How much suspense can you take in 2011?

Happy 2011! I had a great holiday celebrating with friends and family. As I think about the new year, I have the typical resolutions (yes, including healthy eating and exercise!). I hope to finally repair my shower which has been out of commission for a while. I’m looking forward to Readers ‘n ‘ritas 2011 because RNR 2010 was such a blast. I’ve been a voracious reader most of my life but have no idea how many books I’ve read, so I’ve joined Good Reads so I can keep track of the books I read this year. I’m guessing it will be well over 100. One of the first books I posted was a sneak peak of one of this month’s new releases in romantic suspense.

AGAINST THE WIND introduces us to the Raines of Wind Canyon, a new series by Kat Martin featuring the Raines brothers (Jackson, Gabe, and Devlin). This first book in the series tells the story of Jackson Raines and Sarah Allen, the high school crush who humiliated him many years ago. Now she and her daughter are living on a cottage on his ranch, having left Los Angeles after her abusive husband’s murder. Sarah’s a simple country life is threatened when her husband’s enemies track her down. Sarah and Jackson find themselves drawn together by danger and passion. Though Jackson is the hero, we are introduced to all the Raines men. I enjoyed the story and look forward to remaining books in the series (due out in February and March).

For some reason I’m partial to the psycho killer sub-genre of romantic suspense, so I’m looking forward to reading SENSELESS by Mary Burton. The victims of a vicious serial killer are linked to Eva Rayburn. Detective Deacon Garrison isn’t sure whether this mysterious woman needs investigating—or protecting.

There is something about this cover and description of TRUE COLORS by Joyce Lamb that really caught my attention. Maybe it’s the combination of psychic heroine, dogs, and hot police detective? Alex is happy with her life but then a near-death experience unearths an intense psychic ability she never knew she had. Her visions seem to be linked to the mind of a serial killer out for revenge against detective John Logan.

FATAL JUSTICE is the second book in the Fatal series by Marie Force. In this case, Detective Lt. Sam Holland investigates the execution of a Supreme Court nominee. Does the list of suspects include her significant other, Senator Nick Cappuano? Sam's partner, Detective Freddie Cruz, returns to the "scene of the crime" when he looks up Elin Svendsen, one of the late Senator John O'Connor's sexy ex-girlfriends (introduced in Fatal Affair). After a lifetime of virtue, will Freddie be led down the road to ruin by a temptress who wants only one thing from him?

FATAL JUDGMENT is the first book in the Guardians of Justice series by Irene Hannon. I have enjoyed Ms. Hannon’s books in the Harlequin Love Inspired line and look forward to reading her first book in the Christian romantic suspense genre. U.S. Marshal Jake Taylor finds himself assigned to protection detail for federal judge Liz Michaels. His feelings toward Liz haven't warmed in the five years since she lost her husband--and Jake's best friend--to possible suicide. As the danger mounts and Jake gets to know Liz better, his feelings slowly start to change. When it becomes clear that an unknown enemy may want her dead, the stakes are raised. Because now both her life--and his heart--are in mortal danger.

In BLOOD STAINS, the latest romantic suspense by Sharon Sala, Maria Slade is shocked at the reading of her father’s will when she learns she'd witnessed her prostitute mother's murder and been taken into hiding by the well-meaning preacher who'd raised her as his own. Maria remembers none of that. But now she's determined to flush her mother's killer out of hiding and discover the identity of her birth father. She heads to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she meets Detective Bodie Scott.

What are your resolutions for 2011? How many books do you think you’ll read this year?

Happy reading! Maria