Norah Wilson (1)

This is the first time I’ve read a romance involving cops, and I really enjoyed it. I think I’d like to try more of these. I’m definitely going to give the rest of this series a try. I suppose this book was like any other romance, but it also had a nice element of suspense that I suppose is what draws people to the crime novels I always avoid. Maybe I should try one out. I’ll love it if it’s half as interesting as this book.

Okay, so the plot is just a tad far-fetched, but that’s show more why we read books. I didn’t think the villain’s motives were all that far-fetched. Crazy people do crazy things. It’s the whole, “let me pose as your boyfriend” thing that I don’t find realistic. Either way, I liked it. It forced the characters in each other’s company. They got to know each other first, instead of falling straight into bed.

I adored John. He’s the sweetest, most sincere guy. He’d never let anything happen to Suzannah. He does everything he can to ensure her safety and it’s painfully obvious he cares about her. I can’t believe she never sees it. You’d have to be blind to miss the signals he sends. It takes her a little while to recognize and accept her own feelings. I loved Suzannah too. She was a strong, independent female lead, but she didn’t overdo it. With a little encouragement from John, she learned to depend on others to keep her safe in times of crisis. I can’t forget about Bandy! What a good dog!

There are some terrific plot twists. I thought I had it all figured out, and wow did I get a surprise. I had myself all built up for one outcome. I was even feeling a little smug that I’d figured it out, then Norah threw me a curve ball. Bravo, Ms. Wilson. I did not see that coming. I loved that suspense though. I loved the feeling of needing to know for sure. I wanted the mystery solved. That’s what kept me reading to the end. Perhaps, I’ve been too hasty in writing off mysteries, as well. I highly recommend this one to contemporary romance lovers who want some mystery and suspense thrown in there. show less

I had trouble classifying Comes the Night as simply a Paranormal novel. Yes with the shadow casting and the unexplained manner in which the girls find they can do this it can definitely be called paranormal. However what spoke to me the most about this novel was the reasons why.
When the girls find Connie's diary in the attic it is after a rape, the act itself is not described but I really felt the author's description or the aftermath to be incredible. The shame, self loathing, how she show more changes in her personality, how she wants to know what happened but also is terrified and her intense desire to escape.
This kept me reading and I am glad of it.
The growing power of the girls and the knowledge of Connie's true fate make this novel a thrill ride. The emotions of the girls, their fears and the things they are trying so hard to try and escape from give what could have been just another spooky YA story real emotional depth.
I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series show less

Aiden Afflack is a 200+ yr old vampire who also happens to be a vampire hunter. Samantha ‘Sam’ Shea is a photographer with a gift for more than fantastic weather pictures. Her dreams tell her where weather in its violent beauty will be and she travels to photograph it. Then her path crosses Aiden’s and she starts dreaming of violent vampire attacks. They team up to stop the rogues from preying on humans and that’s when things get interesting.

I loved this story! Aiden is a strong, show more hot, dangerous, yummy, intelligent, hot (did I mention that?) vampire with a sense of humor who is also a fantastic cook. I want him! Sam is a beautiful, intelligent, independent, spunky mortal with a special talent for finding violence in her dreams, be it weather or vampire.

Loved the characters and writing style, the story flowed smoothly and the sexual tension between the characters was great. I loved that Sam didn’t give in to her lust for Aiden right away. That can be so annoying! I also loved the humor interspersed throughout (the scene with Sam’s leg cramp had me LOL-ing because I’ve so been there!) and the action scenes were paced just right. I hate long action scenes. I hate long descriptive scenes, too. What can I say? I’m an impatient person.

I want more of this world! Impatient, remember? And hungry for more! Bring on the stories for Eli, RJ, Garret and Liss then maybe I’ll be satiated.

*The author provided a copy of this book to me for review. Disclaimer on my blog. show less

Saving Grace (Serve and Protect Series)

Saving Grace was a surprise to me. When I have read other 'romantic thrillers' I have usually found them not so much about the thriller as the romance, with sometimes sketchy effect. This little novel was different. It did do the romance, but it was heavy on the thriller, which suits my particular tastes.

What I felt was a great deal of respect for the author. Grace and Ray have been married for nearly five years. But what they don't know about each show more other could fill volumes. In the end, while the thriller and romance writing was very good, what really impressed me is how well Norah explored the manner in which people can live together, love one another, and yet know next to nothing about who each person truly is. While Grace and Ray are on the run, as well described in other reviews, what I found the most interesting about her writing is how she took two people and opened them up to the reader, telling a story of how we can build a shadow life for ourselves, living within a mythical self-portrait – and how that shadow life can nearly destroy both you and the people you love. Another thing I liked very much about the story, in this same vein, is the growth of Grace as a person as she began to walk out of that shadow and find herself as a person. Very cool.

In the long run, Grace saved Ray as much as he saved her. Nice!

The amnesia portion of the book is well researched and realistic, unlike other books that plunge into the murky waters of the far-from-common total amnesia, Norah handles the situation with an extremely deft hand.

Overall, this book was a very nice way to fill a few hours. The characters are highly believable, the story line interesting and not overdone. If you like romances, light thrillers, and books that allow you to see a great deal of personal development in the characters, you can't go wrong with “Saving Grace.”

Recommended. show less