In Shadows/Sala, Sharon/272 pages

     In Shadows is a romantic thriller.  Shelly McCann is the wife of FBI agent Jack McCann, who is currently working undercover trying to take down a Japanese cartel.  Jack's cover is blown unexpectedly and he has to fake his own death and go into hiding.  The cartel isn't giving up
without a body so they kidnap Shelly and try to torture information out

of her.  Jack is quickly on the case but in the meantime, people die, some are tortured and there is a scene with rats that could cause nightmares!

     This is a fantastic read.  One can hardly put it down!  Sharon Sala brings the story to a climatic ending--and then goes on to tell you what happened to all of the major characters.  (Sometimes its nice to know what happens to the bad guy after he is caught!)  Loved it!

                                                                                                                                

Stone Devil Duke/K.J. Jackson/262pgs

Set in London, this book is about a woman named Aggie who witnesses her father being murdered and sets out to kill her fathers killers. One night while out trying to find some of the men she comes across a Duke, who helps her fight off some of the men and save her life. Hoping that that would be the end of it, she drops him off and goes home. But she soon realizes that she will not be able to get rid of him that easily and the two make a deal to work together to find the remaining men. As the story progresses the two eventually come to realize their true feelings towards one another and they get married. But the peaceful life they thought they were going to have comes to an end when the leader of the group of killers kidnaps Aggie and tries to slowly kill her. This book was one I could not put down until i finished it. If you are someone that enjoys romances, thrillers, adventures, and a strong female character this book is definitely worth a read.

Pale As Death/Heather Graham/316 Pages

Sophie always knew she wanted to be a policewoman so she is living the dream as an LA detective.  On the scene of first one then quickly two murdered wannabe actresses, Sophie has the added complication of suddenly seeing a ghost who wants to help her solve her case.  When her partner is wounded, an FBI elite team shows up with "special" talents.  Bruce McFadden is the FBI consultant assigned to work with Sophie and he is perfect for the job since he, too, sees ghosts.  Bruce and Sophie are falling in love while solving the case with the help of more than one ghost.  This book is fast paced with believable characters and I did not figure out the "who-done-it" until the end!

Seeing Red/Sandra Brown/421 pgs.

Major Franklin Trapper became an instant hero when, 25 years ago, he rescued several innocent bystanders in a bombing in Dallas. Kerra Bailey, an up and coming TV journalist, has landed the interview of the century--with Major Trapper, who had become somewhat of a recluse in the last decade. She wins the interview by contacting John Trapper--the Major's estranged son. Sparks fly between Kerra and John--but can she trust him, especially when it becomes apparent that her life is in danger. This is one of Sandra Brown's better novels. Highly recommended!

Promise Not to Tell/Jayne Ann Krentz/325 pgs.

Virginia Troy, a Seattle gallery owner, learns of the death of an artist, Hannah Brewster, who had been a member of the same cult Virginia had been in as a child. Hannah had sent the picture of her last painting to Virginia before the cabin she lived in was torched. Virginia enlists the help of Anson Salinas's detective agency--Anson had rescued Virginia and other children from the cult years ago. This puts Virginia in contact with Cabot Sutter, a foster son of Anson's, and also in the same cult as Virginia years ago. Each of them believes that Quinton Zane, the cult master, is still alive, and that Hannah was trying to get a message to them about him. There is mystery, suspense, romance, and an open ending to the novel. It's an entertaining read, and I look forward to the last installment!

Come Sundown/Nora Roberts/466 pgs.

The Bodine ranch and resort are in Montana, and cater to folks who want a ranch experience, but want their creature comforts, too. Bodine Longbow runs the resort part, while other family members run the ranch--a family operation that's been in existence for years. Life is relatively calm until one of the resort's female bartenders is murdered. In addition, there is the family history of Alice Longbow who ran away decades ago at the age of 18, never to be heard of since. These two incidents merge, creating a story of horror and suspense. Since it's a Nora Roberts novel, there is also romance to add to the mix. One her better efforts. Recommended!

Fast Track/Julie Garwood/321 pgs.

Cordelia Kane was raised alone by her father--believing her mother had died in a car accident. On his death bed, Cordelia's father tells her the truth--and a can of worms is opened. Cordelia's childhood friends and their spouses help her track down her mother, who is in for the shock of her life! There is suspense, romance, and an entertaining read. Recommended!

Finding Lyla/Cate Beauman/452 pgs.

Bodyguard Collin Michaels has been given the assignment to protect Principal Dancer Lyla Markovik-Avery--who is on her way to Russia to dance in the ballet. Her father is the American Ambassador to Russia, and relations are strained between the two countries. Lyla has dual citizenship since her mother was Russian and her father a United States citizen. Both countries claim her, but Russia in particular, since her mother was a premier ballerina in her home country. She died while giving birth to Lyla, so Lyla has some baggage trying to live up to the Russian people's expectations of her. Lyla's father wants her to bypass coming to Russia, but she insists, and accepts Collin as her bodyguard. Collin has his own baggage, in addition to trying to keep Lyla safe. There is tension, romance--and nothing very new with this book. I felt it dragged--but it was free from BookBub, so I guess I shouldn't complain!

Sting/Sandra Brown/408 pgs.

Shaw Kinnard has been hired to kill Jordie Bennet. Jordie's brother, Josh, was to turn testimony against his gangster boss, Billy Panella. Josh escapes from FBI protection, so Panella wants to kill Jordie in order to send Josh a message. Also, there is the 3 million dollars that Panella is missing--and believes Josh is going after. There are red herrings, romance, etc., which is pretty typical of Sandra Brown's books. However, I found this one of her better suspense mysteries. Highly recommended!

Secret Sisters/Jayne Ann Krentz/336 pgs.

Twelve year-old Madeline was saved from a brutal attack one evening when her friend, Daphne, alerted Madeline's grandmother of the abduction. Soon afterward, Daphne and her mother left town, and Madeline lost touch with Daphne. So many secrets were covered up that night only to resurface nearly two decades later when Madeline's grandmother dies under suspicious circumstances. Madeline has her security expert, Jack Rayner, help solve the mysteries that have been hidden throughout the years. In addition to mystery and suspense, there is romance and family "issues"--all leading to a good, fast, read!

Troublemaker/Linda Howard/384 pgs.

Someone wants to kill Morgan Yancy, a paramilitary operative and leader. After a near death hit, Morgan is sent to recuperate in a small West Virginia town, at the house of Isabeau "Bo" Maran--the part-time police chief. Morgan's superior is hoping to eventually smoke out the would be assassin, and discover why Morgan was targeted in the first place. There's suspense, mystery, and romance--what more does a reader need? Recommended!

Bloodlines/Sharon Sala/372 pgs.

At the age of two, Olivia Sealy was kidnapped, and her parents were murdered--an unsolved case. Her protective grandfather raised her, giving her a life of luxury. Fast forward decades later, and the bones of a baby are found in a suitcase hidden in a wall. Olivia's old boyfriend, Detective Trey Bonney, is called in to investigate. Old feelings between Trey and Olivia come to the surface--especially when it becomes obvious that Olivia's life is in danger. The original copyright on this book is 2005--it shows. It's a fast, entertaining, light read.

Art of Taming a Rake / Nicole Jordan 399 p.

Venetia Stratham enter's a bordello to accost a rake who is courting her sister.  Venetia doesn't want her sister to become the social outcast that she is because of the actions of Quinn Wilde, Earl of Traherne.  As he escorts her to her carriage, after a somewhat sensuous meeting, he is assault by ruffians intent on taking his life.  Venetia enters the fray swinging her reticule.  Once again Venetia finds her name bandied about by the blue stocking crowd, causing Quinn to propose and enter into a hasty marriage.  There is some suspense as Quinn, aided by his family, seek the master behind the attempted murders, yes there are several attempts.  Of course, all ends happily in this very very steamy romance.  Considerable amount of the plot is devoted to the love affair between Venetia and Quinn.

This is the fourth in Jordan's Legendary Lovers series.
Art of Taming a Rake / Nicole Jordan 399 p.

Fatal Judgement/ Irene Hannon /338 pages

Fatal Judgement is the first book in Irene Hannon's Guardians of Justice series.  US Marshall, Jake Taylor has just returned to St. Louis.  He is on his way home from the airport when he is called on to guard Judge Liz Michaels.  Jake and Liz have a history.  Liz was married to Jake's best friend.  The judge's sister has been murdered.  Was it the sister's abusive husband,  a break in, or was the judge the target?   Jake does his best to guard the judge and keep his distance at the same time.  The story has some interesting twists and will keep the reader's interest.  

Thornbrook Park / Sherri Browning 359 p.

Widow Eve Kendal returns from India to discover that her late husband's investment has gone south.  Her friend, Countess of Averford, invites her to stay at Thornbrook Park while she regroups.  Captain Marcus Thorne, returns from the wars in South Africa, still filled with the rage that drove him away from Thornbrook Park.  Only boxing gives him temporary relief until he sees Eve.  Eve and Marcus' romance is fraught with troubles as his sister-in-law plots to marry him to her sister.  And Eve decides to do the honorable thing and give him up and pursue just what happened to her husband's savings.

Series continued with An Affair Downstairs.
Thornbrook Park / Sherri Browning 359 p.

The Obsession/Nora Roberts/453 pgs.

Naomi Bowes, as a young girl, discovered her father's dark secret--which landed him in prison for life. Changing her last name to Carson, Naomi becomes, as an adult, a successful free lance photographer. After years of moving from place to place, Naomi falls in love with a rambling home in need of much repair in the town of Sunrise Cove. She begins to know the residents of Sunrise Cove--in particular, Xander Keaton. Naomi is beginning to settle in, and thinks that perhaps the past is behind her when females begin disappearing--ending up murdered. It's a fast read, and typical Nora Roberts. Recommended.

Friction/Sandra Brown/410 pgs.

Crawford Hunt, a Texas Ranger, is in court awaiting the judgment for the custody of his five year-old daughter, Georgia. He has been sharing custody with his deceased wife's parents--and they are fighting him tooth and nail for sole custody of Georgia. Right when Judge Holly Spencer is ready to render her decision, an armed, masked gunman enters the courtroom and begins firing. Both Crawford and Holly survive, but who is the gunman, and is this a random act of violence? If not, what is his intention? There is drama, romance, and red herrings aplenty! It's fast, suspenseful, and pure Sandra Brown. Recommended!

Three Weeks Last Spring/ Victoria Howard/ 329 pages

Three Weeks Last Spring is a novel written by Victoria Howard.  Most of the story is set in the San Juan Islands off Washington State.  Sky Dunbar has returned to the Seattle area in hopes of coming to terms with an event in her past.  Instead of the solitude she craved, Sky finds history repeating it's self with island resident Jedediah Walker.  Sky is caught up in Walker's investigation to determine who is poisoning the waters off his island.  Action, adventure and romance combine in this novel.

Garden of Lies/Amanda Quick/359 pgs.

It's Victorian London, and Ursula Kern is the owner of the Kern Secretarial Agency which provides professional, secretarial services to wealthy clients. When Anne Clfifton, one of Ursula's employees and friends, dies, Ursula isn't convinced it's from natural causes. Upon investigation, Ursula discovers clues that Anne has left for her. With the help of Slater Roxton, Ursula uncovers more than she expects to find: murder, secrets, and treachery. It's a fast, entertaining read!

The Liar/Nora Roberts/501 pgs.

Shelby Pomeroy Foxworth is in a troubled marriage. Then her husband, Richard, goes missing--presumed dead--in a boating accident. Shelby's world goes crashing down when she learns that Richard was up to his eyeballs in debt--leaving Shelby to deal with the result. Trying to get her life back into order, and provide for her daughter, Callie, Shelby returns to her hometown, and family, in Tennessee. She discovers that Richard had been leading a secret life which puts her life and Callie's in danger. In typical Nora Roberts fashion, the book contains suspense, humor, and romance. It's a fast, entertaining read.