LynneC’s review of The Millionaire’s Blackmail Bargain by Heidi Rice
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 11 Mar 08

In the UK, this was called The Mile High Club. A much better title for this book, far more memorable and distinctive.

Often, when I read an okay book, I decide not to review it, because, honestly, it’s much harder to review a book you don’t either adore or hate. When you love or hate a book, it’s a lot easier to decide why and isolate the bits you loved or hated. With an okay book, you have to think about it a lot more.  So here we go.

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Sandy M’s review of A Duke to Die For (Rogues’ Dynasty, Book 1) by Amelia Grey
Historical Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 7 Apr 09

This is my first Amelia Grey, and for the most part I enjoyed it. There are a couple of little things that didn’t quite work for me, but they also didn’t take away too much from the enjoyment of the story. Overall, it’s a good start to a fun series.

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Limecello’s review of The Italian’s Defiant Mistress by India Grey
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Presents 1 Oct 07

I’ve been going through a reading slump for the longest time. This is why I love categories, because I can generally manage to power through them. Admittedly, I struggled through this book – but I have a reason why. I had thought this book was India Grey’s newest. I’ve really enjoyed her other categories, so I was a bit worried. I also didn’t want to check the copyright date, so I saved that for last. Imagine my relief. Also, the ending was fantastic, and would have been a good indication of the quality of Ms. Grey’s later books. Read the rest of this entry »

Now it’s time to meet Brody and Ava from Warrior Ascended, the first book in Addison Fox’s new Sons of  the Zodiac series. They’ve each lived solitary lives even when surrounded by people over the years — and centuries for Brody. He’s an immortal warrior who’s vowed to the Goddess of Justice to protect mankind from itself. He’s now protecting Ava so together they can find the key to the Summoning Stones, an archaic instrument of power.

You’ll also get to meet a number of Brody’s brothers, the other Zodiac warriors, in this book. You’ll get lots of danger, excitement, love, and romance. You’ll love every minute of it!

Here’s the blurb:

An act of desperation…

Themis, Goddess of Justice and former wife of Zeus, weeps for the annihilation of her adored humans. As the Iron Age – the Fifth Age of Man – progresses, her beloved human children are wrapped in a chaotic spiral of death and destruction.  Frustrated and angered by her inability to change their lives, she pleads with Zeus.  Allow her to end the destruction of the Iron Age by creating a race of warriors to calm the chaos.

a bargain struck…

Zeus recognizes this strange love Themis has for humans and  still guilty over his betrayal of her with his new wife, Hera  he agrees to the request. With one condition. In order to maintain the balance Themis is so known for, she must agree to an opposing force a catalyst for chaos – for her Warriors.  His daughter with Hera, Enyo, Goddess of War, will be equally empowered to maintain the anarchy for which she is known.

The Modern Age of Man begins…

So armed, Themis sets out to create a race of warriors, innately balanced with each other and carrying all the traits so necessary for understanding humans.  Kindness, compassion, vanity, arrogance, courage, passion, anger, ego the full spectrum of human emotions wrapped in an immortal package of physical strength and mental agility. Using the 12 signs of the Zodiac as a model for balance, the Warriors are as varied in personality as the traits Themis bestows upon them. And all will protect and serve their goddess throughout the ages.

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We’re so glad you’ve joined us today for Duck Chat!

If you’re a paranormal fan, you like gods and goddesses, good and evil, alpha heroes and strong heroines, and, oh yeah, lots of romance, you’re going to love talking to Addison Fox!

Warrior Ascended is her debut book. I just finished reading it and, in my opinion, she’s going to have a huge hit on her hands not only with this book but with each one that comes along in her Sons of Zodiac series.

So no more lollygagging! Let’s chat!

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Sandy M’s review of Warrior Ascended (Sons of the Zodiac, Book 1) by Addison Fox
Paranormal Romance published by Signet 2 Mar 10

Wow, Greek gods, the balance between good and evil, betrayal, sexy warriors of the Zodiac who embody their personal constellation, and, of course, the women who trap their hearts, bodies, and souls – you can’t ask for anything more in a debut book by a debut author. Addison Fox has it cram packed in this book, which is the lead-off of her new series that I know is only going to get better and better as it goes along.

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Sandy M’s review of Most Eagerly Yours (Her Majesty’s Secret Servants, Book 1) by Allison Chase
Historical Romance published by Signet 2 Mar 10

I like the premise of this series, a young Victoria before she’s crowned queen is given carte blanche to use her best childhood friends should she ever need them in the future during her reign. The children learn young that things are changing when their royal playmate realizes herself she cannot keep the friendly relationship she’s shared with them for so long, thus their vow to her and the start of a fun series for historical fans.

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Wendy the Super Librarian’s review of  What the Librarian Did by Karina Bliss
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin SuperRomance 16 Mar 10

Being one myself, I’m naturally drawn to romance novels that feature librarian heroines.  Over the years I’ve read some very good ones, and some others that have left permanent psychological scars.  Karina Bliss’s latest for Harlequin SuperRomance is, blessedly, one of the good ones.  Although at times, I felt the heroine’s “issues” overshadowed the romantic storyline.

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Sandy M’s review of SEALed with a Ring by Mary Margret Daughtridge
Contemporary Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 2 Mar 10

I read and reviewed Ms. Daughtridge’s first book, SEALed with a Kiss,and was very pleasantly surprised. Besides the usual ups and downs of a relationship nowadays, she gives her characters an added hardship of some kind that makes their lives even more real for the reader.

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Lynne Connolly’s review of His Little Black Book by Heather MacAllister
Contemporary romance, single author anthology released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Mar 10

This is a collection of three stories all circulating around a Houston advertising agency. The stories varied, but the storytelling was solid and they were a nice way to spend a little time. Read the rest of this entry »

Sandy M’s review of Fragile by Shiloh Walker
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 3 Feb 09

I take every chance I get to read a Shiloh Walker book. I don’t have my own copy of Fragile yet, so when a friend mentioned she had a copy, you guessed it. I wasn’t shy one bit in asking to borrow it from her – even before she’d read it. I’m glad I did. I once again got lost in a compelling and emotional read.

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Sandy M’s review of Blaze of Memory (Psy/Changeling Series, Book 7) by Nalini Singh
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 3 Nov 09

Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series has become one of my all-time favorites. With this latest installment, I’ve learned it doesn’t matter who she makes her hero and heroine, I’m going to love it. I thought I would be disappointed that a changeling wasn’t in the spotlight this time around. I couldn’t have been more wrong. In fact, Blaze of Memory has now become my favorite of the series — all because she made me cry.

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It’s often said that writers are either pantsers (often rendered inaccurately as pansters, probably because it’s easier to pronounce) or plotters. Pantsers as in “write by the seat of your pants.” They make it up as they go along and don’t know where they’re going until they get there.

I think there are writers who do very long plots.

I’m writing this as a writer in the hope that some readers might be interested in the process. Read the rest of this entry »

Wendy the Super Librarian’s review of An Accidental Seduction by Michelle Willingham
Historical romance short story ebook released by Harlequin Historical Undone 01 Jan 2010

I’ve often said that the short story Harlequin Historical Undone line is like a gateway drug.  I read them because they’re quick, sexy reads, and often times I find myself getting sucked into a series or trying full-length novels by new-to-me authors.  This latest from Michelle Willingham is a prequel to her February Harlequin Historical release, An Accidental Countess, and introduces us to the romantic couple.

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I confess, I haven’t read any of Kate Collins’ books yet, though I have most of them in the old TBR mountain. I discovered them this last year and they sounded like such fun, I started a search to find the entire Flower Shop Mysteries series. After reading Kate’s interview and this excerpt, I think you’ll agree and begin your own hunt.

So without further ado, let’s get on with the excerpt. Here’s a quick look before the good stuff!

Maybe Abby Knight shouldn’t have chosen a home and garden show sponsored by Uniworld Food as the venue for her protest against the corporation’s harmful farming practices. But being bodily removed from the event won’t stop her campaign. Nor will a burning brick thrown through her flower shop’s window.

After she narrowly escapes being kidnapped three times, Abby calls in the big guns-her ex-Ranger boyfriend Marco and her friends and family. And then the stakes are raised by murder…

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