LynneC’s review of  Too Wild To Hold (Legendary Lovers, Book 2) by Julie Leto
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 23 Aug 11

This is the first book I’ve read by Julie Leto, I think, and I had a good time with it. It isn’t without its faults, but I would recommend it.

Michael is an FBI agent, and also the descendant of the inspiration for Zorro. Recently a Zorro wannabe has been kidnapping and raping women, and once his crimes cross state boundaries, the FBI is called in.

Claire is a private eye who was asked to leave the police force for not adhering to procedure. She is looking for a woman who has abandoned her husband and children to pursue a life of pure hedonism. But while she and her ex are divorced, she hasn’t yet signed over the children, so her ex’s new wife can’t adopt them. So Claire is after the signature.

She follows her quarry to a house where people pose as masters and mulattoes, in, of course, New Orleans. I did enjoy the evocation of the city and the old plantation house in this book. It’s a city I’ve always wanted to visit. It’s a house of kink, and when Michael makes himself known to Claire, they are immediately attracted. When they find the woman she’s there to confront, she’s involved in a threesome. It’s nice to read a hot scene in a Blaze,  and the subsequent scene in an upstairs bedroom is just as hot.

There are shades of voyeurism in this book, something both participants admit frankly to, but not enough to be skeevy. It works well with the mad stalker rapist plot, as they are aware they are being watched at certain times.

Michael’s brother makes an appearance in this book, and while he’s certainly sequel bait, he also has a part to play. The other brother, whose story has already been told, is referred to but doesn’t play a part. I like that, and I have to admit, Michael is an interesting prospect. I’ll be reading the other two books in the series.

Back to this one. There are some interesting secondary characters, including Michael’s FBI partner Ruby. The serial rapist is a distant figure, more a McGuffin than a character.

I did have one or two problems with the book. Although the plot takes place over a few days, by the end of it Michael and Claire are in love and Michael has made an important life change. This didn’t ring true to me, and there are no foreshadowings to speak of. They also have unprotected sex and because she’s on birth control pills, that’s okay. Pardon me, but it most definitely isn’t. Pregnancy could be the least of her troubles.

Michael has a ring passed on to him by his brother, a ring that belonged to their “Zorro.” It is supposed to change your life. While it’s cute, it doesn’t really fit well into the story, and it is a touch “deus ex machina” for me, but it didn’t intrude too much.

Towards the end of the book Claire does the TSTL thing. Coming off the back of writing two romantic suspense novels for Carina, I can sympathise with the dilemma. In order to move the story on, someone has to do something out of character, or foolhardy, or something, especially with the short length of these books. It’s hard to cram a suspense plot and a believable romance into the book. But in this one, the heroine does something that isn’t only foolhardy, it’s against the law. She twists the law to get a result. That’s something I really don’t like. It’s why she had to leave the police force. Of course, you might feel completely different, but up until that point I really enjoyed Claire. Is there such a thing as over-feisty? But she’s fun, she’s frank about her sexual preferences, and she does a good job.

Still, there’s enough here to make me hunt up more books by Ms. Leto, and I do hope she sets more stories in New Orleans.

Grade: C+

Summary:

In the sultry heat of New Orleans, a masked man stalks his next prey…private investigator Claire Lécuyer. In order to protect her, FBI agent Michael Murrieta—the descendant of a real masked legend—must go undercover at her hiding place…a sensual retreat, where decadence and sin beckon from every room.

Once immersed in this world of pleasure, Claire and Michael find themselves teased by the languidly sexual environment—and their blazing attraction to each other. But even as they “mask” their true identities, it’s too late.

Now Claire and Michael are caught up in the danger…and their desire. And the longer they stay in the sensuous world, the more dangerous it is!

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Dinca’s review of Delicious Do-Over (Spring Break, Book 1) by Debbi Rawlins
Blaze published by Harlequin Blaze 19 Apr 11

I’m so disappointed in this book. I usually like Debbi Rawlins, and that is the only reason I finished reading this one. It never got better.

There’s so much wrong with this storyline, I wasn’t sure I would finish it.

First, the author needs to learn how FaceBook works, for starters. Or explain herself better.

I also cannot imagine a good-looking, 29-year-old woman not having sex after her spring break affair. I really don’t care to read about dumb blondes making stupid decisions, no matter how smart and practical the writer says she is. This tale would had been better and more believable if the author had given Lindsey a life after college.

As for Rick Granger… if he missed her, he would have found her, even with the false name. He knew where she went to school. Any yearbook would have solved the problem.

There is another book in the series. It’s about the next friend and her “Do-Over.” I don’t think I will have a do-over.

Grade: D

Summary:

On the cusp of a new business venture, überpractical accountant Lindsey Shaw has reluctantly let her friends talk her into a “second spring break” in Hawaii. Now she’s in Waikiki…and even reuniting with her wickedly hot one-night fling from years ago! Only Lindsey is feeling a tingle of fear—or is that sweet, sweet anticipation?

Rick Granger has his own fear—that gorgeous, smart Lindsey might discover more about him than he’s ready to reveal. She thinks he’s just a surfer dude—fine with him, it keeps things uncomplicated. Only, complications whip up like waves once Lindsey dips a toe in his waters….

Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:

LynneC’s review of Just Let Go by Kathleen O’Reilly
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 21 Jun 11

While this Blaze does have sizzle and steam, the interactions outside the bedroom are as good as the ones inside it. With vivid characters and a memorable setting, this book is hard to overlook.

The story takes place in the small town of Tin Cup, Texas. Years ago, local bad boy Austin left and ever since the town has vilified and derided him. In fact, Austin made good and now works as a lobbyist for a Texas politician. When he comes back to Tin Cup on a visit, he encounters old flame Gillian Wanamaker, now the sheriff, and the sparks fly.

I love Gillian. Although she’s sheriff, and she does a great job, she is also a girly-girl in her private life and far from super-confident. However, she knows her place in the world and is comfortable in it, until Austin comes back to town. Years ago he stood her up on prom night, and almost her first act when he returns is to get him back for that act. He never explained, and he doesn’t now, until the end of the book. But we know he will.

Austin isn’t an all-around good guy. He does his best, even though the job of political lobbyist doesn’t really give a guy clean hands. He works hard for a man he knows isn’t perfect. I like that too. And I enjoy the difference in the job and watching Austin work his job. He’s an ace fixer, can wheel and deal and get people together. He used to be a car mechanic and the town of Tin Cup still views him as such. The town doesn’t trust him, and neither does Gillian.

While her family features in this book (well, it is a small-town romance) they are fun characters and they don’t overwhelm the story, as I’ve seen happen elsewhere. As Gillian and Austin get closer to each other, the story concentrates more on them.

I adore the way Gillian shows Austin what he missed that night. That was going to be her prom night – and the night she lost her virginity. She didn’t wait for him and she wasn’t a virgin. Thank goodness. She gave it up to someone else she still likes, but there weren’t the sparks she expected with Austin. So she takes him to the sleazy make-out place, not the romantic one, and she seduces him. The sex is raw and hot, and afterwards, she walks away. Saunters away. Go, Gillian.

The story develops in a believable way without coincidence or deus ex machina going on. Gillian discovers that the railroad the town had been counting on is being diverted to a different, more politically advantageous town, and she goes to the big city, in this case, Austen (yes, that’s deliberate) to confront Austin and to persuade him to help her.

Austin is bowled over by Gillian, but she doesn’t have everything her way. I won’t spoil it for you, but the struggle to save the railroad intersperses their burgeoning relationship and gives them a common goal. The characters have inner, more personal problems to overcome, too.

The vivid character depiction and the description of the small town of Tin Cup add color and vivacity to a book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Grade: B+

Summary:

As town sheriff and all around go-to girl, Gillian Wanamaker has always gotten everything she’s ever wanted—except Austen Hart on prom night ten years ago. She’s never forgiven or forgotten his disappearing act, and now the super-sexy bad boy of Tin Cup, Texas, is back! And Gilly’s getting even! Austen’s not the only one who can love ‘em and leave ‘em. And she’s gonna love him, sugar.

All. Night. Long.

The leaving part is tougher. Especially when important Tin Cup business keeps throwing them together. But if she ever hopes for more, will Austen leave her again?

Read an excerpt.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Should’ve Been a Cowboy (Sons of Chance, Book 4) by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 24 May 11

It happens.  Eventually every reader hits their “breaking point” when it comes to a series.  Like most things in life, there is no hard and fast rule.  Every reader is different.  In some cases I can make it 20+ books in before I “break up” with a series.  Others, I’m still going strong with.  In the case of Vicki Lewis Thompson’s Sons of Chance series for Blaze?  I think this one, book four, might have been the undoing.

Tyler Connelli is up for a big promotion with the luxury vacation cruise line she works for.  However, before setting off to her next exotic locale, she’s swinging by Jackson Hole, Wyoming to visit her very pregnant sister, Morgan.  Little does she know that Alex Keller is also in residence at Last Chance Ranch.  It was at her sister’s wedding that Tyler had an explosive roll in the hay (literally – they did it in a hayloft!) with Alex, who was still licking his wounds over his divorce.  Having relocated from Chicago, Alex now works for the Chance family.  The same family her sister married into.  And suddenly that quick, memorable roll in the hay is casting a very long shadow.

Here’s the problem with this story – it’s got a very been there, done that feel to it.  The conflict, which has the heft and consistency of wet tissue paper, consists of Tyler and Alex thinking that they can just bounce off each other while she’s in town, get the attraction out of their systems, and go along their merry way.  Tyler’s upcoming promotion fits in there too, but given that it lacks any real urgency, it’s hard to consider it actual “conflict.”  We’re talking a Blaze here, a line I read for “fun and sexy” more so than “angst and meaty conflict” – but this is still epically thin for “fun and sexy” standards.  It also doesn’t help matters (at all) that this Let’s Just Be Bang-Buddies “conflict” is prevalent in each of the three previous books in the series.  Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

Now, you might be thinking to yourself, “Well Wendy – you are once again being a disagreeable piss-pot.  Plus, I haven’t read any of the three previous books, so I’m not worried about the conflict sounding monotonous.”  Which would be the point in this review where I warn readers unfamiliar with the series, that Series-Itis has now come calling, unpacked its bags, and is settling into Last Chance Ranch like it’s the family homestead.  The first several chapters feature many previous characters, all of whom don’t bring anything to the fact that Tyler has learned Alex is still in town.  They just stand around blathering on about nothing, to the point where even I (who know who all these people are) am like, “Blah, blah, blah – don’t care!  Let’s get to the main couple of this story thankyouverymuch.”

So yeah, this book sort of left me in a bad mood.  Thompson can write fun and sexy better than just about anybody in the romance business, but here it falls very flat.  I’ve heard all of this before – in the previous three books in the series.  Which I might have been able to roll with if Tyler and Alex had elevated themselves above “characters” and felt like “real people” to me.  Which they don’t.  Bother.

Grade: D

Summary:

Party organizer Tyler O’Connell is on the fast track to her dream career. She’s so close she can almost taste it. But when she returns to her family and sees her one-night stand, Alex Keller, all done up in his cowboy gear, her self-control is stretched to the breaking point….

They’re worlds apart. She’s a busy career girl, and Alex is a cowboy. But while getting together might not bode well for anything long-term, it more than makes up for it in sheer hot chemistry! Problem is, this is one wrangler she might want to get tied down—and tied up—to…indefinitely!

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Dinca’s review of Seduce and Rescue by Jillian Burns
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 1 Oct 10

This book is HOT! I got a kick out of the “opposite attract” components in the story. He is a stogy old sick in the mud running through life consisting of one daily routine after another. She’s a peppy free spirit running through life on instant energy surrounding her.

Lieut. Col. Ethan Grady has lost a bet with his buddies. The penalty for losing the bet is a massage appointment to which his buddies deliver him, located on the Las Vegas Strip. He would rather be back in the Gulf War than here. They take him to an herb shop with the aromatherapy massage owner, the eccentric and very sexy Lily Langford. He has never had a massage before and is reluctant when she has him strip down to skivvies. Lily begins the massage with aromatic scents and candles burning around the room. Ethan, far from comfortable in the situation and his physical reaction to it, accidentally knocks over some lit candles when he jackknifes off the table. Flames ignite the room and he discovers she has no fire extinguisher. With all the oils in the room, it doesn’t take long for her business to burn down.

With her business and her home are destroyed. She and Ethan manage to save her pets, but now she has nowhere to go. With Ethan feeling guilty about destroying her home and business, he offers her the only solution he can think of…his condo.  Lily’s style of living and vitality spill over into Ethan’s apartment on the first day. From yoga in the nude to sofa cushions and pets, Ethan knows his life will never be the same with her meddling in his life.

Lily feels karma has sent Ethan to her and she desperately tries to help him in all the ways available to her. She tries to lighten his black aura with her spirit and colorful ways. But every time she touches him, they start to sizzle together.

The ending has a few twists and turns, which surprise me. The story is sexy, hot and totally different than anything I have read in a very long time. I will be reading more of the works of Jillian Burns.

Grade: A

Summary:

Lieutenant Colonel Ethan Grady is having his very first massage with a rather eccentric but smokin’-hot redhead, Lily Langford. But her touch isn’t so much calming as it is very distracting. When he accidentally sets Lily’s business and home ablaze, Ethan can’t tell if the smoldering is from the fire…or their attraction to each other!

But now Ethan’s condo is invaded by the free-spirited Lily, who’s convinced that he’s the one who really needs to be rescued. And Lily’s methods? Well, they’re not so traditional. Still, Ethan can’t remember having his chakras aligned so…er, intensely. But will this be rescue—or retreat?

Read an excerpt.

Dinca’s review of A Man for All Seasons by Heather MacAllister
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 16 Nov 10

Funny, cute and adorable, and what a theme for Christmas and any other time of the year.  This is a how-to guide for getting your roommate out of the house so you can have some “alone time” with your girlfriend.

Marlie Waters is a web designer who works from home. She purchased her house even after her engagement fell through. It’s her dream house and she took in a roommate to make sure she could afford the payments. Her roommate, Ty, is her long-time friend from back home. Their parents are best friends and they were always thrown together growing up.  They find they share a comfortable living arrangement while he waits for his house to be finished.  All she has to do is keep her childhood crush buried.

Ty  Burton just wants some privacy. His girlfriend is a client of Marlie’s, and after Marlie catches them striping on the couch he’s desperate. So desperate he purchases twelve dates with as many men at a fund raiser to get Marlie out of the house so he can seduce his girlfriend in private.

Ty’s plan starts backfiring when he discovers mousy little Marlie has a hidden sexy side.  He starts showing up at the door as ‘big brother’ to intimidate her dates.  He even doubles with his girlfriend on one of them.  The 12 Days of Christmas charity auction turns into his worst nightmare. With each day that goes by, he wants Marlie more… for himself.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s quick, fun read, and I am glad I didn’t pass it by.

Grade: A

Summary:

Marlie Waters’s Christmas List:

1. Get a roommate so she can afford her mortgage after broken engagement.

2. Check! Her old family friend Tyler Burton needs a room. So what if he’s been her longtime crush?

3. Ramp up her home-business success.

4. Oops. She works so much that Ty presents her with a 12 Days of Christmas charity auction dating package—just to get her out of his hair!

5. Okay, get a move on with twelve surprisingly fun dates.

6. Hmm. Start to see Ty as pretty hunky…and living under the same roof.

7. Wow. Kiss Ty. Get hot ‘n’ heavy under the tree one night!

8. Start to believe in holiday magic…

9. …until Ty breaks her heart again.

10. Make a new Christmas list. Well, maybe after unwrapping Ty just one more time….

Read an excerpt.

Dinca’s review of Too Hot To Print by Stephanie Bond
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 1 Jan 10

Too Hot to Print is a sexy and fun quick read. No thinking outside the box here. The hero and heroine meet and decide to indulge in a fantasy for an evening. Why not, Gabrielle always says a woman needs to take possession of her sensual side…

Gabrielle Pope is a dowdy librarian who belongs to the Red Tote book club. The club reads the old sensual classics, and now her body is running on overdrive. After a chance encounter with the sexy out-of-towner Henry Wells, she is more than ready to indulge in a one-night stand. She takes the plunge and shows up at the hotel meeting.

Henry Wells finds himself driven to discover what is under that buttoned-up brown sweater. He can’t imagine anything less than perfection. Too bad he is only here for a few more days and nights. Once Henry gets the chance to massage his way to ecstasy, he finds this woman just might be enough to last a lifetime.

Once I downloaded this e-novella, I enjoyed the fast, fun pace. It is well written and no typos were found to disrupt the enjoyment of the story, as has happened in other ebooks. I don’t believe I’ve ever given an author top honors here at TGTBTU, but this book definitely deserves it.

Grade: A+

Summary:

How much sex is too much sex? That’s what librarian Gabrielle Pope is wondering. Thanks to a chance encounter with sexy-as-sin Henry Wells, she’s indulging in sensual acts she’s never even dreamed of. And she’s loving every minute of it…

Unfortunately, Henry’s not a local–he’s only in town on a seven day business trip. So Gabrielle has to decide–does she go back to searching for Mr. Right, or give in and totally indulge with Mr. Right Now. Because if this is going to be the best sex of her life, she’s can’t waste a single minute of it….

Read an excerpt.

Dinca’s review of The Ex Factor by Nancy Warren
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 1 Oct 10

I have never read any works by Nancy Warren and I find reading The Ex Factor strange. However, knowing the book will end in happily ever after, I’m surprised to find myself reading about a divorced couple, including a cheating husband. Not to mention finding it hard to believe the heroine would jump back into bed with the ex-husband.

I love the name of Karen Petersham’s wedding planner business, If You Can Dream It. It does heighten the imagination. When Karen’s appointment shows up with her ex-husband in tow, she assumes he’s to be the groom… even if he is her ex-husband. Her pride is stinging thinking that he’s coming to her to get himself remarried. When she was married to him, she caught him cheating on her, so she thinks why not flaunt this new woman in her face as well.

Dexter Crane has one chance to redeem himself by helping his friends plan their wedding. Karen had divorced him because she thought he was unfaithful. Instead of saving him from a compromising position, she condemned him and walked off, leaving him to fend for himself.  Now presented with the opportunity to be in constant contact with his ex-wife, he’s not going to let the opportunity pass them by. He’s hard-pressed to keep the amusement from his eyes when Karen finds out he’s not the groom.

As Dexter sets out to create the perfect wedding for his friends, he takes every opportunity to romance Karen back into his life and her bed. As the book progresses it’s hard to believe why he even bothers. She’s having sex with Dexter while she’s trying to meet men online. Not the usual kind of heroine you find in a Harlequin romance.

I’m left with a lot of questions. Does she love him as much as he loves her? If she cares for him why doesn’t she try to be more possessive of him when she finds the girl all over her husband. If Karen loves him, she should fight for him, and just not have walked away from her marriage so easily before. I find this heroine has a lot of emotional problems. She is kind and loving and wonderful with her female friends and rude and obnoxious to their male friends. She even calls her best friend’s fiancé an emotional cripple. I guess it takes one to know one. I feel that Karen needs counseling to get her own emotions together before she attempts any kind of personal relationship.

There is a secondary romance in this book that I feel deserves a story of its own. I really enjoyed Laurel and the boring accountant, Ron who falls in love over spy novels.

Although I feel the book is well-written, I think Karen needs to get her stuff together and Dexter needs to suck it up and find someone who deserves him. Since the book is well-written, I will look for another Nancy Warren novel and give her another try. Ms. Warren gets an A for a well-written novel, an F for her heroine and a C for her hero, and Laurel and Ron get to live happily ever after. Due to the instability in Karen and Dexter’s relationship, they will have their ups and downs.

Grade: C

Summary:

Wedding planner Karen Petersham loves weddings—usually. Her newest client, Sophy, has brought along her best man for advice. And the best man is none other than Karen’s sexy ex-husband, Dexter Crane. But there are rules when engaging in ex-sex:

1) Do not get romantically involved (obviously)

2) All fun. No fight.

3) Two words—booty call!

4) (Reminder: nix the romantic involvement)

5) Remember why it ended (important!)

6) And get out before you fall in love with him again…

Read an excerpt.

Dinca’s review of Private Sessions by Tori Carrington
Contemporary Romance ebook  published by Harlequin Blaze 01 Oct 10

Tori Carrington continues the tale of the Metaxas family and the collapsing town of Earnest, Washington in Private Sessions, a sizzling (and I mean get up and take a cold shower type of sizzle) love affair between Bryna Metaxas and Caleb Payne. This book has it all: lust and passion, hurt and disappointment, and last but not least…love. The spiraling effect will keep you on the edge to the last page.

Bryna Metaxas is tired of being the little cousin in the family business and sets out to prove she is a viable player in Metaxas Lumber Mill. After the mess her cousin Ari made in seducing the fiancé of a prospective business partner, Manolis Philippidis, she presents a business proposal to Caleb Payne, his hired consultant, in one last-ditch effort to save the Mill and the devastated town of Earnest, Washington. The steamy sexual tension between them keeps the cold, calculated business tactics in motion.

Caleb Payne has wanted her the moment she walked through his office door. He would like nothing more than to tell her once again he is not interested in doing business with Metaxas Lumber Mill or its players. The only thing he is interested in is getting one Bryna Metaxas naked in his bed or any other flat surface.  Used to getting what he wants when he wants it, for as long as he wants it, Caleb is not sure what to make of Bryna. He wishes for a woman who would provide a few surprises. Did he find her and what would he have to do to have her?

I really, really enjoyed this book. I kept saying one more chapter and I would turn out the light. Ha! It was well after midnight when I finished the last page and restrained myself from waking my husband. Jeez, but I really wanted too.

It looks like I will have to continue with the next saga of the town of Earnest, Washington and the troubled Metaxas Lumber Mill Company. That piece of the puzzle is left unfinished. We still have Bryna’s cousin Troy and Caleb’s friend, Palmer DeVoe, who is also from the town of Earnest.

After visiting the Tori Carrington’s web site I have discovered why the sex scenes are so vivid.  They are Lori and Tony Karayianni, a couple writing together as a team and, boy, what a team. I have some catching-up reading to do by this duo.

Grade A

Summary:

The Players:
1) Caleb Payne. Calculating entrepreneur. Avowed bachelor. He takes what he wants—in the boardroom and the bedroom!

2) Bryna Metaxas. Emotionally invested in her family’s business. About to enter into a business deal with Caleb that will shock her on every level…And she’ll love every minute of it.

The Situation:
Dangerously hot, filled with steamy sexual tension and cold business machinations.

The Turning Point:
Caleb makes a critical error. And in the fallout, he realizes that he’s lost far more than he gained—he’s given up his one chance at happiness. He’d have to pull off the coup of a lifetime to earn Bryna’s trust—and love—again.

Then again, that’s all part of the plan…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Dinca’s review of Flashpoint by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 1 Jul 08

Jill Shalvis defiantly lights a fire with this one. The sparks are flying from page one. I can’t believe the hammock the hero is lazing in doesn’t go up in flames when the heroine’s gaze lusted upon him. Talk about hot stuff.

The story is about Brooke O’Brian, who takes a temp job as an EMT with the Santa Rey Fire Department where Zack Thomas also works as a firefighter. The camaraderie and friendship are strong. The place runs like a winning team with all the players functioning at their best during an emergency call. But around the firehouse it’s more like an elementary school yard. They even give Brooke a nickname and refuse to call her anything else except ‘New Hire’.

Brooke has inherited a house from her grandmother she had never met.  Her six-week temp job allows her the time to pack it all up before putting it on the market and moving on. During the packing up she runs across some old diaries of her grandmother that has her wishing she had known her. Since she’s never lived long in one place compliments of her wanderlust mother,  she wonders what that would be like, to fit in and belong somewhere. More than the house and the diaries are making her feel that way. Zack is taking hold on her as well.

Zack Thomas does not do commitment. He doesn’t even know what it is when it comes to personal relationships.  He’s committed to his job and his coworkers/friends. That’s all he knows. His parents died in a fire when he was young and his brother raised him until he turned eighteen, and then he moved to L.A. Since then he’s been on his own with no family ties.  No commitments. He knows he wants a taste of Brooke, but will one taste be enough?

Zack suspects arson in several of the fires throughout the book. He thinks it’s a coverup and starts investigating on his own. The fire inspector, who Zach feels knows his job, keeps telling him to butt out. His boss also tells him the same — or his job is on the line. In every chapter I’m thinking it’s a different person, so I will let you wonder as I did. I was truly surprised at the ‘who done it’ in the end.

Ms. Shalvis has written a wonderful tale and I am glad I had the opportunity to read her work. This is my first of her books, but I can assure you I will look for the opportunity to read her work again.

Grade: A

See Sandy M’s review and Holly’s review.

Summary:

Zach Thomas risks his life battling flames every day. But since sexy EMT Brooke O’Brian joined the crew, he can’t resist playing with fire. Brooke is feisty, a little uptight…and sexy as hell. And as Zach soon discovers, she’s definitely hot stuff between the sheets. Still, every firefighter knows that the hotter the blaze, the faster the action’s over….

After the whirlwind ride Zach’s been taking her on, Brooke is ready to do anything for this man in and out of bed! But she knows footloose and fancy-free Zach doesn’t do commitment. So she plans to build up a five-alarm fire between them. The kind he won’t ever want to put out…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Captive by Joanne Rock
Historical Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 01 Apr 10

I’ve enjoyed many of the Blaze historicals, but it helps to walk into these with a firm understanding of what they are.  Like contemporary Blazes, these are quick, fun, sexy reads.  If you’re looking for juicy historical detail?  Yeah, these probably aren’t what you’re looking for.  That said, this latest offering from Joanne Rock did deliver some surprises.

Lady Gwendolyn is a Saxon widow with no desire to remarry.  However, she might not have much choice in the matter.  Her parents are dead, and she’s thrown herself at the mercy of her odious former guardian because he’s the lesser of two evils when compared to her in-laws.  It’s to his benefit to marry her off again, so our gal is just sitting around waiting for the other shoe to drop.

It drops in the form of Wulf Geirsson, a Viking warrior, who storms the castle and decides to take her captive.  Our boy is in need of a distraction, and one look at Gwen is all it takes.  Distracted he is.  Oh, and horny.  But as these two fall in love, they are confronted by old enemies.

Of all the Blaze historicals I’ve read, this one is one of the better ones when it comes to delivering a nice sense of place and historical detail.  I liked that Gwen put up a fight, I liked that Wulf, while a warrior, was gentle enough to earn her trust.  I got a real sense of the conflict that was standing in the way of their happily-ever-after.  The love scenes sizzle (a requirement for a Blaze book) and I believed in the romance.

What I found harder to believe in was the resolution to one bit of the conflict.  Frankly, it smacked of a cop-out, especially after this villain had demonstrated how determined he was to be a thorn in Wulf’s side.  There’s also a small matter of a traitor not being dealt with.  Since this traitor toyed with Gwen, I found it shocking that Wulf didn’t deal with this minor detail in some excruciating fashion.  Uh, especially since by that point he was madly in love with her.  Seriously, I can’t see a Viking just letting that one go.

While the ending didn’t tie everything up in an always satisfactory manner, this was still a solid read, with enough historical (and naughty) bits to keep me flipping the pages.  There is a loyal band of Viking lovers in historical romance fandom, and for those readers this book is definitely worth a look.

Grade: B-

Summary:

What’s a little bondage between enemies?

Women should be sweet, mild mannered…docile. Unfortunately, Lady Gwendolyn, a rich Saxon widow, is none of those things.

And Viking warrior Wulf Geirsson wants her desperately! One glimpse of the brazen beauty scrambling over the castle ramparts, and he knows he has to have her. Especially when she takes a tumble and lands at his feet.

But Wulf quickly finds that taking Gwendolyn and keeping her are two different things. And once she decides to engage in a seductive assault of her own, he’s the one captivated….

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Slow Hands by Leslie Kelly
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Blaze 1 Jun 08

This wasn’t slated as a book to review. It came as a freebie on my new ereader, so I was just playing around with the whole thing, started reading this book and had it totally read before I knew it. It’s that much fun.

Madeleine is in a crazy situation again all due to her sister, Tabitha. After bidding huge bucks on the sexy gigolo at an auction that benefits children, the one her sister is sure is the target of their two-timing stepmother, Maddy now has to retreat gracefully while not succumbing to the man’s charms. And that’s becoming quite difficult.

He can’t believe the sum someone’s willing to pay for a baseball game and hot dogs, which is what Jake is offering to the lucky winner of his auction. When he realizes, however, that the woman who made the highest bid is the beautiful goddess he spied while waiting his turn to strut onstage, he’s more than happy to get to know her. Too bad she doesn’t feel the same. But a higher power is at work when a stranger gives him the information he needs to find his mystery lady.

Finally giving in to the man to spend the day with him, Maddy figures that’s the only way to get rid of him. She’s in for a surprise, though, at how easy he is to talk to, to share with, to fall under the influence of his charm and his smile. If only he didn’t take money to be with a woman they might have something she’d like to explore further.

Jake is intent on telling Maddy the truth when she blurts out who she thinks he is and why she bid on him, but he decides to go along with her crazy scheme to see how far she’ll go. But once he knows he’s in love with her, telling all is much harder than he’d expected when there’s a chance she could walk out of his life.

Maddy is afraid of love, actually doesn’t believe in it since no one in her family has every truly found it or benefited from it. Whereas, Jake comes from a family full of love. You know she’s falling hard when she asks Jake to stay for her scheme and you hope she finally gets over his past and sees what’s right in front of her.

These are two terrific characters. They have fun together despite everything. The sex is sizzling and romantic. I enjoyed the way Jake melted Maddy’s ice princess facade little by little. The secondary characters are quite varying, most having an impact on Maddy and her perceptions.

This is my first book by Ms. Kelly and it definitely won’t be my last. I had a lot of fun with her characters and her writing. I look forward to more of this kind of fun in the future.

Grade: B

Summary:

Thanks to a mix-up at a bachelor auction, paramedic Jake Wallace has been mistaken for a high-end male gigolo! He can’t understand why he “sold” for so much, or why a woman like super-rich, super-sexy Madeleine Turner would have to buy a date in the first place. But one thing’s for sure…he wants her. And he’s ready to play any role she wants to keep her in his life long enough to melt the “ice queen’s” cold heart.

Read an excerpt.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s Duckies Do Series Review of The Sons of Chance by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Contemporary romances released by Harlequin Blaze Jun – Aug 2010

After taking time away from her category roots to write single title contemporaries and paranormals, I was happy to see Vicki Lewis Thompson return to Harlequin Blaze with a new trilogy.  While my experience with her backlist is hit or miss, she can always be counted on to write sexy banter and hello?  I’m a girl who can’t say no to a cowboy.  Yes, I am that easy.  Given my current reading backlog, I settled in to read these books back-to-back-to-back.

Wanted!
1 Jun 10

Photographer Dominique Jeffries has come to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to lick her wounds.  This Chicago gal reined in her fun-loving, impulsive tendencies to please a stuffed-shirt boyfriend who ended up cheating on her.  She’s taking pictures of the pretty scenery when she sees a prettier shirtless, sweaty cowboy digging fence posts.  That cowboy is none other than Nick Chance, the middle son of the family whose ranch house she’s staying at.  But she doesn’t know that….

This story started out fun and sexy with a sizzling sexual encounter.  However it all slides south quickly thanks to the heroine who adds a few new definitions to the term “wishy-washy.”  She was all hot to trot to act “impulsive,” having sex with some anonymous cowboy, but when said cowboy turns out to be a Chance boy – well, no can do.  Somehow that made him suddenly unavailable and unattractive to be impulsive with.  Then halfway through the story the author introduces a Big Family Secret.  The problem with that is that we only have half a Blaze book to resolve that issue, and it’s serious enough that I had a hard time believing everyone would be that well-adjusted by the final chapter.  Call me crazy, but I didn’t entirely buy it.

Grade: C

Summary:

Photographer Dominique Jeffries has come to Wyoming to find herself – her creative self, her sexual self. After escaping the engagement from hell, she’s dying to break loose and live a little. And seducing a shirtless, sweaty cowhand looks like just the place to start!

Nick Chance isn’t exactly a cowhand but, hey, he’ll be whatever the lady wants! Only he soon realizes that this is more than just a quick roll in the hay. There’s something about Dominique that calls to him, something about her that completes him.

There’s only one problem. Dominique wants a fling, not another relationship.

Little does she guess how easily she’ll be persuaded to take a Chance – again and again and again!

Read an excerpt

Ambushed!
1 Jul 10

Baby brother Gabe Chance has come home from the rodeo circuit with a injured horse he saved from the slaughterhouse.  It’s while he’s home helping with the horse that he runs into old high school chum, Morgan O’Connelli.  Sparks fly, and these two crazy kids can’t stay away from each other.  The fly in the ointment?  Morgan is the new real estate agent in town, and the Chance family doesn’t think too highly of the profession ever since the family patriarch passed away suddenly.  Real estate agents practically beat a path to their door.  Oh sure, the house is great – but it’s the land that’s prime.  But are Morgan and Gabe really going to settle down and be an item?  Or is this just a temporary fling?

This story was really great…for a while.  Morgan is sassy, spunky and not afraid to speak her mind.  Gabe is charming and flirtatious, and even though he’s the baby of the family, he’s not spoiled or coddled.  The banter is sizzling, the romance is engaging, the conflict works well.  So what happens?  The ending.  Suddenly in the last couple of chapters the author decides to have Morgan waffling about if she ever wants to have children.  How this tacked on conflict is resolved was incredibly insulting and so infuriating that I almost chucked my Sony Reader across the room.  Ugh!

Grade:  C-

Summary:

Morgan O’Connelli hated the restless lifestyle she’d had as a child. All she wants now is to create a real home in small-town Wyoming. So first she hangs up her real-estate agent shingle…then she promptly borrows the horse of the hottest cowboy in town!

Cutting-horse champion Gabe Chance is blown away by the feisty redhead who unexpectedly lands right in his bed…and, soon enough, his heart! Morgan’s perfect for him in every way. Until he realizes that while she’s turned out to be everything he never knew he wanted, he’s got everything someone in her profession has ever wanted…his family’s ranch.

And that’s a legacy he’s just not willing to give up—not even for the sexiest woman he’s ever fallen for….

Read an excerpt

Claimed!
1 Aug 10

Oldest brother Jack Chance has been running the family ranch ever since his father died in an accident.  Jack blames himself for that accident, and the fall-out resulted in him dumping bar owner Josie Keller.  But now his youngest brother Gabe is getting hitched.  He wants Jack to be the best man, and his blushing bride wants Josie to be the maid of honor.  Will Jack and Josie be able to get along for the sake of not ruining the wedding day?

This book is the pay-off book.  The one that I had been waiting for.  Jack is surly and a pain-in-the-ass in the previous two books, so I was looking forward to him groveling and mending his ways.  He has to come to terms with his father’s death and learn how to shoulder the ranch responsibilities without making everyone else crazy.  I liked Josie a lot.  She’s smart, she’s funny, and she gives as good as she gets.  However, given the awful way Jack treated her, and the fact that he truly broke her heart, I thought she should have been better at controlling her hormones.  Hey, I don’t care how hot the guy is – if he treats you that badly, the last thing you’re going to do is rush right back into a fling with him.  Just sayin’.  However, that aside, it was nice to see Jack catch a clue and I think in the end, he’ll do right by Josie.  Lord knows he was a jackass, and she deserves to be treated like a queen.

Grade: B

Summary:

Following a dream brought Josie Keller to Shoshone, Wyoming. Following her heart brought her plenty of great sex with good-time cowboy Jack Chance! She was head over heels for him… until he left her.

Stay with one woman? Not a chance! Then why does Jack miss Josie like crazy? Had their relationship been more than just incredible sex?

Little do Josie and Jack know that a plan’s afoot to get them back in the saddle…together. And once there, it’s not long before they’re burning up the bedsheets again!

But the past is never far away. Before it catches up with them, Jack has to decide if he’s going to stake his claim on Josie, or lose her forever….

Read an excerpt

I found this trilogy to be a bit of an uneven affair, but it did deliver on several levels.  If you’re a reader who is a sucker for hunky cowboys?  Yeah, these guys perform admirably.  Thompson continues to show her flair for sexy, fun, banter and she does a great job of hooking and investing me in the series.  I wouldn’t be surprised if she decides a return trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming is in order.  Heck, Josie has a newly divorced brother ready and waiting.

Overall Grade: C+

We’re happy to see you again here at Duck Chat!

Today Tawny Weber is with us, so sit back and wait for the fun to begin!

Like getting a little hot and bothered when you read your romances? Well, then you need to read Tawny’s Blazes.

I recently met Tawny, and what a time I had. She’s funny and wacky, down to earth, serious about her writing, and swears a blue streak just like me. Needless to say, a good time was had and I’m glad I met this terrific lady.

I know Tawny is going to give away one of her books today, but a decision was never made as to which one. So leave a comment or a question for her and we’ll announce which title is up for grabs later. Doesn’t matter which one, you’ll have one heck of a time reading it!

Now let’s chat!

DUCK CHAT: Welcome to TGTBTU, Tawny! Let’s see. Instead of the usual tell us about yourself question, how about telling us something that even your most hard-core fans don’t even know?

TAWNY WEBER: Hmmmm… Something most fans don’t know?  Okay.  I was an extra in a Sylvester Stallone movie once.

DC: How long have you been writing for Harlequin Blaze? What is it about the line that draws you to write your stories for them?

TW: I sold my first book, Double Dare, to Blaze in 2006. I love writing for Blaze because [Ed. Okay, I would usually delete a question and answer that an author doesn't finish for me for one reason or another, but after the time Tawny and I had getting this interview done, I want to know the answer on this one! Come on, Tawny, finish it for us!]

DC: If you could retire any interview question and never, ever have it asked again, what would it be? Feel free to answer it.

TW: That’d probably be the ‘where do you get your ideas’ question because I don’t know is such a lousy answer <g>

DC: I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions, or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?

TW: When I’m in the zone, it’s always wild to see what happens.  The story twists, information surfaces, characters say things that I had no clue about.  It’s always a great and adds so much depth to the story, as well as giving me motivation to find that zone as often as possible.

DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? Who usually wins?

TW: LOL – no, no arguing here.  I am queen of my little world.  I might get stuck, but I can’t blame them, right?

DC: Your latest story, You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs, is in a book with Tori Carrington titled Blazing Bedtime Stories, Volume III. First, how did the idea of the Blazing Bedtime Stories begin? Would you tell our readers about kissing frogs?

TW: The first Blazing Bedtime Stories anthology was by Kimberly Raye, Leslie Kelly, and Rhonda Nelson and it was fabulous!  As soon as [I read it] I begged my editor to let me write one.  I love fairy tales and seeing modern twists on them is always so entertaining.  In You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs, my hero is put under a curse.  Instead of turning into a frog, though, his winkie is shrinking to tadpole proportions <G>  His reputation and career are about to disintegrate so he heads off to the mountains to try and figure out what to do and finds himself trapped in a cabin with the one woman he wants more than any other and can’t have, his boss’ daughter and his main competition for a job.

DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?

TW: Email.  If I don’t have any to read, I’ll write it instead.

DC: What has been your favorite book cover from all of your releases and why?

TW: Double Dare, because it was my first, will always hold a special place in my heart.  At the moment, I’m totally in love with my current cover for Riding the Waves because it captures the summer lovin’ feel of the story so well.  But my all-time favorite is Risqué Business because it has a pair of really sexy shoes on it.

DC: How about your least favorite cover?  Why?

TW: I don’t think I have a least favorite.  They all represent some aspect of their story and make me smile.

DC: How do you feel your male or female characters have evolved over your career? Do you think you write them differently now than you did when you started?

TW: Great question.  I’ve definitely left my comfort zone in writing my heroines.  Bad girls are easy for me, so writing a wider variety has been a growth process.  I think I’m able to show more depth of character now, and while my heroines are strong, their vulnerabilities are much clearer.

DC: You have connected books with Coming on Strong and Going Down Hard, both of which were released last year. Can you give peek into each book’s characters and how they’re related?

TW: Oooh, I loved writing those stories! Belle and Sierra are the heroines and are best friends and business partners.  The heroes, Mitch and Reece, are cousins, and Reece provides security for Mitch’s business.

DC: Is there a genre you haven’t tackled but would like to try?

TW: I’d love to write light paranormal.  Too bad the market isn’t looking for that right now <g>

DC: What advice would you give to your younger self?

TW: To appreciate each step along the way.  I’m notoriously impatient, but over the years I have learned that its not how fast something happens that matters, it’s the journey itself.

DC: Tell us about your first Blaze, Double Dare.

TW: Audra Walker is the baddest of bad girls and meets the hero when she’s dared to ‘do’ the next guy to walk into the nightclub. She’s trying to grow up and make changes in her life, but is afraid of losing her friends and sense of identity if she does.  Sexy undercover cop suspects her of being in the middle of an identity theft ring and has to watch her very VERY closely to solve this crime.

DC: Still remember “the call” and how you felt when you realized you are now a published author? How did you celebrate?

TW: Oh yes!! Its right up there with my favorite memories.  The call came on Memorial Day in 2006, a little before 9 a.m.  It was surreal for the first week or so.  I walked around in a fog, I couldn’t eat, I kept waiting for someone to yell “Gotcha.”  Because it was Memorial Day, we had plans to go to a neighborhood barbeque already so that was my celebration.  I did buy myself a gorgeous pair of boots as a memento, though.

DC:  What romance book would you recommend our readers pick up during their next bookstore run? (Of course, along with a couple of Tawny Weber Blazes!)

TW: I just picked up Nora Roberts’ latest, Savor the Moment, and Beth Andrews’ Do You Take This Cop.  I’m looking forward to Janet Evanovich’s Sizzling Sixteen that’s out in late June, too.

DC: Riding the Waves is due out later this year in September. May we have just a tiny sneak peek?  Please?

TW: How about short excerpt?

Alex Maddow gave a quick shake of his head, his hair flying around his face as the drops of water scattered.  The exhilaration of riding the waves still surged through his body.  Muscles tight, he filled his lungs with the salty evening air and gave a deep sigh of satisfaction.

There was nothing like surfing at sunset.  The colors of the sky, the feel of the cooling air as it whipped around his body while he flew over the water.  Incredible was the only word for it.  God he felt great.

Then he saw her.  There, a glowing jewel against the pristine white adobe of the hotel.  Talk about incredible.  Simply stunning.  Despite the aftereffects of the cold water, his body stirred in hardening awareness.  Images flooded his mind of naked bodies, breathy moans and exquisite pleasure.

Never a man to deny his sexual needs, nevertheless Alex usually knew the woman’s name before he planned the many different ways he’d enjoy her body.  Then again, he’d never experienced this intense, instantaneous lust at first sight reaction to a woman before, either.

His eyes narrowed.  She reminded him of one of those elfish princesses his mother used to read him stories about—the ones he’d always fallen in love with.  Tall and slender, her angular face commanded attention.  Silvery blonde hair waved around her shoulders in a silken cape.  The demureness of the cut of her calf-length sundress was at odds with the vivid turquoise and pink pattern.  Bare toes curled sensually in the sand.

A slow smile of anticipation curved Alex’s lips.  It was like it was meant to be.  From one exhilarating ride to the temptation of another.  Never let it be said that Albert Alexander Maddow didn’t appreciate opportunity when fate placed it right in front of his face.  Especially an opportunity that stole his breath away, filling his mind with sexual challenge.

Through wasting time, he strode across the sand toward her, shoving his wet curls off his face as he moved.  The closer he got, the more intrigued he was.  Not because of her looks, but because of the look she was giving him.  Like she couldn’t decide if he was a crazed axe murderer or how he’d taste covered in chocolate.

From the set of her chin and the way she shifted her body, lifting one shoulder and crossing her arms over her chest, she obviously figured she could handle either option.  Alex grinned.  There was nothing sexier than a confident woman.

And she was even better up close.  Her brows, shades darker than her hair, slashed a strong arch over eyes so blue they were almost the same purple of the sunset bleeding into the ocean.  Her mouth was narrow, the upper lip heavier than the lower.  He wanted to nibble on that lip, to run his tongue over it and see if it was as delicious as it looked.

Had he ever been so intensely, instantly attracted to a woman?  Alex couldn’t recall, and didn’t care.  After all, all that mattered was this moment and this woman.

Until the moment was over.

“Gorgeous,” he commented when he was a couple feet away from her.  Her features didn’t add up to pretty individually, but put together, they were stunning.  His fingers ached to trace the line of her throat down to the gentle swell of flesh pressing against the vivid floral cotton of her dress.

“The surf?” she asked after a brief hesitation.  Even her voice was sexy.  Low and husky, at odds with her ethereal appearance.

“The view,” he clarified, instantly sensing that she wouldn’t appreciate surfeit flirtation.  A man who prided himself in his intuition as much as his brains, he reigned in his instinct to hit hard and intense.

“Do you surf?” he asked, already knowing the answer.  She had that romantic, wouldn’t-it-be-an-adventure look in her indigo eyes.  Not that surfing wasn’t both romantic and adventurous.  But when a surfer looked at the ocean, there was always an overlying layer of respect in their gaze.

“I never have surfed before, no,” she said, her gaze meeting his again.  There was a summing up, a calculation in her deep blue eyes.  He recognized the look.  Felt the sexual pull of it tugging at him.  It was the kind of expression that said she wondered how he’d look without his swim trunks and could he keep it up long enough make her scream with pleasure.

Then, as if realizing he’d caught the look, she blinked.  Color, soft pale pink, swept over her cheeks.  But she didn’t drop her gaze.  Almost defiantly, she kept those indigo eyes on his.

A slow, challenging grin spread over his face.  He was looking forward to showing her both the view and his talents.

“Surfing is like sex,” he told her softly.  “An intense ride on a lover that knows how to push you to your limits, then bring you back to earth with a gentle kiss and invitation to ride again.”

DC: If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?

TW: I’ve spent years as an intuitive consultant, reading Tarot, doing hypnosis and Reiki.  If I hadn’t started writing, I’d likely have added life coach to the mix at this point.

DC: What’s on the horizon for Tawny Weber?

TW: In addition to my September release, Riding the Waves, I have a novella in the Blaze Christmas anthology called Babes in Toyland.  Next year I have three  more Blazes hitting the shelves and am currently working on the first, which features a Uniformly Hot military hero and a battle for control that’s been great fun to write.

Lightning Round:

- dark or milk chocolate?  Milk
- smooth or chunky peanut butter?  Chunky
- heels or flats?  Heels
- coffee or tea?  Tea
- summer or winter?  Summer
- mountains or beach?  Beach
- mustard or mayonnaise?  Mustard
- flowers or candy?  Flowers
- pockets or purse?  Purse
- Pepsi or Coke?   <g> neither, I don’t drink soda
- ebook or print?  Print

And because we still enjoy the answers we get:

1. What is your favorite word? Love
2. What is your least favorite word?  Oh, that ugly swear word that starts with a C.  I cringe when I hear it
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Growth
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Suppression
5. What sound or noise do you love? My daughter’s laughing
6. What sound or noise do you hate?  The sound of a flat tire
7. What is your favorite curse word?  Fuck
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?  Artist
9. What profession would you not like to do?  Anything that involves body fluids
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?  “Well done.”

DC: Thank you for being with us today, Tawny!

Limecello’s review of While She Was Sleeping by Isabel Sharpe
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Apr 10

I have to admit, I got this book because it’s a Blaze book, and because of the premise. Also, while I can’t remember if I’ve read a book by Isabel Sharpe before (I think I have), I’ve heard good things about her. So, I had to give it a try. That being said, it wasn’t quite what I expected – and almost in a good way. I thought there would be a whole forbidden love focus, and while there wasn’t as much of that as expected, an extremely complicated relationship between the sisters did exist. It was a very enjoyable read.

Alana Hawthorne is a heroine who wants to be superwoman, in the sense that all of us do. She wants to be the have it together girl who is in control. She’s always been the good one, and has a strong sense of familial duty. It’s something a lot of us can relate to, but Alana still is unique, and her own person. She just lets her responsibilities become her priority a lot, which makes it challenging for Sawyer. After all, he’s pursuing her, but Alana is about to leave the state. Really, that’s a good thing. Alana is likable, and I enjoyed “getting to know her.”

Sawyer Kern is one of the good guys, but he’s also got a wicked sense of humor, which just made me like him more. He’s caught up in a situation that’s rather delicate and difficult, but can’t resist needling Alana – just because he can. Not fun for her, but very enjoyable for the reader. Sawyer pretty much has it all, but also realizes what’s most important to him in life. He’s also reasonable, and doesn’t turn down opportunities out of spite, and is able to get over resentment or issues he might have.

I really liked this story – while the plot wasn’t what I expected, I thought it was nice and believable the way things turned out. I was a little annoyed at how much Alana was dragging her feet, but it did fit her personality. I also liked Sawyer a lot. There was also the interesting kink how Melanie met Sawyer first. Alana obviously has a fit, but it says good things about Melanie that she’s able to let it go. What bothered me was that Alana was so obviously doing something she didn’t want to do, because she felt she should – even though it wasn’t necessary. However, it wouldn’t really have made sense for her to not act that way.

That being said, I enjoyed the complex dynamics and tricky situation between Alana and Melanie, who although sisters are so very different. I didn’t like, however, how very clueless Melanie was. I did buy her story, however, and while I’m not thrilled with the back cover copy, based on what happened in While She Was Sleeping I’m happy to give it a shot. So… watch for my review of Surprise Me. (But um, with this reading slump I’ve got going, don’t hold your breath.)

Grade: B-

Alana Hawthorne is asleep. And she’s having what can only be described as the Best Dream Ever. There’s a deliciously hot guy, some pretty incredible moves and a conclusion that makes her toes curl. Mmm…yes. But the next morning Alana is shocked to find her fantasy man—for real—sprawled naked beside her in bed.

It only gets worse. The excellently hot Sawyer Kern is her sister’s brand-new boyfriend. The very same guy Alana came by to check on—because Melanie can be just so impulsive. Only now, Alana’s really worried. Because gorgeous Sawyer seems to be looking for a repeat performance….

Lynne Connolly‘s review of His Little Black Book by Heather MacAllister
Contemporary romance, single author anthology released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Mar 10

This is a collection of three stories all circulating around a Houston advertising agency. The stories varied, but the storytelling was solid and they were a nice way to spend a little time.

The anthology is topped and tailed by the story of Jonathan Black, who runs one of the teams at the agency. He secures the company beach house for the weekend and sends a message to his woman of choice to meet him there. Unfortunately he sends the text to everyone in his “little black book,” that is, the list on his phone.

There’s a storm brewing, which puts everybody’s plans out.

I won’t tell you how his story ends, since it’s the conclusion of the collection, but I do have to say that I really enjoyed that part. It works out the way I wanted it to.

“Text and the Single Girl”

Adrian Dean is the inventor of a home gym and it’s made a lot of money for him, but he is considering taking a Super Bowl ad to boost his product. So the agency lent him the beach house, but he’s planning to leave early. He’s packing up his kit when Sophie arrives. Sophie is a junior on the team, and she thinks Jonathan invited her to the beach house to join a beach party. She’s ambitious, and wants to get on. Ross, Jonathan’s second, has stolen her ideas, which she knows is par for the course, but she’d hoped that would advance her career.

I liked that Sophie wanted a career and was savvy about it. And I liked that Adrian had a body to die for but an ordinary face. I loved them together. The banter is great and they stay in character. When Mia realizes something about the campaign and is angry, Adrian is at first bewildered. My only doubt about this was the instant falling in love, but since they don’t immediately want to marry and breed, I could accept that too. I had a fun time with Sophie and Adrian.

Grade: B+

Story Summary:

“Text and the Single Girl” – Junior copywriter Sophie Callahan is thrilled that Jonathan Black has invited her to one of his legendary beach parties, but a storm is approaching and when she arrives, the only person there is the advertising agency’s most important client.  It’s the opportunity of a lifetime if Sophie can resist the temptation to mix business and pleasure.

“Text Appeal”

Mia Weiss is the scheduler for the team. She is on the way to the beach house to meet Jonathan when, because of the storm, her car ends up in the ditch. She is rescued by the owner of a local restaurant, Kevin Powell, who is preparing sandwiches to take to the local shelter, since his power has been knocked out by the storm and so the contents of his freezers will spoil.

Kevin, not surprisingly, is annoyed to be asked to help by the local authorities, and since he can’t produce any ID, Mia at first refuses to open her car doors so he can help. I loved this. Just because he’s ripped, it doesn’t make him trustworthy. But eventually he persuades her and eventually Mia ends up helping him make the sandwiches – and other things.

Kevin’s reasons for holding Mia off are realistic, and thank all the gods of Harlequin, it isn’t because his mother hated him, or he had a girlfriend who was a nasty bitch. No, it makes sense. The speed of their relationship is a little too much, but I could let that pass, because I enjoyed their characters and the way they behaved. Mia wants her career. Hooray. So another B+ for this one.

Grade: B+

Story Summary:

“Text Appeal” – Mia hopes the invitation means the famously hard-to-hook Jonathan wants a commitment–which would be great if only she hadn’t been stranded by the storm and rescued by Kevin, her fantasy beach cowboy.

“Safe Text”

For me, this was the weakest of the trio of stories and it’s mainly due to the characters involved. Gil Shaughnessy is a successful creative and works with his partner, Paul, successfully. He has been in love with Cammy Philips for years, but she only has eyes for Jonathan Black. Paul accuses him of stalking her, and while he doesn’t mean her any harm, yes, I’d agree with Paul. His behaviour, things like making spreadsheets of her likes and dislikes, made me uncomfortable.

Cammy gave up a successful creative career to be Jonathan’s assistant. Poorly paid and at his beck and call, she’s mooned after him for years, but he hasn’t taken notice of her. That despite his wolfish way of life, honing the ability to pick up women and drop them right under her eyes.

So, yes, this is the story of a stalker and a pathetic heroine but because I enjoyed the other two stories, I persevered with this one. I can see what McAllister was trying to do with this story – show the way people swept things clean and got on with their lives – but I couldn’t get with the people in this one, and I can’t say that I enjoyed it as much as the others. I would have preferred it if Cammy had wanted to change, rather than been stuck on Jonathan for so long, and I did like the fact that Gil had decided to stop dressing for Cammy and pleasing her. That part helped to redeem this one, a bit.

Grade: C-

Story Summary:

“Safe Text” – Jonathan’s assistant, Cammy, has been hopelessly in love with him for three years and now he’s finally noticed her. So how does she end up naked in the backseat of a car with Gil, her former creative partner?

I can’t say too much about the epilogue, since it concludes Jonathan’s part in the story of the storm, but it was great and I loved it. Jonathan got what he deserved, which is all I’m saying.

I think that makes this an overall B. Lovely, witty dialogue and believable characters brought this book right up into the fun read for me, but I couldn’t get on with the couple in the last story.

Overall Grade: B

Book blurb:

Three women head to a luxurious beach house after a womanizing bachelor accidentally texts a sexy invitation to his entire little black book.

Read an excerpt here (scroll down).

Limecello’s review of Too Hot to Print by Stephanie Bond
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Jan 10

I have to say, I was somewhat disappointed with this story. I felt that it was more a brief than a novella, and rather mislabeled. I’ll explain more below. However, I do want to point out the very proper and pleasing use of “too” and “to” – so kudos to Stephanie Bond and Harlequin for that one!

I realize that this is a novella, and it’s clearly stated on the cover. Nevertheless, I thought it was a bit short for a novella, and it was more what I would have been expecting in a Spice Brief, than a Harlequin Blaze. It was very short on romance, and aside from the fact that you’re led to believe the characters might give it a go in the end, there isn’t really a happy ending either. (I think the reader is more to assume the characters will get together, than know so.)

Gabrielle Pope and Henry Wells aren’t very developed. Both are strangers to each other, and the reader, unfortunately. Insight into Gabrielle is almost better given by the secondary characters.

Rather than emotions and close interaction, it really seemed to be impersonal sexual encounters. I’m having a tough time quantifying this story. I think had this been marketed as a Spice Brief, it would have gotten an average grade, in the C range. However, as it was sold as a Harlequin Blaze… sadly I was left wanting. There was also something a bit cold about Henry, and slightly pathetic about Gabrielle. Her obsession with being [or not being] an “old spinster librarian” seemed to be the point most expounded.

I do have to say props to Ms. Bond for posting an excerpt on her website.

Grade: D+

Summary:

How much sex is too much sex?That’s what librarian Gabrielle Pope is wondering. Thanks to a chance encounter with sexy-as-sin Henry Wells, she’s indulging in sensual acts she’s never even dreamed of. And she’s loving every minute of it…

Unfortunately, Henry’s not a local—he’s only in town on a seven day business trip. So Gabrielle has to decide—does she go back to searching for Mr. Right, or give in and totally indulge with Mr. Right Now. Because if this is going to be the best sex of her life, she’s can’t waste a single minute of it….

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of Her Secret Fling by Sarah Mayberry
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Jan 10

Sarah Mayberry has to stop it. She’s getting readers – one by one. (Not in the acquiring sense, but in the “I’m gonna getchu” sense.) Making us laugh, and cry, and … well really there aren’t words for it. I don’t actually want Ms. Mayberry to stop. I want her to write more books. More, more, more Blaze books especially. I’ve been in something of a reading slump, but I knew Ms. Mayberry wouldn’t let me down… and she didn’t. This is a terrific story. The characters are unique and unexpected, but so brilliantly normal. She also manages to make a ruined relationship work.

Poppy Birmingham is a great character. I believe she’s an Olympic gold medalist… but aside from being an amazing athlete, she’s rather a novice at all other aspects of life. And that’s what was necessary for her to get where she was in her sport. Unfortunately, this leaves her uncertain and without much confidence in anything but the water. I truly enjoyed reading Poppy’s experiences with a new career, and growth in general.

I have to admit, I got a little annoyed with how stupid Poppy was being or acting… but she knew it too. Which made it more ok. (Though no less self deceptive and annoying.) I still felt for her, however. You can’t dictate your emotions, no matter how logical you’re trying to be – and that’s exactly what happened with Poppy.

Jake Stevens… he’s an ass. A lovable one, yes… but an ass. He’s your “super hero,” – he’s hot, charming, affable, and generally perfect, other than how he treats the heroine. And, women in general, when romantically involved with them. Jake makes up for it with his “grand gesture” – and it was understandable why he acted as he did, and forgivable. He need a major wake up call, and luckily his family is there to give it.

I liked the dynamics between Jake and Poppy. Both were uncertain about things, yet experts in the others. Poppy is a national hero. She’s a world class athlete, but only knows life in competitive swimming. Jake is an excellent journalist, and an acclaimed author. But she’s injured, and he’s stuck. Neither knows how to act in a romantic relationship with feelings involved, and both don’t want to get hurt. They’re both so flawed and refreshingly human.

The secondary characters are fun, and really help move the story along. They don’t distract from Poppy or Jake, rather their colleagues and families give them layers. The family dynamics are extremely different. Poppy’s makes her feel like an outsider, while Jake’s is much warmer and natural. The fact that Poppy is grieving and vulnerable is an important aspect of the story, and both she, and Jake are cognizant of the fact. Ms. Mayberry did a wonderful job.

This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me squee, and forgo all the other tasks I had to complete. (Which were many.) Sarah Mayberry is hands down one of my favorite authors, and if you haven’t read any of her books, get one. Especially this one.

Grade: A-

Summary:

Talk about office politics!

Jake Stevens—star reporter and celebrated literary genius—is a snake. How else to explain the way he turns Poppy Birmingham’s hero worship into loathing with a single conversation? So what if she’s got a lot to learn about journalism? Aren’t they coworkers now? On the same team? Jake can take his attitude and…

Then during a job-related road trip, their relationship goes from antagonistic to hedonistic in no time flat. And suddenly Poppy can’t think of anything more delicious than having a secret fling with Jake. But with all this intensity, can she really keep it no-strings-attached?

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of Power Play by Nancy Warren
Contemporary romance published by Harlequin Blaze on 1 Nov 2009

I really enjoy Nancy Warren’s books. She’s an author I try to keep up with, and am happy to read any of her stories by whatever publisher.  Power Play was no exception, and definitely a great Blaze story. I have to say, I’ve also got a soft spot for hockey player heroes.  And this one’s a cop too. Actually, a cop first – but in the book, he’s at a hockey tournament. No really, this all makes sense. Enjoy.

Emily Saunders is a contradictory heroine. Or, I thought so, but in a way, that makes her realistic. In another way, I found it annoying. Let me explain. Emily is smart, savvy, put together, and has it together. She’s a massage therapist and essentially owns her own business. She has a good life, and is well adjusted and happy. Until she’s around family. Then she’s a giant pushover, and basically a door mat. She knows this. It drives her insane. But she doesn’t do anything about it. (I know this is all too common and prevalent in real life… but fiction! Anyway, there’s always the hope.) I didn’t hold it against her.

Jonah Betts is hot, and adorable. If I think about it too much he’ll be a bit old for me – but… that’s not a universal thing. Jonah is the one who first figures out what is going on at the hotel- and he’s so… there. Once he’s in, Jonah is committed. You know Jonah is a good guy because he keeps his word, and is grown up. Jonah promises to not make a move on Emily, and he doesn’t. In fact, he gets a little pouty because he thinks Emily was just leading him on – but she was waiting for him to act first. I found this to be the cutest, sweetest thing ever. Ever!

If you read Ms. Warren’s website, you’ll see that the horrible hotel situation actually happened. That explains a lot – everything is so realistic, and borderline ludicrous that it had to have been based on an actual experience. The secondary characters are fun and entertaining, and Emily’s family outrageous and infuriating, as they’re supposed to be, I imagine. I also must make a note of the secondary romance. It was fantastic. I almost wish the couple didn’t have their happy ending because I wouldn’t mind reading an entire book devoted to the two of them. (Yes, me. The one who is starting to despise series.)

I’ve come to realize that Ms. Warren’s stories are so… small town and comfortable (at least in feel, though not always in setting) until *bam* you’re hit with some rather outrageous action. Ms. Warren hints at it throughout the book, but its not what you really expect. I can’t decide if this is a good or bad thing, but it definitely comes as a surprise to both the characters, and the reader.  The relative/villain was a bit static – and I thought it was over the top, how Emily’s family acted about him when they thought the two of them were “hitting it off” – but… what can you do. Family is crazy. (And I suppose hard to write realistically when given the word/length restrictions of a category.)

I loved this book… up until the end. I hated the ending. In fact, I disliked it so much I’m going to tell you what it was. (And generally I do my utmost to avoid that.) Do Emily and Jonah end up together? I don’t know. The easy answer is “yes of course.” But really in the book, all the characters say is “no, this wasn’t just a weekend fling!” In fact, Emily starts dwelling on it – in her head only – and Jonah “reassures” her by saying “You think we were done? Silly, we’ll definitely hang out in Portland!” Ok, so that’s not it verbatim, but am I convinced they’ll end up happily ever after and together forever? No. Not necessarily – and that is the reason why I read romances, dammit.

So. Aside from the ending, I really liked the book. Unfortunately, just thinking about the ending annoys me. You’ll notice I still think Power Play is a good book. It just… couldshould have been better. Still, I recommend this book to everyone who likes Blaze books, Ms. Warren’s writing, or is looking for a quick and fun contemporary. Especially those of you who love heroes who play hockey.

Grade: B

Keep her hands to herself?

Not easy for Emily Saunders, who’s in Elk Crossing, Idaho, for a family wedding. She’s double booked in the same hotel room with a sexy cop attending—of all things!—a hockey tournament. As a massage therapist, Emily’s soon itching to soothe Jonah Betts’s gorgeous muscles—both on and off the ice.

Jonah can’t believe his luck—a sexy single woman sharing his cozy room, albeit temporarily. Okay, her orange bridesmaid dress is a disaster and her family is convinced he’s actually her boyfriend. He’s ready to go along with it even as he makes his play….

Until Emily is suddenly calling for a TIME-OUT! Will Jonah’s fantasies be permanently iced?

Read an excerpt here.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Touch Me by Jacquie D’Alessandro
Historical romance released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Oct 09

One thing I’ve noticed about the Blaze historicals is that while they’re certainly fun and sexy, they also require a fair amount of suspension of disbelief.  Of course if you’re looking for meaty historical accuracy you probably shouldn’t be picking up a category romance that clocks in just over 200 pages and is published under a line that promises fast-paced, sexy fun.  But for a pure escapist delight?  These Blaze historicals have been just the ticket.  Jacquie D’Alessandro’s Touch Me continues down that path, and it’s a fairly pleasing read.

Fans will remember former mistress Genevieve Ralston as a secondary character from the author’s Avon single title release, Love And The Single Heiress.  Genevieve is now living in the quiet town of Little Longstone.  Her lover for the past decade has unceremoniously dumped her, and she finds that the local hot springs help the affliction that ultimately caused him to spurn her.  She’s living a quiet life until one day Simon Cooperstone, Viscount Kilburn, shows up on her doorstep.

Going by the name Simon Cooper, he’s come to Little Longstone to clear his name.  Genevieve’s former lover moved in powerful circles and has been murdered!  Unfortunately for him, Simon was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and now he’s the prime suspect.  As a spy for the crown, Simon convinces his superiors to give him time to clear his name.  Seems the dead man gave Genevieve a puzzle box, which contains a letter effectively clearing Simon’s good name and unmasking the identity of the real killer.

I know.  When it comes to Romance Land, spies are more prevalent than Dukes in Regency historicals.  But for readers not totally burnt out on spy games, this is a quick sexy read.  Genevieve may have been a mistress, but it hurt when her lover spurned her affections.  She entered their arrangement out of necessity, but after a decade together it’s no wonder that she ultimately fell in love with him.  She’s finally starting to move on with her life, and has absolutely no interest in starting a new relationship or giving her heart to another man.  Then Simon comes along, and the chemistry between them sizzles.

Simon comes to Little Longstone not knowing Genevieve’s roll in her lover’s death.  It’s possible she could have done him in, or hired someone else to do it for her!  However as he spends time with her, he quickly deduces that she’s not only innocent, but doesn’t even know her former lover is dead.  She also doesn’t realize that the puzzle box and innocuous letter are bringing danger to her front door.

Both of these characters have secrets they’re hiding, and it is bothersome that Simon isn’t more open with Genevieve after he deduces she’s an innocent bystander in this whole affair.  Still, I guess being a spy is a hard habit to break.  The ending is terribly romantic, although I’m not sure how terribly realistic – as the happy ending required of a romance novel is certainly going to have fall-out for Simon, who’s a bloody Viscount!  But if you’re looking for fun, sexy, romantic, and an enjoyable way to kill a few hours?  Look for no further.

Grade: B

Summary:

Pleasing a man is something former mistress Genevieve Ralston does very well. But after her lover callously dumps her, she’s definitely off men…until she meets Simon! He’s brooding. Sexy. And she can’t keep her hands off him….

But Simon Cooperstone, Viscount Kilburn, is a spy. His mission: retrieve a mysterious letter in Genevieve’s possession. Intent on seducing her secrets from her, he forgets to guard one thing: his heart.

Each stroke of Genevieve’s talented fingers unleashes his deepest desires. Too late, he realizes that while he may be a master of the art of seduction, he’s no match for a sensual mistress….

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Harlequin Blaze is one of my favorite category lines (no surprise the other is Silhouette Desire), and I’ve also enjoyed Rhonda Nelson and Lori Borril’s previous books, so buying these three books made perfect sense. For Ms. Nelson, I love her military heroes, and was very intrigued by the premise of each book. For Ms. Borril, I have to say I was skeptical, but was willing to give her characters a chance, based on previous books.

Limecello’s review of Letters from Home by Rhonda Nelson
Contemporary romance published by Harlequin Blaze on 1 Jun 2009

Admittedly, I love military heroes. And I love a friends to lovers story. I also happen to really like Rhonda Nelson’s Blaze books, so it logically follows that I enjoyed Letters from Home.

Natalie is a unique heroine, and I liked her, despite the fact that… she does something that made me cringe in a major way. I generally identify with the heroine, so I really hate it when she puts herself in a sticky spot. (I imagine most anyone hates feeling trapped and potentially foolish.) Nevertheless, I admire the fact that Natalie is willing to put it out there. She is in love with Levi, and is going to go after him – no matter what. In the end, however, it all works out because retains her sense of self, so I really enjoyed and appreciated that.

Levi is a great hero, although a little clueless. I was impressed by his character, and his dedication. It was actually somewhat cute, how confused yet enthralled he was by the letters, and then Natalie. Their interaction was what one would expect and want to find in a Blaze book. Levi and Natalie’s personalities mesh, and I think that a nice compromise is worked out between the couple. I’m glad I read this book.

Grade: B+

Subject: Levi McPherson, Army Ranger.

Current status: Active duty.

Mission: Locate a sexy, unidentified correspondent. Conduct very private negotiations!

Obstacle: Natalie Rowland, longtime star of his X-rated dreams…

Levi McPherson’s tour of duty has an unexpected benefit: anonymous red-hot love letters! Someone he knows is mailing the rugged soldier her very explicit fantasies. And he’s loving every word.

On an unexpected leave home, he discovers his sexy secret admirer—Natalie Rowland, the longtime star of his own X-rated dreams!

But he’s not letting Natalie know her cover’s blown…yet. That way, the exquisite pleasure of fulfilling each and every one of her naughty ideas is all his—and hers….

Limecello’s review of The Soldier by Rhonda Nelson
Contemporary romance published by Harlequin Blaze on 1 Jul 2009

After I read Letters from Home, I knew I had to read The Soldier, and I’m glad I did. It’s not often you read about a hero who is an amputee, and especially not a military hero. I felt that Ms. Nelson wrote about a difficult subject respectfully, and in a really nice way and realistic way. It was nice that Adam was able to overcome his issues about losing his leg, and relationships throughout the course of the book.

Winnie was a great heroine. She has been in love with Adam forever, but I liked that she still saw Adam for who he was, and that she wasn’t blind to his flaws. She also knows enough of her own worth to stand up for herself, which was very nice. Winnie also doesn’t let Adam get away with brooding or feeling sorry for himself. There’s a lot of heat, humor, and a good balance between plot and character development.

While I don’t really understand either Natalie or Winnie’s need to stay in the same town, it fits the story nicely. I also liked how Adam and Winnie were able to adapt their situations, and forge a relationship. I believed that the romance was real and Winnie and Adam would work. This was one of the best Blaze books I’ve read in a while, and I definitely recommend reading this duet.

Grade: A-

(Subject: Adam McPherson, Special Forces.

Current Status: Out of commission…for now!

Mission: Return to battle.

Obstacle: Winnie Templeman. She won’t take no for an answer!

Adam is Uncle Sam’s man. Yet even his strict military discipline is no match for Winnie’s charms!

A horrific roadside bomb sent Adam home injured—and haunted. Feisty Winnie, however, has her own plan of attack. Her nonregulation method of sexual healing is guaranteed to get him back on his feet.

But being flat on his back in Winnie’s bed might be the best remedy of all…

Overall Grade: B+

Limecello’s review of The Personal Touch by Lori Borrill
contemporary romance published by Harlequin Blaze on 1 Aug 2009

I’ve read a few of Lori Borrill’s stories before, so I thought I’d give this one a try even though the premise didn’t really interest me. I’m afraid I have little sympathy for “playboy millionaires” – but Ms. Borrill makes it work. I’m also not big on the matchmaker heroine. There’s something that… always seems a bit cheesy or sordid, but the role Margot plays here works quite well.

I really liked that Clint and Margot had to work through a number of issues, and that Margot was so determined to resist Clint. It was also nice that Clint had to work more than he was used to for a woman, which left him befuddled and rather cute.

I have to say, I really like the ending. Right before it, there’s a slight twist and I thought something else had happened. Something that made me want to slap both Margot and Clint upside the head, but Ms. Borrill tricked me nicely, and I was left feeling quite pleased at the close. This is a cute contemporary romance that I enjoyed reading.

Grade: B-

When matchmaker Margot Roth is hired to find a date for the mother of a playboy millionaire, an erotic fling is the last thing on her mind. Well, maybe not the last thing. Clint Hilton is the sexiest man she’s ever met, and she has to admit naughty things go through her mind when he looks at her with his sultry eyes.

But now that Clint is there to turn her fantasies into reality, Margot isn’t sure if giving in to temptation is the best idea—even if he’s determined to share his bed with her…or something more.

Overall Grade: B+

Harlequin Blaze books are one of my go-to lines from Harlequin, and I enjoy both Ms. Nelson and Ms. Borrill’s books. This trio of stories was great fun, and a nice pick me up for bright summer days, or for a break for the busy fall rush. I’m glad I read them, and expect to re-read these stories at some point. If you like quick contemporary romances, or these authors, I recommend these books.

Lynne Connolly‘s review of Getting Physical by Jade Lee
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Sep 09

Tantric sex – Jade Lee seems to know her stuff. This book had strong, believable characters and an unusual setup. 

Stephen, a Chinese businessman, has come all the way to America to meet a tigress, a partner for Tantric sex. Together, they’ll enter heaven, using sex as a tool. Only his allocated partner has fallen in love – a tragic fate for a tigress, Stephen thinks, and she’s no longer interested. But Stephen finds another tigress in Zoe. He recognizes her fast and soon proposes that she practices with him.

Nice practice if you can get it.

Zoe has had some training in Tantric sex, but she’s working hard for her MBA and has plans that don’t include heaven. She’s willing to practice with Stephen, a hot Chinese male, and help him, but she finds herself falling deeper every time they meet.

This is a good Blaze, with lots of hot scenes and a definite progression in the romance, from “practice” to love. Problems are internal and external, with Stephen unwilling to give in to his feelings for Zoe, and Zoe unsure where she fits in his life, if anywhere.

There is a steaming hot phone sex scene partway through the book, with some Tantric touching – I wish! And Stephen is more than a standard alpha. He’s wealthy, but his business isn’t one you usually meet in an HMB book and he has doubts about himself, about his business, about what he’s doing. But he is a strong man with a Chinese outlook on life, and I loved that.

Zoe is an interesting character, too, but a few things about her bothered me. She accepts Stephen’s dictates a mite too easily for my liking, although she’s nicely resilient at first. I loved her visit to China, but something about her didn’t gel for me. Maybe her past was too lightly drawn, so I didn’t get a feel for her.

At the end I felt a bit sad, because Stephen, despite his high aspirations, seemed to settle for something he didn’t want at the beginning of the book. I was sorry he didn’t achieve heaven the way he wanted to.

And the cover. I can’t be the only person disappointed not to see a hot Asian male on the cover. I love me a bit of Jet Li and his brethren, so how about it, Harlequin?

I loved Zoe’s visit to China and one thing about the book made me very happy, although it’s a tiny bit of a spoiler, so here goes: SPOILER WARNING. At the end of the book, when Stephen and Zoe commit, she says she wants to finish her MBA, and Stephen agrees, seems surprised that she should think that he wanted her to give it up. Yay!

B+ from me. Nice one, Jade.

Grade: B+

Summary:
.
Tantric Sex Rules:
#1 – Think about sex!
When savvy business student Zoe crosses paths with sexy international businessman Stephen- a Tantric master-she’s about to get a transcendent learning experience!
.
#2 – Start touching!
The sex is incredible, mind-blowing, life changing! Unfortunately, it also comes with a time limit. Because Stephen’s home is on the other side of the world.
.
#3 – Full sexual contact!
Still, Zoe’s going to enjoy every moment with her skillful, exotic lover. But it isn’t long before she realizes she’ll have to choose. Does she want to hold on to the life she has…or have a lifetime of feeling his body move against hers?
.
Like there’s a choice…
.
Read an excerpt here.

Liviania‘s Quick Quack Reviews of A Bunch of Category Romances by a Bunch of Authors
Paranormal and contemporary romances released Jun-Jul 2009

That’s right, I’m back in the US and all moved into my apartment.  But . . . I’ve got a lot to catch up on.  So here’s some short reviews of various Harlequins I read on vacation.  That’s the lovely thing about eBooks – you can take them anywhere without affecting the weight of your baggage.  [Gwen ed.: we made her save room in her luggage for booze and chocolate souvenirs for us ducks.] 

The Highwayman (Wicked Games, Book 1) by Michele Hauf
Paranormal romance released by Silhouette Nocturne 1 Jul 09

This is my second exposure to Michele Hauf, the first being a Nocturne Bite.  I enjoyed the short story, but found it a bit thin.  It can be hard to develop two characters in a very limited page count.  Luckily, the hero and heroine of The Highwayman get more development, though part of the hero’s reasoning still remains opaque to me.

Aby is a familiar – in the case, a familiar is someone who brings demons into the world through having sex.  Max has a deprivation demon trapped inside of him, making him unable to sleep, orgasm, or feel full.  This has made him a little testy.  But he’s found a way to escape his fate with Aby’s help – but he still plans to kill her afterwards, even after he gets to know her.  I prefer my heroes to be less intent on spilling the heroine’s blood.  Especially when they’re an otherwise reasonable person and the heroine has given them no reason.

Max’s stubborn homicidal tendencies would annoy me more if the plot didn’t work so well.  It moves right along, building the mythology of familiars, revealing Max’s past, and moving the characters to France for the final showdown.  It’s quick and fun, just like a category should be. I look forward to the second book in the miniseries, Moon Kissed, available September 1.

Grade: B

Summary:
.
Max Fitzroy, the legendary Highwayman, had slain scores of demons with a razorlike whip and a burning need for revenge. Now, to rid himself of the demon inside him—who’d cursed him with immortality and stolen all sensual pleasures—Max needed a witch’s familiar, the one creature he’d made a career of killing.
.
But the Highwayman wasn’t prepared for the familiar named Aby. The sleek and sexy conduit to the demon world saw past his swirling shadow as easily as he scaled the walls she’d erected to protect herself. Max needed Aby to grant him his freedom, and then he needed to slay her. But how could he destroy the only creature he’d desired in centuries?
.
Read an excerpt here.

Wild Wolf (The Pack) by Karen Whiddon
Paranormal romance released by Silhouette Nocturne 1 Jul 09

I haven’t read any of Karen Whiddon’s other Pack books, but she quickly sketches out the important parts of her world and moves onto the relationship and plot. Simon is a member of the Pack, charged with finding feral werewolves and deciding whether they can be rehabilitated or need to be put down. Raven is a feral werewolf, living along after a traumatic experience with a mad scientist.

I can buy that feral werewolves are dangerous. Raven manages to fit into wolf society because she is sane – she just doesn’t want to live among humans because of her past. Since she is reasonable and Simon can see it, things have to go terribly awry in order for the plot to have enough excitement. And go awry they do.

Seeing how corrupt this segment of the Pack has become really makes me wonder how Whiddon set this up in the previous novels. It seems like something that was probably building. I love that Wild Wolf gives a sense of the larger world while standing fine on its own. The leads work well together. Both of them are strong, neither deferring to the other. Raven’s got as much alpha instinct as Simon does. It’s a nice change.

Grade: B+

Summary:
.
Turning her back on humans because of her ability to shape-shift into a wolf, young and beautiful Raven doesn’t believe she needs anyone. Until the day a darkly handsome man appears near her remote cave…and she watches him turn into a wolf.
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Simon Caldwell has been sent to assess the threat of a new feral wolf prowling the Rockies. But he’s wholly unprepared for his intense attraction to Raven. His investigation is about to take a deadly turn as he and Raven become the hunted. Now their very survival depends on Simon’s ability to win what this wild wolf holds most dear!
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Read an excerpt here.

Return of the Wolf by Karen Whiddon
Paranormal romance novella released by Silhouette Nocturne Bites 1 Jun 09

After finishing White Wolf, I headed happily into this Bite by the same author. Three tries later and I still haven’t finished the sixty or so pages of this story, so I’m giving up. It begins slow, with the hero and heroine fishing together. They’re instantly attracted – Gideon knows she’s his wolf’s mate, and Memphis believes their reincarnated lovers.

I couldn’t sympathize with either of the characters. Memphis especially seems rather dippy. It takes quite a bit to make the destined lovers work, and I wasn’t buying. It didn’t help that I found the beginning boring. Fishing just doesn’t appeal to me.

This may work for others, but for me it’s a pass.

Grade: DNF

Summary:
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When Gideon Aronditis meets his new client Memphis Ayers for a fishing expedition, they both feel an instant attraction–and sense that they’ve met before. For shape-shifter Gideon, the explanation is clear: Memphis is his true mate and destined to be with him. Yet Gideon refuses to accept Memphis’s belief that knew each other in a past life, even though she has seen Gideon in her dreams for years. Can Memphis convince Gideon of the truth, or are they doomed to lose each other once again?
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No excerpt found.

The Illegitimate King (The Castaldini Crown, Book 3) by Olivia Gates
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 14 Jul 09

I liked the summary of this one, even though I’m not that familiar with the line. Clarissa and Ferruccio would have had love at first sight, if they hadn’t managed to deeply insult each other at first conversation. Ferruccio pursued Clarissa for years, and now has the leverage to make her romance him since she’s trying to convince him to accept the position of king of Castaldini. (Yes, the country name is ridiculous.)

This one had a few problems. Ferruccio could be kind of sleazy and their inability to communicate doesn’t bode well for a future relationship. (That doesn’t prevent a baby-filled epilogue since this is the end of a miniseries. If I were one of the wives, I’d insist on condoms. That many pregnancies takes a toll on the body.) Still, it was a perfect vacation book. It kept me interested and there was definitely sexual tension.

I might skip the first sex scene. It includes such awful descriptions as Ferruccio “feeling like a sword just out of the fire” to Clarissa. Not all of it is that painful, but none of it is sexy. It does get better, but that one scene is truly awful.

If you like family secrets or the other novels in this miniseries, you’ll probably like this one. The Illegitimate King made me want to try to the previous two novels, even with all of it’s problems.

Grade: C+

Summary:
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Once, she’d scorned him. And illegitimate secret prince Ferruccio Selvaggio had sworn he would make her pay. Now, Princess Clarissa D’Agostino was in his power. It was time to teach her a lesson…. The future of the kingdom rested on her. Clarissa knew she had to do whatever it took to convince Ferruccio to accept the crown and save them all. Even if it meant marrying a man who believed the worst of her. Even if it meant giving him her heart.
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Read an excerpt here (click “Read the prologue”).

Endless Summer by Julie Kenner, Karen Anders, and Jill Monroe
Contemporary romance anthology released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Jul 09

Normally I would separate all the novellas, but these are intertwined so I’ll do them as one. I picked up this anthology since I enjoy Julie Kenner’s paranormal books and wanted to try one of her contemporary offerings. It helped that Endless Summer, as the name implies, was a surfing collection. I enjoy surfing stories even though I’ve only been to a beach where you actually could surf once.

I’m not which of the stories was my favorite. I liked Drea, from Jill Monroe’s story, the best of the heroines because of her strong personality. I liked Zach, from Karen Anders’ story, the best of the heroes. Due to an injury, he became overly cautious. It’s a change from the take-charge hero. He’s also not afraid to design clothing. Now that’s a man. Kenner’s Laci and Taylor were a bit more bland. And Laci makes the classic mistake of not explaining why she’s angry. For some reason I want my romantic leads to communicate well even though I know miscommunication is a standard part of life.

But while each story had elements I liked, part of the reason I can’t pick a favorite is that nothing really stood out. While perfectly readable, each story was by-the-numbers – not what the risk-taking heroines deserve. I read these stories just yesterday and they’re already fading from my mind.

Grade: C+

Summary:
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Summer has never been sexier!
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Making Waves by Julie Kenner, Laci Montgomery is determined to be pro surfing’s Golden Girl. Does she need help from her ex—hottie sports promoter Taylor Dutton? No way! Well, not unless she’s on top…
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Surf’s Up by Karen Anders, After a crash meeting in the waves, surfer J. C. Wilcox and entrepreneur Zack Fanning practice daring moves that would make fish blush. But is it just sexy fun in the sun—or are they ready to risk their hearts?
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Read an excerpt here.
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Wet and Wild by Jill Monroe, Daredevil Rookie of the Year Andrea “Drea” Powell needs a sponsor. Superstar pro Kirk Murray needs a flashy new surfer to back. The explosive results heat up the competition…and the bedroom!

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Hard To Resist by Samantha Hunter
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Blaze 1 July 09

Sometimes how well a book works for a reader all boils down to how willing they are to suspend their disbelief. Depending on the story, and the characters, I have been more than willing to shut off the nagging part of my brain and roll with wherever a story takes me. I do enjoy the Beauty And The Beast trope after all. However for Samantha Hunter’s latest for Harlequin Blaze I just couldn’t do it. When the characters don’t behave in a consistent manner it gets harder for me not to raise an eyebrow.

Lacey Graham has changed her name and moved to New York City in order to escape her past. An ex-boyfriend beat the snot out of her, broke her arm and left her for dead. Now that he’s in jail, she’s ready to move on to a photography gig shooting a beefcake calender featuring “American Heroes.” Guys who rode to the rescue after 9/11. That’s how she meets Texas Ranger, Jarod Wyatt. Despite the fact that she’s still gun-shy around men, sparks start to fly and the two are soon burning up the sheets. But then Lacey’s past comes back to haunt her.

My main problem with this book is that it had too many issues crammed into the short word count of a Blaze. Lacey is still traumatized from her past. She dumped counseling because it “wasn’t for her” and she’s so jumpy that it doesn’t take Jarod long to realize that she’s hiding something. It’s natural that she’s spooked around men, especially aggressive men. However when her and Jarod finally succumb, she’s the one to initiate it (which I normally like) and she’s soon letting him take photographs of her. Naked. Performing sexual acts.  Oh, and did I mention they’ve only known each other for a matter of days?

Sorry. I’m not buying.

Jarod seems like a nice enough guy, although I literally scoffed out loud when he parades Lacey around New York City playing tourist so they can draw the bad guy out of hiding. Yep, he uses her as bait. And no, I don’t really care that he’s right there to “protect her.” He’s using her as bait. My hero.

The author does a decent job of throwing in red herrings, and tying up loose ends, but the resolution to the abusive asshole ex-boyfriend storyline strained my credulity . Will it work for some readers? Probably. But any woman with an abusive ex in her past will likely throw the book against the nearest wall.

When I pick up a Blaze book I’m not necessarily looking for deep. I want fast and fun. Certainly the sex and tension in this story were well-executed. Too bad I didn’t believe in any of the characters or their motivations.

Grade: D+

Summary:
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Who says girls don’t need eye candy? Bliss Magazine is proud to bring you twelve months of smokin’-hot guys! Our Sexiest American Heroes calendar will feature one heart-stopping hero after the next—including our very own Texas Ranger, Jarod Wyatt, with his intense chocolate eyes…and a backside that would make Michelangelo weep for an eternity.
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And no one is more smitten by our luscious lawman than the artist behind the camera lens, commercial photographer Lacey Graham. Like every woman with a past, she’s trying to quit testosterone—but Jarod seems to know exactly how to break her willpower…one sizzling kiss at a time!
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Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of Storm Watch by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary romance published by Harlequin Blaze on 1 Aug 2009

I generally enjoy Jill Shalvis’s writing, but I have to admit to being somewhat apprehensive about this one. I vaguely remember a mixed reaction from one of her previous Blaze books. Nevertheless, I was riding the good read high from Instant Gratification, and I’m glad I read Storm Watch. I felt that it was very fitting that I read this book while riding in a car, in the rain. Luckily, the conditions I experienced were vastly different  from what Lizzy and Jason encountered.

Lizzy Mann is a very likable, normal, yet quirky character. A very typical heroine for Ms. Shalvis (which is a good thing), there’s just something about Lizzy that draws you in. I also liked the fact that she’s capable on her own. It was nice to see a heroine who was generally well matched to the hero. Lizzy is an ER nurse who had to grow up too quickly. I loved that she was a geek in high school, but at the point where she meets up with the hero again, she’s found herself. She’s fine with, or without the hero. Aside from a few minor cringe worthy moments, Lizzy is a fantastic heroine. She’s someone I’d like to be friends with, and would also want around in case of emergency.

Jason Mauer is a great hero. He’s a very typical guy, but a good one. He’s got some emotional damage, and is at a cross roads in his life – which makes him the perfect candidate for a terrific romance. I liked that Jason is honest with himself, and he has a great personality. He’s patient with Lizzy, willing to risk life and limb for strangers, and has incredibly exacting standards for himself. You can’t help but respect and admire him. Subtle touches in Ms. Shalvis’s writing and characterization, such as the fact that Jason eats like an 8 year old, snarfing cheez whiz and crackers adds a depth and whimsy to his character.

I really enjoyed this story. It was lighthearted and a quick read, which is what I was looking for. I was a bit afraid the plot might get a little heavy, considering it’s about a natural disaster – major flooding in the town. However, I felt that Ms. Shalvis gave the situation the necessary gravity, but didn’t harp on it. I also enjoyed all the background Ms. Shalvis gave, especially Lizzy and Jason’s relationship (or lack thereof) from high school. It made the romance much more believable, considering the book takes place in such a short period of time. (One, maybe two days.) Based on their interaction from years ago, there’s a nice sense of homecoming throughout the story as well.

I really enjoyed the secondary characters, and the sub plot as well. It was nice that Lizzy was so well developed, and not a tragic figure. Although Lizzy had to make a lot of sacrifices for her sister Cece, the book effectuates a positive change for both of them. Lizzy and Jason are both able to make decisions about their future, and Cece is hurtled along her path of independence and responsibility. I really appreciated that Cece was an interestin and likable character. In fact, I wouldn’t mind reading more about Cece in a novella.

If you’re looking for a short enjoyable read, I definitely recommend Storm Watch. Ms. Shalvis does a great job with characterization, and setting. I felt that I really knew and understood Jason and Lizzy, and almost that I was experiencing the flooding myself. (Not just because I got rained on a lot.) If you’ve never read a category romance, I suggest giving this one a try. For fans of Ms. Shalvis, or Harlequin Blaze books, this one is a must.
Grade: B+

Subject: Jason Mauer, National Guard.

Current status: Homeward bound.

Mission: Getting some R & R!

Obstacle: Lizzy Mann. Sexy blast from the past.

After battling a hurricane of catastrophic proportions, Jason needs some downtime—badly! But there’s no rest for the heroic. During another deluge, Jason’s savior skills are suddenly in demand…by his hot friend Lizzy.

She’s fiercely independent. But that doesn’t keep them from having incredible sex as they, ah, ride out the storm!

Jason knows relationships and duty don’t mix. Still, he feels as if he’s being swept away by a flash flood of desire for Lizzy.

The permanent kind…

Read an excerpt here.

Holly‘s review of She’s Got It Bad by Sarah Mayberry
Contemporary Romance released by Harlequin Blaze 1 Apr 09

I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about Sarah Mayberry, so I decided to check her out. I was really impressed with how unconventional the heroine is, even for a contemporary romance.

When the blurb says, “Zoe is as tough and wild as they come” that’s absolutely the truth. Though she was a quiet good-girl twelve years ago, she grew up hard and fast. Now she’s a tattoo artist and the lead singer of a punk rock band. She’s taken her share of hard knocks, but she’s doing the best she can. Although she wishes she could go back into the past and change some things, she’s accepted her lot in life and is determined to do things her own way.

When Liam sees a naked painting of Zoe at an art gallery he knows he has to find her and help her out. The Zoe he knew twelve years ago never would have done something like that. But twelve years is a long time and Liam is surprised at the changes in Zoe. Not only is she tough and wild, but she’s completely comfortable with her sexuality. Not that he’s interested..well, ok, so he’s really interested, but he doesn’t want to take advantage of her. He only wants to help get her back on her feet. Walking away from her twelve years ago was one of the hardest things he’s ever done..so there’s pretty much no chance in hell he’ll be able to walk away again.

The attraction between these two was sizzling hot. Their sexual chemistry crackled. Not only that, they truly did have an emotional connection. I thought it was it was a wonderful that Liam wanted to help Zoe just to help her. He wasn’t looking for anything in return, and he wasn’t smug or condescending or trying to make himself look/feel better, he just wanted to help out the girl he once loved.

As I mentioned above, Zoe was a very unconventional heroine. She drank hard liquor, danced dirty and worked in a tattoo parlor. She also had a lot of emotional scarring. With Liam’s help she was able to work past many of her issues, but I like that she’d never completely be able to let everything from her past go. That was totally realistic. Though we often move on from things in our past, they shape who we are in the future. Mayberry really nailed that with Zoe.

I did have a few issues with both characters, however. Mostly because neither wanted to set their pride aside for the other. Not only that, but each swore they knew what was best for the other. Liam walked away from Zoe twelve years ago because he knew she’d be better off without him and even after all that time he still thinks it’s true. Because of things that happened to Zoe in her past, she’s convinced Liam would be better off without her. Plus, either are really willing to put themselves out there.

Despite that I really did enjoy the story. The characters were well developed and was emotionally engaging. I’ll definitely be looking for more by Sarah Mayberry in the future.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Twelve years ago Zoe Ford let Liam Masters break her heart. But now? There’s not a chance. Zoe is as tough and wild as they come. So when Liam shows up at her tattoo parlor, she’s more than ready to take him on again. That’s not going to be a hardship, since he’s hotter than he ever was.

This time she’s staying in charge. And she’s not going to consider their score settled until he’s hot, bothered and begging for more! Then she’ll move on as callously as he left her. Unless all that deliciously bad sex is just too good to give up…

Read an excerpt

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Let It Ride by Jillian Burns
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Blaze 01 May 2009

When I’m looking for an emotional read from Harlequin I tend to gravitate towards the SuperRomance or Silhouette Special Edition lines. Frankly, the last place I expect to find “emotional” is within the covers of a Harlequin Blaze. Blaze is where I go for “sassy and sexy,” not “gut-wrenching and heart-felt.” Well, you know what they say about assumptions don’t you? Yep, after reading Jillian Burns’ debut for the line I feel very much like an ass. What a fun, and emotional, surprise this book turned out to be! Sometimes impulse buying does pay off.

Major Cole Jackson has fallen in love. OK, maybe not love – but definitely lust. Having sustained wounds after his plane was shot down in Iraq, he’s fresh out of the hospital when his buddies stationed at Nellis Air Force base convince him a trip to Las Vegas is in order. It’s while he’s on the casino floor that he spots, Jordan Brenner, a Keno girl who his buddies have nicknamed “Ms. Crash and Burn.” She’s smokin’ hot, but shoots down fly boys better than any anti-aircraft missile ever made. You know what this means right? Yep, the ol’ wager plot. His buddies bet Cole that Ms. Crash and Burn will shoot him down within the week.

Even if Jordan had time for romance, she learned the hard way that relationships aren’t for her. She followed one bad-boy ex out to Vegas where he promptly left her with no job, no money and behind on the rent. Then she picked a stable, good guy Banker-type who proceeded to leave her for a showgirl. Now she’s going to school, working nights as a Keno girl, fending off advances from drunken customers and taking care of her mother who is slowly losing her grip on reality thanks to Alzheimer’s. So when Cole puts the moves on her, denying his advances is second nature to her. Sure she’s lonely, but she has no time or desire to get lost in a pretty face, and incredible body, ever again.

What’s really charming about this story is that the author takes it places the reader wouldn’t necessarily expect. The wager plot device a common romance novel trope, but Burns uses only to kick start the interaction between Cole and Jordan. She dispenses of it rather quickly, and it by no means is still lingering by the time the second half the novel rolls around. That leaves the characters coping with more common “real life” conflict. Jordan is worried about passing her final exams, landing a good job, and her mother’s health. Cole is worried about the state of his Air Force career, will he be given a medical discharge or worse, a desk job? Then when these two do start to develop feelings for each other, there’s the small matter of distance, time and if they can make this relationship work. Can an adrenaline-junkie like Cole settle down to a more routine day-to-day existence? Would he even want to?

Cole and Jordan have an explosive chemistry and the first few love scenes are real barn-burners. Their desire, chemistry, and wanting practically leaps off the page. This gives the story a very emotional quality, that carries over into the quieter moments. The scenes between Jordan and her Mom are particularly heart-breaking and well done. It has always been Jordan and her Mom against the world, having been abandoned by Jordan’s father before she was even born.

The only misstep in the story comes during one of the love scenes which features an “OMG, We’re So Hot For Each Other We Didn’t Use Protection That Time” moment. Sigh .  Blessedly the author drops it after that moment, and the inevitable does not happen – which begs the question of why even include that scene to begin with? Oh well. The rest of the story is truly top-notch, and the author has even laid some ground-work for a sequel featuring Cole’s lothario buddy, Captain Mitch McCabe – a character just begging to be taken down a few notches (or totally dismantled).

All in all, I really enjoyed this debut Blaze from Jillian Burns. It had what I’ve come to expect from Blaze novels, a fun story featuring smokin’-hot chemistry and love scenes that could peel wallpaper. However the author really goes for glory here by including several emotionally charged moments and giving readers some insightful, truly heart-breaking conflict. When’s the next book?

Grade: B

Summary:
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Working as a Keno girl in a Vegas casino, Jordan Brenner took her bets off the sex table ages ago. And all the hot flyboys in the world won’t make a difference—until Major Cole Jackson sends Jordan’s thoughts and hormones into wicked places indeed….
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What Jordan doesn’t know is that Cole made a deal with his buddies: get some hot-’n'-heavy action from the Keno girl, or pay up! But Cole doesn’t need an incentive. Every time he looks at Jordan’s lips (or any part of her body, for that matter), he’s immediately aware that something is up—and it isn’t his ante!
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It looks as if Cole won’t lose just his shirt. He’ll lose all control, too!
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Read an excerpt.

We’ve chosen our winners from our Duck Chat with Lisa Renee Jones!

But first we want to thank Lisa for spending the day with us here at the Pond. We appreciate your time, Lisa!

So without further adieu or fanfare, using that handy-dandy random number generator, here are the five winners of Lisa’s latest release, Captive of the Beast:

** Maija P (14)
** Pam P (12)
** Jane (8) Melissa (5)
** Lisa Freeman (7)
** Kim H (2) Sheila Gallagher (11)

And the winner of Lisa’s Harlequin Blaze Hard and Fast is Carol Luciano (13)

Congratulations, everyone!!

Send your snail mail address to Lighthousetagger (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll pass it on to Lisa to get your books on their way to you!

Welcome once again to Duck Chat!

Today Lisa Renee Jones is here to give us the scoop on her latest releases in her Knights of White series and just to have some fun with y’all!  Lisa’s Silhouette Nocturne series started with The Beast Within back in 2007, followed by Beast of Desire and Beast of Darkness in 2008. May 1 saw the release of Captive of the Beast and Demon Seduction, which is a Nocturne Bite. And, of course, Lisa has a wonderful backlist of both print and ebooks published by Pocket, Berkley, Kensington, and Ellora’s Cave to choose for your reading pleasure. Lisa sold her staffing agency when she decided she wanted to follow her dream of becoming an author and she’s not looked back once. She currently lives in New York with her husband, who has had a big impact on her writing.

Be sure to ask Lisa a question or leave a meaningful comment – she’s going to be spending the day with us and she’s giving away five – FIVE! – copies of Captive of the Beast and one copy of Hard and Fast, a contemporary by Blaze.

Now without further adieu, let’s chat with Lisa!

DUCK CHAT: You have two releases in May, both part of your Knights of White series. Let’s talk about the series as a whole first. For our readers who aren’t familiar with the series, can you give us some background on it, where the idea came from and how it’s evolved since you started it?

LISA RENEE JONES: The entire Knights of White series is based upon the Texas Legend of Matamoros Monsters, aka Demons. You can find that legend at Knights of White website. I was taking a trip with my DH to Brownsville – he has a son in Mexico so we drove down to the border to pick him up. To get there we had to drive through King Ranch, which is miles and miles and miles long. This place is a small city. That ranch inspired the ranch that is the Knights’ home in the series. The legend, of course, is the Knights themselves. I’d already had a vague idea for the series but it was based on vampires. There were so many vampire stories out there, so when DH started telling me the story of the Matamoros Beasts/Monsters, I knew that was my series.

King Ranch is an amazing place with guided tours!

The main shift in this series since I began writing it has been in the growth of the heroes – they are gaining new powers and growing stronger. Which is a good thing because the main villain, Adrian, has decided rather than destroying humanity, he wants to take it over.

I won’t have any more Knight stories for quite some time because I’ve been writing the stories for my new Faith Winter pen name. But there will be more Knights!

DC: If you could retire any question and never, ever have it asked again, what would it be? Feel free to answer it.

LRJ: I don’t really have a question I want to retire. Of course, as a writer every time someone hears you are an author, they tell you they have always wanted to write book or they have tried. My DH and I just share a little smile at that. I hate the reaction to romance, though. Many times, men mostly, sneer at that. It’s very frustrating. I had a close male business associate from my corporate days that did this to me. Sometimes I wonder why sex and love are sneered at but murder and bloody brutality are thumbs up to these people.

DC: I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions, or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?

LRJ: All the time. I just wrote a synopsis for my second Grand Central book and it was long and detailed. I believe the beginning will be exactly as planned. About halfway through. though, the characters led me places that impact plot and things shift. I find I go to bed at night and have no idea what is next and wake up knowing exactly where I am going.

DC: Captive of the Beast is the next Nocturne in the series, featuring Rhinehart and his heroine. Has it been difficult coming up with stories as you go along in the series? Tell us about Rhinehart’s story.

You know, amazingly with the Knights, it has not been difficult to come up with storylines. I think the reason for that is they are all ultimately about good vs evil. There is a message of faith in each story. The ideas themselves come easily because they feel like life to me. Life is all about an internal struggle with that concept. What is right and what is wrong? That is what each story ultimately comes down to. Will we be judged to have lived a good life? Forgiven our mistakes? Plotting to make the story interesting but tight enough to fit the Nocturne shorter word count has been a challenge. I absolutely loved writing my first Grand Central and having that extra 25k to work with.

The great thing about Captive is that Wolverine is out this month. I couldn’t believe the storyline when I went to the movie. It is SO like Captive! The similarities are amazing! An island. Mad military leader. Young kids with powers! WOW! Blew me away! Rinehart is my Wolverine in the book. Great movie too! Loved it! I can’t wait for Star Trek.

Yay! An excerpt from Captive of the Beast:

Dr. Laura Johnson had a secret. She was different, able to manipulate objects with her mind, able to read people’s emotions, and sense danger and tragedy before they became reality.

Her parents had always thought that hiding her abilities was for the best. They’d warned her that there were people who would be greedy and power hungry, people who would be enticed to misuse the power behind her secret. And now, fifteen years later, both her parents having passed on, she still remembered their words, understood them, lived the truth they held.

Hiding those abilities had become second nature. In fact, her research exposed her to others like herself, people with similar gifts, and still she remained silent. She knew it was the right choice. Pretending to be no different than everyone else around her was as much a part of each day as brushing her teeth and having morning coffee with her favorite vanilla creamer. Sometimes she even convinced herself it was true, that she was like everyone else.

Staring out the window of the government lab off the Texas coast where she’d been working the past two years, she watched the ocean crash against the rocks of the secluded island facility. It was eight in the morning, and she’d been up well before sunrise, unable to sleep. Every nerve ending in her body was raw, frazzled, and she didn’t know why. Her instincts screamed with warnings, with a promise of danger. With the promise of her secret exposed.

She struggled with why she was feeling such a thing. She had felt unease for a while now, ever since Captain Walch had taken over the island’s operations six months before. The man wasn’t a good person. Not even close. He’d use her patients for the wrong things with a snap of the fingers; in fact, several times now he’d hinted at the power that duplicating their skills could wield. But Walch wasn’t the cause of this uneasiness. Her instincts tingled with a warning like nothing she’d ever experienced before. The word malice leapt into her mind as if part of some warning system that her instincts had set off. And considering her instincts were uniquely accurate, she trusted them.

Behind her, the lab door opened and closed, and Laura turned to find her favorite patient, a firestarter named Kresley, walking toward her. With red hair several shades lighter than Laura’s dark auburn coloring, Kresley drew fast attention whenever she walked into a room. Her striking blue eyes and waiflike figure reminded Laura of a sea nymph from a fairy tale.

Kresley was the only patient Laura had brought with her to the island. Now a woman of twenty, the young girl had become close to Laura’s heart. After Kresley’s parents had turned away from her, treating her as if she were a freak, Laura had taken her into her home.

“What in the world are you doing up so early?” Laura asked, knowing how fitfully Kresley slept most nights.

Kresley smiled. “I had a bad dream last night.”

In her present state of unease, Laura wouldn’t have thought she could laugh, but she did. “Most people don’t smile over a bad dream, you know, but since the alarms in your room didn’t go off, I assume that can mean only one thing.”

“Yep,” Kresley said, nodding. “I had a nightmare and didn’t start a fire. I’m controlling my power even in my sleep.”

“Wonderful!” Laura said. She moved forward and hugged Kresley, pleased she’d called her firestarting ability a power rather than a curse, as she often did. Maybe it was hypocritical, considering how she felt about her own abilities, but Laura had grown up with something that had given her the confidence these kids didn’ t have— parents who loved her, parents who made sure she knew she mattered and, although she had to be secretive about her powers, she was special to them.

While working for the University of Texas, Laura had discovered the genetic marker that created certain people’s gifts, or powers. Once that discovery had been published, she’d been invited to the island to help a group of people with problems similar to Kresley’s— they couldn’t control their powers. And now, two years later, Laura had finally found the missing piece of the puzzle and created a retrovirus correction. Thankfully, it appeared to be working.

Laura had inherited four other patients when she’d come to the island, all kept locked away like animals. They were prisoners because they lacked control over their gifts. She suspected they would all love a little trip off the island.

She was starting to tell Kresley this wish when the door opened, and Captain Walch appeared in the entryway. Tall, with a muscular build and dark hair, Walch wore stiffly pressed, army-green dress pants and a white button-down shirt sturdy enough to display medals. His dark hair was cut short, his cheekbones were high and sharp, his nose long and pointed. As usual, his face was emotionless, even militant. Except for his eyes—they raked over Laura with a lusty inspection.

His gaze narrowed on Kresley and then refocused on Laura. “We need to talk,” he said.

Obviously he wasn’t keen on small talk on Kresley’s behalf. Not that he ever was. “Alone,” he added.

Laura turned to Kresley. “I’ll meet you in the coffee shop in a few minutes.”

Kresley hesitated, protectiveness flashing in her blue eyes. The two of them were close, and Kresley knew how much Laura hated being alone with Walch. “It’s okay,” Laura assured her. “I’ll only be a few minutes.” Kresley nodded and headed for the door, never glancing at Walch again.

Laura crossed her arms in front of her body, wishing for her lab coat—anything to cover her black dress. Not that the simple shell of a dress was anything but conservative, but Walch had a way of making her feel naked.

The door shut behind Kresley before either of them spoke. “You seem edgy, Laura,” Walch commented. “Something on your mind?”

Laura felt more than edgy—she felt defensive for no good reason. “Actually, yes,” she said, forcing herself to seize the opportunity. She knew Walch: he’d make whatever point he had come there to make and then dart away. She needed to be aggressive. “I think it’s time to test the patients’ control. A trip off the island would allow me to see how they respond to real-world stimulations.”

His response came fast—too fast, in fact. “You’re feeling good about your progress, then?”

Why did this feel like a trick question? “It’s moving along well,” she agreed cautiously, “but they still need regular injections to maintain the corrections I’ve made.”

“There won’t be a trip right now. Not anytime soon, for that matter. I have a team of researchers joining you later this week. They’ve shown me enough documentation to convince me they can clone your patients’ gifts in others. As I’ve mentioned on several occasions, the military finds this concept intriguing. More than intriguing—it’s an absolute necessity. This will happen. We expect it to happen.”

She drew in a surprised breath. Visitors? A research team? No wonder she was on edge. “I didn’t sign up for this. That’s not what I’m here for.”

He seemed unaffected by her response, in fact, was prepared for it. “If you want to continue receiving the funding and resources to complete your work, you’ll make this happen.”

“Is that a threat?” she demanded.

“Call it what you want, but we both know this is the next logical step in your work. We need to do this before someone else does. Our men must be the most deadly, the most well equipped.”

“By creating weapons of war,” she said. “I won’t do it. I came to help these people, not to fight wars. That’s your job, not mine.”

“You came here because you wanted our money and resources. You have all the resources you could dream of here and a chance to be a part of changing the world. Fix them while you help us. Think about what the next step in your research can mean to the future. It’s not about creating war—it’s about eliminating it.” His expression turned intense, emotion actually evident for once—emotion laced with hunger and greed. “When one opponent is the strongest, the others don’t fight. They don’t dare. You will be creating peace.”

She stared at him, swallowing hard. He was different from before. Darker. Evil seemed to cling to him, a second skin. She could feel it, primal, potent.

She had to get off this island. She would come back for her patients, but if she didn’t leave they might all be stuck here. Despite her fears, her voice was low but firm. “I’ve overstayed my welcome here. I want to go home.” He took a step toward her. Instinctively, she backed up. Already close to the window, her heels hit the baseboard. Her hands went to her sides, pressing against the ceiling-to-floor glass panels behind her.

“You have a job to do, and I suggest you accept that,” he said. He stood so close to her that the toes of his shoes were almost touching her sandals. “You will welcome your new research team with open arms, and you will eagerly aid their efforts.” He paused, his eyes lowering to her lips, lingering there before lifting. “And you will do so because it’s in the best interests of both you and your patients.”

“What does that mean?” she asked, fear fluttering in her stomach. It was fear for her patients, and fear because there was more going on here than she understood and she wished she knew what.

“It means that you are being monitored, Laura. You always have been. Anything you do that might interfere with our goals will be penalized. If you value the safety of your patients, then I’d stay on task.” He leaned in, his body far too near, his mouth brushing her earlobe. “And remember…I’ll be close.” He eased back and looked into her eyes. “And I’ll be watching.”

For the first time since she was a teen, Laura fought the rise of her powers, fought the desire to use them against this man. No… Beast. The word came to her clearly. He was a power-hungry Beast. Her adrenaline raged, her nerve endings stood on end. With effort she reined in the rush of energy, drew in a discreet, calming breath.

“Fine,” she said. “I’ll do it. I’ll help clone the marker.”

He smiled, evil. “That’s my girl.” His finger ran down her cheek, and she shivered with repulsion. A second later, he stepped away from her, and Laura felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. “Your new research team will be here Friday morning,” he said. “I trust you’ll be ready for them.”

She glared at him, not agreeing, not daring to disagree. She couldn’t say or do anything until she knew what her next step would be. But as he exited the room, giving her one more lust-filled look over his shoulder, she knew one thing for certain. She had no intention of doing what he demanded. Somehow, some way, she was going to get off this island, and she was taking her patients with her. Their own powers were resources they themselves could put to use for escape if it came down to it. But she’d need to stockpile their medication first and plan carefully.

Then, they were out of here. One way or another, they were getting off this island.

Rinehart stepped onto the sandy beach of his island destination, after a long night on a boat spent, in part, blindfolded. Behind him several military police officers followed, one of them informing him their ride would be there shortly.

Only these soldiers weren’t men. Not anymore. They were Beasts in human disguises. Beasts that reeked of evil. The hardest part of the trip had been not killing them. No. That wasn’t true. The hardest part was thinking about his past, about the time he’d spent in the military and then the FBI. About the night he’d led his men on a mission deep into Mexico, his mind distracted by personal matters, by a woman, to be exact—a matter that should have been left at home. His team had fallen that night, ambushed by Beasts. He’d failed his men and his country. Why Salvador had saved him, converted him to a Knight of White, he didn’t know. Still didn’t. But when he’d finally pulled himself out of the self-hatred that day had created, he’d vowed to both himself and Salvador he would never fail the Knights.

Max, Rock, Des and their newest Knight, Lucan, joined him on the beachfront, reminding him of that vow. He had a damn good team who had worked miracles to get them here today. “My skin is crawling from being so near those bastards,” Des murmured under his breath, touching the arrowhead necklace he wore around his neck as a reminder of his Native American mother. Something he did often in troubled times.

“I hear ya, man,” Rinehart said. “We can’t get this job done fast enough to suit me.”

Rock came up on the other side of Rinehart. Like the rest of them, he wore khakis and a collar shirt. Gone was his standard attire of jeans, T-shirt and cowboy hat. But the more conservative clothing did nothing to contain his impetuous youth. “Remind me why I can’t take their heads right now,” he said.

Rinehart shook his head; that statement spoke worlds about why Rinehart kept Rock attached to his hip. If anyone were going to beat Rock’s ass, it would be him. “You gotta learn some patience, kid,” Max said, joining them, egging on Rock with the kid reference. They all knew he hated it.

DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? Who usually wins?

LRJ: No, but sometimes they seem to know more than me. I’ll hit a spot where they just won’t talk to me and I can’t make word count. I always know I am going the wrong direction and that is the hold up. It’s frustrating, but, once the words come again, I always understand why I was stalled.

DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?

LRJ: A new DVD of Brothers and Sisters. I am currently obsessed with that show. I love Rob Lowe. I try to stick to only watching while on my exercise bike, but it’s better to think about my story than watch the DVD.

DC: You also have a Nocturne Bite, Demon Seduction, that released the same day as Captive of the Beast. This is also a Knights of White book. Please tell us about Marcus and his story.

LRJ: Marcus is a long lost, dark Knight who was born with magic. Without his mate he is fast turning into a demon. But his magic is needed to destroy a dangerous Sorcerer joining forces with the demon world. Black magic will tempt him, though. One woman will save him.

Blurb for Demon Seduction:

As a human, he was bitten by a demon, his soul stripped. As a demon, he was saved by an Angel, his soul returned to join the elite demon fighters, The Knights of White. Born into the gift of magic, Marcus Alexander is a rare breed of Knight of White, centuries old, the stain of that demon bite like acid eating away the good in his soul, leaving nothing but evil—his only salvation the elusive perfect soul mate. He is deadly to the demon world, able to kill them with far more than a sword, his magic immense, his ability growing stronger—and darker. Fearful of the day he will turn on his fellow Knights, he long ago sought solitude, vowing to destroy as many demons as he could before seeking death to save his soul. Now he is ‘The Destroyer’—alone—evil hunting evil.

Cathy Baker is a member of the Knights of White, a rare human, who like Marcus, is gifted with magic, and enlisted in the fight against the underworld. Bravely, she will face a powerful sorcerer intent on merging his magic with that of the master of the demons. But she is no match for the black magic she is facing and soon finds herself near death, in the care of the legendary ‘Destroyer’. Cathy soon learns that Marcus has a rare grasp and control over black magic, but he is so near the darkness, is susceptible to the black magic the enemy is using against him. Now, Cathy must pull him back into the light, save his soul and her own in the process—before the enemy destroys humanity.

DC: How do you feel your male or female characters have evolved over your career? Do you think you write them differently now than you did when you started?

LRJ: I started out writing straight contemporary with a light voice. I have a Blaze coming out in December – a fun, light story that is back to my roots. I LOVED writing that story and hope to do more like it VERY soon. The story is Santa Baby and my heroine gets into a lot of mishaps despite being a well pulled together career woman. She is funny and down to earth. Her hero is a rich Clooney kind of guy who is swept off his feet quite unexpectedly. No demon lurking beneath his surface. Just a real man who learns to love. I enjoyed the departure from the dark side. I love the chance to switch between genres. It keeps things fresh for me.

DC: Is there a genre you haven’t tackled but would like to try?

LRJ: I write across genres so no, not really. I do have an Urban Fantasy proposal (which is new to me) I am working on with a male lead that will be under a new pen name. I love this idea and can’t wait to get it ready to present. It’s been a time issue more than anything holding me back.

DC: Later this year you have a novella in the Wrapped in Seduction anthology that also features Cathryn Fox and Jodi Lynn Copeland. Can you give us a sneak peek in to your contribution to the book?

LRJ: This was such a fun story/book to write. It’s very Brothers and Sisters in tone. Yes, I’m obsessed with that show! The stories are linked by the family connection as everyone comes home for Christmas and craziness erupts, but there is a sexy romance for each novella as well. VERY SEXY. We also have a family story that starts with novella one, which is mine, and progresses with each novella. This family story impacts each character/story and ties each novella together. I think it’s very unique that way. I love my hero and his brothers in this story and my heroine is a lawyer turned best selling author with writer’s block.

DC: What advice would you give to your younger self?

LRJ: To follow my dreams. I let years go by where I lived 80-hour weeks and high stress was the norm. Success convinced me my dreams were about success not substance.

DC: If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?

LRJ: I was a corporate executive. I owned a large staffing agency in three states. I am so much happier now.

DC: What’s your favorite book?

LRJ: Too many to list! I have so many I adore for so many different reasons and I read across genres. Loving the Moning Urban Fantasy series right now.

DC: What else is on the horizon for Lisa Renee Jones?

LRJ: I have a new pen name as Faith Winter for Grand Central – The series is the ‘RENEGADE’ series and the first two books are Sinful Pleasures and Sinful Desires. This is about a group of Super Soldiers created from Area 51 experiments and split between good and evil. The first book is May 2010. I will have a website up soon at faith-winter.com

Lightning Round:

- dark or milk chocolate?  — Anything chocolate does me quite perfectly!
- smooth or chunky peanut butter?  –Chunky on a bagel
- heels or flats?   — I spent so many years in heels running through airports, so give me my flats!
- coffee or tea? — white mocha Starbucks – I’m addicted – I need intervention
- summer or winter?  — Having left Texas for New York, that is a debate I am still trying to work through. I love the beautiful snow but the cold is an adjustment. Still, I hated getting in my car in Texas and needing a towel to touch the steering wheel!
- mountains or beach? — Both! I love them both. And now I live by the beach. I laugh when I go to a store and there are seagulls in the parking lot. It reminds me I am minutes from the beach and need to get out of the house!
- mustard or mayonnaise? — Mustard – mayo is WAY too fattening. I save my calories for chocolate and white mochas. You know, stuff with substance.
- flowers or candy?  –  I can look out my window and see amazing flowers in Long Island—it’s beautiful. So I’ll take the chocolate.
- pockets or purse?   — Purse for sure! I’m very girly. I like purse and pink. I think I like pink because of my conservative work days where black was a staple.
- Pepsi or Coke?   — Green tea but I’d take Coke over Pepsi. I just don’t drink soda.
- ebook or print?  — Print or audio. Loving audio! So great for housework, jogging, driving!

Because we just like these questions:

1. What is your favorite word?   — Love
2. What is your least favorite word?    — Hate
3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?   — My family
4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?     — The internet distraction
5. What sound or noise do you love?    — Ocean waves
6. What sound or noise do you hate?     — The law people who always show up while I am in deep concentration like NOW!
7. What is your favorite curse word?    — You can’t live in New York without the word FOCK becoming familiar in a laughable way!
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?    — Been there, done that. Stick with where I am now.
9. What profession would you not like to do?    — What I already did – corporate executive
10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?   — “Relax PLEASE!”

DC: Thank you, Lisa, for spending the day with us. It was a pleasure!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grade: B

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