Second Chance Summer (Cedar Ridge #1) by Jill Shalvis

Cedar Ridge, Colorado, is famous for crisp mountain air, clear blue skies, and pine-scented breezes. And it's the last place Lily Danville wants to be. But she needs a job, and there's an opening at the hottest resort in her hometown. What has her concerned is the other hot property in Cedar Ridge: Aidan Kincaid-firefighter, rescue worker, and heartbreaker. She never could resist that devastating smile . . .
The Kincaid brothers are as rough and rugged as the Rocky Mountains they call home. Aidan has always done things his own way, by his own rules. And never has he regretted anything more than letting Lily walk out of his life ten years ago. If anyone has ever been in need of rescuing, she has. What she needs more than anything are long hikes, slow dances, and sizzling kisses. But that can only happen if he can get her to give Cedar Ridge-and this bad boy-a second chance . . .

 Review: I was given a copy of Second Chance Summer from NetGalley for an honest review and this is the review.
This book had me hooked from the start. I mean who could not fall in love with a book with a sexy fireman rescuing a half naked crazy lady off the ledge of a building that is upset because the new crews are not there yet this time when the last time she pulled the same stunt she was front page new because she was only covered in sticky notes? With humor like that if it is kept up throughout the entire book it is going to be a hit and Shalvis kept the humor going so well I found myself laughing out loud in a number of places in this book. The humor is just the first thing that made me fall in love with this book.
Another thing that was written so well was the romance between Lilly and Aidan. As a reader you could fell them fall for each other again and also feel for them over the pain they both went through in the past. I also must say they were HOT together. Good thing Aidan was a fireman was they really needed something to put the fire out they were causing in that book between each other.
The dynamic between the Kincaid was also interesting and heartwarming. I loved how the family argued like normal siblings but always had each other's backs and their mother was a total trip. I think she cracked me up every time she appeared in the book. I can't wait for the next book in the series to see what happens next. I fell in love with this family.
I am wholeheartedly giving this book five out of five stars because it was the total package: family, humor, steamy romance and great characters.

See Him Die by Debra Webb

Julie Barton is in serious trouble. She recently discovered that her husband is a cheater. If that isn't bad enough, she also learned that the man she thought she knew and loved is deeply involved in illegal activities. When she walked out, determined to start over, she had no idea just how far the man who had vowed to love and to cherish her would go to make her sorry until she found him murdered--in her bed. Now, the only person who believes her story is, unfortunately for Julie, the one man with the most to gain from the murder.

Review: Debra Webb does it again. She writes a romantic suspense book I was unable to put down. I loved See Him Die and was able to read it in one day it was so good.
Julie and Blake were such a good match in this book that I loved them as individuals and as couple. I felt so bad for Julie having such a jerk for a soon to be ex and then to find him dead in her bed and then to have a jerk for a brother-in-law the poor girl was really down on her luck she really did deserve a Blake in her life.
The plot in this book was excellent. The story was great. There was just enough romance between the characters to make a reader happy.
I am giving this book five out of five stars.

Somebody I Used to Know by David J. Bell

When Nick Hansen sees the young woman at the grocery store, his heart stops. She is the spitting image of his college girlfriend, Marissa Minor, who died in a campus house fire twenty years earlier. But when Nick tries to speak to her, she acts skittish and rushes off.
The next morning the police arrive at Nick’s house and show him a photo of the woman from the store. She’s been found dead, murdered in a local motel, with Nick’s name and address on a piece of paper in her pocket.
Convinced there's a connection between the two women, Nick enlists the help of his college friend Laurel Davidson to investigate the events leading up to the night of Marissa’s death. But the young woman’s murder is only the beginning...and the truths Nick uncovers may make him wish he never doubted the lies.

Review:  I was given a ARC of Somebody I Use to Know by NetGalley for an honest review and this is the review.
Overall this book was pretty good. It was packed full of a lot of action and a lot of different things going on at the same time around the same mystery that this man is trying to figure out. The book definitely keeps the reader on their toes and guessing. The biggest problem I had with the book is I felt there was no final closure. The plot was excellent, the storyline was great but the big finish I was looking for was not there for me and for me that was a total let down. Others may love how the author chooses to end things for me I felt like I was cheated.
With that said I am giving this book three out of five stars because for me it did not hold together for the entire book.

The Lives Between Us by Theresa Rizzo

How far would you go to save the one you love?
Reporter Skylar Kendall has run from commitment all her life, pushing people away before they leave her, until her niece worms her way into Skye’s heart and settles in tight. Skye relaxes into a career she enjoys and relishes being a doting aunt.
Then her niece becomes gravely ill. Unable to bear yet another loss, Skye is determined to find a cure, but the girl’s only hope lies in the embryonic stem cell therapy Michigan Senator Edward Hastings repeatedly opposes. When Skye fails to find alternative treatment in time, she vows to end the senator’s political career.
Curious about the woman behind the scathing articles on his best friend, Mark Dutton pursues Skye. Dating Mark gives her access to Hastings’s life and secrets that would launch Skye's career and satisfy her need for retribution… Only she hadn’t counted on falling in love.
Can she avenge the lives lost to politics at the expense of her new love and friends?

Review: I was given an ARC of The Lives Between Us for an honest review from NetGalley and this is my review.
This book was an excellent book with the main topic surrounding it being the use of stem cells from embryos to help people who are sick get better and if it is morally right or wrong. That main character in the book, Skye is dealing with the death of her young niece who she believes stem cells could have saved and she blames her states senator for being morally against the use of the same cells and blocking the use of them in her state therefore blaming him for her niece's death. Then Skye and the senator's best friend Mark meet and start dating and they have an intriguing relationship (I won't give to much for spoiler reasons but it was interesting at times). The chemistry between was great and I did love the match.
As for the story I loved it. I can't get into to deeply for spoiler reasons but when I read the ending my mouth dropped open and I had to re-read the last section a few times because I was not sure I was reading things right. It was one of those books. You were thinking one thing then something happens and you think you have it all figured out and something else happens out of left field and you walk away going oh my gosh I did not see that coming at all. You have to love it.
I am giving this book five out of five stars.

One Way or Another: A Novel by Elizabeth Adler

What begins as a beautiful evening at a party on a yacht ends with attempted murder…and a quest for revenge. Ellen never expected a dream vacation to turn so ugly. One moment she was standing on the deck of a fifty-foot yacht and then next, she felt a burning sting in her side. A stab wound. And then a push. She is in the water. She can see people on the yacht, but they have not noticed she is gone, and all seem to have deliberately turned their backs, as the yacht begins slowly to pull away from her. The waves wash over her, sending her further to doom. These are her friends and one is her love. Each one had a reason for getting rid of her though she would not have put murder on that list. Until now. Revenge burns so deeply inside her she knows she will survive this somehow. She will get them. Each one of them—and there are three men, one woman. She will get them. One way or another. Told with Elizabeth Adler’s trademark attention to luxurious detail of people and places, One Way or Another is a glamorous, twisty novel of vengeance and vindication.

Review:
I was given an ARC of One Way or Another from NetGalley for an honest review so here is my review.
For some reason I could not connect with this book at all. I did not like the characters all much and the plot was okay but not the work that Adler has ever done. For me the book dragged on and had too many people with too many different agendas going on at the same time to really get emerged in the entire book you were too busy bouncing around between characters like a tennis ball. I won't get into plot for spoiler reasons but that was only okay for me as well because it just did not strike me as great.
Unfortunately, I can only give this book three out of five stars.

The Secret Daughter: A beautiful novel of adoption, heartbreak and a mother's love by Kelly Rimmer

As I saw my new-born baby’s face for the first time I tried desperately to capture her face in my mind—to stamp it onto my eyelids. As she was taken from me I knew I might never see my daughter again. 
37 years later…
‘You were adopted’. Three short words and Sabina’s life fractures. There would forever be a Before those words, and an After. 
Pregnant with her own child, Sabina can’t understand how a mother could abandon her daughter, or why her parents have kept the past a secret. 
Determined to find the woman who gave her away, what she discovers will change everything, not just for Sabina, but for the women who have loved her all these years. 

Review:  I was given a copy of The Secret Daughter for an honest review from NetGalley so this is my review.
I absolutely loved this book. It was filled with so much raw emotion that the reader could feel the pain Lilly felt when she realized that she she was really going to have to give up her unborn child and the horrors that she had to go through at that place for unwed mothers was sickening.
Then the Sabina character was such a strong charter in this book. Finding out that you were adopted when you are almost forty and your life has been a lie even your birthday must have been mind boggling and the things that the author had go through her mind really makes one stop and think about how ones life would be different if it was changed in some way how would things be now compared to how they really are? It was really a profound thing to think about if ones biological parents raised an adopted child vs is the adopted parents really had them would they like the same things or be totally different people? I also loved the Sabina character because she was willing to go for what she wanted and she was such a strong woman.
Now for Sabina's adoptive parents I have never wanted to slap two people so badly my entire life. They were both self righteous jerks. They may have felt what they did was right and in the end explained away their behavior, I will not get into because of spoilers, but no one keeps a secret from their child for almost forty years and does other unspeakably mean things and then just claim they had a good reason.
This book was an excellent emotional read and I highly recommend it and give it five out of five stars.

Locked, Loaded, & Lying by Sarah Andre

He might be innocent.
Or he might be very, very guilty...
Olympic skier Lock Roane was on top of the world: smashing world records, collecting medals, and basking in the love of a nation and his beautiful heiress girlfriend. It all comes crashing down after Lock discovers his girlfriend had an affair - then wakes from a drunken bender to find himself covered in her blood. Disgraced and dethroned, Lock awaits his murder trial with dread, not knowing if his girlfriend died at his own hands.
Journalist Jordan Sinclair is out of options. To satisfy her blackmailer, she must get the inside scoop (and its cash reward) on Lock Roane. An attraction to the arrogant athlete was not part of the plan. Neither is trying to find out what really happened that night. Now Jordan risks everything - including her life - to help the man she's falling for. A man who just might be a cold-blooded killer...

 Review: I was given copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review so this is my review.
Overall, this was not a bad book but it was not an excellent book either. If you are looking for a suspense book with some romance in it this would be a good book to pick up but it does lack some depth. I hated the fact that throughout the entire book Lock was referred to as Lock and Loaded, I realize that was his nickname but it was used in really stupid places and about halfway through the book I never wanted to read that name again because one does not call their family member or lover that name it is just not realistic and very annoying to over use it. As for the rest of the book it was okay as well, the storyline kind of moved in a direction that made it hard to bond with the characters so that made it hard to really feel a lot for the book but it was a good fast pace book if you are looking for a fast romantic suspense.
I am giving this book three out of five stars.

Did she once have a sister? Has her mother lied all these years? Why? 
After a painful divorce, Maisey Lazarow returns to Fairham, the small island off the North Carolina coast where she grew up. She goes there to heal—and to help her brother, Keith, a deeply troubled man who's asked her to come home. But she refuses to stay in the family house. The last person she wants to see is the wealthy, controlling mother she escaped years ago. Instead, she finds herself living next door to someone else she'd prefer to avoid—Rafe Romero, the wild, reckless boy to whom she lost her virginity at sixteen. He's back on the island, and to her surprise, he's raising a young daughter alone. Maisey's still attracted to him, but her heart's too broken to risk… 
Then something even more disturbing happens. She discovers a box of photographs that evoke distant memories of a little girl, a child Keith remembers, too. Maisey believes the girl must've been their sister, but their mother claims there was no sister. 
Maisey's convinced that child existed. So where is she now?

Review: I was given an ARC of The Secret Sister for an honest review so this my review.
This is the first full length romantic suspense book from Brenda Novak in awhile and I can honestly say I miss her writing in this area, I love her romance books but her suspense books I have really missed and The Secret Sister reminded me how good she is at keeping the reader guessing.
The characters in this book were all very engaging and easy to like. I loved how well Maisey and Rafe interacted and the romance between them was typical Novak, sweet and hot at the same time if that is possible. As for the mystery in the book I loved how it was told and how Maisey tried so hard to prove that her brother did not hurt their sister that they did not remember existed on purpose because she wanted to help him get better so badly. I am not going to get into the plot because I refuse to talk spoilers but it was so well written it had some great twist for the reader.
I can honestly say I can't wait for the second book in the series to come out to see what happens next and I do hope Novak writes more romantic suspense in the future because she has a talent in this area that she does not use enough.
I am giving The Secret Sister five out of five stars.

All Good Deeds (Lucy Kendall #1)

Lucy Kendall lived her life in a strange mixture of carefully calculated moves and impulse decisions. Cracking the skull of the man who molested her sister and attacking her was impulse. Spending half her teenage years drinking and acting out were calculated cries for attention from her narcissistic mother followed by impulsive rages at her lack of concern. The decade spent working in Child Protective Services before becoming a private investigator taught her two truths. One, CPS failed miserably in protecting children. Two, Lucy was more than willing to do it for them, meting out her brand of dark justice in spite of her own fear of death. But Lucy's crusade is compromised when a self-proclaimed sociopath offers to help-and leaves her no choice but to accept it. When eight-year old Kailey Richardson is abducted, it sets off a chain of events linked to Justin Beckett, a suspect in a life-changing case in Lucy's past. The path she's chosen since dealing with Beckett has been dark and terrifying-but she has no idea just how deep she will go or where the twisted road will take her. She's about to find out.

Review: I loved All Good Deeds and can't wait to read more about Lucy Kendall and how she balances the scales of justice by killing men who sexually hurt children. Her character reminds me so much of the Dexter character who was a serial killer who only killed bad people it blows my mind. And just like Dexter fans readers have to love and respect Lucy for what she is doing because she is truly killing people who deserve to die and I believe that is why I am going to get totally wrapped up in this character and series
As for this this book I loved the twist and turns that kept you guessing until the very end. I can honestly say I had no idea who took the little girl until the very end and then when the truth came out I was like nice. Then the rest of the action in the book especially how Lucy had to reevaluate her entire thought process about Justin, the person whose freedom made her into the vigilante killer that she had become was very thought-provoking and well written. Overeating, the entire book was excellent but I don't want to get get into that much because of spoilers I will just highly recommend this book to be read.
With all that said I am giving this book five out of five stars.

Love You Madly (You Again)

Meredith Sanders was the golden girl in high school—a homecoming queen with a trail of worshipping minions. Now she's all grown up with a trail of failed marriages. The only good thing she has in her life is her brilliant and beautiful teenaged step-daughter...who's missing. But the best man for the job has a serious hate-on for her. 
Back in high school, queen bee Meredith made Travis Brennan's life miserable. Since then, he's gone from class geek to a hardened, former SEAL, specializing in private security. As much as he wants to help Meredith's step-daughter, he can't help but clash with the gorgeous woman who once made his life hell. 
But as they investigate the increasingly mysterious disappearance, their conflicted past threatens to turn into a very provocative present...

Review:  I was given an ARC of Live You Madly by NetGalley for an honest review and this is my review.
I really enjoyed Meredeth and Travis's story. It was packed full of romance and suspense. The storyline line was excellent, a stepmother who is looking for her daughter who disappeared and she ended up hiring a guy that she she bullied in high school who grew up to be a total hottie. Great concept. I person behind her daughter's disappearance kept me guessing until the end which was great and the chemistry between Travis and Meredith was hot hot hot.
I am giving this book five out of five stars.  

A Deadly Web (Bishop Files #2)

John Brodie is a Guardian, a member of a secret network devoted to protecting the psychics in his charge from a ruthless—and virtually invisible—enemy.
Tasha Solomon is unaware of the Guardians’ existence—until the night the gifted psychic suffers a shocking and violent attack and Brodie saves her life.
Tough and resilient, Tasha isn’t used to depending on anyone. But the assault has left her vulnerable. Tasha doesn’t know who wants her dead, or why, or when he will strike again. Now, she is forced to trust that Brodie can guide her through a tangled web of danger and deception toward a safe harbor—one she fears is more elusive with each dark and endless night.

Review:  Out of all the Bishop series books The Bishop Files seems to be my least favorite for some reason. I don't know why but this series does not grab me like the rest of the series do and for that reason I just don't have that connect with the book I am looking for when I pick up one of Kay Hooper's novels.
As for A Deadly Web this book was okay for me. It dragged on in a lot of places and lacked the action I was looking for. Most of the book for me was lost in technical stuff and conspiracy plots. Not what I want. I want them fighting the bad guy not getting lost in his mastermind plot that we have no idea what it is but to get and make psychics. For me this entire series is just confusing and that is why I am giving three out of five stars.

Never Die Alone (New Orleans #8) by Lisa Jackson

Never Drop Your Guard 
It should be the best day of their lives. Too bad they never get to see it. On the cusp of their twenty-first birthday, he strikes. His victims are always twins, their ritualistic murders planned in exquisite detail, down to the moment when they breathe their last together. . . 
Never Close Your Eyes 
An innocent man is in prison, and Brianna Hayward needs to convince the New Orleans police. Not just to free her cousin, but to save others who will suffer until the true culprit is found. Reporter Jason Bridges is intrigued. It's a story that could make his career--as long as Brianna never guesses the secret in Jason's past. . .
 . . .Or You'll Never See Him ComingDetective Rick Bentz had doubts about the "21" conviction when he worked the case in L.A. Now the real murderer may be loose in Bentz's backyard. Twin sisters from LSU have vanished, days before their birthday. And as Bentz and his partner, Reuben Montoya, desperately follow the trail, a killer prepares to unite his next victims in death forever. . .

Review:  Wow. Where to start? Die Alone was typical Lisa Jackson, she gives the reader everything they want and just a bit more to make sure they will be back for the next book in the series and she did a splendid job of that with this book.
The 21 Killer was one crazy guy and whole idea of going after twins I found kind on interesting because there are so many in my family. The plot and the twist with this book were outstanding and kept me guessing throughout most of the book.
The touch of romance between Jase and Brianna was also a nice touch to take away from the darkness of the 21 Killer and what he was doing to his victims. Their past also added another bit on intrigue to the story that kept me wondering what really happened between him and her sister until the big reveal.
Then the big hook Jackson teased us with throughout the book...the return of Father John (If you have read her previous books you know all about this sick freak). What can I say? She has done a brilliant job setting up the next book and that is all I will say because I hate spoilers and if you want to know more you need to be sure pick up a copy of this book and read it, you will not be disappointed. I could not put it down and with that said I am giving Never Die Alone five out of five stars.

Minutes to Kill (Scarlet Falls #2) by Melinda Leigh

After corporate attorney Hannah Barrett tries—and fails—to stop a kidnapping in Vegas, she can’t shake the haunting image of the terrified young girl she couldn’t save. She tells herself that a visit to her hometown in Scarlet Falls could be a welcome distraction. But soon, Hannah realizes the kidnappers have all the info they need to track her every move. And when chilling e-mails about the victim appear in her inbox, it’s frighteningly clear what happened in Vegas has followed her home.
Eight months after a terrible family tragedy, Hannah turns to Detective Brody McNamara once again. Brody is eager to help, though he’s embroiled in the investigation of a brutal murder. But the closer they work together, the stronger their feelings grow…and the more they stand to lose when two seemingly unrelated, but equally deadly, cases collide.

Review: I was given an ARC of Minutes to Kill from NetGalley for an honest review so this is my review.
I new after reading the first Scarlet Falls novel I was going to be hooked on this series but I had no clue how hooked Melinda Leigh would actually get me by book two. Once again by the end of this book I am dying for the next one to come out this series is that good and she Leigh leaves little crumbs that makes the reader guess what might be coming next. (I vote for Mac's story, but I get off topic).
As for this book Hannah and Brody's story was full of intrigue, suspense and romance. Everything one looks for in the perfect romantic suspense book. I also liked how parts from the the first book were addressed in this book so you knew what the outcome of Hannah's bother and wives's murder case is going to be. A lot of authors would just let it go but if was nice to have closure from the first book in the series so if you have not read it there is a bit a a spoiler in here even though the killer is not named some of how that book ends does get revealed in this book.
The subject matter of this book was very heavy with it being human trafficking and young girls being used as prostitutes and I felt that Leigh handled it with class and did a great job with how she portrayed it in this novel. Excellent job.
I loved this book. I love this series. I can't give this book anything but five out of five stars. I would recommend you read both books because they fit well together.

The Secrets We Keep by Stephanie Butland

A tragic accident, a broken heart, and a marriage drowning in secrets...
Mike always walks the dog in the evening while Elizabeth relaxes in the bathtub--but one night he doesn’t come back. Mike has drowned while saving a teenage girl named Kate, his dog standing on the bank barking frantically as the police pull his body from the water.But despite her husband being lauded as a hero, Elizabeth can’t wrap her mind around the fact that Mike is gone--and Kate won’t reveal the details of what really happened that night.
 Elizabeth finds herself facing the unfathomable possibility that she may not have known her husband at all. Does she really want to know the truth? Or will the weight of Mike’s secrets pull her under?

Review:  I was given an ARC of The Secrets We Keep from NetGalley for an honest review and this is my review.
I really enjoyed this book and I felt so many emotions for, Elizabeth, the main character, I was on emotional rollercoaster throughout the entire book. I must say, however, I was not a big fan of her husband and if he was not already dead in the book I would happily be plotting his death but is spoiler material so I won't go there.
This book was well written with charters with a lot of depth. I loved Elizabeth because she was fragile yet she also had strength that the reader saw flickers of making her a very intriguing character because one was unsure what way she was going to end up going when it came to how she was going to intimately deal with her grief and other problems she has to with her husband's death.
As for the rest of the characters I also liked them as well but it was Elizabeth that left the biggest impression. The rest were all excellent support characters that made her shine in my opinion.
I am giving The Secrets We Keep a rating of four out of five stars and would definitely suggest it for those of you who can handle tear jerker.