I liked C2′s idea of a Best of 2008 list.  Then Liv got into the action, so thought I’d give it a try too.  (Of course, mine are the best of the bunch.)  I was never one to keep track of my reads, and 2008 was the first time I’ve done that; therefore, this list, though difficult to choose just a few in the long run, was easy for me since I didn’t have to rely on a twelve-month memory.

So here’s my Best of 2008, in no particular order.

Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
Contemporary Romance Audiobook released by Brilliance Audio 25 Mar 08

Actually, I drooled over Hardy Cates while listening to him with the audiobook of Blue-Eyed Devil. My first foray (including Sugar Daddy) into Kleypas books and I loved every darned minute of it!

Weddings Can Be Murder by Christie Craig
Contemporary Romance released by Love Spell 27 May 08

I never thought I would fall in love with a hero who’s a sympathy puker.  Don’t wrinkle your nose!  Read the book, it’s hilarious! Christie Craig is making a huge name for herself and her wonderful humor.
Double Enchantment by Kathryne Kennedy
Historical Paranormal Romance released by Love Spell 26 Aug 08

A breath of fresh air with a new take on the English social castes.  Fun, intriguing, and very romantic. And loads of magic along with shapeshifting, both of which give readers a different look at old favorites.

Superb and Sexy by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance released by Brava 1 Jun 08

Really, you can interchange any one of the three Sexy books in here. Just love those Sky High Men! Ms. Shalvis has a way with humor, romance, mystery, and fun.

Killer Charms by Marianne Stillings
Contemporary Romance released by Avon 26 Aug 08

I enjoyed all three books about the Darling family, but it’s the hero of this one that gave it top honors for me in 2008. I’ll definitely be reading more of Ms. Stillings.

King of Sword and Sky (Tairen Soul, Book 3) by C.L. Wilson
Paranormal Fantasy Romance released by Leisure Books 30 Sep 08

With just one more book to go, this series is now my favorite of all time. Ms. Wilson has created a world that is just absolutely fantastic and she’s giving us a love story like no other.

Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
Release by Berkley 2 Sep 08

I’ve loved every book in this series.  They’re all incredible.  But Dorian has always been my favorite from the very first book and I’d anticipated his story for so long.  Ms. Singh did not disappoint!

Scandalous by Night by Barbara Pierce
Historical Romance released by St. Martin’s Paperbacks 29 Jul 08

Barbara Pierce has become an all-time favorite historical author for me.  This book she gave readers a darker side of her writing and Everod is her best hero yet.

With Every Breath by Lynn Kurland
Time Travel Romance released by Jove 27 May 08

Beautiful writing, sweeping Scottish vistas, love and romance that crosses time boundaries, and characters you’ll love forever. What’s not to love?

The Missing by Shiloh Walker
Contemporary Paranormal Romance released by Berkley Trade 4 Nov 08

As I said in my review of this book, Ms. Walker has outdone herself with this one.  Absolutely mesmerizing.  If you haven’t read it, you should.  You’re missing out, big time.

Honorable mentions:

Ask Adam by Jess Dee
Contemporary Romance released by Samhain 29 Jul 08

Ms. Dee is a first-time author for me and I enjoyed her writing and storytelling immensely.  I have a feeling she’s really going to go places!

The Hot Line by Cathryn Fox
Contemporary Romance released by NAL 4 Mar 08

Another first-time author for me. Had to love the idea of the Hot Line, firefighters just waiting to help a lady out. And those boys know what they’re doing!

Sandy M’s review of Scandalous By Night (Carlisle Family, Book 4) by Barbara Pierce
Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s 29 July 08

If you’re looking for an excellent historical author, you need to read Barbara Pierce.  I have to admit the first thing that drew me to her books were the titles.  Browsing at the bookstore, the first book in the series, Wicked Under the Covers, jumped out at me from the shelf. Right next to it sat Sinful Between the Sheets. I couldn’t resist, especially after I’d also glanced at the covers. But what made me a huge fan of Ms. Pierce’s is, of course, her writing, her characters, her storylines.  All terrific and all worth the time if you’ve not yet read her.

And this book is her best work yet.  The three previous books in this series all have their own mystery to be solved, issues to resolve, and love to be conquered, but Everod, the hero, has a dark side to him that we don’t see in Soletia or Ramscar, his lifelong friends.  We find out early on that something terrible happened when Everod was a teenager and his father remarried a young, lusty woman.  When all hell breaks loose, Everod is recovering from a near-fatal dagger wound and is banished from his home and family.

Twelve years later after no contact whatsoever with any of those involved, including young Maura, niece to the new duchess, his family has invaded London, his city, his domain.  Chancing upon the now-grown-up Maura in town, his plan of revenge becomes clear to him and his seduction of the woman who helped ruin his life has begun.

Seeing Everod again after so many years brings home to Maura how she’d been used by her aunt in her duplicity against the young heir, but she loves her aunt and the past can’t be changed.  A chance meeting with the man in London only spurs him on to interfere in her life, sending her gifts that deepens her guilt, seducing her with a charm and wit that is not so much a part of Everod’s life anymore.

She finds no matter how much she protests or tries to run, she’s not immune to Everod, especially his dark side, his adventurous side, and she gets caught up in his sensual whirlwind.  All the while she must deal with her aunt who wants a marriage between Maura and Everod’s younger brother, something Maura can’t fathom now that she’s tasted what Everod as to offer.  As things heat up in the battle of wills between her aunt and her lover, Maura is caught in the middle and then her heart is broken when the man she’s come to love reveals his revenge in a most public way.

The times we’ve met Everod in the previous books, he is a rake and a cad, but he’s also fun-loving.  This new Everod is dark and exciting, and as the reasons for that darkness is slowly revealed, we begin to understand why he vacillates between revenge and desire.  You feel for him and then you curse him for his actions. You also feel for Maura once the whole truth is revealed, along with her aunt’s duplicity, the extent of which takes a devil of a turn. I enjoyed having the entire family of characters from the first three books so involved in this one, nice to catch up and see where they are in their lives.

The writing by Ms. Pierce is as rich as ever, and I’m glad to see this slight evil side of her.  That added a whole new depth to Everod and Maura’s story and made them the star of the Carlisle series.  The only thing I wanted more of was a little extra time with Everod and Maura at the end of the book.  There was such tension and distrust between them, even despite the wonderful love scenes, that I wanted to see a little more tenderness and love, more than a page or two, once everything came together for them.  Of course, it’s not totally necessary once happily ever after comes along, but that’s just a personal thing of mine.

Pick these books up at the first opportunity if you’re an historical fan.  You will not be disappointed at all. You will fall in love with each character Ms. Pierce introduces you to and you will remember their stories for some time to come.

Grade: A+

Summary:

A SINFUL SCHEME…

Even among that band of rakes known as les sauvages nobles, Lord Everod’s reputation is truly wicked. Countless willing partners have enjoyed his sensual prowess, but now one lovely innocent has his undivided attention. The alluring Miss Maura Keighly once lost Everod his family’s regard, and almost cost him his life. And no vengeance could be sweeter than the delicious seduction he has planned…

BECOMES A SCANDALOUS PURSUIT

Maura is on the verge of marrying another. Yet no sooner has she set foot among the ton than Everod makes himself known, tempting and taunting her by word and deed, filling her days and nights with illicit longing. His wanton invitation is plain, yet Maura’s passionate response blindsides them both. For the first time, Everod feels something more potent than lust. Simple surrender will never be enough; Everod must possess Maura completely. But the past cannot be so easily forgotten—and some desires are even more dangerous than revenge…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Naughty by Nature (Carlisle Family, Book 3) by Barbara Pierce
Historical romance released by St. Martin’s 27 Nov 07

Barbara Pierce has become an all-time favorite of mine.  Her books an auto-buy. The Carlisles are a fun and scandalous family with friends of the same attributes, as evidenced by the hero in this book. These books are full of famlial love as well as romantic love, and if you haven’t read about this raucous brood yet, you are missing a great time.

What I loved most about this book is the different side we see of Ram – the sensitive, emotional side – but the rogue is still present. We also find out what it is in his past that has brought him to this point in his life and made him the man he is. The scenes with his sister, especially when we learn why it is Margaret is the only sister left, are quite emotional.  In addition, although it breaks his heart to force her to rejoin society after so many years of hiding, he has decided to stand firm and make sure she begins to live again.

Then he literally bumps into the most intriguing woman and, though she awakens a different kind of passion in him than he’s used to, he employs her to help his sister.  Ms. Pierce’s wonderful writing shows us how difficult a situation he’s made for himself because he’s never crossed that line with an employee, and some things in life just have to have their own way no matter what you do.

Patience has had her own downfall in life and is hiding a horrible secret.  She is now trying to eke out a living as an actress in a traveling company. Fortune begins to smile on her when she agrees to take Ram’s job. She realizes all Margaret needs is female camaraderie and guidance.  Margaret’s changes are astoudning to Ram, that is when he is able to keep his mind and hands off the delectable Patience.

I enjoyed the relationship between Ram and Patience. They both try to stay away from one another, knowing a relationship would be frowned upon, but their attraction is just too strong. I also liked the mystery that came as a surprise later in the book, which is when we meet up with the Carlisles in full force. In times of crisis you know who your friends are, and Ram’s friends never hesitate when he asks for help.

The wit and humor between Ram and Patience is never ending, their love grows despite everything. Throw in the rowdiness of the Carlisles to continue the banter and fun and you have a book that is quite satisying in every way.

Grade: B+

From the back cover:

     TWO LOVERS WILL RISK EVERYTHING…

     Patience Rose Farnaly was easily lured away from her wealthy family by the false love of a dangerous man. Rather than face a grim future on the streets, Patience struggled to find honest work as an actress. But when the irresistibly charming Earl of Ramscar offers her legitimate employ in London as a lady’s companion to his sister, Patience snaps up the chance…although her attraction to Ramscar leaves her on shaky ground.

     FOR A MOMENT OF PURE CARNAL BLISS…

     Ever since a devastating fire left his sister brutally scarred, Ramscar vowed to protect the little family he has left. Now that Patience has been hired to be his sister’s companion, his conscience is clear—even if his imagination won’t let him rest. Haunted by fantasies of the beautiful, beguiling Patience, it’s only a matter of time before they enter into an illicit affair—one that might threaten Ramscar’s status among les sauvages nobles if Patience’s dark past comes to light…and could destroy them both.

     Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Sinful Between the Sheets (The Carlisle Series, Book 2) by Barbara Pierce
Historical romance published 3 Apr 07 by St. Martin’s

Fayne Carlisle’s father died just days ago, leaving the title and everything that goes with it in his hands. He hopes that includes his father’s last mistress, Lady Kilby Fitchwolf. It was in her boudoir that the old duke’s heart gave out, collapsing him in the arms of the young beauty. Now that Fayne has seen her, he wants her in his bed, thinks of nothing else, and is quite flabbergasted when the woman declines his advances.

Grateful to be in London for the season, sponsored by her parents’ good friend Lady Quennell, Kilby has a plan of finding a husband of her own choosing and thereby thwarting her brother, Lord Nipping, in choosing one for her. While in London she also wants to find people who had known her parents, gathering information that may lead her to her biological father. And now the scandal concerning the death of the duke has led her into the path of his son, a man who wants her only because he thinks his father bedded her.

When Kilby’s brother shows up in London and forces her to return home, she knows the only one who can protect her is Fayne. Eloping to keep their marriage a secret, they spend a few blissful days together before their lives are turned upside down again by a stalker trying to kill them. Fayne now fights for the love of his life and life he thought he’d never want nor have.

Barbara Pierce is a new author for me and she has very quickly become a favorite. Her Carlisle series is about a family who plays and loves long and hard, all the while taking care of each other when misfortune and catastrophe decide to invade their world.

Wicked Under the Covers is the first book in the series and features Fayre Carlisle and Maccus Brawley, who we see a good bit of in this book, along with their mother, now the dowager duchess. SBTS is a nice follow-up, although I was disheartened to see the last of the old Duke of Solitea. He was loads of fun in the first book, but for Fayne to grow and find his way in life, he has to endure hardships.

Grade: B+
Here’s the blurb:

A FATAL ATTRACTION

Fayne Carlisle is not yet ready to assume the title of Duke of Solitea, but his father’s sudden death means that his lusty bachelor days are numbered. Is the fabled Solitea Curse to blame for this stroke of ill luck? Or is Lady Kilby Fitchwolf the poison? A violet-eyed beauty with a family scandal of her own, she has just arrived among the ton and soon becomes the object of the Duke’s wildest fantasies.

AND A FATEFUL PASSION

But are the rumors true? Was Fayne’s father really found dead in Lady Kilby’s very bedchambers? And if so, should that preclude the duke from keeping her company? Surely there’s no more pleasurable way to perish. But as the duke comes to know the beautiful siren, it seems she couldn’t be less interested in seducing him-and what begins for the Duke as romantic sport escalates into a do-or-die courtship that brings the two lovers dangerously close to falling in love.

Read an excerpt.

The next book in the series is Naughty by Nature and releases 27 Nov 07. Don’t miss this series if you are a lover of historical romance!