The world has undergone an environmental disaster, humanity is becoming more technologically dependent, and TX is its own separate entity. Two young lovers are separated by lies and end up on the opposite sides of a war (I think). Angela is a continental senator and the war minister. Her goal is to help re-elect her mentor as the president-no matter what it takes. His control over her life from childhood has warped her to some degree. Kellon has loved Angela all his life but she sent him away and he never forgave her for that. Years later, a series of circumstances bring them back together to save the world.
I’m not even sure how to describe this book. It somehow managed to overwhelm and underwhelm at the same time. We are buried in technologic terms with a world too weak to support it. Our two leads are polar opposites and while that should guarantee a nice tension-filled reconnection romance, I felt almost no chemistry between them. Angela goes from cold and methodical to sex-starved and clingy while Kellen’s “good old boy” persona grew tedious. We are told he is an outlaw but I don’t see much rebellion in this story. Clunky dialogue and random scene/character placement left me trying to hurry towards the end. It’s only once I figure out exactly what was going on was my interest snagged, but by then, it was too late. I was at the end and relieved to be done....more
Favorite Quote: “Ironman sounds suspicious to me. What are the others?”
“There’s Thor, the Hulk,” he began.
“Sounds like porn.”
The 44th case in Lieutenant Eve Dallas’ murder book opens to Eve and Roarke nearly hitting a young lady who walks out in front of their car. Naked, bloody, and obviously injured, they take her to the nearest hospital where they learn her name is Daphne Strazza, wife to renowned surgeon Dr. Anthony Strazza. A quick case of the house shows the husband is dead, brutally beaten to death, and the house robbed. The only clue they can get out the traumatized Daphne is that it was “the Devil.”
As Eve and Peabody investigate, they learn that this one in a string of related crimes where couples are targeted and terrorized by a masked intruder but the first where a death has occurred. They also learn that Dr. Strazza may have been a wonderful surgeon, he was a terrible person and his wife was a victim of abuse before the crime even occurred.
As Eve races against the clock to find and stop the person responsible for these heinous crimes, she must also deal with flashbacks from her own childhood as she realizes the similarities between herself and Daphne Strazza are greater than she first suspected. But that doesn’t stop her from fighting for all the victims in this case. Even the ones who don’t seem to deserve it.
“No matter your race, creed, sexual orientation, or political affiliation, we protect and serve. Because you could get dead.’”
“Even if you were an asshole. We added an addendum on”
I’m a huge fan of J.D Robb’s In Death mystery/thriller series. While in no form or fashion can these mysteries be considered cozies, there is a certain appeal to the familiarity of the world and the characters who preside in it. Eve is a formidable heroine who has captivated readers from the beginning. We have watched her evolve from abused child to top notch cop through her memories. We have witnessed her falling desperately in love with her husband Roarke and eventually learning to not only accept the fact she deserves love but have seen her fight for that love. We have watched her make lifelong friends, develop pseudo family bonds with an older trust confidant, and finally grow comfortable in her own skin.
“The gods, she decided, had opted to mix together all the best elements of warrior, poet, angel-the fallen variety to add some spice-and then deemed he’d love an unsociable, badass murder cop.”
This is one of Robb’s darker mysteries with a healthy dose of suspense and intrigue. I want to note that there are triggers in here that may distress some readers. Per usual, Eve and her team use their skills and knowledge to try and find a serial rapist before he strikes again. The pacing and dialogue flow at a comfortable speed and I enjoy the ease at which Robb flows between Eve’s personal life and her professional one. As the nature of the crimes committed speaks personally to Eve, we see the connections made and the flashbacks that plague Eve. She forms a personal connection with female survivors; especially Daphne Strazza.
“You came here. You asked to help someone. You are no weak sister. “
Old friends along with some new ones take readers through a gauntlet of emotions-making us laugh, rage, and shed a few tears as Eve hunts her prey. Eve’s continued mangling of familiar sayings only adds to the feelings of comfort and familiarity. The softer storyline allows readers to spend more time with the NYSPD and the family style atmosphere only further enhances how much the story and characters have grown. The romance and chemistry between Eve and Roarke is still blazingly hot and Robb doesn’t cheat readers out of their private times together.
The ending was intense but predictable. I figure out early on who the villain was and everyone knows Eve ALWAYS gets her ‘man but regardless the journey was a solid read. Echoes in Death is a welcomed addition to the series, giving readers a suspenseful mystery to help solve and a dynamic couple whose love affair continues to capture our attention even 44 books in. I love visiting NY with Robb and look forward to the next installment.
Favorite Quote: “I would have stood for you, the law would have stood for you.”
A former senator goes missing, his cousin, Dr. Dennis Mira, is the only witness to the crime. Left with a concussion and a sense of forbidding, Dr. Mira calls his wife for help. Luckily for him, he is married to a renowned profiler for the NYSPD, Dr. Charlotte Mira, and good friends with Lieutenant Eve Dallas. When Eve and Charlotte arrive, Dennis tells them he saw his cousin beaten and sitting in a chair but was hit from behind and now his cousin is gone.
What starts out as a random abduction soon turns into something more insidious when the senator is found dead and tortured. As Eve begins to investigate the senator’s death, she discovers politics and power can make for strange bedfellows. Eve uses her badge and wealth to open closed doors, determined to shine a light on the private lives of the elite and powerful, only to discover a series of crimes so heinous that the lines between victim and killer blur.
Brotherhood in Death is the 42nd installment in J.D. Robb’s long-running futuristic In Death series. Set in the year 2061, a hard as nails lieutenant brings criminals to justice with some help from her billionaire husband and the NYSPD. Strong writing, well-plotted mysteries, intriguing subplots, and continuous characterization helps to keep the world fresh but comforting. Though there is a certain predictable quality to the story, the show us different angles used in police investigation. Robb continues to blend our heroine Eve’s personal life with her professional one, keeping the addictive action packed mystery perfectly in tune with the established romance and personal drama that constantly hums in the background. Humor and some lighthearted moments walk hand in hand with the more emotional scenes, giving readers the time to come to terms with the darker aspects of the story. Though riddled with police procedurals and investigative terms, Robb writes with an easy hand, allowing those unfamiliar with either of these aspects to follow along.
Eve is on her way home early for once when she receives a frantic call from her friend and department resident shrink, Dr. Charlotte Mira, begging her to come to an unknown address. Her husband, Dennis Mira, has been hurt and a family member is missing. Eve rushes over to learn that Mr. Mira was knocked unconscious and his cousin, the powerful ex-senator Edward Mira, has been abducted. Eve learns Dennis was at the family homestead to discuss Edward’s attempts to sell the family property out from under Dennis. With little to no evidence, Eve is starting out blind with only Dennis’s vague recollections and a politician’s legacy to help guide her.
I have noticed this series becoming progressively darker as Robb moves from futuristic based crimes into more personal timeless ones. I want to note that this particular storyline is sexually dark and may be a trigger for some. While Robb doesn’t write violence gratuitously, she also doesn’t whitewash. Per usual, the storyline revolves around watching how Eve and her team using their myriad of skills and know how to solve the case. I did feel this one started off a bit slow in the beginning. I felt more time was spent listening to Eve investigate then actually seeing her in action. There was also some oddness to the dialogue in the beginning. It seemed to struggle to find a comfortable flow. The pacing and dialogue both pick up just before the halfway point and Eve begins to make inroads into the investigation and the pieces start to form a picture. As the nature of the crime(s) speak personally to Eve, we see the connections made and the flashbacks that plague Eve as she struggles to remain objective. We also see her dismay that two people she whom she sees as friends and pseudo parent figures are hurt by this case. Dennis Mira has always been an important secondary character and I enjoyed Robb taking the time to peel back his layers to show us what lies behind his normally affordable personality. HIs and Eve’s scenes together are particularly poignant.
Familiar faces along with some new ones provide entertainment, outrage, and some sorrow tinged moments. Eve continues to loosen up in the workplace and love her ability to joke with her squad. They have her back and she finally believes it. Readers will love seeing Eve and Roarke as they continue to grow in their lives together. Steamy love scenes, romantic declarations of love, and just enough fire out of the bed (or the shower, the elevator, etc…) tells a beautiful tale of triumph over tragedy. One scene in particular sets the stage for some changes in their home, telling us that they are ready to move onto another chapter in their life together.
Brotherhood in Death is another welcomed addition to the series, giving readers an engagingly layered mystery to help solve and a dynamic couple whose love affair continues to capture our attention even 42 books in. As always, I love visiting Robb’s version of the future and look forward to the next installment.
Favorite Quote: Like my mom said, we all got talent.
Siren’s Call is the fourth installment in Ms. Castle’s Rainshadow series. A spin-off of her popular Harmony series, Rainshadow is an island that has become a refuge of sorts to those who don’t fit in with Harmony’s upper class society. People with unusual or dangerous psi talents gravitate to the island, knowing the island tends to protect its inhabitants from outsiders. The island, a hot bed of unexplored alien energy areas, keeps the local talent on their toes. Dry witty humor and a suspenseful mystery go hand in hand to create a well developed storyline that tends to revolve around two “misfits” who band together to investigate the island’s unusual alien infrastructure. Personable characters, intriguing plot lines, and vivid world building makes each installment a fun engaging read. Though each book can be read as a stand alone, this series does interact with her Harmony and Arcane series as the three series follow specific families through time.
Rafe Coppersmith met Ella Morgan in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Ella followed a wayward dust bunny into the catacombs only to find herself caught in the middle of an alien artifact smuggling ring. Rafe appears and saves her life, but in order for his cover not to be blown, she has to leave before the cops show up. He promises to call her on her afterwards but was unable to do so when he is badly psi burned on another job. His family places him on lock down, only letting him leave when they feel he isn’t a danger to himself or others.
The first place he goes is to Ella and wants to hire her for a job. His family is excavating a preserve on the Rainshadow island called Wonderland. Problem is some nasty creatures are trying to eat them. Rafe knows Ella has just the talent they need to defeat these creatures and is willing to do anything to get her help.
Ella Morgan has an unusual and dangerous gift that she keeps hidden in order to not be placed on the FBPI (Federal Bureau of Paranormal Investigations) list. She is a Siren; her gift being she can sing people to sleep and even death if she so chooses. People who get on the FBPI’s list are often made to disappear or placed under lock and key for the protection of society. She chooses to use her gift as a dream counselor where she helps guide people to understanding and utilizing their dreams. Because of her gift, she has convinced herself that she will never have a real relationship much less marry and has made peace with this. Sort of.
When Rafe never called she wasn’t surprised. The Morgan family motto has always been either men will become obsessed with you or run straight into hell to escape a siren. When he suddenly reappears offering her a job, she is hurt and angry but realistic enough to see that having the Coppersmith name as a client will do wonders for her budding business so she accepts his proposal and agrees to go to Rainshadow Island.
Ella and Rafe are fun, intriguing leads. Intelligent, strong, and loyal. The class struggle theme is subtle-Ella have been forced to hide her gifts, twisting and shifting them into a plausible career objective. Growing up knowing she had to be very careful not to give herself away. Ella clings to her independence, has strong emotional walls, and very little trust outside her family. Fired from her last job for a situation not of her doing only reinforces these walls.
There are no fairy tale endings for women like her. When it came to identifying monsters the old saying held true. It takes one to know one.
Rafe Copperfield is at an impasse. A member of a rich and well respected family, his recent burn out leaves him feeling a failure. He’s never had to struggle to be accepted; every door in society has always been held wide open for him. But now the gift he used for the family business is gone and he isn’t sure what it’s being replaced with. Though he screwed up with Ella through no fault of his own, now he needs her more than ever. Not just for his family business but for his own sanity.
“She had greeted him with the same beautiful voice he heard in his dreams, the voice that pulled him out of his worst nightmares.”
The romance is very slow to start though the chemistry is apparent from their first meeting. The sparks and snark fly with abandonment. Ella doesn’t trust easily and she resists all of Rafe’s attempts to make this attraction more than a simple fling. Rafe wasn’t prepared for the strength of his attraction to her and has his own problems that are playing heavily with his life though he knows deep down she is the woman for him. And he’s not afraid to push her into admitting it.
“How dare you accuse me of inventing an excuse not to get married. If I didn’t want to get married, I would just come straight out and say I didn’t want to get married. Have I ever said that? Have I?”
“Well, now that I think about it, maybe not in so many words. However-”
“Shut. Up.”
One aspect of all Castle’s writing that is most appealing to me is the strength of her relationships. Though overly protective and pushy at times, her heroes aren’t jerks. Castle matches them expertly with strong women who can more than hold their own in any situation; providing some humorous scenes. The sex is satisfying towards solidifying the attraction and romance though not overly explicit.
The ending is climatic and action packed resolution of the main conflict. Some plot threads are left open as the arc continues to grow and solidify. Castle continues to expand and evolve her world and draws on an engaging cast of characters to make it come further alive for her readers.
Castle’s Siren’s Call definitely called to me in more ways than one. Though it contains a formulaic base and the usual assorted mass of heroes and villains, the romantic escapism it offers will to appeal to new and old fans of this series.
As always, I enjoy the antics of Eve and Rourke as they balance marriage and murder in a futuristic world. While I liked this installment, I missed3.5
As always, I enjoy the antics of Eve and Rourke as they balance marriage and murder in a futuristic world. While I liked this installment, I missed the normal edginess that usually underlines it. As Eve and Rourke are now at a place where their demons are quiet and their marriage is happy; the plot overtook the book, at the expense of our protagonists and their lives. We spend so much time in the villains head, I found my attention wandered at times. Especially since we know from the beginning who the villain is and what his motivations are. The balance felt off....more
Review: Mirror, Mirror J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas, R.C.Ryan Taken By Death (In Death #37.5) by J.D. RobbEve Dallas has her Review: Mirror, Mirror J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Elaine Fox, Mary Kay McComas, R.C.Ryan Taken By Death (In Death #37.5) by J.D. RobbEve Dallas has her hands full when a wicked witch kidnaps a set of twins and Eve needs to find them before time runs out. A small niblet from J.D. Robb’s fantastic long running scifi fantasy In Death series. Paranormal suspense thrills and chills as Robb takes a page from the classic tale Hansel and Gretel and spins her own tale of murder, madness, and mayhem. A winner across the board.
If Wishes Were Horses by Mary BlayneyThis delightful historical romance gives us a heroine whose penchant for trouble has her trying every bed and chair in this playful twist on Goldilocks and the Three Bears. When her exploration leads her to the bed that’s just right, she’ll need to deal with the bear who isn’t too happy to find someone’s been sleeping in his bed. Fun and romantic, Blayney shows us that waiting for the perfect fit can indeed make your wishes come true.
Beauty, Sleeping by Elaine FoxWhen a young inconsiderate man falls victim to the family curse, he will have plenty of time to think about his life and the choices he has made. When given the chance for redemption, his waking will depend on him. Elaine Fox beings us a sweet and unique retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Romantic and heartfelt, the story blazes with love, humor, and ends with a well earned lesson in morality.
The Christmas Comet by Mary Kay McComasThe spirit of giving is large in the heart of one young woman who risks everything to ensure her charges have the basic necessities to sustain them through tough times. Love, hope, and joy resonates through this modern tale that borrows from both The Little Matchstick Girl and The Star Money.
Stroke Of Midnight by R.C. RyanA young woman discovers more than her heritage when she travels to Ireland to research her past. Shades of Cinderella trim this delightful tale as once again the princess must stand up against her evil stepmother to fight for the love of her Prince Charming. A strong heroine and delicious hero makes this retelling a fun romantic read.
Mirror, Mirror is a fun romantic anthology that offers a moden twist on classic fairy tales, brought to you through five distinctly different but equally entertaining voices.
I don't often give A's. The reason being that growing up I was told that there is ALWAYS room for improvement. However, some things are done in such aI don't often give A's. The reason being that growing up I was told that there is ALWAYS room for improvement. However, some things are done in such a way that they do get an A from me because I can't see what else could have been added to MAKE better. Heart of Obsidian is one of those books.
HoO is an incredible story that takes us on a fantastic journey of love, hate, discovery, revenge, and redemption. Once I started, I was hard pressed to stop. In here we finally learn of the one man we readers have been pining for. Singh shows us every aspect of his make up and the story leaves you crying for what has happened to this phenomenal hero and the woman he never stopped loving. I loved the new aspects of the storyline that opened up and I am jonsing to see where Singh takes us as we make our way towards the end. ...more
I will always like this series because it's of excellent balance of mystery and suspense combined with personable characters who are a joy to visit3.5
I will always like this series because it's of excellent balance of mystery and suspense combined with personable characters who are a joy to visit with every year. This particular installment was far more plot oriented than normal and not one of my favorites. I wanted more Eve and Roarke time. Even though they have only been married for 2 years of marriage, it feels so much longer and they need to grow beyond the boundaries they seem to have set for themselves. ...more