REVIEW: Swap by Jenesi Ash

LauraD's review of Swap by Jenesi Ash
Erotic romance released by Penguin Heat 2 Sep 08

I've discovered that one of the great things about hanging out here in The Pond (e.g. TGTBTU) is that sometimes you end up reading - and reviewing - a book you might otherwise have not paid any attention to. To quote the great Martha Stewart, that's a good thing. For instance, I doubt I would I have picked up a copy of Jenesi Ash's latest, Swap; but Sybil felt that I was due for some quality smut, and so she sent it my way. Read more

Tags: 2008, Erotic Romance, Grade B, Jenesi Ash, LauraD, Penguin Heat, Review, September 2008, Swap

REVIEW: Hearts Awakened by Linda Winfree

LauraD's review of Hearts Awakened (Hearts of the South, Book 6) by Linda Winfree
Contemporary Romance published by Samhain 2 Sep 08

I begged Sybil to let me read Hearts Awakened. I've been a Linda Winfree fan since Samhain published her first title, and her books are almost always good for a heart wrenching, soul cleansing cry. Masochist that I am, Hearts Awakened didn't let me down. Read more

Tags: 2008, Contemporary Romance, Grade A, Hearts Awakened, Hearts of the South series, LauraD, Linda Winfree, Review, Samhain Publishing, September 2008

REVIEW: Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

LauraD's review of Cry Wolf (Alpha and Omega, Book 1) by Patricia Briggs
Urban fantasy/Contemporary paranormal romance released by Ace 29 Jul 08

I had been hearing the buzz about Patricia Briggs' new novel, so I was thrilled to win a copy from Avidbookreader. I am one of the few readers who hasn't yet read one of the Mercy Thompson books, so I went into my first Patricia Briggs experience with a completely open mind. Read more

Tags: 2008, Ace, Alpha and Omega series, Contemporary, Cry Wolf, Grade A, July 2008, LauraD, Paranormal Romance, Patricia Briggs, Penguin, Review, Urban Fantasy

REVIEW: After the Kiss by Suzanne Enoch

LauraD's review of After the Kiss: The Notorious Gentlemen by Suzanne Enoch
Historical Romance published by Avon 24 Jun 08

I have a conflicted relationship with Suzanne Enoch; I have been unable to get into her contemporary series starring cat burglar-cum-sleuth Samantha Jellicoe, but I love me some historical Enoch. I actually read the first chapter of After the Kiss while sitting in the parking lot of the Big Box store, and since it's several thousand degrees right now in Texas that says a lot. Read more

Tags: 2008, After the Kiss, Avon, Grade A, Historical Romance, June 2008, LauraD, Review, Suzanne Enoch, The Notorious Gentlemen

REVIEW: Into the Fire by Suzanne Brockmann

LauraD's review of Into the Fire (Troubleshooters, Book 13) by Suzanne Brockmann
Contemporary Romance hardcover released by Random House 22 Jul 08

I never thought I'd long for the good ol' days, when the only part of a Brockmann novel that irritated me was the WWII flashback sequence. But I've got to admit, the hot mess that is Into the Fire had me wishing for something as simple as that to be disappointed in. Instead there were 4 different plot lines, one of which finally finished off a love triangle that probably has some fans howling with betrayal. Oh, and remember Sam's ex-wife MaryAnne? She's back, re-incarnated as Izzy's new love interest. Kidding. Sorta. Read more

Tags: 2008, Contemporary Romance, Grade D, Into the Fire, July 2008, LauraD, Random House, Review, Suzanne Brockmann, Troubleshooters series

Review: Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

LauraD's review of Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
Chick Lit hardcover release by Dial Press 26 Feb 08
Trade Paperback release 28 Oct 08

What if one day you woke up and all those little daydreams had suddenly come true? You'd lost 20 pounds, your hair was fabulous, you had a better job, and instead of fantasizing about Mr. Perfect, you were married to him. Only, what if you didn't remember who you were? That's the premise in Sophie Kinsella's new novel Remember Me?. Read more

Tags: 2008, chick lit, February 2008, Fiction, Grade B, LauraD, Remember Me?, Review, Sophie Kinsella, The Dial Press, Women's Fiction

Review: Project Jennifer by Jill Amy Rosenblatt

LauraD's review of Project Jennifer by Jill Amy Rosenblatt
Chick Lit released by Kensington 29 Jul 08

Chick Lit has its origins in Great Britain, and we Americans have never quite captured whatever it is that makes Chick Lit, well.....Chick Lit. Those Brits just seem to have a sense of irony that us Yanks can't quite get to. We seem to want our Chick Lit heroines to actually learn Life Lessons, when the point is really just a fun book where in the end the girl gets a reasonably happy ending. Up to bat here in America's latest is debut author Jill Amy Rosenblatt, and danged if she doesn't get it. Read more

Tags: August 2008, chick lit, Fiction, Grade B, Jill Amy Rosenblatt, Kensington Books, LauraD, Project Jennifer, Review

Review: Seduced by the Storm by Sydney Croft

LauraD's review of Seduced by the Storm (ACRO Book 3) by Sydney Croft
Paranormal romance from Delta 28 Jul 08

I've read and enjoyed the first two books in Sydney Croft's ACRO series, so I was quite eager to get my paws on the third installment. While paranormals are usually hit or miss with me, her slightly alternate version of our world, in which there are men and women trained to make use of their extrasensory abilities in extreme areas such as controlling storms, or mind control, is really interesting. Plus, there is usually lots of action and smokin' hot sex. Read more

Tags: 2008, ACRO Series, Delta, Grade C, July 2008, LauraD, Paranormal Romance, Review, Seduced by the Storm, Sydney Croft

REVIEW: Lady Sings the Blues by Mallery Malone

LauraD reviews Lady Sings the Blues by Mallery Malone (no author site found)
Contemporary romance eBook novella released by Samhain 24 Jun 08

When I read the teaser for this novella, it went into my shopping cart right away. I'd just seen Doyle Bramhall II play at Antone's, so a sexy story featuring a blues guitarist fit my mood. Lady Sings the Blues is Mallery Malone's debut, and a sign of good things to come. Read more

Tags: 2008, Contemporary Romance, eBook, Erotic, Grade B, June 2008, Lady Sings the Blues, LauraD, Mallery Malone, Novella, Review, Samhain Publishing

Review: The Best Day of Someone Else’s Life by Kerry Reichs

LauraD's review of The Best Day of Someone Else's Life by Kerry Reichs
Chick Lit released from Avon A 6 May 08

If the author's name sounds familiar, it's probably because you've read one of her mother's mystery novels. However, Kerry Reichs has written a sweet and funny novel about a young woman still trying to find her own happiness while all around her, everyone else is finding theirs. Well, at least they're getting married.

Read more

Tags: Avon A, chick lit, Grade B, Harper Collins, Kerry Reichs, LauraD, Review, The Best Day of Someone Else's Life, Women's Fiction

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