REVIEW: I Can See You by Karen Rose

Title: I Can See You (Romantic Suspense #10)
Author: Karen Rose
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: August 2009
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Buy The Book: Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble | Audible

Description: New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose delivers her latest pulse-pounding suspense novel, where the line between the virtual world and everyday reality blurs when it comes to murder.

Eve Wilson's face was once scarred by a vicious assault. Terrified and ashamed, she escaped to the online realm, where she could choose the face she allowed people to see. Years later, her outer scars faded and inner scars buried, Eve has fought her way back to the real world and is determined to help others do the same. Now a graduate student moonlighting as a bartender, Eve researches the addictive powers of online communities. When her test subjects begin turning up dead as a result of apparent suicides, she doesn't know where to turn.

Homicide detective Noah Webster is one of the few people who believe the victims are connected murders. Eve becomes Noah's online guide and realizes that the handsome detective may have secret scars as painful as her own. As Eve and Noah chase a killer who is always one step ahead of them, together they try to overcome the tragedies of their pasts and learn to trust again, but they soon discover that danger is much closer than they think.

My Thoughts: A very good story in a good series where the characters are easy to relate to and empathize with. The author does an excellent job of developing the characters throughout the series in way that keeps them fresh and the stories interesting. This story features Eve who has been in this series from the beginning. I really liked this character. She has been through Hell, nearly dying at the hands of a deranged psychopath in Don’t Tell and recovering with her scars on the inside and the outside in Nothing To Fear. Now it’s time for Eve to get her happily ever after, but not without some tense and anxiety ridden moments.

As part of her graduate studies, Eve is participating in a research project of the online gaming communities. It made me think of The Sims but in this story the world that Eve is researching is dark and evil lurks in the shadows waiting to strike. Eve’s test subjects begin turning up dead and Eve reaches out to homicide detective Noah Webster for help. He believes that the murders are connected and jumps right in to help Eve, especially when the killer’s sights become locked on her.

I really loved Noah and thought he and Eve are perfect for one another. They both carry traumatic and painful emotional baggage, but are able to connect with one another in spite of it. They are so in tune with one another and slowly they let their guard down and learn how to trust and eventually love again. With Eve and Noah, the author has created two characters that have overcome so many obstacles in their life and it has made them wary and on edge, not willing to open themselves up to most anyone. When they get together, it’s like a deep sigh of relief. You know the kind where you sink down into a bubble bath and feel all the trials and burdens of the day just lift away and peace and serenity settle in.

The story moves at a fantastic pace. Ms. Rose is exceptional at keeping the reader interested and entertained without giving everything away in the first few chapters. She keeps me guessing but I never feel frustrated because the story is so riveting, it really doesn’t matter who the bad guy is as all will be revealed and the conclusion will be satisfying for all.

My Final Verdict: Fans of thrillers and suspense stories will enjoy this offering for the gritty and tense moments as well as fans of romance stories for the happy ending.

REVIEW: Faking It by Leah Marie Brown

Title: Faking It (It Girls #1)
Author: Leah Marie Brown
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Publication Date: May 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit / Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN

Description: Haven't you ever told a little lie in the name of love?

Vivia Grant couldn’t be happier. She has her dream job and is about to marry her dream man. Does it really matter that she’s led him to believe she’s a virgin? After all, being in love makes every experience feel like the first time anyway! But an unexpected encounter with an ex-lover is about to expose her embarrassing lie…

When Vivia’s fiancé discovers the truth, he ends their engagement—via text—and uses his connections to get her fired. Unemployed and heartbroken, Vivia begins planning her new future—as a homeless spinster. But her best friend has a better idea. They’ll skip the Ben & Jerry’s binge and go on Vivia’s honeymoon instead. Two weeks cycling through Provence and Tuscany, with Luc de Caumont, a sexy French bike guide. Too bad Vivia’s not a big fan of biking. And she’s abysmal at languages. Will she fib her way through the adventure, or finally learn to love herself—and Luc—flaws and all?

My Thoughts: Faking It by new to me author Leah Marie Brown is a very enjoyable story and the first book in a series. Vivia Perpetua Grant (Holy Mother of God, what is the matter with her Mother to name her that???) has always felt she doesn’t measure up to the ideal expectations of who she should be. She was named after a long-dead saint and as such, should live a life of purity and chastity, or so her Mother thinks. The first problem with that is Vivia enjoys sex; a lot. Though she is far from being a tart, she has been around the block several times. The second problem with that is Vivia feels enormous guilt for her colorful sexual past. The third problem is she has lied to her fiancé and led him to believe she is a virgin. I’m assuming was is the operative word here because I have a hard time believing she has been with Nathan for any length of time and they never slept together. Yeah, I know; semantics.

Unfortunately for Vivia, whether she and Nathan have been physically intimate or not, she allows Nathan to believe he was her first and mere days before their wedding, Vivia runs into a one-night stand from college. Not a big deal, I know, but thanks to his big-mouth friend, all of Vivia’s secrets are exposed. Of course, Nathan doesn’t take it well and ends their engagement, via text! And to add insult to injury, he has her fired! Good job, Nathan, you have won Knob of the Year award.

Vivia’s best friend, Fanny, decides they will go on Vivia’s honeymoon and like the Travelocity Gnome, document all the adventures Vivia’s engagement ring is having in France. What follows is a grand adventure, bicycling through Provence and Tuscany with a really hot Frenchman as their guide.

Any woman having the rug ripped out from under her by love can relate to Vivia. Yes, she shouldn’t have lied, but I had a huge problem with the way Nathan reacted, especially with having her fired. I found that petty and vindictive and for that, I am praying for bowling ball sized kidney stones for that creep. I also had a slight problem with how quickly Vivia moves on to Jean Luc. Rebound romances rarely work and for some make things worse. I was disappointed that Vivia didn’t take more time for herself. Figure out who she is and be OK with that so that she never again has to be someone she isn’t. I mean, that ALWAYS works out, doesn’t it? Vivia hates bicycling so she reverts to old patterns and isn’t truthful about that either. Honestly, it’s her honeymoon, though Nathan the Knob, picked it out, and she should be allowed to honeymoon the way she wants. Her need to be accepted and not disappoint anyone pushes her to do some pretty bizarre things.

Overall, this story ends on a high note and Vivia comes out on top, but there are loose ends that the epilogue didn’t answer for me. I will have to look for the second book in this story to find out what happens between the last chapter and the epilogue. I really liked Fanny and there’s a book for her too in this series.

My Final Verdict: I recommend this very entertaining story to every woman who has been let down by love or who is trying to be someone she isn’t because she doesn’t think she is good enough. Fans of interesting storylines taking place in amazing locales with strong characters will also enjoy this story.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Faking It from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Defense by Steve Cavanagh

Title: The Defense (Eddie Flynn #1)
Author: Steve Cavanagh
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publication Date: May 2016
Genre: Thriller / Suspense
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible

Description: The truth has no place in a courtroom. The truth doesn't matter in a trial.

The only thing that matters is what the prosecution can prove.

Eddie Flynn used to be a con artist. Then he became a lawyer. Turned out the two weren't that different.

It's been over a year since Eddie vowed never to set foot in a courtroom again. But now he doesn't have a choice. Olek Volchek, the infamous head of the Russian mafia in New York, has strapped a bomb to Eddie's back and kidnapped his ten-year-old daughter Amy.

Eddie only has 48 hours to defend Volchek in an impossible murder trial—and win—if wants to save his daughter.

Under the scrutiny of the media and the FBI, Eddie must use his razor-sharp wit and every con-artist trick in the book to defend his 'client' and ensure Amy's safety. With the timer on his back ticking away, can Eddie convince the jury of the impossible?

Lose this case and he loses everything.

My Thoughts: I may have never known about this book or this author if it hadn’t popped up on my audible recommends list. It was riveting as an audiobook and kept me on the edge of my seat, tension high, nails bitten down to the knuckles. If you enjoy audiobooks, I highly recommend this format for this story.

Eddie Flynn was a con artist who then became a lawyer. I know for some people there isn’t much difference between the two professions. Over a year ago, Eddie walked away from it all after he learned the truth is irrelevant in the courtroom.

Unfortunately for Eddie, he gets caught up with some very bad, very sinister people in the Russian mob. Their leader, Olek Volcheck is going on trial for murder and Olek wants Eddie to defend him and win an acquittal. Eddie wants to say no but they have a bomb strapped to his back and they have kidnapped Eddie’s ten-year-old daughter, Amy. If Eddie refuses or loses, both Eddie and his daughter will die.

Eddie is caught in a macabre cat and mouse game where he has to stay several steps ahead of the Feds who seem to suspect something is going to on and convince the mob he is doing his best to defend Volchek before someone with an itchy finger presses the detonator.

This story was very intense and it was difficult to set it aside to accomplish everyday real life tasks. The story moves at a very fast pace but kept me engaged. I felt great empathy and sympathy for Eddie and was very vocal in encouraging him to hurry up, don’t open the door, sit down, etc., as Eddie takes massive risks to convince everyone he is just defending his client. Eddie is between a rock and a hard place and has no idea who he can trust.

My Final Verdict: Fans of legal thrillers and suspense stories will really enjoy this series. There are 5 books and one novella. Eddie is a very intriguing and likable character that draws quite a bit of empathy and support from the reader. I found myself completely bewildered how he would manage to survive this ordeal, much less acquire an acquittal from the jury. Obviously, with 5 books in the series, we know Eddie is victorious, but you will be amazed at how it goes down. I am forever grateful to Audible for knowing me so well and recommending a winner.

REVIEW: Only When It's Love by Olivia Spring

Title: Only When It’s Love
Author: Olivia Spring
Publisher: Hartley Publishing
Publication Date: February 2019
Genre: Chick-Lit / Women’s Fiction
Buy The Book: Amazon

Description: Alex’s love life is a disaster. Will accepting a crazy seven-step dating challenge lead to more heartbreak or help her find Mr. Right?

Alex is tired of getting ghosted. After years of disastrous hook-ups and relationships that lead to the bedroom but nowhere else, Alex is convinced she’s destined to be eternally single. Then her newly married friend Stacey recommends what worked for her: a self-help book that guarantees Alex will find true love in just seven steps. Sounds simple, right?

Except Alex soon discovers that each step is more difficult than the last, and one of the rules involves dating, but not sleeping with a guy for six months. Absolutely no intimate contact whatsoever. Zero. Nada. Rien. A big challenge for Alex, who has never been one to hold back from jumping straight into the sack, hoping it will help a man fall for her.

Will any guys be willing to wait? Will Alex find her Mr. Right? And if she does, will she be strong enough to resist temptation and hold out for true love?

Join Alex on her roller coaster romantic journey as she tries to cope with the emotional and physical ups and downs of dating whilst following a lengthy list of rigid rules.

Only When It’s Love is a standalone, fun, feel-good, romantic comedy by British author Olivia Spring, about self-acceptance, determination, love and the challenge of finding the one.

My Thoughts: In today’s day and age, Alexandra is a woman most single people can relate to. Looking for and hoping to find “The One.” With a plethora of online dating sites at our finger tips, it should be easy, right? Not so, in Alex’s case. For years, she has experienced one disastrous relationship after another. Alex cannot understand why she is continuously ghosted and is convinced Mr. Right does not exist. When Alex’s married friend shares what worked for her, Alex immediately dismisses it. It’s crazy and will never work. There is NO WAY Alex can go six-months without sleeping with someone she is dating. This self-help book guarantees Alex will find true love if she follows the steps and the six-month abstinence is one of them.

First of all, I was just as skeptical as Alex. I had serious doubts she would find anyone willing to go that long with zero intimate contact. No heavy kissing, petting or any of that other stuff. None of it. Hearken ye back to the 19th century, people, where a chaperone was present when a gentleman was courting a lady. I even asked my husband if he would have waited six months when we started dating. He’s still laughing. My first thought was, “OK, she finds a guy willing to wait and six months later, they become intimate, and it’s complete CRAP! Now what?” That’s six months our Alex will never get back. But, here’s the thing. What does Alex have to lose? If it doesn’t work, she hasn’t lost anything; not really. She’s already wasted loads of time on guys who are ghosting her, so she decides to go for it.

I really enjoyed tagging along with Alex as she embarks on her challenge. Some of the characters she meets, THANK YOU GOD, don’t last beyond that first meet and greet. I won’t go into detail about who she ends up with because that was the best part, so you are going to have to read this book. I adored Alex and related to her and her situation completely. Dating is a precarious precipice and whether you are male or female, the ups and downs can be quite the roller-coaster ride.

My Final Verdict: This witty rom-com will resonate with fans of chick-lit and women’s fiction. Interesting characters and a highly entertaining story will draw the reader in and provide several hours of enjoyment.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Only When It’s Love from the author in exchange for an honest review.