Dinca’s review of Indecent & Wicked by Tori Carrington
Contemporary romance reissued by Harlequin Showcase 1 Sep 2010

Tori Carrington has done it again. I always enjoy her (their) stories.  Of these two, I can’t even begin to tell you which one I liked best, Indecent or Wicked. They both had my full attention from page one. Although they were not my usual read.    

Indecent (story 1)

Lucky Clayborn knows how to run, emotionally anyway. She has run from everyone including herself. She has learned to run from herself even in her own apartment. Hence the bottles lining her windowsill. After her second DUI she is sentenced to group therapy with Dr Colin McKenna. One look at him and she knows what kind of therapy she wants from him.  After solving the doctor patient issue, she heads back to his office for a little one on one.

The best thing for Colin McKenna is to get the sexy Lucky Clayborn out of his office as soon as possible. His career may depend on it. He already has a false sexual law suit pending against him. Much more time with Lucky and he could not claim false at all. He had a feeling it would be a very real situation. Could she be a set up  from his accuser?

The traumatic recall of events in Lucky’s past was very well represented and the story did not dwell on the depressing events. It would have ruined the book if it had. The support system that fell into place really worked with all the love and compassion presented. Every one grew stronger and true love of course concurs all.

Grade: A

Wicked (Story 2)

Renae Truesdale lives in the Apartment building with the very hot and sexy Will Sexton. The only drawback is that he thinks she is a lesbian. If looks could rip clothes off, she would be walking around nude every time he looked at her.

On the spur of the moment she enters into a sex-only relationship with him trying to satisfy the craving she feels for him. To get him out of her system.  Renae tries to juggle her work, her suspicions of her roommate’s live-in lover messing with her stuff and trying to force her out of her apartment and the sexual tension that grips her just walking by Will’s door.

Will Sexton has a plan. Court the resident and then pop the question and it has to be soon since she has a ‘wait until married’ for sex policy. It has already been five months and he is starving. Living in the same condo building as the luscious belly dancer up stars who left for work all decked out in her skimpy outfit at the same time he came home from the hospital is a living hell. With the resident out of town maybe this is his chance for a real live fantasy come true.

There is a lot of twist and turns here and I enjoyed the story. The ending was great and I didn’t see it coming and I love it when that happens. Her friend and coworker Lucky from the Indecent story was also continued in this tale so it is a double-hitter.

I liked the concept of the store, Women Only. I wish we had a store like that where I live. I would shop there in a heartbeat.

Grade: A

The two books are well written and a quick afternoon read. I hope you give them a look see. I was not disappointed in either of them.  Tori Carrington has not let me down once.

Overall Grade: A

Summary:

Indecent – From the moment Lucky Clayborn struts into his office, psychologist Colin McKenna wants the fiery redhead badly. But how can he possibly have a proper patient/doctor relationship—something his career depends upon—when all he wants to do is to get lucky…with Lucky? Lucky figures the sexy doc needs his head examined if he thinks she’ll be telling him her deepest thoughts. Because all she’s thinking about is getting naked with him! She hadn’t counted on his sexy bedside manner breaking through her mind’s defenses—or her heart’s.

Wicked – Will Sexton can’t wait to run into his knockout neighbor every day as she leaves for work in her sexy dance costume. But what he’d really like is a chance to see what’s underneath the soft material. Renae’s been craving a wild session in the sack with Will, too, and when they get together—again…and again—she thinks she’s getting exactly what she needs. Insane, illicit, incredible sex, no strings attached. But she soon realizes she doesn’t want to be just the woman Will has forbidden sex with. She wants to be the woman he’ll never, ever forget.

Read an excerpt here.

C2’s review of Whisper Falls (Destiny Series, Book 3) by Toni Blake
Contemporary Romance published by Avon 28 Dec 10

Whisper Falls takes us back to Destiny, Ohio, a small town that sounds a good bit like some towns I’ve visited in Ohio, actually. Small towns always play well in books, I think…they are much better in fiction than in reality, says me. I really enjoyed the first Destiny book and the second book was okay. Whisper Falls reminded me of the first book – a bad boy and a good girl find love.

Our hero is Lucky Romo, long lost brother of the hero of Sugar Creek (Book 2 in the series). Lucky is a tattooed, motorcycle-riding, former gang member, bad boy of the highest caliber – totally different from his brother the upstanding small town cop. Or so it seems. Lucky is also an artist. He paints motorcycles, motorcycle helmets and whatnot; he has set up a business up in the countryside near Destiny so he can be near a young son he just found out about. He hasn’t told anyone he is back. Or why. Has he managed to outrun his bad boy past or will it come back to haunt him?

Our heroine is Tessa Sheridan who has returned to Destiny from the big city after being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Her illness played havoc with her life in the city – feeling lousy and maintaining her job was problematic so she came home to recover and live a quieter life. She isn’t exactly happy about being back home but she recognizes that returning to Destiny was the best thing to do.

As luck would have it, Lucky’s new home/business is right next door to the house Tessa is living in. When she is outside searching for her vacationing best friend’s cat (she’s cat-sitting), she meets her new neighbor and recognizes Lucky. Tessa wonders why no one has mentioned him being back home – one of her best friends is engaged to Mike so she knows she would have heard about his return.

Lucky does not want anyone to know he is back in town – he knows people will find out eventually but he wants to make sure his old life hasn’t followed him back to Destiny. He is afraid bad things could happen to people he cares about. Apparently he was involved with some Very Bad People and he left under not-so-good circumstances so the gang members could be out for revenge. Still, he can’t quite stop himself from being interested in Tessa – he hires her to redecorate a room in his house for his son. And as they spend time together, Lucky and Tessa both see that they might have found something really special.

The bad guys from his past aren’t Lucky’s only concern – he hasn’t been in touch with his family since he was a teenager. He left town and never looked back, as far as his family knows, and relationships were strained before he left. His brother Mike is not happy when he finds out Lucky has been in town for a while and hasn’t told the family – and he isn’t happy that Lucky won’t talk about his past. Their parents are just glad that Lucky has returned and realize there are still issues that need resolving.

They have more in common than meets the eye – they are both trying to deal with the hand life has dealt them, stop focusing on the past and look to the future. Neither Lucky nor Tessa is particularly happy about being back in their home town but know it is the best place for them to be. Tessa still has health issues. She has more good than bad days now but the bad days are still bad and staying positive isn’t always easy. Lucky admires the way she deals with her illness.

I think this may be my favorite of the series so far. It seems more balanced and the plotting is more even than the previous two books. The lead characters are likable and sympathetic and realistic, mostly (what do I know about gang stuff??). There is enough angst to satisfy the angst-lovers (you know who you are) but not so much that the rest of us want to throw up our hands and say “Snap out of it!”. Whisper Falls is an excellent addition to the Destiny series.

Grade: B

For more info on the series click on the Destiny series tag.

Blurb:
Welcome to Destiny, Ohio—where coming home means finding your true heart and maybe even your true love
Tessa Sheridan came crawling back to her quaint hometown of Destiny after her big-city interior design career crumbled. Now not only must she struggle to make ends meet, but she has to contend with a biker next door and the roar of Harleys shattering the serenity of her cabin in the woods by Whisper Falls.
Worse still, her sexy, bad boy neighbor makes her feel breathless and weak—and shy, petite Tessa knows what a major mistake it would be to get involved with someone so . . . dangerous.
They say that former teen rebel Lucky Romo has a dark, secret past—that he’s trouble with a capital “T.” Still, Tessa feels all tingly when she sees how well he fills out a pair of tight jeans. And when Lucky invites her into his world, she knows the intense heat sparking between them could lead her somewhere wild and wonderful . . . and, yes, dangerous!

Read an EXCERPT!

Other books in the series:

C2’s review of The Best of Friends by Susan Mallery
Contemporary romance published by Pocket 28 Sep 10

Remember being young and having a huge crush on an older, completely unattainable guy?  Someone who, if he even acknowledged your existence did it in the most offhand manor imaginable…since you’re practically strangers, really.  Still, you just know he’s the most smartest, most wonderful guy EVER.  Well, what if – years later – you meet that guy again and get a chance to get to know him and maybe even have a fling with him?  OMG!  The Best of Friends takes that premise and runs with it.

Our heroine is Jayne Scott.  Her mother died when she was in high school and Jayne went to live with her best friend Rebecca’s family.  Jayne had a huge crush on Rebecca’s older brother David.  He didn’t live with the family any longer so Jayne only saw David on the occasional visit but that’s all her crush needed to survive.  David only saw her as the quiet friend of his wild-child sister.

Years later, Jayne still lives on the fringes of the Worden family. David is off traveling the world and Rebecca is estranged from the family – though she and Jayne remain in contact – so Jayne helps out if the Wordens need her.  Mrs. Worden is often demanding of Jayne’s time and expects Jayne to drop everything to do whatever task she is assigned, with little or no thanks. While the older Wordens are abroad, Mrs. Worden instructs Jayne to open up the house because David is coming home.  Jayne is glad to help and hopes David might actually see her as a person.  Her hopes for making a good impression on him are doomed, however.  Just as he is walking in the door, she is flailing across the floor of the foyer, trying to hold onto a very heavy vase.  The vase survives the trip intact; Jayne’s wrist does not.  Although not the first impression she wanted to make, Jayne gets a chance to spend some time with David at the hospital and learns he is a genuinely nice guy.

David has come back home to settle down, work more regular hours, start thinking about starting a family.  Since he won’t let his mom help him find a house, Mrs. Worden assigns the task to Jayne.  David is willing to let Jayne accompany him as he checks out houses – on the condition that she not report back to his mom.  As they spend time together and get to know one another, David and Jayne are increasingly tempted to start a relationship – even though they know there is potential for things to go horribly wrong.  Even after they are romantically involved, David and Jayne know they can’t tell his family because they know the reactions would not be good.

My one struggle with the book was the portrayal of the “bad” characters – the people trying to keep Jayne and David apart – I know people are rude and petty and self-centered but sometimes it felt like I that was being hammered home a little too hard.  I mean…yes, I get that Rebecca is self-absorbed and needy;  yes, Mrs. Worden is a cold-blooded bitch only concerned with her social standing…let it go a little?  However, that sort of characterization isn’t uncommon in Ms. Mallery’s books and it doesn’t stop me from enjoying them.

The best part of the book was that Jayne and David are adults – not just by age but by actions.  They are self-aware and able to articulate their feelings.  Even when they are behaving in ways opposite to how they know they should act, they acknowledge their actions.  Jayne and David seem like real people – they think like real people, talk like real people, do things any one of us might do in similar situations.

Even toward the end of the book, when – because of the situations around them – it seems like a relationship between them would be too hard, David and Jayne ring very true.  Sometimes, as much as our romantic hearts don’t want to admit it, true love doesn’t conquer all.  Sometimes life has other things in store for us.  But will love win out for Jayne and David?  Ah, faithful reader, you must find that out for yourself.

Grade: B-

Summary: In high school, studious Jayne Scott and wild child Rebecca Worden became unlikely best friends—a tie that endured even after Rebecca fled her family to live overseas. After Jayne’s mother passed away, she became part unpaid assistant, part surrogate daughter to the wealthy Wordens. But now, ten years later, Rebecca is coming home to L.A. to cause havoc for Elizabeth, the mother who all but rejected her. And Jayne finds herself pulled deeper into the Wordens’ complicated family dynamics—especially when Rebecca’s brother, David, returns as well.David is the man Jayne always wanted and knew she could never have. But when he gravitates toward her in spite of Elizabeth’s protests, her vow to escape the family’s shadow is put to the ultimate test. And as lies are shattered and true feelings exposed, Jayne must decide where loyalty ends, and love begins. . .

Read an excerpt

Lawson’s review of Sex on the Beach by Susan Lyons
Contemporary Erotic Romance Released by Berkley Heat 5 Jan 10

It’s cold outside. There’s snow on the ground. And my TBR pile is all historicals. I think most of them are set during the winter, or at least the colder months. So I jumped at the chance to read this book, set in Belize, on the beach, and having to do with warmer weather (even if it is set during February, Belize is tropical). Sandy beaches, skimpy clothes and even the cocktail (and the act itself) where the title comes from make for a nice, warm read during the winter months.

Though there are three separate stories in this book, I’m going to keep this a review as a whole, rather than make a distinction between the three stories. They all have the same setting, take place during the same time, and relate because it’s people all at the same wedding wanting a fling in the tropics during winter and end up with a little more.

The three stories revolve around the wedding of Danny and Bella at the Toucan Resort in Ambergris Caye. The first story follows the wedding planner, Sarah McCann and Freeman Lafontaine. Free is trying to save his best friend from making the mistake of marriage and keep living the footloose and fancy free live. Sarah doesn’t like this plan, she sees Danny and Bella as having true, life long love. Sarah and Free are attracted to each other, from the first moment they meet and have a fling in secret. Free keeps trying to stop the wedding and Sarah is working hard to see her clients get their happy week and special day. Though Free does step over the line, majorly, he does redeem himself well.

Perhaps the best part of this first story was the fact that it was about Free’s immature view of how adults behave and Sarah working to show him he was wrong, rather the fact that he’s black and she’s white. The story is sexy and about people, rather than about race. Free would have been better if he wasn’t as immature and single-minded for most of the story, but that was the point of his character and he does get his just desserts in the end.

The second story follows Tamiko Sato and Ricardo Nunez. Tamiko is a fashion model, but because of abuse in her past she’s wary of men. Ric is the resort’s owner and doesn’t like to get involved with guests, but he can’t help being attracted to Tamiko. They both have issues to deal with, one of which being Tamiko is at the wedding as the date of Zane Slade (a famous, but in the closet writer of a James Bond-esque hero) and Ric’s family in Belize. It was a sweet story as Ric helped Tamiko come out of her shell and be a sexy woman. Tamiko also was able to relax and not worry about supporting her family for a week, which she obviously needed.

The story was rather short to deal with the major issues both characters had. It was sexy and both Tamiko and Ric are sweet, sensitive and complex characters, and the length wasn’t enough to make their story seem like it could get the justice it deserved. The last story is different than the first two. Though it takes place over the same time, it’s not as rushed as two strangers are meeting and getting busy before getting to know each other.

The last story is about Bella’s parents, Giovanna and James Moncrieff. They had a sexy and torrid courtship in Italy when they were young, and Giovanna ended up pregnant. With James’ job as a professor, he wasn’t as considerate as he could have been (he really sounded like a selfish jerk) and Giovanna couldn’t see the trouble he was having with his job and supporting his young family and yelled at him alot due to her passionate nature (she did sound like a selfish and immature bitch).

Time has passed and this is the first time they’ve really spent time together in twenty years. The flashbacks to how they fell in love were as fun as seeing these two stubborn, yet very much in love people spar and sizzle across the pages. And the flashbacks are set in sunny and summer time Italy, so the warm weather feeling gets doubled.

All three stories do end with some happiness, though they don’t rush to the alter, which is nice to see. Just people that have a fling and see the possibilities for a future. The shortness of each story did take away from the depth each one probably needed, but the sparks that especially James and Giovanna had made the characters and the setting a fun winter time read.

Grade: B-

Summary:

An exotic wedding turns into an erotic escapade for three unlikely couples who find lust—and maybe even love—on the white sands of Belize. Get ready to get wet!

“War of the Sexes”

When wedding planner Sarah McCann learns that the groom’s best friend, Free Lafontaine, intends to save his pal from the mistake of marriage, it’s an all-out war between the sexes. Turns out, the prize could be much more than either of them expected, and this war just may have two winners.

“Sex With the Proper Stranger”

Model Tamiko Sato comes to the wedding as arm-candy for the groom’s deep-in-the-closet uncle. What’s she to do when resort manager Ric Nuñez proves far too tempting? Ric just might be the man who can help her heal the wounds left by past abuse, and open her heart to love.

“Sexy Exes”

Giovanna Moncrieff and her ex, James, mix as well as Italian olive oil and English tonic water. How embarrassing—and exciting!—to find that their passion for each other still burns hot and heavy. Is it possible to find true love the second time around?

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of One September Morning by Rosalind Noonan
Contemporary Women’s Fiction released by Kensington 1 Jan 09

I’ve not read any books of any sort about 9-11 or anything to do with its aftermath since that cloudless, sky-blue September day in 2001. I never wanted to. I never felt the need to. So I’m not sure why this particular book called to me when I found out about it. But I’m glad it did. This is a moving, touching, emotional albeit terrifying story of what can happen on any given day to change our lives. This story’s backdrop just happens to be the military and our country’s war in Iraq.

At first I wasn’t sure I was going to like each chapter shifting from character to character to advance the story, but this method actually works in this instance. You get the full effect of what that character is feeling and doing at that point in time. Another issue I had to get used to was reading in present tense instead of past tense. It didn’t take long, though, and that actually worked for this story also, bringing you more into the moment with these characters and their lives as it’s happening.

Abby Stanton is suddenly living every military wife’s nightmare. Her husband John has been killed in action while stationed in Iraq during the war. She has to deal with an overbearing mother-in-law and career Army father-in-law who wants their son touted as a hero, full military honors, burial at Arlington, the whole nine yards. What they don’t know is that John, though he left a successful and lucrative professional football career to enlist, had been doubting his country’s duty in Iraq. American soldiers have done what they can, now it’s time for them to go home. Abby tries to tend to John’s wishes and also allow his mother some comfort in seeing her son honored.

It’s when her college buddy Flint, a reporter embedded with a unit during the war, digs for more information for Abby that she learns John was killed by friendly fire. And it may have been deliberate. She’s determined to find out exactly what happened to her husband, whether his death was an accident or murder. Of course, the Army isn’t raising a hand to help her, no matter which avenue she takes. She meets the rest of John’s unit when they come home months later to see what info she can get from them, and she meets Charles Jump, the psychologist assigned to help soldiers through bad times when engaged in battle. He’s a little too eager to become more to her than she wants when still dealing with such tragedy, but it is nice having a man around again, if her guilt will let her.

There’s so much more that goes on in this book, of course. John’s brother Noah, a nurse, was in the same unit when John was killed; he has his own issues with his brother’s death and the war itself. Their young, teenage sister Madison is at the age that everything seems to be going wrong. The soldier who was by John’s side when he was hit has a hard time dealing with the fact he couldn’t help the man their unit looked up to. Even their superior officers’ thoughts and feelings are given fair opportunity with a couple of chapters. The author gives us a look at practically every feeling and emotion that could be associated with such loss. The only thing I wanted but didn’t get was more of an ending of what happens to the sociopathic bastard who caused such heartache.

Even though our hero is killed early on in the book, we still get the love story woven throughout the heartache and it’s a lovely story. There are those little funny moments we all have in life, even in the midst of such suffering. The evil encompassed on these pages is something you hope you’ll never see. There have been, of course, questions about the coincidence, I guess you could say, between this story and Pat Tillman’s, who also left a successful football career to enlist and was killed in Iraq. Ms. Noonan’s book, however, had been started well before that young man’s death. And, obviously, Tillman’s story doesn’t have the deliberate act of murder by a fellow soldier.

If you’ve been thinking about reading this book, and even if you haven’t, please do. It’s well worth the time.

Grade: A-

Summary:
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The moment Abby sees two soldiers approach her front door, she knows her husband is dead. John Stanton, who gave up his career as an NFL running back to serve in the army after 9/11, has been killed in Iraq.
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Suddenly Abby’s kitchen is overflowing with casseroles brought by the army wives’ club to which she has never really belonged. And her in-laws arrange a lavish funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, in spite of Abby’s misgivings. John had grown to hate the war even though he loved his country, and Abby can’t reconcile the complex man she knew with the version being portrayed by self-serving politicians, military leaders and the media.
.
Shell-shocked, Abby strives to cope with her own heartache while comforting John’s loved ones, including his mother Sharice, his staunchly anti-war sister Madison, his bitter younger brother Noah, and his father, a Vietnam veteran and career soldier now retired from the U.S. Army.
.
While others focus on preserving John’s fame, Abby becomes more and more convinced that John wasn’t killed by the enemy, but by someone he knew and trusted. ONE SEPTEMBER MORNING is a gripping and thoughtful story of loyalty and betrayal, a tale of one shattered family’s journey toward healing, and an examination of the courage it takes to confront the truth not just about our enemies but also about those we love.
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Read an excerpt.

Limecello’s review of Only Tyler (Circle of Friends, Book 1) by Jess Dee
Erotic romance eBook released by Samhain on 20 Jan 09

This is the first book to Jess Dee’s new two part series “Circle of Friends”. Only Tyler is the second book I’ve read by Jess Dee, and I enjoyed it immensely. I knew that I wanted to read more of her books after I read Photo Opportunity, and jumped at the chance when I saw her name – and also the premise of this book.

I’ve always been passionately fond of a good love triangle (likely carry over from adoring Cyrano De Bergerac), so that combined with a new Jess Dee book was irresistible. I absolutely adored the opening to this book. There’s a real warmth to all the characters – and yet the story has a lighthearted and humorous vibe. It all works very well – and fits the setting of Down Under.

The heroine Kate is a well written character. She’s smart, kind, and generally has her head on straight. Unfortunately, there were [about] two chapters where I wanted to smack her. I’d just finished another book with a similar problem, so my tolerance level was low. Luckily, the beginning and end soothed my irritated soul.

What bothered me about Kate was that she could be a bit melodramatic — as well as wishy-washy. I wish her character would have been just a tiny bit stronger, and that she had been more honest with herself. The fact that Kate continued to perpetuate the farce of her relationship with Steve after she and Tyler essentially got back together was a bit much for me. But still, and aside, Kate is quite likable. It was nice that Kate could be independent, and had her own life outside her emotional ruin with Tyler. It’s also not too difficult to forgive her emotional confusion between the two men she loves. (In entirely different ways.)

Tyler was a great character. Well written, well meaning, and a great match for Kate. He was human, and reasonable. Willing to give his all to win back the woman he loves, yet not abrasive about it. I respected the Tyler who made a decision and decided to go for it. (His reasons for leaving while potentially understandable, were a bit weak.) Tyler also has personality and depth. He’s smart, driven, pragmatic, and… yes – extremely sexy. (Come on, that is a major positive!) He’s sweet, and caring, and I loved his emotional depth. Ms. Dee did a wonderful job of portraying Tyler’s dilemma between wanting to build a life with the woman of his dreams, and not destroying the precious relationship he has with his best friend. And you know what? Tyler’s just fun – and it’s always good to read a story with a hero like that.

One thing I didn’t like in the book was all the intrigue and secrets-  pertaining to Tyler and Pen. I can understand it, but when detached from the story itself — or reflecting back on it after having read the story, it seems like its main purpose is to draw the reader to getting the second book — which I think is unnecessary. I want to read Circle of Friends: Steve’s Story regardless of that – and possibly despite the lures. And as I said before, the drawn out misunderstanding between the characters. It was slightly reminiscent of those comedic sequences on a sitcom in the not so wonderful sense. Then there were the issues that could have been resolved with five words, but instead were ignored and then turned into major productions.

Okay, and normally I don’t say anything about them — and be objective here — especially not about eBook covers, but I really liked the cover for this book! Kudos to Scott Carpenter! And also, another thing I generally don’t mention — the dedication. In these times, I think it will resonate with a lot of readers/people.

Anyway, this was an extremely cute, feel good read – with well developed characters, as well as an extremely well written story line. I found Only Tyler hard to put down and am eager for the next book. (Yes, I went and read the excerpt for Steve’s Story!) A good love triangle is one of my favorite story lines, and I think they’re all too rare these days. (Notice I wrote good.) I found the relationships between all three believable, and I definitely recommend this book to any fan of Ms. Dee’s writing, as well as anyone else looking for a great contemporary romance.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Love…or friendship? Does she really have to choose?

Katelyn Rosewood is facing a moral dilemma, one that’s six-foot-two, sexy as sin—and her fiancé’s best friend. Katie spent a lot of time getting over Tyler Bonnard, but now that he’s back in Sydney, he’s turning her carefully reconstructed world upside down.

Her relationship with Steve Sommers may be short on heat and desire, but after Tyler left her two years before, she’ll take security and solid friendship over wild passion any day. Except Tyler seems to have a good—if outrageous—explanation for why he’s returned.

After a tragic family secret tore him out of Katie’s life, Tyler is glad to be back with his two best friends. But one thing is out of place: Katie’s in the wrong man’s arms. And if her reaction to his return is any indication, she’s not quite over him. Which could mean hope for Tyler, heartbreak for Steve…

And another devastating loss for Katie, who must choose between the man to whom she’s committed her future, and the man who still holds her heart.

Warning: Keep a tissue or two handy while reading this book. While it does contain a few steamy love scenes, the rest of the story might just make you cry. 

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Liviania’s review of Plum Spooky (Between-the-Numbers Stephanie Plum) by Janet Evanovich
Contemporary mystery released by St. Martin’s 6 Jan 09

The Between-the-Numbers Stephanie Plum books have always been fun but less satisfying that those in the actual series.  For one thing, none of the previous three cleared 200 pages.  There’s only so much you can put into such a short novel, making each of them seem rather spare.  Plum Spooky, on the other hand, is over 300 pages and much more similar to one of the main novels.  That is, aside from Diesel.

The BtN books include a supernatural element not present in the rest of the canon.  In them, super bounty hunter Diesel teams up with Stephanie to get their skips.  Stephanie is on the trail of Martin Munch, short, geeky, and nonthreatening.  Diesel is after his partner Wulf, who kills people by twisting their head around.  Meanwhile, Stephanie has other skips to catch and a monkey to take care of.  I do like that unexpected characters, like Carl the Monkey, reoccur in this series.

On the romance side, Plum Spooky ranks pretty weak.  Morelli is out of the way taking care of a wayward brother.  Ranger shows up in a professional capacity only.  Stephanie is attracted to Diesel, but the two have never done anything together and probably never will since it wouldn’t gel well with the main series. Side-couple Lulu and Tank are experiencing relationship troubles as their wedding approaches.  They might end up having as much trouble making it to the altar as Stephanie.

Bounty hunter antics are in full swing.  Bad things happen to Stephanie’s cars, as is usual.  Vegetables get thrown.  Lulu and Tank fail to be inconspicuous.  Carl proves to be more intelligent than your average monkey.  Wulf really is creepy.  While less dangerous, Martin is often equally creepy since he’s pretty eager to get it on with unwilling women.  Janet Evanovich does wrap the case up but leaves things open for the next BtN novel.  There was a large gap between Visions of Sugar Plums and Plum Lovin’ but it now seems like there will be one between every one of the numbered novels.

If that’s the case, I’m glad for the increased page count.  It allowed Evanovich to expand upon the main case and devote attention to each skip.  Plum Spooky felt more like it belonged with the series than the previous three BtN novels.  (Really, if you upped the romance and deleted the mentions of Unmentionables it would be a main novel.)

Most of the reason I love the Plum series is the odd people Stephanie manages to become involved with and the over-the-top situations.  Plum Spooky delivers very well on both of those counts.  Those more interested in the Morelli-Stephanie-Ranger love triangle would probably be better of skipping it.  Plum Spooky is a lightweight novel, but it made me laugh and it’s fun to visit the characters in a new adventure without having to wait a full year for the main novel.

Grade: B-

Summary:
Turn on all the lights and check under your bed. Things are about to get spooky in Trenton, New Jersey. According to legend, the Jersey Devil prowls the Pine Barrens and soars above the treetops in the dark of night. As eerie as this might seem, there are things in the Barrens that are even more frightening and dangerous. And there are monkeys. Lots of monkeys. Wulf Grimoire is a world wanderer and an opportunist who can kill without remorse and disappear like smoke.

He’s chosen Martin Munch, boy genius, as his new business partner, and he’s chosen the Barrens as his new playground. Munch received his doctorate degree in quantum physics when he was twenty-two. He’s now twenty-four, and while his brain is large, his body hasn’t made it out of the boys’ department at Macy’s. Anyone who says good things come in small packages hasn’t met Munch. Wulf Grimoire is looking for world domination. Martin Munch would be happy if he could just get a woman naked and tied to a tree. Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum has Munch on her most-wanted list for failure to appear in court.

Plum is the all-American girl stuck in an uncomfortable job, succeeding on luck and tenacity. Usually she gets her man. This time she gets a monkey. She also gets a big guy named Diesel. Diesel pops in and out of Plum’s life like birthday cake – delicious to look at and taste, not especially healthy as a steady diet, gone by the end of the week if not sooner. He’s an über bounty hunter with special skills when it comes to tracking men and pleasing women. He’s after Grimoire, and now he’s also after Munch. And if truth were told, he wouldn’t mind setting Stephanie Plum in his crosshairs. Diesel and Plum hunt down Munch and Grimoire, following them into the Barrens, surviving cranberry bogs, the Jersey Devil, a hair-raising experience, sand in their underwear, and, of course . . . monkeys.
Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of Glitter Baby by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Fiction re-released by Avon on 30 Dec 08

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of my favorite authors. Favorite. Glitter Baby is one of the few novels that Ms. Phillips wrote that I hadn’t yet read due to availability, so I’m so glad this one was reprinted. Glitter Baby was first published in 1987 [Ed.: Check out the totally tubular shoulder-pad action on the original cover by mousing over this one], and this re-print has some revisions. I haven’t read a novel by Ms. Phillips in a while, so it was nice to come back to a novel that had the tone and style of her earlier works. I really enjoyed Glitter Baby – the characters are likable and well written, and the Hollywood aspect is a great tie to her new release What I Did For Love. (Which I need to get my hands on!)

“The Glitter Baby” is the persona created for the public facet of Fleur Savagar’s life. She is also the first character we meet in the novel, and the opening is quite effective. I really liked the introduction, but immediately after the story moved to tell of Fleur’s mother — Belinda Britton. I really didn’t like Belinda, and for more than the obvious reasons. She’s a horrible person, a parasite, and quite likely a sociopath. At least, that’s what I thought of Belinda. But perhaps being a sociopath would make it better, because Belinda was so one dimensional. Perhaps I don’t sympathize with her enough, but I never felt that Belinda truly loved Fleur. She only “loved” her daughter because Fleur was a tie to Errol Flynn — Fleur’s father.

This is getting confusing. I felt that the reader is actually given much more of Belinda’s history than Fleur’s in comparison. (In a way I felt that Fleur was slightly short changed.) Belinda is obsessed with Hollywood. She wants to be a star, but while beautiful, has no personality. Belinda also views actors as being superhuman. They can do what they want, and are better and more important than “regular people.” It’s almost creepy the way Belinda is willing to be degraded to cater to the whims of “Hollywood royalty.” Belinda is living with Errol Flynn, but ends up marrying Alexi Savagar when Belinda discovers she is pregnant after Flynn drops her.  I got the impression that Alexi loved Belinda, at first, but that Alexi is a psychopath. I had hoped he would be more emotive, but alas, no. Fleur grows up away from home, because while Flynn and Savagar were friends, they were also rivals, and Alexi isn’t willing to raise someone else’s bastard.

The reader truly meets Fleur when she is sixteen, and Fleur is quite the sympathetic character. She’s desperate for love and acceptance, and has been manipulated by everyone who should have her best interest at heart. In a way, I was much more interested with Fleur’s past than with her as a person at that point. Fleur comes into herself throughout the novel, and experiences tragedy and growth in some of the most emotionally damaging ways. While Fleur’s character tugs on your heart strings, I admit that at times I got fed up. Aside from getting herself into some predictable situations, Fleur often was too naive — she needed a reality check.

Jake Koranda is a terrific hero, and in my opinion possibly one of the most approachable ones Ms. Phillips has written. He’s flawed, but in a good way. Although an award winning author and A-list author, Jake seems the most “normal.” I also liked that he never went out of his way to hurt Fleur -and he knew he wanted to pursue her early on. Jake is complex. He’s temperamental, bitter, and has a major chip on his shoulder. Yet he’s a good guy – and really cares for people. He’s smart, and had a difficult life. Jake is scarred by his childhood, his experience with marriage, and his stint in Vietnam. He’s lived a lifetime before he even hit 30. Jake is also gruff, abrupt, and sometimes a jerk. In short, he’s human. But one of the better guys.

The people and personalities truly are what make the book – the secondary stories and characters are a joy to read. Fleur’s half-brother Michel, and Fleur’s roommate/friend Kissy Sue Christie are unique in the best way possible. It has been a long time since I enjoyed a “supporting cast” as much. I also have to say – at the time where Fleur takes her life back into her hands, she becomes a great heroine. It’s really sweet how she’s her own woman, but still that shy awkward girl with Jake. And I love how he insists on intruding in her life and being there for her.

The resolution — as in what brought Fleur and Jake together — was terrific, and I’d love read or see a cameo appearance by any of these characters. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ writing (and who doesn’t?) as well as readers of contemporary romance, or simply anyone looking for a great new read.

Grade: A-

Summary:

Welcome to the world of the Glitter Baby

Fleur Savagar is the most beautiful woman in the world . . . to everyone but herself. With her oversized hands and paddle-boat feet, her streaky blond hair and funny green eyes, she lives a life filled with secrets that began before she was born. That was when her bewitching mother left home to find James Dean and met Errol Flynn instead. Now Fleur has to grow up quickly, and life won’t make that easy.

Jake Koranda is both New York’s most brilliant playwright and Hollywood’s hottest actor. Difficult, talented, and tormented, he has no patience for international glamour girls, not even ones with beautiful bodies and smart-aleck mouths. But there’s more to the Glitter Baby than shine, and Fleur’s tougher than Jake expects. Even with the odds stacked against her, she’s fiercely determined to discover the woman she’s destined to be.

An ugly duckling who can’t believe she’s turned into a swan . . . A tough-guy movie star with a haunted past . . . In a land of broken dreams, can two unlikely lovers trust their hearts?

Read an excerpt here.

Sandy M’s review of Mayhem In High Heels (High Heels Mysteries, Book 5) by Gemma Halliday
Chick Lit published by Making It 30 Dec 08

What a difference a year makes.  I read and reviewed the fourth book in this series, Alibi in High Heels, in February 2008.  I gave that book a B grade and said Maddie, the heroine, was a breath of fresh air.  A year later Maddie irritated me more than anything else in reading this current book.

Maybe it’s the storyline that’s the difference.  In reading my past review, things about that book came back to me.  Maddie was the suspect in the crime read about, so she couldn’t rely on the French police to clear her, she had to do that herself.  So she was pretty motivated not to give in and kept digging to find the real culprit.  After she’s cleared of any wrongdoing, her boyfriend, Jack Ramirez, proposes and that’s where Mayhem picks up, Maddie getting ready for their wedding in just a few days’ time.

But that Maddie is now letting people walk all over her, deciding for her everything about her wedding.  It’s her wedding planner who ends up being the victim this time around so that Maddie can then investigate her last murder mystery instead of planning her wedding. When she does have those rare moments of actually doing something for the big day, like tasting the wedding cake, and her fiance doesn’t show much interest, she suddenly begins to have doubts about spending the rest of her life with him. I’d say a good portion of grooms to be show very little interest in planning their wedding, so buck up, Maddie.  You should be showing Jack why he should stick around for you.  Instead, she just heads back into her investigating with her friends, even when Jack asks her stay out of it.

And in her investigation we once again have Felix, aka Tabloid Boy, on the scene.  As far as I’m concerned, Maddie doesn’t deserve Jack for the way she’s always questioning her feelings for Felix.  In the previous book when Ramirez flew all the way to France because Maddie was in trouble, he walked in on those two in a liplock.  He obviously forgave her.  But you’d think she’d stay away from Felix now that she’s home and engaged.

I think it’s just me and Chick Lit.  We don’t get along all that well.  I want more of a hero involved in my story, and when he’s a great, stand-up guy like Ramirez, I want them treated accordingly.   I do, though, like Ms. Halliday’s writing and her humor.  I did laugh out loud a couple of times, though other times I felt she did a number of things a certain way just for the laughs.  Other than that, I just felt let down by this story.

The end of this book didn’t quite work for me either.  It’s the last one in the series, or so the back cover of this ARC I have tells me, and I expected something with a bit more closure.  Granted, Maddie finally gets her wedding her way, so maybe her readers should have gotten to go along on the honeymoon to enjoy the love Maddie finally decides she wants more than adventure.

Grade: C-

Read reviews of this and other books in the series by following its tag.

Summary:

Maddie Springer is finally walking down the aisle with the man of her dreams. And she’s got the perfect wedding planner to pull it all off in style. Well, perfect, that is, until the woman winds up dead—murdered in buttercream icing. Suddenly Maddie’s hope of a dream wedding melts faster than an ice sculpture at an outdoor buffet. And when her groom-to-be is assigned the detective in charge of the case, there goes any chance of a honeymoon. Unless, of course, Maddie can find the murderer before her big day. With the help of her fellow fashionista friends, Maddie vows to unveil the cold-blooded killer. Is it the powerful ex-husband, the hot young boy toy, a secret lover from the past, or a billionaire bridezilla on the warpath? As the wedding day grows closer, tempers flare, old flames return, and Maddie’s race to the altar turns into a race against time.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) by Stephenie Meyer
Young Adult Contemporary Paranormal Fiction Hardcover released by Little, Brown 5 Oct 05, PPB 6 Sep 06, MMPPB 1 Nov 2008

I finally got my first look at the Twilight Saga sensation that (almost) everyone’s gone crazy over.  With the movie only days away from release, I had to get this at least this first book read before checking out the film.  I always like a book better than the movie, too much is left out for the screen version, and that would definitely be so in this case. So much happens in this book they’d have to leave a lot of it out, so I want my own interpretation before seeing the spin put on it by the producers and director.

I have to say that the characters in this book are quite interesting, and I like the different take Ms. Meyer gives us on the vampire.  Of course, the best part of the story are Edward and Bella.  The beginning of their relationship when they first meet and Bella is unaware of his background is well done.  I so liked the scene in their science class when it seems to Bella that Edward can’t stand being near her for some unknown reason.  There’s not many things that can throw Bella, but that seems to put a dent in her self-confidence, even if it isn’t for long.  There are very few scenes like this in the beginning, though, and I found myself wanting to skip ahead, things are just so slow moving.

Once past that I found the Cullen family fascinating.  I liked the dynamic of the family, how they came together and how they’ve chosen to live separate from their kind.  Even though most of the family is glad Edward has found someone to love, Rosalie is made that much more interesting because of her attitude toward Bella.  Alice and her visions, which change as life changes, is another intriguing part of the story.

Things begin to pick up once family introductions are made.  Another favorite part for me is the baseball game the family played.  I had to chuckle for the reason they played during a thunderstorm.  And this is where the book really takes off and keeps moving until the end.  I like that the family sticks together in protecting Bella, especially when it’s another vampire who is causing the problems.  This part of the story is really terrific.

I’m always up for a good vampire story, and while Twilight is one of those, I’m not sure I see where all the hype came from.  At first I thought it’s the fact that it’s a young adult and since I’m a good number of years past reading those and it’s been some time since I have read YA, and since a good book is a good book, and since there are certain parts I really like and others that didn’t do much for me, this one has to go in the good column for me, not a keeper at all.

There are other vampire books I like much better and other books in general I’d rather see adapted for a movie.  At least it will be interesting to see what scenes were pulled to be used in the movie, which weren’t, and how well the actors portray the characters.  My biggest concern is how Edward will be portrayed.  He’s given such a wonderful description in the book, I’m not sure there’s an actor on the planet who can do him justice.

Grade: B

Summary:

Deeply sensuous and extraordinarily suspenseful, TWILIGHT captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.Isabella Swan+s move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella+s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife-between desire and danger.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Connie’s Quick Quack review of A Single Thread by Marie Bostwick
Contemporary women’s fiction released by Kensington 30 Oct 08

When Evelyn Dixon’s marriage ends abruptly she is at a loss until she takes a trip to a totally new town and finds the perfect (to her) spot to open her dream quilt shop. 

All the locals think she won’t have enough business to last six months but Evelyn is determined to try. Like all best laid plans many things go wrong and the business is indeed threatened. And it happens at a time that Evelyn’s health is not good.  New friends decide to help her keep the shop going.

Liza is troubled after the death of her mother and she is thrust on her aunt and both have a hard time with that. Aunt Abigail is wealthy but her feelings are kept under strict control. Liza blames Abigail for not trying to help her mother and is determined to make the situation as unpleasant as possible.

This is a small town with some really nice people. I don’t quilt but the story is compelling enough that it doesn’t matter.  All women need to be aware of the fight against breast cancer and how to help beat it. Everyone should find a character they like and enjoy the story.

Grade: B

Summary:

Marie’s fourth book, A SINGLE THREAD, will be her first contemporary novel. The November trade paperback tells the story of a displaced Texas homemaker who moves to Connecticut and pursues her dream of opening a quilt shop. But, on the day the shop opens, the owner discovers she has breast cancer. She survives, with the loving help of her friends.

Read an excerpt.

Gwen’s review of Spectre (Zoë Martinique, Book 2) by Phaedra Weldon
Contemporary urban fantasy released by Ace Trade 3 Jun 08

Attention authors! If you’re going to do first person, you may as well go all out and make it a conversation between the reader and your main character. Get personal, colloquial, and current.  I normally read first person POV with a very “hairy eyeball” (tm, Zoë Martinique) but Spectre won me over.  I felt like the character was sitting in the room telling me her story.  (Side note: Can anyone tell me why urban fantasies all seem to be first person POV?  Saintcrow, Harrison, Liu, etc., etc.  What’s up with that?) 

Weldon’s style reminds me of The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.  Naturally, the two books are dramatically different in temperament, but because of the pacing and style, I felt very connected to both the girl in Bones and to Weldon’s indomitable heroine, Zoë.  Of course, I would have liked to get more head hopping with Spectre to learn more about the backstory and WTF is going on with the twisty, convoluted plot – but I didn’t mind the lack of perspective so much.  I just enjoyed the ride Zoë gave me.  She’s a funny, natural, “normal” (as much as a Wraith could be), and irreverent character.  A kick-ass heroine who wears bunny slippers.

There is a love interest in the shape of a police detective named Daniel — a love interest that never really seems right for our heroine.  Then there’s another leading man in her life that she loves to hate and that she has some serious chemistry with, named Joe.  There’s a potential for an interesting love triangle  in the next book (Joe is also a cop and, interestingly, Daniel’s ex-partner as well as a witch).

The overall story arc is a bit muddled near the end.  Perhaps that’s because I didn’t read Book 1 of the series (yes, yet another series I caught on Book 2), but I was following everything fine up until the “big reveal” of who and what was behind the killings in Spectre.  The sheer number of organizations and characters involved in the craziness that tied off all the various sub-arcs was a bit bewildering.  I finally had to just go with it — it was either that or re-read large portions of the book and I didn’t feel like it.

If you’re up for a romping fun time with some urban fantasy kick-assedness, and a unique first-person approach, I highly recommend this book.  If you liked Book 1, I have a feeling you’re going to adore this Book 2.  I’m looking forward to Book 3, Phantasm, (perhaps released in June 2009?) and hope we hear more about it soon.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Zoë Martinique hasn’t been your ordinary still-single-but-looking twentysomething girl ever since she learned she has the extraordinary ability to travel outside of her body at will. As if that wasn’t weird enough, she gained additional powers that not only freak her out but have done damage to her budding relationship with Atlanta Homicide detective Daniel Frasier.

Zoë and Daniel are thrown back together when she’s drawn into the investigation of a series of bizzare murders (the sort where body parts are missing). She hopes to help Daniel stop the killer-one she’s sure is from the darkest levels of the astral plane-without letting him find out about her special abilities.

Then danger strikes close to home when Zoë’s mom disappears-and Zoë must use all the powers at her command to save her, even though she knows doing so miight permanently ruin her love life and turn her into something no longer entirely human…

No excerpt to be found.  (hint hint author – need to post an excerpt on your site)

Other books in the series:

Sandy M’s review of Decadent by Shayla Black
Contemporary Erotic Romance released by Berkley Trade 2 Oct 07

I hadn’t planned on reading this book right now.  I got caught in a situation where I didn’t have my current read handy, knew I’d go stir crazy without something to read while waiting and picked Decadent up as I went out the door.  I am so happy I did.

You like a good sexy, erotic story, you’re going to like this one.  Kimber has finally made the decision she’s going to give herself to Jesse McCall, a popular rock star she met a few years ago and has gotten to know better through emails and phone calls.  He’s the one for her.  Only thing is she knows is lifestyle includes some wicked sex and she’s still a virgin.  So after reading up on multiple-partner sex, she seeks out the one man she knows can teach her all about it.

She met Deke Trenton when he was under her father’s command and although she got it loud and clear he really didn’t care all that much for her, she was attracted to him even when she was seventeen.  She’s swallowing her pride and going to him now to learn all he can teach her before she goes to Jesse.  She’s not prepared for his fierce refusal, however.  He does everything in his power to run her off and scare her, but she knows what she wants and won’t let the big jerk put any obstacles in her way.

Despite her reasons for going to Deke in the first place, wanting to spend her life with a guy after one summer together and then through email, I really liked Kimber.  She’s intelligent, quick on her feet, loyal, and her own woman.  And she knows when something’s not for her, as she finds out Jesse’s life on the road is something she just can’t put up with.  And she realizes it’s the big jerk who’s stolen her heart and as much as she knows Deke wants her, in bed and out, he won’t trust her enough to tell her his secrets, but she’s willing to give him a chance.

Deke’s secrets are huge.  He’s got guilt eating at him constantly, enough to keep him away from love and marriage, never having sex alone with a woman, and wrapping his heart up nice and tight so his past mistakes won’t ever come back to repeat themselves.  For the past twelve years he’s never had sex with a woman without his cousin Luc being present.  But when Kimber shows up on his doorstep asking for his help in the ways of menage, of all things, he finds he’d love to have her to himself but knows it will never happen.

Even five years ago when she was so young, the girl had a way of making him want what he’d never allow himself to have.  The best thing he’d ever done was leave her behind, for her sake as well as his.  But when things don’t go well with the pansy-ass rock star, he wants to share Luc’s dream of having a woman with them to share and start a family, but it’s all wishful thinking.  His guilt won’t allow such dreams, though, even as his heart begins to love this woman who means everything to him.  Caught between desire and his common sense as he sees it, Deke tries to push Kimber into Luc’s arms once and for all before she ends up being his worst nightmare come true — again.

Even though Deke is ex-military and alpha to the core, Ms. Black allows him his fears, vulnerabilities, and his emotions while leaving his masculinity totally intact.  The scene where he finally breaks down at Kimber’s bedside is one of the best of the book, right up there with all of those hot and sizzling love scenes.  And there’s a lot of those.  Deke and Luc take every opportunity presented to them to love Kimber every which way.

I loved the dichotomy of these two men, one hard as steel, not all hearts and flowers, the other warm and gentle and knowing how to use words of love and romance to heighten a woman’s pleasure.  As much as I like those alphas, a man like Luc also worms his way into my heart.  We get to know him quite well in this story so that when his book, Delicious, is released next year, we’re going to be totally ready for him.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Two men are better than one…

How can a virgin seeking happily-ever-after with a hot pop star who has a penchant for threesomes win her fantasy man? Kimber Edgington desperately needs a plan to convince Jesse McCall, who’s been her friend and secret crush since they spent a summer together as teenagers, that they are meant for each other. But all the tabloid stories about his sexual escapades make her feel oh-so inadequate.

Determined to prove she’s woman enough for Jesse, Kimber turns to bodyguard Deke Trenton for sexual education. Bold and brash, Deke warns Kimber that playing with him is playing with fire. But he can’t bear to imagine the innocent beauty in someone else’s arms. So Deke and his super-sexy friend, Luc, take Kimber under their wings and dangerously close to the edge of ecstasy. Though she’s saved herself for Jesse, Kimber soon learns, he’s not the man adept at stoking her aching, endless need. That’s Deke, and he can’t resist when Kimber begs for more–and more…

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox
Contemporary Paranormal Romance released by Love Spell 29 Jul 08

This is a cute book. It has its moments.  Yeah, there’s a but.  I tried to let that “but” go, not pay any attention to it whenever possible.  Sigh.  Not even that helped.

Lizzie Brown is turning 30 and her world gets turned upside down.  She’s about to meet the maternal grandmother she’s never known, something she’s always wanted.  However, Grandma Gertie isn’t quite what Lizzie expected.  She wears leather and rides a hog.  And she’s a witch.  To top it off, Gertie tells Lizzie she’s a demon slayer and that’s when all hell breaks loose. Demons are invading her home and she’s tossing around magic like she’s done it all her life.

Running for their lives, Lizzie and grandma, along with Lizzie’s dog Pirate, who she can now communicate with, end up with Gertie’s witch friends where Lizzie finds more trouble than she can handle.  And this is where the “buts” come in for me.  But this is a different “but”! — let’s talk about the hero first.

Dimitri is the typical hero, tall, dark, broad shouldered, honorable, and the most handsome man Lizzie’s ever seen.  He’s also a griffin.  And her protector.  Grandma and her cronies, however, advise Lizzie not to trust him.  Thank god she doesn’t listen to the old biddies.  Though he is keeping a little something from her during their time together, he’s a sensitive man and his heart is in the right place.  And I didn’t like any of the old biddies.  This is definitely where the “but” comes into play.

Lizzie is a preschool teacher, a good person.  She’s honest and wants honesty in a relationship.  From the moment she meets her grandmother and her friends, they do nothing but stonewall her, lie to her, and treat her pretty shitty.  When reading those scenes, and there’s a lot of them, all I got was negativity vibes the whole time.  Oh, there’s times when one of the cronies will smile or do something to help Lizzie out very grudgingly, but those were few and far between.

I can deal with grudging respect and a surly attitude from a character or two, but nearly every character in this book acts this way.  And I got tired of it.  Even Lizzie’s mother makes and appearance an she’s no better than the rest of them when it comes to Lizzie.  I don’t care how much they say they love her. Show her!  And then act like it!  The only one who ever did was Dimitri, and then when his secret comes out, Lizzie walks away from him faster than anything. But she sticks with her grandmother and those crazy friends.  Sorry, it should have been the other way around.

And it’s all too bad because the writing is good, the humor is great, the idea is terrific, and the hero and heroine go well together and I liked them.   I also liked one or two secondary characters.  There’s a couple of werewolves who were stand-up folks and it’s too bad we didn’t get more of them.  Even Pirate, Lizzie’s dog, is a hell of a lot better than Lizzie’s family or her new so-called friends.  He’s always glad to see her if she’s been gone for a while and he lets her know it.

So my “but” is there’s too much negativity.  Even with a dire situation there can be some levity, there can be more honest characters than one or two, affection can be expressed in better ways.  Grandma and the biddies can learn a lot from Pirate.  At least he’s genuine.

Grade: C

Summary:

Straight-laced preschool teacher, Lizzie Brown, never lies, never cusses, and doesn’t really care much for surprises. When her long lost Grandma Gertie shows up on her doorstep on a neon pink Harley Davidson wearing a “Kiss My Asphalt” t-shirt and hauling a carpet bag full of Smuckers jars filled with road kill magic, Lizzie doesn’t think her life could get any stranger. That is, until her hyper-active terrier starts talking and an ancient demon decides to kill her from his perch on the back of her toilet.

Lizzie learns she’s a demon slayer, fated to square off with the devil’s top minion in, oh about two weeks. Sadly, she’s untrained, unfit and under attack. Grandma’s gang of seventy-something biker witches promises to whip Lizzie into shape in no time, as long as she joins them out on the road. But Lizzie wants nothing to do with all this craziness. She simply wants her normal life back. When she accidentally botches the spell meant to protect her, she only has one choice – trust the utterly delicious but secretive man who claims to be her protector.

Dimitri Kallinikos has had enough. Cursed by a demon centuries ago, his formerly prominent clan has dwindled down to himself and his younger twin sisters, both of whom are now in the coma that precedes certain death. To break the curse, he must kill the demon behind it. Dimitri needs a slayer. At long last, he’s found Lizzie. But how do you talk a girl you’ve never met into going straight to Hell? Lie (and hope she forgives you). Dimitri decides to pass himself off as Lizzie’s fated protector in order to gain her trust and guide her towards this crucial mission. But will his choice to deceive her cost them their lives, or simply their hearts?

Read an excerpt.

Devon’s review of Pleasure To the Max! by Cami Dalton
Contemporary Erotic Romance released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Aug 08

Isn’t it a fabulous surprise when you pick up a book that gives every sign that it is going to be totally ridiculous, but the writer just writes the hell out of it? You are able to suspend all disbelief, and just hop on for a wild ride. Pleasure to the Max! had me a bit leery going in, but despite not quite fulfilling its initial promise, this was a fun read, and one I’m glad I tried.

I picked this book because of a post Karen Scott did several months ago on “One Hit Wonders” of romance. [She did, I know it, I just can't find it.] Cami Dalton was mentioned several times as an author that readers hoped to see more from. She had published a book for the now-defunct Harlequin Temptation line several years ago. So when her new release popped up, my interest was piqued. Then I took a good look at the book. Dorky title. With an exclamation point. Pleasure to the Max!? Really? Has anyone used “to the Max” since 1985? Gypsy magic and sex spells? Cor-ny! An adventurer hero and a curvy, insecure heroine recently dumped by her emotionally abusive fiancée? Cliché Alert! But the first couple of chapters quickly overcame my misgivings.

Treasure hunter Max is seeking a Gypsy magic box stolen by a adventurer, the heroine’s Great-Aunt. While breaking into her shop, he stumbles into Cassie. The two are immediately gobsmacked and consumed by lust. Little does Max know that Cassie has already activated the box’s magic. They waste no time in getting to the sex. I usually hate it when the couple hops straight into bed, but it was so wittily done (and hot), that I was totally on board. Dalton quickly establishes scorching chemistry and a funny rapport between the two, and it was non-stop action (sexual and otherwise).

Although the story entertained and kept my interest, it didn’t quite live up to the beginning. I was a bit disappointed that Max never quite developed beyond lusting after Cassie, being protective of her, and being confused by both emotions. Cassie’s dizzy, quippy humor began to grate on my nerves a bit. I hate it when heroines do the whole “Hey Buster! You’re stuck with me even though I’m useless in a dangerous situation” bit. Know what I mean? When they get bratty instead of sassy?

Still, fans of romantic comedy will enjoy this one. The author created a hot romance and some laugh out loud moments, and it was a fresh take on a hokey premise. I just wish the banter had been a bit more…restrained, so it didn’t sink to that obnoxious level. Cami Dalton has a strong and entertaining voice, and I’m curious to see what she puts out in the future.

Grade: B-

The Summary:

Cassie Parker’s globe-trotting great-aunt has sent her a Gypsy “lover’s box.” All she has to do is write down her most erotic fantasy, tuck it inside the box and presto! Her own personal sex genie will appear. Right! So Cassie is totally shocked when a gorgeous stranger does show up. And she’s even more shocked by the things she wants to do with him….

Treasure hunter Max Stone isn’t amused. His latest treasure has been swiped and he’s followed it to a dusty little antiquities shop in the States. Surely one woman can’t stand in the way of his retrieving the priceless lover’s box? Little did he guess that he’d have his hands full (literally!) with sexy Cassie. Or that he’d have to hold off on locating the box until after he located his clothes…

Read an excerpt here

Devon’s review of Slow Hands by Leslie Kelly
Contemporary Erotic Romance released by 1 Jun 08

Slow Hands first caught my eye because it shares a title with my favorite song of the past five years or so. The blurb grabbed my attention as well, although it featured one of the hoariest setups in TV movies and romance: the bachelor auction for charity. I live a decidedly suburban mom existence, but I have never heard of one of these happening in real life. I was a bit nervous, because the whole plot seemed to hinge on a Big Misunderstanding (pretty much guaranteed groanworthy). But the ice princess/regular Joe pairing piqued my interest. Would Slow Hands deliver, despite my misgivings? 

Slow Hands was exactly what a Blaze should be: a fun, sexy read that one can polish off in an evening and be happy afterwards. I really enjoyed the characterization in this one. Maddy was indeed an ice princess, hiding a passionate side. It was understandable given her experiences and crazy family members. But she never seemed humorless, quite the opposite. Ms. Kelly pulls off the witty banter well, without it ever seeming forced or overdone. Jake Wallace was a good foil for Maddy—an open-hearted, decent guy who really wants her. I enjoyed Jake’s pursuit of Maddy, and their chemistry was hot.

Some readers may be annoyed by the plot, which hinges on a case of mistaken identity. There were a couple of times where I rolled my eyes, because it was hard to believe that Maddy wouldn’t have said something to Jake. But then, Kelly did something I wasn’t quite expecting. Jake becomes aware of Maddy’s misconceptions but chooses not to enlighten her. Again, some readers might not like his actions during this part of the book, but I didn’t mind, because I thought Maddy kind of deserved it with her behavior. And Jake just really wanted to convince her to love him.

Slow Hands was a fun read. My one previous read by Leslie Kelly was a DNF, but this book revealed a deft hand with the humor. There can be a fine line between amusing and corny and clichéd. In this book, the heroine and hero always remained likeable and sympathetic, despite their not always likeable behavior. The plot could have been super annoying, but held my interest and amused me. I am definitely going to seek out the sequel, Heated Rush, which takes place concurrently.

Grade: B-

The Summary:
This is Maddy Turner’s lucky day. The civilized society girl just bid on sexy rogue Jake Wallace at a charity bachelor auction—and won! But Maddy knows Jake’s dirty little secret. And it should keep her from trying out her new boy toy. Too bad she can’t stop herself from indulging in raw, quite uncivilized sex all the same….

Jake Wallace is utterly bewitched by Maddy—and utterly bewildered. How can this tantalizing woman melt so rapturously under his ministrations one moment, then turn into a haughty queen the next? He’s determined to get to the bottom of Maddy’s agenda. One slow, delicious inch at a time…
Read a excerpt here

Firefighters and reunited lovers…Sounds good to me! Jill Shalvis’ Flashback was released this month. Read on for an excerpt and a chance to win (yes, WIN) a copy. And don’t forget to visit Jill’s blog. It’s very funny.

Firefighter Aidan Donnelly has always battled the flames with trademark icy calm. That is, until a blazing old flame returns—in the shape of sizzling soap star Mackenzie Stafford! Aidan wants to pour water over the unquenchable heat between them. But that just creates more steam….

Kenzie is not the delicate, fragile female she looks like. She has one clear objective, and nothing will stand in the way of her goal—well, nothing but the red-hot touch of a certain dangerously sexy fireman, that is!

**EXCERPT**
Kenzie hit the icy water, and as she took in a huge mouthful of water, she realized she’d forgotten to hold her breath, a thought that was completely eradicated when the Blake’s Girl exploded into the early dawn.

In the brilliant kaleidoscope of sound and sights, she barely registered the splash next to her, or the two strong arms that came around her, supporting her above the water as pieces of flying, burning, spitting debris hit all around them.

Aidan. My God, Aidan . . . That it was him boggled her mind. She needed to remind him she could swim on her own but the shock of the cold water sapped both her voice and the air in her lungs, and also hampered the working mechanics of her brain.

She’d never experienced anything like it. Never in her life had she been so hot and so frozen at the same time. The heat came from the flames, so high above them now that she was in the water, but no less terrifying. And yet from the neck down, an icy cold had taken over her limbs, making movement all but impossible, weighing her down, sitting on her chest, squeezing, sucking the last of the precious air from her overtaxed lungs.

Someone was screaming, and she envied the ability to draw air into her lungs because Kenzie’s own felt constricted as if she had a boa slowly squeezing the life out of her.

The scream came again.

Huh.

It sounded sort of like herself, and then she realized as if from a great distance that it was herself screaming, which meant that somehow she was breathing. Okay, that was good, very good. So was the man holding her in the water, tucking her head against him, shielding her from the pieces falling out of the sky at his own risk.

“Shh,” he was murmuring. “I’ve got you. It’s okay, Kenzie, it’s going to be okay . . .”

He did have her. Which was a good thing. Without him, she’d have gone down like a heavy stone and knew it. She was hurt, but not that hurt to stop the memories bombarding her at the sound of his voice. How could she not have instantly recognized him?

He was the first man who’d ever broken her heart.

Now, contest time! Leave a comment, any comment to win your own copy of Flashback. About cute firemen, Jill Shalvis, Blaze titles, or the high price of gas. Whatever, I’m feelin’ easy. I’ll pick a winner on Tuesday, August 26.

Gwen’s review of Bloodfever (Fever Series, Book 2) by Karen Marie Moning
Contemporary paranormal fiction mass market paperback released by Dell 26 Aug 08
(Delacorte released hardcover 16 Oct 07)

Moning has started a different kind of series with the Fever books. They’re part urban fantasy, a (very) little bit young adult (so far), some paranormal romance, and lots of adventure. They’re the saga of a young woman’s journey thru some rather horrific events. A journey she takes with a gorgeous man who is a complete mystery to her, who saves her life time and again, and whom she cannot trust as far as she can throw. At least, that’s what she thinks at the beginning of this second book…

I love Moning’s writing. Her Dark Highlander series are some of my favorite paranormal romances, with Beyond the Highland Mist my absolute favorite of all. We’re very fortunate that the Fever books are told in the same world as the Highlander novels. We even get to meet, briefly, one of the MacKeltar‘s in Bloodfever (I just got a shiver – eek!) and there’s foreshadowing of more to come from him. I canNOT wait to see how that turns out.

In the Fever series, Moning departs from her typical writing style and gives us a first person telling from the heroine’s POV. Normally, I intensely dislike first person writing. It’s just so difficult for an author to do well. However, KMM makes it work with this series. The first person writing gives the action a sense of freshness and tension you probably wouldn’t feel if it weren’t told this way. Part of that is how incredibly funny and approachable I find the heroine, Mac. She approaches her predicaments with humor, courage, and a modern girl’s sensibilities.

The male lead – I hesitate to call him “hero” – is Jericho Barrons. We learn quite a bit more about this mysterious man in this book, but we still don’t know his motivations or history. There IS one very hot scene where he and Mac almost manage to get in each others’ pants. VERY steamy and classic Moning, but still no cigar, so to speak. I love Barrons as a hero. He’s an anti-hero hero. My favorite kind.

The story of what Mac is here to do with Jericho takes some forward steps in Bloodfever, but the story’s master plan still evolves slowly. We’re still left learning what is going on in this adventure. I could wish the plot moved a bit faster – same desire I had with the first book. According to Moning’s site, there are to be five Fever books. I hope the plot is like a snowball, gaining momentum as we reach the apex and start to go “downhill” in book three, Faefever. Regardless, it’s still very entertaining and there are a couple of interesting plot twists in Blood.

I can recommend this eminently readable book to anyone following this series, fans of Moning, and fans of contemporary paranormal fiction. I think it could stand alone – it has been quite some time since I read the first and I’ve forgotten (apparently) quite a bit of it, but I was still able to follow along.

Brava, KMM. I’m looking forward to book 3, Faefever, coming in September.  Bloodfever releases in mass market paperback 26 Aug 08.

Grade: A-

Summary:

Mackayla Lane’s ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland’s shores and was plunged into a dark, deadly realm unlike any she ever imagined. In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh—a million-year old book of the blackest magic imaginable that holds the key to power over both the worlds of Fae and Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V’lane, the insatiable Fae, who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman; and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious.

For centuries, the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Book 4, Dreamfever, tbd

Book 5, Shadowfever, tbd

Connie’s Quick Quack review of Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
Contemporary fantasy romance hardcover released by Little, Brown 28 Apr 08

Jane Margaux grew up as a lonely single daughter of a Broadway producer.  She really only saw her mother on Sundays when they went to Tiffany’s together. She was never the “beautiful daughter” everyone expected her mother to have and was a little on the chubby side. Jane had an invisible friend named Michael who kept her company and got her through the lonely years until her ninth birthday and then he had to leave her to go to help some other lonely child. 

Years later Jane is as lonely as ever, even though she had success with the play she did about her relationship with Michael. Then Jane meets a man – it’s Michael! They start to spend time together but both are afraid he will have to leave again since he has never before met the adult version of a child he’s helped.

They spend time together and deepen their bond. Michael is afraid he was sent to help Jane through her death, so he breaks both of their hearts and leaves her, thinking to forestall her death.

This was a quick,easy read but you were happy for the characters and did not want Jane to leave him. There is a surprise twist to the end but you will enjoy getting there.

Grade: A

Read other reviews by clicking on the Sundays at Tiffany’s tag.

Summary:

As a little girl, Jane has no one. Her mother, the powerful head of a Broadway theater company, has no time for her. She does have one friend-a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael-but only she can see him.

Years later, Jane is in her thirties and just as alone as ever. Then she meets Michael again-as handsome, smart and perfect as she remembers him to be. But not even Michael knows the reason they’ve really been reunited.

SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY’S is a love story with an irresistible twist, a novel about the child inside all of us-and the boundary-crossing power of love.

Read an excerpt.

That noise you just heard… was me squeeing *g*.  Dude I almost hate me right now.  But I don’t

Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy coming November 2008!  COVER DEBUT!

This is her FIRST CONTEMPORARY since You Don’t Know Jack, which was released in Oct 2006.  YES! 2006… two. years. ago. Good thing for us her Paranormals have been so flat-out fab but when I heard she was finally going back to contemps… oh yes… I sqqquuueeee and THIS cover is flat-out sexy *g*.

Keep reading for the blurb…

She met him at the racetrack…

..which was the last place Tamara Briggs wanted to find a man. Even a deeply intriguing, seductively sexy man like Elec Monroe. Tamara’s a single mother now after losing her daredevil husband in an accident—and she’s not about to get involved with another driver and put her kids, or herself, through that again. Besides, Elec’s young enough to be her…younger brother.

Now things are moving a little too fast…

But he sure does get her heart racing. And after she’s tricked into a blind date with him, Tamara gives in to her passion. Things screech to a halt, though, when he asks to meet her children. Whatever happened to wham-bam-thank you ma’am? Suddenly Tamara has to decide how much risk she’s willing to take to experience the thrilling, terrifying power of true love…

And now for an even “bigger” image – intriguing bulges, no? 

Gwen’s reviews of three completely different books by Eloisa James, Noelle Mack, and Kresley Cole
Historical Romance, Contemporary Erotica, and Contemporary Paranormal Romance

I read books all the time, squeezing a couple of pages in every chance I get – eating lunch, in line at the bank, while I’m on hold – but I don’t always review every book. Below you’ll find three books that I read but, for whatever reason, I didn’t want to do a full-blown review. So read on for three short reviews of three completely different books:

~ Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James
~ Nights In Black Leather by Noelle Mack
~ Dark Desires After Dusk by Kresley Cole

Desperate Duchesses (Desperate Duchesses, Book 1) by Eloisa James (very nifty author site)
Historical romance released by Avon 29 May 07

I read this because Lime’s recent review of the third book in this series, Duchess by Night, made it sound so intriguing. And I liked this book. It took me a few chapters to get into it – I wasn’t sure who the hero or heroine were at first. Reading the first half of Desperate Duchesses is a bit like watching one of Robert Altman’s large ensemble cast movies – lots of intertwining story lines, all supporting some secrets, some heartache, some light romance, and myriad different details. By the time you get to the second half, it’s apparent who is pursuing whom, but you aren’t dumped into the relationship at the beginning, and that is actually kind of refreshing.

I enjoyed this book as a departure from the average historical. I really liked the dialog in it – intelligent and quick. I sort of liked the hero and heroine, but liked the ensemble cast more. Recommended for fans of non-traditional historical romances.

Grade: B

Summary:

A marquess’s sheltered only daughter, Lady Roberta St. Giles falls in love with a man she glimpses across a crowded ballroom: a duke, a chess player of consummate skill, a notorious rake who shows no interest in marriage — until he lays eyes on Roberta.

Yet the Earl of Gryffyn knows too well that the price required to gain a coronet is often too high. Damon Reeve, the earl, is determined to protect the exquisite Roberta from chasing after the wrong destiny.

Can Damon entice her into a high-stakes game of his own, even if his heart is likely to be lost in the venture?.

Read an excerpt and an even longer excerpt.

Nights In Black Leather by Noelle Mack (no author site found)
Contemporary erotic romance released by Aphrodisia 1 Jun 08

I had a really time with this book. I kept reading, but just didn’t like or believe in its premise. I skipped around it looking for something compelling to draw me into the romance, or even just the sex, and never did find it. I really didn’t like the hero – he was not appealing to me.

Grade: DNF

Summary:

She Said “Yes.”

London is a playground for international financier Adam Bowlin-it’s where he earned his fortune and his take-charge reputation. The man is big, bold, and wickedly handsome, and women can’t get enough of what he has to give. Adam is a master of pleasure, dominant by nature, with sexual skills beyond compare. And when Lara Stone, the firm’s beautiful and brilliant new associate, walks into his office, he sees a look in her not-so-innocent eyes that he understands completely. Behind closed doors, Adam and Lara come together to explore her darkest and most secret fantasies… one by one. Giving her what she longs for-what she needs-becomes his only desire. For the first time in his life, Adam is madly, truly, deeply in love…

Read an excerpt.

Dark Desires After Dusk (Immortals After Dark, Book 5) by Kresley Cole
Contemporary paranormal romance released by Pocket 20 May 08

What can I say that hasn’t already been said? This was an excellent book. I loved the hero, loved the heroine. Loved the very interesting elements of the heroine’s OCD and the hero’s complete acceptance of them. Just a terrific book. Read it.

(Is it bad that I keep typing this as “Dark Desires After Duck”?)

Grade: A

Summary:

A seductive beauty he can never have, yet can’t resist… Cadeon Woede will stop at nothing to atone for the one wrong that will haunt him forever. But once he secures the key to his redemption, the halfling Holly Ashwin, Cade finds that the woman he thought he could use for his own ends and then forget haunts him as much as his past.

A tormented warrior she should fear, but can’t deny… Raised as a human, Holly never knew that some frightening legends are real until she encounters a brutal demon who inexplicably guards her like a treasure. Thrust into a sensual new world of myth and power, with him as her protector, she begins to crave the demon’s wicked touch.

Surrender to dark desires… Yet just when he earns Holly’s trust, will Cade be forced to betray the only woman who can sate his wildest needs — and claim his heart?

Read an excerpt.

Gwen’s review of Dangerous Pleasures by Bertrice Small
Contemporary erotic fiction released by NAL (New American Library) 5 Aug 08

I’m a gigantic Bertrice Small fangirl. I have daydreamed about being Skye O’Malley more times than I care to admit. I boohooed when Niall died and shivered every time she was taken advantage of by her slimy step-brother. The O’Malley Saga books were the first romances I had read with really hot sex in them. As big a fan as I am, I had never read any of her contemporary erotic fiction until this one. I didn’t want to ruin that lovin’ feelin’, if you know what I mean. Small’s writing occupies a very special place in my reader’s heart and I was afraid if I read her other genre work, it would mess up the rest for me. I was right, to an extent.

Dangerous Pleasures is the fourth of Small’s loosely related contemporary erotic fiction novels. There are some characters and other elements that are common between all four. I can’t call this entry “erotic romance” – there’s very little romance in it. It’s definitely “erotic fiction” with some odd paranormal elements. But there’s no real romance in the book. Sex, sure, but no romance. And the sex is strangely arm’s length – no real emotion is invested in it by any of the actors. But that may be because of what you’ll read below.

By the way, this book will be difficult to continue reviewing without mild spoilers. So keep reading at your peril.

Dangerous Pleasures was an odd book to me. I read the first 2/3′s thinking, “Okay, nice for a short story, but not enough for a novel.” I was actually getting a little bored. Then, BLAM! Something incredibly DARK happens. Like CREEPY as SHIT dark. Having not read any of Small’s previous contemps, it totally took me by surprise.

Very shortly before and all the way after that event, the book progressed down a COMPLETELY different path than I dreamed it would go. The heroine’s personality changes, and not for the better. There is NO hero, at all. The secondary characters suddenly get downright diabolical. It totally took me by surprise.

I think if Small had hinted at something sinister earlier in the book, I might have given it a B. However, because there’s no fore-shadowing, I dropped the grade a bit. It just seemed too disjointed and it took too long for these twists to develop for me to believe in them.

I can’t really recommend this book to anyone other than fans of Small’s writing or to people reading this group of books. If you’re looking for straight contemporary erotic fiction, there are better ones out there. And this is from a fangirl (gasp – I KNOW).

Grade: C

Summary:

Widowed with five children, stay at home mom Annie Miller has been just getting by—and growing restless because of it. Thinking Annie just needs a vacation, her sister enters her into a contest sponsored by The Channel, a network that caters to delivering women’s fantasies. Annie wins the grand prize, a week at a luxurious spa—and gets a treat when she turns on the flat-screen TV. The one working channel lets Annie program—and experience—her own personal fantasy each night. Suddenly she’s living out dreams she didn’t even know she had. But now that she’s experienced a complete sexual awakening, how will everyone in her former life handle this humble homemaker turned vivacious vixen?

No excerpt available when this review was written.

Other books in the “series”:

Gwen’s review of Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Book 1) by Patricia Briggs
Urban fantasy/Contemporary paranormal romance released by Ace 29 Jul 08

Patricia Briggs has been on my very short list of favorite writers ever since I read the first book in the Mercy Thompson series, Moon Called, in February 2006. I wait, very impatiently, for each new Mercy release. It looks like I’ll be waiting, equally impatient, for future releases in the “Anna and Charles” series. Yes, it was that good.

With the Mercy Thompson books, Briggs created a world where the paranormal is beginning to take hold in everyday life. “Normal” people are slowly being introduced to the not so normal – fae, vampires, etc. And, soon, werewolves will be part of the known universe. Unless those opposed to the revelation get their way. Cry Wolf is set in Mercy’s world and focuses on the leader of all the American werewolves – the Marrok – and his pack, of which Charles and Anna, our hero and heroine, are part.

(First – sincere apologies for the grammar in this paragraph, but I just can’t force myself to adhere to The Rules tonight.) One of the things I like the most about Briggs’s writing is how rich in detail it is. Her world has a smell and taste, and I can feel the characters’ environment on every page. The writing isn’t bogged down one bit by this attention to detail – in fact, it is all dovetailed with extraordinary emotional development. Briggs has an elegance to her pacing and phrasing that delivers a punch in every sentence. And, thankfully, Briggs has not written Cry Wolf in first person – unlike Mercy’s books.

The lead characters in Cry Wolf, Anna and Charles, share large portions of the stage with Charles’s father and other members of his pack. Even so, we get to know Anna and Charles very well, and they’re more than one dimensional characters in this book. The beginning of their relationship is in the short story “Alpha and Omega”, however, so be aware that if you pick this book up without reading it, you may feel a bit at sea with some details. I recommend reading it before read Cry Wolf, though I think someone familiar with Mercy’s world could skip it.

Where the Mercy books are strictly urban fantasy with really no HEA’s, this book definitely has one. The emotional development is very satisfying and the action is gripping. I can’t say enough good about this book without gushing very unbecomingly.

I highly recommend this book to any fans of paranormal romance. I highly recommend the Mercy books to anyone who loves urban fantasy, as well. I also highly recommend Briggs’s writing to anyone who simply likes an elegant turn of phrase.

Grade: A

Summary:

Anna never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack… and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. Then Charles Cornick, the enforcer – and son – of the leader of the North American werewolves, came into her life.

Charles insists that not only is Anna his mate, but she is also a rare and valued Omega wolf. And it is Anna’s inner strength and calming presence that will prove invaluable as she and Charles go on the hunt in search of a rogue werewolf – a creature bound in magic so dark that it could threaten all of the pack…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

• The prequel to the Alpha and Omega series is the short story “Alpha and Omega” in the anthology On the Prowl. Read my review here.

What’s next for Briggs:

• Briggs’s short story, “Star of David,” is in the Christmas anthology Wolfsbane & Mistletoe and is in Mercy’s world. Excerpt here. Releases in Dec 08.
• Book 4 in the Mercy Thompson series, Bone Crossed, releases 3 Feb 09. There’s an excerpt in the back of Cry Wolf. Squeee!

Sandy M’s review of Immortals: The Gathering (Immortals, Book 4) by Jennifer Ashley
Contemporary paranormal romance released by Love Spell 28 Aug 07

I kept my hopes up that this book would bring the series together and be a satisfying pseudo ending for the first four books. I’m happy to say that my hopes were very highly rewarded. The action, romance, and emotion was perfect and we’re left in just the right place for the next edition of the series, beginning with Tain’s story, The Redeeming, due out next month.

Hunter is the pleasure-grabbing Immortal of the four brothers. At first you figure that’s just who he is, he loves the ladies and goes for it every chance he gets. But then you learn the real reason why he basically loves’em and leaves’em and, like Leda when she finds out, you just want to hold on to him and make it all better, especially when you further learn that his tragedy happened nine hundred years ago and he still hurts like it happened yesterday.

We know way before he does, of course, that he’s now found the one person who can fill that void in his heart and soul, that one person who can love his hurt away, that one person who can make him whole again. He just has to jump through a lot more hoops before that happens, and those hoops are action packed and right down scary at times.

Even with the heartache Leda has had in her life, she comes to the realization that Hunter is the one for her early on and knows that there’s not much to entice him to stay with her if he won’t open his heart to her. The handsome devil who communicates with animals could drive a saint to drink, but she knows life will be boring and not worth a plug nickel once he decides to leave when he knows he’s getting to close to her to risk being hurt again. When they’re drawn into the hunt for Tain and the demon who wants to control of the world, things begin to move at a frantic pace and no one is sure any of them will survive to worry about such things as love.

I really liked the scenes later in the book when the brothers are finally brought together after so many centuries apart. Even being immortal doesn’t stop the squabbling and the competition between them. When they do come together to save Tain from his self-destructiveness, the emotion among them is deep and heartfelt.

Hunter’s interaction with Mukasa the lion throughout the book is a lot of fun. I kept thinking it would be even more fun if he’d had other interactions with a few more animals, but it’s not that much to quibble over. I know Tain had to leave to find himself after so many eons of captivity, but I wanted to scream at the brothers to make him stay with them after they’d just found him again, but he’s on his own path once again and we’ll find out soon enough what’s in store for him.

This book is a nice ending to this part of the series. We now head for a whole new look for the books themselves and a lot more excitement starting next month.

Grade: A+

Summary:

Created at the dawn of time to protect humanity, the ancient warriors have been nearly forgotten, though magic lives on–in vampires, werewolves, the Celtic Sidhe, and other beings. But now one of their own has turned rogue, and the world is again in desperate need of the Immortals.

He was known as “the crazy one.” And Leda Stowe could see why after finding the stunning half-naked warrior in her lion’s pen–unarmed and completely unafraid. Though he could somehow soothe the temperamental beast, nothing could calm the desire that sparked through her body at his touch. She wished they could hide away together on her island forever, but the world thrummed with danger. Before Leda could claim Hunter for herself, they would have to join the other Immortals to face the greatest trial yet: The Gathering.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Devon’s review of Under the Italian’s Command by Susan Stephens
Contemporary Romance released by Harlequin Presents 1 Jul 08

One definitely has certain expectations when reading a Harlequin Presents. Larger than life, super wealthy, super gorgeous, super domineering hero, overwhelming a less wealthy, less powerful, less gorgeous heroine with his desires. At their best, they can be fabulously escapist Cinderella fantasy, at worst obnoxious drivel. The blurb for Under the Italian’s Command seems par for the course for this line, but it left quite a bit out. This book was surprising, sometimes in delightful ways, sometimes in jaw-dropping ones. A mixed bag indeed. Under the Italian’s Command takes place against the backdrop of the British legal system, which I am pretty unfamiliar with. From what I can glean, senior law students are assigned a practicing lawyer to act as advisor and pain in the ass. Awkward, Rubenesque Carly Tate has been given Lorenzo Domenico, an Italian American barrister, who is hot, well built, confident, domineering and all those other HP qualities. He seems to delight in testing her with crazy challenges. They spark off of each other, but it is an unlikely pair.

There were some very entertaining moments, but the words that keep coming to mind are disjointed and choppy. The characters and plot kept switching gears so suddenly. Lorenzo starts out cut from the HP mold. He’s arrogant and high-handed with Carly, determined to test her mettle. He finds her unattractive. Then, out of the blue, he thinks she gorgeous, and turns into sensitive therapist man, trying to figure out what will fill the empty place inside Carly. Not that we’ve been given much reason to think Carly had major issues before he brings it up. Carly appears to have escaped from a chick-lit novel. Super-smart, but frowzy and klutzy, Carly definitely lacks confidence in herself. Her internal monologues were often laugh out loud funny, though. She was a charming character.

Too bad the storyline went careening all over the place, throwing her into one ridiculous situation after another. She crashes her bike into an Alfa Romeo, then Lorenzo wants her to throw a Christmas party, then there’s a roast she has to go to, then Lorenzo moves in, then she has to make canapés for Lorenzo and his friend, then an incident in a bar with speed-dating, then oh yeah, the party! Plus, a scholarship competition. Plus family woes. You get the idea. So much piled on, then they fall in love somewhere along the way. But it all seems to take place in the course of a few days. Even the love scenes confused me. One moment they’re in one position, the next a completely different one.

It seemed slapdash and frenetic. Several significant scenes take place offstage, which was disappointing. They did have chemistry, but I wish the characterization had been more consistent. Every time I started to get into the romance, something would happen to jar me out of it, going “What? Who? Why?” It was readable, due to the sense of humor, and the charm that was displayed by the hero and heroine. I’d try Susan Stephens again for that reason. But I have misgivings about recommending this to others beside her fans.

Question: In Great Britain, are people of Italian heritage referred to as “Latin,” “Latin lover”, having a “Latin soul” or some other variation on the theme? I’m Italian-American and I’ve never heard that before. When I’ve heard such a phrase used it’s in reference to someone with Latino heritage i.e. Spain, Central or South America. Either way, I find it corny, but I was curious if it was a cultural difference.

Grade: C

The Summary:

An innocent mouse… Sheltered and mousy Carly Tate is out of her depth. Dark, dangerous Lorenzo Domenico is the first man to make her heart race, but she knows the gorgeous Italian will never see past her frumpy clothes and awkward shyness.

She’s his for the taking! Little does she realize that, to Lorenzo, sweet, endearing Carly is a breath of fresh air. He’s sure that underneath her disastrous fashion there’s a voluptuous figure—and he’s going to be the one to discover it….

Read an excerpt here

Devon’s review of The Illegitimate Prince’s Baby by Michelle Celmer
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 1 Jun 08

I must admit, it was The Illegitimate Prince that first caught my eye. I love a royal bastard. Seriously. The whole being part of something, but not really, and being looked down upon for something that had nothing to do with you…much potential for angst and drama. I had read a SSE by Michelle Celmer a year or so ago, and enjoyed it. But she seems to primarily write Desires, so I decided to give this one a go, despite the fact that I don’t have much luck with that particular line. The Illegitimate Prince’s Baby was an entertaining, if predictable, read.

Misleading blurb alert! Harlequin knows its readers like pregnancy stories. But this book did not revolve around an accidental pregnancy. The illegitimate prince, Ethan, and the palace employee, Lizzy are already involved in a relationship when the pregnancy happens. They are in a sham engagement, actually, to protect Lizzy’s job. It works in this story too, rather than seeming totally contrived. Others readers might be disappointed, but I preferred the actual storyline to the standard “Oops, the condom broke” story.

The characters were what kept this story entertaining and fresh. The heroine, Lizzy, was pretty standard: hard-working, unlucky in love, protective of her independence. But she had backbone and personality. When she meets Ethan, she really doesn’t want to like him, despite the attraction. She is affected by their encounter at a party, but rather than taking it too seriously, Lizzy takes it as a sign that her love life might turn around. While Ethan pursues her ardently, she is determined to resist, wanting to protect the life she has built for herself. So often, we are told how strong and independent a heroine is, when she really seems to be a mealy mouthed wimp. Lizzy was able to stand up to Ethan’s personality and determination.

Ethan was quite charming. He was determined to keep Lizzy in the relationship without being overbearing or manipulative. He always agreed to her terms. The couple of times he acted like a douchebag, he realized it almost immediately. I was a bit irritated that he suffered from my number one Harlequin hero complaint-he protests too much. “I’m not in love, oh no.” Ethan only does no strings attatched. So what if he spends four nights a week at Lizzy’s house, ordering take out because she doesn’t want their relationship public? So what if he tells his brother (the King) that he and Lizzy are engaged, in order to protect her job? It ain’t no thing, he just wants to get laid. Please. Get a clue.

Overall, this was a fun read, with a good couple with great chemistry. Just the thing to fill a summer evening. There is another book in the series, The King’s Convenient Bride, which was released concurrently with this one. I didn’t realize, so now I’ll be reading out of order. Sigh. But I’ll be reading it tonight. Michelle Celmer shows a deft hand with bringing characters to life and making standard storylines believable and fresh.

Grade: B-

The Summary:
Prince Ethan would never have slept with a palace employee…normally. Then plain-Jane Elizabeth Pryce appeared at the royal ball, unrecognizably gorgeous— and too desirable to ignore. When he finally discovered her true identity, he also learned she was carrying his child. A royal courtship would defuse the scandal. But would a marriage inflame the passion that still burned between them?

Read an excerpt here

Holly’s review of It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Contemporary romance reissued by Avon 24 Jun 08

This is one of those novels that’s really hard to grade. I absolutely loved it while I was reading it, but once I finished I realized there were a lot of flaws with it. The hero is an ass, the heroine plays dumb and uses her looks to get ahead in the world and the secondary characters are all football players. Oh, wait, that’s actually a point in it’s favor. Mmm, football players. But I digress. The point is, though it’s flawed, it’s still a well written book that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go.

Phoebe is definitely an interesting character. Though we see right from the beginning that she has more depth than she pretends to, it’s still painful at times to watch her stumble along, playing the blonde bimbo. One of the best parts of this novel is when Dan realizes she’s just playing a game, and isn’t really as shallow as she seems. Actually, Phoebe is the best part of this novel, period. It’s wonderful seeing her become strong, standing up for herself, realizing she’s worth more than men give her credit for.

If Phoebe is the best part of the novel, Dan is definitely the worst. He’s the quintessential man, courting a virginal pre-school teacher who he thinks will make good wife material while screwing the blonde bimbo. Plus, he’s convinced woman are either made for making babies and being wives, or having sex with. He doesn’t think women can own/run football teams or anything else. And yet, I didn’t hate him while I was reading. He actually made me all melty inside. It’s not until after I finish the book (each and every time I re-read it) that my inner feminist pokes her head up and says, “WTF? Oh hell no.”

So, let’s recap: I love this book. Love the sissy little dog, the secondary characters, the heroine, the hero, the setting, the plot. Until I finish reading it. Then my inner feminist screams at me and I realize, DUH, this book encompasses everything she hates. But, I love it.

Where does that leave us? With a solid read that obviously engages the emotions, pushes all my buttons and still leaves a good impression.

Grade: B++

The Summary:

The Windy City isn’t quite ready for Phoebe Somerville—the outrageous, curvaceous New York knockout who has just inherited the Chicago Stars football team. And Phoebe is definitely not prepared for the Stars’ head coach Dan Calebow, a sexist jock taskmaster with a one-track mind. Calebow is everything Phoebe abhors. And the sexy new boss is everything Dan despises—a meddling bimbo who doesn’t know a pigskin from a pitcher’s mound.

Read an excerpt here

Book one in the Chicago Stars Series

Gwen’s review of Below the Surface by Karen Harper
Contemporary romantic suspense released by Mira 1 Feb 08

This romantic suspense book appears to be either loved or hated by readers. I didn’t like it. Read on to find out what underwhelmed me.

The book centers around two sisters (twins) who own a dive/salvage shop. The crux of the story is how little one twin knows about the other, and her path to discovery. Along the way she begins to repair her relationship with an older sister, finds the love of her life, and discovers a lot about herself. All of this is interesting, even if some of it left me going, “Huh?”

What I didn’t like about this book:

• The physical relationship between the hero and heroine never progresses beyond a few chaste kisses and a grope here and there. I like to read how the protagonists interact physically because, hello, it’s HOT, and also because if it’s written well it gives me a window into the characters’ minds you just don’t get from “stopping at the bedroom door.”
• The emotional relationship between the hero and heroine certainly develops, but the romance is definitely in the backseat to the suspense elements in the book. I want some of both when I read romantic suspense. The h/h never even go on a date in the book.
• There was too much rather dull technical details about diving and the surrounding community. Perhaps some of the book’s “real estate” used up on the technical bits could have been spent on the romance?
• I didn’t believe in the heroine’s response to her older sister’s bad behavior. I wanted to slap the stupid wench (both of them) and didn’t understand why the heroine didn’t stand up for herself more. I also thought the older sister needed to be committed to a psychiatric facility for a while and the fact that she wasn’t bothered me.
• I got tired of the heroine’s TSTL moments. Several times I wanted to throw the book at the wall when she did something completely boneheaded – like diving the day she got out of the hospital from exposure. Not smart decisions on the author’s part – why couldn’t other characters have discovered the strobe light and anchor?
• The plot was unnecessarily convoluted and some of the plot points were crazy easy to figure out long before the characters were allowed to discover them.

So, the upshot is this wasn’t a horrible book, but there was just too much that irritated me or bored me. But, I’m sure there are people out there who loved it. I just can’t recommend it.

Grade: D+

Summary:

She surfaced from the depths of the sea… and was terrifyingly, inexplicably alone. Briana Devon knows her twin sister would never deliberately leave her—but when she emerges from underwater, Daria and their boat have vanished. Fighting rough waves and a fast-approaching storm, Bree doesn’t have time to question: if she wants to survive, she has to swim.

Exhausted and terrified, Bree barely makes it to a tiny barrier island, where Cole De Roca, who has also taken shelter, revives her. Bound to Cole by the harrowing experience, she turns to him as she struggles to understand what happened to her sister. What was her twin, whom she thought she knew so well, hiding? What really transpired that terrible afternoon? And what secrets lie dormant…below the surface?

Read an excerpt (scroll down).

Sandy M’s review of The Beast in Him (Pride, Book 2) by Shelly Laurenston
Contemporary Paranormal Romance published by Brava 1 Apr 08

Hey! You! Yeah, you! Why didn’t you tell me how good these Laurenston books are? I’ve been missing out at least as far as her Pride books go and now I’m ready to start glomming every book on her backlist. I had that much darned fun reading The Beast in Him.

First, I loved the sense of humor throughout this entire story. A down-home, good ole southern wolf shape-shifter. Never in a million years would I think that could possibly work. Of course, I’d be dead wrong. And Bobby Ray Smith came across just perfect, southern drawl, moseyin’ attitude, keepin’ in mind the respect his mama taught him and all. That, along with a body that just won’t quit, makes him sexier than hell. He has a way about him that draws you to him. You just want to dive right in and feast on him, gnawin’ on his bones and then soppin’ him up with a biscuit.

Next I had such fun with the way Ms. Laurenston gives these characters animal characteristics and uses them to the hilt throughout their everyday lives. They are proud to be who and what they are, never trying to hide or deny their true selves and not trying to be more human than animal. They revel in their beasts. The dialogue also reflects the same thing. Scrawny pooch, calling tigers stripped bastards, lions are king of the jungle, picking someone up by the scruff of their neck and other little tidbits made me laugh out loud constantly. That just kept the idea in the forefront as you read along that these folks are shifters as well as human and that has a whole different side to it, a whole different way of life and living.

Then there’s the heroine of the book, Jessica Ann Ward, an African Wild Dog shifter. She’s been in love with Bobby Ray since she was 16 years old and he left her behind when he joined the military. Now she’s trying to throw some vengeance his way, but nothing seems to work against the beast and she finds herself falling deeper and deeper every time she comes in contact with him. What she wants and what she gets from Bobby Ray are two different things, but she finally decides to push him to his limits to let go and take her like the animal he is, leaving the human courting out of the mix. But the journey to get to that point is fun, sexy, fraught with fear at what her pack and his parents will think and danger from unexpected sources.

The playfulness amoung the pack mates and between Bobby Ray and Jessica Ann, the fierceness with which they protect their own, and the lovin’ we get when Jessie finally gives in to Bobby Ray are just a few of the pieces of this enjoyably satisfying read. And I guess I felt at home with all the backwoods goings-on. I was basically raised by my grandparents growing up, and while they weren’t true southerners, there was enough of the South in them that I grew up with chicken ‘n dumplins, fried okra, cornbread and buttermilk, chocolate gravy and homemade biscuits and we reckoned dreckly, moseyed on down, and took a sup that I felt like part of the pack. How I miss all of that since they’ve been gone.

I have a new author on my auto-buy list and even though I’ve now read them out of order, I’m really looking forward to The Mane Event and the new book in the series, The Mane Attraction, coming out in November.

Grade: A

Summary:

Some things are so worth waiting for. Like the moment when Jessica Ward “accidentally” bumps into Bobby Ray Smith and shows him just how far she’s come since high school. Back then, Jess’s gangly limbs and bruised heart turn to jelly any time Smitty’s “all the better to ravish you with” body came near her. So, some things haven’t changed. Except now Jess is a success on her own terms. And she can enjoy a romp-or twenty-with a big, bad wolf and walk away. Easy.

The sexy, polished CEO who hires Smitty’s security firm might be a million miles from the loveable geek he knew, but her kiss, her touch, is every bit as hot as he imagined. Jess was never the kind to ask for help, and she doesn’t want it now, not even with someone targeting her Pack. But Smitty’s not going to turn tail and run. Not before proving that their sheet-scorching animal lust is only the start of something even wilder…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Gwen’s review of The Darkest Pleasure (Lords of the Underworld, Book 3) by Gena Showalter
Contemporary paranormal romance released by HQN 1 Jul 08

This new paranormal series from Showalter has been a very pleasant surprise – it has managed to stand out as unique and interesting in what has become a rather crowded field of contenders. And once again, the Cover Gods have shined a happy light on Showalter – isn’t this one yummy?

This is the third book, but the second one for me. One of these days I’m sure I’ll get around to reading the first and the prequel. Just as soon as I make it that far in my TBR (stop laughing, Sybil – it’s your fault ya know ). The series is based on immortal warriors who are possessed by demons who escaped from Pandora’s Box. It has taken these warriors hundreds of years to obtain control of their demons and now several of them are ready to try for happiness.

Well. A demon’s version of happiness.

In this entry the demon Pain and his host Reyes find their mate in Danika, a human introduced in the first novel. As with the other book in the series I’ve read (book 2), Showalter does an admirable job interleaving story lines for a few other characters. They’re all related to the main relationship with the hero and heroine, so I never felt like I was taken away from the reason I’m there – to read a love story. That’s a difficult thing to do with a large cast of characters – it seems like some authors tend to swing too far one way or the other when confronted with multiple characters.

Reyes and Danika are unique and both tortured souls. They find salvation in each other and the evolution of their relationship is interesting and very tender. I was very glad to see their HEA. I found both H and H to be very sympathetic and compelling – not something I felt in the first (for me) book.

The story arcs are nicely interleaved and the plot moves along smoothly. The erotic scenes are hot, action scenes are exciting, and the villains are suitably villainy. All in all, a very fun book to read. I will be reading book 4 (Sabin’s story), The Darkest Whisper, when it comes out May 2009.

I recommend this book for any fans of paranormal series and fans of Showalter’s work. It’s sexy, fun, different, and a great summer read.

Grade: B

Summary:

He can bear any pain but the thought of losing her… Reyes is a man possessed. Bound by the demon of pain, he is forbidden to know pleasure. Yet he craves a mortal woman, Danika Ford, more than breath and will do anything to claim her—even defy the gods.

Danika is on the run. For months, she’s eluded the Lords of the Underworld, immortal warriors who won’t rest until she and her family have been destroyed. But her dreams are haunted by Reyes, the warrior whose searing touch she can’t forget. Yet a future together could mean death to all they both hold dear. . .

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series – click on the Lords of the Underworld tag to see other reviews:

And just because I can, here’s this cover in large format. Yummy, isn’t he?