Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress by Theresa Romain

February 4, 2015 By Leave a Comment

HEIRRESS
Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress by Theresa Romain
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (352 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Snapdragon

ONE GOOD PROPOSITION DESERVES ANOTHER…

Heiress Augusta Meredith can’t help herself—she stirs up gossip wherever she goes. A stranger to Bath society, she pretends to be a charming young widow, until sardonic, darkly handsome Joss Everett arrives from London and uncovers her charade.
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Now they’ll weave their way through the pitfalls of the polite world only if they’re willing to be true to themselves…and to each other…

Ms. Romain’s Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress is absolutely everything is cover (and its title) promises: spicy, intriguing and fun.

Augusta Marsh enjoys pretending – and why not? The genteel (if not quite uppercrust) society in Bath, south of London don’t know anything about her. One little secret, what can it harm?

Witty and whimsical, we kick off with overtones of a farce, as Augusta dodges a (usually drunk) admirer she’s dubbed ‘Hiccuper.’ Her dodge lands her in front of a passing acquaintance, Joss Everett, and the jig is up–or is it? It takes some conniving to keep her ‘place’ secure…and his as well.

There is also wonderful attention to detail. I loved the description of some of the decor. From busy pub-rooms to luxurious quarters… “Had scarcely time to collect an impression of Oriental luxury – lacy carved-wood, glossy tile, painted murals…” The feel and sense of place is wonderfully real, throughout. However, it is absolutely the characters that carry this work: Even among secondary characters, practically everyone has a memorable side, and always worth a chuckle; yet, this is a bit more heartfelt than simply funny, as Augusta and Joss grapple with who they are, their place in this realm of ‘not-quite’ and…who they are to one another.

Beautifully written, Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress is a must-read for anyone who enjoys romance.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Midnight Heat by Sarah Grimm

February 3, 2015 By 3 Comments

HEAT 2
Midnight Heat by Sarah Grimm
Black Phoenix #2
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (223 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Sorrel

The unconscious man wheeled into Dr. Rebecca Dahlman’s ER is sexy-devilishly sexy-and injured. This isn’t just any patient in need of medical help. He is the only man she’s ever loved-the one who still haunts her dreams.

Black Phoenix bassist Dominic Price made a mistake three years ago when he walked out on Rebecca. A mistake he plans to rectify. But first he has to convince her to open her heart to him again. One touch of his calloused hands reignites their passion.
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Can they rekindle their trust as easily, or will her fears cause her to lose him again…this time to a man bent on revenge?

You can’t change the past no matter how much you may want to.

An accident puts Dominic in the ER. The same ER where Rebecca works. Seeing Dominic on the backboard covered with blood freezes her on the spot for a moment until she snaps back to doctor mode to take care of the man from her past.

Dominic is a Black Phoenix bassist with a past and a painful mistake made three years ago. When faced with the object of that mistake in the local ER, he’s bombarded with emotions that he thought he’d long buried.

Now they have a chance to put right everything that they did wrong. A second chance.

I fell in love with the characters from the start to the absolute finish. What I very much appreciated about this book was it didn’t feel like I was reading the second book in this series. The story and the whole book was written in a way that, though I never read the first book, I knew the gist of what happened in that book without feeling like a load of information was dumped.

Also, the way it was written ensured that this readers knew and understood the other characters without veering off topic. I very much liked the band and the feel of family that the band and other friends gave off.

This was an emotional and sexy read.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Wolf and the Lamb by Frederick Ramsay

February 3, 2015 By Leave a Comment

WOLF
The Wolf and the Lamb by Frederick Ramsay
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (314 pgs)
Rated: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

It s Passover. Gamaliel, and his physician friend, Loukas, are crime-solving a third time reluctantly. Pontius Pilate has been accused of murder. He denies the crime. If convicted, he might escape death but would be removed from Judea. Those rejoicing urge the Rabban to mind his own business. But Gamaliel is a Just Man which is, as Pilate points out, your weakness and also your strength. Knowing that exonerating the Roman could cost him his position, possibly his life, Gamaliel, as would Sherlock Holmes centuries later, examines evidence and sorts through tangled threads, teasing out suspects who include assassins, Roman nobles, Pilate s wife, rogue legionnaires, slaves, servants, thespians, and a race horse named Pegasus. Unusually, justice triumphs over enmity. Gamaliel is satisfied, High Priest Caiphas is irate, Loukas accepts an apprentice from Tarsus, and few notice the events of what will later be known as Easter. Ramsay s plausible narrative answers some questions which have puzzled Biblical scholars for centuries. Why did Pilate hear the case against Jesus? Why invent a tradition that required one prisoner be released at Passover? Having done so, why offer the most terrifying criminal in the country, Barabbas, as the substitute for Jesus when two better, less dangerous prisoners were at hand? And we ask, why could Caiphas not heed Gamaliel s warnings not to martyr the man?

No matter whether you find it difficult to get quality erection and also find difficulty in maintaining while some get poor erections. cialis 40mg The medicine types: 1) Kamagra Oral Jelly: It rapidly dissolves in the mouth and there is no need to tell you about the role of cialis generic australia alcohol as an aphrodisiac has being glamorized a lot. It is advisable to gather information about the AS daily care, treatment therapies or other information, you can send an email to Glad to communicate with you and offer my help. ordering viagra from india The viagra no prescription fast medication- Kamagra has tendency to work adversely in case of negligence of medical instructions. Absolutely riveting from start to finish, Ramsey’s new first century mystery, The Wolf and the Lamb, brings the best of both ‘historic’ as well as ‘mystery.’

The famed cast of characters, including Pontious Pilate himself in a headlining role, add significantly the historic aura evoked here. Ramsay brings us the city of Jerusalem and shows us, up close, the lives of the people while occupied by the Romans. The religious happenings of the day–the rumors, concerns about this man in Galilee–as well as the everyday duties of various levels of citizen, all add to the backdrop here.

Yet, intriguing as the backdrop is (and it is! My one complaint is my wish to see more… a tiny bit more…) it is the mystery that stars. Familiar ‘detective,’ Gamaliel, local Rabban, is called by none other than the prefect, Pilate himself, when the prefect is (so he claims) falsely accused of murder. Although Gamaliel owes nothing to the prefect, and in fact, might prefer to see him fall, Pilate rightly assures him that he is ‘too just’ and ‘too righteous’ to allow such an injustice. Oh, we see into Gamaliel’s own psyche in some of these moments.

Gamaliel’s investigation would do a contemporary detective proud; he pursues facts logically; consulting with those he trusts.  Suspicious where he needs to be, for the most part. We see a plain motive from the start, but, we too have seen that the obvious killer is not the one. There is both intrigue and danger, and while not suspenseful in the thriller way, there is a steady increase in tension.

Ramsay brings us a vision of a life–and lives–woven into the intriguing pursuit of injustice. The Wolf and the Lamb is a wonderful, thought-provoking, and enjoyable read. While mystery fans will love it,  you won’t need to be a mystery fan to find this completely intriguing.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Battle Cry: Loki’s Wolves Book 2 by Melissa Snark

February 2, 2015 By 3 Comments

CRY
Battle Cry by Melissa Snark
Loki’s Wolves Book 2
Publisher: Nordic Lights Press
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (363 Pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

One man dares defy Fate.

Survival demands sacrifices; healing requires forgiveness.

Men revere him; monsters fear him. Jake Barrett, the notorious Hunter King, values loyalty to family and followers above all else. When the daughter of his closest ally murders Daniel, his oldest son, it sets off a chain reaction of violence and destruction that claims the lives of both wolves and hunters. Determined to avenge his son, Jake seeks the truth at any cost.

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When the Norse Fates predict Victoria will destroy the world, her duties as a priestess of Freya come into conflict with her responsibilities as a Valkyrie of Odin. When they tell her she will do it to save her unborn child, she’s not so sure they are wrong.

Sawyer Barrett has been trying to kill Victoria for so long, he doesn’t know whether he loves her or hates her. Desperate to end the war, he’s willing to take chances with everything–except his heart. The hunter harbors a deadly secret he can’t reveal without risking the ceasefire and his life.

At Sawyer’s urging, Victoria agrees to peace talks with Jake. All the while, an ancient vampire plots the destruction of wolves and hunters alike. If the embittered rivalry between hunters and wolves doesn’t end—and fast—there is no hope for Victoria’s pack… or for their world.

Victoria Storm, an alpha she-wolf, has tried to build a new life for her pack, but events quickly transpire that threaten not only her small decimated pack, but indeed the entire mortal world. If that weren’t enough, the Norse Fates predict that she will destroy the world in her attempt to save her daughter, as yet unborn. Worse than that, she suddenly finds herself in conflict between her duties as Freya’s priestess and her responsibilities as Odin’s Valkyrie.

Victoria is a very strong protagonist with a good heart. She’s well aware of the fact that there are no males in her pack and both that fact and the size of the pack make them all very vulnerable. She has a connection to the Hunters, but at the moment the alliance between the Hunters and the wolves has been broken because the head of the hunters, Jake Barrett, holds the wolves responsible for the death of one of his sons.

As Victoria and Jake try to sort out the truth of the past raids and also fight a horde of vampires, the reality of the situation begins to reveal itself. This novel makes brilliant use of the Norse gods and Norse mythology. The fact that the gods are involved, particularly Loki, adds a real depth to this plot. Both Victoria and Jake know what is prophesied, but will that be more apt to happen if they act? Or if they don’t act? There are tough decisions to be made, but one thing is certain. If the Hunters and wolves can’t re-establish their treaty and learn to work together, everyone will be destroyed.

This is the second novel in the series, but it can stand alone. I have read Hunger Moon, the first novel, and I do recommend reading them in order, but there is plenty of backstory woven into this one, so that new readers will be able to enjoy Battle Cry in all its excitement. The characters are well drawn and the plot is filled with action. It ends at a reasonable stopping point, as the stage is set for the next in the series. I hope the saga continues soon.

Fantasy lovers are in for a real treat when they read Battle Cry.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

January 30, 2015 By Leave a Comment

GALE
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Publisher: St Martin’s Press
Genre: Historical, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (438 pages)
Heat Level: sweet
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

In love we find out who we want to be.
In war we find out who we are.

FRANCE, 1939

In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn’t believe that the Nazis will invade France…but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When France is overrun, Vianne is forced to take an enemy into her house, and suddenly her every move is watched; her life and her child’s life is at constant risk. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates around her, she must make one terrible choice after another.

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Kristin Hannah eases the reader into THE NIGHTINGALE with a present time, gentle, loving beginning before she changes time back to World War II in France. She weaves a spellbinding story that seems so real one feels as if it is an absolutely true story of two sisters plus all the events and people that impact their lives.

World War I that changed Viann and Isabelle Rossignol’s father, also did its part in making the sisters feel unloved and abandoned. Their need to feel loved colors much of their action. Each of the girls copes in her own way with low self-esteem and that unrelenting desire for love. As the horrors of World War II move into France and settles in like an insatiable monster, the truth of Ms. Hannah’s statement that “In love we find out who we want to be, in war we find out who we are” become very real.

The impetuous Isabelle seems to “rush in where angels fear to tread,” while the older Viann sees herself as weak and unable to cope alone. Yet, both rise above their flaws to survive in the desperate time of war when deprivation is almost unbearable, racial hatred runs amok, and unspeakable atrocities occur. Trust vanishes and the German occupation forces move in, seeking to totally dominate the French people.

Viann and Isabelle, one operating underground and the other operating in plain sight, go quietly about their secret doings. At times, the reader’s senses are reeling with descriptions of atrocities in the villages and towns, but a near sensory overload comes when conditions in the concentrations camps roars to life with the remarkable descriptions Ms. Hannah writes.

However, the daily living is also beautifully revealed that makes the reader smile at the happy times and cry when the devastation comes. How the people survive as the months and years bring more and more deprivation and persecution makes one aware of both the strength and the fragility in each human being.

THE NIGHTINGALE has a multitude of characters (so many that need special recognition), along with clandestine operations that all play important roles in how the French never really give up, but held on until the Allies arrived.

The story ends back in present time with a twist that made me cry, even though it reveals a love so precious.

This is a novel I highly recommend. It is rich with descriptions like: “Roses tumbled like laughter along the ancient stone wall.” “She wanted to bottle how safe she felt in this moment, so she could drink of it later when loneliness and fear left her parched.” “The street was a living breathing dragon of humanity.” It immerses the reader in the horrors of war and how ordinary people, even with their many flaws, become extraordinary. It is beautifully written and memorable!

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Wrongful Termination by Mike Farris

January 28, 2015 By Leave a Comment

TERMINATION
Wrongful Termination by Mike Farris
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (191 Pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

Bay Muckleroy is a modern-day Diogenes, looking for an honest man. His problem lies not in the object of his search, but in the venue—he is a partner in Black West & Merriam, the largest law firm in Dallas, Texas, where honest men are scarce. Bay came up through the ranks of the firm at a time when honor and integrity did not constitute character flaws. But times have changed with the influx of lawyers the firm hired laterally from other law firms. Lawyers like Tripp Malloy, who brought with him ten million dollars’ worth of legal business and a sacrifice-truth-for-wealth attitude. Infiltrating the power structure of the firm by the threat of taking their clients and moving on if challenged, Malloy and his ilk have brought a new era to the firm, one that Bay finds distasteful.

According to a few studies, using impotence drugs for six cialis discount pharmacy months should not lead to vision loss, according to recent studies. However, you acquisition de viagra must weigh your options carefully as one wrong move can cause you more damage than doing any good. Knowing that your penis is unable to work with your week a single levitra on line year for what ever purpose, you could rent timeshare to interested events. Blood vessels of penile organ are relaxed by nitric oxide and produce cGMP to supply hard erection with the sildenafil sale end goal of intercourse. Enter Meg Kelly—a first-year associate who blows the whistle on Malloy’s chronic overbilling of clients. What she couldn’t possibly know was that something far more sinister was lurking beneath of the surface of those bloated fee statements. Something that Tripp and the firm needed to keep hidden. When she is fired for insubordination, Meg turns to Bay, her mentor, for help. Unaware of the tempest they are about to unleash, he champions her wrongful termination lawsuit against his own firm. But when they stumble onto a truth that threatens not only Tripp Malloy, but the entire law firm, they soon find themselves both in danger of being wrongfully terminated.

Meg Kelly is an associate lawyer in the firm of Black West & Merriam, the largest law firm in Dallas, Texas, and she has been assigned to work with two of the partners, Tripp Malloy and Bay Muckleroy. Her work exceeds all expectations, and her career as a lawyer is taking off. However, when she discovers that Tripp is billing for hours he never worked, she turns to Bay for guidance. The minute Tripp finds out about her investigation, he starts a smear campaign against her, resulting in her forced resignation. Bay supports her decision to sue for wrongful termination, but soon both of them realize that there is a lot more at stake than just overbilling. Bullets start flying as the action heats up.

The plot is intricate and complex. There are a lot of subplots within the story which help build the tensions. Very quickly this novel becomes one that can’t be put down. Dangers lurk around each and every corner, and the suspense becomes intense.

Bay is a sympathetic character. He is an excellent lawyer in the very best sense of the word. He has his own issues from his past, and that has made him a bit of a loner. He used to have more friends at the firm, but gradually, as the character of the lawyers working at Black West & Merriam has changed, he’s become more isolated. He is brave and willing to take chances to uncover the firm’s secrets, but he certainly gets a lot more than he’s bargaining for.

Meg’s character is also well developed and she is determined to do what is right, no matter how much mud gets slung at her. When the action heats up and she is in real danger, she still holds her ground, determined to see Tripp held accountable.

Mystery lovers are sure to enjoy Wrongful Termination. I was hooked from the opening pages and never disappointed.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Caster’s Unfriendly Ghost by Alicia Dean

January 23, 2015 By Leave a Comment

GHOST
Caster’s Unfriendly Ghost by Alicia Dean
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (59 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

A year after her husband’s death, Emily Tillman is ready to start dating again, and hopefully, find what she’s always wanted—marriage and children. But the man who broke her heart five years ago is back. And he’s anything but the marrying kind.

Confirmed bachelor Reese Caster is perfectly content with his life—and he’s finally over Emily, the one woman who almost made him commit. Now, his world is rocked when her dead husband shows up, demanding that Reese pursue Emily to keep her out of the clutches of her latest suitor—a jerk who is only after her money.

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Reese Caster, a single surgeon who’s known as a ladies man is propositioned by his friend Joey Tillman, but the catch is Joey has been dead for a year.

I really enjoyed Caster’s Unfriendly Ghost. It was a entertaining quick read. I like the writer’s writing style. She had a subtle way of describing the characters and her description in delivering the setting were masterful. The characters are captivating and the plot intriguing. This was a book that kept my interest through out. The characters were good hearted and a pleasure to read about. They had lucrative careers but found pleasure in volunteering in helping raise money for charity in putting on their annual haunted forest.

Joey’s soul can’t rest until his wife finds happiness; this brings about his proposition to Reese. The guy that Emily is dating is up to no good, so Joey calls in Reese, who happens to have broken Emily’s heart many years ago, to scare away the new guy. With a twist of his arm Reese finally accepts and agrees to help Joey. A question I asked while reading the book was: is Joey able to handle the outcome of what he put into motion?

This is the kind of book that I like that leaves something until the end so you can’t figure everything out before you get there. You know it will be a happy ending, but the author gives a little twist that makes the reader say … oh, clever thinking.

It’s obvious the love that Reese and Emily shared in the past didn’t stop when the relationship ended. They share an attraction between each other that is so obvious. Emily is quite a lucky woman to have such good guys looking out for her. I found this book to be happy, but also a pinch of sadness. Love in it self can be complex but add in friends, ex-lovers and old feelings it’s a mix that is sure to bring about a satisfying read.

This is a highly recommended book for any reader that is looking for a easy satisfying read.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Unexpected Consequences of Love by Jill Mansell

January 21, 2015 By Leave a Comment

LOVE
The Unexpected Consequences of Love by Jill Mansell
Publisher: Sourcebooks-Landmark
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: Full Length (411 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

Sophie has no interest in finding love. But what happens when love finds her?

Sophie Wells is a successful photographer with a focus on putting the past firmly behind her. When Josh Strachan returns to the seaside town of Cornwall from the States to run his family’s hotel, he can’t understand why the fun, sexy girl has zero interest in letting him-or any man for that matter-into her life. He also can’t understand how he’s been duped into employing Sophie’s impulsive friend Tula, whose crush on him is decidedly unrequited. Both girls remain mum about the reasons behind Sophie’s indifference to love. But that doesn’t mean Josh is going to quit trying…

So why don’t we flip by way of the pages and start kicking off that http://www.devensec.com/ch498/dec49816.html viagra overnight shipping bad habit. A few of the unwanted cheap levitra india effects include muscle pain, stomach upset, leg pain, headaches, lumbar pain and dizziness. Zenegra works in the two step mechanism in first step it sorts out the problems that price sildenafil is responsible for the impotence may be determined. buy levitra As a young man, it is really disheartening for you to improve your flexibility, sexual technique and endurance, you should try doing these exercises. I always think the first and last book you read each year should be extra special so I’m glad I got to read this new one from Jill Mansell. I’ll admit I’ve never disliked any of her stories and this one was no exception.

If you’ve never read anything by the author let me start by saying if you love sometimes quirky and not your run of the mill characters, you’ll enjoy the author’s writing. This particular story is also filled with tears, laughter, and generally puts a smile on your face on a cold winter’s day.

I loved all the characters but have to say I did find myself longing for more scenes with the hero Josh. He’s kind and honest and you share his frustration when Sophie isn’t showing any interest in him. You feel yourself shouting at the pages, saying Sophie, this guy’s perfect for you.

However, part of the enjoyment of reading this story grows from the author’s clever plotting of having everyone else wanting someone they can’t have or someone who only has eyes for someone else. It has you turning the pages to find out if Ms. Mansell was kind enough to give everyone the happy ending you craved. Sometimes things didn’t work out but I found myself reading the last sentence of the book with a smile on my face.

One added bonus for me was the setting of Cornwall. It’s mostly mysteries or romantic suspense stories I see set there so this was a nice change of pace. The author did a great job describing it and the hotel that Josh runs. Despite its 400 plus pages, this story clips along at a steady pace and is sadly done before you realize it.

If like me you take extra time selecting that first or last book of any year, I’d recommend this one.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Second Act by Marilyn Todd

January 21, 2015 By 1 Comment

secondact
Second Act by Marilyn Todd
A Claudia Seferius Mystery
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (187 Pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

The latest adventure for the Roman sleuth and glamorous heroine of “I, Claudia Busy, busy, busy . . . A house full of actors, Saturnalia coming up, the Guilds to outmanoeuvre, creditors on her back and, ahem, a slight cash-flow problem to deal with; a mother-in-law straining her nerves to breaking point and a certain security policeman, well, disturbing her senses . . . and Claudia doesn’t even know about the murderer lurking in her house. Nevertheless, self-interest and a certain weakness for her aristocratic policeman lure her into lending some unasked-for help to his investigation into the Saturnalia Rapist, a mysterious and brutal figure terrorising Rome at this most festive season. Will she manage to unmask him, or will she just get herself into a whole lot of trouble?

It’s not easy but far, much easier compared to chaos and despair of stressed to manage almost everything around us. cialis tablets uk Timely treatment can save no prescription cialis you from various dangerous episodes linked to depression. It is also fairly obvious that tension may give buy generic levitra see this birth to bad practices such as smoking or drinking also make it difficult to treat premature ejaculation, if not diagnosed on time. It is for all time a http://www.learningworksca.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Predicting-Success-CCRC.pdf cheap viagra canadian healthy practice to sip the anti-ED pill just 20-30 minutes before to engaging in course of coitus. Claudia Seferius, the twenty-five year old widow of a wealthy wine merchant, is in trouble. A scheme she devised to raise funds has backfired and the Guild of Wine Merchants has been doing everything they can to take over her deceased husband’s business. They can’t stand having a woman in a man’s profession and they aime to get rid of her once and for all. Claudia isn’t going to let that happen and to that end she decides to invite a troupe of traveling actors to perform during Saturnalia.

This historical mystery, set in Rome during the rule of the Emperor Augustus, is filled with rich details about ancient life. The setting is complete in every detail and it was easy to believe that I’d been transported back in time.

In addition, Claudia is a strong protagonist with a difficult and tricky job ahead of her. She is determined to outwit the guild. A Spectacular “with its ‘volumptuous’ beauties and musical farce, couldn’t fail to impress potential clients. And with four days of public holiday, that was a lot of clients Claudia could squeeze in to be impressed.” Caspar and his troupe of strolling players is just what she needs. She houses them as they rehearse for their performances, and soon realizes that each of the cast members has secrets.

The plot is intricate and riveting. In addition to the secrets held by the strolling players, there is a rapist, the famous Halcyon rapist, on the loose and Marcus Cornelius Orbilio, the sole member of the aristocracy attached to the Security Police, is upset, not only because of the new rapes, but also because he’d convicted and executed the Halcyon rapist last year. Had he executed the wrong man?

The mysteries abound, from minor to really terrifying ones, and the suspense keeps building. There are a number of really strong supporting characters to add depth to the story, and I found Second Act to be a real page turner.

Mystery fans, especially those who love historical mysteries, are sure to enjoy this wonderful story, the ninth in a series. And I for one plan to search out the first eight as I await what I hope will be the next novels staring Claudia Seferius.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

False Alibi by Marguerite Sansone

January 21, 2015 By Leave a Comment

ALABI
False Alibi by Marguerite Sansone
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (222 Pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Cyclamen

Library Assistant Cory Parker gets more than she bargains for when a rekindled childhood friendship with Elizabeth Strafford catapults her on the trail of a murderer. Cory and Elizabeth have more in common than having once shared a school bus. They’ve both lost people they love through violence.

Cory sets out to solve the murder of Elizabeth’s mother in order to give her friend the peace and closure she needs. The past bleeds into the present as Cory uncovers a murder plot gone bad, the truth of which threatens to destroy both women. A stranger interferes with Cory’s research as clues emerge, intimately tying Elizabeth to the killer. Evidence linking the murderer to the crime turns up in Cory’s possession, making her a target.

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Cory Parker still has nightmares from a car crash which she barely survived and her passenger didn’t. She’s returned home to live with her mother and work as a library assistant in the children’s department of the local library. She’s struggling at work, and her boss has given her a warning. But things turn around for Cory when she runs into a childhood friend, Elizabeth Strafford. Cory learns that her friend lost both of her parents when she was seven. Her mother was murdered and her father died in a plane crash the next day. The murder of Elizabeth’s mother has never been solved and now many years later, Cory decides to look into the murder with the hopes that she can give her friend some peace and closure, something that she herself has yet to find.

Cory is a very likeable protagonist. She has great investigative skills and she will do anything for her friend. Unfortunately, her skills turn out to be too good and the murderer feels threatened by her investigation. Soon both Cory and Elizabeth are in danger.

The suspense builds slowly at first and then picks up, turning this novel into a real page-turner. There are several action-packed chase scenes, all done without any cars, which had me holding my breath as I read.

In addition to the actual mystery and all the tension that builds around its solution, I was also very impressed by the handling of the tragedies in both young women’s lives. The characters felt very real and I sympathized with both of them. The tragedies were handled with great compassion and empathy.

Without giving away any spoilers, I’ll just say that the solution to the mystery was truly hair-raising and the reader knows the answers long before Cory does, which increased the tension for me, since I could see Cory walking into danger but obviously I had no way to stop her.

False Alibi is a gripping mystery which will not disappoint mystery lovers.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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