Jenna Harte

Category: Uncategorized

  • Review: Naked Heat

    Naked Heat
    Naked Heat by Richard Castle
    My rating: 3 of 5 stars

    Overall I’m enjoying the Castle books, but there were several parts of Naked Heat that I didn’t like. For once, Heat is pretty mean to Rook. I know she’s tough, but I kept wondering what Rook saw in her since she was always rude and snarky to him. I would really like to see the shoe on the other foot for once and Nikki pursuing him.

    Still the book has the fun and banter from the first book and the show. If you watch the show, you’ll recognize some of the events that happen.

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  • Review: Heat Wave

    Heat Wave
    Heat Wave by Richard Castle
    My rating: 4 of 5 stars

    I probably wouldn’t rate this book as high if it wasn’t attached to Castle the tv show. Part of it’s fun is knowing it’s the book Castle wrote in response to his adventures with Beckett. It’s fun to see the characters of Rook and Heat in Castle and Beckett and some of the events that happen on the show in the books. And readers who want Castle and Beckett (Rook and Heat) as a couple (which doesn’t happen until season 5), don’t have to wait that long. But it’s not as well written as I might expect Castle to write for being a rock star mystery writer.

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  • Great Romantic Couples – Nick and Nora Charles

    Great Romantic Couples – Nick and Nora Charles

    When you think of romantic couples, you probably think of Elizabeth and Darcy or Cleopatra and Anthony. I agree that they are romantic couples, but along with the romantic words — “You pierce my soul,” Capt. Wentworth in Jane Austen’s Persuasion — is the everyday banter that comes between couples once they start their ‘happily ever after’. That’s what I love about Nick and Nora Charles. They come from opposite worlds and yet click so well together. I wonder what their courtship was like. Did they struggle like a typical romance couple…she the rich heiress and he the blue-collar gumshoe who come from different backgrounds? Or was it chemistry when they met and neither cared about the differences? I like to think it was the latter. I can’t imagine Nick worrying too much about what Nora’s family would think of him.

    I love how Nora can keep up with Nick on the quips and while they tease each other, you can tell they love and respect each other. And then there is the humor. I like angst as much as the next reader, but I love quirky characters, funny situations, and engaging banter.

    If you’re not familiar with Nick and Nora, you can read The Thin Manby Dashiell Hammett, but theThe Thin Man movies are my favorite starring William Powell and Myrna Loy.

  • Old Flames Never Die, A Sneak Peek

    Old Flames Never Die, A Sneak Peek

    UPDATE – The sneak peek to Old Flames Never Die was removed to meet TOS of Amazon’s KDP Select program. Old Flames Never Die is now available for purchase for $2.99 at Amazon.

     

    Last week I sent the complete manuscript of Old Flames Never Die to my editor, which means it will be ready for publishing very soon. For those of you who’d like a little sneak peek of what’s to come in book 2 of the Valentine Mysteries, I’ve got a treat for you! You can read the first few chapters here: Old Flames Never Die Sneak Peek

    I’m still working on the blurb, but so far I have:

    Tess Madison is jobless, homeless and hopelessly in love with the sexy, blue-green eyed Jack Valentine. But their new love is put to the test when the husband of an old flame of Jack’s is murdered. Jack thinks she innocent and vows to help her. Tess isn’t so sure and with the help of her friend and Jack’s nemesis Det. Daniel Showalter, she joins the investigation. Now Tess is pitted against Jack and as they each seek answers, not only do they put their love at risk, but their lives as well.

    I’ve got a mock up of the cover as well. It still needs work and I haven’t bought the art yet, but here’s a peek at what’s created so far.

    By the way, Deadly Valentine, book one in the Valentine Mysteries is now available for Nook, other ereader formats, and in print.

    If you have any feedback, please let me know. You can comment below or contact me here.

  • Deadly Valentine: A Valentine Mystery, Book One

    Deadly Valentine: A Valentine Mystery, Book One

    Deadly Valentine: A Valentine Mystery, Book One is now available through Amazon. This is my first full-length novel and I’m so glad that it’s finally published.

    After years of writing fan fiction, I’d decided to write a novel with original characters. It was much harder than I thought it would be, but I’m pleased with the finished product. Deadly Valentine includes all the elements of a story I love; a sexy romance, fun banter, and a mystery. Here’s the description:

    Tess Madison walked away from her two-timing fiancé, a multi-million dollar trust fund and a cushy corporate law job to pursue the single life indulging in chocolate and fancy French underwear. But her newly reordered life comes unraveled when she reluctantly accepts an invitation to a dinner party and stumbles upon the host’s dead body. Now Tess is the middle of a murder investigation pitting her wannabe-boyfriend police detective against Jack Valentine, a man from her past with blue-green eyes and sinful smile that causes her to rethink her self-imposed celibacy. Tess has many reasons to avoid Jack including the fact that he’s the prime suspect in murder. But Tess doesn’t believe Jack’s the murderer and with an honest attempt to keep her hormones in check, she agrees to represent him. With Jack’s help, she uncovers a 30-year-old secret someone is killing to keep hidden and discovers sensual delights that don’t include chocolate or French underwear. But when her professional and personal relationship with Jack threatens to ruin her career and end her life, Tess has to decide if Jack, is worth the risk.

    Deadly Valentine is the first in the Valentine Mystery series featuring Tess Madison a chocolate and French underwear connoisseur and Jack Valentine, her handsome, environmentalist, pteromerhanophobic (fear of flying) love interest.

    This is a full-length 103,000 word novel of mystery and romance, including mild sex scenes.