REVIEW: Swap by Jenesi Ash

LauraD's review of Swap by Jenesi Ash
Erotic romance released by Penguin Heat 2 Sep 08

I've discovered that one of the great things about hanging out here in The Pond (e.g. TGTBTU) is that sometimes you end up reading - and reviewing - a book you might otherwise have not paid any attention to. To quote the great Martha Stewart, that's a good thing. For instance, I doubt I would I have picked up a copy of Jenesi Ash's latest, Swap; but Sybil felt that I was due for some quality smut, and so she sent it my way. Read more

Tags: 2008, Erotic Romance, Grade B, Jenesi Ash, LauraD, Penguin Heat, Review, September 2008, Swap

QQ REVIEW: 8 Sandpiper Way by Debbie Macomber

Connie's Quick Quack Review of 8 Sandpiper Way (Cedar Cove, Book 8 ) by Debbie Macomber
Contemporary Romance released by MIRA 1 Sep 08

Everyone will want to join on this trip to Cedar Cove. Debbie Macomber has a great way of creating a feeling where the reader gets a chance to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones. Read more

Tags: 2008, 8 Sandpiper Way, Cedar Cove Series, Connie, Contemporary Romance, Debbie Macomber, Harlequin, Mira, Quick Quack, Review, September 2008

REVIEW: Flashpoint by Jill Shalvis

Holly's review of Flashpoint (American Heroes: The Firefighters, Book1) by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary erotic romance published by Harlequin Blaze 1 Jul 08

I have to be honest and admit the only reason I wanted to read this book is because of the cover. It's hot. Seriously hot. After I read the back blurb I was a little bit leery, because it's about a firefighter and an EMT. Although limited, my past experience with firefighters and EMTs hasn't been favorable. I think too often authors aren't able to find a good balance between the technical aspects of firefighting and the personal relationships they have. In this case, however, my past experience meant nothing. Jill Shalvis did a credible job of writing wonderfully flawed characters without bogging the story down with the technical aspects. Read more

Tags: 2008, American Heroes, Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance. Holly, Flashpoint, Grade A, Harlequin Blaze, Holly, Jill Shalvis, July 2008, Review, The Firefighters series

REVIEW: Trial by Fire by Jo Davis

Sandy M's review of Trial by Fire (The Firefighers of Station Five, Book 1) by Jo Davis
Contemporary Romance released by Signet 5 Aug 08

After reading Trial by Fire, I see why little boys say they want to be a fireman when they grow up. Yes, they're sexy and as romance readers we definitely want to have that in our stories, but they're also sensitive people who see a horrible side of life, live it every day; men and women who forge friendships that run deep, who look out for their own, and Ms. Davis has captured that right down to the core in her debut book. Read more

Tags: 2008, August 2008, Contemporary Romance, Firefighters of Station Five series, Grade B, Jo Davis, Review, Sandy M, Signet, Trial by Fire

REVIEW: Hearts Awakened by Linda Winfree

LauraD's review of Hearts Awakened (Hearts of the South, Book 6) by Linda Winfree
Contemporary Romance published by Samhain 2 Sep 08

I begged Sybil to let me read Hearts Awakened. I've been a Linda Winfree fan since Samhain published her first title, and her books are almost always good for a heart wrenching, soul cleansing cry. Masochist that I am, Hearts Awakened didn't let me down. Read more

Tags: 2008, Contemporary Romance, Grade A, Hearts Awakened, Hearts of the South series, LauraD, Linda Winfree, Review, Samhain Publishing, September 2008

REVIEW: Some Like It Wicked by Teresa Medeiros

Limecello's review of Some Like It Wicked by Teresa Medeiros
Historical romance published by Avon on 29 Jul 08

I'm never one to limit myself to or from certain genres or subgenres (contrary to certain opinion), but I will say that I was initially curious, and somewhat iffy about this book. I really enjoy Teresa Medeiros's writing, but Highlander romances aren't my favorite. However, as a curious person, I couldn't let it go, and got my hands on a copy of the book. Even though the excerpt didn't grip me, I went for it anyway. Long story short, I'm so very glad I did. Read more

Tags: 2008, Avon, Grade B, Historical Romance, July 2008, Limecello, Review, Some Like It Wicked, Teresa Medeiros

REVIEW: Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh

Devon’s review of Hostage to Pleasure (Psy-Changelings Series, Book 5) by Nalini Singh
Paranormal Romance released by Berkley 2 Sep 08

I am a latecomer to the world of the Psy-Changelings. At first I wasn’t sure this series would be for me, but the ginormous amount of glowing reviews by bloggers I respect, soon changed my mind. The first book I finally got around to reading was Mine to Possess, and I was hooked. This is a truly fascinating world, populated by fascinating characters. Hostage to Pleasure develops a storyline introduced in the previous book, and readers of this series will definitely not be disappointed. Read more

Tags: 2008, Berkley, Devon, Grade B, Hostage to Pleasure, Nalini Singh, Paranormal, Psy-Changelings series, Review, September 2008

REVIEW: Dark Hunger by Sara Reinke

Gwen's review of Dark Hunger (The Brethren, Book 2) by Sara Reinke
Contemporary paranormal romance released by Zebra 2 Sep 08

Allow me to first tell you not to read the blurb on the back of the book - the one I read is completely misleading and mostly wrong. Read the blurb at the end of this review (got it from the author's site). It's more accurate. I wish all copywriters would read a bloody book before they write blurbs - at least the first couple of chapters, please. Read more

Tags: 2008, Contemporary Romance, Dark Hunger, Grade C, Gwen, Paranormal Romance, Review, Sara Reinke, September 2008, The Brethren series, Zebra

DDS REVIEW: The Secret Circle Trilogy by L.J. Smith

Limecello's reviews of The Secret Circle Trilogy by L.J. Smith
Contemporary Young Adult romance released by Harper Teen Sep - Nov 92, re-released Jul and Dec 08

I own the original trilogy, and decided to review them for a number of reasons. First, I recently re-read them. Next (and more importantly?) Sybil has been pushing the Young Adult angle. Lastly, these books are being republished - the first volume is already out, and the second is coming out in December. Perfect timing, no? Getting to the point - I loved this series. I believe I originally read them shortly after they were published, and I was hooked. Written before the whole paranormal wave, these books toe the line between a contemporary and paranormal YA book. I'm almost surprised I like these books so much, because I generally can't stand series that don't have definite ending with each novel. These books, however, are just that good. Read more

Tags: 2008, December 2008, Duckies Do Series, Grade A, Grade B, July 2008, L.J. Smith, Limecello, November 1992, October 1992, Paranormal Romance, Review, September 1992, The Captive, The Initiation, The Power, The Secret Circle Trilogy, young adult

REVIEW: Murder on the Eiffel Tower by Claude Izner

Wendy the Super Librarian's review of Murder on the Eiffel Tower (A Victor Legris Mystery) by Claude Izner
Historical mystery hardcover released by St. Martin's Minotaur 2 Sep 08

While the United States is a publishing powerhouse, there are plenty of books published overseas that might never find an American distributor. Case in point, Claude Izner's debut historical mystery set in late 19th century Paris was first published in 2003 and is just now seeing the light of day in the U.S in 2008. Given that historical romances haven't exactly been breaking the mold with fresh, original locales, I find historical mysteries to be a refreshing change of pace when I get burnt out from reading about English dukes or American cowboys. However, while Murder on the Eiffel Tower cleansed my palate when it came to the locale, I can't say the book was entirely successful for me. Read more

Tags: 2008, Claude Izner, Fiction, Grade C, Historical, Murder on the Eiffel Tower, mystery, Review, September 2008, St. Martin's, Victor Legris series, Wendy The Super Librarian

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