Friday Booktalk
Dec
5
2008

Cynthia Eden’s Midnight Sins – This is the second book in Eden’s Midnight Trilogy and gives us Detective Todd Brooks’ story (Collin’s partner we meet in Eden’s most excellent Hotter After Midnight).

Eden’s universe where the existence of Others is a secret but an endangered one is clever and her characters are engaging and three dimensional. The suspense element is well done without being over the top or totally wallpaper.

You actually care about Cara, the heroine who also happens to be a succubus on the sex wagon at the beginning of the book – the chemistry between Cara and Todd is instant, even when she’s a murder suspect. Eden does a great job at giving us two main characters who are flawed but also believable and likeable.

Sexy, smart, some great twists – Midnight Sins is a great read! I can’t wait for the final book in the trilogy!

Jordan Summers’ Red – I cannot say enough about Jordan Summers’ Red – the book is tightly written, well done, sexy, smart, scary, edgy, dark, even sweet in places. There is absolutely nothing typical or cliche about Red – the book is entirely unexpected from the first person POV of the villain, who remains a mystery until the end (although I did figure it out about 70% in, it was still very well done) to the heroine, who, while being a kickass type, isn’t cardboard or stupid.

The world Summers builds is unique and interesting, complex and layered. Red and Morgan are a sexy match – a very alpha wolf and a very alpha cop/soldier and it works.

There are moments definitely NOT for the squeamish. The killer is a werewolf after all – totally unstable and insane. His crimes are not pretty. At the same time, I didn’t feel the description was unnecessary or manipulative at all. This is what Red is facing, this is the crime that drives her to finally snap free from what is expected of her and to find justice for the victim.

Brava to Jordan Summers for taking the risk in writing this book and also a big brava to TOR for taking a chance on something as unexpected as Red.

Beth Kery’s Wicked Burn – I was lucky enough to get an early peek at this spicy, complicated and darkly sexy read from Beth Kery some months back and I knew others would be as compelled as I was.

Vic is an uber alpha, dominant, domineering and arrogant, Kery walks a line with him but it works. The combination with Niall, who is less confident, more hesitant and yet, has a strength of her own – is explosive and emotional.

Kery has done a great job with Wicked Burn!

Eve Kenin – Hidden – In Kenin’s follow up to last year’s Driven, readers return to her post-apocalyptic world and she takes them on a ride just as exhilerating as before.

I love me some post apocalyptic books and with Driven and Hidden, Kenin delivers some fabulous worldbuilding! Her characters breathe and the reader wants to know more about them, cares about them, gets mad on their behalf.

Tatiana is broken and on a mission to find the mysterious Tolliver, the man who has the key to finding the lab where she was kept prisoner and experimented on for most of her life. In her search she runs into Tristan and sparks fly from the start.

Tristan has secrets of his own and he’s also drawn to Tatiana, a woman whose strength and independence he admires. The two do a dance of secrets (I won’t be more specific so as to spoil the plot) but there’s suspense, romance, danger and a surprising vein of sweetness all wrapped up into a really wonderful package.

5 comments to “Friday Booktalk”

  1. Cynthia Eden
    December 5th, 2008 at 11:09 am · Link

    Hi, Lauren! Thank you for reviewing Midnight Sins–and I’m so glad you enjoyed the story!

    And all the other books you have listed…they’re on my TBR list! 🙂 Red, Wicked Burn, and Hidden all look fantastic.



  2. Jordan
    December 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pm · Link

    Thank you, Lauren. 🙂 I loved Eve’s Driven. Great stuff.



  3. Karin
    December 5th, 2008 at 3:27 pm · Link

    Both Cynthia’s and Jordan’s books are already on my list to pick up the next time I get a chance. Every time I read something more abou them I get extra antsy. lol



  4. Lori T
    December 7th, 2008 at 12:28 pm · Link

    My goodness, my book list just keeps growing and growing!



  5. laurendane
    December 7th, 2008 at 1:10 pm · Link

    Cindy – I loved it and you know how much I love your writing!

    Jordan – it’s a pleasure to have read it and yes, Driven was really excellent too!

    Karin – they’re both really excellent!

    Lori – Join the club, LOL