Hi Reader,

I started June with a combination book, Remember When, from Nora Roberts and J. D. Robb. (Yes, Roberts uses the Robb name for her In Death books.) But this is two books in one—a very cool idea.

In the first book, we meet Laine Tavish, an honest antiques dealer. Laine has not seen her burglar father in years—and would prefer to keep it that way. Even—and maybe especially—if there are millions of dollars in diamonds on the line.

However, the insurance PI, Max Gannon, and all the various thieves and killers, think Laine knows more than what she says.

That sets us up for a fast-paced romantic suspense story. However, this book ends with the diamonds still missing.

The next book picks up fifty years later, with Eve Dallas investigating a homicide. Since this is a police procedural, all the unfinished threads from fifty years earlier have more sinister and deadly consequences.

I loved both books or parts of this book. If you like romantic suspense and murder mysteries, this book is a terrific read.

Then I read a Victorian historical romance, The Governess and the Rogue, by Mimi Matthews. Governess Beatrice Layton is supposed to be caring for a family of ill-mannered, spoiled children on their way from India back to England. While this is a Victorian, not a Regency, women still had very few options if they wanted to keep a roof over their heads and save for an eventual retirement.

Recovering from a terrible leg injury, Colonel Jack Beresford only leaves his cabin at night, when he is sure a particular matchmaking mama will not have a chance to throw her daughter at him for a wedding.

Beatrice and Jack start with a fake engagement that turns real. Along the way, they discuss what they want from life and from marriage. While I suspect that didn't happen that often in the Victorian era, I happen to love books like that. Matthews is a terrific writer, so there is banter along with awkward situations. This is a satisfying romance.

Then I read a thriller, Portrait of an Unknown Woman (Gabriel Allon #22) by Daniel Silva. Yes, I've read all the other Gabriel Allon books and loved them.

This one is about how to catch a forger and art thieves. By now, Gabriel is fully retired from his previous occupation as an Israeli spy. However, his art restoration and reclamation career is in full swing.

This is a satisfying thriller, with plenty of twists and turns in various locales. If you like thrillers, I recommend this one. While the pace is not always speedy, there are plenty of surprises, which is one of the reasons I read thrillers.

I finished this month's books with another thriller, Storm Warning (Dez Limerick #4) by James Byrne.

Dez Limerick is a "gatekeeper," which means he can open doors and keep them open until all his charges have returned. He's also a guitar player, holder of many secrets, and keeper of many pieces of random data. Dez is a fascinating character, and if I were much younger, male, and in excellent shape, I would want to be him.

Oh well. That's never going to happen. (See, that's the mark of a great character—when the reader wants to be the character.)

In this book, there's a hostage situation in Newfoundland, in the middle of two winter blizzards. As usual with these books, the situation goes from bad to worse to terrible. It doesn't stop getting worse, which is why the pace is so fast and the reading experience is so wonderful.

If you like fast-paced action with smart characters, you will love this book.

My Announcements

My most recent book, Effective Public Speaking: How to Use Content Marketing With Stories to Show Your Value, is finally out everywhere. (I realize that is not fiction!)

Where to Find Me

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These links to the books are all universal book links and include my affiliate codes.

If you know of a book I should read, let me know. Have a great July and read on,

Johanna