Lynne Connolly‘s review of Pleasured In the Playboy’s Penthouse by Natalie Anderson
Contemporary Romance from Mills & Boon Modern Heat 01 Feb 09

This is a Modern Heat story, and I really like most of those. This is no exception.

Bella is different to the rest of her successful family. She wants to go in a different direction, and although they don’t object, they’re not particularly supportive either. She’s on her own. They meet at a resort, where Bella’s sister is getting married, and hit it off from the start, sharing an almost night together until Owen is drawn away by his work. Then Bella gives him a fake phone number, because she doesn’t want to hang around waiting for a call that she believes he’ll never make. Best to get it over with quickly, she thinks.

They hook up again in Wellington, where they both live. He’s just bought a building and he lives on the top floor. She moves in with him. I enjoyed the way they were slowly drawn together, despite their intentions to make it temporary. And that nothing dramatic and artificial forces them apart. When the event that does separate them (there has to be a Black Moment, right?) it works well, doesn’t come as an intrusion.

Bella’s constant denigration of herself might not work for some, but in this story she learns to look at herself another way. Because of her affair with Owen, she reassesses and by the end of the story she’s a stronger person.

I loved that. Owen made Bella feel better about herself, not just by wanting her in bed, but by his encouragement and his interest in her. Owen is a hero you could like in real life, and he would do anything not to hurt her. And yet there aren’t any nasssty villains here.

Owen is confident, alpha and with a sense of humour I really enjoyed. Non-snarky, but when he and Bella share jokes, you can see some of the things they have in common.

But as usual, a godawful title. Not one that draws me in.

Loved this story, it flowed really well and it was a pleasure to read.

Grade: A

At the red-hot millionaire’s mercy!

Bella has always felt like the ugly duckling in her family, but after one night with super-sexy Owen Hughes she feels like a beautiful swan. Until she realises Owen isn’t the ordinary guy she thought… This struggling waitress is daunted by his multi-millionaire status – he is exactly the kind of man she avoids!

But Owen won’t let Bella shrink back into her shell. Two weeks of pleasure in his penthouse and he’ll have her begging for more…

Sandy M’s review of Ravenous (Dark Forgotten, Book 1) by Sharon Ashwood
Urban Fantasy published by Signet 3 Feb 09

I usually don’t read a lot of urban fantasy.  I like my HEA and a nice wrap-up at the end of my stories. But, as they say, a good book is a good book, and I’m now hooked on this Dark Forgotten series after reading Ravenous. I’m obviously a little behind in starting it all, with Scorched now on the shelves as of a few months ago. I at least have something to look forward to sooner instead of later.

Holly is a witch who stays away from big M-magic. Her magic was repressed years before as a young girl when a spell went wrong, so now to avoid pain when practicing her magic, she sticks to the small “m” kind. Her current assignment is to take care of a demon-possessed house, which she does, but the results are a little more than she bargained for.

Her business partner, Alessandro, aids her in this endeavor. He is a vampire who is interested in Holly for more than business, but since there doesn’t seem to be a relationship for them in the near future, he settles for keeping her as safe as possible. When a female body sporting a vampire bite is found in the house, they have their first clue that leads them into a supernatural mystery they never expected.

Both of these characters are very intriguing, and when Alessandro must bite Holly later in the story, she isn’t happy at all, because it basically turns her into his sex slave. She resists as best she can – and does a darned good job of it, considering – wanting to be her own woman. Of course, as handsome and sexy as Alessandro is, I kept telling her to go for it, he’s worth it! She didn’t listen to me, however, but at least a new bond is forged between them for future books.

The paranormal elements in this book are simply terrific, and neither that nor the urban fantasy elements overshadow the romance between Alessandro and Holly. Even the secondary characters are larger than life. Ashwood’s writing is amazing. I kept turning those pages as fast as I could, she had me enthralled with every turn.

So if you’re like me, you read an urban fantasy now and again, don’t pass this series up. It’s definitely worth the time to take a day and devour it one sitting. Believe me, you’ll have a hard time putting it down.

Grade: A-

Summary:

One kiss is all it takes to lose your soul…

Holly Carver is a small-time witch who busts ghosts for tuition money, but ends up wrangling a demon when a haunted house job goes bad.

Her Undead business associate, Alessandro Caravelli, suspects the demon is somebody’s not-so-secret weapon. The supernatural community is at war, and Holly’s unpredictable magic holds the key to hell’s doorway. Soon Holly is on everyone’s “must have” list, and not in a good way.

Alessandro wants her for more than magic. A lover with six centuries of experience, the vampire is walking seduction, but he’s also a predator. Every moment he spends guarding Holly, every second he spends falling under her witch’s spell, he becomes more and more of a threat himself. As Holly’s sharp-tongued grandma warns her: vampires are like a box of rich chocolate—they seem so tempting, but over-indulgence is a killer…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Lynne Connolly‘s review of The Nanny Solution by Teresa Hill
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Special Edition 1 Feb 09

Another misleading title – there isn’t a nanny in this book, neither is the heroine ever employed on nanny duties. There isn’t even a baby, although there is a five year old (the heroine isn’t her nanny, nurse, or governess). The “nanny” title refers to a dog, which I thought was devious, to say the least, an effort to get a buzzword into a title that actually failed for me.

I don’t usually venture into Special Edition territory, but I’m glad I did with this one. The first thing this story had in its favour was that the heroine, Audrey, was 39. Not an innocent virgin ingénue. Fantastic. And she behaved like she had a few years’ experience, too.

After sorting her life out, which included attending AA, Audrey takes a job at the house of Simon Collier, to train a dog and redesign the yard of the owner. Although the house is in the same area as the one she used to live in before her meltdown, it’s in millionaire’s row, and Simon is much wealthier than her sleaze of an ex. The ex has custody of their child, teenager Andie, and this is Audrey’s main reason for taking the job. She doesn’t want to force herself on her daughter, and she knows she’s screwed up, but she wants to give Andie and her a chance.

I liked Audrey. She knows she’s made mistakes, and while she gives the reason for them, she doesn’t use them as excuses, or whine. Good for her. She’s in the process of rebuilding her life. If her daughter doesn’t want to know, although she’ll be hurt, Audrey is prepared to accept it.

Simon is a bit less well realised than Audrey, but enough to make him understandable and likeable. He’s a businessman who works hard but has perspective on his life, and knows his daughter, five year old Peyton, is more important than his work. He’s not so self-centred that he thinks his staff can’t operate without him.

There isn’t much sex in this book, but there doesn’t have to be, it’s not necessary. What there is steams up the bathroom and the lead-up is natural and believable.

Other Special Editions that I’ve read have played on the cutesy, but the cutest character in this book is the dog, and it’s a real dog, a Border Collie, the type that can outrun a marathon runner.

There was a lack of tension sometimes, and the story meandered a little in the middle, but I read through and worked towards the happy ending.

So for a well written, enjoyable read, I’d give this one a B.

Grade: B

Blurb:

“Sit. Stay. Roll over. Good boy. Well, these commands worked for the puppy. Unfortunately, Audrey Graham’s new boss was not so easily tamed. After a difficult year, she needed to get back on track, and accepting a job as “dog nanny” for millionaire businessman Simon Collier was the first step. But Simon, like the incorrigible puppy he’d bought for his young daughter, had a mind of his own. He was gorgeous, sexy and got what he wanted — and he wanted Audrey.

Simon couldn’t stand to see Audrey hurt. He would help her, and then he would have her. And he would show her that not all men were dogs..”

No excerpt available.

Limecello’s review of Mistress: Hired for the Billionaire’s Pleasure by India Grey
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Presents 10 Feb 09

The first thing I have to say, is that the title is ridiculous, and wrong. In fact, the title is pretty much the opposite of what the story is about. But, what can you do – it’s a Harlequin Presents, right? I bought it because India Grey wrote it, and she is fast becoming one of my favorite Presents authors. I believe that this is one of her earlier books. Ms. Grey manages to pack an entire saga into a category length. The characters journey – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Villains in the form of family, friends, exes, etc abound. It’s a delight.

Rachel Campion is a special heroine. First of all, her career is rather unique. Next… well frankly I was afraid I’d be reading about a whimpering, useless girl. Luckily, both Rachel and Ms. Grey proved me quite mistaken. When we first meet her, Rachel is timid, and letting everything and everyone around her control her. Generally, I’d find that annoying, but it just works in Rachel’s case. I believed it, considering her lifestyle and upbringing. Also what she had to deal with in the past. I understood and accepted the way she dealt with trauma, and how that has affected her presently.

Orlando Winterton – and what a name! Is quite the hero. He’s rich, and titled, and mean. But that’s really only what’s on the surface. Orlando has pretty much lost everything he had or ever wanted in his life, and finds out those he expected to depend on betrayed him at his lowest moment. Ouch. That, and he’s going blind. It’s amazing, however, that he’s able to function as he does, and hide his growing disability. Orlando is actually very selfless and kind, but his pride prevents him from explaining his actions, which make him appear to be cold and selfish.

There we so many moments in this book where I wanted to smack the characters… but Ms. Grey managed to just skate the edge of disaster, in my opinion, because I always wanted to read on, and never got fed up. While I wanted to shake sense into them, I always understood why Orlando or Rachel were acting as they were. (Granted Rachel was a bit too clueless at times. But – again, it makes sense. As well as why Orlando is so self protective.)

I absolutely loved the ending. I liked the unique stories and lives each character led… and even the theme of Chopin’s Nocturne in E. And I have to be impressed with an author who makes me like a composer I generally dislike. (Though yes, it’s a beautiful piece.) Both Rachel and Orlando grow as people. And, while I might wish most of the book was not them avoiding each other… it made sense how everything worked out. Both Rachel and Orlando had to work through a number of personal issues before being able to enter a relationship.

However, everything did work out and make sense in the end. I also liked how, while loose ends were tied up, they weren’t always nice in the result. It made the story that much more realistic – which helped a lot considering the content. I’m definitely going to be reading more of Ms. Grey’s books.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Fast cars, glamorous socialites—everyday components of devastatingly handsome billionaire Orlando Winterton’s thrilling, decadent lifestyle…

When Rachel arrives at Orlando’s remote country estate in desperate need, Orlando cannot deny the pull of her fragile beauty, and takes her passionately. Then a baby is found abandoned on Orlando’s doorstep—allegedly his son!

Now Orlando will hire Rachel to take care of the child—and as long as she’s under his roof, he’ll keep on making love to her…until he’s got her out of his system!

Read an excerpt here.

Liviania’s review of Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle
Historical romance released by Pocket 17 Feb 09

Once you’ve read three or more books by the same author, you’ve made some decisions about what that author’s books are like.  Character or plot driven, good or bad at weaving an action plot with the romance, better at beginnings or endings, etc.  After reading Liz Carlyle’s Never trilogy, I’d decided that she wrote frothy, light historicals that were better when focused on the romance.  After reading Tempted All Night, I was stuck thinking, “Damn, Liz.  You sure fooled me.”

I feel in love with this book the moment I finished the prologue.  Lady Phaedra Northampton is alone and dressed as a servant in a bad part of London when scandalous ne’er-do-well Tristan Talbot notices her.  Despite his slight inebriation, he escorts her home, getting her safely out of the dangerous situation she got herself into, and keeping his hands to himself despite his attraction.  He’s honorable and sexy and won my regard quicker than any other romantic hero I can remember.

But you are of course wondering why I was so surprised by Tempted All Night.  Perhaps it’s the fact the heroine is not a virgin.  Perhaps it is the search for a missing mother that is as compelling as the romance.  (And the romance is hot.)  Perhaps it is the S&M brothel.  You heard me right, S&M brothel.  The instant my fellow historical romance loving friend came over, I shoved this book into her hands.  I felt like I’d gotten rid of my shame of romance covers, doing it in front of two guys.  They instantly demanded she read some of it, and she promptly opened the book to an S&M brothel scene, making me wish I had been subtle about handing her the book.  But I digress.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot, as it’s fun to uncover Phaedra’s secrets as you read.  She’s a fabulous heroine.  She’s prim and proper in public, especially compared to her friend Zoë Anderson.  But when society isn’t looking she feels quite free to be improper and get things done.  She’s a good match for Tristan, who has been acting out to spite his father Lord Hauxton, who is in the foreign office.  But now that he’s on his deathbed, Tristan is secretly taking over his job.  They appear to be opposites but act with similar attentions.

I think fans of Carlyle’s other works will love this one.  It has her wit and style, but it’s still surprising.  She’s not treading water but trying something new, and it pays off in spades.  I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Tempted All Night shows up in my Best Books of 2009.  To me, it has a perfect combination of hero, heroine, and plot.  I hope this one wins Carlyle some new fans, since it will also appeal to those who don’t like their historicals frothy.  (As for my friend who borrowed it . . . well, she liked it too.)

Grade: A+

Summary:
Even the most careful lady can be swayed by a scoundrel . . .

Lady Phaedra Northampton is a proper English miss—but burdened by a dark secret. She’s buried her shame in running her wealthy brother, Lord Nash’s, households while hiding behind a sharp wit and dull wardrobe . . . until a reckless village maid’s disappearance pulls her into London’s seedy underworld.

A former mercenary and jaded spy-for-hire, Tristan Talbot, Lord Avoncliffe, now does little, and manages to do it scandalously. Though Tristan’s an out and out rogue, when his dying father begs him to delve into the secrets behind a notorious brothel—a perfect task for his talents!—Tristan can’t refuse. Is the brothel a front for a notorious Russian spy ring? Tristan is on the hunt—until his path collides with the oh-so-tempting Lady Phae.

Soon what should be a simple assignment becomes deliciously complicated . . . when deception and desire lead to an explosive passion—and deadly foes!
Read an excerpt here.

Sandy M’s review of Never Been Witched (Triplet Witch Trilogy, Book 3) by Annette Blair
Contemporary Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 3 Feb 09

This is the last book in Annette Blair’s witch trilogies, and though she’s started a couple of new series, I’m sorry to see this one end. These sexy and intelligent witches throughout two trilogies have been an outright blast to read. The humor and banter between all of Ms. Blair’s heroes and heroines is nearly unparalleled, only a few other authors ever come to mind when it comes to those two elements combined with enchanting characters and fun storylines.

Destiny is the third Cartwright triplet to find her hero in the most unlikely of places. Actually, in the most unlikeliest of persons. She met Morgan at the same time her sisters met their now spouses, but she and Morgan did not hit it off right away, though there was plenty of sexual tension between them. Taking some time for herself while her family and the troublesome Morgan are in Scotland, she stays at her brother-in-law’s lighthouse on Paxton Island to find her psychic path, to soothe her soul.

But her sisters are playing matchmaker and secretly give a key to the lighthouse to Morgan too. They stumble over each other the first and so begins the fun for the reader with the wit and sensuality that doesn’t let up one bit until the very end. Destiny is the sister that sees the future in various ways, one of which is painting her visions, which she’s done over the years, and it’s with Morgan that they both begin to experience those visions firsthand.

Destiny can also see and talk to ghosts, which is a good thing since two very vital spirits are currently in residence with her and Morgan during their stay. Through one of those spirits, she begins to learn a little more about Morgan and his reasons for debunking the paranormal. They both learn there’s more to Morgan than meets the eye, and his belief transformations are loads of fun though they once or twice take place during dangerous situations.

The love scenes are extra fun in this book. Why, you ask? Huh-uh. Not going to say. Just know Morgan is having the time of his life when having sex with Destiny. I thoroughly enjoyed these two characters on their journey to finding each other. The rest of the family does make it back near the end of the book, and it’s just that much more fun when they do arrive.

These are such fun books and I’m glad I discovered them and Annette Blair. It’s bittersweet leaving these stories and characters behind, but I know more fantastic reading is ahead with Ms. Blair’s new series.

Grade: A+

Summary:

The Cartwright triplets—Harmony, Destiny, and Storm—are psychic sirens who use their magic for good and their good looks for seduction. But for Destiny, catching the attention of a paranormal debunker isn’t going to be easy.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Other related books:

Limecello’s review of The C.O.O. Must Marry by Maxine Sullivan
Contemporary Romance released by Silhouette Desire 10 Feb 09

I really enjoy Maxine Sullivan’s stories- and she’s one of the “Down Under” Desire authors I keep an eye out for. The C.O.O. Must Marry is another Valente book, and there’s so much to gush about here. The old “friends to lovers” with a history, the family pressure, money problems, intrigue, it’s so complicated, robust, engaging, and entertaining.

Sasha Blake is a likable heroine, and I sympathized with her, and did like her- but in a way she’s weak. However, its understandable. Sasha basically has a handicapp forced on her because of her family. She’s always had feelings for Nick, but realized those would go nowhere, and moves on. Life and her family have thrown her back into Nick’s circle, and she’s doing her best to cope, and make everyone happy- even at a detriment to herself. I did like that Sasha isn’t someone to put herself first – and I felt badly for her.

Nick Valente start out rather well rounded, because he’s the brother that wants the family home. The fact that it means something to him I think shows that he’s rather traditional, and is not only happy with, but wants continuity and stability. It also gives him the reason to marry Sasha. He speaks in anger sometimes, but grovels nicely.

The fact that both the Blake and Valente families are manipulative I think really play off each other nicely. In a way, the Blake and Valentes are foils. Yes, both pressure their children to do things best for the family, but the Valentes know in the long run it’ll be the best move for their children too. The Blakes, however, are purely selfish.

You have to feel bad for Sasha always being put second, or third, and realize how that has shaped her as a person. she does well enough on her own, and does have a back bone – she and Nick and merely learning each other, because despite the fact that they knew each other when they were younger, they wre more acquaintances than anything.

I think the tenuous history helps establish the connection, and then the warmth and vulnerability of Sasha really brings it all together. She finally comes into her own, and Nick realizes how great she really is – and apologizes for being an idiot. It all works out nicely, believably, and I was satisfied.

I can’t wait to read Ms. Sullivan’s next books. I really liked the Valentes.

Grade: B+

What would compel millionaire playboy Nick Valente to marry a woman he hadn’t seen in years? Blackmail, of course. To keep his family home, Nick must marry the woman of his father’s choosing: Sasha Blake, a long-ago flame. Sasha had been barely out of her teens, but there had been nothing immature about her then–or his desire for her. Now she would be his wife, and Nick would be free to make love to her as often and any way he liked. But there was one nagging question in his mind….

He knew his reasons for agreeing to this marriage…what were hers?

Gwen’s review of The Warlord’s Daughter (The Borderlands, Book 2) by Susan Grant
Sci-fi romance released by HQN 1 Feb 09

I really love a good sci-fi romance.  The last couple of months I’ve been lucky enough to read a couple of really good ones.  This is definitely one of them, so much so I’m going to have to glom all of Grant’s backlist. And I admit, I have heretofore been unwise to underestimate Grant’s books simply based on the rather, well, “lighthearted” titles.  I mean, How to Lose An Extraterrestrial In 10 Days? Seriously?  My unwarranted prejudice is understandable, right?

This is another of Grant’s books set in the same world/universe as I think all of her other sci-fi’s, allowing her to expand on the details, history, and characters.  This gives these books a very “real” feel because of the impression of visiting someplace that has real substance.  I think this all adds to the reader’s  enjoyment because you can just cut loose the disbelief and dive into the story without fear.  There won’t be some little  detail will jerk you out of the story’s “zone”.

I love when that happens.

This is the first book of this world/series I have read. Regardless, I had no trouble following it and yet I didn’t feel like there was any info-dumping.  The details are woven into the story in a very natural manner.  As a result, Daughter stands alone very well, though I am definitely going to read the related books.

From what I gather, Daughter‘s hero and heroine are royal members of what has largely been, until this book, the bad guys – the Drakken Horde (I know, cool name, innit?).  When they were early adolescents, they met eyes across a crowded room and from then on, they thought of nobody else.  In fact, the hero connived, maneuvered, and basically sold his soul to make sure he was able to claim the heroine as his wife.  It’s tremendously romantic.

I very much enjoyed the “quest” aspect of the story.  We’re brought along with the heroine, Wren, as she makes some heartbreaking discoveries about herself and her family. I frequently got teary-eyed as she struggled with yet more devastating news. There’s quite a bit in this book about prophecy fulfilling and the goddess aspects of this society, but it’s all fun and adds to the story.

There’s so much happening in the plot that it’s tough to pick out just one detail that really sells it.  I suppose that’s why it all worked so well for me.  I really felt like I was reading about something that happened.  Even the secondary characters have a full and interesting life.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a departure from the normal fare.  While it is definitely a wonderful romance, it’s got so much more – it’s got intrigue, politics, human interest, and just a rocking good sci-fi story.  Go get it.  Now.  I’ll wait here for you to comment with your own kudos.

Grade: A

Summary:

The war is finally over. But Wren’s life is in tatters. The only living offspring of the notorious Drakken Warlord, her genes could very well start a new dynasty of terror. And the Coalition can’t have that.

She alone holds the key to finding a legendary treasure. Having seen enough bloodshed, shy, petite Wren vows to destroy it before anyone, Drakken, Coalition or Earth, can get their hands on it – but she’ll need help.

The Drakken’s ruthless evil turned Aral toward the Coalition years ago. War is all he knows, until he finds passion and love in the most unlikely of women – the Warlord’s Daughter. But will trusting each other with their secrets risk not only their hearts, but their lives?

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

and Sureblood (Book 3), scheduled for Aug 2010

Limecello’s Duckies Do Series reviews of The Hardcastle Progeny Series by Jennifer Lewis
Contemporary romances released by Silhouette Desire Feb – Apr 2009

Rawr. My original review got eaten, so please just imagine all sorts of witty brilliance throughout, ok? So – Silhouette Desire is one of my favorite Harlequin Lines. I also pick books based on author, and I know I’d read and enjoyed ones by Jennifer Lewis before. But even more so, I noticed the title to the second book in the Hardcastle Progeny series. I could be wrong, but Desire books set in Argentina are rather rare, and this one caught my attention. After reading it I realized I was in the middle of a series, so I got the other books, and here we are!

Millionaire’s Secret Seduction (Book 1)
Released 10 Feb 09

I haven’t quite managed to finish this book, but it is the first in the series! :X

Grade: N/A

Summary:

A multimillion-dollar family dynasty was hard to walk away from. And that’s what Dominic Hardcastle intended to do. Until he met his father’s employee Bella Andrews. She was intriguing and sexy beyond reason… and out to ruin his estranged, ruthless father. So Dominic offered to keep her secret if she’d keep him company…after hours.

Everything about Dominic set off alarms in Bella’s head. For he had the power to destroy her plans. Maybe some intense overtime with Mr. Tall, Dark and Dangerous was needed. Suddenly her scheme didn’t seem so simple…or her heart so safe.…

Read an excerpt here.

In the Argentine’s Bed (Book 2)
Released 10 Mar 09

This book reminds me a lot of a Harlequin Presents, but it definitely also has the tone of a Desire. The setting, the manner in which Amado treats Susannah is an interesting mix. He’s quite solicitous of her as a guest, and gentle as a lover – but as someone in a relationship… he’s your typical category hero. Of course, the interesting thing is that the heroine Susannah is the actual “bad guy” in the book. Not so much she does anything wrong, but she is the bearer of bad news and causes problems.

Amado Alvarez is a rather unique hero. He has a sense of duty, loves his home, his parents, and had a nice, well adjusted child hood. Of course, in typical romance fashion, it all comes crashing down around him. (Nevertheless, I was really excited Amado had a normal, and happy childhood. This is a good thing!) Luckily, Amado’s a big boy and can handle the skeletons that are revealed. I felt that Susannah was able to hold her own in the foreign setting, and that she could stand up to Amado. The book focused on their relationship, which I always love, but there was also a lot of plot movement as well.

I can definitely see myself re-reading this book.

Grade: B-

Summary:

It was just one “simple” mission—find out whether a winemaker in Argentina was a New York millionaire’s long-lost son. But Susannah Clarke quickly learned Amado Alvarez played by his own rules. He’d give her the DNA sample she wanted—if she spent the night with him! And in a moment of madness, she’d given in, to his demand and to her own desire. Now she had to return to South America to face this compelling, sensuous man again—and to face the consequences of that one unforgotten, unforgettable night in a stranger’s bed….

Read an excerpt here.

The Heir’s Scandalous Affair (Book 3)
Released 14 Apr 09

This book has enough material to be a novel, yet Ms. Lewis paces it perfectly, and everything that should be resolved is by the end of this category book. I also appreciated that nothing was rushed. Based on the beginning of the book I didn’t think I would have enjoyed it as much as I did, but everything about this book is just so right. It definitely helped that I read In the Argentine’s Bed first, because I think that gave a great -and important- foundation for Samantha’s character. If you think about it, Samantha and Louis’s relationship really is taboo. She’s his step mother. He’s… well you get the point. Even though they’re not related in any way, the social stigma exists. I was pleased that Ms. Lewis addresses this issue, and manages it in a way that I found not only believable, but convincing. (And yes, for once, the title is not only accurate, but telling.)

Samantha’s character also impressed me. Generally, the put upon window, poor me, is not someone I feel bad for. Oh boo hoo, I’m so beautiful I’ve been married so many times because men want me, and want a fabulous life. However, there’s so much more to her, and I think her character is sufficiently explained, and developed in The Heir’s Scandalous Affair (yes, this book). By the end, I was convinced Samantha and Louis had to be together, and that it not only made perfect sense, it was right.

I also liked Louis’s character. He’s very unique, and quite special. His attitude towards life is refreshingly new, and I felt that he was a great match for Samantha. Not to mention he owns a lot of restaurants, has a crazy mother, a blase outlook on life, and is mad for Samantha.

The different settings really highlight each character’s personality, and life as well. It’s nice that Samantha first goes to find Louis in New Orleans, and then after the initial meeting they go to New York. There was also enough closure to the series, and nice cameo appearances by the other “Hardcastles” as well. I definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy Silhouette Desire books.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Young widow Samantha Hardcastle longs to find her late husband’s heir and bring him into the family. Even so, restaurateur Louis DuLac won’t respond to her calls or letters—or knocks at his New Orleans door. All alone, Samantha succumbs to the sensual refuge offered by a gorgeous stranger. Who turns out to be Louis DuLac.

Louis never knew his father’s identity. Now this trophy widow wants him to take a DNA test to prove—or disprove— that he is a Hardcastle. No problem—if Samantha agrees to spend another evening with him….

Read an excerpt here.

Overall Grade: B-

I think that there’s something very unique and rather special about Ms. Lewis’s books. Granted the “lost heirs” seem to take their place in the Hardcastle business or family with great equanimity – more than one might generally expect. Nevertheless, there is a reason for that, and the characters all stay true to themselves. While the basic premise of the stories I suppose aren’t that different, the way in which Ms. Lewis approaches them gives new life to these romance tropes. Although I was sure there would be the happy ending, I didn’t know how the characters would get to it. I definitely recommend these two stories to anyone who enjoys Ms. Lewis’s books or Silhouette Desires.

 LauraJ’s review of Flirting With Temptation by Kelley St. John
Contemporary Romance released by Forever 1 Feb 09

If I keep having luck with books from authors I haven’t read before but have on my tbr shelf, I’m going to clear away a lot of unread books. This is the second book I’ve read in a week that I’ve coming saying “Wow, I can’t believe I haven’t read anything by her yet”. I guess I need to come out from under my rock more often, huh.

This was a fun story that I read through very quickly thanks to great pacing and such fun characters. The heroine, Babette kind of reminded me of, well, me. I don’t think I’ve quite decided what I want to be when I grow up, I change my hair color frequently, and back in the day, I changed boyfriends to match my hair color – not the changing of boyfriends anymore since I’ve long outgrown that and met “The One” – much like Babette does. Luckily for her, Babette does discover that she has a talent for repairing broken relationships and opens a business selling her self as the Love Doctor. The business is going well and her track record is 100% until a new client walks in, one who can help Babette’s business grow quickly and in a big way if she is successful and wants her to repair a broken relationship with the client’s former fiancé who also happens to be Babette’s ex-boyfriend (of sorts), Jeff.

After making a few changes and with some encouragement from her Grandmother – Granny Gert tells her numerous times that Babette needs to get some gumption and go after what she wants – Babette heads to Florida to approach Jeff and convince him to talk to his ex-fiancé. Jeff is still a bit bitter by not only his recent break-up, but also his break-up with Babette. To him all women have wandering eyes and he wants nothing to do with either of these two woman from his recent past. Something that is very understandable when you learn how the break-ups occur.

Jeff is still attracted to Babette (as she is to him) but still tries to resist. He offers her a proposal, one he is sure will get rid of both women for good. He tells Babette that if she can make it one week without flirting then he will talk to his ex-fiancé with no promises of reconciliation (because there won’t be any). Determined to be successful himself with getting rid of both women, Jeff tries his best to set Babette up to fail. The problem is Jeff is failing miserably at resisting Babette who in return is doing quite well at resisting the urge to flirt.

The hero and heroine in this story are great and I loved their easy, sexy banter. But it was the secondary characters that gave me lots of laughs. From Babette’s Grandmother who is having Babette track down an old friend she has her eye on to the senior citizens in the retirement community next to Jeff’s condo, they added so much to the story. They show that it doesn’t matter what age are, you can still be young at heart.

There is another book previous to this one featuring Babette’s sister Clarise who appears in this one, but this book can easily stand alone unless you are one of those sticklers who has to read books in order. I’ll be going back to read that one as well as checking out he rest of Ms. St. John’s backlist. Can’t wait for more and next time I won’t be waiting as long to pick them up to read.

Grade: B+

Summary:
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She’s playing it cool.
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Wild child Babette Robinson doesn’t do relationships, but she does have a knack for helping other people with theirs. When she opens her own match-mending business and dubs herself “The Love Doctor”, she becomes the biggest name in Birmingham, She even attracts teh attention of socialite Kitty Carelle, who hires her to fix her broken engagement to Jeff Eubanks-Babette’s ex!
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He’s turning up the heat.
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Three years ago, Jeff and Babette’s chemistry was off the charts, but though she basked in his sexy charm and wicked with, she couldn’t commit to a deeper relationship. Convinced that all women have wandering eyes, Jeff issues a challenge: He’ll do as Babette asks and talk to Kitty, if Babette abstains from all flirting for one whole week. With Jeff doing his best to make her melt in his arms, will this sassy vamp be able to save her business? And after tempting nights, will she want to give up the man she once tossed away.
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Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Bride of a Wicked Scotsman by Samantha James
Historical Romance published by Avon 24 Feb 09

My first thought just a chapter or so into this book was that it’s going way too slow, even for me. But I’m happy to say that it picked up with the appearance of the hero and I ended up really enjoying this story. It is a theme we’ve read a lot of over the years, hero is tricked into marriage, though usually it’s not the heroine. In this case it is and her reasons are different enough to keep things interesting. And I liked these two characters together, even when things weren’t going that well for them.

Maura makes a deathbed promise to her father to bring home the Circle of Light, an enchanted relic that held her family’s prosperity in its own mystical way. A man known as the Black Scotsman stole the Circle from the family generations before and their lives and property have never been the same, dwindling down to near nothing. There is a current Black Scotsman about and Maura puts her plan in motion to gain entry to the man’s home for her search for the Circle to make her family prosperous once again.

What she doesn’t expect is the unexplained and instant attraction she has to Alec McBride, Duke of Gleneden. Their banter and sensual teasing is exciting and leads her right where she needs to be to trap the man, making him think he’s bedded her and then conveniently having her pseudo-Uncle Murdoch discover them in a most compromising position, thus demanding Alec marry her. Things couldn’t have gone any better.

Alec is furious and confused at the sudden turn of events in his life. He can’t even remember what happened between himself and Maura and now he’s being forced into marriage to save her reputation, this from a man who prides himself on his restraint and level-headedness. But he does his duty and immediately takes his bride to Scotland, where he’s determined to exact his pound of flesh. Alec finds he can’t do what he plans, however, because he wants this woman as he’s wanted no other, no matter what she’s done. His revenge turns into seduction, but he could never have guessed the full extent of his bride’s deceit.

Even though this is the third book in a series, I felt I didn’t really miss anything by not having read the first two. This story is fully self-contained; if someone from a previous book shows up, it didn’t matter a bit.  Though Maura takes her courage a bit far and goes full steam ahead with her plan, she isn’t without guilt when it comes to Alec and her feelings for him, and Alec pushes her to the limit when it comes to their attraction and finally their love for each other. I liked how the author continued to use their nicknames for one another, Scotsman and Irish, throughout the book even after their initial meeting when those names are decided on between them. They’re used in different ways to reflect particular moments and it’s done very well.

This is my first book by Ms. James and I look forward to more. In fact, I just came across my copy of The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell in the TBR pile and pulled it out. Simon is mentioned only once in Bride, but I’m curious now to read about him. I hope he’s just as engaging as Alec.

Grade: A

Summary:
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Lady Maura O’Donnell swore to her father that she would recover the Circle of Light, an enchanted Celtic relic that had brought the family prosperity—until it was stolen two centuries earlier by a notorious pirate. Now the pirate’s descendant, the Duke of Gleneden, holds this rare treasure, and Maura will do anything to get it back
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Alec McBride knows when he’s been had. Lady Maura tricked him into marriage, and now she’ll pay. He’ll tempt her, tame her—until she sorely wishes she’d never heard of the Duke of Gleneden. Caught up in their game of revenge, Alec and Maura never notice what is happening in their hearts—until it’s too late.
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Read an excerpt.

Other related books:

Sandy M’s review of In His Mind (Raynes Paranormal Investigations, Book 3) by Cheryl Dragon
Contemporary Paranormal Erotic eBook short story released by Cerridwen Press 4 Feb 09

I don’t read male/male books very often, mostly because I’ve yet to find many that work for me. I tried this one because the blurb didn’t sound too bad and I’ve wanted to read Cheryl Dragon. So this was my chance. Unfortunately, this short story fell short just as so many have before it.

The biggest disappointment for me is there’s not a whole lot of emotion between these two men. Yes, there’s lust and the times they’re having sex, there’s plenty of emotion, but that’s all from the body. I didn’t read much emotion from the heart. Maybe I shouldn’t be looking for that in these books. But if the main characters begin a relationship, have sex, overcome issues, and fall in love just like a straight romance, why wouldn’t I get the same emotion in a m/m romance?

Adam and Parker have been attracted to one another ever since Parker came to work for Adam’s family’s paranormal investigations business. They’ve basically avoided each other, trying not to make things difficult for the family or the business. But on this case there isn’t any choice, all other family members are busy, so Adam accompanies Parker on a ghost hunting trip. Parker is a telepath and tries to stay out of Adam’s mind but doesn’t always succeed this night, gleaning a few tidbits from the man that he’s glad to hear. For the most part anyway.

Adam still has issues as far as his family is concerned. They have no idea about his lifestyle, especially his brothers, and he’s not sure he can tell them even now. Before these two even talk after setting up their equipment and getting ready to locate their ghost, they’re all over each other in a frenzied rush. Okay, I can see that since they’ve been wanting each other for a while and now they’re alone and it’s their chance. But it never really goes beyond that between them. They do talk about Adam finally telling his family, he’s afraid too, but maybe with Parker at his side he can do it.

In between all this they have help a gay ghost cross over so he will be with his lover who left him while they were both still alive. The paranormal part of this book is actually interesting, Parker’s telepathy and his ability to astral transport. Adam and Parker even share thoughts the closer they become, leading Parker to believe Adam is telepathic also and he should be tested. They do successfully end the case, so it’s time for them to face the music as far as Adam’s family is concerned.

That point about Adam’s family is a huge part of this story. It’s Adam’s main fear. They even come up with a plan on how to tell everyone for maximum support from his brothers. So when this story ended without that confrontation, I actually felt a little cheated. I wanted to see that confrontation and how Adam’s family did react to his news, any issues from of them, anything! Not one bit of that was included in this story. I was stunned to realize I was at the end and wouldn’t be getting that particular point after it had been dissected by Adam and then discussed by him and Parker throughout the story.

There just isn’t enough here to make me care about the characters all that much. I got the story I always want when I read erotica, but it’s the emotion that seems to be sacrificed after all is said and done.

Grade: D

Summary:
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Adam Rayne is in serious trouble. The new guy at work is hot and interested in him. Even worse, Parker Mullins is a telepath and can read every X-rated thought Adam has. Assigned to a case together for Rayne Paranormal Investigations, he and Parker are barely in the door when they give in. The case demands attention but so do the issues that have kept their relationship on hold. The sex makes Adam more sure of himself and ready to face any ghost with Parker’s help. But can he face his family with the truth and keep his job, family and the man he loves once this case is over?
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Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Lynne C‘s review of Ripping the Bodice by Inara Lavey
Contemporary erotic romance eBook released by Ravenous Romance 7 Feb 09

This is a curate’s egg of a book, and I feel so sorry for the writer, because this book could have been really good, but the lack of proper editing turned it into a bit of a mess.

Lavey has a nice voice, and her turn of phrase is delightful. That’s the good and it really is good. 

The book started way too early. The heroine is dumped by her boyfriend, who we never hear from again, and there is a long description about her conversation with an eccentric customer, who is briefly referred to a couple of times, but that story doesn’t go anywhere. A good editor would have had her cut these parts and start where she arrives at the resort and meets the hero.

There were also some other parts which would have been a lot better cut. The heroine goes on a giant spending spree, and buys a lot of stuff. With her job, that kind of spending would have put her into serious debt, although the author does mention that she has some savings. Then she gets back, and dumps the lot on the floor, as if she didn’t care, instead of gloating. And she only gets to wear one of her new outfits. Buying one new outfit would have been much better. Or maybe there should have been some point to it, but her sexy new underwear doesn’t seem to have been noticed by anyone, least of all the two male leads. Since she got no pleasure from her spending spree, and the hero didn’t care what she wore, there didn’t seem to be much point.

The first person parts were the best part of the book, and read very much like “Bridget Jones.” Only chick-lit is dead, right? So don’t market it as that, just say it’s something else. We even have the shopping scene, although by the standards of an erotic romance publisher, there is remarkably little sex. Not that I’m complaining, in fact less sex would have been better. At the start the only points of view are hers and the novel pastiches, told in the third person. Then the hero enters, and all of a sudden we get his pov, told in the third person too. Since this happens some way into the book, the suddenness of it was a bit of a surprise, and jolted me right out of the story.

The heroine spends her life dreaming over old romance novels. I did feel a little uncomfortable about this, because the whole emphasis is on how bad these novels were. There are numerous pastiches scattered throughout the book, and while one or two were very well done, others missed the mark (a 1960’s vintage air hostess category romance, for instance, would never have contained the word “clitoris”). But these books sold in their hundreds of thousands, so doesn’t that make fun of all the readers?

Anyway, the heroine, Cassandra, is engaging at first, but eventually her addiction to said romance novels and her refusal to accept the truth – that the Other Man is the right one for her, not the one whose looks attract her – make her a little TSTL by the end. She is supposed to be a bright cookie, and her first person narration shows her as such, but she behaves like a complete idiot. She is a klutz – it wouldn’t be the first klutz heroine, but I found that trait vaguely annoying. She refuses to accept what is right under her nose, and that was more than annoying.

The hero – he’s Irish, and his brogue was described in great detail, but thankfully wasn’t a cod-Irishman. But I didn’t learn much more about him. Despite Lavey giving him his own voice, it was flat and not much was conveyed about him.

The language was uneven. All through the book, the tone and style was of a light comedy, but in the last half-dozen pages, we are suddenly plunged into the erotic with a little bit of light bondage. The restraint part was hinted at earlier, but it seemed unnecessary, as the heroine was doing fine without it. And the language suddenly became all-out erotic. It didn’t work with the earlier voice. It didn’t gel, almost as if someone else had written that part. I would have preferred a final lovemaking scene in keeping with the rest of the story.

There was no significant build of sexual tension – there is a torrid kiss on the beach, when he brings her to orgasm, and another in her room, and they were nicely described, and this was when I began to get irritated with Cassandra because she still hankered after the wrong man.

There were redundant characters as well as scenes. A romantic novelist shows up, but doesn’t have much to do until she advises the hero and heroine at the end. The deux ex machina in action. There is a bitch character who seems to only appear when the author needs someone to snark at, but she is never fleshed out and I never saw her as anything but an Aunt Sally.

In conclusion, I’d say I really like Inara Lavey’s voice, but as a beginning author, she desperately needs a good editor, or a strong critique group, one that will regulate the redundant characters, scenes that go nowhere and misunderstandings that go on too long. If this book had been tightened up and the voice remained consistent, it would have been a great read instead of a frustrating one.

I do look forward to seeing Lavey develop her work and voice more confidently, but this one I have to give a…

Grade: D

Blurb:

Got sex and romance on the brain? So does Cassandra Devon. She also has hard-boiled private eyes, dashing pirates, jet-setting super spies and other sexy rogues entertaining her in her surprisingly explicit subconscious. All these erotic daydreams make it hard to stay focused on Cassandra’s current dilemma: namely, rebuffing the advances of Connor, a wild Irish rascal who wants to play the starring role in her fantasies. Cassandra is only interested in getting together with Raphael, the tall, dark and handsome man of her dreams. May the best romance hero win!

Read an excerpt.

Lawson’s review of Night After Night (Brotherhood of Blood, Book 5) by Kathryn Smith
Historical paranormal romance released by Avon 27 Jan 09

The fifth and final book in Smith’s Brotherhood of the Blood series follows the leader of the group of knights, Temple, who has been in hiding so he can protect the grail and his vampire brothers. There was mention of Temple in the last two books, Let the Night Begin and Taken by the Night, having to deal with his being in hiding to possibly having been kidnapped by the dastardly Order of the Palm. And so the story opens, with Temple in a cell…

Temple has been in the cell for awhile, as his captors have been feeding him blood laced with drugs, but they no longer take effect and he has a clear head and knows he has to escape. He knows the Order of the Palm is behind his capture, but he doesn’t know why or who is in charge of the operation. What he does know is they want him alive for a reason. When he hears someone coming he feigns being drugged to catch them off guard and hopefully learn something about what has happened while he’s been away from the world.

His jailer, or at least the person bringing him blood, is Vivian, and Temple can tell there’s something different about her. But he is able to learn some small information, bite her and take some of her blood, which hasn’t been laced with a drug, and makes a quick escape out of his prison, but not before finding out the identity of the leader of the Order of the Palm and getting Vivian sent to follow him.

Vivian is uneasy with Temple, though he doesn’t treat her like everyone else she knows, even her friend and guardian Rupert Villiers. When Rupert sends her after Temple to keep an eye on him, she makes her way to a remote island off the coast of Ireland, where she not only finds Temple, but the secrets to her past, and perhaps her future. That is, if she realizes that everything she’s ever known has been a lie and Temple is one who will tell her the truth. And will they be able to protect each other from Rupert Villiers and his dastardly plans?

Vivian is a strong, able woman, but one can’t help feeling bad about her life and the fact that she’s been lied to, or at least not told the full nature of things, all her life. Being a tall, strong woman who can easily beat up a man had her father treating her very poorly and being saved, of a sorts from her father’s ill treatment by Rupert Villiers. He educates her and protects her, but he never tells her the truth of why he did save her. Even then, she’s always grateful to Villers and it takes more than Temple to open her eyes to the facts about Villiers and what he ultimately has planned for her.

Temple is a born leader, but he gets a bit arrogant with it, as well as obviously careless, as he does get captured by the Order of the Palm. Even though he escapes, his plans end up playing into the hands of the Order, and even though he works to get Vivian to trust him, he doesn’t trust her himself, until he really is forced to. While the rest of the Brotherhood, Reign, Saint, Chapel and Bishop, follow what he plans, he realizes his mistakes in keeping them at a distance and not having any contingency plans in place if a group such as the Order ever got close enough to what ends up happening in the book.

Temple and Vivian do seem to complement each other well, even if she does seem to give in to him physically rather easily (and in a thunderstorm too) and the physical part of their relationship is pretty steamy. The other parts take longer for the deep trust to build between them.

As this is the end of the series, all the other characters from the other books, and the one short story, make an appearance and have an integral role in the final scenes and resolution to this series. Though it was a full resolution to all the stories of the Brotherhood, it just seemed a bit too short and a little unsatisfying as compared with how much trouble they’d caused in the previous books.  It’s a good series though, and I would recommend it for anyone who likes some history with their vampire stories.

Grade: B

Read more reviews and info on this series by following its tag.

Summary:
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I am Temple, Guardian of the Blood Grail…
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Centuries ago, this magnificent chalice sealed my fate as a vampire, and now I am its protector. Many have hunted me for it, but only Vivian has accomplished the task. Strong, lovely, haunted … I am more attracted to her than I should be, yet her loyalty lies with a man determined to bring about my destruction. But I am not so easily locked in a cage, and now the captive has become the captor.
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Though her stormy eyes tempt me, there is too much at stake – not merely my life, but the lives of my vampire Brotherhood. And I am not above using Vivian to achieve my goals, even if it means denying my own heart. The battle to end all battles is just beginning, and I must fight … if I could only let my desire be damned.”
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Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Limecello’s review of Under the Influence by Nancy Warren
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Blaze on 1 Feb 09

I have really enjoyed Nancy Warren’s books, so I knew I wanted to read Under the Influence. While I was a bit leery of the story line, I felt that it was very well written, and I was pleasantly surprised. (Romances in the resort setting with the straight laced heroine finally letting go can oftentimes be really hokey.) Not surprising, actually, considering the previous books I’ve read by Ms. Warren. I also loved that each chapter had a different drink recipe. I even tried two out, and both were very good.

I actually liked Natalie Fanshaw a lot more than I thought I would. Faint praise, it seems, but that’s not so. She’s quite likable and human, but is quite stiff in the beginning. I think the fact that she’s so not personable is supposed to help highlight the transformation Natalie undergoes throughout the book. She begins as a really uptight workaholic – one so involved with her job that she never takes a break, and doesn’t even realize it is Valentines Day.

Nevertheless, once Natalie decides to let loose and live a little while on location, she becomes much more personable. I like that she was so sensible, and didn’t expect more than was reasonable from Johnny, or her situation. I also felt that her concern with Johnny’s lifestyle was realistic, and a valid concern. I liked how that is a genuine concern people have, and one that Natalie had to deal with as well. And I even understand why it was kept a “secret” for so long. I don’t think Natalie is at all mercenary, she just honestly wants everyone to be the best that he or she can be.

Johnny Santini, aka “Hot Johnny” is a fantastic character. He appears to be very static, or appears to be at first glance, but Johnny is a perfect example of “still waters run deep.” Johnny is happy with his life, he’s satisfied with what he’s got, and isn’t very much into material things. While it seems that Johnny is adrift with no future as a 30-something year old bar tender, that’s not the case. He simply doesn’t think his job, or belongings, define who he is, and that’s very refreshing in today’s world, but especially in a romance where the tycoon hero is king.

I liked that Johnny was a casual guy through and through – even including how he treated his interpersonal relationships. It was nice, however, to see him change throughout the book, as that was the basis of Johnny and Natalie’s relationship. While Johnny has never lacked for female companionship, he’s not someone who is always looking to score, or acts smarmy – he’s genuinely likable, and liked by everyone.

I thought it was very interesting that Ms. Warren put Natalie and Johnny together originally as a one night stand. One that didn’t actually happen, but both characters had been planning on just one night, and didn’t expect any real interaction after it. Considering Natalie’s personality, I felt that Ms. Warren was very true to her characters by having Natalie back off. The way Natalie and Johnny’s relationship develops is very natural, and realistic. Of course, it’s also fun as the setting is a resort and both of them find ample time to play.

I really liked how Natalie was the power player, as the character with the high power, successful career. It was nice that Natalie had a life of her own, and didn’t need Johnny. She also didn’t need him to take care of her. I also felt it was very important that each character was willing to move for the other, and change his or her lifestyle. While not something outrageous, both Johnny and Natalie made a “grand gesture” to the other, declaring their intentions and love for the other person. I also really liked that when it was revealed that Johnny had a lot of money, it didn’t become some outrageous conflict.

This is a really cute story that’s a fast read with interesting characters. It also had a great secondary romance, and I’m quite happy that I bought it. I wasn’t blown away by the book, but I think it’s a perfect “fun read” for a sunny afternoon, or when you’re looking for a good story that you can relax to. Nothing was too intense in this book, the characters are well written and enjoyable – nothing over the top in terms of drama, yet all still very interesting. I definitely recommend this book to all of Ms. Warren’s fans, as well as those of you who like books from the Harlequin Blaze line. And while you’re at it, try one or two of the drinks listed in the book.

Grade: B

Summary:
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Sexy bartender Johnny Santini mixes one wicked martini. Or so efficiency expert Natalie Fanshaw discovers when she takes a seat at his beachfront bar one lonely night. It’s Valentine’s Day, and they’re the only single people in the heart-strewn place!
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Natalie knows she spends too much time with her spreadsheets—she’s forgotten what it’s like to be between the sheets. Johnny is such a charmer, mixing his signature cocktails while making her feel s-o-o-o very special. And when he asks her to help him create a fab new drink for the town’s upcoming martini contest, Natalie can’t say no.
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A fantasy fling with Johnny could be a recipe for disaster. But hey, she could always claim to be under the influence!
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Read an excerpt (scroll down).

Limecello’s review of Mr. Strictly Business by Day Leclaire
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Blaze on 10 Feb 09

Mr. Strictly Business had one of my favorite things to find in a romance novel – a hero that knows he is in love from the beginning. However, it also had what may rapidly becoming my biggest pet peeve. The barren heroine, who will sabotage her relationship with the hero to save him from himself because she can’t have children with him. (Whaaaaaaaaaaat?) I think it didn’t help I read about 5 different books with similarly affected heroines at the same time. Nevertheless, I did enjoy Mr. Strictly Business, and look forward to more of Ms. Leclaire’s books. So read on, gentle readers!

I like that Catherine has a spine, is smart, savvy, and willing to do what needs to be done. I don’t know that I believe she had no option but to agree to an affair with Gabe… but letting that slide because it’s a harlequin romance… I like how Catherine enters into the affair with Gabe with her eyes wide open. She doesn’t look at this as a second chance, and remembers all the problems they had before. She doesn’t obsess about them or hold their issues over Gabe’s head, but uses them as reminders to herself, in order to not make the same mistakes. What I also felt made Catherine a good heroine, is that she was willing to admit to her own culpability. She knew that her own insecurities and problems also led to the end of her and Gabe’s relationship. Overall, Catherine was a nice heroine that I was definitely rooting for. It also helped that she was very reasonable, and rational.

Gabe Piretti, however, really stole the spotlight as the hero. He’s in love. He also knows he’s in love, and is determined to get the heroine back. But wait – there’s more. He’s determined to win her back, and establish a relationship. The forever kind, in fact. (Wild, right? A hero who isn’t gunning after the heroine for some far fetched wild eyed revenge plot? I was won over.) I also liked that Gabe learned from his mistakes, and was so aware of what had gone right, and what had gone wrong previously. He’s really trying to take care of Catherine, but this time truly listens to what she’s saying. Ms. Leclaire does an excellent job with this, because at no point does Gabe seem pathetic, or creepy. The dynamics of Gabe and Catherine’s relationship are perfect.

I wasn’t convinced of his whole “Pirate” Piretti persona – or, if not that, I felt it was a bit unnecessary. We know he’s a master negotiator and a feared businessman, but… “pirate?” And the reason being because he wrested control of the company from his mother… Otherwise all the events made sense and flowed well together, but I felt that parts of Gabe’s personality weren’t developed, and simply assumed. That, and his “nickname” really did nothing for me, in terms of advancing his character.

It’s been nearly two years since they split (twenty-three months, actually, and yes. Gabe remembers. *swoon*), and desperate measures bring Catherine to ask Gabe for help. This provides Gabe with the perfect opportunity to winnow his way back into Catherine’s life, but I liked that Gabe had plans for bringing their paths together again anyway. Nevertheless, the events that bring Catherine to Gabe are perfect. I love the creative way Ms. Leclaire wove it all together. (I don’t want to write a spoiler and give it away, but it’s truly Machiavellian and extremely entertaining. For once, I might have wished for a little more fall out – but still, it was nice.)

I really liked the “good” secondary characters, such as Gabe’s mother. However, I felt some of the other secondary characters were too much, such as Gabe’s evil assistant. Maybe it’s because I’ve been reading too many strangely similar books in a short period of time, but I felt that Roxanne, the new assistant was too static and flat. She had no personality other than being mean and obsessed with Gabe. Not believable, and unfortunately Roxanne was a major driving force of the plot. What I did like, however, was the confrontation between Catherine and Roxanne, and the fact that Catherine went toe to toe with Roxanne and won. (Although the power struggle there was interesting too.)

One thing I appreciated was the heavy focus on Catherine, and her business. It was nice to see Gabe take such an interest in Elegant Events, and also to see what Catherine did. Of course it helped that Catherine’s work day was much more casual and diverse than Gabe’s, and it also gave the two a chance to be together in a more natural environment, allowing them to relax. The interaction between Catherine and Gabe was also very well written. It was clear there was a lot of history between the two.

I didn’t really like how drawn out the maudlin “I can’t be with you because we can’t have children”scenes were, both in Catherine’s head, then between her and Gabe, but I did love the result. Gabe reacted really reasonably, and had the perfect answer. That also bumped up the happy ending, and I really liked how everyone worked out in the end. I’m very happy with the Man of the Month books I’ve read, and am definitely looking forward to reading the others.

Grade: B-

Summary:
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Mr. February: Gabe “the Pirate” Piretti, business mogul
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Vital Statistics: Rich, ruthless—and relentless!
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Mission: Win back the one who got away.
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Though she’d escaped him once, Gabe Piretti hadn’t forgotten Catherine Haile’s sharp mind and curvaceous body. His plans to reel her back into his life—and bed—were already brewing when she asked him to help save her ailing business.
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He’d use her desperation to get what he wanted—Catherine. But what would happen when he had to make a choice between business and oh-so-seductive pleasure?
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Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s Duckies Do Series reviews of the Montana Creeds Trilogy by Linda Lael Miller
Contemporary western romances released by HQN Feb – Apr 09

I really enjoyed Miller’s McKettrick series, so when the opportunity came along to read her Montana Creeds trilogy, I didn’t hesitate. And I have this thing about reading about brothers, so I figured these were the books for me. I love it when I’m right.

Logan (Montana Creeds, Book 1)
Released 1 Feb 09

The oldest of the three wild Creed boys, Logan is the first brother to come home to Stillwater Springs, Montana.  He’s come from visiting his McKettrick cousins and seeing how that family has stood together for years has put a crimp in his heart.  Knowing he’s not blameless in the fight with his brothers on the day of their father’s funeral, he’s ready to end their five-year estrangement.  Even seeing the old homestead looking a little worse for wear doesn’t deter him. He digs right in and begins putting the place back to rights in between talking to his brothers and trying to get them to come home.

That’s when he meets Briana Grant and her sons, Josh and Alec.  She works at the local casino, has worked her way up the ladder and lives from paycheck to paycheck to take care of her boys after her no-good husband dumped them off in front of WalMart and simply drove off, leaving them staring after him.  They may not have much materially, but they’re a family and they survived the worst heartache.  From the moment she meets Logan Creed during their picnic at his family cemetery, something clicks between them, and the more Briana tries to keep her distance, the more she falls for the handsome cowboy.

This is a great start to the trilogy.  I really enjoyed how Logan got his brothers fired up enough to hightail it back to the ranch. They didn’t stay that first time, but it’s enough to get them thinking about home again. The way Logan took to Briana’s kids is a nice touch. They need a father desperately and theirs is a real piece of work. I do have to say he tried, though, eventually. Briana is one strong lady. She has to be for her boys, instead of crawling in bed and crying under the covers when their world is toppled. But she finally picks right when her heart lets her fall for Logan, a man who doesn’t run from a ready-made family.

Grade: A-

Summary:
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Descendantsof the legendary McKettrick family, the Creeds are renowned in Stillwater Springs, Montana—for raising hell…
After years of wandering, Logan Creed, a cowboy with a dusty law degree, has returned home. To put down roots, to restore his family’s neglected ranch… to have kids of his own proudly bearing the Creed name.
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Divorced mom Briana Grant has heard the stories about her gorgeous neighbor. So Logan’s kindness with her young boys is a welcome surprise, especially when her ex reappears. And when an unknown enemy vandalizes her home, Logan shows Briana—and the folks of Big Sky country—just what he’s made of.
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Meet the Creed cowboys of Montana: three estranged brothers who come home to find family—and love.
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Read an excerpt.

Dylan (Montana Creeds, Book 2)
Released 1 Mar 09

Dylan is still on the rodeo circuit and also working as a stunt man when he receives calls from his older brother Logan talking nonsense about rebuilding on the old homestead and putting up fences on his property.  But it’s when a one-night stand can’t take being a mother any longer and leaves his two-year-old daughter Bonnie in his truck one night that he even seriously thinks about going home.  Once he gets there and sees what Logan has in mind and finds out that his lost love is still unmarried, he realizes that home is exactly where he belongs.

Being the town librarian isn’t the fanciest job in town, but Kristy Madison is happy with her life.  Or is she?  She’s suffered so many losses in the last few years, including the family ranch, but what else is she to do.  When Dylan shows up on her doorstep, wanting to reacquaint himself with her in every way, she can’t resist him or his daughter. They have a lot to get straight between them before a relationship will really work, but when it’s so good between them in bed, the talking isn’t far behind.

Dylan makes a terrific father and the scenes with his daughter are lovely. I liked the slow way Ms. Miller lets the brothers work out their differences and become a family again.  Though they all have their separate problems when they come together, they learn quickly those problems can be solved when working together. And Dylan and Kristy’s situation is no different. There’s a hurtful past between them and it takes time and work to get through it all. But everything is worth it with a family waiting for them on the other side.

Grade: A-

Summary:
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Hailed as “rodeo’s bad boy” for his talent at taming bulls and women, Dylan Creed likes life in the fast lane. But when the daughter he rarely sees is abandoned by her mother, Dylan heads home to Stillwater Springs ranch. Somehow the champion bull rider has to turn into a champion father—and fast.
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Town librarian Kristy Madison is uncharacteristically speechless when Dylan Creed turns up for story time with a toddler in tow. The man who’d left a trail of broken hearts—including her own—is back… and this time Kristy’s determined to tame his wild ways once and for all.
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Meet the Creed cowboys of Montana: three estranged brothers who come home to find family—and love.
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Read an excerpt.

Tyler (Montana Creeds, Book 3)
Released 1 Apr 09

This is the brother in the series who is the most hurt, both by his brothers and by his parents.  The youngest of the three, Tyler refuses to come home to make up with his siblings, but when he finally gets back to the ranch, there’s more waiting for him than he could have ever guessed.  Not only is Lily back in Stillwater Springs, but he happens upon a young boy who may be his son.

Lily left town years ago with a broken heart after Tyler went from her bed to another woman’s, but now a widow with a daughter in tow, she’s home taking care of her ailing veterinarian father. It takes no time at all for her to realize she’s still in love with Tyler, but with so many things working against them, including a son by the woman he chose over her years ago, will they really have a chance to make a life together?

This is my favorite of the three books, but only by a hair. There’s just more hurt to be salved in Tyler’s story, so it was much more emotional for me than the other two. As with the first two couples, Tyler and Lily have a lot to work out, but they are a great couple and end up sticking together with each other and this big new Creed family that has grown so much. And that’s what was fun about all three books, seeing a seed planted with Logan being the first to come home and then at the end of the series, this family has healed itself, has grown into a healthy and happy bunch and will leave a legacy for generations to come.

Grade: A

Summary:
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Whether winning championship belt buckles or dealing with Hollywood types for endorsement deals, former rodeo star Tyler Creed can handle anything. Except standing on the same square foot of land as his estranged brothers. Yet here they are in Stillwater Springs, barely talking but trying to restore the old Creed ranch—and family.
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Lily Kenyon knows all about family estrangements and secrets. The single mom has come home to set things right, to put down roots for her daughter. What she doesn’t expect is Tyler Creed, whom she’s loved since childhood. Now the handsome, stubborn cowboy who left home to seek his fortune just might find it was always under the Montana sky…
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Meet the Creed cowboys of Montana: three estranged brothers who come home to find family—and love.
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Read an excerpt.

Overall Grade: A

Liviania’s review of Made to Be Broken (Nadia Stafford, Book 2) by Kelley Armstrong
Thriller released by Bantam 24 Feb 09

For those who don’t know, Kelley Armstrong’s Nadia Stafford books are not paranormal.  No vamps, no werewolves, no nothing.  Instead, they’re thrillers with hitmen as the protagonists.  As I love hitmen I’m totally cool with that, but readers familiar with her other series might be disappointed. 

Nadia grew up in a cop family and spent her entire life working to be a cop.  Then everything came crashing down after she shot a guilty man who the jury was going to let walk.  She started a lodge in Canada and shortly after began performing hits for the mob.  She balances the two lives, but sometimes they cross over.  Her newest employee, a teenage mother, goes missing with her baby and no one cares since they were just white trash.  It reminds Nadia of her own past, so she uses her cop skills and assassin contacts to find out what happened to Sammi and Destiny Ernst.

Since the hitmen are the protagonists there are a number of moral issues that could be raised, but mostly it’s just an acknowledgment that they aren’t good guys.  It helps that the people they’re after are thoroughly despicable and it’s hard to blame Nadia for wanting them dead.

The romance is very slow moving.  Quinn and Nadia got together in the heat of the moment in Exit Strategy, but have since regressed to only talking.  Both are interested in a relationship, but Nadia knows she’s not in love with him.  On the other hand, she’s definitely got UST with her mentor Jack, who seems completely uninterested.  She doesn’t know whether to go for the good relationship without fiery passion and doubts waiting for Jack would ever amount to anything.  The pace of the relationships works because Armstrong does it well and makes her characters’ decisions reasonable.

The thriller part is well done too.  Nadia uses her head and puts the pieces together, though she can sometimes be impulsive.  She chooses her allies wisely and their skill sets compliment each other.  Plus, you don’t have to worry about whether they’re following proper procedure.  She hopes to deliver legal evidence to the cops of what happened, but Nadia is all about getting the evidence illegally.  Made to Be Broken keeps the focus on the plot and the relationships, keeping everything tight and fast-paced.

I enjoy the Nadia Stafford books.  She’s non-glamorous and possesses a sense of justice despite her job.  There’s action and romantic tension, always a good combination.  Armstrong is famous for her paranormals, but readers shouldn’t ignore her thrillers.  They have the same qualities that make her Women of the Otherworld series worth reading.  I hope a third Nadia book is in the pipeline.

Grade: B+

Summary:
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The author of the acclaimed Women of the Otherworld series returns with her latest novel featuring an exciting heroine with a lethal hidden talent. This time she’s hot on the trail of a young woman no one else cares about—and a killer who’s bound to strike again.Nadia Stafford isn’t your typical nature lodge owner. An ex-cop with a legal code all her own, she’s known only as “Dee” to her current employer: a New York crime family that pays her handsomely to bump off traitors. But when Nadia discovers that a troubled teenage employee and her baby have vanished in the Canadian woods, the memory of a past loss comes back with a vengeance and her old instincts go into overdrive.
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With her enigmatic mentor, Jack, covering her back, Nadia unearths sinister clues that point to an increasingly darker and deadlier mystery. Now, with her obsession over the case deepening, the only way Nadia can right the wrongs of the present is to face her own painful ghosts—and either bury them for good, or die trying. Because in her book everyone deserves a chance. And everyone deserves justice.
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Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Dragon’s Lair by Denise Lynn
Contemporary Paranormal Romance released by Silhouette Nocturne 1 Feb 09

It’s been a while since I’ve read a Nocturne, and when I end up with a good one I always ask myself why I wait so long to read another. Never really get a good answer to that question other than the usual too many books, too little time. I’m determined to remedy that as far as these Nocturnes go, though. I’ve had great luck with them in getting good stories and terrific characters, and Dragon’s Lair is right up there with the best.

Alexia Drake is on the run, having narrowly escaped a kidnapping by men who want the ancient grimoire that has mysteriously dropped into her lap. When the evil after her destroys her home, she has nowhere else to turn but to her estranged husband at Dragon’s Lair in Tennessee. As hard as it will be to be near him again, Alexia has no choice since she’s the one who has unleashed renewed interest in the Drake family tome, causing more disastrous problems for the family. Perhaps returning the book to Braeden to keep it out of enemy hands will help make up for some of that trouble. But Alexia has no idea what’s in store for her in coming face to face with her husband again.

He can feel her the closer she gets to Dragon’s Lair. Braeden is determined to find out why Alexia has betrayed him and his family by making their secrets public, causing heartache to the people under his protection. What he isn’t ready for are the feelings that still flow through him for his wife, and also the knowledge that Nathan the Learned, the life-long nemesis of his family, is truly a real threat to them all. Now that she’s back, Braeden at first wants nothing more than to solve the mystery of the grimoire and have Alexia on her way out of his life again. But when it comes right down to it, he’s not sure if he can let her walk away from him like she did before.

I really liked this hero and heroine. Braeden is a wizard and the trust that Alexia gives him in their marriage is the crux of why they’re separated – she trusted him completely when he told her of his magic and his ancestry, but he couldn’t trust her when tragedy hit them hard and she couldn’t stay with a man who wouldn’t give his trust about something so important and heartbreaking to them both. I also liked the different way in which the author gives Alexia her powers throughout the book. Quite original. And the way Alexia unknowingly uses her new powers on her husband is a hoot. Braeden’s mettle is tested to the limit just by Alexia’s thoughts.

The villain in this book is one sick puppy. He’s one of those that you can’t wait until his end comes, you know it’s coming and it’s going to be good. Braeden’s brothers, his twin Cam and Sean, are just as dynamic as Braeden and I look forward to their books. The end of this book does leave everything wide open for further stories and I’m assuming those will include the brothers’; however, in checking the author’s web site there’s no information given that far ahead, much to my disappointment. But I’m keeping my fingers crossed because I look forward to visiting these characters again.

Grade: A-

Summary:
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DRUID SPELLS, DANGEROUS INTRUDERS, AND A MYSTERIOUS ESTRANGED HUSBAND…WAS HE FIEND OR SAVIOR?
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When his family’s nemesis tried to find a book of Druidic-elder spells. Druid Braeden Drake and his estranged wife, Alexia, must unite to prevent the evil force from unleashing a supreme reign of terror. But having Alexia return to Dragon’s Lair brings along another set of troubles. For not only does she make him senseless with desire, she’s also being followed by the enemy.
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Though tragedy once drove them apart, Alexia didn’t count on her return igniting so many powerful emotions. But as each dark night descends, revisiting the marriage bed is a temptation she finds more and more difficult to resist. All too soon Alexia realizes her heart is as much at risk as her life…
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Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Tantalizing Secrets (The Secrets, Book 3) by Lynne Connolly
Historical Romance released by Samhain 24 Feb 09

This series started off well for me, though I somehow missed reading the second book, Alluring Secrets. I did read and review Seductive Secrets, the first book, and really enjoyed it; loved the hero, Nick. However, it’s the hero, Peter, in this book who took a while to grow on me.

Peter is a second son of a viscount, so he’s made his way in the political world quite successfully. He’s happy in life even if his carousing days aren’t what they used to be since his two best friends have settled down with wives recently. Everything is about to change, however, when Arabella Mason walks into his life with news he hopes isn’t true.

Even from the moment Peter and Arabella meet, his conduct and attitude never appealed to me. Yes, I know he’s on the back end of his hell raising and womanizing days, but the way he treats Arabella within moments of her literally running into him just didn’t work for me. She may enchant him, but there’s still too much of the rake in him considering the situation they find themselves in that it all just didn’t feel right. It’s not until so much later in the book when he realizes that he loves her and will do the right thing by her that I began to like him. Before that his arrogance was just a bit too much.

Arabella is not a peer of the realm, just a widow looking out for her family. Her sister’s husband has just died and that’s what sends Arabella to Peter’s family, hoping to gain some type of help for her sister and nephew. She’s a strong woman, independent, and can hold her own with Peter for the most part. I liked her just because she didn’t put up with Peter and his attitude. She doesn’t get that swept away in him and by him before he’s really serious about his intentions toward her. Of course, once she does it’s a whole different story. She keeps her head even when she knows that Peter must leave once the truth is learned about his brother’s death. She revels in her one night of loving she allows herself with him and is ready to move on out of necessity.

But as things begin to heat up in her small town, criminals are found out, and Peter’s past rears its ugly head, the storyline keeps moving at a fairly brisk pace. I really enjoyed the last third of the book. Sev and Nick join Peter to help him solve his mystery, along with their wives who welcome Arabella into their fold. Peter confesses his love, wants to marry Arabella and does a complete turnaround in wanting her to take time to be sure he and his world are what she wants. He almost goes overboard with that request, making it look as though Arabella doesn’t know what she wants. But I liked this Peter so much more than the one in the beginning.

I’m actually surprised that Peter didn’t appeal to me more than this. I usually like an arrogant, demanding hero. I think his manner and attitude just started a little too early, but he does a fairly good job of redeeming himself in the end, doing the right thing for Arabella and making peace with his new life that he grew on me just enough. But he just barely squeaked by! I’m glad Arabella brought him to heel.

Grade: B-

Summary:
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Peter Worsley is handsome, rich and successful, every woman’s dream. Except for Arabella Mason’s. Looking for answers to her brother-in-law’s violent death, instead she finds love and passion like she’d never imagined. And a deception that plunges her into life-threatening danger.
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Arabella discovers that her sister’s husband wasn’t the land steward they thought him, but the heir to the Earldom of Ulverscroft. And already married. When Peter accompanies her to his home in Leicester, he poses as her brother, but in private, he doesn’t treat her that way. Suddenly her heart is under siege and she is lost, but does he want her heart or only her body? Whatever the answer, her quiet respectable life is lost forever. She can’t deny this man what they both want.
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Peter never imagined he’d find the one woman who could tempt him from his confirmed bachelor state in a backwater like Leicester. He’s bedded the loveliest women in society, but now a pretty widow has snatched all his resolve with one kiss. He wants to find his brother’s killer, but he wants Arabella more. All he has to do is persuade her to take him. But that’s even more difficult than he first thought.
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Warning: Irresistible seduction makes this book a steamy read. Keep a man handy for emergencies.
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Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Mo‘s review of Undone (Outcast Season, Book 1) by Rachel Caine
Urban fantasy released by ROC 3 Feb 09

Cassiel, a fallen Djinn, is now in a human body and working for the Wardens. She must partner with one because she cannot produce her own energy and needs to absorb it from a Warden. She is partnered with Manny Rocha, an Earth Warden, and they are attacked by unexplainable forces that are out to get them. Hurricanes, fires, electrical issues, and sandstorms are only some of what they face.

Cassiel ends up taking a road trip with Manny’s brother Luis, and investigating missing children and a creepy place called only “The Ranch”. I think the most disturbing thing there has to be the malicious child army of ‘rejects’. The Ranch is a cult-like compound that is preparing for something that will change the course of humanity. Undone offers no resolution to the storyline, but does reveal the cause of Cassiel’s banishment at the end.

I almost abandoned Undone. For the first twenty pages, Cassiel drove me batty. She was arrogant, rude, and ungrateful. She looked at humans as a commodity and an annoyance, and when she refused to obey an order from a superior, she was punished by being put into a human body. Cassiel did not stop complaining about it, and it was very hard to push past those pages. I had to remind myself that Cassiel was the equivalent of a fallen angel, and that her reactions were understandable, given that she had never truly interacted with or empathized with humanity in the past. It also helped that she started to understand humans and that she discovered hidden truths about herself as well. Over the course of the book, she redeemed herself in my eyes.

I had some difficulty reading the book because I had not read the Weather Warden series and was not familiar with some terminology that went unexplained in the book. I knew that Djinn were like genies, but they seemed to act more like angels to me, so that was confusing. The “aetheric” I believe was referring to Heaven, or some plane of existence not accessible by humans. For a while, I didn’t understand the different types of Wardens, where their powers came from, or what they did with them. None of that information was explained. There were some hints and vague references scattered throughout the book, but never any straightforward explanation.

Overall the book was good. The pace was fast, the action intense and creative, the world colorful and complex. There were some minor sticking points, but I did enjoy the book and am looking forward to the next novel in the series, Unknown.

Grade :B

Summary:
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“I was one of the Old Djinn, the First Djinn, who came before any human walked the earth. I was a spirit of fire and air, and Ashan cast me down to this heavy, crippling flesh…”
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Once she was a powerful Djinn. Then Cassiel defied her ruler, Ashan, who tore her very essence away and reshaped her in human flesh as punishment. Forced to live among mortals, Cassiel has found refuge among the Weather Wardens—whose power she must tap into regularly, or she will die.
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Cassiel earns her keep by assisting the Earth Warden Manny Rocha on his missions—which she finds much easier than coping with the emotions and frailties of her human conditions especially her growing affection for Manny’s brother, Luis. But when Cassiel encounters a malevolent force that threatens the Rocha family, she discovers that her perceived human weaknesses may be her greatest strengths….
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Read an excerpt.

C2’s review of When a Stranger Loves Me (Pembroke Palace Series, Book 3) by Julianne MacLean
Historical romance released by Avon 27 Jan 09

I should say before I start my review that I picked this book up by mistake. I confused the author with someone else. As it turns out, Ms. MacLean is new to me. But I love me a good amnesia plot so my faulty memory didn’t bother me too much. Onward!

Lady Chelsea Campion was exiled to the Jersey Islands after a scandalous elopement left her ruined in the eyes of society. She has made the most of her seclusion by indulging in her passion for writing – she aspires to be published someday. In the meantime, she lives quietly with her mother (and brother and sister-in-law, when they are in residence), takes long walks along the beach and writes as much as she can.

As the book begins, Lady Chelsea’s peace is beginning to crack around the edges. She has just received a letter from a creepy, older hygiene-challenged cousin informing her that, since apparently her brother and his wife are not capable of producing an heir, he will marry her and thereby allow the earldom to remain in late father’s bloodline by passing through her. She has no intention of marrying the creepy cousin and takes a walk along the beach to think. During her beach stroll, she finds a gold watch that looks new and still works. Curious, she investigates a nearby sea cave and finds a naked, wounded, and unconscious man. Like any wise young miss, she checks out his boy bits before running for help.

The doctor is called in to patch up the man’s wounds and provide instructions for his care. Chelsea volunteers to sit with him, since he needs to be watched in case he regains consciousness. Her mother protests but eventually gives in after Chelsea asks her how it would be possible for her to be more ruined than she already is.

The stranger awakens and Chelsea discovers that he has no memory of his life or identity. He doesn’t remember how he came to be near the Jersey Islands or how he ended up naked in the sea cave. As he recovers from his wounds, Chelsea comes up with an idea to solve the problem of the creepy cousin (her mother says it is her family duty to marry him, whether she wants to or not).

Chelsea goes to her brother to discuss her scheme. She thinks she should seduce the stranger and get pregnant. She would then give the child to her brother and his wife to raise as their own – instant heir! This would eliminate the need for her to marry the creepy cousin and remove him from their lives completely, since he would no longer be her brother’s heir. Her brother very reluctantly agrees.

And so the seduction begins. As you might imagine, he isn’t unwilling. Over the following weeks, the handsome stranger’s health improves but his memory remains blank. “Jack” (well, he can’t just be “Hey, you”, after all) and Chelsea continue to spend time together – in bed and out – taking walks on the beach and picnicking on the grounds. He discovers he has a talent for sketching and spends time doing that while she writes nearby. But clouds hover on the horizon…

The information Chelsea’s family sent to the London newspapers after they found him has been seen by Jack’s family. His brothers have been looking for him (a side note: Oh noes! I have stumbled into the middle of a series!!). When his oldest brother and sister-in-law arrive, he discovers his name is Blake and he is the son of a duke! His father has told his sons they all must marry before Christmas (it’s early summer in this book) or they will lose their livelihoods. All his wealth will go to a horticultural society. His brother has come to take him back to the family seat.

Just before his brother arrived, Blake overheard an argument between Chelsea and her mother. He mother was insisting that Chelsea go to his bed immediately, since it was her fertile time (ewwwww) and do her best to get pregnant. He confronted her about the plot, of course, and a shouting match between them brought her brother in to defend her. Punches were thrown but before conclusions could be reached, the brother’s arrival was announced.

Since they needed to leave immediately, Blake insisted on Chelsea accompanying them. He wanted to keep an eye on her until she it was known whether or not she was pregnant. He refused to go along with any part of her scheme to pass off a child as her brother’s.

Soon after arriving in at the family home, some visitors arrive. Blake’s wife (?!) and her brother also saw news of a gentleman washing ashore after a storm and have tracked them back to the estate. Blake explains that he has no memory of anything that happened before and tries to reacquaint himself with his new wife (he was lost at sea on their wedding night) and brother-in-law.

Over the next few days, Chelsea finds out whether or not she is pregnant, star-crossed lovers are acknowledged, a murder attempt is revealed and a drug smuggling enterprise is uncovered.

All in all, an enjoyable read – a bit too much info-dump but it was a necessary evil, I suppose, for those new to the series (like me). Still, picking up this book was a happy accident and now I’ll have to pick up the first two in the series to get up to speed. If you enjoy old-school romances and amnesia stories, try it!

Grade: B

Summary:
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I saved his life . . . and I had much to demand in return.
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When he washed up on shore, I knew my prayers had been answered, and that I, Lady Chelsea Campion, need no longer fear poverty and heartbreak. To secure my family’s estate, all I needed was a child. Handsome, clearly noble-born, and with no memory of his previous life, the mysterious man was perfect. All I had to do was visit his bedchamber and seduce him. I had expected him to be a skillful, scandalously wonderful lover, but once in his arms I was overcome by something more than mere passion. I had fallen hopelessly, desperately in love.
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My plan has gone shockingly awry. But I will not give up a man who makes me feel such wicked ecstasy. No matter his true identity, no matter the secrets he struggles to remember, I will do anything in this world to make this stranger love me.
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Read an excerpt HERE.

Other books in the series:

Shannon C.’s review of Hope’s Folly (Dock 5 Series, Book 3) by Linnea Sinclair
Science fiction romance released by Bantam 24 Feb 09

Linnea Sinclair is one of those authors that I feel I should love. Her books always seem to have strong world-building, which I love, kick-ass heroines, which make me squee, and nice romantic conflict. But the earlier books in this series did not do it for me. So it was with trepidation that I started Hope’s Folly because I didn’t think it was going to work for me very well, either. To my surprise, a shift from first person to third person and a more equal power dynamic between the characters worked to make this book one of my favorite reads of February.

Unlike Gabriel’s Ghost and Shades of Dark, the first two volumes in this series, Hope’s Folly follows newly minted rebel leader Philip Guthrie as he brings a stripped-down military cruiser turned fruit hauler to an alliance-controlled planet where the ship can be repaired and a full crew outfitted. He’s working with a crew he’s not familiar with, some of whom may actively be trying to kill him. Added to his dismay is Rya Bennton, the daughter of his former commanding officer, a rebellious, insubordinate and pretty woman who questions the things he’s always held true about himself.

I really liked Rya, who totally made this book for me. She’s resourceful and smart and she does what she needs to do, without being a complete hard-ass. I liked that we were introduced to her as she was leaving her lover, something that only ever seems to happen to heroes most of the time. She had all the qualities that seem too rare in romance heroines: she was smart, resourceful and competent. Because I liked her so much, I wasn’t even bothered by the niggling question of whether her feelings for Philip were genuine, or weren’t merely a case of hero worship. Then again, that question bothers Rya, too.

Philip. Oh my. He was my type of hero: charismatic, vulnerable in the right moments, and deeply, deeply honorable. I know most girls want bad boys, but I’ll take Philip’s strong moral code and sense of honor over rakes and rogues any damn day. I liked that he was alternately exasperated and delighted by Rya, and yet he respected her as a person. I was rooting for these two to get together throughout, because they were genuinely perfect for each other. And while the love scenes weren’t explicit, because I loved the two leads so much, they totally worked for me.

I liked that the universe is expanded. Sully and Chaz are mentioned, but they don’t actually make any appearances in the book, which gives Ms. Sinclair time to bring in and flesh out new characters. Unfortunately, if I have a quibble with this book it’s that the rest of the cast, being larger than it has been in previous books, is not as developed as I’d like.

The plot was intense, and kept me turning virtual pages until the end. The mystery of who is sabotaging the ship is handled deftly, and I didn’t figure out who it was until just shortly before Rya did. But even after that mystery is solved, I was genuinely not sure how Philip and Rya and the rest were going to make it to their destination, which made the last climactic space battle nail-bitingly suspenseful.

I still wish that the setting was a little more original and less Star Trek-tastic. And as I said, I could have handled a bit more development of secondary characters, but I finally see what the fuss is all about regarding this author, and I’m curious to see where else she can take this series.

Grade: B+

Read more reviews by following the series’ tag.

Summary:
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It’s an impossible mission on a derelict ship called HOPE’S FOLLY. A man who feels he can’t love. A woman who believes she’s unlovable. And an enemy who will stop at nothing to crush them both.
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Admiral Philip Guthrie is in an unprecedented position: on the wrong end of the law, leading a rag-tag band of rebels against the oppressive Imperial forces. Or would be, if he can reach his command ship—the intriguingly named Hope’s Folly—alive. Not much can rattle Philip’s legendary cool—but the woman who helps him foil an assassination attempt on Kirro Station will. She’s the daughter of his best friend and first commander—a man who died while under Philip’s command, and whose death is on Philip’s conscience.
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Rya Bennton has been in love with Philip Guthrie since she was a girl. But can her childhood fantasies survive an encounter with the hardened man, and newly-minted rebel leader, who it seems has just become her new commanding officer? And will she still be willing follow him through the jaw of hell once she learns the truth about her father’s death?
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Read an excerpt.

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Gwen’s review of The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (The Rothwell Series, Book 4) by Madeline Hunter
Historical romance released by Dell 3 Feb 09

This book has engendered such a wide range of reactions in the romance reading world, that I wasn’t’ sure if I should add my voice to the fray.  But I felt this book got short shrift by some reviewers and that I needed to stand up for what I enjoyed about it. 

This is the latest entry in the Rothwell series by Hunter.  You’ll remember that the previous book, Secrets of Surrender, was about a “spinster” wedding a “scoundrel” and several of the other books deal with scandal in equal measures.  So it’s no surprise that Hunter keeps our hero, Christian, and heroine, Leona, very much in the forefront of scandal with this entry.

There’s a delightful tendency of Hunter’s characters to want to TRY to avoid scandal, but perfectly willing to dive right into it if it’s unavoidable.  I love that in a historical – recognize it, and avoid if possible, or embrace it if there’s no other way around it.  The characters don’t force themselves into untenable situations just for the sake of proprietary.  I find that refreshing and it helps assuage my 21st century feelings of impatience with propriety.

Hunter has introduced an odd and mildly paranormal element to this book: Christian is empathic.  It’s explained as the main reason for his eccentricity in the earlier novels and for his seeming omniscience for all things to do with his family.  He struggles with this ability through this book and eventually seems to master it with the help of Leona – the one person who can block his ability, thus giving him respite from the deluge of another’s feelings.  He also comes to realize that his ability has flaws – something that is quite shocking to him since he proclaims “I am Easterbrook” in his oh-so-imperious manner.

Leona is more of a mystery to us.  Her personality and appearance is a mixture of East and West, as is her character and actions.  She accepts all parts of Christian, even if he did deceive her when they first met in Canton.  She’s also on a mission that Christian is determined to protect her from – finding out what really happened to her father.

This book, like several of those I’ve read lately, has a lot of historical intrigue and derring do in it.   It all spices up the plot, but doesn’t detract from what occurs between the main characters.  Unlike Secrets, that was all about the relationship between the hero and heroine, the historical detail in Sins takes a much more central stag.  We read more about what the East India Trading Company was doing in Asia and how many English noblemen made a fortune off of smuggling opium (among other things) under that company’s auspices.  It was all very interesting.

Nevertheless, the reason we’re reading the book is because of the romance and Hunter doesn’t fail us.  These two characters bring out the best in each other.  I enjoyed reading how they worked out the various misunderstandings and how they worked out how they could live together as man and wife.  It was fun to read Easterbrook come to terms with his emotions.  Some reviewers never were able to connect to him on this level.   I think I didn’t have any trouble since I, like the Easterbrook character, prefer to spend time alone, in my head as well.

This historical is not for everyone.  If you like your characters a bit odd and your romances non-traditional, then this is the book for you.  If you’re following the series, you definitely need to read it.

Grade: A

Read more reviews and information about this and other books in the series by following its tag.

Summary:

Journey back to a time of scandal, intrigue, and reckless desire in Madeline Hunter’s sensuous new novel, the tale of a man who will give up everything for the woman he’s determined to possess-even reveal his most sinful secret.

Only a desperate mission could bring Leona Montgomery face-to-face with the scoundrel whose dangerous sensuality once sent her fleeing from his arms. But she has under-estimated Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook. As irresistible as ever, his past swathed in mystery, Christian has his own plans for the woman he has waited seven years to claim. Yet once desire reignites, bringing a dangerous secret into the open, Leona will find herself bound to the seductive nobleman in ways she could never have imagined. Seven years have changed nothing: this man can tempt her to ruin with just one touch. With Leona’s reputation and hopes for her family’s salvation in tatters, she must follow the only course left to her…even as each step brings her closer to a shattering truth and a passion she can no longer live without….

Read an excerpt.

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Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Earl’s Untouched Bride by Annie Burrows
Historical Regency romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 Feb 09

Every once in a while a book comes along that I know I shouldn’t like. It’s got characters who I want to throttle and conflict that makes my head hurt, but I can’t seem to stop reading. I became entranced by the story. The writing sucks me in. Or maybe it’s just the simple matter of the book finding me in the right place at the right time. It was these mysteries I was pondering after I finished the last page of Annie Burrow’s latest Harlequin Historical at the hour of 1:30AM. An insanely late bedtime for this mild-mannered librarian.

Charles Fawley, Earl of Walton has just been dumped. With Napoleon safely ensconced in Elba, he took it in his head to spend some time in Paris. There he met the enchanting, beautiful and beguiling Felice Bergeron. He has given her a gorgeous engagement ring, and is all set to announce their impending marriage when the chit runs off! She not only has the nerve to leave him, she had the gall to leave him for a penniless artist! Now that she has slipped away like a thief in the night, Charles is quite vexed. His pride in tatters, he’s in his Paris apartments wallowing some more when in strolls her older sister, Heloise, with a most outrageous proposal.

Heloise suggests that they marry. After all, people were just assuming that Charles was smitten with Felice, and Heloise always served as their chaperon. All he has to do is parade her around and people will know that it’s really Charles and Heloise who are in love. Charles will be able to salvage his pride, he’ll get a biddable wife, and in return Heloise escapes marriage to the odious, vile and murderous man her parents have picked out for her. Partly because her plan is ingenious, and partly because he knows the man her parents want to marry her off to, Charles agrees.

What follows is the story of two people are feel completely unworthy of love and their total lack of knowing how to communicate with each other. Normally I’m a sucker for characters with inferiority complexes who blossom through love and romance, but the entire plot hinges on a Big Misunderstanding. Instead of doing something really outrageous, oh like actually talking to each other!, Heloise and Charles like to jump to conclusions.

For example, Charles takes his wife to his country home, and she immediately assumes he’s going to dump her off there and go live in London full time because she’s a terrible wife. Heloise befriends Charles’ younger brother, and Charles immediately thinks the two are having an affair. Charles gifts Heloise with the priceless family yellow diamonds, and all she can think about is how he cares so little for her that he didn’t buy her a shiny, flashy, “new” bauble like her sister’s engagement ring. Sigh, and this goes on for the whole novel. No, not the first 50 pages. Not even the first half. The entire novel. This Big Misunderstanding sticks around to the bitter end, and isn’t concluded until the final pages of the novel when the hero and heroine finally decide to sit down and talk like adults.

Ah, those crazy kids!

This is normally enough for me to hurl the book towards the nearest wall and slap the story with a big fat F. So how come I didn’t do that, and how come I’m not going to? Because despite conflict that makes my head hurt and two characters I wanted to slap silly, I could not put this book down. First, it’s tone and style reminded me very much of a Traditional Regency, a rare and almost extinct creature in romance publishing. While I have never been a big fan of trads, it’s been such a long time since I’ve read one, that I immediately got sucked into the story. Chalk it up to a stroll down memory lane. Also, and this can’t be overstated, Annie Burrows can flat-out write. I really got sucked in, and happily kept lapping up page after page until I finished the last sentence and realized it was 1:30AM.

Unless you’re a hopeless devotee of the Big Misunderstanding plot, I can’t really recommend The Earl’s Untouched Bride. However, I do recommend giving Annie Burrows a look. As many issues as I had with this book, I wholeheartedly await her next release.

Grade: C-

Summary:

Fearing a forced betrothal with a man known for his cruelty, Heloise Bergeron throws herself on the mercy of Charles Fawley, Earl of Walton. He believes himself attracted to her younger, beautiful sister, so what is he doing entertaining thoughts of marriage to the plain, quiet Heloise? But marry her he does.

Returning to England with a convenient wife, who inspires a very inconvenient desire, Charles is about to discover just how untouched his French bride really is….

Read an excerpt.

C2’s review of Vexing the Viscount by Emily Bryan
Historical romance released by Leisure 24 Feb 09

This review is going to be a bit different, gentle readers. I’ve had this book for the longest time and kept getting distracted. Real Life sometimes interrupts my reading schedule, don’t you know. Anyway, I try to keep notes when I’m reading a book for review, so I can keep things straight in my head when it’s time to do the write-up.

When I actually sat down to do start my review, my notes amused me so much I thought I’d post them rather than doing a more formal review. So, yes, you’re about to get a glimpse into my brain – a very scary place, some might say.   Here we go:

Georgian setting – unusual nowadays.

First meeting over an antique oil lamp shaped like a penis.

Tassels=phallic symbol? I had no idea.

Childhood Iggy has turned into reclusive rake and wastrel Lucian.

Would she have really been on the shelf at 21, I wonder?

An outspoken young lady – gentlemen don’t like that, you know.

A reader of naughty books…shame on her.

Egad, a group of sisters with flower names.

A lost Roman treasure.

A masquerade ball and a courtesan costume.

Yikes – intimate waxing!

Yikes again – he’s a virgin!

Oh, I forgot he’s young too – mid-20s. Still – VIRGIN!! 

She (the in-disguise her) agrees to give him a kissing lesson if he shows her some of his antiquities.

Subplot involves the second Jacobite uprising. Why??

His father hates her family so she uses a fake name while working with him.

Whoa! Flashback to Romans in England. Unexpected.

Flashback has 30 year-old male virgin!

Kissing lessons between her (in disguise) and him. That lead to strip poker (not really poker, of course).

Holy anachronisms! Chocolate candies in the Georgian era?! I don’t think so.

“She cupped his bag”?!?! Oh no she didn’t…OMG  

He gets cranky when he doesn’t get all the goodies the first time they make out. Typical. 

Flashback with naked moonlight dancing. Wheee!

Back with our couple. Ooh, he briefly sees a resemblance.

A convenient antiquities expert appears.

The father is prone to destructive, drunken rages. Lucian suspects he’s on the brink of madness.

Lucian’s suspicions deepen that Blanche and Daisy are the same person.

A second lesson in love is arranged. And a blindfold comes into play, an ankle is sprained and a realization is made.

Dark flashback. Necessary?? I’m thinking no.

A conspiracy is afoot. Just call me Holmes…Sherlock Holmes. Jeez.

Clues are uncovered.

The aunt is a beard for her hubby. Carry-over from an earlier book, I’m guessing.

The plotting Jacobites want the Roman treasure to fund their cause and try to hook Lucian’s father into helping them. *sigh*

The aunt’s husband overhears the plotters and refuses to let Daisy see Lucian.

Another masked ball is just the ticket, then, isn’t it? But this time he recognizes her and says so.

A painting on a ceiling gives them another clue. How did they spot the painting? Hmm, I wonder.

Why won’t he tell her about the Jacobite plot? Oh yeah, because it’s silly.

And because he didn’t tell her, she steps right into problems. Of course.

And when he finds out, he is angry. Of course. But he doesn’t tell her of the connection to his father so she thinks he is excluding her. *sigh*

They go in search of the treasure…with the bad guys lurking behind them.

In the meantime, her uncle from Cornwall arrives. Her family figures out Daisy isn’t where she’s supposed to be.

While the family looks for Daisy, she and Lucian look for the treasure. On a haunted island! Woooo-oooooo-oooo. *eerie wailing sounds*

Gratuitous tavern brawl/sword fight. But, it provided a way to get him into her room and for nature to take its course. After he finally tells her the truth about the Jacobites and his father.

On the island they untangle the poem. But they’re being watched.

Finally, they find the treasure…but it isn’t what they expected. And their enemies get their comeuppance.

And that’s not all – Lucian gets a new title for helping dispatch the traitors.

My final thoughts on Vexing the Viscount are that it is a light (mostly) read and a nice change of pace for those who might be tiring of the Regency era. While it wasn’t a perfect book, it was entertaining. The main characters were engaging and amusing and the plot involving the treasure was interesting enough to stand on its own.

Grade: C+

Summary:

Daisy Drake is leading a double life! By day, she’s Lucian Beaumont’s unwanted assistant and by night, she masquerades as the masked courtesan, Blanche La Tour, a Frenchwoman who agreed to give Lucian lessons in sensual love!

There’s only one problem. Daisy speaks fluent French and can read ancient Latin without moving her lips, but she doesn’t know the first thing about the pleasures of the flesh!

Good thing she has the real Blanch La Tour’s very explicit memoirs for guidance.

Lucian Beaumont, Viscount Rutland, longs to see his family’s standing returned to its glory days, before his father lost their fortune. And he thinks he can manage it, if he can only discover the hiding place of an ancient Roman payroll.

Daisy never forgot her girlhood fascination with Lucian, even though his father has a score to settle with her uncle. Now that they’re all grown up, she’s determined to help the viscount find his Roman treasure.

Whether he wants her help or not!

Read an excerpt HERE.

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Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Pleasured By the English Spy by Bronwyn Scott
Historical romance eBook short story released by Harlequin Historical Undone 1 Feb 09

Besides being a fan of tasty bite-size morsel reads, another thing I really enjoy about the Harlequin Historical Undone short stories is that it allows authors to explore multiple characters and story arcs within their created universe. I can’t be the only reader alive who has gotten burnt out on series. At some point it happens to all of us. But when the series gets fleshed out using the quicker and faster short story format of the Undone line? It’s hard for me to get burnt out. Especially when the author keeps it lively with steamy love scenes and interesting locales.

Bronwyn Scott’s second Undone short story takes place in Italy, and she really makes it shine in what could have been a run-of-the-mill English spy story. It’s this setting, and the lushness that Scott is able to convey that really stood out for me.

Andrew Truesdale lived in Italy until he was 15, so when his superiors are looking for someone to go to Italy and ferret out information about a potential nationalist revolution, they naturally tap him. His job is to get close to a widowed contessa, Olivia di Montebaldi , and discover what she knows about the plot. Is she the one in charge? Or is she just protecting someone else? Andrew figures this will be an easy task. He assumes Olivia is middle-aged widow, lonely for companionship, and she’ll be more than susceptible to the charms of a dashing Englishman. Then he arrives at the villa to discover his assumptions were way off. Olivia is young, vivacious, beautiful, and knows exactly who he is and why he’s there. Oh, she’s not opposed to an affair with the man, but it’s not like she’s going to willingly cough up her secrets during pillow talk!

The common complaint about short stories is that they’re “too” short, and the reader is often left wanting. Scott does an amiable job with her short word count. I never felt this story was rushed or lacking, and the author ties up all her loose ends to a satisfactory conclusion. Some readers might see the traditional happy ending as a bit of a rush job, but it worked for me because the author does a nice job of showing the passion between Olivia and Andrew.

My one quibble is that I wished there was a bit more dialogue in this story. This is mostly for selfish reasons, since after reading one full-length novel and another Undone story by Scott, I’ve discovered she’s quite talented with dialogue. Her characters have been known to engage is some delightful verbal sparring matches. But this is only a minor, and mostly selfish, “complaint” on my part. All in all, this is a nice story with an interesting and lovingly depicted Italian locale. A perfect afternoon read, preferably with a glass of wine by your side.

Grade: B

Summary:
English spy Andrew Truesdale has been sent to Florence on a mission–to befriend widowed contessa Olivia di Montebaldi and discover if she’s plotting a nationalist revolution in the aftermath of Napoleon’s defeat. Andrew expects the assignment to be easy. After all, his job with the British Diplomatic Corps required him to perfect the art of flirtation and become a consummate seducer of women.

Everything changes, however, when he arrives at Olivia’s villa. Instead of the middle-aged woman he expects, Andrew finds a vivacious young beauty who piques his interest…and his lust.

But while Andrew may be taken aback by the contessa, Olivia knows exactly who Andrew is…and that he is dangerous. She may let him claim her body, but can she trust him with her secrets?

No excerpt found.

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Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Wanted In Alaska by Kate Bridges
Historical romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 Feb 09

One of the reasons I love westerns is because they tend to feature themes that flip my proverbial switch. Those of redemption, second chances, and the desire of many to better their lot in life. Certainly the United States has more than it’s fair share of faults, but it’s always been the land of opportunity. Where a nobody can become a somebody; and nothing optimizes this quite like Alaska. It was the last frontier, and once gold was discovered? Forget about it. I imagine this is why Kate Bridges continues to mine the Alaskan landscape for her Harlequin Historicals . There really are endless possibilities, like her latest story which introduces readers to a heroine with dreams of owning her own business and a hero wrongly accused of being an outlaw.

Autumn MacNeil came to Alaska after her grandparents passed away to make a future for herself. But unlike so many who are rushing out looking for gold, she’s singing in the most respectable hotel in Skagway. She has a beautiful voice, but her dreams are bigger than that. Our girl wants to buy the hotel. The problem is that the man who owns it, her boss, can’t seem to get over the fact that she has boobs. He’s not about to sell to a mere woman, but that doesn’t stop Autumn from trying. In the meantime, she’s enjoying a local masquerade ball – where she and her best friend, Victoria, a local nurse, decide to go in costume…as each other.

Quinn Rowlan is a man on the run, his wanted poster plastered all over Alaska. The worst of it is that he’s an innocent man. He finds himself in Skagway looking for a nurse. His younger brother was stabbed during an altercation, and the knife wound is festering. Quinn would do anything to save his brother, and that means kidnapping a nurse. Several of the locals point out Victoria to him, he gets her alone, and carries her off to the cabin where he’s stashed his brother. He gets away clean. Of course little does he know that he’s kidnapped the wrong woman, so convincing was Autumn’s and Victoria’s masquerade.

This story starts off with a bang. Poor Autumn really is in a bind. All she knows is that she’s been kidnapped by a gang of men, and she’s not sure what to do. If she blurts out that she’s not a nurse, will they shoot her (or worse) and leave her for dead? If she claims to be Victoria and Quinn’s brother dies because she’s inept at nursing – then what? Yeah, she could end up dead (or worse). Then there’s the fact that Quinn, despite his kidnapping her, really seems like a decent fellow. That really confuses her! Luckily the author doesn’t drag out this adventure in mistaken identity for the whole story. It’s wrapped up rather quickly, and the story moves on to Quinn’s quest to prove his innocence, which ultimately leads to him hiding in plain sight.

The story moves along at a good clip, and Autumn and Quinn have sizzling chemistry. Given that she was still wrestling with her trust issues, I did think she jumped into his arms a little quickly, but it’s hard to fault when the love scenes are so nice and spicy. No, the main issue here is the conclusion of the external conflict and Quinn’s innocence. The author jumps from Point A to Point C, without really stopping at Point B. People go from believing Quinn is an outlaw to believing he’s innocent without a whole lot of “proof” flashed in front of their faces. A little more hand-holding through the resolution would have made this a stronger story during the second half.

All that said, this is a nice adventure driven romance featuring two characters that share a palpable chemistry together. It didn’t change my life, but it certainly was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Outlaws, even innocent ones, just can’t risk doctors’ visits. But Quinn Rowlan desperately needs a nurse for his injured brother. Kidnapping is the only answer.

Except Quinn snatches the wrong woman from a masquerade! Autumn MacNeil is a singer dressed as a nurse for the costume ball. She doesn’t know the first thing about knife wounds!

Still, there’s no way he can let her go now—and, to make matters worse, Quinn realizes he’s falling for his curvy, blond hostage….

Read an excerpt.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Texan’s Tennessee Romance by Gina Wilkins
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Special Edition 1 Feb 09

I fully admit that I tend to impulse buy category romance. With the shorter format, and a quicker turnaround reading time, I find it an excellent way to discover new-to-me-authors. Like a lot of things in life, when it comes to impulse reading, you win some and you lose some. I’m sad to report that Gina Wilkins’ latest Silhouette Special Edition will not be going in my personal “win” column.

Natalie Lofton left Nashville for a vacation cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee to lick her wounds. She used to be a high-powered, successful lawyer for a prestigious Nashville law firm that represented many celebrity clients. When her superiors get some pretty flimsy “proof” that she was selling client information to a sleazy tabloid, they strongly suggest that she resign. Not knowing what else to do, Natalie quits her job and hires a private investigator to look into the case. There’s no way she would violate attorney client privilege, but with all of her so-called friends abandoning ship, she decides a cabin in the woods for a few weeks is just the ticket.

It’s there she meets the worst handyman ever to walk the Earth. Little does she know that Casey Walker is no handyman. He’s also an attorney, a golden boy employed by a swank Dallas law firm. After losing a high profile case and getting dumped by his “almost” fiancée, Casey also feels it’s time for a long overdue vacation. He has family that works at the Gatlinburg cabins, so he convinces them to let him putter around as a handyman while he’s taking his break from the law. Naturally he’s inept, mayhem ensues, and he and Natalie start spending a lot of time together.

When I impulsively picked up this book I had no idea that it’s part of the author’s long-running Family Found series about the Walker clan. There’s an insane amount of name-dropping in this book. The worst part is, 95% of these characters aren’t even in this book. No, their names are just dropped. Every time the author (or Casey) went off on a tangent about the cousins, aunts, uncles, former college roommates, former family pets, etc., my eyes glazed over and rolled back into my head. Since none of this stuff is pertinent (at all!) to the story at hand, all it does do is serve as unnecessary filler, which gets in the way of the actual romance.

Casey and Natalie seem like nice enough people, but there’s absolutely no spark between them. I suspect because the conflict takes a back seat for over the first half the story. While the reader is busy trying to keep all the family names and connections straight, Natalie and Casey aren’t talking to each other, at least about anything important! One would think that their career crises would be more than enough conflict, but instead readers are subjected to Casey’s inept handyman act, and them taking care of a stray dog that comes around begging for food.

Zzzzzzz…..

I found the whole thing really boring. A shame too, because there’s a decent read buried somewhere within these pages desperately trying to break free. Fans of the Family Found series will more than likely get a lot more enjoyment out of this book than I did. Gina Wilkins has a long and impressive backlist, but The Texan’s Tennessee Romance isn’t the ideal starting-point for newcomers.

Grade: D+

Summary:

After being falsely accused of breaking her sacred lawyer-client vow, Natalie Lofton’s main priority was clearing her name and getting her life back. That didn’t include taking in an irresistible mutt. Or falling for the sexy handyman who’d come to fix a leaky pipe in her secluded Tennessee cabin.

But Casey Walker wasn’t your ordinary fixer-upper. The native Texan had his own reasons for retreating to the remote Smoky Mountain resort. There he found a fellow attorney with a soft spot for strays. But what about the tender feelings Natalie was awakening in him?

Read an excerpt.

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Liviania’s review of Pride (Shifters, Book 3) by Rachel Vincent
Contemporary paranormal romance released by MIRA 1 Feb 09

Pride is the third book in Rachel Vincent’s werecat series and my third time to give her a chance.  Normally I would give up if I didn’t think the first book was anything special, but Stray and Rogue came so close I couldn’t help but give her another chance.  It’s rare I find a series I want to like so much but don’t.  Fortunately, I think Pride took a running leap in the right direction. 

One of my biggest problems with the first two books was Marc and Faythe’s relationship.  He was too controlling; she was too absorbed in her own drama.  In Pride Marc allows Faythe to make her own bad decisions.  If she’s not so indignant over people trying to stop her from acting dumb maybe she’ll realize how terrible her decisions are.  And, hey, presto!  She does have an epiphany about how crappy she treated Marc and the terrible decisions she made regarding that relationship.  I can’t say some of the decisions she picks out are ones I would, but baby steps.

On the other side of the baby steps coin, Faythe shows some rudimentary signs of understanding politics.  That is to say, she understands the general shape of other’s machinations.  She still prefers to make her point with a verbal sledgehammer.  Sledgehammers lack the ability to make a convincing argument.  Of course, in Pride many of her points make sense.  Faythe is defending herself against a murder she committed in self-defense and takes on the protection of a young girl.  Both are difficult in an institutionally misogynistic society.

With the progress Faythe made in Pride, I’ll give it the benefit of a doubt that she learns from her mom’s example and begins changing the system by bending it to a little.  To paraphrase one character, she doesn’t make the rules and never has (so maybe she ought to pay some attention to them).

The action side of the story is straightforward but exciting.  Faythe’s trial is being held in free territory and it turns out several rowdy strays have been staying in the area.  The local bruin (think werebear) takes offense to their conduct and asks the Pride to take care of it.  (As this is the third group of strays working together in as many books I wonder why the characters still believe a stray’s usual pattern of behavior is being a loner.)  While this plot gets shunted aside for most of the books, it isn’t complex enough to demand more time and delivers excellent action scenes when they’re needed.

Pride isn’t a slam dunk.  However, it’s a quick-paced read with a heroine shows empathy for others and demonstrates just enough smarts to live.  It’s a book that makes me finally, truly like this series.  Okay, so I won’t reread the first two.  I’ll still pick up the fourth with something other than desperate hope.  I may even pick up Vincent’s upcoming venture into YA lit.

Grade: B-

Summary:

I’m on trial for my life. Falsely accused of infecting my human ex-boyfriend—and killing him to cover up the crime. Infecting a human is one of three capital offenses recognized by the Pride—along with murder and disclosure of our existence to a human.
I’m two for three. A goner.

Now we’ve discovered a rogue stray terrorizing the mountainside, hunting a wild teenage tabbycat. It’s up to us to find and stop him before a human discovers us. With my lover Marc’s help, I think I can protect the vulnerable girl from both the ambitious rogue and the scheming of the territorial council.

If I survive my own trial…
Read an excerpt.

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