Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy

Hail To The Chef by Julie Hyzy in the second book in the White House Chef mystery series.  Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin), December 2008

White House executive chef Ollie Paras has to put her own interests on the back burner when a kindly electrician is electrocuted to death, and the First Lady’s nephew dies in an apparent suicide less than 24 hours after cleaning shrimp with Ollie. Ollie suspects something fishy is going on. She’ll have to watch her back—and find a killer unlikely to be pardoned.

Olivia Paras, now the executive chef becomes embroiled in a chain of events that almost leads to the near destruction of the White House.  An electrician is murdered, the President’s nephew’s death is ruled a suicide, friends are putting pressure on the First Lady to give her approval to selling their investment and this all leads to Olivia being on the case.  What I missed in this story was seeing more of the relationship between Ollie and Tom.  [2.5 stars – an okay read]

Mounting Fears by Stuart Woods

Mounting Fears by Stuart Woods is the sixth book in the Will Lee thriller series.  Publisher: Putnam Adult, January 2009

President Will Lee is having a rough week. His vice president just died during surgery. Confirmation hearings for the new vice president are under way, but the squeaky-clean governor whom Will has nominated may have a few previously unnoticed skeletons in his closet. And Teddy Fay, the rogue CIA agent last seen in Shoot Him If He Runs, is plotting his revenge on CIA director Kate Rule Lee—the president’s wife.

Plus there are some loose nukes in Pakistan that might just trigger World War III if Will’s diplomatic efforts fall short. It’s up to President Lee—with some help from Holly Barker, Lance Cabot, and a few other Stuart Woods series regulars—to save the world, and the upcoming election.

President Will Lee is facing his upcoming re-election when several events threaten to damage his political aspirations.  A politician involved in a sex scandal and the nature of whether he was born in the U.S.; nuclear weapon going off in a foreign country and someone who is supposedly dead rears his ugly head.  I enjoyed this action-filled thriller, but disappointed that the truth wasn’t exposed with regards to the politician.  [3 stars – liked it]

Second Shot by Zoe Sharp

Second Shot by Zoe Sharp is the sixth book in the Charlie Fox thriller series.  Publisher: Minotaur Books, September 2008

When the latest assignment for bodyguard Charlie Fox ends in a bloody shootout in a frozen New Hampshire forest, she’s left fighting for her life…

Charlie’s client Simone Kerse has just become a lottery millionaire—but he may not live long enough to enjoy her riches. Charlie was supposed to keep Simone’s troublesome ex-boyfriend at bay, and help her track down the father Simone had never really known—a relatively low-risk job.

But Simone’s father has secrets in his past that are about to come back and haunt him…and the arrival of his long-lost daughter may be the catalyst that blows his whole world apart. Now, the closer Charlie gets to the truth, the bigger threat she becomes. Only this time she’s in no fit state to protect anyone—least of all herself….

Charlie is assigned to bodyguard Simone and her daughter who recently became a lottery millionaire and is running from her ex-boyfriend.  Simone is looking for her father and wants to travel to the States and Charlie having recently recovered from her last trip to the States, grudgingly makes the trip with the pair.  Things are not what they appear, is Simone’s father really her father?  Why did Simone shoot her bodyguard?  All these questions push Charlie to find the answers before there is another death casualty.  This was a page-turning thriller that I did not want to end.  [4 stars – really liked it]

First Drop by Zoe Sharp

First Drop by Zoe Sharp is the fourth book in the Charlie Fox thriller series.  Publisher: Minotaur Books, August 2007

‘The guy in the passenger seat was closest. He got out first, so I shot him first. Two rounds high in the chest.’

It should have been an easy introduction to Charlie Fox’s new career as a bodyguard, working for the close protection agency run by her ex-lover, Sean Meyer. Their trip to Florida together should almost have been a working holiday. All Charlie has to do is baby-sit Trey Peltzner, the gawky fifteen-year-old son of a rich computer programmer in Fort Lauderdale.

The last thing anyone expected was a determined attempt to snatch the boy, or that Trey’s father and their entire close protection team − including Sean − would disappear off the face of the earth at the same time.

Now somebody out there wants the boy badly and they’re prepared to eliminate anyone who gets in their way. But they haven’t bargained on Charlie, an ex-Special Forces soldier with a survival instinct that’s a real killer. . .

Charlie, former British Army soldier who is currently working as security protection agent on her first assignment in the U.S. is hired to be a bodyguard to Trey Pelzner whose father is a software programmer.  While on an outing, both Charlie and Trey are shot at and thus begins a race through southern Florida running for their lives.  Someone wants the software program that Trey’s father was working on and will stop at nothing to get their hands on it.  This was a great page-turning, thrilling ride that I didn’t want to get off.  [4 stars – really liked it]

*new-to-me author

Dying For You by Beverly Barton

Dying For You by Beverly Barton is the twenty-fifth and final book in The Protectors romantic suspense series. Publisher: Harlequin, December 2008

All private security agent Lucie Evans wants is a fresh start – and the chance to show Sawyer McNamara, her unforgiving ex-boss, that she no longer craves absolution for a crime she didn’t commit. So when she’s offered a trip to South America as the personal bodyguard to a billionaire heiress, Lucie jumps at the prospect of leaving the Dundee Agency behind. But then she’s kidnapped in a case of mistaken identity, and her only hope of survival rests with the one man she never wanted to see again…

Sawyer has spent years convincing himself that all he feels for Lucie is contempt – but with her life on the line, he’s forced to face the passion that has always sizzled between them. Yet it might be a case of too little, too late. Because Lucie’s captor is still on the loose…and he won’t rest until Lucie is silenced once and for all.

Lucie Evans, private security agent, is in love with her boss Sawyer McNamara, CEO of Dundee Agency.  While on a recent case Lucie, infuriated with a client’s action towards her, quits her job at the Dundee Agency.  She is hired as a bodyguard to a billionaire heiress, Cara Bedell, and on her first assignment Lucie is mistakenly kidnapped and Sawyer pulls out all stops to rescue her.  With Lucie and Cara safely protected, Lucie, Sawyer and the other agents realized that Cara’s life is still in jeopardy, thus begin a race against time to stop the killer and the person who put the contract out on Bedell.  In this story we also followed two secondary romances featuring Cara Bedell & Bain Desmond, the cop who don’t believe he could live in Cara’s world and Daisy Holbrook & Geoff Monday, the agent who thinks he’s too old for Daisy.  I enjoyed the final conclusion to the series, especially when Lucie and Sawyer finally talked about the incident that kept them apart for nine years.  [4 stars – really liked it]

Life’s A Beach by Claire Cook

Life’s A Beach by Claire Cook. Publisher: Voice, May 2007

When Must Love Dogs was published, the Chicago Tribune called it “pitch-perfect” and the Washington Post declared, “Readers will hope that Claire Cook will be telling breezy summer stories from the South Shore of Massachusetts for seasons to come.” Luckily for her legions of fans, Cook returns with another sparkling romantic comedy that’s reminiscent of Must Love Dogs in all the right ways, but very much its own animal — about a relationship-challenged single woman, her quirky-to-put-it-mildly extended family, and the summer the shark movie came to town.

Life’s a bit of a beach these days for Ginger Walsh, who’s single at forty-one and living back home in the family FROG (Finished Room Over Garage). She’s hoping for a more fulfilling life as a sea glass artist, but instead is babysitting her sister’s kids and sharing overnights with Noah, her sexy artist boyfriend with commitment issues and a dog Ginger’s cat isn’t too crazy about. Geri, her BlackBerry-obsessed sister, is also nearly over the deep end about her pending fiftieth birthday (and might just drag Ginger with her). Toss in a dumpster-picking father, a Kama Sutra T-shirt-wearing mother, a movie crew come to town with a very cute gaffer, an on-again-off-again glassblower boyfriend, plus a couple of Red Hat realtors, and hilarity ensues. The perfect summer read, Life’s a Beach is a warm, witty, and wise look at what it takes to move forward at any stage in life.

This is about a woman’s struggles with what she wants out of life and the world around her.  Virginia Walsh is a 41-year old single woman who lives in the finished room over the garage of her parent’s house.  After a varied work experience, Ginger is presently a sea glass artist, babysitter to her sister’s kids and an on-again, off-again girlfriend to Noah, who is  a glassblower.  They both have issues and when her parents announce that they are selling their home, Ginger begins a journey that will ultimately give her satisfaction at where her life is going.  [4 stars – really liked it]

Mayhem in High Heels by Gemma Halliday

Mayhem in High Heels by Gemma Halliday is the fifth and final book in the High Heels mysteries series.  Publisher: Dorchester Publishing, January 2009

Maddie’s planning a wedding, but with a killer on the loose, “’til death do you part” might come a lot sooner than she thinks!

Shoe designer Madison Louise Springer finally has her man, Jack Ramirez, homicide detective and will be walking down the aisle even if it kills her.  All the favorites are here, best friend Dana, Marco, her mother, Mrs. Rosenblatt, her father Larry and Felix Dunn, reporter for LA Informer who will be featured in the next mystery series by Ms. Halliday.  Someone killed Maddie’s wedding planner, a week before her wedding and Maddie and friends will seek out the clues to solve this murder so that Jack gives his 100% to their wedding.  This was an enjoyable madcap adventure was a glorious end to the series.  [4 stars – really liked it]

The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly

The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly is the second book featuring Mickey Haller, a defense attorney who is recovering from a prescription drug addiction.  Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, October 2008

Things are finally looking up for defense attorney Mickey Haller. After two years of wrong turns, Haller is back in the courtroom. When Hollywood lawyer Jerry Vincent is murdered, Haller inherits his biggest case yet: the defense of Walter Elliott, a prominent studio executive accused of murdering his wife and her lover. But as Haller prepares for the case that could launch him into the big time, he learns that Vincent’s killer may be coming for him next.

Enter Harry Bosch. Determined to find Vincent’s killer, he is not opposed to using Haller as bait. But as danger mounts and the stakes rise, these two loners realize their only choice is to work together.

When his colleague, Jerry Vincent, is murdered, Mick is handed all his cases, including the biggest murder trial case in Hollywood.  With the assistance of Lorna, ex-wife and office manager and Cisco, defense investigator Mick settles in and prepares his case.  Harry Bosch, LAPD Detective who has been assigned to investigate the murder of Vincent, and Mick butt heads but soon discover they need to team up in order to solve the murder which may be related to the trial that he currently defending.  I enjoyed seeing both Mickey and Bosch trying to find the truths in their respective task.  I enjoyed the courtroom scenes and the relationships between Mick, Lorna and Cisco.  This was a great read that once I started; I couldn’t wait to see how it ends.  There were some surprise twists in the story that I hope gets fleshed in another story.  [4 stars – really liked it]

Sandswept by Sarita Leone

Sandswept by Sarita Leone is the second book in the “Chincoteague Island” mystery series.  Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press, January 2009

Everyone has a secret. One they hide. Sometimes, one they run from—fast and hard, without stopping to consider the consequences of that mad dash for sanity.

Kelley Garrett? She’s got a secret. A big one. She’s hoping to shake its grip but even someplace as peaceful as Chincoteague Island may not be able to shelter her.

Then again, who knows? Maybe it will. That’s a chance Kelley’s willing to gamble on—with her life.

Kelley Garrett, widowed for two years, has finally made a decision towards her future.  She’s settling in their summer home, she took a job as a waitress and she’s confronting the past that holds a secret that is yearning to be set free.  Owen Heath is attracted to Kelley and keeps popping up into her life.  He holds the key with his patience and a secret that will open Kelley’s heart for love and life.  This was a great romance story that I could not put down.  I also enjoyed solving the mystery of what secret was being held and how it will change their lives.  [4 stars – really liked it]

A Body to Die For by G. A. McKevett

A Body To Die For by G.A. McKevett is the fourteenth book in the Savannah Reid mystery series. Publisher: Kensington, January 2009

Voluptuous P.I. Savannah Reid isn’t a huge fan of diets and she’d rather walk through fire then go to the gym. But when the nation’s hottest weight loss guru becomes a suspect in a big, fat murder case, even Savannah can’t resist the chance to find out once and for all if the beloved queen of fitness took the -die- in diet a little too far. . .

Weight loss diva Clarissa Jardin became a household name after she transformed herself from flabby to fit with an exercise program she designed. Known for her in-your-face attitude, Clarissa uses her own incredible -before and after- pictures to lure legions of fans into buying her weight loss books, DVDs, diet meals, and workout clothes. Raking in millions of dollars, Clarissa has the whole world in the palm of her hand-that is, until her husband, Bill, is found mysteriously shot to death.

Detective Dirk Coulter calls P.I. Savannah Reid to the crime scene and it isn’t long before Clarissa’s squeaky clean image starts to unravel. It turns out that Clarissa has a dirty little secret: she’s always been thin. Her chubby twin sister, Rachel? Not so lucky. Clarissa paid Rachel to pose for her weighty -before- photos, while Clarissa appears in the gorgeous -after- shots. But when Clarissa’s career went through the roof, Rachel wanted a bigger piece of the pie and threatened to go public with the scam if she didn’t get it. Rachel has been extorting money from Clarissa for years, with Bill dropping off the hush money. Only this time, Bill’s the one that got hushed-for good.

As the investigation continues, Savannah realizes she’s only scratched the surface of this dysfunctional family’s secrets. Delving into the twins’ twisted relationship, she uncovers evidence of insatiable greed, out-of-control gambling, and even an extra-marital affair. Did Clarissa exact her revenge against a cheating husband? Did Rachel want to live her beautiful sister’s life bad enough to kill for it? Or was an even darker figure lurking in the background, waiting to strike? With the whole world watching this celebrity whodunit, Savannah has to crack the case fast-before another victim gets his-or her-just desserts. .

Savannah is the owner of the Moonlight and Magnolia Detective Agency and often assists Detective Sergeant Dick Coulter on his cases. They are working a missing person’s case when after talking to his wife, the husband’s body is found. The victim’s mother hires Savannah’s agency to investigate the murder. Savannah having a dislike for the not-so grieving wife, really wants it to be her, but gather the clues and apprehend the real killer. I really enjoyed this page-turning story. [4 stars – really liked it]