C2’s review of Lucky in Love (Lucky Harbor, Book 4) by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance released by Forever 22 May 12

It’s time to go back to Lucky Harbor and see what’s shaking with the quirky residents.  During this visit we find out what happens when the town’s favorite “good girl” has a stormy encounter with a man known only as “Mysterious Cute Guy.”  It might be time for the good girl to take a walk on the wild side.

Mallory Quinn is one of Lucky Harbor’s good girls.  Mallory is always around to lend a helping hand and does her best to take care of everyone – she’s a nurse, for crying out loud!  And like all good girls, Mallory is looking for Mr. Right.  Unfortunately, the last couple of Mr. Rights turned out to be all wrong.  So when her best friend tells Mallory maybe it’s time to have some fun with a Mr. Wrong, it doesn’t sound like such a bad plan.  All Mallory really wants is a date for an upcoming charity auction…she never expected for Mr. Wrong to literally fall at her feet.

Ty Garrison is a former Navy SEAL.  After he was the only survivor of a crash that killed the rest of his squad, he left the military and has been working for an independent contractor. Ty still goes out on missions and gets the adrenalin rush but has a bit more control over his assignments.  He is in Lucky Harbor recuperating from an injury he got during his most recent job.  One of Ty’s military buddies is now living in Lucky Harbor and has found him a house to rent and hooked him up with a local doctor to oversee his recovery.  Ty is ready to be back on the job – he is pushing himself too hard and his doctor knows it, though.  The last thing Ty expects is a tree to fall on him during a freak snowstorm – and one of his “rescuers” to set him up on a date with one of the others.

Mallory and Ty have instant chemistry – even though she doesn’t even know his name until he has to introduce himself to the very nosy auction-attending crowd – and spend part of the evening flirting.  When Mallory has to go to a storage area to look for a missing auction item, Ty goes along and – what do you know – there is a sofa conveniently in the storage area.  Just waiting for them to put it to good use, of course.  Wheeeeeeeee!

Ty knows Mallory is a good girl and that he should stay far from her, but being with her makes him feel different than he has in ages – more alive.  Mallory knows she should stay away from Ty, too.  He is only in Lucky Harbor for a little while and she has never been anywhere else, but doesn’t she deserve something that makes her feel good, even if it isn’t something a good girl would choose?

Oh, faithful reader, I love this kind of story!  When the hero and heroine know exactly why a relationship between them should never work but can’t resist.  Playing with fire FTW! Also?  Fire is hot and so is this book…it’s sweet, too.  Ty becomes more and more involved with the good folks of Lucky Harbor, whether he wants to or not.  And Mallory finally starts to show people who she really is – maybe not always the good girl but a strong woman.

Does this book stand alone?  It does, actually.  Certainly, if you’ve read the other Lucky Harbor books, your reading will be enhanced, but it isn’t strictly necessary – but read them, why don’t you?  It’s a very enjoyable series.  :)  Also, this book is the first of a trio of connected books – each of the other Chocoholics gets her Happily Ever After very soon.  If you’re looking for a sweet, sexy, entertaining small-town romance, look no further.  Ms. Shalvis is a master.

Grade: A-

Summary:

Mallory Quinn has had enough of playing it safe. As a nurse and devoted daughter, she takes care of everyone but herself. And as the local good girl, she’s expected to date Mr. Right. But for once, she’d like to take a risk on Mr. Wrong. And who could be more wrong than Ty Garrison? The mysterious new guy in town has made it clear that he’s only passing through, which suits Mallory just fine. Besides, his lean, hard body and sexy smile will give her plenty to remember once he’s gone…

For the first time in his life, Ty can’t bear to leave. Helping this sexy seductress-in-training walk on the wild side is making him desire things he shouldn?t?including leaving the military for good. As their just-for-fun fling becomes something more, Mallory and Ty wonder if they could really be this lucky in love. After all…anything can happen in a town called Lucky Harbor.

Read an excerpt!

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of Taming an Impossible Rogue (Tantalus Club, Book 2) by Suzanne Enoch
Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s 27 Mar 12

When a young lady leaves her fiancé at the altar, there are always consequences, aren’t there?  Usually unpleasant ones.  But what if the jilted fiancé wants his runaway bride back – but can’t be bothered to try?  Interesting things can happen, faithful reader!

Lady Camille Pryce and Stephen Pollard, Marquess of Fenton, were betrothed as children.  Their fathers were friends and wanted to unite the families.  Camille just couldn’t go through with a marriage to a virtual stranger, so she ran away.  When she returns to her parents house later in the day, they tell her she is only welcome if she goes through with the wedding.  Her friends are no more welcoming than her family…they do not want to be associated with her.  Finally, Camille ends up at the Tantalus Club.  (Interested in the background of the Tantalus? Click here!)

Now Camille is a hostess at the club.  She works and lives there and seldom leaves the grounds.  Camille doesn’t want to encounter people from her former life.  Her employers have barred her father and Fenton from the club so she can be as comfortable as possible.  Although she misses her old life, Camille has settled into her new one at the Tantalus quite well.  She has friends that accept her as she is and isn’t dependent on anyone but herself.

Keating Blackwood is Fenton’s cousin and has been living exiled in the country for several years.  Keating killed a nobleman – in self-defense.  He’s been having an affair with the dead man’s wife.  Moving to his country estate seemed like the best option for Keating after the scandal.  Unfortunately, the estate is not in the best shape and between the demands of the estate and some other financial demands, Keating is in money trouble – and Fenton knows it.  Fenton makes an offer – if Keating can get his runaway bride back to the altar, Fenton will give him 10,000 pounds…24 hours after the wedding.  Keating really needs the money, so he agrees.

From their very first meeting, Keating is honest with Camille – he doesn’t tell her everything immediately b,ut he doesn’t lie to her.  And as they slowly get to know each other and begin to trust each other, both Keating and Camille realize they have met the person who would be perfect for them…under different circumstances.  Even as Keating arranges short visits between Camille and Fenton – a drive, a picnic (all chaperoned by him and one of her friends from the club), even a visit to her parents’ home – Camille and Keating are increasingly drawn to each other.

But Camille knows why Keating needs the money…is she willing to put his happiness ahead of her own?  And will Keating let her marry someone more concerned with his reputation than her feelings?  Heh.  What do you think, faithful reader?

I always enjoy Ms. Enoch’s voice and this book is no exception – funny but not silly, emotional but not angsty…just all-around good reading. What more can you ask for? Does this book stand alone? Yes, mostly. Reading the first book in the series will give you the background of the club but very little of this story happens in the club. Also, I am looking forward to the next book in the series. The Duke of Greaves intrigues me greatly.

Grade: B+

Summary:One year ago, Lady Camille Pryce left her haughty fiancé at the altar—for good reason. Not only was the marriage arranged before she could even walk, her betrothed was too smug to exert himself to meet her! Now, disowned, with no husband or family to support her, she’s left with one option: go to work in the notorious Tantalus Club…

A gentleman’s gaming house run by a woman, the Tantalus is no place for a proper lady; so, to save face, her jilted fiancé must retrieve her. But banned from the club, he’s forced to employ his ne’er-do-well cousin instead. A handsome, experienced rogue, Keating Blackwood is the perfect man to lure Camille away. But the moment they meet, Keating instead wants to save her…for himself. Impossible? Perhaps. But if Camille can make the ultimate player lay his cards on the table—and risk his heart—all bets are off…

Read an excerpt.Other books in the series:

C2’s review of About That Night (FBI/US Attorney Series, Book 3) by Julie James
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 3 Apr 12

What happens when a prosecutor meets up with an almost-hook-up from college – across a courtroom??  In Julie James’ most recent release we find out.

After a long-term relationship ends, Rylann Pierce moves back to Chicago and a position in the US Attorney’s Office – a change of location and a return to old friends might be just the thing to get her new life going. Her very first assignment sends her to court to handle the resolution of some charges against “the Twitter Terrorist.”  (An aside – I LOL!  I love me some Twitter and that it weaves its way through the story made me giggle so much.  :-D)  Little does Rylann know said Terrorist is billionaire heir/computer geek Kyle Rhodes…the very same Kyle Rhodes she spetd a flirtatious evening with years before.

Kyle is just glad to finally be getting free of house arrest – which was much better than his time in prison, sure.  The last person he expects to see representing the prosecution is Rylann.  Circumstances kept him from keeping their date all those years ago (she knew what happened, don’t fret, faithful reader) and they never found each other again – he didn’t even know her last name, for crying out loud.

The old spark is still there but Rylann is the new person in her office and still finding her place – a relationship with the defendant of a very high-profile case could be awkward.  Plus she is just out of a long-term relationship.  But…hot billionaire heir?  Who can resist that??  Also, umm…

Where were we, faithful reader?  I got distracted for a minute.

Kyle is ready to get his life back on track.  He had lots of time to think and plan in prison and now it’s time to put those plans into action.  Does he have time for a relationship after his last one imploded in a spectacular fashion and landed him in jail?  Rylann will have to be pretty convincing…

I so enjoyed this book!  It is my favorite of Ms. James’ books so far – and I have liked them all.  Kyle is a genuinely good guy.  He wants to do the right thing and make his own way and has matured a lot since we first met him in A Lot Like Love.  Rylann’s job is very important to her but not to the exclusion of everything else – she makes time for her friends and for herself.  It is nice to see a romance between two realistic characters – people who, if we knew them in real life, we would want together.  This book is charming and an all-around fun read.

Grade: A

Summary:

HE’S PLAYING GAMES

Though Rylann Pierce tried to fight the sparks she felt for billionaire heir Kyle Rhodes the night they met, their sizzling chemistry was undeniable. But after being stood up on their first date, Rylann never expected to see him again. So when she finds herself face to face with Kyle in a courthouse nine years later, she’s stunned. More troubling to the beautiful Assistant U.S. Attorney is that she’s still wildly attracted to him.

BUT SHE’S MAKING THE RULES

Just released from prison, Kyle Rhodes isn’t thrilled to be the star witness in a high-profile criminal case—but when Rylann comes knocking at his door, he finds she may be the one lawyer he can’t say no to. Still as gorgeous and sharp-tongued as ever, she lays down the law: she doesn’t mix business with pleasure. But Kyle won’t give up on something he wants—and what he wants is the one woman he’s never forgotten. . .

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of Crazy On You (Lovett, Texas, Book 2) by Rachel Gibson
Contemporary Romance ebook novella published by Avon Impulse 1 May 12

Can a woman determined to be responsible unbend enough to have a fling with the new, cute next-door neighbor?  And what happens if the fling turns out to be more?

Lily Darlington led an interesting life when she was younger but finally, at 38, she has put “Crazy Lily” behind her.  Now Lily is a homeowner, successful business owner, and single mom.  The last thing she needs is to get involved with the exceptionally hot, younger man who just moved in next door.

Tucker Matthews is relatively new to Lovett, Texas.  After serving ten years in the Army, Tucker left and began a law enforcement career and just started working for the county Sheriff’s Department.  After Tucker pulls Lily over for erratic driving (darn those cell phones!), he realizes she is his neighbor and is intrigued. And when her son Pippen’s bouncing basketball keeps him from sleeping (again), Tucker goes next door to negotiate with him – and gets another chance to talk to Lily – who doesn’t recognize him out of uniform.  Heh.

Lily is resistant to starting a relationship with anyone.  She has just gotten her life on track and doesn’t want to give the town reason to start reminiscing about Crazy Lily.  But Tucker is determined…and hot. Soon Lily agrees to a fling if Tucker doesn’t tell anyone.  He doesn’t understand what the big deal is but agrees. Soon, though, the sneaking around begins to bother him – is she ashamed of him?  What does it matter what other people think?  Finally, he tells Lily she has to decide whether she cares enough to go public or is she ready for the relationship, such as it is, to be over.  What’s a formerly crazy chick supposed to do?  Is it more mature to let the opinions of others rule your life?  Or should you be allowed to reach out and grab something potentially wonderful?

Crazy On You is an enjoyable read, but it feels very much like what it is – a bridge between Daisy’s Back in Town (Lily’s sister’s story) and Ms. Gibson’s next full-length release, Rescue Me (we very briefly meet the heroine).  It is a bit formulaic and feels like something I’ve read before, but, if you enjoy Ms. Gibson’s writing, you should enjoy the book – and it’s a bargain at $1.99. So if you’ve never tried this author…go for it!  I doubt it is necessary to read Crazy On You to read Rescue Me, but I can’t say for sure because I haven’t read it yet.

Grade: C+

Summary:Lily Darlington’s been called crazy in her day—and, yeah, driving her car into her ex-husband’s living room probably wasn’t the smartest move ever made—but the louse deserved it. Now Lily is happily single, and she’s turned it all around. She knows she’s a good mom, a homeowner, and a businesswoman, all wrapped up in one good-looking package.

A package that police officer Tucker Matthews is dying to unwrap. This ex-military man sure doesn’t need another woman in his life. His last girlfriend left him with nothing but memories and a cat named Pinky! But living next door to Lily has been driving him nuts. He dreams about her long blonde hair and even longer legs. And maybe it’s time to go a little crazy . . . and fall in love.

Read an excerpt.

Connected books:

C2’s review of All for You (de Piaget, Book 15) by Lynn Kurland
Time Travel Romance published by Jove 24 Apr 12

Sometimes a girl just needs a knight in shining armor – and, in a pinch, tweed (and the help of some matchmaking ghosts) will do quite nicely.

Peaches Alexander’s life is not going as smoothly as she would like.  Her career has imploded, she has no real employment prospects and her savings account is dwindling.  There has been a lot of upheaval in her family recently (see One Enchanted Evening and One Magic Moment), and Peaches is stressed out.  And if she wishes for a starring role in her own personal fairy tale, well…a girl can dream, right?

Stephen de Piaget is mostly satisfied with his life – he gets to study (and teach) a subject he enjoys, spend time with his family at a castle he loves, and runs up to Scotland for hands-on medieval swordplay (and more) whenever he can get away.  If sometimes he wishes he could experience things a little more authentically, well…one can’t have everything, right?

Stephen and Peaches have a difficult relationship.  They got off on the wrong foot and have stayed there – due to Stephen’s talent for putting that foot in his mouth whenever Peaches is around.  Only after they both attend a house party given by the Duke of Kenneworth – Stephen’s nemesis and someone who has shown a great deal more interest in Peaches than Stephen would like – and Stephen helps her out of a series of bad situations does Peaches start to let go of her dislike for him.

(An aside – the series of circumstances that throw Peaches and Stephen together on the way to the house party are much too contrived.  I say, if the premise of a story is something unlikely – like time travel – everything else has to be extra realistic…maybe that’s just me.  Onward!)

After Stephen helps Peaches (another brief aside – how much do I dislike the name Peaches??  I don’t care if your parents were hippies…pick a new name! *ahem*) escape the duke’s evil clutches, they settle into a truce.  Stephen even hires Peaches as his research assistant (not only for her brain but because he wants to keep her nearby).  But just as things start to develop between them, the evil duke rears his icky head.  Suddenly, Stephen’s whole way of life is in peril. He realizes the only way to protect his future is to revisit the past – and head things off at the pass, as it were.  Stephen wants Peaches to stay safely in the present, of course, but she senses her help will be needed.

Will Stephen and Peaches find each other in the past?  Will fate allow them to change things enough to avert disaster?  With a little help from some ancestors, there can be no doubt.

This is not my favorite of the series – the hero and heroine are a bit bland and overshadowed by the supporting characters that show up along the way.  Still, faithful reader, if you are a frequent visitor to The Pond, you know I love Lynn Kurland’s books. They are an example of a world that keeps getting richer and more real with every story. And in her world, love is magical…how can that be anything but good?

Grade: B

Summary:

FALLING THROUGH TIME IS DANGEROUS…

Peaches Alexander is thrilled to receive an unexpected invitation to a weekend party given by the handsome, eligible Duke of Kenneworth. The only problem: Stephen de Piaget, a stuffy medieval studies scholar who seems determined to get in the way. Peaches has absolutely no desire to get involved with Stephen, until a quirk of Fate sends her hurtling through time…

UNLESS THERE’S SOMEONE TO CATCH YOU.

Stephen de Piaget has been leading a double life: respectable professor by day, knight-in-training during holidays and summer terms. When Peaches goes missing, Stephen knows he’s the only one who can rescue her from medieval peril. Little do they know that the greatest danger they’ll face won’t be the business end of a sword, but their own unruly hearts….

Read an excerpt.

Closely connected books:

Other directly connected books:

Other loosely connected books:

The rest of the series:

For reading order info, click here.

C2’s review of Skies of Fire (Ether Chronicles, Book 1) by Zoe Archer
Steampunk Romance published by Avon Impulse 17 Apr 12

Do you like larger-than-life heroes and stealthy lady spies?  Airships? Explosions?  Zoe Archer’s latest book – and new series kick-off – might be just what you’re looking for.

Skies of Fire sweeps us away to a slightly different version of 19th century Europe than we’re used to.  England is at war with the evil Hapsburgs and not only do ships patrol the seas but airships patrol the skies.  The airships are under the command of Man O’ Wars – mentally, physically powerful men who have metal implants that make them more…stronger, faster, more aggressive, sharper sense, even physically bigger.  The Man O’ Wars have a symbiotic relationship with their airships – the metal implants generate energy that the ship collects and uses for power.

Captain Christopher Redmond is a Man O’ War and commander of the HMS Demeter.  After a run-in with the enemy fleet, Christopher manages to get his ship and crew to safety and finds something unexpected – a British distress signal flashing from a barn deep in enemy territory. The last person he expects to find is the woman who left him without a word three years earlier.

Louisa Shaw is a Naval Intelligence operative.  She has been working deep in Hapsburg territory looking for a new munitions plant she heard rumors about.  If Louisa can find and destroy the plant before it starts mass production, countless lives will be saved.  The last person she expects to have to look to for assistance is the man she ran out on in the middle of the night years before.

Will Christopher and Louisa find the hidden plant?  Will they be able to destroy it and escape with their lives?  And will they be able to move past the issues that drove them apart last time or are they doomed to live separate lives forever?

Talk about a roller coaster ride, faithful reader!  The story starts and doesn’t slow down – and it is full of twists and turns along the way. The world Ms. Archer is building is fascinating and has lots of little throw-away details that make it seem very real.  Plus, we get lots of explanations that are woven nicely into the story so it doesn’t feel like info-dump.  Christopher is lovely – a true hero, even.  As in, he’s won battles and stuff.  :-D  Plus, he is a genuinely good man, dedicated to serving his country (and dedicated to Louisa, if she agrees).  And Louisa is kick-ass!  A smart, independent, competent heroine that doesn’t try to be masculine but doesn’t use feminine wiles, either – those are hard to find sometimes.  Louisa is good at what she does and knows it and she is as dedicated to serving her country as Christopher.

If you’ve never tried steampunk romance, I highly recommend checking out Skies of Fire.  It is fast paced and engaging and fun with characters that jump off the page.  And the next book in the series is set in the American west and was written by Ms. Archer’s husband, Nico Rossi.  I can’t wait!

Grade: A

Summary:Man made of metal and flesh

Captain Christopher Redmond has just one weakness: the alluring spy who loved and left him years before…when he was still just a man. Now he’s superhuman—a Man O’ War, made as part of the British Navy’s weapons program—and his responsibility is to protect the skies of Europe. If only he could forget Louisa Shaw.

A most inconvenient desire

Louisa, a British Naval Intelligence agent, has never left a job undone. But when her assignment is compromised, the one man who can help her complete her mission is also the only man ever to tempt her body and heart. As burning skies loom and passion ignites, Louisa and Christopher must slip behind enemy lines if they are to deliver a devastating strike against their foe . . . and still get out alive.

Read an excerpt.

C2’s review of Oracle’s Moon (Elder Races, Book 4) by Thea Harrison
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 6 Mar 12

What happens when humans and witches clash with the Elder Races?  And what happens to those caught in the crossfire?  Thea Harrison’s latest Elder Races novel, Oracle’s Moon, shows us.

Oracle’s Moon picks up almost exactly where Serpent’s Kiss left off and a lot of events from that book are referenced throughout. So, really, you should read Serpent’s Kiss first.  Do it, faithful reader!  You’ll be glad you did.

Grace Andreas only recently inherited the Power of the Oracle and became Oracle of Louisville.  Her sister, Petra, was the previous Oracle, but after she and her husband were killed (and Grace severely injured) in a car accident, the Power transferred to Grace.  In addition to her new Power, Grace also has gained custody of her very young niece and nephew – plus she is still recuperating from her injuries.  Until recently, all Grace has been concerned with was college.

During the events at the end of Serpent’s Kiss, Grace attracted the attention of Khalil, one of the Demonkind and a Prince of the Djinn.  Khalil is a Powerful, ancient being.  Djinn are creatures of the air (?????) and do not even have a solid permanent form – instead they can take whatever form they like, depending on the situation.  Khalil has never been particularly interested in humans, with their short, small lives, but something about Grace and the small ones living with her intrigues him.

Djinn spend a lot of time gathering favors and making bargains with others – almost everything involves a bargain of some sort. At first the bargaining back and forth is fun but, soon enough, Grace finds it annoying and refuses to bargain anymore. Khalil is flabbergasted. LOL

As Grace tries to settle into her role as Oracle, suspicious things start happening – small, at first, and then increasingly odd.  As she and Khalil try to unravel things, a deadly conspiracy is uncovered…a conspiracy that affects not just Grace but the Elder Races and their relationship with humans, as well.  Will Grace and Khalil get to the bottom of things before everything falls apart?

Sometimes, after a strong start, a paranormal series will stall out…like it gets hemmed in by its own world-building.  That is not the case with Ms. Harrison’s Elder Races books.  I love this series.  The world becomes more familiar with each entry, but there is something new each time, as well.  With each book, we see the world from a different angle.  This time we learn more about the humans and witches – where they fall in the grand scheme of things and how they feel about their place in the world.

Grace is a lovely heroine – she is doing the best she can in a bad situation she had little preparation for and with very little support until Khalil comes along. Khalil’s help allows Grace to embrace her Power (which will play a significant role in later books, I suspect – very mysterious business, Grace’s Power) in ways she would not have been able to, otherwise.  And Khalil is an excellent hero.  It is so fun to watch him experience all the wackiness of the human world and fall in love with Grace (and the kids).  It isn’t that he becomes more human, exactly, but, over the course of the book, he definitely becomes more.

If you are looking for a fun read that brings together two very different people and has them take on the world around them, look no further.  Oracle’s Moon is for you!  And, really, faithful reader, if you haven’t read the rest of the series, you so should.

Grade: A

Summary:As a second daughter, Grace Andreas never had to worry about the intrigues of the Elder Races. But when her sister, Petra, and Petra’s husband are both killed, Grace inherits the Power and responsibilities of the Oracle of Louisville, as well as her sister’s two young children – neither of which she is prepared for.

Yet, she is not alone. Khalil, Demonkind and Djinn prince of House Marid – driven by his genuine caring for the children – has decided to make himself a part of the household both as their guardian and as an exasperating counterpoint to Grace’s impudence toward the Elder Races.

But when an attempt is made on Grace’s life, she realizes that Khalil is the only one who can protect her – and offer her more than a mortal man…

No excerpt available at time of review (website is updating).

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of A Week to be Wicked (Spindle Cove, Book 2) by Tessa Dare
Historical Romance published by Avon 27 Mar 12

What do an insomniac viscount, a bluestocking geologist, and a dinosaur named Francine all have in common?  In Tessa Dare’s newest Spindle Cove book, we find out.

Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, is not a good sleeper.  Ever since a childhood trauma, he has been plagued by nightmares.  The only thing that helps him get a good night’s sleep is company in bed – a practice he has embraced with vigor.  Heh.  Colin is in Spindle Cove to assist his cousin, the commander of the local militia, while he waits for his inheritance.  The funds won’t release until his next birthday OR until he marries – so he is living in the country.  Waiting.

Miss Minerva Highwood is a bluestocking.  She is much more interested in science than in flirting with the locals in Spindle Cove.  She and her family came to the area because her sister Diana’s health needed improving and taking in the sea air was recommended.  Diana, it seems, caught the eye of the dashing Lord Payne, but Minerva does not approve of him – especially for her sister.  He is a flirt and a rake and a scoundrel – and he can’t even be bothered to remember Minerva’s name!  But Minerva needs his help…

Minerva is a geologist.  Since she came to Spindle Cove, she has been studying the fossils along the coast.  When she found an exceptionally well-preserved footprint of a very large lizard (in a hidden cave, no less), she knew it could change the way science looked at the past.  So she needs to get to a symposium in Edinburgh to present her findings.  However, she realizes she would never actually be able to speak before the attendees, because she’s a woman.  But the most important thing to Minerva is getting the information out to the people who need to know, so she needs someone to help her get to Scotland and present her paper for her.  Since she knows Colin is short of funds, she figures she can bribe him.  Colin proves less bribe-able than Minerva thinks, but, after he sees she is going to Edinburgh with or without him, he agrees to accompany her.  His one condition – she has to share his bed.

I tend to enjoy on-the-road books and this one is not an exception. All the forced intimacies and close quarters – no chaperones! – lead to all sorts of interesting developments.  Poor Colin and Minerva had the road trip from hell – pretty much everything that could go wrong did, but they keep trying.  Long after most people would have given up and gone home, Colin wants to Get Minerva to Edinburgh.  So sweet! (And he finally remembers her name, too.)

I haven’t read the first Spindle Cove book, yet (darn it).  I plan to, because I have so enjoyed those I have read.  So, yes, this book stands alone pretty well, I think.  I didn’t feel lost or like I was missing out on subtext because I didn’t know the backstory.  If you are looking for a sweet, fun read filled with on-the-road adventures (and science!), I urge you to check out A Week to be Wicked.  I’ve never read a Tessa Dare book I didn’t thoroughly enjoy.  If you haven’t tried her books, this is an excellent one to test out and get a flavor of her writing. Like I said about Colin, it’s so sweet.

Grade: A

Summary:

When a devilish lord and a bluestocking set off on the road to ruin…
Time is not on their side.

Minerva Highwood, one of Spindle Cove’s confirmed spinsters, needs to be in Scotland.
Colin Sandhurst, Lord Payne, a rake of the first order, needs to be… anywhere but Spindle Cove.

These unlikely partners have one week
to fake an elopement
to convince family and friends they’re in “love”
to outrun armed robbers
to survive their worst nightmares
to travel four hundred miles without killing each other
All while sharing a very small carriage by day and an even smaller bed by night.

What they don’t have time for is their growing attraction. Much less wild passion. And heaven forbid they spend precious hours baring their hearts and souls.

Suddenly one week seems like exactly enough time to find a world of trouble.
And maybe…just maybe…love.

Read an excerpt (scroll down).

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of Born to Darkness (Fighting Destiny, Book 1) by Suzanne Brockmann
Paranormal romantic suspense released by Ballantine 20 Mar 12

When a bestselling author decides to go in a new direction, you never know what might happen.  So when Suzanne Brockmann announced she would be taking a break from her popular Troubleshooters, Inc. series to try something new – paranormal! futuristic! – I wasn’t sure about the whole business (especially since I was less than pleased with the last Troubleshooters book.  Yes, I’m still bitter…SO?).  Still, I was intrigued enough to check out the new book (and beginning of a new series), Born of Darkness.  Aren’t you curious, faithful reader??  Stick with me…

First, the setting, Boston in the near future – about 30 years or so from now.  Things in the world are not good.  There is a severe recession.  Jobs are hard to find, homeless rates are high, healthcare is difficult (birth control is banned in 48 states!), and the government is a corporate entity.  Nothing so hard to believe, actually.  In this future, there are people who are able to access more than the usual fraction of their brain’s abilities – aka Greater-Thans.  The extra brain-power can reveal itself in all sorts of interesting talents – telepathy, telekinesis, and all sort of other things.  There is also a new drug being produced (street name: Destiny) by the evil (though unimaginatively named) Organization.  Destiny mimics the natural talents Greater-Thans have.  It is made from a compound found in the blood of Greater-Thans – usually young girls who are taken and held in “farms” until they are no longer of use.  Destiny is really, really expensive, but it can reverse aging, heal sicknesses and all sorts of good things. BUT it is instantly addictive and can lead to spontaneous insanity (aka jokering).  Combine the crazy with super powers and you’ve got a bad, bad situation.

Our hero – Shane Laughlin, a former Navy SEAL (what?? just because it’s a new series doesn’t mean we don’t still get SEALs!).  Shane was recently dishonorably discharged (and blacklisted) after disobeying an order on a mission.  He has been contacted by the Obermeier Institute – a facility that finds and trains Greater-Thans – because he is a Potential.  That means Shane’s brain is slightly more integrated than most people’s and he could, with training, become a Greater-Than.  Since Shane doesn’t have a job and the few places that are hiring won’t hire someone blacklisted, he decides to take OI up on their offer.  The night before he enters the program he goes out for one last hook-up and meets…

Our heroine – Dr. Michelle (Mac) Mackenzie, a pretty powerful Greater-Than.  Mac’s extra powers include super-charisma (she can target someone and wrap them around her little finger…handy, if you really need something or they are otherwise out to get you) and super-fast healing.  Mac has found that the super-healing is sped up even more when she has sex.  Since during an earlier encounter with a joker, she hurt her ankle and was otherwise banged up, Mac needs some companionship. When she goes to visit her boyfriend (read: boy toy), she discovers he’s been cheating on her and is gone.  What’s a super gal gonna do??  Mac heads off to a nearby bar and spies a hot guy across the room.  That’s our pal, Shane.  They instantly have a connection and go back to her place.  During their first encounter, not only are Mac’s injuries completely healed, the entire neighborhood goes dark in one big power surge.  Heh.  However, when Mac hears that Shane is reporting to OI in the morning, she backs way off and tells him they can never see each other again, but she doesn’t say why.

In the meantime, back at OI we meet the other major players in the book – Dr. Joseph Bach, uber-powerful and the head of the Institute.  Dr. Bach is in charge of training the Greater-Thans.  One of his tenets to increase integration and increase power is celibacy…a tenet Mac so doesn’t follow – but Dr. Stephen Diaz does. When Stephen returns to OI after the joker incident, he accidentally touches Dr. Elliot Zerkowski and Elliot is instantly plunged into Stephen’s (lusty, amorous) thoughts.  Unbeknownst to Elliot, Stephen has had a crush on him for ages.  Elliot wonders if a romantic connection between a Greater-Than and a Potential or even an average person – the right person – can noticeably increase the Greater-Than’s power. A very interesting theory… Stephen and Elliot’s relationship is sub-plot number one.

Our second sub-plot involves Dr. Bach and Anna Taylor.  Her thirteen year-old sister, Nika, has been kidnapped by The Organization.  The researchers at OI have just found out she’s a strong Potential, but before they can find her and get her into the Institute, The Organization’s thugs find and grab her.  Since family member often are also grabbed, either for leverage or to see if they also have hidden potential, Anna comes to OI for safety and to help find Nika.  Dr. Bach is drawn to her, but, of course, has had years and years of resisting such impulses…Anna?  Not so much.

With Ms. Brockmann, we are pretty much guaranteed a few things – several plots interwoven throughout the book, characters that feel and sound very much like real people and lots of action.  Certainly, Born of Darkness doesn’t disappoint on any of those.  I usually find her male characters much more likeable than her female characters and that is again true in this book – it isn’t that I think her women are unlikeable…her guys are just so excellent, it’s hard for the ladies to compete.  :-)  Mac is a tough chick.  She has had a difficult life and her powers have made her wary.  Shane, for all his Navy SEAL-ness, seems much more open and optimistic…generally a happy dude.  Same goes for Elliot – basically a happy dedicated doctor dude.  And Steven and Dr. Bach are mostly zen.  Even Anna seems mostly content with her less than excellent life, bumps and all…at least, before all the bad stuff starts happening.

Another good thing, even though this is the first book of a series, there iss not a lot of sequel baiting.  It is easy to see the possibilities of where the series could go, but I could not even guess who might “star” in the next book.  It could be Dr. Bach and Anna, but Ms. Brockmann does like to make her couples work for their happy endings and I suspect she might drag their storyline out a bit.  That’s just a guess, though.

I know this review is miles long (sorry, faithful reader!) and I really only skimmed the basics of the plots.  I’m very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.  Obviously, it stands alone.  Is it worth hardcover price?  I say yes (you know, the discounted HC prices usually aren’t too bad).  However, if you’re on the fence about trying a new series in hardcover – and I totally wonder what the publisher was thinking…I’m still not sure it was the best choice – there is an e-novella prequel that will give you a feel for the world she’s building and introduce you to Shane.  It is a bargain at 99 cents!

If you like dystopian settings and the kind of paranormal where there aren’t any vampires or other assorted creatures – the kind of world that feels genuinely possible in the not so distant future – I encourage you to try this book.  It starts off with a bang and doesn’t slow down.  And you get not one but two happy endings.  Yay!

Grade: A+

Summary:

Dishonorably discharged, former Navy SEAL Shane Laughlin is down to his last ten bucks when he finally finds work as a test subject at the Obermeyer Institute, a little-known and believed-to-be-fringe scientific research facility. When he enters the OI compound, he is plunged into a strange world where seemingly mild-mannered scientists—including women half his size—can kick his highly skilled ass.

Shane soon discovers that there are certain individuals who possess the unique ability to access untapped regions of the brain with extraordinary results—including telekinesis, super strength, and reversal of the aging process. Known as “Greater-Thans,” this rare breed is recruited by OI, where they are rigorously trained using ancient techniques to cultivate their powers and wield them responsibly.

But in the depths of America’s second Great Depression, where the divide between the haves and the have-nots has grown even wider, those who are rich—and reckless—enough have a quick, seductive alternative: Destiny, a highly addictive designer drug that can make anyone a Greater-Than, with the power of eternal youth. The sinister cartel known as The Organization has begun mass-producing Destiny, and the demand is epidemic. But few realize the drug’s true danger, and fewer still know the dirty secret of Destiny’s crucial ingredient.

Michelle “Mac” Mackenzie knows the ugly truth. And as one of the Obermeyer Institute’s crack team of operatives, she’s determined to end the scourge of Destiny. But her kick-ass attitude gets knocked for a loop when she finds that one of the new test subjects is none other than Shane, the same smoldering stranger who just rocked her world in a one-night stand. Although Shane isn’t a Greater-Than like Mac, as an ex-SEAL, he’s got talents of his own. But Mac’s got powerful reasons to keep her distance from him—and reasons that are just as strong to want him close. She’s used to risking her life, but now, in the midst of the ultimate war on drugs, she must face sacrificing her heart.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of A Rogue by Any Other Name: The First Rule of Scoundrels (Rules of Scoundrels, Book 1) by Sarah MacLean
Historical Romance published by Avon 28 Feb 12

Scoundrels! Scandals! Gambling! A new series that combines all three? I am so there. In her new series, Sarah MacLean returns to Regency London and tells the stories of four lords who, for various reasons, have been cast out of good society. Will love help them put their scandalous pasts behind them?

Twenty-one year-old Michael Lawler, Marquess of Bourne, lost everything not entailed to his title – and very little was not part of the entail – on one turn of the cards. The engineer of this catastrophe, Viscount Langford, was the young marquess’s guardian..the very man who had managed the estate until Michael reached adulthood.

A decade later, Michael (now known only as Bourne) is a partner in one of London’s notorious gaming clubs – The Fallen Angel. He does not move in polite society or do anything marquess-y. Bourne has spent his time regaining the fortune he lost and awaiting vengeance. So when Michael receives word that the land surrounding his very small entailed estate no longer belongs to Langford and is now part of a dowry, he knows what he has to do.

Lady Penelope Marbury is very nearly on the shelf. After a broken engagement years before, Penelope’s status in the ton has steadily dropped – and she doesn’t really mind. Penelope wishes for a love match like the one her former fiancé found or a marriage that isn’t just for convenience, at least. However, Penelope’s unmarried state is beginning to affect her younger sisters’ chances at making a good match and her parents are not above forcing her to pick a suitor. Still, they aren’t cruel people…Penelope’s father recently won a large parcel of land form a neighbor – land that borders her family’s estate. That estate has been added to Penelope’s dowry in hopes it will renew interest in her and give her more choices when it comes to picking a husband.

Penelope and Michael grew up together. They, along with Thomas (son of Viscount Langford), were the best of friends until time and distance (and life) pulled them apart. Penelope and Thomas remained friends, actually. But Penelope always preferred Michael. In fact, even after he went off to school, they wrote to each other until someone decided it didn’t look right for a young lady and gentleman to correspond…and after that, too.

Penelope doesn’t quite know what to think about Michael’s land being added to her dowry. It is a wonderful estate and will certainly attract attention, but that isn’t what she wants. During a sleepless night, when she must get out of the house, Penelope walks through part of her new land. And who does she encounter in the dark? Michael!

Bourne has changed a lot from when they were children. Even though Penelope is friendly and tries to make him smile, he remains aloof. Penelope is hurt by Bourne’s continued coldness toward her – hurt enough to want to strike back at him. She tells him that he is on her land, that she is engaged and that she and her future husband plan to live there quite happily. Too late, Penelope realizes she might have pushed Michael too far.

Bourne takes Penelope to his abandoned house. He decides the easiest way to ensure a marriage – and get his land back – is to compromise her. After spending the night alone with him in an empty house, her father can hardly refuse his suit. After much arguing, Penelope sees she will not be able to talk Michael out of his nefarious plan and sets about negotiating the best outcome for her and her family. (An aside – the scene the following morning, when Penelope’s dad comes to find them? Funniest scene ever!)

Penelope and Bourne marry and begin to find a way to move forward in their lives. Deals are negotiated and wagers are made. But there are other scandals waiting in the wings. Scandals that will force Michael to decide between revenge and people he cares about.

Oh, faithful reader, I very much enjoyed this book. I always like watching a scoundrel come up against the person who makes him want to be better. And I also like it when a heroine that’s been floating along in life suddenly is forced awake and decides to take an active role in how her life goes. Michael encourages Penelope to push for what she wants…to take advantage of opportunities. And from the first, Penelope gets past the walls he has built up as Bourne and finds the parts of Michael that still exist. Also, the letters that open each chapter are a nice touch, I think. They give the reader a glimpse of Penelope and Michael before life happened to them.

I had no plans to read this book until the blurb caught my attention. My previous experiences with Ms. MacLean’s books have been mixed. I thought her first book was okay, but I could not get into the second book, so I never bothered to try the third (this book is loosely connected to that book, by the way). But I am so glad I decided to give it a try! And I am looking forward to the next book (I loves me some scoundrels, remember). I say the book stands alone just fine. However, if you remember “The Grape” from Ms. MacLean’s previous book and wonder how things turned out for her, here is your chance to find out. Otherwise, if you are looking for a book with heart and touches of humor, I encourage you to try this one. You won’t be sorry. Besides, don’t you want to know what the first rule is??

Grade: A-

Summary:What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets. . .

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.
A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to an unexplored world of pleasures.
Bourne may be a prince of London’s illicit underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them . . . .even her heart.

Read an excerpt (scroll down).

Connected books:

C2’s review of A Town Called Valentine (Valentine Valley, Book 1) by Emma Cane
Contemporary Romance published by Avon 31 Jan 12

A new name to contemporary romance (but familiar to historical fans, under another name) begins a series set in a small western town called Valentine.  I do enjoy small-town settings, don’t you, faithful reader? Even though they are never anything like the small town I grew up in…no fictional small town will ever match that weirdness. Heh.  Onward!

Our heroine, Emily Murphy, is reeling from an unpleasant divorce.  She is trying to move forward with her life and will be attending Berkeley starting in the fall.  In the meantime, she has driven from San Francisco to Valentine Valley to sell a building she inherited from the grandmother she barely knew.  Emily arrives in town late on a rainy night, with not much money and a sickly car.  She manages to make it to the parking lot of a tavern and goes in for some dinner.  While Emily is there, she notices an attractive cowboy across the room.  They flirt for a bit and go into the backroom to play pool – where things get a bit hot and heavy.  Before things go too far, Emily calls a halt…she realizes she has had too much to drink and is groping a virtual stranger.

Nate Thalberg, local rancher and businessman, was enjoying the groping and would have been glad to continue.  However, he respects Emily’s wishes and lets her go…out to her car that won’t start.  When she comes back into the tavern to call a tow truck, Nate and Tony (the tavern owner) explain that no one will be available until the next day and there aren’t taxis either.  Nate offers to take her to a nearby motel, but Emily doesn’t have much money and asks to be taken to her building.  Instead, after showing her the inhabitable state the building is in, Nate takes her to the Widows’ Boardinghouse to stay until she can fix things up.

During her time in Valentine Valley, Emily works hard to improve her building (trashed by the previous tenants), becomes acquainted with the area, develops close friendships, becomes more confident in herself and her abilities, and is surprised to learn some new facts about her background.  She also gets closer to Nate – but not too close…Emily still plans to sell the building and go back to school.  A fling is all she has time for.  Right??

Nate is happy to fling.  He is a busy guy with lots of business interests and also helps run his family’s ranch – and is in charge of the upcoming rodeo.  After several relationships that ended badly after he took too active a role – being too helpful, allowing the other person to become too dependent – Nate likes to keep things casual.  And if it is more difficult than usual to be casual with Emily, well, she won’t be around long and then things will go back to normal.  Won’t they??

I enjoyed the town of Valentine and its residents…it feels very real and not just an afterthought setting.  Lots of interesting characters with potential for future stories – without super-obvious sequel baiting.  The widows are fun, especially.  The dialog is a bit odd in places…like, unusually formal.  It’s hard to explain or even to find an example. Somehow, in a contemporary romance, it’s a bit jarring sometimes because it seems awkward and keeps some scenes from flowing properly for me because I’m all “Who talks like that??” and re-writing dialog in my head (and I’m no writer).

”I’m selling the building and returning home to San Francisco.”

Emily is a bit confusing to me.  She says early on that she didn’t really enjoy college and didn’t mind quitting when she got married but is so determined to return to San Francisco and start classes at Berkeley…even though she admits she has no idea what she wants to study and isn’t sure what she wants to do.  Also, the fact that she refused financial support from her husband after their divorce seems unlikely – even if she didn’t want alimony or whatever – there should have been a split of assets and whatnot, I’m thinking, since California is a community property state (I am not a California resident nor am I a lawyer and I know this, so…). Why did she have no money??  Still, it is always nice to see a heroine who doesn’t sit back and expect people to do everything for her and Emily certainly is very active in moving forward with her life.  If she goes overboard in the opposite direction or is a bit narrow in her thinking and ignores some possibilities, well, she is coming out of a difficult time.

Ah Nate – it’s always nice to see a cowboy hero, right?  And I didn’t have a hard time believing he keeps things casual because of his past relationships.  His relationship with his family is fun (even when they’re fighting) and believable.  And Nate tries really hard to not help Emily too much, even if his natural inclination is to help and help and help. Still, the relationship feels a bit awkward.

Overall, I enjoyed A Town Called Valentine and look forward to the next installment.  Certainly, the positives outweigh the negatives.  If you enjoy small-town settings or are looking for a modern western setting, this book might be just the thing.

Grade: C

Summary:

Emily Murphy never thought she’d return to her mom’s rustic hometown in the Colorado Mountains. But after her marriage in San Francisco falls apart, leaving her penniless and heartsick, she returns to her old family home to find a new direction for her life. On her first night back, though, a steamy encounter with handsome rancher Nate Thalberg is not the fresh start she had in mind…

Nate has good reason not to trust the determined beauty who just waltzed into town–he’s no stranger to betrayal. Besides, she’s only there to sell her family’s old property and move back out. But as Nate and Emily begin working side-by-side to restore her time-worn building and old family secrets change Emily’s perception of herself, both are about to learn how difficult it is to hide from love in a place known far and wide for romance, family ties, and happily-ever-afters: a town called Valentine.

Read an excerpt (scroll down a bit).

C2’s review of Destiny (Serendipity, Book 2) by Carly Phillips
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 3 Jan 12

In Carly Phillips’ Destiny, we return to the small town of Serendipity. We see how things are going for the residents we met in the first book of the series, and the second Barrons brother, Nash, gets his happily ever after. Eventually.

Nash is still dealing with the fallout caused by the return of his estranged brother, Ethan (hey, read about Ethan’s book here). Everyone else seems to have welcomed Ethan back with open arms, but Nash just can’t. And that is causing friction with the rest of the family.

At Ethan’s wedding, Nash has a brief encounter with Kelly Moss. Nash’s dad and Kelly’s mom had an affair years ago – an affair that resulted in their half-sister Tess. Kelly brought Tess to live with Ethan after her mom abandoned them and she could no longer handle the troubled teen. Nash’s parents were killed in a car accident when Tess was a baby. Kelly has recently moved to Serenity. She wants to be closer to Tess – who is doing quite well in her new situation (after some bumps) – and needs a change of scenery after some drama in her personal life.

As Nash and Kelly begin to have a relationship, outside forces cause difficulties – some small, some not so small. Nash is a bit of a control freak, probably because of his childhood – everyone he has cared about has left him, except his younger brother, Dare. But, suddenly, there are all sorts of changes in Nash’s life – his older brother is back after being gone for years, he has a sister he never suspected existed, and his ex-wife just started dating. Not to mention getting involved with a woman who isn’t so forthcoming with details about her past.

When Kelly uncovers some information about Nash’s past, Nash is thrown into a tailspin. Suddenly, he is questioning all sorts of things he had taken as truths all his life. And Kelly is there for him the whole time. But Kelly’s secrets are about to rear their heads.

Will Nash be there for Kelly when she needs him? Or will he be stuck in his own problems and feel betrayed? And will Kelly finally prove to herself she isn’t like her mother and move forward as a strong, independent woman or let her doubts and past mistakes overwhelm her?

I have to say I didn’t enjoy Destiny as much as the first book in the series. Maybe because Serendipity is a twist on the bad boy/good girl trope and I do so enjoy those stories. Nash never quite gels as a character for me – supposedly he’s this rigid, sees-everything-in-black-and-white guy, at least according to the other characters in the book. But he never actually seems that way…he just comes across as stubborn, mostly. Maybe that is on purpose, since he’s supposed to be learning to loosen up…I dunno. And Kelly is an okay heroine, but she’s supposed to have all these hidden insecurities and issues from her past – let me just say they are very well hidden until they became a plot point. It just gives things an awkward feel.

So, does this book stand alone? No, I say you should read the first book before this one. It’s better and you’ll know what’s going on. Even though there is a disconnect between how the characters are described and the way they are portrayed, Destiny isn’t a bad book, and I am optimistic about Dare’s book (coming soon).

Grade: C-

Summary:
Nash Barron may be cynical about love, yet even he likes a good wedding. But the only good thing about his brother’s wedding is Kelly Moss. Nash can’t help but admire her confidence and beauty, but he’s forced to keep his distance because getting involved with Kelly could destroy his relationship with his newly discovered half sister, Tess…
Kelly came to Serendipity to give Tess–her half sibling as well, thanks to an illicit affair–a second chance at life. She learned long ago not to rely on anyone but herself. Besides, she doesn’t want to upset Tess’s life by pushing for a fling with Nash. Except the more she gets to know him, the more vulnerable she becomes to the kindness beneath his gruff exterior, and the less she’s able to stay away. But she has other reasons for keeping her distance. Like the secret from her past she knows Nash will never forgive…

Read an excerpt (pop-up, Flash-based…FYI).

Other books in the series:

C2′s Duckies Do Series Review of Turner Brothers Series by Courtney Milan
Historical Romance Published by HQN

In her Turner series, Courtney Milan tells the stories of three brothers (with very unusual first names) whose lives are shaped by their troubled mother.  How each brother is affected and how each chooses to live his life and move past those early problems is central to the stories.

Unveiled – 25 Jan 11

In Unveiled, we are introduced to the Turners.  As a teenager oldest brother Ash went to a wealthy distant relative to ask for money – his younger sister was ill and their mother would not take her to a doctor. The Duke of Parford, a distant relative, turned him down and, soon after, his sister died.  Knowing he needed to be able to take care of his family, because his mother could not, Ash ran away to India and made his fortune there. When he returned to England, fortune in hand, he was able to find his younger brothers (by then living on the streets) and get them settled into a normal life.  Years have passed since then – years in which Ash has been working toward getting revenge on the man he blames for his sister’s death.

Ash has information which will result in the duke’s children being declared illegitimate and that will change the inheritance of the title from the duke’s oldest son to Ash.  Ash’s petition will be decided by the Parliament.  In the meantime, Ash visits the ducal estate to take stock of things – in case the duke decides to steal from or otherwise undermine the estate.  The duke is in residence and in poor health; the strain of the whole situation led to the death of the duchess some months before.

Also residing at the family estate is Lady Elizabeth, the duke’s daughter.  She is posing as the duke’s nurse – she was already taking care of her father before word of Ash’s visit came – and using a different name.  Her brothers want her to spy on Ash and uncover whatever incriminating information she can…anything that might help their case before Parliament.  Since she blames Ash for her mother’s death, Elizabeth is glad to stay and spy – even if it means dealing with her very difficult father.

Ash takes one look at Elizabeth and knows she will be important to him – he has always relied on his impressions of people…the feeling he gets…and the feeling he gets when he sees her is awfully close to love at first sight.  Ash is not what Elizabeth expected.  This large, thoughtful, cheerful man is the person trying to ruin her family? Still, she tries to uncover whatever information she can…at first. Eventually, she discovers a closely guarded secret that could ruin Ash but can she do it?

I really like Ash – excellent hero material, says me.  Early on, Elizabeth calls him “cheerfully ruthless.”  I love that!  Because, really, being ruthless doesn’t mean you have to be all gloomy.  ;-)  Add in Ash’s self-confidence, even in the face of extreme obstacles, and his love for his brothers?  *swoon*  And Elizabeth, even though she started out not particularly likeable, ends up being an excellent match for Ash – and saving the day.  Yay!

Grade: A

Summary:

He was her bitterest enemy….

Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family, and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom, and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all. But when he arrives, he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance.…

And her dearest love

Lady Margaret knows she should despise the man who’s stolen her fortune and her father’s legacy—the man she’s been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties—and the tantalizing promise of passion….

Read an excerpt.

Unlocked – 26 May 11

Though it is the most recent release, Unlocked (a novella) falls between Unveiled and Unclaimed chronologically.  Unlocked is the story of Elizabeth’s best friend, Lady Elaine Warren.  We meet Elaine very briefly in Unveiled.

Unlocked takes place several years after Unveiled, and Lady Elaine is firmly on the shelf.  Society has not been kind to her – thanks in large part to some unkind remarks made in her first season.  Remarks that began with Evan Carlton.  As is sometimes true with boys, when they like a girl they will do anything to get her attention – not realizing that all attention isn’t good attention.  Unfortunately, the things Evan said were repeated by others and soon Lady Elaine was an object of mockery.  By the time he realized what he had done, it was too late to reverse things, so Evan fled to the Continent.  While traveling through the Alps, he discovered a love for mountaineering (aka mountain climbing).

When Unlocked begins, Evan has just returned to England, ostensibly to take up his title – he is the Earl of Westfield.  However, he also realizes it is time to make amends for the damage he did to Lady Elaine’s reputation all those years before.  However, when Evan apologizes and tries to explain his actions, of course Elaine doesn’t believe him.  Especially since his cousin has made her life miserable in the years he was abroad. Mean-spirited heifer!  >:(  I digress…

All Evan can do is try to prove his sincerity with his actions – or non-action, in this case.  Not joining his cousin in her meanness.  Not encouraging her – and,  in fact, actively discouraging her bad behavior.  He becomes a friend to Elaine – all she would allow since she didn’t believe he had romantic feelings for her. But will Elaine realize he’s telling the truth?  Or will she ignore the love right in front of her?

If you are curious about the series and have never tried Ms. Milan’s writing, this novella is an excellent opportunity to do so.  It stands alone from the rest of the series nicely but gives a good feel for the world of the other books.

Grade: B+

Summary:

A perpetual wallflower destined for spinsterhood, Lady Elaine Warren is resigned to her position in society. So when Evan Carlton, the powerful, popular Earl of Westfeld, singles her out upon his return to England, she knows what it means. Her former tormenter is up to his old tricks, and she’s his intended victim. This time, though, the earl is going to discover that wallflowers can fight back.

Evan has come to regret his cruel, callow past. At first, he only wants to make up for past wrongs. But when Elaine throws his initial apology in his face, he finds himself wanting more. And this time, what torments him might be love…

Read an excerpt.

Unclaimed – 20 Sep 11

Unclaimed is Mark’s story.  Mark is the easy-going brother.  He is very comfortable with himself, even if he is sometimes uncomfortable with things around him.  Mark is the youngest Turner brother and has made a name for himself – and been knighted, even – for his treatise on male chastity.  Umm…yeah.  You can imagine the kind of attention that gets him.  There are many who have embraced the principles he put forth and want nothing more than to be like him…or their vision of what he is like, which may or may not be anything close to the truth.  And there are others who want nothing more than to prove him to be a liar and see him knocked down a peg or five.

As we begin the book, word around town is that Mark will soon be offered a government position…a position someone else wants and is willing to go to extremes to get.  If a woman seduces Sir Mark and gets proof (his signet ring), she will get 300 pounds.  When Jessica hears of this, she decides she can do it…she can no longer live the life of a courtesan.  With the money (she negotiates a higher reward), she will go live quietly (and man free) in the country.

Sir Mark has decided to take a break from the madding crowd in London. He can’t go anywhere without a crowd gathering around him – reporters even go through his trash! (heh…the more things change, the more they stay the same for celebrities) So Mark decides to revisit the village he grew up in.  The townspeople were remarkably unhelpful when it came to assisting him and his siblings when they were young…maybe they will leave him alone now, too?  Not so much.

This book isn’t just a story of opposites attracting and finding redemption (although it does a very good job of that). Unclaimed is an interesting look at celebrity – how it happens so randomly for strange reasons, is maintained often through less-than-honest means – whether the person wishes it or not – and how people try to use the celebrity of others for their own purposes.

I love Mark – easy going, good natured, thoughtful…with a stubborn streak, sure, but that’s okay. Jessica tries very hard to be tough and self-centered, but, when push comes to shove, she does what is right rather than what will most benefit her – and still finds a way to help herself without hurting anyone else. Mostly.

Grade: A

Summary:

Handsome, wealthy and respected, Sir Mark Turner is the most sought-after bachelor in all of London—and he’s known far and wide for his irreproachable character. But behind his virtuous reputation lies a passionate nature he keeps carefully in check… until he meets the beautiful Jessica Farleigh, the woman he’s waited for all his life.

Is to ruin the man she loves…

But Jessica is a courtesan, not the genteel lady Sir Mark believes. Desperate to win free of a life she despises, she seizes her chance when Mark’s enemies make her an offer she can’t refuse: Seduce Mark and tarnish his good name, and a princely sum will be hers. Yet as she comes to know the man she’s sworn to destroy, Jessica will be forced to choose between the future she needs—and the love she knows is impossible.

Read an excerpt.

Unraveled – 9 Dec 11

Finally, we come to Smite’s book – Unraveled.  Smite is a magistrate. People charged with crimes are brought before him and a couple of other magistrates to be heard and, perhaps, sentenced. Smite very much wants justice, not just the standard penalty regardless of facts, for the people that come before him. He lives alone in Brighton – he has day servants but none that live in – partly because he has nightmares caused by childhood trauma. Smite’s only constant companion is his dog, Ghost (we meet Ghost in Mark’s book, actually).  Another interesting thing about Smite – he has an eidetic memory (aka photographic)…handy for a judge-y type, yes?

Miss Miranda Darling grew up traveling with her parents. Her father led a troupe of actors around England, so Miranda is a good mimic of accents, manners, etc. When we meet Miranda, she lives in a section of Brighton known as Temple Parish. It is not the best area but, for those under the protection of the mysterious Patron, it is safe enough. Miranda and her foster brother (the best term I can think of, although it isn’t quite accurate) have that protection – but it doesn’t come without a price. Miranda owes the Patron a favor a month – the favor she is to perform when we meet her is going to the courthouse and serving as a witness so the accused can go free…something she has been called on to do before. She is unaware of Smite’s memory. Oops! Smite is intrigued and follows Miranda back into Temple Parish – where he warns her not to try to fool his court again.

Unfortunately, the Patron has other ideas. In order to protect her brother from the Patron’s machinations, Miranda is instructed to find some records…records in the courthouse. She doesn’t get the records, but Smite does manage to find where she lives. And gets conked on the head for his trouble.

Thus begins their relationship. Smite, now having a better understanding of Miranda’s situation, offers to help her. Eventually, he sets her up as his temporary mistress. Smite thinks he doesn’t have the time or energy to devote to a real relationship, but a temporary one might be acceptable. You can imagine how that goes, can’t you, faithful reader?

Unraveled is the most action-y of the series. Full of twisty-turny goodness. Smite is the most complex of the brothers. His motivations for the life he has chosen are so misguided but completely understandable. And Miranda is my favorite of the heroines. With all that life has thrown at her, she manages to still be mostly happy and find enjoyment where she can.

Grade: A

Summary:

He has no use for love…

Smite Turner is renowned for his single-minded devotion to his duty as a magistrate. But behind his relentless focus lies not only a determination to do what is right, but the haunting secrets of his past—secrets that he is determined to hide, even if it means keeping everyone else at arm’s length. Until the day an irresistible woman shows up as a witness in his courtroom…

But love has other plans for him.

Miranda Darling isn’t in trouble…yet. But she’s close enough that when Turner threatens her with imprisonment if she puts one foot wrong, she knows she should run in the other direction. And yet no matter how forbidding the man seems on the outside, she can’t bring herself to leave. Instead, when he tries to push her away, she pushes right back—straight through his famous self-control, and into the heart of the passion that he has long hidden away…

Read an excerpt.

I have to say I very much enjoyed all the books. For me, it’s all about the hero and Ms. Milan’s heroes are excellent. Such genuinely good guys…not perfect…just genuine and real. They encourage those around them to be their best and not just do what is expected.

All in all, this is an enjoyable series (and the covers are lovely, too). If you like British historicals but are in the mood for something outside the norm – tired of dukes and delicate misses?? – I highly recommend Ms. Milan’s books. And aren’t you curious about the names?? If you end up unhappy, you can come back and yell at me.

C2’s review of Lothaire (Immortals After Dark, Book 10) by Kresley Cole
Paranormal Romance published by Gallery Books 10 Jan 12

In a long-running series, there are always a couple of characters whose books are especially anticipated. However, when said book actually arrives, it’s a chancy thing…will it live up to expectations? What if it goes completely in the wrong (from the reader’s viewpoint) direction? Kresley Cole’s latest release in her Immortals After Dark series finally gives readers Lothaire’s story. You’re curious now, aren’t you, faithful reader? Oh, there might be spoilers here, yo?

Lothaire, the Enemy of Old, has been a force throughout the IAD series. Sometimes he helps, sometimes he hinders…whatever suits his mysterious (until now) ultimate goal. Finally, Lothaire is ready to claim a key piece needed to attain his goal – his Bride. Like all vampires, Lothaire searched for ages to find his Bride – the one woman that allows him to once again walk among the living. A vampire’s Bride makes his heart start beating (literally). Lothaire is an ancient being and is steps from madness…his hold on reality is getting slippery, but time with his Bride can soothe him.

Lothaire’s Bride is unique, of course. At first he thought she was plain Elizabeth (Ellie Ann) Peirce, native of West Virginia – a human, of all things! Lothaire knew fate would never be so cruel as to pair him with such a lowly creature (Lothaire’s ego is…healthy). Then he discovered that Elizabeth had been inhabited by Saroya the Soul Reaper, goddess of death and blood (and the Vampire Horde’s ancient diety – suddenly all things became clear.) With Saroya by his side, he will be able to claim the Horde (vampires who drink blood straight from the source) throne and the throne of his mother’s people, the Dacians. First, though, he must find a way to get rid of Elizabeth’s spirit so Saroya can keep the body.

Until Saroya has full control of Elizabeth’s body, she will not consummate any sort of relationship with Lothaire – and won’t even stay present (she fades into a sleep-like state). So, as you might imagine, Lothaire is inspired to find a way to get rid of Elizabeth quickly. However, these things take time and he is forced to spend some of that time with Elizabeth. As he gets to know her, he begins to wonder if it might be that Saroya isn’t his Bride…what if he is really meant to be with Elizabeth?

Elizabeth, in the meantime, has suffered all sorts of horrors due to Saroya’s possession – she’s the Soul Reaper, remember. And she really, really enjoys reaping. Thanks to Saroya’s escapes, Elizabeth ends up convicted of multiple murders and is on death row, seconds from death, when Lothaire breaks her out. Elizabeth doesn’t want to be free, though. She knows if she is free, Saroya is too and if Saroya is free, more people will die. The only alternative Elizabeth sees is her own death. When Lothaire spirits her away, he explains why he will not allow Elizabeth to die – until he is ready to extinguish her spirit so he and Saroya can rule.

Elizabeth is not on board with the plan. She decides to try whatever she can to drive a wedge between Lothaire and Saroya – including seduction. Lothaire, however, views humans as animals, so she has her work cut out for her. Somewhere along the way, though, Lothaire begins to see Elizabeth as more than a vessel for Saroya. But unbreakable vows have been made and there are more players on the field than anyone realizes.

Oh, faithful reader, as you might imagine, there is much more to this book than my summary. So much happening! So many plot threads weaving along! This is barely an overview. This book, mostly, picks up right after Dreams of a Dark Warrior leaves off (there are some prologue bits to establish things too). However, is it absolutely necessary to read DoaDW before reading this one? I say no…not if you’re pretty familiar with the series. If you’ve never read the series, this is not the place to start.

Elizabeth is an excellent heroine, says me. Smart, quick, funny – she never stops trying to find a way out of her situation and does all she can to protect her family. Lothaire ends up being a better hero than I would have ever thought. HOT! NAUGHTY! *ahem* Moving along…the supporting cast is fun, too. Some new and interesting characters (yay, spin-off series) and some characters we already know. Also, let me report that we get more information about Nix – no, not who her hero might be or anything like that…just some stuff about her background and stuff. Still…yay!

Wow, that Saroya is a piece of work. Talk about icky villains! No remorse, nothing redeeming anywhere in her character. Bleh. Not that she’s one-dimensional…just evil. Also, I think Lothaire is blind to the reality of who his bride actually is for too long. And having Elizabeth sometimes speak in a mountain dialect is unnecessary – but I find that sort of thing annoying, generally, so take that for what it’s worth.

I enjoyed the book! It’s much better (and much less bloody) than DoaDW. If you are a fan of the IAD series, you will not be disappointed. And you will definitely be intrigued by the new characters introduced. Is it worth buying in hardcover? If you are a serious fan, sure. I don’t think the payoff is as big in this book as it is in Nalini Singh’s Kiss of Snow, for example. Has Lothaire’s story been very, very anticipated? Maybe it has, but I don’t think so. So, if you are behind in the series or just curious about it (and it is an excellent series), start at the beginning…by the time you’re ready for this one, it will be out in paperback.

Grade: B+

Summary:

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness— until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millenniaold blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

Read an excerpt (opens a PDF, FYI).

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of She Tempts the Duke (Lost Lords of Pembrook, Book 1) by Lorraine Heath
Historical Romance published by Avon 31 Jan 12

In her new series, Lorraine Heath tell the stories of the Lost Lords of Pembrook – three boys who ran away from their scheming uncle.  They escaped a locked tower (with some help from a friend) and fled into the night, promising to return for retribution when they were adults.  One went to the army, one went to sea, and one was left in a workhouse.  The boys decided it would be best for them to run away until they were older and better able to fight their uncle.  They made plans to reunite in ten years but they didn’t manage.  Now they have returned…

Sebastian, the oldest (and new Duke of Keswick), and his twin brother, Tristan, were fourteen and their younger brother, Rafe, was ten when their father (a skilled horseman) was killed in a riding accident.  Their father’s brother locked then in a tower on the family estate, but after Mary (also fourteen and from the neighboring estate) overheard him give orders to kill the boys, she went looking for them and managed to break them out of the tower. While the boys were fleeing, Mary told her (remarkably ineffectual) father what she heard – even though Sebastian said not to tell anyone – and was sent to a nunnery for her trouble.

Fast forward a dozen years – Mary is finally having a Season, thanks to her aunt rescuing her from the nunnery.  She has recently been betrothed, even.  Imagine her surprise when, after years of hearing nothing from them, the lost lords of Pembrook arrive at a ball given by their uncle.  The brothers have come to reclaim their inheritance and assume their rightful places in society.  Society, however, is less than welcoming.  The ton doesn’t like the looks of these uncivilized young men.  But the brothers continue with their plans – they throw their uncle out of the family home and cut off his money and try to find their way in society.  But scandal continues to plague them.  And Mary’s unwavering support of them turns society’s suspicious eyes on her.  Her friends want to know more about the brothers, her fiancé wants her to stay away from them, and Mary just wants Sebastian. Even though Sebastian thinks she deserves so much better.
Sebastian was horribly injured during his time in the army.  He lost an eye and has terrible scars over most of one side of this body.  How could any woman stand to be with him?  And yet Mary doesn’t seem to mind at all.  She was his best friend when they were children and knew him better than anyone, except maybe Tristan.  Could it really be that the scars don’t matter to her?

After rumors blemish Mary’s reputation and her betrothed’s father forces him to withdraw his suit, the brothers know one of them must step up and marry her – both to save her reputation and to thank her for all she has done for them.  And Sebastian knows he could never let one of his brothers marry her.  But does he care for her the way she needs him to?  Or is he only grateful for her help to him and his brothers?  Is he even capable of loving anyone now or has his time away taken that from him?  Is Pembrook all that matters or does Mary still hold part of his heart?

A lot of Sebastian and Mary’s story was set up for the next two books, I think.  There was a lot of information to pass along to the reader.  Still, I always enjoy Ms. Heath’s books.  She has a way of drawing the reader into both the emotional side of the story and the intrigues that tend to surround her characters.  This series is loosely tied to her Scoundrels of St. James series.  It is not necessary to read those books before reading this one but, if you have read them, you will run across some familiar names.  I like it when an author stays consistent within the world he/she has created – it makes it seem more real.

If you are in the mood for a solid historical and a story arc that promises to continue to intrigue, look no further.  I am already anticipating the other two books.

Grade: B

Summary:

Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright.

Sebastian Easton always vowed he would avenge his stolen youth and title. Now back in London, the rightful Duke of Keswick—returning from battle a wounded, hardened, changed man—cannot forget the brave girl who once rescued him and his brothers from certain death.

Lady Mary Wynne-Jones paid dearly for helping the imprisoned young Lords of Pembrook, and she remembers well the promise she made to Sebastian all those years ago: to meet him once more in the abbey ruins where they shared a bold, forbidden kiss. While Mary is now betrothed to another, a friendship forged with dark secrets cannot be ignored. Unexpected passion soon burns dangerously between them, tempting Sebastian to abandon his quest for retribution and fight for a love that could once again set him free.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series:

Lord of Temptation – October 2012

It’s that time of year, faithful reader – and let me pause to say how much I appreciate you…even if no one else reads my silliness, I take comfort in the fact that the two of us do – time to list my favorite reads of 2011. These are books I read and that were published in 2011, to clarify. My list ended up looking a little different this year – I had a four-way tie for favorite. Without further ado:

My Top Ten for 2011

1. What I Did for a Duke – There was so much buzz about this that I had to pick it up, even though I was behind in the series. I am so glad I did! I can’t even explain why it was SO good. But it was my favorite historical romance of the year.

1. Kiss of Snow – This was the story fans of the Psy/Changling series have been waiting for Hawke and Sienna’s story since they first met and I was very happy with their book. My favorite paranormal book of the year.

1. Yours to Keep – I love the Kowalskis! Read this book and you will never look at Post-its the same way again. My favorite contemporary romance of the year.

1. Dragon Bound – The first book of the best series I’ve read lately. I might have liked Serpent’s Kiss a bit more but this book established the world and set up everything that follows. Since I already listed a favorite paranormal book, this is my favorite fantasy book of the year.

5. Serpent’s Kiss – Rune! Rune Rune Rune!! An excellent hero and an excellent book. Between Dragon Bound and this one, it was hard to decide which book I liked better and I thought Rune and Carling were a more even match than Dragos and Pia so I enjoyed reading about their relationship a bit more. Still, Dragon Bound was the first and a funner read (yeah, yeah…I used the word “funner”. So?!)

6. ShadowFever – Whether it ended the way you wanted or not, it was epic. EPIC!

7. Heart of Steel – Such a fun, swashbuckling read! So entertaining! Pirates! Zombies! Airships! If you haven’t read any of the Iron Seas books, you make me sad.

8. Winning the Wallflower – Even though this is a novella, I enjoyed it so much! More than the full-length book book that spun out of it, even.

9. To Love a Thief – If you like My Fair Lady-ish storylines, check this book out.

10. Silk is for Seduction – It was hard to round out my top ten but how could I go wrong with Loretta Chase?

11. A Lot Like Love – Honorary mention for this one. When I looked back at my list to find books I would recommend to anyone, this one popped out.

A bonus – biggest disappointment (no, I still haven’t let it go): Breaking the Rules. I know, I’m bitter…it’s my own fault for having high hopes.

So, there you go, my faves for last year. I already have read some good ones for this year – you’ll hear about those soon enough – and hear rumors of more coming soon. Yay!

What were some of your favorites of 2011? Do you agree with mine or are you sitting there shaking your head at your computer?

C2’s review of The Duke is Mine (Fairy Tales, Book 3) by Eloisa James
Historical Romance published by Avon 27 Dec 11

In her newest release, Eloisa James tackles another well known fairytale. She has already given us her twist on Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. This time around? The Princess and the Pea.

Thanks to a schoolboy friendship between her father and the Duke of Canterwick, Miss Olivia Lytton has been betrothed to the future duke since she was a toddler.  The older of twin girls, Olivia has been raised to be a duchess – educated in all things duchess-y, always treated as an engaged young lady, and given quiet sympathetic glances. Why sympathy when being engaged to a future duke is all some girls dream of?  Well, those girls aren’t engaged to Rupert.

Rupert, for all that he will someday inherit a dukedom, is not the brightest of bulbs.  He is younger than Olivia, shows no particular interest in her or any young lady, is not a graceful creature nor is he particularly well-spoken.  He is also stubborn – once he latches onto an idea, it is almost impossible to get him to let go. However, he is good natured and friendly, so things could be worse.

Olivia, her mother despairs, is the least duchess-like future duchess ever.  She likes bawdy jokes, she is plump, she is outspoken and loves to laugh.  Why she can’t be more like her (younger by several minutes) twin sister, Georgiana, is an often-asked question.  The girls were raised and educated together, so why is Georgiana the epitome of all things duchess-y while Olivia is…not?  It is a good thing, Mr. and Mrs. Lytton agree, that Olivia did not actually have to catch a duke on her own merit.

When Rupert decides he is going to bring glory to the family name through beats of military greatness, there is no way to dissuade him. Before he leaves, Rupert and his father visit the Lyttons to formalize the betrothal – and to give Rupert and Olivia some alone time.  The duke strongly encourages Olivia to seduce Rupert – since he is going off to war and has no siblings, an heir would be a good thing.  (An aside – OMG REALLY?  So creepy!)  Neither Olivia or Rupert have any real interest in the sort of proceedings necessary for getting an heir and, after a half-hearted effort, decide to not but say they did.

In the meantime, Olivia and Georgiana are invited to a house party at the home of the Duke of Sconce.  Rumor has it that he is looking for a wife and his mother (who apparently gets to choose) has invited the most promising candidates to the party.  Olivia and Georgiana both know this is Georgiana’s best chance at landing a duke – there aren’t very many available and she has very little dowry to offer as enticement.

Tarquin, Duke of Sconce, is all about reason.  He does not let his passions rule him – his first marriage taught him that lesson very well – and does not like dealing with the passions of others.  Quin spends his days taking care of estate business and dealing with mathematical theories.  He is not a cheerful, easy-going fellow and he knows it and he has no interest in choosing his next bride.  However, when soaked Olivia arrives on his doorstep to get help for a stranded carriage, Quin is transfixed and (literally) sweeps her off her feet.  He is unable to concentrate on anything except his desire to kiss her…and she makes him want to laugh!

Olivia doesn’t immediately realize the person she thinks is a very impertinent footman is actually the Duke of Sconce.  And even when she does, she is perplexed by his behavior.  He kissed her and said she was beautiful.  And he didn’t even know who she was!

You can see where this is headed, can’t you, faithful reader?  Olivia and Quin have immediate chemistry, but both are honorable enough to try to stay away from each other.  Olivia does feel some loyalty to Rupert, bless his heart.  Plus, she doesn’t want to ruin her sister’s chance at happiness.  Quin doesn’t think he wants a wife who makes him feel things…but he definitely wants Olivia.  And neither can stay away from the other.  But what about Rupert?  And Quin’s prospective brides?  Will love triumph?  Heh.  What do you think?

I enjoyed this book, overall.  I like Olivia (much more than when we met her in the Winning the Wallflower novella) and Quin and find the premise interesting – with all the emphasis on marrying, there must have been a good many people who found a better match after they were betrothed to someone else.

I will say it feel like the story could have ended a few chapters earlier than it does.  It seems like a lot of effort was made to tie up the Rupert situation when a few pages might have worked just as well. And the fairytale connection feels a bit forced, as opposed to the previous books where it did not.  Still, the extra bit of story gives Quin a chance to have an adventure and it is entertaining.  If you’re looking for a fun read, this might be just the ticket.

It isn’t the strongest entry in the series, but it wis an enjoyable book all the same.  This book is tied slightly to Winning the Wallflower, an e-novella that I enjoyed immensely (hey, look – I reviewed it here).  It isn’t necessary to read WtW first (or at all), but it is very good!  Does The Duke is Mine stand alone from the rest of the Fairy Tale series?  Absolutely – all the books in the series stand alone.

Grade: B

Summary:
Tarquin, the powerful Duke of Sconce, knows perfectly well that the decorous and fashionably slender Georgiana Lytton will make him a proper duchess. So why can’t he stop thinking about her twin sister, the curvy, headstrong, and altogether unconventional Olivia? Not only is Olivia betrothed to another man, but their improper, albeit intoxicating, flirtation makes her unsuitability all the more clear.

Determined to make a perfect match, he methodically cuts Olivia from his thoughts, allowing logic and duty to triumph over passion…Until, in his darkest hour, Tarquin begins to question whether perfection has anything to do with love.

To win Olivia’s hand he would have to give up all the beliefs he holds most dear, and surrender heart, body and soul…

Unless it’s already too late.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of How the Marquess Was Won (Pennyroyal Green, Book 6) by Julie Anne Long
Historical Romance published by Avon 27 Dec 11

In Julie Anne Long’s newest release, we return to Pennyroyal Green. This time around, the Redmonds and Everseas play a supportive role instead of being the focus.  They still manage to stay in the thick of things, though. Spoilers ahead (but not too many, I hope) – enter at your own risk!

Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, (aka Lord Ice, also aka Jules) has come to Pennyroyal Green on a family errand and to attend a house party at the Redmonds.  Miss Lisbeth Redmond is of marriageable age and there has been speculation that Lord Dryden is interested.  Jules is interested
in part of Lisbeth’s dowry.  A bit of land that was once a portion of his mother’s dowry before his father gambled it away.  Jules has spent most of his adult life cleaning up messes left by his father.  Finally, the family name is respected, the family fortunes have been restored and everything is falling into place.  The last piece is the bit of land the Redmonds own.

Phoebe Vale is a teacher at a girls’ school – the school she attended. Phoebe grew up in the Seven Dials section of London – a very dangerous area – but, after her parents were gone, a mysterious benefactor arranged for her to be brought to Pennyroyal Green and educated at the academy. In addition to her teaching duties at Miss Endicott’s academy, Phoebe once was a tutor to Lisbeth Redmond.

[A random aside - for the first hundred pages or so, every time I read “Miss Vale”, I heard bits of Prince’s Bat Dance. If you’re close to my age, you’ll know the bit I’m talking about; if not...you kids get off my lawn! *grumpy face*]

Onward!

Phoebe knows a lot about Lord Dryden from reading gossip sheets.  He attracts a lot of attention and is something of a trendsetter.  When she actually sees him for the first time (at a shop in town), however, he is even more impressive than she imagined.

“He seemed taller than…anyone.  And suddenly all the hats and ribbons and buttons and gloves seemed like gaudy props arranged on a stage, awaiting just his arrival all these years.”

Later, when he visits Miss Endicott’s academy – to see if it might be an acceptable place for a young cousin to attend – Phoebe is tasked with giving him a tour of the facilities.  During the tour, they begin verbally sparring with each other – and enjoying it immensely.

Faithful reader, I must say the whole tour of the academy is one of the loveliest extended scenes I’ve read in ages.  Watching Phoebe and Jules slowly get a feel for the other’s personality and wit and, perhaps, recognizing a kindred spirit?  It’s this kind of interaction that make me love romances above all else.  So sweet and emotional and fun and poignant.  Eventually, their small talk turns a bit more personal and her reaction to him this time is more focused.

“He’s meant for me.

The thought emerged from nowhere, fresh as a slap and seemed as true as it was dumbfounding.  She stared at him, bewildered.  She’d never had a thought like that in her entire life.”

I like the sense of immediate connection – it just screams romance, don’t you think?  Even if the characters don’t acknowledge it until later, it’s there.  Also, the idea that no one else ever really has bothered to know Jules – everyone is happy with just seeing the image he presented (or was presented for him by gossip) – is intriguing.  How often does anyone really look below the surface of the people around them?

Phoebe has been invited to the Redmonds’ to serve as chaperone/companion to Lisbeth. Since Phoebe has been planning to go to Africa with a group of missionaries, she decides a last bit of fun in a luxurious house might be just the thing. But Lisbeth is different and treats Phoebe more like a servant than a friend. And Jules is there and the connection between him and Phoebe gets stronger. But Jules makes a big mistake. BIG.

Still, the (OMG huge) misstep Jules makes by asking Phoebe to be his mistress seems true to the period and his character.  Jules is focused on accomplishing his last goal and getting the land that had been part of his mother’s dowry.  And a marquess marrying a school teacher??  Very unlikely, regardless of his feelings.  Of course, even though she was an orphan, Phoebe has been brought up well, so it’s rude of him to issue that sort of proposition, I’m thinking.  I’ll leave the historical wrangling of all things etiquette-ish to others, though.

After the house party, two of Lisbeth’s friends invite Phoebe to go with them to London for a few weeks. There will be outings and parties and all sorts of fun to be had and Phoebe is curious about London since she hasn’t been back since she was a child, so she agrees to go. What she doesn’t realize is her hostesses are in cahoots with a couple of bored “gentlemen” who are also attending the house party. They think it will be great fun to play a trick on the Ton by making Phoebe the toast of the town and then exposing her as a nobody.

The casual cruelty of the supporting characters – toying with the life of someone so totally beneath them is just a lark – also rang true and it’s lovely to see them get their just rewards for their behavior, I must say.  And their awful prank does serve a purpose – it helps Jules figure out what really matters to him.

A bit more info – the prologue is a glimpse into the happenings six weeks after the beginning of chapter one. Some people hate prologues, I know, but this one hooks you. You have to find out how things got to that point! Still, if that’s not your thing, you’ve been warned. Also, I recommend going back and reading the prologue after you finish the book. Just do it, trust me.

Does the book stand alone? I say yes. Sure, the Redmonds and Everseas are there, but enough of their backstory is passed along to give a feel for things without being an info-dump. For those who have read the previous books, there are a few more interesting bits of info about Olivia and Lyon. All in all, this is an excellent entry into a series that is just getting better and better.

Finally, an honorary award for best feline performance goes to Charybdis. A very accurate depiction of a cat, I must say.  :-D

Grade: A+

Summary:

The Scandal Sheets call him Lord Ice.

Ruthless, cold, precise, Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden, tolerates only the finest—in clothes, in horseflesh, in mistresses. And now he’s found the perfect bride, the one whose dowry will restore his family’s shattered legacy and bring him peace at last: the exquisite heiress Lisbeth Redmond.

She’s not afraid to play with fire…

But one unforgettable encounter with Lisbeth’s paid companion, Phoebe Vale, and the Marquess is undone: this quiet girl with the wicked smile and a wit to match is the first person to see through the icy façade to the fiery man beneath. But their irresistible attraction is a torment as sweet as it is dangerous: for surrendering to their desire could mean losing everything else they ever wanted.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of Slow Ride (Fast Track, Book 5) by Erin McCarthy
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 4 Oct 11

In Erin McCarthy’s latest NASCAR book, Tuesday Jones (aka racing blogger Tuesday Talledega) gets her chance in the spotlight.

Tuesday Jones meets a handsome stranger as she is leaving her father’s graveside service – and has a breakdown on his sympathetic shoulder. Only later does she realize her good Samaritan is retired NASCAR driver Daniel “Diesel” Lange.  Diesel retired from racing after a horrible crash left him with career-ending injuries.  He has built a business restoring old cars and has very little to do with the racing world.

Tuesday and Diesel have chemistry and neither is interested in anything serious, so they start casually seeing each other.  Of course, casual never lasts long, does it, faithful reader?  Soon enough, both realize they are spending way too much time thinking about the other person and anticipating their time together more than a “casual” relationship would explain.

To honor her father’s career (he was a writer and covered racing extensively) and raise money for cancer research – and help her deal with his loss – Tuesday decides to have a charity event and auction and Diesel offers one of his restored cars for the auction.  But Tuesday continues to struggle and often finds solace in a wine bottle.

I am sure we, as readers, are supposed to feel sympathetic toward Tuesday, but she is so self-involved and such an obnoxious drunk it is hard to be anything other than annoyed.  And the fact that her friends and family are not particularly concerned is baffling to me. Maybe their behavior is supposed to mimic real life?  I hope people don’t really do that.

Diesel, on the other hand, would probably be a very nice, not-so-talkative, normal guy in real life – and no one would give it any thought.  However, as the hero of a romance novel, he seems lacking. At least he is concerned about Tuesday’s drinking.

I struggled with this book.  Tuesday is unbelievable and self-centered with obvious issues and in serious need of therapy.  Diesel is really just a normal, boring guy who gets sucked into Tuesday’s crazy world.  In real life, couples like this make me scratch my head and wonder how short the relationship will be.  That we are asked to believe these characters will live happily ever after (without serious therapy) is surprising.  Yes, toward the end, Ms. McCarthy tries to show emotional growth or self-realization or something, but it seems like too little too late.

For a series that started out so well, the last two books of the Fast Track series have been very disappointing (except the covers – they are consistently fab).  I am still willing to check out the next book because Elec and Evan’s sister is the heroine and that could be fun…and maybe even get the series back on track? However, my expectations are low.

In the meantime, does this book stand alone? Mostly.  It would probably make more sense if you read The Chase – Tuesday’s best friend Kendall’s book.  Do I recommend reading The Chase? No.  Nor do I recommend this book, unless you are a hardcore fan of the series and have enjoyed all the previous books.

Grade: D

Summary:
As a tribute to her late journalist father, Tuesday Jones is planning a career benefit, auctioning off racing memorabilia and meet-and-greets with drivers. Ex-racing star Diesel Lange has had his own brush with death, and is determined not to waste another minute of his life- especially when he meets Tuesday. He wants nothing more than to shift their romance into high gear, but he knows she’s still grieving. Can Diesel do the one thing he could never do on the track and take it slow?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of Winning the Wallflower (Fairy Tales Series, Book 2.5) by Eloisa James
Historical Romance published by Avon 6 Dec 11

What happens when a recently-engaged (to a gentlemen in trade) wallflower suddenly inherits a fortune? Suddenly her parents have much higher expectations for her marriage possibilities. But what about her current fiance? In Eloisa James new novella, we find out.

Mister Cyrus Ravensthorpe grew up under a cloud of scandal, but he has A Plan to restore his family to their rightful place in society. His plan is proceeding nicely – one important step has just been taken…finding an acceptable bride. Mister Ravensthorpe has recently become engaged to Lady Lucy Towerton.

Lady Lucy considered herself a wallflower. Taller than most of the gentlemen of the ton, she always felt awkward and uncomfortable. Imagine her surprise when the very handsome and wealthy Mister Ravensthorpe asked her father for her hand in marriage! Still, as they spent some time getting acquainted, Lucy realized they never really connected. No real conversation – he didn’t even ask to use her given name – they mostly spent their very proper visits playing Backgammon.

Suddenly Lucy’s life is sent spinning. She finds out she has inherited her great aunt’s fortune. Her parents are very excited because they think Lucy’s chances of finding a noble husband have now increased exponentially. All she has to do is break her engagement to Mister Ravensthorpe. Lucy is reluctant – she has a bit of a crush on Cyrus – and plans with her best friend, Olivia, to be found in a compromising position with her betrothed. No chance of breaking the engagement then!

But you know the old saying about the best laid plans, don’t you, faithful reader? Cyrus arrives at the ball Lucy is attending and hears of her recent good fortune and sees his plan hit a stumbling block. Meanwhile, Lucy’s plan to be caught with her betrothed also doesn’t go as she thinks it will.

Lucy realizes she deserves someone actually interested in her and not someone who sees her as a convenient Available Perfect Noble Lady. Cyrus realizes he might have chosen Lucy for reasons other than the fact she fit into his Plan. But can he convince Lucy?

I really enjoyed this novella. It’s a quick, fun read and doesn’t feel at all rushed or compressed. The story is in no way shorted and it does not feel like a setup for Ms. James’ next full-length book. Cyrus and Lucy are a fun couple and their interactions are lively and sweet. Does it stand alone? Absolutely. Is it worth your $0.99 investment? Most definitely. At this busy time of year, you might not have the available time to invest in a full length book, but this one is just right. Treat yourself!

Grade: A+

Summary:

It Could Only Happen in a Fairytale…

Lady Lucy Towerton
Plain and tall. (According to the lady herself.)
Titled, and irreproachably proper. (According to her fiancé.)

Until, overnight, she becomes

Lady Lucy Towerton
Heiress. (Thanks to an aged aunt’s bequest.)
Belle of the Ball. (So say the fortune hunters of the ton.)

In charge of her own destiny (finally!), Lucy breaks her engagement and makes up her mind to never be proper again…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of Hearts and Swords (Celta’s HeartMates, Book 11) by Robin D. Owens
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance released by Berkley 6 Dec 11

What do cryogenics, matchmakers, scandalous divorcees and talking animals have in common?  You might be surprised.  Robin D. Owens’ latest release is a collection of four novellas all set in her Celta universe.

For those new to the series, Celta is a planet where Earthlings with psychic powers found refuge after fleeing persecution.  Similar but different, something about Celta soon stopped Earth machinery from working.  However, psychic abilities continue to increase in strength and variety.  This time around a couple of the original colonists and supporting characters from previous books all get their happy endings.

Heart and Swords

In Hearts and Swords, original colonist Kelse Bountry is unexpectedly awakened from cryogenic sleep after the murder of the captain of the spaceship he is traveling in.  Kelse and others with psi talents are fleeing persecution on Earth, looking for an Earth-like planet to establish their own civilization on.

Kelse and his wife Fern were not supposed to be awakened until a planet had been found and the ship was about to land – they expected to be in stasis for about 75 years.  However, after the captain’s murder, the executive officer wakes Kelse and tells him he must take over.  And instead of sleeping for 75 years it has been nearly 250!  There are mutineers aboard – people who have grown up on the ship – who have no interest in finding a new planet.  They either want to go back to Earth or just keep traveling.

Kelse wants to take care of the problem and get the ship to a planet. He talked Fern into the whole space travel thing and he knows she would be very uncomfortable, so Kelse wants her to stay asleep until they are on the ground somewhere safe.  The ship (if you’re interested in the Ship, Nuada’s Sword, check out Heart Thief) has other ideas and soon Fern is awake and embroiled with the mutineers too.

I enjoyed this glimpse into the events that brought the colonists to Celta.  There have been bits of the story scattered through the series, but, like most history, the interesting personal bits are forgotten or glossed over or completely changed.  We see the beginnings of the Heart Mate/Heart Bond too.

Grade: A

Heart Story

Blush Willow was kept from her Heart Mate by her mean-spirited, scheming mother – a renowned matchmaker, of all things. Now, years later, her mother has passed away and her Heart Mate, Dri Paris, has returned from the distant city he fled to after Blush’s mother threatened his family.

Both Blush and Dri are bitter about what her mother did.  And each blame the other for not being strong enough to stand up to her – even though they were teenagers and she held a powerful position in society.  Can two adults get past their anger and distrust to find the love they know is waiting for them?

This story is the weakest. The plot is thin and the characters are not so interesting. I don’t remember being interested in Blush when I read the book this story is connected to, so…

Grade: C-

Heart and Soul

Then we move to Heart and Soul and change locations from Druida to Gael City, which is much less familiar to longtime readers of the series.

Genista Furze shocked the upper echelons of Druida City by divorcing her husband…that just isn’t done in the First Families.  Genista realized that it would be better for everyone if they were no longer together, though, and freed him to be with his Heart Mate (if you wanna know more about that, check out Heart Fate).

Now she has moved to another city and is living a much quieter life under a different name.  She has a house and a job and an attentive (and handsome) next door neighbor.  But there is more to him than meets the eye.  Her ex-husband’s family hired him to watch over her and keep her safe.

Apparently, her secret identity isn’t as much of a secret as she thought.  When a burglary ring targets her house, many truths are revealed.

It’s nice to see the other side of Genista. In Heart Fate and previous Holly-centric books, she was pretty one-dimensional, if I recall correctly. Mostly she was an obstacle and shallow party girl. Here she has made a new start and is focusing on the things that make her happy, instead of worrying so much about what others think.

Grade: B

Noble Heart

Finally, we have Noble Heart.  Walker Clover is happy with his life – he is one of the many Clover boys, lives in Clover Compound with his family, and has a job he loves.  Walker is tutor to one of the Druida FirstFamilies – the Ashes.  When young Nuin Ash enters his first Passage – a feverish dream state that releases the person’s Flair (psi ability – it varies from person to person and can be anything from art to healing to weaponry) – Walker’s Passage is triggered, as well.  But Walker is an adult who has always thought he had only the basic amount of Flair required to operate Celtan machinery.  By adulthood, highly Flaired Celtans have endured three Passages and Walker has never experienced Passage at all – and suddenly he experiences all three Passages at one time.  Most unpleasant.  And dangerous – not everyone survives Passage.

After Walker wakes up and is told what happened to him (at first it’s thought he’s sick), he is tested to see what his new Flair talent is.  He is surprised to learn his talent may lead him to a very important political position.  Walker is not pleased with the direction his life is taking, but he recognizes that his new Flair will help his family move upward in Celtan society – there are four main classes: Commoners, Grace Houses, Grand Houses and First Families.  Walker’s new flair catapults his family from Commoner status to Grand House status.

Walker and his allies recognize that he will need assistance to navigate his new position in society.  He also must pass a test to assume his new position.  He chooses Sedwy Grove to help him learn how to deal with his new situation.  Sedwy’s mother formerly held the position Walker may eventually attain.  Plus, she’s pretty and smells nice.

Will Walker be able to adjust to his new power and potential?  And will Sedwy be able to move past the scandal in her past and take her rightful place next to him?

This is my favorite of the bunch. The Clovers are a fun family and I really like Walker. It is a nice change to see a hero who isn’t uber ambitious and power hungry.

Grade: A

I must say, I very much like this novella format.  There are several series I would LOVE to see something similar from (I’m looking at you, Nalini Singh and Meljean Brook).

Do the stories stand alone? Maybe – the first story, especially. The others tie in with previous books, so a new reader might feel like they are missing something, although Ms. Owens does a good job of summarizing previous events. Certainly by reading these stories, a newbie would have a good feel for the world she has created.

If you’ve never tried the Celta series, I urge you to try it. The world Ms. Owens has created continues to expand and evolve.  (Also, unrelated to anything, it’s nice to see the art department is returning to form on the cover format.  The cover for Heart Journey was unfortunate.) It is such a consistantly excellent series and seems to get very little buzz – it makes me sad. Check it out, faithful reader. If you hate it, come back and tell me why. If you love it, tell a friend.

Overall grade: B

Summary:

Heart and Sword
Captain Kelse Bountry leads a colony fleet in search of a habitable planet. His Ship is far off course and his crew is on the verge of mutiny, circumstances that threaten both the success of Kelse’s mission and his marriage. But Fern Bountry is not about to give up on either…

Heart and Soul
Genista Furze, scandalous ex-wife of Tinne Holly, has created a new life for herself working for a clockmaker in small Gael City. Content with simplicity, and learning to value herself, Genista is in no hurry to risk her heart on another man – no matter how attractive her neighbor is…

Noble Heart
Walker Clover is experiencing Passage – the dreamquest to free his psi power – and learns that he possesses a flair for magic. When his parents learn of his abilities they reveal that his real mother was a noblewoman. Now, Celta’s FirstFamilies scheme to forge an alliance with Walker through offers of marriage – a prospect he finds abhorrent until he meets the mysterious Sedwy Grove…

Heart Story
A year has passed since Blush Willow’s domineering and murderous mother died, and Blush has drawn her hidden HeartMate, Dri Paris, to her. All should be well. But when they finally meet, unresolved anger at the past – and each other – flares between them. Yet they must work together to find a treasure and save Dri’s family.

No excerpt available.

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of Serendipity (Serendipity Series, Book 1) by Carly Phillips
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 6 Sep 11

I seem to be on a good run with contemporaries lately.  Carly Phillips is an author I hadn’t read in ages – too many books, too little time – until Serendipity turned up in my mailbox.  Since I was in a contemporary mood, I decided to try it and see what I had been missing out on.  I really enjoyed this story.

Faith Harrington has just returned to her hometown to start a new life. Her father is in jail after swindling lots of people – including many residents of Serendipity – and her (now) ex-husband, who had used her father’s influence to further his career but managed to remain unscathed, was cheating on her.  Now all Faith wants is to take back her life, be herself and make it on her own.  The last thing she expects is to bump into her high-school-bad-boy secret crush.

Ethan Barron has also returned home to make some changes in his life. Ethan feels responsible for the death of his parents – and the result of his younger brothers ending up in foster care.  His parents were on their way to deal with some consequences of his youthful bad choices when they were killed in a car accident.  Years later, Ethan still blames himself…and so do his brothers (ah yes, faithful reader, the sweet, sweet smell of sequel bait).  Now Ethan can work wherever and has returned to Serendipity to try to mend things with his brothers.  The last thing he expects is to suddenly be responsible for a sister he never knew he had.

Apparently, his dad, who traveled a lot for work, had a long-term girlfriend in another town and they had a child together just before his father was killed.  Now the girlfriend is dead and the half-sister cannot deal with their mutual half-sister any longer.  His little sister, Tess, has already been in and out of trouble at school and with the police and needs more adult supervision than her half-sister can provide.  Kelly (the out-of-her-depth sister) tells Ethan that Tess is his for the summer.  Ethan decides he isn’t going to abandon another sibling who needs him – besides, he recognizes some of his youthful rebellion in Tess.  And maybe he and his brothers can work together to help her get back on track before it’s too late.

But what about Faith?  After meeting her again, Ethan realizes the old spark of attraction is still there – maybe more now than when they were young.  He wants to see where things will go and needs a way to keep her from avoiding him.  Conveniently, he moves into the fancy house she grew up in (it had to be sold after her dad’s legal problems) and it needs some serious redecorating.  Faith’s new business in town is interior design.  Perfect!  He will be her first (only – the townspeople aren’t exactly excited to see her) client and will help her get the new business off the ground.  Faith is reluctant.  She just got out of a bad relationship and is still reeling from her father’s situation.  Still, beggars can’t be choosers and she needs the business.

Faith and Ethan both are trying to find their way and fighting the shadows of their former selves. The townspeople can’t see past the idea of Faith being the spoiled daughter of the man who stole their money. Ethan’s brothers can’t get past their anger and still blame him for ruining their lives. Will they manage? Well, this is the first book in a series so, yeah. But, since it is a series there are plot points left dangling. Ethan’s relationships with his brothers is still unsettled and Faith’s relationship with her mother is not completely comfortable.

All in all, I enjoyed Serendipity. The characters and storyline weren’t the most unique, but Ms. Phillips stays out of cookie cutter territory and I remained engaged enough to be interested in where the next book will take things.

Grade: C+

Summary:

Faith Harrington was the classic girl of privilege–until her father was convicted of running a Ponzi scheme and then her marriage crashed and burned.

Now Faith is back in her hometown, hoping for a fresh start. But her father’s betrayal has rocked Serendipity – and not everyone is ready to welcome her with open arms. Then she runs into her teenage crush — the dark, brooding Ethan Barron. Ethan, no stranger to scandal himself, never imagined he’d own the mansion on the hill, much less ever again come face to face with Faith–the princess he once kissed senseless. The chance meeting reignites the electric charge between them.

Still, when Ethan hires her to redecorate what was once her childhood home, Faith is sure that getting involved with the town’s notorious bad boy will only lead to trouble. But her heart has other ideas. And so do the townspeople of Serendipity …

Read an excerpt. (click link)

C2’s review of A Home by the Sea (Summer Island, Book 1) by Christina Skye
Contemporary Romance published by HQN Books 18 Oct 11

A woman dealing with betrayal and heartbreak. A man dealing with terrible loss and pressures. Sounds like a match made in heaven, right? You might be surprised.

Grace Lindstrom is a food historian – a career I find fascinating, by the way. She is in Washington DC because the Smithsonian has a huge opportunity in the works and she would love to be involved. Grace is still wrestling with the aftermath of her fiance’s death. After he was killed in a plane crash, she found out he had been cheating on her. With lots of people, including some so-called friends. She is not interested in a romantic entanglement – not even if a fabulous guy stumbles into her path.

Noah McKay is an explosives expert – not a relationship-friendly occupation, to be sure. He works for an unnamed goverment-y office that disarms and analyzes bombs and provides that info to other law enforcement types. Noah and his family are still grieving because one of his brothers was killed by a bomb. Noah is struggling with guilt, even though he was not called to deal with the situation that led to his brother’s death.

One snowy night, Noah is walking home and hears a strange sound coming from an alley. He investigates and finds Grace rescuing a mama cat, her kittens, and a puppy. Since roads are quickly becoming impassible, he calls his dad to come get them in his Hummer. The whole group goes back and spends the night at Noah’s parents’ house. Sure…that totally happens.

Noah is interested and doesn’t pretend otherwise. Grace, however, is reluctant. She is still in “can’t trust any man” mode, thanks to her late fiance. Noah calls and texts but she ignores him – so rude! Just tell him you’re not interested, for crying out loud…oh, but wait, you are interested. You’re just a big chicken.

Anyhoo, eventually Grace starts to get over her fear – she gets the cool job and decides to try a relationship with Noah. Just when things are getting started, she gets a call and has to go back to her home town in Oregon. Her grandfather has been injured and is in the hospital. Grace is his only family. Noah understands and encourages her to do whatever she needs to – he will be waiting.

When Grace arrives in Oregon, her grandfather is in a coma but his injuries aren’t life-threatening. He is in good health and should recover without too much difficulty, probably. Still, it will be a while before he is able to resume anything like his normal life and will need to slow down. Someone will have to step in and help out with his animal clinic. Also, Grace’s best friends have a new business venture they are starting and invite her to join them. Since she passed up the Smithsonian opportunity when her grandfather was hurt, Grace is interested and decides to join them. The work getting a business ready to go gives her something to focus on besides worrying about her grandfather.

During her time in Oregon, Grace and Noah have been texting and talking to each other. Finally he is able to get some time off comes to visit. Even though there are lots of obstacles, Noah and Grace can see where they are headed and want to move forward with each other. *happy sigh*

Alert for those readers who are absolutely anti-paranormal: there is the occasional ghostly presence drifting through the book.  It’s very unobtrusive and sweet, I think, but if you cannot stand that sort of thing and don’t want to be ambushed…well, you’ve been warned.

Does this book stand alone? Since I haven’t read the novella that introduced the series, I have to say yes. In fact, finding out who the lead couple is in the novella makes me feel better about one of the supporting characters in this book (I was afraid someone might get killed off to make way for a later HEA).

I love Ms. Skye’s Draycott Abbey series, but I never got into her Code Name books. So when I saw that her next series was going to be similar to her older books, I was intrigued.  There is something so comforting about her writing style – reading this book is like curling up with a favorite blanket on a cold night.  The story is filled with interesting, well-rounded characters (some with obvious spin-off potential).  Even though I have a quibble with Grace ignoring phone calls for a couple of weeks and being all “I’m not ready,” if you’re looking for a good contemporary without silliness and with just enough heat, you should totally check out A Home by the Sea.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Grace Lindstrom has followed her fiancé across three continents, starry-eyed and full of dreams. But when he dies in a plane crash, Grace discovers that their life together was the cruelest kind of lie—and swears to never lose herself to that kind of love again. Until one night, when a chance encounter leads her to the kind of man she’s always dreamed of—and the deep family ties she’s never known.

Noah McKay knows he can’t offer Grace any kind of future—not when he spends every day putting his life on the line. But when Grace’s grandfather suddenly falls ill and she’s called home to the small island town where she grew up, he realizes he can’t live without her. Aided by good knitting, good chocolate and deep friendship, Grace is slowly learning to trust again—but can she learn to love a man whose secrets run so deep?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of Heart of Steel (Iron Seas, Book 4) by Meljean Brook
Steampunk Romance published by Berkley 1 Nov 11

In the mood for a book with an unapologetically kick-ass heroine? One who doesn’t even pretend she needs a big, strong man to take care of her? What if her hero totally digs that about her and doesn’t want to change her? Intrigued??

In Meljean Brook’s latest installment in her Iron Seas series, Lady Corsair (aka Yasmeen) steps onto the main stage. She had a prominent supporting role in The Iron Duke and events that occur in that book play a very important role in Heart of Steel.

The last time Lady Corsair saw Archimedes Fox, she dropped him into the seas around Venice – and zombies were closing in! I mean, what’s a captain to do when a passenger tries to take control of her air ship? So imagine her surprise when he pops back into her life several months later? Well, kidnaps her off the street several months later…

Archimedes Fox is an adventurer – think about a Regency rake version of Indiana Jones.  In fact, his adventures are chronicled in very popular stories written by his sister.  Archimedes wants Yasmeen – he wants to seduce her, he wants to fall in love, and he wants to experience heartbreak – and he figures she is just the lady for the job to help him experience all those feelings.  She doesn’t trust men and usually uses them briefly, if she’s interested, and tosses them aside before they get close enough to betray her.  He isn’t willing to have a quick fling and be tossed aside, though. He wants to know her and is willing to earn her trust – as much as she is able to give.

Before the seduction can really begin, Yasmeen and Archimedes are swept up in a treasure hunt that is entwined with political intrigue.  And it brings up a lot of things from both of their pasts that continue to affect them.

That’s the thing about these characters – they are adults and behave as such.  They both are aware of the issues, good and bad, that have shaped their lives and know having any sort of real relationship won’t be easy. Sometimes, though, you can’t help yourself.  And once they decide to trust each other (no small thing for these two), they trust each other.  And stand together against all sorts of enemies.

If you want a story filled with adventure and intrigue and treasure hunts, with murder and mayhem and machinery, with ZOMBIES! – this is the book for you. The world Ms. Brook has built is fascinating and rich and filled with interesting characters. If you like steampunk and haven’t already started reading this series – go to the bookstore of your choice immediately. If you’ve never tried steampunk but love a good story, see above. You should try this series.

Does this book stand alone? No. Events in The Iron Duke set up this story – and besides that, it is a fabulous book. My number one read for last year! And the novella that started the series was my number two read for last year! That should tell you something, faithful reader. Sometimes the hype is true.

Grade: A+

Summary:

As the mercenary captain of the Lady Corsair, Yasmeen has learned to keep her heart as cold as steel, her only loyalty bound to her ship and her crew. So when a man who once tried to seize her airship returns from the dead, Yasmeen will be damned if she gives him another opportunity to take control.

Treasure-hunter Archimedes Fox isn’t interested in the Lady Corsair — he wants her coldhearted captain and the valuable da Vinci sketch she stole from him. To reclaim it, Archimedes is determined to seduce the stubborn woman who once tossed him to a ravenous pack of zombies, but she’s no easy conquest.

When da Vinci’s sketch attracts a dangerous amount of attention, Yasmeen and Archimedes journey to Horde-occupied Morocco — and straight into their enemy’s hands. But as they fight to save themselves and a city on the brink of rebellion, the greatest peril Yasmeen faces is from the man who seeks to melt her icy heart…

Read an excerpt. (scroll down)

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of A Beginner’s Guide to Rakes (Scandalous Brides, Book 1) by Suzanne Enoch
Historical Romance published by St. Martin’s 4 Oct 11

Revenge! Blackmail! Wheeeee! It’s always fun to read about a couple with a history – especially when things ended badly.  And if revenge and blackmail are in the picture? Win!  Heh.

Diane Benchley, Lady Cameron, and her husband fled England under a cloud of debt several years before we meet her.  Diane has been a widow for a few years and finally has returned to London.  She has plans. Plans that, if successful, will keep her from depending on a man for her livelihood ever again.  To bring her plans to fruition she needs the assistance of Oliver Warren, Marquis of Haybury – whether he wants to help or not.

The last person Oliver expects to see in London is Diane Benchley.  When he last saw her, Diane was recently widowed and living in Vienna.  They had a brief fling before he returned to England without a word of farewell.  Not a good way to end things, faithful reader.

Diane has returned to open a gentlemen’s club.  Her original lordly male “helper” was killed in an accident and now she needs to find someone else to help her make sure she has covered all the bases necessary with the club – the right look, the right games, the right feel.  The only person she trusts to assist her is Oliver – not because of any good feelings toward him but because she has a very incriminating letter that would ruin his reputation if it were made public. Blackmail!

Diane is not the same person Oliver knew in Vienna.  She has grown a thick skin and sharp tongue.  He is still attracted to her – although less so when she threatens to publish the letter unless he assists with the club (both financially and in an advisory role).  Of course, Oliver looks for a way to turn things to his advantage, but it isn’t easy. Diane has thought of everything and isn’t falling for his charms a second time.

Naturally, over the course of getting the club ready and establishing it as a real option for the gentlemen of the ton, Oliver and Diane have much more contact than either would have first imagined.  And although both start out looking for weaknesses to exploit, they find they have more than just the club in common and enjoy each other’s company a great deal.

I believed the characters’ growth.  The lessening of Diane’s bitterness over time and Oliver’s realization about why he left Vienna is nicely written.  And the idea of a young widow coming to London and opening a gentlemen’s club – staffed by young women – is an interesting (if unlikely) one.  Of course, it might be completely accurate, historically speaking – what do I know?  As long as I’m entertained and the author makes me believe it, I’m good.

The subplot with Diane’s brother-in-law did nothing for me.  If I have to guess (and I am), I would say it might serve as a basis for Oliver and the Duke of Greaves to become friends again so one of the ladies working at the club might eventually become a duchess.  But again – what do I know?  The idea that several of the club’s employees are young ladies of good birth in bad circumstances is a welcome new twist on the sisters/schoolmates/best pals thread that ties together other series.

A small quibble or two regarding marketing choices – the title seems to have nothing to do with the book. At all. Diane didn’t need a guide to rakes and didn’t provide one to anyone else. Also, throughout the book Diane wears nothing but black, except for two special occasions (when she still wore deep colors) – it’s her thing to be distinctive and stuff, plus she looks good in black. So why is the person on the cover wearing white?? Ah well…

I enjoyed Diane and Oliver’s story and look forward to seeing more of the ladies of the Tantalus Club find their Happily Ever Afters.

Grade:  B

Summary:

All of London is abuzz with the return of the utterly alluring, recently widowed Diane Benchley. Will she remarry? What will she do with her late husband’s fortune? Sociey is shocked by her announcement—at the Grand Ball, of all places!—that she plans to open an exclusive gentleman’s gaming club in the family mansion. But no one is more stunned than the Marquis of Haybury, Oliver Warren.
Years ago, Oliver and Diane shared a private indiscretion. Now Diane threatens to reveal Oliver’s most ungentlemanly secrets…unless he agrees to help her. A notorious gambler—and rake—Oliver is overqualified to educate Diane in the ways and means of running her establishment. But striking a deal with Diane might just be the biggest risk Oliver has ever taken. This time, the only thing he has to lose is his heart…

No excerpt available. ( It appears the author’s website hasn’t been updated since her next most recent book which was published in 2010.)

C2’s review of Serpent’s Kiss (Elder Races, Book 3) by Thea Harrison
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 4 Oct 11

In Serpent’s Kiss we get another different view of the Elder Races (in Book 1, we got an overview; in Book 2, a micro-view of the politics). This is a much more intimate book – it concentrates almost entirely on Rune, a gryphon Wyr, and Carling, queen of the Vampyres.  It must focus on them because they are racing to find a cure for Carling’s condition before she dies.

First, faithful reader, I must tell you that I love Rune!  He has replaced Dragos as my favorite Wyr.  Rune is such an interesting mix of
laid-back calm and kick-ass defender.  He can be lazy and affectionate one minute and in full attack mode the next.  Maybe that’s the feline in him?  <3  And once he decides to go after something?  Stand back!

Carling, who hasn’t been able to feed on blood for a very long time, is a succubus.  She feeds off the emotions of creatures around her – which makes it nice to have Rune around, since he is filled with all sorts of tasty strong emotions.

Carling knows she is dying.  She has been studying what happens to Vampyres as they reach great ages since she first lost the ability to feed off blood.  Carling has recently been having “episodes” where she is suddenly…absent.  She loses track of time and is unresponsive to those around her.  Unless she finds a cure, Carling will not live much longer.  Rune refuses to let that happen.  For all that he only came to her because he promised her a favor of her choice – a very big deal among the Elder Races – if she saved Tiago (in Book 2, Storm’s Heart), he finds himself increasingly intrigued by and attracted to Carling.

Carling, on the other hand, although she wants to find a cure, seems more resigned to her fate.  Her emotions are so much more distant than Rune’s (his emotions aren’t distant at all), even though they are both ancient creatures.  They aren’t the only people interested in Carling’s condition, however.  When the King of Vampyres finds out Carling has left her voluntary seclusion and that her episodes are affecting the world around her, he sends people to kill her.  Carling and Rune manage to escape and go on the run, in hopes that they find the information they need to save Carling before they are caught and before Carling has another episode and is lost forever.

Will they find a cure? What if Rune and Carling have found each other only as one is about to slip away? Oh, you know you want to find out for yourself, faithful reader. I am so enjoying the Elder Races series. Their world gets richer and deeper and more interesting with each book. And each story just leaves me wanting more. And did I mention that I love Rune? Love!

Grade: A

Summary:

In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, a Queen on the brink of sanity has no one to rely on except the Wyr warrior whose conviction is every bit as strong as his passion…

In order to save his friend’s life, Wyr sentinel Rune Ainissesthai made a bargain with Vampyre Queen Carling—without knowing what she would ask from him in return. But when Rune attempts to make good on his debt, he finds a woman on the edge.

Recently, Carling’s Power has become erratic, forcing her followers to flee in fear. Despite the danger, Rune is drawn to the ailing Queen and decides to help her find a cure for the serpent’s kiss—the vampyric disease that’s killing her.

With their desire for each other escalating just as quickly as Carling’s instability spirals out of control, the sentinel and the Queen will have to rely on each other if they have any hope of surviving the serpent’s kiss…

Read an excerpt! Or another! Or a third!

Other books in this series:

C2’s review of Animal Attraction (Animal Magnetism, Book 2) by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 4 Oct 11

What happens when a control freak temp and a commitment-phobe of a vet collide?  It can’t be good, right?  Especially when the temp’s time is almost up and she will be moving hundreds of miles away.  Not to worry, faithful reader, if Jill Shalvis is in charge of things, you know you’re in good hands.

Jade Bennett has worked at the Belle Haven Animal Clinic for eighteen months but is finally getting ready to end her “temporary” job.  She had planned to leave after a year but wasn’t quite ready to – and maybe she still isn’t, but she promised her family she would return to Chicago and take up the obligations there she dropped so quickly.  Jade was working late at her family’s offices and there was a break-in.  It affected her more than she thought and Jade just couldn’t make herself go back to her office.  Instead, she just started driving and eventually found herself at Belle Haven – and they were in dire need of someone to run the office side of things.

Dell Connelly never intended to keep Jade around as office manager – she was only supposed to fill in until someone more qualified was found. Little did he know that Jade would soon make herself indispensable.  Now Dell can’t help but feel like she is abandoning him – and the clinic, of course.  He can talk almost any creature into doing what he wants, but he can’t talk his way around Jade.  She’s had his number from day one. Jade and Dell have danced around each other ever since she arrived at Belle Haven.  Neither one will acknowledge the attraction, but it’s there.  Finally, just before it’s time for Jade to go back home, they can’t fight it anymore.  Isn’t that always the way it goes?

I like the way Jade works through some of her issues from the break-in with self-defense training.  And I think it’s insightful of Dell to know she needs something like that (especially since it’s based on very little information – very private, Ms. Jade is).  And when Dell finally turns Jade loose in his office to clean and organize it?  Best unspoken “I love you” ever.  :-) Letting her go with him to his mom’s is too, but the office thing?  So sweet!

Is it really suspenseful, as far as the whole “will Jade return to her old life and never look back”?  Not so much.  But this is a romance, people!  Are Dell’s issues with his mom completely explained and resolved?  No – although more information might come to light in Adam’s book.  But this isn’t a psychology treatise, either, is it, faithful reader?

I enjoyed Animal Attraction.  Even control freaks and commitment-phobes can find love.  Jade and Dell are a fun couple and manage to find hidden depths in each other – he lightens her up and she finds his more serious side.  I’m looking forward to Adam’s book. If you want a good, solid contemporary romance with characters that are fun but not silly, Jill Shalvis never disappoints.

Grade: B

Summary:

She’s tempting his basic instincts…

Sunshine, Idaho, is a quiet ranching town, a perfect place to give injured animals a refuge…or to find one. And veterinarian Dell Connelly suspects there’s a reason his clinic’s uber-efficient receptionist has taken shelter here.

Jade Bennett couldn’t be happier to escape her well-meaning but smothering family and their expectations, not to mention the big-city jungle. There’s nothing like working with injured animals, having a forlorn, grumpy stray kitten make its home under her desk…or enjoying the gorgeous views of her ruggedly sexy boss.

Jade is used to planning everything in her life, but Dell’s understanding has sparked an uncontrollable desire. And though Dell has never had time for love, Jade’s strength and sass is the kind of call no red-blooded male can resist…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of The Darkest Surrender (Lords of the Underworld, Book Eight) by Gena Showalter
Paranormal Romance published by HQN Books 27 Sept 11

What do you get when you cross a Harpy nicknamed Kaia the Disappointment, who happens to be headed for her equivalent of the Olympics (though totally unlike any Olympics imaginable), with a warrior who is host to the demon of Defeat? A wild and crazy ride!

Kaia hasn’t really been on good terms with other Harpies since a youthful mistake wreaked havoc at the Harpy Games. Her sisters (including familiar faces Gwen and Bianka) are really the only Harpies that will speak to her. Imagine Kaia’s surprise when she is invited to participate in the next upcoming Harpy Games.

Kaia has been in an ongoing flirtation with Strider, keeper of the demon of Defeat. Defeat forces Strider to accept all challenges issued and rewards him with pleasure if he wins but punishes him with pain if he loses. As you might imagine, faithful reader, Strider does not like to lose.

After convincing Strider to accompany her to the Games (and pretending to be her consort), Kaia finds out all the other Harpy teams are out to get her. After all the years of ignoring her existence, they have decided to punish her for what she did as a teenager. Everyone – including her mother – is going to gang up on her during every portion of the Games until she is dead…or wishes she were. Wow, there is a lot of violence! Harpies do not pull their punches, faithful reader. But they balance out their violence with much love of all things girly and sheer joy in living.

There is so much banter between Kaia and Strider. Even when he isn’t completely onboard with the whole consort thing, he doesn’t want anything to happen to her and he and Defeat are determined to keep her safe and help her win. The Harpies have sharp tongues and love to joke (they remind me a little of the Valkyries in Kresley Cole’s IAD series, actually) and Strider keeps up with Kaia completely.

Strider isn’t the only Lord of the Underworld attending the Harpy Games. Lysander and Sabin are on-hand to support their ladies too. It was nice to see the guys all hanging out together, cheering on their Harpies and having a little bit of downtime (but just a little). They did help a bit behind the scenes. It was nice to see them doing something besides fight the Hunters. I’ll admit I get a little tired of the back-and-forth between them and the Lords. I prefer the stories like this one where they only play a small role.

The flow of this book is better than the previous one. We spend most of our time with the main couple, but some supporting storylines moved forward, as well. Paris’ story progresses a good bit, since he was left in a cliffhanger – his book is up next! We finally got a bit of William’s backstory. I’ve always been intrigued by William…for such a noticeable presence through the last several books, he has remained quite the enigma. And Kane steps into the spotlight finally. Since he is keeper of Disaster, you know his story will be entertaining.

All in all, this is a solid entry into the Lords of the Underworld series. Kaia and Strider are a fun couple and their relationship develops quite nicely. Kaia’s issues with her mom and the Harpies are resolved and she even gets a new awesome nickname.

My grade: B

Summary:

The Lords of the Underworld return in this enthralling tale of an immortal warrior determined to win and the beautiful seductress he can’t resist.
 
Possessed by the demon of Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge without suffering unimaginable pain.  For him, nothing stands in the way of victory.  Until Kaia, an enchanting Harpy, tempts him to the razor’s edge of surrender.
 
Known among her people as The Disappointment, Kaia must bring home the gold in the Harpy Games or die.  Strider is a distraction she can’t afford because he as an agenda of his own – steal first prize, an ancient godly artifact, before the winner can be named.  But as the competition heats up, only one prize will matter – the love neither had thought possible…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of The Bride Wore Scarlet (Fraternitas Series, Book 2) by Liz Carlyle
Historical Romance published by Avon 26 Jul 11

With The Bride Wore Scarlet, Liz Carlyle continues her foray into the paranormal. The St. James Society is a front for an ancient brotherhood sworn to protect those with The Gift. Regency rakes with their own mysterious abilities find and protect others from persecution and exploitation. Sound like an intriguing premise for romance? Maybe not…

Geoffrey Archard, Earl of Besset, is one of the founders of the St. James Society and a member of the Fraternitas Aureae Crucis (from here on referred to as the F.A.C.). Geoff has just learned of a little girl in Belgium that possesses The Gift and is in the clutches of an evil uncle who means to use her for his own gains. The F.A.C. needs to rescue her.

Lady Anais de Rohan has just arrived in London to request membership into the F.A.C. She knows there has never been a female member in recent times, but Celtic priestesses were among the founders, most likely, so she tries to think positive. Her hopes are dashed when Lord Besset and some other members are flabbergasted by the presence of a woman in the ceremonial chamber.

Undaunted, she returns to the home of the St. James Society the next morning to discuss the matter. She is again told she will not be allowed membership, but as a friend of the F.A.C, they would like her assistance in the matter of rescuing a young child. Anais and Geoff will pose as a married couple living next door to the evil uncle and find a way to get the little girl and her mother to safety. Of course, Anais agrees.

Let me insert something here, faithful reader. I have a pet peeve about weird names whose pronunciations are never explained. My brain hangs up every time I run across such names because it wants to try different ways of saying them. Stupid brain. Onward!

The basic plot is pretty standard for romances – our hero and heroine pretend to be married in order to rescue someone/uncover a plot, etc., and fall in love along the way. You would think introducing a paranormal element like The Gift would give new life to the plot. Not so much. There isn’t enough paranormal stuff to really rev things up and not much else to try to make the plot interesting.

I have to say I struggled to finish this book. If I had not been given this book to review, I would have set it aside very early on. I didn’t connect with the characters, the whole secret society thing didn’t catch my interest, and the overall plot didn’t engage me. Also, I find it annoying that the author is almost trying to rewrite history from earlier books – the hero and heroine are children of couples from earlier novels with nary a whisper of paranormal to be found.

All in all, I’m disappointed. I can’t point to any one thing that makes this a bad book. But I’d never say it’s a good one either. Apparently this is a trilogy. I hope Ms. Carlyle returns to her straight historical roots after she wraps this up. I really enjoyed several of her earlier books.

Grade: C-

Summary:

Passion and secrets simmer behind the elegant façade of Victorian high society in the second book of Liz Carlyle’s spellbinding Fraternitas trilogy . . .

Anais de Rohan was raised from childhood to become a Guardian—a covert warrior trained in the ways of a secret militia so ancient its existence is believed mere legend. When Anais presents herself for initiation, however, her male compatriots are impressed with nothing save her hot temper and dark allure.

But when one of the St. James Society’s darkest, most enigmatic leaders challenges Anais to prove herself, she boldly accepts. Courting ruin to pose as Lord Bessett’s new bride, Anais must travel with the handsome, ruthless nobleman on a mission to save one of their own—a little girl with frightening gift—from danger.

But as intrigue swirls about them, drawing them ever closer, Anais begins to realize that their mission is hardly the only challenge she faces, for Lord Bessett is proving a temptation too hard to resist. As for Bessett himself—well, he might be a soldier sworn to the Society, but he certainly isn’t anyone’s saint . . .

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of Canyons of Night (Harmony Series, Book 8; Looking Glass Trilogy, Book 3; Arcane Society, Book 12) by Jayne Castle
Paranormal Romance published by Jove 30 Aug 11

It’s time to return to Harmony – home to cities of glowing green crystal spires and renegade energy “ghosts,” both left over from an ancient mysterious alien civilization.  This time we leave the cities behind and head out to Rainshadow Island.  A haven for those looking for a more secluded, quiet lifestyle, it was also a haven for pirates and smugglers. Rainshadow has its own secrets – including a mysterious Preserve, controlled by a secretive Foundation and protected by psychic fencing.  It is also home to people with some interesting abilities (something about Harmony encourages the development of psychic talents) and some unusual creatures – specter cats and dust bunnies, for example. Who doesn’t love dust bunnies?

Charlotte Enright grew up spending summers on Rainshadow Island with her aunt.  Charlotte has recently returned to the island because she inherited Aunt Beatrix’s antique shop. Since Charlotte has her own shop in the city, it’s a pretty easy decision.  The city isn’t so far away by ferry and she always enjoyed her time on Rainshadow.  Soon after she re-locates, a familiar face arrives.

Slade Attridge briefly lived on Rainshadow Island when he was in his teens.  He and Charlotte really had only one encounter, but it was memorable – he rescued her from some bullies and gave her a quick look into the Preserve.  Soon after he left to join the FBPI (the Federal Bureau of Psi Investigation) and remained there until an accident. Slade was injured during an investigation. After learning that he might never completely recover, Slade decided he would open a private investigation firm.  First, however, he needs some time and extra money to put things into place.  When a friend mentions Rainshadow needs a new sheriff, Slade takes the job.   And brings along his assistant, a dust bunny named Rex.

Charlotte and Slade both recognize the chemistry they have together. Even his plan to leave after a few months can’t keep them apart.  Soon, though, strange occurrences and mysterious deaths make Slade realize there are things happening on Rainshadow Island that can only be a result of some powerful and dangerous Talents.  Someone is looking for something and will stop at nothing to get it.  But what is it?  Who wants it and why?  Does it have something to do with Charlotte?  Is it connected to the stirring Slade senses in the Preserve?  Could it have anything to do with the season’s abundance of zucchini bread?

Some background for those new to Harmony: Psychically gifted people left Earth looking for somewhere where they wouldn’t have to hide their abilities.  They found Harmony and began settling the planet.  Then something happened that cut them off from Earth – they were unable to get back home – and conditions on Harmony stopped the Earth-manufactured machines they brought along from working properly, so they had to find new ways to survive.  At the same time, psychic talents were becoming stronger and more widespread.  Now Harmony functions on about the same technological level we do. So, even though the book is set in the future, it doesn’t have a super futuristic feel to it.

This is the second time Jayne Ann Krentz (aka Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle) has tied stories together across genres and pen-names.  The stories written as Amanda Quick also tie to her historical series; the stories written as JAK tie to her contemporary series; the Jayne Castle book ties to her other Harmony-based stories.

I’ll admit I haven’t read either of the connected books.  *hangs head in shame*  I’ve never really gotten into the stories she writes under her other pseudonyms, but I’ve always enjoyed her Harmony series.  So I can say with authority that this book stands alone quite nicely.  There are bits of info dropped in that I’m sure would have had greater significance if I had read the connected books, but everything is explained to my satisfaction. I will say that there is a little too much of a “I’m-setting-up-my-new-series” feel in places, but not so much that it became annoying…just noticeable.

Grade: B-

Summary:

The island of Rainshadow is home to the mysterious, privately-owned woods known only as the Preserve. Now, after fifteen years away, both Charlotte Enright and her teen crush, Slade Attridge, have returned. But will their psi talents and Slade’s dust bunny companion be enough to keep them from getting drawn into the darkness at the heart of the Preserve?

No excerpt available.

Other Looking Glass series books:

Other Harmony series books:

Other Arcane Society series books: