The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith

 I could not wait to flip the pages of Galbraith's (J.K. Rowling) eighth story in the Strike and Ellacott mystery/romance encounter.

It did not disappoint.

Taking on a controversial case attached to a dismembered body found in the vault of a silver shop, Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott are investigating if the body belongs to the boyfriend of a rich client.  They don't necessarily need to know who it is, just whether it's the boyfriend or not.  

This narrow inquiry keeps them from overstepping the police's investigation.  That's the intention, anyway.

Strike's and Robin's probe leads off in many tangents, which includes their suppressed feelings.  Every time Strike or Robin considers revealing how they feel about one another, a roadblock appears.  Whether it's because they can't get together, their cases pull them in different directions, or more subtly they misread each other, their thoughts and feelings don't get expressed.  

More obviously, Robin's boyfriend appears to be a keeper and Strike's reputation doesn't help.

Strike tries to work closer with Robin to give him an advantage, which typically backfires.  He plans to lay his heart at her feet when he gets the chance, and he's incredibly frustrated that the chance hasn't happened yet.

Robin insists to herself that her boyfriend, Ryan, should be the one for her because he's a good guy.  She tries not to admit that might not be enough when thoughts of Strike bombard her.

The last chapter left me stunned.  A grand ending and a grand beginning for the next saga of Strike and Robin's story.  I can't wait.

Happy reading,

Dawn

 

Southern Comfort by Fern Michaels

Miami is the place to relocate when your job just isn't worth it anymore.

Patrick "Tick" Kelly found a fixer-upper hut on the beach with a resident parrot who has an interesting dialogue.  Tick left Atlanta PD after his family was murdered, and he couldn't fathom doing his work anymore.

Every boss changes the atmosphere, and Kate Rush abhorred her boss at the DEA.  She clearly let him know what she thought of his uselessness and promptly quit.  She immediately headed for her hometown, Miami.  

Another former agent, Sandy, joined Kate on Mango Key.  The friends attempted different lifestyles, but missed the action.  This caused them to agree to take on an informal job of watching a seemingly abandoned mansion on the beach to see if anything illegal was going on.

Tick fought the urge, but when his brother, Pete, visited and helped encourage him, he began to be interested in the mansion, too.  His recluse life really felt good, yet getting back into a more civilized life might be good for him.

Kate's former boss, Tyler, is interested in the same building.  He also met a sweet woman on the bus when he traveled to Miami.

All three teams have an agenda that intersect causing them to meet.  Some friendships are created along with past grudges understood.  Kate and Tick, Sandy and Pete, and unbelievably DEA boss, Tyler, and Nancy tempt the idea of a happily ever after.  

Happy reading,

Dawn

Down River by Karen Harper

 The remote wilderness near Talkeetna, Alaska appears to be the ideal spot for creating love and stopping murder. 

All the way from Florida, Lisa Vaughn and a few select attorneys vying for partnership attend a corporate retreat at Lisa's former fiancé's Lodge.  The competition includes rugged challenges on the river, in the air, a lot of secrets, and running from a killer.

Mitch Braxton left the corporate world when he inherited the Lodge.  He also left Lisa, and they both hope to tie up loose ends of their relationship.  Turns out, that's the least of their problems when Lisa is flung into the Wild River and fights for her life.

Finding her nearly hypothermic, Mitch does his best to rescue her miles from the Lodge.  Not only is he on a mission to save her life, but her heart also.  

The killer doesn't rest after Mitch and Lisa return to the lodge, and everyone on the grounds is subject to murder and suspicion.  

Mitch and Lisa team up to find out who is after her.  Motive and opportunity are available for all present, so how many attempts and how many people will be killed before the crimes are stopped?  Will the former engaged couple have a chance to sort out their feelings?  Can romance grow between other suspects?

Will they all live to reach a happily ever after?  Alaska can be dangerous.  Alaska can be beautiful.  Let's hope beauty prevails.

Happy reading,

Dawn    

 

Things We Hide From the Light by Lucy Score

 When everyone figures out that working in teams can result in a lot more answers and happiness, we'll find a much more loving world.

Nash Morgan, Chief of police of Knockemout, VA, is the leader of a team.  He has a hard time communicating since he was shot and can't remember what happened.  That must be terrible.  He feels he can't do his job, shutting his mind away from others, and a woman isn't in the cards. 

Studly-Do-Right is what Lina calls him.  Good looking and a pain in her ass.  Especially since she is kindly offered to rent the room next to Nash's.  Her purpose for being in town is strictly work, related to the work Nash has at hand.  She can't let him know.  She likes to love 'em and leave 'em, so it's not her style to be sentimental and honest with men.  

Something is different in Knockemout right now.  An attempted murder on the chief of police, a missing and insured classic sports car, and Nash and Lina both after the same guy.

They can't avoid each other forever.  

Each run-in creates heat.  

If the fire ignites, they can share investigative evidence.

If the fire ignites, they can share each other.  

Unlikely.  Nash and Lina are both against the tingles of sensation that bounce between each other.  Sometimes a weakness can make a strong alliance.  

This is a scorcher of a romantic suspense.  The search for the criminals, and the love and romance have one problem after another.  As long as all, or at least most, of the problems are resolved, Nash and Lina can make a truce to allow themselves happiness.

Enjoy your read,

Dawn

What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline

 Jason Bennett chooses to believe in the law, which drove him to own a court reporting business.  He even drives the speed limit.  

One day, out on a drive with his family, wife, daughter, son, and dog, their car is tailgated.  Jason makes the decision to get out and confront the driver.

Big Mistake.

The confrontation results in two deaths followed by the FBI showing up at his home.  Highly suggested by the agents, Jason and his family enter the witness protection program.  their life is left behind and the family begins to unravel, including Jason's marriage.

After an astounding truth is revealed, Jason decides he's the only one that can get the family's life back.  He uses his access to court records and puts the details together and creates a plan.  

The plan isn't full-proof, and his family will never be whole again, but Jason is willing to risk his life and hope for a good outcome.  He has two objectives. First, reveal the "bad guys" and get out of the witness protection program.  Second, love and trust need to be restored in his marriage.  The last item on his list is without a plan.  He doesn't know if his marriage can be salvaged or if he wants it anymore.  Is the love strong enough to get through the trouble created?

Scottoline  is a great suspense author, although I think she could have reduced the first 200 pages to about seventy-five.  Once the story gets to the "astounding truth", the novel speeds along and she's got her groove with the suspense.

Happy reading,

Dawn

Beautiful Russian Monster (A Vancouver Mafia Romance) by Odette Stone

 Her grandfather, a shipping tycoon, is missing, and Blaire is kidnapped by a frightful Russian man.  What else can go wrong?

Viktor has a mission, different than his former position in the Russian Mafia, but somewhat the same.  He needs to be stealthy and better than his opponent because there are no "ties" in this game.  

In order to save his tight friends, Viktor steals Blaire who is supposed to have the answers he needs.  If she can help him find her grandfather, he can save his friends.  Quite a mess of steps to get to the end of the maze.

Constant action, bad timing, luck, and ingenuity not only reveals clues to the end, but a bond between the captor and captured.  

Viktor has no use for a needy woman in the future and Blaire can't imagine this ruthless man as anyone who could have compassion.  Little by little, they work together to get what they want, which may include a first date...

Yea!  

Happy reading,

Dawn 

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowlings)

 Some books I love, and some I savor!  This I do both.

Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott bring suspense and the elusive romance in line throughout their mystery in London.

Strike (called by his last name due to constant mispronunciation of first) is a wounded war hero turned private investigator and hot as a sizzling iron.

  

He picks up a cold case of a former Playboy Bunny turned doctor with suspicious death circumstances.  His beautiful partner, Robin, is on the trail with him.  

Strike does his best to ignore the lurking emotional feeling he's experienced with Robin.  Not too hard most of the time since his aunt, like a mother to him, is dying and their caseload is maxed.  

Robin is doing the same, ignoring the attraction to Strike while she goes through a divorce along with extensive work hours.  

The cold case highlights former police inadequacies and a strange connection to tarot cards and astrology.  

Galbraith pulls the reader in as if you're living the story and can feel the energy expended with each dead end and lead in the case and romance.  I just hope that Strike and Robin figure it soon!

Happy reading,

Dawn   

Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey

 Not only does Hazel Greenlee listen and type the crimes of Black Harbor for the police force, but she somehow gets involved.  As an aspiring author, this may help her out of the hole of a life she feels surrounds her.  

Being privy to the details, she gets tangled up with a crime and seduced by a detective.   Only one of these is willingly.

Nikolai Kole is a veteran detective with a past.  He fights crime unconventionally and loves women of many types.  When he encounters the new transcriber, he reveals secrets to Hazel.

Hazel doesn't reciprocate her secrets.  Yet, the chemistry is binding between them. One thing she pounces on is knowing a man involved in the selling of drugs to kids.  

Kole brings her on a covert mission to take down the drug dealer who's also a murderer.  

Through many close contact situations, a type of love festers and becomes physical in backseats and dark rooms.  

Is it a love that can outrun the hidden truths Hazel holds, and the forced deception of Kole?  Can their lives endure the danger and crime enveloping the dark city?

A contemporary, spooky love story darkened by crime.  Keep the lights on and keep reading.

Happy reading,

Dawn

   

 

Death in Cold Water by Patricia Skalka

Back to one of my favorite places, Door County, Wisconsin.  The setting is real, only I hope the death never happens as in the novel.   The romance takes a good turn, so I'm all for that.

Dave Cubiak, former Chicago PD homicide, moved to Door County, a little New England, and is elected Sheriff.  Just when things should be festive, warm, and colorful in autumn, arrests are made.  

Gerald Schnieder, heralded philanthropist, is missing.  Schnieder formerly ran a Home for wayward children, too.  When human bones wash up on the beach, Cubiak has an instinct they're related to Schnieder and not in a good way.

It would be nice to have Cate at home, but Cubiak knows she's on a photo shoot and isn't sure she wants to be around.  Their relationship still has a lot of work to be done along with secrets dealt with.

I enjoy the twists and surprises Skalka directs the mystery and the romance.  Hidden history and a pull of gossip give Schnieder a whole new persona, and a meaning to the bones.  Needing Cate's help with photos, there's an opportunity for a meaningful discussion.  Let's hope this leads to a solved mystery and a strengthened romance.

Happy reading,

Dawn    

  

A Cry in the Dark by Denise Grover Swank

 Getting a little serious, this romantic suspense makes you wonder who's the good guy and who's the bad. 

Carly Moore doesn't know who to trust when she abandons her marriage before the vows are legal.  With not much in her pocketbook, she finds true friends that help her find a new life, a car, and a mountain road leading to better times until her car breaks down.

By some miracle, Max pulls up with his tow truck.  Carly isn't sure about his motives. A handsome man who happens by on the deserted mountain side and conveniently wants to help.  

Max sees a motorist stranded, and true to his business of fixing vehicles, he pulls over.  Finding a beautiful  woman alone, he has questions when she definitely doesn't want police involved in helping her situation.

In the small, tight knit community he drives her to, she's introduced to Max's brother who owns the tavern and rundown motel she needs to stay at till her car's fixed.  Everyone is so helpful.

Yet, there are bad seeds in the mountain, and it doesn't take long for Carly to witness the murder of a teenage boy.  

Her suspicions rise on all around her.  Max stays scarce because of a family feud, so she doesn't know what to think of his help, then his distance. That's until her new friends decide she's in danger.  The danger can't be pinpointed to certain people, which includes the police department. 

Max overcomes his separation from family in order to assist Carly to get her life back together and to stay alive. 

The pace of the story is exciting and with a lot of nail biting while Carly ducks bullets and evil men.  Sincere friends and a man falling in love do their best to keep her safe and give her a new place to call home.

Happy reading,

Dawn

  

Winter of Solace, A Medieval Romance by Kathryn Le Veque (The Executioner Knights Series)

Winter of Solace takes the reader into the Medieval Ages, the thirteenth century in and around London.  
After a drinking game amongst knights at The Pox, Sir Caius d'Avignon finds himself drunk and in front of the Earl of Pembroke.  The Earl requests Caius to lead the Earl's army to settle a dispute between two castle Lords.
Sounds simple enough, but intricate issues feed off each other and create a quagmire. Caius would defend the de Wrenvilles, and that's where the problems start.   De Wrenville married the Earl's niece ("Ugly Alice") for one reason only.  De Wrenville is loyal only to himself and uses anyone to get what he wants. He's imprisoned the Lady of the opposing castle, Emelisse.  
She is beautiful and kind and unknown to her, promised to De Wrenville's son.
Caius sees the wrong in De Wrenville. He must stop the warlord from wrecking a lot of lives, especially the lovable Emelisse.  And Alice and Hallum- De Wrenville's knight who adores Alice- need a chance to express their hidden feelings.
The bad people put down with swords and the multiple love matches bound are exhilarating and bring the reader into the story.
Enjoying this novel will lead you to download or flip many pages of Le Veque's storylines, which contain casts of characters followed through the lands of Great Britain and showing up repeatedly in multiple titles. I highly recommend getting into this era of historical romance!

Happy reading,
Dawn

Betrayed By You by Marilyn Williams

Ava Sinclair never mixes business with boyfriends.  As a loan officer at large Atlanta bank, that shouldn't be hard.  Working up the ladder is her main goal until Justin walks through her office door.
Justin plans for a few weeks to oversee his new hotel and take care of financing while he stays in Atlanta.  He's had many girlfriends, although the relationships end fast when it's all about looks and money.  That's his money I'm talking about.
Ava could've sworn her heart held still upon meeting Justin.  Nothing could look better escorting her...well, anywhere.  He's all business and that's how she used to prefer a business relationship.
The problem is, how can she get out of being his bank contact?
Justin finds his thoughts absorbed fully by Ava, yet he's never been good expressing feelings.
There's a few other problems coming their way and it could be the death of a romance or just the death of a deserving person investigated by Ava's former boyfriend.
Do Ava and Justin know too much or too little?  Never trust a smooth ride because there will always be potholes along the way.
 The storyline kept me reading and I certainly enjoyed the surprise potholes in Ava and Justin's romance.  I do wish Marilyn Williams better luck in her next editing endeavor.  A few too many simple errors that an editor has no business missing.  Other than that, the story was delightful.

Happy reading,
Dawn

Dance With the Enemy by Rob Sinclair

This is certainly a dangerous romance.
Carl Logan works covertly for the US government.  He does the things no one wants to hear about, but need to get done.
Angela Grainger's position with the FBI sends her to the same location and case that Logan is placed on.  Granted, she has a lot of secrets that will shock the reader.
Coincidences can be murderous and romance is unexpected, unwanted, and can't be avoided.  The heart has a case of its own.
Logan is placed in London to find out who kidnapped and is probably torturing the US Attorney General.  He hasn't been on assignment for five months, and he holds a vendetta against a party to the captors of the AG.  He's not afraid to use deadly measures.
Grainger is looking for the kidnappers, too.  Amazing that Logan and her end up in the same place at the same time while Logan is following the kidnappers.
Against better judgement, they team together and watch each other's backs.
Sleeping in the same, small hotel room has its temptations.  When nothing else supplies a getaway from the miserable conditions of the investigation, a lot of body heat feels real nice.
A big problem they both realize, is that they can't share all information and repeatedly hold back.  Who's on who's side and how can it be proven after lies and silences?  How will the case end, and will they be able to see each other afterward?
They certainly hope so, and so do I.

Dark Russian Angel (A Vancouver Mafia Romance) by Odette Stone

Which bad boy is a better bet on getting help?
Olivia needs help, but only bad men and no help is all around her after she witnesses a murder.
Under the Witness Protection Program, the police get cold feet as they are picked off one by one.  Maybe helping a stripper isn't enough of a payback for putting their lives on the line.
Andrusha has a problem with this.
As the leader of the Russian Mafia stationed in Vancouver, Andrusha couldn't be happier if Olivia lived to tell the truth in court against his rival.
As her safe house is again attacked, Andrusha steps in.
Getting to know each other wasn't part of the plan, but Olivia feels an attraction to the dangerous man who saved her.  Yet, his lifestyle scares her.
Andrusha likes to be in control of everything, including his women.  The fact that he got her a dog as a companion saved him in my eyes.  And he refuses to control her, but rather he digs in himself and finds a kinder, caring element of his personality he didn't know about.
An exciting and surprising read as I followed the unfolding of a man and woman's unconventional romance.

Happy reading,
Dawn

Ruthless Knight -Legendary Bastards of the Crown Series- Book 2 by Elizabeth Rose

Bastard sons of King Edward in the fourteenth century have turned against the King for good reason.  Or so they thought.
When the triplets were wee babes, the King's decision was to kill them, yet they were saved by a distant relative.  The boys' vowed to never bow to the King, but rather raid and plunder the King's riches.
Rook, one of the triplets, lives in the catacombs of a haunted priory.  He still plans against the King, and prefers the solitary life of a thief.
Lady Calliope lives under the tight hand of her uncle and frequently sneeks food and supplies to the villagers.  On a rainy day, she chooses to return to the castle through the priory and avoid the rain.
Her heart nearly bursts with an unknown yearning for the handsome and powerful man she comes upon in the catacombs.
Rook fakes his ability to hold and destroy Calliope when he finds her spying on him.  He easily spares her when he wonders how he can possibly have these strange feelings of...of...lust, interest, or love(?!) towards a noble.
He can't possibly care for her, give her what she deserves, or break his own vow to destroy the King.  So how does she fit in his life?
Lady Calliope doesn't have the freedom or the right to let her heart go to a thief.
But is Rook that bad?  Is Lady Calliope so restrained by nobility that her heart can't go where it wants?  So many hurdles to conquer.
Lovely story of the triumph of love.  One thing the passing of centuries hasn't changed- the strength of the heart!

Happy reading,
Dawn 

Not So Prince Charming by Lauren Landish

Landish, a bestselling author, has another great series, Dirty Fairy Tales.  Not So prince Charming is the second in the series and a great read!

Loved the heroine, Isabella.  She's a hardworking waitress putting herself through college and never giving up.  She has fabulous friends who watch her back, and the thought of time and energy for a man in her life is something she thinks won't happen for a long time.

Now, Gabriel, he has a lot of baggage.  After his brother was murdered, he sets out to do whatever it takes to find the killer.  That includes being a hit man.

Now how can a hit man redeem himself? That's the black hole he has to dig himself out of if only Isabella can understand.

Oh wait!  Gabriel is hired to take Isabella out.  Just another kink in the story of Gabriel and Isabella meeting and somehow finding love in between the grey areas. 

Quite the story of who finds love and who does the killing.  Don't expect to find a typical plot or typical love.  Have to read! 

Read on!

Dawn

  

The Kremlin Conspiracy by Joel Rosenberg

Oleg Kraskin impresses the Russian president and is honored to be given the right to marry his daughter.

Oleg didn’t know there’s a price to pay when marrying into the oligarchy at the highest level.  Can he keep his marriage filled with love alive? Will his thoughts and actions as he realizes the intent of the president separate or kill the marriage?  Especially for what Oleg feels he needs to do for the love of his country.

Marcus Ryker already met the end of his marriage in a shooting that shattered his life.  In the U.S., being a secret service agent never leaves the blood even after Marcus took a hiatus for four years.  A close friend requested Marcus to return to action on a simple detail, protecting a senator traveling to Russia.  He’d try it just this once.

In Russia, Oleg sat next to the Russian president.  Oleg approached Marcus, on the side of the senator, and congratulated him for his many honors.

That was the start of Oleg’s precarious activity in contrast to his loyalty to his president.  And Marcus’ biggest test to protect his country.

Oleg And Marcus have a treacherous goal that may cost them lives and love, or strengthen both.

Well written and spellbinding.  Each scene heightens the possibility of growth or destruction in nation and in personal love.

Happy reading,

Dawn

Dark Road Home by Karen Harper

A great mix of romance and suspense mixed with the Amish lifestyle!

A quiet Amish community in Maplecreek, Ohio finds itself plagued with a tragedy, change, and acceptance.

Brooke Benton moves into town to leave behind the corporate lawyer world and looking for peace and quiet.

Daniel Brand grew up in Maplecreek, left to see what was beyond the quaint border, and has returned to reclaim his Amish heritage. 

Not long after they both move to town, a brutal murder of several young people in a vehicle/buggy collision tests the strength and Amish ways of the community. 

Amish want to mourn the lost children and keep the outside legal system from intruding.

Brooke yearns to use her legal knowledge to find the killer.

And then there’s Daniel, who struggles with the need to remain truthful to Amish ways, not let a worldly woman like Brooke enter his heart, and whether to find or ignore the killer.

Justice must prevail, and Daniel grudgingly and slowly partners with Brooke to search for the killer.  And who knows, maybe it’s okay to be Amish and love someone of another belief.

Brooke didn’t want to meet a man.  Simple is better, but when you have to deal with justice and high emotions, sometimes lovely things arrange themselves.

Keep reading,

Dawn

The Dying Room by Debra Webb

Sylvia has more than the heat of Alabama on her back when she takes on a murder spree that involves the most unsuspecting group of people.

As the county coroner, she handles the most intimate parts of the dead.  And she finds a marking on the dead that she recognizes.  She can’t let it slip by the police, but she wants to make sure it’s what she thinks it is.

Wringing her hands, she calls a former “acquaintance,” PI Buddy Corlew.  She’s touched him before and can’t believe she wants to do it again.  He’s nothing like what she sees herself with; his hair is shoulder length and to see him in a professional mode requires jeans and possibly a sports jacket if she’s lucky.  But he’s a good man and makes her panties wet.

Buddy doesn’t have any misgivings in helping Sylvia.  Matter of fact, it couldn’t hurt to get to know her better.  Although, to help her with the investigation may hurt her more than anything when the truth is revealed.

Then the danger starts as Sylvia wants to get to the bottom of the murders by herself.

Buddy warns her.  Buddy kisses her.  Buddy does his best to save her.

A great romantic suspense that Webb is well known to provide!

Read everyday!

Dawn

Hanover House by Brenda Novak

Evelyn Talbot starts her hard work on page one. 

A person’s past often encourages their future.  Evelyn had been attacked by a psychopath as a teenager.  He's still on the loose twenty years later, and even if he’s not apprehended, Evelyn wants to KNOW WHY a person does the horrendous things they do. 

As a psychiatrist, Evelyn goes out of her way to contract a new facility in Alaska to harbor psychopathic criminals.  Most of them have succeeded in killing, whereas she had survived her attack.   

The small town in Alaska is divided on whether it wants a prison.  Understandable.  It will provide jobs, yet dangerous criminals are only a wall and an iron bar away from freedom to kill again. 

Hilltop, Alaska has a small police force headed by Amarok, a man who’s not hard on the eyes but not completely in favor of more danger in the area. 

When Amarok meets Evelyn on her first trip to the not yet finished Hanover House prison, his feelings stutter. She’s awfully careful about being in public or alone.  Must be afraid of something.  Pushing aside his disagreement on bringing in the psychopaths, his urge to protect a beautiful woman wins out.

And Evelyn is a magnet for trouble.
 

Lucky for her she grudgingly follows the advice and protection of Amarok.  And she welcomes the handsome, hot, and conscientious man into her home.

Make sure you purchase the whole series because this is only the prequel, and the steamy parts of the romance keep building!

Happy reading,

Dawn