RS Review: Dead Heat (Lucy Kincaid Novels) Mass Market Paperback

I've finished "Dead Heat" the 8th book in her Lucy Kincaid series by Allison Brennan.

Dead Heat (Lucy Kincaid Novels) Mass Market Paperback FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid takes on her most explosive case yet in New York Times bestseller Allison Brennan's Dead Heat.

DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS

Assigned to San Antonio’s Violent Crimes unit, Lucy Kincaid joins a team of seasoned veterans and newer agents for a task force called Operation Heatwave. It’s supposed to be a simple sweep of known offenders with outstanding warrants. But when Lucy and her team try to bust two local brothers for jumping bail, she walks into a hotbed of pure evil. Their names are George and Jaime Sanchez. They are charged with murder, drug trafficking, and worse. And one of them is still out there.

THE HEAT IS ON

As Lucy races to capture Jaime Sanchez, more shocking evidence comes to light. The brothers have been using their basement as a holding cell for children they kidnapped for the cartels. When George agrees to turn on his brother, he is murdered behind bars. Now Lucy has no choice but to go outside the law. Enlisting the help of her boyfriend Sean Rogan and his mercenary brother Kane, she will risk her career — and both of their lives — to bring down a crime lord’s empire before more innocent lives go up in flames.

Product Details
Series: Lucy Kincaid Novels (Book 8)
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (June 3, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250038022
ISBN-13: 978-1250038029

My Review:

Storyline:  Lucy Kincaid is assigned to the San Antonio Violent Crime unit and joins the Operation Heatwave Task Force to take down fugitives with outstanding warrants.  When Lucy and her team go after two brothers George and Jaime Sanchez all hell breaks lose.

Both are charged with murder, drug trafficking and other worst crimes.  The evil one Jaime manages to escape.

Characters:  Lucy is a confident, smart, intuitive and brave young women.  I'm glad that her past hasn't stopped her from becoming a FBI agent and listening to her intuitions.

Romance:  I also love how her relationship with Sean is moving ahead to the next step and how they support each other.  I love how Sean is very protective of Lucy and actually stood up to his oldest brother Kane (LOL!)

Villains:  The villains are quite vile and sadistic who love torturing kids and then kill them.  The death scenes can get quite descriptive.


4/5

Thanks St. Martin's Press for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

RS Review: Cold Snap (Lucy Kincaid Novels) Mass Market Paperback

I've finished "Cold Snap" the 7th book in her Lucy Kincaid series by Allison Brennan.

The Kincaid Family Christmas Reunion is threatened by murder

ALL ROADS HOME
On his way home to San Diego, P.I. Patrick Kincaid takes a detour through San Francisco to check on the wellbeing of a family friend who’s mysteriously been unreachable. What he doesn’t expect is to be shot at before he can find out why attorney Elle Santana won’t ask the police for help in finding a missing girl. Soon, he’s on the run from both good guys and bad as he and Elle race to find the witness and take down a sweatshop run by a corrupt businessman with a penchant for violence.

LEAD TO DEAD ENDS

Newly sworn FBI Agent Lucy Kincaid can’t remember the last time she spent the holidays with her whole family, but getting home by December 25th is proving to be a bit of a problem. A blizzard shut down the airports and she and her boyfriend Sean Rogan are stuck in a Denver hotel with a dead body. And if that wasn’t all, back in San Diego Colonel Kincaid ends up in the hospital, where an even greater danger awaits a man with a vendetta who will kill anyone who gets in his way. This Christmas, the Kincaid family needs nothing less than a miracle to survive. And time is running out.

Cold Snap is the seventh Lucy Kincaid Novel from New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan.

Product Details
Series: Lucy Kincaid Novels (Book 7)
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (October 29, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250038006
ISBN-13: 978-1250038005

My Review:

Cold Snap contains three stories which involves the Kincaid family as they are traveling home for Christmas. For new readers Allison has included the key players in her Forward for your enjoyment.

The first story takes place on December 22nd in San Francisco and Patrick Kincaid takes center action. Glad to finally see Patrick get his own story and to show us what he is capable of.

The second story takes place on December 22nd too but in Denver with Lucy, her boyfriend Sean Rogan, her older brother Dillion and his wife Kate Donovan are stuck in a hotel when a snowstorm strikes. As usual Lucy stumbles upon a body and gets involved in a murder investigation.

The third story takes place December 24th in San Diego where Colonel Kincaid gets shot and ends up in a hospital. Carina Kincaid happens upon a hostage situation when she goes to visit her father.

4/5

Thanks St. Martin's Press for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

RS Review: Stolen (Lucy Kincaid) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Stolen" the 6th book in her Lucy Kincaid series by Allison Brennan.

Nothing is more important to private investigator Sean Rogan than his relationship with FBI trainee Lucy Kincaid. But when his past catches up with him, Sean faces an ultimatum: clear his name and help the FBI take down a rogue agent, or go to prison and lose everything he holds dear. With only Agent Noah Armstrong as his back-up and forced to keep Lucy in the dark, Sean steps back into his old world. But the longer he’s undercover, the more dangerous the game becomes. More than Sean’s future with Lucy is at stake — so is his life.

Lucy can’t imagine Sean would keep secrets from her — until an FBI agent casts doubt about who he really is…and who he used to be. Why did Sean quit his job with his brother and move to New York? Why hasn’t he told her anything about his new job? With more questions than answers, Lucy doesn’t know who to believe or who she can trust. All she knows is that Sean is in grave danger, and this time, it’s personal.


Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (June 4, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250005973

My Review:

4/5

RS Review: Kiss Me, Kill Me: A Novel of Suspense [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Kiss Me, Kill Me" the 2nd book in her Lucy Kincaid series by Allison Brennan.

Product Description

KISS THE GIRLS AND MAKE THEM DIE

Lucy Kincaid has firsthand experience dealing with deadly criminal predators, and she’s fully prepared to share her many talents with the FBI. But when her career plans are derailed, her boyfriend, security expert Sean Rogan, asks for help on his latest private investigation. Using her well-honed cyber-hunting skills, Lucy is soon on the trail of a missing teenage girl with a penchant for disappearing — and a shocking secret life.

FBI Agent Suzanne Madeaux is also tracking someone: a serial killer on the loose in New York City. Dubbed by the press the Cinderella Strangler, he cruises seamy underground sex parties, where drug-fueled women make for easy pickings. As Lucy and Sean’s desperate search collides with the FBI’s hunt, Lucy isn’t about to step aside. Haunted by painful memories of her own harrowing encounters with evil, she’s determined to keep any more innocents from meeting the fate she so narrowly escaped. Delving deep into the twisted psyche of a remorseless killer, Lucy must confront her own fears — even if it means risking a future job with the FBI and future happiness with Sean.

About the Author

Allison Brennan is the New York Times bestselling author of many romantic thrillers, including Love Me to Death, Carnal Sin, Original Sin, Sudden Death, Killing Fear, and The Prey. A four-time RITA finalist and Daphne du Maurier Award winner, Brennan enjoys spending her free time reading, playing games, watching high school sports, and researching her novels. A member of Romance Writers of America, the Horror Writers Association, and International Thriller Writers, Allison Brennan lives in Northern California with her husband, Dan, and their five children.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (February 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345511697
ISBN-13: 978-0345511690

My Review:

Storyline:  Lucy Kincaid has survived an awful kidnapping and rape while a teenager and almost died at the hands of a psychotic killer.  She hasn't let these horrifying events prevent her from becoming what she really wants to be an FBI agent.  To help her be the best she can be she has worked at the coroner's office and catching child predators online.  She wants to follow in the footsteps of her family but is secretly scared the FBI wouldn't want her because of her past.

FBI agent Suzanne "Mad Dog" Madeaux and NY police offer Vic Panetta are working together investigating murders in New York.   Young girls are being found murdered by asphyxiation and missing a shoe after a wild night of drinking, drugging and anonymous sex held at abandoned warehouses.  The press has named the killer "The Cinderella Strangler".

Meanwhile Sean Rogan Lucy's boyfriend is investigating the disappearance of his cousin 17 years old Kristen Benton.  She has a tendency to disappear on the weekends but returns on Sunday night.  Her parents have contacted Sean and Patrick when Kristen has returned mid-week and no one has seen her.

During their investigation their case comes in conflict with "The Cinderella Stranger" case.

Characters:

Romance:

Villain:

4/5

ARC Review: Stalked (Lucy Kincaid Novels) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Stalked" the book in her Lucy Kincaid series by Allison Brennan.

Product Description

Stalked

Allison Brennan Lucy Kincaid returns — as a killer’s obsession.

IN THE GAME OF CRIME

A new trainee at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Lucy Kincaid has already seen more than her share of murder and mayhem. Still reeling from the sex-crime case that sealed her reputation, she’s found a true friend and mentor in Agent Tony Presidio. No matter what goes down at the Bureau, Tony’s got her back — until he’s called to New York to help investigate the murder of a reporter with ties to Lucy.

NEVER PLAY THE VICTIM

But the reporter may not be the first victim of a patient killer with a penchant for revenge, and she’s definitely not the last. Connections between closed cases, a missing person, and Tony himself lead Lucy to fear for those she cares for most. When the FBI is rocked by the death of one of their own, Lucy seeks the help of her boyfriend, private investigator Sean Rogan, to help put together the puzzle — and puts her career in jeopardy. But the harder she pushes for answers, the clearer the truth becomes: There’s a killer inside Quantico. Watching her every move. Waiting to kill again …

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (October 30, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250005965
ISBN-13: 978-1250005960

My Review:

Lucy Kincaid is finally a new FBI trainee at FBI Academy in Quantico.  If you have been reading from the first book her first application was denied but she on her second one she is admitted.  She is enjoying her training class but she knows she is being watched because of her past (kidnapped and then her rape and torture broadcasted on the web).  One of her trainers obviously doesn't like her for some reason only her sister-in-law Kate knows.

A reporter she has ties too is murdered so the FBI and police ask Lucy for her help and assistance in their investigation.  The reporter Rosemary Weber wrote a book about a case where twelve-year-old Rachel is kidnapped from her bedroom, raped and killed.  Her parents lie to the police since they were hosting a swingers party.  The case is sensationalized as a true-crime' bestseller and the family disintegrates soon after.

Now the author and anyone associated with the case are being killed off in inventive ways.  Sean assists Lucy by trying to keep her safe and to try to locate original victim's younger brother Peter.

This was a very fast paced well written compelling read with psychotic killers.  We see Lucy and Seth's relationship has deepen and she has become a confident, smart, intuitive and brave young women.

We see the return of beloved characters, FBI profiler Hans Vigo, FBI agents Noah Armstrong and Suzanne Madeaux, Assistant Director Rick Stockton, Kate Donovan and brothers Dillon and Patrick.

4/5

Thanks St. Martin's Press for sending me this ARC to review, greatly appreciated!

RS Review: Silenced [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Silenced" the 4th book in her Lucy Kincaid series by Allison Brennan.

Product Description

Lucy Kincaid is back -- with a vengeance.

A Washington Sex Scandal

It has been seven years since Lucy was attacked -- and almost killed -- by an online predator. Today, she is well on her way toward a new life. While waiting to begin her training at the FBI Academy, Lucy's is tireless in her fight against cyber sex crime. Her current mission: to find out who killed a high-priced call girl linked to a powerful Congressman.

A Cold-Blooded Killer

A number of known prostitutes -- with scores of high profile clients -- are turning up dead all over D.C. Is this the work of a depraved killer? Or the result of an inside job? Lucy's investigation will take her into an underground network of prostitutes, the chambers of the country's most powerful players, and her own dark past to confront an unknown enemy who's always one step ahead of her. With the help of her P.I. boyfriend Sean Rogan, Lucy must find and protect the only witness who can identify the killer and end the conspiracy, but can the witness be trusted? Lucy will risk everything to expose the truth and ensure justice is served, even if that means putting herself in the line of fire ...

About Author

Allison Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of romantic suspense and thrillers. She's a five-time RITA award nominee for Best Romantic Suspense, and the Daphne du Maurier winner for Best Suspense for FEAR NO EVIL. A former consultant in the California State Legislature, Allison lives in northern California with her husband and five kids. She's currently writing, reading ... or attending her kids sporting events.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books; Original edition (April 24, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250005957
ISBN-13: 978-1250005953

My Review:

Storyline:  It has been seven years since Lucy Kincaid met an online predator who seemed nice.  When they finally met he turned out to be a sadistic psychopath who enjoyed raping and killing women live for money (see Fear No Evil).  He savagely attacked her but she lived and killed him.  Since they attack she is determined to become an FBI agent and never letting that happen to another women.  She has been accepted to the FBI Academy.

While she is waiting Noah Armstrong her mentor asks her to help him investigate the murder of a high-priced call girl Wendy James linked to Congressman Crowley.  Noah's boss Supervisory Special Agent Matt Slater is angered when Lucy voices her findings about the murder scene and he doesn't want an untrained FBI wannable in the field.  She is reassigned to another case the murders of several call girls and a social worker and she figures out they are linked to the Wendy James murder.  With the help of her private investigator boyfriend Sean Rogan Lucy must figure out the connection between Ivy before the killers murder the both of them.

Characters:  This book is a thrilling action packed mystery which is non stop from beginning to end.  Lucy has grown a lot since her attack by sharpening her strong instincts but lacks confidence in her abilities and skills.

I really loved how Lucy was more vocal about her opinions in this book and didn't let anyone bring her down.  She was spot on about her findings and how each case were linked together.  Really enjoyed her rapport with Ivy and how she could relate to her.

Romance:  I also love how her relationship with Sean is moving ahead to the next step and how they support each other.  I love how Sean is very protective and jealous of Noah (we get his POV) - I'm waiting for them to have a knock out match!

Villain(s):  The villain(s) were very sadistic in their kills and had no remorse (it was all a game to them and they had no emotion).  It didn't matter who they killed as long as it showed Ivy that they can find you anywhere and what would happen to her once they found her.

4/5

Other books in series:

0.  Fear No Evil
1.  Love Me to Death
2.  Kiss Me Kill Me
3.  If I Should Die
4.  Stalked - Oct 30, 2012
5.  Stolen  - 2013

Thanks St. Martin's Press for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!

RS Review: If I Should Die (with bonus novella Love Is Murder): A Novel of Suspense [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "If I Should Die" the 3rd book in her Lucy Kincaid series by Allison Brennan.

Product Description

If I Should Die includes Allison Brennan’s chilling novella Love Is Murder, formerly available exclusively as an eBook!

A TRIP TO THE DARK SIDE

Aspiring FBI agent Lucy Kincaid and her P.I. boyfriend, Sean Rogan, are heading to the Adirondack Mountains for a pleasant romantic getaway when they detour to help troubled friends, owners of a new resort who are battling malicious vandals. After Lucy and Sean pursue an arsonist into an abandoned mine shaft, Lucy stumbles upon an even more heinous crime — and the perfectly preserved remains of its victim.

The only thing more disturbing than the discovery of the corpse is its sudden disappearance. While the local police remain skeptical, Lucy is dead certain that there’s a connection between the sabotage at the resort and the murder — one that the less-than-neighborly citizens of Spruce Lake seem to have a stake in keeping hidden. Then, when a cold-blooded sniper targets Sean and Lucy, FBI agent Noah Armstrong enters the fray to ensure that more bodies don’t hit the ground. Now three outsiders race to untangle a violent conspiracy before they end up like the rest of Spruce Lake’s secrets: dead and buried.

About the Author

Allison Brennan is the New York Times bestselling author of many romantic thrillers, including Kiss Me, Kill Me; Love Me to Death; Sudden Death and Killing Fear. A five-time RITA finalist and Daphne du Maurier Award winner, Brennan enjoys spending her free time reading, playing games, watching high school sports, and researching her novels. A member of Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers, Allison Brennan lives in Northern California with her husband, Dan, and their five children.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books; Original edition (November 22, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345520416
ISBN-13: 978-0345520418

My Review:

FBI agent Lucy Kincaid and her boyfriend P.I. boyfriend Sean Rogan go on a pretend romantic vacation at the Adirondacks.  Sean promised his friend that he would investigate to find out who is sabotaging his property. One day after enjoying a hot and steamy night and a delicious breakfast they smell smoke.  When they go to investigate they find the nearby Spuce Lake Inn on fire with the arsonist fleeing on an ATV.  Sean goes in pursuit and falls into an abandoned mine shaft.

Lucy manages rescue Sean but also finds a dead young women's corpse in the shaft.  The sherriff's deputy scoffs at her when the body disappears.  As Lucy and Sean investigate further they uncover secrets the small town of Spuce Lake don't want getting out.

We also see through the eyes of the psychotic killer who happens to be a women this time (man she is really messed up) and the whole town is involved.    There were alot of twists and turns which would pinpoint to a certain person - but are they really the killer?  There are some people who want revenge and would do anything to achieve their goals.

We see Lucy overcome her fears and anxieties and finally admit that she loves Sean.  She has always felt lonely until Sean came into her life but she's afraid to love again after what happened in her past.

Noah Lucy's boss is called in and he plays a bigger role in this book.  I love his interactions with Lucy and Sean.   I loved the way Sean had to deal with Noah being an important part of Lucy's life and working with him.

4/5

Other books in series:

1.  Love Me to Death
2.  Kiss Me, Kill Me
3.  Silenced - Apr 24, 2012

Love Me to Death: A Novel of Suspense [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Love Me to Death" the 1st book in her Lucy Kincaid series by Allison Brennan.

Product Description

Six years ago, Lucy Kincaid was attacked and nearly killed by an online predator. She survived. Her attacker did not. Now Lucy’s goal is to join the FBI and fight cyber-crime, but in the meantime, she’s volunteering with a victim’s rights group, surfing the Web undercover to lure sex offenders into the hands of the law. But when the predators she hunts start turning up as murder victims, the FBI takes a whole new interest in Lucy.

With her future and possibly even her freedom suddenly in jeopardy, Lucy discovers she’s a pawn in someone’s twisted plot to mete out vigilante justice. She joins forces with security expert and daredevil Sean Rogan, and together they track their elusive quarry from anonymous online chat rooms onto the mean streets of Washington, D.C. But someone else is shadowing them: A merciless stalker has his savage eye on Lucy. The only way for her to escape his brutality may be another fight to the death.

About the Author 

Allison Brennan is the New York Times bestselling author of many romantic thrillers, including Carnal Sin, Original Sin, Fatal Secrets, Cutting Edge, and Sudden Death. A four-time RITA finalist and Daphne du Maurier Award winner, Brennan enjoys spending her free time reading, playing games, watching high school sports, and researching her novels. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Horror Writers Association, and International Thriller Writers. Allison Brennan lives in Northern California with her husband, Dan, and their five children.

Product Details
Mass Market Paperback: 496 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books; Original edition (December 28, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345520394
ISBN-13: 978-0345520395

My Review:

Storyline:  It has been six years since Lucy Kincaid was kidnapped and brutally raped, tortured and nearly killed.  Lucy killed one of her tormentors Adam Scott but can't seem to escape her past.  She now works for Women and Children First an organization that helps to protect women and children from sex offenders.  Lucy job is to search for cyber criminals, specifically sex offenders that have been paroled to see if they have returned to their criminal ways and put them back in jail. Lucy's greatest wish is to become an FBI agent but her dream is in jeopardy when another of her past attackers is murdered and evidence points to Lucy.

What Lucy did not count on were the guys she "set up" through online chats to end up dead on that exact same night. Now who is taking matters into their own hands and why are they making Lucy look like a suspect?

If she didn't have enough to deal with, Lucy discovers there is a stalker on her tail, and the terror of six years ago which constantly haunts her, comes rushing forward relentlessly. The one good thing coming through the nightmare is Sean Lucy's brother's Patrick's partner in security firm RCK (Rogan-Caruso-Kincaid). Sean insists on protecting Lucy no matter the consequences and will stop at nothing to keep her safe.

Characters:  Lucy Kincaid is a beautiful, courageous and intelligent woman that readers can look up to. She is tough as nails and has a heart of gold.  She has been through a horrifying and traumatic experience but it only has made her stronger and want to help other women in that same situation.

Sean Rogan is a known playboy but Lucy tempts him in ways no one has before. He sees not only the strong fighter but the soft woman inside Lucy.

Romance:  I really enjoyed the romance between Lucy and Sean because he was very understanding and he wanted to protect and support Lucy.  They worked well together and off each other too.  

Killer(s):  The villains in this book are some of the nastiest I have read and the psyches glimpses we get are gruesome and shocking.

I highly recommend reading any Allison Brennan book for the very terrifying storyline, well written characters and the truly horrifying and vile villains you will ever read.

I also highly recommend reading "Fear No Evil" if you want to learn Lucy's backstory!

5/5

Books in Series:

1.  Fear No Evil (Lucy's backstory)
2.  Kiss Me, Kill Me
3.  If I Should Die - Nov 22nd
4.  Silenced (May 2012)