The Secret Affair by Ethan Jones

Kudos to Ethan Jones for diving into the uncharted waters of a new genre.   New genre in that Jones' prior books were action thrillers and this is a chick lit romantic suspense.   No doubt my characterization will offend someone, practically anything you say, offends someone these days but a romantically oriented book with a feminine focus and mild references to reproductive actions and moderate violence but not terribly action oriented and a good story line regardless of those limitations seems like it is much more wordy than a chick lit romantic suspense.

This book showcases personality differences and how they can impact a business relationship.  It also is a launching platform for a new series.

I recommend it.

Web site: http://ethanjonesbooks.wordpress.com/

 This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg

A murder or a suicide of one or perhaps two in the tiny village of Fjallbacka, Sweden is the focus of the book.  Erica Falck arrives in her home town to settle her deceased parents affairs.   She is soon immersed in intrigue, death and mystery.

Ms. Lackberg crafts an intricate tale of deceit.   She provides a great deal of information about her characters by having them investigated by either her protagonist, Erica, or the secondary protagonist, Patrik, a local cop.   Her details provide plenty of clues but she does not allow resolution of the mysteries until the very end. 

Winston Churchill’s out of context quote is an apt description of this book; “It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.”  Just when you think you have puzzled out the solution, Ms. Lackberg throws a curve instead of a strike.  

This is an excellent, thought provoking, disturbing mystery that I highly recommend. 

Body of  work of Camilla Lackberg

Web Site: http://www.camillalackberg.com/biography

The Loch by Steve Alten

This is an excellent action adventure novel. The loch is Loch Ness and as you can guess the main character is Nessie the Loch Ness monster. Zack Wallace find the roots of his migraines and night terrors by returning to his roots while simultaneously solving multiple mysteries.

Zack is a believable character in his coping with his night terrors. An over achiever he must face his deep rooted fears. The popularity of the Loch Ness monster practically guarantees a successful book.

The author portrays the protagonist as a skeptic. That tends to make him for more believable. The friendship and family ties are complicated and convoluted just like the real world.

I enjoyed the action adventure aspects but the book is more complex than a simple adventure. It is also an excellent case study of personal redemption. The book is worth reading just for the character interaction. It has something for everyone, the Crusades, Knights, Templars, villains, monsters, murder, action, deception, evil, loyalty, friendship and redemption. Even reading my description I am surprised at how expansive the story line was.   This book truly is a must for the Loch Ness monster fans. 

I highly recommend it.

Body of work of Steve Alten

Web site: http://www.stevealten.com/fast_loading.htm

Boiling Point by K.L. Dionne

Scientists deal with their ethics, morals and personal frailty as they tackle pollution, volcanic eruption and global warming.

This is not a tale for any with a weak heart. Ms. Dionne plunges into contemporary controversy and personal relationships from page one. She uses the issue of global warming and possible scientific solutions to set her stage and then uses an erupting volcano to add drama. It sounds complicated but it works very well. You are draw into the characters concerns and personalities while the action is fueled by the awesome power of a volcanic eruption.

This book forces you to ponder the questions of global warming and the ethics behind individual responsibility for both creating and solving such dramatic issues.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of K. L. Dionne

Web site: http://berkleysignetmysteries.com/author421

Unforgivable by Laura Griffin

Romantic suspense, who knew that was a genre? I learn something new every day and this is a correctly named genre. Well done suspense with steamy interludes. Mia Voss is a DNA expert who finds herself targeted due to her expertise. She finds protection and much, much more from Detective Ric Santos.
I have to admit that preceding the word suspense with romantic nearly convinced me not to read the book. I’m not a fan of the romance genre. Ms. Griffin successfully blends suspense with strong romantic overtones. I found the book entertaining and fast paced and I suspect my wife will find the romantic aspects a little more appealing than I did. This seems to fit the current mainstream perchance for crossovers whether it is in vehicles or books.

The author did accurately portray the inability to address emotions and feelings that many men share. I also liked the strength of character portrayed by the females in the story. They were strong and able without losing any femininity. Perhaps if more authors portrayed women as successful, confident characters the stereotypes of yesteryear could finally be eradicated. .

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Laura Griffin

Web site: http://www.lauragriffin.com/

Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison

This is the first book of Harrison’s that I have read. I expected a Jim Butcher level of entertainment. I didn’t get it. I gave it a good effort but I just couldn’t get into the story, the characters, the setting, nothing. I wanted to like the book, I have already got a couple more of her books, assuming I would like it but alas, I didn’t. The book had too much soap opera overtone for my taste. Now I am not foolish enough to suggest that it may be more suited in the romance category of vampire loving teens but maybe… Rachel Mariana Morgan is a witch, rooming with a living vampire and a bunch of pixies and she is the familiar of a demon. Sounds like it should be page turner and obviously from Harrison’s sales for many people her books are page turners, just not for me. I do not recommend it.

Body of work of Kim Harrison

Review: http://www.sfsite.com/10a/ew209.htm

Web site: http://www.kimharrison.net/Every%20Which%20Way.htm

Once Wicked Always Dead by T. Marie Benchley

This book has a cover that will grab you. I don’t know that I have ever mentioned a cover in a post before but I do love this cover. A story of treachery, betrayal and modern, flexible mores contrasts with a cowboy morality. This could also be characterized as a tale of vigilante justice.

Molly Madison nee O’Malley unhappily lives a superficially perfect life. A perfect husband, a successful social life and an enviable life style is shattered by startling revelations and the shocking demise of loved ones. Molly rises admirably to combat her detractors. Her strength of characters suggests that there are many women in lives that they would change if they could.

Clayton the ranch foreman is described in terms that seem more appropriate to a Harlequin romance than a mystery.

The characters were portrayed with broad brush strokes and little depth. They were not believable but they were entertaining. The depths of anger and hatred did strike a chord with some of the more lurid tabloid headlines.

This was a good mystery and an entertaining read.

I recommend it.

Body of work of T. Marie Benchley

Site:

Beautiful Dead, Jonas Book 1 by Eden Maguire

Jonas Book 1 of the Beautiful Dead by Eden Maguire

Four inexplicable deaths in one high school sets the scene for this novel. Darina has lost Phoenix, the love of her young life. She stumbles upon Phoenix and other newly dead and discovers their secret need for redemption and closure.

This is not a stumbling, drooling zombie story. Ms. Maguire put the least offensive face on zombies I have ever encountered. The angst of a teen losing her love was portrayed with empathy and passion. She made a surprisingly believable pack of zombies. I thought her solution to past evil was realistic even if it would have been illegal and probably immoral. The book is the first in a series. I think it will be a huge hit with teen girls and teen guys who aren’t afraid of reading a book about love.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Eden Maguire

Web Site: none found

Shadow Blade by Seressia Glass

Kira Solomon starts the story as a troubled teen. She is manifesting forces that she finds inexplicable, torn from her adopted home she ends up in an island castle. She finds acceptance of her gifts and finds her thrust into the role of a chaser of nightmares.

Kira is believable as a butt thumping action heroine who doesn’t put a great deal of stock in her heroic persona. If you have read any of my reviews, you know I do favor the strong female protagonist. I liked Kira and the story line. This has serious fantasy components intermingled with urban life. I’m looking forward to seeing more work from Seressia Glass.

I recommend the book.

Body of work of Seressia Glass

Web Site:

Seduce Me in Shadow by Shayla Black

Romance and magic intertwined provide the setting for this romance. Caden Mactavish has struggled all his life to be “normal”. He has done his best to avoid his family’s magical heritage. He is thrust into the conflict between good and evil when his brother’s wife is kidnapped severing their interconnected souls resulting in Lucan’s desperate illness. Caden’s search for his missing sister-in-law is complicated with his fascination with Sydney Blair, a tabloid reporter.

The Doomsday Brethren were introduced in the first book of the series, “Tempt Me With Darkness”. The Brethren and their magical talents stand between humanity and the forces of evil.

Ms. Black portrays luscious women and robust men. Unless this type of magical romance has sprung full blown from the heart throbbing consciousness of the teenage psychic, I have been pretty much blithely ignorant of the genre. The action and characters are solid but the romantic overtones that permeate the book are just not my cup of tea. Keeping in mind my age and gender, I suspect this book will be very popular as well as the prequel and sequel. I can see my teenage niece devouring it and that is to whom I will give it. For myself, I am going to start avoiding books that have covers featuring roughly shaved studs with no shirts, I am beginning to realize that the interior story is most likely not going to be one of my favorites.

Body of work of Shayla Black

Site

On Secret Service by John Jakes

I really enjoyed the Kent Family Saga by John Jakes. I have read some of his scifi as well. I normally enjoy historic fiction. I didn’t really care for this book. It is a story of two couples that shows the difficulties of romance in such a divisive war. A Confederate officer in love with a northern actress and a Union Agent in love with a southern sympathizer face difficulties beyond the normal romantic spectrum. The overwhelming theme of the Civil War provides the back drop for the novel. I just couldn’t get into it. As I mentioned, I normally like Jakes but this book just didn’t catch my full attention.

Body of work of John Jakes

Review: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/On-Secret-Service/John-Jakes/e/9780451204059


Web Site: http://www.johnjakes.com/