Showing posts with label Contemporary. Show all posts
Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich
Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Series: Knight & Moon
Purchase Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble
I was apprehensive about reading Curious Minds for a long time. Mainly because I knew it would be almost impossible not to draw comparisons between this book and Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. And that is exactly what happened for at least 60% of the book. Once I was able to push that way of thinking out of my mind, I really enjoyed the story.
Emerson Knight was refreshingly weird. Sure, he had looks, brains and money but he wasn’t perfect and was rather introverted and quirky. While at times Knight felt outlandishly written he was by far my favorite character from the story. The chemistry and humorous banter that develops between him and Riley Moon was naturally built and has me really wanting to see where book two will take them.
In retrospect the “Mystery” aspect of the story feels a little forgettable but that is probably a me thing, since I read so many books.
I have never read anything by Phoef Sutton before, but his writing style seemed to blend rather well with the Evanovich style characters and story. Which after looking him up and realizing that he wrote for Boston Legal makes so much more sense now. Overall, the book is a fun and satisfying read.
*I’ve read and listened to both the eBook version and the audiobook. And while Lorelei King is my favorite narrator and does a wonderful job, I’ve come to know her as the voice of Stephanie Plum so hearing her as the voice of Riley made it harder to not compare the books.
Official Synopsis:
I was apprehensive about reading Curious Minds for a long time. Mainly because I knew it would be almost impossible not to draw comparisons between this book and Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. And that is exactly what happened for at least 60% of the book. Once I was able to push that way of thinking out of my mind, I really enjoyed the story.
Emerson Knight was refreshingly weird. Sure, he had looks, brains and money but he wasn’t perfect and was rather introverted and quirky. While at times Knight felt outlandishly written he was by far my favorite character from the story. The chemistry and humorous banter that develops between him and Riley Moon was naturally built and has me really wanting to see where book two will take them.
In retrospect the “Mystery” aspect of the story feels a little forgettable but that is probably a me thing, since I read so many books.
I have never read anything by Phoef Sutton before, but his writing style seemed to blend rather well with the Evanovich style characters and story. Which after looking him up and realizing that he wrote for Boston Legal makes so much more sense now. Overall, the book is a fun and satisfying read.
*I’ve read and listened to both the eBook version and the audiobook. And while Lorelei King is my favorite narrator and does a wonderful job, I’ve come to know her as the voice of Stephanie Plum so hearing her as the voice of Riley made it harder to not compare the books.
Official Synopsis:
Emerson Knight is introverted, eccentric, and has little to no sense of social etiquette. Good thing
he’s also brilliant, rich, and (some people might say) handsome, or he’d probably be homeless. Riley Moon has just graduated from Harvard Business and Harvard Law. Her aggressive Texas spitfire attitude has helped her land her dream job as a junior analyst with mega-bank Blane-Grunwald. At least Riley Moon thought it was her dream job, until she is given her first assignment: babysitting Emerson Knight.
What starts off as an inquiry about missing bank funds in the Knight account leads to inquiries about a missing man, missing gold, and a life-and-death race across the country. Through the streets of Washington, D.C., and down into the underground vault of the Federal Reserve in New York City, an evil plan is exposed. A plan so sinister that only a megalomaniac could think it up, and only the unlikely duo of the irrepressibly charming Emerson Knight and the tenacious Riley Moon can stop it.
Killjoy by Julie Garwood
Series: Buchanan-Renard Series
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Her razor-sharp mind and ability to gather data and decipher evidence has made Avery an expert crime analyst for the FBI. But soon she will have to use every one of her adroit skills on a case that hits painfully close to home.
Avery’s workaholic aunt, Carolyn Salvetti, is certain her (hopefully soon-to-be ex) husband sent her the gold embossed reservation to the posh Utopia Spa in the mountains of Colorado. At first she is resistant, but then figures it will be a welcome respite from the cutthroat advertising business, not to mention a networking extravaganza. Plus she persuades her niece to join her for the two weeks of luxury and decadence.
But Carolyn never makes it to Utopia. Under false pretenses, she is taken to an isolated retreat by a handsome stranger with a dazzling smile, suave demeanor, and the darkest of motives. His name is Monk, a hired assassin. Now, with scant clues and fewer resources, Avery must track down and save Carolyn—and outmaneuver a brilliant killer who is part of an elaborate plot of madness and lethal vengeance.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Purchase Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble
I've actually lost count of the number of times I have read & listened to this book. Which is a common theme amongst this series. I am pleasantly surprised at how the books still hold up after all these years. For Killjoy yes there is the slightly outdated "typist" reference but that's pretty much the only thing that stands out as dated. The narrator of the audio book version does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life.
I will say this is the first time I have ACTIVELY noticed how much time we (the readers) spend getting perspectives outside of Avery and John Paul. That's not really a gripe just something I noticed standing out a bit more when compared to the other books in this series. And another thing that isn't exactly a gripe is the ending for Jilly. I am glad that after all these years and countless rereads the story still pulls the response, I have towards her. Though I suppose that could be in part due to my distaste for unfinished business.
I've actually lost count of the number of times I have read & listened to this book. Which is a common theme amongst this series. I am pleasantly surprised at how the books still hold up after all these years. For Killjoy yes there is the slightly outdated "typist" reference but that's pretty much the only thing that stands out as dated. The narrator of the audio book version does a wonderful job bringing the characters to life.
I will say this is the first time I have ACTIVELY noticed how much time we (the readers) spend getting perspectives outside of Avery and John Paul. That's not really a gripe just something I noticed standing out a bit more when compared to the other books in this series. And another thing that isn't exactly a gripe is the ending for Jilly. I am glad that after all these years and countless rereads the story still pulls the response, I have towards her. Though I suppose that could be in part due to my distaste for unfinished business.
Official Blurb:
Avery Delaney has always tried to put the past far behind her. Abandoned by her rapacious, conniving mother when she was only three days old, Avery was raised by her grandmother and beloved aunt Carolyn. Then, when she was eleven, she witnessed her grandmother’s violent death, before Avery herself was shot and left for dead. Miraculously she survived. The man responsible is serving time in a Florida prison. This traumatic experience propels Avery into a life of law and order.
Her razor-sharp mind and ability to gather data and decipher evidence has made Avery an expert crime analyst for the FBI. But soon she will have to use every one of her adroit skills on a case that hits painfully close to home.
Avery’s workaholic aunt, Carolyn Salvetti, is certain her (hopefully soon-to-be ex) husband sent her the gold embossed reservation to the posh Utopia Spa in the mountains of Colorado. At first she is resistant, but then figures it will be a welcome respite from the cutthroat advertising business, not to mention a networking extravaganza. Plus she persuades her niece to join her for the two weeks of luxury and decadence.
But Carolyn never makes it to Utopia. Under false pretenses, she is taken to an isolated retreat by a handsome stranger with a dazzling smile, suave demeanor, and the darkest of motives. His name is Monk, a hired assassin. Now, with scant clues and fewer resources, Avery must track down and save Carolyn—and outmaneuver a brilliant killer who is part of an elaborate plot of madness and lethal vengeance.
Tag :
Buchanan - Renard,
Contemporary,
cop,
Fav Authors,
Favorites,
FBI,
Julie Garwood,
Mackenna,
military,
Mystery,
Romance,
Series,
series romance,
"Undercover in the CEO's Bed" by Coleen Kwan
FREE with kindleunlimited
The best thing about "Undercover in the CEO's Bed" is the ending. I'm not saying that to be harsh but because it's true. The ending was something that I didn't see coming. And truly a refreshing surprise. Overall I liked the book. But being 100% honest most of it was both predictable & forgettable. This is not a book that I would read again. But I would recommend that anyone looking for a beach read or quickie romance read give it a go, because the ending alone is worth it.
Official Synopsis: Billionaire Lex Rochester has a problem. Someone is trying to sabotage the family company, but the investigation needs to be highly discreet because Lex suspects it's one of his own relatives. His solution--hire IT security specialist Jacinta Greene, who also happens to be his ex-girlfriend. With Jacinta posing as his newly reconciled girlfriend, the other Rochesters won't suspect they're being monitored. The last thing Jacinta wants is to see Lex again. Their breakup still tortures her, but she'll do just about anything to help her kid brother, even pretend to reunite with Lex. But the more time she spends with Lex, the more she realizes she's never gotten over him. Which is bad news, because she and Lex are fatally incompatible. The fire that still burns between them is as hot and irresistible as ever. Can Jacinta remember what's real and what's fake, or will she be hurt by Lex all over again?
The best thing about "Undercover in the CEO's Bed" is the ending. I'm not saying that to be harsh but because it's true. The ending was something that I didn't see coming. And truly a refreshing surprise. Overall I liked the book. But being 100% honest most of it was both predictable & forgettable. This is not a book that I would read again. But I would recommend that anyone looking for a beach read or quickie romance read give it a go, because the ending alone is worth it.
Official Synopsis: Billionaire Lex Rochester has a problem. Someone is trying to sabotage the family company, but the investigation needs to be highly discreet because Lex suspects it's one of his own relatives. His solution--hire IT security specialist Jacinta Greene, who also happens to be his ex-girlfriend. With Jacinta posing as his newly reconciled girlfriend, the other Rochesters won't suspect they're being monitored. The last thing Jacinta wants is to see Lex again. Their breakup still tortures her, but she'll do just about anything to help her kid brother, even pretend to reunite with Lex. But the more time she spends with Lex, the more she realizes she's never gotten over him. Which is bad news, because she and Lex are fatally incompatible. The fire that still burns between them is as hot and irresistible as ever. Can Jacinta remember what's real and what's fake, or will she be hurt by Lex all over again?
