LynneC’s review of To Touch A Sheikh (Pride of Zohayd, Book 3) by Olivia Gates
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Desire 02 Aug 11

I enjoyed this book. Perhaps not as much as the others, but it made an interesting read.

This is the third book in a series, but you don’t have to read the other two to make sense of this one. The hero is Amjad, the Prince of a middle eastern country, and the heroine is Maram, a princess who was brought up by her American mother for the first twelve years of her life, then her father, a king of a smaller middle eastern country.

The prologue shows how Amjad was being slowly poisoned by his wife, and when it was discovered, he was expected to forgive, but he chose not to. The story itself follows years later, after Amjad has closed his heart to love and affection. He has more reason than most Desire heroes to do so. Most former wives don’t use arsenic to make their point.

The first half of the story takes place when Amjad decides to use a sandstorm to kidnap Maram to regain his country’s treasures, which he believes are being held by Maram’s father. It’s a cabin romance. Amjad and Maram come to a new understanding of each other and eventually become lovers. It’s interesting to watch them give and take and start to build a new trust, which, of course, is destroyed once real life comes back to bite them in the butt.

The second half of the book is concerned with them trying to regain their trust and to get back to a position where they can move on together with their lives. Amjad makes a dramatic gesture at the end to win Maram back, one I think is a trifle overdone, and it doesn’t really work for me, but it didn’t stop me reading. The first half is a leisurely exploration of the dilemmas and the feelings of the main couple and is satisfyingly claustrophobic, but, in contrast, the second half crams far too much into a small space and suffered as a result.

The language is, as readers have come to expect from Gates, richer, with a wide vocabulary and some experimental forays into metaphor that don’t always come off, but it’s a great try. Gates’ problem is that her language can occasionally become so complex that it obscures the meaning of what she really wants to say, so sometimes it takes a few readings to get what she really means. However, the spark between the couple is enjoyable, especially in the first half of the book. Their sparring makes for some great reading. The sex is a little weirder, since Amjad seems to practice a form of Eastern tantric sex. I didn’t find a part where he actually comes, but he must do it, because of the consequences in the second half of the book. The idea isn’t something I’m altogether comfortable with, and I’m not sure I want to think about it anymore. I’m not sure how he gets to practice, since he hasn’t had sex since he discovered his wife was trying to poison him.

However, it is an interesting read and a fitting conclusion to the Pride of Zohayd series.

Grade: B

Summary:

The Sheikh’s SurrenderNo one gets past Prince Amjad Aal Shalaan’s defenses. No one. But when Princess Maram shows up at Amjad’s gala in her father’s place, destroying Amjad’s plans to reclaim what was stolen from his family, Amjad sees red… and uses a freak sandstorm to make her his prisoner of passion.

Swept to safety by the man she’s always loved from afar, Maram knows she has one chance to make Amjad see her as a woman. His woman. But when the impossible prince and the unstoppable princess take shelter from the storm, neither is prepared for the aftermath of their desire…

Read an excerpt. (scroll down to book and click excerpt link)

Dinca’s review of Wedding His Takeover Target (Dynasties: The Jarrods, Book 5) by Emilie Rose
Contemporary Romance published by Silhouette Desire 2 Nov 10

The Jarrods is a six-book miniseries. It is sad to say once again I did not start at the beginning of a series. This one is so well written, I will have to backtrack and pick up the others in this family. The setting is Aspen, Colorado. I feel Emilie Rose does a wonderful job depicting the town.

After being called to his father’s attorney’s office and informed his grandfather has lost a five-acre tract of land in a poker game, Gavin is determined to buy it back. At any cost. He just never counted on it involving a ring on his finger. But he finds he wants this woman, even if she is part of a business deal.

Sabrina Taylor has survived a lot – parents that had no time for her, a young marriage, and loss of her beloved child and husband. She is now content to live and work at the B & B her grandparents ran. It is a place where she has good memories and it ha bescome a sanctuary to her.

Chemistry or no chemistry, Gavin Jarrod reminds her of the snooty students she went to school with where her parents taught.  In Sabrina’s experience, they only use people in her position.  She never expected to want anyone ever again after her husband’s death.  She has her life planned out, taking care of her grandfather for as long as she has him, and then looking after Snowberry Inn, the B & B that has been in her family for generations.

For the sake of the inn and at her grandfather’s urging, she marries Gavin, but when she finds herself pregnant, she sets out to change the rules.

I really do need to go back and read the rest of the series. If they are as enjoyable as this one, I will be extremely happy reading my afternoons away.

Grade: A

Summary:

Nothing could stop Aspen resort heir Gavin Jarrod’s land grab. Not even the ornery owner’s insistence that Gavin marry his granddaughter to seal the deal. Gavin was up to the challenge of wedding perfect stranger Sabrina Taylor, since this beautiful stranger was perfect. After a whirlwind seduction, he had her wed and bedded…to their mutual satisfaction.

But what was this new groom to do once his bride announced she was pregnant with his child? It was back to the bargaining table—because she wanted a real father for her baby or this merger was off!

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

LynneC’s review of Claimed: The Pregnant Heiress by Day Leclaire
Contemporary Romance published by Silhouette Desire 4 Jan 11

I’m a big fan of Day Leclaire’s Dante’s Inferno books, so I looked forward to reading her entry to  The Takeover series for Desire. I wasn’t disappointed. I had a great time with this book. Even if I did read it out of order (out of the two books available, I read the second one first!). The takeover concept is a nice one to hang a series on because it’s easily explained and you don’t have to read all the books to make sense of it. Day Leclaire has written a book that contains familiar themes, but with vividly drawn, likable and believable characters you’ll really root for.

Chase Larson has a big (and understandable) chip on his shoulder, not because he’s illegitimate, but because of the nature of it and the way he was treated. But he doesn’t hold it against his brother, Rafe. In fact, he’s helping Rafe to purchase the company owned by Emma’s father – the takeover of the series title. Chase owns a financial services company that deals with the complexities of these deals. And during this book, Chase does work and sometimes has to concentrate on that rather than Emma. Emma doesn’t fuss when he needs to work, and Chase finds it difficult at times. WTG both of them. I like responsible, mature heroes and heroines.

Chase spent the night with Emma before the story starts, and now Emma knows she’s pregnant. There’s a problem—she didn’t know Chase’s full name, and she didn’t give him the chance of discovering hers. So when they meet at a social affair to commemorate the takeover, they are both stunned to discover their true identities.

When she tells Chase she’s expecting his baby, it triggers all his issues, and he demands a permanent connection. He wants marriage, even if divorce is in the cards later on, because he wants to give his baby a name.

Normally I’d roll my eyes at this trope, because in this day and age, people don’t usually think that way. But Emma beats me to it. I sighed in relief when Emma shows the response that a modern woman would, especially a woman with money of her own. She doesn’t need Chase, but she’ll give him access and won’t fight over it. Chase wants more and eventually Emma agrees. But she never loses her head, except in the bedroom and even there she never promises anything she doesn’t mean or doesn’t believe is right for her, Chase, and their baby.

The sex scenes, while few, are genuinely sizzling and well worth waiting for. Leclaire builds up the tension beautifully, and I didn’t feel, as I sometimes do, that the sex scene is being postponed for no good reason. When there needs to be one, or rather, where there is no spurious reason why there shouldn’t be one, there is one. No phones ringing, no “but I shouldn’t” in a woman who’s panting for it a minute earlier. No “I love you, I hate you” either.

One of the reasons I like Leclaire’s books is that her heroines are usually interesting, believable characters in their own right. They have their strengths, and they don’t do TSTL stuff – or if they do, they don’t blame someone else for it. Emma is no exception. She’s interesting and she’s strong. Also beautiful, of course. And intelligent. Really intelligent, not an intelligent heroine who makes really stupid choices, like I’ve read elsewhere.

Chase is more difficult to like, but Leclaire gives the reader valid reasons why he’s so difficult. We learn about him along with Emma and get deeper into his psyche. In the end I like him, and I could see why Emma wants him, that’s apart from the “I want you” pull they both feel when they meet. And he’s a blond. What can I say? I love blonds.

Leclaire also manages to pull off a feat that I thought I expected, but then, didn’t. All through the book Chase and Emma get their phones mixed up. Same model, same ringtone. And when they change the ringtone, the other does too, and it ends up the same one. The little irritation to them shows the reader how well they are matched, despite their doubts and adds lighter moments to the story. The feat? Worth waiting for, and you’ll have to read the book, because I ain’t saying. See if you agree with me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters in it, and I think it’s well worth your money.

Grade: A-

Summary: “I’m having your baby.” With those words, Emma Worth changed Chase Larson’s life forever. Having been born on the wrong side of the marriage bed, the millionaire vowed no baby of his would be so cruelly labeled. There was just one thing that might keep him from making Emma his wife: their feuding families. She’d never dreamed one night with Chase would bind them forever. The pregnant heiress desperately wanted to raise their child together, but only if Chase could forget they were enemies….

Read an excerpt.

LynneC’s review of  Seduced: the Unexpected Virgin by Emily McKay
Contemporary Romance published by Silhouette Desire 1 Feb 11

Silhouette  Desire has a new series about a takeover of a company and the people involved. It looks as if the title similarity will be the colon. I read both books, and, as usual, I read them in the wrong order. It didn’t really affect the way I felt about the books.

Seduced: The Unexpected Virgin is about a Latino woman and a rock star. Not that you know it from the picture. I’d love it to have been a cover that reflects the story more, rather than picking the one scene where the hero wears a tux. and please, please, not a ponytail (I can’t really tell – what do you think?) Interestingly, when I Googled the title to get the blurb for the story, Google’s auto complete didn’t kick in. Censorship, methinks? Because the title does have a couple of buzz words in it!

I welcome the idea of a musician hero. At one point, Silhouette used to have heroes and heroines a little different from the norm, but now many of them have turned into Presents clones. While I enjoy the Presents series, it would be nice to have these slightly quirky characters return.

The hero, Ward Miller is described as a rock star, but his name and his appearances on his own makes me think much more of a country star. Rock stars tend to come in bands, and it’s the amalgam of musicians that makes rock great. This excludes the pseudo-rock stars like –cough- Kid Rock, of course. Even Alice Cooper has worked with the same musicians for most of his career and they add to his distinctive style (actually it was the band that was first called Alice Cooper, but Vince kind of adopted it for his very own). Ward just has himself and his guitar and untold millions. He is investing in the heroine’s charity. She is Ana Rodriguez, a woman who gives up a career costume designing in Hollywood to work for a charity set up by her foster sister’s husband (in the other book I read). I still wasn’t clear why she gave it up just because a star came on to her. Someone as savvy as Ana surely should have been able to cope with that? But when the incident recurs, she copes with it badly, and it didn’t ring quite true to me. However, it’s a small thing, and it might not bother you. As it was, with me it chips away at the doubts I have with Ana’s character.

I never really get to grips with Ana in this book. She has a well-paid job in Hollywood and yet her family isn’t living in affluence and her brother is in trouble. She has great difficulty coping with some of the aspects of the charity, and, quite honestly, at times seems more concerned with the décor than the actual reasons for the charity. Her efforts are a little piecemeal, and she’s easily distracted when Ward appears on the scene. I couldn’t believe that she’d give up costume design so completely. It’s an art, something you have to train for years to do effectively (these days it’s unlikely you’d get a foot in the door without the right qualifications) and it does get under the skin. My mother is in her eighties, and although she retired years ago, she is still at her happiest in front of her overlocker and sewing machine combo (a professional wouldn’t dream of working without an overlocker!)

And Ana moans, oh how she did complain! Nothing and no one is good enough for her, so much that I feel sorry for Ward at some points in the story and begin to wonder why he bothers. Surely he could do better than this woman? She niggles and complains and it never stops coming.

The sex didn’t really register for me in this book. There isn’t a lot, and it doesn’t mean a huge deal. I’m not convinced that they ever get to consummate properly, and we didn’t really get to read a satisfactory scene.

I did enjoy the presence of Ward’s guitar, the one he composes on. When he gives up composing and performing after the death of his wife, his guitar is shut in its case in his offices. I wonder why Ward has an office at all, since rock gods don’t generally go in for them or they use their agent’s or manager’s, but Ward has more interests than his music, so that works okay.

I like Ward and mentally took him out of the rock category and into the country or folk slot, as it works better for me that way. He’s patient, kind, and waits for her to come to him with alarming restraint.

But I expected so much more from this book. Perhaps that’s my problem. I would still love to read a book with a real rock star hero in this line. Alpha to the max!

Grade: C-

Summary: Nothing could tempt widower Ward Miller from his self-imposed seclusion. Until the private celebrity met his new “handler,” the beautiful, no-nonsense Ana Rodriguez. While he’d only stepped back into the spotlight for the worthy charity Ana ran, having her by his side was the benefit he truly wanted.

She claimed she’d never fall for a musician – being starstruck wasn’t her style. But that wouldn’t stop Ward. Ana made him want things he hadn’t wanted in much too long. So he’d pursue her.and with one kiss turn the tables on this innocent, leaving her begging for his touch.

Read an excerpt.

LynneC’s review of Million Dollar Amnesia Scandal by Rachel Bailey
Contemporary Romance  published by Silhouette Desire 1 Feb 11

A few years ago, there was a spate of books where one or other of the protagonists had amnesia. Very often, the amnesia was induced by a simple blow on the head, and restored the same way. It was an easy way to introduce a plot complication, and it was sometimes used as a way of skimming plot and reason. The plethora gave the trope a bad name, and they’ve only just begun to creep back.

None of the above is present in Rachel Bailey’s new book. The heroine has been in a serious car accident and loses her memory as a part of that. She knows who she is, because they tell her, but she doesn’t understand her reasoning, or how she got there.

The hero, Seth, arrives at the hospital because his brother, who died in the accident, signed over one of his hotels to the heroine before the car accident that took his life and left her injured. He needs that hotel back. What I found refreshing about Seth was his honesty. Instead of trying to trick April or try to seduce her into giving him his hotel back, he fights their attraction and wants her to make the decision herself. He knows that there is a chance that the gift of the hotel won’t stand in law, and he tells her that, too. Although he initially suspects foul play, he is open minded enough, and trusts his own judgment enough, to take April on the way he finds her, not by reputation or the way things appear.

The main villain is April’s manager mother. April is a famous jazz crossover singer and composer, and her mother is her manager. At the beginning, April uses her instincts and doesn’t return to her home with her mother, but to the hotel with Seth, to convalesce and try to regain her memory.

This book wasn’t without its problems. Five days after the accident, Seth had more or less come to terms with losing his brother. I would have thought that his grief would have been more consuming, but after a brief pang and a bit of remembering here and there, he carried on working and pursuing his passion for April, or fighting it. It didn’t seem to be dealt with enough.

April was more lightly drawn than Seth. She loved her music, and the career trajectory seemed appropriate, and echoed a few female stars I could think of, but although mention is made of the fanbase and adulation, media coverage seemed patchy. How come they never realised the connection between Seth and April, even though his brother was driving the car she was in at the time of the accident?

Seth’s illegitimate brother, Ryder, the subject of a previous book, and his wife appeared for one scene. They are important to drive the plot, but their appearance wasn’t really needed. I have read their book, but it was a while back, and I didn’t remember the details. Few were given, so their characters were only lightly sketched, and they had nothing to do with the affair between April and Seth. The other illegitimate brother, JT, will obviously appear in another book.

Her mother was lightly sketched and never really worked for me. Her complete villainess-ness was mitigated a little, but her motivations (power, money, vicarious living?) were fairly vague. I’d have liked more, or less, of her, or for her to have a more definite goal in the story, other than to get April back to work.

I did like the motif of the piano, a link between Seth and April, and later used for a nice, sensuous scene between them. And I liked the protagonists, April’s strength of character and Seth’s honesty and his determination to protect her. Plenty of “aw” moments between them.

When the truth comes out, I had more or less worked it out, but I had hoped for something a little more scandalous or inflammatory. However, in the context of the story, it worked.

I enjoyed the read. It was well written, and the story flowed with enough fluency to be a good read. B

Grade: B

Summary:

An accident left April Fairchild with no memory, ownership of a multimillion-dollar hotel and the nagging sense something wasn’t quite right in her life. It also brought her intensely sexy businessman Seth Kentrell, whose late brother had left her the property. Seth believed her a gold digger—and how could April deny it, when she couldn’t even remember her name? Now Seth was ready to play hardball to get the hotel back.

But April knew enough to refuse to sign over the property until her memory returned. And if that meant Seth needed to persuade her…well, that was something she could enjoy! At least until the whole truth came out….

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

LynneC’s review of  To Tempt A Sheikh by Olivia Gates
category novel released by Silhouette Desire Feb 11

I generally enjoy Olivia Gates’s books. A couple haven’t resonated with me but the ones she’s written for the Silhouette Desire line are treats. Lush treats.

This book starts more like a romantic suspense. The hero, Harres, is head of security. He’s discovered the situation of a sensitive hostage, someone who calls himself TJ Burke, although the real TJ is in jail. But this TJ has sensitive information that could bring his family down, and since his family rules the country, it’s important.

So there he is, muffled against the sand, watching the kidnappers and waiting for his chance.Of course he rescues TJ, and of course he gets the shock of his life. The rescue is described well, though not brilliantly. Where Gates excels is describing the attraction Harres feels for the person he rescues. Parts of that made me smile.

After they escape in a helo, Harres finds himself stuck with a bewitching female called Talia, crashed in the middle of the desert in a no-signal zone, at least three days walk away from the nearest oasis. They can’t be rescued by modern tracking devices. Talia is a doctor, and since Harres has been shot in the rescue, she sets about fixing his wound. Beautifully and precisely described, but since Olivia Gates is a doctor in real life, I can believe her description. (At this point I felt slightly uncomfortable, because, not to put too fine a point on it, fiction and fact might be very similar here).

They have to get to a place of safety. They only have enough water for a couple of days.

We know they do, because Gates mentions it in her introduction, and hey, this is a romance, right? So it’s how they do it that we’re interested in. Without spoilers, suffice it to say that Harres and Talia connect very strongly, and are then driven apart by circumstances when they return to civilisation.

So we have the desert romance, and we have the sheikh fantasy. Prepare to wallow.

I wallowed. We get to the part that Olivia Gates excels at – the sensuality. She builds the sexual tension right up, so high you don’t think she’s going to fulfill it. And then she does. There are long scenes of lovemaking, but described in lush, sensual terms that occasionally slips into the purple. But I loved it, because by then I was rooting for Talia and Harres. I wanted them to find happiness together.

Harres is a real alpha male. He won’t let any harm come to Talia, even when he believes she is his enemy. His protection of her as they trek through the desert is lovely. He is steadfast and true.

Talia is worthy of him. As a doctor who has worked in some of the world’s trouble spots, she has strengths of her own that go beyond the medical. She can look after herself, and she does her best to hold her own against the stronger Harres. He loves her for it.

My only problem came with the end. It was awfully rushed. I’m guessing that it was shortened to meet the word count, and I’m glad they went with that, rather than the lovemaking or the trek description. But I might have skipped a few scenes with the happy villagers instead, and concentrated on the main plot, perhaps developing the character of Talia’s brother, or making the black moment more credible. So I have to take a small point of for that, but don’t let that stop you buying the book.

It was a really great read and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Definitely a guilty pleasure, and one I’ll be returning to in the future.

Grade: A-

Summary:

He rescued hostage Talia Burke from his royal family’s rival tribe and swept her into his strong embrace. But Prince Harres Aal Shalaan soon discovered there was more to the brave beauty than he knew. Talia held information vital to protecting his beloved kingdom…and she had every reason not to trust him.

Marooned together at a desert oasis, Talia couldn’t resist Harres. Yet even as his sizzling seduction entranced her, his loyalty to his family and country would always make them enemies. Falling for the sheikh would be her heart’s greatest mistake…but she feared it was already too late….

Read an excerpt.

Dinca’s review of Claiming King’s Baby (Kings of California, Book 4) by Maureen Child
Contemporary Romance published by Silhouette Desire 13 Oct 09

Okay. So I read another of the Kings of California series. Of all the pigheaded oafs in the world, this hero has to be the king.  There are so many adjectives I could use to describe him. Most of them I would not put in print for fear my mother would turn over in her grave.  Arrogant, self-serving blankity blank will have to suffice. I am beginning to think Maureen Child needs new role models for her heroes.

Maggie leaves her husband because he did not want children and children are important to her.  Justice King, her husband, refuses to sign the divorce papers, so she shows up on his door step with a fresh copy. They have one last weekend fling and he promises to sign the papers. By the time she gets the papers in the mail, she discovers she is pregnant and does not file them with the courts. She has what she wants. Well, at least part of what she wants.

Maggie grabs at the chance to get her husband back in the picture when a freak accident offers her an opportunity to spend some time with him as a physical therapist, which is her profession. So when the job is offered to her by her brother-in-law, she takes it and shows up unannounced with baby in tow.

As far as Justice is concerned, that part of his life is over. He signed the papers and he is done with wanting what he can’t have and facing the failure of his marriage.  Above all, he does not need any help, even if his leg is healing from four different breaks and is as weak as a new-born calf. He does not want Maggie near him, much less touching him.

When he discovers strange new sounds coming from down the hall, he is more obstinate than ever when coming face to face with the child he denies is his. Maggie has to be lying. He calls her a cheat. And she’s still around? When he can deny it no longer, he puts that poor little baby through all kinds of poking for a paternity test, instead of manning up to be tested himself to see if he can have children.  Especially since the other test takes a lot longer than a sperm count.

This marriage has nothing going for it but chemistry. He doesn’t care about her wants or needs out of the bedroom at all. It is all about him. No wonder she left.  The book starts with Justice having dark brown hair and continues with the baby looking just like him with his black hair. Other things I wonder about is if they used birth control before she left, since he would not give her a child. If he would have manned up to having a problem in the first place, that would have solved all his problems to begin with. So I repeat, pigheaded oaf. Yep, that about sums it up.

This will be the last Kings of California I read by Maureen Child. I have enjoyed her work in the past and I will venture on to another one of her projects. I do not enjoy writing unfavorable reviews, so I will pass on the rest of this series.

Grade: D

Summary:

It was supposed to be a last meeting to sign divorce papers. Then passion overtook them and Maggie King walked away with more than just a legal decree–she was pregnant with the child Justice King had always refused to give her. A fact she would never dare reveal to him.But when circumstances forced her back to the King ranch, she could hide her secret no longer. Justice had a son, one he desperately wanted to deny was his own. Because admitting the boy to be his blood kin would mean he’d made the biggest mistake of his life.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

LynneC’s review of Ultimatum: Marriage by Ann Major
Contemporary Romance published by Silhouette Desire 12 Oct 10

This is a Silhouette Desire Man of the Month book, and when I saw the cover, I knew I had to read this one! Unfortunately, the inside didn’t match the outside.

Jake has lost the woman he thought was the love of his life to his brother. But he sleeps with Alicia, the daughter of a business colleague, and gets her pregnant. Then her father is in trouble, for defrauding and embezzling, including a charity for rehoming people after Hurricane Katrina. He is a snake.

But the story starts after that bit. I really felt that I’d come in when the story was half told and I wanted the first bit. But it starts when Alicia comes to Jake and admits she’s pregnant and asks him to marry her. Despite initial resistance, he does so. Jake comes across as a whiny, indecisive character who doesn’t really understand his architect’s business or the woman he has agreed to marry. His attitude to life is to be as miserable as possible. When clients cancel their orders after his marriage, he accepts it, but doesn’t tell Alicia. And despite setbacks that would undoubtedly close a business that wasn’t in a Silhouette Desire, he continues on as a billionaire. Because he marries her, and because of what her father has done, he has to lay off staff and receive a number of cancellations. And she won’t even give him sex.

Alicia is even whinier than Jake, with a streak of TSTL on the side. She said she wanted to marry him to give her baby a name, and if that isn’t a lame reason, I don’t know what is. Jake accepts responsibility, offers to support the child, but she wants marriage. Which is likely to ruin his business and have a knock-on effect on his brother Logan’s business, too. Once he marries her, she sulks around his place, and gardens.

That last surprised me, because pregnant women are often told not to do any gardening, because of the bacteria in the dirt, but if she wanted to garden, at least it reduced her sulking time. She supports her father, despite all the evidence being that he did what he’s accused of, and even visits him. If she’d loved her husband, as she claims, surely she’d have cut herself off from her father, or at the least made sure the paparazzi didn’t follow her there. But the paps are the bad guys, as always, and they follow them around, taking pictures and asking them intrusive questions. In this case, I couldn’t blame them. Her father gives her a brooch that her mother owned, in a great big case, and she doesn’t want it, but he drops it in her shopping bags. So she finds it, and shoves it under her pillow.

I’d have been happy for Jake to send her away, give her money and support his baby. Despite a couple of sizzling sex scenes, I didn’t feel the love. I didn’t witness them falling in love in the first place, or rather, Alicia falling for Jake, and I never thought that Jake felt more than responsibility for Alicia, despite his declaration of love at the end. I love books set in New Orleans, but I never got a real feel for the place, despite constant geographical references and the occasional “cher.”

The story read flat for me, as if the author was fulfilling an obligation to write it, rather than getting into her characters. It does happen that way sometimes, when characters don’t gel or don’t work, and if the pressure is on, then the book has to be written regardless. It read like one of those.

Grade: D

Summary:

It had been sheer madness to bed Alicia Butler. The beauty’s father had cost Jake’s company millions and any association with her would surely create troubling tabloid fodder. But Alicia was pregnant with his baby and he would not walk away from this responsibility. Their only option was marriage and the hope that the gossip would dwindle…even as their passion reignited.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Dinca’s review of Marrying for King’s Millions by Maureen Child
Contemporary Romance published by Silhouette Desire 4 Apr 08

Maureen Child has another grabber. It takes hold and doesn’t let go starting with page one! Several times I wanted to let go, but I had to follow the old saying “Stupid is as stupid does” and find out what stupid thing happened next.

Lessons learned… Never trust your heart. Julie’s first husband has dumped her and now her childhood crush wants a contract for an in-name-only marriage. Hah! The only good thing that could come out of that scheme would be her dream of owning a bakery, but Travis King is not demanding anything of her except her time and a wedding band on her finger for a year.

Travis plans ahead. Every move he makes is well thought out and a thorough plan in place so the outcome will be just as he wants it. The distributor he has picked for his wine business has one drawback… unmarried daughters. So Travis plans to be married by his rules before he makes the deal. All it will take is a simple business contract with his childhood friend Julie O’Hara that includes a start and end date. Everyone wins — he gets the distributor he wants and she gets her dream when the deal is done.

I had a hard time wrapping my head around the portrayed frivolous lifestyle too. Characters are trying to do the right thing, although I did find it rather naive of Julie to go meet with her traitorous ex-husband who had already blackmailed her and Travis.

I also find it totally unbelievable for a modern day woman, who professes she can take care of herself (as Julie proclaims), to think she is divorced without ever seeing or signing the divorce papers. You would think the ex-husband’s blackmail scheme is a done deal once their divorce/bigamy and remarriage leaks to the press. Why is he even still in the picture? And why does Travis think Julie is involved in the scheme? She stands to lose more than anyone. Supposedly for such a smart guy, Travis is way off the mark.

This book is not as strong as Book 1 of the Kings of California. Travis is too domineering, which tends to bring out the stupid gene in Julie. I don’t feel this is one of Ms. Child’s best efforts. I generally enjoy her work and I was not looking forward to writing this review. The only reason I didn’t give it a D was the grabber effect. One thing does happen after another that I didn’t see coming, even if it was laced with dumb, dumb and dumber.

Grade: C-

Summary:

Wed and bed one of his biggest client’s unsavory daughters? No thanks. But the only way millionaire Travis King could get the man off his back was to marry someone else. So he handpicked his temporary and on-his-terms bride— hometown girl Julie O’Hara. The woman was desperate and should easily fade into the background. And, as per their contract, she’d do exactly what he wanted during their year of platonic marriage. Unless what he wanted began to change.…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

LynneC’s review of Dante’s Temporary Fiancé by Day Leclaire
Contemporary Romance published by Silhouette Desire 4 Sep 10

I generally enjoy Day Leclaire’s books, but I think I enjoy the Dante’s Inferno books the most. The Inferno happens when a Dante touches the person he or her is meant for. Their palms tingle and get itchy. I don’t usually go for fated mate books, and I don’t buy into series a lot, but these have an appeal for me and I’ll read every one she writes.

This one is about Rafe Dante, who runs the courier service for Dante’s jewelry business, and Larkin, who he first meets when she’s waitressing and drops a tray of glasses. Because she does so, she is fired, although regretfully. Rafe Dante is tired of his family trying to find “the one” for him, and doesn’t believe in the Inferno. Most Dantes start their story by not believing. It is becoming a little tired, that trope, but so far Leclaire has delivered in different ways.

There is little new here, but it’s like an enjoyable variation on a theme. There’s a fake engagement, a loving family and a secret that most readers can guess well in advance. But in a way it doesn’t matter, because a good Desire comes from inside the character, not outside. The plot is just something to hang the characters on, to give them something to do while they’re falling in love. Many aspirants to Harlequin will try to cram too much plot into the story, but there’s not much you can do in 55,000 words, if you want to include a good love story, and show a couple falling in love.

Larkin is looking for something, someone, and we learn her secret early, but it only keeps her and Rafe apart in that she agrees to a temporary engagement, to deliver Rafe from his matchmaking relatives. She’s engaging and sensible, but there is one thing about her that I wasn’t too keen on, because there’s no reason for it. It would be a spoiler to say what, but if you read Desires and Presents a lot, you can probably guess what it is. She wasn’t as fully depicted as Rafe, but she was a good foil for his character.

Rafe is developed well. He’s the usual tall, dark, handsome alpha male, but his reactions are his, not anyone else’s. He comes off the page, and I really enjoyed his development. LeClaire doesn’t do anything new with this story, but what she does, she does well. His irritability is his own, as is the way he keeps people at a distance.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and I’ll look forward to the next Dante book. From the first book in this series I was hooked, and so far continue to be so.

Grade: A-

Summary:

One woman who was meant only for him? Rafe Dante denied The Inferno—that passionate knowing that made the palms of destined lovers itch. But his family wasn’t so easily convinced and paraded women in front of him. Until a brainstorm struck…He would choose a bride, proclaim her his soul mate, and when she left, he’d be “brokenhearted” and his family wouldn’t dare interfere again. So Rafe hired sweet, beautiful Larkin Thatcher to be his temporary fiancée.

But Larkin had secrets—and then Rafe felt the infernal heat rising….

No excerpt found.

Limecello’s review of The Billionaire’s Baby Arrangement, (Napa Valley Vows, Book 3) by Charlene Sands
Contemporary Romance released by Silhouette Desire 10 Aug 10

Although this book is last in the trilogy, the Napa Valley Vows, but I came across it first (as my books are listed alphabetically), and after I checked out the premise of the first one, I knew I wanted to read The Billionaire’s Baby Arrangement first. And with a title like that, how can you resist? It’s so ridiculous! But I don’t let that affect how I feel about a Harlequin category book. Also, the title in this incidence is rather misleading, I’m happy to say. I really enjoyed this book, and it had so many aspects and themes I gravitate toward. Friends to lovers, reuniting high school [sweethearts], an unexpected inheritance, the wonderful list goes on.

Brooke Hamilton is an incredibly likable heroine. She’s had a rough life, and has come through very well on her own. Brooke fights her attraction for Nick throughout most of the story, but she isn’t snide or hurtful about it. She also has her own issues to work through, and her complicated past with Nick. While she does hold some of it against him, in a way she has moved on, and I love that Ms. Sands is clear that what happened scarred Brooke because it underlined Brooke’s own issues and questions of self worth and concerns about socioeconomic status. Easily understandable when you’re growing up in Napa Valley and are not one of the privileged. I also love that Brooke acts a bit selfishly and for herself. At the same time it’s “sanctioned” because it’s what she and Nick agreed upon, and what he offered from the start.

Nick Carlino has a lot more depth than first meets the eye. In a way I’m glad I read his book first because it might have been too drastic a change. He’s been labeled as a playboy, and he’s careful to maintain that lifestyle, but he’s not a jerk about it. Nick doesn’t want any ties because he’s been burned before. However, his case is different from your typical hero who has been hurt and is almost a misogynist. Nick’s life was ruined, at least, he’s unable to do what he wanted to forever. He knows his life is pretty damn good, but with his dreams gone, he’s been living in the moment and fine with that. Brooke changes things, and Nick gets a wake up call.

It’s nice that Brooke and Nick learn from each other, and both are able to discuss their past and side of the story. It’s clear there was a major misunderstanding between the two. I loved that Ms. Sands had Brooke and Nick converse, rather than dance around their issues throughout the book, especially when there were so many other more prevalent and important problems. There’s enough substance to make this book different, but it’s not reaching either. The Billionaire’s Baby Arrangement is incredibly believable, and aside from the hero conveniently being a millionaire (and a few other minor coincidences), it could potentially happen to anybody. A neighbor. A friend.

And quick note, Brooke has a daughter, Leah, who is just a baby. Nothing against babies, etc, but I don’t have baby fever. At all. However, in this book, Leah was adorable, and not only a great addition to the story, but necessary.

Charlene Sands has been and continues to be one of my favorite Silhouette authors, and I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys categories, or is looking for a sweet romance that is a great summer read. Especially if you’re short on time.

Grade: B-

The highway collision had brought together more than their two vehicles. Suddenly businessman Nick Carlino was face-to-face with a woman from his past…and her five-month-old baby. Though they hadn’t seen each other in years, Nick offered Brooke Hamilton and her child shelter after the crash. It was the right thing to do as they got back on their feet.

But how could something so right feel so wrong? Having Brooke under his roof brought back memories the billionaire would rather have kept forgotten. And passions he needed to control. Nothing short of Carlino Vineyards’ legacy hung in the balance….

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Limecello’s review of The Bachelor’s Bought Bride by Jennifer Lewis
Contemporary Romance released by Silhouette Desire 11 May 10

I enjoyed this book but even more, it’s important to me because I realized I don’t hate all heiress books. (Just the vast majority.) Here, that’s not an issue. While the heroine Bree seems to fit into any number of stereotypes, she’s still a unique character and person, and quite likable. While the ending is ultimately predictable (it is a romance, after all), what happens in between is not at all trite, and I found it quite enjoyable.

Bree Kincannon is your typical wallflower heroine who gets a makeover and is beautiful. However what saves it from being trite is that Gavin truly is attracted to her before she makes physical changes. Also, Bree doesn’t do anything too drastic, like change her hair color, etc. That, and Gavin is actually confused and can’t quite figure out what’s different. Apparently he’s one of those super non-observant guys when it comes to women. Anyway, Bree is pretty clueless as well. She’s incredibly sweet and kind, but unsure of herself, and has never been assertive. It’s nice to see her developing as a person and fall in love.

Gavin Spencer is an idiot. But in a good, clueless hero sort of way. He thinks Bree’s father is crazy, and undervalues her. However, Gavin doesn’t tell Bree that, nor does he tell his father-in-law. Of course that’d lead to some interesting and awkward conversations, but the point is Gavin doesn’t consider the payoff or money to really be part of his marriage. He considers it an investment, and not at all related to his relationship with Bree. It’s kind of cute how absolutely clueless Gavin is, for someone who is so put together and on top of everything in all other aspects of life.

Bree really comes into her own, and realizes things about herself and her strength. I loved that. And Gavin had some important wake up calls as well. This story packs a lot of character development into a small package, and a rather sweet romance as well. The chemistry between Bree and Gavin is there, but it wasn’t what caught my interest. Really I wanted to see how everything would play out, and what the “big reveal” would be.

Normally I dislike the fortune hunter stories – but here it works because Bree was so aware it might happen, and then Gavin never considered it a bargain for marriage. Strange logic or justification, but he just approached it in an entirely different way. More importantly, Gavin realizes he’s stupid, and does some stupendous groveling. That really worked, and the time apart developed their characters even more. Bree and Gavin realize important parts of themselves and their love. There were also some sweet notes, with Bree’s friends coming out of the woodwork to take Gavin to task. It also helps show that Bree wasn’t really as pathetic as she made herself out to be in her own mind.

I did find the ending to be a bit trite, and the courtship or initial romance to be a bit off. Gavin decides to take things slow, even though he’s determinedly pursuing Bree, and she’s rather confused as to the whole thing. And then suddenly they’re getting married. It seemed neither character really knew what he or she was doing, and why. This kept me from enjoying the book even more, although I did like it quite a bit.

This is a really cute story and a great summer read-  I definitely recommend it to those who enjoy category romances and especially if you’ve read any of the other Kings of the Boardroom series.

Grade: B-

Quietly attractive, sweet natured…and filthy rich, Bree Kincannon was just the bride ad exec Gavin Spencer had been looking for. And Bree’s father had secretly offered him a cool million to take her off his hands. With the chance to start his own agency, it took the bachelor no time to turn the heiress into his loving wife.

Yet it didn’t take Bree long to discover the real reason behind Gavin’s whirlwind courtship. And the bedroom door was slammed in his face…. Too late, he realized his feelings were very real. But could he convince his bought bride that his motives for marriage had changed?

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of CEO’s Expectant Secretary by Leanne Banks
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 8 Jun 10

This book is the last of the Kings of the Boardroom series. I enjoyed the series very much, and have said time and again that Leanna Banks is one of my favorite category authors. It was a great finish and I liked the book even more than I expected to. Why? Because I really dislike the revenge type plots, or trying to sabotage someone, but here, it worked. Nobody was truly a villain, and I liked all the characters.

Elle Linton is a likable character, but confusing. I’d “met” her in a previous book (as the Kings of the Boardroom books are all loosely connected), and liked her a lot. I felt the same way about Elle in her own story, but her motives for doing what she did … well gave me pause. She basically lets her estranged grandfather pressure or blackmail her into an untenable situation, to pay for her mother’s necessary medical care. It seems like it should be more dramatic and more of a focus, but it wasn’t. At least not to me. Elle is likable and actually a strong woman, aside from “allowing” her grandfather to control her. It’s clear she hates what she’s doing, but is stuck. What I really appreciated is that Elle refuses to be a victim, or make excuses. She doesn’t protest uselessly, or try to convince Brock either. This also helps make Elle sympathetic.

Brock Maddox is someone I want to say is an asshole… but he isn’t. He’s rather cold to Elle, but unfortunately he has good reason. (Not to say I think he should have been mean to her without a reason, but it’s just sad how closed off he becomes.) Brock has been burned before, and Elle does it to him again. He’s definitely in love with her, but has difficulty trusting her as she’s been revealed to be a corporate spy. What is nice about Brock – and he actually points this out as well – is that he required irrefutable proof before he was willing to believe Elle was the spy. He didn’t want to suspect or accuse her of something so reprehensible. Brock cares a lot, but has difficulty showing it.

I suppose now the question is why it’s ok for Elle to do what she did, but she does feel miserable. Basically, all the characters are put in an untenable position, and it even makes sense (at least to and for Brock) for them to get married once he finds out Elle is pregnant. That and you know, he’s in love with her and wants her around even though he can’t admit that to himself at the time. (Can you tell I just eat this stuff up? I can’t quit categories. They seem ridiculous in summary, I suppose, but the stories can be absolutely wonderful and brilliantly written.)

I will have to say I love that Ms. Banks stayed true to the characters and situations. I almost expected Elle to be some wronged person because there was a ridiculous twist. But no, everything made sense and worked out naturally and in a believable manner. And that’s why I absolutely love reading categories and books by Ms. Banks. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who has been following the series, likes Silhouette Desire books, or is a fan of Leanne Banks.

Grade: B

Maddox Communications was his life—until he allowed a woman to come between him and his business. CEO Brock Maddox had been betrayed by his lover…his own secretary. And when he finally confronted Elle Linton, he discovered she’d been keeping an even bigger secret. Elle was carrying his baby.

Vowing to let nothing else out of his control, Brock declared Elle would marry him. Their union solidified his claim on their child…and allowed him to keep a close eye on his ex-assistant. Yet Brock knew he might succumb to the lure of his lovely wife…if he dared let his heart rule his head.

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of The Secretary’s Bossman Bargain by Red Garnier
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 13 Jul 10

A number of things made me decide to read this book. First of all, I adore Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Blaze books. They’re hands down my favorite category lines. Next, I’ve been meaning to try something written by Red Garnier for a while. Someone also recommended it to me, but it didn’t even matter, because I’d already bought it based on the premise. I’m a big sucker for secretary-boss romances. I do feel the need to state how much I dislike the title.

Virginia Hollis is a heroine who falls into a lot of stereotypes, yet manages to remain unique on some level. Her situation and experiences aren’t something a reader wouldn’t expect from a Desire book [yes I know, double negative], but there’s something about Virginia that is quite likable. It’s also clear that the attraction between Virginia and Marcos is undeniable. I also liked that Virginia was generally realistic and level headed. While she couldn’t resist Marcos, she held out on hoping for more until the end. Basically, she wasn’t the one who was misguided.

Marcos Allende is a master of seduction. It sounds cliche to say that- even to write it, but there’s no other way to describe him. Virginia never had a chance against him. Marcos is also a very nice guy. Ms. Garnier writes him as someone who we’re supposed to believe is cold hearted and out for destruction (well, of one company), but I never really got that from him. It seemed that Marcos had simply been biding his time, or more fighting himself to not be with Virginia.

The word I’d use to describe the book would simply be “lush.” The language is decadent and gripping. The Secretary’s Bossman Bargain is very sensual, with the reader following the combustible sexual attraction between the hero and heroine from the start. I really liked that. It was so up front.

The conflict, however, was weak.The all too overused “I love you but won’t admit it so I’m going to ask you to be my mistress instead of wife” the usual conflict ensues with hurt feelings, a panicked then grovelling hero, and quick forgiveness.

However, aside from those issue I’d say this a bit better than an average read (hence the C+ grade), and I’ll definitely be looking for more category romances by Ms. Garnier. The Secretary’s Bossman Bargain is a fantastic summer read, and I definitely recommend it to those of you who enjoy contemporary romances, and especially Silhouette Desire categories.

Grade: C+

He’d desired her—and denied himself her company—for far too long. Now Marcos Allende finally had his secretary right where he wanted her. He’d convinced her to play the role of his lover while he conducted the deal of his life. And once the pretense was over, Marcos would move heaven and earth to make Virginia Hollis his true mistress.

She longed to be more than merely Marcos’s dedicated assistant. Yet she’d readily agreed to play along, hoping to ensconce herself in his bed…and then his heart. But could she keep a permanent place in his life once he discovered her secret?

Read an excerpt here.

Lynne Connolly’s review of Billionaire, M.D. April’s Man of the Month by Olivia Gates
Contemporary Romance published by Silhouette Desire 01 Apr 10

Olivia Gates has been notable by her absence recently from the Silhouette Desire line. After an interesting foray into the paranormal romance, she’s back in the world she knows best. Passion and medicine.

The girl can write. Just-wow. Her writing in the past has sometimes overwhelmed the story, but here she keeps her talent harnessed to the service of telling the story of Roderigo and Cybele. It flows, and her pacing is terrific. The first part of the story is tense and taut, just right for the subject matter it contains and later it explodes into rampant, thrilling sensuality.

In real life, Gates is a doctor, and it shows in the assured depiction of the two surgeons featured in this story. It contains some of the elements I dislike but Gates sells them to me because she does it right. I’m in a bit of a bind because it’s very important not to let give out spoilers. We experience the revelation along with the heroine and while we, like her, half know what it is, we feel a reluctance to know the truth, just as she does. So I can’t discuss a lot of the story, only the way it kept me enthralled, far past the other things I should have been doing, until I reached the last page.

Cybele wakes up in a hospital bed in the arms of the most gorgeous surgeon she’s ever seen. But she can’t remember anything about her recent past. She has amnesia. In the hands of a less skilled writer, this could deteriorate into the usual, as some of these tropes are achingly familiar to the Silhouette and Harlequin reader. But this is different, because Gates has done her research. She doesn’t just know about post-accident trauma, she knows about the different kinds of amnesia, what they do and how the body and mind react to them. It makes the story real and much, much more than “business as usual.” In fact, in many ways this book proves what I’m always saying – that detailed research makes the book better, makes it particular and special, instead of a generic blitz of some well-worn tropes. It makes this book one that has an instant place on my keeper shelf, and one I know for sure I’ll read again in the future.

Roderigo has always loved Cybele, but he can’t tell her now. She’s vulnerable, she’s injured and she’s pregnant. Her husband was flying the plane when it crashed, killing him and leaving her badly damaged and he has to tamp down his feelings for her. There are revelations all through the book about their relationship, but while the savvy reader can guess most of it, it would be a shame to reveal it here and spoil your reading fun. Roderigo is a real alpha – none of the jerk about him. He’s honorable, steadfast, and he’s not a rake. He doesn’t treat women like dirt, and he’s so careful and protective of Cybele that you’ll melt for him.

Cybele realizes fairly early on that she’s a doctor, too. It’s only the accident and the year or two before it that she can’t recall. Her understanding of her condition and the need for the correct treatments helps Roderigo, and her recovery isn’t minimized. It takes time, and the reader understands along with Roderigo that she needs respite to recover properly. I liked Cybele. She was intelligent and demonstrated it. It wasn’t stated that she was intelligent, followed by brainless behaviour, as I’ve read so often in category romance. She did the right thing. I began to lose patience with her at the end, but by then both she and Roderigo had sold me on their relationship. And besides, Roderigo’s response is so damned romantic it was worth it just to watch him do what he did. If Cybele hadn’t taken him, I would have done.

Roderigo is Spanish, but has spent time in America, so his fluent English is acceptable and believable. Sometimes with the latin lovers of Harlequin, their use of the colloquial is a bit too much to believe, and to this Brit, typical Americanisms or Britishisms don’t work when spoken by sexy Greeks or Italians. Again, Gates has done her research and understands the differences between Catalonia and Spain, and there is one sequence, with a delightful custom I’d never heard of, and I should have because it celebrates St. George’s Day, the English patron saint (we don’t have him to ourselves, though). The English don’t celebrate the day very much, which, considering it’s also Shakespeare’s birthday, is a bit of a shame. I’ll be in the States on that day, but I’ll try at least to wear a rose. Roderigo and Cybele celebrate it in a much better way.

Sexy, but above all romantic, this is how category should be written. There were parts of the story that had to be skimmed over because of the length requirements, but I’m in two minds about these. In a selfish way, I wanted to spend more time with Roderigo and Cybele, but I’m not sure if this would have been to the story’s benefit or not. But that at least goes to show that Gates left me wanting more.

I loved this book and I am going to hug it and keep it and call it George for a long time to come.

Grade: A+

“Mr. April: Rodrigo Valderrama, billionaire Spanish surgeon.

His Patient: The woman he’s always wanted.

His Problem: An explosive pregnancy secret.

He’d rushed to her side the moment he’d learned of her accident. Whisking the recovering Cybele away to his palatial seafront estate, the wealthy doctor vowed to care for and protect the pregnant young widow.and never let her know his true feelings. But he feared that even with all his brilliant skills, he might not be able to keep Cybele if she learned the truth about his role in her pregnancy.”

Read an excerpt.

Liviania’s review of The Executive’s Pregnancy Ultimatum by Emilie Rose
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 1 Feb 10

After limecello got onto me for reading specific titles she recommends by the author she likes instead of picking any book by the author, I pretty much chose to read The Executive’s Pregnancy Ultimatum by Emilie Rose because I know limecello likes Emilie Rose.  But hey, living dangerously paid off.

Renee Maddox just discovered her divorce papers were never filed.  She also wants a baby – the same baby she always wanted, from her husband Flynn.  He agrees to giving her his sperm, but only in a direct manner and only if she tries to live with him, with the baby, for a year.  Rose doesn’t make the mistake of dragging out the secret to the couple’s split up to where the reveal seems silly.  It’s explained within the first several chapters that Renee and Flynn agreed they wanted three or four children before they married, but Flynn’s new job after his father’s death kept him away from home.  He gave Renee neither attention nor a baby.  She communicated that she really wanted a child and split when he refused.  Renee had another complication: she began drinking heavily, like her alcoholic mother. She managed to stop after leaving the stressful situation.

I loved Renee.  She’s a successful business woman who doesn’t give up her job for her man.  She’s unafraid to be a single mother and has the courage to stand up to her hideous mother-in-law.  Then the Renee I fell in love with disappeared toward the end.  Suddenly, she isn’t communicating with Flynn.  She’s running from telling him that she isn’t really an alcoholic but has the potential to be . . . as he knew since her mother was an alcoholic and Renee chooses to avoid alcohol now in order to avoid temptation.  She also brings it up as a risk to their children, despite the fact she’s been planning to have children since before the book began and it isn’t an issue until the end.  It’s odd.

Luckily, Flynn’s characterization stays steady.  He messed up by taking Renee for granted, but now has his personal and professional life in balance.  He’s caring and thoughtful.  He stands up for Renee and respects her dedication to her business.  It’s no wonder that Renee falls quickly back in love with her husband.  It is a wonder that she thinks he’d hate her because she isn’t actually an alcoholic but showed the potential during their impending divorce.

I enjoyed Emilie Rose’s writing.  I liked the hero and the heroine.  I just wish there wasn’t a manufactured conflict, because the story would’ve worked much better without it.  It undermined a lot of what Rose was doing so well.  I am still likely to pick up one of her novels in the future.

Grade: B-

Summary:
Flynn Maddox, the driven vice president of Maddox Communications, thought he was over his ex-wife, Renee. But when he learned that they were still married—and that she was trying to have his baby—he realized he had never stopped wanting her. It was time to put his fierce negotiating skills to good use. He would give her the baby she so desperately wanted…but not without getting her to sign off on some terms of his own.
No excerpt found.

LynneC’s review of Money Man’s Fiancée Negotiation by Michelle Celmer
Contemporary Romance published by Silhouette Desire 13 Apr 10

Last night, I saw a program on TV called “Women.” It looked at modern “radical feminists,” and their main concerns seemed to be with pornography and prostitutes. But instead of worrying about equal rights in the workplace and equal pay, and keeping the workplace safe, they worried about the objectification of women and how they could stop teh ebil. It felt like going back fifty years.

Today, I read a book by Michelle Celmer that felt the same. It advocated staying at home, having babies over having a career, dressing comfortably instead of dressing up, going with the flow instead of working hard for independence and self-respect.

Melody was a confident woman who sometimes took the lead in bed and did some kinky things, which, apart from videoing themselves, didn’t seem to amount to much. But she felt she was forcing it. Ash, her partner, was supposed to be sterile after a bout with cancer in his childhood but when Mel finds herself pregnant, she leaves him rather than tell him about the baby and face his denials. So, although Celmer tries to backpedal later, this immediately condemns kink and adventurous sex as wrong and wicked. Do that, and you’ll never find true lurve. Sex is a complex thing, and the longer a couple stay together, the more complex it can get. Kink, simple lovemaking and sex in the shower, on the stairs etc all play a part in a rich sex life. It doesn’t have to involve hearts and minds every time, it doesn’t have to be “making love” instead of bonking. It all plays its part. True, Mel and Ash seemed to have lost that spark, but it doesn’t just happen, you have to work at it. So Mel rebooted.

I hated that Mel ran away. Babies are people too, and they deserve everything they can get to give them a good start in life. Mel should have kept Ash in touch, should have insisted on paternal rights, because he was rich. She could have proved paternity beyond doubt by a post birth DNA test. But oh no, she runs away. Needless to say she has no money of her own, other than what she’d “saved” (stolen) from Ash.

But a couple of months in, she has a car accident and loses her memory and her baby. So Ash arrives at the hospital, and to get access to her, he says he’s her fiancé. Eyes rolling to the back of your head yet? It gets worse.

I’m not a big fan of the amnesia plot, but Celmer does this bit right. Mel has had serious head injuries, not just a knock on the head, and through the rest of the story, her memory comes back in bits and pieces. Amnesia, if treated properly, can be an interesting plot device, but its misuse and overuse a few years ago gave it a bad name. Also, it smacks of “deus ex machina.”

Mel becomes a sweet girl. She doesn’t like push up, lacy bras because she thinks they are instruments of torture. I was grumbling through this bit because honestly, as a lacy, underwired bra wearer, I can say they are not. The lace is either soft or lined in something comfortable and the underwires mean you can run for a bus without knocking yourself out. She doesn’t like the posh clothes in her closet and prefers jeans and t-shirts. She doesn’t like make-up and gets by with the legendary slick of lip gloss. She wears her hair loose or roughly tied back instead of the pinned up, more elaborate styles the old Mel used. And Ash prefers her that way. Pulease. In your dreams. So making an effort and dressing well is equated with artificiality and slutty behavior?

The old Mel had some confidence issues, it emerges, and has covered them up with the clothes and the make-up. Does this sound familiar? It does to me. I did it for years, still do. When I’m nervous, I’ll sometimes use good clothes and make-up as a confidence booster. So the new Mel is confident enough not to do this? I hate her. And I don’t believe for a minute that a sexy, wealthy, intelligent man prefers her that way, unless—and here’s the rub—he wants to control her and have her as his good little wifey. Celmer tries to tell us that Mel is now being true to herself, which is why she’s a better person, and Ash is forced to reassess the way he looks at women. I didn’t buy it, because Mel’s new confidence includes missionary sex and Ash’s new awareness means asking his ex wife, instead of his current partner, about his behavior in the marriage.

I did like that Ash’s previous marriage broke up because he neglected his ex wife, not that she was a monster and a bitch. But I didn’t like that he checked with her about his fertility, and discovers that not only did she abort his baby early in their relationship, she had an IUD. He didn’t blame her for this, once he heard. And what’s with checking with the ex? Is a doctor’s checkup too much to ask for?

I would have loved this book if Mel had gone from being a doormat to a confident woman. Loved it. And the amnesia twist would have been interesting, because she’d have forgotten the background that pulled her back. I wanted her to go to law school, get the nice clothes and decide to have a life, and I wanted Ash to love her for that. It could have been a great book. But confidence to doormat just didn’t work for me.

I read this book, so you know what you’re in for if you pick it up. You might like the fantasy, but all I can say is that it isn’t for me. I’ve enjoyed some of the books in the “Kings of the Boardroom” series, but this one let the side down badly. I’ve enjoyed Celmer’s books before, but not this one. I’m going to look for a Celmer book that I can give a good review to, because I really hate giving this grade.

Grade: F

See Limecello’s review here.

Summary:

“Finally, after an intensive search Ash Williams had found his runaway mistress. Melody Trent couldn’t even remember him, but Ash was determined to discover the truth. Had he fathered her child? And the only way to bring her to his home was to claim her as his fiancée—even if she had no memory of him whatsoever. At Maddox Communications he could handle any crisis with icy calm. Even so, having Melody back in his life—amnesia or no—would mean using all his resolve to keep his heart from ruling his head.”

Read an excerpt.

Limecello’s review of Money Man’s Fiancée Negotiation by Michelle Celmer
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 13 Apr 10

I generally enjoy Michelle Celmer’s books a lot. I liked Money Man’s Fiancée Negotiation as well, but I kept thinking “is this a mislabeled Harlequin Presents?” I don’t think I’ve ever felt the two lines were so similar as when I was reading this book. There’s so much going on. Secret Pregnancy. Amnesia. Runaway Mistress. Fake Fiancée. Revenge. Who could resist? This is part of the Kings of the Boardroom miniseries, and I’m definitely going to read all of the books in it.

As I said, this book is packed with what seems like every Harlequin trope there ever was. While it could easily be too much, generally it works. However, there is a glaring “can he or can’t he” issue that I feel should have been dealt with differently -and is the premise of the entire book. So, we can’t have logic winning over plot, right?

I want to say that Melody Trent is your typical Harlequin heroine, but she’s not. She is after her accident (once she has amnesia) – and you find out that’s how she always was secretly… but with Ash, she’s this vixen, exhibitionist almost pushy sexual being. It’s… interesting to say the least. Odd, but necessary to justify Ash’s immediate conclusions about her. I feel that Melody’s character is incomplete, and possibly contradictory. It didn’t seem sufficiently explained why Melody is so not herself when she is with Ash, pre-amnesia.

Ash Williams is a jerk, really. And most, if not all, of the problems that occur are his fault. I suppose I didn’t like how easily everything worked out for him. It seems like he got a free pass for being an incredible asshole. Aside from that, Ash is nice… it seems he actually does want a relationship and a ‘softer’ woman. He’s likable, but not. However, he does begin to change – slowly, and I feel an entirely new facet to her person is revealed when he met with his ex-wife. (Oh yeah, there’s one of those too. She’s not evil -anymore- though.)

I think it’s also because I never like the revenge story line of “well I hate her and think she’s horrible, so I’m going to make her fall in love with me then dump her ass so she suffers.” That concept creates no end of cognitive dissonance for me. I just… don’t understand it. The fact that Ash does feel guilty and knows he’s wrong does help redeem him a bit.

Although I have a number of issues with the book, everything did fall into place nicely. And Ms. Celmer writes a strong romance. I’m definitely looking forward to what she’ll write next, as well as the next installment to this miniseries.

Grade: C-

Summary:

Finally, after an intensive search Ash Williams had found his runaway mistress. Melody Trent couldn’t even remember him, but Ash was determined to discover the truth. Had he fathered her child? And the only way to bring her to his home was to claim her as his fiancée—even if she had no memory of him whatsoever. At Maddox Communications he could handle any crisis with icy calm. Even so, having Melody back in his life—amnesia or no—would mean using all his resolve to keep his heart from ruling his head.

Read an excerpt.

Limecello’s review of More Than a Millionaire by Emilie Rose
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 8 Sep 09

And she’s back! I’m so pleased to say I really enjoyed this book by Emilie Rose. She’s one of my favorite Harlequin authors. it pains me to say I didn’t like her previous few, so I actually putt off reading this one for quite some time. Yes, there were things about it that weren’t perfect, but I was engaged in the story and wanted to see how it turned out.

I have to say first… that the premise of this book is pretty “wtf” to me. The book blurb caught my interest, and made me chuckle a bit. But I knew I wanted to read it because Ms. Rose wrote it. This isn’t a spoiler because this is explained at the opening – the heroine is going to be a surrogate for her sister and brother-in-law. The brother-in-law used to be Nicole’s boyfriend first. And she thinks she love[s/d] him. The clinic messes up, and uses Ryan Patrick’s sperm. (Nicole’s brother in law is Patrick Ryan.)

Honest though – I found that easy enough to get over. In fact, what bothered me more was all the focus on contracts, and what they said. (But then, nobody wants to get into a discussion about contract law.)

Nicole Hightower is quite special, but flawed. She’s the peace maker in her family, but also rather silly, in my opinion. She is determined not to make the same mistakes her mother did, so convinces herself she can and will be in love, once. Ever. Otherwise, Nicole is fantastic. She’s smart, has a great career, and cares a lot. She’s a giver, which is really nice to see. At the same time, Nicole isn’t perfect, and there are certain aspects of herself she’d prefer not to examine. This makes her relatable, and interesting.

Ryan Patrick is something of a contradiction. Yes, he’s the jerk hero out to get the heroine… but his aim really is to get sole custody of his child. Which he hired a surrogate to bear. He’s been burned before, and reacts in the extreme. Although that’s not the most sensible reaction, self protection is understandable, and Ryan is determined to do that. I like that he’s actually quite considerate and caring, just… with misplaced ideas on what his goals are for some things. He had tunnel vision, as he says – but realizes his mistakes.

I wish the conflict hadn’t been quite as ongoing. Nicole Hightower and Ryan Patrick both have their issues to work through, and I felt they were well matched. Of course, the heroine experiences her epiphany first… but I think Ryan makes up for it with his heartfelt apology and his act of restitution. I also liked the fact that Ryan made headway with a better relationship with his father… but Nicole’s tenuous situation with her family remained the same. The fact that there wasn’t a candy coated perfect ending actually pleased me.

I definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy books from the Silhouette Desire line, and those that like Ms. Rose’s writing as well.

Grade: B

Summary:

Mr. September: Ryan Patrick, millionaire daddy-to-be

Baby?: Yes…to secure his inheritance

Marriage?: No…only surrogates need apply

A mix-up at the clinic meant the wrong woman was pregnant! Ryan would do anything to reclaim what was his. Particularly since delectable airline heiress Nicole Hightower wasn’t about to just hand over her child. Was there a way he could have both…without making promises he could never keep?

Read an excerpt here. (The excerpt is on the amazon page, but I’m not sure how long it’ll stay there.)

Limecello’s review of Bossman’s Baby Scandal by Catherine Mann
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 12 Jan 10

This is a new Silhouette Desire series titled “Kings of the Boardroom.” Yes, and yes. I generally check out Catherine Mann’s books – so I was definitely intrigued by the new series, and the book blurb. The title is misleading, as the hero isn’t the boss, or even a boss, and he definitely isn’t the heroine’s boss. Which, I admit, I liked more than if it had been so. Bossman’s Baby Scandal was a very enjoyable book.

Lauren Presley is a fantastic heroine because she’s smart, capable, likable, successful, and normal. She owns her own business, lives her own life, but everything seems to be crashing down around her. Lauren’s mother is a rather large burden, and her business is failing. I liked that Lauren didn’t hole up and snivel, nor did she go running to someone – especially a man – for help. Luckily, help finds her. Something else I appreciated was that Lauren, while independent, didn’t feel the need to assert herself so much as to detrimentally affect her life. She’s very practical.

Jason Reagert is a darling, and… for the sake of continuing alliteration, also a doofus. He actually cares for Lauren, and wants a relationship with her – but doesn’t himself know it yet. This makes his actions more forgivable, as Jason couches his concern and desire to help Lauren in terms of protecting his career. Jason’s ultimate concern seems to be for his job, but he’s using it as a crutch. The fact that he’s doing so, but doesn’t realize it, made me like him much more – otherwise he would have been a heartless jerk. But Jason has so much more depth than that.

I was intrigued by the secondary characters in this book – especially Jason’s coworkers. I’m wondering if they’ll be featured in the subsequent books in this series. Both Jason and Lauren also had family drama, but it helped bring them together. Additionally, I liked that Jason didn’t reconcile with his parents by the end of Bossman’s Baby Scandal. While there is a happy ending, and a lot of forward progress, the fact that not everything is picture perfect gives the story a realistic quality, and saves it from being too pat or saccharine.

I was utterly satisfied by the conclusion of this book. For once, I felt that the hero and heroine met almost exactly in the middle. Neither Jason nor Lauren gives up too much. They both make changes and adapt, and are willing to sacrifice for the other. Even if it’s not necessary, the thoughts and sentiments are crucial. I also thought it was important that Lauren and Jason didn’t demand changes from the other person. For example, Jason never demanded Lauren completely change herself or give up her life to be with him. In fact, he wanted her to continue doing what she loved – he just wanted to make it easier for her. The fact that both are willing to change and compromise on their separate lives to build one together is a fantastic focal point.

The epilogue was very cute, and I felt that it brought everything full circle- but in a fun and quirky way. I’ve also just found out that Emilie Rose wrote the next book in this miniseries, and as Ms. Rose is one of my favorite harlequin authors, I cannot wait to get my hands on it. I definitely recommend this book to people who enjoy category romances, and those who like Ms. Mann’s books.

And this is relatively irrelevant, but I’d just like to share how very excited and pleased I am that Ms. Mann’s website is updated. Kudos and gold star!

Grade: B+

Nothing had stopped Jason Reagert from making his own millions. And now that he was securely ensconced at Maddox Communications, he was determined to become an even bigger success. Then startling news broke and Jason—along with everyone else—discovered he had gotten heiress Lauren Presley pregnant. He couldn’t afford even a whiff of scandal, so he proposed to his lover of one night. Surely she’d agree to a lifetime of convenience, if only for the baby’s sake.

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of The Moretti Heir by Katherine Garbera
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 10 Mar 09

I got this book because it was part of the Man of the Month series, and also because it’s by Katherine Garbera. Admittedly, there were other motivating factors, as Marco Moretti’s  description is “Italian millionaire.” I’m a sucker for these books, and I’m definitely glad I read this one. Ms. Garbera writes romances that are very enjoyable, and offer the entire package in a category length.

Virginia Festa was so normal… but not. She’s normal, in that she’s a regular woman. Virginia leads a nondescript life, and aside from attracting the attention (and more) of Marco, there’s nothing special about her. Although there is the fact that her grandmother was a strega. And… I thought she was kind of insane. Magic sperm to end a curse? Are you kidding me? (Well, a baby, actually, but I didn’t consider that to be much better.) Thankfully, I didn’t think about it too hard. And… while the story revolves around this key aspect, it also doesn’t focus on it. I can’t explain it, but although I hate that premise and part of the plot, I loved the rest of the book.

Marco Moretti is a darling. He’s sweet, human, caring, extremely athletic and talented, and falls for Virginia quickly. I liked that Marco wasn’t entirely sure of Virginia, but did want to have a relationship with her and see what happened from there. He did have some terms and overbearing moments, but I found them easily forgivable, considering what Virginia was after. Nevertheless, the Moretti brothers also believe in the curse… so in a way they were all normal in their craziness. Or, non craziness to them.

I think it’s clear I was less than enthralled by the, dare I say minor paranormal aspect of this story? I suppose it works to draw Virginia and Marco together. But… having a baby, but not falling in love, to end a curse so Virginia and Marco could each fall in love – with someone else? It sounds complicated, and it is complicated. Nevertheless, trying to get pregnant does throw Virginia and Marco together, and a relationship develops.

I liked that Virginia wasn’t able to walk away from Marco as easily as she wanted. Also, the Marco demanded rights to his child – his responsibility and sense of duty says a lot about him. Virginia’s actions while a bit off the wall and seemingly desperate, also make sense. She believes in the curse, has seen it’s effects, and is determined to not live out her life alone. I found that admirable.

The Moretti Heir also impressed me because there were so many things about it I was predisposed to dislike. The strange baby plot. The fact that Marco is a race car driver. The fact that the story is based on deception. I don’t know much about racing, but it’s definitely not my thing. However, I think it did make a difference that Marco is a Formula One race car driver. The international circuit makes it more cosmopolitan, and I liked the change in setting throughout the book. Where they were allowed Marco and Virginia to act differently, and that really helped develop both their personalities, and relationship. It’s clear that both had already formed strong emotional ties to the other.

I liked Virginia and Marco very much, as well as the secondary characters. Each had his or her own part to play, and developed the plot of The Moretti Heir rather than distracted the reader from it. I’ve already re-read this story, and plan to do so again. I definitely recommend this book to Ms. Garbera’s fans, or those who like the Silhouette Desire line.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Mr. March: Marco Moretti, Italian millionaire.

His Curse: Love or money, never both.

His Conquest: Defeat a generations-old legacy with one seduction.

His competitor’s daughter had come to him with the ultimate request: impregnate her and their families would be free of the curse that plagued them. The chemistry between Marco and Virginia Festa was electric, and the solution seemed simple. Yet begetting the Moretti heir created the most impossible of situations. They’d each fallen in love with the opposition.

MAN OF THE MONTH: Determined to end Moretti’s Legacy, only he knows to what lengths he will go!

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of The Maverick by Diana Palmer
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 8 Dec 09

I’m pretty sure people believe that Diana Palmer is one of my favorite authors. This statement isn’t true. It’s more that Ms. Palmer is almost a compulsion – like a drug I can’t quit. I know there are other Palmer addicts out there, so you know what I’m talking about. Many people read a book by Ms. Palmer and think “I don’t get the hype.” But generally, every story has something about it that makes it special. I’m sorry to say, that The Maverick wasn’t one of these surprise gems.

Both the hero and heroine have had appearance in previous books by Ms. Palmer – her seemingly never ending Long Tall Texan series. (I do not lie- I’m pretty sure there are more than 60 interconnected stories at this point, and that’s low balling it.)

I’m going to talk about the hero, Harley Fowler, first because he’s been a part of so many previous stories. Harley seemed to be perpetually unlucky in love. He’s dated practically every heroine from when he first appeared, to now, when he finally gets his own book. I don’t want to say it, but I’m a little disappointed. (Not as much as others, based on reactions I’ve seen – but… still a bit let down.) Harley has surprising depth, and the reader knows him to be a good guy. He used to be cocky and immature, but now has grown into a respectable, and likable man. Harley knows what is important in life, and doesn’t care about image or what other people think of him in regards to what is “in” or “fashionable.” All of these characteristics are things you look for and want in a hero, but unfortunately Harley just falls a bit flat here.

Alice Jones I believe was a medical examiner, but regardless, she also has appeared in a number of previous books. She’s quirky, has an off kilter sense of humor, and essentially weirds people out. Alice uses her off beat humor as a way to amuse herself and cope with the cases she deals with. I understand that. However, Ms. Palmer takes it too far in the book. I don’t think there’s a single instance where someone doesn’t walk away from Alice. The reader feels beaten about the head with Alice’s supposedly “fun and sassy” personality, that simply isn’t. Alice is just… weird. I get that she’s supposed to be whimsical or idiosyncratic… but it reads as if Alice, or Ms. Palmer is trying too hard. (And sadly without succeeding.)

I liked Alice and Harley as individuals, but didn’t think they had any chemistry as a couple. It seemed as if Ms. Palmer had a check list – one she uses for every book, and made sure she hit the high points, and let the rest go. Harley used to be a jerk, but now he’s matured and ready to settle down. Check. The heroine falls in love with the hero first. Check. The heroine is inexperienced [generally a virgin- which yup, she is here] – check. (And it’s not that I have an issue with the concept – simply that there seems to be no reason for it here. Other than… Alice’s social skills or lack thereof may have guaranteed that happenstance.) Someone is murdered/there is a horrific crime committed in Jacobsville. Check. The townspeople all come out en masse – check.

Alice proposes to Harley – jokingly- I believe the first time she meets him, and every subsequent time. Their first meeting is incredibly antagonistic, and yet suddenly they become friends. And more than that, they begin dating, and hello they’re all over each other. O_o Oh and Harley just so happens to be a senator’s kid, though he’s been estranged from his parents for over a decade. Don’t worry – they reconcile by the end of the book. Of course. (Oh- check mark here too.)

This isn’t the worst Diana Palmer book I’ve read, and by no means one of the worst books in general I’ve ever read. I’m just sad that it’s very disjointed, and essentially not up to par for other books by Ms. Palmer. The flow isn’t quite there, and too much is happening at once, in too short a time period. As a result, the plot, romance, and pacing of the book are all shortchanged.

If you’re a die-hard Diana Palmer fan, or love Harley, read this book. It’s cute, and explains a lot about him. If you’re wondering if you should try out a Diana Palmer book, stay away from this one. She has so many better ones out there.

Grade: D-

Always in the middle of trouble, be it during roundup or at Jacobsville county dances, Harley Fowler emerges unscathed. Until he meets whirlwind, top-notch investigator Alice Jones, who is trying to solve a murder involving the one family Harley doesn’t want to talk about—his own. Suddenly he’s in the midst of mayhem—and all he can think about is protecting Alice. But the stubborn woman is unappreciative of his efforts. What’s a confirmed maverick to do? Is seduction the solution?

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of The Maverick’s Virgin Mistress by Jennifer Lewis
Contemporary Romance published by Silhouette Desire 10 Nov 09

This is a horrible title, I know. (Or, not horrible especially considering Harlequin’s general ones…) Anyway – I got it because it was written by Jennifer Lewis, and also because its part of the new Texas Cattleman’s Club installment(s). I’m trying to work my way through those books in no particular order.

Alicia Montoya is a well written heroine – although a bit desperate. So, she’s never had sex before. The way Alicia/Ms. Lewis describes it, you’d think she had some sort of horrible communicable disease. I suppose I didn’t see the how/why it was “such a burden” or terrible thing for Alicia. She seemed so normal otherwise. Aside from that, however, Alicia is a warm, caring, and engaging individual. I liked that she had a brain (after she had sex- lets not analyze that please), and took steps to protect and assert herself.

Justin Dupree is sweet, sexy, desperate for Alicia, and… an ass. It seems to be a recurring trend recently, where the hero introduces himself to the heroine under a pseudonym, then gets stuck. I understand why he does it- and it makes sense, and even the resulting flare up is reasonable, but… sometimes over the top. Nevertheless, Justin is a good guy because he feels guilty and wants to come clean, and more importantly, almost does. Even better, Justin knows he was wrong – a hero willing to see and admit his flaws is always a step in the right direction. He’s sweet, charming, and very charismatic. Just… a bit confused.

I loved Alex. I love the overprotective big brother, and how he torments Justin. (I freely admit I love the hero who has to go through a bit of torture.) I think it was all the subsequent actions the characters took that really proved the depth of their affections. He’s a great secondary character, and I’ve been enjoying his cameo appearances throughout the series. Although he’s been painted as a villain, I sense there is so much more, and I’m looking forward to his book.

I suppose I have to analyze my issues with Alicia more. It seemed like there were two parts to this book. Pre-sex, and post- sex. Alicia was frankly, somewhat disturbing about how upset she was that she’d never had sex. In some ways her personality didn’t mesh. She was too naive or simplistic, and very self assured and demanding in other ways.

Aside from those issues, I liked the fact that characters from the previous books in the series were involved in this book. It was nice to see how everyone was doing, and still that this book could stand alone. I’m always impressed by the Silhouette Desire authors who manage to write a cohesive series where each book still can be read by itself. I liked the plot, and thought the story was sweet – just that sometimes the characters deserved to be smacked upside the head.

In the end, I recommend this book if you’ve been reading the Texas Cattleman’s Club series, are a fan of Jennifer Lewis, or Silhouette Desire books.
Grade: C

Texas Cattleman’s Club member Justin Dupree has met the perfect woman…too bad their relationship is built on a lie.

Her life in danger, Alicia Montoya turned to the one man she thought she could trust. Her new boyfriend—a tall, dark Texan—offered her refuge in his posh penthouse. And she eagerly accepted his proposal of protection…

…until she discovered her lover’s true identity: Justin Dupree, notorious playboy and her beloved brother’s enemy. She had given her virginity to a man who had betrayed her. How could she possibly accept anything this maverick said as truth?

Read an excerpt here.

Lynne Connolly’s review of High Powered, Hot Blooded by Susan Mallery
Contemporary Romance published by Silhouette Desire 8 Dec 09

A powerful businessman, Duncan didn’t like ultimatums, unless he was making them. But the board demanded his public image change. When he encountered sweet kindergarten teacher Annie McCoy, he knew she’d make him look like a perfect angel, though it would take some devilish manipulation.

Once he had Annie playing his pretend mistress, Duncan needed to make her his real-life lover. Could a grouchy CEO cultivate the charm necessary to win the woman he’d almost destroyed?

Susan Mallery is one of my favorite Harlequin authors. Sometimes she gets a bit too sweet for me, and everything turns to sugar, but this is a Christmas book, and I do like a bit of sweet stuff at this time of year.

This is a Scrooge-like Christmas story, except Scrooge isn’t that Scrooge-y. Duncan is more misunderstood, and he’s a good businessman. Most of his problem is bad press.

I liked Duncan, but he isn’t that much different to many of the other Harlequin Presents heroes. Rich, ruthless, a tycoon. But I have to confess I’m a sucker for that kind of hero, when he’s well done and Duncan was well done. And he never hurt the heroine. For me, the turning point between alpha and alpha jerk is often when the hero hurts the heroine, especially when he does it intentionally.

Annie was right on the cusp of annoyingly sweet, but she lands on the good side. Not too cloying, despite being a kindergarten teacher the story isn’t awash with ankle biters and there isn’t a baby McGuffin. Good points for me.

Duncan hires Annie to be his girlfriend to get him some good press. I liked that he was straightforward about the offer and she wasn’t stupid about it. She took the deal. It did annoy me that she planned to give away her expensive wardrobe after the job was up. Nah, who’d do that? True, kindergarten teachers don’t have much call for cocktail dresses and ball gowns, but hey, hanging them up and gloating is fun, too.

I didn’t like the motivation for Annie, or rather, I didn’t like the way it turned out. Got a bit sugary there. Annie’s brother works for Duncan, and he’s embezzled money from the company. I didn’t buy that Duncan would have covered that up. If there are shareholders, then he has no right to. He does report to a board, although that seems to consist of family members.

Anyway, that doesn’t take up much of the story. The main focus, as it should be, is the development of the relationship. And that was fun. Mallery does interaction and dialogue really well. I loved some of their exchanges.

So all in all, a fun Christmas read and I’ll give it a fun B.

Grade: B

Mr. December: Duncan Patrick, CEO Scrooge

His Objective: Lose the “bah humbug” attitude

His Plan: Find the right (temporary) mistress

A powerful businessman, Duncan didn’t like ultimatums, unless he was making them. But the board demanded his public image change. When he encountered sweet kindergarten teacher Annie McCoy, he knew she’d make him look like a perfect angel, though it would take some devilish manipulation.

Once he had Annie playing his pretend mistress, Duncan needed to make her his real-life lover. Could a grouchy CEO cultivate the charm necessary to win the woman he’d almost destroyed?

Limecello’s review of To Tame Her Tycoon Lover by Ann Major
Contemporary romance published by Silhouette Desire on 8 Dec 2009

I read this book, and am so happy about it. I’ve been on this Nawlins/Creole kick, and grabbing To Tame Her  Tycoon Lover seemed serendipitous. I could be mistaken, but I’m a little surprised Ann Major wrote it. I really enjoy her stories- but this one was really sexy. (Or, I thought so – more than her usual book, maybe?) I loved the setting, loved the characters- it was just what I wanted.

Cici is a heroine that is likable, but I’m not entirely sure how I feel about her. Could I be any more vague? Likely. Cici is smart, caring, sweet, kind – and rather realistic… but in a way she’s selfish too. Those human traits make her a dynamic character, and I actually found that endearing… but I suppose I felt she fell for Logan too quickly again. Maybe she was lying to herself saying or thinking it could all be physical. I liked her, Cici has a great personality- I just think she caved a bit too easily.

Logan is an idiot. I want to say douche bag… and maybe he is. He just makes me so angry. I’m a little surprised by how much I like this book, considering how upset I am with Logan. However, I didn’t dislike him. Credit that to Ms. Major’s writing ability. Logan is confused, a jerk, high handed, lost, and really a hero who doesn’t seem to be much of a hero. He seduced a girl on purpose – so she wouldn’t get with his twin. And ruin the family. He’s estranged from his twin, essentially cheats on his girlfriend (who, incidentally, he is planning on marrying…), he hasn’t apologized for his actions… but through all this Logan still seems redeemable, and is. Truly. He feels guilty about it – just has a hard time putting things together and admitting how he feels – even to himself.

I will have to say… the ending flopped a little bit for me. I can’t help but think that  Cici forgave Logan a little too easily. He abandoned her again. Granted, he was doing it “for her own good” – and sometimes I get that and am ok with it… but not here. Idiot. That, and the focus on Jake and Alicia. I suppose I’m hoping for a sequel of sorts detailing their relationship – but in a way, not, because it was extraneous to this story. I didn’t appreciate the hooks for another sale. Perhaps I’ve become oversensitive to such things because I’m [mad] at series…but that bugged me. Also it’d be too pat what with Cici’s “they’re perfect for each other- both do-gooders” throwaway comment. (Don’t worry, that’s not a spoiler)

I suppose it doesn’t seem like it, but I really liked this book. There is so much going on. I’m always impressed by the star harlequin authors who manage to put a complete story that is well paced into such a little package. Cici and Logan both have side stories to the central romance. The secondary characters are developed and integral. The romance and physical relationship between Cici and Logan is suitably established, and satisfactory. I definitely plan on re-reading this book.

Grade: B+

As a girl from the wrong side of the bayou, Cici Bellefleur had loved one Claiborne brother…and been romanced by the other. Foolishly, she’d given Logan her innocence only to learn his seduction was but a means to an end. It was a betrayal she’d never forget—or forgive.

Discovering Cici had returned caught Logan by surprise…as did learning his desire for her had not diminished with time. Years before, he’d led her on to keep her away from his twin brother. Yet now the tycoon vowed to have Cici once again…this time to please no one but himself.

[Sorry - no excerpt. Ms. Major's website really needs updating.]

Limecello’s review of The Billionaire’s Unexpected Heir by Kathie DeNosky
Contemporary romance published by Silhouette Desire on 13 Oct 2009

Kathie DeNosky is one of my more newly discovered harlequin authors, but she’s quickly becoming a favorite. I look for her Silhouette Desire books, and haven’t been disappointed yet. The Billionaire’s Unexpected Heir is basically the end to the Garnier trilogy, and it is a very satisfying end. There’s enough focus on the hero and heroine and it manages to tie the arc together neatly and close it. Impressive.

Heather McGwire is a great heroine. She’s so very real, and a smart lady too. She knows she’s suspectible to Jake, but holds her own – not stupidly or just to be stubborn, but because she’s trying to learn from her mistakes. I liked how real Heather is, and that she tries to do what is right, not what is easiest.

Jake Garnier is an interesting hero. In some ways I felt that he changed just a little bit too easily. Granted Ms. DeNosky wrote that Jake was starting to feel the need to settle down – but it seemed just a tiny bit too pat for me. Nevertheless it’s clear he’s a good man – and cares for family and friends, he just never considered having a family of his own. The bad example his father left him does help explain some of that, and I did find it reasonable.

I loved the development of an emotional relationship between Jake and Heather. Also the fact that Heather was willing to go toe to toe with him, and wasn’t willing to take any of his crap. I liked that Jake admitted he made mistakes, and admitted it. The fact that Jake acted so maturely did help, and supports his decision and ability to change into a doting family man.

There were these little moments – minor things, but they really helped bring the romance together for me. For example, Jake forces Heather to attend events and parties with him – but more than that, he notices when she’s snubbed by the “upper crust” and doesn’t appreciate it. His awareness and concern for Heather are very endearing.

It seems that all the Garniers had secret babies… but I guess considering their upbringing, they need that major catalyst to kickstart the romance and make them willing to chance a relationship. Also, Jake’s grovelling and declaration of love at the end – they’re really great.

I also loved how the family – the entire extended family was there, pulled together, and arranged a wedding for Heather and Jake. Even more perfectly, the book didn’t end there, but finally allowed Emerald, their “fairy godmother” to have her happy ending as well.

I definitely recommend this book to readers who like Silhouette Desires, Ms. Denosky’s books, and also the other two in this trilogy. I plan on checking on whether or not the original three “Emerald meddles” books are availalbe- I’d love to get my hands on those.

Grade: B-

Becoming the new owner of Hickory Hills Thoroughbred farm was not in billionaire Jake Garnier’s plans. Becoming a father was even more unimaginable. For his new business came with one Heather McGwire, ranch manager…and mother to Jake’s secret child.

After barely surviving his own father’s desertion, Jake knew he couldn’t walk away from his responsibilities. Marriage seemed the only solution. Yet Heather wouldn’t settle for simple sweet talk and seduction. If Jake wanted a real family, he’d have to saddle up for the long ride.

Read an excerpt here. (Yes, there actually is one on the amazon page – just scroll down a bit)

Limecello’s review of Million Dollar Baby Bargain by Tessa Radley
Contemporary romance published by Silhouette Desire on 11 Aug 2009

I really enjoy Tessa Radley’s Silhouette Desire books. Million Dollar Baby Bargain was no exception, but there was something different about it. Not “off” exactly, but the tone felt a little darker, and the title, for Ms. Radley’s book was misleading. (I know that’s common with harlequin categories, but I never noticed it much with Ms. Radley’s stories.) However, in a twisted way, it fit – in fact, the characters mention it as a joke at one point in the book.

Victoria Sutton is an interesting heroine. She’s strong, but not. She’s also career driven, to the point where she’s sacrified relationships. Not just romantic ones, but she seems to have lost touch with friends as well. In a way she’s the more emotionally closed participant in the novel. Nevertheless, I liked Tory. I think she was confused a lot, and felt rather fearful – the dynamics of her relationship with Connor are very interesting.

Connor North is a well developed, but rather confusing hero. He seems like a jerk – cruel, cold, and rather bitter at the beginning, but he opens up more quickly and seems rather warmer. I liked that once Connor is in, he’s all in – there’s no escape plan, and he doesn’t allow for contingencies. He’s determined, and cares. I think knowing about his past helps, and I loved his “clueless guy” moments.

I’ll come out and say it – Victoria and Connor are unknowingly parents of baby Dylan – Suzy and Michael’s baby. Both Suzy and Michael were apparently unable to have children, so both turn to their best friends. But… nobody knew but Suzy and Michael who [all] of Dylan’s parents are.

It’s… well crazy. Especially since for most of the book, Victoria doesn’t tell Connor she’s Dylan’s biological mother, and Connor does the same. However, both feel a strong connection to Dylan, and responsible for him as [Dylan's] parent. It seems like I’ve let the cat out of the bag – but there’s really a lot more to the story. Also it’s so… twisted. Interesting, and… complicated.

How Connor and Victoria deal with the grief of losing their best friends, becoming parents – their relationship, learning to trust each other and move past their issues… it’s good.

Ms. Radley writes excellent stories, and I was engaged the entire time I was reading it. And when I was re-reading it as well. There were a few twists that I wondered about, but I didn’t dwell on them, and there are no glaring contradictions that I recall. I recommend this book to anyone who likes reading Silhouette Desire books, or Ms. Radley’s writing.

Grade: B-

Turned from best man to baby’s guardian in one shocking moment, bad-boy billionaire Connor North intended to stake his claim. If maid-of-honor Victoria Sutton wanted any part in the child’s life, she would have to play by the billionaire’s rules. So Victoria moved into Connor’s mansion. She even agreed to become his wife. And despite her initial disdain for the powerful businessman, she eventually succumbed to his charms. The bond they formed—to the baby and to each other—was an outcome neither had expected. But would a surprising truth destroy all they had finally found?

Read an excerpt here. (Just scroll down to about the middle of the product page.)

Limecello’s review of The C.O.O. Must Marry by Maxine Sullivan
Contemporary Romance released by Silhouette Desire 10 Feb 09

I really enjoy Maxine Sullivan’s stories- and she’s one of the “Down Under” Desire authors I keep an eye out for. The C.O.O. Must Marry is another Valente book, and there’s so much to gush about here. The old “friends to lovers” with a history, the family pressure, money problems, intrigue, it’s so complicated, robust, engaging, and entertaining.

Sasha Blake is a likable heroine, and I sympathized with her, and did like her- but in a way she’s weak. However, its understandable. Sasha basically has a handicapp forced on her because of her family. She’s always had feelings for Nick, but realized those would go nowhere, and moves on. Life and her family have thrown her back into Nick’s circle, and she’s doing her best to cope, and make everyone happy- even at a detriment to herself. I did like that Sasha isn’t someone to put herself first – and I felt badly for her.

Nick Valente start out rather well rounded, because he’s the brother that wants the family home. The fact that it means something to him I think shows that he’s rather traditional, and is not only happy with, but wants continuity and stability. It also gives him the reason to marry Sasha. He speaks in anger sometimes, but grovels nicely.

The fact that both the Blake and Valente families are manipulative I think really play off each other nicely. In a way, the Blake and Valentes are foils. Yes, both pressure their children to do things best for the family, but the Valentes know in the long run it’ll be the best move for their children too. The Blakes, however, are purely selfish.

You have to feel bad for Sasha always being put second, or third, and realize how that has shaped her as a person. she does well enough on her own, and does have a back bone – she and Nick and merely learning each other, because despite the fact that they knew each other when they were younger, they wre more acquaintances than anything.

I think the tenuous history helps establish the connection, and then the warmth and vulnerability of Sasha really brings it all together. She finally comes into her own, and Nick realizes how great she really is – and apologizes for being an idiot. It all works out nicely, believably, and I was satisfied.

I can’t wait to read Ms. Sullivan’s next books. I really liked the Valentes.

Grade: B+

What would compel millionaire playboy Nick Valente to marry a woman he hadn’t seen in years? Blackmail, of course. To keep his family home, Nick must marry the woman of his father’s choosing: Sasha Blake, a long-ago flame. Sasha had been barely out of her teens, but there had been nothing immature about her then–or his desire for her. Now she would be his wife, and Nick would be free to make love to her as often and any way he liked. But there was one nagging question in his mind….

He knew his reasons for agreeing to this marriage…what were hers?

Holly’s review of Taming the Texas Tycoon by Katherine Garbera (author’s site very out of date)
Contemporary Romance released by Silhouette Desire 14 Jul 09

I liked this story on a superficial level. If I start examining the motives or actions of the main characters I have major issues. As a fluff story – something quick to pass the time – it was good, but there were a lot of flaws. 

My main gripe is the heroine’s complete lack of identity away from the hero. Also, the fact that the hero was engaged to someone else for the entire length of the novel really turned me off, even though the circumstances were explained well enough.

Although I liked Lance, I didn’t see why Kate loved him. He was sweet enough to her, but he seemed pretty conceited and wrapped up in himself. He didn’t even notice her until she got a complete makeover. That has worked for stories in the past, but I didn’t buy it in the case. Mostly because he considered her a best friend and one of his family. I’d think he’d take more notice of her than as his assistant if that was really the case.

As for Kate, well, I liked her on a superficial level. But like I mentioned above, if I look at her too closely I just get annoyed. It seemed in the beginning that she had a backbone, but as the story progressed I began to wonder. She really seemed like a dishrag once her initial burst of steam dissipated. Not only that, but we knew nothing about her as a person. Her entire identity was wrapped up in her feelings for Lance.

It was obvious that something was going on between Lance’s fiance and his brother. despite my feelings for this one, I’d be interested in reading that story.

Grade: C

Summary:

For Texas Cattleman’s Club member Lance Brody, marriage is about gaining the right connections. But one plain-Jane personal assistant is about to change his mind…

For years Kate Thornton had dreamed of becoming Mrs. Lance Brody. Then her boss became engaged strictly for business and Kate had had enough. Giving her two weeks’ notice should have released her, but Lance’s eyes had finally been opened. Kate couldn’t be allowed to walk away from the business, or him. And if it meant taking her to bed to keep her…well, that was one job he would gladly do himself!

Read an excerpt here.

Limecello’s review of Secret Baby, Public Affair by Yvonne Lindsay
Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 10 Mar 09

I really enjoy Yvonne Lindsay’s Silhouette Desire books, and it’s a good thing too, because her titles are not a draw for me. I might even go so far as to say that I read them in spite of the titles, because I know I can expect a great story from Ms. Lindsay. Secret Baby, Public Affair is happily, no exception.

This book is the second installment in the Rogue Diamonds trilogy, and while the books are connected, each seems to stand alone beautifully. Ms. Lindsay is one of my favorite Silhouette Desire authors, and I’d say this book is a good indication of why that is so.

Blair Carson is a great heroine – she’s career minded, but doesn’t let that dictate her life. She’s also a chef, and I have a great love of food, so that’s another plus for her. Blair is sweet and likable, but Draco really steals the show. Nevertheless, I deeply appreciated the fact that Blair has a spine, and is both able and willing to stand up for herself. It’s a refreshing change of pace for a heroine, and especially one in a category.

Draco Sandrelli is the dream hero. He’s perfect in pretty much every imaginable way, and mad for the heroine. He knows that he and Blair had a deep connection, and he’s not willing to let anyone, or anything get in his way of trying to establish a relationship. Draco is charming and sweet, heavy handed, but never to the point where he crosses the line.

I really liked the story, and the characters. Blair and Draco’s interaction and budding emotional connection is the major focus in this story. Although I’m not fond of the title, I suppose interpreted loosely it does fit. “Secret babies” seem all the rage in harlequin books, but in this case, Blair’s pregnancy is a major issue, and plot point.

Yes, there were some things that Blair and Draco could have resolved by having a simple conversation, but I wasn’t ever really frustrated. I understood and believed their feelings, and fears, and what made them hold back. Both have an interesting history and rather a lot of baggage, that puts them in the positions they’re in. I also must admit that – there’s so much about this book that I like. Blair is a chef – she owns and runs a very successful restaurant. Draco is practically Italian royalty, and a tycoon. They’re Down Under. What’s not to love?

I have to say, I really loved the ending, and a part where Blair basically says horrible things to Draco. (It fits- and there’s a good reason for that.) It was unexpected, refreshing, and perfect. That moment, where Draco just takes it – and shows that Blair is his main concern really brings everything together. I’ve already re-read this story, and I know I’ll be coming back to it again in the future.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Ms. Lindsay’s writing, the Silhouette Desire line, or if you’re just interested in trying out a category book.

Grade: B+

Summary:

She’d run from a disastrous betrayal straight into the arms of a sexy Italian aristocrat. From the moment their eyes met, Blair Carson had been under Draco Sandrelli’s spell. She’d fallen into their affair with total abandon, without thought.

Now the time had come to face reality. She was pregnant by a man she barely knew. Draco was demanding she return to Tuscany to have their baby. And never once had he uttered the word love.

Read an excerpt here.