THE FAMILY GATHERING by Robyn Carr

May 18, 2018

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Sullivan’s Crossing, Book 3

As per my usual, I stumbled across this book, loved the cover (isn’t it pretty?) and started reading. Yes, I occasionally do judge a book by its cover. Unfortunately, this is the third book in a romance series that is probably best read in order. I was a bit lost, but I liked it enough to go find the first two books, What We Find (2016) and Any Day Now (2017) and read those. Then it all came together for me and I am happy to report that this is a terrific series.

Dakota Jones has just gotten out of the army and isn’t really sure what he wants to do with his life. Like most soldiers, he has baggage aplenty so he decides to move to the small Colorado town where his brother and sister have landed. He finds himself enjoying reconnecting with his siblings and really likes the peaceful atmosphere of the small town, the friendly people and the surrounding mountains.

Dakota’s not planning on hanging around for too long, though, until he meets Sid Shandon, a bartender who seems immune to his charms. Meanwhile, there are a couple of other women who find him most appealing and make for an interesting subplot with the lengths they will go to date him. Sid and Dakota both have really interesting backstories and it is fun watching them make those discoveries and fall in love.

5/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE FAMILY GATHERING by Robyn Carr. MIRA (April 17, 2018). ISBN 978-0778330769.  352p.

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BESIDE THE SYRIAN SEA by James Wolff

May 17, 2018

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Jonas works as an analyst for the British secret service with no background as an agent in the field. He is confronted with the taking prisoner of his father by ISIS gunmen in Syria and with no apparent interest by his agency in freeing the man decides to take matters into his own hands. Realizing that the most interesting thing he can bring into any negotiation with ISIS is documents with intelligence gained by his agency. Accordingly, he proceeds to steal some of what he feels might be the most interesting pieces of information from his agency’s files.

Jonas’s next step is to travel to Beirut and there contract a Swiss priest: Father Tobias. The father takes the job even with an episode of being captured in the past by ISIS and barely escaping from them. He agrees to again travel into territory controlled by the Islamic state and inform them Jonas is willing and able to bargain for his father’s life.

At this point the British and also the American governments realize that they have a traitor on their hands looking to leak information and have to start their own action to halt Jonas. The ingredients presented give rise to a novel repleat with action and suspension. The question of getting both his father and Tobias out alive becomes of paramount importance to him.

Wolff (not his real name) is indicated as having a long background with the British government and is more than qualified to set up the events and places where the action occurs. He has also done an interesting job in creating a distinct personality for Jonas; a quiet man definitely not the literary hero type and content to work behind the scenes suddenly forced to become a man of action in a kill or be killed world.

The author already has another book in the works reported to be ready for publication sometime in 2019. It is sure to be a novel well worth obtaining to undoubtedly devour in one long sitting.

5/18 Paul Lane

BESIDE THE SYRIAN SEA by James Wolff. Bitter Lemon Press (May 15, 2018). ISBN: 978-1908524980. 320p.

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ANY DAY NOW by Robyn Carr

May 16, 2018

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Sullivan’s Crossing, Book 2

This sequel to What We Find is a wonderful story again set at Sullivan’s Crossing, where the Colorado and Continental Divide trails converge. The first book was centered around Cal Jones, and this one is about his sister, Sierra.

Sierra’s had a troubled life,and she lands at her brother’s place for a brief stop – or so she thinks. Growing up, the siblings had parents that were difficult. Their father suffers from possible schizophrenia, and their mother spends all her time protecting him. He self medicates and refuses any traditional therapies. They traveled a lot, living on communes before ending up on a farm. Because Sierra was the youngest, she was alone with them for a while. She ended up a drug addict, but after a stint in rehab she is ready to start over. Unfortunately, she has a bit of a stalker issue as well.

Sullivan’s Landing is run by Maggie’s father, Sully, and he takes a shine to Sierra and she to him. He is the father figure she always wanted. She helps out at the store to earn her campsite and meets Connie, a firefighter and rescue worker. She is not ready for a relationship, and he is willing to take it as slow as she likes.

There is a lot of meat to this story, it is not the usual fluffy rom-com type romance. I really liked this characters, Carr does a terrific job of creating three dimensional characters that I couldn’t help get invested in. This was an excellent addition to the series.

5/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

ANY DAY NOW by Robyn Carr. MIRA; Reprint edition (February 20, 2018). ISBN 978-0778331186.  400p.

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THE CONSULTANT by Tj O’Connor

May 15, 2018

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Jonathan Hunter is an employee of the CIA who has not seen his family for years due to assignments in places like Afghanistan, Iraq and other mid-eastern hot spots. Out of the blue he gets a call from his brother Kevin to rush home to help him. In spite of being estranged for 15 years Jonathan goes AWOL from his duty station and rushes home.

Unfortunately it is just in time to meet Kevin dying by a lake that both brothers are familiar with and hear his last words, “Khalifah not them, Maya.”

Kevin has obviously been murdered and Jonathan, in spite of not seeing him for so long, vows to find and execute his killer.

With the violence of the killing beginning the novel it is a safe bet that the remainder of the book will feature more of the same. And that is certainly what happens. While going after the killer or killers Jonathan meets his brother’s widow, his adopted son and has his CIA supervisor find him up and okay the search. Oh yes, seems like Kevin’s death is tied into a plot by extremists to cause a mass killing of Americans in several areas and the forcing of action against the perpetrators by the U.S. government. Also Kevin’s widow develops an attraction for Jonathan, and she also has an adopted son that is somehow tied into Islamic terrorists.

O’Connor vividly portrays the hierarchy of the CIA to which Jonathan is attached. His direct supervisor, Oscar LaRue, shows up in time to tie many other side factors to the murder and orders Jonathan to investigate these while he is working on his brother’s case. Tall order, but our hero is certainly able to do so in spite of all the factors working against him. He gets involved with a female FBI agent who starts out very antagonistic but does develop a liking for him, and a local police officer that is so certain that Jonathan is guilty of something that he becomes a tormentor to him.

The ending leaves enough clues to make it almost a certainty that there will be future books featuring Jonathan Hunter, his supervisor and others who are front and center in “The Consultant”. I look forward to these for the promise of steady action in those novels.

5/18 Paul Lane

THE CONSULTANT by Tj O’Connor. Oceanview Publishing (May 15, 2018).  ISBN 978-1608092833. 432p.

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WHAT WE FIND by Robyn Carr

May 14, 2018

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Sullivan’s Crossing, Book 1

This is the first book in a wonderful series, and I made the mistake of reading the third book first. I definitely felt like I was missing too much, so went back and read this one next. I’m very happy I did.

Maggie Sullivan is a neurosurgeon in Denver who is beyond stressed. An emergency car accident leaves some teens in big trouble, and triage indicates one could wait longer than the others. Unfortunately, Maggie was the one who made the call and his family is now suing her for malpractice.

With her practice shut down, Maggie decides to get out of town and decompress while the lawsuit plays out, so she goes home to Sullivan’s Crossing, the campground her father owns and run in rural Colorado at the crossroads of the Colorado and the Continental Divide Trails. It’s a family business, passed down from one generation to the next and includes a general store as well. I have to say that I really enjoyed the bits about hiking and camping as my husband does both, and I felt like I gained a bit of insight into something he is so passionate about.

Cal Jones is a camper that’s not in any kind of rush to hit the trail. So when Maggie’s father becomes somewhat incapacitated, Cal steps up to help out. Maggie is suspicious of the stranger and his motivation, but eventually his kindness and laid back demeanor win her over. Eventually, they realize they belong together and I totally enjoyed watching their journey to get to their happily ever after. Book 2 up next!

5/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

WHAT WE FIND by Robyn Carr. MIRA; Reprint edition (February 28, 2017). ISBN 978-0778319788.  400p.

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NECESSITY by D.W. Buffa

May 13, 2018

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In the history of the United States, several presidents have been assassinated. In none of these murders has the killer ever been brought to justice and tried in a court of law for the crime. Buffa has set up a riveting novel describing how such an event might take place.

A newly elected president takes a trip to San Francisco and while still aboard Air Force One, accepts a visit from the junior senator from California. This man is seen as one that could run against the president and due to his popularity, win the next election and take the office.

While still on the plane, shouts are heard and people running into the area where Kevin Fitzgerald, the senator, had met the president  who is seen lying on the floor with wounds on his body. Senator Fitzgerald is holding a bloody knife and quickly confesses to the murder. He demands a trial indicating he wants to bring out the reason that he killed the president.

Joseph Antonelli, a character used by Buffa in previous novels and known as the defense attorney that has never lost a case, is asked to take the case on behalf of Kevin Fitzgerald.

The handling of the trial and the back and forth action is guaranteed to keep the reader glued to the book. There are enough events occurring to make a very rewarding read even better than normal, including a love affair that captures Antonelli’s interest. The ending is not telegraphed and is a surprise and one not expected by the reader but upon reflection, a very apt one.

5/18 Paul Lane

NECESSITY by D.W. Buffa. Polis Books (April 24, 2018).  ISBN 978-1947993082. 352p.

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THE BRIDE TAKES A GROOM by Lisa Berne

May 12, 2018

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Penhallow Dynasty, Book 3

I truly hate writing negative reviews but I stuck with it and read the whole thing, so I’m going to review it. Read on…

From the publisher:

Lisa Berne’s Penhallow Dynasty continues with a pair of star-crossed childhood friends who meet again years later—and find love where they least expect it . . .

Katherine Brooke may be a fabulously wealthy heiress, but she’s trapped, a pawn in her parents’ ruthless game to marry her into the nobility. Then Captain Hugo Penhallow—so charming, as handsome as a Greek god—comes into her life once more, and suddenly she sees a chance to be free.

As a Penhallow, his is one of the highest names in the land, but still his family is facing ruin. So Katherine boldly proposes an exchange: his name for her money. But only if Hugo understands it’s merely a practical arrangement, and that she’s not surrendering herself entirely.

Back from eight years in America and determined to give his younger siblings a better life, Hugo agrees. He’s never fallen in love, so why not? Yet neither of them guesses that this marriage will become far, far more than they ever dreamed of . . .

This is my first book by this author and it is a Regency romance, which are usually pretty witty. This one, not so much. I also didn’t care for the writing style, it seemed a bit childish to me. Or the characters were childish, I can’t say exactly. They were very one dimensional for sure.

The setting was interesting and the storyline was good but I just couldn’t get past the lack of character development and the writing. To be fair, maybe if I had read the first two books in the series the characters would have come to life for me but I’ll never know. I didn’t like this one enough to go read the first two. There are so many wonderful romances out there that this one just felt very mediocre to me.

5/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE BRIDE TAKES A GROOM by Lisa Berne. Avon (April 24, 2018). ISBN 978-0062451828.  384p.

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BEYOND THE PALE by Clare O’Donohue

May 11, 2018

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 A World of Spies Mystery, Book 1

O’Donohue gives us a thoroughly delightful tale featuring two charming main characters, a plot that features international criminal activity, murder, and mayham but presented in a slightly tongue in cheek manner, blunting any horror.

Hollis and Finn Larrson are two married professors with at least PhDs teaching at the same university in Michigan. They have arrived at the top of their professions, have academic tenure, great reputations in their subject field, but have reached a point in their married lives in which they may be taking the other partner slightly for granted. Our story begins when Finn proposes a vacation involving a trip to Chicago in which he will go to Wriggly Field to watch baseball with Hollis dutifully tagging along. Hollis is not too thrilled with such a vacation but their marriage is too solid to have a big fight over it.

Right out of the blue Hollis gets a visit from a friend of hers who was a companion during a short period that she actually worked for the CIA, taking the training in preparation for a career with the organization. There are some hints that the “friend” was involved with her until she left the CIA to return to graduate school where she met Finn; they married and several years later both are teachers at the college level. But her friend is there to make an offer to the two which would set a different tone for a getaway. He indicates that the CIA would pay for a trip to Dublin, Ireland if Finn, an expert in the field would pick up a manuscript, quickly authenticate it and, if real, deliver it as directed. A twenty minute task paying for a priceless trip to Ireland Hollis jumps at the chance, and although Finn is not that thrilled with the idea he goes along with the woman he loves.

The trip starts with a bang. Their contact is not there; they run into various individuals that would love to get their hands on the manuscript, they are forced to run all over the section of Ireland that they have gone to. Their lives are at risk and a twenty minute job turns into a life threatening situation . Needless to say the book is an all nighter with enough suspense to keep one wrapped tightly into it. I can’t help but hope that Hollis and Finn can find other non academic adventures to get involved in in the near future.

5/18 Paul Lane

BEYOND THE PALE by Clare O’Donohue. Midnight Ink (May 8, 2018).  ISBN 978-0738756509. 360p.

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WORTH THE WAIT by Lori Foster

May 10, 2018

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Guthrie Brothers Series, Book 2

This book is the perfect example of one of the best reasons to visit a library, and why I love my job. While helping a patron find a book, I noticed this one on the shelf and grabbed it. Serendipity, baby – Amazon can’t do that!

Violet Shaw is a tough single woman running her own restaurant. Hogan Guthrie is a single dad with the world’s best teenage son. He’s fairly new in town, working as an accountant by day and as the barbeque master at Violet’s diner on the weekends. They continually butt heads but in a fun way.

Hogan had lost his wife, but he would have left her if she lived. She was cheating on him and on her way to meet her lover when she died. Father and son have had a lot to deal with, and moving to this small town to the house next door to Hogan’s brother has helped the healing process for both of them.

There is a lot of sexual tension betewen Violet and Hogan, but she is keeping her distance. One of the ways Hogan dealt with his pain was by sleeping around – a lot. But a year has gone by and he realizes he needs to set a better example for his son and he gives up the chase. Violet, on the other hand, is a temptation that is getting harder to resist.

I really enjoyed this book. Besides the Violet/Hogan romance, there is a secondary romance featuring the sheriff and his mysterious neighbor that adds a little bit of a mystery, and Hogan’s son has a sweet romance, too. All good stuff and a very good read.

5/18 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

WORTH THE WAIT by Lori Foster. HQN Books (July 25, 2017). ISBN 978-0373789672.  384p.

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EXIT STRATEGY by Charlton Pettus

May 9, 2018

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A novel about a situation that may be too good to be true and the apparent answer to big problems that are not solvable and can’t be faced. It is an “exit strategy,” one that allows someone to literally disappear from their lives with no trace.

Pettus postulates the existence of a large company specializing in just that. Providing a way for an individual to simply leave his or her current life and move into another. Your death can be faked, you can have your features altered, a complete new identity supplied and launder any money you have in order to use it in an another country to start a complete new life.

Jordan Parrish is the brilliant founder of a medical technology company that finds himself in a situation with his company and his marriage failing. There seems no way out of the situation when he remembers that he was convinced by someone to set up an arrangement with “Exit Strategy,” a large company dedicated to simply provide the wherewithal to leave it all behind. He makes one telephone call and the next day is picked up by people that place him in an almost prison like area and keep him isolated from the world. In a relatively short period he is taken out and brought to Japan and helped to start his new life.

This move makes him start to doubt his decision and realize that if something is too good to be true it probably isn’t. The novel goes into Jordan’s dilemma and also provides an on going look at what his disappearance has done to his family; his wife and two children. His partner and best friend Alex attempts to keep up with the business and provides support and comfort to Jordan’s family in his absence. The question of how he got in touch with “Exit Strategy” and what are the consequences of wanting out of the situation are an important aspect of the novel. The reader will be guaranteed a different and certainly captivating read and perhaps wonder as both the author and I did if such a company and their results could actually exist. One can very correctly assume that would certainly be a great deal of interest in it’s capabilities.

5/18 Paul Lane

EXIT STRATEGY by Charlton Pettus. Hanover Square Press (May 1, 2018). ISBN: 978-1335016928. 400p.

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