Sandy M’s review of The Wolf Who Loved Me (The Wolf Who Loved Me Trilogy, Book 1) by Lydia Dare
Historical Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Apr 12

With this new spin-off trilogy, Lydia Dare is giving readers more of her werewolves with the Hadley brothers, three rakes who get into trouble every chance they get.

I’m glad the wolves are back. I know Ms. Dare was trying to give readers something different with the last three books in the series that featured vampires. Those stories were good, but they just lack the flare of those werewolves that I’ve enjoyed so much from the beginning of this series. This time around we have some fun with the half-brothers of Dashiel Thorpe, who is hero of The Taming of the Wolf. Twins Weston and Grayson and Archer Hadley are about to have their ears flicked to bring them into line after causing havoc at every turn. Dash and Caitrin are fed up and desperate measures are in the works.

Weston has always been enamored of Lady Madeline Hayburn, but she’s out of his league. Even knowing her father has brought in eligible bachelors for her to choose from doesn’t bring him any closer to his dream of having her. Society doesn’t look kindly on the Hadleys. So he has to admire her from afar, with only minimum interaction. The lady has marginally noticed Wes, but her priority is staying away from the gents who are vying for her attention. And her money.

All the problems really begin when Madeline spies Weston from her window in an altercation with another man, incapacitating him. She’s curious as to what he’ll do next, so she slips out of the house to follow him to the barn. But what she ends up seeing alters both of their lives completely. It’s the full moon and Wes has no control over his shifting when it’s time. When he realizes what Madeline has seen, and despite the fact she’s now frightened of him, his only option is to head to Gretna Green for a quick marriage. If her future is tied with his, her silence is assured.

But being kidnapped and forced to marry isn’t Madeline’s idea of making the problem go away. She does her best to get away from Wes, even though she becomes more attracted to him as time goes on. When she stops to see he is taking care of her, he does feel something for her, her need to escape lessens. When her father catches up to them, Madeline must make a choice. Should she go back home, which is what she’s wanted for so long, or now take a chance on the man who has come to mean something to her? Madeline decides to take a chance. She jumps from the inn window into the arms of her future.

Of course, now that she’s made that choice, things can only sail smoothly for so long. During their trip they acquire a couple passengers, both known to Wes, who make it more difficult for him to keep soothing his intended’s feathers. After finally making it to Gretna Green, becoming husband and wife, and enjoying the best wedding night, it doesn’t take long for things to go awry. Madeline spies Wes in a compromising position with the actress who shared their carriage, and she thinks the worst. So much so she runs to Wes’ so-called friend to help her get back home. That plan turns out to be a major mistake. During his search for his wife, Wes realizes he was wrong to force Madeline into marriage, she deserves better than he can ever give her. So once he’s found her, he’ll return her to her father. That’s best for all concerned.

Madeline, however, takes exception to that idea. And at the end of the book is my only nitpick. I thought perhaps once I pondered on it I might change my mind, but I’ve found I haven’t. I feel Madeline’s “begging” is taken a bit too far, especially at the time and place it happens. I know it’s because she has to convince Wes she’s true in her words and feelings toward him, but I think an alternative or even some type of compromise with that scene would have worked better. For me, anyway. Her actions, of course, move Wes and do convince him, but that’s just not the Madeline I’ve come to know during this read.

Other than that, I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. The Hadley brothers aren’t as charismatic as Dash – he’s still my favorite hero of the series – but they make for good fun and eventually romance. I’m quite intrigued with the budding relationship between Archer and Madeline’s friend, Sophie. That should be one wild romp, which I’m looking forward to.

Grade: B

Summary:

Lady Madeline Hayburn Has Money Problems…

Specifically, she has so much of it that she’s dogged by fortune hunters, including her bewilderingly attractive, penniless neighbor, with his wild nature and uncouth manners…

Weston Hadley Has An Identity Crisis…

Specifically, he’s just turned into a wolf while Madeline was watching. Now it’s up to the regal lady to tame the wild beast…if she can…

Read an excerpt. (click the Excerpt tab)

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of When She Wasn’t Looking by HelenKay Dimon
Romantic Suspense published by Harlequin Intrigue 1 May 12

I need to make it a point to read HelenKay Dimon more often. I enjoyed every darned bit of this story, especially the hero, Jonas Porter. From his name to his demons to his job to the heroine he’s sworn to protect, this is one sexy lawman you can’t help but love.

Jonas is taking one last call for a wellness check, and then he’s on his way home for some much needed rest. Of course, even the simplest of calls can’t go right for him. He finds a different woman at the address he’s been given than the one he thought he’d find. She’s young, pretty, and not in need of help. She also seems nervous with her abrupt attitude and refusal to answer questions. His instincts are shouting quite clearly and very loudly. So when the woman tries to run, Jonas is right on her tail.

Having had ten years of peace and staying in one place, Courtney knows her time to relocate has come again when she finds a deputy sheriff at her door. Her only option is the escape route she’s got set up. Her head start doesn’t give her much hope when that lawman intercedes. However, it’s a good thing he does. Jonas saves them both from the man who nearly kills them both.

From this point on, Jonas refuses to let Courtney leave his side. He knows there’s more to her story than she’s letting on and he’s determined to find out what it is so he can keep her safe. As her story unfolds and she begins to trust him, he sees her in a new light, this strong survivor of a tragedy that would fell most people. Trying to clear her father’s name has been her only goal for years, and now he’s going to help her find the truth.

Courtney hasn’t trusted law enforcement since she lost her family, but Jonas is a force all of his own and she finds it very easy to trust him. Her old nemesis has found her, but with Jonas now in the picture, she can see she’s been looking in the wrong direction for answers. So who killed her family? Who’s been after her all these years? And who is so close to her now she can feel him close by? She does find out, probably more quickly than any other heroine. Courtney is a woman who can’t do what she’s told, mostly for her own safety. I wanted to shake her a couple of times when she does exactly what Jonas tells her not to!

When Jonas finally gives in to his feelings for Courtney, their lovemaking is sweet and intense. For all the depth of feeling they share so quickly, there is betrayal in the works, along with a mystery that takes everyone by surprise. The only thing that bothers me is the ending seems to come too fast. It’s all over in about ten pages. I’m not sure what else could have been done, but I just felt rushed. But it doesn’t ruin the whole of the story and the romance.

This is a great, quick read with romance and mystery galore. Don’t miss it!

Grade: B+

Summary:

SHE WANTED TO TRUST HIM WITH HER SAFETY-BUT NOT WITH HER HEART…

No woman could deny the appeal of the sexy deputy sheriff Jonas Porter. But to Courtney Allen, Jonas has one major flaw-his badge. Years ago, Courtney’s father was wrongfully convicted of a crime and she vowed to never trust a cop again. But when Jonas becomes the only man to believe in her father’s innocence, Courtney begins seeing the brooding lawman in a whole new way.

Jonas knows in his gut that the real killer is still out there and determined to finish what he started long ago. To protect Courtney and bring the criminal to justice will require all the skills he can muster. And that means focusing on the job. Not the woman who makes him forget his troublesome past and arouses in him a passion that is anything but professional.

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss by Maya Banks
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Desire 6 Mar 12

Every chance I get, I read Maya Banks. So I was happy to pick up her Harlequin Desire, Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss. While it doesn’t satisfy as much as Ms. Banks’ romantic suspense books, it’s still a fun and emotional read.

Ashley is one of those young, effervescent, happy people. She’s been sheltered, is still a virgin, and is in love with Devon, a business associate of her father’s. They’re engaged to be married, and life couldn’t be any better for her. What she doesn’t know is her father has basically pushed Devon into a corner concerning the merger of their two companies. Though Devon wants to tell Ashley the truth, her father insists secrecy is the way to go. He just wants his daughter taken of. So marry her or no merger. Not a very smart move, Dad.

Devon is also in that category early on. He doesn’t love Ashley. And he doesn’t have any problem telling her that, along with the things he doesn’t like about her, that she needs to change to fit into his world. Yes, you don’t like Devon very much at this point. But you have to realize – what he doesn’t realize yet – is that he does have feelings for her, and you see that in the way he makes love to her. Though he’s in change-Ashley mode, in private they do have chemistry, even if Devon doesn’t look at it that way. It took me some thinking after finishing the book to look at it like this, and, of course, his turnabout, as always happens with a hero, helps.

But before all of that, Ashley discovers she’s pregnant and also learns of her father’s and Devon’s deal. Devastated, she is determined to be the wife Devon wants. We lose the happy, young woman who we met at the beginning of this book. In personality, dress, attitude, everything about her changes, exactly what Devon wants. However, she can only do this for so long. Ashley knows she can’t be someone else for anyone. She’s happy with who she is, and if that isn’t enough for Devon, well, he doesn’t deserve her.

It’s when Ashley leaves him that Devon realizes he does love her. He actually misses all those things he’s told her wants to change about her. Her bubbly personality, her whimsical clothing, and her constant smile have been imprinted on his heart and he wants them in his life again. He also know he’ll have to win her back so they can start their family together. For some folks Devon might give too little too late, but sometimes that’s how it goes in romance. It’s the fact he knows what he’s done wrong and he wants to remedy that mistake, do what it takes to make it up to Ashley that counts in this instance.

I’m actually surprised I feel this way about the story. Usually a young character such as Ashley will rub me the wrong way. It’s an age thing. As the years go by I prefer older characters, but I know I’m not going to get them as often as I’d like. Ms. Banks saves the day for me in this case, her deft hand at creating likable and sympathetic characters is always a treat. So Ashley does work for me, especially when she tries to change as Devon wants, becoming the wife he think he needs. Those scenes are quite emotional when she’s at war with herself.  Devon does have to grow on you for most of the book. It’s his insatiable desire for Ashley that keeps him in a good light, because I know he’ll realize what he’s lost in the end.

This is not my favorite Maya Banks book, but it’s one that makes you think, makes you take a second look because of life’s mistakes and how you own up to those errors. A nice read for a couple of hours one afternoon.

Grade: B

Summary:

Devon Carter was her first; now Ashley wants their passion to last. But her dreams of true love are crushed by the discovery that their marriage is another of Daddy’s business deals. Her strategy: act the part of perfect wife and make Devon love her.

But Devon misses the bubbly, no-holds-barred woman his wife used to be. Who is this Ashley with the steely demeanor of a society wife? And will he find a way to rekindle the fire in her eyes…especially now that she’s pregnant?

Read an excerpt.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grade: B+

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

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

Read an excerpt.Other books in the series:

Sandy M’s review of Yours to Take (The Connaghers, Book 3) by Joely Sue Burkhart
Erotic Romance published by Samhain 8 May 12

I don’t know about all of you, but when it comes to erotic romance, I read a lot of so-so books before I find a few gems that are truly worth the reading time. Sort of like kissing a lot of frogs before you find that prince. What I’ve found is the majority of erotic reads aren’t balanced between the hot and steamy sex and an intriguing and emotional story. So when I come across that author who hits all of those – and more – elements out of the park, she’s going to be one I’m on the lookout for in the future. Joely Sue Burkhart is the first in quite a long time to be in that very sparsely populated category for me.

The first thing that stands out in this book is that Ms. Burkhart makes me feel for her characters. Before there’s even a hint of sex, I like the characters. I want to know more about them. Their circumstances immediately pull me into their lives and I care.

Vicki Connagher is just beginning her second career, this time as a fashion designer – a dream she’s always had. But that dream was put on the back burner while she became an attorney representing the dregs of society. But that world came crashing down when one of her clients gunned down a cop – her lover’s partner. Her guilt was enough to break her, but when Elias also seemed to blame her and he walked out on their relationship, it was too much for Vicki. She quit her high-paying job, retreated into her now more private life and began to design the line of clothes that has always lived within her.

Having not seen Elias in months, Vicki is getting along. Trying to beat the coming snow storm, she’s returning home from the grocery store when she runs into the homeless man she came to know during her lawyering days. Jesse was a mainstay at the park she frequented when things got a little rough in the courtroom. That last day with all the emotional turmoil, Jesse is the one she ran to, the one who held her as she cried. Seeing him now brings back all those memories, especially when he hands her the birthday card he’d made for her months before. Deciding she can’t let him stay outdoors in the storm, she invites him into her home for the night.

Though it seems this move is a bit dangerous because she doesn’t really know Jesse, Vicki isn’t a stupid heroine. She does have him checked out. By calling Elias. The man is livid at what she’s done and hightails it to her front door. Jesse, meet Elias. As he rams the young man into the wall, cuffing him, ready to cart him off to jail. But eventually Vicki calms Elias down, at least enough to give Jesse the night’s respite she’s promised. From this point on, we delve into the relationship among each of these characters, what they want from the other, how the trio affects them individually, and Vicki’s new-found dominance Elias has always known about and enjoys fighting her for.

Jesse, of course, has loved Vicki all along, her kindness to a homeless man the start of it all. Elias is jealous as all get-out when he realizes Vicki wants to keep Jesse, but he knows he has no right to be because of his recent behavior. Vicki loves Elias, but her feelings for Jesse surprise her and she has no intention of giving them – or him – up. She does take it slow with Jesse, more for her own peace of mind and for Elias, hoping he’ll get used to the idea, but she also doesn’t want to hurt Jesse. He only wants to be loved, wants to choose how he’s loved and not forced as has been done to him so often in the past. He does like his loving rough and painful, which kind of surprises me, considering what he’s been through. There’s never really an explanation for why this is, which I would like because it just seems contrary to the Jesse I see throughout the story.

Between these two men, Vicki learns a lot about herself she never knew. She’s amazed at her need for Jesse, her desire for him, and she’s determined to give him what he wants. So she heads to big brother, Victor, who is a sadist. He’s known all along that Vicki is a dominant, she’s the one who’s had to find that within herself, and it’s Jesse who brings it out. While she has a great relationship with both of her brothers, it’s her mother who turns Vicki’s screws way too tight. Mother and daughter have been estranged for a while, but Victor has decided it’s time for them to work things out. It’s an interesting dynamic between them, and more emotion is wrung out of these characters to heal the relationship.

I love how Elias and Jesse have their own ways of loving and protecting Vicki. Both very different in methods but alike with a common goal. There are a variety of secondary characters who Vicki is able to to talk about the changes in her life, and each is unique in the role the play in the Dom/sub world. This type of story usually doesn’t appeal to me, mostly because I know I don’t understand the mindset, but once in a while an author does it just right and she gives me a new look at it all, giving me another viewpoint toward understanding.

This is the third book in the series, and having met Victor, I’m curious about his story, as well as Conn, another brother. I’m hopefully going to be able to squeeze those books in some day soon!

Grade: B+

Summary:

All fire and gunpowder need is a stray spark…

The day one of her old clients gunned down a cop, former defense attorney Vicki Connagher lost everything—her passion for justice, and her lover, Detective Elias Reyes. The dead cop’s partner.
Even though she’s following her dream to start her own fashion line, it’s tough with heartache as her only companion. Until she brings Jesse, a wandering street artist, in from a freak Texas snowstorm. His submissive flirting brings out dominant tendencies she never knew she possessed, yet she hesitates to let him take her as far and as hard as she wants to go.

Some homeless junkie in Vicki’s house? Not on Elias’s watch. Pride kept him away, but as long as Jesse is staying in Vicki’s downstairs shop, he’s staying with Vicki. On the couch, but it’s a start.

As the days go by, the three work out an uneasy alliance. But Vicki’s joy at having Elias back in her life is tempered with a growing desire to have it all. Elias in her bed, and Jesse under her command. The only question remaining is if her tough alpha cop is willing to embrace all that she is…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Dinca’s review of The Cowboy’s Secret Son by Trish Milburn
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin American Romance 2 Jan 12

From Hell to Heaven in 224 pages. This book is a perfect example of fear dictating your decisions.  The heroine is so strong to pull herself up from nothing and remake herself, all out of fear.

After battling cancer, Grace Cameron realizes her son needs his father. But how can she go to the man after seven years of silence? She has already lost her son once. Knowing all the boy wants is a father, she is afraid Evan will be taken away from her again. To ease into the introductions, Grace enrolls her son in the Cowboy camp being run on the Teague family ranch, planning to watch how Nathan Teague interacts with Evan. Instead, she blurts out to Nathan that he is Evan’s father the moment she sees him. She swears him to secrecy not to tell the rest of the family. Seeing how taken Evan is with the horses and Nathan, her worries increase and she runs off with Evan again.

Nathan doesn’t know what to feel when he sees his mini replica. He is angry she’s kept him in the dark, yet puzzled why she disappeared without telling him in the first place. He finds he still has the “hots” for this mother, which can only lead to disaster. But spending time with his son is paramount. Keeping his son a secret from his family is next to impossible with such a close resemblance.

The story is nothing new but has several different takes on an old concept. Grace needs a backup plan in case she has a relapse and dies from the cancer. Which leads me to wonder what her plan was in the first case? Discovering why she is afraid of losing her son is a surprise you won’t want to miss. The recovery of her son is interesting.

There is not much of a side story, but the supporting characters are vivid, wonderful people you will want to get to know. I am giving it a B because I find the heroine to be selfish and all the overwhelming fear the author comes across with just doesn’t extinguish or justify the possessive, selfish feelings. She knew all along she was not acting in the best interests of her child, and that just doesn’t illicit warm and fuzzy feelings for the heroine for me.

Grade: B

Summary:

After battling a serious illness, Grace Cameron realizes one thing: her son needs his father. But how can she face Nathan Teague after seven years of lies? To ease into it, she enrolls her boy in the Cowboy Camp run by the Teague family on their Texas Hill Country ranch. Little Evan is bursting with excitement over horses, ropin’ and hanging around real cowboys! Oh, my!

Nathan is in shock when Grace comes back to town. Then when he discovers he’s the father of her cute little boy—a miniature Nathan—he’s not sure if he should be angry, grateful or both. He decides to go with angry. For a while, at least…until he gets the sense that Grace is still hiding something. What’s the secret—and how can he ever trust the woman who stole his son from him?

Read an excerpt.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Lady Drusilla’s Road To Ruin (Ladies In Disgrace #2) by Christine Merrill
Historical Romance published by Harlequin Historical 20 Mar 12

One thing is for sure, whenever I pick up a Christine Merrill Regency, I know I’m not going to get some been-there-done-that retread.  She always has such an interested take on the time period and populates her stories with such interesting characters, that even when I’m not totally enthralled, I still consider the story reading time well spent.  This second book in her Ladies In Disgrace series isn’t without a few bumps in the road, but I inhaled it in two sittings.

Lady Drusilla Rudney is trying to save her bubble-headed younger sister from total ruin.  The stupid chit has eloped to Gretna Green with her smarmy dance instructor!  Luckily they only have a day’s head start on Dru, and the weather is frightfully abominable.  She just might catch up to them yet, assuming she can keep herself from being accosted by the lout sitting next to her on the mail coach.

Coming to her rescue, but only after she literally kicks him in the shin, is former army captain, Mr. John Hendricks.  John was working as a secretary for an Earl, until he made the mistake of falling in love with the man’s wife (who did not return his ardent feelings).  So he does what any sensible love-sick fellow does – he falls into the nearest pint and gets so drunk that he mistakenly boards the wrong coach.  Now that he’s been roped into Lady Drusilla’s mad adventure to get to Gretna Green to stop a marriage, he decides why not?  If he helps the girl out, glowing recommendations from her father (a Duke!) will surely come in handy now that he’s unemployed.  Of course, he didn’t exactly plan on falling in love with the girl…..

There’s quite a bit going on here as far as conflict goes.  Dru wants to avoid scandal, so isn’t about to tell John every sordid detail of why she must get to Gretna Green.  Naturally this leads to a misunderstanding that she’s hoping to stop her true love from marrying another woman.  Then there’s the fact that Dru has spent her entire life playing second fiddle to the favored younger sibling.  Lady Priscilla is fragile, delicate, and the sort of simpering female men seem to fall all over themselves for, while Dru is tall, dark, witty, but with a sharp tongue that tends to put men in their place.  She’s spent her whole life trying to please a father who cannot be pleased, and her entire existence in the family is dictated by what is best for precious snowflake Priscilla.  That any man, anywhere, would be attracted to her over her sister is a revelation.  Never mind that the very man she falls in love with is a mere Mister, and the odds against them getting their happy ending are steep indeed.

The romance isn’t without some issues, though.  For one thing, when he meets Lady Drusilla, John is drunk in response to losing the woman he loves.  Three days with Dru and he’s having a hard time recalling What’s-Her-Name and he fancies himself in love with Dru.  Alrighty then.  Likewise, these two have the sort of courtship that consists of one step forward, two steps back.  They just won’t spit out their true feelings for each other and instead play it safe by pushing each other way.  After a while this sort of thing got a wee bit tiresome.  It also doesn’t necessarily make them the most likeable of characters all the time.

However, that pales in comparison to the secondary characters.  We don’t even meet Dru’s father until the end the story, and I spent the whole novel wanting to throw large, heavy objects at his head.  Or crotch.  Either one would have worked.  And Priscilla?  Good Lord!  She could give Cinderella’s evil step-sisters a run for their money!  And to think the author gives the girl her own romance in the next book in the series!  I’m so conflicted just thinking about that possibility that I’ll have to read it just to satisfy my morbid curiosity.  Hopefully the stupid feather-head suffers….considerably.

This is a bit of a mixed bag for me in the romance department, but the road/travel aspect of the story is really well-done, and the author keeps it lively and fun.  I also adored the ending.  Without giving too much away, the author laid her groundwork in character development and didn’t then throw the baby out with the bath water to make the happy ending…well….happen.  Would it be sunshine and rainbows for such a couple in real Regency times?  Well, certainly, it would have been tough.  But in Romance Novel Land?  I’m glad the Mister got the, admittedly, well-above-his-station girl in the end.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Considered a spinster, Lady Drusilla Rudney has only one role in life: to chaperone her sister. So when her flighty sibling elopes, Dru knows she has to stop her! She employs the help of a traveling companion, who looks harmless enough….

Former army captain John Hendricks is intrigued by this damsel in distress. Once embroiled with her in a mad dash across England, he discovers that Dru is no simpering woman. Her unconventional ways make him want to forget his gentlemanly conduct…and create a scandal all their own!

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Sierra Falls (Sierra Falls, Book 1) by Veronica Wolff
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 3 Apr 12

I’ve read a few of Veronica Wolff’s historicals and time travel romances, some which worked for me and some which didn’t. So I was excited to see her try her hand at contemporary romance. I’m very glad to say that her work in this genre really scores big for me. This book is a fun, heartwarming read with a touch of mystery. The characters are charming, especially the hero, and the whole town gets involved when things are shakin’ around Sierra Falls.

Sorrow Bailey, walking in the footsteps of several ancestors who suffered because of that name, has always wanted to get out of Sierra Falls, a small town nestled in the Sierras, just like everyone else who’s lived there all their lives, including her brother and sister. They left as fast as they could, and when their father suffers a stroke, it’s Sorrow who gives up her dreams to stay and help out in the family business, the Big Bear Lodge. Sorrow loves to cook. The dishes she prepares take her to whichever country she chooses, thus experiencing their flavor in some little way. Only thing is, her father won’t allow her to cook at the lodge. The man doesn’t seem to care for fancy schmancy food over the burgers and other fare Tom Sullivan, a Vet who wondered into Sierra Falls and has stayed a few decades, currently dishes out.

The new town sheriff has been noticing young Sorrow lately. Billy Preston is about ten years older and a widower. He tries not to act on these new emotions when he’s around Sorrow, but though the guilt eats at him a bit, he begins to spend a lot more time at the lodge just to see her. And I love Billy Preston. I adore an older hero, though in this case he’s only in his early 30s, but that’s better than the alternative. You feel more for him at that age for being a widower, so it all works wonderfully well. He’s old enough and has been through enough to know to keep away from Sorrow until she’s broken up with her boyfriend – more on him in a minute! – and then to know he has to take it slow with her once they start dating. He has just the right experience to pull Sorrow from her sexual shell. She’s not a virgin, by any means, but it’s just been sex for her until Billy. He also makes an excellent sheriff, moving from the city after his wife’s death. He’s got a very deft touch when dealing with local citizens in every situation imaginable.

Knowing she’s feeling something for the sheriff, Sorrow examines her relationship with Damien Simmons, son from a well-to-do local family, the golden boy who has a finger in a lot of pies around town and can pull strings to help out the Bailey family whenever needed, and that seems to be a lot lately. Sorrow realizes she doesn’t feel anything for him like what she’s beginning to feel for Billy. What I love is when she’s finally free, her sister, who has mysteriously come home for a spell, encourages Sorrow to hightail it to Billy’s door for a night of seduction. The man hasn’t got a chance in hell of getting past this new Sorrow. And what a night it is. Something special has definitely begun.

In between all of this, when the lodge roof is damaged during a snowstorm, Sorrow finds a stack of letters written by her great-great grandmother, Sorrow Crabtree. Once the infamous information learned in these letters becomes public knowledge, the local historical society makes big plans for their upcoming festival. It’s fun amid those ladies and their speculations about the town’s founder and Sorrow’s namesake. You get the feel of small-town American with scenes like these and others throughout the book.

In the meantime, Billy has begun to suspect foul play after a series of seemingly crazy accidents around the lodge – around Sorrow. Vowing that nothing will happen to her on his watch, his investigation takes him further and further into territory everyone in town finds incredulous. Things get a bit dicey before it’s all over. Not a riveting, over-the-top mystery, but one that fits in with this community and its quirks. We also get a side romance with Tom and Marlene Jessup, a recent divorcee, both of whom finally decide to live life their way. I appreciate romance for older characters, being a little bit older myself. 

Personally, I like Ms. Wolff’s contemps better than her historicals. There’s just more character and charm to the stories for me. Her voice compliments the genre in every way. I look forward to more, especially in this Sierra Falls series.

Grade: B

Summary:

Family is important to Sorrow. She gave up her dreams to run the struggling family lodge. Even her name is a family relic, though lately it feels like a curse that might determine her fate. Things look up when she discovers a collection of letters from her three-times great grandmother and namesake, telling the story of a forbidden love affair.

Billy Preston is the new sheriff, a widower escaping the grief of his former life as a big city cop. He helps out after an accident at the Bailey lodge, and what begins as admiration for Sorrow’s quiet strength quickly becomes something much more. When Sorrow’s discovery brings fame to Sierra Falls, and her dreams of a better life are within reach, one too many “accidents” have Billy wondering whether someone is willing to kill to keep them off the map.

As the community pulls together, Sorrow takes a lesson from her ancestor’s letters: only in family, friends, and love do you find true joy.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Timber Creek – Jan 2013

Sandy M’s review of Untouched (Amoveo Legend, Book 2) by Sara Humphreys
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 3 Apr 12

Kudos to Sourcebooks for finding new, up-and-coming authors who are writing outside the box, giving readers something a little different than the usual stories we’ve been getting lately. Sara Humphreys is the latest author I’ve found who’s taken my shifters and given them a bit of a twist.

Kerry is a model who’s known as an ice princess – she never touches anyone and stays as far away from people as she can get. What only a few know is that when she touches someone, visions and pain overtake her. What she doesn’t know is her heritage of being a shapeshifter to go along with her psychic gift. She’s a hybrid – born of an Amoveo father and a human mother – and the Purists are out to eradicate hybrids from their race.

Thus we meet Dante, a security specialist, who will be acting as Kerry’s bodyguard. Until he can work in the fact she’s also his mate. That has to be a slow and gentle unveiling. The Amoveo are ancient clans of a variety of shifters from eagles to panthers and everything in between. This is what I enjoy the most about this book. We’re dealing with a fox – Dante; a wolf – Samantha, Kerry’s best friend; an eagle – Malcolm, Samantha’s husband (both of whom are featured in Book 1, Unleashed); and several other animals, along with Kerry, who is a beautiful black panther. I like the fact we have different clans mating, rather than wolves with wolves and so forth like we normally read about.

Dante is determined to keep Kerry safe, not only because she’s his mate, but also because it was his father who was a major participant in the attack on Samantha, who is also a hybrid, in the previous book. Kerry’s next modeling assignment takes them all to New Orleans and an old, rundown house on the bayou. Another element of this story is that the characters can read energy of every kind, from loving to evil. The area where they’re working eventually takes on a very evil energy, only one more thing to add to the investigation of who’s behind all the recent break-ins and attacks.

Once Kerry begins to see Dante in a different light – she initially doesn’t care much for him – she now sees his desire to protect her, his loving nature, as well as his lust for her. And these two together do sizzle. Dante has to restrain himself around Kerry, at least until she knows exactly who and what he is, as well as who and what she is. So you can imagine the sexual tension by the time she’s ready. On that score, I like the fact we don’t have to wait until the last fourth of the book to experience their pleasure in one another.

When evil finally gets its clutches into our characters and it’s revealed who is behind it all, it is a surprise. This is where I also enjoyed them in their animal shapes. We see a totally different side both during capture and after, along with those who attempt rescue. Then we’re given another surprise combined with heartache as more information about Kerry is revealed. And this doesn’t end the betrayal, there are still those who need to be found, which will continue into the next book.

I have not read the first book in this series. While it would have been nice to have done so, I don’t feel I lost anything by starting here. I’m sure I would have gotten some information that might have helped a tad more while reading this story, but Ms. Humphreys does a good job of filling you in with little muss. If you’re a paranormal fan, give this series a try. I’m looking forward to getting caught up and then continuing on with Untamed later this year.

Grade: B

Summary:

SHE SHOULD BE SEEN, BUT NEVER TOUCHED…

Kerry Smithson’s modeling career ensures that she will be admired from afar, which is essential since mere human touch sparks blinding pain and terrifying visions.

EVERY GOOD MODEL NEEDS A HEAVENLY BODYGUARD…

Dante Coltari is hired to protect Kerry from those who know who she is—or more importantly what she is—and want her dead because of it. Nothing could have prepared him for the challenge of keeping her safe. But, strangely, his lightest touch brings her exquisite pleasure rather than pain, and Dante and Kerry have an otherwordly connection that might just pull them through.

Read an excerpt. (scroll down)

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Unbreak My Heart by Helen Scott Taylor
Contemporary short story romance ebook published by Helen Scott Taylor 3 Apr 12

I jump at each and every chance to read a Helen Scott Taylor book. After her success in the paranormal genre, Ms. Taylor is branching out into contemporaries. I always love her characters, who draw me into their lives, and the magical worlds they live in in her previous books. So I have to say, I was curious to see what happens in this new contemp world she’s decided to try.

As usual, I really like the hero, Andre, in this book. He’s a strong man whose dreams had to change after the death of his grandfather. He’s also gentle and tender when faced with the unexpected arrival of a past young love, along with her sweet little bundle. What’s unusual is that I didn’t warm up to Kate until really late in the book. I sympathize with her to a point, but things get too out of control on her part for me.

Kate has just left the father of her newborn daughter, a man on his way up in the television world, and suddenly he’s a man she doesn’t know anymore. Her stepfather turned her away at her mother’s door, and after a brief stay with the gypsies who took her in, she’s now heading toward Andre, the boy she hasn’t seen in eight years. The boy who left her behind without a word, never to return for her as he promised. Knowing Andre may not be happy to see her after all this time doesn’t stop Kate. She has her daughter to look out for now, and running from the paparazzi, who want the scoop on her little girl’s birth and parentage, has frayed her nerves nearly to the breaking point. Andre is her last hope.

Andre is surprised to see Kate back at the Caspian Manor Hotel, where they romped as children and fell in love as teens. He’s been in charge since his grandfather’s death, taking the job of making the place one of the premiere hotels in the world quite seriously, just as he promised his mentor. Surprised or not, he takes Kate and Keiko in, offering her the job of creating a redesign for the Caspian, something he’s been unhappy about with other designers. Kate agrees, and so starts the process of their getting to know one another again.

Being a talented artist and designer, Andre encourages Kate to change her look and hobnob with the rich to make her place in the industry, as well as to make a living for herself and her child. Kate, however, takes exception to this. She feels Andre is trying to change her, he doesn’t want her for who she is. I feel she’s a tad hypocritical because she’s having a hard time seeing Andre as a grown man and not the sixteen-year-old she remembers. Why this bothers me is the fact Kate keeps on and on about Andre’s motives in this regard. By the time she looks at his side of it all, it’s nearly too late to appreciate the actual change in her.

Though Andre also eventually questions himself about his “suggestions” to Kate, I have to say I agree with him on all counts. He’s only trying to help her. She’s outgrown the childish apparel and hairstyle she’s worn since childhood. The way to take care of your child is to be responsible. He does think about all of his requests later in the story, perhaps he is pushing his way of life on her, not letting her be with what she’s comfortable with. But if she wants to be part of Andre’s life, she does have to stand by his side. What she does reflects on him. Maybe it’s my age. These two are in their mid 20s. My mindset is way beyond that age, so perhaps I’m not being fair. I even agree with Andre’s way of taking care of the paparazzi. Another strike against him as far as Kate is concerned.

So while I have an issue or two with the heroine, our hero saves the day all the way around. I love his acceptance of Keiko, his gentleness and generosity toward her. Of course, his patience with Kate goes without saying.    This is very much a character driven story, so for me Kate needs a bit of compromise a little earlier than she actually finds it.

All in all, though, a job well done.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Andre Le Court first set eyes on Kate Frost when he was two and she was a baby in her mother’s arms. He’s twenty-five now, and he still remembers the moment perfectly, the moment Kate Frost slipped inside his heart.

His family owned a big hotel, her parents worked there. Andre’s father spent years trying to separate his son from the daughter of the hired help. Eventually he grew desperate and sent Andre away to boarding school.

Nine years later, Kate turns up on the doorstep of Andre’s prestigious hotel with the paparazzi at her heels and the six-week-old daughter of her celebrity ex in her arms. She has nowhere left to run except back to the place where she left her heart all those years ago.

Andre lost Kate once. He won’t lose her again. But he has an image to maintain, a reputation as a successful businessman. A bohemian young woman with beads in her hair is not a suitable wife for him.

In Andre, Kate sees tantalizing glimpses of the boy she adored. But most of the time she hardly recognizes the powerful, successful man he’s become, his lifestyle so like that of his despised father.

Can they forgive the pain of the past, accept each other as they are now, and rediscover the childhood love that was snatched away from them?

No excerpt available.

Veena’s review of Beneath the Skin (De La Vega Cats, Book 3) by Lauren Dane
Paranormal Romance published by Samhain 3 Apr 12

Beneath the Skin by Lauren Dane is the continuing story of the De La Vega Cats, which is the spin-off from her highly popular Cascadia Wolves series. Gibson De La Vega is the Bringer or judge, jury and executioner; second to his brother Max (Revelation), who is the alpha of the Boston Jaguars. Mia Porter, an Iraq war veteran and recovering from a hate crime, rescues Gibson when he attacked and shot with silver. Attraction sizzles and sparks fly, but the contentious family history between their two families may derail their budding romance.

The Porter family has kept their distance from the community and the alpha family due to an incident involving Mia’s grandmother. Mia’s parents are not very receptive to Gibson due to this history, but her grandmother is ready to let bygones be bygone and allies with Mia and encourages the relationship openly and vocally.

Her relationship and rescue of Gibson propels Mia into the focus of the shooters and after she is attacked several times, Gibson moves her into his house and they set up housekeeping together. Alpha Gibson draws fire with his rough commanding nature, but, advised by his sisters-in-law, he’s able to salvage his relationship by making nice and apologizing.

Mia and Gibson complement each other on all fronts. As things heat up, they identify the perpetrators and mete out justice. Both Gibson and Mia are wonderful characters and make a great couple. It’s fun to be a part of the family dynamics between the brothers and see Mia fit in so well with the brothers and their wives as well as with their parents.

One of the fun things is how seamlessly Ms. Dane weaves in characters from her previous book so we can get updated on what’s happening in their lives. In this book we get to visit Cade and Grace Warden and get a glimpse into their busy life as the National alpha pair.  We also catch up on Jack, Cade’s second, and his mates Galen De La Vega and Renee, whose romance and mating is told in Trinity. We briefly peek in on Templeton Mancini, the national alpha who resigned when he was injured during the wolf pack wars in Standoff.

All in all, this is a fun book. My only complaint about the books in this series is that they are very short and I feel there are still hooks from Revelation and Trinity that are still left hanging. I’m left wanting more when the book ends.

Grade: B+

Summary:

A whole world exists…beneath the skin.

Gibson de La Vega is the Bringer, one of the Alpha’s right-hand cats. It is his job to mete out justice and defend the law that holds their jamboree together.

After a contentious meeting with another jamboree, he’s shot—Mia stumbles onto the scene and saves his life. He’s immediately drawn to the female who dug three silver bullets from his body. Even after he discovers she’s a Porter, a family his own harmed grievously half a century before.

Mia has enough in her life. She’s recovering from a vicious hate crime—an attack using silver has affected her ability to do what she loves most. The last thing she needs is a bossy alpha cat like Gibson. A de La Vega no less.

Despite the myriad reasons to stay away, even as they continue to hunt down the would-be killers, their attraction deepens into something else entirely.

The answers they find bring that threat far closer to home than anyone could have imagined and it’ll be up to Gibson to end the mess once and for all. And up to Mia to stand at his side, even as he risks his life…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grade: B

Summary:

FALLING THROUGH TIME IS DANGEROUS…

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

UNLESS THERE’S SOMEONE TO CATCH YOU.

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

Read an excerpt.

Closely connected books:

Other directly connected books:

Other loosely connected books:

The rest of the series:

For reading order info, click here.

LynneC’s review of Rake with a Frozen Heart by Marguerite Kaye
Historical Romance published by Harlequin Historical 17 Apr 12

It’s a charming beginning to a charming story, which, although is not without fault, is one of the most pleasant historical reads I’ve had for some time.

Rafe finds a woman he doesn’t know face down in a ditch on his land, after she’s been knocked on the head and left for dead. He takes her home, and naturally, puts her in his own bed.

When she awakes, Henrietta tells Rafe that she was knocked out by a housebreaker and that she works for Rafe’s neighbour, a notorious widow, as a governess. She and Rafe have a charming interlude, but while she accuses Rafe of being a rake, something that annoys him, he keeps his hands to himself – mostly.

When she returns home, she finds her employer has been burgled and the family diamonds are missing. The widow accuses her of being the thief.

There is no irritating high concept here, no attempt at bringing the past up to date, and the story is all the better for it. Ms. Kaye depicts Regency life better than most, although there were a few mind-boggling errors, especially towards the end.

So we’ll get those out of the way. Anyone not bothered with historical accuracy can skip this bit, because most of the problems will only bother you if you want a story with no “what?” moments or you know absolutely nothing about the Regency era.

First, the name, the problem that repeats throughout the book. The hero is Rafe St Alban, Earl of Pentland. This means he’d be known as Rafe Pentland, not, as Kaye and the heroine refers to him, Rafe St Alban. When a man has a title, the surname all but disappears and in all cases the title effectively becomes the surname.

And Rafe. It seems to be much more popular now than it ever was in the Regency.

“Nice” means something different to the Regency person. It meant pernickety and overfussy, not in a good way. It didn’t mean “pleasant,” and Ms. Kaye’s repeated use of it with that meaning began to pall a bit.

When Rafe makes his confession to Henrietta (to tell would be a spoiler, so I won’t), he says he has to “rebuild his ego,” and uses “sex” as “a release mechanism.” That is what I meant by screaming. Freudian references have no place in the Regency, and “sex” referring to the sex act is a twentieth century usage. Later, he refers to a “stooge,” which is definitely vaudeville and another twentieth century term.

When Henrietta meets a relative for the first time, she gives her a hug. I cringed.

There are references to “mauve,” a color invented in Victorian times, and a lorgnette, which, while charming, is not a pair of glasses on a stick at this period, but a pair of opera glasses on a stick, and did evoke some smiles, but probably not of the intended variety.

Back to the story. I found Henrietta naïve but not annoying. She has good reason for most of what she does and an impetuosity that doesn’t always work to her advantage. She’s not universally loved and she’s not without fault – for which, big cheers, say I, and long may the imperfect heroine reign.

Rafe is an intriguing hero, very kind, but with good reasons why he won’t give anyone his heart. There is some fun sex in the book, but the ease with which Henrietta gives up her virtue, and Rafe’s assumption that he could turn her into a woman of easy virtue, aren’t altogether believable. Henrietta is a respectable girl, or is before she takes up with Rafe, and there is a gulf a mile wide between the monde and the demi monde, as far as women were concerned. Still, the sex is hot and fun and not too much of it.

Much of the book is a road story, involving the search for the man who will prove Henrietta’s innocence. But that part of the story is downplayed and isn’t ever much of a threat. I do wish the threat is better used, perhaps by making Henrietta’s ex-employer, Lady Ipswich, a respectable member of society, for instance, and able to make her ex-governess’s life miserable or having more of a mystery surround the emeralds, which, if you don’t guess in the first part of the book, you’re not paying attention.

At her first society ball, she is a brown girl, brown hair, brown eyes, creamy complexion, and they make her wear orange. Omg, what are they thinking?

But for all that, Kaye gets the feel right. There are some clues that she’s a Heyer fan, for which—yay! There is no insistence on turning England into a putative USA or having the characters behave like complete idiots. The dialogue is charming, and some of the best parts of the book are the courtship of the couple and their slow realisation that they are falling in love.

I’m up for the next book, for sure.

Grade: B

Summary:

Waking up in a stranger’s bed, Henrietta Markham encounters the most darkly sensual man she has ever met. The last thing she remembers is being attacked by a housebreaker—yet being rescued by the notorious Earl of Pentland feels much more dangerous!Since the cataclysmic failure of his marriage, ice has flowed in Rafe St. Alban’s veins. But meeting impetuous, all-too-distracting governess Henrietta heats his blood to the boiling point.When she’s accused of theft, Rafe finds himself offering to clear her name. Can Henrietta’s innocence bring this hardened rake to his knees?

Read an excerpt. (scroll down)

LynneC’s review of The Price of Honor by Emilie Rose
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Desire 1 Nov 11

This is a difficult book to like, because of the hero and what he does. But Emilie Rose’s smooth writing style and her skill in depicting characters, together with the heroine, make this a worthwhile read.

I appreciate when a writer, especially a category romance writer, steps outside the box and tries something a little different. While the plot is familiar, the treatment of it and the characters make this an interesting read

Megan has been with Xavier for some time, until the morning she reads about his engagement in a newspaper. She thinks it’s a joke, but Xavier confirms it. He is to marry. He explains to Megan that it’s a marriage of convenience for his business, so he can regain what his father lost, and says there’s no reason they can’t be together until his marriage in twelve months’ time.

Not surprisingly, Megan is hurt, upset, and angry. Xavier doesn’t understand it and is angry when Megan leaves France to go to work with her cousin and friend in the States.

Megan is an equestrienne, and Xavier, who owns a perfume company, is funding her, but she won’t take anything from him, won’t accept him even when she discovers she’s pregnant. But this is no secret baby book. She tells Xavier at the urging of her friend, who comes up with some very cogent arguments. Even then Xavier won’t marry her, but he decides to sue for full custody, since his bride-to-be isn’t keen on having babies.

So far Xavier sounds like a dick. He is, no mistake. At this point we want Megan to kick him into touch. He’s not worth it. But Megan loves Xavier, despite his treatment of her and, while she won’t accept second best, she decides to get him back.

I like Megan. She doesn’t feel sorry for herself, she accepts that she could lose, and she wants to do her best for her baby, but she’s not convinced that, even though Xavier is rich, letting her child be brought up by two busy people is the best for the child. She puts her baby first. Fantastic. Megan is also building a life for herself, and she knows she’ll manage, but it will be a struggle at first. And while she wants Xavier back, it’s on her own terms. An exclusive commitment.

Xavier is hard to understand, until you realize—he’s French. Practical to a fault, with a coldness and a ruthless eye for business. Don’t forget, at the funeral of President Mitterrand, his wife and his mistress with their children walked side by side in the cortege. And the French kings would appoint official mistresses. Although Madame de Pompadour held that title until her death, she probably didn’t have sex with the King for at least the last ten years of her life. The French do things differently.

Emilie Rose has done a good job of depicting the way Xavier thinks. He just doesn’t understand why Megan would be upset. He’s prepared to look after her—even take the child off her hands and raise it as his own, as his heir, and doesn’t see his marriage as an impediment to that. While the conventions of the romance novel would insist that he’s faithful, sometimes a marriage of expedience held that kind of compromise. He’s doesn’t understand the nature of love and the demands it makes, and this is what he has to learn during the course of the book.

The equestrian background is also done very well. I know little about this field, but the story has the confidence and the feel of authenticity. While I can’t say I like Xavier, I could understand him, and that goes a long way towards the fact that I read this book all the way through. Some people will hate it, and even DNF it, because, in American terms, the hero is the definition of a jerk, but maybe it’s not too much of a spoiler to say that the grovel is pretty good, and while it doesn’t make up for some of his behavior, it goes some way towards it.

Read the book for Megan, who is a strong, believable character thrust into a nightmare situation, who copes with it with dignity and independence. She wants Xavier, but if she can’t have him, she’s prepared to accept the consequences and to work towards a future for herself and her child. Without being a martyr. She has a job, she can make it work, but before she dumps his sorry ass, she’s going to have a good try at making him see why his actions are wrong and getting him back.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Aristocratic billionaire Xavier Alexandre had nearly everything: wealth, fame and the love of the beautiful American equestrienne Megan Sutherland. But he also had a secret—a mistake he was honor-bound to reverse.

Megan has her own secrets, but her plans for the future are no match for the Alexandre heritage. When her dashing lover reveals what he must do to safeguard his family name, she knows their destiny is to part. Unless Xavier can win her back. But to do so he must sacrifice all he has been taught to hold dear.

Read an excerpt. (scroll down)

Sandy M’s review of Protector (Dark Ops, Book 4) by Catherine Mann
Romantic Suspense published by Berkley 6 Mar 12

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed these military-themed books from Catherine Mann. I’ve not read many so far, but I intend to remedy that as soon as I can. I’ve had that much fun with them.

While I do like this book, I have to say it’s not as intriguing nor as gut wrenching as the prior one I read, Hot Zone, from her Elite Force series. That book sucked me in from the beginning and never let go. This story begins in the same way – tense, in-your-face events – but then it slows down quite a bit. And then even when I thought it was going to pick up again and take off, it doesn’t. What saves it is the characters.

After being captured and tortured, Captain Chuck Tanaka feels he’s lost his edge. His superior, however, thinks he should get back on the horse in a new mission, one where Chuck and his technology expertise is needed. Taking on the role of a blackjack dealer on a mob boss’ cruise ship, Chuck is assigned to make contact with the man’s daughter to discover information about a terrorist plot.

JoLynn Taylor has made a life for herself, far away from her father. As a child when witnessing the death of her beloved uncle – and not being believed when she went to her father about it – JoLynn now wants nothing to do with man he’s become. But when he suffers a heart attack and asks for her, she can’t ignore his request. Thing is, nothing has really changed. He still pushes her away, demands she return home. This time, though, JoLynn is determined to stick around. Especially after she meets the new, sexy blackjack dealer.

I do like Chuck and JoLynn. They’re vintage Catherine Mann characters, strong and intelligent, sensual and sexy, they get the job done. Chuck tries his best to keep distance between them when he interacts with JoLynn, but the attraction is just too strong. He walks away as often as he can, which only proves to JoLynn she’s not worthy of love. But she also can’t help herself when she’s around Chuck, so why the heck shouldn’t she enjoy a fling with a handsome man?

Innocuous events take place that make Chuck think someone is after JoLynn, and when his suspicions are confirmed as they enjoy a day port side, they end up on the run with only Chuck’s training to keep them a step or two ahead of the bad guys. When their safe house is breached, this is when I thought things would really pick up in the story. They escape through a second-floor window, blend in with the Italian crowd, and I expected a harrowing chase. They flee, thinking they will be chased, but Chuck takes them to a friend’s cottage where he recuperated after his release from the hospital the year before.

While I was looking for action at this point, I have to tell you that the time Chuck and JoLynn spend at this Italian cottage is some of the best scenes in the book. They truly get to know one another, let their feelings go where they will, and enjoy some hot and sizzling sex. Both of them, however, feel it’s more than just sex. But they keep those feelings to themselves. JoLynn learns that Chuck has lied to her from the start, even though it’s his job that’s brought him to her doorstep and he has no choice. It’s now his job to keep her safe. He’s had no contact with his team since the safe house, but he’s hoping team members can put it all together and figure out where they’re hiding out.

We also get a nice side romance with Chuck’s CO, Colonel Rex Scanlon, and the ship’s singer, Livia. This is where reading an entire series from the start helps. These characters have apparently appeared in previous books, and I do feel I missed a little by not reading those books. There’s history between them – not a huge amount, but enough that I think I’d have a better feel for their present circumstances and romance. Scanlon feels a relationship won’t work between them because of their age difference – he’s 44 and she’s 29. No problem for me! She’s the one who walked away earlier because she didn’t want to compete with his dead wife. So there’s something there that would have helped if I’d read them before, but I still enjoyed them.

So even though this story lacks some of the action that I’ve read in other of this author’s works, it’s still a good read with interesting and savvy characters. I was able to figure out the bad guy before it’s revealed, so I’m surprised JoLynn didn’t. Although I know her heart is involved and she wouldn’t look that direction. But Chuck is there to rescue her, and he does a damn fine job.

Grade: B

Summary:

TRUST, LOVE …AND LIES.

After barely surviving enemy torture, Captain Chuck Tanaka doesn’t trust himself to do more than ride a desk—but new orders leave him no choice.  Assigned to the investigation of a mob boss whose luxury cruise ship is reportedly a hub for terrorist activity, Tanaka goes undercover.  His target: JoLynn Taylor, the mob boss’s daughter.

As a child, JoLynn saw her beloved uncle murdered.  Since then, she’s stayed far away from her father’s crooked empire.  But when he falls ill, she returns, hoping to mend the gap between them.  Instead, she finds herself on the run, one step ahead of unknown enemies. The only thing keeping her alive is the man she knows as Charles Tomas, the only man she’s ever been able to trust.

Unfortunately, he’s also the man determined to destroy her family…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

LynneC’s review of Untouched By His Diamonds by Lucy Ellis
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 6 Jan 12

There’s nothing revolutionary about Untouched by his Diamonds. It’s just a good, solid story, well told, the kind that often gets overlooked in favor of the different and the sparky. But it kept me engrossed for an hour or two, so that can’t be bad, can it?

Clementine is working in publicity and her job has taken her to Moscow. Although she can’t afford the luxuries, she can’t resist the thigh-high boots she sees in a shop window, and she goes in to try them on. When she looks up, she sees Serge. He’s taller than her, although she’s nearing six feet tall, and gorgeous. But proprietorial. However, she lets him pick her up and take her back to his luxury hotel room. They get it on. Of course, it’s not all hearts and flowers.

Clementine is a likeable heroine, sassy, smart, but not to the point of snarkiness. The constantly sarcastic heroine is one I can well do without, and it’s one reason I haven’t enjoyed my occasional forays into urban fantasy. Sarcasm far too often turns into corniness and heartlessness, neither of which I enjoy. Clementine doesn’t go that far, but she does know her own mind and she’s sharp enough to stand up to the frankly macho and alpha Serge.

Serge is an interesting hero. I had thought that Serge was a French name and Sergei the Russian version, but I could buy into it for his sake, and I didn’t spare much time wondering about it. Besides, Russia always used to have a close connection with France, and the Russian court spoke French customarily instead of the more “common” Russian.

The first scene is delicious. When Clementine realizes Serge is watching her, she puts on a bit of a show for him, flashing some thigh, smoothing the boots over her legs. He’s hooked, but he doesn’t realize that Clementine is a relative innocent. She flirts as part of her job, knowing it’s a power she can use against some of the powerful men she works with. I’m not so much a feminist that I’m above using what weapons we have, so I was with Clementine here.

Serge has an unusual job for a Presents hero – he’s a sports promoter, specifically, cage fighting. Brutal and unforgiving, it’s something Clementine finds hard to come to terms with, but she persists, knowing it’s important to Serge and seeing an opening for herself in the area. Told you I like her. For Clementine, it’s not all about pleasing the hero, and although he makes her melt, she won’t take shit from him or become his doormat. Go, Clem.

The story is told with pace and verve, with both the main characters behaving in character and without absolute stupidity. It flows, and I had no problem losing myself for a couple of hours.

Grade: B

Summary:

The only thing this Russian’s money can’t buy… To merciless Russian Serge Marinov, Clementine Chevalier’s Mona Lisa smile and siren’s body could incite a male riot! She’s so bewitching that ground rules are required: he’ll give her nights of endless pleasure – but in the stark light of St Petersburg’s dawn he’ll be gone! Serge is Clementine’s secret fantasy come to life, but she has no interest in money – his diamonds leave her skin cold! So she sets some terms of her own: she won’t be warming his bed until he shows her she’s more than just this magnate’s plaything!

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Rendezvous at Midnight by Lynne Connolly
Paranormal Romance published by Decadent 3 Apr 12

I don’t read many ghost stories. Either they don’t appeal to me or not that many come to my attention. When Lynne Connolly offered this novella, along with the idea of perhaps continuing on with a series, I like the concept, hope she goes with it, and got in on the ground floor.

Michael and Lisa work on a ghost hunting TV show together, she’s the narrator/host and he’s the psychic, also called a sensitive, who communicates with the spirits that are discovered. There’s been an attraction between them for a while, but because Lisa was involved with someone else until just recently, they’d never gotten together. That’s all changed now, and Michael and Lisa are looking forward to a weekend with each other — and a few ghosts who live on the restored ocean liner, the Gem of the Sea.

Once aboard, however, Michael discovers there’s anti-sensitive spies who are targeting Michael himself. Needing to eliminate Lisa as a suspect, he gently probes her mind, something she fears and despises. It scares her and also tells her Michael has no trust in her. I’m a little confused at this attitude of Lisa’s, though. The man talks to ghosts. Helps them cross over. We’re talking real paranormal here. But Lisa, for some reason, has a problem with anything beyond that. Of course, she does eventually understand and accept Michael’s powers, it’s just the initial discovery that jolts her. It’s her feelings for Michael that help her get over it.

What makes this particular event personal for Lisa is her mother. It’s her ghost who haunts the Gem of the Sea. She died when Lisa was very young, so Lisa never knew her mother and really has no connection to her spirit now. Lisa just needs to know the truth of what happened, not what someone was bribed to tell the world all those years ago. Poor Lisa gets another jolt when her mother takes control of Lisa, reliving her last day – all done with a twist you certainly don’t see coming, which is good because the anti-sensitive resolution, you kinda figure it out before all is revealed. Michael handles that jerk quite well.

Michael and Lisa are very likable characters, you care about them right off. There’s plenty of danger to keep the intensity high, and the paranormal covers several different elements other than psychics. Another confusion for me, however, along that line is in the book blurb that says Michael is a vampire. I really didn’t get that from the story. His father is a vampire, mother a sensitive also. Like father like son perhaps? What I come away with, though, is Michael is only a psychic and Lisa is not upset he’s a vamp.

But I think Ms. Connolly is on to something with a series, especially if she uses some of the same characters with Ghosts of Home, the company that produces the TV show. A great concept.

Grade: B

Summary:

When medium Michael Scott takes the assignment with the TV company “Ghosts at Home” to explore the old ocean liner Gem of the Sea, he does it with one aim in mind. Lisa Perez. Michael had wanted Lisa for a long time. She already knew about his ability to communicate with ghosts, but not his deepest, darkest secret. Would she object when she discovered he was the son of a vampire?

Lisa was desperate to discover why her mother died on Gem Of The Sea all those years ago. And she wanted Michael for his gift, but she also wanted him. With her revengeful ex and a malicious ghost onboard, Michael and Lisa might not survive the weekend.

If they want their passion to survive, they have to fight the living. And the dead.

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Believe It or Not by Tawna Fenske
Contemporary Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 6 Mar 12

I’ve been looking forward to Tawna Fenske’s second book since I read her debut, Making Waves, a number of months ago. She sold me on that book and any future works with her humor and her lovable and quirky characters. Is the sequel as good as the original, so to speak?

Almost, but not quite. Even after all these months I still remember Alex and Juli from Making Waves, their unique and hilarious first meeting, their high sea adventures, their steamy love scenes, and the unusual use of that black thong. While I like Drew and Violet in this book, and the quirkiness is still there, all told Believe It or Not just doesn’t have the same punch as MW.

Violet has come home to Portland, Oregon from Portland, Maine to help at her mother’s psychic shop while she goes through surgery and subsequent recuperation. Mom is a psychic, though Violet doesn’t believe in them, but she agrees to take over as resident psychic until her mother is home. That’s even though she knows she doesn’t have a psychic bone in her body. She’s an accountant, for heaven’s sake. Her life is orderly and she thrives on repetition and off-the-wall facts and trivia. But because it’s her mother, she’s determined to do what it takes to keep the business afloat.

Having gotten rid of one high-maintenance, high-strung woman, Drew isn’t ready for another one, especially the daughter of Miss Moonbeam, the quacky psychic who’s been against his two-night-a-week exotic male dancers from the start. His club isn’t a strip joint, so he gets a bit agitated when people refer to it as such. Even Violet gives him grief over it. Another reason to stay very far away from her. Wonder why he’s unable to do that?

These two are so different from one another and they want different things. And they’re each wrong for the other. Or so they think. As Violet goes through her days giving readings to her mother’s clients and taking care of new clients’ books. Drew goes through his hiring a new dancer to be trained, choosing accompanying music for their routines, and continuing to date the bimbos he’s gotten used to since his divorce. He also can’t help rummaging through the mutual storage closet situated between his place and Moonbeam’s just to get a look at Violet. When she begins to see Moonbeam’s boring doctor, that doesn’t sit well with Drew at all.

Violet does enjoy her time with the doc, however. He’s normal. Something she’s wanted her entire life, something she finally has on the East Coast – away from her mother. Why then doesn’t her heart stutter and her blood pump like it does when Drew is near? After a bit of success with her readings – all due to the music Drew plays next door – suddenly everything begins to go wrong. Blackmail, threats, and the possible loss her mom’s business are just the tip of the iceberg. Her problems even cascade over into Drew’s business, and he’s not a happy man when he finds out.

I expected to laugh out loud a lot while reading this book, just like I did with Making Waves. Mostly I had smiles, maybe a few chuckles, and only a couple of really laughter-filled moments. One of those I do have to share with you. Because Violet has one of those brains that has a lot of crazy and useless info running around in it, this scene is priceless and gives an example of the banter between her and Drew at times.

After a long silence, Violet sighed. “I’m sorry I yelled at you. It wasn’t your job to tell me about Frank.”

“I know.”

“I’m just scared.”

“I know.”

Moonbeam trusts me to keep her business running. It’s my job to protect it…to make sure everything goes okay.”

“I know.”

She looked at him. “Is there anything you don’t know?”

Drew thought about it for a minute. “I don’t know what that blue stuff is in the Magic 8 Ball. That’s always perplexed me.”

“It’s alcohol with blue dye dissolved in it.”

Drew grinned. “Now my life is complete.”

Violet sighed again. “I’m going to bed.”

“Okay. Need company?”

I have to say that I did laugh at that for several minutes. This is Violet to a T, as you’ve come to know her throughout the book. Actually, same for Drew. He’s the happy-go-lucky guy who’s out for a good time before it all changes for him later on. They are a cute, fun couple. For me, what’s lacking is the charm Alex and Juli have. Drew and Violet take their individual reasons for not starting a true relationship too far, there’s too many interrupted love scenes. Sexual tension can only go so far before that very taut string just breaks, and by the time they actually do the deed, the string had been broken for a number of chapters for me.

Maybe it’s not fair to compare this book to the previous one. But that’s something readers do all the time when they find that gem of a book that’s remembered for a long time. Believe It or Not has its moments. The quirkiness and humor are still a plus. Ms. Fenske does both well, and she gives me a good time reading, despite my issues with this story. I do look forward to her next book.

Grade: B-

Summary:

It’s your typical “reluctant fake psychic” meets “jaded owner of a male strip club” love story. With a twist.

Violet McGinn doesn’t believe in psychic powers. That’s one thing she has in common with Drew Watson, the infuriatingly hot owner of the bar next door to Miss Moonbeam’s psychic studio. There’s just one problem – Miss Moonbeam is Violet’s mother. And for the next few weeks, Violet must fill mom’s shoes at the psychic studio.

Drew can’t figure out who’s nuttier – Miss Moonbeam, or her gorgeous daughter trying desperately to live the normal, straight-laced life mom never gave her. The one thing he knows for sure is that he doesn’t need another type-A female meddling with his life, career, or heart. So why can’t he get her out of his head?

Before Drew and Violet know what hit them, they discover that while normal may be nice, weird can be wonderful. Even worse, there just might be something to this psychic crap after all…

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky
Contemporary Romance audiobook published by Random House Audio 6 Feb 07

I listen to a lot of audiobooks while driving; can’t do without my books for even that long! Every now and again one of those audiobooks keeps me interested in the story more than the driving. This book certainly did that when I missed my freeway exit and ended up 15 miles down the road to the next town before I realized what I’d done. While that’s not the best thing in the world to have happen right at that moment, at least that tells you this is a darned good story.

Hugh and Dana Clarke are expecting their first child. This is a time in their lives of joy and anticipation. When the baby finally decides to come into the world, they’re prepared and all goes well, mother and daughter are doing fine. But when they get a good look at their new daughter, besides ten tiny fingers and toes, they notice little Lizzy also has traits of African American descent in her appearance. While they’re both a bit stunned, Dana is giddily happy with her perfect little girl. It’s Hugh who hesitates too long, who has doubts.

Then Hugh’s family begins to pressure to him to find Dana’s father, a man she’s never met, never known. The only family she has now is her grandmother, and she knows not much more than Dana. But Dana has never been interested in locating her father; she’s the result of a casual college relationship between her mother, who is now deceased, and a man who has never taken an interest in Dana. Hugh warns her they need to be prepared to answer questions people will ask when they see Lizzy. He knows there’s no African American ancestors in his family, it’s been traced back generations. If they don’t have answers, folks will assume the worst, like an affair.

Dana is dumbfounded that Hugh is giving in to the pressure around him, doubting her and her fidelity. He finally goes so far as to get a paternity test – just to quiet the nonbelievers, or so he says. Crushed that her husband doesn’t trust her – a marriage without trust isn’t a marriage – she reluctantly agrees to the test. The strain between them only grows. While all of this is going on, there are also plenty of other happenings around. Dana’s grandmother owns a local yarn shop and we get to meet and interact with a few characters there, some of whom knew Dana’s mother, and this is where Dana begins with the scant information they have to start her search. Hugh has taken on a pro bono legal client, one he met at the hospital, who is trying to get help from her father’s child to pay for the medical care due to his injuries as a result of a car accident. It ends up being a very high-profile case, and he fights to the end for what’s right.

The results of the paternity test put Hugh’s mind at ease, though Dana is still angry with him and his reason for needing it in the first place. The search for Dana’s father finally bears fruit, and they’re assured there’s no such ancestry in her family. She’s so overwhelmed at what she finds out that Dana just can’t handle the new family that comes out of the woodwork at this point. It’s during a routine checkup for Lizzy that it’s discovered she’s a carrier of the sickle cell, found predominantly in people of color. Dana is immediately tested, with negative results. The twist in all their lives comes when Hugh tests positive and all his family secrets that are at the core of the issue plaguing them are finally emotionally revealed.

I find this concept interesting, to say the least. Ms. Delinsky does a terrific job at building the reader up to go a certain way in the story and then turning the tables on both reader and characters. For Dana, she never cared where the baby’s color came from. It doesn’t matter. Though it matters to Hugh, more from family and social pressure, he does find that it’s not really as important as he thought. All that truly matters is that little girl and her family.

Grade: B

Summary:

An explosive novel about family, and choices people make in times of crisis.

Dana Clarke has always longed for the stability of home and family—her own childhood was not an easy one. Now she has married a man she adores who is from a prominent New England family, and she is about to give birth to their first child. But what should be the happiest day of her life becomes the day her world falls apart. Her daughter is born beautiful and healthy, but no one can help noticing the African American traits in her appearance. Dana’s husband, to her great shock and dismay, begins to worry that people will think Dana has had an affair.The only way to repair the damage done is for Dana to track down the father she never knew and to explore the possibility of African American lineage in his family history. Dana’s determination to discover the truth becomes a poignant journey back through her past and her husband’s heritage that unearths secrets rooted in prejudice and fear. Barbara Delinsky’s Family Tree is an utterly unforgettable novel that asks penetrating questions about race, family, and the choices people make in times of crisis—choices that have profound consequences that can last for generations

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Deliver Me From Darkness (Paladin Warriors, Book 1) by Tes Hilaire
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 7 Feb 12

My string of luck with debut authors is still going strong and healthy with Tes Hilaire’s new book. A fallen angel and the first Paladin female in hundreds of years are the perfect combination to keep you immersed in the pages of this book.

Roland was once one of God’s warriors, a Paladin with brothers who fought by his side. But nearly a hundred years ago he gave in to the lure of dark vampiric power, a time he regrets now for the loss of his soul and because he also saw the destruction of his family at the same time. His life is orderly and clean, just the way he likes it, but all that order is about to be disrupted by one small but very fiery and passionate woman.

Having heard all her life that vampires are evil, Karissa is at first quite frightened by Roland and tries to escape his well-protected home when Logan, Roland’s best friend and the Paladin who rescued her, leaves her alone with the vampire. Even when the creature leaves her be to sleep the day away, she tears his place apart trying to find a way out, all to no avail.

Though they come to a truce of sorts, Karissa opts to leave with Logan when he returns, knowing the man will protect her at all costs, just as her grandfather always told her. But Logan’s good intentions go awry when every Paladin male wants to mark Karissa as his own – there’s a huge deficit in the ratio of women to men in the bloodline and Karissa is seen as the chance to save them all. But even Logan’s family has secrets, as he discovers when he tries to mark Karissa to save her from the wave of Paladins headed her way.

Roland has been able to break the bond with his maker, Christos, but that vampire is now in cahoots with two other powerful and evil lords, with a plan in mind once they get their hands on Karissa and her blood. Roland failed to protect those he loved once before, he’s not about to let it happen again. Working once more with Valin, a brother with dark shifting powers and who prods Roland every chance he gets, they finally locate Karissa through her mating bond with Roland. But are they too late? Will Roland have to face his fear of failure again?

This is a story of good vs. evil, the choice made and lived with for that person, and there are several who have to face the music. Roland is more than the sum of his parts, as his former brothers discover. Even as Karissa discovers. As he himself discovers. At first he tries to push Karissa away, knowing she’s his mate, but he feels he’s not good enough for her, too dark for her light. When she realizes what she is to him, she wants all that it entails and she goes for it, pushing him to confront his feelings and her. He doesn’t want to hurt her or live without her, so he tries to keep his bloodlust and heart at bay. Doesn’t work. When they come together he’s as gentle as can be, despite his body and his darkness wanting more NOW. The other Paladins are just as honorable and sexy in their own way. I look forward to both Logan’s and Valin’s stories.

What a terrific start Ms. Hilaire has given readers at the beginning of her new series. If you’re into vampires, demons, and other otherworldly creatures, if you like your action fast and furious, if you want a hero to die for and a heroine he’ll die for, I think you should start here. This book and this series has it all.

Grade: B

Summary:

A stranger in the night…

He had once been a warrior of the Light, one of the revered Paladin. A protector. But now he lives in darkness, and the shadows are his sanctuary. Every day is a struggle to overcome the bloodlust. Especially the day Karissa shows up at his doorstep.

Comes knocking on the door…

She is light and bright and everything beautiful despite her scratches and torn clothes. Every creature of the night is after her. So is every male Paladin. Because Karissa is the last female of their kind. But she is his. He may not have a soul, but he can’t deny his heart.

Read an excerpt.

Laura C’s review of Run from Fear by Jami Alden
Romantic Suspense published by Forever 1 Mar 12

We meet both Talia Vega and Jack Brooks in the previous books in Alden’s series, but they are only sketchily defined, especially Jack. I was really looking forward to their book and waited for it with no small impatience!

Talia has a horrific past. She fell in love with a man who turned out to be a big-time gangster who pimped her out under the guise of having her run his nightclub, which he filled up with girls he brought in as sex slaves. When the girls got out of hand, he had them killed by a sadistic monster, who eventually turned his sights on Talia. Talia survived only with Jack’s help and a lot of luck.

When this book opens, Talia and her younger sister Rosie are getting their lives back together. Talia has a job in a restaurant and bar, and Rosie is in college. When Jack shows up, Talia is not happy to see him. After all, he’s seen her at her worst and he knows all the secrets she wishes she could forget.

What Talia doesn’t know is that Jack has never been far away. He’s watched her, waited for her to get on her feet, even supported her in ways she has no clue about. He wants her to feel strong so that when he comes back into her life she feels like an equal. So when he thinks she’s in good shape, he lets himself be seen.

But someone else is hanging about in the shadows, too, and his motives aren’t so pure. He remembers the sick killings performed by the man who took Talia hostage and aims to go that lunatic one better, by completing his collection with both Talia and Rosie.

I must admit, I found this book a bit of a letdown in places. I understand Talia’s need for independence, but I felt as if she pushed Jack away too hard for too long. Plus, I really thought that if she were as concerned as she’s been shown to be about her sister, she would have kept in touch with Jack if for no other reason than to protect Rosie. And why she couldn’t understand Jack’s need to protect her when she has the same issue with Rosie was particularly difficult.

On the other hand, I liked the way their conversations developed and the strength of character of each of them. When they were “on,” I was totally absorbed in the story. (I wish she’d left the bits of the villain in his day-to-day life out. I found them dull. But then, I am finding more and more of those kinds of bits dull and the serial killers weak-seeming.)

It takes a long time for Talia to truly trust Jack, and watching her come to that point is definitely a worthwhile journey, even if it’s a little more uneven than the previous two books in the series.

Grade: B

Summary:

More than anything, Talia Vega wanted to leave behind her harrowing past. Moving eight hundred miles away, she succeeded . . . until the one man who knows her darkest secrets wanders into the restaurant where she works. Now the agonizing memories come crashing back-along with an undeniable desire for Jack Brooks, the ex-Green Beret who rescued her from a sadistic monster two years ago.

Jack Brooks knows that showing up unannounced is a purely selfish move. Talia doesn’t need his protection anymore, but he can’t get the raven-haired beauty out of his mind. And when a twisted madman is hell-bent on resurrecting her torturous past, Jack vows to do anything to keep her safe-even risk his own life to save the only woman he’s ever loved.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Princess Charming (Legendary Lovers, Book 1) by Nicole Jordan
Historical Romance published by Ballantine 31 Jan 12

Nicole Jordan has come up with a new way to look at old fairy tales. In this first book of her new series, it’s Cinderella, the evil stepmother and stepsisters, and Prince Charming, all with a few changes to give readers a lighthearted historical romance.

The Wilde cousins are as feisty and untamed as their name implies. Orphaned when they were all young, it was Ashton, as the oldest, who kept them all together and relatively happy, in spite of the loss and grief they all suffered. As they grew older, they retained their wildness, only directing it in more adult ways as they have navigated through society; thus, their notoriety and the gossip that follows them now.

Ash’s sister, Katharine, has decided to play matchmaker for everyone in her family, including herself, by choosing legendary lovers of the past, real and fictional. For Ash she believes he’s Prince Charming to her friend Maura’s Cinderella. He’s watched Maura grow into a beautiful young woman but never really thought of her more than that. Until now. With Katharine’s ridiculous idea in his head, he gets caught up in Maura’s life, aiding and abetting her crime when she refuses his offered help.

Growing up, Maura learned from her father everything she now knows about horses and since his death has made her breeding stables quite successful, all due to her prize stallion, Emperor. But it all comes crashing down when she learns her stepmother has sold the horse to that pesky Viscount Deering. The man has been after Emperor for years and Maura has always refused him, especially knowing he had a hand in her father’s death. She’s determined to talk some sense into the viscount, but her pleas fall on deaf ears. The idiot won’t part with his new acquisition anytime soon. So Maura is going to have to take desperate measures to retrieve the animal, all the while trying to keep Ash at bay. The less he knows, the less trouble he’ll be in if she’s caught.

Thus begins a dual journey for Ash and Maura. They’re successful in freeing Emperor from his current imprisonment and begin the trek to Scotland where Maura has made arrangements to keep him safe. Ash goes along for the ride for the time being, knowing he’d be able to deal with Deering if only she’d agree. Biding his time, he learns more about the woman, and he likes what he discovers. The same is true for Maura. Knowing Ash really can’t begin a relationship with her because their lives are worlds apart, she tries not to fall headlong into his charm and sensuality, but she fails miserably.

I thoroughly enjoyed these two characters together. Ash is just wild enough to go along with Maura’s scheme, and then when he turns the tables on both her and Deering, that wildness takes the situation to even more dangerous heights. But the man is not lacking in confidence and arrogance, all signs of his station. Maura is the perfect heroine for him – as his sister knows! – with her independence and intelligence. She learns to trust him to do what needs to be done to right the wrongs done to her and her family. Her stepmother is one of those characters who has to grow on you somewhat, but she does make it difficult as well as interesting. I would like to slap the woman silly here and there, but she hopefully learns her lesson. And Deering, of course, gets what’s coming to him once Ash is in the picture.

The concept of the series might be a bit much for hard-core historical readers, but it’s fun and lighthearted with characters you can’t help but like. Katharine is going to be working her matchmaking magic throughout the series, and I have to say I’m curious as to what she’ll come up with.

Grade: B

Summary:

Thanks to the mischievous meddling of his matchmaking sister, Ashton Wilde meets a damsel in distress during the midnight magic of a lavish ball. But Maura Collyer isn’t looking for a prince—or an intimate pairing with any member of the scandalous noble Wilde family.

Intrigued by Maura’s beauty and daring, Ash is determined to aid in the rescue of her beloved stallion, gambled away by her wicked stepmother to an evil viscount. As their adventure becomes rife with peril and passion, Ash suspects he’s found his heart’s desire.

Even though her dearest friend may be her self-proclaimed fairy godmother, Maura is mortified at being pushed into a romance with a notorious rake such as Ash. Dashing and charming, he comes to Maura’s rescue just in time to help her steal back her precious horse. As they flee across the countryside, she can’t resist his sweet seduction. But is her prince playing a role in a fairy tale to test an improbable theory, or is the love awakening in her heart proof of her own happily ever after?

Read an excerpt.

Veena’s review of Oracle’s Moon (Elder Races, Book 5) by Thea Harrison
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 6 Mar 12

The Elder races – Wyr, Elves, Fae, Vampyres and Demon kind – are well known and assimilated if not always liked and accepted. Oracle’s Moon is the fourth book in Thea Harrison’s Elder Race series. It’s like a fairy story where the villains are destroyed and true love triumphs against all odds and there’s even an evil witch to vanquish.

Grace Andreas is an Oracle descended from the original Delphi Oracles. Grace’s life has been thrown into turmoil after she lost her sister and brother-in-law in an accident in which she too was badly injured. Grace is struggling against huge odds, recovering from an accident that took the life of her sister and brother-in-law, caring for her orphaned niece and nephew, coming to terms with her newly inherited power of the Oracle and with little money or resources to help her cope.

Her path unexpectedly crosses with Khalil, a high ranking Djinn, who escorts Vampyre Queen Carling and her mate, the Wyr sentinel Rune, toward the end of Serpent’s Kiss to her house in search of a prophecy. Khalil is intrigued and protective of the fragile human children while he is quite removed from the daily realities of Grace’s life. As Grace comes into her own and takes control of her powers, Khalil starts to move from curiosity to fascination to love.

While the love story proceeds along a relatively smooth path, there are twists and plots that keep the story interesting. Characters from previous books pop in and out. I would recommend that you read the previous books, if possible, before reading this one, but most particularly Serpent’s Kiss, since this almost seems like a thread that started in that book and lightly crosses over and touches the characters and continues their story as well. I find the book refreshing; an old-fashioned love story with paranormal tones.

Grade: B+

Summary:

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

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

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

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series:

LynneC’s review of Chosen By Blood (Para-Ops Series, Book 1) by Virna DePaul
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 3 May 11

What a relief to read a paranormal romance that is peopled, for the most part, by adults! I must be on a roll, because the last paranormal I read was the marvellous Nightborn. While Chosen by Blood isn’t quite in that category, I do have hopes for the author and that her paranormal world can coalesce into something as vibrant as the Viehl.

It’s a paranormal world peopled by different kinds of Others, as she refers to them. Some are interesting, such as the wraiths, dead people with no knowledge of what they were before they died and no way of knowing how they got to that state, and familiar creatures like vampires, vamps in this world, and werebeasts.

Knox Devereaux is a vamp. In fact, he leads his clan, but he’s the offspring of a human and a vamp, so he’s not as affected by the loss of pure blood as the rest of his clan. He’s been in love with Felice since before the story starts, although his wife only died the year before. Since he was faithful, and Knox and Felice haven’t consummated their relationship, I could roll with that. No cheating involved, just a lot of yearning.

Felice is a mortal, an agent specialising in hostage situations. She loves Knox but knows he is immortal and bound to marry another vamp, because the vamp race is dying. During the recent war between Others and mortals, a vaccine was developed that prevented blood-giving nourishment to vamps, and so they are starving.

Team Red of Others, a para-ops group, is formed with the objective of uncovering the antidote to the vaccine. At times I wasn’t clear where the plot was going—there are so many twists and turns, I sometimes got a bit lost, especially toward the end.

Unfortunately, toward the end the author had to start including “Only on a Tuesday” rules. This happens when the paranormal beings are so powerful that they can overcome any obstacle, except—only on a Tuesday. If these things aren’t built into the world and the characters early on, it’s obvious when it’s introduced as a limiter rather than a natural progression. If the series continues, these difficulties need to be sorted out.

There are also too many “kitchen table” scenes, places where the characters talk about what they’ve just done and what they’re going to do next. They really need to be cut down a bit.

No matter, because for me, the characters matter more than the plot, and the characters in this book are intriguing and led me to read on.

The sex is hot, but a little pedestrian, if you know what I mean. By the time of their first consummation, Felice and Knox have been fancying each other for ten years, and Knox is already clear that he loves her. While it’s a turn-on to have a hot, powerful man in love with you, I like to read about what led up to that and why and how. That’s why I tend to avoid the “fated mates” trope. In a romance, sometimes it feels like cheating. I want to see their courtship. That’s where Nalini Singh excels, and even in the first Psy-Changeling book, she sets up the romance and we, the reader, watch it build. We learn what great characters the two protagonists are and eventually understand why they belong together.

DePaul effectively skips this part and plunges into the consummation. The relationship doesn’t move forward in the story, and most of the threats to the relationship come from outside, so the idea of Knox marrying someone else and yet devoting his life to Felicia is a welcome one. It is, apparently, usual for vampires to have an “open” relationship, but Felicia is a mortal, and she wants none of it. One of the most effective parts of the story is when she is considering what it would mean and deciding she can’t do it. But until Knox marries, she’s willing to sleep with him.

Although the book isn’t without its faults, I think the characters and setup are interesting, and I’d like to read more para-ops stories.

Grade: B-

(See Ash’s review here.)

Summary:

Leader of an Otherborn clan, half-breed vampire Knox Devereaux would do anything to find a cure for the anti-vamp vaccine slowly starving his people into extinction. When the FBI contacts him about leading a team of hand-selected Others on a mission to reclaim the stolen antidote, Knox accepts. His new assignment places him in direct contact with Special Agent Felicia Locke, the beautiful human he’s craved since their very first meeting.

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of The Husband Hunt (Madison Sisters, Book 3) by Lynsay Sands
Historical Romance published by Avon 28 Feb 12

I’m not sure what happened between me and this trilogy. It started wonderfully, I loved the first book. Then things just kinda went…by the wayside.

Richard’s and Christiana’s story in The Countess was a fun comedy of errors, and while I wasn’t bowled over by Daniel’s and Suzette’s book, The Heiress, mostly because they didn’t get much of a story of their own, I still enjoyed that couple tremendously. Using the same timeline in that second book was a good idea, it just didn’t come out exactly as I had hoped. That leaves us here in this moment with The Husband Hunt.

First off, I think what’s needed is some type of encounter between Robert and Lisa in one of the previous books to pique the reader’s interest a tad more. I don’t find this couple as engaging as the others. Lisa has been in love with Robert for years. He’s a family friend and has been around the Madison sisters to help out whenever possible, especially after the recent passing of their father. However, he still looks upon Lisa as that little girl who adoringly followed him wherever he went. She’s decided things have to change, especially after her recent abduction by a local madam to sell Lisa to the Suitor, a nameless villain who wants to play dangerous and painful sexual games.

So the hunt is on for the Suitor, and Robert is taking on the role of Lisa’s protector, which only brings them into more and more contact with one another, causing sparks to fly – all in the wrong direction, as far as they’re concerned. If Robert won’t see her for the woman she now is, well, she’ll have to find someone who will. Thus begins another hunt, this one for a husband, Lisa scouring balls to find someone who may not cause desire and passion to course through her veins, but maybe a decent man who will bring a little pleasure to the marriage bed. And she’s not without a number of suitors, one of which is Charles Findlay, the front runner for Lisa. I have to say I do like the idea of Robert having to play bodyguard each and every time Lisa and Findlay go on a picnic or some such “date.” Especially once he begins to change his attitude in how he views Lisa. Suddenly she’s grown up and Robert is sweating it out when he thinks of some other man in possession of those curves and other womanly delights.

But Robert still refuses to give in. See, he has to contend with the Langley curse. Both his father and his grandfather were victims of the curse, their wives being unfaithful no matter how well they were cared for. Therefore, Robert just knows any woman he chooses will do the same to him. Even Lisa. He just has to sit back and wait for it to happen. As you can imagine, Lisa finds this horribly insulting and wants nothing to do with a man who won’t trust her before they even get started. Thinking the only way to make him come ’round is to marry him and show him how wrong he is, Lisa, with the help of her sisters, is set on a course to seduce Robert and eventually be caught in the act, thus forcing their union. However, when it comes right down to it, Lisa realizes she also doesn’t want a man who doesn’t come to her willingly. So her quandary continues.

In between all of this, there is still the Suitor to look out for, and he does strike again. And it’s this event, along with some sage advice from Richard, that makes Robert see how foolish he’s been. Now if he can only rescue Lisa before it’s too late. I kind of had an inkling about the villain early on, but I was never quite sure if I was right. You’re taken in a roundabout misdirection here and there so you don’t guess too soon. It’s chilling how quickly and how ugly the man turns when faced with a defiant Lisa.

While I did enjoy this book, along with Robert and Lisa – and I really like how Ms. Sands brings in the previous characters throughout the book without sacrificing the romance – I don’t feel the same about them as I do Richard and Christiana and even Daniel and Suzette. I wasn’t as intrigued by them, there wasn’t anything in the previous books to snag my interest as totally as it did with the others. I also don’t like all that much the Lisa we first meet in this story. She wants Robert to see her as a woman, but she still has the affect of a young girl. Now, she does realize that herself eventually and she takes steps to get rid of that image, and that’s when she becomes a more attractive character for me. It also takes a bit for Robert to grow on the reader. I think his hiding behind the family curse goes on too long and that irritated me for a while. But they both end up right where they should be, of course.

No one is more surprised than me at my only liking this trilogy and not loving it as I have every other Lynsay Sands book I’ve read. But it’s still enjoyable, and if you’ve not read it, by all means do.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Let the hunt begin…

Lisa Madison wants a husband, and she has just the candidate in mind: Robert Langley. Trouble is, the infuriating man insists on seeing her as the impish girl she once was—even as every other gentleman in London has taken notice of her womanly…charms. When her beauty lands her in danger, it’s Robert who comes to the rescue…only to announce his affections are not of the romantic variety!

Robert saw enough sorrow in his parents’ union to know he wants nothing to do with marriage, which is exactly what he’ll be trapped into if he acts on his desire for the irksome siren. And then Lisa does what Robert least expects: gives up on him! As feigned indifference gives way, blistering passion burns at last. But just before the pair can give in to hard-won bliss, an enemy with unfinished business lurks threatening to destroy them both.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Veena’s review of Nightfire (Protectors Trilogy, Book 3) by Lisa Marie Rice
Romantic Suspense published by Avon Red 7 Feb 12

Nightfire is the concluding story in the Protectors Trilogy from Lisa Marie Rice. Sam Reston (Into the Crossfire), Harry Bolt (Hotter than Wildfire) and Mike Keillor (Nightfire) forged their friendship and became” brothers” at the foster home where each of their personal life tragedies brought them to.  The story starts with them having completed their stint in the special forces (Delta Force, SEAL, Marine), they’ve now opened a successful security business and also run an underground railroad to help abused women and children disappear and set up new lives.  Sam and Harry found their HEA in Books 1 and 2, leaving Mike struggling with his darkness and feeling alone in the midst of his brothers’ happiness.

Chloe Mason has spent her childhood and formative years in and out of hospitals as her body and bones have been put together.  She has vague recollections of her brother Harry, but it isn’t until the death of her adoptive parents that she discovers the complete story and hires a private detective to help her find her sibling.  She shows up unannounced to meet with him and Mike. For Mike it is love at first sight, particularly since her brightness seems to dispel the shadows around him.  She definitely  reciprocates this attraction, but before they can explore it further and deepen it into a relationship, Mike’s darkness catches up with him and he is accused of raping and physically abusing a woman he met in a bar the night before he met Chloe.

While Mike is acquitted, actually with Chloe’s help, Harry warns him away from his sister and Mike honors his word. Chloe starts to volunteer at a women’s shelter and inadvertently steps on the toes of the Russian Mob, where she helps prostitutes develop a backbone and stand up for their rights.  Mike and Chloe find their way back together and finally kick off the romance as they stand against these gangsters.

I find that this book is not as good as the first two and the story seems to be a little disjointed and slow to get started.  Once the Russian Mob becomes engaged and the love story starts to take off, the book becomes more interesting and flows into a great ending.  I would recommend this book only because it brings closure to Mike’s story and, therefore, to the series.  It is heartwarming to see that love conquers all and these three men get their well-deserved happy endings.

Grade: B

Summary:

Chloe Mason can’t remember much about her childhood, except for being in and out of hospitals. Now healthy and all grown up, she’s determined to fill the gaping hole that was her past. When she finds her long lost brother, Harry, she discovers family and something else that was missing from her life. Love.

As a child, Mike Keillor helplessly watched as his parents were massacred. Vowing to never again be vulnerable, he joined the Marines and became a Recon sniper, SWAT officer, and an expert in martial arts, before establishing his own successful security company. When his friend and partner Harry reconnects with his long lost sister, Chloe, the hard-as-nails Mike is felled by the one thing he can’t fight. Love.

But their future is jeopardized when Chloe accidently steps into the path of the Russian mob. Though his adversary is way bigger than he is, nothing can stop Mike from saving the woman who has captured his heart. He lost his family, and he will not lose Chloe. Failure is not an option.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Laura C’s review of Last Man Standing (The Men of Black Ops, Inc., Book 7) by Cindy Gerard
Romantic Suspense published by Pocket 31 Jan 12

This book finally answers the question that has been plaguing the characters through the first six of Gerard’s Black Ops, Inc. (BOI) books: What really happened on the mission on which Bryan Tompkins got killed? Was it just bad intel, or was there something more?

Naturally, the answer is “something more.” There wouldn’t be much of a story otherwise!

The romance between “Mean” Joe Green and Stephanie Tompkins—sister of the late Bryan Tompkins and daughter of Robert and Ann who have become substitute parents to all the BOIs—began several books ago as a secondary plotline. It’s referenced, and we meet Joe, but we never really spend any time with the two of them together until this book. But when this book begins, Joe’s in the process of breaking it off with Stephanie. Not that he wants to, of course, but he feels he has to.

The BOIs were on a mission in Sierra Leone when they were ambushed and Bryan was killed. Joe has a lead on the truth, but he doesn’t want Stephanie—or the rest of the BOIs—involved if things go badly. And they do. Joe ends up in jail in Freetown, while the bad guy has arranged for the rest of the BOIs to be on a blackout mission and, thus, completely out of touch. So Stephanie travels to Sierra Leone to rescue Joe…and finds herself. While there, she realizes that Joe only broke up with her to protect her, but she’s furious just the same. Until she realizes that his opinion of her is partially her own fault.

Joe didn’t think she could take the heat.

And why would he? What had she ever done to make him believe she was strong enough to carry the weight of the issues he dealt with every day of his life.

She walked over to a window, shaking her head at her stupidity. And her cowardice.

You get what you give. You reap what you sow.

Well, all she’d ever given him was silent understanding. She’d never challenged, never bullied or badgered him to open up to her. Sure, she’d asked him to talk to her, but when he didn’t, she’d accepted it. Never pushed. Never pried. Never prodded him to confide in her or to give her credit for being more than a woman who needed a man to take care of her.

She puts Joe on notice that once the bad guys are taken care of, they’re going to have a talk about opening up. And while she breaks her own rules and crosses lines she sets for herself, she always keeps that endgame in mind. She’s an admirable heroine and this is really her story more than Joe’s.

There’s really no question about the romance in this book. He loves her, she loves him, they’re both certain of each other’s love relatively quickly. And although Joe has a lot to deal with if he’s going to truly open up to Steph, we don’t doubt he will. As a result, the story lacks a certain emotional punch for me. And the thriller part, while satisfying, is not terribly exciting. So while I find this miles better than With No Remorse, it doesn’t quite measure up to the earlier books in the series. Still, it is a fun, quick read that I’d recommend over a great deal of what else is out there!

Grade: B

Summary:

Special operative Joe Green has gone vigilante. His mission: avenge his Black Ops, Inc. brother’s death during a bloody ambush years ago in Sierra Leone. He refuses to drag the BOI team or his lover, Stephanie Tompkins, into the hunt for the man responsible, so when he finds himself beaten, starving, and alone after being falsely imprisoned for the murder of a Freetown priest, he knows he’s as good as dead. Joe meant to protect Stephanie when he walked out on their relationship, but he can’t stop her now from executing his escape. Breaking him out of prison is the easy part. After Joe’s explosive theory pans out and his cunning enemy emerges as the front runner for a high-level presidential appointment, he and Stephanie must race to derail the traitor’s conspiracy if they are to save their loved ones, the nation, and each other.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

LynneC’s review of An Inconvenient Obsession by Natasha Tate
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Presents 20 Sep 11

This is definitely a guilty pleasure book. I shouldn’t like it, as it contains many elements I’m not fond of, but it was downright fun to read.

The hero is a self-made man, who Cate sent away years ago, although they grew up together and fell in love. She thought he should move on and have his chance and knew he wouldn’t while he was in love with her. But he resented that and subsequent events she doesn’t know about. So when she puts the island where they both grew up on sale at a charity auction, he bids on it and wins. He wants it for his father.

This brings them into close proximity and rekindles their attraction for each other. It isn’t long before Ethan realises he doesn’t just want the island, he wants Cate, too. So strike one, revenge. I don’t generally like revenge stories, but it doesn’t last too long, although the ramifications do.

She has been injured by a fall from her horse and has spent years in recovery, but she doesn’t tell him. He has heard of the accident, but she makes light of it. Strike two, the makings of a big misunderstanding, and it could also lead to the martyr syndrome. There’s no doubt that the heroine is a martyr, but I couldn’t help but admire her nerve and courage in coping with her problems. She is also very conscious of her scars. I do think her recovery from self-consciousness is a bit too easy, though.

Strike Three is her virginity. I did, however, understand why she kept it for so long, but losing your virginity up against a door strikes me as more than painful. And the hymen is misplaced again.

I did enjoy the progression of this story, the way Ethan moves from revenge to understanding. He is too ruthless at the beginning, too ready to hurt. Then he realises some things he should have known and grows to want her more. He does railroad her, and I did feel for Cate at parts of the story. Ethan’s obsession doesn’t rise to the level of Edward in Twilight, but it comes pretty close. I mention Edward because at one point, Ethan stands outside Cate’s window to watch her sleep.

Cate is definitely a victim. She is hurt by her father, then by pushing Ethan away, then by her accident. What redeems her somewhat is her courage and her determination to live her life on her terms. Unfortunately, Ethan puts paid to that, and by the end of the story, Cate is entirely dependent on him. I would have rather she had a life of her own.

Tate’s style is very intense, occasionally moving over into near-farcical, but she certainly has a way with emotional scenes. That is the main reason I read the story to the end, because of the way Tate gets inside the characters and makes us feel with them. Sometimes even if we don’t want to. She does tend to have disembodied body parts, “his eyes moved around the room,” that kind of thing, but on the whole it’s solid and well done.

Strike four, if I’m allowed to bend the rules a little, is the epilogue, but I can’t say too much about that because it would be a spoiler. But that does make me roll my eyes.

Grade: B-

Summary:

The Carrington family’s island is up for auction…
Now, that’s an invitation Ethan Hardesty just can’t refuse. This groundskeeper’s son turned global entrepreneur has it all. All, that is, except a piece of the Carrington estate—the island that holds all his most pleasurable and painful memories.
Ethan doesn’t count on the beautiful Cate Carrington handling the transaction—and providing him with the perfect opportunity to take her into the bargain. But toying with the woman who was once the girl he loved and lost soon turns from a game into an all-out obsession.…

Read an excerpt. (scroll down)

Laura C’s review of Sweet Reward (Last Chance Rescue, Book 9) by Christy Reece
Romantic Suspense published by Ballantine 27 Dec 11

I’ve enjoyed the vast majority of the Last Chance Rescue books, and I will be sorry to see them go if, indeed, this is to be the last one Reece writes. On the other hand, I look forward to whatever she does next, as she’s created many a character I’ve been happy to spend time with. Jared and Mia are no exceptions.

Jared is everyone’s favorite kind of hero: damaged but strong, haunted and unable to get on with his life until he meets Mia. Jared works for Last Chance Rescue, so it’s no surprise that when his ex-wife’s child is kidnapped, she calls him. But Mia—the only operative ever to have been asked to leave LCR—is also on the trail of the same baby thieves, though from another angle. Noah, the head of LCR, insists on them working together, though Jared at first mistrusts Mia’s capabilities. After all, she looks young and soft.

That youth and softness are incredibly attractive to Jared, despite his doubts. And Mia feels the same way; Jared’s dedication to the cause they share appeals to her as much as his body does. She understands why he doesn’t trust her at first. In fact, I’d say one of the biggest weaknesses in this book for me is that Mia seems to do all the understanding. Jared doesn’t really change.

The suspense side of the story is (no big surprise here) a rescue operation. But it becomes clear relatively quickly that one of the “big bads” is an old friend of Mia’s family, and she has the only in. Jared doesn’t want her to date a guy they think is a psychopath, needless to say, which causes no little tension between them, but in the end he has to let her take the more active role in the operation. That was a fun turnabout from many romantic suspense novels where the alpha male is the active party most of the time.

The brutality scenes are..well..brutal. And the big bad is definitely a psychopath, but I didn’t find my tension raised particularly high by this book overall. I wish I could pinpoint the reason. Maybe because right up until the end, I didn’t feel as if anyone, even the kidnapped baby, was in particular danger. People die, but they’re people I’ve barely had a chance to meet.

Still, despite my quibbles, this is a fun read. It didn’t take me long and I’m sorry to see it end. Definitely worth reading, even if it’s not as good as some of the others in the series.

Grade: B

Summary:

Adrenaline junkie Jared Livingston has found the perfect blend of exhilaration and danger in his new job at Last Chance Rescue. Raised to depend only on himself, Jared tried marriage, but the end of the relationship renewed his belief that he was meant to be a loner. Now a desperate plea from his ex-wife puts Jared in the unique position of using the skills she despised to rescue her missing daughter. The case brings Jared face-to-face with Mia Ryker, the only agent ever fired from LCR—for playing too far outside the box. Now Mia’s back, and as a team, they’re as compatible as fuel and fire—blowing off tension in each other’s arms, blowing open the secret life of a wealthy philanthropist and his shameful dealings. Their search for the innocent child takes them to places neither have been before—to the edge of danger and to the edge of their hearts.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Tempting the New Guy (Glory Tales #2) by Alegra Verde
Contemporary erotica short story ebook published by Spice Briefs 01 Dec 11

I suspect when it comes to erotica reading I’m slightly bent.  This short story, the second entry in the author’s “Glory Tales,” pretty much confirms it for me.  I shouldn’t like this story.  In fact, I’m not sure I do.  There are landmines all over the 30-odd pages here, and this review is proving to be a struggle because I can’t give readers a definitive “I loved it!” or “I hated it!” reaction.  Well, let’s see if I can hash it out…..

Clement Johns is the new guy working at the ad agency.  He oozes southern charm and he’s constantly flirting with our heroine, Glory James.  As much as she’s attracted to him, Glory is still entangled with her boss, Bruce Davies.  She’s also got a client with the agency who she sees on the side, whenever the man is in town.  The last thing our girl needs is another bed partner.  But she finds her resolve slipping, and Davies seems to have his panties in a twist over it.

Here’s the problem: in the first story in this series Glory starts off as in control.  Davies likes to be dominated, and Glory is a girl up for the challenge.  Unfortunately, as that story came to close and this one begins, the author starts to rob Glory of her power.  Glory is not entirely in control in this story, and there’s a sex scene between her and Davies that is downright squirm-inducing (I’m not sure it’s full-blown “forced seduction,” but it did make me very uncomfortable!).

For the vast majority of this story I feared a series that started out with promise was going to slide too far south for me.  But I kept reading, and I’m glad I did.  The author sort of pulls it all together in the end.  Are things resolved?  Well, no.  But we’re heading in a new direction, Glory is taking steps to reclaim her power, and I am now anxious to see where the author is going to take me and these characters next.

This all being said, if I was unfamiliar with the first entry in this series and went into this story blind, I wouldn’t be feeling so hopeful.  This is most definitely a series that will work better for readers who have followed from the beginning, as each episode builds to the next.  Will it be for everybody?  No.  However, it does succeed in giving me what I want out of my erotic reading.  That is something memorable, something that challenges me, and something that I won’t soon forget.  Mission accomplished.

Grade: B-

Summary:

The last thing Glory James needs is another office affair. She’s already having a steamy fling with her boss, Bruce Davies—a fling where Glory calls the shots in the bedroom.

Nevertheless, she’s tempted by her new coworker Clement Johns’s confidence and Southern charm…not to mention the chance at a normal relationship. But as things start heating up with Clement, what will Glory do when Bruce decides he’s not willing to share her?

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