Top 5 Wednesday - Re-reads

Where has the week gone?  It seems like it was just yesterday that I was posting last weeks Top 5.  Anyway, this week we are doing one of my favourite tags - the re-read.  I love re-reading books!  It's always fun to go back to a book you loved and fall in love with it all over again... which is why I am so surprised when I watch YouTube and see a majority of people don't re-read!  Yes, I know.  How can you not re-read a truly awesome book?  Anyhow, lets get on with this list...

   

 NORA ROBERTS STAND-ALONES

Yes, I do read Nora Roberts.  I particularly enjoy these two books, also I re-read The Search at least once or twice a year, but I just didn't have enough room to add the picture ;-D  I like most Nora Roberts books because there is a little bit of romance, some mystery, occasionally paranormal aspects, and they aren't overly violent (which is a nice change from time to time).  I find I read these books more in winter when I can snuggle up under a blanket on the couch with a hot cup of tea.

covers are made of that suede-y material that just doesn't seem to show damage!

 

 NAKED IN DEATH - J.D. ROBB

This is the first book in J.D. Robb's (aka Nora Roberts) massive In Death series - that will see the release of the 40th book in February next year!  These books are great to just chill out with when you're in a bit of a detective, slash mystery, mood.

 

 GUILD HUNTERS - NALINI SINGH

This is an amazing Urban Fantasy series!  See what the world could be like if Archangels were the apex predator.  I tend to read the first three books together, almost as if they were one bind up.  Can't recommend this series highly enough if you want something great to read that's not going to take 2 weeks, or you love those of the angelic persuasion ;-D

 

 STEPHANIE PLUM - JANET EVANOVICH

I love this series, and although the last 5 or so books have been less than stellar, I can't help but go back to Two for the Dough and Hot Six when I want something that's guaranteed to make me laugh ;-D

 

 WRITTEN IN RED - ANNE BISHOP

 I adore this book - and series - and as you can see from the photo I took of the spine this is a well read, and re-read, book ;-D

Just leaving a pic of the spine of some of my more well re-read books ;-D

Okay, so I promise that's me done for this weeks Top 5.  I hope you found something new to read, and if you want to find out more about this series, it was created by the lovely Lainey at GINGERREADSLAINEY and I'll include a link to the Goodreads group {here} if you would also like to participate.

 

If you have any questions, or comments, I'd love to hear from you... and you know what to do down below ;-D

So until next time,

 

Scent of Danger a Delight!

Available @AMAZON

Scent of Danger

Andrea Kane

Orig. Pub. Feb 2003

Re-issue Dec 2006

Back cover

When Dylan Newport, a high-powered attorney for the company that manufactures C'est Moi -- the revolutionary fragrance that makes women irresistible to men -- finds his boss, Carson Brooks, shot and nearly dead, he sets out to fulfill what may be the billionaire CEO's last wish: to find out whether a business deal he made twenty-eight years ago to start his company also resulted in his fathering a child.

Dylan's search leads him to Sabrina Radcliffe, a brilliant management consultant who is shocked to learn her father's identity. Yet when she meets Carson face-to-face, there's an instant connection. His appointing her interim CEO is the opportunity of a lifetime, until she becomes the target of his enemies. As suspects -- and victims -- begin to pile up, Sabrina turns to Dylan and finds that their own perfect chemistry is kindling into soul-deep desire. But first they must confront an elusive adversary intent on destroying everything -- and everyone -- they cherish.

This is the first book I had ever read by Andrea Kane, and it left me wanting more.  It’s rare these days when an author can finish a book and still leave you wanting more.  I used to feel that way about LKH, but now when the library gets a new Andrea Kane I’m there baby!

Scent of Danger is a romantic suspense novel that delves into the cut throat world of business.  In a nutshell, it revolves around Dylan Newport, a high-powered attorney, who finds his boss, Carson Brooks, shot and almost dead, and he sets out on what might be his bosses last wish: to find his biological child.  His search leads him to Sabrina Radcliffe, a beautiful and brilliant management consultant who is shocked to learn her father’s identity.  Yet when Dylan takes her back for a face-to-face with Carson, there is an instant connection between father and daughter.  When Carson appoints her interim CEO she becomes the target of his enemies.  As suspects – and victims – pile up, Sabrina turns to Dylan and finds that their own chemistry is perfect, kindling into soul-deep desire.  But first they must confront an elusive adversary intent on destroying everything.

This book took almost no time to get through.  Andrea Kane dragged me under her spell and I was lost in the world of Dylan and Sabrina.  It isn’t as gritty or edgy as Twisted, but still it is a great ride as you try to uncover the identity of the killer.  Now, although this book isn’t a demanding read, you do have to pay attention to the who’s and what’s so that you can follow the underlying subtext.

I loved Dylan and Sabrina’s relationship.  Even more was the interaction between Carson and Sabrina’s mother.  Having been an AI (artificial insemination) baby, Sabrina’s parents have never met.  It was nice to see them as supportive of each other, and Sabrina.  I’m not sure it would work like this in real life, but that’s why we have books isn’t it :-D

If you liked Kay Hooper’s Noah Bishop series, or Sharon Sala’s many books then this will be right up your alley.  Try not to read it before going to sleep – it’s not conducive to a good night’s sleep – as you’ll have to stay up to finish it.

I'll Be Watching You...

Andrea Kane certainly knows what she’s doing. This book grabs you from the first chapter and doesn’t let go until the thrilling climax. It twists and turns until you are unsure as to who you should suspect, and even then, the identity of the killer is a surprise.

Okay, the basic synopsis is this. Dr. Taylor Halstead, a NY school psychologist and radio personality, is assaulted by her cousin’s boyfriend. Interrupted before he can rape her, he leaves her unconscious and handcuffed to the bed, after telling her he’ll be back to finish what they’ve started. When she wakes up she reports his arse to the police. Now, on the same day that he attacks her, Gordon Mallory, her cousin (and roommate) Stephanie and some friends are killed when an explosion rips through his luxury yacht. Taylor is devastated, and left feeling emotional battered.

Months later, Taylor’s life is once again thrown into turmoil when she begins to get notes and phone calls from someone. When dealing with her late cousins estate, she meets lawyers to finalise some financial details. There she runs into and freaks out as she comes face to face with Gordon’s identical twin Jonathan. Lawyer Reed Watson steps in and helps her. The two form a bond and they begin to see each other. Jonathan however doesn’t take the hint and continues to pursues her. Meanwhile her stalker ups the ante by killing one of her co-workers and friend. With the help of Reed, Taylor has to uncover the identity of her stalker. . . or risk becoming his next victim.

Now, what did I think of this book you ask?  Well... I love, love, loved it. I came across this book after finding a battered ex-library copy of Scent of Danger - and since I loved that book - I was looking forward to another by Kane. I wasn’t disappointed. Her leading lady, Taylor, is a woman who knows herself but isn’t afraid to admit to being insecure and needy at times. Reed is a strong protective man with a deep need to keep his lady safe. Their consequent relationship wasn’t hard to foretell, and was interesting to watch as it seems to stay constant and steady, forging ahead under stresses that in real life would most likely tear any committed couple apart. Jonathan, twin of Gordon, is an interesting character as he struggles to overcome childhood traumas - but not until after he's made a real arse of himself. Gordon was a nasty piece of work and when he was blown up at the beginning, I cheered!

This book twists and turns, taking readers through a range of emotions and ideas. It gives you an insight into the turmoil a stalker can have on their target, and the lack of protection given to their victims by the law. Looking back there was one or two subtle, and I mean subtle, hints as to the identity of Taylor’s stalker. The stalker’s reasoning was hard to fathom at times, but once the identity is revealed then it makes sense. Then again, stalkers don’t seem to need a rational reason to begin with.

If you liked Twisted, Scent of Danger, any of the Noah Bishop books by Kay Hooper or even the JD Robb books starring Lt. Eve Dallas, then you’ll enjoy this book. Be warned . . .it’s addictive, so I wouldn’t recommend reading it during your lunch hour. You just won’t want to put it down.



Twisted

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When one of her closest childhood friends disappears, former FBI

Special Agent Sloane Burbank takes the case – even though her ex-

lover Derek Parker is the agent in charge.

I’ve been waiting for 2 weeks for the postman to deliver this book to me. Andrea Kane is a favourite of mine. Her Scent of Danger was the first book I’d read by her and I found it to be a wonderful mystery. And to tell you the truth, I thought that this book would be written in the same style. I was both right and wrong in that regard. While the style was still in the same vein, this book was a more in-depth, drawn out affair delving into the turbulent world of FBI agents. Former FBI Special Agent Sloane Burbank is wonderful as the tortured heroine, struggling to get her life back together after suffering life threatening injuries in the line of duty. The breakdown of her relationship with Special Agent Derek Parker during this very emotional time has left her wary of forming relationships. That is until the call that sees her heading back into the line of fire as a case brings her back into the life of Derek.

Derek Parker is no knight in shining armour. An ex-Ranger he knows his faults, but doesn’t seem to see what happened between himself and Sloane as partly his fault. Her resignation from the agency was seen as a cowardly retreat to him. As the story evolves, and emotions rise to the surface, it is clear to readers that he loves this porcupine of a woman, but didn’t understand the depths of her trauma after her near death experience. Their love-hate relationship is wonderfully addictive to read.

The killer is suitably cunning and vicious. Ms. Kane gives you an insight into an unstable mind that is just chilling at times. When the killer was revealed I was truly shocked. I definitely wouldn’t have thought it was that person (no spoilers here :P), and even looking back there weren’t that many hints. If you figured it out before the reveal then bravo to you. Maybe I was having a slow day? Anyhow, the killers motives weren’t so out of left field that you were left scratching your head about why they did it. This time, the killer’s motives were heartbreakingly simple to divine once you know who it is.

For a mystery, cosy mystery, police procedural or thriller buff this would make a nice addition to their collection. There is a follow up book with Sloane and Derek, Drawn in Blood, that picks up six months after this book. It’s been getting mixed reviews, but I’ll be keeping my eyes out for it.

Rating: 4 / 5
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