Review: Crash Into Me by Jill Sorenson

Description:
In this heart-stopping novel, Jill Sorenson delivers a romantic thriller featuring one too-tough female agent, one too-hot male suspect, and a head-on erotic collision.…
Though he’d gone into virtual seclusion, Ben Fortune was still the world’s most famous surfer, known as much for his good looks as for his skill. He’s also a suspect in a series of brutal murders that may have begun with his late wife. Now FBI Special Agent Sonora “Sonny” Vasquez has been sent undercover to the elite beach community of La Jolla to make friends with Fortune. With her fierce beauty and take-no-prisoners attitude, she’s more than equipped for the job, and soon she and Ben have collided in an affair that is both intense and irresistible. But for the first—and worst—time in Sonny’s career, her emotions are threatening to get the better of her. Could this sensual, wounded man, who is genuinely anguished over his troubled daughter, really be a killer? And could falling in love blind Sonny to the greatest danger of all?


Review:
When Carolyn Crane told me how much she adored Jill Sorenson novels and even compared her to Megan Hart, I couldn't hold myself back and bought 2 of her backlist titles. I started Crash Into Me and I read this 400+ pages novel in under 24 hours. It just took me so long because of the evil job and OMG I'm in love.

Crash Into Me is such an emotional and suspenseful novel that I fond myself at a loss for words. Some books are just that good that you have to tell everyone about them and I think this is one of those for me. I didn't plan to review it but I can't seem to concentrate on anything else so I just have to get it out of my system. What made this book so special to me?

1. The whole structure of this suspense novel is rather unique and highly intriguing. It's not the usual one romance per novel- we actually have 2 love-stories in this one. I loved how the focus varied but never highlighted one plot line too much. The balance between all the stories and subplots was perfect. Never did I have the urge to skip some pages to get to the "good" part. Everything just fit together.

2. The characterization in this book was also perfect. I love when an author gives us such an insight into their characters but doesn't make it too subtle. I hate when we are thrown from one internal discussion into the next. It has to fit the story and shouldn't feel forced. Sorenson did just that and so much more. I can't remember many books where I felt such a deep connection to the characters. They were shown in so much detail they actually jumped off the pages for me.

3. The story itself was really sad but all the rather "heavier" topics were handled with so much love and care that you just couldn't look away. This book forces you to keep reading even when you think that you would prefer not to read about this. My heart still hurts when I think about parts of this story. But on the other hand we have those moments full of love which balance out the sad parts.

4. In addition to #1 I have to admit something. I know I'm one of those big YA deniers who just out of protest don't read this genre and here I caught myself adoring a YA plot. It just totally blew me away but I'm also sure I wouldn't have liked it if it would have only been YA. I think the mix totally does it for me.

5. I'm not a huge suspense fan but Crash Into Me kept me on the edge of my seat and I may have mentioned this before, I couldn't put it down. The plot was never too prominent or pushed the romance into the background but it was always there, reminding you that something horrible happened and you could already feel the doom approaching. And yep I didn't see the end coming.

As you can see I loved this book- it had everything I love about books and so much more. I had high expectations and this book didn't disappoint at all- it exceeded everything I could have imagined before I started it.  LOVED it! If you haven't read this author I urge you to give her a try-I was blown away and I hope you will be too. And yes, I already started my next Jill Sorenson novel. *g*

To learn more about Jill and her books please visit her website here.

Read other reviews @Goodreads. Buy the book @The Book Depository

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ARC Review: Deadlock by Moira Rogers

Description:
Carmen Mendoza's shapeshifter father abandoned her. Raised by her psychic mother, Carmen ignored her paternal family's political machinations--until the day they decided to use her in their bid for power. Trapped between two worlds and snared by a vicious spell meant to wake her inner wolf, Carmen's only hope is to trust the one man strong enough to soothe her darkest instincts.

Born a pureblood wolf, Alec Jacobson lives as a rebel, the black sheep alpha who protects the supernatural residents of New Orleans from wolf politics. Too bad he can't protect himself from his need for Carmen. Staking a claim on his enemy's niece will turn his city into a battleground, unless he can find a way to stop breaking the rules--and start making them.

Review:
After what felt like a never ending wait we finally get the chance to dive into the wonderful world of the Southern Arcana series again. I loved the first  books and Deadlock didn't disappoint at all. I just say Alec. *insert swoony voice*

Carmen Mendoza is an empath working as a doctor in the local independent hospital. She knows how the shapeshifter politics work first hand because her ambitious father left her and her family to secure his political station. She put her back on everything connected to this prejudiced and discriminating system and tries her best to stay out of it. But her family just won't let it go. Her uncle and father are working together to right the "wrong" he did by marrying her mother. They want her to accept an "appropriate" husband who had the right position in the werewolf society. But Carmen won't budge. She's a strong woman and won't give in. I love her- Carmen is compassionate, strong and won't back down even from the strongest alpha. Being an empath makes her better at her job and improves the way she understands and helps people.  I really liked her. She's a good person but her character didn't stand out enough.

But then we have Alec. *swoons* That guy makes my knees weak. He's the big bad alpha- possesive and protective of what he sees as his. Stubborn but also very sexy. He's a caretaker and sets everyone else's needs over his own. His past is branded with heartbreak and betrayal and he keeps his heart behind tons of shields to avoid being hurt again. I loved him to pieces. He's my kind of alpha hero. Strong, passionate, dirty but not overbearing or too stubborn. He always said the right things to make my toes curl and I really start to swoon again every time I think about him. He's in my top 5 heroes of 2010- and all mine. ;)

As always the worldbuilding and pace of this book was masterly done. I was drawn into the story from the start. This world is one of this rare gems that makes you think- it combines a paranormal world with a political system based on prejudices and intolerance that make you think about the world we live in. I love when a book makes me think. But the best thing about the Southern Arcana series for me is the way Moira Rogers includes the sidecast. Each story doesn't focus 100% on our couple but we also see the characters we loved in the previous books. And I so can't wait to read about Kat and Andrew- and I swear to god these two deserve a HEA. I so can't wait.

Deadlock is a great addition to this series. It's an action packed paranormal romance with a swoon worthy hero and a lovable heroine. Moira Rogers writes in a way that draws you in and won't let you go till you read the last word. For me her books are going on top of my tbr pile as soon as I get them. If you haven't started this series yet: what are you waiting for? Get your hands on Crux and believe me you won't regret it for one second. Great book in an awesome series.
 
To learn more about Donna and Bree (the author duo behind Moira Rogers) and their books please visit the Moira Rogers website here.

The Southern Arcana Series:
1. Crux: my review, reviews @goodreads
2. Crossroads: my review, reviews @goodreads
3. Deadlock: reviews @goodreads release date: January 4th
4. Cipher (Andrews book *g*) September 2011 ebook release / print release in 2012

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My November Reads

All in all November was a good month. Yes, I had 2 books I couldn't finish but the rest was rather good. I just wish I would stop giving those DNF books so much time. I should stop reading them sooner but I'm, as always, just too nice. Here is what I read:

1. Salome at Sunrise by Inez Kelley (my review)
A wonderful heartfelt fantasy romance. I was a bit dissapointed to realize it was book 2 in a series but I loved it nonetheless. Salome at Sunrise is a real pageturner. The world building is perfectly done and Ms Kelley's writing is instantly compelling. You will devour page after page without noticing how much you already read. Highly recommended fantasy romance! Now I just need to find the time to read book 1. 

2. Inside Out (Brown Siblings, #3) by Lauren Dane (my review)
I waited so long for this latest addition to this series and Cope and Ella didn't dissapoint. Inside Out made my heart melt- it gives you this wonderful warm feeling deep inside. It's full of family and friends, love and compassion. An emotional read through and through. For me Lauren Dane's Brown Siblings novels are forever seated on my keeper shelf and I know I will re-read their stories again and again. Highly recommended read- I adore this book with all my heart!

3. The Company of Fools by Annemarie Hartnett (my review)
I'm so happy Annemarie asked me to read her book. Her writing is hilarious and sexy as hell. The Company of Fools is such a wonderful read. I loved the characters, the pace was perfect and the sex was intoxicating. I don't think I can say one bad thing about it- this novel is an absolute keeper. Ms Hartnett is definitely an author I will keep my eyes open for- I'm already craving more.
 

4. Hands On by Christina Crooks DNF
This book was definitely not made for me. We have puppets on strings, a puppeter, a "crazy" brooding and filthy rich hero and reanacting of scenes with the afore mentioned puppets. I couldn't take it. And this book made me feel stupid because it made me look up words, in a dictionary. Didn't do that in quite some time.

5. Dark Road to Darjeeling (Lady Julia #4) by Deanna Raybourn DNF
I really  hoped I would like this book. I read some rather good reviews about it but I think I'm just not made for mysterie. For my taste the pace was  too slow, too much talking and not enough action and I didn't really get the romance between the hero/heroine. Probably also because I haven't read the prior books. Don't judge this book cuz I couldn't read it- it was an experiement and now I know I don't like mystery. =(

6. Demon from the Dark (Immortals After Dark #10) by Kresley Cole
I was unsure if I would love this book as much as love the ones with the Lykae or Valkyrie but no worries, I did. Again this book is full of fun, wit, love and heartbreak. I can't believe how much I love this series and I can't wait to read regin's book. *fangirl squeeeee*

7. This is What I Want by Megan Hart 
An absolute pleasure read a lazy Sunday. started the book and put the ereader down after a few hours with a satisfied smile. Great pace, naughty story and sweet end. Nothing more to ask for in a novella.

8. Night's Cold Kiss (Dark Brethren #1) by Tracey O'Hara (my review)
Wow this book was a blast. I wasn't prepared for it at all. Night's Cold Kiss is an urban fantasy novel with an awesome world-building, captivating characters and a fast paced story. Night's Cold Kiss is urban fantasy at its best and it even has a bit of romance to sweeten the deal. I can't wait to read more.

9. Black Wings (Madeline Black #1) by Christina Henry (my review)
This book has one of the best sidekicks ever: Beezle- the  chocolate and popcorn addicted Gargoyle with a temper. Loved it!

Black Wings is a wonderful debut novel. It showed me why I love urban fantasy-  wonderful world-building, witty and funny convos and a sexy guy who leads through the story. I can't wait to get my hands on Black Night, book 2 in this series.

10. Deadlock (Southern Arcana #3) by Moira Rogers
First thing I have to say: Alec!!!! *fangirl squeeee* Oh this was was soooooo good and I know I'm an evil tease but I won't say more now, or perhaps just OMG *fans herself* Review to come later in December. ;)

11. Precious and Fragile Things by Megan Hart 
You perhaps noticed how much I adore Megan's books but I was a bit unsure about this one. Can I adore a book with romance she wrote as much as the smutty ones? Yes I can..This story really broke my heart and made me cry in public but I still love it. Will force BF to read it too. Review will be up a bit closer to the release date. =)

How was your November? Any good books I should check out ASAP?

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