Tag Archives: Romantic Suspense

Cyclone by Carina Alyce

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Cyclone
Author: Carina Alyce
Series: MetroGen After Hours #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2024

Thoughts

What a brilliant way to start a new story and introduce me to a new author. I absolutely loved this story, it was intense and kind of brilliant. I loved that it was a romance featuring two people who work in high adrenaline fields. Particularly that the woman is about to begin her career as a First Responder / Fire Fighter. Then, there’s the fact that the majority of the action takes place in a cyclone.

Cyclone is a very cute second chances romance with the added drama of a cyclone and the couple finally getting together (after saving someone’s life of course). This novella contains many reminders of the past. I love that both points of view of actions and misunderstandings in both of their pasts are told differently. It’s always fun to have two different points of view of activities as a reminder of just how differently we can all view the same moments in our lives.

I honestly absolutely adored this high pace story, and the fact that this is centred around a female firefighter. I also love that it has an open ending, which I’m assuming (hoping) will be concluded a lot better in one of the MetroGen After Hours novels. I mean, she literally runs away like her pants are on fire (for good reason). And I really want to know how this happens next.

Honestly, the end of this was actually felt as somewhat of a physical blow. I mean, I spent this whole story rooting for the characters in this, and wanting them to succeed. Particularly after they save a woman’s life in the middle of a cyclone. And yet, I actually love how it ended! It’s got me drawn in.

<- More Carina AlyceVolatile ->

Image source: Goodreads

Desperate Choices by Anna Windsor

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of hot romance book cover

Title: Desperate Choices
Author: Anna Windsor
In: The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance (Sonia Florens)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Romantic suspense, Small town romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011

Thoughts

I actually really enjoyed this romantic suspense story – I wasn’t entirely sure how it was even a romance when I first started it, but I was very quickly pulled in. Enjoying it way more than expected. Particularly because it featured a child being kidnapped – something that particularly leaves a horrifyingly sick feeling in my stomach when I read about it.

I love that Leah will stop at nothing to find her nephew, including risking her own life and career. She also talks about crime in her small town like a slow moving rot – one that needs to be dug out by the roots and destroyed. It’s a reminder of how easy it is to become corrupt when those in power are corrupt, or let the evil slide – I kind of want more butt kicking in this world to find that Leah and her beau managed to start making an impact on all of the crime.

There was so much violence and mayhem throughout this story, which seems to be something I seriously enjoy lately. Plus, there was also some yummy lust to keep your toes curling and lighten some of the chaos. I love that this had a happy ending, but with the ability to have so much more chaos and violence in the future.

<- Crimean Fairy TaleSorcery ->

Image source: London Borough of Bexley

Crimson Twilight by Heather Graham

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Overview

Title: Crimson Twilight
Author: Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters #11.5
In: 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle One (Shayla Black, Heather Graham, Liliana Hart & Tina Folsom)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2015

Thoughts

This was a brilliant novella, I’ve read one other short story (Santa’s Mortuary) in this series, so I was looking forward to finding more out about this world. And I most definitely wasn’t disappointed. I’m seriously intrigued by this series and author, and have finally splurged to actually buy Phantom Evil, the first full-length novel in the Krewe of Hunters series.

This is a fun little paranormal whodunnit. I mean, ghosts are implicated, and romance also abounds (mostly a lot of passion and love in the case of this story), but they are not immediately assumed. I like that there are totally human and plausible reasons for the murders that are running rampant. Which, in the end meant that there were two mysteries – the one of the ghosts, and the one of the murders. Both made it really hard to put down this book and not keep diving into the pages.

It was really fun having a wedding and happily ever after implications as the backdrop to a murder mystery. I like that it’s not quite as cutesy and adorable as many of the stories that I read, but still kind of sweet. Particularly the idea that it doesn’t necessarily matter where you get married, just the commitment to one another and the future. Plus, there are so many moments that I just want to know who the psycho is running around killing people! And why there are ghosts. And there’s just so much death…

<- Forever WickedCaptured in Surrender ->

Image source: Booktopia

Phantom Evil by Heather Graham

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Phantom Evil
Author: Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2011

Thoughts

The whole time I was reading this, I felt a little bit like I was reading an adult version of Scooby Doo. Although that could be because I recently watched the movie… But, it was still a really fun kind of Whodunnit book. Even though there is an actual paranormal aspect to this story in the form of ghosts, it’s still a crime story that is based on pure human horrible-ness. I love that although ghosts are kind of implicated in the death, it is still a human driver and motivation that is ultimately the culprit (hence the Scooby Doo feeling).

Although this is a full-length, adult novel, it’s honestly a very easy read. I mean, it’s a quick and fun journey, but also has plenty of creep factor to keep you engaged. Kind of like with a cozy mystery, it gives you the chill factor and makes you really need to solve the mystery. But not to the degree that I couldn’t read it late at night. The perfect balance, plus, the romance aspect is, again, there, and has moments of intensity, but also not overly intense.

I love that Angela and Jackson are able to slowly build their relationship. But, it was kind of secondary to the crime story line. It was a nice slow burn, with a bit of instant attraction thrown in. I also liked that Angela and Jackson are kind of the default “parents” of their new “crew”. Taking on the responsibility of others and kind of guiding them. They also both have some paranormal abilities, but, again, these are kind of secondary to the fact that there is a murderer running free…

It’s always fun to have a beginning of the series starting with the forming of a new team. It means that as you get to know the characters, the rest of the team is actually getting to know them. Now I can’t wait to read more of this series and find out more about these fun characters… and the awesome characters they fall in love with.

<- More Heather GrahamHeart of Evil ->

Image source: Amazon

Crux by Moira Rogers

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Crux
Author: Moira Rogers
Series: Southern Arcana #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2009

Thoughts

I read Zola’s Pride many years ago, and I kept meaning to actually get into Crux. But, mostly I didn’t actually have a copy of it to read and it kind of fell to the wayside. And then I finally picked it up. And it is wonderful and amazing. The biggest downfall of how much I enjoyed this is the fact that I now have to wait until Crossroads comes off of Kindle Unlimited and lets me buy it in Kobo…

This was a wonderful and brilliant introduction to a paranormal romance world. And just a really nice romance in general. I mean, although Mackenzie and Jackson are obviously attracted to one another immediately, they spend most of this story trying to solve the crimes and fight the bad guy. And it turns out he’s a pretty scary bad guy. I’m not actually sure how they’re going to top this villain in the next Southern Arcana novel.

I seriously enjoyed Jackson – he’s one of my more recent favourite male leaders. He is wonderfully yummy and has that nice protective streak that I find so attractive. But, he is also happy to let Mackenzie be her own woman and stand on her own two feet. He is content to protect from the shadows and act as a support in some circumstances, instead of just taking control (even when he wants to), and taking over. I loved this balance, and it’s one I wish we saw more of in the protective males that are written in a lot of the romances that I enjoy.

Mackenzie’s journey is actually pretty intense throughout this. Not only does she have a whole discovery of a paranormal world to go through. And a man to fall in love with. But she also has to find out a lot about her tragic past, whilst dealing with a psychotic and neurotic man intent on turning her into breeding stock. Just one of these moments would be pretty intense, but all of them? Well, I’d be running for the hills… or sitting in the corner, rocking back and forth, chewing my hair…

I have a feeling that although Mackenzie and Jackson were able to triumph over the Big Evil (with plenty of help), there’s going to be some pretty potent repercussions to their actions. I’m fully imagining that the next books will reveal some crazy, secret cabal or underground society of paranormals just waiting to wreak havoc upon the next lucky couple in this series…

<- More Moira RogersCrossroads ->

Image source: Amazon

Stealing Christmas by Kari Lemor

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Overview

Title: Stealing Christmas
Author: Kari Lemor
Series: Love on the Line #1.5
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Dave and Tina are a very nice couple. You get behind them from the very beginning and want to see their version of happily ever after completed. Especially as the difficulties in starting their relationship are hinted at. I love that although I haven’t read anything else in this series, it was incredibly easy to figure out the important parts of their relationship. But not enough that you’re not biting at the bit to read the rest of the Love on the Line books. The fact that this short story mentions another couple from the series and is all about spending the holidays with family made them an even cuter couple.

Although most of Dave’s family is completely amazing, Lonnie and Calvin are legitimately the worst family ever. Like, I was completely awestruck by the fact that they not only stole the presents that Tina and Dave were going to give to the rest of the family… they also managed to get half the family arrested and stole identities. It was incredibly impressive and horrible, all at the same time. Makes any chaos within my family seem a little bit more tame.

I loved the proposal twist at the end of this short story. I like when there is a bit of an extra twist to go with all of the stealing and criminal twists throughout this very cute Christmas story. It’s definitely got me intrigued to read more of the Kari Lemor books on my shelf now.

<- Crazy Old MoneyTouched by Fate ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews

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Overview

Title: Ruby Fever
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Catalina Baylor Trilogy #3, Hidden Legacy #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’ve been putting off reading this for a while because I just knew that I would want to read it cover to cover. And then, one night, I decided that I would just start it and read a little bit. Because I’m an adult and I have self-control… it turns out that I’m not such a good adult, and I literally have no self-control. I stayed up way too late reading this, and seriously felt punished the next day.

Andrews always does justice with their writing, but holy cow was this a fantastic ending to the Catalina Baylor Trilogy. I mean, from the very first moment, you hit the ground running. And then you pretty much don’t until you turn that final page. Ruby Fever is wonderfully intense and completely impossible to put down. It is filled with action and so many fights that my internal badass did a happy (and totally badass) dance.

Arkan is a seriously terrifying villain, probably because he is a shadow figure for the entire trilogy. Which means I really loved how Catalina and Alessandro are able to systematically dismantle his whole team of horrible things that go bump in the night. They are a wonderful power team and Catalina’s ability to plot and scheme better than everyone else… it left me smiling from ear to ear. It might have been why I found Catalina to be far more relatable than Nevada – she’s very much in her own head and finds this to be both a strength and a weakness.

The entire Baylor clan is freaking amazing. There is honestly not a character terrifying in the family that I don’t love. I would honestly love a trilogy for each and every one of them. However, even though I’m not entirely certain that there will be any more tales. I am so stupidly hopeful that Arabella will get her own series one of these days. Especially considering her final scene in this book…

<- Emerald BlazeMore Ilona Andrews ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Hidden Prey by Cheyenne McCray

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Hidden Prey
Author: Cheyenne McCray
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Romantic suspense
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

I didn’t mind this novel, but it most definitely wasn’t a favourite. Honestly, it was just a hit too instalove for me. I mean, it starts with a man who is not recovered from his fiancé’s death, and then he’s suddenly lying attracted with no guilt? That just felt… no character development. Let alone the woman who has just escaped an abusive relationship, to fall straight into the arms of someone else? Neither had any development to get to that point.

I also didn’t love the control that the Big Evil exerted over his granddaughter. I mean, I get that it’s important in his characterisation and a great way to villainise him, but ultimately I just felt icky. Then there were just multiple moments of discomfort with the Big Evil. Again, I understand why they are there, but I already knew he was evil…

Admittedly, I didn’t actually get to the end of this story. I stopped about three quarters of the way through. I figured if by that point I’m not all that invested, and don’t really get excited about what’s going to happen next… then, I don’t need to finish it. So maybe the conclusion would have made everything about this story so much better. I’ll never know.

All in all, this wasn’t a bad story. It’s just that I have so many amazing stories on my shelves that I didn’t feel invested in finishing a “not bad” tale.

<- More Cheyenne McCrayMore romantic suspense ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Third Call by Lorhainne Eckhart

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Third Call
Author: Lorhainne Eckhart
Series: The O’Connells #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

This felt like a ridiculously quick read, I’m not sure if that’s because this is actually quite a short tale, or it’s just very fast paced. Maybe a bit of a combination of both. But, regardless of how quick this read felt, it was an enjoyable read. Like The Neighbor, not exactly what I would call highly romantic, but a nice read still. Enough that I want to dive into The Secret Husband when I get the next chance.

Although this story had a kind of happy ending, I was expecting an all-round happy ending. Instead, there is a happy ending for the main couple, but not so much for the victims that they come across. I did like how there was a second chance romance in this from the start though. And all it took for things to go from 0 to 100 was for Charlotte to say goodbye to some of her needless pride.

I found Tom’s fate to be particularly tragic. It’s a reminder of how easily mental health slips through the cracks. And the ways in which a storm of bad luck and bad choices can lead someone to the worst decision. Or at least, that’s what it felt like to me. I almost shed a tear for the tragedy of this whole aspect of the storyline actually.

The Third Call gave some feeling to the idea of being a emergency responder and the types of calls that people must have to deal with. It definitely was more realistic than some of the other tales I read in that there was no happy ending for everyone. And I’m still not sure whether I find that to be a good or bad thing.

<- The NeighborThe Secret Husband ->

Image source: Amazon

The Neighbor by Lorhainne Eckhart

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Neighbor
Author: Lorhainne Eckhart
Series: The O’Connells #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Whilst I seriously enjoyed this novel, it was nowhere near as suspenseful and romantic as I was expecting. I mean, I was expecting a whole lot of steam and action that you just couldn’t look away from. Instead, it was an unexpectedly sweet love story that had more darkness to it than anticipated. In fact, when I reflect on the story line, for me, this is very much a story about a dark and hidden past being moved on from and a happily ever after being found.

I love the fact that this novel was medium-paced, it was definitely hard to put down (because I wanted to know what was happening to Alison), it wasn’t impossible. And, the outcome of Alison’s going missing was nowhere near as dark as I was expecting. I mean, probably a bit hard to have a happily ever after, romantic ending in a story that ends the way my brain was expecting… but that probably says more about my brain than anything else (and let’s just not go there).

My favourite thing about this story was the O’Connell family. They’re such a great, tight-knit group. And, having only grown up with one sibling myself, what I always dreamt of in a family. I love the idea of the chaos that is inspired in every gathering of the clan. And the way that they rally together to ensure Alison is found and bought home safely? It’s just too damn adorable.

This is probably more of a psychological suspense novel than a physical one. Jenny’s abusive past and her ability to overcome it hold true to form. It’s not as if everything is magically fixed when Ryan decides to come into her life, but rather, it takes time. Plus, all of the crap that her ex hangs over their heads, even from the grave… wow. I had a bit of a sick feeling in my gut throughout reading this for that fact alone. Eckhart does such a brilliant job of giving you just enough information to make you feel seriously uncomfortable. Which makes me REALLY excited to read The Third Call.

<- More Lorhainne EckhartThe Third Call ->

Image source: Goodreads