Shannon C.’s review of What Do You Say to a Naked Elf by Cheryl Sterling
Fantasy romance released by Love Spell 1 Jan 05

I’ve wanted to read this book for years. It got the Shannon’s Mom stamp of approval, which automatically meant I had to read this book, if only to prove to myself that Mom still has good taste. Plus, this book features a premise I like–Earth girl goes to fairyland, has wacky adventures, and finds love.

I wasn’t disappointed at all, and am happy to report that Mom still has good taste. What really surprised me about this book, though, was how funny it was. Bear in mind, of course, that humor is totally subjective and someone else might be rolling their eyes at some of the things that Sterling’s heroine, Earth woman Jane Drysdale, has to say. But I laughed.

One night, after driving home from a Realm of Pleasures party, down-on-her-luck Jane accidentally runs over a bunny. But wait! The bunny is actually an elf, and Jane has just killed him, so she has to return to Lowth, the elven kingdom, to face a murder trial. Luckily, she’s got hot elven lawyer Charlie there to plead her case. Before their trip has ended, Jane may be asked to play a huge part in saving the world.

I loved Jane. I think the primary reason she worked for me is that she didn’t take herself too seriously. She reacts the way any normal person might to finding themselves in this sort of situation, neither adjusting too quickly nor living in the land of denial. And she really does want to go home, even as she starts to fall in love with Charlie. Her dialogue is full of pop culture references, and while that did grate after a while, the difference here was that Jane has a dry wit that I liked. The only thing that made her lose points with me is that she does something that’s so very romance novel cliche-ish at one point and I wanted to smack her for it.

Charlie is a good hero, too. He’s a quiet, restrained foil to Jane’s exuberant personality, and I really liked that it was Jane who seduced him. To my intense pleasure, Charlie also has to do some soul-searching and growth in this book. Sometimes it feels like the character developments are all one-sided in books like this, so I was pleased this wasn’t the case.

The romance between Charlie and Jane is excellent, although the sex scenes here didn’t particularly do much for me. I liked that the romance wasn’t forced, and Jane and Charlie are allowed to become friends without the destined soulmates crap getting in the way.

There are many interesting secondary characters, from the senile king of the elves, who likes to dress in women’s clothing, to Charlie’s brother Hugh, to the ambitious and scheming castle steward, Eager. Ms. Sterling leaves herself open for playing more in the world she’s created, although she does so without having the sequel-bait scream, “Look! Mine is book 2!”

I liked the plot. The book moves rapidly along at a nice clip, with lots of adventure along the way for our intrepid heroes. My only quibble was with the ending, which wrapped things up in a particularly schmaltzy bow.

Before I close, I should also mention that I thought the world-building here was handled well. It still feels largely like a Tolkien rip-off, but I think that was a conscious decision on Ms. Sterling’s part. I’ve read fantasy romances that did a better job with the world-building, but I have also read far, far worse.

I’m glad I read this book. Apparently Cheryl Sterling is working on a paranormal novel now, and I can’t wait to read it.

Grade: B

Summary:

Plain Jane Drysdale supplements her uninteresting day job by selling sex paraphernalia at what are basically erotic Tupperware parties. One dark night as she is speeding home, she brakes to avoid running over a rabbit and crashes her car. Woozy and hurt, she is taken away by a group of men. As they walk deeper into the woods, one of her rescuers, Charlie, tires of her questions, drugs her, and slings her over his shoulder. When she awakens, Charlie shares a few choice pieces of information with her: she has gone through a portal into another world; he has half elf, half fairy, and he’ll be representing her at court for the murder of Tivat, a shape-shifter who happened to be the rabbit she ran over. Jane not only adapts to her new world, she also effects miraculous changes in it as it begins to change her.

You can read an excerpt here.

These are reviews of five short, erotic titles from various publishers, in various flavors. They are a bit too short to review on their own without the review being almost as long as the story, so I have put together five “Lightning Reviews.” 

Read on if you’re wearing rubber soled shoes…

The Good Lawyer by Rachel Carrington
Contemporary erotic romance released 2006 by Whispers Publishing 

This is a super-short story. The fantasy is sexy and the emotion is anchored by a plot twist that I loved. Recommended for a quick erotica fix.

Grade: B+

From the back cover:

     When Deidre Manning’s days get long, she allows herself to escape into wild fantasies. Locked inside the sanctuary of her office, she enjoys more than just the satisfaction of the moment, especially once a visitor makes it a party for two.

     Read an excerpt.

Mr. Fix It by Donelle Carroll (author doesn’t appear to have her own site and this looks like her only title)
Contemporary erotic romance released Oct 06 by Wild Rose Press

Also, a super-short story. Calling up the cute repair guy for a fling is a common fantasy, I’m sure. The problem is the characterization. Obviously just a sexual encounter between strangers, the author forced a level of emotion at the end that didn’t fit. But where some more sexual tension would have benefited the story, instead we get some faltering on the leading lady’s part that does nothing for the story.

Grade: D

From the back cover:

     Looking like he just fell from Hunk Heaven, Ryan stepped into the elevator. Jill shamelessly sized him up. Building Maintenance. Handy with tools. But could he fix her broken heart?

     No excerpt available.

Sweet Shoppe: Her Wicked Warrior by Melissa Schroeder
Time travel erotic romance released Mar 06 by LooseId (Title is out of print)

This one is sexy and fun. It has some unreal marathon sex but this is an erotic title, so that’s allowed. The characters are enjoyable and I wanted them to be together. Don’t expect deep relationships or plot development. It is adult fairy tale stuff but it’s good. I got some real giggles here and there as well as some “squirm in your seat” moments.

Grade: B

From the back cover:

     Librarian Paige Turner isn’t having the best of weeks. Work has been hell, her sometimes fiancé seems only to pay attention to her when he needs research help, and on top of that, she has been losing sleep thanks to some pretty erotic dreams. So, at the end of the day, one week before St. Patrick’s Day, she stops by The Sweet Shoppe for some Irish Truffles. Before falling asleep, she wishes her dream lover were real. When she wakes up in the morning, she finds out he is.

     Seamus can’t remember exactly how he ended up in Paige’s bed. One minute he is in a battle, the next he’s in bed with the woman who has been stealing into his dreams. Instinct has him seducing her before he even knows her name, but soon he is confronted with a strange new world, and the possibility that Paige just doesn’t understand he is her soulmate.

     Paige decides to keep her warrior, but soon everything goes awry. Thanks to Seamus, her life is disrupted, her career almost ruined, her fiancé has called off their wedding, and she finds herself falling in love with Seamus. But will Paige be able to accept the changes he has wrought, or will her fear of change bring disaster for both of them?

     Read an excerpt.

The Seduction of Sean Nolan by Treva Harte
Time travel erotic romance released (unknown date) by LooseId

This story has some seriously yucky parts. She notices he’s filthy and bloody and probably has lice… and he’s dying from an infected leg wound. So of course she can keep herself from going down on him? Eeewww! The plot resolution completely out of left field and unexplained. I really can’t recommend this one.

Grade: F

From the back cover:

     Wounded and near death, Sean prayed for the thing he wanted most. “Dear God, don’t let me die a virgin.”

     When Nell appeared, she didn’t look like any angel he’d ever imagined. And she sure as heck didn’t kiss like one. But she might just be the answer to his prayers.

     Read an excerpt.

Come, Sweet Creature by Tilly Greene
Contemporary erotic romance released 2005 by Whiskey Creek Press

I saved the best for last. This story is light BDSM. It may disappoint the hard-core power exchange lifestylers. However, it is a good story for those who like sex games. There’s no humiliation, but there is titillation. I liked the characters, but, really, get this one because it’s hot… then put down a towel on your chair before you read it.

Grade B+

From the back cover:

     Jena Flyno works for Tilton Spidermach, CEO of TS Properties. As PR Director she’s got her hands full cleaning up after his debauched peccadilloes. She’s heard about his playroom and she’s not about to become his latest prey.

     Spider has been watching his lovely, but oh, so prim and proper PR lady for months. Jena is elusive and unattainable, and he has just figured out a way to ensnare her. All he needs is one little sign of weakness and she’ll be caught up in his web.

     Read an excerpt.

New look for her website with a look and excerpt from her upcoming book Still iffy on Never Seduce a Scoundrel… but hey I have time

Hell I still need to read her last book. For the most part I have enjoyed her books. There are a few I am eh about but nothing I hate and a few I love greatly.

yeah ten to one I buy it

Sybil’s review of Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1) by J.R. Ward
Paranormal romance released by Signet Sep 2005 

The first time I picked up this book, I put it down after reading the back. It was one more vampire book, one more series, one more niftily-named secret group…and the hero’s name was Wrath. The book didn’t sound bad, but with other books featuring similar elements gathering dust on my shelf, I didn’t know if I’d find time to read it.

Last week while waiting for an oil change, I found the book in my hand again. I decided to read a few pages – the next thing I knew, I was on page 60, they were calling me over the intercom to tell me my car was ready, and I was seriously thinking of sitting in the parking lot and reading more.

Darius, a member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood (warrior vampires created to protect “regular” vampires from the Lessening Society), is on a mission. He wants Wrath, the king of the vamps who doesn’t want to be king, to help his half-human daughter with her transition. Wrath is the only purebred vampire left and since many humans don’t survive the transition, it is Darius’s hope Wrath’s blood will help her survive. Trouble is Wrath has little use for humans, unless it involves sex or killing them. The answer isn’t no, it’s hell no.

OMG I loved this book!!! Rest of my review can be found here.

Read the review, check out the website and buy the book. You can thank me later .

What Dreams May Come by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Rebecca York, and Robin D. Owens

Ghost cats, psychic connections and a paperback hero in the flesh – mix it all together and you get What Dreams May Come. Sherrilyn Kenyon, Rebecca York, and Robin D. Owens all seem to take a chance here and step away from the romance rules. The outcome is different, sort of out there and perhaps worthy of a read simply for breaking the rules, but it ultimately falls short of “the run out and buy this now” recommendation.

Grade: C+
Sensuality: Warm

Rest of my review can be found here.

Wicked Fantasy by Nicole Jordan

I am a fan of Nicole Jordan’s books but seem to hit or miss with the novels in her Guardians series. After being disappointed in the first novel and loving the second, I looked forward to Wicked Fantasy. It didn’t live up to my expectations.

Antonia was 17 when she met Deverill after he joined her father for dinner at their house. Samuel Maitland and Deverill were friends, business associates, and both in trade (shipping). By the end of the night, Antonia had her first kiss as well as her first glance at a naked man, both of which fuel her wicked fantasies for the next four years. Not bad work for one night.

Grade: C
Sensuality: Hot

Rest of my review can be found here.

Go forth and read. I have my fingers crossed I like Fever Dreams more.

The Seduction of Sarah by Cynthia Clement

Zebra is doing a great job with their covers lately. I’ve actually bought a few because the tone, color, and model poses caught my eye. We all know you can’t judge a book by its cover. The cover for The Seduction of Sarah is its best attribute.

As the widowed Mrs. Sarah Wellsley enjoys her daily skinny dip before being forced to return to her spoiled cousin’s company, she is spied by a “gentleman,” a term I use loosely. He introduces himself as Alex, lets her know he enjoyed the view, and promptly tries to arrange a dalliance. After much pleading on Sarah’s part – and a kiss or two – he goes on his way.

Rest of my review can be found here.

go forth and read

I need to cut back on the books I buy! Don’t laugh, I do! Between reviewing and working I need to knock off buying books to just go wait in the corner for the day I might get to read them. And on that note… updated want list of upcoming books!

A nifty site that keeps a list of upcoming books is My Little Book Garden I can’t remember how I found it but it is nifty. Check it out . 

* read reviews first
** need more info
*** will buy used

What is the difference between * and ** you say? Well a * I want a review first but a ** means I have no clue what the book is about, either the title or author caught my eye. So I might start to lust after a ** book without a review.

AUGUST

** Extreme Exposure – Pamela Clare
** Lord of Desire – Paula Quinn – new author I think, warner should sooooo copy zebra too and do a discount on new authors! Sounds interesting
What a Woman Needs – Caroline Linden – zebra again – debut again – bitch be me again and I still need info I am begining to think I should be on zebra’s payroll
A Season to be Sinful – Jo Goodman 8/5 (auto-buy)
Too Hot To Handle – Cheryl Holt (was an auto-buy but iffy after the last book)
Spell of the Highlander – Karen Marie Moning (auto-buy even if she can’t seem to update her damn website ever)
A Fine Passion (Bastion Club)- Stephanie Laurens
**Courting Claudia – Robyn DeHart – I think she is a new author, maybe just a new name who knows. I so think avon should take a page out of zebra’s book and discount

SEPTEMBER

** Kiss of Death – Josie Litton
**One Night to Be Sinful by Samantha Garver – debut at that great zebra price, yes I am so turning into zebra’s bitch. I still no nothing of this book. Info please.
Some Like It Wicked by Deborah Raleigh – new to me author. Again a zebra and again cover so caught my eye. Red seems to do that and I adore the title. Go figure. Ready first chapter and wasn’t impressed.
Kick Ass – MJD, Angela Knight, Jacey Ford (never heard of her), Maggie Shayne 9/6
Really Unusual Bad Boys – MJD
Mackenzie’s Honor – Linda Howard (Mackenzie’s Pleasure and A Game of Chance – reissue)
Born to be B.A.D. – Sherrilyn Kenyon (after Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down I might not get this or wait for used) – IF this is the Hardback I will be passing until it is paperback

OCTOBER

Surrender to a Wicked Spy – Celeste Bradley 10/4 (Royal Four)(auto-buy)
One Little Sin – Liz Carlyle (auto-buy)
Undead and Unreturnable – MJD (waiting on paperback)
** Grave Sight – Charlaine Harris
Courting Midnight – Emma Holly (auto-buy)
Loving Miranda by Teresa Bodwell
Scandalous – Jenna Petersen

NOVEMBER

Games of Pleasure – Julia Ross
Hot Spell – Emma Holly, Meljean Brook, Lora Leigh and Shiloh Walker 11/1
The Royal Pain by MJD – 11/5
* The Music of the Night – Lydia Joyce 11/1
** This Rake of Mine – Elizabeth Boyle

JUNE
Redemption – Linda Broday
A Perfect Hero – Samantha James
only two off the June list I didn’t get… I did pick up 2 older Linda Broday’s so I might end up with Redemption at some point. Not sure why I passed on the James. Anyone read it?
I think these will be going on the ubs list

JULY

* Lyon’s Gate – Catherine Coulter – What the Fuck! It is in that stupid odd shaped size. For your comfort my ass. I will not be getting this unless it goes to MM.
*** Undead and Unappreciated – MJD 7/5 (omg it is a small hb for 20 bucks? bah I will buy it for sure when it goes to paperback so it will match the others… if I find the hb used I might pick it up.) Waiting for paperback
Wicked Fantasy – Nicole Jordan – 7/26 (auto-buy)
The Lily Brand – Sandra Schwab – good review on AAR… why does RT show it as erotica and AAR show it as Warm. – still iffy on this one

Which means I spent the weekend rereading book… two I didn’t even remember reading. And that sort of spilled over to the week. 

Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas was my first reread last Friday. Derek and Sarah… what more do you have to say. I love this book. It is just wonderful.

Which lead me to read Tiger’s Eye by Karen Robards since people tend to say it is like DoY. I must have skimmed it the first time I read it because I didn’t remember reading it until the very end with the bathtub scene, which that scene still annoys me.

Go figure… I can see how it gets compared to DoY but DoY blows it away. A good read I would rate about a C.

I then moved onto Forbidden Love by Karen Robards and poof read that too. And sorry maili, I liked it. I would rate it about a C-, it is way flawed but a nifty guilty pleasure read.

The next on the hit list aka randomly picked off the shelf was The Seducer and The Sinner by Madeline Hunter.

I still love both of these books. Madeline Hunter is one of my favorites and she has a way with an old plot. She can take it and make it new, fresh, fun and exciting. I wish we could get another Medieval out of her but I am still in love with this series and so need to read LoS. I dont think I ever really read it, more like skimmed and marked it as a want to read later.

Beauty Like the Night and The Devil You Know by Liz Carlyle came next.

I adore Liz Carlyle and am looking forward to her new series. The funny thing is The Devil You Know is the first book by her I read and I hated it. I didn’t pick up another one of her books until AWoV was recently rereleased and after falling in love with her short story in Big Guns Out of Uniform Let’s Talk About Sex.

Now I have no idea if it has to do with reading BLtN first and having read AWoV so I understood Bentley more than I did the first time but I just fell in love with this story. Rosario has a great review for the story and it pretty much sums up what I love about it. I would say to enjoy Carlyle you need to read her earlier works. So it is a good thing she is having them reprinted and at GREAT prices. What a great way to get new fans.

So what is my point in all this? I have been reading, just not the 10+ books I am suppose to read for AAR reviews. But I think I have found my groove again. So off I go to try my hand at new books. I also have company this weekend, so I really need to kick my ass into gear.

The Lady Lies by Samantha Saxon
Grade: C-
Sensuality: Hot

The Lady Lies, Samantha Saxon’s debut novel (The Lady Killer follows in December), suffers from too many ingredients in the recipe. There is a really good story in here waiting to burst free but too many side plots and characters weigh it down.

At the age of ten, Aidan Duhearst learns from the Duke of St. John that his father, the Earl of Wessex, died in battle. He is now the Earl and this event shapes the rest of his life and his actions. Fast-forward to 1811: Aidan is being held prisoner by the French in Portugal. Is the angel appearing before him real…or has he joined in his father in a noble death?

Read full review here

Only for a Knight by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Grade: D
Sensuality: Hot

As the husband of my grandmother, I am my own grandpa! That novelty ditty kept running though my head the entire time I read this book. And honestly, if I hadn’t signed up to review Only for a Knight, I’d have stopped reading it about two chapters in.

After an absence of a decade, Robbie Mackenzie is coming home to his clan to marry Lady Euphemia Macleod, whom he agreed to wed before he ran off to find his lusty self. Lady Euphemia is on her way to Eilean Creag Castle, and their wedding will bring peace and joy to their rival clans.

You can read the full review here

Can you name the episode the X-Files quote comes from .

Yes I am easy to amuse, why do you ask?

Secrets 12 by Dominique Sinclair, Jess Michaels, Leigh Wyndfield and Saskia Walker

I generally like anthologies because they are like buffets. You pay one price and get multiple choices. Generally there is one dish you really like and are guaranteed to enjoy. There may be another that could go either way, and usually one or two are completely new to you, giving you the chance to test to it to your palate. Red Sage has lost me with the last few Secrets volumes because there have been fewer known (or perhaps known-to-me) authors in recent years except for Angela Knight. Still, I’ve enjoyed these anthologies and was happy to review Secrets: Volume 12. I discovered a new-to-me author I really want to read more of and two others I would definitely try again.

Full review here

Cheryl Sneed’s review is mostly on target with what I thought about the book.

I picked this up yesterday at Barnes and Noble – it was Jay’s fault I was there. bad jay bad bad.

Anyway as I picked it up to put aside with the other hundreds of newly purchased books to be read I turned to the back to read the author profile, which lead to reading the last page (yes gasp in horror) which lead to me randomly opening the book to read a few pages (yes gasp again). It was a short scene with the heroine and some random exmistress. The scene was amusing and the hero just caught me. I am not much on humor in my romances. The madcap regency romps aren’t much my thing but this does have something of that flavor with really good writing thrown in. And as much as I like steam I love good banter. Give me creative, witty banter between two well drawn likable characters without treating me or the characters like we are stupid and I am sold.

The rake here is a rake’s rake not a fake rake but he is a REFORMED rake from the moment he meets the heroine, uh unless you count trying to seduce the heroine. Hee so I guess that makes him the perfect rake .

I don’t really like to read about ‘beating’ in books – child, wife, kittens whatever. And not because it is ugly, which it is and not because it is a true fact of life, which it is. But because it is rarely done well. It is a hard plot point to have in a book, how do you write it without making it over the top? How do you write it without making it offensive? How do you write it and keep the romance in a novel? Because it is offensive, it is over the top and most of all it isn’t romantic but it is a fact of life and it does happen. And for the most part it is readable in The Perfect Rake, even when your opening scene is a young girl getting the shit beat out of her by a man who do deserves to die, slowly and painfully.

Cheryl talks about a ‘schizophrenic aspect’ to the book, which I agree is there. But I think it worked. The opening is a different world than when the girls escape to London. And the end, well I think it speaks to the type of life Prue has had at home.

I would grade it more a A- than B- because my only real beef with the book is the sex. I generally don’t like for it to be shoved in at the end as almost an after though or a way to make the reader happy. The fade to black thing will piss me off, so it was better than nothing . If the author were to sit down with me and ask me my opinion, I would move the ‘finding Phillip’ and everything after it up about 20 pages and expand on the end.

Uh but no one is asking me. If you read it, do let me know how you liked it! Tara if you can stand one more regency , I think you might like this one.

Now I need to hunt down her back list.

I am so not well and need to join book buyers anonymous or something.

I picked up Lord of Sin by Madeline Hunter. I think for Rosario but I must go check. But it was at the half price store and looked so sad. And really as you can see clearly Rosario needs more books .

I picked up Lawless by Diana Palmer because I adore this book muchly and kristie needed it. In a cw needed Return of The Warrior sort of way but still…

And I picked up Anne Stuart’s Winter’s Edge. Why, you ask while shaking your head, because it was a $1. I have never even read AS. And I picked up Linda Howard’s Against the Rules and Loving Evangeline for the same $1 reason. I remember liking Against the Rules though.

I also picked up Jo Leigh’s Hush. I have never read her and would like to but fuck me if I know when I will get to read it. Same goes for Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan.

Add on top of that The Outsiders by Penelope Williamson and oh about 20 other books I have gotten from the trade group. And 3 books to review.

Really I am so not well… I have resorted to buying books for other people they don’t even know they need to get my fix. oooooer

MUST go finish a review. And finish Only for a Knight. Then I really need to read at least one of my Aspen Gold books – must have all four done by the 8th! hmmm so this holiday I plan on reading:

Only for a Knight
Sins of the Night
Haunted
The River Devil
AGB 1
AGB 2
AGB 3
AGB 4 (don’t think I can blog them or their titles until after the 8th)
The Lady Lies
Lady Savage

Oh and I plan on bitching about The Marriage Bed at some point this weekend. Really after two reads of a book you don’t even like it would be a crime to not blog it.

And I am going to start reviewing for an online romance site. I shall talk more about that after my first review goes up. They might come to their senses and decide I am too much trouble .

That I just bought The Marriage Bed, when it is on its way to me.

That I felt so badly when the walmart guy told me the cart FULL of books was going to be destroyed and I wanted to cry. 

Or that I just bought four new books.

NEW:
The Marriage Bed – Laura Lee Guhrke (yes this is the second copy but really who knows when the first one will get here and maili might want it, if not nicole or someone will take the extra copy)
One Night with a Prince – Sabrina Jeffries
Only For A Knight – Sue Welfonder
The Wedding Night of an English Rogue – Jillian Hunter (yes I need to read the second one first)

books books books!!! More Than a Scandal by Sari Robins was there as well, which I wanted until I saw it is a robin hood type plot. I am so not into that. So I will wait for reviews, or used. Sin of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon is out as well, but since I haven’t read a darkhunter novel yet I can’t buy it new. So either I need to read one or start looking for it used. They are always a bitch to find.

I would have bought Warrior by Nicole Jordan if I hadn’t just spent so much money on books for my lil sis on sunday. I need The River Devil as well, it is out! I didn’t know this. I thought it was an August release. I really need to balance my check book.

ACK and I must not forget to go pick up The Irish Devil I have on hold for cw.

le sigh I want to read The Marriage Bed now and not work. God it will suck if I hate the book after buying it twice. I am so not well, but we knew this.

Kieran the Black is the second ebook I have read by Julia Templeton. It is way better than Dangerous Desires. Although I don’t think her history research is really better in this story. But I don’t know much about the time so I could be wrong.

Download Description
If you hold his sword in your hands and place the point of the blade in Kieran’s crest, you will experience life like you have never known it. When the frizzy-headed crone took thirty-nine-year-old Lizzie Johnston’s hands and wrapped them around the sword, she felt a little weird. That’s nothing compared to what she feels when she wakes up in the body of eighteen-year-old Saxon, Lady Elizabeth of Aedelmaer in the year 1067, wedded to the infamous Norman knight, Kieran the Black. Kieran’s six and a half feet tall, black-haired, with the bluest eyes Lizzie’s ever seen and built like a brick you know what. Lizzie’s head over heels and determined to get tall, dark and dangerous into bed and win his heart, despite the old Elizabeth’s avowed distaste for him. But first she has to save his life.

Yep a Time Travel story, second I have read in a month. So not like me. Not even sure why I read this tonight other than I was checking email and blog hopping and before you knew it I added reading a story to the mix.

This is smutty fun. If you have ever thought you were born in the wrong time or wondered what you would do then if you knew what you know now this book is for you. Just think about it – one min you are 39, unhappy with your life, your body, your work, your sex life your…. and then poof you are a hottie 18 year old, with money, land, and married to a hottie.

So like I said, fun story. But no one ever questions the change in Lady Elizabeth. Hell everyone notices and maybe she was such a downer to begin with they were happy to get the ‘new’ Lady Elizabeth but I kept waiting for someone to cry witch!

And Kieran… hymen aside, I am shocked he never said where the hell did you learn that. Cuz girlfriend was down with whatever sex you could come up with. Well not true, this is an anal and sex toy free story. That should be a button.

Anyway if you are looking for some deep thinking history lesson, what the hell are you doing on my blog to begin with? This isn’t the story for you. But if you want some light romantica, with a pretty beta alpha hero – this buds for you.

Candice Proctor is a new to me author and Night in Eden is the second book of hers I have read.

I have yet to be disappointed. This book is amazing.

NIGHT IN EDEN

Bryony Wentworth’s life is shattered when she is unjustly accused and sentenced to indentured servitude in New South Wales. Broken in body–but not in spirit–she fights for light, and for her life, wanting no part of the man who would save her, Captain Hayden St. John. But the mother in her cannot turn away from Hayden’s needy infant and the woman in her cannot deny her passion for the rugged, enigmatic man she is bound to serve.

Against the sweeping panorama of a harsh, gorgeous, and unforgiving land, two hungering souls learn to trust, to love, and to triumph over the danger that will shadow their lives–until destiny and desire become one.

This is the first novel I have read that takes place in New South Wales or as we call it Australia. At least I think it is, there maybe one in there somewhere. But this novel brings the setting and the time to life.

Captain Hayden St. John is one hell of a hero and a perfect bookend to Bryony. The book works well on most levels. There are flashbacks that fit in without taking away from the story or causing confusion.

There are kiddos through out the story, for the most part acting their age and adding to the angst more than taking away. And they don’t muck up the romance. Although I do have to say little Madeline’s scene with Hayden when she is questioning the baby in mommy’s tummy and she just flips out is heartbreaking. As her reaction to seeing her mother ‘alive’.

Oh and it is completely disgusting what they did to those women. Many of who I bet did nothing to deserve the life they got. To just let men come in and pick out a woman who would have to keep their house, be their mistress or whore for them if they saw fit is beyond degrading.

My only real problem with the story comes close to the end. And if I could figure out how the fuck to do that hidey spoiler thing or remember who it was I asked (thought it was wendy but I don’t see the post or an answer) I would post about it.

hmmmm anyway, it felt like a cop-out. But I can forgive 10 pages for the rest of book was amazingly good. And yay I have more Candice Proctor to read but boo hiss she doesn’t seem to have anything new coming out.

***spoilers in the comments***

Yikes this was bad. I mean way bad. I am not sure if I was just in a mood or if I really needed to read The Duke’s Mistress in order to enjoy this or the book was just bad.

The writing was choppy and the dialogue felt forced. There was no flow to it. And honestly, when I read a Harlequin Historical, I am not expecting a deep meaning full story in 200something pages. Now don’t get me wrong, there are some kick ass HH out there that can hold their own up against any book. There are some ok ones that are enjoyable and some eh that was fun but forgettable, and then you have the bad bad bad.

I don’t know if I have read one this bad lately. The Viscount’s Bride by Ann Elizabeth Cree

Lady Chloe had nowhere to turn; either she followed her guardian’s dictates and married a wholly detestable suitor or she settled for the comfortable love of a sensible man. Faced with a bleak future on either front, Chloe settled for Mr. Safe and Sensible.

It wasn’t until her so-called “safe” choice tried to compromise her reputation that Brandt, Lord Salcombe, rushed in to save her. But how dare Brandt now insist that the next time she wanted a kiss she come to him! Chloe had no illusions about the viscount being ideal husband material. Still, his offer was tempting and certainly promised a future filled with passion!

Lady Chloe doesn’t learn from her mistakes and keeps making them over and over. And I am sorry, if you fuck someone – you know it the next day. There was no condom involved people, so yes you can tell. And don’t throw wet dreams at me, cuz if a woman is there, you can tell.

I don’t get why she doesn’t say anything! The whole big mis just made me roll my eyes, although I do give the author points for not having the hero think the heroine is lying. So at least we were spared the who’s your baby’s daddy drama.

And I don’t understand why they don’t just marry, for real. I never really believed in the conflict.

I will pick up The Dukes Mistress. I want to see if I have hit on an author’s who’s voice I just don’t get or if it was just a one time bad book. And I am passing along the book, so I am very interested to see if the next person loves it.

It was Amanda’s review of this book made me want to read it.

Yes I know Amanda’s review wasn’t that great but hey one person’s wallbanger is another’s keeper. The part that caught my eye was

… Aiden confesses all to an innocent maid in a wood the day before his marriage

I was interested to see how the author tried to come back from that big of a screw up on the heroes part. It is one thing to think your betrothed doesn’t want you, it is another thing to have him tell you point blank. Even if he doesn’t know he is telling ‘you’.

So you start the book with the bride all happy happy joy joy about the wedding and the groom facing death, to have the wedding happen, and completely turn that around. The thing I didn’t understand was Aiden was happy with who his bride was and figured out pretty quickly she wasn’t at all what he had been told. He knows he got the better end of the deal and feels for her but god damn if he is gonna fall in love with the chit.

Marry her – sure
be faithful to her – sure (as long as she is warming his bed)
create a home with her – sure
use her money to pay off his debt – sure

but love? eh? What is this four letter word you speak of? God save me from the rake afraid of lurve. whatever…

The other thing that completely rang false was when Aiden found out what Auntie and the Serafina’s maid had been up to, to uh… get him up. I really would have expected more of a reaction from a man, any man, when he found out he was being drugged. Then again I would have expected him to throw out sister dear on her ear when he found out about her lies.

So does the book have its faults, sure, but all in all I found it an enjoyable read and am looking forward to my next Kingsley. And of course after I finished this and started googling I remembered that meljean has great love for No Greater Love. So that has been added to the list, beta hero and all .

Devil Takes a Bride

In the quiet English countryside, far from the intrigues of London, Lizzie Carlisle slowly mends her broken heart, devoting herself to her new position as lady’s companion to the Dowager Viscountess Strathmore— until her peaceful life is turned upside down by a visit from “Devil” Strathmore, the old woman’s untamed nephew—a dangerously handsome man whose wicked reputation hides a tortured soul.

Devlin Kimball, Lord Strathmore, has spent years adventuring on the high seas, struggling to make his peace with the tragedy that claimed the lives of his family. But now he has uncovered the dark truth behind the so-called accident and swears retribution. He has no intention of taking a bride—until his eccentric aunt’s will forces he and Lizzie together, and Devlin finds his path to vengeance blocked by the stubborn but oh-so-tempting Miss Carlisle. Her passionate nature rivals his own. But disillusioned once by love, Lizzie will accept nothing less than his true devotion. . . .

I ended up rereading this book when I started Foley’s new book One Night of Sin (more on that book later). I enjoyed it as much the second, or maybe third time as I did the first. This was the first book I read by this author and it was a book I picked up and put down about 6 or so different times before I figured it really wanted to come home with me.

Devlin Kimball is tricked into coming home to visit his aunt, in a rather mean way by her ‘lady’s companion’ Lizzie Carlisle. If you had, unlike me, read the series in order you would have known going in why Lizzie was licking her wounds in the country. But I didn’t have any problems follow the story and learned along with Dev why Lizzie was hurting.

Dowager Viscountess Strathmore trick is a well-used theme I have seen in many a romance novel but the ol ‘they have to get married because of the will’, works in an off the wall way.

There are two side plots going on beside the romance of dev and lizzie. Devlin trying to make peace with his parents’ death and find out why they died. It involves the Horse and Chariot Club, which I *think* was real and should really read up on to see if that is so as often as it makes an appearance in romance novels. And you have the wrap up to Lizzie and Alex’s relationship (hero in One Night of Sin).

Some of the prose is purple, some of the antics are over the top and your bad guys are evol wick men, not to mention this is one of those series books that some of you guys hate. But I love it.

I adore how Lizzie tries so hard to make it on her own and picks herself back up when something fucks up and tries something different. Although I might have screamed if the word bluestocking was used one more time. I love the dressing down she gives Alec and Dev after they cause her to lose her job.

Don’t you see, Alec? Don’t you understand anything? I am so sick and tired of being a poor relation – of having to rely on the charity of my friends for my food and shelter! That’s why I took this job, why I work so hard. You two don’t know what it’s like. You, Devlin, with your estate you never even visit and your fine town house – and you, Alec, with your tres fashionable rooms at the Albany and your innumerable family homes. All I ever wanted in life was a home and a place of my own, but I’m never going to have it. I’m, always going to be Lizzie the friend, Lizzie the glorified servant, Lizzie the caretaker. Well, I have news for you, boys,” she wrenched out in sarcasm. “Sometimes I wouldn’t mind someone taking care of me for a change!”

LOVE that! It is so true and something you want to scream at many a romance hero. The whole idea that a ‘gentleman’ is called a gentleman because he didn’t have to work is laughable. Rat bastards. Dev and Lizzle are perfect for each other. They fill a space that completes the other person, I love the time they get to spend together in Bath. Honest. They had each other at hello .

The ending is a lil much. At that point dev should have been thinking a lil more about lizzie than the killing the baddies. But hey he didn’t want lizzie! And you prolly know who Sorscha is why before ‘the big surprise’. Again, didn’t care. I just happy sighed, closed the book and put it back on the shelf.

erika did a list of upcoming books she wants and I stole it and fixed it to be books I want

* read reviews first
** need more info
*** will buy used 

What is the difference between * and ** you say? Well a * I want a review first but a ** means I have no clue what the book is about, either the title or author caught my eye. So I might start to lust after a ** book without a review.

Yes I put too much thought into this, why do you ask?

JUNE
(turns out books I thought were july are late june)
* Redemption – Linda Broaday
Haunted – Kely Armstrong
** Beyond the Pale – Savannah Rusee 6/7
* The Lady Lies – Samantha Saxon 6/7/5
The Wedding Night of an English Rogue – Jillian Hunter 6/28/5
The Marriage Bed – Laura Lee Guhrke 6/28(might be used depends on reviews and such)
*** Sins of Night – Sherrilyn Kenyon (unless I read at least ONE of these on my tbr, must be used)
* A Perfect Hero – Samantha James 6/28
* More Than a Scandal – Sari Robins 6/28

JULY

* Lyon’s Gate – Catherine Coulter
Only for a Knight – Sue-Ellen Welfonder 7/1
*** Undead and Unappreciated – MJD 7/5
** Passion – Lisa Valdez 7/5
** Seduction of Sara – Cynthia Clement 7/5
Wicked Fantasy – Nicole Jordan – 7/26 (auto-buy)
One Night with a Prince – Sabrina Jeffries 7/1(auto-buy)
A Perfect Hero – Samantha James
*** Before Sunrise – Diana Palmer
* More Than a Scandal – Sari Robins 7/1

AUGUST

Extreme Exposure – Pamela Clare
A Season to be Sinful – Jo Goodman 8/5 (auto-buy)
Too Hot To Handle – Cheryl Holt (was an auto-buy but iffy after the last book)
Spell of the Highlander – Karen Marie Moning (auto-buy even if she can’t seem to update her damn website ever)
A Fine Passion (Bastion Club)- Stephanie Laurens
The River Devil – Diane Whiteside 8/5 (auto-buy) I want I want I want

SEPTEMBER

** Kiss of Death – Josie Litton
Kick Ass – MJD, Angela Knight, Jacey Ford (never heard of her), Maggie Shayne 9/6
Really Unusual Bad Boys – MJD
Mackenzie’s Honor – Linda Howard (Mackenzie’s Pleasure and A Game of Chance – reissue)
Born to be B.A.D. – Sherrilyn Kenyon (after Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down I might not get this or wait for used)

OCTOBER

Surrender to a Wicked Spy – Celeste Bradley 10/4 (Royal Four)(auto-buy)
One Little Sin – Liz Carlyle (auto-buy)
Undead and Unreturnable – MJD (new depends on the Undead and Unappreciated)
** Grave Sight – Charlaine Harris
Courting Midnight – Emma Holly (auto-buy)

NOVEMBER

Games of Pleasure – Julia Ross
Hot Spell – Emma Holly, Meljean Brock, Lora Leigh and Shiloh Walker 11/1
The Royal Pain by MJD – 11/5
* The Music of the Night – Lydia Joyce 11/1
** This Rake of Mine – Elizabeth Boyle

DECEMBER

The Lord Next Door – Gayle Callen (not sure about this one – post upcoming on her)
Scandalous Miranda – Susan Sizemore
Mercenaries – Angela Knight

***don’t have dates****
Duke of Scandal (working title) by Adele Ashworth

Anyone have any comments on Redemption by Linda Broday. Or on Linda Broday books in general?

I have never heard of her before and I had the book in my hand yesterday (along with Confessions Of A Lingerie Addict by Jennifer Ashley) but I didn’t get it. I feel guilt because I think it is a western and I try and support romance westerns and buy them new. And I feel double the guilt since I haven’t bought the HH for this month – they just seemed eh and I haven’t read a rec for them to change my mind.

So anyone…. anyone…

Do you have a trade size book you don’t want? Wanna trade?

I have Beach Blanket Bad Boys and am not keeping it. I will blog more on it later, it was a fun quick book but nothing I am gonna keep.

The only trade size that is out that I want on my list is Star Quality or any EC author, I don’t have too many of them in print.

This will go off to the ubs on Friday if no one wants it. But I figured I would ask here first since it is new and I know you guys would give it a good home .

You can post here or email me at redwyne at gmail dot com.

My new goal for the week is to not buy any books starting Sunday.

Honest. I mean hell I have spent $60 in two days. I just added 22 books to the tbr pile last weekend (hmmm well I think I cut it cuz I traded in 15 books Wednesday but they weren’t all from the library sale).

I have no clue how many books I own that I have yet to read. It is some where between 200 and 300.

I am running out of space! And I am scared to buy a bookshelf cuz then I will have space that will need to be filled.

See… I am so not well. So no new books for at least a week! I shall try and last until The Rogue by Celeste Bradley and One Night of Sin by Galen Foley come out at the end of the month. But really if I can go the week I will be proud. And on that note… 

New books!
If You Dare by Kresley Cole

A Date with the Other Side by Erin McCarthy
I wasn’t sure about this one but I read the first few pages and it looks great. She is an author who uses humor well. And since I just got Houston, We Have a Problem used as well as picking up another used today, it was time I bought one of her books new.

Murder in the Hamptons by Amy Garvey (helenkay and wendy’s rec)
I didn’t even go into borders wanting it but the bastards had a buy 2 get 1 free and all the marketsize except the one I went to get, I had already bought! Mucho annoying when Master of the Night by Angela Knight, Lord of Sin by Madeline Hunter, Fire Me Up by Katie MacAlister, and Talk of the Ton are sitting tbr.

I adored it after the first two pages. So damn it I bought two new trade size books. This is why I don’t go into borders….

Before my trip to borders, to run in and get one book If You Dare, I stopped in Half Price Books. They of course didn’t have what I wanted but did have
Mouth to Mouth by Erin McCarthy
Bad Boys Next Exit and Bad Boys on Board
I wasn’t sure if I was going to buy these or not since they are in trade size and 5.98. I was thinking about waiting until the mass markets come out this summer. BUT I am an odd duck and it will annoy me to have some in trade and some in mass. And since I currently have 7 or so and plan on getting Beach Blanket Bad Boys and Bad Boys Ahoy in trade size I got these. I am so not rebuying all of them, no I will not do it. Someone remind me I said that if I start to crack. I really do dislike trade size.

Yes, says she who just brought home five new ones. After buying two yesterday. Hell where am I going to put these? I think I will be on a Brava/binge this weekend because I am so going to read The Bane Affair by Alison Kent and am off now to read A Date with the Other Side hmmm or Murder in the Hamptons right now.

Abbie’s Outlaw is a Harlequin Historical and apart of a series, MEN AND ANGELS, and WEST OF HEAVEN are the first two.

This is the first I have read. Reverend John Leaf (this is as close to inspirational reading as I get) is a reformed bad boy. He was a gun-slinger, virginity taking, teen murdering, bank robber, excon who found God while in jail.

Abigail Windsor has contacted him asking for help. It has been 15 years since he has seen Abbie and when she gets there he learns that even though he took her virginity he left her something behind.

secret baby plot! sort of cuz the baby is already 15 and looking for her daddy

Abbie’s life has been shit. Married to an abusive husband that her father pretty much bought for her so she would have a ‘father’ for her baby. Widowed now, she just wants to have a quiet life and raise her children. She doesn’t want to get remarried and after her marriage, the idea of intimacy with any man turns her stomach.

Both characters are scarred, physically and emotionally. Bylin shows how they heal through each other. Throw in a father daughter reunion, a ‘marriage of convenience’, a bratty son, and a friend named Silas and you have a good read.

Sybil’s review of Return of the Warrior (Brotherhood of the Sword, Book 2) by Kinley MacGregor
Historical Romance by Avon

I enjoyed Return of the Warrior much more than I was expecting to. In fact I think I bought the first book of the series A Dark Champion at the end of a glom of kinley/kenyon and didn’t read it. Which yay I have it so new book! 

And honestly I don’t read romance for the history. If it is a time period I know a lot about things might jump out at me but I read to be amused.

Just to let kristiej know up front, this is an avon book, a series book and there is a group of men with nicknames Brotherhood of the Sword. So that prolly counts you out .

Really it is a great book! And it is a good medieval! When was the last time you read a new medieval! Ok I will stop with the exclamations.

Queen Adara of Taagaria married Christian of Acre as a child and has built up this fantasy around her husband and the life she will have with him when he returns to her. The problem is he hasn’t returned. His ‘uncle’ wants to declare him dead and for her to marry his son. Adara wants none of that.

So she does what any good Queen would do, she goes to collect her wayward hubby and drag his happy ass home. I love how she goes about this. I love the challenges they come across and how they face them. I even like the ‘friends’ they come across and you know what, I would like to read some of their novels.

I enjoyed watching them get to know each other, even the painful part of growing up and understanding your dreams might not be what you get but that doesn’t mean what you get is bad.

And the first time they have sex, neither one of them enjoys it. Honest. That made me laugh because I can’t think of the last time I saw that in a romance novel. But the second time… hawt. In fact the whole book is pretty steamy.

I highly recommend this. After I finish A Dark Champion I just might drag out those darkhunter novels I keep buying and not reading.

Grade: A

Summary:

Fearless men, their allegiance is to each other, to the oppressed, and to the secret society known as the Brotherhood of the Sword — and they must never surrender to the passionate yearnings of their noble hearts.

Fiercely devoted to her people and her land, Queen Adara refuses to let a power-mad usurper steal her crown. But the only way to protect what is hers is to seek out the man she married in childhood.

A proud, tormented warrior, Christian of Acre owes allegiance only to the mysterious Brotherhood — and has no wish to be king over anyone but himself. Now a bold and beautiful stranger has appeared in his rooms, tempting him with an irresistible seduction and demanding he accompany her back to their kingdoms … or, at the very least, provide her with an heir to her throne. Though he cannot abandon the brave regal lady to her enemies, Christian dares not give in to his traitorous body’s desires. Yet how can he deny the passion that is rightfully his and the ecstasy that awaits him in Adara’s kiss?

Read an excerpt.

Since I shocked Angie with the fact that I have never read Nora Roberts (have read now) I thought about who else I hear talked about all the time that I have never evah read. So at the risk of shocking angie again….

The List – which I am sure isn’t complete and is in no order:
Janet Dailey (still haven’t read)
Kathleen Woodiwiss
Rosemary Rogers
LaVyrle Spencer (loveseses her muchly – read Morning Glory if you haven’t!)

Diana Gabaldon
Barbara Cartland
Georgette Heyer
Judith McNaught
Loretta Chase (have read her now)
Iris Johansen
Mary Jo Putney
Christine Feehan (five of the vamps, a stand alone and wild rain in my tbr)
Jayne Ann Krentz
Amanda Quick
Karen Robards (yep read some and loved a few)

SUZANNE BROCKMANN (of course I have C2 would disown me)

Nora Roberts (yes and yes)
JD Robb
Jo Beverley
Linda Lael Miller (yes read and plan to go to a signing in Feb… Emily and the Outlaw and the other 2 in the series in my tbr)
Susan Carroll
Julia Quinn (yes have read and even loved a few of them )

I seriously need to redo this list… 

From what I have read on Nicole’s blog and the smart bitches I am not alone.

Shocking that I have read so much romance in the last two years and still have so many I haven’t read.

I have been awake most of the day and have even left my apt. I so missed the blogs! And omg I was in such pain and my eyes hurt so much I couldn’t even read.

I think if you have to be sick and in bed, you should at least be rewarded with reading time and at worst tv time. 

I have a few Jane Bonander books I want to bitch about – one I liked even with the cheese and I read Deborah Martin’s Stormswept (Sabrina Jefferies) it was written in 95. Book aside (will chat on it later) the cover screams for the smart bitches. hmmm so do the jane bonander books… So I will prolly be a postingslut tomorrow.

ok I have been up for as long as I think I can be so I am bound back for the couch to try and read The Lady in Red by Karen Hawkins and try not to stop to read Lord of Sin by Madeline Hunter instead.

Has anyone reviewed Talk of the Ton with Eloisa James, Julia London, Rebecca Hagan Lee and Jacqueline Navin yet?

I read Harlequin Historicals but I haven’t read much else. I have picked up a few Blaze and Temptation’s. Can someone tell me what the difference is? And why is Desire different then the above?

Promises Prevail is the third in the Promises series and I have to say I didn’t like it near as much as the first one.

Promises Linger is the first and Promises Keep is the second. They are western erotica or erotica in a western setting, however you want to explain that.

Clint McKinnely and Jenna Hennessy have both made appearances in the other books and really I cared more about them then. I am not sure what it was, the plot was out there, but it is erotica so that is expected. I think Jenna was just ‘too’ TSTL. I mean she knew Clint cared for her, so I had a hard time understanding why she didn’t tell him about the bad man who had returned to town.
She was presented as a woman who loved her children, so to put them at risk by not telling him, seemed wrong. And the ‘meeting’ of women to decide how to fix her marriage and make Clint admit to loving her was painful. I have to admit I skimmed over most of that.

I will read the next in the series but if it is an ‘eh read’ like this one, it will be my last.

Sarah McCarty really is a great writer and can do much better. Promises Linger is a great book if you are looking for an Ellora’s Cave to try. I would recommend reading that one over this one.