AJ’s Review

Stolen Seduction by Elizabeth Naughton

I’m reading this series backward, having found the author while looking for references to literary agents. Stolen Seduction is my kind of book, a treasure-hunting romance novel with a romantic Indiana Jones’ bent to it.

Harley Roarke is on the hunt for a family secret left by her estranged father. Born into a life of privilege, Harley turned her back on her family and became a cop. But when her father dies suddenly, she inherits the task to solve a riddle. Other relatives know there is a treasure, and Harley is fairly certain one of them murdered her father to find it.

She is joined in the search by Detective Shane Maxwell when she is fingered as the prime suspect in her cousin’s murder. His gut tells him she’s been framed, and he sticks by her side, even breaking with the police department to protect her. But she’s not looking for a protector, and it’s a rocky start to a heated relationship where neither is willing to bend. She’s keeping secrets from him, and he’s fractured by a murder he caused. It’s enough to keep you reading till the exciting end, with a family as dysfunctional as they come and a treasure worth killing for.

Past Reviews by AJ

• Highland Dragon by Kimerbly Killion here
• Oh.My.Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs here.
• Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan (Midnight Ink, 2008) here.
• Beneath Bone Lake by Colleen Thompson here.

Melanie's Review

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

The point of our book reviews is to steer you toward good new work, but it’s Christmas and I haven’t read much. Instead, I’m recommending my favorite book of all time, The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood.

In a word, it’s brilliant. In fact, my review won’t do it justice. But if you like complex, clever reads, this one’s a gem.

The plot is revealed in non-linear fashion through back story, fast-forwards, occasional newspaper clippings, and personal letters. There’s even a story within a story, a lurid tale doled out during clandestine lover’s trysts.

The story revolves around the relationship between Iris and her sister Laura. Their lives are so entwined that they love the same man and are irreparably hurt by the same man.  One of the delights of the book, for me anyway, was the sly revenge wrought by one sister on behalf of the other. Payback at its most masterful!

I hesitate to reveal too much, because much of the satisfaction is derived from the delicately layered way that secrets are revealed.

It’s so good, I re-read it occasionally. I’m never disappointed. Enjoy!

Past Reviews by Melanie

• This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper here.
• The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox here.
• She Flew the Coop by Michael Lee West here.
• Good Grief by Lolly Winston here.

Sloan's Review

Covet by J.R. Ward

This is book one of a new series by Ms. Ward and it looks to be another series I won’t be able to put down.  We go from a redeemable vampire race with the Black Dagger Brotherhood to a Fallen Angel.  Talk about huge leap of the winged variety. 

Covet is the story of Jim Heron, a man whose past is rather violent and sinful.  In some town where he’s working construction, he hangs with a couple of other construction workers with rad motorcycles.  One evening at a bar after work, Jim encounters a woman.  Yes, a woman.  This leads to an event which stops his heart and delivering him to the Pearly Gates, or should I say a golf course.  (Did I mention it has some comedy?)  He meets some unusual angels who give him a mission.

The mission is to save seven people from the seven deadly sins.  The problem (you know there always is one), both he and the “other side” are after the same goal.  This adds the suspense and danger element. 

I enjoyed the book.  It is an interesting concept and as usual, Ms. Ward does a stellar job of bringing you the story. 

Past Reviews by Sloan

• Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon here.
• Unleashing the Storm by Sydney Croft here.
• Stay the Night by Lynn Viehl here.
• Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward here.