Review: Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose

Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose: Book CoverSilver Sparks by Starr Ambrose

  • Pub. Date: November 2011
  • Publisher: Pocket Books
  • Format: Mass Market Paperback , 400pp
Synopsis:
The Larkin sisters are used to hearing whispers behind their backs. Being raised by hippie parents in the small resort town of Barringer’s Pass, Colorado, they were always considered oddballs, and for a while, they did everything they could to earn the name. But now, older and wiser, they’re discovering that it’s not so great to be the wild child, and are struggling to earn a new place for themselves in town.

When Maggie Larkin resists the come-ons of a sleazy actor in town to shoot a film, she pisses off more than a pretty boy and his manager. Turns out that Rafe DeLuca isn’t just a movie star…he’s possibly a killer, and Maggie’s landed herself in more trouble than she could imagine. Enter Cal Drummond, cop extraordinaire, who’s been trailing DeLuca himself for weeks, convinced that his recently murdered sister is one of Rafe’s victims. He’s determined not to let another woman be victimized by the dangerous Rafe, and if that means sticking like glue to Maggie, so be it.

Maggie and Cal seem like perfect opposites, but as we all know…opposites attract!

My Thoughts:

Maggie Larkin grew up in a town where her family has been know as the town screw-ups, herself included in her younger days but she has done everything possible to turn that around and be model citizens.  That is until today when at the local Alpine Sky Resort she hauled off and punches Rafe DeLuca, a reality TV star from the Trust Fund Brats, after he refused to take no for an answer after he buys her a drink in the bar, knowing about her reputation. An out of town cop, Cal Drummond, witnesses the exchange along with seeing Rafe’s bodyguard draw a gun as Maggie is still yelling.  Cal is able to get her out of the situation but she is less than thankful. 

Cal  has taken a leave of absence from his department to investigate Rafe who he believes is a serial killer who murdered and tortured his half-sister Julie. Cal tries to explain to Maggie that Rafe is going to have the media on his side and will stop at nothing to be sure that she is ruined if she takes her claim any further.  Maggie continues to push the issue as more trouble unfold for the both of them with Rafe controlling every move.  Cal makes it his mission to be at Maggie’s side until they see this through.

Starr Ambrose does a wonderful job with the three most important parts of a story for me and those are location development, character development and plot development.   When putting all of these areas together she provides a story that reminds me of what I loved about Nora Robert’s books when I started reading them, I felt like I was sat right down in the location and I was experiencing the story like I was right there as it was happening.  There are very few authors that have been able to recreate that feeling for me, kudos to Ms. Ambrose for giving me this pleasure every time I sit down to read a book she has written!  

Silver Sparks is a fast paced book with romance sprinkled in naturally.  I also enjoyed that there was an opportunity here to explore something new to me – caving.  That is just one of this things that I love in a book and that when I learn something out of a pleasure read.  A great story that has left me wanting to know more about the Larkin Family and just what might happen next.

My Rating:

A quick witted and interesting story that left me wanting more!

A romance story that provided mystery and challenges that I was never expecting.

A book that fondly reminds me of the writing style that brought me to love Nora Roberts but with some extra twists and mystery that drew me into deeper understanding for the characters.

It’s Monday What Are You Reading?

It's Monday What Are You Reading?

This great meme is hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World of Books. Each week will share with you the books we are reading, just finished reading and those books we are planning to read this week.

Some of you might have noticed that it has been pretty quiet around here for the last few days.  That’s because we headed north for the last long weekend before school started.  That’s right everyone, school in Michigan doesn’t start until the day after labor day.  So that being said, I got a ton of reading done because….there is only dial up and it is SUPER slow.  Anyway on with the summary.

Finished:

Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose: Book CoverHeist Society (Heist Society Series #1) by Ally Carter: Book CoverLinger (Wolves of Mercy Falls Series #2) by Maggie Stiefvater: Book Cover

 Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose –  Awesome Great Can’t Wait to Review!

But I Love Him by Amanda Grace – super sad but so glad I read it

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Pure Red by Danielle Joseph

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Currently Reading:

Demonglass (Hex Hall Series #2) by Rachel Hawkins: Book Cover

Coming Up Next:

Not sure yet.  I need a bit of a change in pace but not sure what that really means.  Not to mention I have about 7 reviews to write.

Not sure what David is up to reading.  Most of the weekend he was checking out Photography books.

What have you been reading?  You know I would love to know so please leave me a link or comment.  

If this is your first visit I hope you will consider following, if you do please be sure to leave me a note about it.

If you are a old follower, THANK YOU!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by Should be Reading 

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose: Book Cover Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose
Release Date 11/29/2011
Synopsis:
The Larkin sisters are used to hearing whispers behind their backs. Being raised by hippie parents in the small resort town of Barringer’s Pass, Colorado, they were always considered oddballs, and for a while, they did everything they could to earn the name. But now, older and wiser, they’re discovering that it’s not so great to be the wild child, and are struggling to earn a new place for themselves in town.

When Maggie Larkin resists the come-ons of a sleazy actor in town to shoot a film, she pisses off more than a pretty boy and his manager. Turns out that Rafe DeLuca isn’t just a movie star…he’s possibly a killer, and Maggie’s landed herself in more trouble than she could imagine. Enter Cal Drummond, cop extraordinaire, who’s been trailing DeLuca himself for weeks, convinced that his recently murdered sister is one of Rafe’s victims. He’s determined not to let another woman be victimized by the dangerous Rafe, and if that means sticking like glue to Maggie, so be it.

Maggie and Cal seem like perfect opposites, but as we all know…opposites attract!

Teaser Page 42 in Galley – subject to change

Maggie’s heart pounded at the implied violence, even though Rafe’s expression went bland again.  He studied her as he nodded toward the window behind him. “You see those vultures outside?  They’ll do anything for an exclusive with me.  Last chance- either you go along with my story, or I tell them a completely different one guaranteed to make the headlines.  Once I sic them on you, they won’t stop picking at your until your bones are clean.”

That’s my teaser for the week – what about your Teaser Tuesday?