romantic suspense the way it should be done
923018
Flying in Shadows is the fantastic second book in the Black Creek series by R.T. Wolfe. While this is the second in the series it can be read as a stand alone, taking place over many years and while the hero & heroine of Flying in Shadow are secondary characters in Black Creek Burning this is a complete and separate story.

R.T. Wolfe set a pretty high bar with her first in the Black Creek series,Black Creek Burning, Flying in Shadow does not disappoint this is romantic suspense the way it should be done. Following Andy (one of the nephews from Black Creek Burning) and Rose (the neighbor girl from Black Creek Burning) from the time they are 10 and 11 into adulthood this story spans many years and their lives from childhood best friends to finding love and dealing with a danger from Rose's past that could become a deadly problem for their future.

Flying in Shadow is equal parts romance and suspense with plenty of sexual tension and a few love scenes that are extremely well written without being explicit. We are treated to enough back story, secondary plots and tidbits that hint at what could be future stories that this is a rich tapestry of love, life and the element of danger all while making sure you want to read the entire series.  With this book as well as the first I was unable to put it down, reading this in one sitting from beginning to end.

I don't give out a lot of 5 flower reviews because that says I liked this so much that I would re-read it, something I don't often do with books. Flying in Shadow is one of those books that was so well written and so griping that I would re-read it and I wait not so patiently for the next installment.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
4393279
Kaylea Cross is becoming one of my favorite authors with her romantic suspense books.  In this story, Luke's son was getting married (Bryn would attend) in the same place that Neveah was speaking at a physician's conference. Tehrazzi knew this and felt he could right all of his wrongs by taking out all of them at the wedding. He did not count on himself not being able to attend to do the honors and had to leave things up to others. Luke understands the threat and ask Declan, Ben, Rhys and his friend Nate (current local police) to help him out with security.  The men wanted to keep the idea of the threat from the women (Emily, Bryn, Nev, etc).  Things don't always go as planned. While Rhys is not 100% back to normal, he felt the need to join the team to protect Nev.  While these events occur, Rhys and Nev grow closer.

This was my favorite book in the series so far (have not read Absolution yet).  I really enjoy how Kaylea puts a story together and how she is able to pull all the different characters into it. They all seem to have a purpose - she does not just put them in there to try to keep them involved in the series. It was nice to see an alpha male lose it at some point. The relationship Ben and Rhys has is amazingly strong and one of the best things about this series. Regarding the romance, it was fun watching Rhys and Nev's relationship grow. Kaylea does a very good job with intimate scenes, as she places them appropriately in the story and keeps them real with the characters. She doesn't just throw them in there to have them.  I thought it was great that while this story was about Rhys and Luke, we got to see how Dec and Bryn are doing.

It took me awhile to figure it out but I like Luke. I wasn't sure about him from the beginning but it seems that even though he is cool and hard on the outside, he is the father figure and he knows when his boys need time with their girls and that there is a bigger point to life than just chasing terrorists (although he probably wouldn't admit it). He knows this better than anyone with his own family. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Emily and Luke interact in this book and can't wait to see them in the next book.  If you are looking for a book that has real characters, great dialogue, suspense, action, and romance, I highly recommend this series!
3351574
ARC provided by the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This is an older work, originally published in 1993 which is being rereleased.  I happen to love the older works of a lot of authors.  I can look past the tech and cultural changes.  This time it is a little more difficult because the basis for the whole plot is the British - Irish Republic Army (IRA) problems in the 1980-1990 time period.  That's a big one to overlook.  If you can get past that, this is a really great romantic-suspense book.  As a very prolific author, Anne Stuart is an expert at crafting character and plot and can build a book like few authors can.

Frances Neeley, an American heiress, is in love with Patrick Dugan, an Irish ex-pat.  What she doesn't know is that he is the IRA terrorist leader of the brutal group, Cadre.  He is killed before her eyes trying to assassinate the Queen of England at the UN.  The Cadre think that Frances was the leak that got Patrick killed and set out to find her and kill her.

Francey is on the Caribbean island of St. Anne at her cousin's villa.  A teacher from England, Michael Dowd, recovering from an auto accident joins her and she is instantly drawn to him, even if she doesn't quite believe everything he tells her.  Michael is actually the British Secret Service agent (think James Bond) who killed Patrick and was seriously injured too.  Michael want to find out if Francey is one with the cause and what information she really has about Cadre.  As soon as he arrives on the island attacks on them start to happen and they end up having to trust each other to survive.  Michael, the jaded agent, sees things in Frances that he would like to stick around and explore, but Cadre wants them both dead and nearly succeed in finishing Michael.  Francey is still in danger and Michael has unfinished business with her too.
862066
Expert Witness by Rachel Dylan is a romantic suspense filled with action.  I found the occupations of both characters interesting. I never really thought the sketch artist role in testifying in court cases. Sydney is almost killed in a drive by shooting right after testifying in a murder trial.  Max is a new US Marshal and is sent to protect her.

I loved how Sydney had survived a bad past and was so much physically stronger as a result. I don't want to ruin any surprises, small or large, but the first scene that shows her strength was great.  She was tough and strong but didn't make stupid choices to prove a point.

They are on the run most of the book and the killers keep tracking them down.  There are several suspects and possible plots as to why they are trying to kill her.  It will keep your attention. I recommend Expert Witness if you like a sweet romance with suspense and a dose of faith.

You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.
1783637
I enjoyed this book a lot and am very glad there is a new series in the romantic suspense arena to anticipate.  Although the story and writing may have had some minor snags, overall it was a good read.  I thought there was a nice balance of mystery/ cop drama and the romance/ family lives of the characters.
54040
It really had the perfect balance of romance and suspense. It was like that first sip of coffee...oh, so good.  I enjoyed the procedural aspect as well as the way that the characters were developed.  This was my type of book and this is my type of author.

It always confuses me when people give a bad review to an author that writes romantic suspense fiction - when the reader doesn't like romance or fiction.

I would ask this author to please continue to deliver amazing work, just as she already has.
4861428
I loved this story. A stalker, an abusive ex on the hunt, an an alpha cop standing between them and her. Now that's a recipe for a romantic suspense!
2208652
Second in the series, WANTED is fine as a stand-alone.  This was a new author for me, so I wasn't sure what I was getting.  Romantic Suspense is touch and go for me. What I find most common is a lot of sex and very little story.  WANTED is different .... the intimate moments actually add to the story.

Rick is a former marine. now working for the sheriff's department in his home town. Whitney is his best friend and has been since they were young children.  Secretly, Whitney has been in love with Rick for years, but has never made a move in that direction.  There are things that she has done ... things she's deeply ashamed of.

When the town's 'bad boy' is found murdered, all eyes look at his ex ... Whitney. Rick is caught between a rock and a hard place. He knows she's hiding something, but he sure doesn't want to arrest her for murder.

Rick is another damaged soul. He's lived through terrible things while in the Marines and he doesn't feel he can offer anyone anything.  But as he investigates the murder, he draws closer and closer to Whitney.

I like strong characters .. the ones who strive to be better, not only for someone else, but also for themselves.  Rick and Whitney are both strong. I liked watching them take small steps toward each other. I could see the hesitation, the fear they would be judged by the other.

All in all, a good read.  One murder turns into three murders and the ending was exciting.  Definitely worth the time reading.

My thanks to NetGalley / Entangled Publishing for supplying an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
1417452
4.5 Stars

I love it when an author tries something new. Win or fail, you have to take chances in life.  This business isn't always (rarely, in fact) kind to such risks by authors. Genre hopping backfires quite often.  Yet, Im still a fan when they try.  However, I can say, unequivocally, that Tucker did not fail with this risk.  She may have hit the scene as a romance writer, but she excels just as easily as a suspense writer.

If you go into He Will Be My Ruin with any expectations of it being remotely like her previous titles, youll not get what your looking for. This is not a romance. There is some budding relations and sexual interactions but I would never classify this as romantic.  Lets just be clear about that up front.

What this is  is a murder mystery at its core.  Maggies life long friend ends up dead in her New York apartment, police rule it a suicide but Maggie is less than convinced.  With no hope of help from authorities, she dives into the facts and clues herself and recruits some help along the way.  While digging, she realizes her friend, Celine, had a much different life than she led Maggie to believe and the secrets she held, the people she knew, led to her untimely death.

And also to the danger Maggie finders her own life in now, because there is still a killer on the loose.

From the beginning of this tale there were two fairly clear suspects for me and I bounced back and forth between them often.  I also had moments when I thought side characters were playing a bigger part in the backstory than the story suggested  I played with several scenarios in my head.  Hoping some would flesh out and hoping others wouldnt.  All of that is what makes a great suspense story for me.  If I have it all figured out too early on, I won't want to continue reading.  This wasn't the case here, Tucker kept my mind working.

While I don't know that this is going to be as explosive of a seller as say, Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, I can most definitely see it finding a loving home with those who gravitate to those type of titles.  Its got a lot of what those big selling Mystery / Suspense books have.  I think the only thing that really lacked for me was a bit of character development, for a couple of the main players.  I think that would have cemented my interest in them all the more.  However, even without that, He Will Be My Ruin will be a memorable read for me and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.
3119740
ARC provided by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I can always depend on Laura Griffin to deliver a romantic-suspense book that keeps you guessing till the very end who the baddie is. I had absolutely no clue. This time around she turns up the suspense and treats us to a romance between two characters who should have no connection at all.

Laney Knox is a 24 year old white hat hacker for the Delphi Center Cyber Investigative Unit. She is a prickly 20 something who is determined and no one can tell her what to do, or not do. Oh, the invincibility of youth. She is young, passionate and on a mission to help catch the killer of a friend and maybe, the person responsible for her own assault three years ago. Even when Reed tells her to back off, like the Energizer Bunny, she just keeps going and going.

Reed Novak is divorced, almost 40 and married to his job, or so his ex-wife tells him, as a Detective for the Austin Police Department. Two more different people for a romance, I just can't imagine. Reed gets a tip on the murder victim and tracts down Laney. The whole case is spinning it's wheels, the powers on high are a roadblock to the one true lead and Laney is in the middle of it. When Laney finally tells Reed about her assault and the similarities to the murders, he removes her from the team. Fat chance that is going to do anything to stop her. Reed needs Laney to help solve this and he needs to protect her, even if she doesn't want to be protected. I've got to tell you, this girl's got grit.
1304064
Interests: Suspense Romance, Lawyers, Private Investigators

Quick Summary
Trying to start over, PI Paige Holden has moved to Baltimore and is trying to cope with her attack. But when a client is shot and killed right in her arms, Paige knows there's some truth to Elena's claims to her husband's innocence. Her investigation leads her to Prosecutor Grayson Smith who arrives just in time to save Paige's life. As the two work together to find out who framed Elena's husband they begin to uncover a conspiracy so large that those involved will do anything to keep it secret.

What I Liked
As usual, Karen Rose kept me guessing with action and twists all the way to the end. Considering the length of the book this one only covers a week or so. There's a lot of action and pacing is great. I liked both Grayson and Paige; they're both so loyal and considerate and honorable. Though their attraction is immediate, I still found myself believing in their feelings for each other and I was happy to see them together. They each have had hard lives and they deserve happiness. I loved the Carter family and hope to see more of them in the future as well as more of Stevie. This book really made things rough on Stevie and I want to see her find someone to lean on after everything she's been through. As a side note I found myself strangely captivated by Adele and Darrin's story. After each time they appeared I wanted to come back to them. I don't know what about them was so magnetic but I would have loved more on them.

What Needed Work
I guess this isn't a bad thing but the list of all those involved just kept getting bigger and bigger. I feel like each book Rose has written is trying to top the previous one and it's resulting in these huge conspiracies. I still like them but I feel like I have to take some time before starting the next one. These books are heavy and this one is no different. It seemed like everyone of the main characters has had this horrible, tragic life. I just wanted one character that's had at least an ok life.
3157295
This is the third book in the Scarlet Falls series!  I read the first two books in the series on my e-reader, but when I pre-ordered this book, I bought the paperback version.  It was slightly less than your typical mass market paperback book so I didn't pay much attention.  When it arrived, it was a beautiful trade paperback.  That's an added bonus.

You should also know, this book is a true romantic suspense.  It seems like there are a few women authors that write thrillers that are marketed under romantic suspense, it isn't the case with Seconds to Live.

With all of that out of the way, I loved this book.  It started out strong and kept the momentum the entire book. There were times when the book was so intense that I needed to put it down and catch my breath.

The main characters have flaws (like we all do) but they aren't whiny or annoying.  You can read the blurb, there is a killer on the loose, targeting women with spotty pasts.  I have to say I guessed the murderer early on, but it was a fluke and so many times I thought I was wrong....really wrong. This book made me second guess so many things...it kept me on my toes.

Then there is an epilogue...I adore epilogues.  They really tie up interpersonal issues and give me some closure so I can move on to another book in good conscious.  This is a great epilogue, it hints at what can be without giving too much away.  You get some delightful small moments too. <3

Bottom line, this is a great book. It makes time fly by and sucks you into the town of Scarlet Falls.
155908
I enjoyed reading this romantic,suspense filled novel. It was hard to put down once I started on it.
This new author has a way of describing her characters so you have a clear picture of them. The plot was very real with a different twist on the paranormal.
I look forward to her next publications.
1977833
4.5 stars This was an excellent romantic suspense. There are frequent occurrences where the reader gets sucked into the feelings, trauma and resilience of the main characters. Ms. Abbott uses her words so that one can almost feel what Darios and Delaney are experiencing. Darios is an intense hitman (killer) and kidnapper who learned early in life about poverty and fighting for what little you have. Delaney has been a wealthy princess whose parents who pampered her most of her 18 years. She's smart, cunning and pretty  but wears a mask and hides who she really is. She and her 3 friends are kidnapped and held for ransom. There are unexpected twists and turns that keep you wondering what's next. Needless to say there is violence and explicit sex scenes that enhance the story. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a review. I look forward to reading future books by this author.
2704072
I loved the twist and turns in the relationship between Gabe and Elle. They have been dancing around each other since high school, but what really brings it all to a HEA is the twists and turns in the suspense part of "Safe From Harm". The second in the series, it is a stand alone book that has its main focus on Gabe and Elle. My favorite genre is romantic suspense and this one delivers with Gabe and Elle both being targets from a crazed family that hates the government and knows no bounds when it comes to targeting officials. Along with the great suspense, the chemistry between Gabe and Elle was intense and steady while they were dealing with the threats. Their romance is slow to blossom, but the author gives us plenty of background and misunderstandings between Gabe and Elle. When Gabe and Elle finally come together, you just have the ahhh feeling. Kate Serine gives you a well developed story that will keep you turning pages. A must read for all romantic suspense readers. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for gifting me with "Safe From Harm" and asking for my honest opinion. This is mine. 4.25 Stars!
432996
The tale opens up with a chapter from Darlings romance novel. She is in the middle of a three-day writing binge when a delivery from the UPS man pulls her away from the novel. Through the contents of the package, we learn a great deal about Miller, her family, and her parents death. Her brother, a former SEAL, is in serious trouble which puts Miller in the crosshairs of some dangerous people. Determined to save her brother she makes plans to travel. Elias is very familiar with her brother, and not all of it is happy memories, but there is no way Miller is going alone. The tale that unfolds is action packed, with cool technology and the full resources of the Gravediggers.

While I wish the story had a little less tell and more show, I found GONE TO DUST to be stronger than book one. I love the tension between Eve and the Gravediggers. Last Stop, Texas is certainly not a boring place. I like that we went offline on this mission. Its Temple of Doom vibe and exotic location, (minus the snakes..eek gads) added the perfect suspense, danger, and tension needed to put this couple to the test. It was fun seeing them gather clues and evade danger. I adored a killer computer named Elaine and all of the great sexual chemistry Hart delivered.

The romance developed slowly and aside from kisses we didn't see any real action until around the sixty percent mark. Hart gives us just enough heat to set are imagination on fire, but the action happens mostly off page. There is a bit of instalove here, which I almost expect in romantic suspense, but Hart did an excellent job of building and developing a relationship with depth.
2722084
One of the better romances I've read recently!  I had this on my Kindle for quite some time before reading and, I have to say, I passed it up for other books a few times because of the cover.  It just looks cheesy.  You'd do well to remember that old adage about books and covers...in this case, the book is way better than the cover.
I was thrilled to find out that this romantic suspense actually had both romance and suspense.  I liked the interactions between the H and h.  I liked that there was a cast of supportive characters, rather than being limited to a single best friend or a sibling, as is the case in so many romances.
I also want to point out that most of the readers that scored this book the lowest didn't like the sex and language.  As an avid reader of many types of romance genres, I think it's silly to complain about sex scenes when you've chosen to read a romance novel.  Maybe those readers stick with the "clean and wholesome" style, there's a whole genre with those types of books.  This one has steam and swears - be aware if that's a problem for you.  Thankfully, it's not a problem for me and I would certainly recommend this one.  In fact, I'm off to read the next in the series right now!