READY TO DIE: Lisa Jackson

READY TO DIE

A Selena Alvarez/Regan Pescoli Novel, Book 5

Lisa Jackson

Zebra Fiction (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-4201-1851-3

August 2013

Fiction

The latest novel by Lisa Jackson pits Alvarez and Pescoli against a cold-blooded killer and among his victims is Sheriff Dan Grayson.  It is the holidays and just when everything begins to settle down after the last case, the next gruesome murders are taking place springing Alvarez and Pescoli into action, this time much too close to home.  Sheriff Grayson preparing to meet with Regan Pescoli, at his cabin, is downed by a single shot.  Seeing Dan fall, Regan calls in for help and begins a visual canvass of the area surrounding the scene and hunt is on for the perpetrator.  In the midst of identifying several suspects, another gruesome murder is discovered which shifts the case in an entirely different direction. 

READY TO DIE is another hit for Lisa Jackson with several twists that will compel you to keep reading way past bedtime.  With the stressors of trying to find the shooter(s) Serena and Regan are individually dealing with personal issues coupled with Christmas makes solving this case even more stressful.  Dan’s brothers and sister-in-law are all at their wits end and the past inevitably becomes the present and old wounds resurface.  Power plays are being made to take the sheriff’s position should he not survive and the undersheriff is front and center.  I could not put this book down, a must read for fans of romantic suspense, mysteries and of Lisa Jackson!  Cannot wait until the next one…

Reviewed by Monica Solomon

Rating: 4

Amanda Scott's Latest Medieval Scotland Romance!

THE KNIGHT'S TEMPTRESS

Lairds of the Loch #2

Amanda Scott

Grand Central Publishing

ISBN 978-1-455-51434-2

August 2013

Historical Romance

When Lady Lachina MacFarlan and her companion Lady Elizabeth Galbraith are kidnapped by the rebels who have seized Dumbarton fortress, Sir Ian Colquhoun rescues them and escorts them home. Sir Ian has been commanded by the King to recapture Dumbarton as soon as possilbe. When Lady Lachina's vile captor tries to blackmail her father for her hand in marriage and is refused, he threatens to ruin her reputation with lies that he and his men violated her while she was in his captivity. Sir Ian comes to the rescue again and nobly offers to marry the lovely Lina immediately to save her from such villainous perfidy. Marriage was not on Sir Ian's list of things to accomplish, but with Lina as his lady wife, he finds love with his stubborn, 

beautiful lady wife...but when Sir Ian meets up with his nemesis, will he survive to love again and to serve his King?

THE KNIGHT'S TEMPTRESS is an exciting amd well-written entry in the Lairds of the Loch series set in the early fifteenth century. If you love medieval Scotland, the land of lochs and mists and clans and kilts and its seesaw of domestic and foreign politics, then you will love this book. Ms. Scott brings it all vividly to life in this marriage of convenience story with two well-matched and passionate protagonists as hero and heroine. With excellent primary and secondary characters, adventure and suspense, sensuality, and a bit of the paranormal, THE KNIGHT'S TEMPTRESS is sure to please historical romance fans. It stands alone, but readers will will not want to miss the first book in the series, THE LAIRD'S CHOICE.

Reviewed by Debora Hosey

4

FINDING COLIN FIRTH

Mia March
Gallery Books
ISBN:  978-1476-710204
July 2013
Chick Lit

"Who the hell am I?" is Bea's Crane's question. A year after her mother's death, she receives a letter informing her that she was adopted. She decides to go to Boothbay Harbor, Maine where her biological mother lives.

Bea is befriended by Gemma Hendricks, a journalist who is writing a story about the 50th anniversary of Hope House, a home for unwed mothers. Hope House is where Bea was born. Bea anonymously sees her mother (Veronica Russo) at the diner where she works as a waitress.

The author ingeniously integrates Bea, Veronica and Gemma into a storyline that is irresistible.
However, readers may not be sympathetic to Gemma's character; the author depicts her as a callous, career-driven woman who is on the fast track to success.

Where does Colin Firth fit it? If this is the reason you buy this book, you will be disappointed. Colin Firth is filming a movie in Boothbay and actually has little presence in the book.

Reviewed by
Charlene McConnell

Rating: 4

CITY OF HOPE
Kate Kerrigan
William Morrow
ISBN:  978-0-06-223728-6
June 25, 2013
Women's Fiction

Ellie and John Hogan's marriage hasn't always been perfect. Unable to have children, Ellie focuses her attention on managing the family's businesses, which disappoints John. He loves their farm and wishes they could spend more time together. When John unexpectedly dies, Ellie finds herself truly alone. Instead of facing her grief, she decides to go to New York City in an attempt to recapture the magic she found there years ago.

Unfortunately, New York City has changed. It is in the midst of the Great Depression. Ellie looks up some of her old friends and finally realizes that their living situations are critical. She decides to help her friends in need, which, turns out to become a much bigger project that she ever expected.

Ms. Kerrigan is able to create an inspiring storyline despite the time period of the Great Depression; she entices the reader with unanticipated surprises which makes this novel exceptional! 

Reviewed by
Charlene McConnell

Rating: 4

THE HIGHLANDER'S DESIRE
Margo Maguire
Avon Publishing
ISBN# 978-0-06-212290-2
August 2013
Historical Romance

After losing his heart when his love Fiona married another, Lachlann MacMillan vowed never to love again. So a political marriage was just the way to ensure MacMillan lands and his heart would be secure and he agrees to marry Catriona MacDuffie in Kilgorra. However, upon arriving it is the beautiful maid Anna MacIver who captures his attention. It soon becomes quite clear that Catriona is a spoiled, selfish and devious woman and hates her step-sister Anna. However, it soon becomes clear to Lachlann that it is Anna who is the real catch, as they work together to help the people of Kilgorra. With another suitor after Catriona's hand, Cullen Macauley, who just happened to marry Fiona years ago, Lachlann find himself in a dire predicament. Against his own wishes, his heart is lost to Anna, but he needs this alliance.

Anna was left with the MacDuffie's when her mother died, leaving her with her step-father and step-sister. Since then, she has known little more than being a servant to Catriona, and vows to get off the island of Kilgorra. When the handsome warrior Lachlann arrives, their attraction is immediate. She knows she can never have him, but if he is Laird, he might just see that she can leave. But will she be able to leave him behind now that her heart is with him?

THE HIGHLANDER'S DESIRE is an exciting adventure of forbidden love, arch enemies and political schemes. Lachlann and Anna are great characters that are well-written and give the reader a sense of longing. Catriona and Cullen are the evil-doers in this political game of strategy. It's clear that Lachlann and Cullen have a great barrier between them, namely the shadowy figure of Fiona. We never really know what happened to her, but it's clear she died, leaving Lachlann another reason to hate Cullen. Anna is a strong, courageous woman, a perfect fit for Lachlann and he knows it. How he manages to save Kilgorra without sacrificing his heart is a story you'll just have to read!

Reviewed by: Jennifer Jones
Rating: 4