REVIEW: A Royal Without Rules by Caitlin Crews
LynneC’s review ofA Royal Without Rulesby Caitlin Crews
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 3 Jul 13
The book contains Crews’ trademark angst and does it very effectively. However, the reader is kept wondering a little too long about the nature of the hero, and the heroine is somewhat irritating.
REVIEW: Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen
Stevie‘s review of Her Royal Spyness (A Royal Spyness Mystery, Book 1) by Rhys Bowen
Cosy Mystery published by Berkley 1 Jul 08
I’m assuming this book is being (re)issued in one or more new formats, since review copies were floating about last month. Anyway, this is a new-to-me author and series in a subgenre I love (cosy mysteries set between the two world wars with down-on-their-luck female aristocratic protagonists), so here goes…
REVIEW: The Marriage Merger by Jennifer Probst
Veena’s review of The Marriage Merger (Marriage to a Billionaire, Book 4) by Jennifer Probst
Contemporary Romance published by Gallery Books 30 Jul 13
Shades of Grey seems to have changed the romance landscape in America. It is almost du jour for authors to introduce bondage, erotic spanking and other elements of D/s in their books. While this book certainly contains all these key elements, what really held my interest is the strong sense of family, old-fashioned romance, and clever dialogue. read more…
REVIEW: The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns by Margaret Dilloway
Sandy M’s review of The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns by Margaret Dilloway
Women’s Fiction published by Berkley Trade 2 July 13
I’ve decided lately that when offered a book outside the romance genre that sounds good, I’m going to expand my horizons and go for it. That worked well the last time I tried it, so when this book came along, I took that leap of faith again. And I wasn’t disappointed one bit. This is a wonderfully written story of a careful, delicate life uprooted of its order – the thorns of life – but holding on to what you believe in will bring you out triumphant on the other side.
REVIEW: The Road to Her by Ke Payne
Stevie’s review of The Road to Her by Ke Payne
Lesbian Young Adult published by Bold Strokes 16 Jul 13
While soap actors do feature from time to time in novels, romance or otherwise, it’s usually the divas that we get to see: the fading star who’ll do anything to clutch on to the last tatters of fame, or those at top of their career, who are considered TV Royalty and have an attitude to match. Thus, it is very refreshing to meet one as a protagonist, who’s on her way to the top and yet has a refreshingly down-to-earth outlook on life. Admittedly, her love-interest (on-screen as well as off) starts off as a bit of a diva, but the road to true love never runs smooth, and all that.
REVIEW: Diamond Dust by Vivian Arend
Sandy M’s review of Diamond Dust (Takhini Pack, Book 3) by Vivian Arend
Paranormal Romance published by Samhain 2o Aug 13
This is my first Takhini Pack book by Vivian Arend, and I’m a bit angry with myself for that being so. Because I love this book. I had such fun with Caroline and Tyler. Caroline is an especially terrific character – she’s a human amid shifters and she holds her own beautifully. Ty is more than the average bear – he’s perfect for her.
REVIEW: Declan’s Cross by Carla Neggers
Veena’s review of Declans Cross (Sharpe & Donovan, Book 3) by Carla Neggers
Romantic Suspense published by Harlequin Mira 27 Aug 13
This book picks up in the middle of what appears to be an ongoing story with Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan. They are in Ireland for a bit of R&R when a diversion to Declan’s Cross puts them smack dab in a murder that might be linked to a ten-year-old unsolved mystery. There’s a lot of action and deliberation with the usual methodical working the case that happens in any murder mystery. The suspense is excellent. I definitely did not suspect the villain of the piece. There is a lot going on in the story, and I was thoroughly captivated by the attention to detail on the locale. I am definitely moving Ireland up in my list of places to visit.
REVIEW: Three Little Words by Susan Mallery
Veena’s review of Three Little Words (Fool’s Gold, Book 12) by Susan Mallery
Contemporary Romance published by HQN 30 Jul 13
Yes! I came back for more Fool’s Gold in Susan Mallery’s latest romance featuring bridal shop owner Isabel and the Hendrix brothers Ford and Kent. Okay, all you people out there who have been on a varietal diet of gray, it’s not what you think. Kent and his lady love Consuelo are a secondary romance that add to Ford and Isabel’s story. I like how the author builds up anticipation with the secondary characters until we’re clamoring for their romance, and then she delivers exactly what her readers are asking for. Another delightful romance featuring characters who we root for in a town we’ve grown to love.
REVIEW: Wrong Man, Right Kiss by Red Garnier
Veena’s review of Wrong Man, Right Kiss by Red Garnier
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Desire 06 Aug 13
This is my first book by this author, and I picked it up on the strength of the title because it suggested the right kind of light-hearted fun that I was looking for at the moment. I felt just like Goldilocks when the book hit all the right notes with a wonderful blend of well-drawn and well-developed characters, family drama, love, tears and laughter.
REVIEW: A Whisper of Disgrace by Sharon Kendrick
LynneC’s review of A Whisper of Disgrace by Sharon Kendrick
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 20 Aug 13
Sharon Kendrick writes risky books. They either work really well or fail, for me at least. There are rarely any “meh” books. She has a smooth, professional style with the power to immerse a reader completely into a story, but sometimes the waif-like virginal character and the extreme alpha male are unbalanced. Not in this one. We have the usual (for Kendrick) virgin, and the very alpha hero, but, in this story, she goes into the reasons for the behavior of each. And the heroine doesn’t take any nonsense.
