January | 2017 | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

FLIRTING WITH FIRE by Kate Meader

January 19, 2017

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Hot in Chicago #1

I read the second book in this series over a year ago, and finally got my hands on the first one.

If you haven’t read Kate Meader, and you like contemporary romance with enough hot sex to border on erotica but not quite cross the line, Meader is your girl. She certainly is mine, I really enjoy her series. She also writes the “Hot in the Kitchen” series which is also fun.

Flirting with Fire introduces the “Firefightin’ Dempseys, a family of foster siblings who have committed their lives to the service.” All Fired Up was about Alex Dempsey, the girl firefighter in the family. This first one is about Luke Almeida.

Luke has a bit of a temper and lands himself in some trouble. The Mayor sends one of his publicists to fix it, Kinsey Taylor, who is having trouble getting Luke to do her bidding. That’s your meet-cute, and it’s all hot and fiery from there. A really fun, really hot read. I loved it.

1/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

FLIRTING WITH FIRE by Kate Meader. Pocket Books (March 24, 2015). ISBN 978-1476785905. 400p.

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HER EVERY FEAR by Peter Swanson

January 18, 2017

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When Kate Priddy agrees to a house swap with her cousin in Boston, no one is more surprised than Kate. Well, her parents maybe. To say Kate is not adventurous is an understatement, but after barely surviving being kidnapped by her psychotic ex just a few years ago, it’s no surprise that Kate’s careful. And yet, the simple expectation that she’ll say no to the request when her cousin reaches out to her is enough to move Kate to say yes.

Upon her arrival, though, Kate learns that the girl in the apartment next door has gone missing. Kate immediately jumps to murder as the logical conclusion: unfortunately she’s right. While the girl’s death certainly has nothing to do with Kate, she can’t help but be curious. As more about the girl comes to light, including a possible affair with Kate’s own cousin, the Brit becomes more entangled in the mystery, catching the attention of a very dangerous man. But will Kate unravel the clues in time to save herself?

Swanson’s latest features a character who is, as mentioned, understandably cautious and careful. And paranoid. But she’s overly aware of these things to the point that they almost become a detriment to her very safety.

Any normal girl would be concerned if someone one door away was murdered. Kate seems to have a knee-jerk reaction that results in the opposite. As with her decision to spend six months far away from home, on another continent, Kate’s assumption that the murder has nothing to do with her and therefore couldn’t possibly mean any danger to her seems to be an attempt to reclaim a sense of control and normalcy in her life.

And it’s something of an admirable quality in her as a heroine. Rather than becoming a shut in who books the first plane home, she snoops. She snoops around her cousin’s apartment. She snoops into the dead girl’s life. She snoops around the apartment building too.

And maybe snooping isn’t best decision.

Not that it makes any difference. Swanson offers up multiple perspectives throughout the novel, making it quite clear that Kate’s mere presence in the apartment means catching the eye of the killer. It makes the reader wonder if even her return to London would have kept her out of trouble.

Her Every Fear is deliciously paced twisted fun!

1/17 Becky LeJeune

HER EVERY FEAR by Peter Swanson. William Morrow (January 10, 2017). ISBN 978-0062427021. 352p.

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GLAXO by Herman Ronsino

January 17, 2017

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Samuel Rutter (Translator)

Glaxo is the first novel by Ronsino to be translated into English and published in the United States. It is a short novel; actually more of a short story. The summary presented indicates that it is a chilling tale of murder, betrayal and romance.

It does bring these incidents into play, but without any development of the four boys, than men, that interact in the book. I finished it in a very short time continuing to look for the excitement promised. Never happened.

What did interest me was some description of the Pampas in Argentina during a fairly recent time. The characters are all interested in a movie shown in the local theater starring John Wayne. I guess that represents a situation that influences them, and the town they live in and the movie house showing the film is depicted as deteriorating over the several years involved in the action.

Ronsino’s credentials indicates that he is a sought after Latin American author. I would like to read a longer book that he has published and had translated into English. That would undoubtedly be a more rewarding way to develop an opinion about him as an author.

1/17 Paul Lane

GLAXO by Herman Ronsino. Melville House (January 17, 2017). ISBN: 978-1612195674. 112p.

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ALL FIRED UP by Kate Meader

January 16, 2017

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Hot in the Kitchen, Book 2

Cara was in the first book but it was all about her sister. Her sister is here but this is Cara’s story. And Shane’s.

Shane is a hot Irish pastry chef who’s been stalking Jack for a job, which he finally lands. Cara is Jack’s event planner, after he walked out on the TV show she was producing, costing her a job too.

Shane and Cara meet up in Vegas during her sister’s bachelorette party and end up talking all night – and getting married. Neither wants to tell anyone about their big mistake and they both are keeping all kinds of secrets from one another and the family. But their attraction for one another is undeniable, and goes way deeper than just the physical. There is a lot going on here, and slowly they learn about each other and their feelings grow.

A romance set in the restaurant world is a definite plus for me. Another hot read from one of my favorite contemporary romance writers.

1/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

ALL FIRED UP by Kate Meader. Forever; Reissue edition (September 30, 2014). ISBN 978-1455599615. 416p.

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ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT by Stacey Ballis

January 15, 2017

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Stacey Ballis has turned into one of my favorite authors, and luckily there are several more books I haven’t read yet.

Lily Allen is a Chicago interior designer who lands her dream job on a fictitious (for now?!) Bravo reality show called “Swap/Meet.” The premise of the show is that a man and a woman get two rooms of their homes made over, then they each get a makeover themselves, culminating in a party with all their friends in hopes of finding dates. A sort of mishmash of way too many reality shows.

Lily has relationship issues but luckily her two best friends are always available to point out all her mistakes. And to push her into more productive relationships. But first she must suffer fling after fling until she finds her happy ending, avoiding backstabbing co-workers, producers from hell, and great sex with not so great guys.

All in all, a fast fun read for this Bravo fan. Hope Andy Cohen is reading too!

1/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT by Stacey Ballis. Berkley (June 6, 2006). ISBN 978-0425209820. 304p.

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TROUBLEMAKER by Linda Howard

January 14, 2017

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I read a Linda Howard book many years ago and didn’t love it, and haven’t picked up another one until now. I’ve never been a fan of romantic suspense but apparently I’m turning into one. First Nora Roberts, and now Linda Howard – this was a really good read.

Morgan Yancy works for a secret government agency and travels the world. Then he gets shot in his own backyard, and almost dies. His boss, Axel, decides he needs a safe place to recover so he sends him to his stepsister’s home in the tiny hamlet of Hamrickville, West Virginia. Isabeau “Bo” Maran is the police chief and lives alone in a house well off the beaten path with her beloved golden retriever, Tricks. Bo wants nothing to do with her idiot stepbrother Axel but when he offers her enough money to get out of debt, she agrees to help out.

Morgan is intrigued with the fiercely independent Bo and her insanely smart dog. Eventually they both drop their defenses and work to help one another. As Morgan heals, he is more and more determined to catch whoever shot him and sets himself up as bait to do so.

I loved watching their relationship develop, especially Morgan and Tricks. There is enough action to keep things moving and enough romance to make it all interesting. I will definitely be reading more Linda Howard.

1/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

TROUBLEMAKER by Linda Howard. Avon; Reprint edition (December 27, 2016). ISBN 978-0062418999. 496p.

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8 Wacky Celeb Diets

January 13, 2017

Author Rebecca Harrington (I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING) undertook a perilous journey in the name of journalism: surviving on wacky celebrity diets, including those of Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow, Marilyn Monroe, Karl Lagerfeld, and more.

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I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING: My Adventures in Celebrity Dieting by Rebecca Harrington

A hilarious look at the eating habits of the fit and famous–from Gwyneth’s goji berry and quail egg concoctions to Jackie Kennedy’s baked potato and Beluga caviar regimen–Rebecca Harrington leaves no cabbage soup unstirred in her wickedly funny, wildly absurd quest to diet like the stars.

Elizabeth Taylor mixed cottage cheese and sour cream; Madonna subsisted on “sea vegetables;” and Marilyn Monroe drank raw eggs whipped with warm milk. Where there is a Hollywood starlet offering nutritional advice, there is a diet Rebecca Harrington is willing to try. Facing a harrowing mix of fainting spells, pimples, and salmonella, Harrington tracks down illegal haggis to imitate Pippa Middleton, paces her apartment until the wee hours drinking ten Diet Cokes à la Karl Lagerfeld, and attempts something forbiddingly known as the “Salt Water Flush” to channel her inner Beyoncé.

Rebecca Harrington risks kitchen fires and mysterious face rashes, all in the name of diet journalism. Taking cues from noted beauty icons like Posh Spice (alkaline!), Dolly Parton (Velveeta!), Sophia Loren (pasta!) and Cameron Diaz (savory oatmeal!), I’ll Have What She’s Having is completely surprising, occasionally unappetizing, and always outrageously funny.

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THE RIVER AT NIGHT by Erica Ferencik

January 12, 2017

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Wini is at a bad place in her life; her marriage has fallen apart and her troubled younger brother has died. Pia is the alpha female, strong and successful, Sandra is in an abusive marriage, and Rachel is an emergency room nurse.

These women have been best friends for years, and take an annual vacation together. This year Pia convinces them to go white water rafting in Maine at an off-the-grid location with a new young guide. Only Pia is physically ready for such a trip, but she convinces her 40-something year old friends to go anyway.

Their guide, Rory, is twenty years younger than they are, and Pia quickly seduces him. After the briefest possible instructions, they take off on the raft and of course disaster strikes. To survive this trip, these women must fight the currents, the elements, and the mother-son duo who are living off the grid and don’t take kindly to visitors.

The action moves as fast as the white water rapids and should appeal to fans of Ruth Ware and Lisa Unger.

1/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE RIVER AT NIGHT by Erica Ferencik. Gallery/Scout Press (January 10, 2017). ISBN 978-1501143199. 304p.

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ONE FOR THE ROGUE by Charis Michaels

January 11, 2017

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Bachelor Lords of London Series, Book 3

I still haven’t found the first book in this series but if I stumble across it, I’ll definitely read it. Like most romances, they really don’t need to be read in order but it is more fun when I can do it that way.

Charis Michaels appears to be a new romance writer and she is definitely on my to-be-read list. In fact, I had stopped reading Avon Impulse books but I’ve changed my mind because of this author.

We briefly met Beau Courtland, Viscount Rainsleigh, in the Virgin and the Viscount. At the end of that book, Beau’s brother Bryson turns the title over to Beau, who has no interest in being a viscount whatsoever. He refuses to move into the mansion, instead lives on a small, dirty boat that he is working on.

Lady Emmaline Crumbley is in dire straights. Her parents married her off to a Duke who was forty-some years older than she was, and then they died. The Duke died shortly thereafter leaving her the Dowager Duchess and dependent on her stepson who is considerably older than she. She is also responsible for taking care of her teenage brother who is “simple”.

Emma is determined to get to America and sell off the books her father had published, it’s her only chance at financial freedom. But the new Duke wants to get his hands on the money in trust for her brother, and keeps them under close watch.

The previous viscount makes an offhand remark that he wished she would teach his brother the ways of proper society, and she offers to do so in exchange for passage to America for her, her brother and the books.

This is not as complicated as it sounds, and it’s a good story. Emma and Beau have a strong attraction and this is their love story – and it’s pretty good. A very enjoyable read.

1/17 Stacy Alesi AKA the BookBitch™

ONE FOR THE ROGUE by Charis Michaels. Avon Impulse (January 10, 2017). ISBN: 978-0062412973. 416p.

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THE DRY by Jane Harper

January 10, 2017

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This is a thriller that is garnering a lot of attention and tons of starred reviews, and I did enjoy reading it. But I did keep putting it down, so don’t know that I’d give it a starred review myself.

It is set in rural Australia, which felt like it could have been rural North Dakota or some other area I’m not all that familiar with. A small farming town. A drought. And a family murdered in their own home, the father an apparent suicide.

The local sheriff is not comfortable with the scenario that the father did it. Something isn’t sitting right with him. So when Federal Agent Aaron Faulk returns to town for his childhood best friend’s funeral, he ends up staying to help with the investigation.

The story meanders off in several directions. Luke, the suicide and assumed murderer, was Aaron’s alibi when a young girl friend of theirs turned up drowned when they were in high school. A page was found with the name Faulk written on it in her room, making Aaron and his father prime suspects. Nothing was ever proven, but Aaron’s father felt it best to leave town. So that’s one unsolved murder. The family is another.

There are a lot of red herrings and suspicious characters, and the ending was quite suspenseful and a bit of a surprise, all the hallmarks of a good thriller. This is a debut so expect more from this talented author.

1/17 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE DRY by Jane Harper. Flatiron Books (January 10, 2017). ISBN 978-1250105608. 336p.

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