Recent Reads

One of the few good things about being home sick with a cold is being able to get more reading in between sleeping, of which I've been doing a lot of. I've also been doing reading. So I've two recent reads to share.

Strangers in Death by JD Robb

Why this one: It's no secret I adore these books. While I get a bit tired of most series after a while, the In Death books are a true exception. As soon as I finish one, I look forward to the next in the series.

Level of Steam: I could still keep the thermometer at 18 and feel comfortable - despite having a nasty cold

Barnes & Noble Blurb: Technology may be different in 2060 New York, yet the city is still a place of many cultures and great divides. And as ever, some murders receive more attention than others - especially those in which the victim is a prominent businessman, found in his Park Avenue apartment, tied to the bed - and strangled - with cords of black velvet.

It doesn't surprise Lieutenant Eve Dallas that Thomas Anders's scandalous death is a source of titillation and speculation for the public - and humiliation for his family. While everyone else in the city is talking about it, those close to Anders aren't so anxious to do so. Fortunately, because Dallas's billionaire husband, Roarke, happens to own the prime real estate where Anders's sporting-goods firm was headquartered, she has some help with access. Before long, she's knocking on doors - or barging through them - to look for the answers she needs.

But the facts don't add up. Physical evidence suggests that the victim didn't struggle. The security breach in the highly fortified apartment indicates that the killer was someone close to Anders, but everyone's alibi checks out, from the wife who was off in the tropics to the loving nephew who stands to inherit millions. Was this a crime of passion - or a carefully planned execution?

It's up to Dallas to solve a sensational case where all involved guard secrets from one another - and strangers may be connected in unexpected, and deadly, ways.

My Thoughts: After (I think I counted right) 33 In Death books now, counting the short stories, I love this last one just as much as I did the first one. While this one didn't have any new revelations in either Eve or Roarke's past, nor did it have any angsting on Eve's part or the horrible nightmares, it was still a very enjoyable read. For those looking for something new in the relationship between either our main couple or Peabody and McNab - they may be in for a bit of a disappointment. There was however further developments in another relationship that has developed over the course of the books.
Rather this one focused more on the mystery than the romance. But that was just fine with me. Unlike others in the In Death books, we see fairly soon who the culprit is and the book focuses on how Eve can prove it.
Strangers in Death wasn't as gruesome as some of her other books and after reading the following book - I was just as glad.
There were some very sweet and tender moments between Eve and Roarke as they examined the deep and passionate love and need they have for each other.
Eve continues to push Peabody along, this time making Peabody appear on Nadine's show.
We get to see Eve interact with another bosses wife this time - and that's a hoot.
There are books in this series that I've loved more than others but there's no question I've loved them all to one degree or another. This one I did as well.

And one more thing - the shallow, self important part of me is tickled pink to see I'm one of the first to read and offer my opinion on this one.

Grade: 4 out of 5


Die for Me - Karen Rose

Why this one: I read and really enjoyed Count to Ten and wanted to read more by this author.

Level of Steam: Tepid

Amazon Blurb: The first victim is found in a snow-covered Philadelphia field. Detective Vito Ciccotelli enlists the aid of archaeologist Sophie Johannsen to determine exactly what lies beneath the frozen ground. Despite years of unearthing things long buried, nothing can prepare Sophie for the matrix of graves dug with chilling precision. The victims buried there haunt her. But the empty graves terrify her-the killer isn't done yet.
SCREAM FOR ME
He is cold and calculating, the master of a twisted game. Even with Vito and Sophie hot on his trail, he will not stop. One more empty grave must be filled, and one last scream must be heard-the scream of an archaeologist who is too close for comfort and too near to resist...
DIE FOR ME

My Thoughts: This one is classed as Romantic Suspense but I found it much more loaded on the Suspense side than the romantic. I'll be honest - I didn't enjoy it as much as I did Count to Ten. I found the graphic nature of the murders a bit disturbing and not enough of the romance to really counterbalance it. I'm not used to reading books quite this heavy duty. I was also slightly bothered by the fact that we got into the victims heads before they were brutally tortured. That made it a bit tougher too. Of course, this cold could me making me more week kneed than usual.
Still - she's a good writer and I have two more of her books that I'm looking forward to reading

Grade: 3.5 out of 5

Recent Read

Count to Ten - Karen Rose

Why this one: Ames gave this one a very good review and since she’s always reading books I’ve recommended, and she did not only watch, but bought North and South, it only seemed fair that I try one of her recs.

Level of Steam: If I had read this one when the furnace was off, it would have gone a long way in keeping me warm.

Amazon Blurb: When a series of arsons turns out to hide a homicide, Mia teams up with Chicago Fire Department Lt. Reed Solliday to track down the firebug killer. Still reeling from her father's death and her last case, which landed her partner, Abe, in the hospital, Mia's not pleased to be teaming up with someone new—especially with Abe's assailant still on the loose. Reed has his doubts as well, suspecting that Mia isn't ready to be back on assignment. As the investigation proceeds and the two divulge their troubled pasts, they find themselves warming to each other—just in time for Mia to become the next target for the flame-happy madman.

My thoughts: Unlike another book I read from Ames list that didn’t really work for me – it was a Lora Leigh book, Count to Ten by Karen Rose worked very well indeed! I love a strong heroine and Mia fits that bill to a tee. She is smart, intelligent and gutsy. If you like Eve Dallas, I’m sure you will like Mia. She is like Eve without the sharp edges. Although she keeps men at a distance – relationship wise – she does have a core group of good friends who worry and care about her.

Reed makes a great hero. He is a widower who was very much in love with his wife – refreshing isn’t it. His first wife was good and rather than villianize her in any way, the author just makes the two women completely different. It’s interesting to read how he handles being the single father of a slightly rebellious daughter.

Both of these characters are wary of getting involved with each other, but the attraction can’t be kept under wraps for long. The romance part of this book was great. But what really stood out for me was the suspense. I’ve only ever read something this suspenseful in the In Death books. Although a fan of Romantic Suspense, much of what I read is more geared towards the romantic. Not this one. The suspense is chilling and even though the villain – who I did not guess until near the end – is chilling. At first one almost feels somewhat sympathetic towards him, but as the body count goes up, and the villain gets more and more gruesome and out of control, you see how evil this person really is.

I really enjoyed this book and I’m happy I have a new author to look forward too. I’ve already bought another one by her and I see she has a nice back list.

Thanks Ames!!

Grade: 4 out of 5