Book Review: H.I.S. Desire by Sheila Kell

*This is being posted a little after the blog tour because of a very busy schedule

How long would it take for him to turn into an ass again? She caught Jesse’s gaze and found herself momentarily mesmerized by his golden-brown eyes. What the hell?

HIS Desire (An H.I.S. novel) is a romantic suspense, stand-alone novel in the H.I.S. series releasing Nov 5th.

Can Jesse Hamilton, the head of H.I.S., protect his client when his past and his heart have put them both in jeopardy?

Synopsis

When FBI Special Agent Kate Ross is injured in a drive-by shooting, Hamilton Investigation and Security, Inc. (H.I.S.) leader Jesse Hamilton, believing she is the target of a killer seeking revenge against him, pulls the full force of H.I.S. into action to protect her.

Kate doesn’t believe Jesse, the only man to make her seethe one minute and lust after him the next, when he approaches her with a note from the Facilitator stating someone he loved would die shortly, and he knows in his gut it’s Kate. After a second attempt on her life, she can no longer fight his protection or her attraction to him.

After making a mistake that cost his wife her life, Jesse vowed to never love again, but Kate stirs something in him that puts his protective instincts into overdrive. Keeping her alive and out of his heart is more difficult than he expected. Then he makes a decision that could cost Kate her life. Is history due to repeat itself?

I absolutely loved H.I.S. Desire. I really like books that are considered to be romantic suspense or have some element of suspense in them. Especially stalker type ones whether they be secret admirers or people trying to kill the main couple as is the case in this novel. 

Kate and Jesse are great together in my opinion. I liked Jesse's overbearing protectiveness because I didn't feel that it went over the line into controlling like so many heroes in recent books I've read tend to do. He was concerned for her well-being in the beginning because he was simply attracted to her and doing his job but then because he loved her. I loved his interaction with his daughter and sister, and how he ran his company. I think the author did a good job showing the different sides of Jesse.

I liked Kate because she wasn't a doormat like a lot of heroines are nowadays. She doesn't sit back and allow everyone else to run her life and disrupt her even though someone is trying to kill her. Just because she has a strong, protective man in her life Kate didn't become a docile character because of it.

The ending was an initial surprise but looking back I can see how it would have been predictable. Nonetheless, I think the author presented several people who could have potentially been the person hiring the Facilitator. I liked the resolution of the novel because I think it was sweet and a generally nice HEA. I'm glad that it is the first in a series because I would definitely read more, maybe about Jesse's brothers. 

I give H.I.S. Desire 5 stakes and I would love to read more from H.I.S.

Amazon

Sheila has been an avid reader since she was young, believing in fantasy worlds, women sleuths and happily-ever-after. Instead of writing as a career, she followed in her father’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Air Force. After 12 years, she left the military as a disabled veteran then spent 12 year in higher education executive leadership. After reading her first romantic suspense novel, Sheila finally knew what she wanted to write. She has since retired to fulfill that dream. When not writing, she reads or spends time with her family. She lives in Batesville, Mississippi with three rescue cats.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Street Team ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads

2 signed HIS Desire paperbacks

5 ebooks of HIS Desire

2 swag packs

2 keychains

2 purse clips

5 bookmarks

a Rafflecopter giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZWE4MGE2ZWQzYTFlNmJhZTE5ZjI0OWMyMmY2YzAyOjEz/

Lust, Money, & Murder Review

Title: Lust, Money, & Murder

Author: Mike Wells

Series: This copy contains books 1, 2, and 3

Genre: Mystery, Suspense

Publish Date: March 1, 2011

Length: 293 pages

Format: ebook

_________________________________________________________

Description (from Amazon): This book begins with a young and naive Elaine Brogan as she initially pursues her dream of a career as a photo model. After becoming entangled with a sleazy modeling agency, she decides to become a Secret Service agent, struggling through the arduous training academy. After her first disastrous assignment, she is transferred to Bulgaria. There, she meets Nick LaGrange, the love of her life.

My Review: Lust, Money, & Murder is one of the most suspenseful books I have read in a long time. Every time you think you have the story figured out and you know what will happen next, the author throws something in that completely changes your mind. They are small details that made me just stare at my screen like, "What just happened?"

The story starts of with Elaine Brogan as a child and sets the groundwork for her relationship with her father. Then a tragic event happens that leads Elaine from desiring to be a model to desperately striving to become an agent with the Secret Service.

The novel then takes the reader on a journey through Elaine's schooling and her training in the Secret Service. While she is stationed in the Bulgaria office (who knew the Secret Service had an office in Bulgaria?) she meets the love of her life, Nick LaGrange. I absolutely loved Nick because he loosened Elaine up and makes her forget the awful reason why she joined the Secret Service. 

However, there is a villainous character who has had Elaine involved in their scheme from the very beginning. Someone has been using Elaine and people around her as puppets in their counterfeiting business. I can't really say who because it would be a spoiler. I personally thought it was one person until the end and it turned out to be someone else.

I would have liked to see more of Nick just because I love romance but when he comes in at the end of the novel it completely spurs up more action and suspense.

Excerpt: "“Cheap taxi to center!” “Very low price—” “One hundred dollars—” “New Mercedes, very comfortable—” 

“Get out of my way,” Elaine snapped, plowing through them. She followed the signs to ground transportation. 

When she stepped out onto the sidewalk, she was struck by a blast of cold air that chilled her to the bone—the temperature was well below zero. It was still dark outside, and the parking lot was covered with snow. Elaine desperately scanned the lot for the men, peering into the windows of the passing vehicles. 

They’re probably long gone by now, she thought, terror-stricken. What I am going to do? 

She desperately tried to think of someone who could help her, but the only person that came to mind was Nick. And he was in jail somewhere. Then, across the parking lot, she spotted the man with the pockmarked face. He was unlocking the door of a large black SUV. The other man was not with him. 

“Taxi?” a voice said from behind her. Elaine whirled around, afraid it was the second man. But it was only a taxi driver, in the usual Russian taxi driver outfit—a cheap-looking brown faux leather jacket, a plaid scarf, and a black driver’s cap. He looked harmless—big, but with stooped over shoulders. He had sad eyes that reminded her of a basset hound’s. “I give very good price to center,” he said, vapor pluming from his mouth. “Ninety dollars. My car not so good—” he pointed to a little beat-up Lada that splattered with brown slush,”— but price very good.” The black SUV was pulling away now. 

“Fine, let’s go,” she said, moving towards his car. The big man moved surprisingly fast for his size. He rushed over to the Lada and opened the passenger door for her, throwing the front seat forward. She climbed into the back of the cramped little Russian-made vehicle.

 He got in and started the engine. “Which hotel?” 

“See that black SUV?” Elaine said, pointing. “Jeep?” “Yes, jeep.” She had forgotten that’s what Russians called all SUVs. 

“Follow the jeep.” As he pulled away, Elaine nervously glanced around the inside of the car, taking everything in, sizing him up. Attached to the dashboard was a square icon of Mary Magdalene. Next to it was a clipboard with color flyers for nightclubs, photos of scantily clad women on the front. In the compartment below, a dog-eared road atlas and a couple of short fishing poles, the type used for ice fishing. She didn’t think he was anything other than what he appeared to be, an independent taxi driver. 

The SUV was picking up speed. It soon disappeared around the ramp that led to the highway. “Don’t lose it,” Elaine said, her voice trembling. 

Overall Opinion: Overall, I loved Lust, Money, & Murder. I really enjoyed this book not only because of the action and suspense, but because of the strong female lead. Elaine is an amazing heroine who doesn't need a man to survive and flourish in her career. This is definitely a mystery and suspense book that is in no way predictable and I rate it 5 stakes.

Get to Know the Author (from Amazon): Mike Wells is an American bestselling author of over 20 "unputdownable" thriller and suspense novels, including Lust, Money, & Murder and Passion, Power, & Sin. He is also known for his young adult books, such as The Mysterious Disappearance of Kurt Kramer, The Wrong Side of the Tracks, and Wild Child, which are used by English teachers in high schools and colleges worldwide. Formerly a screenwriter, Wells has a fast-paced, cinematic writing style. His work is often compared to that of the late Sidney Sheldon, with strong and inspiring female heroes, tightly-written scenes, engaging action/dialogue, and numerous plot twists. He currently lives in Europe and teaches part-time in the Creative Writing program at the University of Oxford.

Where to Get Your Copy: Kobo | Amazon | Sony | Smashwords

Book 1, Lust, is currently free on Amazon at the time of posting.

Suggested Book: Passion, Power, & Sin by Mike Wells. Like Lust, Money, & Murder this story is broken up into parts, this story having 5 parts that are all currently published. 

Please leave a comment and tell me what you think.

Luna Aeturnus Review

Title: Luna Aeturnus

Author: Simon Okill

Series: Luna Series #2

Genre: paranormal/fantasy

Publish Date: September 17, 2013

Editor: Travis Luedke

Length: 263 pages

Format: ebook

__________________________________________________

Description (from Goodreads.com): Rural France, June 1925 - The witness to the Moreau massacre, Eternal, is still incarcerated in an asylum, trapped by her amnesia. Only her true love, Edourad, can help rediscover her identity. But the startling truth attracts the attention of The Count, the secret leader of a vampire cult. The Count needs Eternal's blood to achieve his destiny at the Eternal Hour and he has the forces of evil to help him.

With little time remaining, Edouard must unravel Eternal's vampiric past, unmask The Count, and plot their escape. But at every step, dangers beyond his understanding lurk in the shadows, and Eternal is vulnerable to attack the moment he leaves her.

With the Eternal Hour at hand and the forces of darkness converging, Edouard and Eternal must fight to rid the world of this evil. If they lose, The Count will reign supreme and unleash the dogs of war and chaos upon the world. Let the final battle begin.

My Review: I love almost all books about vampires and Luna Aeturnus is no exception. From the beginning I was curious about Eternal and why she is the asylum. I loved how this novel seemed to keep the reader guessing and we are taken on a journey. We learn things about Eternal and the asylum along with Edouard and I think this makes it better because the surprise and mystery is not revealed to the reader first and then we see the character's reaction, we have our own reaction. Luna Aeturnus was not predictable at all. 

Excerpt: 

Edouard shuddered with delight at Eternal’s vibrant caress. He grasped her hand as the music filled him with such dark desires. With a shudder of almost sexual completion, he gripped her hand tighter. His heart hammered painfully as he released his seed. He had to do this or go mad with her passion boiling his blood.

His passion spent, he began to focus on the task at hand – her treatment. “I am going to put you under hypnosis.” A look of terror and unease flitted across her face. “Please tell me what frightens you.” He received an overwhelming feeling of vulnerability.

She almost snarled as she replied, “We have no time for silly games, Edouard.”

He knew what she meant and accepted it as the truth. She instilled in him the need to be fully aware of the Eternal Hour, of the trials to come. “I will not let any harm come to you, do you understand?” He smiled. “It will be for only the briefest of moments.”

She shook her head no. “He is so close now ... he is in the village.”

He understood her truth. “He can do nothing to you in here ... do you believe I am your true love?”

“Why do you need to ask, Edouard?”

“Do this for me, so that I may understand your past. You do want that, yes?”

Though hesitant, she nodded for him to continue with the treatment.

He asked her in his gently lyrical voice, “Keep your eyes on my hand and imagine you are 

floating on a warm sea.” He waved his hand gently up and down in front of her face like the rise and fall of waves. Rise and fall. Rise and fall. Rise and ....

She realised just how vulnerable she would be in this altered state. She panicked and shook her head frantically. “Please stop. I will no longer exist if I surrender my power.” 

Overall Opinion: My favorite thing about this novel was the dark style and how I was questioning everything in the novel. I think Luna Aeturnus does an excellent job in keeping readers interested because you want to know how the story resolves. I give Luna Aeturnus 4 stakes. I would recommend this book to fans of vampires and mysteries. 

Get to Know the Author: Simon Okill lives with his wife, Shirlee Anne and their cat, in a pretty coastal town in South Wales, UK. After a serious accident at work, he was forced into early retirement due to disability. Simon used his new found skills as a writer to help with his depression. His writing became more serious as certain A-list actors expressed interest in his scripts. He is presently working on a vampire series, Luna Sanguis/Aeturnus and the script, Flip Side.

Author Links:

https://www.facebook.com/lunaeternal | http://twitter.com/simonokill https://www.amazon.com/author/simondokillwriter | http://goodreads.com/tassyoneill

http://tassyoneill.wix.com/the-phantom-bigfoot

Where to Get Your Copy: Amazon 

Please leave a comment a tell me what you think of this novel.

All the Shiny Things Reveal

Here comes Robin Mahle's All the Shiny Things. 

Title: All the Shiny Things

Author: Robin Mahle

Series: Redwood Violet 2

Release Date: September 27, 2013

Synopsis of the first novel, Redwood Violet: via Goodreads:

Katie Reid is living the quintessential Southern California life. A dream job and her college sweetheart, Spencer top it all off. However, she can't seem to shake the terrible dreams that have been tormenting her nights these past few months. After seeking help to find relief from the exhausting effects of these dreams, it becomes apparent that Katie is dealing with something much deeper and much more sinister. Her only solution is to delve into a past that no one wants her to remember. 

With the horrific discovery of a dark secret kept hidden for years, Katie is drawn into a world mired in evil and lost innocence. And only with the help of Detective Marshall Avery will she be able to channel her pain and anger. But, will he be able to contain Katie's desire for vengeance that has begun to unravel her perfect life? The first in a two-part series, REDWOOD VIOLET, a fast-paced, mystery/suspense novel, will keep you up long past your bedtime!

About the Author: Bestselling Author, Robin Mahle, lives with her husband and two children in Arizona. Robin found her passion for writing, which later became her second career, after spending nearly 20 years in the construction industry. 

Having always been a lover of books, Robin attributes her creativity to the wonderful overseas adventures she has shared with her husband of 14 years. Backpacking (or certainly close to it), throughout Europe and having lived in England, opened her mind and with that came a steady stream of story ideas inspired by her author- idols in the thriller/suspense genre.

Through many late nights and weekends locked away in a room, Robin published her debut psychological suspense novel, Redwood Violet in the Spring of 2013. Intended as a two-part series, Robin is hard at work again writing the sequel, All the Shiny Things and is on schedule for a September 2013 release!

Visit her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/robinmahle

Tell me what you think of the All the Shiny Things cover. 

Review: Missy Jane's Day Shift

Author: Missy Jane

Title: Day Shift

Published: November 2011 (first published 2009)

Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Description from Goodreads.com: "The sun's not the only thing that's too hot to handle.

President Vardin isn’t the first vampire politician to make empty promises. Humans can work at night, he says. Humans will be safe on the streets, he says. It’s all bull. I’m still stuck on day shift at Langley’s Round The Clock Emporium, trying to earn enough to live from night to night.

If I thought the sun’s harsh rays had turned society upside down, watch what happens when I witness a murder in the alley. The police keep bombarding me with questions until a detective with a bad attitude walks in and takes over. He’s unbelievably hot, way out of my league, and way, way out of my comfort zone. Because he’s the one thing I fear most. A vampire.

Then I learn why the police seem so interested in me. My ex-husband is drawing a series of murders in his new comics. I’m in every one of them, and it looks like I’m supposed to be the last victim. The detective’s interest in my past—and his protective instincts—are bordering on unprofessional, but I can’t seem to bring myself to care.

Because the last place I should want to be is the safest place on earth…a vampire’s embrace.

Warning: If you like your vampires sparkly and emotional, don’t read this book. It contains an overworked, underpaid, bloodsucking hero who might break your heart."

Review: Day Shift started off with a great start explaining the world that Zaria lives in and her aversion to vampires. In her world vampires have taken over but coexist with humans. One day at work Zaria witnesses a crime and meets Detective Gregory Parsons who just so happens to be a vampire. Through other crimes that Greg investigates, Zaria's ex husband becomes a suspect and a wanted man. Greg vows to do whatever it takes to protect her and the two develop feelings for each other. Through the investigation and more crimes Zaria discovers something about Greg that threatens their relationship. 

   I consider myself a vampire connoisseur as I love all things vampire and most books about them. I liked that the vampires in the novel where more modern vampires in that they are able to walk in the sunlight with no problem and they can be around humans with minimal issue. However, the paranormal aspect seemed underplayed and it felt like the fact that some of the characters are vampires only comes up when someone is being murdered. Similarly the relationship between the hero and heroine seemed tense and forced to me. The stressful situation that they are involved in added to the tension which causes the relationship aspect of the novel to not be as strong as it could be in my opinion. Despite these things Day Shift is an enjoyable novel that I would recommend because the plot was very interesting and well executed. I give the novel a 3.5 out of 5 stars because it was good but could have been better.  

Links: Day Shift on Goodreads
On Amazon
On Barnes & Noble