Evidence of Life
Author: Barbara Taylor Sissel

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

On the last ordinary day of her life, Abby Bennett feels like the luckiest woman alive. But everyone knows that luck doesn’t last forever.

As her husband, Nick, and daughter, Lindsey, embark on a weekend camping trip to the Texas Hill Country, Abby looks forward to having some quiet time to herself. She braids Lindsey’s hair, reminds Nick to drive safely and kisses them both goodbye. For a brief moment, Abby thinks she has it all—a perfect marriage, a perfect life—until a devastating storm rips through the region, and her family vanishes without a trace.

When Nick and Lindsey are presumed dead, lost in the raging waters, Abby refuses to give up hope. Consumed by grief and clinging to her belief that her family is still alive, she sets out to find them. But as disturbing clues begin to surface, Abby realizes that the truth may be far more sinister than she imagined. Soon she finds herself caught in a current of lies that threaten to unhinge her and challenge everything she once believed about her marriage and family.

MY THOUGHTS
That cover sums this book up for this reader.  Mysterious, suspenseful and determination all in one package of a book. As not a regular reader of mystery/suspense unless it falls within the romance genre, I was pleasantly surprised by this book in the woman’s mystery fiction world.  I found myself really getting into the story and not wanting to put it down.
After Abbey’s family goes missing after a storm, they are presumed dead.  While it can’t be proven, there is always that 1 percent of hope that they are actually alive.  We read about how Abbey has to deal with not knowing and wondering what really happened. While she struggles with finding the answers she needs, the reader also discovers along with Abbey that not everything was as perfect as she thought.  
I really felt for Abbey in this book and wanted to help her figure out the mystery as well.  While it was a little predictable in most of the story, the suspense was enough to keep me interested until the last page.  Not a bad book in my eyes considering I don’t usually read these types of fiction.  I am definitely going to keep this author on my radar for future reads!
MY RATING
Very Good! I would recommend this book!
EXCERPT
Abby made a face. Lindsey never passed up an opportunity to remind her parents that she was the better student, the orderly, more agreeable child. “I thought you were going to play pro basketball overseas, travel the world.”
                “Is there a reason I can’t do both?”
                “Nope. You, my darling daughter, can do anything you set your mind to, just like your brother.” Abby ran her fingers lightly down the length of Lindsey’s braid.
“If only I could stay home like my brother.”
“Your daddy has gone to a lot of trouble to plan this trip so he can spend time with you.”
“I know. I just wish it wasn’t this weekend.”
“There are worse sacrifices,” Abby said blithely.
“I have finals next month too. And don’t say it’s not the same.”
“Okay, I won’t.” Abby centered the griddle over the burner.
“will you set the table and call your dad? The French toast’ll be done in a minute.” She could feel Lindsey considering whether or not to push.
Please don’t. It was a prayer, a wish, yet one more in the sea of mundane moments from that morning that would return to mock her. To ask her: How could you? Because she would remember that Lindsey hadn’t pushed; she’d set the table and left the kitchen without another word.
“What about jackets?” Abby followed her husband and daughter through the back door, onto the driveway. Although it was April, it was still chilly, and it would be colder where they were going.
Colder than home.
“It’s supposed to rain,” she said. “Maybe you guys should take your boots.”

Sticks & Stones
Series: Cut & Run #2
Author(s): Abigail Roux, Madeleine Urban

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Six months after nearly losing their lives to a serial killer in New York City, FBI Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are suffering through something almost as frightening: the monotony of desk duty. 

When they’re ordered to take a vacation for the good of everyone’s sanity, Ty bites the bullet and takes Zane home with him to West Virginia, hoping the peace and quiet of the mountains will give them the chance to explore the explosive attraction they’ve so far been unable to reconcile with their professional partnership. 

Ty and Zane, along with Ty’s father and brother, head up into the Appalachian mountains for a nice, relaxing hike deep into the woods… where no one will hear them scream. 

They find themselves facing danger from all directions: unpredictable weather, the unrelenting mountains, wild animals, fellow hikers with nothing to lose, and the most terrifying challenge of all. 

Each other.

MY THOUGHTS

Sticks & Stones is the second book in the Cut & Run series by authors Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban.

You hear that? That thump-thump-thump like Bambi’s heartbeat when running from the hunter? That would be my heart after finishing this book.

Is it from the suspense? Yes.
Is it from the sexy times? Yes.
Is it from the ending that wreaked havoc on my emotions? Yes.

Instead of going through the details of book — especially since it has been out and reviewed like crazy already — I am just going to touch base on the characters and small parts of the story.

Ty — My heart aches for this man.  At the beginning of this series, I was unsure about him.  I thought he was going to be this big jackass that would never show any type of emotion except smart ass and douche. Boy was I wrong.  The first book had me pining for him but this second book had my heart breaking for this man.  At the end of the mountain journey, I almost cried at the moment he realized he loved Zane.  Then when he tried to tell him, the tears kept on coming.  Emotions like this is why I am totally Team Ty!

Zane — For some reason, I wasn’t feeling much good about Zane in this one.  He was sexy and brought his A-game with the witty banter, but I couldn’t make the connection with him.  I think it is because of his wavering decisions and at times his misplaced anger.  Zane has problems and inner demons, but Ty’s brother summed it up perfectly.

“See, some people, they’re sticky like Velcro. You’re sticky. Your problems stick to you like fuzzballs from the laundry; you take them everywhere with you and people can see them plain as day. Ty, he’s like spandex. Nothing sticks to him, and he’s shiny on the outside” 

Deacon, AKA Deuce *wags finger* You naughty boy.  I loved Deuce probably so much because he is so much like his brother Ty.  While he can give as good as he gets, he also has a great relationship with his brother.  Then the ending scene where he is on the phone with a pivotal player in the series left me with my jaw open and wanting to slap him for it.  I am curious to see how that is going to go down if it ever comes to be known by Ty and Zane.

Mara, Chester and Earl — Ty’s mother, grandfather and father were great.  Mara was the tender but feisty mama bear that watched out for her family.  Chester was a laugh-out-loud a minute.  I don’t think I laughed that hard in a long time when he chopped up the water hose because he thought it was a snake.  He was grouchy and I wished he would have been in more scenes.  Earl was a great character and I am curious to see his reaction in the future when his son Ty shares his feelings about Zane.

Overall, I am anxious to read book three in this series.  I can’t wait to devour it and get deeper into the story of Ty and Zane.  I just need to hope that my heart can take it!

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

Cut & Run
Series: Cut & Run #1
Author(s): Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban
M/M Romance/Suspense

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

A series of murders in New York City has stymied the police and FBI alike, and they suspect the culprit is a single killer sending an indecipherable message. But when the two federal agents assigned to the investigation are taken out, the FBI takes a more personal interest in the case.

Special Agent Ty Grady is pulled out of undercover work after his case blows up in his face. He’s cocky, abrasive, and indisputably the best at what he does. But when he’s paired with Special Agent Zane Garrett, it’s hate at first sight. Garrett is the perfect image of an agent: serious, sober, and focused, which makes their partnership a classic clich: total opposites, good cop-bad cop, the odd couple. They both know immediately that their partnership will pose more of an obstacle than the lack of evidence left by the murderer.

Practically before their special assignment starts, the murderer strikes again this time at them. Now on the run, trying to track down a man who has focused on killing his pursuers, Grady and Garrett will have to figure out how to work together before they become two more notches in the murderer’s knife.

MY THOUGHTS

Somebody slap my upside the head please! Why have I waited so long for this series?

After hearing about this series throughout the entire year, I had added it to my wishlist in the hopes of starting it some day.  When the later books in the series appeared on numerous Top Reads of 2012, I moved it up in the count to get to sooner.  When I finally got to it and started reading it, I couldn’t stop!  I needed this fix as badly as Zane needed his.

I am having a hard time picking which character was the best.  Ty started out my clear favorite with his don’t-give-a-hell attitude and demeanor.  I loved his banter with fellow agents and his new partner at work.  Zane was more business in appearance, but slowly came around to be like Ty.  Then the roles would reverse in personality and my heart would flip the switch to being in love with Zane.  Just when I would fall for one, the authors would do something to tie me in knots for the other Alpha man.
Ty or Zane?
Zane or Ty?
I think I choose Ty.
No wait! Zane.
No, I changed my mind. Ty.
Yes, Ty.
For now.

Oh there was a mystery involved in this story as well.  I almost forgot since I was dreaming of Ty and Zane again.  The two are assigned to go undercover to solve numerous murders from a serial killer who is leaving a trail of tokens behind.  Several agents have been murdered already and Zane and Ty needs to figure it out if it is someone on the inside.  There is tons of action and nail biting scenes in this scene.  I thought I figured out who the murderer was early on, but I was wrong.  I am not a good person to have on your side when playing Clue.

This book is definitely one I loved.  I want to devour each book in the series now! I can’t wait to get my next fix of Ty and Zane!

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

Rev It Up
Author: Julie Ann Walker
Series:  Black Knights Inc. #3
Genre: Romance

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

He Never Misses a Target

Jake “the Snake” Sommers earned his SEAL codename by striking quickly and quietly – and with lethal force. That’s how he broke Michelle Carter’s heart. It was the only way to keep her safe – from himself. Four long years later, Jake is determined to get a second chance. But to steal back into Michelle’s loving arms, Jake is going to have to prove he can take things slow. Real slow…

She Aims to Make Him Beg

Michelle Carter has never forgiven Jake for being so cliché as to “love her and leave her.” But when her brother, head of the Black Knights elite ops agency, ticks off the wrong mobster, she must do the unimaginable: place her life in Jake’s hands. No matter what they call him, this man is far from cold-blooded. And once he’s wrapped around her heart, he’ll never let her go…

MY THOUGHTS

Oh Ms. Walker, how you love to tease me and pull me back into this world.  Suspense and romance in one book is always a good thing, but when Julie Ann Walker writes it, I want to jump for joy.  I loved the first one in this series and they just keep getting better.

Even though the main character of Jake “the Snake” Sommers reminds me of watching wrestling with my father in the early years, I found myself falling for him very quickly.  He was strong, determined and sexy as all get out.  Michelle is a heroine that can hold her own as well.  In the modeling world there is one word that can describe this girl — fierce.  She gives as good as she gets with Jake and they really heated up the pages together.

With danger and suspense in most of the book, the author did a great job of including the romance on a balanced scale.  Secondary characters are back from previous books and give us a glimpse of some of our favorites.  Again, while I loved the previous books in the series, this one I think is one of my favorites.  The authors writing just keeps getting better and I can’t wait to see what will happen in the next book!

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

A Promise To Protect
Author: Liz Johnson
Genre: Romance/Suspense/Inspirational
Source: Author Submission
ISBN: 9780373445189

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Navy SEAL Matt Waterstone knows about keeping people safe. When his best friend’s sister is attacked, Matt promises no harm will come to Ashley Sawyer—not on his watch. But Matt’s not the only protective one. Ashley will do anything to safeguard the residents of the battered women’s shelter she runs. She’s sure she can handle the threats she gets in return. What she can’t handle is the way Matt scales the walls around her heart. Yet when she falls prey to a crime web far more sinister than she’d realized, trusting Matt could be the only way to survive….

MY THOUGHTS

If there is one author that comes to mind when someone needs a recommendation for Inspirational Romance,  Liz Johnson is usually the one I mention.

Each character in this story compliments the other in such a good way that it pushes this story into great.  I loved Matt in this story.  He was the perfect hero for Ashley.  Each book that this author writes, gets better in the character department each time.  Her writing is growing and the story proves it.

Suspense is also great in this book.  It flowed at a perfect pace and kept me interested up until the end.  Guessing the outcome of this book was not something I even tried to do while reading it because I was enjoying the story too much to even try and skip ahead.

Even if you are not a big reader of inspirational, this romantic suspense will fit right in with romance readers.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!