Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Teaser Tuesday: Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I was recently approached by author James R. Tuck to read his new urban fantasy book. I like urban fantasy and was intrigued by the idea of a male main character so I agreed. It has now managed to work its way to the top of my review stack. I am reading Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck which will be published by Kensington on Feb. 7.


Here is the description:
Since hunting down the monster who took the lives of his wife and children five years ago, occult bounty-hunter Deacon Chalk has lived by only one rule.

He does not work for the monsters. He kills them.

So why would a vampire try to hire him as protection against another monster hunter? After enforcing his only rule Deacon goes to meet the target, a vampire slayer named Nyteblade. Professional courtesy demands he tell this Nyteblade the vampires are hiring people to kill him. Deacon finds the vampire slayer waiting in an alley.

Waiting to stake him

He discovers that Nyteblade is a bumbling, fumbling, wanna-be instead of a badass vampire hunter. Someone who needs saving from monsters instead of the other way around. This is proven when a horde of vampires descend and he has to escape while trying to keep Nyteblade alive.

Someone has set Deacon up. Someone wants him dead.

omeone should have sent more vampires.

Bound and determined, Deacon will find out who tried to kill him no matter how many bloodsuckers, were-spiders, cursed immortals, undead strippers, or insanely powerful hell-bitches he has to wade through.

It's going to be a long night.
Here is my teaser:
Vampires smell like big snakes, all venom and shed skin. I don't know why, but they do. And a little like roasted almonds. 

Sunday, January 29, 2012

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (Jan. 30, 2012)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.



I had a good reading week and read a variety of books including my first full-length audiobook. I read:
Iris and the Dragonflies by Rosemary Danielis - This was a middle grade novel and the last self-published book I accepted at the end of December. I liked the story and thought middle graders would enjoy the intrepid heroine and the Earth-friendly message. My review is here.

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan was my first audiobook but it certainly won't be my last. I got the audiobook for review from Macmillan Audio. I really liked this science fiction story about the perils of life on generation ships fleeing Earth for New Earth. I loved hearing the story and thought the narration was very well done. My review will be posted on Feb. 2.
Because I don't just read YA, I looked for the next adult book on my review stack and chose Time Out by Jill Shalvis. I got this one from NetGalley. I love both the humor and romance in Shalvis' books. This one had both and was a great story too. My review will be posted on Feb. 4.

I also read the Bump in the Night anthology which contains stories by J. D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Ruth Ryan Langan and Mary Kay McComas. It had the story by Robb that I recently listened to. I wanted a copy I could pore over in print. The other stories were OK but won't lead me to the authors' other books. My review will be posted on Feb. 8.
The final book I read last week was Forbidden by Syrie James and Ryan M. James. This was a surprise arrival from Wunderkind PR and HarperCollins. I thought it was an excellent paranormal romance and I look forward to sharing it with my students. My review will be posted on Feb. 4.
I am currently reading Fury of Fire by Coreene Callahan. I just got this new paranormal romance from Amazon Vine. It will be published on Feb. 7. I just started it but it seems entertaining and readable. 

These are the ones I plan to read next week:
I have two more books from Amazon Vine that need to be read before the end of February. Witchful Thinking by H. P. Mallory and Touchstone by Melanie Rawn. However, they may be put aside for something else from my adult stack since I do have some time before they need to be finished. Here is a photo I took on Jan. 28 showing my newly rearranged recently arrived adult books (I just realized that they are not in alphaberical order but they are all visible now instead with stacks behind stacks. MUST ALPHABETIZE!):
Jan. 27, 2012
Here are a couple from my YA TBR mountain that I would like to read this week: (I spend part of Saturday morning re-alphabetizing and re-stacking the books from the top of my entertainment center and the top of the bookcase into one sort of cohesive group. Good thing we don't have earthquakes here in Minnesota. These stacks are taller than I am.)
I actually chose these two because they were on the tallest stack and I am so OCD that I like the stacks to be more balanced but wasn't going to try to put two or three more books on the bottom of the middle stack.
Here is what my newly rearranged YA TBR mountain look like:
Jan. 27, 2012 - 99 books that I really, really want to read NOW
That was my reading and re-organizing week. What did you get read? What are you planning for the coming week?

In My Mailbox (Jan. 29. 2012)

The weekly In My Mailbox post is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is fun to see what everyone else gets in their mailboxes, shopping bags, and library visits. Click on the link to The Story Siren's site to see the rules and join in the fun.
 
I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the wonderful books everyone gets. You will discover lots of great blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.



I added five new books to my stack this week. Here they are:

I got one free book for my Kindle - Devil's Bride with Bonus Material by Stephanie Laurens. I already have the print version of this one but wanted it for my Kindle and I wanted the bonus materials.

I also bought Bump in the Night which has stories by J. D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Ruth Ryan Langan, and Mary Kay McComas. I bought this one for the Eve Dallas story which I had just heard as an audiobook. I read this one this week.
I also got two books from the Amazon Vine program for review. This time I chose Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann and Fury of Fire by Coreene Callahan. The Brockmann book is a departure from his usual romantic suspense being a futuristic with some paranormal elements. I hadn't heard anything about the Callahan book before I chose it but is sounds like an interesting fantasy.
The final book I got this week was Firelight by Kristen Callihan. I pre-ordered it a while ago after reading a bunch of good reviews about it. I liked the idea of combining historical romance and paranormal.

Those were the ones I got. What did you get?

Saturday, January 28, 2012

ARC Review: Spin by Catherine McKenzie

Spin
Author: Catherine McKenzie
Publication: William Morrow Paperbacks; Original edition (February 7, 2012)


Description: When Kate Sandford lands an interview at her favorite music magazine, The Line, it's the chance of a lifetime. So Kate goes out to celebrate—and shows up still drunk to the interview the next morning. It's no surprise that she doesn't get the job, but her performance has convinced the editors that she'd be perfect for an undercover assignment for their gossip rag. All Kate has to do is follow "It Girl" Amber Sheppard into rehab. If she can get the inside scoop—and complete the thirty-day program—they'll reconsider her for the position at The Line. Kate takes the assignment, but when real friendships start to develop, she has to decide if what she has to gain is worth the price she'll have to pay.


My Thoughts: I truly enjoyed this contemporary novel about a young woman who thinks she will do anything to get her dream job until things go from theoretical to real. The author pulled me right into Kate's life as she pursues her dreams and confronts her choices in this story.


Kate is an aspiring journalist just about to turn thirty when she gets the chance of a lifetime - an interview with her dream job. But partying the night before means she arrived late and still drunk to the interview. Needless to say, she wasn't offered the job. She spends the next few weeks huddled on her couch, eating her roommate's food and drinking her wine, and watching too much TV. She is compulsively following the exploits of the latest "it" girl - Amber Sheppard - as she self-destructs.


When Kate is called by the magazine where she blew the interview and offered a job, she doesn't hesitate. She doesn't hesitate when she finds out it is the magazine's gossip-monger sister magazine that wants to hire her to go to rehab and get the dirt on Amber. After all, she doesn't really have a drinking problem and doesn't need rehab herself, she thinks. 


Kate's slow transformation as she goes through rehab, befriends Amber, and meets Amber's ex-boyfriend Connor and Connor's best friend/manager Henry play out naturally in this story. As she follows the steps of the program, she learns so much about herself and begins to fall in love with Henry. The story is filled with interesting and well-developed characters. Kate begins by nicknaming the other people in rehab - the Child Star, the Judge, the Director. Even Amber starts out as TGND for The Girl Next Door - her most famous role - but they soon develop a closer relationship as they get to know each other. The only character that remains completely one-dimensional is Connor. We really only see him through others' eyes. He is Amber's ex-boyfriend who led her into drugs, cheats on her, and generally treats her badly . He is Henry's childhood friend who Henry enables in his bad behavior. 


The story isn't a romance but it might be the beginning of one. It isn't the story of a woman's recovery from alcoholism but it might be the beginning of that journey. It isn't even a story about friendship even though Kate makes new friends and reconciles with some old ones. The story is a journey through which Kate learns about herself and what she will and will not do. It is a story about growth and self-discovery.


I was sucked in and identified with Kate even though we are in totally different places in our lives. I could identify with the aimless, party-girl lifestyle Kate was living. I loved Kate's snarky sense of humor. I loved that she finally listened to her conscience.


I recommend this story both for its style and its message. 


Favorite Quote:
I wish I could say the decision was a difficult one, that the thought of going to rehab undercover to dig up dirt on a young woman in the middle of self-destructing gave me pause. I wish I could say I was indignant that Bob thought I'd agree to do it, or that I could convince anyone I needed to be in rehab. But that wouldn't be true, and the first step to recovery is admitting that I have a problem, right?


So, OK, I do.


I want to work at The Line so badly I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get into Bob's good books.
I got this book through the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review. You can get your copy here.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Book Beginning & Friday 56: Spin by Catherine McKenzie

Happy Friday everybody!!

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Katy at A Few More Pages 
Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading. 
If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

The Friday 56
Rules:
  • Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
  • Turn to page 56.
  • Find the fifth sentence.
  • Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Freda's Voice
  • Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice
Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.


My recent Amazon Vine pick - Spin by Catherine McKenzie - made it to the top of my review stack this week. This is a contemporary novel about a young woman who wants a job as a journalist bad enough to follow the latest star to rehab to get the dirt on her. It is really different than the kind of thing I usually read. There isn't a sparkly paranormal creature anywhere in sight.

Beginning: 
This is how I lose my dream job.
I'll have to agree that showing up late and drunk doesn't give the impression she would like to give.

Friday 56:
At the time of the last email (11:24 PM), Greer was clearly drunk.
This sounds like it could be entertaining in a very self-destructive kind of way.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Book Review: A Werewolf in Manhattan by Vicki Lewis Thompson

A Werewolf in Manhattan
Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson
Publication: Signet; Original edition (January 4, 2011)


Description: Emma Gavin writes about werewolves, but that doesn't mean she believes in them-not until a pack of real-life New York weres decide to investigate the striking accuracy of her "fiction". 

When Aiden Wallace, son and heir of the pack leader, tries to sniff out Emma's potential informant, he discovers something even more dangerous- an undeniable attraction to her.




My Thoughts: Best-selling author Emma Gavin writes about werewolves and she has so many details correct that Aidan Wallace of the Wallace pack has been put in charge of finding out who her werewolf informer is. Finding out requires that he bug her loft and follow her wherever she goes. Along the way he learns a lot about her and becomes fascinated with her.


Aidan knows, however, that as the heir to the Wallace pack, his future has been determined. He is slated to marry Nadia Henderson, daughter of the alpha of the Henderson pack, and unite the two packs. He was OK with this - but resigned more than eager - until he got to know Emma. Now the future he thought was planned out has become much less desirable. But Emma is human. They can't have a future together, or can they?


When Emma starts getting emails from someone who scares her, Aidan knows he has to step in. Things become even more complicated when they find out that the guy sending the creepy emails is Nadia's nineteen-year-old brother Theo. Now, Aidan has to protect Emma from Theo who really wants the werewolves to come out to the public while keeping the whole idea of werewolves as fact away from Emma. Also he has to find a way to keep his hands off a woman who gets more fascinating each time he meets her. Sharing a suite in Chicago's Palmer Hotel might not really be the best idea if they really intend to keep their hands off each other but he convinces himself that it is good security.


It doesn't help that Aidan has a genetic defect that forces him to shift when he gets aroused without the possibility of satisfaction. And just being around Emma is very arousing for him. It doesn't help that Emma wants him too. She says it is "research" into the lives of the rich and famous but neither one of them really believes it. Emma is into saving the planet and really gets on Aidan's case about his private cars, fancy suites, and really, really fancy watch. They have very different lifestyles which would be enough of a barrier to romance even without the whole werewolf thing. But love can manage obstacles like that despite the differences between them.


This was a wonderfully sweet romance between two strong characters who were willing to fight for each other. I liked that Emma was a strong independent woman who wasn't going to let the rich and powerful Wallace clan push her around. I enjoyed the story so much that I quickly went online and ordered the next book in the Wild About You series - A Werewolf in the North Woods - and look forward to reading Roarke's story.


Favorite Quote: In which our hero is being castigated over the phone by his younger brother about his decision to spend time with our heroine on her book tour.
He doubted she'd be popping out to hear his conversation. Still, he kept his voice down.

Roarke, who had no such restraints, was yelling into his phone. "You're an idiot!"

"Not according to my test scores."

"Which are nullified by your testicles, apparently. I knew you had solid-brass ones, but this is arrogance taken to the max."
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Book Review: Haunted in Death by J. D. Robb

Haunted in Death
Author: J. D. Robb; read by Susan Ericksen
Publication: Brilliance Audio on CD Unabridged; Unabridged edition (September 29, 2006)


Description: Number Twelve is an urban legend in 2060 New York City. The hot club in the 1960s, it is now reported to be haunted…and cursed. Lieutenant Eve Dallas is called there to investigate the apparent murder of Radcliff Hopkins, its new owner and the grandson of the man who made Number Twelve a cultural icon. Several bullets from a banned gun end his dream of returning the building to its former glory. With everyone around her talking about the supernatural, pragmatic Eve won’t let rumors of ghosts distract her from hard evidence. The case becomes even more bizarre when it appears to be linked to the suspicious disappearance of a rock star eighty-five years ago. As Eve searches for the connection, logic clashes with the unexplainable. She may be forced to face the threat of something more dangerous than a flesh-and-blood killer.


My Thoughts: This was my first audio-book and I chose a good one! Haunted in Death is a novella in J.D. Robb's In Death series. It originally appeared in the Bump in the Night anthology along with stories by Mary Blayney, Mary Kay McComas, and Ruth Langan. Since I somehow missed that anthology the story was new to me.


The plot is relatively simple. A murder is discovered in a building that is assumed to be haunted and/or cursed and Eve needs to figure out what happened. The victim is the grandson of the former owner of the building which was a swinging club in the 1960s. The owner of the club had a girlfriend who disappeared and attained legendary status. She was a 24-year-old rock star. Then the owner locked himself into the luxury apartment above the club until he died. Since then the building has gone through lots of owners who all seemed to have bad luck there. 


The victim is a guy with multiple ex-wives who was always looking for the next big score - nothing illegal but none of his grand plans ever came through. He had big plans to restore the club and capitalize on the legend of Bobbie Bray. He was shot with an antique gun which turns out to be the gun used to shoot Bobbie Bray too. When investigating the murder of Radcliff Hopkins, Eve finds the bones of another crime victim in the apartment above the club. Apparently the body had been walled in at death but had been found by Radcliff.


Eve traces Redcliff Hopkins past to see if there are clues. Everything seems to lead back to his grandfather's day and the mysterious disappearance of Bobbie Bray. And, it seems, Bobbie Bray has never left the building. Eve hears voices and music but dismisses it. She is far too rational to ever believe in ghosts. Though Roarke is willing to believe in the possibility of ghosts which puts he and Eve somewhat at odds. Eve does have to come to the realization of why she doesn't want to believe in ghosts which helps us understand her and helps her understand herself.


The thrilling climax also includes a visit from the ghost - though Eve will deny it if anyone should ask.


The audio was well-done. All of the characters were given voices that were distinct enough to tell them apart. I liked the emotion in the reader's voice and the suspense that she created. I liked the pacing of the story and the reading. This was a very pleasant way to spend about three hours.


I bought this audiobook because I didn't have the story in any other format. You can get your copy here.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Teaser Tuesday: A Werewolf in Manhattan by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


I just finished a really intense book and went browsing on my TBR mountain to try to find something lighter. I am hoping that A Werewolf in Manhattan by Vicki Lewis Thompson will fill the need. I have had it on my stack for a little more than a year now. It's about time it found its way to the top.

Description:
Emma Gavin writes about werewolves, but that doesn't mean she believes in them-not until a pack of real-life New York weres decide to investigate the striking accuracy of her "fiction".

When Aiden Wallace, son and heir of the pack leader, tries to sniff out Emma's potential informant, he discovers something even more dangerous- an undeniable attraction to her.
Teaser:
Aidan settled in to wait and tried to block out the sensory overload created by a pack of humans. Perfume, aftershave, and deodorant assaulted his nostrils, while a cacophony of voices, cell phone chimes, background music, and shuffling feet battered his eardrums.
Who has ever given a thought to the difficulties of having enhanced senses in crowded places? I know that I have not.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (Jan. 23, 2012)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.



I had a pretty good reading week this past week. Here is what I finished:
I finished Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck this week. It was a review book I received from the author. This was gritty urban fantasy that would have been improved by more character development. My review will be published on Feb. 2 and the book will be published on Feb. 7.

Spin by Catherine McKenzie was one of my Amazon Vine picks this month. I really enjoyed this contemporary, chic-lit story about a wanna-be journalist following a star into rehab in order to write a story about her and then making friends with her and dealing with her own alcohol problems. My review will be posted on Jan. 28 and the book will be published on Feb. 7 too.
Haunted in Death by J. D. Robb is a novella in the In Death series and was my first audiobook. I really liked it  and look forward to listening to more audiobooks. My review will be posted on Jan. 25. The audiobook is available now; the print version was in an anthology called Bump in the Night which came out in 2006.


The final book I finished this week was Charmfall by Chloe Neill. This is the third in her young adult Dark Elite series. I liked the combination of lifelike teens dealing with high school drama and magic. My review will be posted on Jan. 26.
I am currently reading Iris and the Dragonflies by Rosemary Danielis. This is a middle grade fantasy with talking dragonflies and not-so-mythical dragons. It also has strong themes about caring for the earth and friendship. I am enjoying it and thinking which middle schoolers I want to recommend it to.


Here is what I have on the stack for next week:
I have become a big fan of Jill Shalvis' contemporary romances. So I was glad to be accepted to read Time Out when I asked for it at NetGalley. This is also a sports romance.

Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan is an audio-book that I received for review from Macmillan Audio. This one is young adult science fiction. It sounds really good. I also just ordered the book and plan to do a read-along when it arrives. I am easing my way into audio-books,
Toil and Trouble by H. P. Mallory is the second in the Jolie Wilkins series. I have the third book on my review stack and feel that I need to read book 2 which has been on my Kindle for while before I start it. 

When the Sea Is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen is a young adult review book that I received from Feiwel & Friends. This is a young adult debut book and a paranormal fantasy.

I'm feeling pretty good right now because the review books I am reading are all February releases - even the end of February. I may get a chance to actually read a couple from my own TBR mountain this month.

What are your plans for the week?

In My Mailbox (Jan. 22, 2012)

The weekly In My Mailbox post is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It is fun to see what everyone else gets in their mailboxes, shopping bags, and library visits. Click on the link to The Story Siren's site to see the rules and join in the fun.
 
I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the wonderful books everyone gets. You will discover lots of great blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.



I received a variety of new books this week - review books, Kindle books, print books and even an audiobook. Here's what I got:
My print books were very "werewolf-y" this week. I got Werewolf in the North Woods by Vicki Lewis Thompson because I just finished Werewolf in Manhattan and thought it was a fun romance. When I found out there was a sequel (and a third book coming soon!), I just had to add it to my stack.

I also got a print copy of Hidden by Kelley Armstrong. I had ordered it quite a while ago and knew that the print run had sold out. I was worried that I hadn't ordered early enough to get one. After a few delays from Amazon, my copy did arrive this week. It is sort of bittersweet, though, knowing this is the last book in the Women of the Otherworld series.

I also got a couple of books from NetGalley for review:
Time Out by Jill Shalvis is a sports romance. I am a sucker for that genre and couldn't pass this one up. It will be published by Harlequin Blaze on Feb. 21.

I also chose The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens. I read The Restorer a while ago and thought it was very good. I am eager to read this sequel. It will be published on March 27 by Mira.
I also bought the Haunted in Death audiobook by J. D. Robb; read by Susan Erickson. I listened to this one this week and really enjoyed spending time again with Eve and Roarke. Then I went looking for the Bump in the Night anthology so that I could get a print copy of this story too.

Last, I purchased the SEAL of My Dreams anthology for my Kindle when it was on sale. It was $.99 one day last week. I see it is back to $7.99 today. All proceeds from sales of this book are going to Veterans Research Corporation, a non-profit fundraiser for veterans’ medical research.

What was in your mailbox this week?

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Book Review: Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz

Copper Beach
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Publication: Putnam Adult (January 10, 2012


Description: A rare book. An ancient code. An all-new novel from the New York Times-bestselling master of passion and the paranormal.


Within the pages of very rare books some centuries old lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell's unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes-and sometimes taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby receives a blackmail threat, and rumors swirl that an old alchemical text known as The Key has reappeared on the black market.

Convinced that she needs an investigator who can also play bodyguard, she hires Sam Coppersmith, a specialist in paranormal crystals and amber-"hot rocks." Passion flares immediately between them, but neither entirely trusts the other. When it comes to dealing with a killer who has paranormal abilities, and a blackmailer who will stop at nothing to obtain an ancient alchemical code, no one is safe.


My Thoughts: Jayne Ann Krentz begins a new contemporary/paranormal/romantic suspense series with Copper Beach. The main characters are Abby Radwell and Sam Coppersmith. Abby works as a dealer in the rare paranormal book market because she has the unique talent of being able to unlock encrypted books. Unfortunately, her family is far more likely to think that she is crazy than to celebrate her talent. In fact, they sent her to a special boarding school in her youth to "cure" her. She made lifelong friends among the other students with paranormal talents and developed a distance from her family. She also became very self-reliant and confident in her skills. She has also become very reluctant to trust anyone outside of her small circle.


When Abby begins to be blackmailed, she is directed to Sam Coppersmith. Sam is the son of the head of Coppersmith Inc which made its fortune in the rare earths business. He also has paranormal skills. He takes one look at Abby and falls in love. Naturally, he is determined to solve her problem and along the way solve his too. His girlfriend was murdered by someone trying to break into his home lab and his family is searching for a lab book that contains experiments on some dangerous crystals that his father and his partners discovered years ago. Sam is a typical Krentz hero. He is attractive, single-minded and very, very competent. He is also dangerous.


This story was a fast-paced thriller as Abby and Sam try to track down the person (or people) who want the encrypted lab book and who are willing to kidnap Abby and kill anyone who gets in their way. The dynamic between the two of them as they slowly find their way to romance was very engaging. I loved Abby's reluctance to trust and her constant effort to keep the relationship between them a business one. I also liked Sam's desire to protect Abby and his need to get her to see their relationship the way he sees it.


This was an excellent romantic suspense title filled with fascinating characters. I was really fond of Abby's dog - Newton - who was, as Sam says, a condo-sized junkyard dog. I recommend this one to JAK's many fans and for fans of the paranormal in their romantic suspense.


Favorite Quote:
"Are you out of your mind, Abby?" Gwen Frazier leaned forward across the restaurant table and lowered her voice. "According to what I found online, Sam Coppersmith was implicated in the murder of his fiancee six months ago. You have no business hiring a man like that. He might be very, very dangerous."

"Relax, I'm employing him, I'm not sleeping with him. Big difference."

"That's supposed to reassure me?"

"Well. It certainly makes me feel better about the whole thing," Abby said.
I bought this one. You can buy your copy here too.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Book Beginning & Friday 56: Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz

Happy Friday everybody!!


Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Katy at A Few More Pages 
Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading. 
If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

The Friday 56
Rules:
  • Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
  • Turn to page 56.
  • Find the fifth sentence.
  • Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Freda's Voice
  • Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice
Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.


Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz arrived in my mailbox today and I started reading it immediately. It didn't even hit the TBR mountain. I am a huge fan of JAK (and all her pseudonyms). This one is contemporary romantic suspense with a heavy hint of the paranormal. It also begins a new series.

Here is the product description:

A rare book. An ancient code. An all-new novel from the New York Times-bestselling master of passion and the paranormal.
Within the pages of very rare books some centuries old lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell's unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes-and sometimes taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby receives a blackmail threat, and rumors swirl that an old alchemical text known as The Key has reappeared on the black market.

Convinced that she needs an investigator who can also play bodyguard, she hires Sam Coppersmith, a specialist in paranormal crystals and amber-"hot rocks." Passion flares immediately between them, but neither entirely trusts the other. When it comes to dealing with a killer who has paranormal abilities, and a blackmailer who will stop at nothing to obtain an ancient alchemical code, no one is safe.
Beginning:
There was nothing like the drama of a deathbed scene to expose the skeletons in a family's closet. You never knew what would fall out when you opened the door, the nurse thought.
Friday 56:
Newton was the condo-sized version of a junkyard dog. 
The beginning makes me very curious about what kind of family secrets are going to be exposed.