Run the Risk by Lori Foster

Ok, so I've been busy...or is that lazy?  Either way, I've been a slacker.  I did finally manage to complete another review, though.

Lori Foster is one of my go to authors, so I jumped at the chance to read Run the Risk.  It is a quick, light read, but that’s what I live for.  I would categorize this read as romantic suspense if you are into labels.

The suspense and tension start on the first page, and really don’t let up much throughout the book.  This is a bit of a whodunit within a whodunit.  I ended up second guessing myself a lot throughout the book, because the solution to the mysteries seemed obvious.  Then I decided that it was too obvious.  By that point, I resolved to just sit back and enjoy the ride.  The resolution wasn’t shocking, but it wasn’t boringly obvious, either.

 The characters develop nicely throughout the story, as events continue to escalate around them.  Both Pepper and Logan’s characters are fully developed, which is key in my opinion.   I hate it when one character serves primarily as a foil for another.  If anything, we end up knowing more about Logan by book’s end than about Pepper.  The other characters are integrated well and thoroughly, thus setting up potential series installments for at least two more characters…if not three. 

The only downside I noted for this title were a couple of misused words…alias instead of alibi and things such as that.  Minor overall, but a bit distracting, and I hate being pulled out of a story by things like that.  To be fair, though, I was reading an advance copy.  Hopefully, someone caught the errors prior to final publication.

Run the Risk is definitely a recommended read for those who enjoy the genre.  Well  written, good character development, action, a few steamy scenes thrown in…what more could you ask for?  The next book:  Bare It All.

Finally, a review: Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis

I was both thrilled and wary when I found out that I was going to get a copy of Forever and a Day for review.  I was thrilled because I love this author, and I was wary because the third book of a trilogy (and I consider this the third book of a trilogy within a larger series) is always a bit of a foregone conclusion.  The characters are set and everyone knows who is going to end up together.  The trick for the author is making the journey worth the reader’s while. 

The relationship in this book developed at a perfect pace.  Grace and Josh actually got to know each other on a personal level as well as a physical level.  They each had personal issues to work through, as do all of Shalvis’ characters, but they dealt with them rather than just wringing their hands and saying, “Woe is me.”  These were adults dealing with adult issues, and they handled them as such.  It was quite refreshing.  Apparently I have been reading too many YA books lately.  ;-)

The best part of reading a series or trilogy is getting to revisit the characters you got to know in previous books.  There was a great balance of that in this book. The reader got to catch up with Ty, Mallory, Matt and Amy without it overshadowing the story that was currently happening.  I loved the interaction of the male characters.  So many times, the males are just there as a foil to the female characters.  Relationships aren’t that way, and books shouldn’t be that way either.  It was refreshing to see that the males were treated as fully functioning humans with their own thoughts, feelings and relationships throughout this series. 

All in all, this is another winner for Jill Shalvis.  It is a great summer read full of witty dialogue, touching moments, and great romance.  I highly recommend it.

Introducing....

Why start yet another blog of book reviews?  My reasons are varied.  First, I love to read.  I would have a perfectly lovely vacation in a quiet room with my kindle, a large gift card and no interruptions.  Next, I enjoy sharing my thoughts about the books I have read, may want to read and will definitely never read.  Lastly, I have way too much spare time on my hands.

I grew up in a very small town.  There wasn't much there and we only had three channels on tv, so I learned about the world through books.  I was exposed to different cultures, languages, customs...you name it.  All without ever leaving my house.  Reading remains my escape and my passion.  

The reviews I write here will not be the most eloquent reviews ever written, but they will be honest.  They will also be on books that I have actually read.  I have seen people write reviews on books they admit they haven't read and it drives me nuts.  I have also seen bloggers and reviewers outright plagiarize the reviews of others.  That won't happen here either.  I welcome comments, suggestions and if you absolutely must, criticism.  I'll only pout for a little while.  

I have to go now and finish reading my book.