REVIEW: Down to You by M. Leighton
Sandy M’s review of Down to You (Bad Boys, Book 1) by M. Leighton
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 12 Mar 13
For those of you who want a story with a twist, something a bit different than the normal read, Down to You fits the bill. It may seem like the typical menage, featuring twin heroes, but well past the half-way mark is when that twist hits. You may figure it out before you get here, or you may not. It’s still a wide-eyed “Oh!” moment.
REVIEW: The Magic Of His Touch by Barbara Monajem
Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Magic Of His Touch (May Day Mischief, Book 1) by Barbara Monajem
Historical Romance short story ebook published by Harlequin Historical Undone 01 Apr 13
To date I’ve read all of Barbara Monajem’s short Harlequin Historical Undone stories. Some of them have worked very well for me, and some have not. Despite the hit-or-miss experiences I’ve had, I always look forward to any new short stories from her. Why? Because Monajem is an author who does well in the difficult short word count of the Undone format. She develops her characters without overstuffing her plot. This new story, the first in a duet, does strain my disbelief, but it’s all in good fun and an engaging one-sitting read.
REVIEW: Dangerous Refuge by Elizabeth Lowell
Veena’s review of Dangerous Refuge by Elizabeth Lowell
Contemporary Western Romance published by Harper Collins 09 April 13
With Dangerous Refuge Elizabeth Lowell mixes in the suspense of a chilling murder mystery with her roots writing western contemporaries.
Tanner Davis is a burned-out homicide cop in Los Angeles, who has come to his uncle’s ranch to settle the estate when his uncle dies. All seems to be normal, but his instincts are screaming that all is not what it appears on the surface, and what about Shayne Townsend, who seems to show up everywhere Tanner turns. Is she really as innocent as she appears?
REVIEW: Lucky Like Us by Jennifer Ryan
Dinca’s review of Lucky Like Us (Hunted Series, Book 2) by Jennifer Ryan
Contemporary Romance published by Avon Impluse 9 Apr 13
Another very good read by Jennifer Ryan. She knows how to write an emotional story. I so enjoyed reading about ‘Dickweed,’ as dubbed by Agent Turner, who is the ex-boyfriend-turned-stalker of sweet Elizabeth Hamilton. Every time the agent referred to him as ‘Dickweed,’ I got a smile on my face. His name is Jarred, but he did not deserve a real name after he was identified as ‘Dickweed’. He not only hurt Elizabeth, but he’s an animal! The second threat to Elizabeth and Agent Sam Turner is not a smiling matter at any time. He is really creepy and kept me awake at night.
REVIEW: What Happens in Scotland by Jennifer McQuiston
Sandy M’s review of What Happens in Scotland by Jennifer McQuiston
Historical Romance published by Avon 26 Feb 13
What a lovely breath of fresh air Jennifer McQuiston is to the historical romance genre. I enjoyed every word of this book. The hero is a braw Scotsman and the heroine a feisty English lass, both trying to remember what the hell happened to them during a night of revelry, undeniable attraction and…marriage?
REVIEW: The Rake To Ruin Her by Julia Justiss
Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Rake To Ruin Her (Ransleigh Rogues, Book 1) by Julia Justiss
Historical Romance published by Harlequin Historical 19 Feb 13
By the time I discovered the romance genre, the death knell for the traditional Regency was already ringing (not loudly, but ringing all the same). So I never really developed a deep, abiding affection for them, although I find I appreciate authors who still play around in that sandbox. Everyone likes to harp on the “no sex” thing when it comes to trads, but for me it was all about tone and style. Traditional Regencies just felt different. While Julia Justiss most definitely does write sex in her stories, many of her books have that trad feel to them, and she has worked well for me in the past. Sadly, this first book in a new series about roguish cousins? Yeah, not so much.
REVIEW: X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts
Sandy M’s review of X Marks the Scot (Bad Boys of the Highlands, Book 2) by Victoria Roberts
Historical Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 5 Feb 13
I really liked Declan MacGregor in the first book in this series, Temptation in a Kilt. He was a real bad boy – drinking, wenching, and rebelling against older brother Ciarnan’s rule. I had high hopes for that bad boy to give us a good time in his own book.
Anne Calhoun Winner!
If you’ve not picked up a copy of Uncommon Pleasure by Anne Calhoun, you should soon. Loads of chemistry in this book, as she talked about in her guest blog here at The Pond.
REVIEW: Seeing is Believing by Erin McCarthy
Sandy M’s review of Seeing is Believing (Cuttersville, Ohio Series, Book 2) by Erin McCarthy
Contemporary Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 5 Mar 13
When I first began reading this book, I had a problem with the hero, Brady. I just didn’t like his actions and attitude, not what a thirty-one-year-old man should act like. That kinda teed me off, because I like older heroes over a lot of the twenty-somethings there’s so much of in romance novels. But you have to give a man just enough at the right time to make him see what’s right, what he needs, and hope to heck he doesn’t screw it up anymore.
PONDERING: When is a Trope not a Trope?
It’s been a puzzle for a while – when does a trope turn into one person’s intellectual property? A judgment in Texas has recently come closer to the answer.
