Thursday, May 31, 2012

Book Review: Changing the Game by Jaci Burton

Changing the Game
Author: Jaci Burton
Publication: Berkley Trade; 1 edition (August 2, 2011)


Description: An erotic new game from the New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Play.

Sports agent Liz Darnell will do anything to win back her number-one client, baseball pro Gavin Riley. And Gavin's more than ready- especially when Liz is offering herself as part of the bargain. But when love unexpectedly enters the playing field, neither Liz nor Gavin are ready for the biggest game-changer of all.




My Thoughts: This book sat on my TBR stack for quite a while. I wasn't sure I wanted to read it because the heroine of this book was the villain of the first book of the series -- The Perfect Play. It is a tribute to the power of Ms. Burton's writing that I really, really disliked Elizabeth Darnell. But enough time has passed and I came to this romance with on open mind. I found that I really did like Liz with her hidden vulnerabilities and her tough exterior. And Gavin is a hero to die for - handsome, buff, professional baseball player, devoted son and good friend. Did I mention hot?


Liz has been avoiding Gavin since his older brother Mick fired her as his agent. She is afraid that Gavin will fire her too which would really hurt her agency. She is also afraid that Gavin will realize that she has loved him for years. Naturally, Gavin is clueless! He is however interested enough to take her home with him to talk and doesn't mind at all that the talking leads to sex. 


There are tons of rather graphic love scenes that don't go over the line for me because they are clearly love scenes and not just sex scenes. Sex is the one area where they don't have disagreements or any confusion. But outside of bed (or wherever else they decide to make love) there is less compatibility. Liz has to balance her role as her agent with her role as her lover. And Gavin is getting constant pressure from his brother to drop Liz. 


This was a great romance featuring people I came to like very much. I recommend it and encourage readers to look for the first book in this series - The Perfect Play - to find out why Mick dislikes her so much. I am also eager to read Taking a Shot to see Mick and Gavin's sister Jenna find a romance of her own.


Favorite Quote:
"I think you're worth fighting for, Elizabeth. Even if I'm fighting you for you."

She didn't know what to say to that.

No one had ever fought for her before.

She didn't think she was worth it.
I bought this one because I am a fan of the author and loved the first book in this series. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Summer Reading! Have You Made Your List Yet?

Now that we have reached the end of May, summer vacation is just around the corner (for me, at least) and I am starting to make lists of the books I would like to read this summer. I recently got an email from Cassie at Dutton Books that was filled with good ideas.


Here are the ones that were highest on my list:


Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood
August 7, 2012
In the new contemporary romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood, a detective and a lawyer are falling in love— and making a federal case out of it.

When FBI agent Grayson Kincaid first encounters Olivia MacKenzie, she makes quite an impression.

The beautiful, tough, young attorney has stumbled into the middle of an FBI sting operation and has reduced it to chaos. Months of surveillance and careful planning down the drain, Kincaid’s partner is furious and lets Olivia know that she’s ticked off the wrong guy. After all, he’s FBI.

Olivia isn’t intimidated by his partner’s bullying because she’s something even scarier . . . she’s IRS.

And working for the IRS isn’t for the faint of heart. She’s on the trail of an elaborate Ponzi scheme, one that threatens to ruin the lives of naive and unsuspecting victims, and one she has personal reasons to be angry about. But after she asks questions of the wrong people, her life is suddenly endangered. She’s accustomed to fighting for the underdog but being vulnerable herself is a very different story. Smart enough to know when to call for reinforcements, she contacts Grayson Kincaid.

Together they make an excellent team to fight corruption but Olivia is also fighting the immediate and intense attraction she feels for Agent Kincaid, and that may be a battle she is bound to lose.
Thirteen by Kelley Armstrong
July 24, 2012
The #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong delivers the novel her fans have been clamoring for: The epic finale of the Otherworld series.

It’s been more than ten years, a dozen installments, and hundreds of thousands of copies since Kelley Armstrong introduced readers to the all-too-real denizens of the Otherworld: witches, werewolves, necromancers, vampires, and half-demons, among others. And it’s all been leading to Thirteen, the final installment, the novel that brings all of these stories to a stunning conclusion.

A war is brewing—the first battle has been waged and Savannah Levine is left standing, albeit battered and bruised. She has rescued her half brother from supernatural medical testing, but he’s fighting to stay alive. The Supernatural Liberation Movement took him hostage, and they have a maniacal plan to expose the supernatural world to the unknowing.

Savannah has called upon her inner energy to summon spells with frightening strength, a strength she never knew she had, as she fights to keep her world from shattering. But it’s more than a matter of supernaturals against one another—both heaven and hell have entered the war; hellhounds, genetically modified werewolves, and all forces of good and evil have joined the fray.

Uniting Savannah with Adam, Paige, Lucas, Jaime, Hope, and other lost-but-notforgotten characters in one epic battle, Thirteen is a grand, crowd-pleasing closer for Armstrong’s legions of fans.
Some other titles on their summer reading list are The Lost Prince by Selden Edwards (8/16/12), The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen (8/21/12), The Last Trade by James Conway (614/12), and Caravan of Thieves by David Rich (8/23/12). 

Do you make lists? What are you looking forward to reading this summer?

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Teaser Tuesday: Changing the Game by Jaci Burton




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


Changing the Game by Jaci Burton has been sitting on my TBR stack for quite a while because I wasn't sure I wanted to read a romance about the woman who had been the villain in the first book in this series. But I was in the mood for a sexy romance and this cover just drew me in. This is the story of sports agent Liz Darnell and pro baseball player Gavin Riley.

Teaser:
"That bed is not made for one, or two, people to sleep in."

He continued to give her a confused look, then glanced at the bed and back at her. "Oh. I sprawl. I like a big bed."

"Gavin, that goes beyond big bed. That's the kind of bed a polygamist would covet."

Sunday, May 27, 2012

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (May 28, 2012)



It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.



Happy Memorial Day to those who are celebrating today! Memorial Day means not very much work time left for me. Our seniors are finished this Friday and graduate next Sunday. All the other kids have school through June 6 and we have a teacher workday on June 7. Then the reading and relaxing time can really begin.


This past week I read all books I had for review.
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne was a near future, disaster novel about fourteen kids trapped in a superstore while the world outside them falls apart as a series of natural and man-made disasters devastate their city. I found the pacing uneven in this one and got bogged down in the slow middle. My review will be posted on June 6. The book will be released on June 5.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo was an excellent epic fantasy. I liked the characters and thought the world building was well done. Naturally, this is the first book of a new trilogy. It will also be released on June 5. My review is scheduled for May 31.
Dead Reckoning by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill will also be released on June 5. This was an interesting mashup of a book as it combines westerns, zombies, and steampunk in a well-written story. My review will be posted on June 2 for this one.

A Long Way from You by Gwendolyn Heasley is a contemporary story that was excellent. It is also being released on June 5. It was a wonderful story about a small town Texas girl who gets a chance to go to New York City to pursue her dream of being an artist. My review will be posted on June 7.
Silver by Rhiannon Held will also be released on June 5. I got this werewolf story from Amazon Vine. I liked it but it was more an introspective story than one filled with action. My review will be posted on June 2.
I am currently reading Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton which I pulled off my TBR mountain. I was in the mood for a sexy romance with professional athletes and the strong, smart women they fall in love with.

Next week it is back to review books.
I got Icon by J. Carson Black from Amazon Vine. It is a thriller about an actor who might be worth more dead than alive and the gang trying to kill him to cash in. This is a June 12 release.

Consent to Love by Abby Wood is from NetGalley. This is an adult erotic romance but the description sounds like it has a good story too. This one is already available.
Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown is also a June 12 release. I got this young adult mermaid story from Random House via NetGalley.

Secret Letters by Leah Scheier is a June 26 release from Disney-Hyperion that I got at NetGalley. This is a debut novel and is an historical mystery.

That is my plan for the week. What do you have planned?


Stacking the Shelves (May 27, 2012)



Tynga of Tynga's Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. She explains at her site. She also does a very nice vlog each week showing her books.


I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the wonderful books everyone gets. You will also discover lots of great blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.

This week my stash of review books grew. I got three. I did buy one book too.
I got Consent to Love by Abby Wood from Carina Press via NetGalley. This is an erotic romance that was released on April 2. It sounded like it had an interesting story line.

I bought Beautiful Sacrifice by Elizabeth Lowell because I have been a fan of her work since I first discovered her series romances. This ones sounds like another interesting romantic suspense title complete with a heroine who is an archaeologist and a hero who is a former immigration and customs officer. 
I received Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood from a publicist at Dutton. It is part of their summer reads collection. It is also a romantic suspense title and will be released on August 7. I haven't actually seen this book yet because it was delivered to my summer home. I won't get there until June 8.

The last book I got was Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller. I got this copy from NetGalley. I am supposed to receive a print copy for a tour that I am part of but haven't gotten it yet. The book will be released on July 31 and my post is scheduled for August 8.


Those are the additions to my stack. What did you add to yours?

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Book Review: Sweet Spot by Kate Angell

Sweet Spot
Author: Kate Angell
Publication: Kensington; Original edition (May 1, 2012)


Description: Score


James "Law" Lawless is the star second baseman for the Richmond Rogues, the wildest group of free swingers ever to barnstorm their way through the big leagues. So when he hooks up with a seductive stranger at a costume party, it feels like he just hit the winning run of the World Series.

Extra Innings

Catherine "Cat" May was the hot number in that skimpy Wonder Woman costume. But she's not about to let Law know it--especially after he hires her to help him expand his off-the-field business empire. But how's she going to keep her identity secret when his every touch urges her to make him her very own. . .

Home Run Hero


My Thoughts: This was a nice sports romance. Pro baseball player and trust fund baby James "Law" Lawless meets Catherine May when he is checking out a popular local club. He is dressed as Captain America; she is dressed as Wonder Woman. They hook up on the dance floor but then Cat runs leaving her lasso of truth behind. Law is fascinated and determined to locate her again.


The next day he meets Cat when he visits a financial adviser and she is the rising star of the firm. She helps him scout out businesses that are part of a charity initiative that he has. She is also determined not to let him know that she was the mysterious Wonder Woman that he is looking for.

They do get to know each other as they work together. Law is attracted to her but isn't looking for any sort of commitment. He is also still looking for his mysterious Wonder Woman. Also, Law doesn't have relationships. He lost interest in them when his parents, friends and grandmother were killed in a car accident when the group was coming home from celebrating his eighth birthday. He was raised by his grandfather and they have a very close relationship.Cat is very different. She comes from a huge, close family that has never had any extra money.

The romantic tension is high in this one and the intimate scenes are hot. My main problem with this one was the romance that just seemed to be thrown in between Brody, another baseball player, and his hometown sweetheart Mary. It just felt like it was thrown in as an afterthought and way to tie up loose ends from earlier books in the series. I did like the fact that both Cat and Law had dogs who were characters in their own rite. Bouncer, Law's dog, was a boxer who was a rescue dog. We get a chance to see Law bonding with something in his relationship with his dog. Cat's dog is a rambunctious pup named Foxy who has a habit of biting people and not letting go until they say "I'm yours."

This one wasn't very memorable but was a good way to spend a couple of hours.


Favorite Quote:
Jacy scrunched her nose. "Law's an enigma," she confided. "He's gorgeous, generous, and women love him. the man's got edge."

Edge? Cat blinked. Randall had used the same word to describe her. Maybe she and Law were more alike than either of them thought. 
I bought this one because I am a fan of sports romances. You can buy your copy here.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Friday Memes: Sweet Spot by Kate Angell


Happy Friday everybody!
Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader. The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week

Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

I was in the mood for a sports romance. So I chose Sweet Spot by Kate Angell. Here is the description:
Score

James "Law" Lawless is the star second baseman for the Richmond Rogues, the wildest group of free swingers ever to barnstorm their way through the big leagues. So when he hooks up with a seductive stranger at a costume party, it feels like he just hit the winning run of the World Series.

Extra Innings

Catherine "Cat" May was the hot number in that skimpy Wonder Woman costume. But she's not about to let Law know it--especially after he hires her to help him expand his off-the-field business empire. But how's she going to keep her identity secret when his every touch urges her to make him her very own. . .

Home Run Hero
Beginning:
Club Haunt
Midnight

Orange strobe lights.
Pumpkin-scented incense.
Glow-in-the-dark spiderwebs.
Evil-faced jack-o'-lanterns.
Ouija boards and tarot cards.

Inhibitions were left at the door, along with the cover charge. The adult Halloween costumes guaranteed anonymity. Everyone wore a mask.
Friday 56:
Walter looked at the boxer. "Shall I schedule a dog walker this evening, sir?"

"Bouncer and I need some guy time," Law stated. "We'll take a jog around the park before bed."

"Be sure to take security."

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Book Review: The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts

The Last Boyfriend
Author: Nora Roberts
Publication: Berkley Trade; 1 edition (May 1, 2012)


Description: A new novel of a shared past, a fresh start, and a lifetime of love.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts introduces you to the Montgomery brothers—Beckett, Ryder, and Owen—as they bring an intimate bed-and-breakfast to life in their hometown.
Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers bust on his compulsive list-making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn’t plan for was Avery McTavish...
Avery’s popular pizza place is right across the street from the inn, giving her a first-hand look at its amazing renovation—and a newfound appreciation for Owen. Since he was her first boyfriend when they were kids, Owen has never been far from Avery’s thoughts. But the attraction she’s feeling for him now is far from innocent.
As Avery and Owen cautiously take their relationship to another level, the opening of the inn gives the whole town of Boonsboro a reason to celebrate. But Owen’s hard work has only begun. Getting Avery to let down her guard is going to take longer than he expected—and so will getting her to realize that her first boyfriend is going to be her last…


My Thoughts: This was another heart-warming romance from a master of the genre. Owen Montgomery and Avery McTavish have been friends since they were children. In fact, he was her first boyfriend since she told him they were going to get married when they grew up when she was only six. But over the years, while they had a solid friendship, there were no romantic sparks. 


While Avery is a wonderful friend, she has some issues about her ability to sustain a lasting relationship. After all, her mother abandoned her and her father to run off with another man when Avery was only thirteen. Avery is afraid that she might be like her faithless and selfish mother. Owen is the product of a strong and loving marriage who has always had the security of knowing that he was loved by both of his parents. 


Their personalities are rather different too. Avery can be impulsive and is a bit of a free spirit as evidenced by her ever changing hair color. Owen is an organized and sometimes anal list maker. He is the one who keeps everyone on schedule and handles the details for the family business he runs with his mother and two brothers.

When they suddenly start to see each other romantically both have to readjust their thinking. Neither one of them wants to mess up their friendship. It was great to see them fall in love and watch them work out their relationship.

Relationships are why I read Nora Roberts. She is such a wonderful writer of strong, loving families and caring, supportive friends. I would love to be a part of the great family circles she creates where all of the people love each other. The brothers tease and pick at each other but there is no question that they will do anything for each other. Their strong relationship with their mother is also amazing. And the friendship between Avery, Hope and Clare is a model for a perfect friendship.

I recommend this story for anyone who wants a feel-good romance. This is book two in a trilogy. You should look for THE NEXT ALWAYS to catch up and be watching for THE PERFECT HOPE to finish up the trilogy next November.

Favorite Quote:
The heat from the stove flushed pink in her cheeks, and amusement sparkled the blue of her eyes.

It occurred to him he'd seen her like this before, right here in his kitchen, lending a hand with a party, laughing with one or both of his brothers.

But he hadn't seen her exactly like this, as a woman he wanted. As a woman who wanted him.

Had that one kiss, unplanned, impulsive, really changed the tone and direction of who and what they were to each other? Or had there always been something there, just waiting for that switch to flip?
I bought this one because I love Nora. You can buy your copy here.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

WoW: Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This is where we can post our links and see what books others are waiting for. It spotlights upcoming releases.

It is still a long way out but I am eagerly awaiting Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews. I actually pre-ordered this one on March 3 even though it won't be released until July 31. Here is the description:
The New York Times  bestselling Kate Daniels novels have been hailed as “top-notch urban fantasy” (Monsters and Critics). Now, Ilona Andrews delves deeper into Kate’s world, and reveals its untold stories…

After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea’s whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano—the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea’s former lover—die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world…
I love the Kate Daniels series and have enjoyed seeing Andrea as a secondary character in some of the books. I am glad that she gets to move to center stage in this one.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Teaser Tuesday: The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

This week my teaser comes from The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts. This is the second book in the Inn Boonsboro trilogy which tells the story of the three Montgomery brothers - Beckett, Ryder, and Owen -- finding love while restoring an old bed-and-breakfast in their small town.


This episode concentrates on Owen and his budding relationship with Avery McTavish. They have know each other all of their lives. In fact, Avery proposed to him when she was six.

Teaser:
"They were engaged." Grinning now, Clare toasted Avery.

"What?" Hope's dark chocolate eyes rounded in shock. "When? Why didn't I know this? This is huge."

"We were kids. I think I was five--almost six. Our fathers were tight, so we had a lot of activities together. I had a crush on him."

"So she proposed to him--or more she announced they were going to get married when they grew up."

"Aw, that's so cute."
I just love Nora's books. No one writes strong loving families as well as she does. And, I love the way she writes friendships too. 

Sunday, May 20, 2012

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? (May 21, 2012)




It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.


I had another good reading week. I am finished with the books I have for review in May and am starting to read those that are being released in June. Here are the ones I read last week.
Sweet Spot by Kate Angell was a sports romance that was pleasant but not very memorable. It would make a nice beach read. My review will be posted on May 26.

Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller is an ARC I received for a blog tour. My review will be posted on June 6.
Changing the Game by Jaci Burton was a very hot romance with memorable and likable characters. It is the second in her Play-by-Play series. My review will be posted on May 31.
Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore was a young adult debut novel that I got from NetGalley. This one was a good paranormal story but much more religious than what I normally read. My review will be posted on May 26.

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross is the second in her young adult steampunk series. I got this eARC from NetGalley too. I enjoyed the story and loved reading about the wonderful gadgets the Emily invents. May review will be posted on May 24.
I am currently reading Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo. I received this ARC from my contact at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. I have heard great things about this fantasy and am eager to get further than just 10 pages into it.

Next week I have a bunch of review books that will be published on June 5 to read. Here they are:
Dead Reckoning by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill is an eARC I got from NetGalley. I like both of those authors but am more familiar with their fantasy books for adults. I chose this one on the strength of their names even though it has zombies!

Silver by Rhiannon Held is one of my Amazon Vine books. I chose this adult title because it is about werewolves. I seem to be unable to resist werewolf books!
Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton is one from my TBR mountain. It is the third in the Play-by-Play series and I expect a spicy romance.

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne has been sitting on my review stack since last December. It is her debut novel and tells the story of fourteen kids who take refuge in a Superstore while the world outside falls apart. It sounded intriguing when I chose it and I can't wait to finally read it.

Those are my reading plans for the coming week. Days are getting busier for me at work as we try to get all the last things done as this school years winds down. We do work until June 8 but there are lots of things that have to get done before we sent the kids off to their summer vacation and we collapse for ours. 
By the way for you audiobook fans, SYNC is running the same summer reading program this year as last year. There will be two free audiobooks offered each week starting June 14. The titles are for many books that I have wanted to read. I can't wait to download them. Check out this website for all the details. I will have a post on Ms. Martin Teaches Media Monday morning about this too.

Stacking the Shelves (May 20, 2012)



Tynga of Tynga's Reviews is starting a new meme to spotlight the books we receive each week. She explains at her site. She also does a very nice vlog each week showing her books.


I guarantee that your TBR pile will grow when you see all the wonderful books everyone gets. You will also discover lots of great blogs and lots of books that you won't be able to live without.


This was a sort of quiet week on the new books front. I bought one book and received three books for review.  Here is what I got:
I bought Sliding Home by Kate Angell for my Kindle only to discover that I already owned this book. I just hadn't had time to read it yet. I like romances involving sports and professional athletes. So I look forward to finally getting a chance to read this one.

I also got Love Is Murder by Sandra Brown. This book is for a sort of unusual blog tour. A different author will be featured each day on the tour. Participating bloggers will post a teaser of the author’s short story, an author bio, and a review of LOVE IS MURDER. My day is June 19 and my author is William Bernhardt. I haven't read anything by him and look forward to this tour.
I also received two more books from the Amazon Vine Program. These are both mysteries published by Thomas & Mercer which is apparently part of Amazon.

I chose Grave of Angels by Michael Prescott is about a former Carmelite nun who now runs a security service in Hollywood and Icon by J. Carson Black which is about a Hollywood superstar who would be worth millions if he were dead and those who want to make him dead. I was intrigued by both blurbs.

That was my week. What did you get this week?


Saturday, May 19, 2012

Book Review: What Doesn't Kill You by Iris Johansen

What Doesn't Kill You
Author: Iris Johansen
Publication: St. Martin's Press; First Edition edition (April 17, 2012)


Description: Catherine Ling was abandoned on the streets of Hong Kong at age four.  Schooled in the art of survival, she traded in the only commodity she had: information.  As a teenager, she came under the tutelage of a mysterious man known only as Hu Chang—a skilled assassin and master poisoner.  As a young woman, she was recruited by the CIA and now, she is known as one of their most effective operatives.  Having lived life in the shadows, Catherine is aware of the wobbly moral compass of her existence and even more aware of just how expendable she is to those she deals with. When her old friend Hu Chang creates something so deadly, and completely untraceable, the chase is on to be the first to get it.  With rogue operative John Gallo also on the hunt, Catherine finds herself pitted against a group so villainous and a man so evil that she may not survive the quest to protect those she cares about.  Iris Johansen is at her page-turning best in this novel that takes you from the corridors of Langley to the alleyways of Hong Kong, and the darkest places of the human soul.


My Thoughts: Once I got used to the characters in this one I couldn't put the book down. What took me a while was that the main characters - Catherine Ling and Hu Chang - both had sort of strange reactions. I almost had a feeling that they were autistic because of the lack of emotion. Catherine had been on her own in Hong Kong since she was a young child. Her mother was a prostitute who died when Catherine was only four. Another prostitute took her in but there didn't seem to be any emotional attachment. Catherine learned to survive on the shady side of Hong Kong by selling information to anyone who would pay her.

When she is fourteen she meets Hu Chang who is an apothecary and doctor of Chinese medicine who is clearly a genius but who also has an odd way of thinking. He determines that the two of them will be friends and he guides her to work with the CIA. He has some interesting morals as he creates and sells poisons among other sorts of potions.

Years pass, Catherine joins the CIA, marries, has a child who is kidnapped by a monster when he is two, and has now recovered her eleven year old son. Her son Luke is another character who is extremely bright but has no concept of emotions or attachment. Catherine is determined to protect him and is gradually forging a relationship with him. She gets a call from her CIA boss to tell her that he needs her in Hong Kong again because Hu Chang has created a potion that has made him the target of an extreme villain named Nardik who will do anything to get the potion from Hu Chang.

Catherine goes to protect her friend and asks her CIA boss to find someone who knows Mardik. Enter Gallo. Gallo and Catherine have met before and both been attracted to each other. Catherine isn't going to let any possible emotion sidetrack her from her quest and Gallo has his work cut out for him to try to find a place to fit into her life.

The most intriguing character in this one is Hu Chang. He is the one who precipitates the actions through his various manipulations. Catherine is often torn between wanting to kill him herself and wanting to protect him. One thing is certain though, Hu Chang always has what he sees as Catherine's best interests in mind as he manipulates those around him. While she loves him, Catherine doesn't agree with many of his choices.

There was lots of tension in this one and lots of suspense as Catherine, Gallo, and Hu Chang have to find out who Mardik's intended victim is and to save him. There are chase scenes, kidnapping, fires and other exciting events in this one.

I found this one a satisfying way to spend a few hours. It does make me want to look for the other books in which Catherine appears and see her again now that I know her better.


Favorite Quote:
Gallo was walking toward them across the veranda.


The light from the three tiers of candles on the dozen outdoor chandeliers was playing over his dark hair and throwing his cheekbones in shadow. His lips were open slightly, and his teeth were white against his olive skin. He looked totally male, totally sensual.


She felt a sudden tightness in her chest just looking at him.
I bought this one. You can get your copy here.  

Friday, May 18, 2012

Book Beginning & Friday 56: What Doesn't Kill You by Iris Johansen


Happy Friday everybody!!


Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is now hosted by Rose City Reader.
Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading. 
If you like, share with everyone why you do, or do not, like the sentence.

The Friday 56
Rules:
  • Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
  • Turn to page 56.
  • Find the fifth sentence.
  • Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Freda's Voice
  • Post a link along with your post back to Freda's Voice
Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

I was in the mood for some romantic suspense so I grabbed What Doesn't Kill You by Iris Johansen off the top of my TBR mountain. I have been reading her books for years and usually find I can rely on her for a good read.

Here is the description:
Catherine Ling was abandoned on the streets of Hong Kong at age four.  Schooled in the art of survival, she traded in the only commodity she had: information.  As a teenager, she came under the tutelage of a mysterious man known only as Hu Chang—a skilled assassin and master poisoner.  As a young woman, she was recruited by the CIA and now, she is known as one of their most effective operatives.  Having lived life in the shadows, Catherine is aware of the wobbly moral compass of her existence and even more aware of just how expendable she is to those she deals with. When her old friend Hu Chang creates something so deadly, and completely untraceable, the chase is on to be the first to get it.  With rogue operative John Gallo also on the hunt, Catherine finds herself pitted against a group so villainous and a man so evil that she may not survive the quest to protect those she cares about.  Iris Johansen is at her page-turning best in this novel that takes you from the corridors of Langley to the alleyways of Hong Kong, and the darkest places of the human soul.
Beginning:
"Where the hell are they?" Venable, deputy director of the CIA, had his binoculars focused on the small cottage in the valley below. "Special Ops were supposed to go in from the rear fifteen minutes ago and take Hu Chang out of there."
Friday 56:
She put the paperback down. "It's Atlas Shrugged. Some of it I don't understand, but I like it."