Because there is someone else out there that wants her, and they want her dead.

Review:
I really liked this book. There was a mix of who-done-it and sweet romance. There are lots of twists and turns and many half-truths and meddling family that have gotten in the way of Sam & Johnny. She turns to him when she feels there is no one in the world she can trust, she finds it hard to even trust herself at times. The way that Johnny doesn't give up, and does everything in his power to make her feel safe goes a long way to help ease her fears. There are lots of additional characters that bring this story to life. Don't judge to early as who you think is after her, Ms. Sala keeps you guessing.

Notable Quote:
"That, I think, is how the West was won. That man was a sheriff. A genuine, pissed-off, Texas Sheriff. And if there really is some crazy stalker after Samantha Carlyle, and he runs in to John Thomas Knight, then I pity him...(from Detective Pulaski after his first meeting with Johnny)

Rating:
I give this book a 3 1/2 out of 5. It is a really easy read, the characters are solid, if not predictable.

WELCOME

Welcome to Hope's Book Shelf.  I was asked to think about writing a blog about the books I read, to review & suggest as I come across different authors and stories that I want to share....so this is my work in progress.  I hope you will check back often and follow my reads.  


~ Hope