Mini Review: Twisted by Laura Griffin

Twisted (Tracers #5)
Author: Laura Griffin
Release Date: April 17, 2012
Publisher: Pocket Star Books
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin chills with her newest novel of suspense and romance in the award-winning Tracers series, when a woman police detective in a small Texas town discovers that the only thing more terrifying than a killer you don’t know . . . is the one you do.

Motive, opportunity, and no alibi—it seems close to a slam-dunk. But while rookie detective Allison Doyle’s department has ID’d a suspect in a young woman’s vicious murder, she is uneasy. Then legendary FBI profiler Mark Wolfe shows up with a startling theory: if he’s right, the real murderer is an elusive psychopath just days away from another kill.

Using Allison’s contacts at the Delphi Center crime lab, Wolfe is finally in striking distance of the monster he’s pursued for ten years. Except that as they work together, Wolfe finds the ambitious, stubborn woman a tempting distraction. And with this brutal predator, every thread of evidence can make the difference between being the hunter . . . and the prey.

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

Laura Griffin has me hooked on her books. Every time I pick up one of her stories, I can and have to sit down for a few hours and finish it in one sitting. She hooks me with her story telling and her characters and I am unable to let go of the story until I'm done with it. The same thing happened with Twisted and it's characters.

Twisted follows rookie detective Allison Doyle and FBI veteran Mark Wolfe. Their differences are striking so sometimes they would both stubborn and it was interesting in reading then trying to find common ground. Like all the previous books in the Tracers series, Twisted's serial killer is horrific and scary and the case scares me to the bone. Also, the romance is slow burn just like the rest in the series.

Laura Griffin has a set formula that I love so I just gobbled up Twisted. Can't wait to read the next book.

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Review: Hard Hitter by Sarina Bowen

Hard Hitter (Brooklyn Bruisers #2)
Author: Sarina Bowen
Release Date: January 3, 2017
Publisher: Berkley
Format: eARC / Mass Market Paperback
Source: NetGalley / Berkley
Review by: Jenn

He’s a fighter in the rink, but he’s about to learn that playing nice can help you score...

As team captain and enforcer, Patrick O'Doul puts the bruise in the Brooklyn Bruisers. But after years of hard hits, O'Doul is feeling the burn, both physically and mentally. He conceals his pain from his coach and trainers, but when his chronic hip injury becomes too obvious to ignore, they send him for sessions with the team’s massage therapist.

After breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, Ari Bettini is in need of peace of mind. For now, she’s decided to focus on her work: rehabilitating the Bruisers’ MVP. O'Doul is easy on the eyes, but his reaction to her touch is ice cold. Ari is determined to help O'Doul heal, but as the tension between them turns red hot, they both learn that a little TLC does the body good...

4 stars out 5 stars

*I received an early copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

I loved being back in the hockey world of the Brooklyn Bruisers. Sarina Bowen created a group of characters that I want to learn more about and hang out with at the same time. In this book, we got the prickly, and kind of anti-social captain of the Brooklyn Bruisers, Patrick O'Doul, whom we met back in Rookie Move and the team's massage therapist and yoga instructor, Ari Bettini.

I loved seeing these two come together and slowly learned about the other. I loved seeing how they got under each other skin as they realized how good they were together, even though Ari was trying to lie to herself about it. Ari and Patrick are two completely different people but they compliment each other so well and I'm glad that Ari was able to see that Patrick is the right guy for her.

I'm super excited about the next book in the series, Pipe Dreams, Lauren has scared me several times now so I'm curious to learn her story. I am sad though because I really wanted Becca' and Nate's story.

Waiting on Wednesday (#160)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning swooners!

This week pre-publication "can't wait to read" selection is:

Accidentally on Purpose (Heartbreaker Bay #3)
By: Jill Shalvis

Expected Release Date: January 24, 2017

Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

(Source)

Synopsis:

There’s no such thing as a little in love…

Elle Wheaten’s priorities: friends, career, and kick-ass shoes. Then there’s the muscular wall of stubbornness that’s security expert Archer Hunt—who comes before everything else. No point in telling Mr. “Feels-Free Zone” that, though. Elle will just see other men until she gets over Archer . . . which should only take a lifetime . . .

There’s no such thing as a little in lust…

Archer’s wanted the best for Elle ever since he sacrificed his law-enforcement career to save her. But now that she’s earned happiness and success, Archer just wants Elle 24/7. Their chemistry could start the next San Francisco Earthquake, and Archer doesn’t want to be responsible for the damage. The alternative? Watch her go out with guys who aren’t him . . .

There is such a thing as…

As far as Archer’s concerned, nobody is good enough for Elle. But when he sets out to prove it by sabotaging her dates, she gets mad—and things get hot as hell. Now Archer has a new mission: prove to Elle that her perfect man has been here all along…

I am super excited about this book. I read the first two book in the series and I'm hooked on these characters. I am especially excited that we are (FINALLY) getting Elle and Archer's story. Their chemistry has been brewing for a while now and I'm so curious to see how it's going to play out.

What are you "Waiting on?"

Review: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2)
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Format: Hardcover
Source: Personal Signed Copy
Review by: Jenn

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

4 stars out of 5 stars

I loved going back into this world and learning what happened after the showdown at the end of Shadow and Bone. I was curious to see how Alina and Mal were faring and even my beloved Darkling.

• Leigh Bardugo and her world building, it's so captivating. I can easily picture the world of Ravka as she describes. 
• Alina and Mal. I was curious to see what Alina and Mal had gotten up to up since Shadow and Bone. With this book, I still wasn’t a huge fan of Mal. There were certain parts where I liked how he spoke up what he and Alina were thinking and avoiding to talk about. It made him the honest and good person he is supposed to be. But how he then acted towards Alina, as if it's her fault that she was the Sun Summoner and he was just a soldier, continue to turn me off of him. That’s not to say I liked how Alina reacted to his decision. 
• The new characters mentioned, the privateer and a certain prince, were some of my favorite part of the book. I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure we could trust them but I slowly turn to their side.
• The Darkling! For a second, I was worried for his fate and hoped he would be okay. Of course, reading that he got even more powerful sort of made me feel bad for Alina. I’m sad that I didn’t get more time with him, to be honest. All the time he is mentioned and who appears, I was salivating and eagerly reading. I am hooked on his story and I wanted more time with him. That showdown he had with Alina, I NEED to know what really happened and what happens next.

I think this reviews kind of shows you how much I really care about The Darkling and his story. While I like our protagonist, Alina, the way that Leigh Bardugo wrote this trilogy, I am more curious about what The Darkling will do and what he is thinking than what happens with Mal. And even at times with Alina. I don’t know if that was what Leigh was trying to accomplish, but I can’t help it. Time for Ruin and Rising.

Mini Review: Unstoppable by Laura Griffin

Unstoppable (Tracers #2.5)
Author: Laura Griffin
Release Date: March 27, 2012
Publisher: Pocket Books
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

Forensic anthropologist Kelsey Quinn goes to a remote Texas border region to dig up ancient bones, but ends up unearthing a deadly secret. When Kelsey’s discovery jeopardizes not just her dig, but her life, she turns to US Navy SEAL Gage Brewer, who may be the only person brave enough—and lethal enough—to help.

3 stars out of 5 stars

Unstoppable was a quick novella where I met forensic anthropologist Kelsey Quinn. We’ve heard of her in the previous Tracers series book and so it was nice getting to know her in her own book. Unstoppable is a short novella, only 80 pages, but it filled with suspense, danger, and a hot Navy Seal. We meet Navy Seal Gage Brewer and boy oh boy is he an interesting one.

Gage and Kelsey are thrown together in a situation that puts them both in danger and it was so interesting seeing how they both leaned on each other. I'm curious to see if they continue the story line that was started in this book and if Laura Griffin will bring it into the Tracers' plot. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing these two again and really get to know them. A good and quick novella!

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Second Chance Read: Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy #6)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: December 7, 2010
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Format: Audiobook
Source: Overdrive/Library
Review by: Jenn

Read by Emily Shaffer

Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate betrayal. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa first in line for the Royal Crown, nothing will ever be the same between them.

4 stars out of 5 stars

Reading Last Sacrifice in audiobook version reminded me how much I love this series. The narrator captivated me with the way she told Richelle's story and made it come alive in a different medium. Her Russian accent to portray Dimitri Belikov (my love!) was a little funny at times but certainly made the story all the more authentic. I certainly want to go back and listen to all the books but unfortunately, my library doesn't have the audiobooks on their collections.

If you haven't picked up this series, I really implore you to do so. It's so good! And if the rest of the audiobooks are as good as this one, you won't regret it.

Review: Unspeakable by Laura Griffin

Unspeakable (Tracers #2)
Author: Laura Griffin
Release Date: June 29, 2010
Publisher: Pocket Books
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

ELAINA MCCORD WANTS TO FIND A KILLER.

BUT HE’S ALREADY FOUND HER.

Elaina McCord’s dream of being an FBI profiler is in danger with her first case—investigating a string of murders near a Texas beach resort. The victims, all young women, were drugged and brutally murdered, their bodies abandoned in desolate marshland. Elaina’s hunch—met with disbelief by local police—is that these are only the latest offerings from a serial killer who has been perfecting his art for years, growing bolder and more cunning with each strike.

True-crime writer Troy Stockton has a reputation as an irresistible playboy who gets his story at any cost. He’s the last person Elaina should trust, let alone be attracted to. But right now Troy, along with the elite team of forensics experts known as the Tracers, are her only allies in a case that’s turning dangerously personal. A killer is reaching out to Elaina, taunting her, letting her know how ruthless he is and how close he’s getting. Now it’s not just her career that’s in danger—it’s her life…

3.5 stars out of 5 stars

Unspeakable follows Elaina, an FBI rookie agent, being sent to a small beach town in Texas to provide help in a case where she is not wanted but definitely needed. Troy, a true-crime writer, has some clout with the police department decides to help her but for personal reasons we later learn. The story follows at a steady pace which had me nervously wondering who the killer was throughout the whole book. The romance of the story wasn't exactly what I cared for but that's because I didn't see the appeal of Troy. However, I'm noticing that in Laura Griffin's books, the romance is not the only appeal of the books so I can overlook it and it'll be fine.

My only complaint was how Elaina finally get a shot at her dream job and she turns it down to be closer to Troy. She said she wanted to gain more experience but she can do that while working at her dream job. Troy is a true-crime writer, he can write from anywhere so he could have told her he would follow her instead.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book, a novella called Unstoppable. I am loving all the romantic suspense and you should definitely check out this series.

Review: The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

The Trouble with Mistletoe (Heartbreaker Bay #2)
Author: Jill Shalvis
Release Date: September 27, 2016
Publisher: Avon Books
Format: eARC
Source: Sullivan and Partners, LLC
Review by: Jenn

If she has her way…

Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even remember her… …He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.

Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen the drop-dead gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him…

Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice…

Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school: he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but he doesn’t even remember her. How can she trust him not to break her heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish–and let the mistletoe do its work…

4 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an eARC of this title from the publicist, however, my review is not influenced in any way by it.*

Jill has got me hooked with her newest book, The Trouble with Mistletoe. I fell for Willa within the first few pages with her sense of humor and the way she is with the animals and with her employee, Rory. Within the first few pages, I saw how good of a boss she is. When we meet Keane, he's carrying a bedazzled pink carrier and I was a goner. It was hilarious that his big, strong, alpha male was being dominated by a cat and needed help. These are the things that make Jill one of the best contemporary romance author. She takes these hot men and makes them even hotter by putting a cute and vulnerable cat/dog/baby in their hands. With Keane, he comes into Willa's shop for help with his aunt's cat and he is unaware that he shares history with Willa and that hurts her even more. However, their sexual attraction to each other cannot be ignored and neither can the fact that they certainly have their banter down pat. And since Willa has some very nosy friends, they won't let her ignore it either.

I loved seeing these two grow closer and closer and how they started making an impact on each other. Willa is hilarious and always keeps Keane on his toes. And I love how easy Keane just goes along with Willa's friends and their shenanigans. Also, their sexual chemistry is off the charts so when they finally got together, I was more than ready for it. And it was HOT!

I thought Willa and Keane's friendship/relationship was realistically done up to a point. Right from the beginning, we know Willa has sworn off men because she's been burned before and when she goes into a relationship she goes all in. With Keane, we know he has a hard time expressing himself because his family has never been one to show emotions. So I didn't understand why Willa kept saying he wasn't up to commitment and that she was. Her big epiphany of realizing that it was the other way around was a bit "are you being serious?" moment for me.

Also, Willa's friend were a bit too nosy. When they interrupted Keane and Willa during a big conversation just because they weren't aware of the topic was a little annoying. I know they mean well but at that point, it was like seriously, mind your business. You'll get all the deets later.

All in all, I really enjoyed The Trouble with Mistletoe. Jill has me waiting on Elle and Archer's book and wanting to go back and read Pru and Finn's story.