Gwen’s review of Pride Mates (Shifters Unbound, Book 1) by Jennifer Ashley
Paranormal romance released by Dorchester/ Leisure 26 Jan 10

This is the first of  a new paranormal romance series from the ever-busy Jennifer Ashley. We are given a new world where Shifters are “out”, learning to live in a world where humans know what they are and treat them as second-class citizens.  It’s a very promising start to what should be a fresh take on a well-worn idea.  Plus, the book is based in Austin, so how bad can it be?  Read the rest of this entry »

Sandy M’s review of Legend of the White Wolf (Werewolf Series, Book 4) by Terry Spear
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Feb 10

Terry Spear has definitely come into her own as an author. I have very thoroughly enjoyed her last two books in her werewolf series, both of which show a lot of growth from her first book. After reading this latest edition, Ms. Spear is now on my autobuy list.

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Limecello’s review of Sex Drive by Susan Lyons
Contemporary erotic romance released by Aphrodisia 1 Dec 09

I like that Susan Lyon’s stories are unique. Ms. Lyons is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. First of all, she wrote the Awesome Foursome books. Next, that she writes warm, smart, sexy stories, that have substance. Sex Drive never got too heavy or dull, but it wasn’t a brainless piece of fluff. I liked that. Yes, it was a purely entertaining read, but thought provoking if I wanted it to be. I’m really glad I read this book. Read the rest of this entry »

A huge thank you to Annette Blair for a fun Duck Chat here at the Pond!

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Limecello’s review of Her Secret Fling by Sarah Mayberry
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Jan 10

Sarah Mayberry has to stop it. She’s getting readers – one by one. (Not in the acquiring sense, but in the “I’m gonna getchu” sense.) Making us laugh, and cry, and … well really there aren’t words for it. I don’t actually want Ms. Mayberry to stop. I want her to write more books. More, more, more Blaze books especially. I’ve been in something of a reading slump, but I knew Ms. Mayberry wouldn’t let me down… and she didn’t. This is a terrific story. The characters are unique and unexpected, but so brilliantly normal. She also manages to make a ruined relationship work.
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This is the final copy and stepback of Married by Morning, which I should have posted yesterday. It is much larger below the cut.

What do you think?  I like it better than the door but am not sure about how I feel about changing the look of a series in the middle of it.

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Lynne Connolly’s review of The Spanish Duke’s Virgin Bride by Chantelle Shaw
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Presents 01 Nov 07

I think there’s a conspiracy afoot. This is the second Beauty and the Beast story I’ve read recently that fails spectacularly, the other being Jennie Lucas’ The Innocent’s Dark Seduction. Read the rest of this entry »

Now that you’ve met Alexandra, it’s time to delve into her new book All Night with a Rogue. I think you’ll see right off the bat that both Juliana and Sin are unique and you’ll have a lot of fun with them.

So here’s a sneak peek into the first chapter for you. Meet naughty Sin and the innocent but daring Juliana.

Something to get you started:

Notorious, handsome, and decadent, the Lords of Vice prowl the glittering ballrooms of Regency London— breaking rules and hearts with equal aplomb. But even the wildest rogue must eventually meet his match…

Seduce Lady Juliana Ivers and then cast her aside: Those are his sister’s instructions. Alexius Braverton, Marquess of Sinclair—known as Sin to the ton—is happy enough to oblige, especially when he catches a glimpse of his target. Juliana is completely unlike the empty-headed chits who barely hold his attention for a week. A true gentleman would leave her to find a worthy suitor. But then, a Lord of Vice would never claim to be a gentleman.

Juliana is expected to marry well to improve her family’s finances, even if she secretly longs to make a living through her musical compositions. A dalliance can only complicate matters, though not even practical Juliana can help succumbing to the aptly named Sin. But one unforgettable night will draw her into a scandalous affair—and a seduction begun as sport will soon become deliciously, dangerously real…

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Sandy M’s review of All Night with a Rogue, (Lords of Vice, Book 1) by Alexandra Hawkins
Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s 2 Feb 10

I love finding new authors to read. Not that my old favorites don’t cut it anymore, there’s just nothing wrong with new blood being pumped into the market. And Alexandra Hawkins is making a big splash with her new Lords of Vice series about seven friends, rakes and rogues all of them, who challenge their lady loves to take them as they are. Her debut book gives us the first of these really bad boys, and imagine his surprise when he comes up against something he truly wants and for the first time in his spoiled life he can’t have it.

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So glad you could make it back to Duck Chat!

Alexandra Hawkins joins us today, so sit back and enjoy!

Starting off strong with her Lords of Vice series, Alexandra is a new voice in the historical romance genre. All Night with a Rogue, her debut book, kicks off the three-book series that will hopefully expand to cover all seven of the fascinating rakes she’s given readers in ANwaR. So if you love a bad-boy hero, you’re going to have a heck of a time reading these books.

Alexandra is married and lives with her family in Georgia. Like the rest of us, she discovered romance at an early age. That helped fuel her already fanciful imagination, and now her first book is published. A dream come true all authors can attest to.

Be sure to leave Alexandra a question or comment, because she’s very graciously offered up a copy of All Night with a Rogue to one lucky reader.

Now let’s chat!

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Limecello’s review of Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary romance released by Berkley 2 Feb 10

Jill Shalvis is an author that is definitely growing on me. I’ve liked her books, generally, but some were still hit or miss for me. Well, her recent ones, have been all hit. I really enjoyed Slow Heat. I powered through at the end, staying up til the wee hours to finish it. Aside from being a terrific romance, this book renewed my affection for baseball. It reminded me that before I loved football (and we all know I love football), I was a baseball girl. America’s game. Slow Heat put a giant smile on my face, and I’m hoping for more. Read the rest of this entry »

Gwen’s review of Flirt (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter, Book 18) by Laurell K. Hamilton
Urban fantasy hardcover released by Berkley 2 Feb 10

Fans of Hamilton’s Anita Blake novels will love this short side entry.  This is a novel-length short story in the very sexy, very violent world of Anita Blake.  If you’re following this series and are getting (have gotten) tired of the crazily complicated storyline, you’ll enjoy this story.  It has almost none of the “bigger” picture and just tells us a good yarn. Read the rest of this entry »

Gwen’s review of Archangel’s Kiss (Guild Hunters, Book 2) by Nalini Singh
Paranormal/fantasy romance released by Berkley 2 Feb 10

This is the second book in the Guild Hunters saga and the third story.  (Singh released a standalone novella in the Must Love Hellhounds anthology.) This entry deals with Elena’s new condition, her relationship with the archangel, Raphael, and the politics of his (now her) world.  It’s a ripsnorting story that is passionate and action-packed, and a helluva good tale.

There are spoilers in this review, so if you haven’t read the first book and care about that sort of thing, you don’t want to read further. Read the rest of this entry »

Sandy M’s review of Time Storm by Samantha Winston
Erotic Romance ebook novella released by Ellora’s Cave 1 Nov 09 (reissue)

I’m a huge time travel fan, so that’s why I wanted to read this book for review. It’s a good thing there’s definitely some time traveling in this ebook because that’s about the only thing that worked.

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Just so you know, I’m writing this as a reader and a writer. Both halves, stuck together to make a whole. Not that that happens very often. It’s hard to keep the two parts separate when you read so much, hard to not let what you read bleed into what you write. I try to do it by reading in a different subgenre, reading contemporary when I’m writing historical, that kind of thing. But it doesn’t always work.  Read the rest of this entry »