December’s Reading Challenge was to read a book featuring a reporter.
The first novel I read is Heartsick by Chelsea Cain.And wowza! It is a fiendishly clever mystery about Detective Archie Sheridan’s complicated, train wreck of a relationship with serial killer Gretchen Lowell. What happens between them after Gretchen kidnaps then tortures Archie is revealed through a series of shocking flashbacks.
In the present, a series of murders finds Archie returning to work. He is also being interviewed by reporter Susan Ward. Susan is extremely fascinated by Gretchen and Archie’s unconventional relationship with her. And oh, yeah, in between Susan’s interviews with Archie, there is a serial killer on the loose who needs catching before another victim is murdered.
Heartsick is the first of six novels in the Archie Sheridan & Gretchen Lowell and I am looking forward to seeing what comes next for Archie, Susan and Gretchen.
Please click HERE to learn more about Heartsick.
I also enjoyed my second selection, Tight Quarters by Annabeth Albert. Petty Officer Bacon is a Navy SEAL who is devoted to his career. So he is more than a little resentful when he is sidelined with an injury and tasked with babysitting embedded journalist Spencer Bryant. The sparks fly between them as Bacon does everything he can to annoy Spencer. And yet, there is no denying his instant attraction to the fifteen years older hottie.
Spencer is fairly unflappable on his latest assignment and he is an even match for the prickly petty officer. When things go awry, Spencer has no intention of letting go of his vow to bring attention to the plight of special forces veterans who are injured in the line of duty.
With an unexpected romance developing between them, Bacon and Spencer have to decide whether or not to let their careers come between them.
Please click HERE to learn more about Tight Quarters.
Did you enjoy the book you selected for this month’s challenge?
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Check out January’s challenge HERE.
I read Scrublands by Chris Hammer. I liked it, though at times I did feel the navel gazing went on a bit much!
Lots of threads and issues beyond the initial shooting – small towns! – and in the end, the main shooting actually had the the weakest solution IMO. However, did really enjoy the sense of place and did like all the twists and turns.
LOL-I guess navel gazing doesn’t bother me overmuch. I just pre-ordered book two “Silver” from Book Depository. I couldn’t wait until it becomes available here in the US (it won’t be out until June or July here).
I read The Scoop by Louisa Keller, where a young-looking reporter goes undercover to learn about homophobia at a boarding school. The teacher MC has conflict in his feelings about this person who is a student. I thought that conflict was done well. I enjoyed the secondary characters of a sister, a co-worker, and a boss. The homophobes were unpleasant people in other ways as well. The undercover reported wins in the end.
I’ll have to check it out!