I desperately need to catch up with my reviewing, so here are a few mini reviews to start with.
I’m still loving P.B. Ryan’s Gilded Age mystery series featuring Nell Sweeney and Dr. Will Hewitt.
Blurb: Boston, 1869: As governess to the wealthy Hewitts, Irish immigrant Nell Sweeney belongs to no particular caste; hers is halfway between her brethren and the Brahmin. But now, a double murder involves both maid and mistress, and it will take cooperation by rich and poor alike to solve it.
All of Boston is talking about the murder of Virginia Kimball. Beautiful and sensuous, the actress had many prestigious men wrapped around her bejeweled little finger. Shot in her townhouse, Mrs. Kimball’s corpse is mere feet from the body of her maid, Fiona. When investigators find her mistress’s diamond necklaces in the girl’s fists, they can only guess Mrs. Kimball caught Fiona trying to steal the jewels and the two traded shots.
Fiona’s uncle, the Hewitts’ driver, begs the household governess, Nell Sweeney, to use her connections and clear his dear niece’s name. Nell knows there must be more to the story, especially when she learns about Mrs. Kimball’s “little red book.” Now petrified men all over Boston, once blackmailed by the actress herself, will do whatever it takes to keep this log of trysts shut. And as Nell embroils herself in high society scandal, she must remember her place…or end up like Fiona.
My Thoughts: This is another strong addition to the Nell Sweeney series. The story is interesting and I like the direction in which Nell and Will’s relationship is going. It’s hard to say more about this book without giving away series spoilers. Suffice it to say, it was a great read and I’m looking forward to the next book. My Grade: B+
Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy is the much-anticipated Suzanne and Ryder story. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my high expectations.
Blurb: Suzanne Jefferson is broke, which is why she’s given up charity work for wedding planning. Fortunately, she has a high-profile client,and best of all, he’s paid in advance. There are just two teensy problems: The bride is a bona fide bridezilla, and Suzanne’s ex-husband is the best man. At least she thought he was her ex-husband!
Two years after their marriage fell apart, stock car race driver Ryder Jefferson still can’t stop thinking about Suzanne. Which is why he isn’t too upset that, due to a glitch, the two are still technically married. Now he’s imagining easing Suzanne’s woes by satisfying her needs in the bedroom. After all, that’s the one room they never argued in. Besides, with wedding bells ringing all around them, Ryder is wondering if,even though they’d quit the race a few laps too early,they can still come on strong with a big, romantic finish!
My Thoughts: Suzanne was fantastic in this book, but I felt like Ryder was a different character to the Ryder I’d come to know in the first two books of this series. Wasn’t he supposed to be a womanizer? Anyway, it was a cute story but it wasn’t the spectacular read I’d been hoping for. My Grade: C+
Blurb: Dashing spy Jagger Holtz lived in a world of danger. Not even a sweet brown-eyed siren alone on New Year’s Eve could be trusted, especially when he had to bring down her employer. Somehow Emily Grainger broke through his defenses – and set him up for two years of torturous captivity. Or so he thought.
Emily hadn’t expected a cryptic message to lead her to rescue the man who’d disappeared after their night of passion. Nor had she known that he’d been held prisoner all that time and believed that she was responsible. Despite the suspicion, they must work together to stop the threat against them and protect their precious daughter.
My Thought: If I were Jagger, I’d have strangled Emily at several points during this story. She takes ages to tell Jagger about their daughter, and endangers everyone through her idiotic behaviour. I am extremely picky when it comes to romantic suspense and I prefer stories which are dark, gritty, and more focused on the suspense than the romance. The Soldier’s Secret Daughter by Cindy Dees is the opposite and I’m sure it will appeal to readers who like their romantic suspense more romantic than suspenseful. My Grade: C
{ 1 trackback }