Book Review: Blackout by Annie Solomon

This is a fast paced, twisting suspense; a bargain of a read on Kindle for $2.99!

Blackout 

by Annie Solomon

• File Size: 470 KB
• Print Length: 376 pages
• Publisher: Forever Yours (December 2, 2008)
• Sold by: Hachette Book Group
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001M2FTFQ

Genre: Romantic Suspense
My rating: 4.25 of 5.0

 

Book Description
Publication Date: December 2, 2008
LIVING NIGHTMARE

A month ago Margo Scott was a book dealer with family and friends. Now, suddenly, she can't remember the last four weeks of her life, everyone close to her has disappeared, and she's the prime suspect in a murder. When an intruder attacks, she responds with lightning-quick moves she has no memory of ever learning. Undercover agent Jake Wise has her in his sights and can't decide if this mysterious woman is an assassin or a pawn. Is he tempted to protect her because she's innocent or because he's falling for her? Thrust together, these two loners realize that trusting each other is their only hope of survival. Because the good guys and the bad guys have one thing in common. They all want Margo Scott dead-the sooner, the better.

Review:

Margo Scott wakes up one day and feels a bit under the weather. Later in the day she discovers from her book store neighbor that she has lost a month.  Not only has she lost time, but she realizes she can’t really verify her identity, much less her whereabouts. She really knows she is in trouble when she begins to respond with skills she doesn’t recognize: fighting off an attacker with skilled defense moves, throwing knives with deadly accuracy and picking up guns that feel naturally familiar to her hands.

The police are beginning to suspect Margo of first one murder, then another. Since she has no memory she isn’t certain she didn’t commit the crimes.  As she begins to get flash backs she suspects she may be a skilled, government or covert assassin who has committed worse killings. Is it possible she shot a child a point-blank range?

Jake Wise was asked do ‘watch’ Margo by his ‘mentor’ and covert operations boss, Frank. Now Frank is dead, Margo is a likely suspect and there are lots of questions as to why Jake was to be watching her. Is Margo the killer and who are the men who are attacking her? One group is looking to question her and another is intent on executing her. Can he keep her alive long enough to find out what the heck is going on?

Can two loners with clearly deadly skills find a place of comfort and peace together? Assuming they live of course.

This story has great suspense and full on action from beginning to end. The romance starts as a battle of two untrusting loners and slowly moves to a merger of need, first for comfort and reassurance of life, and later for companionship, passion and commitment. The writing is crisp and has a fast flow that moves well with the pace of the story.There is some rough language - "f" word used 13 times.

I looked back to see I read Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon in September 2010 and gave it a 4.5 rating.  I don’t plan on letting another two years go by before reading this author again. She is going on my "don't miss" list of romantic suspense authors!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Margo realizes she doesn't know what has happened over the past month:

Then where had she been for the last month?
The question thumped inside her, deadly and relentless, and she longed to skitter away to a safe comforting place. A place with no questions. Location 382

Jake wonders if he had made up his mind if she was telling the truth:

Had he? The truth hit him like a gale-force wind, like one of those moments in the movies where the camera closes in and everything slows way down. ... It was that he didn’t care. He would support her either way. Fight for her either way. Location 2455.

Love this quote!! Margo thinks about her love of books:

Books were always more reliable than people anyway. Stories never let her down. No matter where she went there was a bookstore or a library. New worlds, better worlds. Location 2938.

I am very glad that I picked this title up on NetGalley to read for Hachette/Forever Yours imprint of Grand Central Publishing.

This story is set in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. for the Where are You Reading Challenge.

MBS July Blogoversary 2012 Flash Giveaway

Here is a 2012 Blogoversary FLASH GIVEAWAY - WORLDWIDE --- ONLY OPEN till Midnight 7/31.
I hope this giveaway serves to reward close followers and to help my reading picks. :-)

I want to read some of my Kindle Free reads but I need help choosing. I have pulled 15 summer titles (some that have the word "summer", "heat", June, July or August somewhere) that I have had in my Kindle Library  before 2012:
   
1.  Summer of Fire: Book One in the Yellowstone series
    Jacobs, Linda    September 10, 2011   
2.  Sons of Thunder (Brothers in Arms Collection (Summerside Press))
    Warren, Susan May    September 10, 2011   
3.  Summer Loving - No link available
    Folsom, Tina, Andre, Bella    August 7, 2011   
4.  The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook Presents: 10 Summertime Treats
    Bucholz, Dinah    July 17, 2011   
5.  Summer Sizzlers
    Reeves, Joan, Wicklund, Cynthia, Raco Chase, Elaine    July 9, 2011   
6.  Summer of Firsts
    Simon, Coco, Evans, Zoe    July 5, 2011   
7.  The Days Of Summer
    Barnett, Jill    June 23, 2011
8.  Summer's Crossing (The Iron Fey)
    Kagawa, Julie    June 11, 2011   
9.  Making Waves: A Novel (Lake Manawa Summers Book #1)
    Seilstad, Lorna    May 1, 2011   
10.  Love on a Dime (Ladies of Summerhill)
    James, Cara Lynn    November 15, 2010   
11.  Lucy's Perfect Summer (Faithgirlz! / A Lucy Novel)
    Rue, Nancy    July 24, 2010   
12.  Summer of the Midnight Sun (Alaskan Quest #1)
    Peterson, Tracie    January 20, 2010
13.  June Bug (Murder-by-Month Mysteries, No. 2) (Murder-By-Month Mystery)
    Lourey, Jess    June 4, 2011
14.  Heating Up the Kitchen: Recipes with Love from Lucky Harbor
    Shalvis, Jill    October 14, 2011
15.  Icy Heat
    Wyndfield, Leigh    February 3, 2010


I am going to select TWO Winners; Both get same prize choice but #1 gets to pick first.
a) Print copy of Days of Summer by Jill Barnett which I have in my book boxes
b) ANY book from my Updated Review and ARC giveaway list! (Subject to reasonable postage.)
OR
c) Choice of the Summer Titles above (if available), in eBook (up to $10.00 value), or print to be sent through The Book Depository.

I may substitute the prize for International winner as $8.00 GC if you don't get delivery from TBD or if the postage on book choice is too high.

I will read either the winner's choice or the most picked title - or maybe both - in August. ;-)
ALSO, THE #1 WINNER GETS TO GIVE ME A WORD CHOICE TO PICK THE NEXT GROUP FROM MY KINDLE LIBRARY (like I picked 'Summer' with it's add-ons this time) for a September read. :-)  THANKS FOR HELPING!!

TO ENTER:

• Follow my blog in any social form. 
• Comment to tell me which book you think I should read from the summer titles. 
•  Enter through the Google Form! 
•  Extra bonus entries for commenting on Non Giveaway review or Author feature posts (guest post or interviews) since January 1, 2012. (Up to three posts for 6 bonus entries.)

Open Worldwide. Closes 11:59 pm EST July 31, 2012; winner to be announced August 1.

Updated ARC and Review List for Giveaways

5/25/13- I have some new books to add and I will be updating the list soon.
Latest update at bottom - 3/25/13

10/6/12 Update: I have added some extra titles with a new photo below.

6/14/12 I have updated my Review and ARC pictures into these three pictures. The books are in alphabetical order by title and the books are listed below under either Review or ARC.

Review Books:

1.  Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden    March SBB
2.  Duchess of Sin (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee
3.  The Fear Principle: Jaguar Series by B.A. Chepaitis April/May SBB Choice
4.  Iron Man 2 by Alexander Irvine
5.  Lonestar Secrets (Lonestar Series Book 2) by Coleen Coble 
6.  Never a Gentleman (The Drake's Rakes Series) by Eileen Dryer (3 copies - one ARC, two review)
7.  Notes To Stephanie: Middle Aged Love Letters And Life Stories by Jeffery W Turner (not in picture)
8.  Still the One by Robin Wells
9.  Tempted by Fate by Kate Perry  

ARC Books:

1.  A Season of Seduction by Jennifer Haymore (one ARC, one review)
2.  Confessions of an Improper Bride (A Donovan Novel) by Jennifer Haymore
3.  Deliciously Sinful by Lilli Feisty
4.  The Goblin King by Shona Husk
5.  The Guardian (Return of the Highlanders) by Margaret Mallory 
6.  Lady of Seduction (Daughters of Erin) by Laurel McKee 
7.  Montana Glory by R. C. Ryan
8.  Sin Undone (Demonica, Book 5) by Larissa Ione (1 ARCs)  May SBB choice
9.  Sins of a Highland Devil by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
10.  Soul Catcher by Leigh Bridger
11.  The Storm that is Stirling by Lisa Renee Jones Dec SBB choice
12.  Temptation of a Highland Scoundrel (Highland Warriors 2) by Sue-Ellen Welfonder
13.  Two Lethal Lies by Annie Solomon  (2 ARCs) - 1 Chosen for SBB June win
14.  Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt

Added Titles 7/28/12
Review Copy: 

ARC Copy (no cover images)
15.  Hotly Bedded, Conveniently Wedded by Kate Hardy    March SBB
16.  The Maverick's Greek Island Mistress by Kelly Hunter

New Picture and Additions October 6, 2012  

1.  A Lady's Revenge by Tracey Devlyn
2.  The Revisionists by Thomas Mullen
3.  The Highlander's Prize by Mary Wine

Newly Added (Picture to be added) 1/30/13
4.  Lethal Rider (Lords of Deliverance) by Larissa Ione Print Book Hop Selection
5.  The Claimed (Sin Hunters) by Caridad Pineiro - personally autographed
6.  Relentless Pursuit by Sara Orwig
7.  Everybody's Suspect in Georgia by Cecil Murphey
8.  Blue Heart Blessed by Susan Meissner
9.  Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy

Newly Added 3/25/13 (I'll picture these with the ones above soon.)
Review books:
10.  Desperate Deeds by Dee Davis
11.  The Book of Madness May SBB choice
12.  Lethal Rider
13.  Angels Landing
14.  Nipped in the Bud 

ARC books
15.  Embracing the Highlander
16. What in God's Name
17. Thief of Shadow

Book Review: In the Doctor's Bed by Brenda Jackson

This is a nice, light "Doctor" romance story.

In the Doctor's Bed

by Brenda Jackson

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Kimani (July 19, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373862202
• ISBN-13: 978-0373862207

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 3.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2011

The skills of a surgeon…

Having a crush on her drop–dead–gorgeous boss could get Hopewell General intern Jasmine Campbell fired…especially with the prestigious Virginia hospital reeling from a shocking scandal. But head resident Lucien De Winter is impossible to resist. And he's arousing a healthy dose of desire as the good doctor wages an all–out war to make the sheltered Southern belle his own…

The heart of a lover

Head over heels for Jasmine, Lucien vows to keep their relationship a secret. He knows they're playing a dangerous game, but he can't live without the sensual sister. Even if it means putting his hard–fought career on the line, the seduced surgeon is ready to risk it all. Because Lucien knows that the only thing to cure his acute condition is a lifetime of love.

Review:
Jaclyn Campbell is an attractive, caring and clearly smart intern at Hopewell General. She has worked hard to get where she is so she shouldn’t be thinking about risking all she has planned just because she fell for her handsome boss, Lucien DeWinter, the first time she saw him.

Lucien DeWinter is a talented surgeon and the head resident overseeing the intern program.  He has a strong future and surely it isn’t worth the risk of dating one of his beautiful interns. But his efforts to resist her are failing after months of trying to avoid her.

The hospital has a strict non-fraternization policy and the chief of staff and head nurse are sticklers about enforcing rules. Jaclyn and Lucien have separately struggled with their attraction to each other.  When circumstances finally put them together they don’t want to fight the draw anymore.

Jaclyn and Lucien in this story are both very likeable: attractive, smart, hard working and compassionate. Too bad that they are stuck in a not so likeable dilemma and a weak story. The beginning of the book focuses on their denied desires. After they get together the book focuses on their lovemaking and sneaking to avoid their relationship being discovered. In my opinion, this isn’t a great storyline.  Not only is this not ‘likeable’ behavior, but it doesn’t seem likely to me as it seemed their careers should out weigh their sexual attraction until they could find some other solution - like one moving to another hospital position. I don’t tend to read many ‘doctor’ romances as it is not a field that draws me. I think I could have enjoyed this story if I wasn’t turned off by the sneaking around.

This is the second book I read by Brenda Jackson. I have to say that I like the characters she creates. Even the gorgeous, could-be stuck up and obnoxious males turn out to have good,  likable qualities.  I like Ms. Jackson’s writing style which is crisp and smooth flowing.  The sexual attributes of this book are a little on the heavy side for my tastes– an aspect other romance readers might enjoy more. I have to classify this as a nice romance but it would never be a favorite of mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quotes I liked:

It had taken all of his control to keep his features neutral, void of expression.  Each and every time he was around her he risked the possibility of giving something away. Page 35.

There was something in his gentle and understanding tone that pushed her to the edge. There were so many emotions she was trying to deal with. Page 42.

I received this from Harlequin Romance.

This story is set in Washington, D.C. for my Where Are Your Reading Challenge.

Martha's Bookshefl***Friday Pick Giveaway July 27, 2012

[** If you are new to Friday Pick Giveaway - Welcome!  Scroll down a bit (below book group #19) for instructions on how to enter.] 

How is everyone doing this nice warm summer Friday? Can  you believe it is almost August? I have a new list of books added today. Check later today or tomorrow for an extra Blogoversary Giveaway.

Thank you to all who entered July 20 Pick.  There were TWO Automatic winners this week!!:-) (those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks).  There were also FOUR blocked titles but two have been won.
LindaK picked Simon Said
and
bn100 picked Misfortune

CONGRATULATIONS

to Random.org picked Winners from July 20 Pick:

Carol NW chose Life Support Audio
and

Carol M chose Death's Door

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual or sexy and I have a new supply of sweet bookmarks.

How about sitting at the lake with a book?

Image found at CBS News - Books of all Kind for Summer

New Book Group #30 July 27, 2012
This time I pulled some books from one of my older boxes.
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

Dead Ringer by Lisa Scottline

The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)

Threads of Destiny by Arnette Lamb

A Dangerous Devotion by Barbara Kyle

Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts (some spine wear)

An Independent Woman by Candace Camp

Wolf Mountain Moon by Terry C. Johnston

Wild Escapade by Lisa Bingham

Dancing on Snowflakes by Jane Bonander

Virtue by Jane Feather

Don't Bargain with The Devil by Sabrina Jeffries

Mistress by Amanda Quick - Audio Cassettes

*Long Time Coming by Sandra Brown

*The Contrary Corinthian by Emily Hendrickson (spine wear)

*There Was a Little Boy by Claire Rainwater Jacobs

*On Thin Ice by Linda Hall

New Book Group #29 June 29, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books possibly suitable for international mailing

 

Magic: The Gathering Distant Planes, An Anthology

The Promise by Kasey Michaels

Winning Ways by Barbara Boswell

Tomorrow's Promise by Sandra Brown

Midnight Rainbow by Linda Howard

Death's Door by Meryl Sawyer

Life Support by Tess Gerristen Audio Cassettes

Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich

Exit to Eden by Anne Rice

While My Pretty One Sleeps by Mary Higgins Clark

Gifts from the Heart by Jillian Hart

*Simon Said by Sarah R. Shaber

*One is the Lonliest Number - Tom Clancey's Net Force

*Edwin of the Iron Shoes by Marcia Mueller

*Covert Pursuit by Terri Reed

*Close to Home by Carolyne Aarsen

New Book Group #28 May 18, 2012
*asterisks indicate lighter, smaller books suitable for international

Wanna Get Lucky? by Deborah Coonts

Game Over by Fern Michaels

Forever Victoria by Dorothy Garlock

Sleeping Alone by Barbara Bretton

Gentle From the Night Meagan McKinney (spine creased)

In Too Deep by Tina Wainscott

Wildflower by Jill Marie Landis

*Love and Other Four Letter Words by Caroline Mackler

*The Carousel by Rosamund Pilcher

*Shades of Grace by Barbara Delinsky (audio tapes)

The Heart of Justice by William L. Coughlin

Cross Country by James Patterson

New book Group #27 April 13, 2012
Some of the books on the right end are smaller and suitable for overseas mailing. :-)

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (spine damage)

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Midnight Hour by Debra Dixon

September Morning by Diana Palmer

Beneath the Surface by Annie White (slight spine wear)

*The Dream Horse by Virginia Campbell Scott

*Summer's Belle by Paige Winship Dooly

New book Group #26 March 2, 2012--- (All gone)
These are Paired sets - two per author.
Four are parts of series the others are just singles by the same author.
Winners get both books if you pick these.


New Group #25 January 12, 2012

*Smaller books on the right would be okay for most international mailing.

Leopards Kill by Jim DeFelice

Category 7 by Bill Evans and Marianna Jameson

Hell's Belle by Jane Holleman

*Shadow Rider: Apache Sundown by Jory Sherman

New Group #24 Pick Books November 25, 2011---(All gone)
(The only Thanksgiving title I found is a Harlequin I'd like to read someday so no Thanksgiving titles for November.)


New Group #23 Pick Books October 14, 2011
I tried to pick some books that would be good for October -
Halloween or dark minded.

Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser

Emily's Good Nightmare by Cosmic Debris Cosmic

New Group #22 Pick Books September 2, 2011


New Group #21 of Pick Books July 29, 2011

There are eight mysteries and I have asterisked nine books that are smaller and would be good for oversea choices if so desired.

Mallory's Oracle (Kathleen Mallory Novels) by Carol O'Connell

Stand by Me Anthology with Dallas Schulze, Roberta Leigh and Linda Randall Wisdom (spine creased)

May, 2011 New Group of Pick books

Group #20

Singles

Luciano's Luck by Jack Higgins - Audio Cassettes

3/25/11 I did get to set up a new group of books:

Group #19

Singles

Primary Colors - audio tapes

Note of Peril (black strip on cover)

2/19/11 Book Group #18- Pairs!---(All gone)

Not all of these are two from a series but several are. Each pick gets two books.

I have finally updated the intro and Entry paragraphs here:

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways. 

I started Friday Pick in November 27, 2009 and in two years I  posted 26 groups of 16 books to find new homes! (March 2012)

I have periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want! I am happy to say that so far about 392 books have found new homes! YAY. I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed.

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $5.00 and $6.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

TO ENTER:

Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.
CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 10:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up past midnight to do the winner post!
I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.
Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times and I did not note other people asking for that book during those weeks.

WINNERS PLEASE CHECK THE WIN POST ON FRIDAYS AND fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me at mesreads@gmail.com. [I will confirm receipt of the addresses- well I realize I haven't always done this. But if you filled out the form and don't get the book within two weeks nudge me with an email please!] If I have the winners e-mail I will send a reminder in a week or so....

Thanks for helping these books find new homes!!

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

1/14/11 New List
#17
Moonfire by Judith Redman Robbins

12/3/10 Book Set:

#16

Sleight of Hand by Robin Hathaway

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

List #15---(All gone)

List #14---(All gone)

Here is set #13 of Used books!

Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix

This is a group of books I have had for several years but not gotten to read. Since it doesn't look like I will get to read them for another year (or more!) I am passing them on. Although as I type them part of me still says "But you may want to read that some day!" Yes, yes; along with the other 700 books I am housing! Must Let goooooo.....

Group #12---(All gone)

Group #11

Cat's Eyewitness by Rita Mae Brown

Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

Snow in April by Rosamunde Pilcher

Looking Back by Belva Plain

The Ring on Her Finger by Elizabeth Bevarly

List #1
Circle of Stars by Anna Lee Waldo

Pick #2

The Blue Zone by Andrew Gross

Pick #3---(All gone)

Pick #4

Talking God by Tony Kellerman

Everything to Gain by Barbara Taylor Bradford

The Sixth Sense

The Shadow by Shelley Munro (PA)

Pick #5

See Jane Lead by Lois P. Frankel

Misfortune by Nancy Geary

Cold Hit by Linda Fairstein - Audio Tapes

Pick #6---(All gone)

Pick #7

Prey by Michael Crichton - Audio Tape

Princess Charming by Jane Heller (slightly creased)

Pick #8

(sc) = slightly creased on binding otherwise all in good shape

The Jury by Steve Martini - Audio Tapes

No Safe Place by Richard North Patterson - Audio Tapes

Pick #9

On Treacherous Ground by Earl Murray

Guardian by Dee Henderson - Audio Tapes

Time to Hunt by Stephen Hunter - Audio Tapes

Pick #10

The Third Twin by Ken Follett (spine creased)