Don't Stint on "Suspense" in your Holiday Shopping!

I think people who know me would be comfortable calling me frugal. I shop at thrift stores, buy only on sale, and do extensive research before buying anything over about $50. Because of this, I don’t tend to shop very often, and rarely go to a mall. Then Christmas hits, and I have to shop, and suddenly it’s the season of giving “one for you and one for me.” Temptation abounds and I find myself buying one must-have great deal for me for each gift I buy for someone else. This week alone I bought 2 pairs of shoes, two books, and some measuring cups. It hurts my frugal heart, but how can I resist such good deals and great books? Tell me, how? I suspect that by January 1st my too read pile will have tripled in size. It’s bound to include some of this month’s new releases in romantic suspense.

I got a sneak peak at several of this month’s new releases. First is the romantic suspense duo in DEADLIER THAN THE MALE by Sharon Sala and Colleen Thompson You can find my Fresh Fiction review here. I won’t repeat myself except to say I really enjoyed the stories by these best-selling authors. They convinced me that the female can in fact be deadlier than the male!

I also got a sneak peak at DEADLY IDENTITY by Lindsay McKenna, the continuation of her Jackson Hole, Wyoming series that started with Shadows from the Past. Check out my full review of this tender romance between a woman in hiding and a wounded sheriff.

THE 4th VICTIM is the last (for now) book in Tara Taylor Quinn’s Chapman Files series and brings psychologist Kelly Chapman front and center. When Kelly goes missing, her friends join forces to find her with the help of FBI Special Agent Clay Thatcher. Where is she? Is her disappearance tied to an old case? A nice romance blossoms between Clay and Kelly, but the relationship is really secondary to the search for Kelly’s kidnapper and the impact the abduction has on her foster daughter. I must say, Ms. Quinn kept me guessing until the very end.

PROMISES IN THE DARK is the second book in Stephanie Tyler’s Shadow Force series and brings back Olivia Stohm and Zane Scott from Lie with Me. Zane has been obsessed with finding Olivia after he failed to rescue her when she was abducted by a terrorist group. Her anguished screams have haunted him. Zane finds her only to discover she has managed to free herself and doesn’t want any rescue. With terrorists hunting them, they must work together to make it home. This book is an action-packed adventure filled with complex emotions and deep passions.

Two of my favorite authors have books out this month. First, Jo Davis finally gives us Sean and Eve’s story in RIDE THE FIRE, book five in the Firefighters of Station Five series. Throughout the series, we have watch Sean Tanner struggle with grief over the loss of his wife and children in a tragic accident while Eve Marshall has supported him as a friend and fellow firefighter. As they dare to explore their growing desire, Sean learns that his family may have actually been murdered and that a shadow from his past has returned to finish him off. This series is an awesome blend of romance, suspense, and erotica that will keep you reading late into the night. While each story stands alone, I recommend reading them (or re-reading them as I do) in order for full effect. This was one of the books I ordered on-line this week, and I am eagerly waiting for it to arrive.

Next, Allison Brennan starts a new romantic suspense series with the release of LOVE ME TO DEATH. The series will feature Lucy Kincaid who we met in Speak No Evil, and who was attacked and nearly killed by an online predator in Fear No Evil. Six years later, she’s volunteering with a victim’s rights group, surfing the Web undercover to lure sex offenders into the hands of the law. But when the predators she hunts start turning up as murder victims, the FBI takes a whole new interest in Lucy. She joins forces with security expert and daredevil Sean Rogan (Fatal Secrets and Cutting Edge), and together they track their elusive quarry from anonymous online chat rooms onto the mean streets of Washington, D.C. I am a big fan of Ms. Brennan’s romantic suspense series and am thrilled at the return of the Kincaid family. I have an advanced readers copy to read and review and can’t wait to get started.

Here is a quick mention of some of the other new releases.

Defy the World Tomatoes by Phoebe Conn tells the story of nursery/gift shop owner Darcy MacLeod and musician and Interpol informant Griffin Moore. Passion flares. Griffin’s secret life forces Darcy to fight to keep her second chance at love alive.

MURDER IN PLAIN SIGHT by Marta Perry takes place in an Amish community and carefully illuminates community differences in this romantic suspense featuring big-city lawyer Jessica Langdon and arrogant businessman Trey Morgan.

NO PLACE TO RUN by Maya Banks is the second book in the KGI series and features Sam Kelly and Sophie Lundgren. Sophie disappeared after their brief affair. Now she's resurfaced with a warning for Sam: this time, he's the one in danger.

In THIEVES LIKE US by Starr Ambrose, Janet Westfield is accused of trying to pass stolen jewelry and the only one who can help her is the extremely charming ex-jewel thief she's been avoiding, Rocky Hernandez. Unable to deny her attraction, she falls for him, hard. Unfortunately, his past is putting her in even greater danger, and the best way for Rocky to save her might be to leave her.

Plenty of books to choose from this month. What’s on your Christmas list? What have you bought for yourself?

Happy Holidays! Maria