In Session:
From The Back Cover:
IN SESSION from international bestseller M.J. Rose, features the return of Dr. Morgan Snow, in a brand-new story collection! As a therapist specializing in sexual issues, psychiatrist Dr. Morgan Snow isn't easily shocked, or shaken, as readers of the popular "Butterfield Institute" novels know. There are times, however, when the need for her services leads her out of the office... and into unfamiliar worlds. In these stories the therapist matches her wits -and her training - against three men of mystery: Jack Reacher, John Rain, and Cotton Malone. Those characters are, of course, familiar to readers as the creations, respectively, of NYT bestselling authors Lee Child, Barry Eisler, and Steve Berry. All three swore that their characters would never agree to therapy - unless Rose found a way to get then there. And she did. In EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES with Steve Berry's Cotton Malone, a woman seeks help for her lover, and sends Dr. Snow overseas on a most unusual house call.... DECISIONS, DECISIONS where Barry Eisler's John Rain forces Dr. Snow out of her own comfort zone, and into the world of a former patient's worst nightmare... And KNOWING YOU'RE ALIVE with Lee Child's Jack Reacher results in revelations for both the injured Dr. Snow, and her unexpected savior/patient...
My Two Cents:
Interesting concept - taking three very masculine, well-known characters from other fiction, and placing them in situations where they are talking to a sex therapist about sex! The short stories are an easy read; I was able to get through all three in an afternoon. The premise behind Dr. Snow meeting and engaging the three characters was very interesting (and apparently received the seals of approval from each characters creator). This would be a great read for anyone - not just women. Guys who are fans of any (or all) of the characters would enjoy the read without having to worry about "mushy love stuff" or highly-charged erotica. The characters seem to be in their usual elements - with a twist. Very enjoyable read...and all the proceeds of the audio book and a share of the proceeds of the ebook will be donated to David Baldacci's Wish You Well Foundation, supporting family literacy. (wishyouwellfoundation.org)! Win-Win!
I give it 
and a 
Paradise Hops:
From the Back Cover:
A brutal attack left Lori Brockton convinced she was damaged goods. By the time she emerges from hiding two years later, ready to run her family's famous brewery, she's determined to be independent--never rely on anyone ever again. Nearly a year of working in every corner of Brockton Brewing Company, from warehouse to pub, front office to kitchen, teaches her all she needs to know about the business. Then, she comes face-to-face with masculine perfection in a suit and her world is rocked in more ways than one. Garret Hunter is the new Brockton business manager who takes one look at the beautiful, sad young woman and his entire existence coalesces around winning her heart. But standing between Garrett and what he believes is his true love, is a six-feet six-inch blond-haired bad boy brewer. Eli Buchannan is a craft beer rock star, recently hired by Brockton to drag the company into the 21st century. He brings innovation and attitude plus a prima donna ladies' man reputation. But he's sworn off anything resembling commitment, personal or professional, after getting burned at his last job on both fronts. Garret Hunter is "The Perfect Man" -- handsome, successful, stable, eager to settle down. Eli Buchannan... is not. Compelling, smoking hot, creative and elusive, he represents everything Lori Brockton should avoid. But just as she makes a difficult choice, a drastic life-changing shift occurs, and nothing is ever the same again.
My Two Cents:
Even with advanced warning that author Liz Crowe throws a wrench in traditional romance story-telling, and does not wholly subscribe to the "hearts and flowers" concept, I was thrown for a loop, and somewhat shaken, by this book. The twist was indeed a surprise, leaving me in tears.
The love triangle was great - Bad boy, Eli; Perfect man, Garrett; and confused and injured, Lori. I loved that they were all flawed in their own ways, even Lori (who I wanted to kick in the butt, sometimes). It was real, and not contrived, and the emotions she went through with each man, as well as overcoming her own fears of intimacy induced by terror from her past, was well-thought-out and written. It's romance for real life. I found myself cheering for Lori and Garrett when they were together, and really mad at her when her thoughts turned to Eli...until she was thrown together with Eli. Then I was all about the bad boy (do we ever grow out of that?).
I was intrigued that the lead female took an interest in a male centered career, and one that I know very little about. It is obvious Ms. Crowe knows her beer...I mean, knows a great deal about brewing. 
I give it and a 
FRIDAY: Book review of Lycan Unleashed, a paranormal romance by Tiffany Allee. Then I will be giving romance a rest for a little while, and looking at some thrillers...
She is born. It was 7:35 in the morning when she made her presence known among us. It was a simple cry, but she was easily soothed. She had a crop of dark hair on her head, and beautiful big blue eyes. She looked so small in her car seat when we drove her home from the hospital, and I wondered if she would ever be big enough for that seat. She was not just a “good” baby – she was the “best” baby! She slept through the night very early on, would smile and giggle at everything around her. And she loved, and everyone she came in contact with fell in love with her, and was captivated by her.
She is so quiet. When she was young, I would explain it as “shy.” As she grew into a young woman, I would change my definition. She was not shy, she was excessively observant. She watched everyone and everything, and would internalize what she saw, felt, heard, and touched. In the future, it would be retold in her art and writing.
She is touched by death. And she felt it keenly. The loss of her beloved pet, after she had conquered her deep fear of dogs. He was a spark of pure love, and he would greet her every day after school, and sit by her on the couch as she finished her homework, and curl up with her on her bed, protecting her from the monsters in the closet. The loss of her Papa, the man who prayed for a granddaughter, and was thrilled when she arrived in his life. The man who was patient, and loving, and played with her. Her “nap buddy.” I cannot count the times I would walk into the family room, and would find my father sitting in the overstuffed chair, squished along one side, head back, snoring LOUDLY; while Amanda’s small body would be curled into his side, sleeping soundly. She would miss, for years, the man who would never let her pass by him without giving her a hug, telling her how much she was loved, or giving a simple, “you are a good girl, Amanda.”
She is creative. So creative! Not in one area, but in many. Her art has won awards, and adorns the walls in my private art gallery. When people compliment, gawk, and sigh at their beauty and intricate detail, she shrugs her shoulders. Her writing is amazing, and very visual, and deeply personal. I hope she will share it with the world soon. And she has vision; of how things should look, how stories should be told, and ways in which she would like to tell them. I cannot wait to see her mind’s eye on the big (or small) screen. It will be a thing of beauty. She inspires me to be better. She is a huge supporter, and a fair but tough critique. And I trust her insights.
She is 19 today. And, while I miss sharing coffee in the morning, talking about books, watching Graham Norton and laughing until we cry, lunch at Panera Bread, or afternoon tea - I am so proud of the woman she has become, and where she is going. I have one birthday wish…for the love of all that is good and gracious in this world - sit back, and enjoy the ride. The years pass by so quickly. I know…you were born, and a blink of an eye later, you are 19.
The Tease:
FROM THE BACK COVER:
Anna Zendel is your average 32-year-old therapist, stressing about clinical exams and struggling to recover from an abusive relationship. But at night she transforms herself into the saucy burlesque dancer Velvet Crush, enchanting Chicago audiences with the art of the tease. As Anna struggles to keep the therapy and burlesque worlds separate and get over her crush on the troupe's emcee, a new danger threatens women across the city. The papers have dubbed him the Darling Killer, because after strangling his victims, he scrawls the word "darling" on their skin. When one of Anna's fellow dancers is murdered in the dressing room, she realizes that Darling Killer could be closer than she thought. Could Max, Anna's new therapy client who confessed to fantasizing about dead girls and obsessing over the Darling Killer, have anything to do with the murders? As more women are murdered, and Anna begins receiving mysterious gifts, this burlesque dancer pits feathers and sequins against foul play in the deadliest dance of all.
MY TWO CENTS:
The Tease is the first in a series that follows the Darling Killer. It is a great first glimpse of Darling, as he(?) continues on his serial murdering rampage. The twist at the end caught me, even though I knew it had to be one of three characters (which is obvious throughout the book), I still vacillated between which character with every turn of the page. That is a mark of a great mystery, in my opinion. The major twist, which allows Darling to continue into the next series, was a great ending to this book, and truly left me wanting more. I cannot wait to read the next book, and see where Max and Kevin end up, and not really sure who I am rooting for more as Anna's leading man.
Which is a great segue into Anna. She is an intricately woven character, who I really wondered if I could relate to at the beginning of the book. That fear was quickly quashed. I was so intrigued with her; her thought processes, the balance of therapist (and all the ethical issues involved) and burlesque dancer. Nikki Pill's knowledge of burlesque and belly-dancing enhanced the story, and I was fascinated by the nearly "lost art." I felt like Lynne by the end of the book, wondering if Anna would give me lessons! I was grateful that Pill included the contention between Brack and Anna, forcing me to recognize my own prejudices in dealing with other women, as well as the judgment women carry with them while proclaiming to be feminists.
A multi-layered book, that is a must read!
I give it
