Veena’s review of The Day He Kissed Her (Bad Boys of Crystal Lake, Book 3) by Juliana Stone
Contemporary Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Apr 14

Juliana Stone has the knack of sucking a reader into her story, whether she’s writing about small-town America or the world stage of paranormal creatures. The bad boys of Crystal Lake, as they were known in their small town, banded together as children and looked out for each other, even as they got into hair-raising scrapes. They all left Crystal Lake behind as soon as they were old enough, but the death of one their own brought them back, and now Jake and Cain have both found their happily ever after. Mac Draper, however, is a different kettle of fish. His horrible childhood has left indelible scars that are buried beneath the perfect façade he shows the world and happily ever after is definitely not in his future. But never say never… Read the rest of this entry »

Anne-Marie Casey was a script editor and producer of prime time television drama for ten years before becoming a writer full time. She has written scripts for films and television series in the UK and Ireland and her stage adaptation of Little Women enjoyed a sell-out run with rave reviews.

So given her background in television and film, what would the playlist/soundtrack be to No One Could Have Guessed the Weather?

We thought you might be curious…

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Sandy M’s review of No One Could Have Guessed the Weather by Anne-Marie Casey
Women’s Fiction published by Berkley Trade 1 Apr 14

I’ve been trying to read outside my romance box lately and have, so far, had pretty good success. So I’m a bit surprised at my reaction to this book, so much so that I did what I never, ever do before writing a review – I checked out a few others to see what those readers thought.

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LynneC’s review of A SEAL’s Kiss by Tawny Weber
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 1 Apr 14

Aidan is a SEAL, and he’s known Sage all her life. They’re very good friends, but they’ve never taken the ultimate step. Sage is a flake, or so the text tells us. When we meet her first, she’s a bridesmaid and she’s all dreadlocks and body piercings. I got interested, because who has ever heard of a Harlequin heroine with body piercings and dreads? Sadly, the next time we meet here when she’s a bridesmaid again, she is all grunge, black hair, and dating a rock drummer who is more interested in himself than in Sage or a viable career.

It was good to have a heroine who definitely has a past life and isn’t ashamed of it.

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Stevie‘s review of Reaper’s Legacy (Reapers MC, Book 2) by Joanna Wylde
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 28 Jan 14

Biker culture is popular in fiction and televised entertainment, and I’m far from immune to its appeal. Trouble is, I may be the wrong audience for a lot of motorcycle romances – I watch series like Sons of Anarchy for the strong, determined, self-aware women as much as for the criminal menfolk they involve themselves with. I don’t seem to be finding as much of the former in written media, while the latter can jar a little without the female influence actually slapping them down from time to time. However, this book had its good points, not limited to the fact that it stands well on its own in spite of being the second in a series.

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Veena’s review of No Good Duke Goes Unpunished: The Third Rule  of Scoundrels (Rules of Scoundrels, Book 3) by Sarah MacLean
Historical Romance published by Avon 26 Nov 13 

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the previous two books in this series and couldn’t wait to get to Temple’s story. Accused of a crime that he has no recollection of committing and awarded the nom de plum Killer Duke, Temple uses his pugilistic skills to give gamblers at the Fallen Angel a second chance to win back their losses. He seeks absolution with no expectation of finding it and uses the boxing matches as a way of providing to others what he doesn’t expect to be granted for himself. But fate is finally ready to prove him wrong and provide him his absolution in a completely unexpected way. Read the rest of this entry »

Stevie‘s review of Tin Star by Cecil Castellucci
Young Adult Science Fiction published by Roaring Brook Press 25 Feb 14

Back in the day, I was a massive fan of the TV series Babylon 5, and this book has a very similar feel to it. Set far enough in the future that humanity is well aware of alien races and other inhabited planets, yet for the most part wants to keep itself to itself, Tin Star is the story of a human girl forced to grow up amongst aliens and far from Earth. Not only that, she’s pretty much down and out and homeless, living off her wits and on what she can find to trade with those around her. This is a story of friendship, loss, and the desire for revenge set against the backdrop of a universe that’s changing rapidly and probably not for the better.

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Veena’s review of Romancing the Duke (Castles Ever After, Book 1) by Tessa Dare
Historical Romance published by Avon 28 Jan 14

Reading has always been a wonderful escape for me. I leave the real world behind for a few hours and live happily in a world where love conquers all and the characters live happily ever after.  I’ve been worried lately that  I might have over indulged because I seem to be more critical and don’t experience the same sense of pleasure and well being I used to when I came to The End, but I’m pleased to report that this delightful story seems to have reversed all my negativity and restored my faith.

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Sandy M’s review of Unwound (Mastered Series, Book 2) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by NAL 25 Mar 14

Ronin Black knows he has a steep hill in front of him. Hell, it’s actually a mountain. After screwing up the best thing in his life in Bound, the first book in this duet, and losing Amery, it’s now up to Ronin to rebuild the trust he so effortlessly damaged with his secrets and unwillingness to let her into his life. When his calls and texts go unanswered, the man has to relieve his guilt and pain somehow.

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Sandy M’s review of Shadow Spell (Cousins O’Dwyer, Book 2) by Nora Roberts
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 25 Mar 14

As much as I enjoy the stories Nora Roberts always comes up with, it’s her characters who always steal the show and make me love her books every single time. Though my favorite character of this series will be in the next book, it’s Connor O’Dwyer who smiles and laughs his way through life, taking on evil magic with a seriousness and fierceness that will protect those he loves, a man for whom family is everything. He lives every day in his own way and is determined to continue down the road of life in the same vein, no matter what.

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LynneC’s review of Rock It (Rulebreakers, Book 1) by Jennifer Chance
New Adult published by Loveswept 4 Mar 14

This is the first book by Jennifer Chance that I’ve read. I’m afraid it didn’t work for me.

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Veena’s review of Searching for Someday (Searching For, Book 1) by Jennifer Probst
Contemporary Romamce published by Gallery Books 26 Nov 13

A professional matchmaker with a touch of magic to help connect two souls who are meant to be together happily ever after. A workaholic divorce lawyer who lives with the ugly truth of what happens when the magic fades. An absolutely lovable, crippled dog that is not averse to nudging things along to connect his destined mommy and daddy. And a great cast of secondary characters to add to a fun, lighthearted escape from the humdrum of everyday reality.
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Stevie‘s review of Twisted by Laura K. Curtis
Contemporary Romantic Suspense published by Intermix 19 Nov 13

I love mystery stories with or without a central romance, and even those with no romantic elements, although generally I find I prefer cosies, thrillers and police procedurals to romantic suspense – not that I’m going to rely on Amazon’s categorisation to tell me what to read, since there’s plenty of overlap between the subgenres. So a story set in a small town with a police detective hero, and with a heroine who investigates crime from a different angle as part of her profession, ought to appeal, regardless of how Amazon shelves it, especially as it includes both a cold case and ongoing mysteries as parts of the plot. On the other hand, while I appreciate a good red herring, I dislike it when authors overly rely on bait-and-switch techniques to give us glimpses of the bad guys without revealing their identities in full or their exact role in the plot. I also prefer as many of the loose ends as possible to be neatly tied up by the end of the story – which can be tricky to achieve in books with multiple plot threads and a large cast of minor characters.

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Theirs to Cherish is the eighth contemporary erotic romance in bestselling author Shayla Black‘s Wicked Lovers series.

Shayla is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 sizzling contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances. She lives in Texas with her husband, munchkin, and one very spoiled cat. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

Summary:

The perfect place for a woman on the run to disappear…
Accused of a horrific murder she didn’t commit, former heiress Callie Ward has been a fugitive since she was sixteen—until she found the perfect hideout, Club Dominion. The only problem is she’s fallen for the club’s master, Mitchell Thorpe, who keeps her at arm’s length. Little does she know that his reasons for not getting involved have everything to do with his wounded heart…and his consuming desire for her.

To live out her wildest fantasies…
Enter Sean Kirkpatrick, a Dom who’s recently come to Dominion and taken a pointed interest in Callie. Hoping to make Thorpe jealous, she submits to Sean one shuddering sigh at a time. It isn’t long before she realizes she’s falling for him too. But the tender lover who’s seducing her body and slowly earning her trust isn’t who he claims…

And to fall in love.
When emotions collide and truths are exposed, Sean is willing to risk all to keep Callie from slipping through his fingers. But he’s not the only man looking to stake a claim. Now Callie is torn between Sean and Thorpe, and though she’s unsure whom she can trust, she’ll have to surrender her body and soul to both—if she wants to elude a killer…

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Veena’s review of Theirs To Cherish (Wicked Lovers, Book Eight) by Shayla Black
Erotic Romance published by Berkley 04 Mar 14

Domination and submission comes in a lot of shades and Ms. Black explores them all in her ongoing series set in Club Dominion. It’s time to explore what shade Callie Ward, submissive at the club, needs…
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