From the shelf: The Apprentice (Rizzoli and Isles #02)

Title: The Apprentice (Rizzoli and Isles #02)

Author: Tess Gerritsen

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Crime, Thriller
Date read: August 14-16, 2015
Dawn Rates: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

The Surgeon has been locked up for a year but his chilling legacy still haunts the city, and especially Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli. But now a new killer is at work and Rizzoli senses something horrifyingly familiar about this murderer's modus operandi.

It's when the FBI starts taking an interest in the investigation that Rizzoli begins to wonder just what makes this case so different, so dangerous that the Feds feel the need to get involved.
But then the unthinkable happens: the Surgeon escapes. And suddenly there are two brilliant, twisted killers on the loose - master and apprentice, united in their hunt for the most challenging prey of all: the very woman who is hunting them

My Review: (also in goodreads)

Rizzoli and Isles series: The Surgeon

Because I loved 'The Surgeon', I decided to read everything under the 'Rizzoli and Isles' series. This second installment is the continuation of what happened in book 1. Book 2 ended with Warren Hoyt a.k.a. 'The Surgeon' behind bars and this book tackles the aftermath with the time skip of a year. Jane Rizzoli tries her best to keep a brave front after everything that has happened going face to face with Hoyt and receiving physical scars to remind her of the eil she was exposed to. Inside, she was having nightmares and being paranoid although she lets everyone know that she's a professional. Her contrast personality suddenly crumbles and clashes with one another when another murder spree begins and hits close to home as Rizzoli draws parallels between the unsub and Hoyt. What fueled her paranoia is the fact that Hoyt escaped and the intrusion of the FBI agent, Gabriel Dean. Although they are also part of the Hoyt case, Thomas Moore and his new wife Catherine Cordell had minimal exposure. It seems like that Hoyt zeroes in on Rizzoli and plays mind games with her. This finally introduces the other half of this series: Dr. Maura Isles, a medical examiner sort of replacing the retired Dr. Tierney. What I loved the most is where Rizzoli was instilling a bit of the fear into the irritating Dr. Joyce 'O Donnell, her lines there was intense that I read it eagerly. Although I have doubts on Dr. 'O Donnell's sanity, especially the last part of the book. All in all, I still loved it drawing a parallel between Booth and Beckett. This seemed like a crossover between Bones and Castle, 2 of my favorite crime series in the guise of Gabriel Dean and Jane Rizzoli.

Till the next read...

From the shelf: The Surgeon (Rizzoli and Isles #01)

Title: The Surgeon (Rizzoli and Isles #01)

Author: Tess Gerritsen

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Crime, Thriller
Date read: August 12-13, 2015
Dawn Rates: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

In Boston, there's a killer on the loose. A killer who targets lone women, who breaks into their apartments and performs terrifying ritualistic acts of torture on them before finishing them off. His surgical skills lead police to suspect he is a physician - a physician who, instead of saving lives, takes them.

But as homicide detective Thomas Moore and his partner Jane Rizzoli begin their investigation, they make a startling discovery. Closely linked to these killings is Catherine Cordell, a beautiful medic with a mysterious past. Two years ago she was subjected to a horrifying rape and attempted murder but she shot her attacker dead. Now she is being targeted by the new killer who seems to know all about her past, her work, and where she lives.

The man she believes she killed seems to be stalking her once again, and this time he knows exactly where to find her... 

My Review: (also in goodreads)

I always say this and I love saying this all the time. Crime/Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Espionage is my favorite genre. I mean, I read everything but this genre has a special place. That is why I used to watch the series CSI + currently loving Bones and Castle. Finding a good recommended book is always about trial and error. The joy of reading, the woes of disappointment all wrapped into a few hours of letting yourself go in a world of endless possibilities. Detective Jane Rizzoli is one of the main protagonists of this series and although the Isles part hasn't been introduced yet this was still a fascinating read. The story starts off with Detective Thomas Moore being pulled out from his vacation to assist Rizzoli with an investigation.potential serial killer similar to what he had before. Frighteningly familiar and strange as it is, he helps her. However, Rizzoli was stern and stubborn at first, not accepting any form of help since she had this urge to prove herself, because in their department no matter how good you are, they still view you as a frail, untalented woman. Woman, that being the operative word. What I liked about this series and what really got me hooked is the part where this reminded me why I love reading this kind of books: the rush, the anticipation, the roller coaster ride of emotions and the never ending guesses especially the guesses. I loved the fact that there were no clues (slim to none) as to who that killer is as well as his motive till the end. Although I was disappointed because I was gunning for Moor and Rizzoli's partnership, I guess everything was for the best. It was realistic and I couldn't ask for more. Although the ride to the killer's identity seem anti-climactic for me, having sensed that the killer had only one important connection to everything. I was sort of satisfactorily okay with it. Yes, I was disappointed people! Even though that is one glitch, I still give this 5 stars. The author, Tess Gerritsen was once a doctor and it showed from the flawless writing of the medical terms because that is saying that she definitely had the experience to make it real. I was really into it, turning the page and holding my breath.

This recommended series from goodreads for me so far is a gem. I wanted to berate myself on why I didn't know this sooner. I was even surprised that this book series is now a TV series spanning 6 seasons and counting, having people gush about it. I'm going to see what its all about soon, but first the books: 1 down, 10 to go...

Till the next read...

From the shelf: Best man with Benefits (Wedding Dare #4)

Title: Best man with Benefits (Wedding Dare #4)

Author: Samanthe Beck

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Date read: August 11, 2015
Dawn Rates: ★★★★ (4/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

How far can one favor go…

Logan McCade arrives at his best friend’s wedding overworked and in desperate need of a vacation, only to discover his best man duties have been…expanded. He must coax Colton’s sister out of her shell, or risk her hiding in her room all week. Logan figures he can handle one introverted bridesmaid, but he’s not expecting how much he enjoys “handling” Sophie…or how much she enjoys being handled. 

Socializing has never been web designer Sophie Brooks’s strong suit, but she’s determined to shed her wallflower image and embrace the “New Sophie”—a feat made easier with the supremely sexy Logan McCade tempting her to explore all her forbidden fantasies. If she’s not careful, she just might fall for the best man.

Sophie’s sweet, sexy, and delectably awkward demeanor brings much-needed calm to Logan’s hectic life. With the nuptials only days away, Logan is forced to face the possibility that his favor to a friend might have become something else entirely…and that he’s not willing to let Sophie go. Ever.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

Wedding Dares series: Falling for the Groomsman, Baiting the Maid of Honor, Seducing the Bridesmaid

Just when I thought I resigned myself in concluding that amount the books written in the Wedding Dare series, Christine and Tyler's story is my favorite, I was wrong. This story would be in 2nd place or even tie with the first book. Logan and Sophie has sort of a parallel story as per the fourth book, both books has one character who were siblings with the bride or groom and both main characters' history go way back. The difference is rather having that secret in Mexico, this was an unrequited love which spanned from puberty till now. Sophie is an introverted web designer who has her sights to a workaholic CEO that is Logan since she saw him as her brother's college roommate. I liked the fact that the chemistry was there and the evolution of treating Sophie like a little sister to wanting her as a woman. There was this funny scene in which Sophie was trying to be dominant referring to a certain novel with the red room in which Logan was amused and her struggling to do it. My favorite scene was that conference call when Logan thought he was on mute, that made me laugh out loud. I loved the fact that with this book the holes in which the scenes in the other 3 books in the series were filled out. All four books amazingly took place in the same week the wedding was held and I like the fact that all 4 authors coordinated well. The epilogue was also the conclusion of the prior 3 epilogues of the earlier books, where everything and everyone came together.

Till the next read...

From the shelf: Seducing the Bridesmaid (Wedding Dare #3)

Title: Seducing the Bridesmaid (Wedding Dare #3)

Author: Katee Robert

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Date read: August 7-8, 2015
Dawn Rates: ★★★ (3/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

She has a plan. He’s about to change it.

Regan Wakefield is a headhunter in both name and personality: driven, motivated, and unafraid to pursue what—and who—she wants. Naturally, she’s thrilled when her friend's wedding offers her an opportunity to score Logan McCade, the practically perfect best man. Unfortunately, groomsman Brock McNeil keeps getting in her way, riling her up in the most delicious of ways. But Brock’s smooth southern charm isn't part of the plan...so how exactly did they end up having searing-hot sex?

Regan may pretend the erotic electricity sparking between them is merely a distraction, but Brock knows better. She refuses to see beyond the devil-may-care façade he presents to the world, while he sees straight through hers. Changing her mind—and getting under her skin—is a challenge he can’t resist. And when he wins, Brock will do whatever it takes to convince Regan that the best man for her is him.

My Review: (also in goodreads)

Wedding Dare series: Falling for the Groomsman, Baiting the Maid of Honor

So I started this all wrong. I started at book 3 but I think its okay since even though the books take place in the same wedding they could be treated as stand alone. The story centers around hardworking head hunter control freak Regan and southern wealthy Brock who were both in as bridesmaid and groomsman. Regan who has her life all planned out like seducing Logan, someone she thought she should be with, but Brock ruins all her plans and it frustrates her. This series features different authors writhing for one setting which is cool. I like Brock's charm and although I like her assertiveness, I sometimes get annoyed at how uptight Regan is.

Till the next read...

From the shelf: Baiting the Maid of Honor (Wedding Dare #2)

Title: Baiting the Maid of Honor (Wedding Dare #2)

Author: Tessa Bailey

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Date read: August 10, 2015
Dawn Rates: ★★★☆  (3.5/5)

Summary (cr: goodreads)

He’ll own her from the very first touch.

Julie Piper and Reed Lawson have nothing in common. She’s a people-pleasing sorority girl hiding behind her perfect mask. He’s a take-no-prisoners SWAT commander who isolates himself from the world. But when they’re forced together at their friends’ posh destination wedding, one thing is clear—Reed wants Julie more than he wants his next breath. Which is why he’s not about to stand by when she’s dared to seduce another man. 

Julie wants neat, tidy sex, so she could get back to what she does best—making everybody else happy. She never expected to slip into a dark bedroom and have her mind blown by rough, demanding hands, and a sinfully filthy mouth—neither of which belong to the best man.

One night should have been all Reed needed to get the blond temptress out of his system, but when one taste is nowhere near enough, he’ll be forced confront the effects of his hellish past. One that may push Julie away forever... just when he realizes he can't live without her. 

My Review: (also in goodreads)

Wedding Dare series: Falling for the Groomsman

The second book of the wedding dare series and it's about the maid of honor Southern Julie and that Mr. Dangerous Reed. Julie is a wealthy child who took over her older sister's responsibilities in the family after she died abruptly. Reed on the other hand is a SWAT team commander with a dark past. Both at the far ends of the spectrum are attracted with one another. They have the chemistry (still no surprises there) and that push-pull game going on. Both are very challenging for one another since both of them are pure opposites from one another. Its nice to see everything coming into place and having that common scene on all the books so far: the bar scene, the dance rehearsal, and the scavenger hunt. The only difference is the POV of the main characters of the book. This gets interesting.

Till the next read...