Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection are:

Chasing Fire [Hardcover]

Product Description

The number-one New York Times-bestselling author delves into the world of elite firefighters who thrive on danger and adrenaline-men and women who wouldn't know how to live life if it wasn't on the edge.

There's little as thrilling as firefighting-at least to Rowan Tripp. The Missoula smoke jumpers are in Rowan's blood: her father is a legend. She's been fighting fires since her eighteenth birthday. At this point, returning to the wilds of Montana for the season feels like coming home-even with reminders of the partner she lost last season still lingering.

Fortunately, this year's rookie crop is one of the strongest ever - and Gulliver Curry's one of the best. He's also a walking contradiction, a hotshot firefighter with a big vocabulary and a winter job at a kids' arcade.

Everything is thrown off balance when a dark presence lashes out against Rowan, looking to blame someone for last year's tragedy. Rowan knows she can't complicate things with Gull - any distractions in the air or on the ground could mean the end-but if she doesn't find someone she can lean on, she may not make it through the summer. . . .

Product Details
Hardcover: 480 pages
Publisher: Putnam Adult (April 12, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399157441
ISBN-13: 978-0399157448

New Releases 2011 (Mar 29)

Phantom Evil (Krewe of Hunters) [Hardcover]

Product Description

A secret government unit is formed under the oversight of Adam Harrison, famed paranormal investigator. The six members he's gathered know a little of the otherworldly — each has honed a psychic talent of their own.

Jackson Crow, part English, part Cheyenne, heads the group. Haunted by his experience with an ancestral ghost who saved his life as a child, and the recent murders of two previous teammates, Jackson can't tell if Adam's demoted him or given him an extraordinary opportunity. Despite his link to the realm of spirits, he's well aware that the living commit the most heinous crimes, with spiritualist charlatans existing merely to fool and seduce the unwary.

To counterbalance Jackson's careful skepticism, Adam Harrison has paired him with Angela Hawkins, a young woman who learned the painful lesson of loss at an early age. A police officer utilizing her paranormal intuition in Virginia, she already has her hands full. But Adam's call to New Orleans is strong.

The case: In a historic mansion in New Orleans's French Quarter, a senator's wife falls to her death from a balcony. Most think she jumped, distraught over the loss of her young son. Some say she was pushed. And yet others believe she was beckoned by the ghostly spirits that inhabit the house — once the site of a serial killer's grisly work.

Whether supernatural or all too human, crimes of passion, greed and desire will cast the pair into danger of losing their lives…and their immortal souls.

Product Details
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Mira; 400 edition (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0778329534
ISBN-13: 978-0778329534

 

 
Devious (Bentz and Montoya) [Hardcover]

Product Description

The crime scene at St. Marguerite’s cathedral in New Orleans is shocking, even to seasoned detectives like Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya. A novice nun named Sister Camille has been found dressed in a yellowed bridal gown and viciously garroted, her body covered with an altar cloth. Valerie Houston is devastated by her sister’s death. For weeks, she’d begged Camille to leave St. Marguerite’s, where she seemed determined to live as some kind of martyr. But Camille had a knack for making bad choices — she joined the convent in part because she’d fallen for Val’s soon-to-be ex-husband, Slade. Convinced the police aren’t doing enough, Val begins to investigate. Slade, on a mission to repair their marriage, is determined to help her. But the deeper Val’s inquiries go, the more twisted the case becomes. St. Marguerite’s is far from the tranquil retreat many believe, and everyone, from handsome Father Frank O’Toole to the mysterious Mother Superior, has their own agenda. Despite their closeness, even Camille had a hidden life Val never suspected. But someone knew about Camille’s past — and Val’s, too. Now she has no choice but to catch a devious, depraved killer intent on purging St. Marguerite’s of all its sins — before she becomes the next victim…
 
Product Details
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: Kensington; 1 edition (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758225652
ISBN-13: 978-0758225658

Shiver of Fear (The Guardian Angelinos) [Mass Market Paperback]

Product Description

The legacy that haunts her . . .
The mystery she must solve . . .
A man who threatens to reveal her secrets . . .
and break her heart.

Burned by a failed marriage, former FBI agent Marc Rossi wants back in the investigation game with no emotional strings attached. Taking an assignment for his enterprising Angelino cousins, he heads to Northern Ireland to pry a key piece of evidence from a missing socialite - any way he can. But when the ice queen turns out to be warm, beautiful, and on a secret mission of her own, the job becomes a passionate reminder of what happens when duty and desire mix. The daughter of an infamous fugitive, Devyn Sterling has survived betrayal only to find that her mother has mysteriously disappeared. When her search uncovers secrets, lies, and threats, Devyn and Marc must trust each other when every instinct says they can't . . . and a terrorist wants to make sure they won't live to try.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Forever (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446566594
ISBN-13: 978-0446566599

Treachery in Death [Hardover]

I've finished "Treachery in Death" the 33rd book in her In Death series by J.D. Robb.

Product Description

In the latest from the #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon, Eve Dallas tracks down those who break the law-including the ones sworn to uphold it.

Detective Eve Dallas and her partner, Peabody, are following up on a senseless crime-an elderly grocery owner killed by three stoned punks for nothing more than kicks and snacks. This is Peabody's first case as primary detective-good thing she learned from the master.

But Peabody soon stumbles upon a trickier situation. After a hard workout, she's all alone in the locker room when the gym door clatters open; and-while hiding inside a shower stall trying not to make a sound-she overhears two fellow officers, Garnet and Oberman, arguing. It doesn't take long to realize they're both crooked-guilty not just of corruption but of murder. Now Peabody, Eve, and Eve's husband, Roarke, are trying to get the hard evidence they need to bring the dirty cops down-knowing all the while that the two are willing to kill to keep their secret.

About the Author

J.D. Robb is the pseudonym for a number-one New York Times bestselling author of more than 190 novels, including the futuristic suspense In Death series. There are more than 400 million copies of her books in print.

Product Details
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Putnam Adult; First Edition first Printing edition (February 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399157034
ISBN-13: 978-0399157035

My Review:

I highly recommend this series if you love a kick ass heroine, a gorgeous multi-billionaire husband and well constructed storylines and complex characters.

Storyline:  After investigating a murder, Peabody decides to start working out in an empty and abandoned gym at Central. After she showers, two cops barge into the locker room and start talking about their role in the murder of an informant to cover up their own roles in an internal racket. Peabody sees and hears just enough to identify the two, and it turns out that one of the cops is a lieutenant who is the daughter of a retired legend on the force. Peabody informs Dallas, who then informs the captain of the precinct, and an undercover investigation starts to ramp up to see just how pervasive the corruption might be. Dallas takes it as a personal crusade to take down the two cops and everyone else who might be part of what's going on, and she starts to goad the lieutenant into taking reckless steps to get back or silence Dallas and Peabody. The action escalates as the pressure increases and desperation sets in to deflect the investigation and to keep everything undercover.

Characters:  You get to see Peabody in a lead role in the investigation against the corrupt police unit.  She's the central person and has to go against some higher ups and scrutiny along the way.
 
Love the way that Eve antagonizes the ring leader and her corrupt group of cops.  She also has some kick-ass fighting scenes which she whoops ass. 
 
Really enjoyed the scenes between Eve and Whitney and Eve and Webster and Eve.
 
Romance:  I really enjoy the romance between Eve and Roake because they have come a long way from when they first met to now.  They have a major argument but they resolve their differences but not before acting like children.  The love scenes are always tender, hot and loving.

Killer(s):  The ring leader is very manipulative of men using sex, power and money to control her group of men.  She's smart and doesn't kill herself.  It's interesting how she comes up with how to stage the murders so there wouldn't be any questions asked (but Eve and Peabody know better)!

One of her men has quite the temper tantrum, is out of control and has an agenda to torture and then kill Dallas.

Another asks no questions and is her killing machine.  He's quite the big brute and has no remorse.

She has quite the network with key people appointed in different departments and ones she doesn't like are either killed or forced to transfer.

5/5

Thanks Laura from Penguin Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

Library Haul 2011 (Mar 27 - Apr 2)

Here's the list of books I picked up from the library this week:

Softcover:

1. Cold Dawn - Carla Neggers
2. Promises in the Dark - Stephanie Tyler
3. Death Echo - Elizabeth Lowell
4. Bond of Darkness - Diane Whiteside

What books did you pick up from the library this week?

Living on the Edge: An Edge Novel [Paperback]

I've finished "Living on the Edge" the 1st book in her new romantic suspense series by Shannon K. Butcher.

Product Description

With her thrilling Sentinel Wars series, Shannon K. Butcher pushed readers to the very edge of their imaginations. Now, with the first in her new action romance series she takes them to the very edge of their seats, following the loves and lethal lives of a group of hardened mercenaries who live on the edge-and beyond ...
 
Product Details
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Signet (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451232747
ISBN-13: 978-0451232748

My Review:
 
This was a very exhilarating exciting read from the very first page to the very last page.
 
Lucas Ramsey left the military due to a severe injury. However, when his former superior officer The old man orders him to protect Sloane Gideon with his life, he asks no questions and begins his duty. However the Old Man omits two pieces of key information when a shooting occurs at a gala where Lucas planed to meet Sloane who marked him as Mr. Tuxedo. First her occupation is personal protection as she works as a bodyguard for the Edge; and second she is the Old Man's daughter. It is the latter that shakes Lucas as he cannot picture the cold logical General with an offspring.

Columbian drug cartel leader Lorenzo Soma abducts Sloane's friend Gina who called last night explaining her frightening predicament before the phone was taken away. Mr. Tuxedo tries to stop Sloane from boarding a plane, but she knocks him out with a blow to his temple. Having underestimating Sloane, he follows her to Colombia with the Old Man's warning him to play hardball with his daughter. The former Ranger catches up to her in South America where she accepts his offer of assistance as she wonders why Soma kidnapped her best friend and how will she extract Gina from this cold blooded killer while Lucas wonders how to extract Sloane from Columbia when she insists on a jungle expedition.
 
The attraction between Sloan and Lucas sizzles from the moment they first meet while both are at the top of their game. They are well matched pair and make a very deadly duo. Lucas is reluctant to hurt Sloane which  she uses to her advantage when evading him. It was fascinating watching Sloan keep Lucas on his toes. I really liked Sloan is a strong confident woman who can kick butt and loves her weapons. I really liked Lucas because he is a cool, sexy alpha male and doesn't totally try to dominate her like many alpha male military heroes do.  Lucas seemed more realistic and genuine and I felt like he really respected Sloane. 
 
5/5

Thanks Laura from Penguin Canada for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

Killer Heat [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Killer Heat" the 3rd book in her Department 6 trilogy series by Brenda Novak.

Product Description

The bodies of seven women have been discovered in Skull Valley, Arizona. Jonah Young, a private security operative from Department 6, has been hired by the Yavapai County sheriff to assist in solving these murders. But Jonah's not prepared for the complications that arise when he's forced to work with a woman from his past, private investigator Francesca Moretti. 

Jonah betrayed Francesca ten years ago. She hasn't forgiven him and she's pretty sure she never will. But the woman she was hired to find has been murdered in exactly the same way as the seven in Skull Valley, so, Francesca has to work with Jonah. They quickly zero in on the most likely suspect — but questions remain. Questions they have to answer. Because if they bet on the wrong man, it might be the last thing they ever do….

Product Details

Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages

Publisher: Mira; 1 edition (September 28, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0778328317

ISBN-13: 978-0778328315

My Review:

Storyline:  Private investigator Francesca Moretti was hired to find missing April Bonner. The Chandler, Arizona sleuth follows a clue that takes her to a salvage yard near Prescott. There she sees April's corpse and has a run in with the owner Butch Vaughn who lured the unfortunate woman via the matchmaker Net persona of Harry Stratham. Thanks to a woman and child, who Francesca assumes is his family, she escapes.

Yavapai County Sheriff's office hires the Department 6 private security firm to investigate the gruesome murders of seven women found in Skull Valley. Agent Jonah Young leads the inquiry, but he is stunned when he sees Francesca. A decade ago, they went to the police academy together, but as they fell in love he betrayed her with her best friend.  With the worst possible ending -- a child was born from that night. When the cops find no body on Vaughn's property he files an assault charge against Francesca. As the two team up to clear Francesca's reputation, they target Butch as the only suspect, but lack proof; while the killer targets them.

Characters:  Francesca is a very tough, smart, independent and determined to prove that Butch killed all the women.  Hmm I thought she was a very complex person because I was wondering how she forgave her best friend for betraying her and not forgiving Jonah?  She totally blames him for the betrayal?  She's still quite upset and has never stopped loving him though she won't admit it!

Jonah is a very hunky, tough and a great investigator.  He was scared of his deep feelings for Francesca so he got drunk and sleep with her best friend.

Butch and his family are quite scary and I certainly wouldn't want to meet them!

Romance: I did like the romance between Jonah and Francesca because the second time around it went slowly, they found out they are different people now and Jonah waited until Francesca told him she forgave him.

Killer(s): The killer was quite scary and creative in their killing and no one saw them or heard anything. 

This book had alot of hair-raising moments and red herrings so you didn't figure out who the real culprit was until near the end.

4/5

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection are:

Deadly Dreams (Berkley Sensation) [Paperback]

Product Description

Risa Chandler's prescient dreams of death and murder haunted her nights. They also proved invaluable for Adam Raiker's brilliant team of forensic criminologists, the Mindhunters, until a tragic end to one case shattered Risa's confidence and drove her into seclusion. But for Risa, there's no hiding from death-or from her dreams.

Product Details
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley (April 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425240681
ISBN-13: 978-0425240687

New Releases 2011 (Mar 22)

Breaking the Rules: A Novel (Troubleshooters) [Hardcover]

Product Description

Izzy Zanella wasn’t looking for another reason to butt heads with his Navy SEAL teammate, and nemesis, Danny Gillman. But then he met Danny’s beautiful younger sister, Eden. When she needed it most, he offered her a place to stay, a shoulder to cry on — and more. And when she got pregnant with another man’s child, he offered her marriage. But Eden’s devastating miscarriage shattered their life together — and made the intense bad blood between Izzy and Danny even worse.

Now Eden’s back, and she’s on a mission to rescue her teen brother, Ben, from their abusive stepfather. Even if she and Izzy can prove that their broken marriage is still in one piece, winning legal custody of Ben is a long shot. But they’re not alone: Danny and his girlfriend, Jenn, offer to help, and he and Izzy agree to bury the past and fight for Ben’s future.

As they plan their strategy, Izzy and Eden grapple with the raw passion that still crackles between them — while Danny and Jenn confront new depths in their own rocky relationship. But events take a terrifying turn after Ben befriends a girl fleeing a child prostitution ring. When the young runaway seeks refuge with Eden and Izzy, her pursuers kidnap Ben — and a deadly standoff begins. Now they must all pull together like never before and strike back, swift and hard, to protect their unconventional little family and everything they hold most precious.

Product Details
Hardcover: 528 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (March 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780345521224
ISBN-13: 978-0345521224

In the Arms of Stone Angels (Harlequin Teen) [Paperback]

Product Description

Two years ago, Brenna did the unthinkable. She witnessed the aftermath of a murder and accused her only true friend--the first boy she ever loved--of being a killer.

Now sixteen, Brenna returns to Oklahoma only to discover that Isaac "White Bird" Henry isn't in juvie. The half-breed outcast is in a mental hospital, frozen in time, locked in his mind at the worst moment of his life. And when Brenna touches him, she's pulled into his hellish vision quest, seeing terrifying demons and illusions she doesn't understand.

Feeling isolated and alone, she's up against the whole town, targeted by bullying former classmates, a bigoted small town sheriff, and a tribe who refuses to help one of their own. But when Brenna realizes she's as trapped by the past as White Bird is, this time she won't turn her back on him. She's the only one who can free them both.

Even if she has to expose her secret -- a "gift" she's kept hidden her whole life.

Product Details
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (March 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780373210299
ISBN-13: 978-0373210299