Saturday, October 27, 2012

Jaguars And Small Towns


One of the things I love about books is the fact they can take you places you’ve never been and introduce you to people and places beyond your wildest dreams.

I have two books today I’d like to share with you. They are completely different in their themes and genres, but both are incredible reads.

SAVAGE HUNGER by Terry Spear

9781402266928Having been a fan of author Terry Spear for some time now, I awaited her newest series (Heart of the Jaguar) with great expectations. True to her form, she did not disappoint me but reinforced how prolific a writer she is.

A mission to the Amazon to take down a ruthless drug Lord turned out to be more than Army Officer Kathleen ‘Kat’ McKnight bargained for. When the mission goes terrible wrong, a mysterious man suddenly appears and saves her from certain death. Haunted by those memories, Kat returns to the rain forest a year later hoping to find the man. She never expected to discover the man is was hiding a life-changing secret. 
 
Connor Anderson and his sister were in the jungle on their yearly visit connecting with their shape shifting jaguar roots when he encountered the botched drug raid. Getting back to his life and needing to find his life mate, Connor can’t help but think of the tough Army officer he saved. When he comes face-to-face with her a year later, he wonders if they could truly be together.


Learning of his shape shifting secret and Kat’s dangerous past returning could have serious consequences for the pair.
Spear is meticulous in her research for her series and it shines in SAVAGE HUNGER. Not only are the characters well developed, but her detailed descriptions of the settings place the reader in the middle of the action.

Connor is an ideal hero with his good looks and sexy ways. Adding a few flaws makes him realistic. Kat is the perfect heroine to match Connor. She is tough and independent, but has a vulnerable side. Maya is a wonderful secondary character. She allows Connor and Kat to show different sides of themselves when she’s involved.

While this is a paranormal tale with shape shifting jaguars, Spear tells the story in such a way you come to believe in the ability while immersed in the characters’ lives. She makes the impossible seem real and natural while keeping you in suspense.

The story moves along at a steady pace packed with action and interesting twists. It’s also filled with steamy romance, family loyalty, determination, humor and an understanding of the interactions of man and nature. Once you pick up SAVAGE HUNGER, it will sink its claws into you and hold you captive till the end. A tantalizing start to a fascinating new series.

Author Terry Spear’s website is www.terryspear.com

Savage Hunger by Terry Spear, Heart of the Jaguar Series, Sourcebooks Casablanca, @2012, ISBN: 978-1402266928, Paperback, 352 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
 
SULTRY WITH A TWIST by Macy Beckett

9781402270369Author Macy Beckett has made a splash with her new debut novel dealing with unending love, family problems and finding what you want in life without knowing you were looking. 

Opening the pages of SULTRY WITH A TWIST, readers are transported to a small Texas town where everyone knows everyone and everything about them including how to offer second changes and a hand up when needed. It’s filled with Southern sass, sexy cowboys and steamy romance.


Mae-June July Augustine left Sultry Springs nine years ago with a broken heart and planned to never return. As her dream of opening an upscale martini bar in Austin is weeks away from becoming a reality, June receives terrible news. It seems she has an outstanding warrant in her hometown and must clear it up before the proper paperwork can be approved for the bar.

Not a problem. A quick visit to the judge and the matter will be resolved. Wrong. The judge offers June a month of community service work or longer jail time. Nothing to do but the community service which puts her under the supervision of sexy Luke Gallagher, her first love and ex-friend, and staying with her estranged grandmother, Pru.

As June works with Luke renovating houses, their attraction returns hotter than ever. Luke isn’t sure June will fit in with his plans and June has to decide if she misses the allure of Austin or enjoys the pleasures of Sultry Springs more. Which dream will come true, the one she’s had for years or the one she never imagined? 

Beckett has created fun characters with depth and secondary characters that add charm and laughter to the mix. The setting is realistic with a small town feel. The story moves at a steady pace and holds your attention. It’s filled with laugh-out-loud moments, sizzling romance and tug-on-your heartstring scenes.


SULTRY WITH A TWIST is a charming beginning to a delightful new series where second chances led to interesting developments.  

Author Macy Beckett’s website is www.macybeckett.com


Sultry With A Twist by Macy Beckett, Sultry Springs Series, Sourcebooks Casablanca, @2012, ISBN: 978-1402270369, Paperback, 320 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
 
Do you enjoy trying books outside your ‘comfort zone’ when it comes to genres? You’ll never know how much you’re missing until you give them a try. Thanks so much for stopping by.

2 comments:

  1. Mason - Oh, those are different kinds of books, but both sound like they have a very strong sense of place. I'll bet that adds a great deal to their appeal, too. Thanks for sharing them.

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  2. Both of these sound like good reads. I don't really have a set genre or style I like to read. If it holds my attention, I'll read it.

    T

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