9 Heart Review: Turning Point by Tiffany A. Snow

Turning Point (Kathleen Turner #3)
Tiffany A. Snow

Page Count: 402
Release Date: 19 February 2013
Publisher: Montlake Romance (Amazon)
Source: Complimentary copy provided by author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

After her promotion from law firm Runner to Investigator, Kathleen Turner is learning the ropes of her new job from none other than assassin-for-hire Kade Dennon, a situation her boyfriend Blane Kirk is none too happy about. But the lessons with Kathleen take a back seat when Kade becomes a target. Previously untouchable, his enemies now know of the chink in his armor—his brother’s girlfriend.

And Kade’s not the only thing coming between Kathleen and Blane. From Blane's inexplicable defense of a man guilty of a horrible crime, to a mysterious stranger from Kathleen's past, to Kathleen' risky investigation into human traffickers, the obstacles mount against a relationship that's just begun to find trust again.

While Blane considers a job offer that would take him back to the front lines in the war on terror, Kathleen is determined to pursue her new career, with or without his approval. Unfortunately, her current case is far more dangerous than anyone knows. Someone close to Blane will go to extreme lengths to split them up, lengths that may prove worse than death for Kathleen.

Kathleen, Blane and Kade must atone for the sins of the past and the present. The fallout will force Kathleen to a turning point... in her career, and her life.

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million

Review

[QUICK NOTE] Read my review of No Turning Back, the book that started the Kathleen Turner series, by clicking here.

Read my review of Turn to Me, the equally absorbing and fan-fuckin'-tastic second book, by clicking here.

The Kathleen Turner series gets better and better with the release of Turning Point; Snow's classic combination of riveting suspense and memorable romance—and the complications in life that always get in the way—doesn't disappoint with this third installment.

I literally could not take my hands off the book. The plot is exhilarating and dangerous, and introduces a seedy, edgy perspective on the corruption present in modern politics as well as in the human trafficking business. In the chemistry department, Blane and Kat steam and sizzle; their developing relationship is soulful and tender, yet the attraction between them so hot. Kade and Kat, on the other hand, don't have anything physical between the two of them and somehow, they're tenfold hotter.

[Warning, fangirly rant ahead!] Kade, OMFG ♥ I can't even begin to discuss my love for him. He's a sleek, lethal bastard of a character, and yet with Kat, he's finally met his match; he's finally met the girl that can bring him to his knees—and not just figuratively speaking. He realizes how Kat's relationship with Blane, his half-brother, is based off all the wrong reasons—based off the injustices of the American legal system and of the power he possesses—but also how she, in shattering his own guided heart to pieces, will become his demise. This is devastating, not just because of the love triangle between the brothers, but because of the depth of emotion Kade has only known with Kat and the inability for him to ever have her. Normally this kind of thing is too soap opera-esque for me, but in Turning Point, it's raw, emotional, and absolutely perfect.

Katherine stands her moral ground, but that doesn't mean she isn't tempted. She won't admit this directly, so it's more my psychoanalytical side taking over here. It was kind of frustrating to see her be such a goody two-shoes, but this is more a reflection of my own depravity than of her characterization ;) I absolutely need to see how her relationship—or rather, strained accompaniment of—Kade, will turn out in the next book! And don't get me started on the cliffhanger regarding her situation with Blane and the law... Tiffany, we readers need more now!!!

Pros

Entertaining, fast-paced action // Highly suspenseful—I read and kept reading without effort // Smoothly written; casual style // KADE DENNON // Wicked love scenes that'll make you blush // Fresh narrative voice—I love Kat's character and point of view

Cons

Kat's self-control is unrealistic. How could anyone resist Kade........ . . . .

Love

Just to give you a taste of how sexyjao;isdfjasdf Kade Dennon is... 

"Fuck bullets," he rasped. "You're going to be the death of me."

"I don't need you to carry me," I insisted.

"I need to."

Jizz in my pants, he is one fictional hero I could seriously trip over!! WHY OH WYH ISn"T HE REAL?????? !!??

Verdict

Tiffany Snow's newest book in the Kathleen Turner series is exactly what I look for in a romantic suspense; the breeziness in narration and remarkable characterization are impossible to put down! I consider Turning Point exemplary chick lit; it's chick-lit in killer heels—chick-lit with gunfights and fistfights, the horrors of today's most unlawful industries, and of course, sex: naughty, delicious good-girl-gone-bad sex. If you haven't already, I recommend you start this series now 

9 hearts: Loved it! This book has a spot on my favorites shelf (x)

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Turn to Me by Tiffany A. Snow

Turn to Me (Kathleen Turner #2)
Tiffany A. Snow

Release Date: April 13th, 2012

Publisher: self-published

Page Count: 439

Source: Complimentary copy provided by author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)

When Kathleen Turner, office runner for the prestigious Indianapolis law firm of Kirk & Trent, started dating the boss, she knew the risks. Senior Partner Blane Kirk is known for being a notorious player—the Baskin Robbins of dating with a different flavor every month. Kathleen is the happiest she’s been in a long time, especially as Christmas approaches, but she’s always known there was a termination date on her relationship with Blane.

She just didn’t expect that termination to be her funeral.

A festive afternoon of Christmas tree shopping turns life-threatening when Kathleen and Blane become targets for an unknown gunman. They make it home alive, but Kathleen realizes her boyfriend has been keeping secrets. The deadly kind. Blane’s current case is drawing heated debate and stirring the pot of public fury. Kathleen is horrified by the threats—and worse—being directed at him. A former Navy SEAL stands accused of the wrongful death of an American citizen during a military operation overseas. The case has far-reaching political and military implications. Someone with a lot of money, and even more clout, wants Blane to lose.

As dead bodies of people connected to the defense start piling up, it becomes painfully obvious that disappearing witnesses and altered testimony are no longer enough for whoever is intent on guaranteeing the SEAL gets convicted. Kathleen and Kade, Blane’s brother and ex-FBI-agent-turned-assassin-for-hire, are on the trail of the killer.

Unfortunately for Kathleen, he’s already moved for the end-game—by painting a target on her... and pulling the trigger.

[QUICK NOTE] Read my review of No Turning Back, the book that started the Kathleen Turner series, by clicking here.

What Stephanie Thinks: I was first introduced to Kat Turner when I reviewed No Turning Back in July—I absolutely adored it! So I definitely had high hopes for Turn to Me, and I can say with confidence, this is a sexier, more dangerous, and much more intense sequel. Kathleen Turner fans, beware: you're in for a seductive albeit vicious ride.

The first part is a little slow and lovey-dovey, mostly showing how happy Kat is with Blane. In the first book, she only fantasizes about him and eventually does win his affections, but in this one, readers watch as her official relationship with him blooms and struggles to stay afloat. Nothing fancy—just the vanilla drama of regular relationships—slightly dull. The suspense picked up after the first few chapters though, for sure.

The circumstances of Kat's very vulnerable position by Blane's side in a recent lethal legal case may lead to her demise, but she can't help but stay loyal to her lover. That's Kathleen Turner for you: our (often foolishly) stubborn protagonist. She's one of both the weakest and strongest characters, especially when in the presence of men, which is interesting to watch play out.

What's most penetrating about Snow's novel is her passionate characters, namely, the two male protagonists: Blane and Kade. To Kat, even despite the immediate risks of dating him, Blane is the perfect man, the perfect boyfriend, the light to her day. Kade, his half-brother, the is the dark to Blane's light, but that doesn't make him any less appealing. Thought Kat will only admit to loving her boyfriend, she can't deny her dangerous attraction towards Kade. I know, I know. You may be cringing. But hear me out. This isn't a smutty soap opera love triangle; it's very real, very forbidden, and thus, very painful. Kat's already been in a sticky situation by dating Blane, so she's only set herself up to get her heart broken from the start, but that doesn't mean the relationship—or its downfall—will be any easier. Snow perfectly shows the difficulty of real-life relationships through Kat and Blane's interactions, and there just happens to be a troubled, troubling, and delicious half-brother added in. 

However, I do have one major problem: Kat's flitting mind. She knows to be the good girl and stay with Blane—the one who easily displays his affections for her, the one she fell for hard—but her heart's going out to Kade. I don't blame her, because he's sexy as sin, but I wish she wouldn't have kept insinuating feelings for him, SPOILER then ultimately settling with Blane. Kathleen's too wholesome to let herself succumb to her attraction to Kade. I mean, no doubt she and Blane have chemistry, but what she and Kade have are explosions. I personally admire her for not consummating her relationship with Kade (Lord knows I wouldn't have been able to resist myself to him LOL), but am disappointed by the increasing tensions that fell flat in the end. I felt like I was being led on because my Kat/Kade fandom was becoming so enthusiastic. Does that make me the biggest fangirly geek ever? Yes, and I'm proud, but only because of how much I loved Turn to Me. I kid you not; Kat and Kade share one of the hottest, most heartbreaking dynamics I've ever read in contemporary romance, and it is without a doubt, my favorite part about this book.

The only reason I hold myself back from giving this one my full 10 hearts is because, while it is the kind of story I felt like I didn't even have to work at—the pages turned themselves!—the chick-lit-y voice detracts from overall substance, whether the particular reasons be Kat's indecisiveness, her fickle mind, or the predictability of the happily-ever-after. No way am I saying the book is predictable, on account of its countless twists and shocking revelations, but the man she ends up with, well, I expected as much. It's just that Kathleen puts herself in a stupid amount of unnecessarily dangerous situations; you'd think she'd learn her lesson and just stay put after the first few times of nearly getting killed. I understand she's being 'rescued' by Blane or Kade to propel the strength of her trust in each of them, but this directly contradicts her determination to be a strong and independent woman. This was my main complaint about No Turning Back as well: the irritating fact that she would be seething in her socks because of a betrayal by or insult from one of the brothers one moment, then quivering in sexual desire the next... flighty much? I'm not tearing her character apart, really (BY NOW YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS BOOK), but her annoying attitude is the main reason Turn to Me doesn't hit home completely.

Regardless, I was mesmerized by this intoxicating, excruciating second installment of the Kathleen Turner series. If you like your suspense novels breezy—if you like high heels with your high crimes—this series, and Turn to Me in particular, will rock will world. Kat's character may stray sometimes and exasperate often, but it's the story that counts, right? In my opinion, the story is the perfect mixture of chick-lit and thriller, of scorching romance and heartbreaking impasses, and that's what makes it one you certainly won't want to miss. Despite being irked, I still loved it (is that tragic or what?) and am counting on Snow for the next in the series.

[QUICK NOTE] Read my review of the aaahhmazing third book, Turning Point, by clicking here.

Stephanie Loves: "'Don't worry,' Blane whispered to me, settling his hand on the small of my back. 'You'll be fine. I promise, I'm the only one who'll bite you.'"

Radical Rating: 9 hearts: Loved it! This book has a spot on my favorites shelf. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Save as Draft by Cavanaugh Lee

Save as Draft
Cavanaugh Lee

Page Count: 336
Release Date: 1 February, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher, via Romancing the Book, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you both!!)

A love triangle evolving over e-mails, texts, and Facebook messages that makes you wonder if the things we leave unsaid—or rather unsent—could change the story of our lives.
===========================================
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2011
From: Izabell
To: Reader
Subject: Save as Draft
===========================================
Are we Facebook friends yet? I'm the wactress (waitress/actress) turned lawyer who lives her life online. Anyway, I've got this problem. There's this guy Peter. He's my best friend and co-worker, and we just started dating, which is potentially a huge mistake. But that's not all. There's this other guy, Marty from eHarm, and he ran with the bulls in Spain. I can't get him off my mind. What a mess. I'd love your advice if you can take a second out of your crazy, high-tech life. Shoot me an e-mail, text me, or BBM. And friend me if you haven't already! You can find me on Facebook under Save as Draft.

Izabell

What Stephanie Thought: Save as Draft is a charming novel that's bound to leave you hanging and frustrated at end, the very first epistolary fiction piece I've read since Paula Danziger's Snail Mail No More. 

Written entirely in emails, text messages, and Twitter updates, this book is sweepingly honest, as well as full of emotion. There lies a secret thrill in being able to peek inside someone's private life, especially in an era that is so dependent on internet communication.

Cavanaugh Lee does not stop there. The essence of Save as Draft delves even deeper than the privacy of a password-protected email account, because the reader gets the inside scoop on what the characters don't. Emails that have been "saved as draft" or in less-techy terms, written but unsent, are revealed, opening up a whole nother road in knowing what the characters are actually thinking. 

Izzy and Peter, the engaged couple seemingly have everything paved out ahead of them. But miscommunication and too many saved drafts take a toll on the passionate relationship. You'll love reading how their relationship builds, climaxes, and abruptly falls, making you both cringe (because of how closely this hits to home—this might as well be YOUR love life in YOUR email account) and smile (from the wit and the glad-it-wasn't-me! incidents) all within the same page.

I love how the plot  is conveyed through Facebook notifications (Izabell Chin has added you as a friend on Facebook) and eHarmony profiles to develop characters. It's a fun, flirty way to get to know the protagonists and the main conflicts.

The ending made me so mad, but I couldn't have made it any more perfect. I won't give any spoilers, but I will say that it was sort of a tragic ending. Meaning, things do not end happily-ever-after as predicted. The ending is happy yes, just not the way I had thought it would be. Save as Draft is a heartbreakingly realistic novel that demonstrates human error in the ways we never speak what we think... and never think what we speak either.

Stephanie Loves: "I joined eHarmony ... destroy this e-mail at once. I can't believe I'm even telling you. If you ever tell a soul, I will have you murdered by an Italian man with greasy hair whose name is Angelo.

You should totally do eHarm too. Some of these dudes are hot. I'm sure the girls are hot as well. I mean, I'm on there. ;-)"

Radical Rating: 8 hearts: An engaging read; highly recommended. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥