Friday, November 30, 2012

Book Review: Against the Odds

Against the Odds by Kat Martin When Sabrina Eckhart's Uncle Walter leaves her his silver mine, the petite redhead's financial worries might just be over—that is, if she can stay alive and keep from losing her heart to P.I. and former Navy pilot Alex Justice. Since the economic downturn, Sabrina's stockmarket brokership has gone south. She needs to learn what she can about the West Texas mine she's inherited, and Alex Justice, a good friend of her best bud Sage Cantrell is just the man to help her. Despite her initial assumption that the man is an aristocratic, womanizing snob, Rina has to admit tall, sculpted Alex is nothing short of gorgeous. He agrees to fly her to the mine, but things go suddenly wrong and they're forced to rely on wits to survive. As if that isn't bad enough, as soon as they are rescued, more accidents begin to happen. It's becoming increasingly obvious that someone doesn't want Sabrina to inherit the mine. Despite the dangers, Rina is tough and one determined lady, but can she stave off the attack on her heart? Against the Odds is Kat Martin at her best, mixing suspense with a megadose of testosterone. Alex Justice has it in spades. He may not know what he wants to do with his life, but he certainly knows what he wants to do with Rina. If you like loads of sexual innuendos, hot and heavy, sweaty sex scenes and nonstop hormonal intensity, then this is the book for you. Alex is one sexy dude and he and Rina click on every level. Trouble is, he's not sure what he wants in life and Rina isn't about to have her heart stomped on. Ms. Martin has action a plenty in this well-paced suspense; it kept me turning pages. The story's weaknesses were more a matter of taste for this reviewer. With regard to the sensuality, I feel less is more. I found the almost constant references to sex a bit tedious. The action and suspense, however, were topnotch, and after a couple of chapters where there was a bit too much repetition, the story really took off. Kudos to Ms. Martin.
Brenda Novak has another winner in When Summer Comes. Callie Vanetta has received the worst news a person could: she needs a liver transplant and without it she will die. She determines to spend her days—her last days if a donor cannot be found—at her late grandparents' farm. When attractive drifter Levi McCloud happens on her front porch in the middle of the night, injured and needing help, she decides to put her fear aside and take him in. Levi needs to repair his motorcycle, but without funds, he strikes a bargain: in exchange for parts and lodging, Levi will help with the barn repairs. What begins as a tenuous friendship, soon becomes much more. Callie grows to care for Levi but realizes she has nothing to offer him since she may not live out the summer. She decides to keep her news from him. Book three in Brenda Novak's Whiskey Creek series s the reader back to California Gold Rush town where she is reacquainted with many of the characters from books one and two. Nothing is overly repetitive and each protagonist is delightful. Novak mixes her astute knowledge of the human condition with expert storytelling to create a wonderful stand-alone book and an important adjunct to the series. Both Callie and Levi are realistic characters with desires and needs that work well with the story. Novak's skillful writing is always a pleasure to read. Two thumbs up for this one.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

One of my "tags" for the Tag, You're It blog is Crimson Publishing author Galen Rose. Check out her page and her WIP, a romance set on Maui.