Contemporary Books

If you are looking for a book that will tug at your heart strings, but still keep you held in suspense throughout the book than this one is for you. I would liked to have seen a few twists in the plot. Sometimes the bad people seem to repeat the same scenario over and over and although you don't know who they are until the very end, you never really seem to feel much of anything for them. The villian should be easily dispised or blow you away with the realization that they are some one entirely different than you expected. This one did not do either for me. Nevertheless, the climax near the end was extremely suspenseful, filled with action and emotions. I really did enjoy this book and would recommend it. The ending is what has stayed with me even sometime after I read this book.

This book is a fantastic action packed read. It is worth your time and money. You'll love it. Trust me!

I just finished reading this book and I had to slow down because I did not want it to end. This was a wonderful book. I loved every minute of it. The Stanfield's clan was so twisted. But it made for exciting reading. I fell in love with little Rafi. He was so adorable. The love between Logan and Kelly was so touching. Tears streamed down my eyes several times. Logan really does sound like a man to die for. The things he went through during his childhood just broke my heart. I'd love to read more about Logan, Kelly, Pops, and Rafi. This was my first time reading Meryl Sawyer and now I must read more. This is one romantic suspense that I highly recommend. There is absolutely no way you could be disappointed. Go slow, because you will not want it to end. Enjoy.

This is the first book I have ever read by Meryl Sawyer. I absolutely loved it. I definitely agree with the other readers, the best book ever. I think Logan and Kelly made a great couple. Many times I read books where one of the main characters is always nasty until the very end and that can be quite exasperating, this was a delightful change. My only regret is that the book ended. If there were more than five stars available to rate, I would rate it higher.

The synopsis to this book does not do it justice! It has a very in-depth plot and makes you feel the character's emotions! I simply could NOT put it down- literally! I was so sad to see it end, yet at the same time I couldn't wait for it to end so that I could see what happens! I very strongly recommend this book. I have spent tons of time and money on this website and this is the first time that I have felt compelled to write a review. I hope you buy this book- if you like romantic suspense, you will LOVE Tempting Fate. I'm off to buy all the rest of her books now....

Shelby Jackson is co owner of Thunder Racing. Shelby lives, eats, and breathes NASCAR, so when her grandfather informs her that he is retiring and wants to sell his share to soccer star Mick Churchill, she's shocked. Shelby has no idea who the world-renowned athlete is. Sure, Mick is more handsome than any man she has ever seen, but he knows nothing about racing and Shelby is not interested in working with him.

Mick needs to make this deal happen. A lot is riding on it. After meeting Shelby he wants her too, but she's off limits and if she finds out why he really needs the team, they may both lose more than a racing partnership.

Thunderstruck is a romantic story, and it also has great racing details with a thrilling ending, which I did not expect. Mick is sinfully sexy and completely irresistible. Shelby is a beautiful tomboy who's headstrong and intelligent. Thunderstruck is a love story that's fun to read.

Nannette reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I thought the book was very good. The author was very knowledgeable about the sport of Nascar and it showed in the book and the story line.

My son loves NASCAR and I am planning on sharing these with my daughter-in-law. Thank you!

Whatever this New York Times Bestseller author writes is guaranteed to "thrill" her readers. This book is no exception and a tribuite to the author and NASCAR.

I realize there have been articles written about Harlequin and this NASCAR series. Would the series be a success? If this is any indication, then yes but I sincerely believe her contribution to the series and her other book Tis the Silly Season from NASCAR HOLIDAY, are a wonderful addition.

This is the story of a small family owned team trying to compete against the larger owners that dominate the sport. The grandfather wishes to retire and sell his portion of the ownership to a famous British soccer player whom he believes will attract corporate sponsorship and high quality drivers that will revitalize the faltering team. The granddaughter is highly suspicious of the soccer player's motives, and is hesitant to trust him to be her partner in owning the team. As he works to prove himself to her, both on and off the track, the team is being sabatoged. Lots of action and intrique ensue - is he the one sabatoging the team? Are his motives honorable? Will the team excel or dissolve if he becomes a partner? The chemistry between the granddaughter and the soccer player sparkles. The setting is Speed Week at Daytona, so there is a lot of interesting behind the scenes details of this two week long event.

Ms. Adrianne Byrd has done it again! Since discovering her romance novels I've had to back track and get copies of the books I've missed. I thoroughly enjoy the way she spins a tale. Although, the story starts out a little slow, as she takes time to develop her characters, Ms. Byrd does a excellent job in creating a very endearing romance with some hilarious and intriguing moments throughout. I'm so glad that she moved the romance along by letting the attraction build between Diana and Marcel. She didn't throw them into a physical relationship within the first few chapters. And the scenes at the masquerade ball simply wonderful. As the title states, this tale is an "UNFORGETTABLE" reminder of the power of true love and the quest for that fairy tale ending every hopeless romantic hopes to find. To date I have not been disappointed by this author.

I really enjoyed this book. Written in true "Byrd" style, this book was funny, touching, and thought-provoking. Handsome Marcel Taylor is finally tired of the "game". With the assistance of his best friend he's determinded to find the one. Diana, his ever faithful assistant has had a crush on Marcel for the longest time but, she never felt she had a chance against the bevy of beautiful women Marcel is normally seen with. With the assistance of her sick grandmother and her best friend she's determinded to have Marcel, if only for one night

Everything good has already been said about this book. I just loved this book! It's a definite keeper. Adrianne's characters were developed just the way a reader wants them to be. They were believeable, funny, sexy, romantic and you rooted for them. Not once did I feel that Diana and Marcel didn't belong together. Some other authors in the AA romantic genre could take lessons from Adrianne on character development. I'm so glad that she moved the story along by letting the attraction build between Diana and Marcel. She didn't throw them together physically within the first few chapters. The scenes at the masquerade ball were brilliant. Brava Andrianne!

This book is a classic. It's interesting how Adrianne chose to tell this story and even more interesting how she ended it. Diana and Marcel a.k.a Casanova Brown are truely a couple you won't soon forget. And let's not forget the lovesick Solomon and the sexy Ophelia. It's a wonderful begining to hopefully a great series. More!! More!!

Yall, Adrianne Byrd has entered the building and she's done it again. This time with a Cinderella-like tale, complete with a ball, prince and missing slipper- or should I say sandal in "Unforgettalbe." You will be intrigued by the witty characters and the great story-line. "Unforgettable" is a hilarious, entertaining, page-turner; and a all-around wonderful love story. She's even given us two more characters that we all fell in love with in "Unforgettable" with Ophelia and Soloman who's story will be just as good as this one. You will not be disappointed in this wonderful love story. If you are not reading Adrianne Byrd there is something wrong. You are not only depriving yourself of a wonderful author, but a wonderful story-teller also.

I've read many people give an account for why they believe what they believe. From atheists, I've read Russell, Sartre, Nietzsche, Sagan, Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris, and Antony Flew (when he was an atheist). From Christians, I've read Craig, Zacharias, Sproul, Strobel, Pascal, Lewis, Blomberg, John Dickson, and Moreland. Although both lists of atheists and theists have good writers who can make vivid points, none is the teacher like Geisler.

Norman Geisler and Bocchino are not poets. They are straightforward and the powerful imagery of their book is using phrases by the authors mentioned above. However, they have packaged a very good text with a wide breathe of knowledge and connected the fact that beliefs have consequences. Those consequences will spill into all aspects of our lives no matter if we realize it or not. This book basically shows the logical sequence of philosophical premises with regards to major worldviews and how those worldviews, if honest and logically consistent, will play out in fields like science, law, morality, and education.

This is a good referance book for any Christian. Specially for College students. It will not get outdated soon. So buy it read it and keep it for future referance. It is very useful. LOTS of information there...

This book is a must read for all students in a secular environment, and for anyone seeking a reasonable defense of the Christian faith. Evolution and moral relativism are not satisfying answers logically or practically. Geisler does a masterful job of removing the scientific underpinnings of evolutionary faith and establishing a well reasoned defense of Intelligent Design. He further takes on issues such as justice and absolute moral standards vs. relativistic morality and judicial philosophy. THe last section of the book points to every man's need for Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord and establishes the Bible, as God's revelation, as the only proper epistemoligical starting point.

This book sat on my shelf collecting dust for nearly 6 years. It wasn't until I found myself as a first-year teacher needing a strategy to refute evolution and a darwinistic view of our world that I even felt compelled to pick it up. This book is an excellent resource...logical, methodical, and sound-minded in its application of reason to matters of faith. I highly recommend it just as strongly to one longing to worship the Lord God with all his mind, as to another who is still unsure of the intellectual credibility of the Christian faith. In terms of books that have changed my life, this title will rank with the best of them...only coming in behind the Bible itself, and C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity.

For many years now, Christian apologetics has been a scattered, unorganized field, full of random facts that didn't really come together to form a coherent picture. As someone who is very skeptical and has struggled with whether or not to believe in the Christian worldivew, that was always very frustrating for me when attempting to do research. Unshakable Foundations has completely changed that, and has in a sense revolutionized Christian apologetics. Most of these ideas were always out there, but Bocchino and Geisler have given them structure, starting with no assumptions (one of the very first topics in the book is whether there is even such a thing as truth) to build an airtight case for Christianity that is just about impossible to get around. Jesus and the Bible are not even mentioned until near the end of the book, undercutting any charges of bias or unreasonable assumptions. It's just basic logic, pure and simple, and it is stunning how the authors take that logic to show how it can only lead to one conclusion. This is a great book for Christians and non-Christians alike, young and old, seekers and believers. For anyone who takes seriously questions about our existence, meaning, a higher power, etc., there is no better starting point than Unshakable Foundations.

I was so happy to see that the publisher has opted to do a 3-book large format release for this excellent series by P.N. Elrod that even though I own all the books under the original mass market covers, I am buying them all again in the new editions.

I am also ecstatic to see that they have done a MUCH better job on the cover art than in the original mass market editions. If I had not been running a chain bookstore when the first one came out hadn't gotten a recommendation from one of my customers who loved the book, I would NEVER have picked it because the cover art was so tacky. I think a lot of good books go unnoticed because the publisher harms the book with bad art. Publishers: use a plain colored cover instead of something that makes the book look like tough-guy drivel or something else they are NOT! Good cover art sells books, BAD ART KILLS!

I recommend this series to readers who are interesed in how a 'normal' human might react to the circumstances created by being made vampire unexpectedly. Jack isn't a deliberate hero, and is no part of any 'brotherhood' or 'secret society'; he is instead a Joe Average hack journalist scrabbling to make a living in the depression, a likable guy who bumbles around trying to figure out what happened to him and feeling like he is up to his waist in the quicksand that has become his existence.

In many vampire fiction novels, becoming a 'creature of the night' magically solves a host of probelms and enables the hero to go on a crusade or gain lots of 'powers' which help to cope; this doesn't happen for Jack. He tries to do the best he can under the circumstances he's been handed, but finds himself becoming more at odds with the 1920's organized criminal empire he's become inadvertently pitted against, and finds himself relying more and more upon the few human friends he has who know what he is. His vulnarability is at times wrenching.

These books are enjoyable fiction which make you think about what it REALLY might be like to have the vampiric circumstance thrust upon you. No sturm and drang, no graphic sex scenes, but plenty of emotional response where the reader becomes invested in Jack, his friends, and the trials of his new existence.

I recommend these book Highly - watch out, though: they're hard to put down and you may face the hazard of staying up way too late to finsh and showing up for work the next day with dark circles under your eyes!

P.N. Elrod's Vampire Files are amazing. They take old-style detective fiction, set in post Al Capone Chicago, and merge it with the supernatural in the form of Jack Fleming, former reporter turned private investigator. Oh yeah, he's also a vampire.

Elrod's stories would be great reads on their own, but with the addition of Fleming's status as a bloodsucker, they are absolutely fantastic.

Wonderful settings, filled with exciting action and really cool characters, make these books seem to whiz by. Fortunately this volume includes the first three books of the series.

By the end of the last book, you'll be hooked. Be sure and pick up The Vampire Files Vol. II.

For those who like vicious gangsters, dapper detectives with a dark past, and smart, beautiful damsels in distress, The Vampire Files are a perfect fit. Get this one today!

Set in 1936, our hero finds himself on a shore with a man tyring to kill him. The series of books follow Jack's adventures to find out why someone whats to kill him and his search to find his lover Maureen. Excellent light reads 9/10

PN Elrod's "Jack Fleming, Vampire PI" series is a great read with humour and a fantastic setting in 1930s Chicago with film noir aspects. This collection of the first three stories is excellent value for money.

BLOODLIST
The story begins with "Bloodlist" where we meet Jack Fleming waking up having crawled out of the sea. No sooner has he staggered to the road when a passing driver clips him with his bumper - clearly on purpose. Jack finds himself in discussion with the car driver and discovers that he is supposed to be dead, killed because he wouldn't tell people where an important list was hidden.

Jack realises pretty quickly that he has become a vampire. Fortunately he knows about the vampire life, having had a vampire girlfriend previously, and he prepares his life accordingly (fetching some of his home earth, finding somewhere safe to sleep the day, feeding from the stockyards). Elrod gives her own particular selection of traits to vampires - garlic, crosses and invitations into rooms don't work, disappearing, extra strength and glamour do. What's fun about this story is that we learn about Jack's skills and nature as he does and because he's clearly not evil, just a pleasant and friendly ex-reporter who wants to get to the bottom of his own death.

Chicago is a city of gangsters and other dodgy types in this story and Jack falls foul of several of them. What's great about Jack as a character is that if he were fully human he would have died multiple times as he really isn't quite up to dealing with these characters. However his vampire nature gets him out of a lot of sticky situations and also enables him to have a great time scaring some of the people who were involved in his death. Assisted by the trusty Charles Escott, a brave private agent and sometime actor, the two of them try to find out why Jack was killed and what was on the list. In the course of their investigations Jack meets Bobbi, girlfriend to one of the gangsters and a surprisingly phlegmatic person who seems able to cope with his vampiric nature.

There are a lot of amusing jokes and allusions to various books and films which went over the head of this relatively young English reader but that didn't matter as the story was always enjoyable. The best parts are when Jack is 'haunting' his killers but the fun is interspersed with some serious moments as he slowly begins to remember all that they did to him and to come to terms with his new nature.

This is an excellent first story in the series and Jack is a great new character, both as a vampire and also as a slightly hapless investigator.

LIFEBLOOD
The second story, "Lifeblood", takes place just a few weeks after the first story finishes. Jack and Bobbi have settled into some kind of a relationship and Jack also spends some of his time helping Escott with his private investigations. However they soon decide that it would be wise for Jack to have some more of his home earth stored at Escott's place in case he has a problem with returning to his hotel room so Jack drives 'home' to Ohio to collect it. On the way he realises he is being followed and eventually has a showdown with the two people in the car - vampire hunters. They're obviously both rather loony and have read far too many vampire novels, thinking that they are safe from Jack with their garlic and crosses. He gives them a flat tyre and then continues on his way.

Once he's collected the earth he passes his parents' house to find the vampire hunters are there. He chases them off, then returns to Chicago but worried about his parents. Unfortunately he hasn't completely escaped the vampire hunters and they start to plague him in Chicago; he's worried about Bobbi and whether they will go after her. His attention is also taken by an old woman, Gaylen Dumont, who has responded to his adverts in the papers asking for Maureen to contact him (Maureen is his lost love and the vampire who made him). Gaylen is Maureen's sister, now 74 years old, and she gives Escott some information which might help him to find Maureen. However there's more to Gaylen than Jack initially realises and more danger to Bobbi than just from the vampire hunters. Jack is faced with an impossible situation, one that he realises Maureen found herself in, and it's only with the help of Escott his friend that he can survive at all.

This story is more gritty perhaps than the first as we have more emotional engagement from Jack. Being a vampire makes him mostly bombproof but it doesn't mean that he isn't extremely vulnerable because of the friendships he has made and because of his family. The story is always interesting with some great humorous touches and Jack as a character is always very appealing. I found that as a reader I really cared about what happened to him and wanted things to work out well for him. It's a great second book in the series and possibly could be read as a standalone book although it might seem rather complex. The ending leaves the question of Maureen still unresolved and this is dealt with more fully in the third book.

BLOODCIRCLE
The third story, "Bloodcircle", continues straight from where "Lifeblood" left off. Jack Fleming, vampire investigator, and his assistant/boss Charles Escott are still trying to find out what happened to Maureen Dumont, the female vampire that made Jack. She disappeared five years ago when realising her sister Gaylen was going to force her to make her a vampire. Jack and Charles have a small clue to follow about Maureen's disappearance so they set off on a trip to New York State to follow the clue.

Eventually their search takes them to a rich household of the reclusive lady Emily Francher whose mother died in strange circumstances. Jack goes to investigate and soon discovers that Emily's gigolo lover is rather more significant than he might seem. They follow more clues which culminate in Jack being seriously injured and with a very amusing scene where Charles appears to be a body snatcher. The unmasking of the villain and the explanation of what really happened five years before is no great surprise but is well written and enjoyable nonetheless.

In this episode of the Vampire PI series we learn more and more about Jack's personality, particularly with regard to his morals and his feelings. There are some really interesting little vignettes into his thoughts, for example when seeing coffins sized for children when he is in the funeral parlour. Jack's about as far from the traditional view of the evil vampire as it's possible to get and yet he also has to drink blood and carries out mind control on people. The scene where he's trying to find a meal in a farmyard is an amusing episode amongst some of the darker events of the story.

Again this is a great read, like the two previous stories, and it seems like P N Elrod has settled well into her characters and is slowly revealing more and more about them. It's a most enjoyable series and a welcome change from the usual overblown and sex-obsessed vampire genre tale.

This is a collection of books 4-6 in the Jack Fleming, Vampire PI series and contains entertaining supernatural stories which leaven the 'vampire' moments with the humanity of our bloodsucking protagonist, Jack. He's a great hero because he's fallible, seems to get shot and knocked out rather regularly, cares for his girlfriend Bobbi and his friend Charles Escott and tends to blunder around not being quite sure what he's doing a lot of the time. Perhaps his blundering and being shot may pall over time but at the moment it makes for a very different, and very likeable, hero.


ART IN THE BLOOD
"Art in the Blood" sees Jack coming to the rescue of a man at a party and then being sucked into problems within the art world. Alex Adrian was a famous artist but hasn't done anything since his wife committed suicide; Evan Robley and his sister Sandra are also artists and when more suspicious events start taking place, including a death for which Alex Adrian might be responsible, Jack and Escott have to unravel the plot and work out what's really going on. The Chicago underworld plays its part as usual with more dodgy characters who have it in for Jack and Escott.

This story gives us more of an insight into the relationship between Jack and Bobbi as well as Jack needing to use his powers of vampire hypnosis more and more, leading to more people finding out what he truly is. It's another great read with a lighthearted feel and yet sometimes a darker undertone.


FIRE IN THE BLOOD
The first page in this book is great fun as we meet Jack apparently stripping Olivia Vandemore's evening gown from her and about to sacrifice her on an altar to Sabajajji, the Spider God. Fortunately this is just part of the novel he is writing rather than reality - although reality for Jack Fleming, Vampire PI, is often as bloodthirsty as this novel.

Jack and Charles Escott, Private Agent, are summoned to see Mr Sebastian Pierce, a rich retired Chicago man who tasks them to find a valuable bracelet that his daughter's boyfriend or a friend of his may have stolen. Jack finds himself shadowing the daughter to Bobbi's club and soon enough they stumble into murder and mayhem. A new member of the Chicago Underground, Vaughn Kyler, comes into play in this book and he's a particularly creepy individual who is resistant to Jack's vampire hypnosis. This book also sees the darker side of Jack having an outing after an episode of hypnotising goes rather wrong. Once again Jack finds himself in dodgy situations and only escapes by the skin of his teeth - is this ability going to pall any time soon?

The ending of this book is rather open and in fact leads directly into the next story, "Blood on the Water", although fortunately this episode does reach some sort of a conclusion. However Jack's rather more off balance in this book because of the darker side of his powers and we are learning more about him through it. Another great episode in this excellent series - a series that it probably pays to read in order.


BLOOD ON THE WATER
This story starts directly after "Fire In The Blood" and I think it would probably be rather difficult to understand everything that's going on, along with the fairly large cast of characters, without reading some of the previous books.

Jack Fleming, Vampire, had a bit of a shock in the last book when his vampiric nature got away from him and he nearly killed a woman. He's still struggling with the aftermath of those events in this story and is unwilling to use his hypnosis skills but equally doesn't want to talk about it to the rather perceptive Charles Escott, his partner.

The 'baddie', Vaughn Kyler, who we first met in the last book plays a significant role in the beginning of this story when he gives Jack the ultimatum to leave town or die. This gives Jack huge moral qualms - Jack knows that if he doesn't kill Kyler then neither Charles nor Bobbi will be safe, and yet how can he become a murderer? I think the way that the author showed Jack's fears about this was excellent.

In this story everyone is still chasing the bracelet from the last book and Jack enlists the help of Gordy, another local crime boss who's helped them in the past. Unfortunately a turf war seems to be breaking out with a new entrant, Angela Paco, playing her part as well. The three-sided war looks to be unstoppable and Jack has to decide on his actions with Kyler.

Once again, as in most of the other stories, Jack gets himself into various fixes and nearly dies. His physical limits are tested in a new way and there is more violence surrounding him. In the earlier books there was a lot of situation comedy where Jack was acting like a ghost and it happens again, very amusingly, in this book. However the turf war in this book lends it a darker feel and no doubt sets up for further instalments.

In short, it's another good read and we're getting further and further into Jack's character as the stories continue but this wouldn't be a good first book for a reader in this series.

This twelfth in the Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James series is a killer! I love this series, and this book upholds the high standard that Ms. Crombie has set with this wonderful series. This is probably the best new book that I've read this summer as well! Crombie mixes the past with the present in this book, and it is done in a totally unique way. Gemma's friend Erika finds out a brooch that was made by her father before the war has turned up for sale in England, and she wants to know where it came from after all these years. This sets loose a whole series of catastrophic events and brand new murders to cover up an old secret. We see Gemma and Duncan working together to solve this puzzling crime. This is a totally wonderful series, and I highly recommend that anyone interested in police procedurals read it from beginning to end. Ms. Crombie is a wonderful writer who I have come to admire totally.

Deborah Crombie has written a great addition to her Kincaid/James series with WHERE MEMORIES LIE.

I particularly like the fact that Duncan and Gemma are back in the forefront of this series and not relegated to secondary characters like I believe they were in their last outing. It was also a smart move to have a bit less of Kit in this book, simply because I think to much emphasis has been placed on this character in the last couple of books.

The flow of the storyline moves from past to present seamlessly, and the actual mystery is a good one, although I figured out "who done it" quite early on in the book.

Crombie does a great job bringing her characters to life. If you like a good mystery, try this one.

I've always liked the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James books and this one was no disappointment. Glad I read it.

This book is a perfect blend of mystery and history. Yet again, Crombie manages to engage us in the lives of her detectives, Gemma James and Duncan Kincaid, their respective families, collegues and friends. The family dynamics are especially well done-the interactions feel real and are touching.
I loved the excerpts from books that introduced each new chapter.

How very rare it is to find a series that never disappoints! Crombie's Gemma James/Duncan Kincaid mystery - their 13th - takes place in Notting Hill and Chelsea, with glimpses of St Paul's tossed in. The plot takes us to London during the Blitz, with the emphasis on Jewish immigrants from Hitler's Germany. The chapter headings come from diaries of the time as well as histories and make great reading all by themselves.

Gemma's fascinating friend, Erika Rosenthal, is the focus of much of the action and we get to enter her world, past and present. Crombie doesn't beat us over the head with the suffering of the Jews, however, and that makes the sharply-drawn scenes we do get all the more powerful. The plot is very plausible and peopled with vivid characters - Mr Khan is an especially delightful surprise. I've always admired Crombie's bravery at setting her stories in England, and once again she comes through without putting a foot wrong. Nor does she follow the Elizabeth George model of piling on so much researched background detail that you are too numb to notice any day-to-day errors. She gives us Brit characters speaking believable Brit in a detailed setting stocked with flowers and dogs and a fine cat. I love the little bits and pieces of real life Crombie always fits in. Two novels ago I ended up buying Clarice Cliff pottery; now I'm listening to Barb Jungr - education through mystery novels.

The action moves quickly and even the to-ing and fro-ing part of the mystery (where the sleuths put the bits together before the big finale, my least favorite part) is crisply accomplished. In fact, at 295 pages, it was all over far too soon.

The family gets less air-time than I'd like, some attention having to go to Gemma's sick mother and blustery father, but Kit continues to develop as a wonderful character. Hope we see more of the boys next time, as well as Gemma's associate Melody, who is getting very edgy and interesting. The ending isn't exactly Harriet and Peter exchanging Latin tags on Magdalen Bridge, but it's quite good enough to make long-time readers smile. Brava.

This book captured my interest from the first page. I truly could not put it down until I was finished. Sebastian was truly a hero! What a wonderful combination of romance and suspense. I will definitely be looking for other Maureen Smith books.

Whisper My Name by Maureen Smith is a fabulous romantic suspense! Great mystery, hot love scenes and a surprise ending. What more can you want.

Francesca is one of those hidden beauties that doesn't realize how beautiful she truly is. Her younger sister Tommie is more flashy and sexy and got all the male attention so Francesca is doing her own thing as an expert scientist in spiders and teaching classes at a local university. It's while having coffee at her favorite cafe that she notices this sexy speciman of man staring at her. She's so flustered she actually chokes on her coffee.

Before he can introduce himself to her, Detective Sebastien Durand is called away on police business. Little does he know his case is going to reunite him with his mystery lady from the cafe. He needs her knowledge of spiders to help him find a serial killer in town. This New Orleans native moved to San Antonio with his grandma after Hurricane Katrina destroyed their home and he has made himself quite at home in Texas. He's happy to find out the beautiful woman who hides herself in frumpy clothes is his spider contact and goes about wooing her right away.

Francesca can't believe this handsome, sexy detective is actually interested in her, but Sebastien wears her down. Together they investigate the killer who keeps striking closer and closer to home.

I really enjoyed this book. And I'm never able to figure out who the serial killer is in these books either! While Sebastien & Francesca did move rather quickly with the physical aspect of their relationship, it worked for me. And their friends, family and associates were a hoot! Loved Sebastien's partner. Hope he gets his own book one day. And maybe in a few years so can Tommie, but she needs to grow up big time! I would definitely recommend this story to fans of romantic suspense.

I was a fan of maureen smiths since i read, a legal affair.
This is my third by her and i was expecting more 'ump'
this was indeed a good book,but the ending was over too fast and solving the mystery,which by the way, u will never guess who the killer is.
Usually authors first few books are the best and then they start to dwindle, not the case here.In this book comparng it to her later novel "legal affair" she definitly got a whole lot better.

I loved this book. Ms. Smith not only gives you a great story full of suspense and drama but she takes the time to set the scene as well. I can honestly say when I got to the end of this book I was shocked at the outcome. I never would have guessed. Great job Ms. Smith.

Whisper my Name was a refreshing book to read. It was not just about the romance but believing in yourself and finding your inner beauty. Frankie could not get past the fact that Sebastian choose her when he could have any woman he wanted. Her sister Tommie is the beauty while Frankie is the brains. Love is love. But loving yourself comes first. Ms. Smith did a fabulous job with this story and had a great mix of romance and suspense. This book is full of surprises, and you won't believe who is behind the spider tattoos. I hope Ms. Smith does a follow up on Tommie.

With Every Breath is a tail spinning face pace novel that takes its readers on a cat and mouse chase that leads to two soul mates finding love.

Imani Maxwell swore off falling in love with any man who carried a weapon for a career but when she finds herself in danger and the man who is a part of the team that is sent to keep her safe becomes a temptation like none other. She realizes that fighting her feelings is not exactly so easy.

Garrison Wade was a man who knew what he wanted as well as knew that life the he led offered little to make his past go away. When Imani finds herself in a lot more danger then she realizes Garrison willingly protects her with his life however, the two did not realize the relationship had become red hot.

Maureen Smith writes an action pack romantic story that leaves the reader fully satisfied with a true romantic novel with a touch of suspense.

This was my first romantic suspense and it was a breath of fresh air. I love romance books, but was getting tired of the same plot: Boy meets girl, they fall in love. Even though this book still had that, it had a lot more going on. Once I started reading, I could not put it down and read all 426 pages in one day. The love Garrison and Imani had for each other was so strong I could feel it. This is the type of book that you would want to read over and over again because it's that good. I gave this book to my two sisters to read, and they loved it, and they never read, none the less romance. Till this day they are still talking about this book.

I tell you if this is not what all of us who love romance crave then I do not know what is....In nothing else but exemplary Mrs Smith's style she entwines so amny twists at the same time not deviating form the thrill of the two lovers who meet and instantly know each other's soul..She makes me believe in finding that perfect black man that is out there for me and of course black love is at its best here also. Maureen Smith always delivers.

Gotta roll my eyes in satisfaction. Another one I loved. Garrison Wade. Mmm. Mmmm. Mmmm. The book starts off with him chasing a criminal and from there just blooms. From the start, you get the feeling that he's not a man to trifle with. And then, we find out that he has an oral fixation. Goodness. Gotta catch my breath. gallant. Chivalrous. Demanding. Tall. Respectable. Gorgeous. Dependable. The list just goes on. Mrs. smith didn't give us another law woman,this time she gave us Imani Maxwell. A sassy professor, fighting her attraction to Special Agent Wade. Ms. Maxwell has her own hangs up, but manages to let them go and realize how perfect Garrsion is, meanwhile worry about a kidnapper whose grabbed one of her students.

WOW! I'm still trying to catch my breath. AWESOME read! Maureen Smith has yet to disappoint me, but this was far better than I could have ever imagined. Talk about catching you from the first page and keeping you turning the pages 'til the very end. The storyline was very well developed and kept you guessing until the very end. All the characters played a memorable roles within the novel, keeping you wondering who could have done it. The romance and heated attraction between Garrison and Imani was simply breathtaking. Could not put the book down, read all 426 pages in 1 1/2 days. You will not be disappointed if you pick this novel up!

Once again I've been so entertained by a wonderful book. It's so great to read and not have to worry about the content or the language and yet have a story line that gets you so involved you feel you know each character!
Can't wait till the new series (which will include some from this group of characters) comes out ;)
Book was packed well and in great condition. Arrived quickly
Thanks,
Connie from NC

I purchased one book, read it quick and went online and ordered all the remaining books I was so taken with the storyline. The writing is fast moving and catchy and keeps you wanting more. It was a much needed boost to my reading and spiritual apathy I was struggling with at the time. If you haven't treated yourself to a Yada book, do it NOW. You will be glad you did. Peggy Touchtone ShollyDown Home Delicious

I entitled this review "Treat Yourself" because meeting the ladies of the Yada Yada Prayer Group will bless you immensely. Mrs. Jackson's character development is absolutely amazing to me. You will love these ladies and you will see yourself, your friends and your church members in these characters. Every book in this series is a treat to read. I had to stop myself from reading them too fast, because I did not look forward to getting to the end of this series. Trust me, treat yourself. You will not be disappointed.

This is a great series about 12 women who serendipitously end up in a prayer group together. Through the series I have fallen in love with each and every woman in the group. I have laughed with them and cried with them, and they have taught me a little more about prayer and perseverance. A great book!

Book 4 in a series of 7 books is a great demonstration of how God uses our talents to help us in our desire to help others. Great for small groups, home groups, women's groups or personal study. It's a pleasure to read.

At a first glance, it would be easy for a reader to dismiss 8 DAYS, by Barri L. Bumgarner, as just another end-of-the-world, Armageddon or THE STAND rip-off. However, a reader would be shortchanging herself to do so; this book has so much more going for it than a similar plot as Stephen King's famous tome.

First and foremost are the characters, a collection of every day normal people like you and me, caught in a horrendous situation not of their creation but making the best of it and existing against monumental odds.

From the young husband and survivor Jake, in North Carolina who loses his wife to a release of the deadly chemical X-86, to DJ's Dusty and Melanie helping their listeners make it to safe zones throughout the country after an attack of X-86, to eight-year-old Jessie Bayker, the young girl who bikes hundreds of miles home after witnessing the death of her father in a hotel room to the lethal chemical, the reader cannot look away from the carnage on the pages and the survivors left behind to clean up after the fallout of a deadly chemical attack.

Even the four young scientists, the "villains" of the book, have enthralling stories to tell, that almost makes the reader sympathetic to their reasons for releasing their creation-X-86-on an unsuspecting world.

Ms. Bumgarner has penned a remarkable story of courage and hope rising from the ashes of despair and hatred. This is an excellent book with enough action, suspense and thrills to keep the reader on the edge of her seat, and an engrossing plot and complex, engaging characters that will have the reader turning pages until the very end.

8 DAYS is a frighteningly realistic and gripping sci-fi story, I highly recommend!

The premise and build-up are straight lifts from Stephen King's "The Stand". The characters are unidimensional and plastic. The ending is saccharine. Save your money, or spend it on the original and far superior version of this yarn.

8 Days is a journal documenting a period of eight days following the release of a deadly gas called X-86. Billions of people from all over the planet are affected by this deadly gas, most of them die but a select few survive. The survivors experience enhanced ESP capabilities as they are forced to watch friends, families and loved ones perish. Most of them wonder why they were spared this same fate but in the meantime a massive effort has begun to assemble the survivors in one place to determine the future of what remains of humanity.
We experience stories from different states in which we read about mad men and women roaming the streets while survivors avoid them. We read about small children loosing parents, husbands and wives widowed as a result of this gas and men in power with plans to exploit this tragedy for their own personal gains. One by one these individual stories become one story with diverse roles played out to a remarkable conclusion.
8 Days is written in an aggressive, truthful and shocking style. When you read these pages you live out nightmares that few of us ever want to experience. You are taken to emotional lows with your characters and you begin to hope that they rebuild their lives as the ones responsible receive their just punishment. From page one I found myself captivated by this book. The mental images of children forced to grow up too fast as they struggle to survive intertwine with images of people killing their loved ones in an act of violence or mercy.
This book has it all and its honesty and truth are brutal - but these aspects of this novel make the book the work of literary excellence. Ms. Bumgarner is indeed an exemplary writer (she teaches Reading/Writing in the morning and she writes in the afternoon) and I've found out that she is writing a prequel to 8 Days. This book is a "must read" in every aspect!

Tyrone Vincent Banks

WOW! I got so into it that I couldn't wait to see how it ended...all this from a person who is NOT into Sci-Fi. I loved it. Man, the connections I had. Besides the obvious ones with the Missouri connections, I was born in Nacogdoches, Tx and when I play my ipod in my car, I have to tune it to 92.5 for it to transmit. You did a great job and I can't wait for your next project. Keep it up.

We'll be hearing more from this lady! She strikes a resonant chord with a fast-paced look at all kinds of nightmare scenarios!
"8 Days" ought to be a movie!