Posts Tagged ‘BOOK’

Murder Game by Christine Feehan

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

The latest Feehan novel “Murder game” is the seventh story in the ghost walker series. This is Kadan and Tansy’s story. I’m going to start out by saying that I have so far enjoyed all the ghost walker books and this one was no different.

People are dying in the most gruesome manner and Kadan has been brought in to investigate. There is a fear that some or all of the other ghost walkers may be involved because of the characteristic of the murders and the efficiency of the murderer. Kadan is therefore under orders to keep his investigation a secret from the other ghost walkers. Kadan is determined to catch the killer and prove that his “brothers” are not involved. To do this he sets out to enlist the help of Tansy.

Getting her to work with him may not be so easy. Tansy is one of Whitney’s enhanced girls. She has retired to the Sierra mountains in search of peace an solitude after years of turbulence. From the time she was a teenager she worked with the police and FBI to catch the vilest of murderers using her enhanced gifts. Unfortunately due to her emphatic talent she is unable to rid herself of the voices and presence of the murderers and the victims even after the case is closed. Because of conditioning by Whitney throught her life she was never taught the necessary defenses to shield herself. This led to a nervous breakdown and her subsequent withdrawal from society.

Kadan catches up with her in the mountains where she is working her freelance job, taking pictures for National Geographic. Kadan’s first reaction to Tansy is unnerving to him and he quickly realizes that she is the woman Whitney paired him with. He has to work hard to convince her to work with him, as she is terrified that she will find herself back in that place near self destruction.

Finally she agrees to work with him and together they set out to track down a killer. They soon realize however, that the situation is infinitely more dangerous to Tansy as the murderer is a `hunter’, and a `dreamwalker’, exactly like her. Stopping him and protecting Tansy will require a joint effort with the other ghost walkers.

I loved this book as Kadan and Tansy are very evenly matched. Kadan who before was very cold and distant suddenly became very intense and human. Tansy was no push over as she stood up to him and gave as good as she got.

I particularly enjoyed the humor that was interjected into the story as Kadan was teased unmercifully by his “brothers” once they realized who Tansy was to him. I also enjoyed the love scenes which, were more intense and more regular than is Ms. Feehan’s style. I did not however think it detracted from the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one.

Private Eyes by Jonathan Kellerman

Sunday, January 11th, 2009

Child psychologist, Alex Delaware, teams up again with friend police detective Milo Sturgis to help a patient track down her mother who has disappeared.

The last time Alex saw Melissa Dickinson was eleven years ago when she was a scared seven year old in need of his help. The call from her is surprising, but not unexpected. Melissa needs Alex to advise her on concerns about her mother, who has her own set of unique problems.

Melissa’s mother, Gina suffers from agoraphobia (extreme, intense fear of open or public places) brought on by a vicious attack by an ex lover. The attack ruined her face and her aspirations of becoming a movie star. It also left her unable to function normally for twenty years. As a result of her illness she does not leave her house, therefore Melissa and the servants have been her only source of companionship and support.

While Alex is trying to figure out how to help Melissa and Gina, Gina disappeares without a trace. Enter, Milo, who is on suspension from the police department. Milo and Alex team up to help Melissa find her mother.

The more involved they become in this mystery, the more they realize there is more going on than can be seen on the surface. All the players have secrets that date back twenty years prior to the attack. Alex and Milo must unravel the secrets if they hope to find Gina alive.

Another good read from Jonathan Kellerman. Alex and Milo are two of my favourite suspense characters. Also returning is Robin, Alex’s estranged live in lover. This adds another dynamic to the story as we see Alex trying to do his job, while trying to come to terms with the complex emotional situation that is created by Robin’s return.

My only complaint is, it was fairly obvious who the bad “guy” was fairly early on. However the getting there and the resolution kept me engaged. If you are a fan, this book is worth reading. If you have never read this series this book can stand alone perfectly but some references to the past may confuse you. They do not however detract from the story. Check this product out here;

Play Dirty by Sandra Brown

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

In this novel about obsession, love and murder, Sandra Brown once again proves that she is a voice to be reckoned with in the “romantic suspense” genre.

Griff Burkett is an ex football hero who was convicted and sent to jail for throwing a game for profit. He was also accused of murder but as this was not proved he was not convicted of that crime. Fresh out of jail he is a desperate man without friends or prospects.

Enter Foster Speakman with a proposition Griff cannot refuse. Foster and wife Laura are desperate to have a child but due to a cruel twist of fate they are unable to do so. Foster proposes Griff should impregnate Laura as he does not want to go the route of artificial insemination as it may bring into question the right of his heir, if records of his birth were to become public.

This is the premise of the story and could even be plausable given the fact that the reader realizes early on that Foster has his own agenda. Griff agrees to participate because he needs the money, Laura agrees out of guilt and a desire to preserve her marriage.

Some may not like thi story because the hero is not your regular paragon of virtue. In fact, he is quiet flawed as he allowed himself to be corrupted by greed. If you like a dose of reality with your romance you will be able to relate to this character as he is no better or worse than the average individual. Given his background you can even understand how he fall came about.

Laura is a woman consumed with guilt as she was driving the vehicle when the accident occured which, resulted in her husbands paralysis. For two years she has been living with this burden and as a result when Foster makes his proposal she goes along even though she knows it is morally wrong.

As expected the relationship between these two started out with a great deal of angst. However given where they both were emotionally, it was inevitable that they would be drawn to each other.
The “course of true love never runs smooth” and it did not for these two, as they find themselves running for their lives, as they are targeted by Griff’s old nemesis. A good, fast read.
Click link if you would like to buy this item.

Mercury’s War

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

This is the latest installment in Lora Leigh’s Breed series. If you are a fan of this series like myself, you will realize that it was worth the wait. If it’s your first experience with this series, then you will not be familiar with the other characters and their stories. However, as their stories do not greatly affect Mercury and Rias story, this book can be read as a stand alone.

This is the story of Mercury and Ria. Mercury is one of the strongest enforcer for the Breeds. He is a mixture of human and lion. Unlike most other Breeds his animal has been forced into hiding inside him as a result of drugs that were forcefully administered to him in the labs after he went berserk and killed some handlers and scientists on learning that the woman who was potentially his mate was dead. Since then he has kept a tight reign on himself inadvertently causing the animal to retreat even further. Mercury is a breed lost, without any form of anchor and without hope of ever finding his place as he believes that his intended mate died years ago. As breeds mate only once there is no hope for him.

Ria is a clerk who works for the Vanderale Industries. She has been sent to Sanctuary to verify (or so she says) their book keeping and to ensure that Vanderales’ money is being well spent. Despite her brilliance and obvious competence at her job, Ria is a woman who has spent her entire life hiding from the world and herself. Despite the strange attraction that she felt toward Mercury even before meeting him, she believes that she will be able to go to Sanctuary, do her job and leave untouched.

When Ria and Mercury meet they are both aware that something extraordinary is about to take place. As events unfold, in vintage Lora Leigh style, both these very strong people will have to learn that they need each other in order to be complete.

I personally liked this story, as Mercury, although a typical alpha male, was also portrayed as very vulnerable due to the weakening of the animal side of his nature and his grief over the loss of his chance at love due to the death of his mate. Ria on the other hand has had her own issues of belonging as she grew up an orphan who depended on the largess of the first Leo and his family.

This book is not for the squeamish as the contents are highly sexual and graphic. I thought this was a great love story between two people who found a place to belong in each other