ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ MIDNIGHT SECRETS BY ELLA GRACE

Title:  Midnight Secrets (Wildefire, Book One)

Author:  Ella Grace

Expected Release Date: April 30, 2013

ARC provided by NetGalley

AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, THE HEAT BEGINS

On a hot southern night, with a storm on the horizon, a family is shattered. Three beautiful daughters—Savannah, Samantha, and Sabrina Wilde—go on with their lives, each significantly changed, as they bear the memory of the murder-suicide that killed their parents. For years, they have stayed away from Midnight, Alabama. Until Midnight calls them home.

Savannah is the first one back, when a grueling case in Nashville leads the young prosecutor to seek shelter in the quiet of the once grand Wilde mansion. But when she finds letters casting doubt on her family’s dark, shameful past, she realizes that peace in Midnight is a shallow façade and sinister secrets lurk beneath the surface. Zach Tanner, once the town’s bad boy, is now the new police chief and still has a wild hold over her. Zach can feel it, too, but he hurt Savannah once. As teenagers, they broke every rule together. Now it’s his job to keep her safe, even though he isn’t sure who her enemies are—or which ones might be his own.


Book Review

The plot recipe of Midnight Secrets is not very different and lacks some originality. Small southern town with a mysterious killer who has gotten away with murder for years. Rich family with three orphaned sisters raised by a loving grandfather. Add a sexy bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks who has a thing for one of the beautiful sisters, and you have yourself a story. 

But the pacing of Midnight Secrets keeps me reading. And I become attached to the loving relationship between the sisters and the budding relationship between Zach and Savannah when they were only teenagers. Ella Grace does a stellar job portraying young love--those that can be filled with illusions and disappointments and heartbreak. And the hope of second chances and the healing that family can give us when we need a shoulder to cry on. 

After the death of her grandfather, Savannah arrives to pack up his home. The place where she had long ago given away her heart to Zach Tanner--the boy who left town without a word and always felt he wasn't good enough for the likes of Savannah Wilde. 

But during her stay, Savannah's suspects that something isn't quite right regarding her parents murder-suicide that happened over a decade ago. When she starts asking questions, it's blatantly obvious that someone wants those secrets to remain buried. 

Zach has also returned to Midnight, Alabama and is now the town's sheriff. Both are thrown together to figure out the secrets of the past and their combustible sexual chemistry is hard to deny. But time is running out as a killer stalks the streets to protect his or her identity and the bloody truth about Savannah's parents death. 

Fans who love their books filled with suspense and enjoy a side of steamy romance will fall for the southern charm of Zach Tanner and the twisty turn of events at the story's climax. 

I can see myself returning back to Midnight, Alabama to see what happens to the other Wilde sisters in this new series. 

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY




WAITING ON WEDNESDAY  is a meme hosted by Breaking The Spine that features upcoming New Releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

If you would like to participate in this meme, go over to BtS's blog post and add your name to the linky.  I'd love to hear what book you are anxiously waiting for. 

Here is my pick for this week.

Title: Midnight Secrets

Author: Ella Grace

Publisher: Ballentine Books

Expected Release Date: April 30, 2012



AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, THE HEAT BEGINS

On a hot southern night, with a storm on the horizon, a family is shattered. Three beautiful daughters—Savannah, Samantha, and Sabrina Wilde—go on with their lives, each significantly changed, as they bear the memory of the murder-suicide that killed their parents. For years, they have stayed away from Midnight, Alabama. Until Midnight calls them home.


Savannah is the first one back, when a grueling case in Nashville leads the young prosecutor to seek shelter in the quiet of the once grand Wilde mansion. But when she finds letters casting doubt on her family’s dark, shameful past, she realizes that peace in Midnight is a shallow façade and sinister secrets lurk beneath the surface. Zach Tanner, once the town’s bad boy, is now the new police chief and still has a wild hold over her. Zach can feel it, too, but he hurt Savannah once. As teenagers, they broke every rule together. Now it’s his job to keep her safe, even though he isn’t sure who her enemies are—or which ones might be his own.

   Why I am eagerly waiting for this book: First off, it takes place in Alabama--I love books that feature towns in the South (Yes, I'm a southern gal myself), because it makes me feel at home. Secondly, it's in one of my favorite genres, romantic suspense. Third, this cover is hot, hot, hot! Lastly-the hero, is a bad boy. And that just makes my knees feel like overcooked noodles. YUM! (and not the noodles, lol).  

Don't forget to leave me a comment and let me know what book you're waiting for!  

LUSTING FOR COVERS

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

This meme is hosted by TBQ @ TBQ's Book Palace.

To view complete instructions on how to participate, as well as grab the HTML code for the graphic, see this page first!

Once you are ready to join the fun, please fill out Mister Linky over at TBQ's blog post with your name/blog name and the direct link to your Lusting for Covers for this week.
 

 

My L4C:

 

 

On a hot southern night, with a storm on the horizon, a family is shattered. Three beautiful daughters—Savannah, Samantha, and Sabrina Wilde—go on with their lives, each significantly changed, as they bear the memory of the murder-suicide that killed their parents. For years, they have stayed away from Midnight, Alabama. Until Midnight calls them home.

Savannah is the first one back, when a grueling case in Nashville leads the young prosecutor to seek shelter in the quiet of the once grand Wilde mansion. But when she finds letters casting doubt on her family’s dark, shameful past, she realizes that peace in Midnight is a shallow façade and sinister secrets lurk beneath the surface. Zach Tanner, once the town’s bad boy, is now the new police chief and still has a wild hold over her. Zach can feel it, too, but he hurt Savannah once. As teenagers, they broke every rule together. Now it’s his job to keep her safe, even though he isn’t sure who her enemies are, or which ones might be his own. All he knows is that they have only each other to face dangers they can’t see coming.

Why?

Well...for those of you who know and love me (hah), know how I cannot resist a man in uniform. (Okay, or out, either way--I'm good) This drool worthy cover with a half-nekked hero AND sporting dog tags just has me all a quiver. YUM. And look at those nice, veiny arms...I wanna lick 'em. Also, I go weak in the knees for big...hands. Sigh.  Cammo pants? Yeppers, I want them off.

Also, I'm a sucker for romantic suspense--I love fast-paced action, a bad guy wrecking havoc, and throw in a southern setting ~ I am so there.

Ella Grace, BTW, also writes under Christy Reece.

So share your L4C this week--I want to know!