Ash’s review of Night’s Cold Kiss by Tracey O’Hara
Urban Fantasy published by EOS 25 Aug 09

So, I haven’t read too many vampire books in the past few years, not as many as I used to. First I was bored with them all being alike, and then they all became so complicated just to be different. Night’s Cold Kiss is neither of those. The vampires are pretty straightforward, with the good and the bad, but the world around them is a little bit more complicated.

I was originally a little scared to read this book because it has a glossary, but it turns out I didn’t really need to use it. Tracey O’Hara makes the world pretty easy to slip into. The different branches of government organizations get confusing at times, but it’s easy to get past that. The different paranormal beings are the right amount of interesting, and there isn’t a hundred and one different species to deal with. The origin of the parahumans, as they are called, is a bit of a surprise that I am not sure really works for me, but it’s unique enough that I am open to it.

Sadly it is our heroine, Antoinette, that is my least favorite part of the story. She is one of the best venators, but I feel many of her actions and reactions are juvenile and it doesn’t mesh with who she is supposed to be.  She has more than her fair share of TSTL moments. Christian has a lot more patience with her than I would have. Night’s Cold Kiss is better for me when we are in Christian’s head. He happens to be my favorite character of the book, at least my favorite who is still alive at the end. Tracey O’Hara is not afraid to kill people off.

Looks like the next book has a new set of main characters, which I admit I am happy about. I’ve heard that there is hardly any Christian, which I am not happy about. As far as urban fantasies go, this isn’t the best I’ve read, but it’s far above the worst. I’d be happy to add this to my list of must-read series.

Grade: B

Summary:

The tension between the Aeternus, an ancient vampiric people, and humanity has been mounting for over a century. But when rogue vampires begin to drain humans in order to achieve an illegal blood-high, all bets are off.

After the death of her parents, Antoinette Petrescu devoted her life to becoming one of the top Venators, the elite hunters who destroy the rogue Necrodreniacs. Her kill count is legendary and her skills superb.

But now the serial killer who killed her parents has returned. And to stop him Antoinette must join forces not only with the Aeternus, but also their most legendary killer. One that is both dangerously attractive, and involved in buried secrets of her past. More dangerous still, a dark attraction grows between them–one that could doom both races.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Royal’s Bride (Bride Trilogy, Book 1) by Kat Martin
Historical Romance published by Mira 25 Aug 09

I’ve not read many Kat Martin books, but the ones I have gotten to have been satisfying reads. They haven’t blown me away, but, as with this book, I end up with a good story and characters I wouldn’t mind visiting with again if Ms. Martin had a mind to include them in another story down the line, which I’m hoping is the case in her latest trilogy.

It’s been years since Royal has been home to England, choosing instead to stay in Barbados on the family plantation he’s turned into a resounding success. But his father is dying and it’s time for the heir to come home. Expecting his father’s passing and then taking over as duke somehow turn out to be the easy part of his homecoming. On his deathbed, the Duke of Bransford receives a promise from his son to marry the heiress he’s chosen so that Royal will be able to bring the family coffers and estate back to their former glory, shedding a good light on their name once again.

The day finally arrives for Royal to meet his betrothed, to make plans for the wedding he is not looking forward to but will go through with because he gave his word. Coming upon a carriage accident on the Bransford estate, Royal finds his fiance injured but thrown clear of the wreckage. Lifting the beautiful woman in his arms to care for her only reinforces his immediate attraction. Perhaps marriage will not be such a terrible state after all.

He is in for a surprise, however, when he later learns it is his betrothed’s cousin and companion, Lily, he’s brought into his home. She’s come to make sure all is ready for Jocelyn when she and her mother arrive for their introduction to the Duke. Lily is as attracted to Royal as he is to her, but she knows he can never be hers. And then before she can stop herself, she’s offered the help of her uncle and his cronies, criminals all, but they do play a convincing confidence game, and that’s just what Royal needs to get the justice his father deserves after being expertly swindled, thus leaving their coffers dry.

I enjoyed Royal and Lily. They try to be so very good when in each other’s presence, but their longing for one another gets in the way every time until finally they go too far. But Royal cannot marry Lily due to his promise to his father, a vow he will not break, even for Lily. I cheered for her each time she succumbed to Royal’s loving because her cousin is one selfish bitch, even though it ate at Lily to be so brazen and disloyal. Jocelyn and her mother do not deserve such loyalty, and it’s a terrific comeuppance Jocelyn receives in the end.

The confidence game they play in the second half of the book is a lot of fun, plenty of players to make the sting possible and very successful, though it does come back to haunt them slightly afterward.

I did want a little more of Royal’s brothers throughout the story, but we get only a smidgen of Reese, the hero of the next book, and a tad more of Rule, who we’ll see in the third. I do hope we get a good update on Royal and Lily in Reese’s Bride. But overall she gives just enough to keep your interest in the characters alive and to make you have the next two books in hand as soon as possible. Which I plan to do.

Grade: B

Summary:

Though he is a titled nobleman, Royal Dewar is singularly unlucky …   forced to choose between his soul mate …  and his salvation.

After years abroad, Royal has returned to Bransford Castle to find his father dying and the family treasury nearly empty. Then the old duke wrests a final promise from his guilt-ridden son: that Royal will marry heiress Jocelyn Caulfield and restore the estate to its former glory. However, it is not his fiancee who quickens Royal’s pulse, but rather her beautiful cousin Lily Moran.

Penniless Lily knows that nothing can come of their undeniable attraction―but there is a way she can help Royal. Enlisting some questionable characters from her past, Lily concocts an elaborate ruse to recover some of the Bransford fortune from a notorious confidence artist. As the dangerous scheme unfolds, Lily and Royal are thrown together in pursuit of the very thing―money―that keeps them part.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Summer  of Two Wishes by Julia London
Contemporary Romance published by Pocket Star 18 Aug 09

I hadn’t intended to read this book for review when I picked it up to look it over. But it’s one of those themes that you’re curious to know how an author deals with the subject matter, the emotions, and, of course, the conclusion.  This is one of those situations that is impossible to deal with, impossible to know what to do, impossible for a woman to choose. But there has to be an ending to the story, and it’s always interesting to see how many readers, especially women, want one solution and how many want another.

Macy’s life drastically changes twice in the span of four years. First is when the Army informs her her husband has died in Iraq. She’s finally gotten on with her life, dealt with her grief, and decided to live again. The second time is when the Army informs her they made a mistake. Her dead husband is, in fact, alive. Something she is happy about, grateful for, thank the Lord. But she’s also remarried and now has a second husband to deal with.

Flying to Washington, D.C. with her family as well as her first husband’s family, her greatest wish has been realized, Finn, the love of her life, escaped his captors, is in pretty good shape considering all he’s been through, and he wants to pick up right where they left off four years ago. As much as Macy wishes that could happen too, she does have Wyatt to consider. He brought her out of her misery, made her want to live again. She loves him too.

I felt for Macy from the beginning. Doesn’t matter how it happens, a woman in this situation has a difficult choice of a lifetime. More than difficult. But also right from the beginning, I got a little irritated with her. I realize she had to go to D.C. She had no choice. Wyatt was very understanding about that. But the entire week or more that she’s gone, she did not once contact Wyatt to keep him updated, and all that man wanted was to hear her voice, make sure she’s okay. She never returns his phone calls, never thought about him and what he might be going through.

The week is busy for her and Finn, the Army putting them through all kinds of meetings and whatnot, morning TV shows clamoring for them and their story, but, I’m sorry, Macy should have had at least sixty seconds for the husband she left at home. Especially since the next thing we know, she’s refusing her first husband’s sexual advances and finally tells him she remarried, and things begin to go south for them. Then when she gets home to Wyatt, he can’t wait to have her in his bed again and she goes willingly. But then her next step is to move out so she’s not staying with either man until her decision is made.

I think that little tidbit so early in the book is what turned me toward my decision that I would choose Wyatt for Macy. Of course, I couldn’t help but feel for Finn too. He went through hell during his captivity, thoughts of Macy the only thing keeping him going the entire time. I know that probably put a good many readers in his corner. And he not only finds his life with Macy gone, but also his home is gone, his ranch run down and the land about to be sold, his prized horses sold long ago. But this information came a little too late in the story for me. Macy does take her time making her decision, and she makes it her way. Even later on when Wyatt decides to play hardball to win her, I couldn’t fault him for it. Of course, both men eventually realize their fates and come to their own conclusions after a lot of heartache.

I’m a bit surprised at my choice in this instance. I thought I would cheer for the love that would eventually end up winning, but I definitely did not. And, on top of that, the man who was not chosen, Macy never hears from him again, we have no idea what happens to him after he knew he would never win his fight for her. I didn’t care for that at all, of course, because of my partiality toward him all along. It’s not clear to me why Ms. London chose to do that. I had this niggling thought that perhaps another book might come of it, but I doubt it, especially since there is nothing on her website alluding to that, that I can tell anyway.

This is an interesting read and an emotional one, no doubt about it. It’s a book that could put you on the opposite side of what you think you might do and of what others might think. Even Macy’s friends and family had clear thoughts on what she should do when she takes so long to make her decision. She always thought her choice would be clear-cut, but when finally faced with such a dilemma and with life being so different after so long, who’s to say we really know what we would do in the same circumstances.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Whose wife was she?

Macy Lockhart’s life shattered in a moment with the news that her husband, Finn–serving in the military overseas–has been killed in the line of duty.  Their ardent and devoted marriage is over, leaving Macy alone and directionless.  But while she tries to sustain herself with memories of Finn, the quiet, strong man who made her and their small Texas ranch the center of his life, it is wealthy Wyatt Clark who slowly brings joy back into her life.  Her love for Wyatt may be less romantic than the breathless passion she’d once shared with Finn, but she vows to cherish him, and their marriage is happy and solid as a rock.  Until the day that Finn, miraculously spared from death, returns home to claim his bride…

How can a woman choose between the two men she loves?  And how will she make the right choice–for herself and everyone involved?

Read an excerpt.

Limecello’s review of Million Dollar Baby Bargain by Tessa Radley
Contemporary romance published by Silhouette Desire on 11 Aug 2009

I really enjoy Tessa Radley’s Silhouette Desire books. Million Dollar Baby Bargain was no exception, but there was something different about it. Not “off” exactly, but the tone felt a little darker, and the title, for Ms. Radley’s book was misleading. (I know that’s common with harlequin categories, but I never noticed it much with Ms. Radley’s stories.) However, in a twisted way, it fit – in fact, the characters mention it as a joke at one point in the book.

Victoria Sutton is an interesting heroine. She’s strong, but not. She’s also career driven, to the point where she’s sacrified relationships. Not just romantic ones, but she seems to have lost touch with friends as well. In a way she’s the more emotionally closed participant in the novel. Nevertheless, I liked Tory. I think she was confused a lot, and felt rather fearful – the dynamics of her relationship with Connor are very interesting.

Connor North is a well developed, but rather confusing hero. He seems like a jerk – cruel, cold, and rather bitter at the beginning, but he opens up more quickly and seems rather warmer. I liked that once Connor is in, he’s all in – there’s no escape plan, and he doesn’t allow for contingencies. He’s determined, and cares. I think knowing about his past helps, and I loved his “clueless guy” moments.

I’ll come out and say it – Victoria and Connor are unknowingly parents of baby Dylan – Suzy and Michael’s baby. Both Suzy and Michael were apparently unable to have children, so both turn to their best friends. But… nobody knew but Suzy and Michael who [all] of Dylan’s parents are.

It’s… well crazy. Especially since for most of the book, Victoria doesn’t tell Connor she’s Dylan’s biological mother, and Connor does the same. However, both feel a strong connection to Dylan, and responsible for him as [Dylan's] parent. It seems like I’ve let the cat out of the bag – but there’s really a lot more to the story. Also it’s so… twisted. Interesting, and… complicated.

How Connor and Victoria deal with the grief of losing their best friends, becoming parents – their relationship, learning to trust each other and move past their issues… it’s good.

Ms. Radley writes excellent stories, and I was engaged the entire time I was reading it. And when I was re-reading it as well. There were a few twists that I wondered about, but I didn’t dwell on them, and there are no glaring contradictions that I recall. I recommend this book to anyone who likes reading Silhouette Desire books, or Ms. Radley’s writing.

Grade: B-

Turned from best man to baby’s guardian in one shocking moment, bad-boy billionaire Connor North intended to stake his claim. If maid-of-honor Victoria Sutton wanted any part in the child’s life, she would have to play by the billionaire’s rules. So Victoria moved into Connor’s mansion. She even agreed to become his wife. And despite her initial disdain for the powerful businessman, she eventually succumbed to his charms. The bond they formed—to the baby and to each other—was an outcome neither had expected. But would a surprising truth destroy all they had finally found?

Read an excerpt here. (Just scroll down to about the middle of the product page.)

Liviania’s review of The Darkest Whisper (Lords of the Underworld, Book 4) by Gena Showalter
Paranormal romance released by HQN 25 Aug 09

This was my second Lords of the Underworld novel and third Gena Showalter overall.  Now, she’s no Kresley Cole, but I definitely enjoy her writing.  She pulls you into the story and gets things moving immediately.  Heck, The Darkest Whisper begins mid-battle.  That’s the kind of badass beginning an immortal warrior and his harpy love deserve.

And if you like your romantic leads best when they’re overcoming large obstacles, you’ll love Sabin and Gwen.  Sabin, like all the Lords of the Underworld, contains a demon.  His is Doubt, constantly needling at the psyches of those around him.  His girlfriends have a tendency to kill themselves, which puts a real damper on his love life.  It doesn’t help that he’s totally focused on the leader of the Hunters, Galen, and willing to use anybody if it means reaching his goal.

Gwen, on the other hand, grew up confused by the conflict of her violent harpy nature with her softer, angelic side.  It undermined her confidence and turned her into a meek, scared woman.  Being captured and forced to watch other women tortured didn’t do much to make her feel better about herself.  She’s exactly the sort of woman Sabin should avoid.  Yet Showalter makes it work.  Gwen’s confidence grows quickly, but naturally.  In the end you might wish she decided some things differently, but her decisions were true to her character.  She’s soft-hearted, but knows she can defeat anyone in the room if she needs to.

I find it hard to discuss The Darkest Whisper critically.  Showalter made that part of my brain click off.  She made me sit back and relax, and I let her since I needed it.  I must say I admire how she handles her massive cast.  The others aren’t enigmas waiting for their own books, but receive a decent amount of character development and have adventures unrelated to the main couple.

I particularly enjoyed the interaction between Torin and Cameo.  Theirs is an unusual relationship for a romance, including the fact they have to stick to sex acts like mutual masturbation due to Torin’s condition and don’t intend to ever love each other.  (Also, Torin was attracted to Nïx’s ears, which makes me long for an even fuller crossover between the Lords of the Underworld and the Immortals After Dark.)

I also enjoyed the development of Gideon.  He is hard to understand when outside his POV, since he can’t say what he means.  But inside he’s extremely interesting – devoted to Paris and enjoying his demon, since it comes with a nice set of benefits.  The others tend to angst about it at least a little more, so it’s a nice change of pace.

I do enjoy how the series arc is developing.  Searches for artifacts can be annoying, but Showalter downplays that aspect of it.  She focuses more on what the enemy is doing to defeat the Lords, what Cronus is up to in his position of power over the Lords, and what might happen to them once they do manage to gather the artifacts and restore Pandora’s Box.

It makes it worth coming back for the story, not just for seeing a favorite character pair off happily ever after.

Grade: B+

Read other reviews on this series by following its tag here.

Summary:

New York Times bestselling sensation Gena Showalter returns with her long-awaited next installment of the Lords of the Underworld series…

He is the keeper of Doubt and his entire world’s about to be rocked.

Bound by the demon of doubt, Sabin unintentionally destroys even the most confident of lovers. So the immortal warrior spends his time on the battlefield instead of the bedroom, victory his only concern…until he meets Gwendolyn the Timid. One taste of the beautiful redhead, and he craves more.

Gwen, an immortal herself, always thought she’d fall for a kind human who wouldn’t rouse her darker side. But when Sabin frees her from prison, battling their enemies for the claim to Pandora’s box turns out to be nothing compared to the battle Sabin and Gwen will wage against love…

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Lynne Connolly‘s review of Rot by Michele Lee
Horror fiction novella released by Skullvines Press Aug 2009

Rot isn’t my usual kind of read. It isn’t a romance, or at any rate, not a genre romance. It does contain romantic elements, though and it’s an interesting and well written novella. 

Dean is caught up in what is essentially a mystery, after his cushy job at Silver Springs is compromised and he discovers the dark side of zombie farming. It’s a chase and discovery book, as Dean and his zombie sidekick, Patrick, delve into the mystery.

Dean is an engaging character, at first a little too cynical for his own good, but what he uncovers in the course of the story makes him even more disgusted with his world and what he discovers. The story is episodic, with little sense of a central whole, but it holds together well, and I’ve always been fond of the picaresque.

The book is a first person narration and we do get a good sense of Dean’s character and his motivations. The tone is hard-boiled, but Lee is no Hammett. Where Hammett’s cynical descriptions vividly describe his world and metaphors are often used to describe hidden traits of his characters, Lee’s Dean says what he sees.

I could have done with a little more description, especially at first, to centre me in the world. As the chapters went on, it became clearer, but when I was first plunged into a world where bringing people back from the dead was commonplace, I was a little lost. There is little explanation of how people were brought back and what philosophical implications that might have for society as a whole, but this would have been a very different kind of book if that were the case.

I have to admit that zombies aren’t my thing, but I picked this up willing to give it a try. The most sympathetic characters are the dead ones, but their rate of rotting seemed to be somewhat erratic at times. However, I did enjoy the story.

On the whole a different and engaging read.

Grade: C+

Summary:

Zombies Can Be Such a Burden

So you’ve raised your loved ones from the dead, but had no idea how difficult it would be to care for them.

No problem! Silver Springs is a warm, peaceful facility equipped to handle all your zombie needs. Their friendly staff will ensure they have a safe environment with daily exercise and raw meat.

Rest easy knowing they’re in good hands… as they rot.

In Michele Lee’s Rot, you won’t find an apocalypse or Romero-style flesh-eaters. This is far more disturbing.

In a world where certain people can will others back from death, Silver Springs Specialty Care Community caters to the undead for those who aren’t quite ready to let go (zombie milk available by special arrangement at the home office).

Dean, retired from the military and looking for an easier life, runs security at this zombie herding farm, but he learns that dark injustice is not unique to war. There’s a rotten core to Silver Springs. Now, Dean and a quickly-decaying corpse named Patrick are on the hunt for a woman they both love and lost to a lucrative business that specializes in greed, zombies and never having to say goodbye.

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of Laid Bare by Lauren Dane
Erotic romance released by Berkley 4 Aug 09

It seems to me that Lauren Dane’s writing improves with each book, and Laid Bare really is no exception. It’s an interesting book, and I love the setting. The characters and their lifestyles are definitely outside my experience and not something I’m familiar with, but I did enjoy reading this story. I don’t normally talk about it first, but I really liked the ending to this book too – everything came together just right. It was like the perfect golden moment in a movie.

Erin Brown does not have a personality that matches her name. There’s nothing plain or simple about her. She’s the heroine, and she’s the rock star. Well, former rock star, but I loved that she was the “famous” one in the relationship. Erin is a complicated and difficult character, because she’s lived through a nightmare. Normally I’d be pretty skeptical of that happening to any character, but considering her fame and fortune, I could believe what happened to her. I had some trouble grasping who Erin truly was because she’s so take charge and larger than life in general, but sexually she’s submissive. I know it can work, and that it’s natural, I just simply had some difficulty drawing it all together in my head.

Todd Keenan is a mix – he’s your typical romance hero, yet not. He’s a cop, he’s emotionally stupid initially, and he falls head over heels in love with Erin. Fast. I loved that. I love that he grew up in the decade they were apart, and is determined to live his life, and be who he truly is, not what society dictates. He’s also sweet, caring, knows and is willing to admit that he’s made mistakes, and very close to friends and family. It seems like the years he was gone (and married to someone else) were a fluke, and finally he’s home, and alive again.

It’s complicated because Erin and Todd had a relationship “ten years before the book starts.” It’s at the beginning of the book, but very early on they end and they you go to “ten years later.” Post Erin’s life hitting it big and becoming a tragedy. Todd and Erin both essentially lived entire lives before finding each other again. I know they had to, but they way the met seemed just a bit too convenient. (Maybe I don’t believe in fate or serendipity.)

The book works because the foundation is so realistic. Seattle was a great music scene in the ’90s, so Erin and Adrian really could have gotten their start there. Also, I really like Seattle. (Granted my trip might have been a break in the space- time continuum because it basically didn’t rain while I was there.) I loved the places Ms. Dane mentioned, and it’s clear she knows the area. The book never gets bogged down with details, but there’s just enough so you can paint a picture in your mind, and it fits.

Now… onto the more complicated stuff. I’m not sure if I read too much, or too little of Ms. Dane’s writing, but I found bits and pieces of this book very reminiscent of her book Undercover. Yes, the settings and worlds are totally different… but you have the hero and heroine who had a relationship then split… get back together, he’s dominant, she’s submissive… and – then they enter a triad.

That and I know I’m extremely sensitive to Ms. Dane’s dialogue. It gets better with every book, but every so often a character lapses back into what I think of as “word vomit.” They just say things about their thoughts, emotions, etc, that would never come up in every day conversations. It’s like they’ve constantly gotten out of therapy sessions, or are drunk. (Though ironically, both could be true in Laid Bare, so maybe my complaints there are null.)

Also, if I wasn’t clear- this is an erotic romance. There is a lot of sex, and a lot of it goes straight into what might be termed “kinky.” Todd likes to dominate in bed. Erin likes to submit. Ben, their third, also likes to dominate. Ben also happens to be Todd’s best friend, and the way the relationship develops is very fast, but considering the characters, it does work. It seems all of them are grasping life with both hands and going for it.

I took issue to one scene where Todd uses his belt on Erin – not because he does, but because she says “it won’t hurt me.” (I know she means permanently damage… but I had to put the book down for a bit. That and it was 3 AM.) Also, that Ms. Dane uses the word “gate” for vagina. It completely takes me out of the book, and I usually roll my eyes. I can’t help but picture a white picket fence… complete with a swinging gate, of course. [Not sexy.] But going back to the belt thing – I know it’s a huge turn on for many people.

More importantly, however, the emotions running through the characters and their reactions make it work. While [B]DS[M] is not something I know much about, I think it was very well written here. The fact that theirs is an very emotional relationship with strong connections helps. Todd says “I love you” about one-third of the way in – practically unheard of for a romance, and I thought it was fantastic.

The interaction between the characters, especially Todd, Erin, and Ben was so cute. (Well, outside the sex – that wasn’t cute. That was raunchy, gritty, and dirty – all in the good ways.) I liked that this book took the characters to an unconventional relationship, but it happens in a way that fits all the characters. Todd, Erin, and Ben don’t start having threesomes just because they want sex – they’re all honestly in love with each other. They address the concerns rationally and in a very mature manner. They talk about their fears and concerns, and know it will be difficult, but even more, it’s what they want. And I have to say I’m impressed with Ms. Dane for taking me there.

Nevertheless, there were some parts of the book that seemed rushed, while others were extremely drawn out and descriptive. Although the book covers a good period of time, a lot happens in this book. I’ll let you read about it. I really liked the secondary characters, and I know some of them are getting their own books – and while I generally don’t like series, a character I found interesting was Erin’s ex-husband. I believe he could have a great story of his own.

Lastly, as I mentioned before, I loved the ending. Loved. The characters basically all had their closure and were able to move on, and Erin especially. I really liked that Laid Bare was a heroine centric book – with the very interesting dynamic of her being sexually submissive to two men – and that Erin takes back control of her life by the end and is doing what she loves – performing. It’s a seriously perfect moment, and this time, I’m glad this book is part of a series and that I get to revisit the characters.

Grade: C+

Unexpected Desire…

It’s been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn’t in the cards just yet…

Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin’s past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd’s best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed—and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of Surrender of a Siren by Tessa Dare
Historic romance releaseded by Ballantine on 25 Aug 09

I’ve enjoyed Tessa Dare’s previous stories, both Goddess of the Hunt, and Legend of the Werestag. Unfortunately, I did not like Surrender of a Siren as much. Initially I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. Although Sophia grew on me in Goddess… that didn’t really translate for me in Siren. A number of factors combined just made me rather indifferent to the book. Then again, everyone kept calling it the “goats on a boat” book… and of course … who could think of anything but “Get these mutha effin’ goats off this mutha effin’ boat!!!” That actually gave it a positive association for the humor- and I did like all the parts with the goats. Anyway, onward!

Sophia Hathaway is a great character in Goddess of the Hunt. She’s smart, spritely – in that she has a puckish sense of humor, is beautiful, perfect, and a good friend. You want to hate her there, but just can’t because she’s so much fun. Maybe Sophia needs female companionship to shine, or something, but being the only woman on the boat with the book taking place with the characters sailing across the ocean…. not so good.

It pains me to say, but I couldn’t help but think “Sophia sucks as a person” near the end of the book. She’s clueless, selfish, spoiled, knows it …and doesn’t particularly feel bad about it. In fact, there’s a part where Sophia reflects on her failings as… well a person, really, and then goes “oh- well but it’s ok because now I’m in love with Gray!” While I can see the logic that she doesn’t have regrets overall, I didn’t like that she brushed off everything. Although Sophia does redeem herself slightly in the end, I was too annoyed with everything she’d done to let it go. I didn’t feel her final act truly excused what she did throughout.

Benedict “Gray” Grayson is a character I had difficulty understanding. I know he’s supposed to be the “good guy” because… well he’s the hero. But to be honest, my first impression of him was someone who was rather smarmy, and this continued throughout the book. There’s a scene where he and Sophia talk about how many women he’s been with, and he honestly has no idea.

Other than being physically attracted to Sophia, I’m not quite sure why he’s drawn to her. (Although he does admire her easy camaraderie with the crew members.) I felt bad for Gray because he does what he thinks is best for his family, and others, but has trouble explaining his actions so those he’s helping aren’t necessarily grateful. I thought it was noble, and rather sweet how sentimental Gray truly is, and the relationship he has with his half brother Joss. Grayson is the golden boy you initially have a hard time liking, but as his character is revealed, he grows on you.

The setting didn’t help my like (dislike) of this book. Ships and transatlantic journeys are not sexy. You can’t bathe for days if not weeks – or longer – it smells, it’s hot, there were goats in the next living quarters… I think the overall tone affected how I felt about it as well. Sophia and Grey didn’t trust each other. Grey and Joss had conflict. There was conflict between the crew and the Grayson brothers. It was draining. Mostly, the fact that Gray and Sophia had such a tenuous connection made it difficult for me to believe in their romance. Sure, they were physically attracted to each other (in basic terms, they were both the most attractive people of their sex on the boat). The crew was supposed to be charming, but other than Davey they didn’t really have much personality. Also, pirates – or privateers, which is what they really were… aren’t appealing. Scurvy? Not sexy. (Yes, I realize I may have over thought things.)

However, the ending really did a lot to change my mind about/redeem the book. While Sophia fleeing was not entirely unique, I did like the reunion scene. And the courtroom scene before that was nice too – Sophia “regained” her self assurance, and “used her powers for good” – which was a pleasant turn of events. The flow of the book, and tone were nice – it’s well written, but I couldn’t get over the slow plot, and my dislike of the characters. While I get the title, I also don’t think it’s  that fitting, and it always felt a little strange for Gray to be calling Sophia “Sweet” and “Siren.”

I did like the descriptions of the ship, and felt that the journey was quite realistic. The day to day life, hailing of other ships, and dealing with natural disasters – lightning, storms, they were exciting, and kept Surrender of a Siren from being like every other sea-faring historical book. The vignettes of Sophia sketching the crew of the ship were also nice. It felt like Sophia was more herself at those times. Otherwise, I didn’t find the whole deception plot, and her flight from England very engaging.

I know I’ll read A Lady of Persuasion because I’m very curious as to what Isabel Grayson’s character is, and how her story will play out… but I’m not sure about Tobias Aldridge, based on the blurb in Siren. I think what didn’t help was the fact that I found the beginning of Surrender of a Siren somewhat slow. I started reading it, but put it down for a while. In a way I enjoyed the interaction between the secondary characters, or the Gray and Sophia’s interaction with the secondary characters more than their interaction with each other. This isn’t my favorite book by Ms. Dare -if you read Goddess of the Hunt it’s an interesting follow up (Lucy has a cameo appearance at the end), and I definitely think you should read it if you plan to read A Lady of Persuasion as well.

Grade: D+

Summary:

Desperate to escape a loveless marriage and society’s constraints, pampered heiress Sophia Hathaway jilts her groom, packs up her paints and sketchbook, and assumes a new identity, posing as a governess to secure passage on the Aphrodite. She wants a life of her own: unsheltered, unconventional, uninhibited. But it’s one thing to sketch all her wildest, most wanton fantasies, and quite another to face the dangerously handsome libertine who would steal both her virtue and her gold.

To any well-bred lady, Benedict “Gray” Grayson is trouble in snug-fitting boots. A conscienceless scoundrel who sails the seas for pleasure and profit, Gray lives for conquest—until Sophia’s perception and artistry stir his heart. Suddenly, he’ll brave sharks, fire, storm, and sea just to keep her at his side. She’s beautiful, refined, and ripe for seduction. Could this counterfeit governess be a rogue’s redemption? Or will the runaway heiress’s secrets destroy their only chance at love?

Read an excerpt here.

Gwen’s review of Hunting Ground (Alpha and Omega, Book 2) by Patricia Briggs
Paranormal romantic suspense released by Ace 29 Aug 09

I love Briggs’ storytelling.  Her books are always these lovely tales that are full of interesting, unique, and oddly believable paranormal elements.  You sincerely feel as if her world could exist and she’s just telling you about it like a newspaper relates events.  I love that kind of confidence in an author – I have no trouble giving them several hours of my time because I know it won’t be wasted. 

The Alpha & Omega books are set in the same world as the Mercy Thompson books.  While Mercy is told in first person POV, the A&O books are in third (yay!).  We get to see into all of the characters’ motivations and heads. There are a few common characters, some common story arcs, and common species, but that’s where the similarities between the two series ends.  And Hunting stands alone fine – no need to read the first book in the A&O  series; but why deprive yourself, read it already.

Charles and Anna are set the task of negotiating the U.S. werewolves’ “coming out” to the public.  They’re negotiating the reveal with the other werewolf communities – helping some to stay hidden, helping others with public relations expertise and expense, and just generally making sure everyone knows what is about to happen.

As you can imagine, there are quite a few beings who are NOT happy about this upcoming event.  There are plots within plots and lots of gamesmanship involved – some of it deadly.  I had a lot of fun reading all the action and machinations.

The romance between Charles and Anna continues to be sweet.  However, I would have liked to read more about their one on one time and that’s the only reason I dropped the grade from an A to a B.  Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book.

I highly recommend the book to fans of the author and the series.  It stands alone fine, so if you haven’t read any of the related books, please pick this one up.  It’s a very fun story chock-a-block with lots of interesting action and characters.

Grade: B++

Read other reviews and information by following the series’ tag here.

Summary:

Mated to werewolf Charles Cornick, the son -and enforcer -of the leader of the North American werewolves, Anna Latham now knows how dangerous being a werewolf is, especially when a werewolf opposes Charles and his father is struck down. Charles’s reputation makes him the prime suspect, and the penalty for the crime is execution. Now Anna and Charles must combine their talents to hunt down the real killer -or Charles will take the fall.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Untitled Book 3, Aug 2010

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Silent Watch by Elle Kennedy
Romantic suspense released by Silhouette Romantic Suspense 01 Aug 2009

Romantic suspense is an extremely tricky genre for an author to write.  You have to juggle both romance and suspense, devote equal time to both plot lines, and keep the reader satisfied on both counts.  Couple that with writing the sub genre in the shorter category romance format?  Yeah, it can be a recipe for disaster.  But oh, when an author gets it right?  It’s a joy and wonder to behold.  Unfortunately while there were some bright moments in Elle Kennedy’s first Silhouette Romantic Suspense, the reliance on too many well-worn romantic suspense cliches dampened my enjoyment.

Swimsuit model Samantha Dawson barely survived her encounter with the serial killer, The Rose Killer.  For her protection, and hoping it will break the case wide open, the FBI lets everyone believe she’s dead and spirit her to a safe house out in the middle of nowhere.  Then another woman is attacked, and she miraculously also survives, but she’s so traumatized she’s refusing to spill her guts to the authorities.  One of the agents working the case, Blake Corwin, is particularly haunted by the Rose Killer case, and is desperate for any type of lead.  His brilliant idea?  Show up on Sam’s doorstep and try to convince her to talk to the latest victim.  Imagine his surprise when Sam opens up the front door and greets him with a shotgun.

My enjoyment of this story was marred by too many contrivances that readers have seen one too many times in other romantic suspense stories.  We have the damaged FBI agent who is haunted by the death of the woman he loved, and failed to protect.  We have the gorgeous heroine in peril who is still traumatized by her encounter with a serial killer, but then turns around and does stupid crap that puts her in danger.  There are moments in the story where the romance does shine, and that’s when Blake and Sam are talking.  Just talking to each other about their lives pre-Rose Killer – Sam’s work as a model, their respective childhoods, etc.

Unfortunately those nice moments are broken up by plot turns that had me scoffing.  Blake is apparently determined and obsessed with catching the Rose Killer, but other than playing bodyguard to Sam, the reader never actually sees him doing any investigative FBI-type work.  Then, with her cover blown sky high, and with a serial killer on the loose, Sam keeps wanting to leave Blake’s house to go “outside.”  We even have a chapter where the two go outside to frolic in some freshly fallen snow.

No, I’m not making this up.

I did like that Sam called Blake on quite a bit of his “failed to protect the woman I loved, and I shall never love again” bullshit – but I was mightily annoyed that a pivotal emotional scene involving a secondary character later in the story is marred by Sam and Blake ripping each others’ clothes off and boinking like bunnies.  In the end, there just wasn’t enough here to keep me terribly engaged in the story.  Some of the relationship stuff was nice, but too often this story felt like “been there, done that.”

Grade: C-

Summary:

Blake was tracking the Rose Killer in order to forget the woman he couldn’t save. Now there was a new lead: a survivor. Convincing Samantha “Sam” Dawson to help was only half the battle. Resisting the allure of the fiery beauty was downright impossible.

Sam wanted nothing to do with men. With the city. With the fame of her former life as a model. Six months after the heinous attack, she still bore the killer’s trademark scar. But if she was as tough as she thought, she’d have to face her fears to catch a killer—and dare to love again.

Read an excerpt.

Limecello’s review of Tasting Fear by Shannon McKenna
Romantic suspense published by Brava on 1 Aug 2009

Shannon McKenna is one of my favorite authors. So much in fact, that I read her books despite the fact that I generally try to avoid Romantic Suspense. I have all of Shannon McKenna’s back list. Some, duplicates even. She may be the only author I can say that for. It is thus, regretfully, that I say that I found Tasting Fear to be… well… average. As Sybil likes to say, [C] is good at the pond! But fair or not, as Ms. McKenna is one of my favorite authors, I don’t expect “good.” I expect excellent. Consequently, I have to say I’m glad I got this book from the library. Will I eventually buy it? Likely – after all, I hate having incomplete “collections.” But since I’ve already read it, I won’t mind waiting for this to come out as a mass market paperback.

Outside the Limit

Nancy D’Onofrio has a cute story. I get that she’s the oldest, and her personality really is the stereotypical “oldest sibling” – very responsible, staid, proper, and… well burdened. This seems to be a common trend in Ms. McKenna’s stories. I felt that Nancy’s story was a bit short changed, because much of the plot was laid out in her novella. Then again, it didn’t matter too much because Nancy was a rather static character. Unfortunately, Liam was as well.

Liam Knightly is…a character I had a hard time labeling. He’s a carpenter, but apparently comfortable engaging with assailants in the middle of the night. The background given that his step dad taught him some self defense and that he’s done additional training seemed almost insufficient for what he was dealing with. Of course the big bad hero has to win the day – but I didn’t find it that believable. Or memorable. I liked the story, but I didn’t think about it much after reading it.

Liam is, however, very sweet. I liked that he tried to get Nancy to chill out, and to think of herself before others (something she had to do). He is very caring, and the two of them work… they just didn’t wow me.

Grade: C-

Ask for More

I liked Nell’s story most- I felt the most drawn to it, and the characters. Nell D’Onofrio is interesting. She’s almost two different people, really. Nell is a waitress, and … a graduate student, trying to get her PhD. I think I liked this story the most because I liked Nell in spite of herself. She’s so uncertain and well, she’s focusing on poetry. So not my thing. I shouldn’t really have found her character relatable, but I did. It also helps that I really liked Duncan Burke. That, and Nell has confidence in her work, and asserts herself and says what she wants – or deserves – in a relationship, or at least inter personal relations.

Duncan Burke, the hero is ex military, a businessman extraordinaire, and a conundrum. He’s emotionally stunted. There’s something about the way Ms. McKenna writes her heroes, that I generally find very appealing. I find myself willing to forgive any number of sins, because… well he’s trying so hard. Much like a puppy, but a large breed, with very sharp teeth. One that wants to play with you, but may accidentally rip your arm to shreds. There’s a scene where Duncan follows Nell around Manhattan. Really, he’s stalking her – which would be extremely creepy, other than he’s doing it to make sure she’s safe. That, and he wanted to apologize for being a jerk, but freaks out and doesn’t approach her once he sees she’s crying. (And then he conveniently prevents her from being kidnapped by being around.) Maybe its twisted, but I enjoyed Duncan following Nell- and why he ended up doing it.

I love that Duncan was so capable, and willing to own who he is. Duncan throws his money around to protect Nell and her sisters, and he doesn’t do it to be show off, its simply his personality. Also, it showed his determination because his goal is keeping Nell safe and happy, and money will achieve that goal. I think it really helped that Nell and Duncan had a relationship before their story begins. Or, at least had known each other, albeit minimally. I felt that what they did and how they interacted with their siblings, and other characters helped develop their personalities. I found Nell and Duncan the most memorable, and likable. The secondary characters here and their reactions helped build the story as well.

I think I also like that Nell and Duncan split up for a period- and Nell is basically able to hold her own. She and Duncan work because they want to.

Grade: C+

Ready or Not

Vivi D’Onofrio’s character is interesting. She’s an artist that hasn’t been living up to her full potential due to some events in her past. Maybe it’s just that I’m over the tragic abused heroine, or the way in which Vivi dealt with it. She just seemed so needy and abrasive. There are a lot of exclamation points when she speaks, and it seemed that she went out of her way to project an image, and then was annoyed when people bought into it.

Jack Kendrick is a jerk. There really is no other term that fits him, and I never thought he entirely redeemed himself. (At least the other heroes grovelled nicely or did some other act.) Yes, Jack steps in and saves the day, but he’s pretty cruel to Vivi, and is possibly the most emotionally damaged character. I think Jack’s back story and history is the most interesting. It’s very telling, and could have been the basis of a novel in and of itself. Nevertheless it doesn’t excuse the way he judges Vivi, and comes to the wrong conclusion. I really like that Jack was so into flowers. Conveniently his expertise helps solve the final mystery. (It seemed a little pat, although Ms. McKenna does give him the foundation for his love of plants.)

I felt that Vivi and Jack’s interaction, at least sexually seemed forced. They seemed to connect on a purely physical level, if that – and only on a physical level. I know they end up together, but I suppose I never exactly saw the why of it.

Grade: C-

In the end, this book was something like a shadow of Ms. McKenna’s other books. Good, but there wasn’t a major draw. The freak you out, and rip your heart out factor wasn’t there. Of course there’s the generally strong and capable heroine who just has this one situation she needs help with, and the convenient appearance of the uber hero. He’s rather inept emotionally, extremely attractive and fit, very sexual, very attracted to the heroine, doesn’t believe in love, and can take down three attackers with a handicap. The villain in the book wasn’t that believable, and seemed… a bit too extreme. He’s too one dimensional and insane and gross. There wasn’t much plot, and I felt like a lot of the book was just waiting for the end to come. For some authors, they just don’t write novellas as well as novels. Personally I don’t think that’s the case with Ms. McKenna, because some of her novellas are my favorite romances ever. These three, however, won’t make that list. Sad.

I believe Ms. McKenna’s next book will be Kevin McCloud’s. Dare I say I hope that will be the last of the series? (And I’d like to note here that I love this series.) I have to say I’m a little apprehensive. Kevin’s book could be one of the best… or a flop. I’ve of course got my fingers crossed for the former. If you’re into Romantic Suspense, I’d say give this book a read. (Or Erotic Romance as well.) However, if you’re looking to read Ms. McKenna’s books – I’d recommend starting with a different story.

Grade: C-

BLOOD WILL TELL

Nancy . . . Nell . . . Vivi . . . Three sisters who know there is no force on earth greater than love . . . unless it is the desire for vengeance. When their adored foster mother is murdered, the D’Onofrio women come together to hunt for her murderer—and track down a family legacy gone missing; rare, priceless art from the Renaissance, a treasure worth killing for. The law can only do so much and the three sisters are on their own—until three mysterious men get involved . . .

Startled to find a brawny stranger at her mother’s house, Nancy is even more surprised at the heat of passion that flares between them. Liam is intense and instantly protective. But is it wise to trust him with every secret? Her sister Nell has turned to Duncan, her new boss, for help. He’s an expert on the dark underworld of cyberspace, where other clues may lurk. And Duncan is so sexy its scary. All Nell ahs to do is say the hardest word of all: yes. But what about the youngest of the D’Onofrios, the wild and wilful Vivi? She’s on the verge of falling in love with Jack, who’s all about fierce vigilance . . .

The sisters embrace the ultimate in passion as danger stalks them all. Unknown and unseen, the killer is very, very near . . .

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Eye Of The Storm by Delilah Devlin
Erotic romance short story ebook released by Spice Briefs 01 August 2009

I’m a bit of a contrary reader.  Sometimes I want angst and gritty realism, other times I want something escapist and sexy.  This latest Spice Briefs short story from Delilah Devlin scratched the last itch.  In order for readers to enjoy it, they really have to be willing to go with pure fantasy.

One year ago Janie went to Jamaica to mend a broken heart.  She got some help from Marcus.  They had a brief, torrid affair, and agreed to have no further contact with each other.  One year later, they would agree to meet back up in Jamaica.  If they both showed, that will be the signal that they should explore a more structured relationship.  However when Janie lands in Jamaica, she not only sees Marcus, but his best friend Cade as well.  Janie isn’t exactly fond of Cade, but when Marcus suggests she ask them both up to her room, she starts looking at both men in a whole new light.

Gauging from various blogs I follow, I know some readers are a bit burnt out on the menage a trois M/M/F aspect that tends to crop up in erotic romance.  This story isn’t likely to change your mind if you’re already burnt out, but if you’re like me and not?  It’s a quick, sexy short story featuring two very different male personalities for the heroine to play with.  Also, if you’re a reader that needs The Condom Moment, this story will also likely not work for you.

The author does include a couple of small instances where she writes a Jamaican accent into the dialogue.  Blessedly she doesn’t do this throughout the whole story, and I suspect these few instances were used to add some “flavor” to the setting.  I’m not much of a fan for written accents (Och! Scottish brogue!) and while I wasn’t wild about the author using it here, at least she didn’t pepper it throughout the whole blessed story.

All in all this was a quick, sexy read with a fun and erotic setting.  It didn’t light my world on fire, and it’s unlikely to move readers burnt out on M/M/F stories, but for the rest of us?  It’s a pleasing way to spend your lunch break.

Grade: B

Summary:

One year ago, Marcus healed Janie’s broken heart with his love. Now she has returned to Jamaica to see if their passion is as strong as before. Then Marcus’s friend Cade shows up, too. Janie never really liked Cade, but when Marcus asks her to take them both to her bedroom, Janie soon learns that the two men know exactly what she needs….

Read an excerpt.

Limecello’s review of Out of the Light, Into the Shadows by Lori Foster Erin McCarthy L.L. Foster
Contemporary and paranormal romance anthology published by Berkley on 4 Aug 2009

I got this book based entirely on the authors, because I have enjoyed both Lori Foster and Erin McCarthy’s books in the past. That’s the plus when you’ve built a reputation as a great author. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy Out of the Light, In to the Shadows as much as I would have expected, and in the end am glad that I got it from the library.

Have Mercy by Lori Foster


I thought this might be a return to Ms. Foster’s earlier contemporary romances that I enjoyed so very much, but there’s something … just a little off about it. I could be wrong, but it seems that Ms. Foster’s most recent few novellas start off with the hero and heroine already knowing each other, and the novella dealing with only one aspect of the relationship. I think that didn’t help convince me of the romance and relationship between the characters.

i didn’t feel much of a rapport with the heroine Mercedes Jardine, or the hero Wyatt Reyes. I suppose I wasn’t entirely convinced of the connection between Mercedes and Wyatt, and the story depended on that. I’m afraid I don’t really see the sense of how Mercedes acted either, and that the major role her brother played was due mostly to the fact that Ms. Foster wanted to set up his character for his own novella.

The sexual chemistry between Mercy and Wyatt was well written, but I didn’t put much credence behind the reason why Wyatt protested a binding relationship. I understand his concerns, but simply was unconvinced by the way it was presented.  I think the story would’ve been much better if it had been longer. It seems that the length restriction affected the quality of the story.

Grade: D+

Wyatt Reyes is hiding some very dark secrets from his past by making some very grand business plans for his future. Long ago he ruled out the prospect of marriage. But when Mercedes Jardine professes her love, rules become harder to follow.

With her circumstances drastically changed, Mercedes is determined to have it all, and that includes Wyatt’s hand in marriage. Trusting in love alone isn’t easy when she has more than herself to think about.

Mercy needs a solid plan for her future. No matter what it takes, she has to convince Wyatt that a future together will be worth breaking his rules.

Read an excerpt here.

Deal or No Deal by Erin McCarthy


I felt like I was missing something while reading Deal or No Deal. I think it’s because I found that fact that Katie gives up one hundred years of hate and angst so easily not entirely believable. Yes, she does take some time to herself… but the quick turnaround was a bit too pat in my opinion.

I did, however, like Katie’s personality, as well as Michael’s. He’s the perfect example of a loving, devoted, tragic hero. He’s been constant in his affections for a century, and is so adorably confused and crushed when Katie is so harsh initially.

The conflict involving the necklace was a bit too convenient, and I didn’t find it that believable. As Katie had been a vampire for over a hundred years, she should have known something was wrong, or strange about the necklace. Also the manner in which she got Rasputin['s] seemed way too easy as well.

Nevertheless, I’m glad that Katie and Michael got together, and they had a cute little story.

Grade: C-

Read an excerpt here.

Total Control by L.L. Foster


In a way I feel like the blurb (which I only found on the website) gives more insight and background than the story itself. There were also too many holes with the “high-level government officials” part, but I suppose that’s not a primary factor. My issue was that there was juxtaposition within the story – the fact that so little is said about Brax, and what kind of person he is, but it’s the entire purpose of the story.

I definitely didn’t think the Jardine’s special talents and skills were explained enough – it wasn’t believable, even for a paranormal or Urban Fantasy story. Nevertheless, the fact that Brax and Cameo’s (what a name!) romance had been initiated in Mercy’s story I think did help. The fact that they’ve been working together for five years also contributes in laying the believable ground work.

I did think that Cameo made quite a transformation – possibly a bit too much, from perfect composed practically robotic assistant, to… well, what she becomes. However, I supposed the events that occur would change anyone. I wasn’t that surprised by the plot twist, but it was clever. I did think that Brax and Cameo had the most believable relationship, and perhaps the best chemistry.

Grade: C

(Urban Fantasy novella by L.L. Foster)
For centuries, males in the Jardine family have been born with a gift: they can sense, capture and manipulate the emotions of others. Such a talent comes with grave responsibility, and the Jardine men, working with high-level government officials, have been given immunity to tame the more psychotic edges of society. Only a very special woman would be able to match such a powerful male. When Brax Jardine realizes that Cameo Smithson can somewhat withstand his influence on her emotions, he’s more than intrigued.

He’s in love.

Since meeting her, he’s wanted Cameo, but settling down into a monogamous relationship isn’t easy for the Jardine men. They “feed” off the ultimate, mind-numbing release of sexual activity, using it to counter the corrosive influence of darker animus. Without a woman to soften the edges, a Jardine male starts losing his sanity.

Only when the right woman is found can a Jardine male stop carousing and settle for true love.

Brax already knows that Cameo loves him, but will her love be enough for her to face his horrific battles with inhumanity, and the carnal demands he’ll put on her in the bedroom?

Read an excerpt here.

Undead Man’s Hand by Erin McCarthy


Undead Man’s Hand is twisted, end of story. I knew there was something strange about Peter, but I definitely wasn’t expecting that. I did enjoy the budding romance between Nick and Jordan, and felt that their personalities meshed perfectly, but the major conflict is resolved too easily. I suppose enough happens to Jordan that she is convinced that vampires are real, but it still seemed a bit too contrived. I also have read all of Ms. McCarthy’s vampire novels, but admit that I can’t keep the characters straight anymore. The fact that Nick is a bodyguard for the vice president of the vampire nation really meant nothing to me, and didn’t particularly tie the story to that world.

I liked that each dealt with conflict, and the fact that Nick and Jordan got to know each other. It was cute how well they fit, and how unsure they were of each other. The tragic figures in their families was also another convenient tie, that helped make the pairing more feasible.

I like that Jordan had a lot of sense, was practical, and strong willed. That, and the fact that Nick while extremely strong and capable, is a big softy around Jordan. And she sees that. While not the best, and I think there were some major holes, it was a cute story, and it does have a nice ending.

Grade: C-

I wouldn’t say that this book “blew chunks” as the TGTBTU/Pond grading scale so eloquently states… but I only recommend it with more than a little reservation. In a way, I wish I had the time I spent reading it back. I’m glad I read it because I know I would have been curious about the stories. (Which is indeed why I read it before other books I’ve heard are excellent.) Lori Foster used to be one of my favorite authors, as well as Erin McCarthy. While the novellas didn’t put me off Lori Foster forever, I do plan to proceed with caution considering her most recent books, and think I might be getting her future books from the library first, not the book store. Sad. Nevertheless, if you like both these authors as I do and did and are inquisitive as I am, I recommend you read this book to sate your curiosity.

Overall Grade: C- -

The dark and light sides of desire collide in four brand-new novellas by three of today’s hottest authors.

Embrace the darkness and experience the light in this all-new anthology filled with touching stories of happily ever after alongside smoldering tales of irresistibly dangerous, otherworldly passion. From bewitching emotions and untamed desire to dazzling romance and tantalizing sensuality, these novellas explore the complex facets of the human heart—both the light side and the dark.

Harlequin Blaze is one of my favorite category lines (no surprise the other is Silhouette Desire), and I’ve also enjoyed Rhonda Nelson and Lori Borril’s previous books, so buying these three books made perfect sense. For Ms. Nelson, I love her military heroes, and was very intrigued by the premise of each book. For Ms. Borril, I have to say I was skeptical, but was willing to give her characters a chance, based on previous books.

Limecello’s review of Letters from Home by Rhonda Nelson
Contemporary romance published by Harlequin Blaze on 1 Jun 2009

Admittedly, I love military heroes. And I love a friends to lovers story. I also happen to really like Rhonda Nelson’s Blaze books, so it logically follows that I enjoyed Letters from Home.

Natalie is a unique heroine, and I liked her, despite the fact that… she does something that made me cringe in a major way. I generally identify with the heroine, so I really hate it when she puts herself in a sticky spot. (I imagine most anyone hates feeling trapped and potentially foolish.) Nevertheless, I admire the fact that Natalie is willing to put it out there. She is in love with Levi, and is going to go after him – no matter what. In the end, however, it all works out because retains her sense of self, so I really enjoyed and appreciated that.

Levi is a great hero, although a little clueless. I was impressed by his character, and his dedication. It was actually somewhat cute, how confused yet enthralled he was by the letters, and then Natalie. Their interaction was what one would expect and want to find in a Blaze book. Levi and Natalie’s personalities mesh, and I think that a nice compromise is worked out between the couple. I’m glad I read this book.

Grade: B+

Subject: Levi McPherson, Army Ranger.

Current status: Active duty.

Mission: Locate a sexy, unidentified correspondent. Conduct very private negotiations!

Obstacle: Natalie Rowland, longtime star of his X-rated dreams…

Levi McPherson’s tour of duty has an unexpected benefit: anonymous red-hot love letters! Someone he knows is mailing the rugged soldier her very explicit fantasies. And he’s loving every word.

On an unexpected leave home, he discovers his sexy secret admirer—Natalie Rowland, the longtime star of his own X-rated dreams!

But he’s not letting Natalie know her cover’s blown…yet. That way, the exquisite pleasure of fulfilling each and every one of her naughty ideas is all his—and hers….

Limecello’s review of The Soldier by Rhonda Nelson
Contemporary romance published by Harlequin Blaze on 1 Jul 2009

After I read Letters from Home, I knew I had to read The Soldier, and I’m glad I did. It’s not often you read about a hero who is an amputee, and especially not a military hero. I felt that Ms. Nelson wrote about a difficult subject respectfully, and in a really nice way and realistic way. It was nice that Adam was able to overcome his issues about losing his leg, and relationships throughout the course of the book.

Winnie was a great heroine. She has been in love with Adam forever, but I liked that she still saw Adam for who he was, and that she wasn’t blind to his flaws. She also knows enough of her own worth to stand up for herself, which was very nice. Winnie also doesn’t let Adam get away with brooding or feeling sorry for himself. There’s a lot of heat, humor, and a good balance between plot and character development.

While I don’t really understand either Natalie or Winnie’s need to stay in the same town, it fits the story nicely. I also liked how Adam and Winnie were able to adapt their situations, and forge a relationship. I believed that the romance was real and Winnie and Adam would work. This was one of the best Blaze books I’ve read in a while, and I definitely recommend reading this duet.

Grade: A-

(Subject: Adam McPherson, Special Forces.

Current Status: Out of commission…for now!

Mission: Return to battle.

Obstacle: Winnie Templeman. She won’t take no for an answer!

Adam is Uncle Sam’s man. Yet even his strict military discipline is no match for Winnie’s charms!

A horrific roadside bomb sent Adam home injured—and haunted. Feisty Winnie, however, has her own plan of attack. Her nonregulation method of sexual healing is guaranteed to get him back on his feet.

But being flat on his back in Winnie’s bed might be the best remedy of all…

Overall Grade: B+

Limecello’s review of The Personal Touch by Lori Borrill
contemporary romance published by Harlequin Blaze on 1 Aug 2009

I’ve read a few of Lori Borrill’s stories before, so I thought I’d give this one a try even though the premise didn’t really interest me. I’m afraid I have little sympathy for “playboy millionaires” – but Ms. Borrill makes it work. I’m also not big on the matchmaker heroine. There’s something that… always seems a bit cheesy or sordid, but the role Margot plays here works quite well.

I really liked that Clint and Margot had to work through a number of issues, and that Margot was so determined to resist Clint. It was also nice that Clint had to work more than he was used to for a woman, which left him befuddled and rather cute.

I have to say, I really like the ending. Right before it, there’s a slight twist and I thought something else had happened. Something that made me want to slap both Margot and Clint upside the head, but Ms. Borrill tricked me nicely, and I was left feeling quite pleased at the close. This is a cute contemporary romance that I enjoyed reading.

Grade: B-

When matchmaker Margot Roth is hired to find a date for the mother of a playboy millionaire, an erotic fling is the last thing on her mind. Well, maybe not the last thing. Clint Hilton is the sexiest man she’s ever met, and she has to admit naughty things go through her mind when he looks at her with his sultry eyes.

But now that Clint is there to turn her fantasies into reality, Margot isn’t sure if giving in to temptation is the best idea—even if he’s determined to share his bed with her…or something more.

Overall Grade: B+

Harlequin Blaze books are one of my go-to lines from Harlequin, and I enjoy both Ms. Nelson and Ms. Borrill’s books. This trio of stories was great fun, and a nice pick me up for bright summer days, or for a break for the busy fall rush. I’m glad I read them, and expect to re-read these stories at some point. If you like quick contemporary romances, or these authors, I recommend these books.

LauraJ’s review of How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holquist
Contemporary Romance released by Grand Central 4 Aug 09

I rely heavily on blurbs on the back of books to get me hooked on a story. This is an author that I have been told by many I should try because I would probably like her books and I do have several of her older books on my TBR shelf. So with those recommendations and from the blurb on the back of the book I decided I should give this book a try. The premise was intriguing so I figured, why not.

When I start reading a book, I can usually figure out whether or not I’m going to like it by the end of the first chapter, but even if it’s not totally captured my attention after the first chapter then I will try to read a bit more. After the first chapter, I almost gave up. I tend to like my stories with more dialogue or at least a good balance of dialogue to go along with the plotting and the inner thoughts of the characters.

This story, in the beginning, to me spent to much time in the characters minds (especially the heroine‘s). I like knowing what the characters are thinking, but I want them to interact with the other characters as well and in this first chapter, I didn’t get this. But I thought I’m going to give it a bit more. I was intrigued by a couple of the characters and I didn’t want to give up on them too quickly.

The first character that caught my attention was the heroine’s grandmother, Granny Donny. When we first meet her, she is in a carriage, dressed in clothing like a duchess would have worn in the early 1800s. Suffering from what appears to be some sort of dementia, she meets Sam Carson, who is in the process of trying to dodge a former lover. She is convinced that Sam is a Duke and a will be a perfect match for her granddaughter the Princess. I absolutely loved her.

Sam Carson while a bit of a modern day rogue was very kind and respectful to Granny Donny and I think that is why I liked him so much. He didn’t treat her like she was crazy or weak-minded. He played along with her, but didn’t take advantage of it. Despite the outward appearance of being a player, he had a very kind and understanding heart, not to mention lots of patience with Ally when I’m not so sure she deserves it.

Ally took me some time to start to like and even by the end, I’m not too sure I really liked her all that much. I believe she was a smart woman, but lacked common sense. There seemed to be a lot of “what about me” or “what I am I going to do” moments with her. She was in the process of moving from the east coast to the west when “something went wrong” with Grandma Donny. Ally was so focused on her own “deadline” that through most of the story she looked like a spoiled brat. I don’t know if her “protecting” of Granny Donny was for Granny Donny’s benefit or for Ally’s inheritance. Ally does grow up a bit and redeems herself some towards the end of the story, but not enough for me to really start to like her.

Overall, I liked this story. I loved or liked most of the characters including Granny Donny‘s “coachman” Mateo who has his own secrets and Ally’s friend June, all of whom have to work to get Ally to wake up and get over her whiny-ness and realize it’s not all about Ally.

I also liked the premise of this story. Too many times these stories end up being time travel stories, which I don‘t like, but Ms. Holquist did a nice job of keeping this contemporary while adding in the historical side to it. I also think she a good job of writing Granny Donny’s character. Mental issues with the older generation today are becoming more prevalent, but still so many don’t want to acknowledge it and I thank Ms. Holquist for writing it so well.

Grade: C+

Summary:
.
Commitment-phobic Sam Carson has only dated model-gorgeous women. But one stolen kiss from a plain-Jane schoolteacher and he’s hell-bent on stripping away her floral dresses and teaching her the art of being bad. If only her good-girl ways didn’t make him want to be a better man…
.
Ally Giordano is at the end of her rope. Her beloved grandmother actually believes that she’s living in her favorite romance novel in Regency England and Ally doesn’t have the heart to set her straight. But now Granny Donny’s last wish is for a retreat to the country and Ally can’t refuse her…until she demands that Sam accompany them. And though his smiles turn her knees into jelly, Ally knows better than to trust a playboy…and she definitely knows better than to try to change one. Or does she?
.
Read an excerpt here.

Gwen’s review of Beyond the Rain by Jess Granger
Science-fiction romance released by Berkley Sensation 4 Aug 09

I love me a good sci-fi romance.  When they’re done well – and this one is done very well – you can totally cut loose from your normal world and be completely transported to literally a whole new world.  (Did you see what I did there?  Pun? Yes? No? Well. It amused me.) 

Jess Granger has penned a really wonderful novel with Beyond the Rain.  I’m very much hoping it’s the first of many novels set in this world and that we get a similar stellar (heh) level of writing in the subsequent entries.

The start of Beyond has our heroine, Cyani, on the edge of exhaustion and ennui.  She’s tired of the warrior biz and ready to hang up her spurs, retiring to a dull life in the temple. Cyani suffers from PTSD and reminds me of an otherworldly version of a female Iraqi War veteran – seen and suffered too much at the hands of both enemy and friend to be comfortable with either, and is ready to just pretend none of it happened by holing up in a small job doing everyday things.

Of course, as any of us who has ever tried to do that knows, it never works out the way we thought it would.

Instead, Cyani meets and falls for our hero, Soren.  Soren is a nice being who, because of biology and what happened to him in his enslavement, has to bind with a mate or die.  Through the course of their time together, he binds with Cyani but doesn’t tell her.  He’s willing, on many occasions, to let himself die rather than take away her choice to stay with him.  He knows she’s honorable and selfless and that she may stay with him just to keep him alive.  However, Soren wants Cyani to choose him.

Soren is and uber-hot and sexy hero that isn’t overly alpha.  He’s a very down to earth (so to speak) and cares about those weaker than him.  And, even though he recognizes Cyani is very strong and capable, he cares about her in a way she never thinks to care about herself.

This book is stacked to the brim with interesting moments and very rich details about Cyani and Soren’s world.  You are immersed in it but never feel like you’re drowning.  Granger does an admirable job of keeping the alien-ness recognizable.  She has created a world that uses mostly common terms and reactions.  Sure it’s alien, sure it’s futuristic and sci-fi, but it feels more like “Serenity” or “Firefly” than “Star Trek,” if you know what I mean.  The reader can recognize large portions of the author’s undoubtedly futuristic world.  It’s a flawless little piece of world-building that Granger has done here.

The emotional development between Cyani and Soren is believable and very touching.  You see Cyani come to realize she deserves to care about someone and she deserves to be loved in return.  You see her move from being afraid to live to actually living.  It’s a lovely tale and made me really want more by the end.  And thanks to the oh-so-tantalizing epilogue, it looks like we may get more.  Soon??  Please??

The action is very fun to read and story arc is logical and complete.  We’re never left with a “wtf” feeling – even when the details stretch a reader’s ability to suspend disbelief.  I very much enjoyed the pace of the book and the author’s style.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a rich sci-fi romance set in an interesting, recognizable world.   I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Grade: A

Summary:
.
In a universe torn apart by civil war, a warrior and a slave must fight for their freedom, for their lives, and for a love that may destroy them both…
.
After five years behind enemy lines, Captain Cyani is ready to retire to her homeworld of Azra as one of the Elite – the celibate warrior sisterhood that rules the planet. But first she must complete one final mission to rescue her fellow Union soldiers. The last thing she expects to find is a prisoner, chained and beaten – but radiating feral power and an unbroken spirit…
.
Soren is a Byralen, an enigmatic people who possess a unique hormone that they use to bond with their mates – and that is sold as a sexual narcotic in the shadow trade. For years, he has endured torture at the hands of his captors as they leeched his very essence. The last thing he expects is to be freed from slavery by a beautiful warrior woman with radiant blue eyes.
.
Driven by her rigid sense of honor, Cyani frees Soren even though her life hinges upon the success of her mission. But after so many years in bondage, his hormones are so unbalanced that he will die if he does not bond with a woman. Can the lovely but distant warrior be the woman he needs to survive, or will the forbidden bond destroy them?
.
Read an excerpt here (scroll down).

 LauraJ’s review of Loves Me, Loves Me Knot by Heidi Betts
Contemporary Romance released by St. Martin’s Press 4 Aug 09

I could be the only person who does this, but have you ever wanted a book so bad that come hell or high water you were going to get it? Now for those of you that have wanted a book that badly, have you actually had to go through hell or wade through high water to get it? I have and believe me when I say it was worth it. See on August 4th, 2009 this book was released along with eight inches of rain in one hour.

Yes, eight inches of rain in an hour causes a lot of problems, cars washing away, basements flooded, police telling folks not to go out unless it’s an emergency and in some places saying they will arrest you if you are out and there is no emergency. So I’m trying very hard to come up with what would sound plausible to a police officer if he should happen to catch me on the road and I came up with nada.

So I go to plan B. Check with the bookstore that is located right next to my husbands work and it looks like plan B is going to work as they have a copy in the store and it is placed on hold for me. Simple plan really, husband picks up book and brings home, I’m happy. Except guess who forgets to pick up book? Yeah, that would be the one sleeping in the doghouse that night.

On to plan C. I hear from someone that they got a copy of the book at Meijers (for those who don‘t know what Meijers is, it‘s kind of like Wal-Mart). There is one down the road from my house and the ban on driving unless it’s an emergency has been lifted. All I can say now is they better have a copy of this book or someone is going to be in the doghouse a lot longer than just one night. Yes, I want to read this book.

Since it’s been six months since the first book in this trilogy has been released I have been on pins and needles (thankfully and lucky for my husband, I was able to buy the book that night) waiting to see what was going to happen with the next couple, Jenna and Gage. In the first book, Tangled Up in Love, we first meet the couple. They are divorced, but still it’s very obvious to everyone but themselves, and Jenna’s aunt Charlotte, that they are still in love.

When they divorced it had been over children. Jenna wanted them Gage did not. He is an undercover cop who has seen the worse and it has pretty much left him without any hope that there is good out there. Thanks to some good margaritas and some scheming good friends, Jenna sets out to have the child she wants from the only man she wants to have a child with.

With the deed done, Jenna lets her friends Ronnie and Grace know that the plan has worked so far. Problem is Gage overhears the conversation. He is of course outraged and tells Jenna that he plans on sticking to her until they know for sure whether or not she’s pregnant. Now if they can just keep things between them sexual (and protected sexual at that), everything will just be fine. Well you know what they say about those best laid plans.

This is such a great cast of characters I don’t know where to start, but since this is Jenna and Gage’s story, I’ll start with them.

I love them, although they weren’t my top couple from the first book, I quickly found I really liked their story. It’s not often that you see a reunion story of a divorced couple. I think I’ve only read one or two myself so I like this unique take on it. There marriage ended because of a lack of communication which is probably the cause of a large number of failed marriages. Gage had to submerge himself in his work and because of that he lost touch with part of reality, the part where there are good people.

This is not a “I had a bad childhood, woe is me kind of story. Both he and Jenna actually came from families that loved each other, not perfectly, but their upbringing were still nothing like the things Gage saw in carrying out his job. By shutting Jenna out of his life and letting her go he thought he was protecting her from the evils that he saw so regularly on the job. Gage is a man who doesn’t express much even to his best friends, Dylan and Zack. I really liked watching him emerge from his cocoon to express those feelings to Jenna and to learn to have faith again in the world around him. He still has work to do and it’s going to take a while (something I like–I really hate when things wrap up nice and neat in a few pages). No one can change overnight, but he is well on his way.

Jenna is the quiet one of the three best friends. She is also the niece to Charlotte. I did kind of expect her to be more whiny, but she’s not. Even though she is the “quiet” one of the group, she has no problem standing up to Gage when he tries to be all alpha male. She ended up being a much tougher person that I expected. She has been putting on a brave face and trying to move on for nearly a year well aware that things are definitely over with him. At least she keeps telling herself that. She’s dated, but no one has come close to what she felt for Gage and she is okay with that. What she is not okay with is being deprived of the child that she and Gage had always wanted until he became disillusioned with the world. He is the only one that she would ever want to father her child.

Aunt Charlotte is such a lovable lady. She believes that an antique spinning wheel that belonged to her mother and grandmother is enchanted and the yarn that is spun on it will bring the person who uses it their true love. She makes a special yarn for Jenna hoping to get her over her sadness for loosing Gage and help her find a new true love. If anyone remembers the show Facts of Life and the lovable Mrs. Garret you have Aunt Charlotte.

Dylan and Ronnie from Tangled Up in Love are back and are still blissfully happy. Zack and Grace who we also met in Tangle (and who I think are going to be my favorite couple of the three couples) are still engaged (another unique aspect of these books that I haven’t read in any before), but something happens and things get a bit rocky for the two. What happens with these two in this story are some of the funniest moments in the book and another reason that I can’t wait to read their story.

These books are exactly the kinds of stories I want to read. They are sexy, funny and have characters that could easily be real. They are characters that jump off the pages from the very beginning and keep you engrossed until the end when they finally get their happy ending. Loves Me, Loves Me Knot is a keeper book for me. It’s a book that I know I will re-read more than once, going to it like comfort food when I’m in need of a story that will leave me feeling happy.

Grade:A

Summary:
.
THIS IS KNOT YOUR AVERAGE LOVE STORY
.
Jenna Langan knows what she wants, and as she tells her best friends after their weekly knitting group, she doesn’t need a man to give it to her…only a few of his best swimmers. And just because her marriage to undercover vice cop Gage Marshall ended badly doesn’t mean he can’t still give her the baby she’s always wanted. In fact, she’s willing to bet a couple of her favorite hand-knit boas that she can tie him up in knots he’ll definitely enjoy…
.
BUT TRUE LOVE IS MORE THAN JUST SKEIN DEEP
.
An unexpected seduction is one thing, but stud service? No, thank you. Gage had his reasons for pulling the plug on his happily ever after with Jenna, and nothing that’s happened since their divorce has changed his mind. That is, until Jenna got it into her head to tie him up and drag him down. Now he has no choice but to stick around until he knows for sure if his ex-wife is pregnant. But the more time he spends with Jenna, the more his resolve begins to unravel…
.
Read an excerpt here and a deleted scene here.

Other books in this series:

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Full House Seduction (The Donovan Clan, Book 4) by A.C. Arthur
Contemporary romance released by Kimani Romance 1 Aug 09

Category romance is my last hold-out for impulse book buying. Every month I cruise the eHarlequin web site, read a mess of back cover descriptions, and make a shopping list. I don’t spend a lot of time investigating authors, titles, and series information. Sometimes this is a good thing, as I discover quite a few gems and new autobuy authors. Other times? Yeah, it bites me in the ass.

Full House Seduction has a terminal case of series-itis. I guess I should have gotten a clue when I saw “Donovan Clan” in the back cover description, but I obviously had not had enough caffeine that day. This is book four in a series featuring the powerful, casino-owning Donovan clan and reads like it. Buried underneath all of the name-dropping, references to past characters, and series baiting for future books, there’s actually a pretty decent romance.

Noelle Vincent is a drop-dead gorgeous former party girl. However she’s finally decided that it’s time to grow up, get herself an education, and cut out all the drama in her life. She’s been working really hard with her brother-in-law, who owns a very lucrative casino in Las Vegas. He’s been so impressed with her that he is sending her to Maryland to oversee the completion of a new casino they’re building in the Chesapeake Bay area.

For Noelle, this promotion couldn’t have come at a better time. She recently found out that the guy she fell head over heels for, and was burning up the sheets with, is married! Needless to say she dumped his sorry butt pretty quick, but he’s still calling her, sending her text messages, begging for forgiveness.

When she lands in Maryland she meets up with Brock Remington (best romance hero name ever!). Brock owns the construction company that’s building the new casino and he’s also an adopted member of the Donovan clan. However, even though the family welcomed him with open arms, and never made him feel “less than” – he’s still haunted by the memories of his biological family and past.

The moment he lays eyes on Noelle he’s attracted to her, but he has no interest in a steady relationship. Noelle may be free-spirited, sexy and fun, but she’s also tired of selling herself short. She’s determined to turn her life around, and that means no more hopping into bed with the first handsome face that looks her way.

I really liked Noelle and think a lot of readers will be able to relate to her. She’s made a lot of mistakes in her past, but she’s determined to make a better life for herself, work hard, and not disappoint her family anymore. She’s got gumption, spunk, and is a fairly straight shooter who will tell you exactly what is on her mind. While certainly Brock (and a multitude of secondary characters) ride to her rescue during the course of this story, she does stand up and make her own voice heard. She doesn’t sit back and wait for someone else to clean up the mess. She’s working right beside them.

Brock is your prototypical wounded hero. He’s still haunted by his past. Part of the time I felt he really needed to just get over it. Yes, his childhood was shit. It was really crappy. But he was adopted by the Donovan family who loved him, doted on him, and never made him feel like anything other than part of the family. Certainly feeling unworthy as a teen makes sense, but he’s a very successful businessman now. With an adopted family who loves him. I couldn’t help thinking he should just get over it already.

While Noelle and Brock are nice people, it’s the series-itis that really drags this story down. A lot of time is spent on past couples, name dropping, and rehashing old history. When this happens, the writing also suffers, because the author goes from “showing” us the story to “telling” us about all these characters, who they are, their relationships with each other, etc. None of it really pertains to the story at hand. Certainly these people have relationships with Noelle and Brock – but they aren’t Noelle and Brock. They aren’t the romance.

I suspect this story will work a lot better for fans of the series. Certainly they’ll like revisiting the former couples, and reading about Noelle, who from what I can gather, was featured in some of the previous stories. However for the uninitiated, it’s all a bit overwhelming.

Grade: C

Summary:
.
Noelle Vincent may have led a wild and scandalous life, but really, isn’t every woman entitled to a few secrets? Now the former party girl is gambling on her future when she’s tapped to get a new casino off the ground. Suddenly she’s upping the ante when she gets her first eye-opening glimpse of gorgeous developer Brock Remington.
.
Ever since he was adopted, Brock has followed a simple law of the Donovan clan: always play your cards close to your chest. But all bets are off when he falls for the sexy, free-spirited new site manager. They’re both consenting adults, but Brock wants more. Is Noelle willing to roll the dice on their future, even if it means defying the odds and playing for the highest stakes of all?
.
Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

C2’s review of Since the Surrender by Julie Anne Long
Historical romance, released 28 July 2009 by Avon

Since Captain Charles “Chase” Eversea came home from the war, he has been living at the family home in Pennyroyal Green, surrounded by his parents and siblings. His time is spent arguing with his siblings, listening to his brother Colin rhapsodize about married life and farming, and nightly drinking to lessen pain from a leg wound sustained at Waterloo. Finally, he hears one too many cow stories and snaps. The next thing he knows, he is banished to London on a mission for the family. He is supposed to meet a cousin and assess his potential to become the next vicar of Pennyroyal Green.

Before he has time to find the cousin, an urchin appears with a cryptic message from an anonymous lady – she requests he meet her at the Montmorency Museum, near the Italian pastorals. ”Pastorals means cows and the like,” the note explains. Though Chase is suspicious, he decides to go to the museum and meet the mysterious lady.

When he arrives at the correct exhibit, Chase finds that the lady isn’t so mysterious after all. Mrs. Rosalind March is the widow of his former commander. During the war, Rosalind followed the drum so she knew the officers under her husband’s command. Toward the end of the war, she and Chase recognized the attraction between them but didn’t act on it – except for one spectacular kiss. Soon after, Chase was transferred to another unit.

Rosalind needs Chase’s help. One of her sisters has disappeared. After a very suspicious arrest for theft (since it wasn’t exactly clear whether anything was actually stolen), her sister disappeared from Newgate Prison while awaiting trial. No one will help Rosalind find out what happened and there is no record of her sister’s arrest anywhere.

Rosalind hopes Chase will be able to help her – ”The blonde one or the loud one,” Chase asks (it’s the blonde, btw) – because a good friend of his may know something about the disappearance. The friend works in the Home Office and was acquainted with her sister but proved elusive when Rosalind tried to see him. Chase is reluctant to get involved with Rosalind again but is ultimately unable to resist. Especially after he visits a brothel, finds himself uninterested in his chosen companion and sees a familiar painting in one of the rooms.

As Chase and Rosalind work together to find her missing sister, they get reacquainted. The connection they sensed during the war is still there and seems to be stronger. There are (vaguely) threatening notes, peculiar museum workers, and evasive bureaucrats. There are also some unsettlingly all-knowing puppets – that are especially unsettling to Chase who has had a fear of puppets since he was a child. Not that he would ever admit such a thing.

This book was so enjoyable! There was just enough suspense to keep moving Chase and Rosalind forward at a good pace and there were dashes of humor scattered throughout to keep the story from getting too gloomy or bogged down. The resolution of the disappearances could have taken a very dark turn but it didn’t, thank goodness. If you’re looking for a solid, satisfying read, give in to Since the Surrender.

Grade: A

Summary:

A man of action . . .

Fearless. Loyal. Brilliant. Ruthless. Bold words are always used to describe English war hero Captain Chase Eversea. But another word unfortunately plays a role in every Eversea’s destiny: trouble. And trouble for Chase arrives in the form of a mysterious message summoning him to a London rendezvous…where he encounters the memory of his wickedest indiscretion in the flesh: Rosalind March—the only woman he could never forget.

A woman of passion . . .

Five years ago, the reckless, charming beauty once craved the formidable Captain’s attention. But now Rosalind is a coolly self-possessed woman, and desire is the last thing on her mind: her sister has mysteriously disappeared and she needs Chase’s help to find her. But as their search through London’s darkest corners re-ignites long-smoldering passion and memories of old battles, Chase and Rosalind are once again challenged to surrender: to the depths of a wicked desire, and to the possibility of love.

Read an EXCERPT

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of Mastered by Love by Stephanie Laurens
Historical romance, released 28 July 2009 by Avon

Royce Verisey, heir to the Duke of Wolverstone, grew up expecting to take his father’s place presiding over their not-so-small corner of northern England. He did not expect to receive a request from the Crown to serve England’s interests by heading a network of spies. Saying yes to the Crown meant turning his back on his family – a fact made clear by his father. Loyalty to his country (combined with rage at his father’s ultimatum) led Royce do as the Crown asked. He took the name Dalziel from his mother’s family and headed a group of spies that helped topple Napoleon.

After Napoleon’s defeat, Dalziel’s team of spies disbanded – even though one last traitor had escaped their net. The former spies founded the Bastion Club and went off to find wives and build lives for themselves in a peaceful England. And Dalziel decided that, after taking care of the last details of his work for the crown, he would go see his father and try to determine where things stood in their relationship.

One does not disown the heir to a dukedom, so even though there had been no contact with his family in sixteen years, there were matters to discuss. Before Royce completely wrapped things up in London, he received word of his father’s unexpected death. Upset he would not get any sort of closure with his father, Royce immediately headed north to take up the reins of the dukedom.

Since there has been no contact in years, he has no idea what sort of state the estate is in, knows nothing of the people – he is flying blindly into huge responsibilities. Thankfully, when he arrives at Wolverstone Castle, Royce finds the Wolverstone chatelaine, Miss Minerva Chesterton, has much of the information he needs to go forward as the new duke.

Minerva, the daughter of a childhood friend of Royce’s mother came to live with the Veriseys when her parents died. She was six years old and Royce was fourteen. Minerva grew up with the children of the family and remained – first as Royce’s mother’s companion and amanuensis (a fancy word for something close to a private secretary) and, after the duchess’s death, as Royce’s father’s chatelaine. Minerva promised both the late duke and duchess that she would see Royce settled into his new life as duke before leaving Wolverstone.

As he works with Minerva to finalize the arrangements for the funeral and get reacquainted with Wolverstone, Royce sees that she has much of the knowledge he needs to make good decisions for the future of the estate. Plus he is very attracted to her. Unfortunately, Royce does not sense any returned interest from Minerva. When the members of the ton arrive for the funeral, Royce finds out there are rumblings that the Crown will try to change the charter of the dukedom. In order to thwart the possibility of such a fate, he is told by the grande dames that he must marry quickly.

Royce refuses to have his life dictated; he has decided he does not want the sort of marriage his family is known for – a business arrangement between two influential families – he wants the sort of marriage the other Bastion Club members have. Still, he doesn’t want to offend such influential ladies so he negotiates a two week period to decide who he will marry (they provide lists of eligible young women, of course).

Over the next few weeks, Royce realizes that he wants Minerva to be his duchess. She has much of the knowledge he needs to make good decisions for the future of the estate. Plus he is very attracted to her. Unfortunately, Royce does not sense any returned interest from Minerva. He hasn’t picked up any signs that she is interested but is determined to seduce her – even though he has never had to exert himself like that for a woman. Poor Royce, having to work for a woman’s attention. *false sympathy* Little does he realize Minerva has been half in love with him since childhood.

She agrees to a fling, thinking two weeks isn’t enough time to lose her heart and that she will be able to walk away unscathed when Royce announces his chosen bride. She also tells him not to consider her as a potential bride because she doesn’t want to be a convenient way to meet the grande dames’ demands. Can Minerva resist Royce’s charms? Can Royce convince Minerva she is the only one duchess for him? And what about that last traitor lurking about on English soil – where does he fit in? Ah, faithful reader, the answers to all these questions and more can be yours. I’ll admit the whole business with the traitor dragged on a bit and I was not sympathetic to Royce’s “I don’t know how to seduce a woman, they always come to me” dilemma. As a bonus, we see Devil Cynster before the Cynster series (and his mom and a few other familiar faces). This book is set in 1816 and Devil’s Bride is set in 1818. But Royce is a pretty typical Laurens hero so fans know what to expect. All in all, it was a bit of a slow read – wow, there are lots and lots of words…434 pages with a small font! – but it was a good wrap of the Bastion Club series.

Grade: B-

Summary: The men of the Bastion Club proved their bravery secretly fighting for their country. Now their leader faces that most dangerous mission of all: finding a bride. As the mysterious leader of the Bastion Club known as “Dalziel,” Royce Varisey, tenth Duke of Wolverstone, served his country for decades, facing dangers untold. But as the holder of one of England’s most august noble titles, he must now take on that gravest duty of all: marriage.

Yet the young ladies the grande dames would have him consider are predictably boring. Far more tempting is his castle’s willful and determinedly aloof chatelaine, Minerva Chesterton. Beneath her serene façade lies a woman of smoldering sensuality, one who will fill his days with comfort and his nights with sheer pleasure. Determined to claim her, he embarks on a seduction to prove his mastery over every inch of her body . . . and every piece of her heart.

Read an EXCERPT

Other books in the series:

Limecello’s review of The Tycoon’s Secret Affair by Maya Banks
Contemporary romance published by Silhouette Desire on 11 Aug 2009

I’m a big fan of the category line Silhouette Desire, and I’m a fan of Maya Banks as well, so the logical conclusion would be that I should like The Tycoon’s Secret Affair as well. I’m happy to say logic once again prevails this day. The Tycoon’s Secret Affair is the third book in Ms. Banks’s Anetakis Tycoons series, and I felt that it fit in best with this line. This is my favorite Silhouette Desire book by Ms. Banks and I’m looking forward to her other books. Hopefully she writes more for this line.

Jewel Henley is an interesting character, and not your typical romance heroine, which is something I found refreshing. Yes, she gets screwed over (hey, it is still a Silhouette Desire, ok?), but the way she handles it and deals with it are very much different from your usual category heroine. Jewel falls in love with Piers well before most women would, but she doesn’t let that ruin her life. She takes a few missteps, but is more than able to competently handle any and every situation. Jewel is also willing and able to move on with her life after the fall out, and I have to admit that was one of the best parts about this book.

Piers Anetakis is an interesting character. He’s the youngest brother, but with the most baggage. I read about him in the previous two books, but I didn’t really know much about him until The Tycoon’s Secret Affair. Piers is quite likable, and very emotional. It’s almost as if he feels too much, which is why he’s now so reserved and unwilling to trust in people or emotions. Piers is entertaining, and I admit I really enjoyed his possessiveness and antics. He’s not controlling in a negative sense, just determined. He’s really sweet most of the time, and grovels admirably when he realizes he’s wrong, so I was able to forgive him his misdeeds with relative ease.

I found this book satisfying, especially with the characterizations. In terms of plot, I noticed I was ¾ of the way through or more, and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Or at least, for the emotional conflict – I knew there would be more. It made me nervous. However, the way Jewel responded to each situation was perfect. Upon reflection, there was a lot going on in this book, but Ms. Banks lays it out in a way that the reader isn’t confused, and is constantly engaged. Piers and Jewel seem to travel all over the Western Hemisphere, which I enjoyed. The descriptions of each setting, and how they felt about it really helped develop the character’s personalities.

For once, I also like that the title is merely a hook, and the story line is based on so much more. There were a lot of great twists and turns, and I think something that stood out was that Jewel generally didn’t seem like a victim. Yes, Piers inadvertently mistreats her (well, a number of times), but Jewel is able to move past that. Extenuating circumstances are what bring her and Piers back together. Another fun aspect was the cameo appearances by the other Anetakis men and their spouses. There was a satisfying mix of romance and plot. It was nice also, that the secondary characters actually had a legitimate role in the book.

I think The Tycoon’s Secret Affair was my favorite out of Ms. Banks’s Anetakis trilogy. I’m definitely looking forward to her next new book, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading Silhouette Desire books, or categories. I can’t resist a hot Greek Tycoon, nor a heroine who is down on her luck, but still able to handle the situation with aplomb. While it helps to read the trilogy in order, I think each works as a stand alone story as well.

Grade: B+

PREGNANT BY THE TYCOON

She hadn’t known she’d slept with the boss. But the next morning Jewel Henley learned the exotic stranger who’d swept her off her feet was her new employer, Piers Anetakis. And before she could explain, Jewel found herself without a job…and pregnant.

After five months Piers had finally tracked his one-night lover down. Determined to explain the mistakes that had been made, he was confronted with an undeniable truth. Jewel was carrying his child. His Greek honor demanded he marry Jewel. But was there more between them than lust…and was it enough to make their marriage of convenience last?

Read an excerpt here.

Liviania’s review of My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers, Book 1) by Rachel Vincent
Young adult urban fantasy released by Harlequin Teen 1 Aug 09

My changing position of Rachel Vincent’s adult series has been well-documented on both this site and my own blog. As I wanted to like it from the start and am thoroughly enjoying it now, I wanted to see what her young adult series was like. Plus, the ladies of TGTBTU got me reading Harlequins, and I wanted to see what the publisher would do with its new YA line. The verdict? My Soul to Take is a good start.

Kaylee has panic attacks. That is if, by panic attacks, you mean beginning to scream uncontrollably when encountering certain people. She’d like to keep this on the down-low . . . but now one of those people she was sure would die is dead, and no one knows what killed the girl. I’ll forgive quite a bit more in a teenage protagonist than I would in an adult, but Kaylee plays things pretty smart. She reaches out to people who seem like they could help, being cautious but realistic about being in over her head.

One of those people is uber-hot and cool Nash, who can calm her down when she’s panicking. He might know what’s going on, but Kaylee’s reluctant to trust him due to his playboy reputation. Seriously, I love how sensible Kaylee can be. She doesn’t instantly trust him, but nor does she instantly push him away. She works to get to know him. Watching them get closer together is fun. Yeah, they’re drawn to each other, but they don’t just rely on the magnetism. They talk. I do love them as a couple. (The ending does have interesting implications for the possible love triangle. Usually I love triangles, but I just think Nash and Kaylee are so cute together.)

As for the world-building, Vincent does a good job of combining her own mythology with the old Irish tales of bean sidhe. My Soul to Take focuses on the banshees and reapers, and I look forward to learning about even more powerful and dangerous creatures. I find it refreshing that Kaylee doesn’t rank that high on the abilities scale. What she can do is impressive, but rather specific and with numerous drawbacks. Vincent definitely doesn’t shy away from the potential consequences.

Kaylee and Nash don’t forget that they’re trying to catch a murderer. Things fall apart some, logically, once the culprit is revealed, but I still enjoyed the story. I could let the logic go some when I was enjoying the action and last minute reveals. I am eager to read the next Soul Screamers book, not just for the romance, but to see what happens to Kaylee’s family. I’d also like to see more of the world’s politics. Who knows what consequences Kaylee and Nash’s actions will have on interspecies relations? (Rachel Vincent, that’s who. And possibly anyone who has read her early drafts.)

Unlike the Werecats, Vincent has me hooked from the first book with this series. I also recommend reading the prologue, My Soul to Lose. It’s longer than many Nocturne Bites, giving ample opportunity to sample the writing style and decide whether you like the main character.

Grade: A-

Summary:
.
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH KAYLEE CAVANAUGH
.
She doesn’t see dead people, but…
.
She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.
.
Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about the need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who’ll be next…
.
SOUL SCREAMERS
.
The last thing you hear before you die…
.
Read the prequel here.
.
Read an excerpt here.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Sierra Bride by Jenna Kernan
Historical western romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 Aug 09

It’s really no secret that most romance readers have a weakness for a hunky hero. I’m a bit of an odd duck in that I tend to always gravitate toward heroines. I’m certainly not one to turn my nose up at a suitably attractive romance hero, but if the heroine has all the charm of a limp dish rag? There’s no plotting imaginative enough, no hero hunky enough, and no dialogue sparkling enough to save the book for me. I need the heroine. Which is why I generally love Jenna Kernan’s stories. She has a knack for writing fantastic heroines.

Sam Pickett is in the process of getting robbed and beaten up in one of Sacramento’s back alleys. Kate Wells is walking home after working another late night at the milliner’s shop. The only thing her late, unlamented husband ever gave her that she found remotely useful is a pearl-handled Derringer. When she passes the alley and notices two men and a woman attacking Sam? She screams for help and proceeds to whip out the pistol, saving Sam from further beating. Then, just as quickly as she rode to his rescue, she vanishes into the night.

Sam is one of the wealthiest men in Sacramento, having made his fortune in mining. Now he wants to bring the railroad through the Cascade Mountains, effectively conquering them once and for all. However he finds himself distracted by the pretty slip of a girl who rescued him. He has to find out who she is, and make her his mistress. Sam has no use for family and even less use for children, but even he’s in for shock when he tracks down Kate. She’s not only a widow (which suits his purposes for her quite amiably), but she’s taking care of a blind sister and elderly aunt. Bother! Not only that? Turns out her late, unlamented husband was a no-good scoundrel con man who found himself shot when he swindled the wrong miner.

What follows is Sam offering Kate the job of mistress, and her flatly refusing. That is, until her aunt’s home is threatened with bank foreclosure. This time though Kate vows that if she’s going to sell herself to a man, she won’t go cheaply.

I’ll be blunt, this is a hard book to get invested in during the early chapters. Kate follows a long tradition of self-sacrificing heroines, but generally speaking I emphasized with her. More often than not, she found herself pushed up against a wall, and pushing back meant taking what very few avenues were open to women in the mid-19th century. Sam was much harder to “like” since for a good portion of the story he’s nothing more than a horny guy pursuing a woman only because 1) she sure is pretty and 2) she doesn’t want a thing to do with him. When these two do finally come to an agreement, of sorts, I still had issues with Sam, who was treading a very similar path to Kate’s odious first husband.

For patient readers, the emotional pay-off comes during the latter half of the story when Kate and Sam begin opening up to each other physically as well as emotionally. They quickly learn that they have a lot in common, and that the attraction between them is more than just skin deep. It helps to sow the seeds for the happily-ever-after, and it also helps the reader buy into the turn-around both of these characters experience.

I’ve admire Kernan’s work for Harlequin Historical for the last several years, because she has a way with characters and setting. This is another enjoyable read, but most definitely a second-half book. Also, while it is firmly connected to Outlaw Bride, it stands alone reasonably well and shouldn’t confuse or confound newcomers to her work. All in all, while I didn’t enjoy it as some of her other work, it’s still not a bad show.

Grade: B-

Summary:
.
Powerful Sam Pickett is used to getting his way. So he is baffled when Kate Wells, a feisty little hellion who steps between him and a bullet in the back, isn’t remotely interested in becoming his latest plaything—despite the fact she’s poor, with an aunt and blind sister to support!
.
Sam’s life is transformed by this compassionate, hardworking woman—who is strangely cynical for one so young. He fully intends to make Kate his bride, but that could prove to be the greatest challenge of his life!
.
Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Lawson’s review of Written on Your Skin by Meredith Duran
Historical romance released by Pocket Books 28 Jul 09

This is the second book, or more correctly, the companion to Duran’s Bound by Your Touch. While I enjoyed Duran’s debut, Duke of Shadows, I wasn’t as wowed by her second book. The interesting thing is this book occurs concurrently with Bound by Your Touch, but it certainly stands on it’s own. I enjoyed Phin from that story and am glad that his book came so quickly after the first one.

The story opens in Hong Kong and Phineas Granville, going by the name Phineas Monroe, is posing as an arms dealer from Chicago to stop Gerard Collins, a smuggler and all around bad guy, from shipping more arms to Ireland to the Fenians. Phin is happy his assignment is almost over as Collins is set to be arrested soon, but he’s been irratated by Collins’ stepdaughter, Mina Masters. In trying to get away from Mina, he instead ends up on the dance floor with her only to fall forward because he realizes he’s been poisoned.

Mina saves his life and he is able to escape, but their paths cross four years later in London when Collins escapes and kidnaps Mina’s mother. Mina aims to get Phin’s help to find her mother by cashing in the debt he owes her for saving his life. With some creative wrangling, Mina gets him on her side, but with manipulations by the government as well as the traitor that was involved in Hong Kong, both Mina and Phin have to trust each other quickly to get the ending they both want and deserve, and of course, so much more.

Mina definitely has not had the easiest life. She’s been pampered and well cared for, but Collins was verbally and emotionally abusive to her as well as physically abusive to her mother. Desperate to save her mother from Collins’ wrath, Mina has a set plan in mind and shows all the cunning and cleverness she’s capable of to get Phin to help her. Seeing her masks fall off and for her to be herself with Phin was very interesting, because her examination of herself and letting go so that she could trust Phin made her character fascinating.

Phin was very similar in his manner of distrust toward Mina. When he sees she’s telling the truth about things and is not a spy on him sent by his former superior. Phin is carrying various physical and emotional scars from his decade in the clandestine service, mostly because he didn’t like what he had to do while he served Queen and country. Because of their hurt and naturally distrusting natures, the verbal sparring between Mina and Phin set of sparks, not to mention what happened in the bedroom.

Since this book does happen concurrently with Bound By Your Touch, there are two scenes that overlap from that book, but are instead from Phin’s point of view, which definitely is a fresh perspective. Where Phin had been off to is explained well and the mystery in this book is dealt with in a more satisfying manner in the end that matches the characters and their journey throughout the book.

What’s keeping me from giving this book an A is something that I realized after I put the book down. While I loved Mina and Phin and what they grew to by the end of the book and what they saw they could become together, Mina never really cracked Phin. Though she does end up breaking down and growing up, with Phin’s help, and she does help Phin see the things he should be proud of instead of what he regrets, when the same thing happens to Phin, Mina usually ends up physically man-handled. Though she does take it very well and is able to turn the tables on him a bit, it made me a little uncomfortable that his need for physical dominance (though he never hurt her) was what brought things into focus.

Phin otherwise was a good character, seeing being himself was just as worthy as being responsible and dutiful. For fans of great dialogue and smart characters that work very well together, this is a must read.

Grade: B+

THE SOCIETY BEAUTY WHO SAVED HIS LIFE…

Beauty, charm, wealthy admirers: Mina Masters enjoys every luxury but freedom. To save herself from an unwanted marriage, she turns her wiles on a darkly handsome stranger. But Mina’s wouldbe hero is playing his own deceptive game. A British spy, Phin Granville has no interest in emotional entanglements…until the night Mina saves his life by gambling her own.

THE JADED SPY WHO VOWED TO FORGET HER…

Four years later, Phin inherits a title that frees him from the bloody game of espionage. But memories of the woman who saved him won’t let Phin go. When he learns that Mina needs his aid, honor forces him back into the world of his nightmares.

IN LIVES BUILT ON LIES,
LOVE IS THE DARKEST SECRET OF ALL…

Deception has ruled Mina’s life just as it has Phin’s. But as the beauty and the spy match wits in a dangerous dance, their practiced masks begin to slip, revealing a perilous attraction. And the greatest threat they face may not be traitors or murderous conspiracies, but their own dark desires….

Read an excerpt

Limecello’s review of Storm Watch by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary romance published by Harlequin Blaze on 1 Aug 2009

I generally enjoy Jill Shalvis’s writing, but I have to admit to being somewhat apprehensive about this one. I vaguely remember a mixed reaction from one of her previous Blaze books. Nevertheless, I was riding the good read high from Instant Gratification, and I’m glad I read Storm Watch. I felt that it was very fitting that I read this book while riding in a car, in the rain. Luckily, the conditions I experienced were vastly different  from what Lizzy and Jason encountered.

Lizzy Mann is a very likable, normal, yet quirky character. A very typical heroine for Ms. Shalvis (which is a good thing), there’s just something about Lizzy that draws you in. I also liked the fact that she’s capable on her own. It was nice to see a heroine who was generally well matched to the hero. Lizzy is an ER nurse who had to grow up too quickly. I loved that she was a geek in high school, but at the point where she meets up with the hero again, she’s found herself. She’s fine with, or without the hero. Aside from a few minor cringe worthy moments, Lizzy is a fantastic heroine. She’s someone I’d like to be friends with, and would also want around in case of emergency.

Jason Mauer is a great hero. He’s a very typical guy, but a good one. He’s got some emotional damage, and is at a cross roads in his life – which makes him the perfect candidate for a terrific romance. I liked that Jason is honest with himself, and he has a great personality. He’s patient with Lizzy, willing to risk life and limb for strangers, and has incredibly exacting standards for himself. You can’t help but respect and admire him. Subtle touches in Ms. Shalvis’s writing and characterization, such as the fact that Jason eats like an 8 year old, snarfing cheez whiz and crackers adds a depth and whimsy to his character.

I really enjoyed this story. It was lighthearted and a quick read, which is what I was looking for. I was a bit afraid the plot might get a little heavy, considering it’s about a natural disaster – major flooding in the town. However, I felt that Ms. Shalvis gave the situation the necessary gravity, but didn’t harp on it. I also enjoyed all the background Ms. Shalvis gave, especially Lizzy and Jason’s relationship (or lack thereof) from high school. It made the romance much more believable, considering the book takes place in such a short period of time. (One, maybe two days.) Based on their interaction from years ago, there’s a nice sense of homecoming throughout the story as well.

I really enjoyed the secondary characters, and the sub plot as well. It was nice that Lizzy was so well developed, and not a tragic figure. Although Lizzy had to make a lot of sacrifices for her sister Cece, the book effectuates a positive change for both of them. Lizzy and Jason are both able to make decisions about their future, and Cece is hurtled along her path of independence and responsibility. I really appreciated that Cece was an interestin and likable character. In fact, I wouldn’t mind reading more about Cece in a novella.

If you’re looking for a short enjoyable read, I definitely recommend Storm Watch. Ms. Shalvis does a great job with characterization, and setting. I felt that I really knew and understood Jason and Lizzy, and almost that I was experiencing the flooding myself. (Not just because I got rained on a lot.) If you’ve never read a category romance, I suggest giving this one a try. For fans of Ms. Shalvis, or Harlequin Blaze books, this one is a must.
Grade: B+

Subject: Jason Mauer, National Guard.

Current status: Homeward bound.

Mission: Getting some R & R!

Obstacle: Lizzy Mann. Sexy blast from the past.

After battling a hurricane of catastrophic proportions, Jason needs some downtime—badly! But there’s no rest for the heroic. During another deluge, Jason’s savior skills are suddenly in demand…by his hot friend Lizzy.

She’s fiercely independent. But that doesn’t keep them from having incredible sex as they, ah, ride out the storm!

Jason knows relationships and duty don’t mix. Still, he feels as if he’s being swept away by a flash flood of desire for Lizzy.

The permanent kind…

Read an excerpt here.

Devon’s review of A Duke of Her Own (Desperate Duchesses, Book 6) by Eloisa James
Historical Romance released by Avon 28 Jul 09

Bear with me, I’m a bit rusty at this reviewing thing. After a long hiatus, I have recently returned to reading. Several weeks ago, I picked up Duchess by Night, the third book in the Desperate Duchesses series, on a whim. I enjoyed it and so checked out An Affair Before Christmas. While I usually like to read in order, I was sufficiently intrigued by the description of A Duke of Her Own, and so decided to skip ahead. I’m assuming that this is the last in the Desperate Duchesses series, and I’m happy to say that, for me, it was a slam dunk. James can be hit or miss, but here she is firing on all four cylinders, with a witty, passionate comedy of manners.

A Duke of Her Own is the story of the Duke of Villiers, well known to followers of the series as the chess playing rake who almost lost his life in a duel. I expect some readers might not like him, but I’ve always found him very amusing. Anyhow, Villiers’ brush with death has made him resolve to take better care of his SIX bastards who have been scattered around the country. As the book opens, he has tracked down all but two, and has further resolved to marry the daughter of a duke, reasoning that only a woman of that rank could get society to tolerate his offspring. There are only two eligible women: the smart, sarcastic Lady Eleanor and the ethereal, impulsive Lady Lisette. However, while both women are less than conventional, there are reasons that both may not make a good match.

The cover copy is slightly misleading but, yes, there is a bit of a love triangle, or quadrangle, really. I’m going to be a bit cagey about it, but for the most part, it worked. It is quite clear early on who Villiers is meant to be with, but there were a few times where I was getting a bit concerned and frustrated. His heroine is absolutely perfect for him, and their crazy passion swept me up. It is a true match of minds and their verbal sparring and physical chemistry had me wanting to bang their heads together and say “Get it together, people!!”

James refrains from introducing too many subplots, which makes this stand alone easily. Instead, she peoples the cast with characters who, while not always sympathetic, are vividly well drawn. They move the plot along and provide a number of amusing and interesting moments. Oh, the dinner conversations! While I really like Eleanor’s younger sister, Anne, I have to give a shout out to Villiers’ likable bastards. It’s rare to find young characters who are not annoyingly precocious or precious.

But in the end it is the romance between two intelligent, mature and strong willed people that made the book. This is the first book that I’ve read in awhile where I know I’ll be re-reading certain bits for days to come. [It’s the first Eloisa James that I’ve read in a loooong time to attain such status. And I’ve re-read parts of Duchess in Love many, many times.] This one’s a hit—a passionate, moving romance with spot on characterization and plenty of fun. The only thing keeping my grade down is Villiers occasional lunkheadedness.

Grade: A-

Summary:
.
A duke must choose wisely . . .
.
Leopold Dautry, the notorious Duke of Villiers, must wed quickly and nobly—and his choices, alas, are few. The Duke of Montague’s daughter, Eleanor, is exquisitely beautiful and fiercely intelligent. Villiers betroths himself to her without further ado.
.
After all, no other woman really qualifies. Lisette, the outspoken daughter of the Duke of Gilner, cares nothing for clothing or decorum. She’s engaged to another man, and doesn’t give a fig for status or title. Half the ton believes Lisette mad—and Villiers is inclined to agree.
.
Torn between logic and passion, between intelligence and imagination, Villiers finds himself drawn to the very edge of impropriety. But it is not until he’s in a duel to the death, fighting for the reputation of the woman he loves, that Villiers finally realizes that the greatest risk may not be in the dueling field . . .
.
But in the bedroom. And the heart.
.
Read an excerpt

Other books in the series:

Sandy M’s review of The Bridegroom (Stone Creek, Book 5) by Linda Lael Miller
Historical Western Romance published by HQN 28 Jul 09

You know, I always love a good western romance. There’s a few authors out there I’d read no matter what in this genre. But Linda Lael Miller has lately gone that extra step and also given me brothers in her westerns. I love reading about brothers. Not sure exactly why. Guess maybe it’s because I don’t have any. But my first westerns by Ms. Miller were her initial McKettrick books and I loved those. Then I read her Creed brothers and enjoyed them just as much. I’m obviously a little behind in the Stone Creek series because this is my first one, and now I want to read the previous books since the Yarbro brothers are bad boys gone good and I know they’ll be a lot of fun.

Gideon and Lydia knew each other for a short time as children when her father had just died and she went to live with an aunt in Phoenix. Gideon told her that if she ever needed him, all she had to do was send him a letter and he’d be there for her. That was ten years ago and now that Lydia is engaged to a man she doesn’t love, she does feel duty weighing upon her to go through with the wedding. And she’s glad she sent that letter years and years ago and still hopes that it will catch up with Gideon to save her this one last time.

He’s headed home to Stone Creek on a special assignment for some mine owners who are trying to quash a possible strike by the miners, and as Gideon’s resting up in Phoenix, Lydia’s letter does indeed finally catch up with him. He doesn’t hesitate, finds Lydia immediately and tells her he’ll take care of everything, but now she’s not so sure that’s the right thing to do. Letting duty win over her own personal wants, Lydia asks Gideon to leave and let her go through with the marriage, but he’s got other ideas and isn’t about to let her sacrifice herself, even for her aunts and their home.

With a little help from those aunts and their housekeeper, Gideon shows up on the day of the wedding and literally throws Lydia over his shoulder and walks out of the house with her, and the whole kit and caboodle are on their way to Stone Creek — with a jilted and angry bridegroom on their tails. But once in Stone Creek and facing his brothers, Wyatt and Rowdy, former train robbers, he realizes his plan maybe wasn’t the best idea he’s ever had. He certainly doesn’t want to go to jail for kidnapping. So instead he marries Lydia to keep them both safe. However, as far as Gideon is concerned, it’s going to be a marriage in name only, but Lydia wants more. He knows there can’t be more, though, once the town and the miners find out who he is and what he’s up to. He’ll have to eventually leave town.

Of course, the scenes I really like are those between Gideon, Wyatt, and Rowdy. They constantly call him “little brother,” which he doesn’t like because he’s obviously not little anymore. But when Gideon doesn’t go to them to let his family help him with his assignment, when they learn he’ll leave Lydia behind, they talk to him like the man he is and hope he sees what they’re trying to tell him. And these are good men. All three take care of their women and their families, and it’s even sweeter for Wyatt and Rowdy considering their past and the love they never thought they’d find.

That’s why I need to get to those first few books in this series. I’d like to see how all that happens before to shape them into the men they are now, just as Lydia helps shape Gideon. Ms. Miller just has a way with the cowboy. She gets to me every time with the strong, silent type in a cowboy hat.

Grade: A

Summary:
.
New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller returns to the Arizona frontier in a tale of passion, adventure and dangerous promises . . .
.
Undercover agent Gideon Yarbro is renowned for stopping outlaws almost before they commit a crime. But now he must stop a wedding—despite the bride’s resistance. Lydia Fairmont will lose everything if she doesn’t honor her betrothal to a heartless banker. Unless she marries someone else instead . . . whether it’s a love match or not.
.
Determined to honor his own decade-old promise to help Lydia, Gideon carries her off to Stone Creek and makes her his reluctant wife. Forget a honeymoon for “show”—not with a vengeful ex-fiancé on their trail and a hired gun on the loose. But there just might be hope for the marriage . . . and two hearts meant for each other.
.
Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of The Brides of Fortune Trilogy by Nicola Cornick
Historical Romances released by HQN Jun – Aug 2009

I jumped at the chance to read this trilogy because I’d just read and reviewed my first Nicola Cornick book, Unmasked, a few months ago, and I so enjoyed her writing. Her characters, while fun and full of life, always have secrets and issues to overcome just like the rest of us. Her setting in these books is just as quirky as some of those characters, but you still get that English feel that readers of historical romances want. This is a very satisfying trilogy and I highly recommend it, whether you’ve read Ms. Cornick before or you’re just now discovering her as I have.

The Confessions of a Duchess (Book 1)
Released 1 Jun 09

We first met the hero and heroine of this book in Unmasked, where they shared a wonderful night of lovemaking, after which Laura, the Duchess of Cole, cold-heartedly told Dexter Anstruther they could never be together, he was only one of many to grace her bed. Dexter returned to London, continued to do his job and look after his family the best he could. Laura later became the Dowager Duchess and moved with her daughter to Fortune’s Folly to enjoy her independence after enduring a horrible husband and marriage.

It’s four later years when Dexter is sent to Fortune’s Folly to investigate the murder of a local man and he meets up with Laura once again. In that interim, he’d become something of a rake after Laura’s rejection, but since his father’s death, he’s now reined himself in and become a conservative and very in-control man and the head of the family. The excesses his parents took part in over the years have served as an expensive lesson for Dexter, he is now penniless and must marry for money to take care of his mother and siblings.

Since the Duke passed away, Laura has lived in Fortune’s Folly with her daughter, the child Laura never thought she’d have. Dexter’s presence is upsetting for Laura on several levels, one of which would alter her life and that of her daughter drastically. She tries to stay as far away from him as possible, but they seem to cross paths in the most unexpected places and ways.

When the local squire assesses the ancient Dames’ Tax on the women of the Folly, Laura is back in rare form with her friends, instituting old laws of their own in retaliation. Things end up going a little too far, a murder is discovered, secrets are revealed, forgiveness is withheld, and Laura can only hope and pray their decisions made in time of personal turmoil will not be the biggest mistake of their lives.

Grade: B+

Summary:
.
Laura, Dowager Duchess of Cole, has sworn never to marry again. But the arrival of Dexter Anstruther, the man with whom she once shared one forbidden night of passion, throws her plans and her heart into turmoil. Laura knows that the secret she is keeping from Dexter would destroy any chance of a future together. But can she keep her secrets and keep Dexter at arm’s length when he is so determined to rekindle their passion?
.
Read an excerpt here.

The Scandals of an Innocent (Book 2)
Released 1 Jul 09

Alice is a former maidservant who has inherited a fortune from her now-deceased employer. She’s been refusing suitors left and right because they want her only for her money due to the Dame’s Tax the local squire has placed on all unmarried females. The one man who she might have said yes to, if he hadn’t left her high and dry while he chased another heiress for her fortune, is back in Fortune’s Folly, blackmailing Alice into accepting his proposal.

Having been foisted aside for an man of higher rank, Miles finds himself back in Fortune’s Folly looking again for the right woman to take to wife and take care of his incredible debt, which he now has more of after inheriting the Marquisate of Drum, a crumbling, low-earning estate. Alice Lister is the perfect candidate when he catches her red-handed breaking the law. He’s a cynical philanderer, so why not add blackmailer to his list of attractions.

Miles is in for a bit of a surprise, however, when he finds that Alice’s fortune comes with conditions of a prospective groom. Forced into behaving as a gentleman should for the next three months, both he and Alice begin to learn more about each other as well as themselves and their attraction once again grows, much to Alice’s dismay. Try as she might, she can’t keep her heart from wanting Miles after his despicable treatment of her before. And Miles is stunned when his heart begins to feel things that it hasn’t known for years.

Grade: A

Summary:
.
Miss Alice Lister is the most scandalous heiress in Fortune’s Folly. A housemaid who inherited her late employer’s money, Alice is courted by every penniless adventurer in town. When Miles, Lord Vickery, seeks to blackmail her into marriage, Alice can only hope that the conditions attached to her inheritance will foil him – for how can such an insufferably attractive but deceitful rake be completely honest with her for three whole months?
.
Read an excerpt here.

The Undoing of a Lady (Book 3)
Released 1 Aug 09

When we meet up with Lady Elizabeth in her book, she’s getting ready to commit a very serious crime. But it’s in the name of love and friendship, so she doesn’t hesitate. Her friend Nat Waterhouse is making a mistake marrying one of the local heiresses and Lizzie is not about to stand by and do nothing about it. The only thing to do is kidnap the man, hold him hostage until the time of the wedding has come and gone, and then let him go. Nice and simple. Problem solved. Or so she thought.

Nat, of course, is none too happy once she pulls off her caper, and when she refuses to release him, it’s his cajoling about her impulsiveness and wont for trouble that eventually causes trouble for them both. He pushes her a little too far and Lizzie steps up to the plate to prove to Nat how far she will go to follow through when it comes to her schemes. This time it’s Nat who loses control when passion ignites between them and Lizzie is ruined when they make love.

Calling off his wedding is Nat’s only choice so he can marry Lizzie. It’s actually the best plan, she gets the protection of his name and he gets her dowry that will help keep his secrets where they belong. But Lizzie knows Nat doesn’t love her and she refuses to live a lifetime without love. She holds out as long as she can, but Nat wears her down and they eventually marry. And that’s when the formerly high-spirited, do-anything miss becomes the outrageous, broken-hearted Mrs. Waterhouse who pulls stunts the like of which the folks of Fortune’s Folly have never seen.

Danger and mystery are also afoot throughout this book, and, as usual, Ms. Cornick gives us the slip and throws a culprit at us that we never expected. I do have to say that Lizzie is my favorite character of the series. Though her stunts are a little much for her times, you feel the hurt and desperateness that cause her to forge head without thought. And kudos to Nat for hanging in there with her, just like a husband should.

Grade: A-

Summary:
.
When her childhood friend Nathaniel, the Earl of Waterhouse, betroths himself to a pea-brained heiress, Lady Elizabeth Scarlet decides to save him from making a big mistake by kidnapping him on the night before his wedding. But when unexpected passion flares between herself and Nat, Lizzie is seduced and ruined. With Nat insisting on marriage to save her reputation, can the fiery beauty win her husband’s love – after their marriage?
.
Read an excerpt here.

Overall Grade: A-

This is a fun and engaging trilogy, three very different stories involving friends and acquaintances of a small country village. Ms. Cornick pulls you into each book with those characters and you feel as though you’re right there with them in Fortune’s Folly.

My favorite of the three is The Scandals of an Innocent. It takes a slight lead over The Undoing of a Lady. As much as I really like Lizzie in all three books because of her outrageous and fun behavior, I felt more for Miles and his predicament, his past, and how love creeps up on him before he knows it.

At first I was thinking I was a little disappointed in The Confessions of a Duchess because Laura was such a dichotomy in Unmasked, but she still retains some of her spirit in this book. Her focus, however, has shifted because of her circumstances in life and, therefore, this book wasn’t quite what I expected at first. It does hold its own, though, due to those circumstances and ended up being a very good read.

I really enjoyed how each of the characters had fairly good roles in each succeeding book of the series. They’re friends and they’re involved in each other’s lives and Ms. Cornick makes sure to give that to the reader, therefore giving the stories more depth.

Be sure to read my interview with Nicola this week here at the Pond.

C2’s review of One Week As Lovers by Victoria Dahl
Historical romance released by Zebra 1 Aug 09

Nicholas Cantry, Viscount Lancaster, is known throughout the ton for being good-humored, easygoing and charming. It is common knowledge that he must marry a fortune to save his family from financial disgrace – brought on by previous holders of the title – but he is well-liked and no one faults him for being a fortune hunter. It isn’t always easy to be good-humored and easygoing, though. Especially when one walks in on his fiancee in an extremely compromising position with another man. Ah, faithful reader, Lancaster has hidden depths. Depths he has worked hard to hide and keep hidden.

After arriving home from his less-than-stellar evening, Lancaster receives a letter from the housekeeper of his childhood home. The letter is to inform him that a childhood friend and neighbor, Miss Cynthia Merrithorpe, is dead. Though he hasn’t visited the family estate in years or heard from Cynthia since they were children, some time away from London sounds appealing. Lancaster decides to go and pay his last respects.

Little does our viscount know that last respects are not needed. Cynthia was about to be married off to Lord Richmond to settle her step-father’s debts. Richmond has a horrible reputation. His previous marriages ended with his wives’ mysterious deaths and rumors of all sorts of depravity surround him. Rather than find herself his next victim, Cynthia decides to stage her own death (falling off a cliff into the sea… very dramatic) and run away to start a new life.

Cynthia must stay hidden until she turns 21 and has some control over her life or until she finds the treasure hinted at in an old family journal. With the help of the housekeeper, Cynthia hides at Cantry Manor. Nick’s unexpected arrival puts a crimp in her plans. How does one convince the lord of the manor to depart when he just arrived? Why, make him think his house is haunted, of course. I ask you, faithful reader, does such a ploy ever work? Not so much.

After the mysterious haunting is de-bunked, Cynthia explains her situation to Nick and he agrees to let her stay hidden and offers to help find the treasure – he could use a treasure to help him out of the bind he is in, as well. And so the adventure begins.

Nick and Cynthia are both intrigued and baffled by the changes brought on by growing up. In some ways, each easily sees the childhood friend but some changes are difficult to explain. Nick’s mysterious scar, for example. What happened? How and when did he get it? He says it’s from a burn but is it really? What happened to her sweet childhood friend? How did he become the almost-too-polished person he is now?

Nick is drawn to Cynthia but knows he mustn’t get involved with her. Even if he weren’t betrothed, he is no longer the sweet-natured easygoing boy he was. He has needs she should not be subjected to. But is it his decision alone? Cynthia doesn’t think so…she sees no reason they can’t be lovers while they look for the treasure. But will she convince Nick? Well, the title is One Week as Lovers so I suppose you know the answer.

But other questions remain – will the treasure be found? Will Cynthia escape Richmond’s evil clutches? What happened to Nick? Where did he get the scar? What about his betrothed back in London? For those answers and more – like snappy dialogue and sweetly hot romance, tortured heroes and spunky heroines – check out the latest entry in Dahl’s Regency series.

Grade: B+

Summary:
.
Some Pleasures, Once Tasted…
.
Even after finding his betrothed in the arms of another man, Nicholas, the Viscount Lancaster, knows he must wed. Propriety—and the dire state of his finances—decrees it. At least a visit to his country estate provides relief from playing the role of loving fiancé, as well as a surprising encounter with Cynthia Merrithorpe. Once his childhood companion, Cynthia has grown into a lovely, alluring woman—one who’s undertaken a daring ruse to avoid being sold into a miserable marriage.
.
Are Too Delicious To Forget…
.
When Nicholas left for London to assume his new title, Cynthia was forced to put aside her girlish infatuation. Now he’s returned, more wickedly attractive than ever. And this time, Cynthia is determined to experience the pleasure she’s dreamed of for so long. But with a man like Nicholas, seduction is only the beginning of a sensual journey that will tempt them both to defy convention, and uncover the very heart of desire…
.
Excerpt not available at the time the review was written.

Other related books: