No Limits

No Limits (Ultimate #1) by Lori Foster

No Limits (Ultimate #1) by Lori Foster is a sexy, suspense story. Cannon “the Saint” Colter: Mixed Martial Artist, hunk, and all around good guy; is returning to his hometown in Ohio.

An old family friend, Tipton Sweeney, has passed away and left him an inheritance. Cannon doesn’t need the money, but has just finished a gruesome fight and eager for a break.

There he discovers that Sweeney left him half of his house and pawnshop, the other half given to his granddaughter Yvette.

Yvette Sweeney was a sweet beautiful girl that Cannon rescued from kidnappers back when she was a teenager. She always had a crush on him, but Cannon wouldn’t allow anything to happen, as she was far too young. Now charged by her grandfather to convince Yvette to stay in Ohio, he also decides that it is the perfect time to let her know how much he cares for her.

Yvette Sweeney has just returned home to face the loss of her grandfather and all the bad memories she longs to forget. When she discovers that she will be sharing half the inheritance with Cannon; she decides to prove to him and everybody that she is calm, collected, and not a victim anymore.

Cannon surprises her as he is intent at not only helping her overcome her past, but also face her issues of the day. While these two steam up their relationship, it appears that someone isn’t happy with Yvette’s return.

Uh-oh

Somebody wants her gone, but who could it be? A crazy female fan of Cannon? Her obsessed ex-boyfriend? Or somebody else altogether?

Thoughts After Reading:

This was a really suspenseful book, as Foster knows how to craft a spellbinding story. She really keeps one on the edge of their seat as you try to determine who is after Yvette and why they want to scare her off.

Foster’s characters are also amazing, Cannon is the perfect guy as he is not only physically impressive with his MMA build, but also really emotionally there for Yvette. He cares about all her hang-ups, wounds, and insecurities and works with her to empower her and help her overcome those issues.

Yvette is adorable and one that anyone can relate to, as who hasn’t had something in their life scar them and find it hard to find others, especially a romantic partner, who understand what they need to overcome that.

The secondary characters are just as lovable, as all of Cannon’s MMA fighter friends are really endearing. Most of all Arnie Jacobson, who is like Cannon’s brother and just as protective of Yvette as if she were his own sister.

Another great character is Vanity, Yvette’s friend from California and a stereotypical California girl. This brash and bold girl is definitely going to add some color in the books to come.

The only issue I had was that this book was way too extreme in the “sexy” part. I got it for free and thought the synopsis was interesting, but the graphic ways Foster describes the relationship between Cannon and Yvette was too much for me.

Other than that I thought the story and characters were great, leaving me wondering what’s next to come in the Ultimate Series. Although I’m not sure I could handle another one.

Too much for me

For more reviews, go to Cherry Cheesecake Murder

The Murder of the Century: The Gilded Age Crime That Scandalized a City & Sparked the Tabloid Wars

The Murder of the Century: The Gilded Age Crime That Scandalized a City & Sparked the Tabloid Wars by Paul Collins

I first became aware of this book through a contest. You entered to win the book, the only thing required of you was to write an honest review.

I entered and couldn’t wait for my email saying they were sending the book to my kindle!

I checked my email, and I saw that they decided to not send me the book.

As they felt I wasn’t suited to it, that I wasn’t the “right choice” of reader.

I was so mad.

But I still really wanted to read it. So I put it on my Goodreads’ list, and decided to wait until my library bought a copy, to borrow and read it.

So lo and behold, I got my hands on a copy and I LOVED IT!

The book chronicles the discovery of chopped up body found in different sections of New York City, in 1897. All the great newspapers were sparring at the time and competing as to who could find the man’s identity and figure out the killer first. The book is divided into seven parts.

I: The Victim

The pieces of the body are found scattered throughout the city and surrounding, minus a head. From boys discovering the chest while taking a dip off a pier; a family going cherry picking and finding a leg; to a farmer looking at a red duck pond and realizing that not only has blood tainted the water but there is also a body part.

Which such an astounding discovery, reporters are sent out everywhere, investigating before the police even decided it was a murder case.

II: The Suspects

After figuring out who the mutilated corpse was, reporters discover his lover Mrs. Nack, her estranged husband, and new love interest. Which one did the killing? Who is innocent?

Each newspaper backs up a seperate person as innocent and persecutes who they believe to be a villian. It is up to the police to do actual work in investigating who has the motive, means, and of course: who actually did it not who makes the best news.

III: The Indictment

The police settle on who they believe the killer is, the D.A is building a case and defense attorneys are fighting for their chance to represent the case of a lifetime.

Now just because the police are preparing to prosecute someone, doesn’t mean it is all over fpor the newspapers. They are still contending with each other, and making sure everyone knows the facts and fiction.

IV: The Trial

Jury selection begins, a truly difficult matter as with the newspapers how they are, as practically every person is aware of what the case entails.

As the accused await trial, the newspapers continue to cover and predict what will happen next. Men and women travel from all over to watch the trial, enduring a rotten stench, extreme heat, and other issues arising from the poor construction of a courthouse.

V: The Verdict

The jury and judge decide whom the guilty parties are and distribute sentence. Appeals are made to the government and the newspapers.

VI: Epilogue

Collins concludes with not only a summarization of what happened next in our main character’s lives; but also gives a brief lesson on the newspapers rises, falls, and buyouts.

Thoughts After Reading:

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED this book.

I thought it was supremely perfect. It was informative, historical, and told everything in an amazing and interesting way. I know many historians fall victim to being dry and dull, but not this work. In fact I had the hardest time putting it down.

from janeaustenrunsmylife.wordpress.com

Everything about it was just amazing! I am dying to buy a copy. And I am looking forward to reading more of Collins’ work.

For more Goodreads recommendations, go to The Dollhouse Murders

For more book reviews, go to Good, Clean, Murder

The Missing Mah Jongg Player

The Missing Mah Jong Player (Steven Wade Mystery #1) by Iris Wynne

In The Missing Mah Jong Player, by Iris Wynne, divorced Marilou is looking for love in online chat rooms. She has been very busy with her dates and other commitments, that she hasn’t really had a lot of time for her mah jong group. So when she misses a day after confirming she would be there, Harriet (friend and fellow mah jong player) begins to grow worried.

She goes to her house and discovers that Marilou is missing. When the police make no headway into solving the crime and are giving up, Harriet decides to hire a private investigator.

Their investigator, Steve Wade is an ex-policeman who at first doesn’t want to take the case. After much arm twisting and free cupcakes from Harriet’s bakery, he complies. But Marilou’s disapperance raises a lot of hard questions. Was she killed? Did she willingly leave? Was one of the guys she was dating responsible for her disappereance? Or was the criminal someone much closer to her? Not only is Wade investigating a hard case, he also has the five remaining mah jong players intent on helping him discover the truth. From staging a speed dating dinner, to questioning family and friends; these ladies and Wade are hot on the trail.

Thoughts After Reading:

When you read the synopsis of the book it is very centered on Steve Wade and sounds like a modern Philip Marlow or Sam Spade type of detective fiction.

I am not sure if the author changed her direction while writing, or is hoping for a Steve Wade series, but that is not the case. Instead of being solely focused on the private investigator the story is shown through the eyes of Wade, Harriet, Sarah (mah jong player and Wade’s new secretary), and Candy Kane (stripper turned private investigator). I believe this actually improves the story as it transforms it into being more than just a mystery, but also how a loss affects people and what they do to deal with their grief.

Everyone’s reactions to Marilou’s disappearance range across the board. You have some of her friends in denial, believing she just ran away; some who don’t want to think on the issue and are intent on forgetting it as it is a matter for the police; Sarah who won’t stop crying as Marilou was a mother figure to her, and Harriet who needs closure and answers so she hires a detective. Not only does this more personal approach make a stronger story, but it really helps you connect to the characters. This also causes you to really care for Marilou, as all these personal reactions make her into an actual person instead of a “body” or “victim #1”.

Steve Wade was a great character as well. He was intelligent, imaginative, analytical, and able to solve the mystery after a series of time. I liked that it wasn’t instantaneous but methodical, and that at times Steve would sometimes miss what was right in front of his face as he was too heavily concentrated on another aspect. He is also a perfect compliment to his surrounding characters. I hope that this will be turned into a series and that we may see more Steve Wade in the future.

As for the mystery it was pretty compelling. We at first have the question of whether or not there is an actual crime or if Marilou just left of her own accord. Then when it is established as a murder we have a long list of motives and suspects; everyone from Marilou’s cousins, friends, men she was dating, to even her children. It progresses realistically and the only complaint I have was that the end seemed a bit rushed as they present the resolution.

I thought this book is fantastic and the perfect addition to any mystery lover’s bookcase or kindle. I give the story a five out five.

There is one thing that bothers me. It isn’t really about mah jong, in fact mah jong is mentioned maybe one or twice. It makes a great title, but that and the cover don’t really match the story.

For more Private Investigators, go to Lane Changes

For the previous mystery, go to Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder