Vicki Hinze

It always amazes me that no matter how long I do this, I still sometimes forget to check that books I choose for review are in a series. So Not This Time took me a little while to get to because I had to get Forget Me Not and Deadly Ties from the library before I could read the third book. This is definitely a series that you need to read in order or you'll be completely lost. It's worth the time, though because all three are great stories.

Not This Time brings us the story of Sara and Beth, best friends and business partners. Despite being extremely smart and excelling in business, both women believe that they are not worth loving. Sara's response to that is to jump into an abusive marriage. Beth's answer is to avoid relationships completely. We get to see Sara grow and blossom, but we don't see much change in Beth, even with a good man pursuing a relationship with her.

I enjoyed seeing the Seagrove Village townspeople again and following their stories. I always love a series (as long as it isn't too long) because I like to see characters I've already gotten to know. Unless you're reading Outlander, one book isn't long enough to get to know several characters well. In this third book, the locals have to face the fact that one of their own is responsible for the recent terrorist attack. While everyone scrambles to stay alive while figuring out who the culprit is, Sara and Beth are also navigating budding romances with the men who want to be in their lives.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was Beth's persistent self-disparagement. No matter how many ways or times Joe or anyone else told her that he cared, she was still sure that he didn't. Gah. There comes a point when that goes from sweet and humble to just plain annoying. There was also one exchange between Mark and Beth in which he asks her if Joe calls her "sha", which apparently means "sweetheart". He tells her that Joe has never called anyone else that. How does he know what it means if Joe has never used it? How does he know that Joe has never called anyone else that? They're not attached at the hip. They also spend months at a time apart since they got out of the Army. How does he even know to ask if Joe calls Beth "sha"? That's not something that Joe would have told Mark. Not phrased that way. That's pretty much my only complaint about the whole series. Check it out.

I received this book free from the Blogging for Books review program in exchange for an honest review.

This review is part of my Hurricane Relief Review-a-thon. http://www.livinglearninglovinglife.com/2012/11/pre-review-a-thon-post.html… (more)

Emma Miller has been assigned to protect a lab filled with dangerous pathogens located in Portal Airport. Unfortunately, the airport is experiencing the strongest winter storm in the history of Colorado. Emma's contact is a man who has held her interest since she was a child, Dr. Gregory Mason Martin. Despite their past differences, they must work together to stop international terrorists from attacking the lab and making off with dangerous contaminants with no antidotes.

Deep Freeze is a well constructed novella but not nearly long enough to develop such an intricate suspense plot and a second chance romance. First of all, what would the thought process be for building a pathogen research lab in an airport? Also, details about the main characters are very sketchy and inadequate, leaving this reader wondering why they are together since their emotions are also lacking. Most of the suspense in the story doesn't even involve the protagonists, and the action seems haphazard and mostly off page. In addition, the big storm that seems to be the main problem at the beginning of the book, really has nothing to do with the majority of the narrative. Overall, Deep Freeze needs many more pages in order for it to feel like a complete story.… (more)

I love a good mystical romance, especially one set at a maybe-haunted inn on the shores of Maine, so, needless to say, I was excited to read this book. The setting was deliciously haunting and mystical, and the romance was interesting, but I had a few problems with it in the long run. The two main characters, T.J. and Maggie, bickered and sassed each other way more than was necessary. What started out cute really grated on my nerves when it became apparent it wasn't going to stop. The mystery was intriguing, and Miss Hattie was a dream, but I need character growth in a story like this, and there just wasn't much at all with T.J. and Maggie.

In summary, I liked the setting and mystery in this mystical book, but the romance left a lot to be desired. I think it just wasn't my cup of tea, but others might enjoy it.

3/5 stars.

I received a copy of this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.… (more)