LynneC’s review of Bound by the Italian’s Contract by Janette Kenny
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 1 Jul 14
I’ve been a grumpy reviewer recently, and now I’m desperately hunting for a great book I can enthuse about. This, sadly, isn’t the one, but I’m not being as hard as I might otherwise be, because I was so keen to find something to like.
The writing world is in a state of flux right now, with vociferous advocates in all corners. At the moment all the talk is about Hachette v Amazon. Tomorrow it might be another publisher. Things are changing, that’s for sure.
As a writer, I’m lucky because I’m still finding readers. I took the decisions that were right for me. They’re not right for everybody and I have no intention of proselytizing, because what I did was what I did and I’m living with it.
But you know what? Who isn’t being heard in this?
The reader.
Veena’s review of Breaking Danger (Ghost Ops, Book 3) by Lisa Marie Rice
Contemporary Romance published by Avon 15 Jul 14
I thoroughly enjoy the right mix of suspense and the thrilling edge of danger that Ms. Rice dishes up in her stories. I am willing to stretch and bend my imagination as necessary around some of the curves and corners that manifest themselves during the telling of some her stories, but this one really stretches my imagination and credulity such that it made me way too critical about things that I could not wrap my head around to allow me to enjoy the story.
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Sandy M’s review of Then Came You (Animal Magnetism, Book 5) by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 1 Jul 14
I’ve been lamenting the fact lately a few of my faves’ books haven’t worked for me. Kept thinking to myself, is it really the stories or is it me?? With this latest release from Jill Shalvis, the scales have tipped just a tiny bit toward the books instead of me!
Stevie‘s review of Inked Armor (Clipped Wings, Book 2) by Helena Hunting
Contemporary Romance published by Gallery Books 13 May 14
When I reviewed the previous novel in this series, I offered up a little caution to those readers who dislike cliff-hangers, while confessing that I’m generally content to wait and find out what happens next, no matter how perilous the situation our characters are left in on the last page. So, did this next novel drag our characters back from the edge? Read on and find out.
Veena’s review of The Rome Affair (House of Steele, Book 3) by Addison Fox
Romantic Suspense published by Harlequin 01 Mar 14
I find this to be an excellent story about love and attraction hidden under the layers of business competition, wrapped inside an excellent suspense. Being set in Rome, which is one of my favorite cities in the world, just makes it that much more enjoyable for me. Read the rest of this entry »
Liviania’s review of The Kraken King Part I: The Kraken King and the Scribbling Spinster (The Iron Seas, Book 4) by Meljean Brook
Steampunk Romance published by InterMix 15 Apr 14
One of the latest trends for romance novels is the serial novel. I’m not quite sure how I feel about serial novels, honestly. I’m the type of reader who frequently waits for an entire series to come out before I read it, much less the entire novel. I’m also not sold on the price, most of the time. Yes, $1.99 is a great price point. But with eight parts, that’s $16 – more than the previous three Iron Seas novels cost in trade paperback. Certainly more than they cost now in mass market. It seems like it would be more economical to wait for the whole novel, in addition to getting to devour it all at once instead of in chunks of less than fifty pages. But skipping The Kraken King entirely? That’s not an option for me, and I doubt it’s an option for anyone reading The Iron Seas series. Read the rest of this entry »
Stevie‘s review of Julia’s Double Chance (Madame Joly’s House of Passion, Book 1)by Em Ashcroft
Historical Erotic Romance published by Siren Publishing 07 Apr 14
I don’t read many erotic romances, and even fewer on the historical side, but I’m very glad I was persuaded to give this one a chance (pardon the pun). On the other hand, I love anything that’s set very definitely before or after that overly popular Regency period, so this Georgian story is right up my street.
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Veena’s review of Straddling The Line (Play By Play, Book Eight) by Jaci Burton
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley Trade 01 Jul 14
I have only myself to blame when I jump into the middle of a series that is already eight deep and then spend part of the time while reading this book wondering about the back stories of all the new (to me) characters. I am not a die-hard sports fan, so a book about sports would not be a natural choice for me, but I read another one recently which I enjoyed and the hunk on this cover totally sucked me in. I am glad to report that while, of course, there’s sports in the story, considering our hero is a player and our heroine is a sportscaster, it was all about the rich emotions and relationships that make this an enjoyable read. Read the rest of this entry »
Sandy M’s review of The Gunslinger by Lorraine Heath
Historical Western Romance novella published by Avon Impulse 24 June 14
I’ve been having a great time lately with historical western romances, and Lorraine Heath keeps that trend going with this revamped, reissued novella, which appeared in the To Tame a Texan anthology back in 1999. Whether it’s a regency or western romance, Ms. Heath always pulls myriad emotions out of me as I go along for the ride with her characters. I’m happy to have a chance to read some of her older work, even though it’s revised a bit. I have her entire backlist in the old TBR mountain, but if this is the way I get to read them, making them new again, I’m all for it.
Here’s the promised snippet of C.L. Wilson‘s The Winter King, which is going to hit shelves on July 29.
And come that date, I can guarantee you’re going to love this book. C.L. Wilson writes with emotion in every word, every phrase, every scene she gives readers in this story. She’s built another world to get lost in, whether it’s minutes or hours at a time you’re able to sit down with these larger-than-life characters.
So have fun with this first meeting between Khamsin and Wynter, then be sure to place your order now so you’re ready to dig in when the 29th rolls around.
Summary:
After three long years of war, starkly handsome, Wynter Atrialan, will have his vengeance on Summerlea’s king by taking one of the man’s beautiful, beloved daughters as his bride. But though peace is finally at hand, Wynter’s battle with the Ice Heart, the dread power he embraced to avenge his brother’s death, rages on.
Khamsin Coruscate, Princess of Summerlea and summoner of Storms, has spent her life exiled to the shadows of her father’s palace. Reviled by her father, marriage to Wintercraig’s icy king is supposed to be a terrible punishment, but instead offers Kham her first taste of freedom—and her first taste of overwhelming passion.
As fierce, indomitable Wynter weathers even Khamsin’s wildest storms, surprising her with a tenderness she never expected, Kham wants more than Wynter’s passion—she yearns for his love. But the power of the Ice Heart is growing, dangerous forces are gathering, and a devastating betrayal puts Khamsin and Wynter to the ultimate test.
Veena’s Duckies Do Series review of Naughty Bits Series by Joey W. Hill
Erotic BDSM Romance published by Intermix Apr – Jul 2014
This is an exquisitely written story of a deeply submissive woman who’s failed multiple times to find her soul mate. Now defeated and discouraged, she arrives in North Carolina where she makes a fresh start taking over her recently deceased sister’s business, where she learns to dive into her customer’s psyche, helping them achieve their innermost desires while exploring her own. Can Madison overcome her fears to risk her heart and soul for the chance to realize the elusive dream that she craves? Will her sister’s confidante and business neighbor Logan Scott be successful in helping her realize her fantasy and find the hidden heart of herself?
My initial peeve with this series was that I had to wait to read this story over several months and could barely contain myself to wait for the next installment. In retrospect, I will admit that the gap between each installment helped to build my anticipation and made the overall experience much richer for the waiting. Read the rest of this entry »
Stevie‘s review of The Queen’s Exiles (Thornleigh, Book 6) by Barbara Kyle
Historical Fiction published by Kensington Books 27 May 14
I was complaining recently about wanting more Tudor-era stories by new-to-me authors, and now another one has come along. This book is the sixth in a series, but stands up very well as a novel in its own right, neither leaving me puzzled as to who the main characters were nor overwhelming me with a vast array of minor characters dropping in simply to let readers of the whole series know their favourites from previous books are getting along okay. Add to that a heroine who knows exactly what she wants and works to get it, regardless of what the men around her think, and a slice of European history that I could do with knowing more about, and you’ve got a great set-up for a gripping read.
Sandy M’s review of When a Laird Takes a Lady (Claimed by the Highlander, Book 2) by Rowan Keats
Historical Romance published by Signet 6 May 14
I’m always eager to try new historical authors when they take me away to the Highlands of Scotland. So it was great pleasure I began this foray into a new-to-me author’s work. The result? Come on along for the ride.
Veena’s review of Slow Seduction (Struck by Lightning, Book 2) by Cecilia Tan
Erotic Romance published by Forever 29 Jan 14
I have definitely become jaded with this genre since this book did not appeal to me on any level. I joyfully read and reviewed Fifty Shades here at The Pond a couple of years ago. I still remember how much I enjoyed my journey with the characters as I read the books in the half light of an airplane traveling half way across the world. This book for me is neither romantic nor erotic, such that I stopped and started it multiple times, eventually abandoning it completely well before I was finished.
