Everything Pales In Comparison by Rebecca Swartz

Constable Emma Kirby is on a special assignment. She’s on a security detail at a country and western concert. So far, she’s enjoying herself, listening to the music and looking at the talent is great. Seeing the lovely singer and song writer, Daina Buchanan is even better. Then suddenly, there is an explosion. All hell breaks loose. Emma finds herself on a mission of mercy to try to save Daina’s life.

What or who could have caused the explosion and why?

Emma finds herself being stalked. It appears that both Emma and Daina are targets for the same stalker. How can this be? Neither woman had even met before the night of the concert and explosion.

Emma is detailed to protection duty in a safe house for both Daina and herself. So the two women are thrown together due to circumstances beyond their control. It’s not long before Emma and Daina realize they have an undeniable attraction for each other.

Will Emma, as Daina’s body guard, mix business with pleasure? Will the stalker be found before he or she kills one or both women?

This is Rebecca Swartz’s debut book. It is a very well written and tense page turner. A mixture of thriller and romance. The book clips along at a nice pace, the tension radiates from the page There are several twists and turns along the way to intrigue the reader further.

The two characters are great and their interaction is spot on. It was nice to get to known their previous back ground too.

I enjoyed this book very much, even though I did guess who the perpetrator was. There was still a little twist even to that.

I have no intentions of revealing any spoilers, but I felt the epilogue was a little bit apart and a bit out of place from the rest of the book, but it didn’t spoil anything of the actual story.

All in all though, a jolly good, nail biting read. I look forward to Rebecca’s next book eagerly.

A Kiss Doesn't Lie by Robin Alexander

Jodie Grant had plans. She had a promising job interview and a date planned with a potential new lover. Unfortunately Jodie was kidnapped at gun point from her father’s funeral and taken to Peru, before she could put either plan in operation. It seemed to Jodie that her father was reaching out from his grave. The reason for Jodie’s kidnapping was all his fault.

Dr Blair Whittington originally ended up in Peru in search of ancient artefacts. Unknown to Blair in the beginning, she had been duped into helping Jodie’s father, Nicholas Grant, in illegal antiquities trading. By the time she realized, it was too late, Nicholas had been killed and she was being hunted by persons unknown. Blair now has to rely on Jodie to decipher Nicholas’s letters to find the ancient treasures and finally be free from their pursuers.

Blair and Jodie are soon embroiled in an adventure and a trail of murder and mayhem that could only be described like being something from out of an Indiana Jones film. Along the way, they find love. But they have to find a way of keeping one step ahead of their pursuers to stay alive. Will they be able to find the treasure? Will they stay alive? Will they ever get back to America in one piece? Will they ever have the kiss that doesn’t lie?

A well told adventure story. A real page turner from start to finish. The story mainly takes place in the jungles of Peru. The scenery is very descriptive. The story kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

I loved the two main characters, Jodie and Blair. At first they seemed as different as chalk and cheese, but then the similarities between them begin to shine through. I love Robin’s writing and always look forward to her latest book. This one does not disappoint. If you like a fast paced adventure story with a nice romance for good measure, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

Someday I'll Find You by Kate Sweeney

All Commander Rae Jefferson wanted when she retired from the Navy was a quiet, peaceful and normal life. Maybe even someone to love. She had left behind her life on the edge as an intelligence officer and the horrors of her Navy experiences and now owns her own security company. This should guarantee her a quiet life shouldn’t it?

Unfortunately Rae has a one night stand with Amy, a young woman who turns up dead, drowned in the Chicago river with Rae’s business card in her pocket. Rae is a prime suspect. But was Amy actually murdered or was it an unfortunate accident?

Professor Sarah Connelly from Northwestern University, lives a decent, normal quiet life. She also hopes to meet someone, to fall in love and live happily ever after.

When Rae and Sarah meet, there is a definite spark between them, which begins to smoulder in to passion.

When Rae becomes more involved with hunting for a possible murderer, she ends up not only endangering her own life, but the lives of her friends too. Will the mystery be solved before any one else gets hurt?

Will Rae and Sarah’s fledgling relationship stand a chance of going anywhere against the backdrop of murder, mystery and intrigue? Will Sarah listen to her head or her heart? Will Rae let the past go to be able to move on and actually have a future?

A wonderfully well written book with all the usual humor we’ve come to love and expect from Kate Sweeney. As always with Kate’s books, this one was a one sitting, no sleeping, page turner.

The story is engrossing and thrilling, with a beautiful romance at the heart of the book.

I love the characters, the way they all gel together and the way Kate makes the reader feel a part of the actual story. I would like to see more of these characters, maybe in a sequel. I think both Rae and Sarah have a lot more to tell us. The whole book went past far too quickly for my liking. Now I have to wait for Kate’s next book. A definite re-read.

She Left Me Breathless by Trin Denise

Millionaire, Sydney Welsh, has a life most of us can only dream about. She has everything money can buy. Her businesses make money faster than she can spend it. But.................she doesn’t have the one thing she truly desires. The woman she loves and lost. In fact, Sydney’s personal life is a shambles.

When Sydney returns home early from a business trip and finds her lover of ten years in bed with a woman from her company, Sydney decides it’s time to make some changes in her life.

Sydney knows she’s only ever loved one woman, Rachel. Unfortunately Sydney was dumped by Rachel thirteen years earlier. Not for another woman or even a man, but for God and the catholic church. Sydney just couldn’t compete.

Sydney sets out with an elaborate plan in mind to entice Rachel back in to her life. Part of Sydney’s plan is hiring Caitlyn, Rachel’s computer whizz kid daughter.

But plans are apt to go awry and Sydney has no way of knowing that she is putting both Rachel and Caitlyn’s lives in danger. When Caitlyn discovers an embezzler within the company, Sydney’s plans begin to fall apart. Will Rachel and Caitlyn escape with their lives?

It’s not long before Sydney realizes she’s never stopped loving Rachel. How will this fit in with her plans?

I loved Trin’s first book, Worth Dying For, I didn’t think her writing could possibly get any better. How wrong I was. I simply couldn’t put this book down from the start to the finish. What a page turner. I admit I was a little bit apprehensive when I read the synopsis. Not being religious, I wondered how much of the book would be devoted to religion. The answer is very little, although religion was the reason for Rachel and Sydney’s break up.

The story covers so much, a love lost and found, kidnapping, abuse, embezzlement, murder and at the very heart of the book is romance, a smoking hot romance.

The story is told with a terrific sense of ‘laugh out loud’ humor throughout. I was kept constantly guessing as to the identity of the embezzler. I did have my own ideas, I was wrong though and very surprised when the embezzler’s identity was revealed. I love books that keep me guessing.

This book is simply amazing.

I love the characters and the way they seamlessly interact together with each other. The story is fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Trin Denise has the ability to allow the reader to view the scenes as they unfold. It’s like being a part of the story while watching from the side lines. Very cleverly written.

I see that Trin is working on another book due out later on this year, it can’t be published soon enough for me. This is another definite re-read.

Trin is, in my opinion, going to become a big name in lesbian fiction. Her writing and story telling are superb. Each year I seem to discover a new jewel in the crown of lesbian fiction, this year it’s Trin.

Tighter, Tighter by Lynn Kear

After eighteen year old Kath Branch was dumped by the love of her life for the man who had made her pregnant, she decides she will have to leave her hometown of St. James, Illinois. Kath sets out to run away to San Francisco in 1975, she only makes it as far as Los Angeles though.

On the same night Kath ran away, Billy Carlson, owner of a local sandwich shop is gunned down in cold blood, his body is dumped in the St. James River. Can this be a coincidence this happened on the night Kath left town?

Thirty five years later, Lawyer Meredith Carlson decides to re-open the cold case regarding Billy’s murder. She has a personal interest in the case, Billy was her husband Bill’s father. Meredith thinks she’s solved Billy’s murder. She is convinced Kath is the murderer and sets out to entice her back home to answer for her crime.

Kath Branch is a legend, she’s made it big as a rock star. Will Meredith be able to lure her back? Thirty five years is a long time to be gone. Will Kath want to return to a town where she suffered such heartbreak? If she does come back, will she meet up with the woman who broke her heart?

Meredith can’t know that her actions are going to have far reaching consequences on her life and the lives of her family. When the secrets and lies are exposed, will life ever be the same for any of them ever again?

This is a very well written book mainly centering on the life of Kath Branch and her friends both past and present. The books hops backwards and forwards from 1975 to the present day. It’s great to see the contrast between the years. Sometimes it’s all too easy to forget that attitudes even in the 1970’s, were far different to those of today.

I found the book to be interesting and exciting. The characters all interacted with each other well. There was a lot crammed into the book. Not only about Kath, but her friends as well. Although Kath is a lesbian and this is basically her story, this book could well go into mainstream publishing as it isn’t all about lesbians, there is a good murder mystery at it’s heart. I liked the way the actual story was told, going to and from past to present.

It’s a story of a long lost love, an unsolved murder and what happens when people meet after thirty five years. How times and feelings have changed, or not as the case may be. It’s also the story of the consequences of misguided actions and what the outcome of these actions will be. I got the impression that sometimes things are far better left alone than dredged up. But in order to have an excellent book like this one, you need someone to meddle. The ending was a total surprise too. Not at all how I thought it was going to end.

Circus by JM Dragon

Rita Collins had all but given up any chances of making a life for herself. After the death of her parents, she put all her energy in to helping her younger sister, Angel, to bring up her seven year old son, Charlie. Rita is an accountant and when the local mill closed down, she found herself out of a job. There isn’t many job opportunities around, so when she sees a flyer advertising for an accountant, she quickly arranges an interview. Rita had no idea that the job is with Garmancelli’s circus, or that if she takes it, she will have to travel around. She returns home despondent, resigning herself to not accepting the job if it’s offered. She can’t abandon Angel and Charlie.

However, Angel has life changing news for Rita, she’s going to marry Charlie’s father. Free of her obligations, Rita accepts the job and joins the circus.

Neve Garmancelli, circus owner, has spent the twenty years since her father’s death working year round, all hours just to keep the circus afloat. She gave up her own career as a top notch trapeze artist to do this. She leads a very lonely existence. After her uncle died, she found herself unable to manage the circus accounts and gave her brother, Lorenzo, the task of finding an accountant.

When Rita and Neve meet, there is no love lost between them. But as time passes, the two women form a tentative friendship. When Rita begins to delve into the accounts, she finds evidence of fraud and family betrayal. She has to impart this knowledge to Neve, knowing that it will cause her heart break and distress.

Will Neve trust Rita enough to accept her findings? What will happen to the circus now? Adding into this is the turmoil Rita is feeling regarding her growing attraction towards Neve. Rita knows that Neve is a lesbian, but she has never felt attracted to a woman before. What is happening to her? Neve herself is struggling with her own feelings towards the straight, untouchable Rita. What if anything, will happen between Rita and Neve?

As with all books I’ve read by J.M Dragon, I was into the story from the first page. The storyline in this book certainly had me hooked, I found it very hard to put the book down and was very sorry to come to the end of the book.

The writing as always is excellent. The interaction between Rita and Neve made me want to read much more about them. The setting for the story is brilliant. All the fun of behind the scenes of the circus and much more. Plus the added bonus of the supporting cast of characters. All very believable and enjoyable. I would love to read more of Rita and Neve’s lives. A sequel would be great. I eagerly look forward to more books from J.M Dragon.

Remnant by Kate Genet

Cass is enjoying a vacation at the family home of her boyfriend, Hemi. One morning she wakes up alone. No Hemi, no anyone else either. This is the day Cass’s world changes forever.

As Cass realizes nothing feels right, she becomes aware that the only other living creatures around are birds and a horse that she names Ezzy. Cass is in total shock.

Eventually Cass becomes restless and her thinking is, if she survived, maybe someone else did too. So, she sets out with Ezzy in a search for other survivors.

Pania, another young woman, is camping out in Auckland. She is also a lone survivor. One day a horse turns up, saddled, so Pania goes in search of it’s owner. She finds Cass, who has injured herself. The two women are so pleased they now have each other. They bond right away. Maybe there is even a chance of love again.

But, there is something out there, it is watching them from the trees. Will this thing, whatever it is, leave them to enjoy life together?

This book captured my interest right from the first page. It’s well written and a page turner. If you like futuristic sci fi, you will love this. It is different from any other book in the genre that I’ve ever read.

The story centers on Cass and is told from her point of view throughout. I loved the conversations between Cass and Ezzy the horse. It’s almost like Ezzy is human in her responses.

I think Kate Genet is very clever in the way she wrote this book, each and every word is essential to progressing the story forward. It is written in such a way that she makes her reader feel as though they are living the story alongside of the characters.

The story is fast paced, even though the first part is solely about Cass and her survival, followed by her search for others. I was kept in a constant state of anxiety to know what would happen next. The dark, brooding atmosphere and sense of foreboding really keeps the pulses racing.

This is a story about the end of mankind as we know it. It’s also a story of survival and new beginnings. The book ended far too soon for me. I would like to have read more about Cass and Pania’s lives after a life changing event occurred. But the book jumped forward eight years. Having said that, the story does actually conclude nicely.

This is the first book I’ve read by Kate Genet, now I’m hooked and have to buy more.

Worth Dying For by Trin Denise

FBI Special Agent Rheyna Sorento gets the assignment of her dreams. The big one she’s always wanted. Rheyna is to go undercover to try to infiltrate the Castrucci family. Big Tony Castrucci is rumored to be next in line to become the next mob under boss.

The assignment is one of the most dangerous to be undertaken by the FBI. Three government agents so far have been killed, all connected to the Massino crime family.

Rheyna uses the friendship of Caroline, big Tony’s daughter to get close to the family.

Several months pass, more deaths and many more hours spent on surveillance and still the FBI are no nearer to making any arrests. Just when they think they have solved the government leaks, so they realize they have the wrong person. The government informer is still out there leaking information. Will Rheyna’s cover be blown?

Rheyna is fighting an attraction to Caroline. Apart from putting the whole team and operation in jeopardy, Caroline is straight, isn’t she? It’s not long before Rheyna realizes she is hopelessly in love with Caroline. Could it be from the little flirtations from Caroline, that she feels the same? Even so, Rheyna can’t act on her feelings, can she?

Things come to a head when the government informant gives Rheyna up to big Tony. This sets off a chain of events, destruction and devastation that shocks even hardened FBI agents and mobsters alike. At the end of all these events, we find out the true hero.

Rheyna’s answer to the question, ‘is this worth dying for’? Costs her more than she ever thought possible and in doing so, changes her life for ever.

This is the first book I’ve read by Trin Denise. It most certainly will not be my last. Right from the very first page through to the last page, this book had me on the edge of my seat. It’s one of the books where I wanted to rush, I had to find out what was going to happen next, but also, I didn’t want to miss a single thing. So, I forced myself to read slowly and savor each and every word.

The story is gripping, well written and there are so many twists and turns, ups and downs, I didn’t know if I was on a rollercoaster or a carousel or both. The book is simply amazing.

The characters are well formed and interact wonderfully with each other throughout. The story seamlessly flows along and the tension and suspense are almost deliciously unbearable.

I loved the easy rapport between Rheyna and her friends. The developing romantic feelings between Rheyna and Caroline were well paced and although they play a cat and mouse game, it all adds to the excitement and enjoyment of what is a suspenseful and thrilling story.

I won’t say any more about the story as I don’t want to include any spoilers. But I will say, I didn’t see the the twist at the end coming at all. Very cleverly done.

If you like thrilling, suspenseful lesbian romance, look no further. Give Worth Dying For a try, you won’t regret it. This is on my to be read again shelf.

Defying Gravity by Barrett

Special Agent Zeke Cabot is back. She has been spending time in new Mexico trying desperately to rid herself of the awful effects of PTSD. If Zeke can’t get over the trauma she’s suffered, it could well mean the end of her career and the end of her relationship with the beautiful and alluring Anne Reynolds.

Anne Reynolds is excited about her new relationship with Zeke. Zeke is the first woman Anne has ever been with. But Anne has some doubts of her own about their relationship.

Zeke has to return to Chicago in order to close the case she’s been working on. She can’t get Anne out of her mind and misses her badly.

Will Zeke be able to fight her demons in order to save herself, her job and her relationship? In fact, are either Zeke or Anne ready to trust again in order to pursue their fledgling relationship?

Zeke has limited time left of her sick leave to sort through what she is able and ready to do. Will she be ready to move on?

Will Anne be able to cope with Zeke’s flashbacks and trauma? Can Anne let go of the fact that she is a medical professional and just be there to support Zeke as her lover?

This book was much awaited after the cliff-hanger in book one of the Damaged Series.

Barrett has done an excellent job of writing about the effects of PTSD and the consequences for not only the sufferer, but their loved ones and friends. I’ve seen first hand the aftermath of an event triggering PTSD and in my opinion, Barrett has accurately portrayed it.

The romance between Zeke and Anne was well written and paced out nicely. Not too fast or too slow. They are suited to one another.

I loved the scenic descriptions, it’s made me want to visit New Mexico. A great enhancement to the book.

However, the actual story involving the perpetrators from book one barely progressed at all. Let alone becoming any where near to being resolved. I realize we have more books to come in the series, so maybe I’m just being impatient.

I’ll wait impatiently now for book three.

Molly: House On Fire by RE Bradshaw

Top notch, hot shot, lawyer, Molly Kincaid, is enjoying her comfortable privileged life until she receives a string of calls and emails. All stemming from her childhood home county. Unknown to Molly, these calls and emails are about to change her well ordered life forever.

Molly is going back to her roots. Back to a life she had long left behind in Dobbs county. A life she thought she would never have to re-visit again.

Unfortunately, Molly has no choice. She has to go back and face her past. She has to learn the truth about the life she had left behind so many years ago. A past life that is about to have a huge impact on Molly’s future. A past that could very well end the career Molly lives for.

Who and what in Molly’s past is coming back to haunt her? What can be so important that it could devastate Molly’s life? Who is about to enter Molly’s life and change it forever? Will Molly find the love she has always denied she wants?

This book about the story of Molly has been a long awaited dream for diehard fans of RE Bradshaw. It does not disappoint. The story is a blockbuster. A book with so much crammed into it, it will leave you breathless and still wanting even more.

Just for starters, we learn the story behind the successful lawyer, Molly Kincaid. How she grew up, what her family was like. All the things that makes Molly what she is today. Her story is harrowing. Hearing how young Molly grew up, enables us to understand how she became the woman we know today.

Knowing what makes Molly tick, makes her even more loveable than I’d already thought she was.

Not only do we hear all about Molly growing up, we are also plunged head first into mystery, murder, crime, corruption, deep dark secrets from the past all interwoven seamless into the story this wonderful book has to offer.

The book is extremely well written, in the typical RE Bradshaw style. We get to see Molly’s dearest friends from other books, including one of my favorites, Rainey Bell and her new family and the lovable Randy. The book is fast paced and a page turner right from the first page through to the last page. But, if you are like me, you won’t want to finish it too quickly, you will want to savor the whole story. Then go back and read it all over again.

With all the goings on in this book, you will also find the subtle touch of humor throughout that I’ve come to adore when reading one of RE Bradshaw’s books. No matter how serious the story is, there is always a little light relief interspersed among the dark deeds.

Last but not least, there is the romance. I always enjoy a touch of romance and I was more than happy with the balance of romance to the rest of the story.

Once again RE Bradshaw has written a winner. This book is perfect. It would make an excellent film.