Lynne Connolly‘s review of The Billionaire’s Marriage Mission by Helen Brooks
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Presents 1 Feb 08

The heroine, Beth, has been deceived by her ex husband in a big way, so she’s sensibly taken time off work and rented a cottage in the country so she can take it easy and recover. The hero, Travis, is her neighbour, whose first sight of her is in pink pyjamas and fluffy slippers, with animal dung on her clothes and face. She’s locked herself out of the cottage on her first night and she has slipped in something noxious. 

Travis behaves with remarkable restraint and instead of smashing the mullioned windows – which do take some smashing, believe me – he takes her home to spend the night at his house, which is bigger and on the impressive side.

At first Beth is understandably wary. A different writer might have made this clumsy, but Brooks conveys well the feeling of not-quite-sure-of-herself and Beth’s annoyance with her own attitude. She’s an architect, and sometimes when in her pov Brooks will bring in a few phrases and descriptions that were appropriate. I think the whole book is from Beth’s point of view, or it seems that way. We can tell that Travis is smitten, but he doesn’t push it, because he sees how upset this makes Beth.

I liked how Travis was nothing but honest with Beth. He was interested, but he was willing to give her time, because he knows this is more than a passing fancy. I liked that Beth wasn’t stuck in a rut, she knows she needs this break, and time to get over her crisis.

They date, they talk, and she keeps shying away. He persists, but not in a stalker-ish way. When she asks him to back off, he backs off. Travis is one of the few Modern heroes you could actually imagine yourself liking in real life.

The friendship goes on for months, and the friendship matures in a natural way. We learn, and guess from the beginning that Travis has fallen for Beth virtually from sight, but he doesn’t let her know until the right time.

The only thing I didn’t like about the story was the Black Moment. It seemed imposed, the only thing that didn’t flow like the rest of the story. Beth is pushed that bit too far, and begins to seem hysterical.

But I knew why it was there and carried on. After the BM it gets good again. Beth seeks closure in the best way, visits her ex husband, to satisfy herself, that she’s really over him, doesn’t even hate him anymore. A grown-up solution, thank you! Only then does she go back to see Travis and tell him what he wants to know.

An enjoyable read, well written.

Grade: B

Summary:

Billionaires always get what they want!

Travis Black might be darkly, broodingly handsome, but as far as Beth is concerned he’s also very infuriating! What would a rich, successful and charming man like him want with a quiet, vulnerable and oh-so-ordinary woman like her?

Travis soon makes that abundantly clear. However, Beth isn’t into casual affairs–so this is one billionaire who won’t get what he wants. Or will he?

This was a good read. It kept me absorbed in the story when I was convalescing from a nasty bout of illness, so thank you, Helen Brooks.

Brooks is a solid Harlequin Presents/Mills and Boon Modern author and she usually delivers. She writes smoothly, paces the story well and gives you what you expect from this line—an engaging modern fairy story with believable characters and a touch of spice.

No excerpt available.

Sandy M’s review of Howling at the Moon (Tales of an Urban Werewolf, Book 1) by Karen MacInerney
Contemporary Paranormal Romance released by Ballantine 26 Feb 08

I so enjoy it when an author gives me her own unique spin on things, something I haven’t really read before, and Ms. MacInerney does that quite well in this first book in her werewolf series.  And she does it with a fun and quirky heroine who has a terrific sense of humor.

What was a little different for me in Ms. MacInerney’s werewolf world is her shifters don’t heal nearly as fast or as cleanly as others I’ve read in the past, and Sophie, the heroine of the book, has to shave quite a bit to keep her hair/fur growth under control.  But what was hilarious about it is that when she shaves her legs as often as she does, when she shifts she’s a wolf running around town with no fur on her legs!  Now, I’m sorry, but I laughed quite a bit at that the couple of times in occurs in the story.  Can’t you just see that?  A huge, furry wolf, legs shaved clean.  Now, that’s funny.

Also, when Sophie is tagged by a dogcatcher with a tranquilizer gun, she knows she’s probably going to end up with a scar.  With Sophie’s sense of humor, she laments the fact she’ll have that butt scar while she’s being chased by the dog police. The same is true when she’s attacked by a “made” werewolf, this time she’s left with a scar on her neck, plus a couple of other places, where the bites occurred while in her wolf form. I enjoy it when an author takes license and has a good time writing her book.  I have a good time reading it, and I don’t care if it’s not all that believable.  Laugh-out-loud funny and believable just don’t go together all that well in this book.  I don’t need believable to have a good time.

Sophie is an auditor who’s hopefully going to have a corner office soon. She’s also half werewolf, half human, and her life is beginning to fall apart, starting with the arrest of her mother for murder.  At the same time she’s hunting clues to prove her mom’s innocence, she also meets her first real live werewolf, a hunk as a human or lupine.

Because her father has been scarce her entire life to keep her and her mother safe, Sophie has never really had any kind of education about werewolves. Except for what she’s read and what she sees on TV, and we all know how factual that kind of information is.  And while she truly wants to be more human than wolf, hence a human boyfriend, she has thousands of questions for Tom, a full-blooded werewolf who causes Sophie’s blood to pound just by being in the same vicinity.  They both lust after each other, but because Heath and Sophie are practically engaged and Tom is seeing Lindsay, Sophie’s best friend, they only share a kiss or two throughout the book.  Which drove me as insane as it does Sophie.  I wanted more between them and Sophie would be content with her rolls in the hay with Heath for the time being.  Alas, we have to wait until the next book to experience all that animalistic loving.  It will be something else to see Sophie finally lose her cool and devour Tom.  At least I sure hope it happens then.

We also have to wait to find out a little more about Tom.  He’s almost as mysterious as the killer in this storyline.  We only know he’s a lone wolf at this point, enforces a pack’s wishes for the right sum, and will eventually be Sophie’s love interest after the demise of the love triangle we have now.   ‘Course, as sexy as he is, I really didn’t care all that much that I didn’t know a lot about him.  Him and his wolf eyes, his secretiveness, along with his protectiveness of Sophie, makes him great hero material.  Sophie’s current guy, Heath, is the strong, sensitive type, but because I’m a shifter girl, he just doesn’t do it for me like Tom does.  We do get an ending to this storyline with the mystery being solved, but for the romance we have to hang on a bit longer.  The secondary characters are just as quirky and fun, especially Sophie’s mom, who’s a witch and optimistic her spirit guides will keep her out of jail.

I had fun with this book, even if I didn’t get my true happy ending right now.  As long as I know it’s coming and I get a few good laughs in the meantime, I can hold on for a while.  On the Prowl is the second book in the series and is to be released November 2008, not all that long now.  Of course, I have to hope that everything moves in the direction I’m anticipating, depending on how many books there are in the series.  Please don’t keep me waiting too long for some wild and sexy love scenes, Ms. MacInerney.

Grade: B

Summary:

Romance is about to get a little hairy.

Sophie Garou seems to have it all: a great job at a prestigious accounting firm, a closet that rivals a Nordstrom showroom, and a terrific boyfriend who isn’t afraid to use the “M” word. There’s just one little itty-bitty problem: Sophie is a werewolf—and her time of month has a whole new meaning.

Needless to say, life among yummy flesh-and-blood humans is no piece of steak . . . er, cake!, but regular doses of wolfsbane tea and a mother who runs a magic shop have helped Sophie keep her paranormal pedigree under wraps. Still, when a sexy, golden-eyed werewolf prowls into town, Sophie finds herself struggling to keep her animal impulses in check—not to mention trying to keep things on track with her super hot (and super human) lawyer boyfriend. What’s more, someone is threatening to expose Sophie for what she really is. And when her mother is accused of selling a poison-laced potion, Sophie must sniff out a culprit before the fur hits the fan.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Lynne Connolly’s review of Dante’s Blackmailed Bride by Day Leclaire
Category Romance released by Silhouette Desire 12 Feb 08

The Dante family own a jewelry business getting back on its feet after a disastrous period. Four brothers are involved and they get one book each. They are all cursed, or blessed with something called Dante’s Inferno (I know, I winced, but it really works – trust me) when a man sees the woman and there’s an instant connection. To ignore it means disaster, as the Dante brothers’ father discovered.

Dante’s Blackmailed Bride is Severo’s story. He’s the oldest brother, he’s made the hardest decisions. Dante’s jewelry company is gearing itself up to take over Timeless Heirlooms, a company they used to own and now want back. They attend a reception where a new line of jewelry is launched. One designer attracts their attention.

Francesca Sommers is that designer. She’s a child who never knew her father, and spent her young life shuttling between various foster parents. But she’s come out a strong woman and a talented designer. She discovered that she was the result of an illicit affair between the owner of Timeless Heirlooms but since that happened in the owner’s marriage, which is still existing, she doesn’t tell either of them. Neither does she feel martyred. She just wants to get to know her father.

When Sev and Francesca meet, sparks fly and the Inferno affects them both. They spend their first night together without realising who the other is and the story goes from there. Sev and Francesca were wonderful. Sev’s an alpha, who juggles the needs of the company and his own needs. He never does the stupid things that makes me want to strangle him, and the only big misunderstanding comes at the beginning. To my relief, it was resolved in the morning and they were both appalled by the implications. No storming off in a childish huff.

Sev tries really hard to understand and protect Francesca from the decisions he is forced to make, and he tries to keep her in the loop. He also suffers, and he isn’t the strong, invulnerable type, he suffers too.

Francesca wasn’t a martyr and she wasn’t a wimp. Neither was she the kind of “feisty” female who flounces off at the first sign of trouble. When the misunderstanding is resolved, the day after their heated night together, she doesn’t blame Sev, and accepts they both made the decision. It’s as much her fault as it is his. She’s not unbelievably beautiful, although she’s attractive (Sev thinks she’s beautiful, but then he would), and she is a talented designer and earns her place on her own merits. Neither, at the end of the story, does she give it all up for cozy domesticity.

The jewelry background was well researched and I found it a really good backdrop to the story, but it doesn’t overwhelm it. The story is set mainly in San Francisco, a place I’ve always wanted to visit (when I wrote a book based there, I got it read by several residents, but I want to go and see for myself!)

I just loved this story, and I’d recommend it as an involving romance with a nice touch of heat.

Grade A-

Jump into the fire
Severo Dante and his brothers had always dismissed rumors of the Inferno–an explosive desire that overtakes Dante men when they first see their soul mates. Then Severo met jewelry designer Francesca Sommers and was astonished by their raw, urgent, mutual attraction. A rising star at a rival company, Francesca has crafted a dazzling new collection that could ruin Severo’s plans to rebuild the Dante empire. His solution: blackmail her into becoming his employee–and his fiancee–until their smoldering affair runs its course. But some fires, once lit, can never be extinguished….

Limecello’s review of Pride & A Pregnancy Secret by Tessa Radley
Contemporary romance published by Silhouette Desire on 12 Feb 08

While secret baby stories aren’t my favorite, I really enjoyed Pride & A Pregnancy Secret and felt that Ms. Radley did an excellent job with her book. In fact, this was my favorite story in the Diamonds Down Under (DDU) series – most of which are still available at eHarlequin. I also singled this book out because Ms. Radley is writing a  new series titled The Saxon Brides – which are loosely connected to the DDU books.

Jessica Cotter is a terrific heroine – smart, strong, but still emotionally available. She’s deeply in love, but is able to get out of a situation that is causing her more harm than good. Jessica hasn’t had the easiest life, and some of the situations she had to deal with growing up made her especially sensitive about relationships. I loved Jess’s personality and think she’d make a fabulous friend.

Ryan Blackstone is a fun hero – maybe not so much in personality, but because the reader gets to follow his growth as a person. He’s the stereotypical epic tycoon. He’s great with business relationships, but less successful with personal ones. Ryan’s family was dysfunctional, and his father was never any sort of role model.

For all that Ryan wanted a no strings attached affair from the start, he quickly begins to change his mind after Jessica leaves, and it’s quite enjoyable seeing Ryan scramble to win her back. Pride & A Pregnancy Secret doesn’t have a unique story line, but Ms. Radley manages to breathe new life and depth into the plot. There are a number of poignant scenes, and one of my favorites is the following (it happens after their “break-up”):

He suspected that, unlike him, Jessica was going to regret the night they’d shared when she woke.

Resisting the urge to kiss her goodbye, he let himself quietly out of the room.

Before she awoke and he read the regret in her eyes.

There were also some brilliant scenes where Jess and Ryan argued. I also loved how Ryan had his jealous moments. (Something about a possessive hero really grabs me.) Ryan isn’t jealous in an unhealthy way – or at all controlling-  and his reaction really is because he know he’s losing Jessica. Delicious. Of course, there are also the light and fun moments in the book. Ms. Radley manages to insert humor into tense situations, alleviating the strain and stress caused by elevated emotions. It was also nice to have cameo appearances by other characters in the series – both Blackstone and Hammonds.

I really like the Down Under authors. It’s fun to read about a culture similar, yet different – and all the [exotic] food, flora and fauna. One such discovery is Bundaberg ginger beer. (I’m very curious about it.) Pride & A Pregnancy Secret offers a great story, great characters, and while it fits perfectly in the Diamonds Down Under series it also stands alone well. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Ms. Radley’s writing or books from the Desire line, and especially to someone who has read other books in the DDU series.

Grade: A-

“I’M HAVING YOUR BABY.”

They were words she would never speak to her lover, Ryan Blackstone, Australia’s richest gem dealer. For Jessica Cotter was his secret mistress, with him only for torrid sessions behind the drawn drapes of his bachelor bedroom. She had no future with the man whose mantra was No kids, No carats. Though she knew the rules, Jess had broken them. Now she had no choice but to walk away from Ryan…unless the man with a heart as hard as diamonds could learn to love her back…

Read an excerpt here.

LauraD’s review of Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
Chick Lit hardcover release by Dial Press 26 Feb 08
Trade Paperback release 28 Oct 08

What if one day you woke up and all those little daydreams had suddenly come true? You’d lost 20 pounds, your hair was fabulous, you had a better job, and instead of fantasizing about Mr. Perfect, you were married to him. Only, what if you didn’t remember who you were? That’s the premise in Sophie Kinsella’s new novel Remember Me?.

Lexi Smart wakes up in a London hospital, with no memories of the last three years. Apparently, she’s made some BIG changes in her life; she’s transformed herself physically, gotten promoted at work, changed all her friends, and become everything she always wanted to be. Oh, and there’s also a gorgeous and successful husband now. If only she could remember any of it!

The Lexi Smart that narrates Remember Me? is introduced in a short prologue, and she’s a bit of a mess. That doesn’t really change when confronted with the new and improved Lexi’s life; her husband has to write her a handbook on how to deal with it. So she begins the task of navigating her life anew, and finding out that other than the designer handbags and her new figure, she really doesn’t like it at all – and Lexi hasn’t even found out she has a lover yet.

Lexi spends a good part of the book being aimless and a tad bit whiny. At first she’s excited by waking up to a shiny new life, but as she comes to realize it’s not what she really wants, she starts to pout. I knew I was supposed to like her, but at that point I was having a hard time. However, when she goes back to work she finds a project to really believe in, and she morphed into a character with backbone. The second half of Remember Me?, when Lexi is starting to take control of her life again, was more fun for me than the first half. Yep, she got likable.

Jon, Lexi’s erstwhile lover, was a much harder character to get a handle on. Why was he affair-worthy? I know this isn’t a romance, but I needed a little more show and a little less tell. I never felt any kind of connection between the two, and I never got the impression that Lexi did, either. Secondary characters were well written, but none of them had depth.

Sophie Kinsella is always talented at taking odd little moments and getting humor out of them- a toilet that won’t flush during a party, for instance. Maybe a phrase that has a special meaning for a married couple. There are a few such moments in Remember Me? that are snort-worthy, but never at a character’s expense. I appreciate the way she pokes a lot of fun at the newly moneyed young Brits, but never makes fun of them. Her ability to balance humor and humanity is certainly a primary reason she’s the reigning queen of British chick lit.

Remember Me? is out in hardback now [Ed.: and is standalone, separate from her Shopaholic books], and I’d say that unless you are a diehard Sophie Kinsella fan, you won’t miss out by waiting for the trade paperback release.

Grade B-

Summary:

When twenty-eight-year-old Lexi Smart wakes up in a London hospital, she’s in for a big surprise. Her teeth are perfect. Her body is toned. Her handbag is Vuitton. Having survived a car accident-in a Mercedes no less-Lexi has lost a big chunk of her memory, three years to be exact, and she’s about to find out just how much things have changed.

Somehow Lexi went from a twenty-five-year-old working girl to a corporate big shot with a sleek new loft, a personal assistant, a carb-free diet, and a set of glamorous new friends. And who is this gorgeous husband-who also happens to be a multimillionaire? With her mind still stuck three years in reverse, Lexi greets this brave new world determined to be the person she…well, seems to be. That is, until an adorably disheveled architect drops the biggest bombshell of all.

Suddenly Lexi is scrambling to catch her balance. Her new life, it turns out, comes complete with secrets, schemes, and intrigue. How on earth did all this happen? Will she ever remember? And what will happen when she does?

Read an excerpt. 

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Sleep Softly by Gwen Hunter
Romantic suspense released by Mira 01 February 2008

When my older sister was pregnant with my nephew she went through a phase where she couldn’t read about “anything bad happening to children.” This coming from a woman who used to read early Stephen King horror novels in my parents’ basement, in the middle of the night. Even factoring in her pregnancy hormones, I suspect this is what will keep a lot of readers away from Gwen Hunter’s latest, despite the fact that it’s not a terribly gory read. Sometimes the mere suggestion and an active imagination are too much to overcome.

Ashlee Davenport Chadwick is a single mom of a college age daughter, and a forensic nurse. She has just come off of a grueling shift at the hospital and wants nothing more than to fall into bed. However, her dogs have other ideas. They want to play catch with a ratty children’s sneaker they dug up somewhere. When Ashlee gets a better a look at the shoe she realizes that there is still a toe inside.

Ashlee follows procedure, preserves evidence, even finding the body and calls the police. Showing up with the local cops is the FBI, including Jim Ramsey who she is kind of dating. Someone is kidnapping young girls, and burying their bodies in old cemeteries. The girl Ashlee found was buried in an old plot on her family’s farm. It’s the sort of site that local history buffs would know about, but a dead girl on Chadwick land immediately places suspicion on Ashlee’s large, Southern family.

Sleep Softly is the kind of book that gets better as you go along. It starts out a little shaky because the author writes it in a manner that made me think I was already supposed to know these characters. After some digging, I discovered that Ashlee has been featured in the author’s Dr. Rhea Lynch series. It also took some time to keep the characters straight. Ashlee’s family tree is a sequoia, and like most good southern families there’s umpteen cousins to go around.

The suspense thread is pretty good here, although it does take some time to develop. The author spends the early chapters detailing the finding of the body, and then Ashlee’s involvement with the FBI investigation. This aspect took some suspension of disbelief on my part, because even though Ashlee is a forensic nurse, the dead body on her property means the Chadwick family is suspect.

The romance is fairly light, and doesn’t really come into play until the second half. Jim and Ashlee have a history, and I thought her reticence in taking their relationship to the next level was believable. Besides an age difference (she’s older), Ashlee learned some terrible secrets after her husband died of a heart attack. That betrayal still badly stings, and she’s not quite ready to thrust her trusting heart into another man’s hands.

Once I got past the early set-up chapters, I started to get a better handle on the characters and the suspense thread started to cook. I thought the ending was particularly well done, and while the kidnapping and murder of several young girls isn’t uplifting material, the author keeps the pages relatively gore-free. Fans on Hunters’ other books will surely be interested in this one, and even with my quibbles, I’m interested in reading some more of her work.

Grade: B-

Summary:
He’s searching for his perfect daughter … with each little girl he takes.

Four little girls—each blond, each on the verge of adolescence—stolen from their families.

Their bodies discovered months later in shallow graves, surrounded by trinkets they never owned, clutching a scrap of paper bearing a cryptic verse.

As a forensic nurse in rural South Carolina, Ashlee Chadwick Davenport acts as both caregiver and cop, gathering evidence from anyone who arrives in the local E.R. as the result of a crime. It’s a tough job, both physically and emotionally draining, but deeply satisfying.

Then a child’s red shoe is discovered on Davenport property. The evidence leads Ashlee to the body of a missing girl and her work suddenly invades every aspect of her life. As an expert and a witness, she must call upon all her resources. And when the killer’s eye turns to her, she becomes intimately involved with a crime that tests her mind and her spirit … and the price of failure will be another child’s life.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this 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).

Limecello’s review of Dante’s Blackmailed Bride by Day Leclaire
Contemporary romance published by Silhouette Desire 12 Feb 08.

I have to admit, that this is one time the book cover, and author name took me in. I was a bit skeptical as to the summary, but I’m glad I bought this book. This is actually the first Day Leclaire book I’ve read, and I enjoyed it. I really enjoy the Desire line, and I think this book offers something new.

This is the first of four books, dealing with the Dante family. Severo is the oldest brother, and also in charge of the Dante empire. The company sells the world’s most coveted wedding rings, but Severo plans on expanding the company back to it’s former glory, and he’s going to do anything to reach his goals. The knowledge of both his motives and what he’s willing to do actually helps our hero understand the heroine, Francesca. I found that interesting, and, well, nice. Severo himself has a depth and warmth, and he’s an extremely understanding guy. He had his bad moments, but overall, I think he’s a character most people would like knowing.

Francesca Sommers is something of a typical Desire heroine. She’s had a difficult past, is hiding secrets that could cause a lot of problems, and trying not to admit her feelings for the hero. Still, she’s a likable character. Francesca is smart, reasonable, and acts as she thinks best. She’s not willing to let Severo dictate everything, even though he holds all the cards. I also liked the fact that she had a spine, and thought of others, not herself. She had all the opportunity in the world to be selfish and mercenary, but she wasn’t.

Although I’m still not entirely sold on “the Inferno,” I like the idea, and think it’s cute. If the characters – and especially logical, business-minded heroes are willing to believe, I can roll it. Once that hurdle is overcome, I like how the Inferno acts as a motif throughout the book, drawing not only the hero and heroine together, but the secondary characters as well. Ms. Leclaire incorporates it nicely into the plot, and makes it very believable.

The emotions in this story were real, the situations believable, not contrived. Still, there was something special about this book, and I’m quite taken with the Dante family. Not only will I read the other books in The Dante Legacy, I plan on reading more of Ms. Leclaire’s books, both old and new. For those of you who aren’t quite sold on Desire books, along with books by Emilie Rose, Heidi Betts, and Leanne Banks, I’m adding this one to the list of books you should try.

Grade: B+

Jump into the fire

Severo Dante and his brothers had always dismissed rumors of the Inferno—an explosive desire that overtakes Dante men when they first see their soul mates. Then Severo met jewelry designer Francesca Sommers and was astonished by their raw, urgent, mutual attraction. A rising star at a rival company, Francesca has crafted a dazzling new collection that could ruin Severo’s plans to rebuild the Dante empire. His solution: blackmail her into becoming his employee—and his fiancée—until their smoldering affair runs its course. But some fires, once lit, can never be extinguished.…

Read an excerpt here.

Sandy M’s review of To Tempt a Wolf by Colette Denee
Contemporary Paranormal Romance ebook published by Samhain 28 Feb 08

I have been incredibly lucky lately, reading some great shifter stories, one of my very favorite reads. So far my luck is holding out and I’ve come across another author who has written a strong, sexy, shifting hero and a heroine who her holds her own with all that testosterone. What makes this book worth the time to sit down with it, however, is the sensitivity and emotion of that hero. This is why I read romance.

Cadon has been head of his pack for eons and it’s time for him to retire. He’s looking forward to the down time, relaxing and enjoying life. Things don’t quite pan out for him the way he’d like. He’s been fighting to allow his pack to mate with humans, but there’s still resistance. Just what he needs when he meets Brielle. She’s beautiful, intelligent, witty, independent, and she’s a baker of wonderful sweets. She’s also full of magic and the one woman he’s been waiting for. He marks his as his mate and that’s when things begin to go downhill. Fast. Finding the Rune that has popped up is intimately related with Brie and does not bode well for their relationship, especially when she feels he handled the situation totally wrong. He has a lot to make up for, but in the race to get the Rune out of enemy hands, it will be a miracle if either or both of them survive.

Brielle has always been cautious when it comes to men. Her magic has a way of pulling them toward her and taking over their feelings, making them want her no matter their desire. At first glance she has that same connection with Cadon and as much as she truly wants him, she won’t allow her magic to call to him. She’d rather he came to her of his own free will. Staying away from the man is more difficult than she’d ever imagined. Her life is suddenly filled with excitement and danger and that’s outside their bed of intense love play. If they both survive their fight with the enemy, she can only hope Cadon will still love her and forgive her for her part in bringing evil to their doorstep.

I love Cadon. A wolf with a huge sweet tooth, a leader who is strong and respected, he goes all out when he finds his mate, does anything to insure her life and happiness. There is a scene in the beginning of the book where Brielle can’t get Cadon off her mind, she steals into his head to give him a little playful loving. The next thing she knows Cadon is reciprocating the action and that’s one hot love scene being played out in their minds. I couldn’t wait to get to that first scene where they’re actually in bed together, it’s got to be ten times hotter when it’s not imaginary. I was not disappointed. Both Brielle and Cadon have trust issues, not in the typical way, however, and they have to learn the hard way why they have to trust one another completely. There’s a lot of twist of turns woven throughout the latter half of the book that brings that home to both them and the reader. I know some of you don’t care for the true mate type of story, but I’ve always liked them. It’s part of why I like reading romance, I know the hero and heroine are meant to be together and it’s all the sweeter when they overcome all the odds at the end and happily ever after is theirs for the taking. This book gives you that and more.

When you pick up this book, watch out for Robin, Bin for short. He’s a hoot! He almost steals the entire the show when he flies into action near the end.

Grade: A

Summary:

The best way to tempt a wolf? Offer something irresistibly sweet.

Cadon Sterling thought retirement would be easy. Then not only does a new Rune show up in his town, but his successor isn’t living up to expectations. Plus, his best friend is driving him crazy. On top of that, he just met a human who could tempt a saint to sin with the smallest whiff of fudge. Oh, yes, and there will be hell to pay should he fail to complete his task. Did he mention the fudge?

Brielle Austin lives a simple life. Make sweets, sell sweets. But simple doesn’t quite cover it when she meets Cadon, leader of a local pack of wolf-shifters. She’s afraid to offer her heart, but learns the hard way that some things just aren’t a matter of choice. As her safe little world slips from under her feet, Brielle struggles to accept the true nature of her magic, and her soul.

Blessed by Odin and targeted by two rival races, Cadon and Brielle fight to stay alive—and together—long enough to see the Rune gets where it needs to be. Enemies lurk around every corner, but it is the demons inside that will either kill them, or set them free.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

LauraD review of Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner
Contemporary Romance released 01 Feb 08 from Dorchester

“Sleeping with Ward Cleaver” won the American Title-III Award. I’m really sure what that is, but hey, a win’s a win. The cover is a pink-haired cartoon girl on a bed, it’s labeled contemporary romance, and the words fun and sassy are also on the cover. Do not believe any of this, it’s all there to mislead you.

Claire Doolittle met and married Jack, the man of her dreams. But now, the thrill is gone. Jack has turned into Ward Cleaver, for Claire the epitome of everything boring and stale. They don’t talk, he doesn’t appreciate her, he talks down to her; and instead of the hot sex they used to have, they now have sex-on-Sunday-night. Jack has the great job, while Claire raises the 5(!) kids, and takes care of the house.

Things are about to change. Just as she finds out that Jack’s sexy new (and young) co-worker is going on a trip out of town with him-a trip Claire is definitely not welcome on-she gets an email from an old boyfriend. Todd broke up with Claire and broke her heart, and now he wants to meet her in Miami so that when she finally confronts Jack, Todd can be the one to hold her hand.

I would have enjoyed “Sleeping with Ward Cleaver” quite a bit more had I found any of the characters even a little bit likable. Sadly, I lost count of how many times I muttered “get a therapist” as Claire cried poor pitiful me. Jack teeters on a fine line between jerk executive and irredeemable asswipe. Then there is Todd, the one that got away. Todd is married to his second wife, who he is planning on leaving because she wants kids. He has a child from his first marriage, who he never sees. Despite being married, he is actively pursuing Claire. His emails to Claire actively encourage her to spy on her husband. Todd is a tool.

The story itself moves back and forth between present day, and Claire reminiscing about how she and Jack met and times when they were happier. Todd gets back in touch with Claire via email; I’ve got to say that Todd’s emails to Claire are the least authentic male voice I’ve read in a while.

An upper middle class couple with 5 kids, working an unhappy marriage-that’s a hard subject for a comic romance. Props to Jenny Gardiner for trying. I’m sure there are plenty of readers who will feel that she succeeded; I’m just not one of them.

Grade: D

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE “HAPPILY EVER AFTER”?

Sleeping with Ward Cleaver is the funny yet poignant story of a woman at a crossroads in life, who years earlier married a man who swept her off her feet, but now finds that her Mr. Right has evolved into Mr. Always Right, and the only sweeping going on in her life involves a broom and a dustpan. As her dreams collide with reality and the one that got away shows up trying to worm his way back into her heart, she must decide if her once charmed marriage is salvageable, and if so, how she’s going to go about saving it.

Sandy M’s review of The Bride by Carolyn Davidson
Historical Romance published by HQN Books 1 Feb 08

I just could not get into this book. The characters are very stiff and dry. The dialogue is the same. The storyline is fine, but with such dryness it never really picks up and you never get emotionally involved in the characters’ lives.

Isabella is sent to a convent until she turns sixteen, at which time she will marry the older man her father has chosen for her. Right off the bat we have to two men who care nothing for women and think of them only as possessions to be owned and dominated and punished when necessary. Isabella has the gall to beg her father not to give her to such an old and mean man, but all she gets is a swift and hard backhand. Her life at the convent is at least safe for her. She learns hard work and enjoys the solitude. She receives word her father has died and that gives her a reprieve for another two years before Juan Garcia will come for his bride.

During this time Rafael has heard Isabella’s story through word of mouth and when he deems it time he marries, he goes in search of the beautiful woman at the Sisters of Charity. He makes the trek to seek her out and make her his bride before her betrothed claims her. Rafael has heard of Juan Garcia and knows the kind of man he is and will not allow Isabella to wed such a mean-spirited man. Isabella goes with Rafael willingly, until she learns his plan to make her his wife. She wants the option of choosing who she marries, who she has children with, who she’ll spend her life with. Rafael has taken that away from her, even though he is the lesser of two evils when it comes to Garcia.

From this point on Isabella does her best to refuse Rafael, to escape from him, to continue to want to live her own life — even in the face of Rafael’s kindness and assurances he will never harm her, she will be mistress of their home, she can help those in need around them. She’d rather be a sister in the convent. The dialogue throughout this book never changes. It’s stilted to the max, no matter who is speaking. You’d think after a while that Isabella would either scream at Rafael or even later use a different tone when she comes to care for him. Doesn’t happen.

Since it’s a romance, we know Rafael and Isabella will fall in love and that happens quite nicely actually. We know we also haven’t seen the last of Garcia, but the way it’s written for his plan to kidnap Isabella to make her his is just not believable at all. And once she’s taken, not once does she worry about her unborn child and what might happen to it during the time she’s tossed around on a horse and tugged all over the place, let alone if she dies.

Nor does Rafael mention the child once they are together again. Which irritated me because the best part of this book is Rafael. Okay, he’s high-handed in the way he gets Isabella and he’s the usual chauvinist of the era, but he never lies to her, he truly does care for her and would never hurt her. At least Isabella opens herself to his love eventually. Took a little too long for me.

Grade: C-

Summary:

She thought her fate was sealed…

Isabella Montgomery’s future looked bleak. Before her father died, he betrothed her to Juan Garcia, an old ranchero infamous for cruelty. Now, shut away in a convent, she dreaded the day he would come to claim her. Until a dark horse revealed her true destiny…

Rafael McKenzie needed a bride before he came into his inheritance. The moment he laid eyes on Isabella, he knew she was the one. Breaking into the convent and capturing her was easy enough, but stealing her heart was another story.…

Read an excerpt here.

Sandy M’s review of Bare Devotion (Bare Love, Book 4) by Lacey Thorn
Paranormal Romantic Suspense published by Ellora’s Cave 1 Feb 08

I always enjoy a book so much more when an author has that way pulling me in and compelling me to like something I usually don’t care for in a book. Menage has never been one of my favorite things in a read, with a few exceptions here and there. Lacey Thorn writes some pretty hot threesomes and by the time I get those scenes, I’m as involved there as much as I am in the rest of the book.

Of course, being invested in the characters is what makes that so easy and Ms. Thorn does a great job of giving us characters we care about, characters we laugh with, mourn with, cry with, and love with. This series is about the Daniels family and with this book we not only still follow a Daniels’ romance but we also jump into the lives of friends of the Danielses’, and the entire family is still fully involved in the story. This is a family that knows how to love and play and they protect each other quite fiercely.

Catherine Daniels is the matriarch of the family. Having lost her husband two years prior, she’s been seeing Roman secretly, not wanting her children to know their mother is interested in a man after the loss of their father. Roman, however, is tired of the hiding, the secretiveness of their relationship and he’s about to force Rin to make one of the hardest decisions of her life: him or her children. After showing her what she’d be missing if he weren’t in her life anymore, he’s on his way out of town for a bit to let her stew and hope she’ll choose him.

Rin does want Roman in her life. She feels alive again, living for herself instead of her kids. And he’s taught her so much in the bedroom, showing her there’s spice in sex instead of vanilla all the time. But making the decision he wants is something she’s not sure she can do, not sure she wants to do. I really liked this couple. They’re older, have more in life to lose but also more in life to enjoy after living the sum of their experiences. The way Catherine is forced to choose will break your heart.

Knowing what it’s like to lose someone you love to a serial killer, Ally has come to Legacy to find The Messenger,” the man responsible for the fiery death of her mother and her mother’s significant other. She has the gift of seeing into the killer’s mind, through his eyes and she’s determined to put a stop to his reign of terror before he can hurt anyone else. She didn’t count on running into Blake, the local fire marshall, at the burnt-out home of the killer’s last victims. She has an instant attraction to him and suddenly he’s the only one who can truly comfort her with his belief in her and her ability.

He doesn’t judge her, just loves her and introduces her to an exciting world of lovemaking and the family that welcomes her with open arms. This couple was quite enjoyable too. They don’t pussyfoot around when they decide they want each other. They don’t judge each other and they embrace wholeheartedly what each brings to the relationship. Blake’s best friend, Shep, who definitely has a story of his own, enjoys a tryst or two with them but he wants for himself what Ally and Blake have found. He’ll still enjoy what they have to offer in the meantime, though. I like a man who can still have fun with the joys in life despite his circumstances!

I was yanked into this book immediately. The prologue pulls no punches and tells you what you’re in for for the duration. Then we meet all those family members one by one and you’re wrapped up nice and tight into their lives before you know it. There wasn’t one character I didn’t like. They’re all fun-loving and devoted to each other and they know how to have a great time. All of that mixed into the mystery of finding a psycho killer before he kills again and time with running out has you on the edge of your seat with your heart pumping at full capacity when everything is blown wide open.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. So much so that I’m going to be reading the first three books in the series as soon as I can. I want to meet all those great characters in their own special way.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Fire…unquenchable…unstoppable.

Ally wants one thing — to stop the man who killed her mother from killing anyone else. What she finds is more than she ever imagined. Blake, the fire marshal in Legacy, has finally met his match in the woman he mistakes for a pyromaniac. But the fire they ignite together is sure to burn them both in the flames of passion.

Catherine Daniels is fighting flames of her own. The time has come for her to decide what she wants — life with the man she is coming to love, or letting him walk away because of her fears and uncertainties. It is a decision that she struggles with every moment… Until the night she may lose the ability to choose at all.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Limecello’s review of Unleashing the Storm (ACRO, Book 2) by Sydney Croft
Paranormal romance released by Delta 26 Feb 08

This is the second book in the ACRO series (Agency for Covert Rare Operatives). For some reason I thought it was about two different characters, but I enjoyed it all the same. The characters are unique and creative, and I’m enjoying the books by Sydney Croft.

This book didn’t deal so much with physical storms, as internal ones. As a result, Tom Knight, better known as “Ender,” and Kira Donovan have an interesting time. Kira is a powerful animal psychic, and once a year, she goes into heat. To add yet another layer unto such an inconvenience, if she doesn’t have sex, she’ll die. Tom, is just a jerk.

Tom is sent to find Kira, and convince her to join ARCO. His orders are to recruit her within 48 hours, or kill her. It sounds harsh, but if she doesn’t join the good guys, the threat she provides is too high. The problem is, Kira doesn’t know about Tom’s orders, or how dangerous she really is. I’m mentioning this aspect of the story, because it was a source of frustration for me. It’s used near the end for a dramatic confrontation, but the scene lost some of it’s punch for me because I spent the majority of the book being annoyed by it.

I absolutely loved the second half of the book, and all the secondary characters and their stories. The book is very well written, engaging, and emotional. That being said, let me explain my issues with the first part. Tom and Kira have sex. A lot of sex – but there’s no emotional connection. Not only do they not trust each other, but it seems that they might actively dislike each other. Personally, that was not fun to read. Angry sex is all well and good, but generally that involves two people who have a preexisting emotional connection – they’re just upset at the moment. Kira and Tom, are purely physical.

Once the relationship begins to develop, however, the characters and their personalities emerge as well. The conflict and trials they go through are enthralling, and constantly serve to draw the two of them together. I enjoyed watching how Tom and Kira slowly fell in love. It was also fun once the two of them came into contact with other people, and Ender became possessive. I was amused. It seems confusing, because while with Kira, Tom is Tom, but with others, and back at ARCO, he’s all Ender. Really – read it to find out.

I liked Tom a lot more than Kira. Interesting because, Tom really is cold. Kira, however, annoyed me. She definitely wasn’t a wilting heroine, but she was stubborn, and so set on being independent that she put herself, and others in harm’s way. Personally, I view that as being TSTL as well – just in the opposite direction we’re used to. I can understand why she felt and acted the way to a certain degree – but the result was that it took me a lot longer to get into the book.

I think it’s important to remember this book is the second in a series. I enjoyed reading it, but think I would have enjoyed it less, and gotten rather lost if I hadn’t read the first. The secondary characters and their stories (there are about six of them that are important) have great stories – but they’re really introduced in book one. I liked how well developed the characters were – not just emotionally, but how they had an entire history. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book. And I want Annika and Creed’s story!

Grade: B-

Feel the heat. Hear the roar. The fever has begun.

There’s a storm rising. Electricity crackles in the air. For Kira Donovan, it’s that time of year again: when the need floods her flesh, when almost any man-the bigger and the stronger the better-will do. For Kira, an animal psychic, the heat is a matter of life and death, and this year it has come at just the right time. Tom Knight, a natural born predator, has arrived at her isolated Idaho farm-for reasons all his own…

At first Kira isn’t interested in Knight’s motives. She only needs him-his body, his hands, his scent. But soon, through a daze of desire and distrust, Kira discovers Knight’s world-the world of a covert operative, one man among dozens of secret agents waging an astonishing global war. Knight’s mission is to bring Kira–kicking and screaming if necessary–into the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives and harness her extraordinary gift. He never expected the powerful emotions she would ignite in him, or the fierce desire to keep her safe from harm. For as darkness gathers around them, Kira is feeling the heat once again, leading them both on a wild ride of delicious thrills…and terror beyond imagining.

Read an excerpt here.

To read all the posts and reviews about this book and others in the series, click on the ACRO Series tag below.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Outlaw Bride by Jenna Kernan
Historical western romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 Feb 08

Every romance in my keeper stash has a moment I call the “emotional sucker punch.” That moment in the story where the author takes all the fear, desperation, emotional intensity, wraps it around her characters, and then slams it straight into the readers’ gut. Jenna Kernan seems particularly skilled at this, and her most recent Harlequin Historical western is no exception. This book has everything I look for in a romance.

Bridget Callaghan left her family up in the Cascade Mountains determined to get help. Through sheer stubbornness, and a bit of luck, she makes it to Sacramento, only to find help in short supply. No one is crazy enough to go up into the mountains in the dead of winter – except for maybe Cole Ellis. Unfortunately for Bridget, Cole is sitting in prison waiting for a date with the hangman’s noose because he took it in his head to steal the mayor’s horse.

Cole Ellis is in prison because he wants to die. He has lost everything because of the mountains, and has given up on life. Then in waltzes Bridget, full of fire, desperation and just crazy enough to break him out of prison. No doubt about it, despite his desire to die, he admires her gumption. He makes a promise to try and save her family.

What follows is a fantastic frontier style western where hero and heroine must battle the elements to survive. The Cascade Mountains are like a secondary character to this story, fighting Cole and Bridget at every turn. Along the way secrets are revealed, desires felt, and passion ignited.

To borrow an old expression, Kernan’s heroine has “sand.” There’s a grit and determination to her that is beyond admirable. This is no flighty little miss who cowers in a corner and waits for the man to rescue her. Oh no! She knows she needs Cole Ellis to save her family, and he’s going to help her even if she has the break the law in order to get it.

It’s what these characters have been through, and what they must overcome, to achieve their happily-ever-after that makes this story so remarkable. Certainly it’s a romance. It’s a story of love, devotion and family. But it’s also a story of survival. Of one woman’s grit, stubbornness, and tenacity to fight for everything she holds dear. And that dear readers is what romance is all about. These characters earn their happily ever after, and the author wrings every last drop of emotion out of the reader in order for them to get it. Brava!

Grade: A

Summary:Breaking him out of prison was the easy part . . .

Bridget Callaghan was willing to do anything to save her family, stranded in the Cascade Mountains. The only man who could attempt such a treacherous rescue mission was Cole Ellis, but he was behind bars – and condemned to hang!

Bridget’s boldness in breaking him out of jail was the jolt Cole needed to give his life purpose again. But with a posse at their heels and the mountain looming, she couldn’t help but wonder if putting her trust in this tough, life-hardened man wasn’t the biggest danger of all . . .
Read an excerpt.

Limecello’s review of Burning Up by Sarah Mayberry
Contemporary Romance by Harlequin Blaze released 1 Feb 08

I discovered Sarah Mayberry about a year ago, and have yet to be disappointed. I’m not quite sure why, but the blurb and excerpts for this book didn’t grab me. However, as you can see, I really liked this book. I’ve read a few other books by Sarah Mayberry, and really liked all of them, so I decided to take a chance on this one, and I’m glad.

The beginning of this book is really an ending for both the main characters. Sophie Gallagher’s boyfriend of fourteen years dumps her. Lucas Grant’s play boy lifestyle is ending -although he doesn’t know it. While Sophie is in a really bad position, she quickly gets over her mad, and moves on. Who better to use as a rebound guy than a Hollywood A-lister and one of the sexiest men alive? For his part, Lucas initially is shallow, but he quickly begins to see Sophie as a person, not just breasts and a butt. It helps that they’re each other’s only company.

I had so much fun following Sophie and Lucas’s interaction and banter. While reading, I wasn’t a passive observer, I was right there with the characters, feeling their emotions. Sophie is incredibly real, and someone you want to be friends with. She’s human, has flaws, but isn’t a door mat. Sophie’s smart and sassy, but never excessive. She’s a developed person that you root for. Not once does Sophie get on your nerves. Lucas has such depth that you feel sympathy for him too, which should be hard because he’s a 35 year old man who acts like a frat boy cum quarter back of a AAA team. The reason he’s holed up in the mountains is because he slipped on a thong by a hot tub. Believe it or not, you’re still in his corner 100%.

My only complaint or issue would be that certain parts of the book didn’t seem very original – but we all know there are similar/overused plot and story lines. Otherwise, I liked everything about Burning Up.

It’s a bit short, but all the harlequin categories are. It’s a matter of taste, really. I personally prefer a longer read, but I do love that I can finish one of these books in two hours. I’ve come to expect terrific characters and a story that grabs me emotionally from Ms. Mayberry, and she delivered.

Grade: B+

Somebody get some ice… it’s steamy in here!

Spending a month as personal chef for an overindulged-and mouthwatering-man? Sophie Gallagher is so up for the challenge. She’s immune to charm…or so she thinks. Because when big-screen star Lucas Grant turns up the temptation, she discovers-up close and personal-he’s earned the name hottest man alive.

Sophie is fun, vivacious and couldn’t be further from Lucas’s bimbo bombshell type. Much to his surprise, she’s captivated him. But as sizzling as they are between the sheets, once his hiatus is over, the credits will roll on this fling. Saying goodbye, however, isn’t as easy as he’d thought. Will this production be The End of the Affair…or Love Actually?

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of Howling at the Moon by Karen MacInerney
Paranormal romance released by Ballentine Books 26 Feb 08

The first book in the trilogy, Tales of an Urban Werewolf, was a pleasant read. I found the premise of the story interesting and extremely cute. Wolves make us think wilderness, open spaces, and a complete lack of domestication. What happens when you trap a wolf, who is also a glamor girl in the city? Well, Howling at the Moon tells you.

Sophie is an interesting character, but has little depth. You know a lot about her materially- what purse she has, shoes, car, job, and even what her mother wears. But you don’t get a lot about her. The conflict didn’t really seem that believable to me either, and there were too many questions left unanswered. I felt that because this book is part of a series the issues were excessively drawn out and too much was left open. Sophie also was a bit too flaky for me.

I really liked the boyfriend, Heath, but he wasn’t believable. He’s too perfect, with no flaws other than checking up on Sophie a bit too obsessively. (That’s just my opinion – nobody in the book seems to think anything about it.) Also, it doesn’t seem that Heath and Sophie are that into each other, even though they say “I love you” so much it’s nearly nauseating.

Then there’s Tom, the potential other love interest, and only other werewolf Sophie has ever met. He’s hot, and he’s mysterious. She’s madly attracted to him,. Yup – that’s pretty much all you find out about him in 360 pages. Obviously he’ll come back in the next book – so maybe we’ll find out a few more things about him. Maybe like his age, and what he actually (and concretely) does. So, yes, there is a love triangle. Normally I love those, but since so little happens in this book, it’s not developed at all, and it doesn’t seem like there’s much of a relationship between anyone.

While I enjoyed the story, I didn’t love how it read. This book is extremely dialogue heavy, and the problem is while the characters say many words, they aren’t saying much. The secondary characters aren’t very appealing. I loved that this book was set in Austin, Texas, and that the Saltlick got a shout out (delicious barbecue!), but that wasn’t enough to cover the other flaws. A few of the scenes providing comic relief weren’t that believable. A werewolf in pantyhose, stuck to a bush? Ha ha, right? Unfortunately, I didn’t believe it. If pantyhose stays – what about underwear? A bra? Tshirts, etc. You can’t have one without the other(s).

I normally don’t like series, because I need closure, and a happily ever after. I needed it in this book too. Still, I enjoyed the book and want to read the next one to see what happens, even though I know I’ll have to wait for yet another book for my closure. While there were a lot of things I didn’t enjoy in this book such as the slow moving plot and excessive dialogue, not to mention certain secondary characters that I found irritating … I find myself still eager to find out what will happen with Sophie and Tom (or, I suppose, Heath) in the next book On the Prowl.

Grade: C-

     Romance is about to get a little hairy.

     Sophie Garou seems to have it all: a great job at a prestigious accounting firm, a closet that rivals a Nordstrom showroom, and a terrific boyfriend who isn’t afraid to use the “M” word. There’s just one little itty-bitty problem: Sophie is a werewolf-and her time of month has a whole new meaning.

     Needless to say, life among yummy flesh-and-blood humans is no piece of steak . . . er, cake!, but regular doses of wolfsbane tea and a mother who runs a magic shop have helped Sophie keep her paranormal pedigree under wraps. Still, when a sexy, golden-eyed werewolf prowls into town, Sophie finds herself struggling to keep her animal impulses in check-not to mention trying to keep things on track with her super hot (and super human) lawyer boyfriend. What’s more, someone is threatening to expose Sophie for what she really is. And when her mother is accused of selling a poison-laced potion, Sophie must sniff out a culprit before the fur hits the fan.

     Read an excerpt here.

I figured that if I wait until I have time to do full reviews of these six books, airborne porcine would be commonplace. So I decided to just do it – write a bunch of quick hits. These are all over the place as far as genre and release dates, so bear with me. Below are short reviews for:

~ A Lick of Frost (Meredith Gentry, Book 6) by Laurell K. Hamilton – fantasy fiction

~ The Kiss by Sophia Nash – regency historical romance

~ The Last Warrior by Karen Kay – American west historical romance

~ Creation in Death by J.D. Robb – Furturistic thriller

~ How to Propose to a Prince (The Royle Sisters, Book 3) by Kathryn Caskie – regency historical romance

~ Midnight Rising (The Midnight Breed, Book 4) by Lara Adrian – contemporary paranormal romance

A Lick of Frost (Meredith Gentry, Book 6) by Laurell K. Hamilton
Fantasy fiction released by Ballantine (hardcover) 23 Oct 07

This is a very good entry in the Merry Gentry world. We finally learn what Frost is and where he comes from. Plus the overall plot in this slow moving series actually moves forward in steps in this book and not in the millimeters it had before. Love the cover, too.

Grade: A

Summary:

I am Meredith Gentry, princess and heir apparent to the throne in the realm of faerie, onetime private investigator in the mortal world.

To be crowned queen, I must first continue the royal bloodline and give birth to an heir of my own. If I fail, my aunt, Queen Andais, will be free to do what she most desires: install her twisted son, Cel, as monarch . . . and kill me.

My royal guards surround me, and my best loved-my Darkness and my Killing Frost-are always beside me, sworn to protect and make love to me. But still the threat grows greater. For despite all my carnal efforts, I remain childless, while the machinations of my sinister, sadistic Queen and her confederates remain tireless. So my bodyguards and I have slipped back into Los Angeles, hoping to outrun the gathering shadows of court intrigue. But even exile isn’t enough to escape the grasp of those with dark designs.

Now King Taranis, powerful and vainglorious ruler of faerie’s Seelie Court, has leveled accusations against my noble guards of a heinous crime-and has gone so far as to ask the mortal authorities to prosecute. If he succeeds, my men face extradition to faerie and the hideous penalties that await them there. But I know that Taranis’s charges are baseless, and I sense that his true target is me. He tried to kill me when I was a child. Now I fear his intentions are far more terrifying.

Read excerpts (scroll down).

The Kiss by Sophia Nash
Historical romance released by Avon 26 Feb 08

This was a very nice historical. Some of the details surprised me – I haven’t seen too many authors deal with characters in quite so real a way before and it was refreshing. I did think The Big Misunderstanding was carried on about 50 pages too long, however. I just wanted to see the hero and heroine get together and see how they overcame their collective histories. Enough preamble already. Would have gotten an A from me if that had happened.

Grade: B-

Summary:

He had once been her cherished childhood companion, and then the man she lusted for in secret, but Georgiana Wilde hasn’t seen recently widowed Quinn Fortesque since the day he married another woman and shattered her heart. Then fate intervenes and brings the man she dreams about each night back to her . . . .

Returning to the estate on family business, Quinn would like nothing more than to turn the land over to Georgiana and leave the memories of his former life behind. But then the brooding marquis finds himself under the spell of the beauty he once left behind. With her barely concealed passions, Georgiana melts his coolly guarded heart. Suddenly his well-ordered world is in danger of crashing down. And it all began with just one kiss . . . .

Read an excerpt (scroll down).

The Last Warrior by Karen Kay
Historical sorta paranormal romance released by Berkley 4 Mar 08

Even I, Nathan Kamp’s #1 Fan, have to admit that this is a craptastic cover. Totally not the author’s fault, but I do with the publishers could have found a model who looked remotely like a Native American.

This was an okay book. The premise was a little unbelievable, and the author didn’t do much to suspend my disbelief. It was a decent poolside read, though. Nice romance and interesting time period (1892).

Grade: C+

Summary:

Many centuries ago, a village killed the children of the Thunder God. For their crime, the Creature bannished them to live a half existence in the land of mists, neither dead nor alive.”

But once in a generation, a brave is given the opportunity to save his clan. In 1892, that warrior is Black Lion

There was only one way for Black Lion to melt the Thunder God’s anger; listen for a sacred white-man’s song — and sing it perfectly with the one who introduced him to it. He joins Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and travels to London, where he encounters the daughter of two opera singers — the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. However, Suzette Joselyn is already engaged to another man…

But the two are destined to meet again when Suzette shows up in America, pregnant and abandoned by her fiance. Reunited with Black Lion she finds it impossible to turn down his offer of marriage to save her child from life as a bastard. But she doesn’t realize that her brave new husband is consumed with a mission that may force him to choose between his people and the woman he loves…

Read an excerpt.

Creation in Death by J.D. Robb
Futuristic thriller released by Putnam (hardcover) 6 Nov 07

I’m an Eve & Roarke fan from way back (Roarke = dark chocolate in my fantasies). I feel CiD is the least “romantic” of all the In Death books. It is definitley more a “thriller” than a “romantic suspense”. I also get less of the “futuristic” sense in this book than is evident in the other In Death entries. Nevertheless, the tension is very high throughout and I really had the feeling of “time running out” the whole time I was flipping pages faster and faster. Terrific read.

I was a little disappointed by something that Eve asked Roarke to do at the end, though – it seemed dishonorable to me and a little out of character. But it’s something I think will likely create an interesting problem for our hero and heroine in future books.

Grade: A

Summary:

NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas keeps the streets of a near-future New York City safe in this extraordinary series. But even she makes mistakes, and is haunted by those she couldn’t save-and the killers she couldn’t capture. When the body of a young brunette is found in East River Park, artfully positioned and marked by signs of prolonged and painful torture, Eve is catapulted back to a case nine years earlier. The city was on edge from a killing spree that took the lives of four women in fifteen days, courtesy of a man the media tagged “The Groom”-because he put silver rings on the fingers of his victims.

When it turns out that the young brunette was employed by Eve’s billionaire husband, Roarke, she brings him in on the case-a move that proves fitting when it becomes chillingly clear that the killer has made his attack personal. The victim was washed in products from a store Roarke owns, and laid out on a sheet his company manufactures.

With the Groom’s monstrous return, Eve is determined to finish him once and for all. Familiar with his methods, Eve knows that he has already grabbed his next victim. Time is running out on another woman’s life.

And chances are he’s working up to the biggest challenge of his illustrious career-abducting a woman who will test his skills and who promises to give him days and days of pleasure before she dies: Eve.

Read an excerpt.

How to Propose to a Prince (The Royle Sisters, Book 3) by Kathryn Caskie
Historical romance released by Avon 26 Feb 08

I mostly didn’t like was irritated by this one, but it was readable. The heroine kept insisting that the hero was her soul mate (not in so many words, thankfully) and that they would be married, all because of a dream she keeps having. Perhaps I would have believed it more if the author hadn’t kept hammering it in, over and over again. The heroine comes off as a little desperate and the hero a little callous.

I REALLY hated some of the details at the end. They made me want to say “then why the f__k have you dragged your characters through all that crap!?” – but the author wiggles out of it at the very last. Barely.

Notwithstanding the teeth-grindingly irritating details, it’s another poolside read if you’re a fan of light historicals. Not awful, but not great.

Grade: C

Summary:

If the tiara fits, wear it! And that is exactly what Elizabeth Royle intends to do. After all, if you can’t be acknowledged as the daughter of a prince, the least you can do is marry one.

When Elizabeth Royle, youngest of the notorious Royle sisters, comes face-to-face with her future husband, a man she’s seen only in her dreams, she nearly swoons–especially when she discovers he is a prince. But her ecstasy is short-lived as she quickly learns that the man she longs for is soon to be betrothed to someone else–a princess no less. A lesser woman would give up, but Elizabeth is a Royle, after all.

Refusing to surrender her dreams of a royal wedding, Elizabeth takes the position of lady-in-waiting to the princess, determined to get close to her perfect match. But the lover she desires is not who he seems…and only once she discovers the true man behind the crown will she find the perfect love she’s been longing for all her life.

Read an excerpt.

Midnight Rising (The Midnight Breed, Book 4) by Lara Adrian
Contemporary paranormal romance released by Dell 25 Mar 08

This was a good entry in this series. However, I don’t recommend it if this is your first foray into it. I liked how Adrian made the hero a little more “human” – well, as human as an alien vampire can be, I suppose. Good read with some interesting twists.

Grade: B

Summary:

In a world of shadows and dark, consuming hungers, desire is the deadliest weapon…

For journalist Dylan Alexander, it began with the discovery of a hidden tomb, thrusting her into the center of a gathering storm of violence and secrets. But nothing is as dangerous as the scarred, lethally seductive man who rises from the shadows to draw her into his world of dark desire and endless night.

Fueled by pain and rage over a shattering betrayal, the warrior Rio has pledged his life to the war against the Rogues. He will let nothing stand in his way—least of all a mortal woman with the power to expose the entire vampire race. For an ancient evil has been awakened, and a stunning darkness is on the rise. Suddenly Dylan is powerless to resist Rio’s touch, even as she uncovers a shocking link to her own past. And now she must choose: Leave Rio’s midnight realm, or risk it all for the man who has shown her true passion and the infinite pleasures of the heart. . . .

Read an excerpt.

And that’s it for now folks! I have a couple of others, but I’m saving those for a “themed” post (can you say, “Kresley Cole is a Goddess”? I knew you could).

Sandy M’s review of Master of the Highlands by Veronica Wolff
Paranormal Historical Romance published by Berkley 5 Feb 2008

As a time travel fan, I did like this book, but I’m also a little disappointed in it. Therefore, I’m unsure what grade to give it. Maybe those of you who have also read it will help me out.

What I like about the book is a number of things. I really like the writing. The author does a very good job of describing the characters and their surroundings, giving a feel of their emotions and their actions. I sometimes felt I was right in the middle of the Highlands. She doesn’t go overboard with historical facts and keeps the modern world well balanced with the old through the heroine.

I also enjoyed the characters themselves. Ewen is the typical clan chief everyone loves and respects and Lily is the lonely heroine looking for love but still wants to find a way home to her own time, even with a great looking man, hers for the taking, right in front of her. I enjoyed the addition of John, Ewen’s son, in the story and the development of their relationship once Ewen realizes he’s shortchanging both his son and himself by holding the boy at arm’s length. The slutty, power hungry Rowena is one of those villains you love to hate, along with Clan Cameron’s enemies, the MacKintoshes and the British redcoats.

The relationship between Ewen and Lily is nice, it grows along at a steady pace, each coming to their epiphanies about one another on their own and then letting their love flourish naturally. Even Lily’s winning young John over is a nice touch. I like the fact that Ewen isn’t taken in by Rowena, that he knows the better woman when he sees her, even before he realizes he loves her, and isn’t taken in by womanly wiles. I like the story in general, how Lily is transported back in time, the secret of Robert, and other little tidbits. The side story about Robert is interesting, and this is where my disappointment comes in.

So much more could have been done with that side story. Lily has the solution to that problem in her hands the whole time. Her grandmother sang a passed-down legend to Lily her whole life, so she knows the story she’s landed right smack dab in the middle of. But each time she thinks about the song and its relationship to her current situation, she either shrugs it off or ignores it. The heroine herself laments she should have used her information much sooner to help, but it’s much too late by the time she’s crying over the tragedy that ensues. Lily should have been able to change the outcome of her song. She knows exactly what’s going to happen and lets it happen anyway.

Even if she’d tried and the outcome is still the same, okay, fine. But her half-hearted attempt really irritates me. Heck, maybe poor Robert could have had his own book if Lily would have been a little more aware, which doesn’t make sense to have the heroine so slow-witted about the whole thing because she’s living her heritage, for heaven’s sake. If it weren’t for the romance found in the past, I would question why have Lily travel back in the first place?

Now my dilemma. I enjoyed more of the book than I was disapointed by it, but the disappointment is a big one in that the heroine isn’t more in tune to what’s going on. My indecision is which grade should I give the book?

Grade: B- or C+

Help me out – give me your grade and the why of it, please!

Read Gwen’s review here.

     From the back cover:

SHE’S BACK IN TIME… Lily Hamlin has finally realized that her life isn’t as perfect as she once thought. Making a pilgrimage to Scotland, a land she’s only heard about in lullabies, Lily hopes that she can find her place again. But while exploring the Highlands, she discovers an overgrown maze and a strange stone map–and lands in the Lochaber of 1654…

…JUST IN TIME FOR HIM. Ewen, Chief of the Clan Cameron, is a busy man who must figure out how to save his people from the brutal redcoats and has time for little else. Having sired an heir, the widowed Ewen has no need-or room-for another romance. Then into his life drops a saucy lass with a peculiar accent, no regard for his title–and an arousing body. Drawn to each other despite their differences, they both realize that they don’t want her to go back to her own time. But with battles brewing between the Camerons, the redcoats, and a rival clan, staying is a gamble.

     Read an excerpt.

Lawson’s review of Untamed by Hope Tarr
Historical romance released by Medallion Press 1 Feb 2008

This is the third in the series about three orphans who have come into their own. The first book followed Hadrian St. Claire, the second Gavin Carmichael, and now Patrick O’Rourke has his turn. Rourke has appeared in the first two books in the series, offering advice when his two friends have hit a rough patch with their respective loves. The question is to see if he can follow his own advice when things hit the rocks with his own new bride.

There’s some time backtracking in this story. The first few chapters revisit a few scenes from the first two books, instead from Rourke and his intended bride, Lady Katherine Lindsey’s point of view. One scene at a ball, an unfortunate wager and the fallout from that, and then the eventual wedding, which happens about the same time Enslaved ends.

Though Shakespeare has a small part in Enslaved, with Daisy’s part in As You Like It, the bard has a larger influence in the fact that as a joke, a copy of The Taming of the Shrew is given to Gavin. Lady Katherine has an unfortunate reputation as a shrew due to her sharp tongue and snobbish demeanor. It’s a front though, since her father is a wastrel and she has a pampered and spoiled younger sister. She’s trying to keep up appearances since her father looses money far too easily.

Kate is then has no choice to marry Rourke under some blackmail, but he doesn’t really know how to treat his new wife. When The Taming of the Shrew finds its way to his hands, he decides to follow the route of Petrucio. Which is probably where the mistakes start. For one thing, Petrucio is the one Shakespearian main character who doesn’t grow and change in a play. He’s always who he is and it’s Katarina that changes and becomes a different person.

Neither Rourke nor Kate, though, really seem to give anything. When they finally seem to be getting along and things are going well, a wrench is thrown in the works and the bond that had been built dissolves like sugar in the rain. Yes, there’s a HEA, but not without some meddling of Daisy and Callie and makes the whole thing rather hollow in the end. Much like the love at the end of Shrew. Though Katarina comes when her husband calls, it’s more for outward appearances rather than because she is there to obey what her husband.

The best way to sum things up actually kind of goes along with the cover. The model is walking with head up high, but her pose is awkward at best, painful at worst and just looks like it’s trying to be something it’s not. How disappointing that the first two books in this series were rather wonderful, and this one didn’t measure up.

Grade: C-

Summary:

“The Men of Roxbury House” wraps with Patrick O’Rourke–Rourke–and Kate’s rocky road to romance, due out February 2008. A marriage based on blackmail takes a surprising turn in this refreshing retelling of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.”

Former Roxbury House orphan, Patrick O’Rourke is a rough and ready Scotsman as well as a successful self-made businessman. Lady Katherine Lindsey–Kate–is a beautiful English spinster, a gentlewoman. When she finds herself blackmailed into accepting a marriage of convenience with the handsome Scot, she lets Rourke see another side of her. Following a hasty wedding, Rourke sweeps a seething Kate from the elegant and refined drawing rooms of west London to his crumbling castle in the Scottish Highlands. The only guide he has to wooing and bedding the stubborn spitfire he’s taken to wife is a copy of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.” But as passion sparks between them, Rourke finds he may well be in danger of being tamed.

Click on the “Untamed” tag for an excerpt on this site.

“Runaway Bride” meets Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” in Hope Tarr‘s UNTAMED.

Book #3 of Hope’s “Men of Roxbury House” Trilogy

Chapter Two

“And I have thrust myself into this maze,

Happily to wive and thrive as best I may.”

—William Shakespeare, Petruchio, The Taming of the Shrew

Covent Garden Opera House

February 1890

Rourke squinted out into the ballroom where guests were penned in like so many Shetland sheep. “You swore she’d be here.”

Stepping back amongst his friends, Harry and Gavin, he yanked at his collar, the starched points of which had been stabbing into either side of his jaw for the past hour. If seen, the gesture would betray his commonness, but it couldn’t be helped. It was hot. Hot as hell, or best make that hot as Hades as his newly fashionable former Roxbury House friends, Gavin and Harry, had schooled him to say. The enormous crystal chandelier suspended overhead wasn’t solely to blame. Heat from incandescent burners spilled out from the tiered opera boxes, wilting the elaborate floral arrangements and glittering guests, thickening the air with the rank sweetness of dying flowers and ripening flesh, the stench calling to mind the undertaker’s front parlor where once he’d worked as a mourning “mute.”

Since leaving the Roxbury House orphanage at sixteen, he’d worked any number of menial jobs—ditch digger, chimney sweep, and lastly railway navvie. The hard labor had broadened his shoulders and strengthened his back, as well as his will to make something of himself. When he’d entered the pub’s prize fight on a lark and stepped over the ropes to duke it out with the reigning contender, no one, including himself, had expected him to hold out for the requisite three minutes. He’d not only held. He’d won.

What irony that his present abject misery owed to how very far he’d risen in life. And yet at times such as this, when he found himself rubbing elbows with jewel-festooned females and their mustached husbands and beaux, the latter sporting shiny gold watch fobs and fat money clips, he felt the telltale tingling creeping into his palms and the fingers of his right hand, his working hand, starting up with the old familiar flexing jig.

Forcing his fingers still, he reminded himself he didn’t need to be that person anymore. He wasn’t that person. And if the prospect of a pearl-studded brooch or gold tie clasp still had the power to make his hands prickle, the delectable yet-to-be-met “she” brought another very particular part of him to life with the beginnings of a long-unsatisfied ache.

“She” was Lady Katherine Lindsey, daughter to the Earl of Romney and one of London’s preeminent Professional Beauties, young ladies of rank who condescended to allow their pocket-sized photographic portraits, or cartes postales, to be displayed for sale in shops such as his photographer friend, Harry’s. She was also the woman whom the day before Rourke had announced to his two friends he meant to marry.

Harry Stone, known to the public as Hadrian St. Claire, sidestepped the protruding plumes of the grand dame in front of him and directed his gaze out onto the milling crowd. “And so she shall. She may have arrived already.”

Standing on Rourke’s opposite side, his barrister friend, Gavin Carmichael, added his calming voice to the fray. “Mind how long it took us to get through that receiving line. Guests are still arriving. Have patience, Rourke. If she’s here, we’ll find her.”

If Rourke lacked patience, and admittedly he did, it was with good cause. After years in Scotland, he’d come back to London with one purpose: to find a blue-blooded Englishwoman for his wife. He wasn’t looking to make a love match. That would take longer than the fortnight he had left to woo and win. From what he could tell, like Happily Ever After endings, love was the stuff of fairy tales. Once he found a woman of proper pedigree, pleasing looks, and breeding age, he would consider his search ended and his posterity well served. A highborn mother meant that his future children would never be on the receiving end of “the cut direct,” that canny knack aristocrats had for looking through you as though you were made of glass, dirty glass, and then flaring their nostrils and curling their lips as horses did when they smelled something rank.

In the social whirlwind of the past two weeks, he’d so far encountered prim debutantes, brash American heiresses, and randy widows; the latter promising to provide any number of carnal delights. None of them had moved him to give more than a glance or smile in passing, certainly not a proposal of marriage. Determined though he was not to go home empty-handed, he couldn’t stretch out his stay indefinitely. He’d neglected his railway company in Edinburgh far too long. The railway business was as cutthroat as any street scam, the threat from rival companies calling for constant vigilance, the opportunities for swallowing up the smaller fish boundlessly lucrative.

Discouraged, the other day he’d set out for a wee stroll, his meandering footsteps leading him to bustling Parliament Square. That was where he encountered “her,” or rather her likeness in the form of a pocket-sized hand-tinted photograph resting atop the velvet-covered shelving inside Harry’s shop window. The photograph was shot in profile, the woman’s slender hands resting demurely in her lap, her wavy, honey-colored hair drawn up to display the sweet contour of high-boned cheek, lush mouth, and softly rounded chin. Unfortunately the shop was shut up, the shades drawn, the sign turned to closed. Rourke had stood still as a statue in the bracing cold, his face pressed up to the glass, his good eye employed in memorizing every detail of that lovely fine-boned face.

Once he got back to Gavin’s flat, he hadn’t lost any time in asking after her.

“There’s a photograph of a young woman in Harry’s shop window. Dark eyes, light brown hair, hands folded in her lap. Do you know her?”

Gavin had looked up from his open copy of the London Times. “That would be Katherine Lindsey. She’s one of Harry’s PBs, Professional Beauties, and by far his best seller. They’ve worked out an arrangement where she sits for him exclusively. Don’t scowl so. It’s all done in the best of taste, and for the most part, the husbands don’t mind.”

“She’s married, then?” On the walk back to Gavin’s, he’d tried tempering his enthusiasm. For all he knew, his mystery lady might very well be married, engaged, or otherwise beyond his touch. Still, hearing the confirmation sent his hopes sinking like a body weighted with stones tossed into the Thames.

Gavin shook his head. “If you bothered to read anything beyond financial reports, you’d know the lady has made something of a reputation for herself. She’s been engaged three times, and each time she has cried off before the banns were read.”

Intrigued as much by her story as her face, he’d found himself making excuses to stop by Harry’s shop for a second, third, and even a fourth look. Finally he’d swallowed his pride, plunked down his guinea, and purchased a copy of the portrait. It sat propped upon his bedside table, hers the last face he looked upon before sleeping and the first upon rising.

But there was no substitute for the genuine article. The opportunity to encounter Lady Katherine in the flesh had brought him here tonight. Apparently she had some affiliation as a volunteer for the Tremayne Dairy Farm Academy, the charitable recipient organization of that night’s ball. Reckoning that the dance card of a beauty, and a “professional” one at that, would be among the first to be filled, he’d taken up strategic position on the periphery of the dance floor.

“That’s her over there.” Harry’s voice brought him back to the present. “Standing amidst the half-dozen penguins in Lord Dutton’s set. You can’t miss her.”

Excitement gripped Rourke. He felt like a child on the eve of all those bountiful Christmases he’d heard of but never once known. Craning his neck, he scanned the ballroom, the muzzy figures melding into one glittering mass of jewels, plump bare shoulders, and swirling satins and silks. But the trouble with rich people was they tended to speak, move, and dress so very much alike.

Exasperated, he turned back to his two friends. “Point her out to me.”

Gavin spoke up, “It’s a society ball, Patrick, not Billingsgate Market. Pointing is not quite the thing.”

Harry let out a huff. “Hang your pride and put your glasses on, man.”

That was an easy enough recommendation for Harry to make. Handsome Harry, they’d called him back in their Roxbury House days, and with good reason. Blessed with height, blond good looks, and two working eyes, Harry had been coaxing girls out of their knickers before he was old enough to shave. Likewise, tall, dark, aristocratic Gavin had drawn his fair share of female admiration since they’d entered the ballroom. Barrel-chested, blunt-featured, and with a shock of auburn hair that no amount of Makassar oil could seem to tame, Rourke’s rough-hewn looks were less likely to recommend him to a delicate London lassie like Lady Katherine. Having a dodgy eye to boot hardly seemed fair, but certainly he wasn’t the only man in the room wearing glasses. He slid a gloved hand inside his tailcoat’s inner breast pocket and pulled out the detested spectacles. Shoving them on his crooked bridge of a broken nose, he leaned forward.

Like an oyster opening to reveal the pearl sheltered within, the clutch of evening-attired “penguins” parted, bringing their prize into view. Lady Katherine Lindsey peered out from her sanctum and smothered a yawn behind her slender gloved hand.

The first thing that struck him was how very tiny she was. Barely reaching the shoulders of the men ranged about her, she was also slight as a fairy. Following on that thought was that she was far prettier than her picture. Harry might be one of the best photographic portraitists in London, but the photograph he’d taken didn’t begin to do her justice. But then, how could an image imprinted on paper and tinted by hand begin to capture the creaminess of that pale oval face; the wicked, willful flash of those dark eyes; and the wonderful mobility of her lush mouth, berry ripe and fashioned for kissing? The only conceivable flaw he could find was her nose. Seen full face, it was thin about the bridge and slightly longish. An aristocrat’s nose, no doubt it tended to point north, and yet the delicate pinkish tip begged to be tweaked—and kissed.

She must have sensed him staring. Shifting to the side, she cast her gaze over one gentleman’s shoulder and their eyes met. The jolt of sexual awareness struck like a thunderbolt splitting a placid springtime sky, the tingling heat sliding down his spine and settling in his cock. Suddenly glad of the concealing crush, he lifted his champagne flute in silent salute and then knocked back a sip. Warm as piss, just as he’d known it would be, and flat, too. Holding her eye, he choked down the froth and then made a deliberately droll face.

The corners of her mouth lifted ever so slightly upwards, affording him a flash of straight white teeth and two devilish dimples bracketing her bottom lip. As if remembering herself, she feigned a yawn and covered her hand over her mouth once more, only this time Rourke knew it wasn’t boredom she sought to smother. It was a chuckle.

“I think she fancies you, mate.” Harry nudged him in the ribs, but Rourke ignored him, refusing to be distracted.

Emboldened, he sent his gaze on a lazy downward glide, the shadowed hollow of her slender throat inviting mouths and tongues to linger. Her cream-colored gown was of obvious quality though simple in style, the décolletage low but not indecently so, just low enough to allow a teasing glimpse of cleavage. Elbow-high white satin opera gloves sheathed arms that were both slender and shapely.

Imagining those lovely arms wrapping about his neck as he peeled away her gown, he asked, “What’s she like?”

He sensed Harry shrug. “She has a reputation as a shrew, and honestly earned from what I hear, though she’s civil enough to me. Always keeps her pose without any fuss or fidgeting, though she’s not much of a talker. Brings her younger sister along to our sittings, no doubt to keep things on the up and up, not that she need bother.”

Irrational jealousy caused Rourke to look away at last. He stole a sideways glance at the handsome photographer, but his friend’s attention was fixed not on Lady Katherine, but instead on a tall, curvy brunette sipping champagne and chatting to several goggle-eyed gentlemen on the far side of the room. Rourke recalled Harry earlier introducing her as Caledonia Rivers, not a PB, but one of his commissioned portraiture subjects, as well as a leader in the women’s suffrage movement.

Harry scraped a gloved hand through his silver-blond hair and scowled. “She’s off-limits, Rourke.”

Ordinarily Rourke’s tastes ran to buxom women with big breasts and long legs. His former mistress, Felicity, was as tall as he, as well as a proper armful. Striking though Miss Rivers was, his thoughts kept turning back to the pocket-sized Venus on the other side of the room.

Happy to have his handsome friend’s interest elsewhere engaged, he clapped Harry on the shoulder. “Dinna fash, man. Bonny as your Miss Rivers is, I’ve set my cap elsewhere.”

Setting his cap for Lady Katherine was but the first step in winning her. In his hard-scrabble experience, winning anything meant fighting for it. Whether he found himself in a London opera house, a pugilist’s ring, or a railway laborer’s hut sleeping three to a bed, jungle law prevailed.

He divided his gaze between his two friends. “If you’ll excuse me, there’s a lady who’s promised me the next dance. . .only she doesna know it yet.”

Gavin and Harry exchanged amused looks. Gavin’s dark brows rose. “Pardon me for asking, but since when do you dance?”

It was a reasonable question. What little grace he possessed was centered in his nimble-fingered hands; otherwise, he’d been born with two left feet.

Rourke grinned and handed Harry his champagne flute.

“Since now.”

ShannonC’s review of The Song by Jean Johnson
Fantasy romance published 5 Feb 2008 by Berkeley

Just lately I have been embracing my inner Jean Johnson fangirl. I still couldn’t tell you why I love these books, aside from the fact that the author’s voice is so refreshing. She is not writing the exact same story with the exact same plot and the exact same characters in book after book, and her characters, while sometimes beyond irritating, are distinct and distinguishable and fun.

I didn’t like Johnson’s latest book as much as I’ve liked some of her others, and it’s very much a transition book, but the elements that work work really well.

The Song tells the story of Evanor, the fourth of the brothers of Nightfall Island. For the sake of full disclosure, I will confess that I adore Evanor and he is my favorite of the brothers, because I lurve me a beta hero and Evanor is just way too sweet and cute. Plus he’s a musician, and while some girls may go ga-ga over Navy S.E.A.L.’s or vampires, I will take a man who can sing any damn day.

Ahem. Right. Where was I? Oh yes, the plot. Evanor lost his voice saving one of his sisters-in-law from a villain in a previous book, and this has left him depressed and frustrated. The brothers can’t seem to get a competent Healer out to the island until Mariel, the best friend of Serina from the third book, agrees to try the complicated regeneration of Evanor’s vocal chords. Meanwhile, the Mage’s council of Katan, where the brothers came from originally, are starting to get suspicious of all the odd activity going on around Nightfall, which poses a potential problem for the brothers.

This book resolves a lot of the dangling story arcs that have been left hanging in the other books while setting up new ones. This is primarily what happens, and while the external plotting was a lot of fun, I thought that the romance suffered.

We know, pretty much from the beginning, that Evanor and Mariel are going to fall in love. They made moony eyes at each other at the end of the third book, so it’s pretty much inevitable. Both of them are very even-tempered sorts, and the main barriers to their romance are external. Mariel’s a widow who, thankfully, loved her first husband, but he’s been dead a while and she knows from the start that she’s destined to find love twice. Her son Mikor wants a stepfather, and so a lot of the major obstacle to the romance involved winning the kid over. Mariel does have a few fleeting thoughts that the Healer/patient relationship is probably one that doesn’t involve random booty calls, but she never really sticks to her guns on that one. And Evanor decides right from the first that he’s in love, Mariel’s his destiny, and he just has to bring her around to his way of thinking. Being a beta sort, this involves a lot of subtle gentle seduction that was fun to read about, and when they finally got to the first sex scene… All I can say is that it’s one of the most tender and yet passionate scenes I’ve read in a while.

One of the other things I liked was the treatment of Mariel’s son. He wasn’t just a cute kid designed to make the reader go “aww.” He’s moody, curious, always into things, and has a tendency to embarrass his mother. I liked that Johnson accounted for him quite a bit. He didn’t just disappear when he wasn’t needed, and he was, in fact, pretty instrumental in the plot.

As usual, it’s nice to see the other Nightfall brothers and their fated mates. As usual, Kelly irritated me because there is nothing this woman doesn’t know about. (I had a huge eyerolling moment when she started commiserating with Mariel on the concept of “childus interruptus” because, dude, she was set up to be virtually lonely and friendless when she shows up in the first book, so when has she had the time to witness firsthand the kind of pains in the ass little kids can be when parents need grown-up time? Plus, Kelly is a modern woman in her mid-twenties, as am I. And I know that neither I nor my friends would articulate a phrase like “childus interruptus.” We just wouldn’t.) Also as usual, the boys continue to be a loving and supportive family except when it involves Rydan, and I still stand by my theory that Rydan is, indeed, an empath. And while I am mentioning minor niggling details that caused my WTF-meter to ping, why is Mariel described as middle-aged at 29? I have three years to go before I reach that magic number, and I will not be calling myself middle-aged until I’m at least 40, thankyouverymuch!

I think I’d have liked the plot a lot better if it hadn’t taken so much time away from the romance. Nightfall’s breaking away from Katan was interesting and will provide a lot of questions that need resolving in the next book. I particularly liked that Katan’s department of defense was called the Department of Conflict Resolution, because it seems like such an appropriately mealy-mouthed bureaucratic name for it. But there were some elements, like the invention of a Nightfall-style cell phone, that I thought were maybe not as relevant as they could have been.

I enjoyed this story, despite my quibbles, so much so that I read it in one sitting. And I am definitely looking forward to Trevan’s book. Given that Trevan is supposed to be the acknowledged lover, there better be some pr0n is all I’m saying.

Grade: B

Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day—they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy. To avoid tempting their destiny, the brothers are exiled to Nightfall Island , where women are forbidden. This presents a challenge for the brother whose magic has been destroyed…

Evanor, fourth-born of the Sons of Destiny, lost his voice—and with it, his powers—in the violent battle that freed his family from their greatest enemy. Thankfully, with the safe return of his twin, Evanor now knows precisely who can bring his songs back to life.
She is the enchanting widow Mariel, a Healer brought to Nightfall to help the brothers in their hour of need. For Mariel and her young son, that means leaving their beloved homeland for the unfamiliar island of Nightfall and its still-forbidden shores…and with it, risking the passion she stirs in her intriguing patient’s heart.

But a new danger looms when the Council of Katan learn there might be women on the Isle…

Read an excerpt here

Previous reviews for this series:

• Book 1: The Sword
• Book 2: The Wolf
• Book 3: The Master

Gwen’s review of Netherwood by Michele Lang
Sci-Fi Romance released by Shomi on 26 Feb 08

This is going to be a short review. I didn’t like the book and Alicia did an admirable job summarizing the plot in her earlier review (which you can read here).

This author’s site is dismal, by the way. Tells you nothing about the book other than the title and a link to buy it. No blurb. No helpful author notes on the world-building, nada. [finger shaking time] Bad author, shame shame.

I like to think I’m smart and I still had trouble following the plot and all the mechanics behind the world that Lang has built for us here. For example, I never fully grasped the concept of “the grid.” I mean – I know what it’s supposed to be, but I never did quite believe in it.

And that one statement sums up how I felt about the book: it failed to suspend my disbelief to the point I just enjoyed the story. Much of the problem for me is the first person POV the story is told in. It’s just far too limited a POV for a world as complex as the one Lang has built here. For example, we’re never told exactly what a sheriff’s powers are – I mean, the character already knows this, right, so why would they need to repeat it (maybe because the reader doesn’t live in this world perhaps?) – so I was left scratching my head at the heroine’s hostility to her uncle when more sabotage is found. There are several other places in the book that are like that – totally confusing and never really resolved.

So, I can’t really recommend this book except to die-hard Sci-Fi romance fans, or fans of Lang’s writing.

Grade: C

Read Alicia’s review here. She liked it a LOT more than I did.

From the back cover:

THERE’S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN…

And her name is Talia Fortune. Her mission: capture the cyber outlaw, Kovner, a man who knows she is more than just a sheriff-Talia is also a woman, with a woman’s desires. Scion of the Fortune family and primary shareholder of the mega-conglomerate FortuneCorp, she is the Hand of Fate…or at least of the Home Office. With the power to punish, she’s been sent to Fresh Havens-a corporate off-world colony run by her uncle.

But the colony is full of hidden danger. Sabotage, deception, destruction…it will take every ounce of Talia’s strength and courage, fighting skills honed in the Amphitheatre and knowledge learned at the Academy, just to survive. Her ability to love and trust will be sorely tested, especially in the clutches of her quarry, the Outlaw of Fresh Havens, her cyber-lover and now her enemy. He and the answers lie in the Gray Forest, in a reality beyond the bubbledome, the Grid, and everything she’s ever known. Her future lies in… NETHERWOOD

Read an excerpt.

Laura J’s review of I Love Lacy by Lillian Feisty.

Contemporary Erotic Romance released 29 February 2008 by Ellora’s Cave.

I’m a huge fan of books that make me laugh out loud, have quirky characters or some kind of strange event that brings the hero and heroine together. That doesn’t mean I will only read books that contain laugh out loud moments, but it is my first choice in books. So I have to say this was a good choice for me. I Love Lacy definitely meets 2 of my requirements.

Lacy Kane is an “aromatheripan” and is in need of someone to help her find her “priceless tiara” that has been stolen. She needs this tiara in order for her to do her job as a food critic. She hires Detective Mason O’Malley, a former Reno police detective who chose to leave police work to open his own private investigation business, to help her retrieve the tiara. When he meets her Mason is instantly attracted to Lacy, although he can’t really understand why, especially since to him she is a bit wacky. Lacy is able to tell immediately, thanks to her heightened sense of smell, that Mason is “the one”. Now she just has to find her tiara and convince Mason that they belong together.

Lacy is a bit wacky, but at the same time she is a likable person. She has spent her entire life believing she is a disappointment to her mother who didn’t want her using her “skill” as an aromatheripan to be a food critic. Mason is a tough as nails guy, who at first thinks Lacy is a few bricks shy of a load as they say, but can’t deny the attraction he instantly feels for Lacy. Mason is your typical, tough guy hero. Lacy and Mason are complete opposites, but hey, opposites attract, right? Mason needs someone to have fun with and Lacy needs someone to accept her for who she is, quirks and all.

The story was a bit predictable in places, but overall this is a cute, fun, fast paced story, with likeable characters, laugh out loud moments and of course, hot sex. I hope to see more stories like this from this author.

Grade: C+

As an ex-cop turned private investigator in Reno, Nevada, Mason O’Malley thinks he’s seen it all. But nothing could prepare him for the kooky phone call about a stolen tiara — or the weird, irresistible woman who places it.

Lacy Kane is a fiery redhead with a love for vintage and a superhuman sense of smell. Her scent energy is grounded in the amethyst that decorates her prized tiara, so she’s desperate to get the stolen item back. When she hires a private detective, though, Lacy gets more than she bargained for in Mason, a gorgeous, dominant tough guy with a hypnotic scent.

And that’s before the handcuffs come out…

Read an Excerpt here.

Met by Chance (released 5 Feb 08 by Samhain) is the most recent historical romance release by the prolific Lynne Connolly It is the third book in the Triple Countess Trilogy. Read Sandy’s review, then read on for an excerpt!

There’s more to this man than satin and lace.

After a serious riding accident, Perdita Garland is back in society. Unfortunately the first man who catches her interest, Charles Dalton, Marquis of Petherbridge, turns out to be a popinjay with a spoiled daughter in tow. And his equally spoiled sister is flirting with the same fortune-hunting suitor who almost cost Perdita her life. What’s a lady to do? Warn the marquis of the danger, of course.

Charles knows that English society finds his manners and dress astonishing, but they cover a man broken by a disastrous marriage to a faithless wife. Now a widowed father determined not to be fooled again, he is nevertheless charmed by Perdita and the steely strength of will under her fragile exterior. If only the lady would mind her own business.

But when his impulsive sister elopes and kidnaps his daughter, he finds himself wishing he had listened to the little busybody. And Perdita, feeling partly responsible for the disaster, boldly sets out to help him put things right.Alone in a strange city with his lordship, plunged into danger, Perdita discovers there is more than meets the eye under the pampered skin of the marquis. There is strength, power…and passion beyond her wildest dreams.

The Excerpt:
Perdita went to the stove and picked up the cloth to wrap around the hot handle of the kettle. It wasn’t a large kettle, but full of boiling water the weight was more than she was used to.

She felt the handle slip under the cloth and the weight of the water continued the small initial movement. Before she could prevent it the handle slipped through the cloth, and the boiling water spilled over her.

Perdita reacted quickly, dropping the kettle and jumping back to avoid what she could, but Charles acted quicker.

A torrent of cold water doused her, hurled from the can by the door, forcing her to close her eyes against the deluge. Then his arms went around her from behind and he lifted her up, almost throwing her on to the bed on the opposite side of the small room. He dragged her skirts up, and pulled at her garters, tearing the woollen stockings off her. Perdita, stunned by the swiftness of the actions, came to herself and pulled the stocking off the other leg.

They studied the damage. The boiling water had landed on her skirts, soaking through the thin, worn fabric too quickly, but his quick actions saved her from serious damage. Her legs were pinker than usual, but no welts, no scalds were apparent.

What was apparent were her scars. Perdita tried not to look at her legs usually, and usually put on her stockings by herself by touch, only allowing her maid to tie off the garters for her. She couldn’t bear to look at the damage.

The accident had caused some ugly scars. On her left leg the shinbone had penetrated the skin, leaving a puckered scar, lividly white. Her legs had been cut by stones on her fall, and not much attention had been given to their healing, once infection was discounted, so the scars were worse than they might have been. Little white lines, raised above what had been a smooth surface. The bone in the right leg had set a little crookedly. Perdita knew it could have been worse. Any more and she would have been left with a permanent limp, unable to walk or dance.

Ugly. So ugly Perdita couldn’t bear to look. She had forced herself to, once the bandages and splints came off, determined to face what she had with determination and courage. Easier on her own. Violetta, now her brother’s wife, had seen them, and given her massages which helped the muscle strain when she began to walk again. It had been Violetta who bullied her into taking those first steps, and helped her to face society, something Perdita was sure she never wanted to do again after her humiliation and then her accident. Her mother had seen them, and Orlando. No one else, until now.

She didn’t want to look at him. He’d saved her from a scald, but reminded her just why no man would take her, when he could have an unblemished, untouched woman.

She’d been foolish to consider it, she knew that.

“Thank you.” Her voice barely rose above a whisper. “I don’t think I’m badly hurt. Silly of me.”

“No.” His voice was just as low. He stared at her legs and Perdita knew there was no concealing them now. Many married couples rarely saw each other naked, and if they did, they were in bed. She’d hoped to hide the evidence of her shame and her stupidity with any future husband some way, any way.

“Dear God, how you must have suffered!” His low, throbbing tones held more than pity.

More than he would know. The physical suffering had been penance for her, for the stupid mistakes she’d made. “My horse had to be put down. I’ll never forgive myself for that.”

He reached out, and touched her calf with his open palm. There was a scar there, white and twisted. Without it she would have had a sweetly rounded calf. With the scar, it was a travesty.

She moved, tried to withdraw but his touch became a grip. “No. Don’t. Trust me enough, Peri, trust me to look.”

She was afraid of his reaction, afraid he would recoil, or more likely, gently withdraw once it was clear she hadn’t done herself serious injury, at least this time. She knew he would not be unkind, but was equally sure he would not be interested in her any more. Who would, thinking of those ugly limbs wrapped with theirs, entwined with their own?

There was nothing left to lose. Under his hands, turned gentle once more, she made herself relax.

“Dear God, I knew you’d had an accident, but not that it was this bad!” He slid his hands over her lower legs, as though he could smooth the skin back to perfection. He felt every knot, every scar.

He looked up at her and shocked her with his expression. His eyes glistened, and there was no repulsion on his face. No desire either, but she would have been appalled had she seen that. No man should desire a woman after seeing that. Deep compassion remained, even sympathy.

Sympathy?

“I’ve always admired your courage, but I didn’t know until now just how brave you are. Peri, these injuries must have been crippling.”

She forced a smile. It wavered, but she managed it. “Violetta helped me. She’s Orlando’s wife. Where everyone else gave me pity and sympathy, she gave me backbone. She forced me to stand, bullied me to walk. She also discovered that my doctor was keeping me malingering for his own ends. It could have been a lot worse.”

“Thank God it wasn’t!” He seemed to mean it literally. If his hands hadn’t still been on her legs Perdita would have tossed her wet skirts back down. She would have felt more comfortable. What he did next shocked her to the core.

He bent and kissed one of the worst scars, his lips touching the wound like a healing touch. Then he lifted his head and looked at her, getting to his feet. She watched him in silence as he stripped off his neckcloth and undid the ties at the top of his shirt, pulling the garment over his head. Bare-chested he stared at her, waiting for her reaction.

At first all Perdita saw was a strong male chest, the muscles moving under the skin when he dropped his hands to his sides. Then she saw some silvery marks. She stood up to look closer, forgetting propriety, forgetting everything but their presence and what he was showing her.

Threads of silver lightly scored his skin, forming lines not formed by nature. They were hardly noticeable, until she looked closer. She reached out a hand, then snatched it back. She wasn’t that far gone.

When she looked up at his face, he was smiling. “They were bad, once,” he told her, in a voice so gentle she could hardly bear it. “I fell on an unguarded fire when I was a toddler, barely walking. The nursemaid snatched me off the coals, but the damage was done. The scars were bad all through my boyhood.”

“But they’re hardly noticeable!”

He took her hand in his. “They are bad still. In here.” He lifted their conjoined hands to his head, touching one temple lightly. “I was ragged at school mercilessly for the marks. My mother was ashamed of them, and never allowed me to go bare-chested, even in front of my body servants. It took a long time to recover, but I did.”

“How did you do it?”

“I was compensated.” The answer was vague, but Perdita could guess what he meant.

“Your wife? She didn’t care about the scars?”

He laughed bitterly. “You could say that.”

When he tugged on her hand, she allowed herself to be drawn forward, into his arms. They folded around her, softly cherishing. Perdita let her head rest against his shoulder. She could be comforted. Nothing else was possible now, but his skin felt warm against her cheek and his arms comforting around her body. It was all she wanted, she told herself. Anything else wasn’t worth considering.

Until she felt his fingers under her chin, tilting her head up. Knowing what was coming she went willingly, and opened her mouth for him when his lips settled on hers. Entwined together, bare chest to her thin gown, Perdita revelled in the hard, cherishing body against hers, the soft, coaxing tongue teasing her into arousal.

Desire rose, sharp and needy. She wanted him. He couldn’t want her. Part of her mind still couldn’t believe anyone would want her, having seen those terrible marks. But she responded, accepting him, responding to his caresses. She smoothed her hands up and down his back, revelling in the bare skin under her palms. He felt wonderful, warm and alive, muscles tensing when he tightened his hold on her.

Charles lifted his head slightly. “I want you, ma cherie,” he murmured, his breath hot against her lips. “Will you come to bed with me?”

Sandy M’s review of Only You by Laura Glenn
Historical paranormal romance ebook released by Cerridwen Press 28 Feb 08

It was very difficult for me to get into this book. The time travel part of it is pretty good, the way the heroine is thrown back into time and the era the author has chosen to write about. It’s the main characters that fell a little short. There’s not that extra something that makes them characters you love and you’ll remember later.

When these two characters meet after Kaitlyn has traveled back into the time of America’s Civil War, there is an immediate attraction, but then everything moves too fast and these two strangers have their hands all over one another when Kaitlyn should be more worried, frightened, amazed — something — over the fact she’s 200 years in the past. And Gabriel is an officer and a gentleman of his day, so he should be showing a little more restraint so early on. There’s always time later for growing passion and loss of control — at the right time. It just felt like Kaitlyn’s travel isn’t fleshed out enough in the beginning before jumping into the sexual part of the book.

Katilyn and Gabriel are likeable characters. We get to know them only a little bit and we need to know so much more to make us love them. I would have preferred that over the vacillation of Kaitlyn worrying whether Gabriel really cares for her or not. That type of scene is played out once or twice too many. Gabriel even does the same thing but just not quite as often. They need to be delved into much deeper to make us relate to them more than we do.

The secondary characters aren’t bad. I did enjoy Gabriel’s mother, especially when she’s seen through Kaitlyn’s eyes. James Clark is a nice addition for some friction between the main characters. I think Eileen is a character that could have been used to a better extent, especially when we know early on something happens to her, just not what. But I’m thinking that could be a second book for the author. If not, then using her more effectivly and not telling us what happens to her is a grave mistake. I’ll give the author the benefit of the doubt at this point.

I would have liked to have seen some of the action of war from Gabriel’s point of view while he’s actually in the midst of it instead of just thinking about it. Even once would have been fine, just something to show us what it’s like from a soldier’s perspective, especially much later in the book when all Gabriel wants is to get back to Kaitlyn. The one scene we are given is the end result of some fighting and is described quite well, an aftermath of blood and death, and it adds so much to the story. Another scene or two of actual battles would have added a lot more depth.

As an aside, there’s way too much eye rolling going on in this book. Between practically every character rolling their eyes at another character in exasperation or either Gabriel’s or Kaitlyn’s eyes rolling back in their heads in the throes of passion, I started rolling my eyes every time that phrased was used after the first couple. It’s apparently contagious. There’s so many other ways to express sexual heat or irritation with another character, I couldn’t figure out why this one way is used so darned often. It gets a bit monotonous after a time.

If Kaitlyn and Gabriel were more developed to make me care more than I did, this would have been a much better book. As it stands, it’s only average.

Grade: C

Summary:

     As soon as Kaitlyn McCann finished her PhD dissertation on women’s contributions to the American Revolution she would be on her way to a comfortable and predictable existence in the world of academia–just as her father had wanted. A life stuck in a library all day was the perfect routine for a shy, aspiring professor.

     But when a strange fog sweeps her two hundred years into the past and into the arms of the heavily-muscled, gallant older brother of one of her research subjects, she begins to see how much pleasure can be found in unpredictability.

     Irish-born Captain Gabriel O’Connor is a man who values his control. But when he rescues Kaitlyn from an attack by drunken soldiers, the combination of brains and beauty in this one headstrong woman is enough to send his well-ordered life into a tail spin. All he has to do is survive hell to ensure she remains his forever.

     Read an excerpt.

[Ed.:  I drooled all over my keyboard looking at that cover.  Here it is in larger format for the visually impaired (a.k.a. the rest of you pervs who join me in my lust).]

Now that you’re good and soaked, steeping in the excerpts we’re raining on you this month, let me share yet ANOTHER EXCERPT.  (Let’s see how many raining metaphors I can stuff into one paragraph, shall we?)

Here’s the last one from Bonnie Edwards single author anthology, Thigh High (Aphrodisia, 1 Feb 08).

I think this one has my favorite title of any short story I’ve ever read….

Thigh High: Twinkle Twinkle Little Thong by Bonnie Edwards

DM’s voice rolled over her, whiskey smooth, pebble rough. With the deft hand of a master, he took her into the realm of the sensual. Throaty and hot, the distinctive sound rolled like rumbling skies around the master cabin. The poetry he read of love, loss and betrayal followed paths he created along her searing need, until she found her most needful flesh and with a lover’s touch, tipped herself over the edge toward release.

Fingers slid through slick tender flesh, moist and plump. Around. Around. Trickles of need whispered to her womb deep and empty.

Her whole life was empty these days. But she couldn’t think of that, not when release beckoned. Her breath slowed, deepened as her lungs reached for air. Her heart thumped, pulse beats rose as sensation took over again, thought drowned.

His voice came back seductive and deep and pulled her again into the quiet of rising expectation. She closed her eyes as his voice entered her, hot against her heart. The remembered weight of a chest pressed to hers, of thighs pushing with power between her own, flesh sliding into flesh, pulling along nerve endings so taut they screamed. His voice in her ear, strong, sexy and low, carrying her along. Taking, stroking her neck, her chest, nipples and down with slow strokes of his tongue.

With two fingers inside, she rolled her precious pearl of nerves with her other hand until she crested, weak and small.

Music rose all around, sweeping through her as the last pulses ebbed. It was enough. It had to be.

She wasn’t about bar prowls for sex and she couldn’t have a relationship. Not now, maybe not ever again.

Rolling to her side, she listened to the song he played for her, just for her, full of pain and loss. When it was over, she threw back the covers and went to wash her hands. . . .

Francesca Volpe couldn’t remember squat about numbers. Never could. So she wrote important ones down until they stuck in her memory. Sooner or later, she’d remember the combination of this safe. But sooner wasn’t now, so she yanked at the piece of paper in her shorts pocket and flattened it out on the wall in front of her while she dialed the combination.

Finally, the safe door clicked open.

Blown away by the fact that she even had to use a safe, she dug way into the back. Fiona’s thong was in here somewhere.

Cold, hard diamonds against warm, soft velvet filled her hand and she lifted the scrap of material gently. Fiona should have kept the thong in the designer’s box, but no; her sister had decided the rich didn’t give a rat’s ass about their possessions so she didn’t have to either.

The thong caught on a corner of a thick manila file. Anxious not to tear the velvet, she set it down, then pulled everything that could possibly be in the way, out of the safe.

She took out a fireproof box that contained so many important papers her head swam. It held her sister’s will, her sister’s house deed, her sister’s insurance policy. Next came file folders, then a copy of her parents’ will. Everything came out, even the ownership papers for the yacht.

A yacht for cripes sake.

Frankie Volpe was standing in the saloon of a yacht with four staterooms. Up to her armpit in a wall safe and she still couldn’t believe it. Go figure!

And since when was a living room called a saloon? They belonged in old westerns, not on million dollar floating palaces.

She leaned in tight to the wall and winked at the scruffy brown dog that had all but adopted her. “Hey boy, how you doin?”

He cocked his head and wagged his stubby tail. She’d decided he must’ve had it caught in a door when he was a puppy. It wasn’t cropped exactly, more like he just lost the tip. He was her kind of dog, lost, lonely, a little rough around the edges, but lovable.

“Ah! Got it. Finally.” She pulled out the thong and set it carefully on the coffee table in front of the leather settee. Looked more like a built in sofa to her, but she still had a lot of boating terms to learn.

She considered the thong. Diamonds, glittering and cold, littered the front V of black velvet. She shivered to think of all those sharp edges so close to the joy button. Oh, ugh.

The deep safe had been stuffed full. She took care to set all the papers and files back into the safe in reverse order, to be sure it fit.

When she turned back to talk to Scruffy, all she saw was his stubby tail and wet feet heading top side. He’d snatched the thong off the table and taken off with it!

“Hey! You little pervert! Give me back that thong!”

GIVE ME A TEXAN by Linda L. Broday, Dewanna Pace, Phyliss Miranda, and Jodi Thomas
Historical romance anthology released by Zebra (Kensington) 1 Feb 08

Last excerpt of this anthology to rain on you…

Roots that go deep…men who stand tall…and real women who have what it takes to love and be loved by them. Jodi Thomas, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, teas up with Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda, and DeWanna Pace to bring you four of the best Texas romances ever…

Give Me A Texan

Hank Harris wasn’t even looking for a woman when he ended up with a wife. Their hasty marriage is for appearances only: a capable, intelligent woman like Aggie is exactly who he needs as a business partner–if only she weren’t so damn beautiful, spirited–and in his bed… Payton McCord thought he was one tough cowboy until Amanda Lemmons made him mind his manners. And a woman of her caliber is worth the trouble she causes… Newspaperman Quinten Corbett wasn’t expecting his new apprentice to be female. Boston-born Kaira Renaulde is far too refined for a rough-and-tumble frontier town–and far too pretty for his peace of mind… Briar Duncan knows he needs someone to help him raise his headstrong little daughter. But Mina McCoy is more than he bargained for–much more! The woman has the face of an angel and a very definite mind of her own…

Excerpt of Amarillo By Morning by Jodi Thomas…

“It’s bad in there, isn’t it?” a voice whispered from the blackness on the other side of the window.

Hank jerked almost knocking himself out on the low hanging roof. He had no doubt the voice belonged to the missing sister but she’d scared a year off his life when she spoke. In the night, he couldn’t make out even an outline of her. “Yep,” was all he could think to say.

“Dolly and Charlie Ray mean to marry me off,” she whispered after a long silence. “Dolly’s been planning it all day.”

He wasn’t sure if she talked to him or herself. “You Agnes?”

Dumb question, he thought. Who else would be out here this time of night?

“Yep,” she echoed him, but without the accent it didn’t sound natural. “I’m the old maid sister who’s being passed around. If I don’t get married here, I’m due in Austin at my oldest sister’s place next month. Kind of like a traveling sideshow. Dress me up and put an apple in my mouth.”

Hank couldn’t stop the laugh. “I’m sorry,” he quickly added. “I never gave much thought to the other side of this game.”

“Sorry for what? For laughing or for me?”

“Both I guess.”

“My poppa sent me west before I rotted on the vine in Chicago. You see I’m the last of five girls. The only one not claimed. As soon as I’m married, my poppa plans to take another wife. There’s not room in the little apartment behind his shop for two women. I’m delaying his plan. I’m as much in the way in my home as I am here.”

Hank smiled. He knew how she felt. “The runt of the litter, last to be picked,” he mumbled, then thought he might have offended her.

Before he could say he was sorry again, she laughed. “That’s right. I’m only half the woman my sister is.”

Hank glanced in the window and watched Dolly waddle past. He couldn’t say anything without insulting Charlie’s wife so he changed the subject. “Don’t you want to get married?”

GIVE ME A TEXAN by Linda L. Broday, Dewanna Pace, Phyliss Miranda, and Jodi Thomas
Historical romance anthology released by Zebra (Kensington) 1 Feb 08

Last excerpt of this book to rain on you…

     Roots that go deep…men who stand tall…and real women who have what it takes to love and be loved by them. Jodi Thomas, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, teas up with Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda, and DeWanna Pace to bring you four of the best Texas romances ever…

     Give Me A Texan

     Hank Harris wasn’t even looking for a woman when he ended up with a wife. Their hasty marriage is for appearances only: a capable, intelligent woman like Aggie is exactly who he needs as a business partner–if only she weren’t so damn beautiful, spirited–and in his bed… Payton McCord thought he was one tough cowboy until Amanda Lemmons made him mind his manners. And a woman of her caliber is worth the trouble she causes… Newspaperman Quinten Corbett wasn’t expecting his new apprentice to be female. Boston-born Kaira Renaulde is far too refined for a rough-and-tumble frontier town–and far too pretty for his peace of mind… Briar Duncan knows he needs someone to help him raise his headstrong little daughter. But Mina McCoy is more than he bargained for–much more! The woman has the face of an angel and a very definite mind of her own…

Excerpt of A Shade of Sunrise by DeWanna Pace…

There, in the moonlight near the tree that shaded the small garden Briar Duncan had tried vainly to save, stood Mina.

Hair the color of sunlit plains dipped to the nape of her neck. The angle of her arms as she braced herself against the tree defined the silken slenderness of a woman who valued physical activity. Moonlight shone on the lower half of her face, leaving her eyes in shadow. Yet he witnessed the moment she felt his gaze upon her, sensed that he was watching her.

He wondered if he should turn away, pretend that she was mistaken in believing that he studied her. But just as it had been when she’d stepped off the train, the sight of Mina was far too compelling to look away. The nightdress she wore left little to his imagination, the wind buffeting the cream-colored linen against the curve of hips and generous swell of breast that her pants and tunic had hidden so well. She looked like a ray of dawn shining through the darkness of the night.

“Is that ye?”

Her whisper beckoned him closer and he could do nothing but answer it with one of his own. “Do you need me?”

Her quick intake of breath unnerved him, its intensity urging him to close the remaining distance between them and satisfy the craving to taste her lips. Where had that come from, he wondered, passing the urge off as nothing more than the long drought he’d suffered in satisfying his body with the softness of a woman’s. But this was more than that. He’d known it from the first time he saw her. Sensed it was different than anything he’d ever felt before . . . even with Katie Rose. Briar knew if he took one step closer, he would be lost in the spell the night had woven, in the sound of the wafting wind, in the glow of moonlight and the shadows that promised to hide all his longings. The compelling presence of this woman drew him as if she were rain needed to parch the desolation of his long forgotten dreams.

GIVE ME A TEXAN by Linda L. Broday, Dewanna Pace, Phyliss Miranda, and Jodi Thomas
Historical romance anthology released by Zebra (Kensington) 1 Feb 08

Yes – we have yet another excerpt to rain on you…

     Roots that go deep…men who stand tall…and real women who have what it takes to love and be loved by them. Jodi Thomas, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, teas up with Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda, and DeWanna Pace to bring you four of the best Texas romances ever…

     Give Me A Texan

     Hank Harris wasn’t even looking for a woman when he ended up with a wife. Their hasty marriage is for appearances only: a capable, intelligent woman like Aggie is exactly who he needs as a business partner–if only she weren’t so damn beautiful, spirited–and in his bed… Payton McCord thought he was one tough cowboy until Amanda Lemmons made him mind his manners. And a woman of her caliber is worth the trouble she causes… Newspaperman Quinten Corbett wasn’t expecting his new apprentice to be female. Boston-born Kaira Renaulde is far too refined for a rough-and-tumble frontier town–and far too pretty for his peace of mind… Briar Duncan knows he needs someone to help him raise his headstrong little daughter. But Mina McCoy is more than he bargained for–much more! The woman has the face of an angel and a very definite mind of her own…

Excerpt of No Time for Love by Phyliss Miranda…

Quinten stirred and the moonlight gave his dark hair a silvery sheen. His broad shoulders remained squared, as he leaned against the post, gold fob glittering. Turning slightly, he exposed a strong, well-defined profile that any woman wouldn’t mind waking up to.

Entranced by the unspoken sadness of his face, Kaira stood silently. An air of isolation punctuated the man’s loneliness.

As though sensing her presence, his gaze shifted toward the window.

A vaguely sensuous light passed between them. Hastily she retreated. Hopefully out of his view, she clutched the lacy neck of her embroidered satin gown.

Her curiosity had been aroused; she stepped closer and peeped through the glass.

He was gone.

What was wrong with her? Quinten Corbett radiated a vitality that seemed to rock the ground beneath her, disturbing her in ways she didn’t think possible.

Moments later, Kaira eased between the sheets and pulled the still warm bedding up to her chin. Visions of the good-looking editor played before her eyes, as she fought sleep. Sleep that would surely evolve into dreams worthy of the pages of a best-selling dime novel.

This man, the subject of her very wicked thoughts, had to be more complex than he first appeared. Tough, lean, and powerful, an almost stereotypical dime novel hero, and she had to impress him. But how?

She thought back over the days she’d been in Amarillo. Quinten obviously lived and breathed the newspaper, but was more cattleman than editor. If only she had paid more attention to her family’s companies. In reality, she had no desire to be a part of their world. Kaira had little talent in publishing that would impress the likes of Mr. Corbett.

Kaira needed to get on his good side–surely he had one–and what better way than to scoop an interview with one of the most famous gunslingers of the West.

Now, where would a lady find a gambler?

Please let me rain on you!  With ANOTHER EXCERPT!

Here’s part 2 from a contemporary by Bonnie Edwards, her wonderful single author anthology Thigh High (Aphrodisia, 1 Feb 08).   And no, that’s not a typo in the title.  One of the stories in the antho is named “Thigh High.”  So there. :p

We’ll put up an excerpt from the last story in the antho tomorrow.  LOVE these story names!  They bring a smile to my face every time I read them…

Thigh High: Thigh High by Bonnie Edwards

“Oh, man, he is so buff!” Kat Hardee commented, ogling her next door neighbor. Her mail forgotten in her hand, she leaned on the mail box at the entrance to the town house complex.

“I’ll say,” Celia agreed. “But such a nerd. It’s a shame.”

Celia lived on the other side of the man in question, Taye Connors and Kat had forgotten she was standing there, too.

“I didn’t mean for you to hear that,” Kat said with a burn on her cheeks. Knowing Celia she’d twist the comment into something it wasn’t.

He climbed out of his SUV and headed to the door of his town house, briefcase in hand. He bent and picked up a package left on his front step. Wrapped in cozy brown cords, he had a great butt, even from this distance and Kat found several ways a day to see it. From her back upstairs window she’d watch him put out birdseed. Through his tiny kitchen window she’d catch glimpses of him making dinner.

“He’s not a nerd,” Kat said in his defense. “I’m willing to bet under that tweed jacket is a lot of man.”

“You think?” Celia assessed him with her man-hungry eyes.

Kat shifted. A second mistake. Taye’s physique was not up for discussion, not with Celia. She was a shark when it came to getting what she wanted. Kat’s comment had alerted her to something Kat wanted to keep to herself. For herself.

Not that she had the gumption to go after the man. Chasing a man had created havoc in her life once, she didn’t need to do it again. Especially not now! She was finally in college and finally doing something for herself.

A man in her life would only mess up everything! She wrestled the image of Taye Connors’ hot sexy body back under her libido. Way under her libido. Locked in a vault under her libido. No way would the two meet again.

“How much would you bet?” Celia’s curious dangerously calm voice broke into Kat’s wrestling match. The look Celia gave her was every bit as dangerously curious as her voice.

Dread leaked into her belly. “What do you mean?” Even she heard the fear in her voice. Celia had a way of making foolish behavior sound like fun. Lots of fun.

Celia clicked her tongue impatiently. She didn’t suffer fools gladly. “What would you bet that he’s a lot of man under his clothes?”

Everything inside her tightened: stomach, libido, vault, all waiting to see what Kat would say at the idea of getting Taye out of his tweed jacket, then his shirt, his slacks. “You know I’m broke. I can’t afford to bet.”

“Hm. Wouldn’t have to be for money.” Celia pulled mail out of her box and smiled in a way that made Kat nervous. “How’s this? You get him naked and let me know how buff he is. I’ll give you the weekend.”

“Why?”

“I’m curious. The men I usually spend time with aren’t like him. I go for bad boys. I’ve never done a man like Taye.” She arched one perfectly waxed eyebrow and waited.

“Do you want him?” Celia and Taye: a good man with a bad, bad woman. He was nice, quiet. Kind. Gentle. A woman like Celia would eat him alive.

Celia shrugged one smooth shoulder. “Might be fun, if the bod’s up to snuff. But I won’t know that unless you tell me what he looks like under his clothes.”

Kat secretly admitted to some curiosity and a dose of reluctant admiration for the woman’s want it, get it attitude, but she did not want firsthand knowledge of Celia’s lifestyle. She preferred a quieter life. She preferred to wait for a man to find her. She preferred not to think of Celia with Taye.

She wanted Taye.

If he took a walk on the wild side with Celia, Kat wouldn’t stand a chance. He’d never look her way again.

Up to now, there had been some glances. Second and third glances. A couple of those glances had stretched into looks. Long steamy looks.

“I’d do it,” Celia threatened in a sly tone, “but I’m going away for the weekend.” The lascivious expression in her eyes meant she’d found a new man. But still, she looked at Taye as if she couldn’t wait to get her mouth on him. “But there’s always next weekend.”

Celia’s nipples rose under her low cut sheer cotton blouse then Kat saw her upper thighs squeeze and release. Damn it, Celia meant business.

She could let this go. It wasn’t up to Kat to keep a nice guy out of Celia’s clutches. Especially since Taye never did anything more than chat politely at the front door.

But she couldn’t allow Celia to move in on a man Kat wanted. This was way past schoolgirl stuff. Taye’s heart might be at stake. The round robin of why she should walk away and let it happen versus the disaster of Celia messing with him bounced around in her head.

She looked up the driveway one more time. He was deadheading some petunias, bent over again, firm ass looking like a fine piece of fruit.

It wasn’t her head that made her decision. It was her heart. Followed quickly by a libido that came to life with a roar.

“All right. I’ll give it a try. But Taye going from small talk in the driveway to naked in my arms seems like a long shot.”

Celia crossed her arms under her gigantic boobs and shook her head sadly. “Who said anything about naked in your arms? I didn’t say you had to fuck him, I just said you had to see him naked. You can leave the fucking to me.”