Naked in Death by J.D. Robb

Roarke and Eve Dallas



Naked in Death (In Death book 1)

By J.D. Robb

Book Blurb:
It is the year 2058, and technology now completely rules the world. But New York City Detective Eve Dallas knows that the irresistible impulses of the human heart are still ruled by just one thing-passion. 

When a senator's daughter is killed, the secret life of prostitution she'd been leading is revealed. The high-profile case takes Lieutenant Eve Dallas into the rarefied circles of Washington politics and society. Further complicating matters is Eve's growing attraction to Roarke, who is one of the wealthiest and most influential men on the planet, devilishly handsome... and the leading suspect in the investigation.

I usually like to start the new year by reading a "new to me" book series. Luckily the online bookstores satisfied this once a year trend for me by putting a great series on sale. That was the case with this J.D. Robb's In Death series. It was a total steal for just $2 each for the first eight books. Now if I fall in love with this series, I just may have to entertain the fact that I will be getting the rest of the books from the library because this series is at book 38 and the ebook price tag is pricey. So far, I am impressed with book 1. 

Naked in Death is an important book because that is where it begins. Roarke and the fabulous Detective Eve first meet and the tone is set for the entire series. As much as I like Eve I  am not quite sure what it is about her that had Roarke falling for her so quickly. Granted I should shamefully eat my words here. I don't exactly picture Eve as an attractive woman but I love her persona and gusto. For that reason alone, I really liked Roarke. He strikes me as the type of man that could have any woman he wants and it was Eve that made him fall in love.

UPDATE - I LOVE this "In Death" series. I have devoured all but book 8 which I just started last night.  This first book, Naked in Death, I will rate a four but each book afterwards I have rated 5 stars each. I loved them so much that I didn't even stop long enough to write a review for Another Look Book Reviews. I just quickly jotted down some thoughts on Goodreads and moved on and immediately started the next book on the roster. 

Favourite Books of 2013

Since Another Look Book Reviews focuses on taking another look at previously published books, there aren't all that many books I read in 2013 that were brand new releases.

I still like to do an annual “Favourites" list but you will notice that my winning selections are on what I read this year; not on what was newly released.

If you want to see the covers of all 80 books I did read and what I choose from for this list, just follow this link, Books I Read in 2013

Of course each and every review can be found in my Reviews tab at the top. 

Favourite Re-Read

The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

You know a book is good when you opt to do a re-read instead of picking up a new book to start for the first time. Re-reading the Outlander series went hand in hand with my dream to Scotland this past July 13. If you want to see some of my Scotland trip, here is the link from my blog Scotland Trip

Favourtie Bad Ass - Male

Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan

I didn't even hesitate to name Deuce from Madeline Sheehan’s Undeniable series. Deuce is a character that I absolutely LOVE but under no circumstances would I ever in a million years want for myself. I could never get tired reading about Deuce.

Favourite Bad Ass – Heroine

Fifth Grave Past the Light  by Darynda Jones

Oh Charley Davidson I adore you. This was the only series this year that I bought where the ebook was way over my usual $$ limit. I had to read it. I needed to own it. Charley is everything I love about a heroine. She is funny, sexy, smart, and fiercely loyal and is still learning the extent of her extremely powerful abilities. Fifth Grave Past the Light, a serious favourite!

Favourite Emotional Read

The Edge of Courage by Elaine Levine

Edge of Courage is dark and moving and touching and edgy and suspenseful and steamy and sad and and and…well I guess you see why I have it as my most emotional read. Also if you follow the Edge of Courage link, it is FREE on Amazon. 

Biggest Disappointment

Fantasy Lover & Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon

These books are so highly rated in reviews and there are so many books in the series that I had slowly built up and bought them all. I had a plan to sit down and read them all one by one, back to back. I read the first book and didn't like it but I went ahead and read the second book hoping it was a fluke. It wasn't and I really disliked it. I guess I will just sell the series at a garage sale this summer. 

Favourite Cover

Cheapskates in Love by Evelyn Jules

Not only is this cover totally adorable but the novella written inside was one of my favourites of 2013. Cheapskates in Love is an excellent little romantic comedy that put a big smile on my face.

Favourite Couple

Archangel’s Legion by Nalini Singh

Wow this was a really tough category to choose from because there are some awesome couples to choose in the world of romance. However Raphael and Elena just rocked my world in Archangel's Legion. I just adore this couple and I hope that there are lots and lots more books to come.

Favourite New Series

Hot Nights in St Blaise by Maggie Wells

The series is based around a sexy calendar where the staff from St. Blaise Hospital poses in their birthday suit for each of the months. Each month's story is represented by that month's calendar pin up. I was provided an ARC for the first release and then ended up looking forward and buying the following months. The beauty is that each of the books could be stand alones. 

Favourite "New to Me" Author

Marie Force

This category was another super hard selection to choose from because I read a lot of "New to Me" Authors in 2013. It was my last year's New Years Resolution to read a "New To Me" Author once a month. I was really pulled to this series and the writing was excellent. Fatal Affair was just the beginning for me. 

I wanted to pick a favourite book of the year but I can't. I just can't do it. I was so fortunate to read some amazing 5 star books this year. I finally read Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniel series, I read the most highly anticipated Karen Marie Moning's Iced, continued on with Julie Anne Long's Pennyroyal Green series and I even read one of my very first YA book series - The Hunger Games. I discovered some awesome "New to Me" authors and I hope to do so again this year in 2014. 

If you have popped in over the past year and read a review or two, thank you. Hopefully you some one of my favourites to one of yours. 

Here's to some amazing new reads in 2014!

Books I Read in 2013

Michelle's 2013-read book montage

Michelle Kelly's favorite books »

Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis

Grace Brooks and Dr. Josh Scott's book




Forever and a Day (Lucky Harbor book 6)

By Jill Shalvis

Book Blurb:
Grace never thought she’d be starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor, working as a dog walker for overwhelmed ER doctor Josh Scott. But the day his nanny fails to show up, Grace goes from caring for Josh’s loveable mutt to caring for his rambunctious kids. Soon Grace is playing house with the sexy single dad…

With so many people depending on him, Josh has no time for anything outside of his clinic and family–until Grace arrives in town. Now this brainy blonde is turning his life inside out and giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “good bedside manner.” Josh and Grace don’t know if what they have can last. But in a town like Lucky Harbor, a lifetime of love starts with just one day…

What a perfect book to end out 2013. Forever and a Day leaves me with warm and fuzzy feelings.  I have come to love the town of Lucky Harbor and all of their fabulous residents. 

Once again, fantastic characters and the group of townies added to fabulousness of Lucky Harbor. I want to visit this fictional town. Especially since all the male residents seem to be hot and well built. 

I loved the way that Josh and Grace came together. It was a slow build up even though the obvious attraction was there from the get go. Grace moved up from dog walker to babysitting duties and with each day the family situation got more and more involved. I felt overwhelmed reading about all of Josh's commitments and I am not sure how he was able to hold out for so long. I felt really sad for all that he was missing with his son. It was fairly obvious that his son was speaking silly dog language for attention. So hard to be a single parent with the hours that he had to keep being a doctor. 

Even though Josh's sister had a serious attitude, I liked her. She was dealing with a lot and I felt that way she was handling her situation was really true to life. That is what I love about Jill Shalvis' Lucky Harbor series books; lots of real life tossed into a fictional world. 


This quote had me laughing out loud which is a common occurrence when I read this series, 

"What makes you think I screwed up?"
"Because you have a penis"

What I loved also about the story is that Grace didn't just walk into the Scott household and take over and fix everything. She was just learning each day herself. Overall Forever and a Day was simply an awesome read. I fell in love with the couple and also his family. I am so happy to end 2013 with reading a 5 star rated book. 

Teasers: Tank the dog, "The guy code says you get yours first.", steamy pool scene, FREE GRACE

Claire and Jamie - TV Guide's Picture Treat For Today

First Look: Sparks Fly on Starz's Outlander - Today's News: Our Take | TVGuide.com:

Just wonderful. Fabulous. I want to stare at all day. I don't like to rush time but I can't wait to see these two light up the screen. 

'via Blog this'

Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Legion ( Guild Hunter book 6)

By Nalini Singh

Book Blurb:
Angels are falling from the sky in New York, struck down by a vicious, unknown force.

Vampires are dying impossibly of disease.

Guild hunter Elena Deveraux and the Archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, leaving New York a ruin and Raphael’s Tower under siege by enemy archangels.

Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, an even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York…and on Raphael. Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same…

Oh boy what a fabulous story. I could read about Elena and Raphael every day. They have grown so much as a couple and yet they remain true to the original characters that Nalini Singh created in the first book. I would love to add that I totally love Raphael's newly developed sense of humour. Archangel's Legion was outstanding. One of those books where I am sad it ended. I am suffering a book hangover. 

One of the things that I just love about the Archangel Raphael and his Seven is that they are extremely bad ass and yet they are unapologetically, totally in love with their mates and aren't afraid to show it. Not all of the Seven are in a relationship but I just know that when they do each get their own books I can count on reading about that unconditional love. 

Archangel's Legion had a lot going on. There are side stories, stories that have carried over from previous books and outstanding new stories forming.  From the first page to the last chapter it was a true page turner. However there was some real head scratching moments and that happens near the end surrounding this new mysterious Legion. I am right confused. Probably just where Nalini Singh wants her readers. 

The Archangel War, the Cascade is truly on. It has been building over the last few books but it was full blown in Archangel's Legion and it will be continuing in the next book. (Crosses fingers that the next book is Elena and Raphael again) 

Teasers: a new facial marking on Raphael, Wildfire, The Legion, Raphael and Elena are aeclari