Ali

• Rated 3 stars

“Beneath Bone Lake by Colleen Thompson starts out with a mystery as Ruby Monroe returns to her Texas hometown after a year spent in Iraq, working as a bus driver. She impatiently waits at the airport for the arrival of her sister, Misty, and four-year-old daughter, Zoe, holding with her a secret she's itching to get rid of. Only someone else seems to have gotten a hold of not only her secret, but her family, as well.

Arriving at her house with dangerous and drugged strangers in residence, Ruby calls the local law enforcement for help. Before anyone arrives, Sam McCoy, her neighbor and late husband's foster brother, is on the scene and as trouble escalates, Sam tries to help Ruby as much as he can without getting too involved. After all, it wouldn't do well for someone with a criminal past to be tangled up in drugs, shootings, missing people, and an unidentified body that turns up in Misty's car in Bone Lake, would it?

Ruby Monroe is a woman who simply wants her family back. What should have been a happy reunion with her sister and daughter, turns into a nightmare as she fights against gunmen, corrupt cops, and even those she thought she knew best, with secrets that are starting to unravel.

Sam McCoy is a hero who always seems to be getting caught doing the wrong things for all the right reasons. While trying to stay away from the trouble surrounding Ruby's return, he is nonetheless drawn to her and to helping her cause. Before he realizes it, he's willing to go to any lengths to help secure Ruby and her family's safety, even if that means breaking the terms of his parole.

Beneath Bone Lake is different from other books in the Romantic Suspense genre that I've recently read. This is a complex story with more mystery, action, and suspense in the plot than romance. I do applaud the way Colleen Thompson concocted the mystery, never letting you know what is really going on or who is behind it all. While this story may have moved slowly for me during the first two-thirds, I was glued to the pages towards the end in... well, in suspense.

Beneath Bone Lake would not be a book I'd recommend for those looking for more romance in their novels, but for those who enjoy a good mystery and suspense with just a dash of romance, this should be one to check out. Find out more about Colleen Thompson and her novels on her website, http://www.colleen-thompson.com/ .”

Ali wrote this review Wednesday, October 7, 2009. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“Dark and Dangerous is author Jeanne Adam's debut novel, and I have got to say, it starts out with a bang and just keeps on going. This novel is one of the best in its genre, Romantic Suspense, that I've read in a while. The romance, action, and suspense are blended together perfectly in this well plotted, fast-paced novel. I was drawn into the undercover world and amazed at how she was able to give such great details without taking me out of the story or overwhelming me.

The suspenseful first meeting between Dana Markham and Caine Bradley is one that was unexpected and unforgetable. And, as you read the attraction between Dana and Cain develop it's hard to believe they didn't set off sparks with their first kiss.
Dana is a strong heroine who has learned how to survive and protect both herself and her son, Xavier, from the clutches of her ex-husband, Donovan Walker. I believe if she had to, Dana could have survived and ran from Donovan without the help of Cain, but together they make a strong team and are each other's equal.


Caine is a FBI undercover agent who knows his job and how to succeed in it. He also knows that an agent should never get close to those they are protecting... but, it can't be denied, there's something different about Dana and Xavier. He'll go above and beyond to assure their safety, even if it means breaking the rules.


I can certainly see Dark and Dangerous on the big screen as an action movie. It has all the right elements and balance of action, suspense, and romance that'll quickly draw you into the story from beginning to end.


I definitely recommend Dark and Dangerous to any Romantic Suspense reader and to those who'd like to try this genre.”

Ali wrote this review Wednesday, September 10, 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This story starts out with a misunderstanding on Jack Osland's part regarding Kristy Mahoney's relationship with his grandfather. Jack's grandfather, Cleveland Osland, is known to be a lady's man and Jack is none too happy knowing how the last two Mrs. Cleveland Osland spent the Osland money with their hobbies. Believing Kristy is the latest soon-to-be Mrs. Cleveland Osland, using his grandfather to sell her clothing designs, Jack decides to take things into his own hands and thwart her plans.

An idea strikes Jack as they're left stranded in Las Vegas after a plane malfunction. After a whirlwind romance over a weekend, Jack proposes marriage to Kristy and has her secretly sign a prenup at the chapel.

That night, Jack and Kristy enjoy a hot and passionate wedding-night... but come morning, everything comes to light as Jack reveals his true motives. Will it be too late to make amends when Jack finds out he's made a mistake?

***

This story had me laughing out loud right from the beginning withBarbara's witty writing. I just loved the flow of conversation between Jack and Kristy and watching how they come to care for each other.

Jack is a hunk, and besides the whole 'trying to save the family by tricking her to marriage' thing, I really liked him and know that he just had his family's best intrest in mind. Though, Kristy doesn't quite feel that way after she finds out the truth.

Now, in the morning after scene, where Jack tells Kristy the true reason he proposed to her, I was all choked up. I just wanted to slap Jack and yell at the book. But Kristy is a survivor and pulls through. And when she gets a chance to get back at Jack you can bet your bottom dollar she takes it *g*

Barbara's writing just pulled me in to the story and I didn't want to see it end. I thought this was a beautiful romance with passion, laughter, and multidimensional characters. You'll fall in love with Jack as you watch him change and grow, and in the end, he must face his fears in order to get the girl. A definite must read I must say*bg*”

Ali wrote this review Wednesday, April 23, 2008. ( reply | permalink )