Hidden Fire- Jo Davis

Hidden Fire

Jo Davis

Signet, Dec 2009, $6.99

ISBN: 9780451228659

 

Station Five firefighter Julian Salvatore knows he is in love with beautiful attorney Grace McKenna, but she ignores his efforts to start dating even as he knows he is being a pest.  He just refuses to accept negatives from her.

 

However, Julian becomes concerned for Grace’s safety when he learns she represents the person who molested him as a child.  He voices his fears to her but she blows away his trepidations.  However, she reconsiders his warning when he is injured in a hit and run that seemed deliberate at a time someone is abducting and killing people.  As he heals, they team up to investigate who the culprit is as they each believe the driver is the deadly kidnapper.

 

The latest Firefighters of Station Five (see Under Fire) is a fast-paced romantic suspense thriller starring a hero with issues forged by his childhood molestation that comes back to haunt him as the client of his beloved and the lawyer he loves who has her own issues with doubt re commitment.  Julian’s issues with his cronies especially his Captain make him seem genuine as does Grace’s indecisiveness even as she overdoes the changing of her mind to the point of irritatingly sending the reader yelling at her to stay the course.  Although the villain is a caricature over the top of the station house, fans will enjoy the latest escapades of the Station Five firefighters.

 

Harriet Klausner

Betrayal of the Blood Lily-Lauren Willig

Betrayal of the Blood Lily

Lauren Willig

Dutton, Jan 12 2009, $25.95

ISBN: 9780525951506

 

In London, Penelope Deveraux avoids a ruinous scandal with a hasty marriage to Lord Frederick Staines as they were caught canoodling.  Also abetting their ability to elude social humiliation is his assignment as special envoy to the court of Nizam of Hyderabad in India.

 

Penelope struggles somewhat to adjust even as she bravely participates in court activities, but soon uncovers a plot to throw out the imperialists who are turning India into a crown of the British Empire although the French have forces and agents there to counter that.  In fact the Nizam uses both sides against one another to keep control.  She finds a brave companion in Captain Alex Reid who teams up with her to expose the traitors behind the plot.  As they fall in love while competing with one another in sporting contests that she continually wins, the elusive Marigold continues seditious activities to remove the British from India.

 

Moving the Pink Carnation series to India adds freshness even as the basic theme remains the same of a modern day researcher uncovering information of a nineteenth century Englishwoman going undercover to try to thwart a Napoleonic plot.  The story line is fast-paced from the moment Penelope muses over being married to Freddie especially after meeting Alex.  Fans of the saga will enjoy her adventures as an amateur female agent causing mayhem that shakes up the dysfunctional triangle of power sharing by the English, the French and the native Nizam..

 

Harriet Klausner

Hard To Hold-Stephanie Tyler

Hard To Hold

Stephanie Tyler

Dell, Nov 24 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780440244349

 

In the Congo, Navy SEAL Lieutenant Jake Hansen arrives to rescue Doctors Without Borders plastic surgeon Dr. Isabelle Markham from a ruthless mercenary Rage who kidnapped and raped her and left her for dead.  Jake finds her barely alive without a stitch of clothing.  He gets her out of Africa but a connection from the moment they met is evident.

 

When Rafe escapes captivity, Admiral Callahan assigns Jake to keep Izzy safe.  He has mixed feelings about the assignment because he told her some things about himself he told no one.  However, he would die to keep her safe, but feels bad that he has been ordered to conceal the truth about Rafe who is believed to be stalking Isabelle. When she learns the truth she leaves, but Rafe has been patient.

 

This is an exhilarating romantic military suspense thriller with the emphasis on the love story line over the dark SEAL operations.  The lead couple makes the tale fun as each fall in love with the other but share in common relationship issues to overcome.  The support cast that includes his SEAL mates (stars of future tales) and the man who took two of Naval officers into his home when they were teens (; the third is his son) add depth to the suspense and even more so the romance.  Fans of SEAL romances in which the thrills of the coupling supersede that of the enemy actions will want to read this enjoyable tale.

 

Harriet Klausner

Our Little Secret-Starr Ambrose

Our Little Secret

Starr Ambrose

Pocket, Nov 24 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9781439102237

 

Twins Lauren and Meg Sutherland are total opposites as the former is reliable and the latter is impulsive.  However, even Lauren, used to her sibling’s reckless behavior, is stunned when her sister marries US Senator Creighton, a man twice her age.

 

Lauren plans to persuade her sibling and the politician to annul their marriage.  However, she becomes concerned when the newlyweds vanish without a trace.  The senator’s son Drew joins Lauren in a search for their missing relatives after mistakenly accusing her of being a gold-digger.  To her shock, Lauren is attracted to Drew, which is out of character for her as she is engaged to an ultra conservative who is compatible to her.  At the same time an unknown adversary stalks them and the newlyweds are planning to prevent by any means possible the bungling amateurs from unraveling a Washington run by blackmail of illicit trysts.

 

Our Little Secret is an enjoyable amateur sleuth romantic suspense in which the lead couple in their search for their relatives find themselves in a murkier deadly situation as a predator watches their every move.  The story line is a fast-paced frenzied frolic with the emphasis on the romance although Starr Ambrose takes a jab at a DC fueled by money interests.  Fans will appreciate this entertaining gambit as Drew and Lauren wonder how love can prove so dangerous.

 

Harriet Klausner

Fired Up-Jayne Ann Krentz

Fired Up

Jayne Ann Krentz

Putnam, Dec 29 2009, $265.95

ISBN: 9780399155963

 

Jack Winters, descendant of alchemist Nicholas Winters, who in the 1660s created the Burning Lamp, which increases psychic powers in a person with paranormal skills and gives them a new one br at a horrible cost.  Those with the dominant gene become insane unless they find the Burning Lamp and the female psychic who can work dreamlight produced by that object.  Jack fears he is cursed because he can suddenly induce nightmares in people while he suffers blackouts and sleepwalks.

 

Jack seeks out private investigator Chloe Harper, a high level psi who can work with dream energy.  Through her aunt, she locates the Burning Lamp; the owner is happy to get rid of it as it makes him uneasy.  The organization Nightshade, made up of paranormal criminals want the Burning Lamp too.  While on the run from these thugs, Chloe uses the artifact on Jack who has fallen in love with her; she reciprocates.  While praying use of the map turns him into a safe psi, Nightshade capture Chloe, who believe they possess the perfect way to force her to work for them.

 

This Arcane Society tale is the first book of the Dreamlight trilogy, which occurs in the present; books two and three will be in the Victorian Era and the far future on Planet harmony respectively.  The story line is fast-paced from the opening three centuries ago as the rivalry between Nicholas and Sebastian Jones heats up and never slows down as Nicholas and Chloe team up.  Fans of this brilliant author will enjoy this romantic suspense as the lead couple is a wonderful pairing and the support cast either quirky or deadly quirky.  Readers will enjoy this strong contemporary and look forward to the talent of the author to take her saga historically and futuristically.

 

Harriet Klausner

With Extreme Pleasure-Alison Kent

With Extreme Pleasure

Alison Kent

Kensington Brava, Dec 2009, $14.00

ISBN: 9780758217585

 

Makeup artist Cady Kowalski has been on the run for years ever since her brother was murdered, but her past has caught up with her.  Battered and bruised she climbs into the hummer of former model and ex convict Kingdom Trahan, who looks forward to leaving the Big Apple for his home in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana.  King reluctantly agrees to take Cady out of New York.

 

They stop at her apartment so she can take some stuff with her, but her roommate tries to kill her.  With King’s help and that of a Fed she eludes those trying to kill her. However, it is a long drive as King slowly learns the truth re Cady and what happened eight years ago when her brother died.

 

Cousin to Simon Baptiste of SG-5 (see No Limit), King is a terrific hero who cannot help but aid Cady though he keeps thinking of the unwanted paparazzi that constantly stalk his newly married cuz due to the man’s famous bride.  The story line is a fast-paced and exciting, but over the top of the Bayou and lacking in the hero’s criminal back story.  Still fans will be hooked the moment Cady climbs into King’s hummer as this action packed thriller lives up to its title.

 

Harriet Klausner

Cold River-Carla Neggers

Cold River

Carla Neggers

Mira, Nov 24 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780778326557

 

Eight months ago, Drew Cameron was murdered on Cameron Mountain in Vermont. Those who killed him also died; that is everyone except the person who hired the professional hit men.  Drew’s sons Sean and his brothers (see Cold Purist for Elijah’s tale) believe Hannah Shay, owner of Her Three Sisters Café in nearby Black Falls, Vermont, is the key to their finding out who the culprit really was.

 

However, Sean approaches Hannah asking for her assistance, but she refuses as she is afraid her friend Bowie O’Rourke is in the middle of the blood flowing down Cameron Mountain.  However, someone with less ethics when it comes to homicide awaits the right moment to learn what Hannah knows before killing her.  Sean vows to keep the obstinate Hannah safe as he believes she is in the crosshairs and besides he has loved her since high school.

 

The latest Black Falls “Cold” thriller is a strong romantic suspense that turns pristine Green Mountain state into a dark grim landscape.  Drew and Hannah are a delightful pairing as he knows somehow she is the center of danger, but she rejects his offers of protection out of loyalty.   Fans will relish Carla Neggers’ tense action-packed thriller that never slows down throughout the exhilarating story line.

 

Harriet Klausner

Shadows From the Past-Lindsay McKenna

Shadows From the Past

Lindsay McKenna

Harlequin HQN, Dec 1 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780373774074

 

Following the death of her mom in a Los Angeles earthquake, the baby Kamaria found alive in apartment rubble was adopted by Morgan and Laura Trayhern, who raised her as theirs with love in Montana.  Everything was terrific, but the photojournalist always wanted to know more about her roots especially her patriarchal side.  She has one clue as to who her biological father might be; three men in a photo with Morgan insisting Rudd Mason, owner of the Elkhorn Ranch in Wyoming, is her sire.

 

Kam learns Rudd is advertising for a caregiver to help his octogenarian mother, Iris.  She applies and is hired.  She easily becomes friends with the rancher and his mom, but his wife, Allison, and her younger half-siblings Zach and Regan loathe her.  Worse she is attracted to ranch hand Wes Sheridan even as someone wants to insure the family estate remains as is and murder is a viable option.

 

This is an exciting ranch romantic suspense starring a likeable heroine.  The story line is fast-paced from the moment Kam decides to uncover the identity of her biological dad with the help of her wonderful adopted father.  Although the villain is too easily discarded, fans will enjoy the last Trayhern next generation tale (see Dangerous Prey and heart of the Storm) and hopefully persuade Lindsay McKenna to provide a futuristic follow up involving Zach and Regan.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Hot As Sin-Bella Andre

Hot As Sin

Bella Andre

Dell, Oct 27 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780440245018

 

In a small Vail, Colorado café, television host Dianna Kelley meets her sister April who left home because her sibling was controlling and overprotective.  Dianna wanted to make up for the years April was in foster care but she could not connect with her when April informs her she lives in a commune.  Dianna explodes and April leaves; Diana drinks before driving and gets into an accident in which she is injured and the other driver dead.

 

In the Sierra Nevada range, firefighter Sam MacKenzie learns of Dianna’s injuries.  Although a decade has passed since she miscarried and left him, he runs to her side.  When they meet again, the sparks that remained simmering for years ignites into a passionate firestorm.  However both remain wary of being hurt so each hides their deep feelings from the other.  Dianna learns April was kidnapped by someone seeking revenge.  Sam swears he will rescue her sister, but Dianna insists on accompanying him on the arduous trek into the Sierras.  On the dangerous journey, they realize not just how much love they share, but rejoice in revealing how much love they have for one another.  However finding and rescuing April and surviving remain the goal.

 

Bella Andre has written a heated second chance at love romantic suspense starring a hotshot firefighter and a TV talk show host; each brings fear to their fiery relationship.  April adds to the mix as a gutsy individual not waiting to be rescued.  She makes the tale’s thriller elements work with her courage and fortitude.  Readers will relish this fine tale as April has choices to make and one wrong one could lead to her death.

 

Harriet Klausner

Sins Of The Flesh-Caridad Pineiro

Sins Of The Flesh

Caridad Pineiro

Forever, Nov 2009, $6.99

ISBN: 9780446543835

 

Musician Caterina Shaw is dying from brain cancer.  She agrees to be a guinea pig in genetic experiments conducted by Dr. Raymond Edwards in a hope this may save her life; she has no other prayer.  The experiments work, but also have a side effect.  She has super human skills and lost much of her memory.  When she is accused o murder, Caterina flees needing to learn the truth and how to control her new abilities.

 

Raymond hires mercenary Mick Carrera to capture and bring Caterina back to him so he can continue his experiments on her; he prefers her alive, but dead is acceptable.  However, when Mick catches up to Caterina he finds he wants to help her; as he rejects the idea she could be a psychopathic killer.  Instead he takes her to his sister vowing to keep his Caterina safe; unaware that diabolical Raymond has other less ethical operatives working the extraction.

 

Sins of the Flesh is an action-packed thriller that never takes a breath once Caterina accepts the radical experimental treatment.  The story line is faster than the speed of light, but though Caterina is fully developed, Mick is not so the audience never fully understands his motive to become a mercenary (especially once we meet his family) or to not bring her in even if he likes her.  Caridad Pineiro provides another one of her super romantic suspense thrillers as the heat is on.

Harriet Klausner