Hush by Cherry Adair

Book Description:
A reckless adventure in a deadly paradise.

Thrill seekers Zakary and Gideon Stark travel the globe in search of extreme adventure, but a trip to Venezuela to jump off the world’s highest falls catapults them into a perilous game of life or death—where they don’t know the rules.

A one-night stand that will change his life forever.

Kidnapped with a woman Zak knows nothing about, the brothers are held prisoner deep in the jungle. A risky, deathdefying escape separates them and nearly claims Zak’s life . . . until his recovery reveals a baffling new sixth sense.

An unexpected diversion with lethal consequences.

Now, to find his missing brother, Zak and the mysterious Acadia Gray will have to out-smart, out-gun, and out-maneuver not just the brutal kidnappers but also a new player who joins the adrenaline game: a ruthless opponent who wants the Stark brothers dead—at any cost.

My Thoughts:
This book was ok. Zak has a death wish, or at least that is what his brother Gideon says. Acadia doesn't care one way or the other as long as her 'one night stand' can get her out of their current situation alive. Waking up to find armed men surrounding her and Zak wasn't exactly how she'd pictured ending her one and only one night stand. Now, she was at the mercy of the kidnappers and hoping Zak and his brother can come up with a way for them to escape before they are all killed!
I had trouble with these characters. Zak, while a hunk and a half, was so stuck on how horrible women are that he can't see past the nose on his face. He didn't love his wife but felt responsible for her death and is now actively trying to kill himself on his and his brother's thrill seeking adventures. Acadia is so safe and of course her one night of 'freedom' leads to horrible things happening, but her lying was what I thought was hard to swallow. Anytime she gets nervous she lies. Anyway, the story line was pretty good and the author does a good job with the chemistry between the characters and I did like Gideon.
I rate this a 3/5. It is an ok read but I would borrow it before buying.

Thank you to Gallery Books for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

A Cowboy's Touch by Denise Hunter

Book Description:
Abigail is just in Moose Creek, Montana for the summer to temporarily care for her great aunt. But a tender-hearted cowboy beckons her to stay.

Abigail Jones intends to spend just one summer in middle-of-nowhere Montana with her Aunt Lucy. Time away from her job is just what Abigail needs to reassess her life. The slow pace has her breathing deeply for the first time in years. And the majestic scenery encourages her to get reacquainted with herself . . . and God.

What she didn't count on was the handsome widowed cowboy who owns the ranch where her aunt lives. When the rancher loses his daughter's nanny, Abigail decides to lend a hand for the summer.

Wade Ryan can't help being attracted to Abigail. But he's given up everything to protect his daughter, and he's not about to risk it all on a pretty face.

Under Abigail's care, Wade's home and daughter thrive. And with Wade's touch, Abigail's heart feels at home at last. But Abigail knows this elusive rancher is hiding something. Will her own secrets separate her from the cowboy who finally captured her heart?

My Thoughts:

I very much enjoyed this book. Abigail Jones is an investigative reporter who works for her mother’s magazine. Her mother and sister gang up on her and send her to Montana to ‘check up on’ her great-aunt and get some relaxation. Through a series of events, she becomes a nanny to Maddy, Wade Ryan’s daughter and moves into their house to watch over her. A strange comment leads her to investigate Wade’s true identity and that opens a whole new can of worms!
I absolutely adored Abby. She is headstrong, caring, and dedicated. Wade was a wonderful male character, the typical strong, silent cowboy type. The conflict between the two is somewhat predictable but still written well. Maddy is a wonderful and infectious character. The other support characters, including her great-aunt are very well written and well developed. You get to know and like all of them. Overall a great book.
I rate this book a 4/5. It was a wonderfully sweet, romantic read.

Thank you to The B & B Media Group for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

The Players by Robert Dennis Wilson

Book Description:
SCIENCE OPENED A DOOR - SOMETHING CAME THROUGH! This exciting Sci-Fi novel overflows with inter-dimensional visitors, psychic experimentation, threats of inter-dimensional warfare, disappearing people, lots of action, and enough romance to keep it interesting. Professor Horace Thompson and his team have just successfully completed a world-changing experiment in the newly legitimized science of Parapsychology. Using electronic devices that boost the mind's weak ESP signals, they successfully communicated thoughts over a distance of 56 miles. Suddenly their world changes even more. Their experiment opens a crack between dimensions and the form of a huge god-like alien temporarily materializes in front of them. Before he disappears, this apparently peaceful being informs them that his advanced race, the "Teachers", desires to not only once again assist mankind, as they have in the ancient past, but to also support them against their common interdimensional enemy. What does it all mean? Two ancient and diametrically opposed alien civilizations have for millennia chosen the planet Earth to be the ideological arena where they confront each other. One side champions Law and a society based on unchanging Absolutes; the other promotes Liberty, License, and Free Choice. Throughout the ages of Man, we, like unsuspecting pieces on a chess board, have been chosen to be the PLAYERS in their deadly game. But a change is taking place, one which will force every inhabitant of Earth to choose active membership in one side or the other. The alien Overlords are suddenly moving out of the shadows and our planet is about to become the devastated battleground - the Arena - where they will openly face each other in final and ultimate conflict. And God help the human who gets in their way or who chooses the wrong side! This manuscript garnered the "Alpha Award" (presented to a new author of fiction) at the Sandy Cove Christian Writers Conference in Northeast, MD.

My Thoughts:
This is a thrilling ride! The world changes when Horace Thompson hooks up his two helpers, David and Sashi, to the 'PAX' machine. Both have ESP capabilities and when hooked up to the machine, a door is openedthat wasn't even known to exist! Pedadog is what, or should I say who, comes through that door. He claims to be there to help humans but there is a common enemy that must be delt with first. The ride starts here and you won't put this book down.
The author does a wonderful job of making the characters real. I honestly felt like I was in the story along with them. The story also makes you think about beliefs and possibilities. There is a unique point of view and story here that I won't do 'spoilers' on but if you like SciFi, you will enjoy this book.
I rate this a 5/5. I can't wait to read the next 'chapter' in this story!

Thank you to the author for providing the review copy of this book. I recieved this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble

Book Description:
Olivia seems to have it all, but her heart yearns for more.

Olivia Stewart's family is one of the Four Hundred—the highest echelon of society in 1910. When her sister dies under mysterious circumstances, Olivia leaves their New York City home for Mercy Falls, California, to determine what befell Eleanor. She suspects Harrison Bennett, the man Eleanor planned to marry. But the more Olivia gets to know him, the more she doubts his guilt—and the more she is drawn to him herself.

When several attempts are made on her life, Olivia turns to Harrison for help. He takes her on a ride in his aeroplane, but then crashes, and they’re forced to spend two days alone together. With her reputation hanging by a thread, Harrison offers to marry her to make the situation right. As a charity ball to rebuild the Mercy Falls lighthouse draws near, she realizes she wants more than a sham engagement—she wants Harrison in her life forever. But her enemy plans to shatter the happiness she is ready to grasp. If Olivia dares to drop her masquerade, she just might see the path to true happiness.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book. Olivia is traveling, under a different name, to Mercy Falls to look into her sister's suspicious death. Her sister, Eleanor, was engaged to Harrison Bennett, who is just as much, if not more, of a suspect in Elanor's suspicious death than anyone up there. The questions pile up, including if Olivia reveals her true identity, will Harrison still feel the same for her?
My favorite is Olivia. She is so strong and opinionated...not to mention loyal to her family! Harrison is the perfect opposite for Olivia. There are twists, turns and the author keeps you wondering until literally the END of the book. Wonderful writing.
I rate this a 4/5. Good book, and I am going back to read the first 2 in the series!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Roxanne St. Claire Giveaway!

Book 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.



Book Description:
Private investigator Vivi Angelino loves living life on the edge, but stepping into the shoes of a movie starlet to bait a serial killer isn't just a thrill . . . it's a ticket to the big time for her fledgling security firm. That is, as long as a certain risk-averse FBI agent stays out of her way-and out of her fantasies.

Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colton Lang isn't above using his well-worn rulebook to stop Vivi's latest walk on the wild side. But when they learn her client is involved in something far more insidious than bad acting, Vivi and Colt must work together despite the electrifying attraction arcing between them. For each new clue is bringing them closer to a high-profile crime with a dark and deadly truth at its core . . . and a cold, calculating murderer with nothing left to lose.

Thanks to Hachette Book Group I have 3 sets to Giveaway!!! Here are the rules.

• You must be a follower to participate


• Leave Me a Comment on THIS post with your e-mail (no e-mail you can't win)


• US & Canadian Residents only


• No PO Boxes


• Hachette Book Group will be sending the copies to the winners


• You have 24 hours to respond if you are contacted as a winner, if you miss the deadline, a new winner will be chosen and contacted.


• Contest is open until May 5, 2011


• Winners will be chosen using a randomizer


• Directly from Hachette: Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if they win the same title in two or more contests, they will receive only one copy of the title (or one set in the case of grouped giveaways) in the mail.
  

Shiver of Fear & Face of Danger by Roxanne St.Claire

Book 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.


Book Description: Private investigator Vivi Angelino loves living life on the edge, but stepping into the shoes of a movie starlet to bait a serial killer isn't just a thrill . . . it's a ticket to the big time for her fledgling security firm. That is, as long as a certain risk-averse FBI agent stays out of her way-and out of her fantasies. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colton Lang isn't above using his well-worn rulebook to stop Vivi's latest walk on the wild side. But when they learn her client is involved in something far more insidious than bad acting, Vivi and Colt must work together despite the electrifying attraction arcing between them. For each new clue is bringing them closer to a high-profile crime with a dark and deadly truth at its core . . . and a cold, calculating murderer with nothing left to lose.


My Thoughts:
I loved both these books! Shiver of Fear is the second in the Guardian Angelinos series and is the story of Ryan and Vivi's cousin Marc. His contact with the FBI has landed the new firm their first client, as long as Marc is the one on the case! He is sent to Ireland to meet with the 'ice queen' and get her to leave the area, but things turn out to be completely opposite of what he expected....both with the assignment and the woman.
Marc is a hunk! His failed marriage has scared him but also made him real. Devyn is afraid the DNA she has, limits what she can do and become....especially when it comes to having a child. The chemistry between the two is hot and the danger so real!

I rate this one a 4/5. Wonderful continuance of the Angelinos

Face of Danger is a great book! Vivi is on a mission to put the Guardian Angelinos on the map, and nothing, not even an FBI agent that makes her knees go weak, is going to get in her way! Colton has lost a lot by not playing by the rules and now is a by the book or nothing FBI agent and he knows impulsive Vivi is going to hurt herself or even get herself killed in her latest idea. When they are forced to work together on the assignment, sparks and bullets start flying.

Vivi is a wonderful character, not a traditional woman at all, but so original that it is refreshing. Colton is so straight laced that it seems like a bad match but they work well together. When they start realizing the feelings aren't one sided, both have to confront past hurts before they can move forward. The killer wasn't a great surprise, but the suspense was good!

I rate this a 5/5. I loved this Angelino book! I can't wait for more from this author!!!!

Thank you to Hachette Book Group. for the review copies of these books. I received these books in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Ashley Dawn's (my) Radio Interview!

If you have a few minutes, please listen to my interview and let me know what you think:
http://www.thechristianauthorsshow.com/

The Night Season by Chelsea Cain

Book Description:
Chelsea Cain launches the next stage of her bestselling series as Archie Sheridan works to regain his life and Susan Ward steps in to share the spotlight in this electric thriller from one of today’s most talented suspense writers. — With Beauty Killer Gretchen Lowell locked away behind bars once again, Portland detective Archie Sheridan ca... more »n finally rest. Meanwhile, the city of Portland is in crisis. Several people have drowned in heavy rains that have flooded the Willamette River. But the medical examiner discovers that in fact the latest victim was poisoned before she went into the water—she didn’t drown. A little detective work shows that so far three of those previously thought to be accidental drownings have actually been murdered. Portland has a new serial killer on its hands, and Archie and his task force have a new case. Meanwhile reporter Susan Ward is following up on an entirely separate mystery: the dramatic flooding has unearthed a skeleton, a man who might have died during catastrophic flooding more than sixty years ago that washed away an entire neighborhood and killed at least 15 people. As Archie follows the bizarre trail of evidence and evil deeds to catch his killer, he has to battle the rising waters of the Willamette first

My Thoughts:
This was a pretty good book. It is in a series, but I didn't really feel lost or that I needed to know anything from past books that I wasn't told. Detective Archie Sheridan has a lot of bodies piling up and a flood to blame....or is it? Susan, a reporter, is working on a different mystery in Oregon, a skeleton found in an ghost town that was flooded in 1948. As the two work on their seemingly separate mysteries, they have to join together to find the serial killer and mystery of the skeleton!
The skill the author has for showing evil so vividly is amazing! Of course the two storylines come together for the mystery to be solved. Archie was my favorite character and I look forward to going back to the previous books to learn more about all the characters.
I rate this a 4/5. It was a good, very suspenseful read!

Thank you to FSB Associates for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Did Not Survive by Ann Littlewood

Book Description: Iris Oakley, pregnant and still recovering from her husband’s murder, wants only to carry on as a keeper at Finley Memorial Zoo in Vancouver, Washington. But she is confronted by a terrifying situation: alone and with no elephant expertise, she must rescue her boss, Kevin Wallace, from being mauled by a zoo elephant. Though she gets him to safety, he dies of his injuries. No one understands why reliable old Damrey attacked the foreman, and Iris inadvertently misdirects the investigation. As zoo staff descend into anxiety and animosity, the welfare of the animals is threatened, as well as the lives of keepers. Rattled coworkers nominate Iris to find out what’s going on. She finds a surprising number of motives to kill the foreman, but Damrey, the elephant, doesn’t have one. Despite the distraction of trying to construct her new life as a single mother, Iris discovers that the elephant keepers are locked in a bitter feud, the new veterinarian is keeping secrets, and an old flame still hates Wallace. New-born clouded leopard cubs cheer up the troubled staff, but even that has its dark side. Adding to the chaos, animal rights activists are picketing the zoo. They want the elephants sent to a sanctuary, but is that a better option for them than the improved exhibit that is on the drawing board? Why isn’t that exhibit under construction as planned? A new foreman shows up with alarming ideas, the police keep dropping by, and animals are disappearing into thin air… My Thoughts: This was a great book! Iris is at work, waiting on the arrival of some important cubs when she hears elephants having a 'time'. She goes to check it out and finds her boss, Director of the Zoo, face down and being 'mauled' by one of the elephants, Demrey and the other elephant wanting to get to him. As she gets him to safety, everyone is convinced the elephant did the harm, but Iris isn't so sure. She investigates, which is a bit difficult as she is pregnant, and it is complicated by protesters...then animals start disappearing! I loved Iris, the fact that she was pregnant didn't stop her investigation but it does make her stop and think of how to proceed for the safety of her child. This is the second book in the series and you find out her husband is killed in the first book and you feel sympathy for her in that. The feud between the two elephant keepers was interesting to me, the two completely different view points. I loved all the animals, and the mystery/suspense was great! I rate this a 5/5. Great mystery and I am going to buy the first in the series now! Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinion stated above is 100% mine.

Journey to Riverbend by Henry McLaughlin

Book Description: Michael Archer is nothing if not a man of his word. Though he was unable to save Ben Carstairs, Michael is determined to carry out Ben’s dying wish: to be reconciled with his father. Unfortunately, Sam Carstairs, one of the most ruthless businessmen on the frontier, has no use for his own son, much less a man of God seeking reconciliation. Soon after arriving in Riverbend, Michael meets and falls for the stunning Rachel Stone while waiting for Sam to return from a business trip. Beautiful yet guarded, Rachel seems to be running from a past as dark as Michael’s. When word reaches town that Sam has been kidnapped on the stagecoach home, Michael offers to join the search party formed by the local sheriff. With a budding romance behind him and a dangerous rescue ahead of him, he sets out on the trail, determined to complete his journey no matter the cost. My Thoughts: This was a 'grabbing' book. Michael watched Ben Carstairs hang for a crime he probably didn't commit. He is going to fulfill Ben's dying wish and give a message to his father, Sam Carstairs. Michael gets to Riverbend and meets Rachel, but before he can deliver the message, Sam is kidnapped and Michael joins the posse to find him. I like how most all the characters in the book are likable but none of them perfect. A lot of them have problems they have to deal with and it isn't just an 'easy' book to read. There is a lot of action, adventures and drama. I was expecting an easy romance but there wasn't a lot of it, mainly 'edgy' western action! Solid 4/5. I probably would have ranked it a 5/5 but the ending just didn't sit right with me! Thank you to Tyndale for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.