The Vampire With The Dragon Tattoo by Kerrelyn Sparks

He's out of control

Dougal Kincaid has something to prove. After being injured in a battle with the Malcontents, he's ready for active duty protecting unsuspecting mortals from these villainous vampires who want to rule the world. But first he has to get control of himself . . . because just the sight of a certain lovely doctor has his injured hand doing some peculiar things, not to mention the sizzling sensation that burns along his dragon tattoo . . .

Vampires? Vampires?! As a scientist, Leah is having trouble believing that these immortal creatures exist. But there they are, standing in front of her, asking for help in solving a genetic puzzle that can save mankind. There's even one in a sexy kilt! Just one look into Dougal's gorgeous green eyes sets her pulse racing. But can she trust him—and the overwhelming desire that refuses to be ignored . . . ?

Not as good as others in this series.  The romance was very on again and off again, and not very on again when it was on. I've liked Dougal in the other books in this series but his story was a bit disappointing.  He got all 'oh woe is me' rather than the alpha male he had been previously.

An Ok read but not spectacular.

Innocent In Death by J D Robb

When grade-school teacher Craig Foster is found dead in his classroom from apparent poisoning, Eve is hard-pressed to determine a suspect. Fellow teachers, parents, caregivers, and students are all on her short-list, but no one is jumping out at her as a probable lead. The murder seems senseless and without a motive; the man seems as innocent as they come. Into the mix, on a personal front, arrives Magdelena Percell, an old flame of Roarke's. During their first meeting, Eve sees something on Roarke's face as he catches sight of Maggie that unnerves her, for it's a look that Eve's only ever seen directed at her. Maggie comes on strong, calling Roarke "lover" and making loaded references to their long-ago liaison. When they talk about it later that night, Roarke assures Eve that she's no reason to be jealous or concerned. The next morning, however, she overhears him making lunch plans with Maggie. Meanwhile, the case is progressing slowly until another teacher is found dead on school grounds, and the suspect list narrows. Putting the pieces together, Eve focuses on an unlikely suspect and her alarming suspicions are not well received by her commander or Dr. Mira. 

Another excellent addition to the series. The mystery wasn't as difficult to work out as is usual in this series.  The story was more about the blip in Eve and Roarke's relationship.  Men can be so blind when a beautiful, sexy woman makes a play for them.

A Breath Away by Rita Herron

Ever since Violet Baker's childhood companion was brutally murdered, she's been plagued with visions of the girl's last hours. Now, on the twentieth anniversary of Darlene's death,Violet's father is found dead, a note beside him confessing to the murder. But something doesn't feel right, and Violet returns to Crow's Landing looking for answers. Facing the judgmental town as a murderer's daughter is difficult enough, but the scalding tension between her and Sheriff Grady Monroe, Darlene's half brother, is worse. As the two of them race to unravel the mystery, it quickly becomes clear that Violet is in grave danger…and Grady suddenly knows that he'll do anything to protect her, no matter what the cost….

Lots of suspects and a bit too sweet at the sudden ending.

An OK thriller that kept me reading but not totally engaged. 

Dark Taste of Rapture by Gena Showalter

Hector Dean is shaved, tattooed, and totally ripped—and he has a deadly secret. He is a walking weapon, capable of killing with a single brush of his fingertips. Little wonder he’s determined to remain on his own. But Noelle Tremain is a temptation like no other. She is beautiful and rich, with a party girl smile that hides a shocking vulnerability, and from the beginning his sizzling attraction to her is undeniable. For the first time, his stone-cold resistance is tested. But to be with her, he risks destroying her.

When a wealthy businessman is murdered in New Chicago’s seediest district, the two are partnered, and there’s no escaping what they both want: each other. Yet neither Hector nor Noelle knows what to fear more—the killer case, or their own lethal desires. . . .

I didn't like the heroine at first, but she became less annoying as the story progressed.  An OK addition to the series, but not as good as others.

The Heretics Daughter by Kathleen Kent

Martha Carrier was hanged on August 19th 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts, unyielding in her refusal to admit to being a witch, going to her death rather than joining the ranks of men and women who confessed and were thereby spared execution. Like her mother, young Sarah Carrier is bright and wilful, openly challenging the small, brutal world in which they live. In this startling novel, she narrates the story of her early life in Andover, near Salem. Her father is a farmer, English in origin, quietly stoical but with a secret history. Her mother is a herbalist, tough but loving, and above all a good mother. Often at odds with each other, Sarah and her mother have a close but also cold relationship, yet it is clear that Martha understands her daughter like no other. When Martha is accused of witchcraft, and the whisperings in the community escalate, she makes her daughter promise not to stand up for her if the case is taken to court. As Sarah and her brothers are hauled into the prison themselves, the vicious cruelty of the trials is apparent, as the Carrier family, along with other innocents, are starved and deprived of any decency, battling their way through the hysteria with the sheer willpower their mother has taught them.

Well written story closely based on fact (the story is about the authors great, great something grandmother). Fascinating, if at times disturbing, reading.

Survivor In Death by J.D. Robb

No affairs. No criminal connections. No DNA. No clues. Eve Dallas may be the best cop in the city - not to mention having the lavish resources of her husband Roarke at her disposal - but the Swisher case has her baffled. The family members were murdered in their beds with brutal, military precision. The state-of-the-art security was breached, and the killers used night vision to find their way through the cozy middle-class house. Clearly, Dallas is dealing with pros. The only mistake they made was to overlook the nine-year-old girl cowering in the dark in the kitchen. . . Now Nixie Swisher is an orphan - and the sole eyewitness to a seemingly inexplicable crime. Kids are not Dallas's strong suit. But Nixie needs a safe place to stay, and Dallas needs to solve this case. Not only because of the promise she made to Nixie. Not only for the cause of justice. But also to put to rest some of her own darkest memories - and deepest fears. With her partner Peabody on the job, and watching her back - and with Roarke providing the kind of help only he can give - Lieutenant Eve Dallas is running after shadows, and dead-set on finding out who's behind them.

Another excellent addition to the series. Intense and emotional. 

The Island by Victoria Hislop

 On the brink of a life-changing decision, Alexis Fielding longs to find out about her mother's past. But Sofia has never spoken of it. All she admits to is growing up in a small Cretan village before moving to London. When Alexis decides to visit Crete, however, Sofia gives her daughter a letter to take to an old friend, and promises that through her she will learn more. Arriving in Plaka, Alexis is astonished to see that it lies a stone's throw from the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga - Greece's former leper colony. Then she finds Fotini, and at last hears the story that Sofia has buried all her life: the tale of her great-grandmother Eleni and her daughters and a family rent by tragedy, war and passion. She discovers how intimately she is connected with the island, and how secrecy holds them all in its powerful grip...

Impossible to put down touching story. So much more than I had expected.