#BookReviews ~ Romantic Suspense anyone?

I've been actively searching out reviews for both Crime & Passion and Always & Forever over the last few months, trying to get serious about finding out what people really think. I was so pleased to get some great reviews over at The Romance Reviews. In fact, the reviewer first read Crime & Passion and then went on to request Always & Forever. I was very pleased with what CozyReader thought. Check out her reviews below.

(Originally posted at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=9322)

Book Reviewed by CozyReader (reviewer)

[ Review Posted: May 11, 2013 ] - See all my reviews

Beauty is skin deep. When it's true love, it doesn't matter what one looks like. Can insecurities from her childhood and the infidelity of her fiancé cause her to lose the man that loves her for herself? Madeline "Maddie" Scott has left her life behind and is ready for a new start. Being new in town, she starts walking dogs and is also a substitute teacher to make money. One morning during her walk on the beach, she walks she finds a dead body. Little did she know it wouldn't be her last. When she meets the officer who's to take her statement, she feels a pull toward him. There is something about him--the way her gave her his jacket to keep her warm, his arm around her shoulder--that makes her feel safe. However, he is a womanizer...so maybe she can have a casual fling with him. Officer Donovan Andrews is known as the playboy in the small town. He is known to go out with women and have sex with them, then move on. But when he sees Maddie, she reminds him of the one person that he loved when he was younger. He has his own story, and his is truly devastating. I could not help but cry for his pain for everything that had happened to him. When the investigation started, there were some circumstances that pointed to Donovan. To make matters worse, an article in the newspaper puts Maddie in danger. When she goes to work at Woofy Cuts, she found ... remainder of paragraph and next paragraph omitted because it contains spoilers ... CRIME AND PASSION is one of those books that I couldn't put down. It captivated me from the beginning to the very end. This is my first read by Ms. Rhondeau and it will not be my last. A very emotional gripping read, this book had my emotions all over the place--it was humorous, sad to the point of crying, but there was also happiness. It was hard for me to pinpoint who could be framing Donovan and why. When I thought I knew who it was, it ended up being someone else. The romance between Maddie and Donovan had so many insecurities, and in order for them to get past it, they needed to communicate better. They left too much unsaid and they drew their own conclusions. However, the chemistry they shared was sizzling hot. The love scenes are well done and the passion they share is incredible. Donovan is so compassionate and is there with Maddie when she needs him the most, especially after her attack and the consequences afterwards. Maddie is a very strong woman who's able to deal with everything that is happening around her, but at times she is pretty hard with Donovan. At times I wanted to slap both of them when they were acting like children. I love Ms. Rhondeau's writing style. It's captivating, vivid and I felt the real emotions of the characters. I highly recommend this book for readers who love a good romance with a twist of suspense.

She went on to read Always & Forever, which really excited me. Check out this great 5 star review (originally posted at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=9324) 

Book Reviewed by CozyReader (reviewer)

[ Review Posted: May 25, 2013 ] - See all my reviews

Domestic violence is something that a lot of women go through, whether it is with their boyfriend or husband, but no woman should go through that kind of life. This is the story of Lilly and her journey in finding true love and a real family. Lilly Price had a hard life growing up; the only person that truly cared for her died when she was eight years old. Lilly believed that she deserved to be hit because she couldn't do what Charles (her fiancé) wanted her to do correctly. She tried hard to do everything perfectly and also please him in bed but nothing was good enough for him. One night, when she was awakened by a man with a knife, she thought she would die. Instead, she survived a brutal attack but soon learns she is the prime suspect in her fiancé's murder. After spending about 2 months in jail, she is set free but still under investigation. She just wants to disappear and start a new life where no one knows who she is. Widowed Zach Woodridge is a rich, attractive man who had suffered in life. He wasn't looking for another bride, but he couldn't help being attracted to his grandmother's new assistant, Lilly. But Lilly was hiding secrets that could destroy their fragile relationship. ALWAYS & FOREVER is a heartwarming, gut-wrenching, suspenseful read that had my emotions on a roller coaster the entire time. Lilly was a strong, brave woman, and Zach was a patient, charming, protective man who would do anything in order to keep Lilly safe. The dialogue was well-paced, and the story never felt like it dragged. It just kept getting better and better as you read on. The characters are written in wonderful detail with heartfelt emotions, such that I wanted to strangle some of them, like his mom, Patricia. The one character that I loved was Savannah, Zach's niece; she was a sweet child who loved her Aunt Lilly. The romance scenes were hot and steamy, and you could feel the love Zach and Lilly had in each other. Ms. Rhondeau's writing style is amazing and will make an impact on anyone reading this story; it's so realistic. ALWAYS & FOREVER is a gripping read that will leave you turning page after page until you come to their happily ever after. Check out The Romance Reviews for other great romance reads!! Have a happy day, my friends! ~~ Chantel ~~