Limecello’s review of Sun, Sand, Sex by Linda Lael Miller, Jennifer Apodaca, and Shelly Laurenston
Contemporary Romance Anthology released by Brava on 1 Jun 07

I read this anthology a while ago, and when it got dropped in my mail box to review, I was happy to read it again. Brava offers terrific anthologies, and this one definitely is one that should be read.

One Last Weekend by Linda Lael Miller

Not the usual type of romance I go for, One Last Weekend is about Joanne and Teague’s failing marriage of nearly 20 years. The story begins with a wealth of emotion, and the reader sympathizes with both parties. The conflict is handled in a very mature way, with no fingers being pointed, no excessive or unreasonable angst. Of course, there is introspection and dark moments, because after all, a marriage is ending… right?

Joanne and Teague are sent to their cabin on an island at an attempt at reconciliation, and they’re stranded by a storm. Their nineteen-year-old daughter calls, and informs them she’s pregnant- and goes into hysterics because her parents are getting divorced. [Actually they never state her age but I can do the math. Apparently she’s a prodigy too because at nineteen, she already has a bachelors and a job.]

Talking to their daughter and calming her down airs a lot of Teague and Joanne’s issues, which lead them to slowly working through issues they hadn’t been talking about. Additionally, proof of how much I didn’t learn in PR – I’m pretty sure a single attorney cannot represent both parties in a divorce proceeding. That really bothered me for a while, but this is a really cute story. This book is actually how I discovered Linda Lael Miller, and this novella remains my favorite work (of the few) that I’ve read. This and the character’s ages were unfortunately rather distracting, but those are my only real complaints.

The story is hot, but with a lot of emotion and depth. I enjoyed getting a different type of romance, where the relationship has to be rebuilt, rather than formed. This is a quick read that is immensely satisfying.

Grade: B+

You Give Love a Good Name by Jennifer Apodaca

Is a terrific read, although it has the potential to just flop, it doesn’t. Lexie Rollins is a wedding planner, because her mother guilted her into the job. Nick Vardolous is the ridiculously sexy brother of the bride. He offers her a one night stand, but she turns him down.

Months later, Nick isn’t leaving the ball in Lexie’s court, he’s chasing her down, but not for any romantic reasons. She missed a court date, and he’s a professional bounty hunter. However, as usual, nothing is as it seems on the surface.

Lexie is the stereotypical victimized unloved overburdened member of the family, but she takes a stand, and is currently working on what she loves – her own novel. She also is a three dimensional character, and fun to read, outside of the victimization. Nick finds himself wondering what forced Lexie to go into hiding, and of course the two fall in love in the meantime. The secondary characters are extremely well written and enjoyable, and the story is believable, and exciting. As for the sexual tension? You could cut it with a knife. Apodaca definitely holds her own in this anthology.

Grade: B+

My Kind of Town by Shelly Laurenston

If you’ve ever read Kresley Cole, the way I’d describe Ms. Laurenston would be that it’s similar to Ms. Cole’s, but a lot more spastic. I wasn’t that impressed with the story itself, but I loved the characters and their personalities. Sibling rivalry, good old fashioned pain-in-the-ass fun, and a modern day story of a hero who kidnaps his heroine.

There’s also the aspect that Kyle Treharne is shifter – he’s a panther, and well, Emma Lucchesi is a witch. Her coven has been drawn to Smithville, North Carolina for a reason.

Ms Laurenston’s blunt and humorous writing style is a great way to end the anthology, and a nice introduction to the world of Smithville, if you haven’t read any of her other books.

Grade: B-

I tend to really like books Brava releases, and especially their anthologies. This book did not disappoint, and I can happily recommend it to any and all readers. (Of course, if you’re completely unfamiliar with Brava, the books do contain a certain level of heat.)

Overall Grade: B+

Summary:

What’s better than a long, lazy day at the shore? Think beach-blanket bingo with a sizzling hottie (or three). So sit back, relax, and don’t worry about tan lines, because in this scorching collection, swimsuits are definitely optional…

Linda Lael Miller One Last Weekend
College sweethearts Teague and Joanna Darby, once passionately in love, are on the brink of divorce. When a ferry strike leaves them stranded together at their beloved beach cottage, it could be the most awkward weekend ever. Or the perfect chance to fall for each other all over again–one steamy encounter at a time…

Jennifer Apodaca You Give Love a Good Name
Lexie Rollins is a wedding planner on the lam. All she did was defend herself (with a staple gun) against a sleazy groom–who knew the Assault and Battery charges would stick? Now Lexie’s “vacation” at an exclusive resort has put her at the top of gorgeous bounty hunter Nick Vardolous’s list. And Nick always gets his woman–every which way imaginable… Read an excerpt here.

Shelly Laurenston My Kind of Town
Deputy Kyle Treharne of seaside Smithville, North Carolina, hates Yankees–even exotically beautiful ones like Emma Lucchesi. The sexy New Yorker’s got trouble written all over her, and she knows more than she’s telling about the increasingly strange goings-on in his town. But if the lady’s got a few tricks up her sleeve, so does the lawman. And it’s high time for every wicked thing to be deliciously revealed… Read an excerpt here.