Review - Risk No Secrets by Cindy Gerard

If you like fast paced suspense and romance, you will like this!

Risk No Secrets (Black Ops, Inc.) by Cindy Gerard

• Mass Market Paperback: 388 pages
• Publisher: Pocket; 1 edition (May 18, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439153612
• ISBN-13: 978-1439153611

Author website

Rating: 4.25 of 5

Product Description
A deadly international mission reunites a sexy Black Ops, Inc. hero and his sizzling former love in Cindy Gerard’s seductive new romantic thriller. A RED-HOT ATTRACTION . . .Twelve years of chasing bad guys didn’t erase beautiful Sophie Baylor from Wyatt Savage’s memory. If he had another chance, he’d never let her leave. So when she tracks him down from El Salvador and begs for help, he doesn’t ask questions—he just goes.STARTS WITH A TERRIFYING THREAT . . .Sophie is grateful her daughter survived a kidnapping attempt, but she won’t forgive herself until the girl who was mistakenly abducted is safe. Wyatt is the only man brave enough to take on the mysterious terrorists behind the crime—and the one irresistible man she wishes she had never let go. . . . AND UNLEASHES AN UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE.Sophie knows Central America’s steamy jungles and sticky politics better than anyone. Yet she refuses to hide in fear. Then she becomes the enemy’s number one target. Wyatt lost her once, and he won’t lose her again—even if he has to fight, kill, or die to save her.

Review:  This fast-paced book has lots of action, tension and love.

Sophie is a dedicated teacher who started a middle school in El Salvador to provide opportunities for poor children who would otherwise never have the chance for this type of education. She is understandably upset when her daughter’s best friend, Lola, is mistakenly kidnaped instead of her own daughter, Hope. When Sophie can’t reach her operative ex-husband, she seeks help from his former best friend, Wyatt.

Wyatt and Hugh had worked together for the government before going their separate ways with private black operations. Twelve years earlier when both men were in Sophie’s Spanish class she was impressed with the quiet, steady and honorable Wyatt. But before Wyatt could make his move, Sophie was swept off her feet and married Hugh.

Wyatt has never stopped comparing other women to beautiful and spirited Sophie.  Now, as he calls in a team to try to locate the missing child and also protect Hope and Sophie, he struggles to decide whether he might have another chance to win  the woman he has always loved.

There is plenty of action as the team takes out gang members and destroys buildings during its search. It's not surprising when the bad guys retaliate and come after Sophie's home. It was only surprising it took so long, although in truth all of this takes place in just a few days.

The leader of the terrorist gang is revealed early and he is a real nasty villain. There is also an unrevealed cohort and the clues lead you to believe he is a respected member of the community. I did have my suspicions who this might be but the ultimate revelation is presented in a shocking circumstance.

The love and sexual relationship between Sophie and Wyatt is very well handled. The love scenes are very sexy without being lewd or offensive. The tension and conflicts kick up a notch when Hugh comes home and walks in on Sophie and Wyatt in the master bedroom.

I thought there was one tiny flaw as another child was rescued who had been held for six months. That was not consistent with the kidnappers wanting the ransom for Lola within three days, but it didn’t have that big of an impact on the story.

The characters are well developed, the action explosive and the writing crisp to suit the fast pace.  I call this an exciting romance read.

xxx

This book was provided through the Pajama Chat Readers Club at Romance in the Backseat.

Mailbox Monday July 5, 2010

This Meme starts with Marcia at The Printed Page

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I got the last three books from the Blogmania win at Luxury Reading. All of these are funny, fun reads!
Thank You Vera and her sponsors.

Historical Tweets: The Completely Unabridged and Ridiculously Brief History of the World 
by Alan Beard and Alec McNayr

Undateable: 311 Things Guys Do That Guarantee They Won't Be Dating or Having Sex
by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle.

 

Regretsy: Where DIY Meets WTF
by April Winchell

It's Monday! What are you Reading July 5, 2010?

This meme starts at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I finished two books and completed a book edit. I drafted several reviews which I hope to finalize tomorrow. I also took pictures I have to get posted for my Blogoversary this month. :)
I visited a few blogs late in the week again.

Finsihed:

PB: Risk No Secrets (Black Ops, Inc.) Cindy Gerard.  Very good Romantic Suspense! I will post a review this week.

Product Description

A deadly international mission reunites a sexy Black Ops, Inc. hero and his sizzling former love in Cindy Gerard’s seductive new romantic thriller. A RED-HOT ATTRACTION . . .Twelve years of chasing bad guys didn’t erase beautiful Sophie Baylor from Wyatt Savage’s memory. If he had another chance, he’d never let her leave. So when she tracks him down from El Salvador and begs for help, he doesn’t ask questions—he just goes.STARTS WITH A TERRIFYING THREAT . . .Sophie is grateful her daughter survived a kidnapping attempt, but she won’t forgive herself until the girl who was mistakenly abducted is safe. Wyatt is the only man brave enough to take on the mysterious terrorists behind the crime—and the one irresistible man she wishes she had never let go. . . . AND UNLEASHES AN UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE.Sophie knows Central America’s steamy jungles and sticky politics better than anyone. Yet she refuses to hide in fear. Then she becomes the enemy’s number one target. Wyatt lost her once, and he won’t lose her again—even if he has to fight, kill, or die to save her.

Kindle: Just started - see below.

Audio CD:  The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker. Very interesting and engaging.  Reviewing for Hachette.I hope to post this one this week too.

Product Description

FBI Special agent Brad Raines is facing his toughest case yet. A Denver serial killer has killed four beautiful young women, leaving a bridal veil at each crime scene, and he's picking up his pace. Unable to crack the case, Raines appeals for help from a most unusual source: residents of the Center for Wellbeing and Intelligence, a private psychiatric institution for mentally ill individuals whose are extraordinarily gifted.

It's there that he meets Paradise, a young woman who witnessed her father murder her family and barely escaped his hand. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Paradise may also have an extrasensory gift: the ability to experience the final moments of a person's life when she touches the dead body.

In a desperate attempt to find the killer, Raines enlists Paradise's help. In an effort to win her trust, he befriends this strange young woman and begins to see in her qualities that most 'sane people' sorely lack. Gradually, he starts to question whether sanity resides outside the hospital walls...or inside.

As the Bride Collector picks up the pace-and volume-of his gruesome crucifixions, the case becomes even more personal to Raines when his friend and colleague, a beautiful young forensic psychologist, becomes the Bride Collector's next target.

The FBI believes that the killer plans to murder seven women. Can Paradise help before it's too late?

 Line Edits: Completed line edits on Fourth Son by Joy Brooks. I guess I can count my editing as reading another book which it is. It is just not quite as pleasurable when I am looking for every tiny error and making wording suggestions.

Currently reading:

PB: The Wild Irish Sea: A windswept tale of love and magic by Loucinda McGary I am three fourths done. I am enjoying this suspense with a paranormal element.  Reviewing for Sourcebooks to post in July. Watch for Author Guest Post on July 13!

Product Description

Drawn to a force he can't resist...
Former police officer Kevin Hennessey is running from his past-choosing to battle smugglers instead of dealing with his personal demons. When a desperate, rain-drenched American woman appears on his doorstep with wild tales of danger, Kevin is drawn to helping her, despite his reservations...
She never saw him coming...
Amber O'Neill knew without a doubt that her brother was in mortal danger. Rushing heedlessly to the rocky shores of Ireland, Amber was stunned to find her rescue mission derailed by a gorgeous, but deeply flawed Irishman...
The tumultuous sea, the intertwined fates of the coastal villagers, and unearthly tales of a hidden selkie prince bring Kevin and Amber together in a connection of mind, body, and soul that neither can deny...

PB:  Barely a Lady (The Drake's Rakes series) by Eileen Dreyer. Upcoming Hachette Blog Tour review and Giveaway - July 10, 2010.  Which I just realized is this Saturday so I better get reading.

Full Description
Olivia Grace has secrets that could destroy her. One of the greatest of these is the Earl of Gracechurch, who married and divorced her five years earlier. Abandoned and disgraced, Grace has survived those years at the edge of respectability. Then she stumbles over Jack on the battlefield of Waterloo, and he becomes an even more dangerous secret. For not only is he unconscious, he is clad in an enemy uniform.

But worse, when Jack finally wakes in Olivia's care, he can't remember how he came to be on a battlefield in Belgium. In fact, he can remember nothing of the last five years. He thinks he and Olivia are still blissfully together. To keep him from being hanged for a traitor, Olivia must pretend she and Jack are still married.

To unearth the real traitors, Olivia and Jack must unravel the truth hidden within his faulty memory. To save themselves and the friends who have given them sanctuary, they must stand against their enemies, even as they both keep their secrets.

In the end, can they risk everything to help Jack recover his lost memories, even though the truth may destroy them both?

PB:  Stand-in Groom (Brides of Bonneterre, Book 1) I have to get this book from my daughter to read for our church book club meeting on the 10th. I hope it will be a fast read.

Product Description

Get ready to attend the quirkiest wedding ever in this delightful romance by Kaye Dacus, a new voice in women's contemporary fiction. When wedding planner Anne Hawthorne first meets George Laurence, she thinks she's found the man of her dreams. But when she discovers he's a client, she knows planning his wedding will be no honeymoon. Can Anne remain professional while falling for the groom? Or will she risk her heart, her values, and her career in the midst of planning the wedding of the century?

PB & Kindle: (I downloaded this to help spead up the reading.) Still the One by Robin Wells. I just started this but I like the beginning chapters and want to know where the story goes. I guess I will post the Giveaway this week because reading is going to have to wait until after the two due this Saturday.

Product Description

Robin Wells takes us back to Chartreuse, Louisiana, for a deeply moving story of forgiveness and second chances.

After Katie Charmaine's husband is killed in Iraq, all she has left is a closet full of his clothes, a few pictures, and fond memories. She not only lost her love, but her last chance to have the children she's always wanted. Until Zack Ferguson shows up in town . . . with the daughter Katie gave up for adoption nearly seventeen years ago.

Zack Ferguson has never forgotten Katie, or the one magical night they spent together. Seeing her again brings up a tidal wave of emotions: regret over the way he left her, anger at the secret she kept, and desire he hasn't felt in years. But he's in town for Gracie. Their daughter is sixteen, angry at the world, and-worst of all-pregnant. She needs the love of her two parents now more than ever. Can these three forgive the hurts of the past and open their hearts to each other?

Audio CD:  I'm hoping a new CD will come in this week.

Line Edits: Just started on line edits for Exis: Gods, Ghosts & Battered Cellphones by Anne Abad

Upcoming books:
Tempted by a Warrior  by Amanda Scott. Hachette Blog Tour review, Giveaway and Author Guest Post on July 14, 2010.

The Fire Lord's Lover (The Elven Lords) by Kathryne Kennedy. Reviewing for Sourcebooks; to post in July.

Kindle: none in queue.

Sunday Words of Encouragement July 4, 2010

HAPPY INDEPENDCE DAY AMERICA

 Our Pastor's message reminded us that America was settled by people seeking religious freedom.  The Mayflower Compact included: "...for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith..."

If you look at the Declaration of Independence it contains the phrases:
"...to the laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them..."  "...endowed by their Creator..." "...appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world...." and "...with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence..."
The full text can be found online, including many versions with original spelling and capitalization.

I had a hard time selecting among some wonderful videos of America the Beautiful, God Bless America and other songs. Some were with Kate Smith who was famous for singing God Bless America in the 1930s.  Others had various historical foundations that I liked. Here is a link to one with Willie Nelson singing ALL the verses to God Bless America. Here is another version by Jimmy Joe Lee with new verses that are quite wonderful.

I selected this video for the beauty of the song and pictures 

and the message displayed at the end which is the Verse for today.

A Verse for Today

2 Chronicles 7:14 (New International Version)

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

We prayed this morning for our Country, its leaders and its citizens, and that God might heal our land and continue to bless us.

New Winner for The Bride Collector Audio CD

A replacement winner has been picked  for the Audiobook The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker since 
nfmgirl won the book at another blog.

Congratulations to