Presumed Guilty - Tess Gerritsen

Publication
1993 but reissued, Harlequin

In short
Miranda's ex-lover is found murdered. She had a motive and the opportunity. After being arrested for the crime, Miranda is shocked to learn she's been released on bail - bail posted by someone determined to remain anonymous. Is someone trying to help Miranda? Or is someone trying to manipulate Miranda and draw her into the dark and secret world of a murdered man, where everybody's presumed guilty?

In words
Utterly stupid, sorry to say. All characters are cardboard and the relationship between the main characters is based on nothing because he doesn't trust her until the very last moment, when it becomes clear she is innocent. I wouldn't want a partner like that. I couldn't understand why she wanted to get involved with him at all. In the last part of the book the heroine behaves even more TSTL as she sets out to corrupt/steal evidence that is supposed to prove her innocence (personally I don't see why the author of the letters HAS to be the killer). The villain also behaves TSTL by not turning the tables on the heroine at that moment.

In numbers
Voice - 1 (max 3)
Characters - 0 (max 3)
Romance - 0 (max 2)
Plot - 0 (max 2)
Sensuality - 0
Minus points - 1 - character behaviour TSTL
Total - 0
F = 0/10 = 1 stars

Mysterious Millionaire - Cassie Miles

Publication
2008, Harlequin Intrigue

In short
Liz Norton's part - time P.I. gigs were run-of-the-mill custody disputes - until she went undercover on the wealthy Crawford estate. Posing as an unobtrusive housekeeper in what was supposed to be a routine case, she soon found herself in serious danger. But with a dead body on her hands and feuding relatives pointing fingers, the only one she could turn to was Ben Crawford - an enigmatic, single father fighting to keep his young daughter. Except joining forces with the ruggedly handsome businessman only made her yearn to drop the charade, which could prove fatal, with a killer prowling the darkest corners of the mansion...

In words
At first it was okay. Then some things became a bit illogical, e.g. people drawing weird conclusions. When the hero started behaving strangely and stupid at 2/3rds of the book, followed by the heroine, I tried the last two chapters and decided not to bother with the rest.

In numbers
Voice - 0 (max 3)
Characters - 0 (max 3)
Romance - 0 (max 2)
Plot - 0 (max 2)
Total - 0
DNF = 0/10 = 0 stars

The Missing Millionaire - Dani Sinclair

Publication
2008, Harlequin Intrigue

In short
Sexy, enigmatic entrepreneur Harrison Trent had secrets. And Jamie Bellman knew the biggest one - his current whereabouts. Because she'd kidnapped him.
Ordinarily the multimillionaire wouldn't object to being held captive by a beautiful woman, but the mysterious Jamie had another thing coming if she thought he would submit to her demands.
Going missing was the perfect ploy since Harrison's many secrets - and enemies - were coming back to threaten his life. But when a determined killer targeted them both, Harrison knew he had to make Jamie reveal her motives and who she really was.even if he had to kiss her senseless to find the truth.

In words
The plot is pretty fast moving, with lots of things happening. Maybe too many things even. In most romantic suspense novels the emphasis is on the romance, but in this case the scales tip the other way and I would have like to see a bit more romance, or even interaction between the main characters. They did not get to know each other, and therefore I didn't get to know them either, which IMO makes them and the whole book forgettable. I also think the hero was made a millionaire to lure readers as it doesn't add anything to the story. He could have been anyone.

In numbers
Voice - 1 (max 3)
Characters - 0 (max 3)
Romance - 0 (max 2)
Plot - 1 (max 2)
No minus points
Total - 2
D- = 4.5/10 = 2 stars

Tie Me Down - Tracy Wolff

Publication
September 2009, Heat

In short
As the only woman on her homicide squad, Genevieve Delacroix maintains a tough-as-nails attitude that keeps men at arm’s length. She never gives into her secret fantasies… until she meets a mysterious stranger who teaches her how little control she really has-over her mind and her body.
Cole Adams arrives in New Orleans believing star investigator Genevieve is his last hope for solving the murder of his younger sister. He just doesn’t expect the hard-assed detective to look like a blond bombshell. Once he breaks through her inhibitions, he soon finds an unexpected obsession-driving Genevieve right to the edge of desire, and beyond…
But when the serial killer who has been terrorizing the streets of the French Quarter sets his sights on Genevieve, the lovers realize they’ve both let down their guard. And losing control could have fatal consequences…

In words
Well, I found a new author to glom. This was not my first erotic or really hot romantic suspense, but this was the first time I truly enjoyed reading an erotic book. I believed in the characters and their relationship and am convinced of their HEA. Even though the relationship/sex dominates the plot and I spotted the bad guy fairly early on, I still enjoyed the suspense part of the book.

In numbers
Voice - 2 (max 3)
Characters - 3 (max 3)
Romance - 2 (max 2)
Plot - 1 (max 2)
Sensuality - 1
Thrill Factor - 1
No minus points
Total - 10
B+ = 8.5/10 = 4.5 stars

Naked Edge - Pamela Clare

Publication
March 2010, Berkley Sensation, I-Team # 4

In short
The day Navajo journalist Katherine James met Gabriel Rossiter the earth literally moved beneath her feet. Nearly killed in a rockslide while hiking, she found her life in the tall park ranger's hands. Although she can't forget him, she thinks she'll never see him again. She is crushed when she recognizes her rescuer among the law enforcement officers raiding a sweat lodge ceremony one night, throwing her and her friends of Mesa Butte, land they consider sacred.
Gabe long ago swore he would never again lose himself to a woman - not even one with long dark hair and big eyes that seem to see right through him. But from the moment he first sees Kat, the attraction he feels is undeniable. Appalled by what he has been ordered to do, he's determined to get to the bottom of recent events at Mesa Butte - and to keep Kat safe.
But asking questions can be dangerous - almost as dangerous as risking one's heart. And soon Kat and Gabe's passion for the truth - and each other - makes them targets for those who would do anything, even kill, to keep Native Americans off their sacred land...

In words
This was my first book by Pamela Clare and it certainly won't be the last. I wanted to start all over again right after finishing it. The writing is wonderful, I couldn't put it down. The characters were great and memorable. This is a true romantic suspense - both the romance and the suspense were great, and that doesn't happen often. If you like romantic suspense, this is a must.

In numbers
Voice - 3 (max 3)
Characters - 3 (max 3)
Romance - 2 (max 2)
Plot - 1 (max 2)
Special Setting - 1
Sensuality - 1
Thrill Factor - 1
No minus points
Total - 12
A = 9.5/10 = 5 stars