Fragile - Shiloh Walker

Title:  Fragile
Author:  Shiloh Walker
Publisher:  Berkley
Published:  2009
Pages:  346
Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Hero:  Luke Rafferty
Heroine:  Devon Manning

What a truly excellent, fantastic book!!! Wish I had started reading Shiloh Walker's work a long time ago. Fragile is filled with scorching passion, intense suspense, and I was kept guessing until the very end as to how it would all wrap up. The pages kept turning, I just couldn't put it down. There is a follow-up story, Broken, that was just as good if not better...but that is for a later review.

Devon's youth was filled with tragedy, trouble, and heartache. As a teenager, she didn't handle it well, but help came in the form of a dedicated social worker. Wanting to be that kind of help for others, Devon became a social worker herself rescuing children that need her the most. I loved Devon's strength of character, overcoming great odds, and becoming a woman whose compassionate, loving, and dedicated to her job. However, she has a vulnerable side to her also, unable to form relationships with others.

Luke has been searching for a normal life ever since leaving the Rangers six years ago. Working in a hospital, Luke "is faced with things just as heartbreaking as those on the battlefield."  After meeting Devon, Luke thinks he has found what he is looking for...but breaking through her emotional barriers will be his toughest battle yet. Luke makes a great hero...he is so dedicated to getting through to Devon without hurting her. He is patient, understanding, and totally into protecting her when her life is threatened. Not knowing who is behind the threats...he goes into total Ranger mode. Love, love, love Luke!!

You can read my full review at World According to Books.



Rating: 4.5/5
Pages:  346
Completed: 3/21/10

Dead in the Water - Stuart Woods

Time to CELEBRATE THE AUTHOR for the month of January. I chose Mr. Stuart Woods who was born January 9, 1938 in a small southern town in Manchester, Georgia. He published his first novel, Chiefs, in March on 1981. His first Stone Barrington novel, a series he is well-known for, was published in 1991 by HarperCollins, New York Dead. You can head on over to his website, read more of his biography, and check out his extensive booklist.

The book I chose to read in celebration of his birthday is the third in the Stone Barrington series...Dead in the Water.

Title: Dead in the Water
Author: Stuart Woods
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 1997
Pages: 325
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Series: Stone Barrington - Book #3

Stone Barrington, ex-cop turned attorney, finds himself on vacation in St. Marks by himself after being stood up by his live-in girlfriend. Sitting on his boat planning his next move, he watches a young woman, alone, sail a huge yacht into the harbor. After docking, he notices that there is some commotion going on over there that is involving the island police. He finds out what all the fuss is about from the owner of a local bar. A woman has arrived at the island alone...but she started out on the other side of the Atlantic with a husband...who is no longer on-board. Sir Winston, the minister of justice, wants to put her on trial for murder.

I just love the Stone Barrington novels...he is such a womanizer, but you can't help falling for him. This was definitely a page turner...I couldn't wait to see what happens...and what did happen was something I never expected. What a thrill ride. I can't wait to read the next in the series...Swimming to Catalina.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 4.75/5
Pages: 325
Completed: 1/23/10

The House on Tradd Street - Karen White

Title: The House on Tradd Street
Author: Karen White
Publisher: New American Library
Published: 2008
Pages: 329
Genre: Fiction/Paranormal/Romance (slight)
Series: Tradd Street - Book #1

Karen White pens a great story filled with ghosts, home restoration, witty dialogue, and two main characters that are vibrant and endearing. I love the dialogue that passes between Melanie and Jack. The secondary characters add a rich compliment to the book, and I can't wait to read more about them in the second book, The Girl on Legare Street.

Melanie can see ghosts though she won't admit that aloud to anybody. But when she inherits and old house from someone she only had one meeting with...she is going to have to accept it. Beneath the crumbling walls of her inheritance, lies a malevolent ghost that wants to keep the secrets of the house from being discovered.

Jack is a writer obsessed with unsolved mysteries. He believes that there are several stories involving the house...a woman's disappearance, diamonds, and possibly murder. So he decides to charm his way into Melanie's life and home. Now they need to unravel the mysteries before the evil force destroys them.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 5/5
Pages: 329
Completed: 1/19/10

The Inn at Eagle Point - Sherryl Woods

Title: The Inn at Eagle Point
Author: Sherryl Woods
Publisher: Mira
Published: 2009
Pages: 384
Genre: Romance
Series: Chesapeake Shores Book #1

Abby returns home with her twin daughters to help her sister restore the towns Inn. Jill has gotten herself into financial trouble, and the bank is ready to foreclose on the Inn. Calling her financial wizard sister, Abby, she hopes that things will turn around. Unfortunately, the boy whose heart Abby broke when they were teenagers holds the mortgage. This is the main conflict in the book, but there are other side stories that make The Inn at Eagle Point a good read. The O'Brien family is a dysfunctional family at best. They all have their inner demons and find it hard to become close to each other. The mother left them when Abby was seventeen leaving her to raise her brothers and sisters. The father traveled extensively for his work. Each sibling has their own issues too.

I found the character of Jill to be somewhat annoying, and I kept wanting to say "grow up." Besides that one issue, I really enjoyed the book. I loved the Grandmother's wisdom and the conflict between Abby and her ex-husband added some turmoil to the story.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 3/5
Pages: 384
Completed: 5/7/09

Comfort Reads

Whew....I am so glad that my reading slump is over. To help me through it, I decided to read a couple of fast and easy reads - 2 Harlequin romances. That did the trick. After reading those, I got back into my reading groove and read two more books this month that I will review later.

The first quick read I chose was Once a Cowboy by Linda Warren. This was a little different storyline than what I have read before. Private investigator Alex Donovan turns rodeo star Brodie Hayes' life upside down with news surrounding his birth. Soon he begins questioning his identity.

I really enjoyed this story - Brodie was the typical hunky cowboy who needs to reevaluate who he is and where he is going with the rest of his life. Standing by his side is the caring Alex Donovan - who will do anything to help her clients. The secondary characters in this story are a scream - I absolutely loved her grandmother and the antics she pulled.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 2.75/5
Pages: 256
Completed: 4/21/09

The other book I chose was Dancing in the Moonlight by Raeanne Thayne. This story involved a heroine that has returned from the war with a life altering injury. While at home, she is confronted by what she considers a childhood enemy.

It encompasses not only recovering from physical injuries, but about reconciling with the past, forgiving, and reevaluating your beliefs. I love these types of books - introspection, overcoming odds, and enemies to lovers. It was a great comfort read.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 2.75/5
Pages: 256
Completed: 4/22/09

Passing Through Paradise - Susan Wiggs

Title: Passing Through Paradise
Author: Susan Wiggs
Publisher: Hachette
Published: 2002
Pages: 419
Genre: Romance

Another good book from Susan Wiggs. Even though this is one of her older books - I still enjoyed it and was totally immersed in the book. Her characters are vivid, and their emotions come rolling off the pages.

Sandra is a complex character - having to overcome the accusations of an entire town. Her husband's death was ruled an accident, but the townspeople believe she is guilty. Having been under suspicion for over a year, Sandra decides that it is time to move on - away from Paradise. Wanting to sell her childhood vacation home where she has been in hiding, she needs to hire a contractor to restore it to its original beauty.

Mike Malloy is a contractor who has lost everything. Through divorcing his wife, he lost his company and is about to lose his children. While waiting for the courts to decide his visitation rights, he decides to take the job of restoring Sandra's house. "She soon realizes he's skilled with his hands...and at touching her lonely heart."

Although this book is light on romance, it is complex in plot, characterization, and emotion. Another great read by a fantastic author - she touches the heart with her writing and brings to life a world rich with beautiful descriptions and characters that will be remembered long after the book is done.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 3.5/5
Pages: 419
Completed: 4/7/09

Seaview Inn - Sherryl Woods

Title: Seaview Inn
Author: Sherryl Woods
Published: 2008
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 383
Genre: Romance

This is the first book that I have read of Sherryl Woods and I really enjoyed it. Seaview Inn is a story about family relationships, forgiveness, moving forward after tragedy, and romance.

Hannah is a breast cancer survivor. She's tough but when things don't go as planned - her grandmother won't sell the inn and move into a retirement home, her daughter comes home from college pregnant, and her old flame suddenly shows up - she has to find a way to deal with it all and keep her sanity.

Luke has some issues as well - while he was serving in Iraq, his wife leaves him for his best friend and business partner, he is injured in the war, and his kids are mad at him for leaving. He comes to Seaview Key, where he grew up, because it seemed like the right place to take inventory of his life and find out how to get his life back.

"Sometimes, though, the unexpected is just what it takes to start over...and to heal the heart."

One of my favorite characters in this book is the grandmother - feisty, tell it like it is, and determined to show Hannah that home is where you least expect it.

Sherryl Woods' characters are believable, flawed, and well-rounded. Even though the book moves at a moderate pace, it has enough subplots that keeps the reader interested. All in all a really good read.

You can read my full review here.

Rating: 3/5
Pages: 383
Completed: 3/9/09

Buy One Book and Read It

Amy at My Friend Amy's is hosting the Buy One Book and Read It challenge and you can read about it here. So, this month instead of buying one book, I bought four. They were four Harlequin Presents books and I am going to be reviewing them because I am also a participant in the Read & Review challenge.

Ruthless Tycoon, Innocent Wife by Helen Brooks (Dec 2008). I love Helen Brooks' books - they are warm sensual reads...the hero and heroine usually wait until marriage before giving into the passion they feel for each other. This one fit the bill and doesn't fail to deliver. Marianne will do anything to save her home after her parents death. Rafe knows this and comes to the rescue with the financial backing to turn it into a bed and breakfast. But it wasn't out of the goodness of his heart. There is no love lost between Rafe and Marianne's family - will they overcome his hatred? I enjoyed this book - it was a light, quick read that makes you feel good in the end. Yes, the hero and heroine have their issues, and you don't know it they can overcome them - but in the end love conquers all. Rating: 3/5

Bought: One Night, One Marriage by Natalie Anderson (Dec 2008). Cally wins a date with tycoon Blake McKay - her friend bids on him for her - but Cally doesn't want the date. Blake, determined to experience the fiery passion hidden beneath Cally's cool exterior, forces the issue and then buys another date with her. Their passion ignites after one date - but neither suspected it would end with marriage. This was a tear jerker - Cally was insecure due to her mother's domineering ways and critical analysis of Cally's looks, life, and personality. Blake is the true knight in shining armor - helping Cally to realize that she was a sensual passionate woman. There are unwanted results from their night of passion, and they deal with them with maturity and responsibility. But life has a way of pulling the rug out from underneath them - and the consequences are devastating. Rating: 3/5

His Mistress, His Terms by Trish Wylie (Dec 2008). They shared one night of passion, thinking they would never see each other again. But months later circumstances throw the two of them together as boss and employee. Alex wants her in his bed again...as his mistress and Merrow agrees as long as there are no strings attached. However, as time progresses, Alex begins to want more. This was a quick and funny read. I liked the interaction between Alex and saucy Merrow. She didn't believe their two families could mesh together - Alex's family was high society and hers - well, her parents run a sex therapy retreat, her mother being a Tantra Master. Hilarious. Rating: 2.5/5

The Sheikh's Rebellious Mistress by Sandra Marton (Dec 2008). Sheikh Salim thinks his mistress, Grace, has left his bed with ten million dollars of his money and company secrets. He sets out to find her, bring her back, and make her pay. Grace walks out on her job and on her affair with Salim thinking that he is tiring of her. Little does she know that he is on her trail accusing her of embezzlement. This book has everything, a Sheikh, plane crash, amnesia, and a little bit of intrigue. It wasn't one of my favorite books - I am not into the amnesia thing, however I do love a sexy Sheikh! Rating: 2.5/5

Summer by the Sea - Susan Wiggs

Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs is the perfect summer read. With a rich array of characters, delicious Italian recipes, and intricately woven relationships, you will enjoy relaxing with this book.

I love to read Susan Wigg's books. Her characters are believable, emotions run deep, and passions ignite.

You can read my full review here.

Rating: 3.75/5
Pages: 303
Completed: 8/20/08

Celebrate the Author - Susan Wiggs

It's May and time to Celebrate another Author!! This month I chose Susan Wiggs.



To celebrate her birthday, I read Summer at Willow Lake. I found this an engaging story that revolves around a love gone wrong, family dysfunctions, redemption, and filled with believable characters.

Susan Wigg's has a way of portraying the dynamics between lovers, family members, and friends that appeals to every reader.

You can read my full reveiw here.

Rating: 3.75/5

Pages: 534 (Paperback)

Completed: 5/20/08

Lakeside Cottage - Susan Wiggs

I just finished reading one of my favorite authors - Susan Wiggs. Her book, Lakeside Cottagae, was another winner with me. I loved the main story of the relationship between Kate and JD, but the sub plots were just as good. Kate's son, Aaron, was having some behavioral problems, and the summer at the lake proved to be a growing and maturing experience for him. The storyline of Callie, the runaway, and her experience at the lake was a well-written one too.

You can read my full review here.

This book can be included in my 888, Romance Reading, A~Z, and Book-a-Week challenges

Rating: 4/5

Pages: 402

Completed: 02/10/08

Under the Lake - Stuart Woods

I have just finished reading Under the Lake by Stuart Woods. I liked the paranormal aspect of the book - healing abilities, ghosts, and happenings out on the lake. Stuart Woods really knows how to weave a tale of intrigue and suspense.

This can be crossed off my Celebrate the Author, TBR, and A~Z challenges.

My review can be read here.

Rating: 3.75/5
Pages: 348
Completed: 01/15/08