Tonight's Plans: Cold Case Files + Warm Room

Last night's nap caused some problems: I didn't get to sleep until close to 2:00 AM, then I turned off my alarm in the morning without even waking up. Thankfully, my mom called this morning; otherwise, I don't know when I would have managed to get out of bed.

Tonight's goal, then, is to avoid anything resembling a nap. I am grateful for my working furnace since temperatures have really dropped in the past week. My plan is to snuggle up with a blanket in my entertainment room and watch Cold Case Files (CCF) on A&E. I've been a long-time fan of A&E programming, but CCF is perhaps my favorite. The hour-long show usually reviews two crimes that went unsolved for some time (hence the phrase, "cold case") before being solved. Many of these crimes are solved thanks to advancements in technology.

I enjoy watching shows like this; they appeal to my sense of justice. I'm fascinated by the science and the investigative techniques. If I had to choose a new career, it would be something related to forensic science.

Alyssa

Taming the Wolf

Note to self: Taking a nap after work only makes it harder to go to sleep at night. It may help you get some blogging done, however.

Taming the Wolf is a medieval romance by Deborah Simmons. I have been reading a number of medievals lately, and I've been pretty lucky with them so far. Taming the Wolf continues that luck by being a 4 out of 5, much better than my previous Simmons read: The Devil Earl.

Marion Warenne loses her memory after being attacked on her way to a convent. She ends up living with the de Burgh family, who come to love and value her as part of the family. Marion is content to live with at Campion Castle with Campion and six of his sons. The seventh and oldest is Dunstan, who owns his own estate and comes to visit just when Marion learns that her uncle has ordered her to be returned to him. Though she doesn't remember him, she feels sick at the thought of going back to him. When none of the Campion brothers seem willing to take her home, Dunstan agrees to be her escort.

Dunstan expects the journey to be fairly uneventful. Instead, he ends up chasing Marion when she repeatedly runs away, then runs with her for their lives when their group is attacked. Obviously, someone wants them dead, and they must discover who that someone is.

This book features a fast-paced plot that kept my interest engaged. Marion is a complex character--at times sweet, at times plucky. She can't help but fall in love with the gruff Dunstan, a warrior whose tough exterior masks a man who slowly comes to believe in love. Their story is lively and entertaining, although I grew tired of Marion's continued desire to run away, even after they are married. In the end, they are obviously a perfect pair.

Taming the Wolf was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

Alyssa

The Boy Next Door

After reading Meg Cabot's Boy Meets Girl, I had high hopes for The Boy Next Door. As I mention here, the format of the book is similar, though in this case, the story is told only through e-mail. As with the first book, I liked the hero and heroine. But one particular part of the story disappointed me. As a result, The Boy Next Door receives 4 out of 5--make that a low 4.

Melissa (Mel) Fuller writes entertainment news at the New York Journal. John Trent covers the crime beat for a competing publication, the New York Chronicle. Through a rather complicated series of events, John ends up representing himself to Mel as photographer Max Friedlander. When he falls for Mel, he worries about the fact that she doesn't know who he really is.

I loved John. Yes, he misrepresents himself, but he's funny, down to earth, and he writes about crime. What's not to like? Some of my favorite John moments:

• He has an affinity for redheads. Of course, Mel is a redhead. After he meets her, his e-mail to his brother reads simply: "She's a redhead. Help."


• After a date with Mel, he tells his sister-in-law: "She likes tornadoes and the blues, beer, and anything to do with serial killers."

I'd like a man who appreciates my knowledge about serial killers. :)

I'm sure it will come as no surprise that Mel finds out about the deception and anger ensues. And here's where I start getting frustrated. I understand her anger, but she hangs onto it for much too long. And while I love how their reunion comes about, it's glossed over as a minor point. Definitely frustrating.

Still, I enjoyed much of the story and would love to revisit the New York Journal if Meg Cabot uses this setting in any other books.

Alyssa

Blood Will Tell

Last week I finished Carlton Smith's true-crime book Blood Will Tell. Blood is very telling in this story; while Ken Fitzhugh asserts that his wife, Kristine, died accidentally after falling down the stairs, blood spatter patterns suggest that she was actually attacked in the kitchen, and the scene was staged to make the death appear accidental. One investigator states it succinctly: "There's simply too much blood."

Blood Will Tell had all of the elements for an interesting story, but Smith's treatment is not particularly compelling. It starts strongly, with a brief glimpse of Ken in prison, then a switch to the description of the crime scene. But as the story continues, much of it seems wordy and not particularly illuminating. One section provides a long family history about Ken. As I read it, though, I found myself asking how much of the information was necessary to the story. The answer: not nearly as much as Smith provides.

Things pick up with the description of the trial, but even that ends with a disappointment. It's clear from the first page that Ken is convicted, but there's nothing in the book about the verdict or the sentence. This seems like a significant oversight.

It was interesting to get Ken's perspective. True-crime books aren't always able to depict both sides, but in this case, Smith interviewed Ken. Ken claims that he is innocent, of course, but apparently the jury believed otherwise. My rating of the book: 2 out of 5.

Since this blog entry focuses on crime, I'll add that I'm terribly disappointed in the verdict in the case about the death of Ted Binion. I don't understand why the two were acquitted of murder.

Alyssa

Writing

I've been writing a lot this weekend, but none of it has been for this blog (yet). Although I would have liked a work-free weekend, I decided it would be better if I brought some work home with me. I have some pressing deadlines this week, including one significant project, so I'm hoping to get most of it written before heading back to work tomorrow. (I'm keeping my fingers crossed . . . at least, when they are not attached to my keyboard.)

I have made time for reading, though, so once I get back to blogging, I'll definitely have something to say. I even managed to get some scrapbooking done, too.

Alyssa

Reading Update

I started reading The Kitchen Witch by Annette Blair, but I didn't get very far. The heroine is a lousy cook--cooking disaster wouldn't be an understatement from what I've read so far--but the hero gets her an interview to do a TV cooking show. Since the book is called The Kitchen Witch, it's safe to assume she will get the job.

Sorry, but I don't find this kind of scenario particularly funny or even interesting to read about, for that matter. I've never been amused by the woman-fumbles-around-in-a-job-she's-not-qualified-for scenario. I'm not ready for another fumbling story; Linda Francis Lee's Suddenly Sexy was enough for me. So The Kitchen Witch is going back on the to-be-read shelf.

Instead, I'm reading Meggin Cabot's The Boy Next Door. It's a prequel of sorts to Boy Meets Girl--both take place at the New York Journal and share some secondary characters--and it's written in much the same style. I'm enjoying it so far.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. All of my immediate family live in the area, and we are meeting at my parents' house. If I don't get online tomorrow, happy Thanksgiving!

Alyssa

The Shaughnessey Accord

The Shaughnessey Accord is the second story in Alison Kent's Smithson Group series, and it packs a lot of action and romance into only 117 pages. If the first two books of the series are any indication (The Bane Affair is the first), I'm going to love the rest of them.

Tripp Shaughnessey makes regular stops at Glory Brighton's deli--not only for the food. After weeks of exchanging admiring looks and flirty banter, Tripp makes his move and kisses Glory in her storeroom. One kiss leads to more, but when the deli is taken over by terrorists, Glory and Tripp have something else to worry about besides their intense attraction.

What neither Glory nor the terrorists knows is that Tripp is an operative in Hank Smithson's specialized group, which makes him the perfect man to be trapped with in a storeroom. He's got a few ideas about how they'll get out.

If this sounds like an unlikely setting for romance, you're right. But Kent makes it work through the couple's initial chemistry and the way they work together to get out of the situation.

I liked the heroine in The Bane Affair, and I liked Glory, too. She's spunky but doesn't put herself in stupid situations that often occur in romantic suspense. Other writers would do well to follow Kent's example: you can create a heroic hero without making him have to rescue the heroine from her own stupidity. There's no stupidity here.

I also enjoyed the nice little touches in the story. In some short books, the romance suffers because there is not enough room to add interesting, compelling moments. The Shaughnessey Accord isn't lacking in those moments; we see several ways Tripp and Glory interact: at times she is annoyed with him, at times they are passionate. One of my favorite moments is a tender spooning one. It's just lovely.

Its only shortcoming (if you can call it that) is that it's too short--I wanted more. Luckily another book in the series is coming in December: The Samms Agenda. I can't wait! The Shaughnessey Accord: 4 out of 5.

Alyssa

The Marriage Bed

My furnace is now working. I'm also $400+ poorer. Sometimes I hate being a homeowner.

Claudia Dain's The Marriage Bed is a medieval romance that has been part of my to-be-read list for quite some time, and I finally decided to read it. I'm very glad I did.

Lady Isabel seeks sanctuary at an abbey after her father dies. As heir to three wealthy estates, Isabel realizes that she is a tempting target now that she has no man to protect her. She is betrothed to marry Lord Hubert, but she has always wished to marry Hubert's younger brother Richard, whom she knew in her youth. As a third son, however, Richard was not considered a good match for her, and now Richard is a novice at the abbey.

Fate intervenes in Isabel's and Richard's lives when they learn that Richard's two older brothers are dead and he is to fulfill the marriage contract. Although guilt-ridden over the fact that two men died to bring Isabel's desires to pass, she is elated by the idea of marrying the man she loves. Richard feels differently; he is committed to his life at the abbey and is bitter about leaving it behind.

What follows is a beautifully written story about two people who marry, then fall in love. One of the things I particularly enjoyed about The Marriage Bed is how medieval it seems. I'm no historian, but the depiction of the abbey, the estate at Dornei, the religious beliefs of the time, and the hardships faced in that period seem genuine. This was a brutal as well as a beautiful period in history, and Dain provides evidence of beauty and brutality. For readers who prefer more history in their historicals, this one is for you.

Richard and Isabel's marriage gets off to a rocky start. Richard doesn't hide the fact that this marriage is not what he wants; in fact, their wedding night is spent in prayer for Isabel's father and Richard's brothers. When the marriage is consummated, it is not the joyful event Isabel had hoped for.

I won't say any more because I don't want to spoil it. The Marriage Bed is a beautiful story: 5 out of 5.

Alyssa

The Romantic

I'll start with a decidedly unromantic piece of information: my furnace has given up the ghost. I've been able to coax it to work for a few hours each day, but now it's given up. After a full weekend without heat, I can assure you that hell is sure to be cold, not hot. I'm curled up with two blankets at the moment, but I'll have to call someone to take a look at the furnace. I pray it won't be horribly expensive.

As for reading news, I finished Madeline Hunter's The Romantic. This is the first book of hers I've finished (I started The Arrangement but set it aside), and I liked several things about it: 4 out of 5.

The hero, Julian Hampton, has loved Penelope for years. There's a serious obstacle, however--she is married to the Earl of Glasbury. The union is not a happy one; in fact, as a solicitor, Julian negotiated a separation when he learned of Glasbury's sexual cruelty. Now Glasbury wants Penelope back, and she comes to Julian for advice and assistance.

There's nothing I enjoy more about a hero than seeing him completely devoted to the heroine, and that's exactly what Julian is. He has loved Pen for so long without revealing his feelings, and he believes he will never marry another. Penelope is less sharply portrayed at first, but we learn more about her as the book continues. Readers should be aware that Penelope commits adultery; however, her situation and Glasbury's cruelty ensure that sympathy remains with her.

In some parts of The Romantic, there is more telling than showing. In one scene, for example, letters that Julian wrote but never sent to Penelope are read aloud. We see only one line from all of the letters, which decreases the emotional impact this scene could have had.

Ultimately, The Romantic is a romantic read. I'm going to give The Arrangement another try.

Alyssa

News and Updates

My appointment with the hygienist went much better than I thought. Of course, I was so nervous that just about anything would have been better than I thought. I will spend more time in daily teeth care, and I have a second cleaning next week, but I feel OK about the whole thing. I wonder if the hygienist was having a bad day when I last talked to her, or maybe I was just too sensitive. Probably a combination of the two.

Great news! I learned that this year's Christmas bonus will be much larger than I anticipated. I am now thinking about attending Suzanne Brockmann's Target Tampa event in January, largely because I learned there is no limit on how many books you can bring from home to have autographed. Catherine Mann will also be there, so I would meet two authors I really like. And as someone pointed out, Florida is bound to be warmer in January than Utah. :) If I only had to worry about the cost of the hotel and the event, I wouldn't hesitate, but there's that pesky little airfare thing. Well, I'm thinking about this and will let you know what I decide.

In other news, I've added a counter to this site, which will be either interesting or depressing depending on how the stats play out.

Alyssa

Dental Phobia

I'm sitting in my cubicle, trying to get some work done, and all I can think is that I'm terrified of having my teeth cleaned this afternoon. I know it's silly, and I'm blowing this out of proportion. I really like my dentist, and even though root canals are not particularly enjoyable, I'd rather do that than have my teeth cleaned.

Here's why: the woman who does teeth cleanings isn't particularly nice. The last time I spoke with her was three (four?) years ago, and her five-minute lecture and disapproving looks sent me running out of the office. And that was before the actual cleaning appointment. In fact, I couldn't bring myself to schedule the cleaning appointment. The interesting thing is that she is apparently quite popular, because her schedule is always full a month or two in advance. Go figure.

So now I'm trying to gear myself up for the lecture and the looks. I'm perfectly aware of dental hygiene. I brush my teeth twice daily. I'm not as good about flossing, I admit, but the truth is that I inherited bad teeth from both my mom and dad, so what can you do? Well, floss more regularly, I guess. And I'm sure the hygienist will give me lots of other ideas. I just hope the experience isn't too painful.

Alyssa

Red Roses Mean Love

Red Roses Mean Love is the first historical novel I've read by Jacquie D'Alessandro, and it was good.

Hayley Albright is returning home when she discovers a man who has been shot and left for dead. She brings him to her cottage and nurses him back to health. She grows to care about him very much.

The man turns out to be nobleman Stephen Barrett, who tells Hayley that he was robbed and that he is a tutor named Stephen Barrettson. This deception will allow him to recuperate without other people knowing who he is. Stephen wasn't robbed--someone is trying to kill him.

Hayley is delightful. I love unconventional heroines; Hayley is six feet tall and has been head of the household since her parents died. She provides for her siblings and her servants. She is affectionate and willing to say what she thinks. Though not wealthy, her family is a loving one.

Stephen's upbringing was the exact opposite. As a marquis, he grew up with wealth and privilege, but a shortage of love. This makes him wary about affection and kindness; when people treat him kindly, he wonders what they want from him. But he can't resist the charm and enthusiasm of Hayley and her family.

I enjoyed watching these two characters fall in love. However, Stephen hurts Hayley numerous times with his actions and words, and this happened too often for my liking. He makes it up to her, though, and I enjoyed the ending.

Red Roses Mean Love is a strong book; I give it 4 out of 5.

Alyssa

Here I Go Again . . .

I couldn't stand the other template another minute, so I've switched again. The combination of colors and font on the last one made me dislike looking at my own blog. With luck, this will be the last template change, at least for a while. At least the bullets work on this one. Hurray!

Alyssa

Killer Cowboy Charm

Vicki Lewis Thompson is one of my favorite series writers. Her stories are emotional and passionate. I didn't enjoy her single title, Nerd in Shining Armor, as much as I'd hoped, but I've found that I can usually depend on her Temptations and Blazes. For this reason, I was excited about reading her latest book, Killer Cowboy Charm. It was enjoyable but didn't have the magic that makes some of her other books so good. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Morning show host Meg Delaney jokingly claims on air that she'd like to find a real cowboy. The joke turns into a road trip to find contestants for a cowboy contest. At Meg's first stop, she meets Clint Walker. Clint wants nothing to do with the contest, but he wants Meg. They fulfill their attraction almost right away. Though they have only a few days together, Clint and Meg both feel a connection that goes deeper than a physical attraction.

For a story like this to work, readers have to believe in the couple's connection, and I wasn't convinced. I believe that Meg and Clint want each other. I believe that their desire could develop into something deeper. But the connection came too quickly to be entirely believable. This is the biggest problem of the book.

Thompson has written dozens of books in her long career; Killer Cowboy Charm isn't one of her best. I'd recommend one of these instead: After Hours, Acting on Impulse, and Pure Temptation.

Alyssa

Dancing at Midnight

I've been reading Julia Quinn's novels as I can fit them in--I only read them on weekends, for reasons I explain here. Last week I read Dancing at Midnight, which I realized I've read before. While I enjoyed reading it again, it's not one of Quinn's strongest books. I give it 3 out of 5.

Belle Blydon, who is the best friend of Spendid's heroine, meets John Blackwood. Though she is often courted, Belle is tired of the ton and finds John's abruptness to be disconcerting yet appealing. John admires Belle for her intelligence as well as her beauty, but he feels unworthy of her because of certain events during his time as a soldier.

Dancing at Midnight is interesting--the characters are likable, but don't quite cross the line into being memorable. Belle and John simply aren't as vivid as the couples in some of Quinn's other books.

Alyssa

New Template

I've selected a new template for this blog; the sidebar on the original one was frustrating me. Sometimes it would download correctly, sometimes it wouldn't. So I'm trying out a new one. Still pink, though. I don't think of myself as a particularly pink person, but I've liked the pink choices better than the other options. Hopefully I won't have any problems with this one. Well, besides the bullet points that don't seem to be working correctly . . .

Alyssa

Boy Meets Girl

I don't often find books that make me laugh out loud. Smile, maybe, or even an occasional chuckle, but Meg Cabot's Boy Meets Girl is a true treat!

Kate Mackenzie works in the human resources department at the New York Journal. Like many chick lit heroines, Kate's boss is mean and oppressive, and ultimately forces her to fire a beloved employee. When that employee initiates a lawsuit, Kate goes to the company law firm, where she meets Mitch Hertzog. Of course, this meeting changes both their lives. I loved both Kate and Mitch.

Boy Meets Girl is told through e-mails, instant messages, company memos, Kate's journal, deposition transcripts, phone messages and more. Some of the more memorable moments:

• The playlist of Kate's ex-boyfriends band. Some of the song titles include: "In the Bedroom with Kate," "Come Back, Kate," "I Love U, Kate, for Now," "Random Acts of Kate," and "Ice Weasels Gnaw My Brain."
• The boss's interruptions of Kate's instant messages with her best friend.
• Mitch's mention of Kate's skirt during her second deposition.
• Kate's best friend's explanation that she won't go jogging because she doesn't want her uterus to fall out.
• Mitch signing his e-mail messages as "The F**ker" after being called that by Kate's boss (who also happens to be his brother's fiancee).

There are simply too many wonderful moments to list and no way I can do justice to them with a short summary. All I'll say is this: wonderful! 4 out of 5.

Alyssa

Coming Out of a Writing Slump (I Hope)

There are times when, as a full-time writer, I simply don't want to write another word, whether it's for work or pleasure. Sometimes I can really relate to this quote by Gene Fowler:

Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.

This week writing has been a tremendous challenge for me, both at work and with my blog. However, I've finished a review of Wedding for a Knight and I think I'm back in the game. Watch for more blog entries soon.

Alyssa

Guilty

Scott Peterson was found guilty of first-degree murder for killing his wife, Laci, and second-degree murder for the death of his son, Conner. Everything I've heard about the evidence convinced me that he was guilty, but I wasn't sure he'd be convicted. Conventional trial wisdom indicates that when jury deliberations are short, they usually result in a guilty sentence, but I feared that conventional wisdom wouldn't apply here. This jury deliberated for less than eight hours before reaching a verdict. (Two members of the jury were removed this week and required deliberations to start over.)

I'm glad the jury reached a verdict, and I am satisfied with the one they reached. Laci and Conner, rest in peace.

Alyssa

Green River, Running Red

When I heard that Gary Ridgway had been arrested for some of the Green River killings, I remember being surprised--not by his identity (though I'd never heard of him), but by the fact that an arrest had been made. I believed that the Green River Killer (GRK) would join Jack the Ripper as an unidentified serial killer. I'm happy that I was wrong.

In Green River, Running Red, Ann Rule provides a detailed account of the investigation, the victims, and Gary Ridgway. Here are a few things I found particularly interesting:

• Ridgway was a suspect early in the investigation, but he passed a polygraph test and there wasn't enough direct evidence to charge him at that time.
• The boyfriend of one of the victims traced her to Ridgway's house, but she was no longer there. Again, there wasn't enough evidence to pursue it any further.
• Ridgway's coworkers learned that he had been questioned by police and started calling him Green River Gary. Little did they know at the time how accurate that name was.
• Ridgway's wife, Judith, knew nothing about his other life. She described him as a kind and loving husband. She was his third wife--he was divorced from the first two--and they were married for more than 10 years. She is now thinking about writing a book about her marriage to Ridgway.
• For several months, Ridgway was removed from prison and was instead housed with the Green River task force as he confessed to his crimes and helped task force members find the bodies of several missing victims.

Ridgway did not receive the death penalty. He was sentenced to 48 consecutive life sentences as part of a plea bargain that required his cooperation in finding the bodies of his victims.

Green River, Running Red receives 4 out of 5. It's an interesting read, though not as good as The Stranger Beside Me, Ann Rule's book about serial killer Ted Bundy, a man she knew personally. Rule's friendship with Bundy brings a unique aspect to the story that makes it truly exceptional.

Alyssa

Nearing the End

This week I'm finishing Ann Rule's Green River, Running Red, about the Green River Killer (GRK). While I often read romance novels in a few sittings, I tend to read true-crime books a few chapters at a time. I'll provide a more detailed reading description once I finish the book, but for now I'll say that it's been quite interesting. I knew that the GRK had dozens of victims, but it's been terribly sad to read about them.

Alyssa

Good News and Bad News

I'll start with the bad news. I've been having problems with my furnace for a while, and it's getting quite cold. I think I may simply need a new filter; the problem is that I can't find a door to get to it. I've talked with a friend, and I'm going to examine it tonight for a sliding panel. If there isn't one, well . . .

The good news is that I'm expecting some packages. One is a new batch of review books; another is an order from Amazon with Immortal in Death on audio and Alison Kent's The Shaughnessey Accord.

At least I'll have something to listen to and read, even if I end up freezing.

Alyssa

Sheer Decadence; We've Got Tonight

When it comes to series romance, Harlequin Temptation is one of my favorite lines. It's a nice length, easy to read in one sitting, with just the right amount of heat. :) My two most recent Temptation reads were terrific.

Sheer Decadence by Tanya Michaels: 4 out of 5

After one too many experiences with a handsome man who turns out to be a jerk, Olivia Lockhart decides to avoid that type of man. When she meets Justin Hawthorne at work, she writes him off as a too-handsome womanizer. But she can't stop thinking about him. For his part, Justin finds Olivia attractive but is confused by her contradictory responses to him.

Justin is wonderful. He wants to have an amicable working relationship with Olivia, and I like how he tries to get to know her. Olivia is more prickly, though her behavior is understandable based on her backstory. Still, she hurts Justin when she jumps to conclusions. After one particular incident, I was glad that Justin took a step back and waited for Olivia to talk to him.

All in all, Sheer Decadence is a strong story.

We've Got Tonight by Jacquie D'Alessandro: 5 out of 5

We've Got Tonight embodies good romance: an engaging story between two characters who seem like real people. Riley Addison is an accountant with a company named Prestige. New marketing executive, Jackson Lange, has become the bane of her existence with his requests for budget increases. She's never met the man, since he works at Prestige's New York office while she is in Atlanta.

When Prestige hosts a children's carnival, Riley agrees to do palm readings. Then a handsome stranger enters her tent . . . well, you can guess what happens next. It's Jackson, who is in town to visit the Atlanta office. They are instantly attracted to each other and agree to meet for drinks later that evening. Only then does the truth come out.

Although stories with this kind of misunderstanding can work when the revelation comes in the last part of the book, I appreciated the fact that the identity issue here is quickly brought up and dealt with. What follows is a one-night stand that evolves into something deeper and more meaningful. The focus is very much on the couple; I loved seeing them get to know each other through e-mails and phone calls. The relationship evolves naturally and is a joy to read about.

Of course, Jackson and Riley encounter some difficulties--he lives in New York while she lives in Atlanta. But this is ultimately resolved in a way that seems right. We've Got Tonight is exactly what a good romance should be.

Alyssa

To Joaquin Phoenix

Dear Joaquin,

I saw Ladder 49 last night and wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. What a powerful film! I loved your performance in the movie and in The Village--both were very intense dramas.

You know that I adore you. I have just one question. If I ask nicely, will you please, please, please do a romantic comedy next? Another drama may kill me.

Alyssa

Master of the Night; Urban Legend

I like a good vampire story. Charlaine Harris writes some of my favorites; I talk about them in more detail in this blog entry. The week before Halloween seemed an appropriate time to read a few vampire novels.

Master of the Night by Angela Knight: 3 out of 5

FBI agent Erin Grayson is investigating a dangerous cult, one that she believes is responsible for the death of a former partner. That investigation leads her to Reece Champion, a mysterious businessman who also happens to be a vampire.

There's a lot happening in this book--vampires, fairies, and witches with some Arthurian legend thrown in. Although interesting, this makes the first part of the story a bit overwhelming. I won't even try to summarize the plot. :) I did enjoy Erin and Reece's story, though, and I liked the idea of the "Truebond" they shared. Knight is a talented writer, and I will seek out her other books.

Urban Legend by Erica Orloff: 2 out of 5

This is the second book I've read in the Silhouette Bombshell series, and I was disappointed. I love the idea of strong women being the center of the story, but neither this nor the other book I read (Proof by Justine Davis, also a 2 out of 5) is particularly compelling.

Tessa Van Doren owns Night Flight, a Manhattan night club under investigation by the police: Tony Flynn and his partner. Tessa has been avoiding relationships for years, but she can't help but be attracted to Flynn. She's not sure things can work between them; although they both fight evil--albeit in very different ways--Tessa is a vigilante. And then there's the fact that she's a vampire . . .

This plot of Urban Legend interested me when it came out in August, so I was quick to grab it when I saw it at the used bookstore. Unfortunately, the book didn't live up to my expectations. I understood why Tessa was so opposed to drugs after the first chapter, and I didn't need to have it continually reinforced as often as it was. It made Tessa seem one-dimensional. She's strong, yes, and she's a good fighter, but she's not particularly interesting.

Her romance with Flynn takes second place to the suspense, which isn't automatically a problem, although I prefer stories with the opposite focus. There is some heat between them initially, but I didn't learn enough about the characters to become invested in them, and their relationship seemed arbitrary. They have feelings for each other, then they get together. It's happenstance more than a natural progression.

Reading results: one story worked; another didn't. Well, all in a week's reading.

Alyssa