Veena’s review of King’s Throne (String of Fate, Book 2) by Bianca D’Arc
Paranormal Romance published by Liefde Press 05 May 14

I loved the first book in this series where Cade, Elaine, Gina, and Ria all captured my imagination and I couldn’t wait for Gina and Ria to get their own stories. For a long time it seemed like the author had forgotten these fascinating characters and carried on with other shifter stories, some of whom we meet between the pages of this book. Finally Book 2 featuring Elaine’s friend Gina, who happens to be a rare white tiger princess, is here and it’s definitely well worth the wait. The book picks up right where the first one ended and reveals the next fascinating chapter in the story.
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Veena’s review of Born To Be Wild (Night Star, Book 6) by Lynne Connolly
Contemporary Romance published by Ellora’s Cave 30 Apr 14

Ms. Connolly’s web site classifies this book as an erotic romance, but while there are some amazingly hot encounters between Riku and Cyn, I personally would classify this story as more of a contemporary romance. I am fascinated with Riku’s character and I would dearly love to know if he’s based on a real person. He is definitely Rock Star material with his fancy costumes and stage makeup, not to speak of his talent, and he is definitely all male in his feelings for Cyn and what he wants and needs from her.  What appeals to me about this story – and, yes, I did plunge all the way into this one without reading any of the preceding books- is the fact that despite the level of talent both Riku and Cyn possess, they are very sure and certain about what success means to them and pursue their own definitions of success, no matter how the rest of the world might view them and their chosen path.

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Sandy M’s review of Meet Me in Scotland (Kilts and Quilts, Book 2) by Patience Griffin
Contemporary Romance published by Signet 6 Jan 15

I’m trying to add a few new-to-me authors into my reading lately. Since I’ve been in a contemporary romance mood for a bit, and this book takes place in Scotland, that’s three ticks in the pro column for picking it up. However, all it took is one strike in the con column for things to fall apart for me.

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Stevie‘s review of Secrets of a Scandalous Heiress (The Matchmaker Trilogy, Book 3) by Theresa Romain
Historical Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 06 Jan 15

I’ve really enjoyed following the characters through this trilogy, even if I was less enamoured of the hero and heroine in Book 2 than the pair in the first book. I’ve also been enchanted by the supporting cast and delighted in learning more about a number of them by following them from one story to the next. In this wrap-up of the series, two characters from the central house party in the previous book are reunited by chance – and we also get to find out what’s been happening with the established couple who’ve been in the background throughout.

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Veena’s review of Broken Open (Hurley Boys, Book 2) by Lauren Dane
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin HQN 25 Nov 14

This book seems to have it all: family, friendship, and a beautiful love story. He’s a recovered drug addict who climbed to the heights and fell as far as a human being can ever fall, so afraid to commit to a real relationship in case that becomes another addiction. She’s loved and lost and finally found a fragile peace with her creativity and good friends.  It is a pleasure to ride along with them as they rediscover the joy in love and commitment. This is a deeply emotional romantic story which grips the heart and has you rooting for their happily ever after.

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Cowboys? You love’em, right? Yeah, me too. So let me tell ya, Linda Broday writes’em like you wouldn’t believe, and you’re going to really love Cooper Thorne. He’s all cowboy, sexy and honorable, and he’s about to have a change in attitude when he meets Miss Delta Dandridge.

Delta doesn’t let Cooper call the shots when he, in no uncertain terms, tells her to get on the stage and go back home, he’s not the marrying kind, no matter the misunderstanding that brought her to Battle Creek, Texas. Ha! He doesn’t know what’s about to hit him.

Be sure to take a couple of minutes to read this short teaser from Texas Mail Order Bride. Then head over for a Rafflecopter giveaway for a Western Romance Bundle from Sourcebook Casablanca.

Summary:

Rancher Cooper Thorne thinks his life is finally on an even keel—until Delta Dandridge steps off the stagecoach claiming to be his mail order bride.

Brash and quick-witted, the meddling Southern Belle is everything Cooper thought he never wanted…and everything his heart is telling him he needs.

But Cooper swore long ago that he’d never marry, and he aims to keep his word…especially now that the demons from his past have returned to threaten everything—and everyone—he holds dear.

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Sandy M’s review of Texas Mail Order Bride (Bachelors of Battle Creek, Book 1) by Linda Broday
Historical Western Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 6 Jan 15

This is my first Linda Broday book. I’ve wanted to read her for a while now, ever since a good friend told me how much she’s enjoyed the author’s earlier books. As happens with a bookaholic, it’s not for lack of want that I’ve gone this long not reading one of her westerns, especially since I love the genre. So when the opportunity arose to read her latest release, I jumped at it.

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Sandy M’s review of Silver Thaw (Mystic Creek, Book 1) by Catherine Anderson
Contemporary Romance published by Signet 6 Jan 15

What an absolutely wonderful book this is by Catherine Anderson. She has crammed it full of everything a romance reader needs and wants in a contemporary romance. From the hero, who is gentle, kind and sexy, to the heroine, who has finally begun to live on her own terms, to a beautiful father and daughter relationship to a family who truly live by honor and belief, this story will move you from the depths of despair to tendrils of hope to the love and romance the very talented Ms. Anderson is so very good at giving readers with every book.

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Veena’s review of Avenger’s Heat (Moon Shifters, Book 6) by Katie Reus
Paranormal Romance published by Signet 04 Feb 14

A teaser was my first introduction to Katie Reus and this series. After the first book, the next few in the series fell through the cracks until this one showed up on my doorstep. Thanks to Berkley, this series is back on my radar screen, and I’ve definitely added the author to my “Likes.”
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Liviania’s review of The Hidden Blade (Heart of Blade, Book 1) by Sherry Thomas
Young Adult Historical Romance published by Sherry Thomas 6 Aug 14

Sherry Thomas is one of my favorite romance authors, as evidenced by my reviews of her previous novels.  I was quite excited when she announced that her August 2014 release, My Beautiful Enemy, would be inspired by wuxia.  I was even more excited when she self-published a novel-length prequel for cheap.  I am almost always in favor of more story, especially since Thomas promised that The Hidden Blade could stand on its own. Read the rest of this entry »

Veena’s review of  The Duke In My Bed (The Heirs Club of Scoundrels, Book 1) by Amelia Grey
Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s Paperbacks 30 Dec 14

Of late I’ve been finding that authors and genres I used to enjoy are no longer having the same impact. The jury is still out with regard to who or what has changed, but, as I pondered over that, I came across this delightful regency romance from a new-to-me author.  The plot is not necessarily new and the end is somewhat inevitable, but the pattern and sequence of events and the dialogue captured my interest and held it from beginning to end. Read the rest of this entry »

Stevie‘s review of A Sister To Honor by Lucy Ferriss
Contemporary Women’s Fiction published by Berkley 06 Jan 15

It can be rather tricky to read a culture-clash novel when one is from neither culture. No matter how familiar we in the UK are with the norms of US college life, there are always aspects that don’t get shown on TV and therefore trip us up when reading stories where we’re expected to be fully familiar with all the little details of such settings. Likewise, having worked with women from Pakistani Muslim backgrounds and having been exposed to other aspects of their culture through UK media, there will always be norms that I’ve encountered before that many US readers might not have thought about. Nonetheless, I was intrigued by this book’s blurb, and thought I’d give it a go.

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Sandy M’s review of One in a Million (Lucky Harbor, Book 12) by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance published by Grand Central 14 Oct 14

I love Jill Shalvis’ sense of humor. The way this book begins is simply terrific and will have you smiling, which will last to the very last page. Callie has come home to Lucky Harbor after being left at the alter and to check on her grandmother, Lucille, who is the town’s lovable gossip and matchmaker. She stands gazing at the ocean, munching on her favorite ranch-flavored popcorn, and is talking to herself. She doesn’t realize someone is right behind her, listening in. Wonderful opening scene when playfully Tanner pipes up in response to her ruminations.

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This is a great new paranormal, almost really a romantic suspense, from author Paige Tyler, featuring a group of wolf shifters who are hidden in plain sight as the hunky members of the Dallas SWAT team. The only person who challenges the assumption that all is not as it seems is ace reporter Mackenzie Stone.

Determined to prove her theory, she needs to get behind the barbed-wire fence that protects the SWAT team’s office and training facility. All it takes one whiff of her by Gage Dixon, pack leader, and she’s in. Can they work out their secrets and find a legendary romance?

Head down to your nearest book store or online outlet to find the answers.  Be sure to enter Rafflecopter giveaway for a copy of Hungry Like a Wolf!

Summary:

INTRODUCING SWAT: SPECIAL WOLF ALPHA TEAM

They’re tight

They’re on target

They’re as alpha as men can get

The Dallas SWAT team is hiding one helluva secret…they’re a pack of wolf shifters.

The team of elite sharpshooters is ultra-secretive—and also the darlings of Dallas. This doesn’t sit well with investigative journalist Mackenzie Stone. They must be hiding something…and she’s determined to find out what.

Keeping Mac at a distance proves impossible for SWAT team commander Gage Dixon. She’s smart, sexy, and makes him feel alive for the first time in years. But she’s getting dangerously close to the truth—and perilously close to his heart…

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Veena’s review of Hungry Like A Wolf (SWAT, Book 1)  by Paige Tyler
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 06 Jan 15

This book has it all: romance, action, adventure, and hot, hunky heroes who happen to be wolf shifters. I’ve been reading another series by Paige Tyler, so I was a bit confused when I picked up this book. But I am glad to report that this first book in this new series and the best part of this discovery is that there are twelve more hunks to go on the Dallas SWAT Team who need to find their mates.

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