Review of Teri Thackston's Border Heat

Murderous drug runners, a wildfire in the Texas desert and the President's runaway daughter…Game Warden Shannon Walker didn't sign up for any of this. Add the arrival of Tucker Daye—a sexy Secret Service Agent that Shannon used to date—unexpected betrayal and a desperate escape into the desert, and the border becomes hotter than Shannon can handle.

Here’s a short excerpt from the book:

She strode right up to him and, with one hand on her hip, she jabbed the index finger of her other hand into his breastbone. “Let’s get one thing straight, Tucker Daye. I am in charge of this facility and this Wildlife Management Area. You and those other spies are welcome to help me and Sgt. Sanchez guard the prisoner, but we call the shots. Got it?”

Tucker lifted one eyebrow and resisted the impulse to push her finger away. Actually, his stronger impulse was to wrap his free hand around her wrist and haul her up close for a searing kiss on those pretty pink lips. They were entirely too tight for his taste and a long wet kiss would soften them up. He knew that about her, too.

But with the memory of Loretta apparently still fresh in Shannon’s mind, the odds on a long, wet kiss were about as low as his odds of riding a rocket to the moon. Not that it mattered. He’d made his choice on that score last February.

Besides that there were two teenage girls eavesdropping on their conversation. So instead of reacting the way he wanted, he relaxed his body and smiled at Shannon. “We’re not spies, sweetheart. We’re Secret Service agents. And I think we might know a little more about handling this situation than a couple of game wardens do.”

Her lips thinned more. “For your information, sweetheart, Texas game wardens probably receive more rigorous law enforcement training than you do.” The tip of her index finger pressed harder into his chest. “While you and your friends are here, you’ll do what I tell you.”

He cocked his head to once side. “I’ve missed you, Shannon,” he murmured, aware that the two teens had grown almost stone still. He lowered his voice a bit more. “Don’t tell me you haven’t missed me, too.”

My Review:

I found this to be a fast paced, well written thriller with a dash of romance that kept me turning the pages. The relationships between the main characters, (both the romantic leads as well as the teenage matchmakers) were believable and well developed. Never having read any of Teri Thackston’s work before this was a great introduction to a wonderful writer. I will definitely be picking up the rest of her books to read.

BORDER HEAT is available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and Smashwords.com. 

Quote of the Week

Hold on, man.  We don't go anywhere with "scary," "spooky," "haunted," or "forbidden" in the title.  ~From Scooby-Doo

Proof Readers Are Essential

One of the things that I have been noticing more and more when reading these days is the lack of good proof reading prior to going to publication. I’m not sure if this is happening more due to publishing houses trying to cut corners in these economic times, or the proliferation of writers relying upon spelling and grammar check programs on their computer systems. Either way it is truly doing a disservice to the writing community at large. Nothing is more distracting when you are immersed in a great story than to continually have to re read something because it just doesn’t make sense only to see that the wrong word is being used. Yes it is spelled correctly (thank you spell check) but it is not the correct word usage. Or somehow during the editing process things have been cut and moved around and either extra words have been left hanging or a sentence is not completed. Even worse is when the wrong character name is used. All of these things may seem minor but frankly they tend to ruin your book. This can all be easily preventable by utilizing the services of a final proof reader. Once all of your editing has been completed get a fresh set of eyes to completely read your manuscript prior to publication. You will be amazed at how many errors can be caught by those fresh eyes simply because both the writer and the editor have seen the manuscript so many times that they tend to miss things.

If you are self publishing you should still have at the very least a proof reader. You will find this service will elevate you to the next level, and may even aide you in generating repeat customers. As a self publisher you have complete control over what quality product you create. 

If you do not have someone you feel comfortable with asking to proof read your work I would be happy to discuss this service with you.

Quote of the Week

The chicken came first - God would look silly sitting on an egg.  ~Author Unknown

It's Finally Here!

After months of working RM Brand's epic series is now beginning! I have been editing her Judge Chronicles and she has just released the first book, By Virtues' Design, in this Scifi/Fantasy series. I may be biased (ok most likely I am) but seriously this is a well written, enthralling start to an exciting series. I highly recommend it! So go out and support an amazing new talent in the world of writing today!

Quote of the Week

Always watch where you are going.  Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the Forest that was left out by mistake.  ~Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne

Review of Hell's Corner by David Baldacci

I discovered that Hell’s Corner is David Baldacci’s 5th book in the Camel Club series. I have not read the first four books in this series but luckily this book is able to stand on its own without requiring my setting it aside to read the others first. Like most “spy/assassin” novels these days the premise for Hell’s Corner is a little hard to swallow, but if you accept it, the rest of the book is a fun ride.

Oliver, who used to be known as John Carr, is an ex-US assassin who has been screwed over by his government
more times than a $2.00 hooker. He has avoided assassinations several times, and has recently saved the life of the President.

When Oliver returns from Divine, Virginia, he’s visited by some men he assumes have come to clean up some loose ends and is rather surprised when he’s brought to see the President in person. If Oliver accepts one last mission, the President will wipe his slate clean. Before Oliver is able to undertake his mission to infiltrate and disrupt the Russian mafia drug trade in Mexico, a new problem arises. Somehow, someone was able to get a bomb into Lafayette Park aka Hell’s Corner, directly across the street from the White House and it looks like it could be related to the President’s request.

Hell’s Corner is a good thriller, with a lot of twists and turns to keep you guessing what will happen next and who is in charge of all the mischief. It has definitely peaked my interest enough to go search out the first four books of the series.

Quote of the Week

Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young.

William Somerset Maugham