Limecello’s review of Dirty by Megan Hart
Erotic romance released by Harlequin Spice on 1 Jan 07

I discovered Megan Hart around the time Tempted came out. I’m still not quite sure what happened, but I got caught up in the craze, and I’m glad I did. I’ve read all of Ms. Hart’s Spice books, and I think Dirty may be my favorite. I read it because Ms. Hart has a new Spice Brief out, Reason Enough, which acts as an epilogue to Dirty.

Ms. Hart has a great writing voice. While the characters and situations are stark – almost bleak – the words hold an almost sort of warmth. It’s hard to describe. Dirty is both normal, and outrageous. You would think that the contrasts in the book are too clashing, but it works. Incredibly well.

Elle is a very average person, with a troubled past. Her family is dysfunctional, like so many other people’s, but her situation is unique because of the combination of things that happened to her. Tragic events led her to closing off her emotions. She’s haunted by what happened to her, and copes through sex and drinking. And counting. Elle eschews all emotional ties, and is living life as a dead person. Still, she has quirks, and her reaction to people give her depth and complexity. There’s a vulnerability about her as well, which saves her from being a static character.

Dan is a perfect foil for Elle, and a great character. He’s incredibly sweet, but stands up for himself. Dan is also a very human character. Sometimes, he loses his temper, or even acts like a jerk. However, I felt that when he acted cold, it was because he knew it was the only way he could get closer to Elle. I love that Dan liked and wanted Elle from the start, and he’s willing indulge her eccentricities. He’s incredibly considerate, and pushes Elle, willing to force her into difficult situations in order for her to grow.

While I generally don’t like books written in the first person point of view (ok, I actively dislike it) – this type of narration is perfect for Ms. Hart’s writing. Rather than alienating or isolating the reader, the writing draws you in, and gives you perspective on the heroine, and you begin to empathize with her. The story line is relatively normal – the occurrences and situations are all every day, but there’s something special about Dirty. While most of us don’t do what the characters did, and generally don’t have to deal with all the traumatic events in Elle’s past, we do have dysfunctional families or friends. The secondary characters were fun, and became a way to provide additional perspective to the story.

Dirty has things each and every one of us has can relate to, either personally or through a friend or acquaintance. Still, the additional issues and problems the characters have prevent them from being mundane. I also love how the title of the book is integrated throughout the novel. Not only that, but I felt the title was clever, because really it’s an oxymoron.

I generally like happy books – actually, I strongly prefer happy books. Life and circumstances are sad enough. This makes it just that much more impressive how much I enjoy Ms. Hart’s novels. The nuances in the book as well as the characters make for a very enjoyable read, and I definitely recommend looking into Ms. Hart’s books. I’m anticipating reading her next novel.

Grade: A-

This is what happened…
I met him at the candy store.

He turned and smiled at me and I was surprised enough to smile back. This was not a children’s candy store, mind you–this was the kind of place you went to buy expensive imported chocolate truffles for your boss’s wife because you felt guilty for having sex with him when you were both at a conference in Milwaukee.

Hypothetically speaking, of course.

I’ve been hit on plenty of times, mostly by men with little finesse who thought what was between their legs made up for what they lacked between their ears.

Sometimes I went home with them anyway, just because it felt good to want and be wanted, even if it was mostly fake.

The problem with wanting is that it’s like pouring water into a vase full of stones. It fills you up before you know it, leaving no room for anything else. I don’t apologize for who I am or what I’ve done in–or out–of bed.

I have my job, my house and my life, and for a long time I haven’t wanted anything else.

Until Dan. Until now.

Read an excerpt here.

Sandy M’s review of A Man in a Million by Jessica Bird
Contemporary Romance published by Silhouette Special Edition 1 Jan 07

I really am addicted to Bird’s heroes. Whether they’ve come from the wrong side of the tracks and have now made good, lived through a horrible childhood, they’ve been to prison like Spike in this story, or anything else she throws at them, they’re all still gentlemen, they love what family they’ve got, they treat women right, and, of course, they’re as sexy as all get-out. They have a certain mind-set when you first meet them, but even though they think they’ll never change, they’re open to that change once they feel it coming on and then they embrace it wholeheartedly. Men after my own heart.

Spike Moriarty put his happiness and his heart on the line once before and told a girlfriend about his past. Next thing he knew, she disappeared without so much as a goodbye. So that’s a mistake he’ll never make again. One-nighters and short-term relationships are all he’s ever going to chance again. Even when he meets Madeline Maguire, the most beautiful and sexiest woman he’s ever seen, he hesitates to get involved. She’s from a rich family and out of his league, so why take the chance she’d walk away from him too? But when she needs help to stand up to her brother, Spike initially misunderstands why she wants him by her side while she’s visiting. He eventually goes to her rescue and ends up having a slice of heaven when Mad admits her attraction and gives herself to him. Knowing they can’t have forever, he’s determined to store up some memories for the lonely future head of him.

Like a fish out of water when she’s on land, Madeline is also off balance when it comes to men. She’s used to working with the men of her crew, she’s a sailor just like they are, so she’s always treated like one of the guys. Plus, she’s as tall as most men, not petite and blonde, so she’s usually invisible to most males. Especially the one she’s been attracted to for a while now. Spike and his hard, sexy bod that sports incredible tattoos turns her on something fierce, but now that they’ve met up again, it seems he’s jumping to all the wrong conclusions every time they talk. Finally giving up when he refuses her plea to help her get through a family weekend, Mad builds up her courage and heads out to face off with her brother over the family business. However, she gets the surprise of her life when Spike shows up after all, but the bigger surprise is finding out he’s also attracted to her. Their short affair is cut even shorter when her spiteful brother butts in where he doesn’t belong and causes hurt feelings, broken hearts, and just general havoc with their lives.

So far Spike is my favorite Bird hero. There’s just something about him that softened my heart when reading his story. He and Madeline are great together. I especially enjoyed their lovemaking on his motorcycle parked on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. My goodness gracious, what a scene. I think I’d like to try that myself. And when they’re apart after their misunderstanding because of Mad’s brother’s machinations, Spike broke my heart when everything goes wrong for him after he returns home and he sits on his porch just staring at nothing. Definitely a man in love and he doesn’t know what to do about it. His astonishment when Madeline doesn’t run after he tells her about his past is also a favorite scene.

I know Sybil is probably going to have a conniption when she sees my grade for this book, but I can’t help it if I’ve had a run of wonderful reads lately. I’m a very happy reader right now.

Grade: A
From the back cover:

“Have you met Madeline Maguire?”

Sure have, Spike thought. I saw her last night in my dreams.

As far as bad boy Spike Moriarty was concerned, Madeline Maguire defined female perfection. When they’d met, she’d walked up as if she wasn’t the most gorgeous thing on the planet and asked to see his tattoos. He — a tough guy who’d make grown men run — had just about passed out. But their connection was definitely one-way…it had to be. Because he could never be the man in a million she was looking for, not with the things he’d done and seen. So for as long as she’d let him he’d give her whatever she wanted. He’d worry about her walking away when it happened.

Sandy M’s review of Salvation, Texas by Anna Jeffrey
Contemporary romantic suspense released 2 Jan 07 by Signet Eclipse

Once I got into the mind frame that this book is more romantic suspense than the cowboy romance I was expecting, I started to enjoy it, and it ended up being a very good read. It’s just that from the nice cover and the summary on the back, I was expecting more of an out-and-out romance, but the romance definitely takes a back seat to the mysterious death of the sister of the heroine, which turns out to be a good plot and a test for the hero, who is once again coming up against the man who basically owns the town and who also happens to be the father of the heroine.

I really like Rusty, even in the beginning of the book when the story was a little slow to my romance-addicted mind. He’s a stand-up kind of guy, honest and loyal to a fault, a lawman and a cowboy. He’s back in town after his teenage romance with Elena was sidelined ages ago when their fathers interfered, each with his own agenda. Because of that and other familial interference, Rusty and Elena parted ways, thinking the worst of each other. Elena never married and lives with her father in their huge house all the years Rusty’s been gone, but he’s back and things still sizzle between them. It’s almost too bad this is a romantic suspense. The fire between these two would make one sexy straight romance. Their past and the murder investigation Rusty is conducting, plus a couple of other issues, all converge to make their getting back together impossible.

There’s a few twists and turns along the way to keep you guessing, the love scenes are terrific when one comes along, there’s a couple of heartbreaking, emotional moments and a couple of heart-pounding moments. There’s even a little mystery at the end left sort of unsolved, although Rusty has an opinion about it, so it’s up to you to see if you agree with him. A solid book with very likeable characters all embroiled in crime and deceit, and some sexy cowboys thrown in for a little fun.

Grade: B+

From the backcover:

Ever since he lost Elena, everything in Rusty’s life has gone wrong. Her wealthy, influential father drove him out of Salvation, away from everyone he’d ever loved. Now he’s back, elected by the people to one of the most powerful positions in the county. He isn’t about to let the woman who once cost him everything get under his skin again. Not when there’s a cold-blooded killer on the loose. And not unless he can find a way to live with her father and her millions.

Elena Ryder knew of no better man than Sheriff Rusty Joplin-despite the fact that years back, he let her controlling father run him out of town. Now, she trusts no one else to investigate her sister’s tragic death. And she won’t even consider resisting Rusty’s rugged presence if she gets a second chance…

Read an excerpt.

Jennifer Estep reviews Demon Angel (The Guardians, Book 2) by Meljean Brook
Paranormal romance released by Berkley Sensation 2 Jan 07

Demons, Guardians, vampires, and all the other denizens of Heaven and Hell battle each other for love and supremacy in Demon Angel by Meljean Brook.

[Editor's note: This review contains major plot spoilers. Stop reading NOW if you haven't yet read this book and you care about spoilers.]

The book’s title sums up its two main characters — Lilith, a halfling demon whose mission is to tempt men into bargaining away their souls, and Hugh, a Guardian, or angel-like creature who protects mankind from demons, vampires, nosferatu, and other nasty things that walk the earth.

Demon Angel has a truly epic feel, as the action spans some 800 years from Hugh and Lilith’s first meeting in 1217 England to their reunion in modern day San Francisco. That’s when the two finally team up to stop a plot by Lucifer and others to gain access to Caelum, or Heaven.

But the plot takes a backseat to the characters in this book. What makes Demon Angel so interesting is how Lilith and Hugh’s roles continually shift and evolve over time. Lilith has more than a little humanity left in her, and Hugh isn’t quiet as noble and pious as he’d like to think.

Like, for instance, when he kills Lilith.

For centuries, Hugh searches for a way to release Lilith from her service to Lucifer, while struggling with his desire for her and his own burden of immortality. After breaking his Guardian vows, Hugh decides to Fall, or become human again. But before he does, he decides to save Lilith — by shoving a sword through her chest.

Literally.

This scene shocked me. Absolutely shocked me. (But in a good way because it was so totally unexpected. I hate books where I can see the plot twist coming 50 pages out. Don’t you?)

How many romances have you read where the hero actually kills the heroine? And I don’t mean he turns her into a vampire or werewolf so they can be together for a thousand years. Hugh kills Lilith — dead. And then he buries her.

And this was only around page 100 (!).

I admit I had a sneaking suspicion that Lilith wasn’t dead-dead, just mostly dead. But needless to say, I had to keep reading, if only to see how Brook could possibly have Hugh redeem himself after this.

It’s hard to pull off, but Brook does it. Because killing Lilith pretty much destroys Hugh. He goes through the motions of life, but he’s not really living it. And when he finds out that Lilith is alive (albeit still bound to serve Lucifer), he feels such joy that it’s hard not to like him again.

Lilith is a fascinating character, a creature who hates her place in the world but cannot escape it. She is charming, cunning, remorseful, and deadly. Hugh comes off as a bit of a goody-goody in comparison. Then again, evil is always more fun to play — and write.

There’s a lot to like about this book. Brook has crafted a complex, interesting world that goes far beyond your usual we’re-vampires-and-we-drink-blood paranormal romance. The only downside is that the world is so complex, I got a little lost. For instance, I didn’t quite understand how Lilith, a demon, could make Hugh a Guardian, or angel. And the numerous double crosses in the final few chapters were a little hard to follow.

Snappy, sexy dialogue isn’t easy to do either (especially when you start out in the 1200s), but Brook pulls it off with plenty of wit to spare. By far, the best parts of the book are when Hugh and Lilith spar, both verbally with sharp words and physically with weapons and sex. But their confrontations never stop them from seeking the best of both worlds in each other. And when they find their heart’s desire — together — is when Demon Angel truly soars.

Big thumbs up.

Reviewed by Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep will be guest blogging on April 30th

Meljean Brook will be guest blogging on June 4th

Gwen’s Review of Blood Bound (Mercy Thompson Series, Book 2) by Patricia Briggs
Paranormal/Fantasy romance published 30 Jan 07 by Ace Books (Penguin)

Blood Bound is book 2 of Briggs’ novels surrounding a mechanic named Mercedes (Mercy) Thompson and her world. Book 1 was Moon Called  is not a prerequisite, but is a fine book on its own. 

Briggs surprised me again by how she’s able to completely suspend my disbelief – making me believe in her characters and the story. I never had that moment of “yeah, THAT can happen.” These two books are less love story than action-adventure, though, so read them if you’re ready for a change. I think the character relationships are involved and complex enough to satisfy any but the most demanding romance reader. They’re just not the conventional HEA.

Mercy Thompson is a coyote walker (can shift to the form of a coyote at will).  Her friends are vampires, werewolves, and fae. The world Briggs creates in these two novels is rich with interesting, diverse characters, complicated relationships, and normal concerns (getting up for work and dealing with the mundane). I really like Mercy and would love to find myself having coffee with her one day, laughing about the heap she keeps in her yard to annoy her neighbor (you have to read it to understand). The overall story arc is well conceived and very satisfying – and she leaves us wanting to know more about Mercy and her world.

I really enjoyed this book. The pages kept flipping, and I kept laughing at the dialog or something the characters did. I was also left on the edge of my seat with some of the action and suspense. It’s a rich, complex world that Briggs has wrought and one I want to visit again. Here’s hoping we see Mercy soon and that she gets busy with one of the seriously steamy guys she hangs with.

Grade: B

Blurb:

A sorcerer-turned-vampire wreaks havoc on Washington’s Tri-Cities, causing death, destruction and a paranormal faceoff in the second of Briggs’s series featuring Mercy Thompson, a mechanic and “walker”: one who can turn into a coyote at will. After attempts by the paranormal community to destroy the malevolent sorcerer fail, Mercy finds herself pulled into the fray: though her werewolf and vampire friends are stronger than she, it turns out that Mercy’s abilities make her the only one in town who can save them all. While she discovers the truth about her powers, she also learns more about her past, and the werewolves who raised her. Though the romantic subplot-involving two rival werewolves, Alpha wolf Adam and Mercy’s roommate Samuel-fizzles, Briggs has a refreshing knack for imbuing her characters (even non-humans) with lived-in human qualities. When it gets going, this paranormal adventure story is engaging, but a flabby first-person narrative stunts the suspense.

Read an excerpt.

This is so ‘update your website month’ in romanceland. Karen Hawkins has a new look at her site. The whole thing has a look funny author feel to it. Think this ties into “branding”. I have never really thought of Hawkins as the funny girl romance writer. Maybe that was what I missed…

I really like the new cover for her next book but it really doesn’t scream historical to me. Maybe that is just me…

How To Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins
Release: January 30th, 2007

CAN SHE?

Shy, quiet Regency miss, Fiona MacLean, must save her brothers from becoming embroiled in a centuries old feud that could mean the death of them all. All she has to do is commit one, teeny, tiny, barely noticeable . . . crime.

WILL HE?

Sinfully handsome Black Jack Kincaid has spent his entire life philandering with other men’s willing wives, trying to forget beautiful, wilful Fiona MacLean, so he’s shocked when he awakens one day and discovers himself married to that very lass! Will he help her save her brothers and end a centuries old family feud? Can he accept being married to the woman who broke his heart so many years ago? And now that he has her, can he afford to let her go?

Look for To Scotland, With Love in August 2007 and To Catch a Highlander in January 29, 2008.