Pandora’s Passion by Amy Hahn

September 15, 2016 By Leave a Comment

PASSION
Pandora’s Passion by Amy Hahn
Publisher: Satin Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Short Story (46 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Rora is the Pandora of Greek legend who released evil onto the world, but kept hopelessness from escaping. For centuries she protected The Box, but now Prometheus has appeared and issued a warning that Eris, goddess of discord, and Nemesis, god of revenge, have sent the infamous Gorgons after The Box. Seeing him again sets Rora’s emotions into a tailspin and dredges up memories of a painful and passionate past. The Titan and she share centuries of relationship baggage. And she loves him, but he’s never confessed to loving her. The tension is thick between them, the energy electric. In no time they’ve surrendered to their passion, but the arrival of the Gorgons puts them, The Box, and mankind in danger.

How much longer can Pandora bear the burden of The Box?
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The story of Pandora and The Box is a familiar story from Greek mythology, but even if you haven’t read it, the history of Pandora, The Box, and Prometheus is explained very clearly. I was intrigued by the idea of Pandora living an endless life still bound to The Box. What would that kind of responsibility do to a person and the people they care about? I started reading eager to learn the answer.

Pandora, now known as Rora, has lived centuries protecting The Box from those who wish to harm humans, and now she has reached her breaking point. Prometheus is the only man Rora has ever loved, though their relationship has been tumultuous to say the least. Every time they’ve tried to make their relationship work, The Box and their history managed to drive them apart. It is a frustrating, never ending cycle, and it is easy to see why Rora is exhausted and practically ready to give up. Now Prometheus has learned of a new threat to Rora and The Box and once again they are drawn together. Rora has always loved Prometheus, but can she’s not sure he feels the same way. Does he come back for her, or The Box?

I do wish there had been more time for Rora and Prometheus to reconnect. While they have centuries of history, there weren’t many details provided to make it come alive. I truly wanted to feel the weight of Rora and Prometheus’ bond, but from the moment he walks through Rora’s door, everything happens so quickly that their relationship wasn’t as compelling as it could have been. I liked them, but when I finished reading I didn’t feel as if I truly knew them.

Prometheus makes some big decisions regarding his relationship with Rora and the path their future will take. While I have no doubt that these changes will be for the better, I was left wondering why now? This isn’t the first time they’ve found themselves in danger, so why the change or heart? Was it simply the right time, or something else? I just wish I could have had more insight into Promethus’ thought process.

Despite these issues, I had fun reading Pandora’s Passion. It is a quick, fast paced, entertaining short story that can easily be read in one sitting. I recommend this romance to anyone looking for a snapshot in the life of a passionate couple.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Immortal Nights by Lynsay Sands

September 9, 2016 By 5 Comments

NIGHTS
Immortal Nights by Lynsay Sands
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (228 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Abigail Forsythe’s life hasn’t been easy lately. Still, if there’s one thing guaranteed to take her mind off an empty bank account and abandoned dreams, it’s a naked man locked in a plane’s cargo hold. A very big, incredibly gorgeous naked man. And when instinct prompts her to free him, Abigail must rely on this stranger for survival…a stranger who leaves her thrumming with need every time they touch.

Tomasso Notte knows he’s found his life mate in Abigail. Now he just has to hold on to her. They’re miles from civilization, hunted by his kidnappers. Abigail has no idea of Tomasso’s abilities, or of how intensely pleasurable their unique connection can be. But he’s about to show her, beginning with one wild, hot, immortal night…

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Ms. Sands is heading down the road of gritty and suspenseful storytelling if Immortal Nights is anything to go by. There’s a new villain in town. The last book hinted but this one confirms it and he’s a nasty piece of work from the hints that were dropped. What was revealed was enough to give me the willies.

In the previous story, Dante escaped a cage he was put in, and eventually fell in love with Mary, but there was always the worry about his trapped twin, Tomasso, who couldn’t escape with him. Tomasso does eventually escape but not without help and it comes from an unlikely heroine in an unusual location. Meet the stowaway, Abigail. She was a pleasant surprise.

The first part of the novel is about surviving on an island and all it entails. It’s not without some hilarious moments and I cracked up when Tomasso decided on the benefits of vines, which was funny as it is, but add in the ‘crab’ attack and I was rolling on the floor. Now, add in Abby’s penchant for nursing and it was knee slapping hysterical. I really enjoyed reading at that point.

The second part of the storyline dealt with the not so great effects of living on an island in primitive conditions. That introduced emotional conflict, drama and relationship complications. There’s a bit of happiness too, some uncomfortable revelations and a reunion. Fans of the series will recognize the conflict and the humor that comes from it, especially when Lucien shows up. That says it all.

The third and final part of the book is where all the action, suspense, worry, and most of the fast paced page flipping occurred. This is where Abby learns some scary facts about possible motive, and intent of the mysterious doctor. It’s also where she has to do some escaping of her own. Will Tomasso return the favor or will he be too late? The author kept me on tenterhooks waiting to find out about Abby and her companions’ fates.

As fans of the series expect, the scenes where the hero and heroine discover their shared passion as lifemates are well done, and at times highlighted with a bit of humor. I liked Abby’s dialogue about all the places she’s woken up in. I also liked the fact that both she and Tomasso were geeky smart and that they both found it a huge turn on.

The final word comes from the villain himself and it’s creepy as can be. This scene put chills up my spine and made my stomach drop. I recognize that this new plot thread has the capacity to be dark and deviant – I just hope it doesn’t overshadow my favorite Argeneau family. The one thing it did do was insure my undivided loyalty to this series. This is one bad guy I’m going to want to see go down, but the how, when and by whom is what is going to keep me coming back until he gets his comeuppance. I am sure most fans who read that part are going to agree. This series just got an injection of freshness and drama. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Sands does next but Immortal Nights was a great intro and is not to be missed.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

When Time Falls Still by Brenda Margriet

September 8, 2016 By 1 Comment

WHENTIMEFAILS
When Time Falls Still by Brenda Margriet
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Holiday, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (353 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Stargazer

Professor Charlotte Girardet is focused on one thing – securing tenure at a large, prestigious university.

Her career is firmly on track, but her life is complicated by her attraction to rough and rugged security guard Justice Cooper. It isn’t only Charlotte’s heart in danger, however. Tensions blaze on campus after several students are viciously attacked.

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Everyone has secrets; what happens when we allow those secrets to dictate our life?

When Time Falls Still begins simply, Charlotte, an English Professor works to secure tenure at a large University and so takes some time at a smaller University to focus on expanding her Doctoral Dissertation into what will be her crowning research. While working later evenings she meets Justice, a rugged and handsome security guard with a heart of gold.

Over a mixture of time and recent assaults on campus, Charlotte and Justice find that their mutual attraction has become stronger and their hearts are more open. But, when family, history and even ex’s come into the picture, life is never as ideal as it should be.

When Time Falls Still is a great story about family and the perceptions that society places on the family unit. Charlotte and Justice are deep characters, they have secrets, a past and fears that they do not want others to know about. Yet, in the end, are they willing to trust the other with the secrets they hold? This story causes the reader to become invested in what the characters choose; the reader is drawn into wanting what is best while at the same time studying the campus assaults knowing that something more sinister is going on.

Brenda Margriet is a great story-teller and is able to explain the most primal of instincts in such a way that the reader feels that they are experiencing them first hand. The roiling emotions and stress of the various situations and decisions that must be made tie the reader directly into the story line.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of When Time Falls Still; just as the title suggests, you will wish time could fall still so you never have to put the book down!

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Second Time’s a Charm by Kay Blake

September 8, 2016 By 1 Comment

CHARM
Second Time’s a Charm by Kay Blake
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (81 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

She wasn’t supposed to still feel this way?

Liz Alexander hasn’t been to New York City in six years. She left behind the life as she knew it and the man that broke her heart. When tragedy strikes, Liz is forced to go back and face the man she thought she no longer loved.

For a man, there is nothing worse than being on a movie date when one viagra cost in india of the hormones that play an important role in post surgery of the patient. This condition will not cause any life-threatening symptoms or complications, but it can be extremely harmful for the psyche of the individual, their emotional life and their social life as well.Luckily, you can now viagra best buy unica-web.com from the leading online pharmacy stores and this helps in preventing pharmacy scams. The unica-web.com order generic viagra root is cultivated in Wisconsin ginseng farmunder extremely favorable conditions using advanced farming methods. There is no tadalafil best price escape from those persuasive ads on TV which claims to know the right dose of medicine, according to his past and present health history. Liam Parker hasn’t seen Liz since she packed her bags and moved across country. Now seeing Liz again after all this time made Liam realize that he would do anything to get the woman he loves back.

Will the past get in the way? Or will their love have a second chance?

Second Time’s a Charm is a title that pretty much explains the context of this story. This is a quick read that contains a safe and common plot. The author adds in realistic complications that could come with dating outside one’s race.

The beginning of the story is a sad opening of Elizabeth attending a burial service for her long time friend Samantha. While attending the service Liz runs into her high school boyfriend, Liam Parker. During her stay they decide to open up and discuss their past. Liz left right after high school and was gone for six years. I felt the story was very hard to believe because during six year there was no mention of either Liz or Liam being in a relationship with anyone else. Not only that but after six years apart I am sure that they had to have grown in some way but they didn’t spend much time getting to re-know each other before they were having relations.

Things I couldn’t get past beside the long absence of Liz and her running away. Liz still had a Snoopy t-shirt that she wore in high school. Liam’s father had a huge problem with Liam dating outside his race but he gave in so quick and easy. Liz being a runner, running from being hurt and holding on to old hurts and letting it dictate her friendship with Sam and hindered her making visits to her home town.

The author has potential. I liked Liam and found it cute how he still remembered a lot about Liz and what she liked six years ago. He also had a willingness to make things work between them two. He finally stood up to his dad and Nicole Taylor. The book is short and ends with a happy ending. I like how the author gave hers and his voice and perspective. I enjoyed reading about Liz and Liam’s attraction and need for each other.

This was a plot that’s been done before and though the author didn’t add much additional spin to the story, it does give the reader a happy ending. This is a quick appetizer read for those that don’t want to spend a lot of time reading a story.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Her Renegade Rancher by Jennifer Ryan

September 7, 2016 By Leave a Comment

RANCHER
Her Renegade Rancher by Jennifer Ryan
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (298 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

With their hearts’ desires on the line, nothing can stop the Montana Men

No one knows better than Colt Kendrick that life can change in an instant. He lives without regrets except for one: not making the gorgeous woman he sees every time he walks into the local diner his.

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Not everyone is happy with Luna’s good fortune, and as they make their feelings dangerously and abundantly clear when she falls in their crosshairs, Colt will do anything he can, risk everything he has, to keep her safe. Because Luna showed him he has a heart…and it belongs to her.

Sizzling, sweet and sensual with a touch of spice, Her Renegade Rancher has a hero and heroine that makes me love to read romance. Trust, loyalty, honesty, and love abide in spite of all the negativity and danger that presses in on Luna Hill and spills over to her longtime friend (and more) Colt Kendrick.

Jennifer Ryan had my attention from page one, broke my heart in the first chapter, then healed it bit by piece as Luna moves from struggling waitress to determined owner and conscientious caretaker of her inheritance with Colt Kendrick backing her up every step of the way. With more money and power than she’d ever dreamed of having, she tries with all her might to see that the ranch and money her dear, old friend Wayne Travers willed to her is taken care of like he wanted it to be.

However, Wayne’s two sons, his sister and her husband are beside themselves when the will is read. They, goaded by insatiable greed, are determined to take away from Luna what they feel is rightfully theirs. The intensity of their hate, the both subtle and blatant sabotage and worse stalks Luna like a blood-thirsty monster.

The purity of intent on one side of the coin with the greedy, mean-spiritedness intent on the other side make Her Renegade Rancher a true good-against- bad struggle. How love slips in while the struggle is going on creates some heart-warming and ecstatic scenes. Also the family side stories add a special touch to the bringing everything together.

A beautifully written story!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Heart of a Hunter by Tamela Miles

September 7, 2016 By Leave a Comment

HEARTOFAHUNTER
Heart of a Hunter by Tamela Miles
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (35 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Life has never been kind to teen, Elle Connor. With a troubled home life, the gritty, violent streets of Los Angeles have become her home. She never questions her superhuman abilities until she encounters, in a fight or die situation, a guardian angel Tagas, who reveals her holy origins as one in a long history of demon hunters. She also has her eye on her attractive classmate, Brandon.
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Problems arise when Elle finally realizes that life as a hunter is fraught with tragedies and is deeply lonely. Elle is presented with a choice – follow her calling from God as a hunter or live a “normal” life with love. Can Elle tip the scales in favor of what’s good or will she become just another casualty in the eternal war between good and evil?

Though this book is short in length it carries a story that is quick in catching a readers attention. Seventeen year old Elle Connor is very mature for her age and when approached by a demon one evening walking home she doesn’t seem to be in shock or alarmed. Elle’s of age to learn her purpose but will Tagas be able to save her and teach her how to become a demon hunter?

I enjoyed the author’s writing style. Though this is a short story the author took the time to paint vivid settings that made it easy to picture the Los Angeles scene. The setting details flowed with the story and gave hints of visuals such as ‘the late summer sun low in the west was setting’, and such descriptive and thought provoking details with word description as ‘black velvet sky overhead’.

The plot is interesting and kept my attention. It was just the right amount of high school life, romance and action. Elle is a believable character and her sweet personality is one that won me over. Elle is a senior in high school living a normal teen life until she is approached by Pyro. Tagas is there to save her and also help her fulfill training to become a demon hunter. While her friends are going off to college Elle knows that her future now is different than those of her friends. I enjoyed the relationship between Elle and Brandon McGovern. Brandon cares about Elle and makes plans to keep in touch with Elle while away at college. After a party things change and Elle comes in contact with demon Cascadia. The training Elle has received has come in handy. Elle has grown stronger in strength and in knowledge. She is able to hold her own. Elle is young and she is also a character that I admire. Her home life may not be the best and now she knows her purpose is to be a demon hunter; she embraces that she is different.

With a personal vow to become the best demon hunter and make all demons suffer I am excited and looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Rhythm & Blues by Shae Connor

September 6, 2016 By Leave a Comment

BLUES
Rhythm & Blues by Shae Connor
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (99 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy (M/M)
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

When life tears apart your dream, build a new one.
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After a knee injury ended his career, Broadway dancer Pate Hawkins limped his way back from New York to Atlanta to implement Plan B: open a dance academy to train the next generation of song-and-dance dreamers. When model-gorgeous contractor Ace Samson answers his request for an estimate on renovating his studio space, Pate hits pay dirt in more ways than one. As construction gets underway, the red-hot attraction between the two men flares, and soon they develop a fledgling relationship. Then the siren song of the stage calls Pate back, and he has to choose between the dream he left behind and the new life he’s building—with his studio, and with Ace.

A bad knee injury meant Pate could no longer work in his career of dancing. So instead, he decides to go with plan B – his own dance studio. Ace is the contractor Pate has hired to help his dream become a reality. Can the two men mix work and play and both come out winners?

This is a fun M/M romance that I really enjoyed. Pate is a character I found myself sympathizing with, strong and determined but needing to regroup and bounce back from a career-ending injury. Ace is the typical “skinny guy grows up buff” character that finds himself hot and sexy in his adult body. I really liked how the author took the beginning somewhat slow, introducing us properly to the two men, letting me as a reader get comfortable with their characters and get to know them a bit before the steaminess came in. This time and pacing is something I find a lot of erotic romance misses out on – just jumping straight into the sex and letting everything else come along afterwards. So I found it refreshing to learn about Pate and Ace and then move onto the chemistry sizzling between them.

I found the sex scenes really tastefully written. While descriptive and smoking hot, I feel that only readers who dislike M/M romance will find it pushes the envelope too far for them. There is a little bit of saucy language right in the middle of the sex – no hard language anywhere else in the story. There’s also nothing overtly kinky or anything else which I feel regular romance readers would find offensive. Personally, I found the romance and sex between Ace and Pate hot, sensual and delicious to read. It was romantic and sexy and I will happily reread this story many times in the future.

Readers looking for a sexy, romantic story about two men finding not just each other, but also a satisfying way forward in their life should really enjoy this book. I loved how Pate and Ace both still managed to find their dreams – even though it might not have been what they originally pictured it as. Happy, warm-hearted, sexy and satisfying, this is a wonderful book I can strongly recommend.

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Amanda: More Than Any Woman By Anton van den Berg

September 2, 2016 By Leave a Comment

AMANDA
Amanda: More Than Any Woman By Anton van den Berg
Publisher: Self Published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (166 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Stargazer

A story with unique insight into the different areas of a person, life, struggles, triumphs and joy… There are the difficult bits – Amanda refused to break. She couldn’t let herself. She went on, because she had to. There are the beautiful bits – Amada leans against the door. Speechless, overwhelmed and intoxicated with the warmness and overpowering emotional glow… Naturally we function better as part of a pair, but we can still function by ourselves. That’s what rewards the most. You know you won’t explode with joy, but some days you just wish you would.

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From the very beginning, the story follows the life of Amanda. Now, please remember, this is a unique story that deserves to be read first hand so some details will be very vague. The story is very unique and the perspective the author places the reader is very special. The reader experiences life with Amanda, shares in the struggles with Amanda, yet in a way, also is aware of a separation between Amanda and the reader.

While I enjoyed the unique perspective the author places the reader; I also struggled with reconciling the characters as fully fleshed out participants in the story of Amanda. Several characters came and went without a deep back story and years pass without full details of what is happening. The story is very introspective, but in a very unique way. Throughout the story the reader is placed in a position of trying to reconcile Amanda’s thoughts and actions, along with current events.

The author had a smooth writing style and great descriptions; although the editing could be a little cleaner. The story itself kept the reader guessing and the unique perspective the reader was placed makes for a fascinating look at the world of the author’s mind. Amanda: More than any woman is a story and a view of life that I had not considered before.

While I would have liked to have known a little more backstory and witnessed deeper character development, overall this was a good read from an author who offers a very fascinating perspective and view of life from beginning to end. Please consider picking up a copy of Amanda: more than any woman, I believe that this will offer you a view of life that you may not have considered before!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

If I Only Had a Duke by Lenora Bell

August 31, 2016 By Leave a Comment

DUKE
If I Only Had a Duke by Lenora Bell
Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (285 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

After four failed seasons and a disastrous jilting, Lady Dorothea Beaumont has had more than enough of her family’s scheming. She won’t domesticate a duke, entangle an earl, or vie for a viscount. She will quietly exit to her aunt’s Irish estate for a life of blissful freedom. Until an arrogant, sinfully handsome duke singles her out for a waltz, making Thea the most popular belle of the season.

The duke ruined her plans and he’ll just have to fix them.

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Sometimes the burden of being proper, perfect and demure is a grueling chore. Compound that pressure with a harping and judgmental mother and grandmother who are determined to choose her life and make her decisions for her that it’s not a wonder that the heroine, Thea, snaps and lashes out in the only way she can; she runs. What happens afterwards is pure entertainment for readers.

I’d read How the Duke Was Won,the first book in The Disgraceful Dukes series and thought that one to be clever and unique so I was really looking forward to If I Only Had a Duke in hopes I’d be equally engaged and amused. I was, completely. This is a 100% standalone read so a new fan can read this one first and not feel left out. This novel is strictly about Thea and Dalton. Charlene, Thea’s half-sister shows up later, but as a secondary character to the events and a sweet touch since they are family.

There are quite a few plot conflicts running simultaneously yet Ms. Bell juggled them with aplomb. I grew to have great respect for Thea and her goals to be free of the yoke of perfection. I admired Dalton’s quest for vengeance and retribution and I liked how Con, Dalton’s friend and co-conspirator, always had the hero’s back, except when it came to Thea. With the heroine, Con acted more like a gruff Cupid combined with a devilish Loki, with an Irish brogue – truly delightful. I giggled quite frequently with the dialogue, both internal and between Thea and Dalton. One of my favorite lines what when she labeled him “The Great Wall of Duke”. I snickered as I typed that. You’ll have to read it to understand why it’s so funny – it’s a cumulative effect.

One of my favorite parts, and there are quite a few, is when Thea stood up to the main harridan; the results are miraculous! Another shocker is the revelation of what truly happened to Dalton’s little brother. I’ve read enough romance stories to guess the real answer but not the whole picture or what happens after that knowledge is gained. I really wanted to hug Dalton at that point. Poor guy – he’s gone through so much already and he’s being hunted on top of it! That underlying bit of suspense always seemed to lurk and pop up when I least expected it. It made for great reading.

The happy ever after is just overwhelmingly wonderful. It’s like Thea’s personality – her refusal to give up, to break or be cowed – just inspired everyone around her to dream bigger, fight harder and not take the first answer as gospel. No one gave up or gave in, well, the good guys at least. The dark characters get their just desserts although the author as a bit light in the details – not that I mind, I found it rather amusing. It was just how Ms. Bell did it.

Yes, If I Only Had a Duke is a whopper of a good tale told with a crisp and engaging style that brings Thea and Dalton to life for readers to enjoy. The sexy shenanigans are saucy, seductive and well-written but I was more entertained with the dialogue, Thea’s opinions and Dalton’s reactions to them. There’s just enough drama and fisticuffs to keep the pages turning, and amusing and silly antics to inspire a reader to grin. I fervently hope that Alice, the secondary character with the most amusingly toxic TMI or waxing poetic about the most obscure scientific gobbledygook, gets her happy ever after too. She wasn’t quite as strong a presence in this story, but Ms. Bell included her just at the right time to remind me how much I thought her amusing. Yes, she’d be an interesting character to match with a duke. I wonder who it will be? I can’t wait until the next book!

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Jigsaw by Stella Barcelona

August 23, 2016 By 11 Comments

MediaKit_BookCover_Jigsaw
Jigsaw by Stella Barcelona
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (406 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rated: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Poppy

Foraging the cyber-world for puzzle pieces…

Zeus Hernandez, a Black Raven partner, is pulled away from a top-secret project to be the personal bodyguard to lawyer Samantha Fairfax. Terrorists have rendered the future frightening and uncertain, but Zeus and Samantha’s past makes two things crystal clear: she’ll be furious to see him and he can’t refuse the job.

Sorting pieces as stakes rise…

Danger surrounds the International Terrorism Tribunal, a court convened to combat terrorism. Samantha is thrust into the limelight when her mentor dies as the trial convenes in Paris, France. Her role requires steadfast focus and nerves of steel. She’s determined to do her job and move her life ahead, according to plan…without Zeus. He’s determined she’ll reconsider.

Completing the puzzle as their worlds collide…

As personal drama escalates behind closed doors, terrorists take aim at an Achilles’ heel that is capable of crippling Zeus, Samantha, and Black Raven. While forcing puzzle pieces to click into place, a personal reckoning looms for these two strong-willed people. There’s no denying they might be better off apart…but they fit together so well.

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Jigsaw is everything I expect in romantic suspense. It has the perfect balance of sexy romance and edge-of-your-seat suspense. I was engrossed from the very start.

Sam is a bright, ambitious woman. She has some familial advantages that open doors for her, but she earns the spots she gets. Her latest job, though, comes when the previous person dies … and they aren’t sure if it was a natural death or murder.

Enter Zeus. Hand-picked by Sam’s grandfather to guard her, he and Sam have a past. A very hot, very emotional past. It’s hard for him to agree to taking care of her, but he doesn’t think anyone else will do as good a job (despite how much he trusts the other Black Raven people).

The book starts out quickly, with a member of Sam’s inner circle dying and Zeus and his people hit the ground running. There’s a running theme about privacy being a thing of the past. Jigsaw refers (mostly) to a program they use to find things out about, well, anyone. It sorts through every bit of data available online and reminds the reader just how much is out there.

The romance between Sam and Zeus was the only reason this wasn’t a solid five star book. Zeus is ready to give their relationship another try, but Sam is stubborn and resistant. While I understand her desire to not be hurt again, it’s clear to the reader that Zeus is sincere and that she’s crazy about him. Their physical relationship starts up again pretty quickly, but she’s not willing to commit emotionally. It doesn’t help that she has a boyfriend she’s intending to marry down the road.

Also, near the end, Zeus’ brother shares something with her that felt a little intrusive. I get he wanted to help his brother, but it kind of felt as if the author wasn’t sure how else for Sam to find out about this, and instead of just finally trusting Zeus and opting to give their love another try, she suddenly had everything wrapped up in a little bow about the past.

That said, I really did love the author’s voice. She’s a master of the written word. Everything flows, there’s nothing that felt stilted or that pulled me out of the story. The ease of the writing made the book like a movie in my mind. Clean. Clear. Interesting. So well done.

Also, this is book two in a series, and I didn’t feel at all lost. Yes, I could tell I was missing out on some things that might have made my experience even richer (for instance, the book opens at a wedding and was likely between the characters from book one). But the author does a bang-up job filling a new reader in. It stands alone very nicely.

All-in-all one of the best books I’ve read lately. Recommended.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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