It’s that time of year, faithful reader – and let me pause to say how much I appreciate you…even if no one else reads my silliness, I take comfort in the fact that the two of us do – time to list my favorite reads of 2011. These are books I read and that were published in 2011, to clarify. My list ended up looking a little different this year – I had a four-way tie for favorite. Without further ado:

My Top Ten for 2011

1. What I Did for a Duke – There was so much buzz about this that I had to pick it up, even though I was behind in the series. I am so glad I did! I can’t even explain why it was SO good. But it was my favorite historical romance of the year.

1. Kiss of Snow – This was the story fans of the Psy/Changling series have been waiting for Hawke and Sienna’s story since they first met and I was very happy with their book. My favorite paranormal book of the year.

1. Yours to Keep – I love the Kowalskis! Read this book and you will never look at Post-its the same way again. My favorite contemporary romance of the year.

1. Dragon Bound – The first book of the best series I’ve read lately. I might have liked Serpent’s Kiss a bit more but this book established the world and set up everything that follows. Since I already listed a favorite paranormal book, this is my favorite fantasy book of the year.

5. Serpent’s Kiss – Rune! Rune Rune Rune!! An excellent hero and an excellent book. Between Dragon Bound and this one, it was hard to decide which book I liked better and I thought Rune and Carling were a more even match than Dragos and Pia so I enjoyed reading about their relationship a bit more. Still, Dragon Bound was the first and a funner read (yeah, yeah…I used the word “funner”. So?!)

6. ShadowFever – Whether it ended the way you wanted or not, it was epic. EPIC!

7. Heart of Steel – Such a fun, swashbuckling read! So entertaining! Pirates! Zombies! Airships! If you haven’t read any of the Iron Seas books, you make me sad.

8. Winning the Wallflower – Even though this is a novella, I enjoyed it so much! More than the full-length book book that spun out of it, even.

9. To Love a Thief – If you like My Fair Lady-ish storylines, check this book out.

10. Silk is for Seduction – It was hard to round out my top ten but how could I go wrong with Loretta Chase?

11. A Lot Like Love – Honorary mention for this one. When I looked back at my list to find books I would recommend to anyone, this one popped out.

A bonus – biggest disappointment (no, I still haven’t let it go): Breaking the Rules. I know, I’m bitter…it’s my own fault for having high hopes.

So, there you go, my faves for last year. I already have read some good ones for this year – you’ll hear about those soon enough – and hear rumors of more coming soon. Yay!

What were some of your favorites of 2011? Do you agree with mine or are you sitting there shaking your head at your computer?

C2’s review of A Lot Like Love by Julie James
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 1 Mar 11

So, faithful reader, have you ever wished a hot FBI agent would come into your workplace and tell you he needs you to pretend he’s your boyfriend so he can get into a party? Neither has Jordan Rhodes. I mean, there she is, minding her own business…literally…working her in wine shop, when agents Nick McCall and Seth Huxley walk in with a proposition for her.

It seems that Agent Huxley has been investigating a local businessman, trying to tie him to an indicted mobster. To get more evidence against Xander Eckhart (restaurateur, club owner, etc), the FBI needs to get into an exclusive party and plant some bugs in his office. Jordan, daughter of a billionaire and part of Chicago’s upscale set, attends the party every year. Huxley and McCall figure she can take Huxley as her date and no one will be suspicious. Agent McCall is mostly helping out in an advisory capacity, since this is Huxley’s first time undercover.

But, really, why should Jordan help them? They want her to lie to her friends (or friendly acquaintances, at least) and possibly help get people she likes into all sorts of trouble. Welllllll…it turns out that Jordan’s twin brother, Kyle, is in prison. It seems he shut down Twitter for a few days (OMG, BEST CRIME EVER!) and has been sentenced to eighteen months in prison. If Jordan agrees to assist them, Kyle will be released. How can she say no? I really like Jordan’s relationship with her brother – so snarky, so fun! Also, Kyle’s book is up next and all I can say is “WOOT!”

So the plans are set in motion and things are moving smoothly until a horrible stomach virus starts making its way through Chicago. Agent Huxley is one of the victims, so Nick has to step in and be Jordan’s date so the bugs can be planted. Since Jordan and Nick have stricken sparks off each other since they met, acting like a loving couple is going to require a bit of acting. Isn’t it?

Ah, but things don’t always go as planned and sometimes something completely random can cause all sorts of problems. And when organized crime is involved, no one wants problems. I won’t go into further detail – go read it and be entertained. We get to see Jack and Cameron from Something About You and reading it first would enhance your enjoyment of A Lot Like Love, but it isn’t necessary to read it first.

I enjoyed Nick and Jordan. From snowy Chicago to sunny Napa, they are a fantastic couple with lots of snappy dialogue (you know I loves me some banter, faithful reader) and prove that it is always fun to watch opposites attract.

Grade: A-

Summary:

The FBI wants her cooperation.

As the daughter of a billionaire and the owner of the city’s top wine store, Jordan Rhodes is invited to the most exclusive parties in Chicago. But there’s only one party the FBI wants to crash: the charity fundraiser of a famous restaurateur, who also happens to launder money for the mob. In exchange for her brother’s release from prison, Jordan is going to be there—with a date supplied by the Bureau.

Agent McCall just wants her.

As the top undercover agent in Chicago, Nick McCall has one rule: never get personal. This “date” with Jordan Rhodes is merely an assignment—one they’re both determined to pull off even if they can’t be together for five minutes before the sarcasm and sparks begin to fly. But when Nick’s investigation is compromised, he and Jordan have no choice but to pretend they’re a couple, and what starts out as a simple assignment begins to feel a lot like something more. . .

Read an excerpt.

Connected books:

Are you tired of top ten lists, faithful reader? I hope not because here’s mine.

10. Rules of an Engagement by Suzanne Enoch – what could be better than sailing the South Pacific, encountering natives, fascinating wildlife and pirates? If your ship’s captain is smoking hot, of course. Read my review HERE.

9. Pleasures of a Dark Prince by Kresley Cole – an very good entry into a consistently excellent series.

8. Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale – soooo nice to see Ms. Kinsale back and full of humor.

7. Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis – I love Ms. Shalvis’ baseball series and hope for more books soon. Please? Pretty please??

6. Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas – the end of the Hathaway series. I’ve always had a soft spot for Beatrix and was very pleased with her book. Also, I’m a sucker for books with letter writing.

5. Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon – the first story in her Chronicles of Nick series. I’m not usually a YA reader but I was intrigued enough by hints of this one to pick it up. So good! And she seems to be correcting/re-booting some errors in the main DH series, maybe. We shall see.

4. Play of Passion by Nalini Singh – one of my favorites of the series and certainly my favorite of recent entries. Plus we get to see bits of Hawke and Sienna. Yay!

3. Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey – are you looking for an excellent straight-up contemporary? Look no further! And the sequel is very good, too.

2. Here There Be Monsters by Meljean Brook – so it’s a novella. And I was skeptical, even after seeing the raves. Why would I put a novella I was unsure about picking up on my “Best of” list? Because it’s awesome! It gives us our first glimpse into Ms. Brook’s Iron Seas series which leads me to…

NUMBER 1!! The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook – I don’t have words for how excellent this book is. It defies description – at least, a description that properly conveys it’s awesomeness. All I can say is READ IT.

Now for some books I’m looking forward to in 2011 (in release order, as things stand now):

Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips – yes, I know several people have already read this one but I haven’t. My copy is pre-ordered though. Why? It’s Teddy’s book! It seems like I’ve been waiting for his story forever.

ShadowFever by Karen Marie Moning – why this one? Barrons! And the wait is almost over. Yay!

A Lot Like Love by Julie James – I have enjoyed all of Ms. James’ books so far and expect this one to continue that trend.

Breaking the Rules by Suzanne Brockmann – do you need to ask why? One word: Izzy Izzy Izzy! (What? It’s one word…three times.)

Any Man of Mine by Rachel Gibson (beware the Flash!) – her last few books have been hit-or-miss for me so I’m hoping this one will be a hit. Sorry for the lack of cover. Our friends over at the Book Binge have it posted, though.

There are many more, of course, but those are the ones that are coming up soonish.

Agree? Disagree? What are you looking forward to?

Who knew attorneys would make great material for hot and sensual romance novels. At least they are in Julie James’ romance novels.

While giving a reader an intriguing mystery and the requisite danger to accompany it, Julie also gives us a look inside the legal system of the U.S. Being a former attorney, her scenes are authentic and believable. Throwing love and romance, a sexy hero and intelligent heroine  into the mix make reading one of her books one heck of a good time. Not a thing vague and ambiguous about that at all.

Case in point:

FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES. . .

Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…

. . .INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS

Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension…

And now the case in chief:

“This is getting ridiculous. I have rights, you know.”

Cameron faced off against the cop guarding the door to her hotel room, determined to get some answers.

The young police officer nodded sympathetically. “I know, ma’am, and I do apologize, but I’m just following orders.”

Maybe it was her frustration at being cooped up in her hotel room for what was now going on five—yes, five—hours, but Cameron was going to strangle the kid if he ma’am-ed her one more time. She was thirty-two years old, not sixty. Although she’d probably given up the right to be called “Miss” somewhere around the time she had started thinking of twenty-two-year-old man-boy police officers as kids.

Deciding that throttling a cop was probably not the best way to go when presumably dozens more stood right outside her door (she couldn’t say for sure; she hadn’t been permitted to even look out into the hallway, let alone step a toe out there), Cameron tried another tactic. The man-boy clearly responded to authority, maybe she could use that to her advantage.

“Look, I probably should’ve mentioned this earlier, but I’m an assistant U.S. attorney. I work out of the Chicago office—”

“If you live in Chicago, what are you doing spending the night in a hotel?” Officer Man-Boy interrupted.

“I’m redoing my hardwood floors. The point is—”

“Really?” He seemed very interested in this. “Because I’ve been trying to find somebody to update my bathroom. The people who owned the place before me put in this crazy black and white marble and gold fixtures and the place looks like something out of the Playboy Mansion. Mind if I ask how you found a contractor to take on a job that small?”

Cameron cocked her head. “Are you trying to sidetrack me with these questions, or do you just have some weird fascination with home improvement?”

“Possibly the former. I was under the distinct impression that you were about to become difficult.”

Cameron had to hide her smile. Officer Man-Boy may not have been as green as she’d thought.

“Here’s the thing,” she told him, “you can’t keep me here against my will, especially since I’ve already given my statement to Detective Slonsky. You know that, and more important, I know that. There’s clearly something unusual going on with this investigation, and while I’m willing to cooperate and give you guys a little leeway as a professional courtesy, I’m going to need some answers if you expect me to keep waiting here. And if you’re not the person who can give me those answers, that’s fine, but then I’d like it if you could go get Slonsky or whoever it is that I should be talking to.”

Officer Man-Boy was not unsympathetic. “Look—I know you’ve been stuck in this room for a long time, but the FBI guys said that they’re gonna talk to you as soon as they finish next door.”

“So it’s the FBI who’s running this, then?”

“I probably wasn’t supposed to say that.”

“Why do they have jurisdiction?” Cameron pressed. “This is a homicide case, right?”

Officer Man-Boy didn’t fall for the bait a second time. “I’m sorry, Ms. Lynde, but my hands are tied. The agent in charge of the investigation specifically said I’m not allowed to talk to you about this.”

“Then I think I should speak to the agent in charge. Who is it?” As a prosecutor for the Northern District of Illinois, she had worked with many of the FBI agents in Chicago.

“Some special agent—I didn’t catch his name,” Officer Man-Boy said. “Although I think he might know you. When he told me to guard this room, he said he felt bad for sticking me with you for this long.”

Cameron tried not to show any reaction, but that stung. True, she wasn’t exactly buddy-buddy with a lot of the FBI agents she worked with—many of them still blamed her for that incident three years ago—but with the exception of one particular agent who, fortunately, was miles away in Nevada or Nebraska or something, she hadn’t thought that anyone in the FBI disliked her enough to openly bad-mouth her.

Officer Man-Boy looked apologetic. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re so bad.”

“Thanks. And did this unknown special agent who allegedly thinks he knows me have anything else to say?”

“Only that I should go get him if you start acting fussy.” He looked her over. “You’re going to start acting fussy now, aren’t you?”

Cameron folded her arms across her chest. “Yes, I think I am.” And it wouldn’t be an act. “You go find this agent, whoever he is, and tell him that that the fussy woman in room 1307 is through being jerked around. And tell him that I would appreciate it very much if he could wrap up his little power trip and condescend to speak to me himself. Because I would like to know how long he expects me to sit here and wait.”

“For as long as I ask you to, Ms. Lynde.”

The voice came from the doorway.

Cameron had her back to the door, but she would’ve recognized that voice anywhere—low and as smooth as velvet.

It couldn’t be.

She turned around and took in the man standing across the room from her. He looked exactly the same as he did the last time she’d seen him three years ago: tall, dark, and scowling.

She didn’t bother to mask the animosity in her voice. “Agent Pallas . . . I didn’t realize you were back in town. How was Nevada?”

“Nebraska.”

From his icy look, Cameron knew that her day, which had already been off to a most inauspicious start, had just gotten about fifty times worse.

Welcome back to Duck Chat!

Today we have former legal-eagle Julie James with us to talk about her sexy stories set within our judicial system. How I wish these fantasy men would wander through my depositions once in a while.

Julie is taking to heart the author/writer adage to write what you know. Her past law career is what she uses as a backdrop for her sexy romance novels. The U.S. legal system has never looked so good. In the last year and a half, she’s had three books published, all revolving around the ins and outs of courtrooms, law practices, police procedure, et al., and she talks to us about those three books today.

Julie is married and she lives with her family in Chicago. Be sure to leave a meaningful comment or a question for Julie and we’ll toss your name into the ring for a copy of her newest release, Something About You.

Now let’s chat!

DC: We’re so glad you could join us at TGTBTU today, Julie. Welcome! Would you tell those few readers who haven’t read your books yet a little something about yourself?

JJ:   Thanks for having me here!  Here’s the short-version: after graduating from the University of Illinois College of Law, I clerked for the United States Court of Appeals in Jacksonville, Florida. After that, I practiced law with one of the nation’s largest firms for several years until I began writing screenplays.  After Hollywood producers optioned two of my scripts, I decided to leave the practice of law to write full-time.  I now write contemporary romances for Berkley, and my third novel, Something About You, was just released on March 2^nd.

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

JJ:  I’m very flattered when people ask, “Why do we have to wait so long for your next book?” because that means they obviously really enjoy what I write.  But then of course it makes me wonder why I can’t write faster.    I think part of that is just learning to be comfortable with my process.  What works for other authors doesn’t necessarily work for me.

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?

JJ:  Absolutely.  When I get into a groove with a scene, particularly one with a lot of back and forth dialogue, I can “see” the scene in my head.  Sometimes a character will say something particularly clever or funny, and I end up laughing while I type.  Jason from Just the Sexiest Man Alive was a good example of that—that guy cracked me up the whole time I was writing him.

DC:  Your books have been a huge success with romance readers. You do have a new release, but let’s talk about your previous books first, if that’s okay. Just the Sexiest Man Alive was your debut book and was a big hit. Would you give us a quick peek into Jason and Taylor’s story?

JJ:  Sure.  Taylor Donovan is a hot-shot associate at a large firm who is sent to Los Angeles to litigate a class action employment discrimination case.  While she’s in L.A, her firm asks her to coach Jason Andrews, the biggest movie star in Hollywood (and three-time People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive), for a legal thriller he’s about to start filming.  The problem is that Jason is, um, slightly full of himself.  To put it mildly.  And he can’t believe that Taylor is so wholly un-enamored with him.  So he sets out to win her over and sparks fly.  : )

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

JJ:  I wouldn’t say I “argue” with my characters.  But there might be times when I write something I didn’t plan at first because I realize that it’s necessary to stay true to the character.

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

JJ: The Internet!  Checking email.  But I’ve started limiting that—I set goals where I tell myself that I have to write a certain scene, or so many words, before I can check my email again.

DC:  Practice Makes Perfect is your second book and sounds like a lot of fun when rivals become friends and lovers. Would you tell us about Payton and J.D.?

JJ:  Payton and J.D. are associates at the same law firm, and for eight years they haven’t gotten along.  But they play nice in public, because the one thing each of them wants more than anything is to make partner.  So when their boss hits them with the surprising news that only one of them will make it, it becomes an all-out, battle-of-the-sexes war between them.  But as they’re fighting it out for that partnership spot, they begin to suspect there may be a lot more simmering beneath the surface than they’d originally thought. . .

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

JJ:  I never say never to anything, but right now I’m very happy writing contemporary romances.

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

JJ:  Listen up, third-grade Julie: don’t tie yourself with a jump rope to Lisa Anderson and attempt to roller skate down that hill!!  Because when she falls down, you will too, and YOU will have the broken arm to show for it.

DC:  If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

JJ:  Oh gosh, no clue.  In fact, let’s just go with that—the blurb of the book about my life could be “No Clue.”

DC:  What would be your “voice’s” tagline?

JJ:  Hmm. . . I’d say: Smart, sexy, and fun.  (I hope.)

DC:  Your latest release is Something About You, which hit the shelves earlier this month.  Jack and Cameron have a rocky past. Can give us some insight into their relationship?

JJ:  Cameron is an Assistant U.S. Attorney.  Three years prior to the beginning of the book, she worked with FBI Special Agent Jack Pallas on a case that turned out badly, and they both blamed each other.  Heated words were exchanged, and Jack said some not-so-nice things about Cameron to the press—actions that got him shipped off to Nebraska.  Now he’s back in Chicago, and the first case he’s assigned to is a high-profile murder investigation in which Cameron is the only eye witness.  When it turns out that the killer might be after Cameron next, Jack is assigned to protect her.  And you guessed it, high jinks ensue.

DC:  What romance novel would you recommend our readers pick up during their next bookstore run? (Along with the latest Julie James, of course!)

JJ:  I am currently making my way through Joss Ware’s new series, and Release by Beth Kery is on my nightstand as well.  Prior to that, I read Nalini Singh’s Archangel’s Kiss.  All are books I highly recommend.

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

JJ:  I guess I’d still be a lawyer, which I genuinely enjoyed—just not as much as being an author.  Nothing beats a job you can do in sweatpants.  <g>

DC:  What’s on the horizon for Julie James?

JJ:  I’m currently finishing my fourth book, which is about a wealthy wine store owner who agrees to pose as the girlfriend of an undercover FBI agent (as part of a sting operation) in exchange for her twin brother’s release from prison.  It’s a lighter, dialogue-driven contemporary romance with a small suspense subplot.

DC: Thank you so much for spending the day with us, Julie!

JJ: Thanks again for having me!  For more information about me or my books, people can visit either my website or my blog.

Sandy M’s review of Something About You by Julie James
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 2 March 10

This is my first Julie James book. Therefore, I was surprised to learn, when reading the blurb about SAY, that the story revolves around an Assistant U.S. Attorney and all the legal aspects that go along with that. In my career as a court reporter I’ve worked with hundreds of attorneys, including my fair share of AUSAs, so this book intrigued me in a different way, other than the fact it’s a romance. I haven’t yet found that many romance novels that feature attorneys as either hero or heroine and I’ve always felt if it’s done right, there’s some good books waiting to be written.

And Ms. James has proven my point now with three books published featuring our legal system as their backdrop. Using SAY as a gauge, even not having read her first two books yet, she’s written the perfect combination of mystery, danger, love and romance, and legal procedure and jargon that any lay person can understand and have them come back for more.

AUSA Cameron Lynde is taking a much needed respite from her job by checking into a local hotel where she can unwind without interruption. The interruption she does get is one she could never imagine and one that throws her life into chaos for the foreseeable future. She ends up being a witness to a murder committed in the room next to hers, and of all the luck, the FBI agent in charge is a man she’s spent the last three years despising.

What are the chances the first case Jack’s given since his return to the Chicago office throws Cameron Lynde smack dab in the middle of his life again. She’d been the cause of his transfer to Nebraska – after she’d decided not to prosecute a crime boss Jack had spent years working undercover for to bring the scum to justice. But here they are, forced to work together in a case that involves a U.S. senator and his sexcapades.

With virtually no evidence to go on, Jack and Cameron work their way through both this case and their past while dodging a killer who’s intent on making sure Cameron can never identify him. I really enjoyed Jack’s dilemma of wanting to keep his dislike of Cameron front and center and fighting to keep his growing attraction to her in the background. It’s a fight he has no chance of winning. Cameron is an intelligent and witty heroine, and he soon learns that not all is as it seems concerning their current case and the one in their past.

I also enjoyed their banter when they’d get irritated with one another and bring up old news. The sexual tension between them grows slyly and slowly, building until neither of them can deny it any longer, and that tension eventually gives way to hot and sizzling lovemaking. Jack stole more of my heart when doing everything in his power to protect Cameron, castigating himself when he thinks he’s failed to do so. Throwing himself through a window to keep her safe is pretty dang heroic to me.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable story. The action doesn’t stop for a breath once it starts. And though we know who the culprit is early on, you never know what he’s going to do next. Jack and Cameron are terrific together. They’re one of those couples you’d love to see in an ongoing series. But, then again, maybe that would ruin what’s so special about them.  You just shouldn’t mess with perfection.

Grade: A

Summary:

FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES. . .

Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…

. . .INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS

Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension… Read an excerpt.

Shannon C.’s review of Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James
Contemporary romance released by Berkley 3 Mar 09

Originally, I hadn’t been particularly interested in reading this book. The phrase “feminist heroine” usually fills me with an unnameable dread. But after reading Jessica’s take on the gender politics and feminism in the book I decided I should read it myself since her review was very positive and I figured that if she liked the book, the chances of me hating it would go down. And I did enjoy this book. I haven’t quite embraced Julie James as the best thing to happen to the romance community since Nora Roberts, but I would definitely read her again.

This is a workplace romance between J.D. Jameson, a conservative, golf-playing member of his country club, and Payton Kendal, a vegetarian liberal feminist. Both are lawyers, and both have been in competition since they started working at their new firm. Both are hoping to make partner, and when their boss throws them together to help win an important client, they are forced to work together. At least until the decision comes down from on high that only one of them will, in fact, make partner.

I really liked both of these characters. Both Payton and JD seemed like real people you could actually meet and have a conversation with, and I thought that the ways in which they reacted to the world were realistically portrayed. I’m a sucker for witty banter, especially when it comes out of realistic characters, so I really enjoyed their interactions, and I enjoyed the build-up of their romance. I didn’t particularly even mind that Ms. James closed the bedroom door on the sex scenes. I also loved the way that both of them related to their friends.

The conflict played itself out in a way I liked. Though the book does feature its share of wacky hijinks, particularly when JD and Payton start playing pranks on each other, they were generally not distracting from the overall focus of the story. Even the obligatory dark moment, when Payton finds out about something JD did in the beginning of their relationship, worked for me.

What I didn’t particularly like–and this is kind of a minor nitpick but it irritated the crap out of me regardless–was that I felt that JD’s parents and Payton’s came out of Blatant Stereotype Central Casting. Payton’s mom is particularly obnoxious, and, sadly, she appears with alarming frequency in the story. Each time she showed up with her strident hippie-ness, I wanted to punch her in the face and/or stick some bacon in her mouth to shut her up.

If you haven’t yet read this book, you definitely should give it a try. It’s a great workplace comedy with some truly likeable leads. I definitely plan to check out Just the Sexiest Man Alive, Ms. James’ debut novel, and I’m hoping it’s just as good.

Grade: B

Summary:
.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION . . .
.
Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meaning of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face to face, they’re perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they’ve kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as co-workers for one reason only: to make partner at the firm.
.
. . . THERE ARE NO RULES.
.
But all bets are off when they’re asked to join forces on a major case. At first apprehensive, they begin to appreciate each other’s dedication to the law—and the sparks between them quickly turn into attraction. But the increasingly hot connection doesn’t last long when they discover that only one of them will be named partner. Now it’s an all out war. And the battle between the sexes is bound to make these lawyers hot under the collar,
.
Read an excerpt.

Are you tired of reading 2008 wrap-up lists yet?? Too bad! Read on, suckers gentle readers.

My top 10 books I read in 2008 (in no particular order): 

	Heart Fate (Celta’s HeartMates, Book 7) by Robin D. Owens Fantasy romance released by Berkley Trade Sep 2008 A series that just keeps getting better and better!
	Flat-out Sexy by Erin McCarthy Contemporary romance released by Berkley Sensation Nov 2008 Sweet, sexy, fun read! The internet buzz sucked me in and I’m glad. )
	Innocent In Death by J.D. Robb Futuristic romantic suspense released by Berkley Aug 2007I purposely keep myself behind in this series but I’m catching up – oh noes! I must pace myself better.
	Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, Book 1) by Larissa Ione Paranormal romance released by Forever Jun 2008 An excellent start to a new series! With a looonnngggg wait between books one and two. However, books two and three will be out back-to-back. Yay!
	Gabriel’s Ghost by Linnea Sinclair Sci-Fi romance released by Bantam Oct 2005  Sully! Does anything else need to be said? I didn’t think so.
	Grimspace by Ann Aguirre Sci-fi romance released by Ace Feb 2008
	A Lady’s Secret by Jo Beverley Historical romance released by Signet Apr 2008 I love the Mallorens and this was one secret I was glad to see revealed.
	At the Bride Hunt Ball by Olivia Parker Historical romance released by Avon May 2008An excellent Avon debut! Ms. Parker’s website says she is working on the sequel.
	Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James Contemporary romance released by Berkley Oct 2008 More online buzz I couldn’t ignore and another excellent debut.
	With Every Breath by Lynn Kurland Fantasy time-travel romance released by Jove May 2008One of my very favorite authors! She doesn’t get the attention she deserves, says me.

A side note – I have got to change my rating system, dang it all. I suppose I’ll go back to numbers. I always have too many books with the same rating and then I can’t sort them properly.

Honorable Mention:

	Josh Lanyon’s Adrien English Mysteries – yup, I read them all in 08…I can haz moar, plzkthx?
	J.L. Langley’s Englor Series – just so fab!

Lawson’s review of Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
Contemporary romance released by Berkley Sensation 7 Oct 08

This is the debut novel for Julie James, who seems to have a knack for having things with a legal setting. It also has to do with the always good story of the super famous movie star with a heart of gold. The characters are realistic, especially for being set in Hollywood, the dialogue is snappy and there’s enough sizzle to satisfy that fall sexy craving.

Taylor Donovan is a successful associate lawyer sent from her Chicago law firm to handle a sexual harassment lawsuit, as her specialty is employment law. Taylor is asked by the senior partner to help out a personal friend and advise an actor about an upcoming legal thriller. Though Taylor is under pressure to keep up with the information from her case, she does the favor for her boss to look good for her future with her law firm and becoming a partner. When the actor blows her off, twice, to go spend a long weekend in Vegas, Taylor has no time for him in no uncertain terms.

Jason Andrews has never been told no, at least not since he came to Hollywood. When Taylor refuses to see him after he didn’t show to their appointments, he thinks he can charm his way into getting her do what he wants. Taylor is different than the star-struck women he’s used to, and when she puts him in his place, he’s intrigued. Though he does do some things that would win any other girl, Taylor remains outside his charm.

I liked Taylor a lot. She didn’t let anyone boss her around, even her boss, and she let everyone know she was smart enough and capable of doing anything thrown at her. Though she’s career driven, she still had relationships with her family and three best friends in Chicago. When Jason tries to get what he wants, she effectively shuts him down using logic and intellect, rather than any sort of womanly wiles.

Jason starts off a petulant, spoiled superstar. He knows that he can get any woman he wants, any part he wants and any other thing he wants at the time. When Taylor proves a tough nut to crack, especially after a failed attempt to make her jealous, just being himself is what wins Taylor’s time. He’s loyal to his best friend Jeremy, a screenwriter, who he knew when they were in college together. What shows underneath is a good guy, if someone far to used to getting anything and everything whenever he wants it.

The villain worked well enough in the story, if someone who’s overly ambitious and desires to be famous more than to be respected. The story between Taylor and Jason, weaving her legal career, her case, his movie career, the paparazzi and life in L.A. was a good story. The only problem with the book was a personal grind for me. Though it’s a romance, that doesn’t mean there has to be sex. And there’s not a lot of sex scenes, but with the chemistry between Taylor and Jason, I wanted there to be some horizontal mambo going on. They sparkle and the payoff really isn’t there, but it doesn’t take away from the rest of the story.

Grade: B+

Summary:

COOL. CALM. COLLECTED.

Nothing fazes Taylor Donovan. In the courtroom she never lets the opposition see her sweat. In her personal life, she never lets any man rattle her–not even her cheating ex-fiancé. So when she’s assigned to coach People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” for his role in his next big legal thriller, she refuses to fall for the Hollywood heartthrob’s charms. Even if he is the Jason Andrews.

CONFIDENT. FAMOUS. IRRESISTIBLE.

Jason Andrews is used to having women fall at his feet. When Taylor Donovan gives him the cold shoulder, he’s thrown for a loop. She’s unlike any other woman he’s ever met: uninterested in the limelight, seemingly immune to his advances, and shockingly capable of saying no to him. She’s the perfect challenge. And the more she rejects him, the more he begins to realize that she may just be his perfect match. . .

Read an excerpt.