Review: Intrusion (Under the Skin #1) by Charlotte Stein

I believed I would never be able to trust any man again. That kindness was only for fools and would lead me down that same terrible path into darkness. I thought so with every fiber of my being-and then I met Noah Gideon Grant.

Everyone says he's dangerous. He never comes out of his house-a place that looks like it could be featured in Serial Killers Monthly. But the thing is … I think something happened to him too. I know the chemistry between us isn't just in my head. I know he feels it, but he's holding back. The pleasure he gives me is unreal-if only I could give something in return. If only he would let me in. I think I can make him feel something good. And for the first time in forever, I want to.

He's made a labyrinth of himself. Now all I need to do is dare to find my way through.

This one is a strange one for me to review. I honestly didn’t really get the plot. Was there a plot?

Noah is a recluse. He’s a brilliant profiler that got a little too close on a case in which he was left severely emotionally damaged. He’s withdrawn. Keeps to himself and others.

Beth is a survivor of her own terrifying ordeal. She has kept to herself as well and lives a monotonous life because of it. She and Noah have similarities that can connect them in that sense. They can understand each other.

This story is told in first person, which is completely fine when told well. However, there was way too much inner monologue for me. Too much telling and not enough showing. A lot of inner ramblings. After the second or third-ish encounter they just fall into a relationship. One moment she’s sitting at his table eating pie, and in the next, time has passed and she’s practically moved in. We are told this.

Then, the last chapter came out of nowhere to me. Certain players from their past weren’t quite done with them. Huh? Not once did I get a sense that either one of them were still in danger from their encounters. Yet, in the final chapter their lives were on the line. I was a bit lost and flipped back a few pages thinking I missed something. Nope. Nothing was set up to alert us to imposing danger.

Overall, this story missed the connection for me. Show me the relationship evolve. Show me the fear or worry that their lives weren’t safe. Show not just tell a story.

Unfortunately, this is a 2 star read for me.

Review: Marked (Hostage Rescue Team #1) by Kaylea Cross

Where do I begin with this book? The writing itself is well done. The chemistry between Rachel and Jake is very good. The intimate scenes are scorching. However, there are just too many illogical things for me to ignore.

Rachel is being targeted by an FBI wanted terrorist and her family is in grave danger. However, instead of the FBI putting her in some sort of safe house, her would be love interest, who works for the FBI, checks her into a hotel. And from there coordinates with hotel security, apprising them of the situation. Really?!

I pushed on because well, I had such high hopes for this one. Hopes that were again dashed…fifty percent in.

The story up to this point had been told from the two point of views of the main characters, Rachel and Jake. Then it switched, out of the blue, and we got a scene from a secondary character’s POV. I get it. I do. The author needed to make a transition in the story, move it along. And by move it along, I mean, we had to see the connection of the love interest for the secondary character, thus setting up a future story. So, from here to the end of the book, we now get scenes every now and then told to us from two of the secondary characters. Okay, great. What’s not so great, is the unrealistic way in which the author wrote some of the scenes. For instance, Celida, an FBI agent and previous Marine, is completely taken down by a FLESH WOUND TO THE ARM. The arm! A well trained government agent, taken out by a bullet graze on her arm. She can’t stop the terrorists from coming for Rachel. Which by the way, she wasn’t even assigned to protect, because no one was assigned to protect Rachel. Agents were stationed in the lobby, and don’t forget hotel security was made aware of the danger. So, Celida collapses to the floor and apparently lacks training because the bad guys very easily overtook her and she quickly blacked out. “She’s concussed.” <--yes, that is a direct quote. I would insert an eyeroll if I could.

By this point, my view is tainted. That whole Celida scene and the nonchalance handling of Rachel’s safety stayed in the back of my mind and cast a shadow over the rest of the story. But hey, if plot doesn’t bother you much and you want to read some really steamy, well-written, intimate scenes, then this is the book for you.

I just need to add one more thing, the issues I had with this book should have been caught and pointed out by the author’s editor. Whether the editor failed to catch them, or the author failed to listen to her editor, I’m sure we’ll never know. When writing anything along the lines of contemporary, yes this is a romantic suspense and therefore falls under the contemporary umbrella, a story needs to be somewhat believable. And for me, there were just too many unbelievable things for me to swallow.

Special Post: Kristen Proby's Secret Announcement & Reveal

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby has been sitting on a secret, and we get to share it with you today! We think all of her readers across the board will be thrilled to hear what's coming next!

Check out what Kristen has to say about the upcoming plans...

Dear readers,

As you know, the With Me In Seattle series came to a close earlier this month with the eighth and final installment, FOREVER WITH ME. I've been steadfast in my decision that there would be no further stories from the series, no spin-offs, nothing more. In my mind, it was complete.

And I still feel that the Montgomery/Williams families are complete, and I maintain that I'm happy with their happy-ever-afters. 

But, I've also heard you when you've said that Asher, Matt Montgomery's partner in TIED WITH ME, deserves to have a happily ever after for himself and his daughter Casey. So, when the lovely ladies from 1001 Dark Nights asked me to participate in their wonderful project, I thought long and hard about whose story it should be about. Seattle is finished, and I've moved on to New Orleans for the new Boudreaux Series... And then it occurred to me: why not do both, and offer a companion novella to each of the series?

And so, because you, the reader, has been so insistent that you want to see Asher and Casey find their perfect person, I'm excited to introduce you to EASY WITH YOU. I think you're going to love Asher and Lila's love story this spring...

Happy Reading,

Kristen Proby

EASY WITH YOU, a companion novella to both the With Me in Seattle Series and her upcoming Boudreaux Series, will be releasing March 24, 2015! Now you can see some of your favorite characters again while they interact with some new ones. We're so excited to get Asher and Lila's story! Check out the cover for the novella and all the information on EASY WITH YOU below!

Nothing has ever come easy for Lila Bailey. She’s fought for every good thing in her life during every day of her thirty-one years. Aside from that one night with an impossible to deny stranger a year ago, Lila is the epitome of responsible.

Steadfast. Strong.

She’s pulled herself out of the train wreck of her childhood, proud to be a professor at Tulane University and laying down roots in a city she’s grown to love. But when some of her female students are viciously murdered, Lila’s shaken to the core and unsure of whom she can trust in New Orleans. When the police detective assigned to the murder case comes to investigate, she’s even more surprised to find herself staring into the eyes of the man that made her toes curl last year.

In an attempt to move on from the tragic loss of his wife, Asher Smith moved his daughter and himself to a new city, ready for a fresh start. A damn fine police lieutenant, but new to the New Orleans force, Asher has a lot to prove to his colleagues and himself.

With a murderer terrorizing the Tulane University campus, Asher finds himself toe-to-toe with the one woman that haunts his dreams. His hands, his lips, his body know her as intimately as he’s ever known anyone. As he learns her mind and heart as well, Asher wants nothing more than to keep her safe, in his bed, and in his and his daughter’s lives for the long haul.

But when Lila becomes the target, can Asher save her in time, or will he lose another woman he loves?

Pre-Order Links:

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New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristen Proby is the author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.

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