CHASING THE DIME by MICHAEL CONNOLLY

Believe it or not, this was the first book I’ve read by this best-selling author.  Now I know what I’ve been missing.  Spoiler alert ahead.  Chasing the Dime starts out with a man moving into a new apartment.  His phone number seems to have belonged to someone else as he keeps getting calls meant for a hooker.  He tries to contact her to remove his phone number from her website, but no one has heard from her for days.  Because of a personal tragedy in his past, the hero is motivated to pursue the missing woman.  It’s not a whodunit, because we know pretty much who the killer is.  I’d classify it as a Why-dunit, or as a suspense because the hero has to clear his own name when he gets framed for the prostitute’s murder.  The plot is quite clever and the characters well drawn.  I like Mr. Connolly’s writing pace which is quick and engrossing.  Now I’ll have to look for more of his titles.

RAVISHED by VIRGINIA HENLEY

Historical romances are one of my favorite genres for escape literature, and this book provides a fast and sexy romp with two handsome twins nicknamed Harm and Hazard. Nicholas is dashing, passionate, and responsible, while Christopher--who inherits everything from their titled father--is a wastrel.  Our poor heroine is promised to the lord of the realm, but she’s in love with his impoverished brother.  Who will win her?  Dressing as a male to roam the sordid streets of London, she writes political articles to promote reform.  Unwilling to play the docile female, feisty Alexandra sets out to determine her own fate.