Betrayal in Death (Book 13) by J.D. Robb

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When Darlene French, a maid at the Roarke Palace Hotel, is brutally beaten, raped, and strangled with a silver wire, Eve is at a loss to explain the apparently professional nature of the murder. Who would hire a hit man to kill such an ordinary woman? As she and her team of detectives (with a little grudgingly accepted help from Roarke, whose money, name, and talents can dig up a wealth of information) investigate the evidence, they find themselves in pursuit of Sylvester Yost, a vicious hired gun who's made millions in his bloody pursuit of career excellence. But it isn't until more victims appear that Eve realizes Yost's real target is Roarke himself. To discover the driving force behind the murderous campaign, Eve and Roarke will have to delve into their own pasts, which holds secrets and terrors for them both.

My Thoughts:
      I was looking forward reading this novel because of Lori's recommendation in her blog and because I am in love with the main characters (Eve and Roarke). I was only on the first chapter and I was hooked, I had a hard time putting it down like a mug of white chocolate mocha I was addicted. Who wouldn't be when the story takes you right into the main course with Eve and Roarke the center of it all? The title "Betrayal" is also an attention grabber as the crime links to a certain relationship with the main characters. Of course the enigmatic romance between Eve and Roarke continues to ignite fire and excitement; the craft in details never cease to amaze me. Their relationship as husband and wife is once again tested in this novel, the test of love, the test of trust and cooperation. The presence of Mick (Roarke's close friend from Dublin) and Summerset (Roarke's buttler and like a father to him) add spices into the mix. Peabody and McNabb -- I still love them, especially when they face certain road blocks in their growing relationship. Sly's (Sylvester Yost) style of murder was vivid I felt I was there witnessing his acts, his endless lust and satisfaction. Oh yes, I wished him dead too – he was the wild animal in the jungle – very ugly animal. The "Who is the killer?" part of the mystery is made obvious from the start showing Sly attacking the victims. It is the act of betrayal that keeps the suspense building up: {who betrays who" and "why do it" questions are eventually revealed toward the last chapter.

Betrayal in death is definitely one of my favorites by J.D. Robb and I surely recommend this to anyone interested in romantic suspense and an unforgettable work of art. I promised myself to reread this book again sometime in the near future.

She Made the Headache Go Away

The pounding in my head was a continuous annoyance I didn’t have the energy to check my mails when I got home late last night from work. But, I was curious enough of the yellow envelope I needed to open it as my heart leapt for joy seeing the sender’s name. Guess what?

I got a pretty bookmark from Christine – such a lovely, lovely book thing I will surely enjoy using while I spend time reading. Thank you very much Christine! I appreciate the thoughtfulness.

And what better book I could start using such gift than on a J.D. Robb’s novel where I first met Christine through her “In Death” Reading Challenge? Yup – I used it right away since I am currently reading the 3rd chapter of Betrayal in Death I borrowed from the library. Through Christine I was also given the oppurtunity to meet other two lovely ladies: Hilcia and Mariana.

 

Christmas in July

On my way to work this morning I listened to the Jim Kerr and Rock & Roll Morning Show of the Rock Radio Station Q104.3, when after brief discussions about the blistering heat these past few days and agonizing today’s High 98 degrees F with around 50% Humidity, A “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!”Song by Andy Williams was played on air, just like a perfect air conditioning turned into its high cool temperature – Oh Christmas in July was all I could think of at that moment.


Seriously, these past few days were unbelievably crazy. Last Monday I decided to stay at B&N store since its cooler there while enjoying the endless selections of magazines I wanted to read. About thirty minutes savoring my Starbucks café latte, the entire store went dark and quiet – there was a power outage – eeek and bleh! An hour later the store decided to close and I was thrown out back on the road where all the traffic lights were off. Last night my AC refused to function properly, where it was supposedly its job to make me feel happy and comfortable, its job is to blow cold air as long as I needed it and not warm air for Christ sake!

My internal system just isn’t what it used to be anymore, where I grew up in a poor tropical place, always hot, always humid, no winter season, no snow and with little access to the wonders of air conditioning, and the good part was I survived with no questions asked. Once I upgraded into a life filled with opportunities and luxuries (okay not really that luxurious but quiet better than before) I couldn’t take the heat, I couldn’t stay quiet for a few minutes without complaining, I couldn’t live the life of the past.

I don’t even like snow, but right now I’ll take any ice and ice and more ice and just relax, just to get away from the fire.

Tour with Friends

Meeting a classmate from College I haven't seen in many years brought back memories from the past, not knowing what I really wanted in life. I was ambitious in reaching the ladder of success but was naive to the reality of life outside the world I grew up. It was a wakeup call when my path merged into the pack of hungry wolves eager to dive in to the dome of reality. Empty handed with inferior ability to survive I took the chance and challenged the faith once painted in front of me inside the College classroom, painted in blurry images and intense colors. The struggle was difficult, more like a test in the midst of wolves waiting patiently, calculating, planning their attacks against every step I took.
  

They are all shuffled cards of memory now, stored and kept away.  But once in a while I look back and the ghost whispers, "It was a heck of a ride worth remembering."