Sybil’s review of Family Affair by Debbie Macomber
Contemporary Romance  published by William Morrow 04 Jan 11

This is yet another reissue of a New York Times Best Selling author in hardcover.  Family Affair was first published in 1994 in an anthology and here stands alone.  This is my first time reading the story and as it stands at under 100 pages, I don’t think it was expanded from the original.  It stands the test of time well and is a charming story.

Lacey Lancaster can’t get over her divorce and it pretty much colors all her actions: how she relates to men, her boss and her hawt neighbor who has been trying to date her since she moved in over a year ago.  She has managed to keep away from Jack, other than overhearing his fights with his girlfriend through the paper thin walls of their apartment building.  Well, she keeps away from him until his alley cat, Dog, knocks up her cat, Cleo. Suddenly Lacey finds herself with an unplanned pregnancy on her hands that she seriously didn’t see coming.  And Jack is only too willing to have Dog take responsibility for his actions, if it will help him get close to his sexy, sweet neighbor.

Family Affair is a cute short story and an amusing read.  But it doesn’t have anything new to offer and there is very little character development.

If you are a long time fan of Debbie Macomber, you will love this book.  If you like short, sweet love stories that are heavy on the ‘sweet’ side (aka the bedroom door never opens), you will enjoy this.  For an enjoyable read you will finish in an hour (and then most likely forget).  The thing to think about is the price tag.  This is a reissue in hardcover format. It resales for $16 and is currently at Amazon $9.17. I would not suggest this be your first  purchase by this author but to get it from the library or wait for the paperback.

Grade: C-

Lacey Lancaster has always longed to be a wife and mother. However, after a painful divorce, she decides it’s time to lay low for a while in her charming San Francisco apartment with her beautiful Abyssinian cat, Cleo.

Everything would be wonderful, except for her utterly impossible neighbor Jack Walker. When he’s not arguing day and night with his girlfriend, begging her to move in with him, he’s chasing down his cat named Dog, who seems determined to get Cleo to succumb to his feline advances.

Then Lacey discovers the awful truth—Cleo is in the family way and Dog’s to blame. She’s furious that neither Jack nor his amorous animal seem too upset about the situation.

But Lacey learns that things are not quite as they seem. Jack’s “girlfriend” is really his sister—and his intentions toward Lacey are very honorable. And though she’s not quite sure about Dog, Lacey begins to discover the tender joy of falling in love all over again.

Read an excerpt.

Sybil’s review of Never Love a Lawman by Jo Goodman
Historical Western Romance from Zebra 1 Sep 09

I often speak of my love of historical western romance, almost as much as I talk about how much I adore Jo Goodman’s books.  So when I hear the title of her next book was Never Love a Lawman – I squuee’ed.  Could she be really be writing a western?  Turns out that, yes, Jo Goodman was taking us to Reidsville, Colorado in September 1882.  Two of my favorite things were about to come together again, so of course, then I started to worry…

I tend to fall into that trap, where you want something so much, you expect the book to be great, grand and wonderful – it is almost unfair to the author. Who can live up to that? And I find I get annoyed at little things I wouldn’t normally because this is  “WONDERFUL AUTHOR”.

So when the ARC arrived for Never Love a Lawman, I rushed to read it and then stopped and worried. I admit it. Totally silly because at the end of the day, it is just a book and if I don’t like it ::shrug::. Jo Goodman isn’t going to be upset over it. Readers will still love it or hate it. But I was worried for me… I am selfish like that. Turns out I was worried over nothing…

Never Love a Lawman opens in complete confusion, the reader really doesn’t know what is going on or why, and this doesn’t become clear until later in the book.  It is handled wonderfully, if not frustratingly, and I might have been okay with that because I have faith in the author.  All you know is something is wrong, she has to leave, doesn’t want to go and someone in the bed doesn’t want her to go but knows she must.

We pick up with Rachel Bailey having been a member of the Reidsville community for about a year; she is a seamstress and keeps to herself.  I love her character.  And once again we are seeing her through someone else’s eyes.

This time it is the hero, Wyatt, who is keeping watch.  He is another one of Jo Goodman’s complex hero’s and is a mix of alpha, beta and a dash of whiskey to taste.  As sheriff he keeps a pretty close eye on the town, much closer than Miss Bailey gives him credit for and would often like.  The fact that he did it from the balcony of the town’s only whorehouse might have something to do with her drawing some of her conclusions as well.  It soon comes to play that there was rhyme and reason for Miss Baily to be ‘directed’ to Reidsville, Colorado.  And Wyatt turns out to be much more than Rachel first took him to be.

The pacing could be a bit slow for some readers, so do keep that in mind and do read at least two or three chapters before tossing this one aside. Because going in blind I would have tossed it with the prologue – well if it wasn’t a western and wasn’t Goodman.  This isn’t my favorite Goodman but would be my favorite American historical of her I have read, so far .

Jo Goodman is not a ‘fast read’ but a book to relax and enjoy.  She is a true wordsmith who is a pleasure to read and creates characters that are a joy to spend time with, along with a town that comes alive and becomes a character in and of itself.  It was a delight to learn her next book will take place in the same town because when I closed the book, I reread it, because I wasn’t ready to let go.

Grade: A

Summary:

Rachel Bailey may seem like just a beautiful newcomer to most of Reidsville, Colorado, but Sheriff Wyatt Cooper knows she’s much more. Through a twist of fate, Rachel is the inheritor of a very valuable commodity: control of the railway that keeps the isolated mining town connected to the world. That is, she will be, if she agrees to the surprising stipulation in her benefactor’s will-that she marry Wyatt.

Rachel has no choice: refusing the marriage could put all of Reidsville in the hands of an outsider, and not just any outsider but the cruel tyrant she has come here to escape. Yet living with Wyatt will be her greatest challenge. For he has a tempting way about him that makes Rachel forget theirs is a marriage in name only- until her frightening past shows up to remind them exactly how much they have at stake…

Read an excerpt here.

Five years later…

it is like crossing the great divide you are AWED and AMAZED you made it to the otherside

Or we can say it is in honor of KristieJ’s nifty guest post up at Sue Grimshaw’s TrueRomance Blog.

Regardless… Cheryl St.John is just happy she can stop asking me where the winners are…

Petticoats and Pistols give-away these winners were picked from US commenters on any ‘Great Western Drive’ post on Wendy’s, Kristie’s or TGTBTU. Since I took so amazingly long to do this I will be sending emails today as well, err if I can find an email for the winner that is…

Emily is the winner of

HIS SUBSTITUTE BRIDE by Elizabeth Lane

Mandy is the winner of

CATTLEMAN’S UNSUITABLE WIFE by Pam Crooks

Lusty Reader is the winner of

TOUCHED BY LOVE by Tracy Garrett

Missy is the winner of

COWBOY CHRISTMAS by Mary Connealy

Cecile is the winner of

TAMING THE TEXAN by Charlene Sands

Mageela is the winner of

IN A MOTHER’S ARMS by Victoria Bylin

Leslie is the winner of

SOARING EAGLE’S EMBRACE by Karen Kay

Lori is the winner of
MOUNTAIN WILD by Stacey Kayne

AztecLady is the winner of

NOTORIOUS by Patricia Potter

Barbara is the winner of

HER MONTANA MAN by Cheryl St.John

Patricia Barraclough is the winner of

MARRYING MINDA by Tanya Hansen

Please email your address to redwyne @ gmail dot com and I will send it to the author.  That way I know it has been rec’ed.

I have Tucker’s Claim and will announce that winner today as well but first sleep… and then maybe I will post the other two books I have to give away. It could happen.

Site will prolly go down at midnight CST.
Not really sure how long it will be down for…

It has been so long, I have forgotten how it is suppose to look when it comes back up.

No I haven’t taken anything yet, I am just oddly over it and ready for the site to be updated. Of course I am cynical and ready for it to just break, stare at it in horror, and figure out who to have fix it and really I have faith in the geek. And lots of xanax…  Don’t be shocked if you hear screaming, see a blank screen or a ever changing template over the next few days.

It will prolly come right back up. I cry to think of what the format, linkage, pictures, tags… ok really tis ok as long as the database is there and the comments all stay where they belong and everything doesn’t dup again and oh god. I cry.

Our three blog hosts cum Western Romance experts have taken the time to tell you a little more about their thoughts and feelings concerning this beloved genre of theirs. So sit back and have fun with these ladies as they answer the same questions from their very differing points of view!

Sybil in Sybil-ese:

GREAT WESTERN DRIVE: What was the first western romance you ever read?

SYBIL: No clue. Whirlwind Bride by Debra Cowan is the first western I see reviewed on TGTBTU on 3/14/05, but was nowhere near my first western. Or my first Harlequin Historical. I want to say prolly Nicole Jordan’s The Outlaw or Elizabeth Lowell’s Winter Fire, which lead to the Only Series (Winter Fire is still my FAVE and the only series ROCKS).

BUT back when I read trash (I say that with so much love and why I am confused to this day why romance is called ‘trash’), but from 13 to early 20s (I slowed down around 17 cuz I was verra busy causing trouble, uh I mean working), in between reading all of V.C Andrews, Sidney Sheldon, Daniele Steele, Jackie Collins I read a western romance. All I recall, it’s a cover with a bathtub type thing (barrel like) with the outlaw behind her. She was kidnapped. And uh… that is just about it… This is the time to I read Glitter Baby by SEP.

I always say my first romance was Shadowheart by Laura Kinsale because that is when my OCD blogness started. When I went searching for like minded people, found Maili’s blog and AAR. It is when I started my blogspot and blah blah blah (I warned you I ramble, yes?) AND didn’t figure out until after I was blogging for a few years? that Glitter Baby was THE SEP. So I still don’t really ‘count’ that nameless book.

GWD: Do you have a favorite western romance author?

SYBIL: I have favorites I like to bitch about *g*. No longer writing westerns but SHOULD BE faves would be Susan Kay Law, Maureen McKade, and Dana Ransom.

GWD: How about a favorite western hero? Heroine?

SYBIL: Oh I suck at this type of question, can I phone a friend?

GWD: When reading, what do you look for in the perfect cowboy?

SYBIL: Oh holy hell, these questions were put together while I was dealing with the website cuz yuck. I will go with K and W gave amazing answers and point you to them. [Ed. you could try, Syb!]

GWD: And the perfect cowgirl to go with that cowboy?

SYBIL: Someone who can hold their own…

GWD: How do you know when you’re reading a bad western romance? Are they any signs?

SYBIL: The author takes the idea that alpha means abuses, demeaning, or assholish. But oddly I can read and LOVE Elizabeth Lowell’s old westerns. For some reason they don’t trip my switch as being ‘too much.’

If the characters all sound like they are in 2009, I can’t read that, or if the cheese is just too fantastic. The whole drama over Cassie Edwards was odd to me because her writing seems like such a bad joke, I was not at all surprised it was copy and paste.

GWD: What’s the one thing that will really turn off you when reading a western romance?

SYBIL: LOL the above

GWD: How do you know when you’re reading a good Western

SYBIL: LOL I make it through the first few chapters without a headache from rolling my eyes.

GWD: Is there one Western that stands out above all others?

SYBIL: Ride the Fire by Pamela Clare. There is something about a book that opens with a man pointing a gun at a very pregnant woman demanding she doctor him and she gets the upper hand in the first few chapters.

GWD: Who is the Western Author who no longer writes them that you miss the most?

SYBIL: Oops, I answered this, huh? Did I miss anyone? Lorraine Heath REALLY should come back as well as Patrica Potter

GWD: Why do you think westerns have seen such an ebb and flow over the years?

SYBIL: I think it is totally about glitz and glam. People think west and think of the work, sweat, work, bawdy women, work and go ewwwww I want that pretty, pretty, pretty Regency book. Waltz me baby, which is all well and good, but people tend to forget a lot of the Regency history in those books are painted with the same romance brush as westerns.

Personally I don’t ‘put myself’ into the shoes of the heroine. I don’t want to fall in love with the hero as much as I want to fall in love with the love story. And some of my themes lend themselves so well to westerns – Second Chance stories, Road Romances, ‘Cabin Romances.’ People also forget America had a lot of money and glam in the East, so some of those ‘westerns’ can give them both things. They even have virgins in the west… honest.

Ramblin’ Kristie J:

GWD: What was the first western romance you ever read?

KRISTIE: I’ve been reading Westerns for years, so I can’t remember exactly which one it was – but I have a feeling I was at a UBS looking for Rexanne Becnel and forgot her name and ended up getting a Rosanne Bittner instead. I can’t remember what book it was – but it blew me away and I was hooked from then on.

GWD: Do you have a favorite western romance author?

KRISTIE: Well, Rosanne Bittner *g*. Also Patricia Potter, Cheryl St. John, Lorraine Heath (Westerns only). Those are the ones who first come to mind.

GWD: How about a favorite western hero? Heroine?

KRISTIE: Hero – there are too many to choose from!! Heroines one of my favorites is Miranda Hayes from Outlaw Hearts by Rosanne Bittner.

GWD: When reading, what do you look for in the perfect cowboy?

KRISTIE: I always love a hero who is wrecked for the heroine – in any genre. I also love the tortured hero. Lobo from Patricia Potter is one who fits both those bills.

GWD: And the perfect cowgirl to go with that cowboy?

KRISTIE: As for cowgirls – one who is strong, who doesn’t rely on the hero to bail her out. One who wears dresses for the most part, although I did just finish Stacey Kayne’s latest, Mountain Wild, and she was a trapper yet I really liked her. I think it was because she was forced into her circumstances rather than choosing it. [Ed. See, Sybs, not so hard!]

GWD: How do you know when you’re reading a bad western romance? Are they any signs?

KRISTIE: I started reading one not long ago and the author put in “Western” speak!! It was awful – even worse than Scottish speak. I couldn’t get past the first chapter. It may have been a good story, but I’ll never know. Wooden stereotypes are also annoying.

GWD: What’s the one thing that will really turn off when reading a western romance?

KRISTIE: Bad writing, bad writing, bad writing. As much as I love Westerns, a poorly written book will turn me off.

GWD: Is there one Western that stands out above all others?

KRISTIE: Outlaw Hearts by Rosanne Bittner. If someone asked for my choice for one that embodies most of what I love about the genre, this is my number one pick.

GWD: Who is the Western Author who no longer writes them that you miss the most?

KRISTIE: Lorraine Heath – without question. Her Westerns had a poignancy – every single one – and I don’t think she has captured that as well in her English historicals.

GWD: Why do you think westerns have seen such an ebb and flow over the years?

KRISTIE: I think all genres have an ebb and flow but the Western more so then most. I don’t think a lot of readers have tried them, so they don’t know what they are missing. I think a number of readers who have tried them just haven’t read the right one for them. And I think some readers like being carried away by the fantasy of England. But if they read the right one – and see what a good Western can offer – I think they can be swayed. There are a lot of genres I thought I’d never try and yet when I read that one book, I was converted. And I think there are quite a fan of Westerns who have kind of ‘forgotten’ about them. We are really hoping to reach all those groups with this Drive.

Wendy, the SuperLibrarian:

GWD: What was the first western romance you ever read?

WENDY: Nevada Nights by Ruth Ryan Langan, a 1980s-tastic western romance that I read when I was around 14 years old and the first book I read that had gasp s-e-x in it. This book features some of my favorite old-skool tropes. Convent-raised heroine? Check. Mysterious gunslinger named Colt? Check. Soap opera style plot featuring heroine’s odious long-lost family? Check. I wouldn’t recommend this book to readers today, but, dang, as a doe-eyed teen I flipping loved every single word.

GWD: Do you have a favorite western romance author?

WENDY: Hands down Maggie Osborne. She wrote fantastic heroines and never took the easy way out in her stories.

GWD: How about a favorite western hero? Heroine?

WENDY: This is tough. I have a huge soft spot for Beta heroes, so probably Dillon Hennessey from The Horseman by Jillian Hart. Although I also have a soft spot for younger heroes who feel like they have to ‘prove themselves’ – so on that front I think Austin Leigh from Texas Splendor by Lorraine Heath wins.

GWD: When reading, what do you look for in the perfect cowboy?

WENDY: I’m looking for a hero with a strong moral code. Heroes that, while they might have terrible reputations, will ultimately do what’s right.

GWD: And the perfect cowgirl to go with that cowboy?

WENDY: Generally speaking, I like heroines with gumption. They don’t have to kick ass and rescue themselves necessarily, but I also want them to do more than sit in the corner, ring their hands and cry. A lot of western heroines start out their romances literally up against a wall (and no, not in a good way!) and I like reading about a woman who isn’t going to simply roll over and die or pray for a hero to come along and rescue her.

GWD: How do you know when you’re reading a bad western romance? Are they any signs?

WENDY: There’s a long-lost gold mine in the plot. Seriously. Every terrible western I’ve read tends to feature a long-lost gold mine. Also, there’s a bathing scene. Hero and/or heroine spies the other one taking a bath in a stream, pond, lake, whatever and they get all tingly. Sort of like spies in Regency historicals, the bathing scene has been done to death in westerns and it needs to be taken out behind the barn and shot.

GWD: What’s the one thing that will really turn you off when reading a western romance?

WENDY: Too-stupid-to-live heroines who aren’t dead yet. Look, living in the west was hard. There weren’t a lot of comforts, and for that matter, there wasn’t a whole lot of structured law. When I read about a heroine doing something stupid in a western, I think to myself, “How is she not dead yet?”

GWD: How do you know when you’re reading a good Western?

WENDY: Westerns aren’t all that different from other romance subgenres. I’m looking for what I call the Emotional Gut Punch Moment. That moment when the author takes all the emotion, heartbreak, angst, etc., rolls it up and smacks the reader over the head with it. Every book in my keeper stash has such a moment. That moment where the author literally rips my heart out, resurrects it, and stuffs it back into my chest cavity.

GWD: Is there one Western that stands out above all others?

WENDY: This is tough because I’ve read so many great westerns over the years. I would say Lorraine Heath’s Texas/Leigh brother trilogy, mostly because it’s one of the few times in my life I’ve ever read a series back-to-back-to-back. Also, A Reason To Live by Maureen McKade, just for the sheer emotional intensity of that story. That story knocked me out.

GWD: Who is the Western Author who no longer writes them that you miss the most?

WENDY: Definitely Maggie Osborne, who retired after her last book in 2004. I really admire many of her books and, frankly, I think the romance genre desperately needs more writers like her.

Of authors who are still publishing but have left the west? Probably a toss up between Lorraine Heath and Nicole Jordan.

GWD: Why do you think westerns have seen such an ebb and flow over the years?

WENDY: Demographics have changed. The baby boomers literally grew up on westerns, in books, films, and TV. You couldn’t turn on a TV in the 1960s without tripping over a cowboy. But as time has advanced, publishers (like every other industry) is desperate to court that 18-49 year old demographic, and frankly? Those readers (of which I’m one) didn’t necessarily grow up on westerns. Also, publishers want to make money – so they’ll hop on The Next Big Thing, whatever that is, when it starts to sell. Hey, the western romance was king at one point, but like everything, it couldn’t last forever. Readers got burnt out. They got tired of slogging through crap to get to the gems. So they went looking for something “new.” I think readers will come back to the western, especially those readers hungry for real emotional stories. It’s just going to take publishers willing to take the “risk” and talented authors churning out quality stories.

GWD: And there you have it, Western fans, the be-all, end-all last word of the biggest fans in blogdom about reading those famed Western romances. You ready to gnaw on some bones with these gals?

I admit when Kristie J emailed I pretty much said yes before I finished the email because it was Kristie and she said the code word – WESTERNS.

I envy those of you who were around for the high ‘trend’ of the western. Lucky for me so many of you have recommended such amazing novels I have read, loved, collected, and hoarded to read while I wait for the ‘trend’ to come into vogue again.

Every year it seems, the western is on the verge of a comeback, every (ok most, but that post comes later in the week) publisher wants that NEXT great western to publish. And this year will be our year. Why you ask? Because like the spirit of the west – our hope springs eternal – there is a never ending well of rebirth. No matter what the past sins of publishing, this year, if they only pack up their covered wagons and moved west, it could happen!

Of course there are those publishers who will be forever be in my heart: Harlequin Historical, HQN, Dorchester, Kensington, and Samhain. When I ask (and ask and ask and ask) why we don’t have more historical westerns, the blame more often than not is put right back in our court.

Now I know Kristie, Wendy and I do – we read them, buy them, and WANT them. And the plan for The Great Western Drive is to spend the week telling you why you should read them, buy them, and WANT them too.

Read A Western: Cowboys Need Love Too.

One day I am soooo not going to say whatever is on my mind. That day wasn’t today…

Conversation two women were having when I opened the door at my fave ubs

“Really it has gotten out of control, it’s why I love you guys.  I am never buying never books again. NEVER.  It has gotten out of control. I can even rent new hardcovers here.  It makes rotten books easier to deal with and really I just don’t have the space.  I used to keep all my books, well and my friends we would trade and borrow back and forth.”

(2 person) “I did too before I worked here but really who can afford to spend the money on new books these days or spend what they are charging.  And we don’t advertise at all, it is all word of mouth.  We have been here for (over 25 years) because of our customers.”

“Right, I told all my friends about you.  I mean you spend the money to move your books so many times before you get it that you will never read them again.  And something like this just makes sense.  I never buy new books and never will again.  $7 only to find out the book is terrible? No Way.”

Now this is going to shock you but yes… this is the part where I said something

“It is understandable to not want to waste your money.  No one wants to but you should buy the authors you do want to support otherwise they won’t be writing any books for you to be buying – new or used – anymore.  It is something to think about because if you stop buying new altogether it looks like those authors, any authors aren’t selling or are selling less.  And the bottom line means higher prices for readers, us, and less contracts for the people’s who put a ton of hard work and time into something that we enjoy. Of course that is just my opinion but it is something to think about and I am in a used book store too.  I would never say I would STOP buying new and if I could I would buy a lot more.”

This is the point where the woman working the counter who did know me, laughed and didn’t throw me out.  And did agree (or didn’t want me to go on cuz you might have noticed I can a bit ::innocent blink::) and said that it was something she didn’t think about.

I did go on a bit (after her customer had left and HONESTLY I was nice, I WAS) about how ubs were great grand and wonderful – because I do think they are – but if THEY want to stay in business the business of books, never buying new again is a really bad message to send.

Or am I wrong?  How would you have handled it if you had opened a door to hear ‘I am never buying a new book again!”

Oh and for those of you playing the home game, I bought:

Come Near Me by Kasey Michaels (I NEED Escapade)
Indiscreet by Kasey Michaels
Breaking Point by Suzanne Brockmann
Winter Roses (I can’t find the copy I have)
Callaghan’s Bride by Diana Palmer (it was .80 and I am sick)
Meet Me at Midnight by Suzanne Enoch (.80 see above)

Well it isn’t ALL her fault and I do plan on bringing up the EVER loved topic of reviews more later but avid reader posted about Susan Wiggs Fireside reviews on you know THAT PLACE…. ::whispers::amazon::/whispers:: and her response to a few bad reviews.

I  have no comment about it at this point because I haven’t read the reviews, Wiggs posts and don’t plan too yet because I have the book in my pile of to read next.

I had gone back and forth on it because I didn’t really care much for her last few books but had heard good buzz about this one and well… baseball hero!  WOOT!

Then it hit number one on NY Times and I wondered if it was REALLY that good so I moved it up a bit.

Now here is the rub, from what I can tell from Keishon’s post the four bad reviews are harping on Fireside being too political. Depending on how it is done that could seriously bug the shit out of me but if it goes well into the plot and doesn’t take away from the romance (something I won’t know till I read the book) I will be totally ok with it.

And from what Susan Wiggs comments were (again quoted on Keishon’s post, never emailed with the author or know her) we lean the same way.

Hence my CHALLENGE TO TEH GWEN, our lil republican duckie, yes le sigh we lurve her anyway ::ow:: stop pulling my feathers! I kid, well sort of, I do live in Texas, I am sure there are a few republican’s out there.  Well maybe not reading this site but in romanceland, err maybe? But I digress… seriously this isn’t meant to be a political post.  No really. My migraine is already coming back. Onward… (how cindys of me *g*)

As you can tell from The Sins of Lord Easterbrook, gwen and I have a totally different review style. I think everything is about me.  So give much less plot away and much more about what I think (shocking yes?)  Gwen bores you with details on the book… I mean informs you lol haven’t you missed having me around? Anyway… MY POINT and I did have one.

I thought it would be amusing to see if Gwen could like the book or not and if she didn’t, well we would certainly know she wasn’t one of those people who have already posted on amazon… yes?

What cha say gwen? Dueling reviews at dawn? OR you know… whenever we get to it… since I can’t keep to a schedule to save my life and currently only have one copy and WOOT I gots it *g*.

to be continued… or not I haz a short attention span you know

Sybil’s review of Kept (Gemini Men, Book 2) by Jami Alden
Romantic Suspense released by Brava 24 Feb 09

Derek is the serious, straight-laced brother and Ethan’s twin.  He is the rule follower and the one you can count on.  All in all, I didn’t have any expectations of Kept other than I needed to read it to get to Unleashed.  And once I started it, I paused because I can be a very hard sell for the ‘poor little rich girl‘ (Erin McCarthy & Jo Leigh have sold me on the idea in the past) so I ‘kept’ reading.

Gemini is covering security for a high-society charity function and Derek meets Alyssa Miles when he throws her out of the Bancroft’s study. What he doesn’t know is she is a reformed party girl who is trying to make some kind of relationship with her father, Oscar Van Weldt.  Daddy is being kind enough to use her as the face of the Van Weldt Jeweler’s Campaign “Diamonds for All.”  Of course, he expects his bastard daughter to behave well, like a lady and not like a drunk, drugged-out party girl and tabloid queen, but they want to use her fame to sell Diamonds. Nice family, huh?

Derek just thinks she is a spoiled, rich chick he really shouldn’t be taking home to break his almost year-long dry spell with and he doesn’t really believe she is breaking a dry spell of her own (at least not at first). Alyssa loves the idea Derek has no clue who she is and, like Cinderella, she gets the hell out of Dodge before the shine comes off the glass slipper. She figures he will Googles her, believe what he reads and doesn’t even want to be around when he comes across the nekkid pictures on the Internet her sleazy ex-boyfriend put on his FacePlace page.

Before the warm glow warms off and guilt sets in she calls for her pumpkin and asks Derek to drop her off to meet her car. With a kiss they depart and she hopes to God he doesn’t sell the story to the press.  Then Alyssa throws a curve-ball into someone’s plans by deciding to spend the night at her father’s, because Alyssa was supposed to be at breakfast bright and early.  She gets there just in time to hear shots fired and walks in to what looks like the aftermath of a murder-suicide.  And you thought your family didn’t get along…

Older brother Danny is assigning a new case to Derek because he knows he is perfect for the job. He needs someone cool and in control, who won’t be blown away by fame or a pretty face. Derek is the exactly the man to watch over Alyssa Miles.  Harold Van Weldt has hired Gemini to keep an eye on his niece, whom he thinks is one step away from being out of control again.  And is she?  There seems to be an awful lot of drugs, blood, diamonds, and cash going around and who the hell knows what to believe?  Can Derek put his trust in the pretty girl who has already done one stay in rehab and now fears she is being drugged?

As with Caught Jami Alden shines with her characters and this time her romance is amazing, raw, rough and hot in all the right ways.  Derek and Alyssa have a relationship that gets to grow and isn’t overshadowed by the suspense but made stronger for it.  And I love to watch the brothers together. They interact so well, no matter if they are giving each other shit over something or if they need help. Their bond is grand.  The bad guys are a bit over the top as bad guys can be but not enough to take away from the story.

For a novel I started reading more to get to the next book, I now wonder if it will be as good, although it is a second chance story. I do enjoy them, so I still have high hopes for Danny’s story.  Jami Alden really shines in Kept and I can’t wait to see what she Unleashes next.

Grade: A

Read more reviews and other information about this series by following its tag.

Summary:

Ethan and Derek Taggart: they’re the men of Gemini, and when it comes to sheet-scorching undercover work, nobody does it better. The only one they answer to is big brother Danny – that is, until the right women come along to grab the reins and crack the whip as hard as the Taggart men like it…

Security is Derek Taggart’s game, and he plays it straight – no margin for error, no time to fool around…except with one hot little number who changes everything. He takes her home when she needs a ride – one she’ll never forget. The problem is Derek can’t forget her, a total about-face for a guy who keeps his enemies closer than his lovers. Then he finds out the sexy dynamo is Alyssa Miles, notorious party girl and darling of the gossip rags. It’s time to walk away and never look back, which would be a hell of a lot easier if his agency didn’t desperately need the high-profile gig her family’s offering: a minor detail that consists mainly of Derek watching Alyssa 24/7. Keeping an eagle eye on every inch of Alyssa’s nubile body isn’t exactly a hardship – the problem is keeping his hands off and his brain on when things go dangerously wrong…

Read the excerpt.

Other books in the series:

and Book 3: Unleashed by Jami Alden (29 Sep 09)

Sybil’s Review of Caught (Gemini Men, Book 1) by Jami Alden
Romantic Suspense released by Brava 1 Oct 08

I first became interested in this series back when Jami Alden told us about her new Brava trilogy. The excerpt grabbed me. What can I say?  I am a sucker for a smartass heroine. I know, this shocks you.

Toni is a computer geek used to using her keyboard kungfu to get what she needs where as Ethan is more used to using his smile. They are brought together when 17 year old Kara Kramer turns up missing.  As the daughter of one of Gemini’s clients, Ethan is called in to help. Toni shows up with the recent ex Mrs. Karmer (Toni’s PI services helped her become a wealthy ex). Both Toni and Ethan have their own pasts to color their view of Kara’s disappearance, neither really knowing if there is anything more here than a kid looking for attention, trouble or if she has found it. Her parents swear she is a good kid, with good grades and a good web page on FacePlace called V-Club, where she has promised to stay a virgin until marriage. While the dad blames it on the mom for being a drunk and the mom blames dad for being too busy screwing his assistant, Ethan takes charge, or tries too.

What follows is an interesting, fast paced tale with a twist, a ‘ripped from the headlines’ feel to it, and a heavy dose of nothing ever dies on the Internet.  So you know those nekkid pictures?  Yeah, don’t post them or at least make sure she really is over age. I am pretty sure there was something of a plot hole regarding the FacePlace posting but I am not really familiar with Myspace or Facebook so I could be wrong and my kungfu is so not that good. So I just nodded and went with it. Computer geeks of the world might not. The photo stuff is cool though, but again, totally over my head. It did what I like in a good suspense story, which means it kept me turning the pages and made me think.

The characters are grand and might be one of Jami’s strongest points. She does amazing men. Really I would say Ethan, Derek and Danny are all great male characters who get along like brothers and sound like men. When they are together there is a serious lack of hand holding and tea, the language is more than a bit rough and something you might expect from ex-military men. Jami Alden has a great way of giving you their history without a bunch of info dumping or allowing the other brothers to over take the story. You want to know more about them but they don’t steal the show from the romance.

And the romance was good and the h/h are given a nice amount of time together, something that is often lacking in romantic suspence but it is still the weakest part of the a strong story. She had a great set up. A strong female, and a yummy hero who falls hard. It is grand. Downfall is Jami Alden has four days to work with so it is a tough sell and the push/pull does get tedious. The love scenes are smoking and when they are together they click, but it is hard to buy why it is love over lust. In the end though I have to admit I wanted to believe and I’m really happy to have Kept to start next.

On a final note, I was amused because when I closed the book I thought it reminded me of Shannon McKenna’s older books and on the cover of Caught there is a quote from… Shannon McKenna.  Are you paying attention McKenna fangirls?

Grade: B-

Summary:

Got an investigation situation? Call the Gemini Men: Ethan and Derek Taggart. Yeah, they’re twins. Double the trouble and twice as sexy—women can’t get enough of them or their older brother Danny, who keeps ‘em in line when things get wild. The three Taggart men are hot, hard, and ready to take on all comers…

Ex-military. Tall. Chiseled. Intelligent and arrogant. And so hot he’s on fire. That’s Ethan Taggart. Male to the max. Toni Crawford, computer genius turned PI, can’t stop looking at him and Ethan’s returning the favor. Nice and slow. Those piercing blue eyes of his are about to melt her down but…nothing doing. Toni has to stay cool. Focus on the assignment: the teenage daughter of a multimillionaire just vanished in plain sight. Chasing down leads, investigating every freaky angle, pushing past the boundaries of a hellish underworld of sex and drugs, Ethan and Toni are forced to work closely to stalk an unseen enemy with a taste for cruel games. Risking their lives to save the missing girl is only half the battle. Their blazingly sensual attraction grows every second, until there’s no turning back. Their passion is about to explode…and Ethan and Toni soon find that danger breeds the hottest desire of all…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in The Gemini Men trilogy:
, Book 3: Unleashed by Jami Alden (29 Sep 09)

Sybil’s review of Fragile by Shiloh Walker
Romantic Suspense released by Berkley Trade 3 Feb 09

Suspense was one of my first book crushes. It is really rather shocking I didn’t fall into reading romantic suspense right away or that I don’t do more of it now. I think it falls under ‘too many books too little time’ and that I have found too few authors I think do it really well. Or it could be I have gotten seriously jaded in my old age and find most of it too hard to believe. And at the same time, I almost didn’t pick up Fragile to read because it sounded too depressing. I am just all sorts of shades of difficult like that.

There hasn’t been a good opening over the past five or six months for Dr Rafferty to ask Devon Manning out. Generally the social worker’s visits to the hospital don’t leave a lot of room for romance to develop. After six years in combat he is used to working around difficult situations.  Mix in a way dysfunctional brother, along with no relationship with his mom and Luke has more than his fair share dealing with personal demons. The bonus here is Luke isn’t a man who scares off easily. When Devon is handed to him on a dinner plate, well, as a dinner ‘date’ when they run into each other one night he jumps at the chance to get to know her better. Sadly all doesn’t go well and he almost blows it before he has a chance to ask her out on a real date.

Devon confronts the situation in the parking lot head on and they talk about it – like adults. And it sets the stage for a great romance to develop. The suspense has a slow enough build up that the reader is given a chance to wonder which direction it is coming from, at least at first. I have to say I kept waiting for Luke to be accused because he was becoming almost ‘stalkerish’ in his, I am the hero, hear me roar ways. But I would be lying if I didn’t say he was yummy, in an ex army ranger way. But after the first 10 times it started to be a bit much.

And the thing I hate more than anything in romantic suspense is the heroine who knows she is being stalked, who knows she can’t go it alone, resisting help. And Devon isn’t dumb. She hates she has to give up some of her hard won independence and self reliance. And she has reason to fight giving it up; the fight is with herself as much as with Luke. But she does eventually give in. Luke and Devon are a fabulous couple together and I really enjoyed the book. Although I did find it dragged a bit in the middle. Parts felt repeated and I am not sure if that was suppose to be that way due to what was happening to Devon or not. But it slowed the book down for me.

Saying that I thought the end was interesting and can’t wait for Quinn’s book. Quinn will be getting a book… yes?  Shiloh Walker wears quite a few different genre hats and does it well.  I look forward to reading more romantic suspense from her and would love to read some contemporary romance as well, if anyone is taking suggestions or anything.  Oh and as always historical romance .

Grade: B

Summary:

Six years after trading in his combat gear for hospital scrubs, Luke Rafferty is faced with things just as heartbreaking as those on the battlefield. The abused children being brought in by the pretty redheaded social worker tug at his soul like nothing he’s ever known.

For Devon Manning, being a social worker is a rewarding job, but also a constant reminder of her own troubled youth. Devon takes everything one day at a time—unable to form a relationship with anyone except the children she rescues.

When Luke meets Devon, he thinks he might have found what he’s been looking for, but in order to get the life he wants, Luke has to break through Devon’s emotional barriers and make her realize that his healing touch might be just the complication her life needs…

Read an excerpt.

Sybil’s review of Highland Warrior (The Campbell Trilogy, Book 1) by Monica McCarty
Historical Romance released by Ballantine 27 Jan 09

Highland Warrior is the first novel in Monica McCarty’s 2nd back to back Scottish trilogy. Before I do anything I must give mad props to Monica for the amount of research she has put into her tales and to Ballantine. At a time when many publishers are cutting pages, word count, and more it is beyond delightful to see Ballantine allowing an author pages to show she did her homework and provide some background to readers who would like to know more. Hell people, there are footnotes in the author’s notes! For those of you lusting for more knowledge, you can find it on Monica’s site. The Lamont has decided it is time for his daughter to marry and the Highland gathering at Ascog would be the perfect place for her to find a husband, at least that is the hope.  Argyll’s Henchman, Jamie Campbell, figures the games are the easiest way to discover if clan Lamont is hiding the outlaw Alasdair MacGregor.  Jamie knows the last thing Lamont would want is his daughter married into a clan he has been feuding with for years.  Hopefully the unease will make finding the outlaws that much easier.

Problem is after Jamie helps Caitrina out of a tight spot, they can’t get their mind off each other.  Like many long term family feuds, it is hard for them to connect their feelings for how they are suppose to feel about ‘certain’ people or actions.  As well as each character has to learn that rumor isn’t fact and to learn not judge a book by the cover.  This is much harder to do when Jamie learns that Alasdair isn’t with the Lamont Clan and rides out, only to return to a mess of mass destruction his brother creates when it turns out that Jamie was in fact correct.

I had a tough time getting into Highland Warrior for a few reasons. First because the ‘Romeo & Juliet’ theme has never been my favorite type of plots. I know given the time period being torn between clans was not at all odd but man it generally goes on forever so knowing that going in, it was tough sitting down for, because when it works it works well and when it sucks – it is HELL ON READER EARTH. And, dude, I have books to read. The first two chapters are also clunky, so it was easy for me to put the book down, but once it hit about chapter four I was into it and I liked it (Highland Outlaw is my fave).

Monica McCarty has done her homework and her history is amazing and believable. Catrina is a fully drawn character who goes from spoiled, would-be bride to would-be savor of her clan. I would love her a hella lot if it wasn’t for the really dumbass thing she does toward the end that made me want to shake her. I did understand it but thought Jamie had earned her trust by then and it seemed really just too ‘this needs to be done for the plot’. Jamie was grand. Almost too much so.  He is a yummy highlander hero all the way around but totally understanding and wants Catrina to trust him for him.  And he is good with a sword.

I have now read all three novels (can’t do a Duckies Do Series since they aren’t all out yet) and ‘THE BIG MISUNDERSTANDING’ plays something of a part in each one of them (not so much the middle book). I think this has more to do with trust issue, which leads back to the feuding families and centuries of bad, bad blood. From what I understand Clan Campbell is often cast as the ‘bad’ guys in romance novels with the Lamont and MacGregor clan’s more in riding in the hero seat. McCarty does an excellent job of showing, war isn’t easy and it is rarely black and white.

Highland Warrior isn’t a perfect book but it is a great start to a fabulous trilogy and what she does well is wonderful.

Grade: B- 

Summary:

The ruthless enforcer of Scotland’s most powerful clan, Jamie Campbell is the most feared man in the Highlands. Raw physical strength coupled with cunning political acumen make him a powerful force with whom few men will dare to reckon. Determined to see the Highlands tamed of its lawlessness and unrest, Jamie’s objectives are clear: under the guise of seeking the Chief of Lamont’s daughter’s hand in marriage, discover whether the Lamonts are harboring any outlawed MacGregors. But guise turns to desire when he meets the beautiful spitfire who rules the household with a dainty iron fist. The fierce Highlander never expects that the woman he wants above all others will test his duty and loyalty to his clan to the breaking point.

Cosseted and adored by her family, Caitrina Lamont has no intention of abandoning her beloved father and doting four older brothers for a husband-especially a Campbell. But Jamie Campbell is nothing like the parade of suitors that Caitrina’s father usually traipses across their hall. His raw masculinity threatens her in a way no man ever had before. But when Caitrina’s idyllic world is shattered, could the man she blames for her tragedy become her only hope for the future?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Here at the Pond, we have an e-mail loop.  In theory, I think Sybil meant for it as a way for all of us to communicate easily, and keep on top of the various goings-on around TGTBTU.  In actuality?  Yeah, it’s pretty much the time-suck from Hell.  Case in point, yesterday Sandy sent a very innocent e-mail with the subject heading of “Wendy, have you seen this?” Now, I’m thinking it’s some bit of library news Sandy stumbled across.  Oh no, it’s this bit of silliness that Harlequin designed for their 60th anniversary.  That’s right, a story generator where you can “put yourself in the story.”  And don’t ya know, several of the ducks had to have some fun with it.

My Man often jokes about my undercover secret Swedish lover “Sven.”  (Seriously, I should be so lucky).  But dagnabit, I had to have me a cowboy!  And Sven, for all his hunky hunkiness, is not a cowboy name.  So meet Dirk!

She didn’t know which was more dangerous……..the case that had brought brainy Wendy to the Grand Canyon, or the six-foot-three cowboy, who was far too sexy for anyone’s good. Everything about Dirk screamed Warning! Danger! So why was Wendy-an award-winning writer-letting her guard down with the handsome heartbreaker? Dirk didn’t think he’d ever know the truth about his father’s death-until the modest Wendy showed up. Wendy was willing to risk her life to uncover the truth. Dirk had to show her he, too, could take some risks. Because he’d found the one woman who could touch his heart…and he wasn’t about to let her go….

Sandy couldn’t help herself and also went with a cowboy. We’re currently planning a two-book series featuring hunky brother cowboys Dirk and Dack!

First comes love, then comes forgiveness…

But a widowed cowboy struggling during the Depression doesn’t have much faith in either-until he meets adventurous Sandy in the Grand Canyon at the boardinghouse they share. She’s an award-winning writer who could love his boy and heal his own heart. But how can Dack trust a fiery woman in the profession he blames for his greatest loss?

Sandy understands Dack’s pain. She has her own secret anguish, and believes her dreams of a husband and child are beyond reach. Still, she can pretend when he asks her to play his temporary fiancée to protect his son. And if God would grant her one miracle, He knows exactly what her fiery heart is yearning for…

Shannon also went with a cowboy.  Seriously, there must be something in the pond’s water, because Shannon didn’t go with any ol’ cowboy.  Oh no.  She had to out-do us with an intergalactic cowboy.  Nobody likes a show-off Shannon.

Cowboy Jonathan grieved the loss of his wife and baby. Then he discovers his son is alive-and living with an adoptive mother-award-winning writer Shannon. Despite the secrets and lies, Jonathan can’t deny the truth: brainy Shannon loves the boy. Yet Jonathan grew up without a father and won’t do that to his own child.

When someone dangerous comes after them, cowboy Jonathan takes Shannon and his son into hiding in the unknown reaches of Mars. As he grows closer to them, he discovers much about family life. After his dark, troubled past, he’s finally found faith and family. And he’ll do anything to protect both.

Our dear sweet Liviania decided that cowboys weren’t her thang (we’re working on deprogramming her – honest!) and instead went for a hunky male model.  A hunky male model in the Australian Outback?  Seriously?!

Typical. It takes male model Jonathon eight years to pull himself away from his terribly important career in the Australian Outback and come home for a divorce. And then he doesn’t even know who she is! Sure, Liv was a shy schoolgirl when Jonathon rescued her from a nasty family situation. But that’s no excuse for the man not to recognize his own wife.

And now the gorgeous male model thinks he’s going to hightail it with his final decree in hand. Uh-uh. Brainy Liv isn’t letting him off quite so easily. Not when she-now an award-winning writer-is finding him so irresistible.

Irresistible enough to get him to tie the knot again?

Lime decided to ditch the cowboys and male models and went straight for a tycoon.  Although none of us were real sure how convincing the name “Lime” is for a socialite.  But Landon?  That’s a tailor-made hero name for the Harlequin Presents line.  Just sayin’.

Wealthy Tycoon Landon is more comfortable with wild things than people. But his secret pain won’t stop him from returning to Paris, the City of Lights to uncover the mystery behind his best friend’s fiery death. Even if it means dealing with the hopelessly romantic woman carrying his friend’s baby….

Glamorous Socialite Lime has her own reason for coming to town-Landon. The coy beauty wants her unborn child to know the truth about its father’s death, and only Landon can help her learn it. But their investigation is stoking some dangerous embers-and igniting a firestorm of desire that not even the darkest of secrets can put out.

Who knew our LauraJ was full of such pent up passion?  Seriously, read all the “fiery” and fire-related metaphors in her blurb.  Laura, I hope you keep a fire extinguisher by your bed! 

Wealthy Tycoon Simon is more comfortable with wild things than people. But his secret pain won’t stop him from returning to the exotic Caribbean to uncover the mystery behind his best friend’s fiery death. Even if it means dealing with the feisty woman carrying his friend’s baby….

International Jet-Setter Laura has her own reason for coming to town-Simon. The fiery beauty wants her unborn child to know the truth about its father’s death, and only Simon can help her learn it. But their investigation is stoking some dangerous embers-and igniting a firestorm of desire that not even the darkest of secrets can put out.

And just because, I created a story for Sybil.  Sebastian was chosen in honor for her slavish devotion to a certain Lisa Kleypas hero.  The rest of it I selected for my own amusement.  Admittedly, it doesn’t take much to amuse me.

Glamorous Socialite Sybil didn’t look back when her wealthy tycoon lover split.  Even though they had the most feisty sex imaginable, Sebastian just wasn’t the one for her.

But then she and her ex are thrown together for a friend’s wedding-in the exotic Caribbean! Sybil forces herself to resist Sebastian’s megawatt sex appeal until they leave….

Only to get stranded in the middle of the desert!

I’m not sure how Sybil finds herself stranded in a desert when she’s in the Caribbean with Sebastian – but whatever.  If it gives our girl more opportunity to enjoy Sebastian’s “mega-watt sex appeal,” I’m all for it.  And feisty sex?  Be careful Syb!  Don’t hurt yourself 

What’s your story?

Sybil’s review of The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (The Rothwell Series, Book 4) by Madeline Hunter
Historical romance released by Dell 27 Jan 09

The Sins of Lord Easterbrook is a novel I have been waiting for since “the end” of The Rules of Seduction. Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook is a puzzle, an enigma, you know there is such a story there to be told.  Who is this man who walks around ‘half dressed’, obeys no rules but his own, does not suffer society and still manages to remain in favor.  He IS Easterbrook. And Madeline Hunter made us suffer through three books to get here, it is a damn good thing they were good books. Of course the problem that always leaves us with is… does the book live up to the wait?

To be completely honest, I got a few chapters into the book and was some what annoyed and put the book down. In fact I didn’t make it back to the book for a few weeks because I thought The Sins of Lord Easterbrook was going to take a turn off into a paranormal direction. It was rather short-sighted of me and I didn’t give the book enough of a chance, once I picked it back up and decided to just see where the author was taking us (and did learn that no woo woo was involved in Easterbrook’s Sins) it was all good.

The book opens with Lord Easterbrook trying very hard to find his ‘center’ and his valet pretty much thinking his job sucks.  There is a disturbance in the force so to speak and next we know Lord Easterbrook is having Leona Montgomery kidnapped (in a most polite way) off the street and taken to his home for a chat.  There she learns Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook, is really Edmund the same man who once stole her heart a life time ago and who she thinks might hold a key to why she is now in England.

This all happens in the first two chapters of the book.

As always she [Madeline Hunter] has wonderful characters, awesome detail and grand attention paid to her research.  Or she fakes it really well .  For someone like me who has pined for a character for as long as I have, and she did make me wait a good long while to get Christian’s HEA, she delivered and delivered well.

I know it seems like I am not giving you a ton of detail and I almost feel like I should say “sorry” but seriously – I put this book down or at least a month after waiting 100 years for it – you think I am going to give you spoilers?  READ it.

Grade: A

Read more info and reviews of this series by following the its tag.

Summary:

Only a desperate mission could bring Leona Montgomery face-to-face with the scoundrel whose dangerous sensuality once sent her fleeing from his arms. But she has under-estimated Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook. As irresistible as ever, his past swathed in mystery, Christian has his own plans for the woman he has waited seven years to claim. Yet once desire reignites, bringing a dangerous secret into the open, Leona will find herself bound to the seductive nobleman in ways she could never have imagined. Seven years have changed nothing: this man can tempt her to ruin with just one touch. With Leona’s reputation and hopes for her family’s salvation in tatters, she must follow the only course left to her…even as each step brings her closer to a shattering truth and a passion she can no longer live without.…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Anyone, anyone?

Hello?

::echo::

so sad… no one tells me nuthing about nuthing ::pout::

I R Abused. Go away for a lil while and the whole world forgets about you

::kicks rock::

As I was putting together a list of books I wanted to review (not the list PamP was asking for but hey a list *g*) I noticed a few odd things

Yes first is the fact, I do plan to start reviewing again.  Well that isn’t odd to me since I had hoped to start in January, if the Topamax would let me.  (If you wonder what I mean by that look up that side effects) To borrow a phrase from my neuro more on that later…

The thing that *I* found most shocking was there are so many books coming out on January 27 (yes that is today) that I thought were rather awesome books. Since it must be in celebration of my birthday (yeah it was the 22nd but really it is close), I thought I would use the 4pm review spot to make a list! Well and because I can *g*

The Sins of Lord Easterbrook by Madeline Hunter – I was going to put this review up today at 4pm, I know isn’t it like so cool how I just change the rules for myself (generally 4pm is older book reviews ) but tis a duckies choice to change her mind and I decided to showcase all the releases today.  And it should be NO shock that I adored this book.  For historical fans you really need to get your feathers on down to the bookstore and get this, or download it or whatev.  Easterbrook demands to be read.  Trust me on this.

ETS: if you didn’t already know this… Madeline has joind the ever delightful women over @ The Goddess Blog

(almost didn’t put this summary cuz is SO doesn’t fit IMHO)

Only a desperate mission could bring Leona Montgomery face-to-face with the scoundrel whose dangerous sensuality once sent her fleeing from his arms. But she has under-estimated Christian, Marquess of Easterbrook. As irresistible as ever, his past swathed in mystery, Christian has his own plans for the woman he has waited seven years to claim. Yet once desire reignites, bringing a dangerous secret into the open, Leona will find herself bound to the seductive nobleman in ways she could never have imagined. Seven years have changed nothing: this man can tempt her to ruin with just one touch. With Leona’s reputation and hopes for her family’s salvation in tatters, she must follow the only course left to her…even as each step brings her closer to a shattering truth and a passion she can no longer live without….

Montana Creeds: Logan by Linda Lael Miller – wasn’t sure if I should include this or not but it does show ‘in stock’ at amazon. It is the first in a back to back trilogy from HQN. I read all three books around the end of December beginning of Jan and adored them all (Dylan the next was my fave). LLM is an old fave of mine who is very hit or miss so it was a delight to read three books in a row that were really all hits. It is a contemp western trilogy with three very estranged brothers. It is a great mix of what I loved in LLM older novels and what still is wonderful in her recent work without slamming any doors. And she does some great men, Holly you really need to read these and tell me what you think .

Descendants of the legendary McKettrick family, the Creeds are renowned in Stillwater Springs, Montana—for raising hell…

After years of wandering, Logan Creed, a cowboy with a dusty law degree, has returned home. To put down roots, to restore his family’s neglected ranch…to have kids of his own proudly bearing the Creed name.

Divorced mom Briana Grant has heard the stories about her gorgeous neighbor. So Logan’s kindness with her young boys is a welcome surprise, especially when her ex reappears. And when an unknown enemy vandalizes her home, Logan shows Briana—and the folks of Big Sky country—just what he’s made of.

Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis – One of Jill’s best contemps yet and grand fun. You can step over to Book Binge and get some an awesome look at the book with some excerpts, reader questions answered by THE Jill and reviews already done by Holly and company.

Accountant Katie Kramer is a quintessential good girl – working hard, recycling diligently, all the while trying to ignore the feeling that she doesn’t fit in anywhere. That’s all she wants. Well, that – and amazing sex, and the kind of daredevil escapade she can look back on when she’s crunching numbers in a dusty cubicle. Which explains why she just took a job in Wishful, California, working for Wilder Adventures and Expeditions. Waking up to find a magnificently built stranger towering over her bed – that part defies explanation…After wandering the planet for months following a life-changing accident, Cameron Wilder has come back to the only home he knows. Under other circumstances, he might be thrilled to find a gorgeous woman sleeping in his cabin, but now, while he’ll risk his body taking clients on adrenaline-drenched excursions, his heart is off limits. Still, Katie’s killer smile triggers something deep in his gut…among other places. Showing her how exhilarating it can be to stop balancing her life as if it was a check book is the biggest rush he’s ever felt – and an adventure Katie’s wishing would never end…

Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann – OUT TODAY and I admit I have gone back and forth with reviewing this cuz you people scare me. I am a spoilerwhore. I have read like oh three of these books. I liked Dark of Night, ask holly *g* who I texted repeatedly while reading it cuz I KNEW she would lurve that heeeee. But I am guessing what happens is gonna get a whole hellalot of omg how could SUZ!?!?! And I was just too dumb to be upset cuz I wasn’t invested enough to be… ::shrug:: and uh was that a spoiler?

Badly shaken after the loss of one of their own, the men and women of Troubleshooters Inc. go up against their most deadly opponents yet —- the clandestine organization called The Agency. Blackmail, extortion, murder: The Agency’s black-ops sector will apparently stop at nothing to achieve their objective. But this time they’ve gone too far and hit too close to home.

Led by former Navy SEAL Lawrence Decker, a team of investigators —- from FBI agent Jules Cassidy and former CIA operative Dave Malkoff, to Troubleshooters Sophia Ghaffari, Tess Bailey, and even receptionist Tracy Shapiro —- band together to uncover the truth, and bring the killers to justice.

But the stakes are raised even higher when Decker barely escapes an attempt on his life. It soon becomes clear that the hunters have become the hunted —- and the Troubleshooters are no longer just solving a crime -— they’re fighting for survival.

also out today I am currently reading for review but can’t rec one way or the other cuz I am not far enough into so buy at your own risk:
Highland Warrior by Monica McCarty
Sandy’s first Duck Chat Author!

I have just started this so I can’t say much about it yet.  So no need to start worrying yet Monica .

Night After Night by Kathryn Smith – This is the last of Brotherhood of the Blood series and I am pretty sure I have read it but the time I got the ARC hits about the time I was in the hospital so before I review it I need to reread it. Yes better living through chemicals. (this would be why I spent most of Nov and Dec rereading older romance novels but that is a list for another time)

My Man Michael by Lori Foster

I know many here do not care for Lori Fosters books but I do so have a soft spot for her.  I have loved this series and really enjoyed the last book.  I am only a chapter or so into this so can’t at all say if this one will work for me or not.

I am sure there are more books coming out today.  Like the SEP (that I really should make sure got to the reviewer it was suppose to go to… see my memory not so good) So what are you looking forward to that hit the shelves today? What have you read that you want to shout about that came out today? What did you write that comes out today? Feel free to pimp… it you know you wanna

Sybil’s review of The Rules of Seduction (The Rothwell Series, Book 1) by Madeline Hunter
Historical romance released by Dell 31 Oct 06

Since Gwen recently reviewed Secrets of Surrender (Roselyn Longworth and Klyle Bradwell’s tale), I figured I would review the book that started the Rothwell series. And a note as I happened to to read the review after having reread all the books: The Sins of Lord Easterbrook (Book 4), Secrets of Surrender (Book 3), Lessons of Desire (Book 2), and The Rules of Seduction (Book 1) (yes in that order *g*) and for anyone wondering if they can be read out of order and as standalones. Read on for more info but be warned I find it only fair since Madeline tried so hard to not have one book spoil the others (for those who do want to read them all) I am going to try not to be my normal spoilerwhorishself (I said try – I should get points for that).

The Rules of Seduction sets up the journey of The Rothwell series. A tale of a noble family, the Rothwells, and the Longworths trying like mad to hold on to their ‘gentry’ status. I rarely say this about a book but I honestly think if you pick up TRoS and read the first two chapters that will tell you if this book is one for you to try. The banter between Alexia and Hayden sets the tone for their interaction for most of the book as well as we are introduced to most of the Longworth’s. I admit I spent most of the time wanting to slap Timothy upside the head.

Alexia Welbourne is a graduate of life’s course on No Good, Awful, Very Bad Things, she knows when she see Lord Hayden Rothwell at her cousin’s home the worst kind of BAD things are about to happen. It is clear, it is in the air bad things are a coming and in something of a twist the reader learns right away that Timothy Longworth has been up to no good and is a bastard. Rothwell makes a huge mistake in giving him leave to tell his family whatever to save face and leaves Rothwell tied to his word to let them think he ruined them by removing the Rothwell family money from Longworth’s bank.

There are different plots and new discoveries you will no doubt find to feast upon. This is truly an amazing tale — one almost anyone could sit down and reread because there is so much to find. The thing is nothing overwhelms because at the heart of every book in the Rothwell series is the romance. And as with every Madeline Hunter novel, the characters are what set it apart. From the bond Christian, Hayden, and Elliot display to the friendship Alexia has with her cousin Roselyn and the outlandish Phaedra Blair. It is the human emotions and love these characters feel for each other and the things they have to overcome that make for such an emotional read and wonderful story I would highly recommend.

And it might just be me but Lord Hayden Rothwell did so remind me of David de Abyndon in some ways. If you have read both By Arrangement (and if you haven’t – why not?) and The Rules of Seduction I would love to know if you saw it as well *g*. My only real complaint is the same I had with By Arrangement in the way that both Hayden and David kept something from the heroine they felt they had to for WAY too long. At least in my opinion but it was a small thing and one I was able to overlook.

Grade: A

Read more about this series by following its tag.

Summary:

Dangerous. Sensual. Handsome as sin. Meet Hayden Rothwell, the shamelessly erotic hero of The Rules of Seduction and author Madeline Hunter’s most irresistible alpha male yet: a man of extraordinary passion and power, a man who can bring out the seductress in any woman….

He enters her home without warning or invitation-a stranger of shadowy motives and commanding sensuality. Within hours, Alexia Welbourne is penniless, without any hope of marriage. Until Hayden Rothwell takes her to bed. When one impulsive act of passion forces Alexia to marry the very man who has ruined her, Hayden’s seduction of Alexia is nearly complete. What Alexia doesn’t know is that her irresistible new husband is driven by a secret purpose-and a debt of honor he will risk everything to repay. Alexia is the wild card. Reluctant to give up their nightly pleasures, Hayden must find a way to keep Alexia by his side…only to be utterly, thoroughly seduced by a woman who is now playing by her own rules.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

So it’s been a bit quiet about the pond here. I’m sure those of you on twitter have noticed Syb being quiet as well. Unfortunately our dear duckie has had an incident and has been away from her computer.

Sybil is in the hospital undergoing some tests, they don’t know exactly what’s wrong, or even how long she’ll be there. If you you’ve emailed her in the past couple of days, that’s why she hasn’t responded. There will be some more updates after she finds out more and can come home from the hospital.

Thanks everyone.

Duffy mixes it up

The first movie I recall seeing is at a drive in with my mom and grandmother, we were watching a double feature of Children of the Corn and Christine. I don’t recall when I first started to adore horror movies but tis safe to say we can blame my mom .

I recall at one of my Halloween parties, a friend called her mom because she was too scared after one of the movies. She was out of school for a week sick, I think it was just a coincidence. Oddly I haven’t seen many flicks as of late and I am not sure if that is cuz they have gotten too crappy for even me or if it is just that… ::gasp:: I am old.

So here are some of my all time faves! Tell me what yours are or something new you would rec for a Halloween viewing *g*.

Friday the 13th

This is one of my faves and I do like the first few sequels – didn’t know it is being remade for a 2009 release! Hope it doesn’t suck.

The scream queen’s first movie… and one of the best slasher films.  I loved the second as well and HATED the 3rd. H20 was a great take and of course Jamie Lee was in it as well.

It has been forever since I have seen this but it one I has seen tons.  And one of my favorite titles. Holy Hell it has a remake coming out too, looks like Jan of 2009 in 3D.

This movie still scares the crap out of me and I don’t believe in ghosts. I think it scared the control freak in me .  It is is suppose to be based on a true story.

good reason not to smoke *g* and this is the movie that did in the girl from the party…

Jamie Lee again and YES this was remade this year… haven’t seen it and didn’t plan on it but the trailer looks sort of good. Or I am just twisted.

No need to comment on that last part

Not recommended for Holly, in fact the trailer isn’t even Holly watchable

This is another movie that creeps me out

There’re Here

love the second movie too…

Not truly horror in my mind but too much good fun to leave off. No matter how many movies have come after it trying to do the same thing (poke fun at a genre) the Scream movies do it best. Well and Airplane but that is a different post *g*

One of Wes Craven’s best movies (along with TS&TR and Scream) although I don’t think I have ever been able to rewatch The Last House on the Left so maybe it is grand too. I think I like my horror movies to be outside the realm of possibility and TLHotL and Texas Chainsaw Massacre seem way to possible in my mind.

Whatever you do, Don’t. Fall. Alseep. I loved the first three and think I liked the 4th. Can’t recall if I have seen the rest. Have not seen Freddy vs Jason… even I have my limits.

And look… here’s Johnny

One of my fave vamp flicks not really a slasher movie but hey vamps…

The hazard of me going back and adding categories, tags

TEH RETRO POST! For no one amuses a sybil as much as a sybil. If this shocks you, you are new here aren’t you? First posted: Friday, March 30, 2007, First repost 10/5/07

Your favorite authors(s):
JR Ward
Lisa Kleypas
Cheryl St. John
Jo Goodman
Erin McCarthy

What you like about romance.
That it always has a HEA. :: :-* may::

What you don’t like about romance.
The lack of current historical western settings. That people cry about the lack of history in historical novels and then cry when the history isn’t what they want. And Spies.

I would have said socks but that is by no means just a romanceland thing. Teh crazies be everywhere.

Your non romance reading hobbies.
What’s that?

So how about you? Come on you know you wanna answer!

This is one of those statements that come up – again and again (sorry, bad pun)

The old ‘Hey pRon is awesome I likes it, you know you likes it… why you gots to call it erotica? Why ‘pretty it up?’. My deal is if you like porn, you go on with your badself. I have NO issue with it at all. But the PORN = EROTICA case does not float with me.

At. All

I think it is insulting, most likely all the way around, regardless of if you are in the porn industry or write erotica. And EROTICA does NOT equal EROTIC ROMANCE. Or am I wrong? Do tell me…

This is the post I am still going huh, what? over.

My Comment, which as of right now doesn’t show on the blog because it is moderated, is as follows:

Porn is all well and good. Some will think it’s bad, some love it, some have no issue with it. Your view is your view and it is awesome the internetz provide us with a chance to voice that.

Erotica and Erotic Romance does not equal porn. There is much more to it, starting with plot, character development, emotion….

You could NOT take any porn movie and call it erotica. It is not a way for Jane General Public to make porn A’OK. If you watch a porn movie, you can’t say a blanket statement that you have read erotica. My question would be have you done either? Because if you watch a porn and read an erotic or erotic romance novel it fairly jumps out at you that they are not the same thing.

Tossing in the term romance (which as a hella lot of subgenre’s all on its own) is beyond uninformed. Romance does not equal erotica does not equal porn does not…. you are completely comparing apples to oranges. It seems you are doing so while saying ‘not that I have read it’. An informed opinion won’t hurt you – promise.

I know lil to nothing about comics but I am going to assume comics does not a graphic novel make… and that there are different audiences, skill and themes involved.

Going by what you say Batman = Garfield = X-Man = Snoopy… they are all stories told with pretty pictures so they must all be alike and speak to the same audience. There are no genres or intelligence involved.

::blink::

Even knowing NOTHING about it, I would not make such an assumption. Or are you going for – stupid, blanket statements bring traffic and the ‘haters’ out? If this is an example of your writing, fuck it, it isn’t that good. And if you want to create change or make an impact – start with being informed.

===========

What is your take?  Am I completely wrong?  Lil wrong? Do you agree?  I would go as far as to say some erotica goes into pornolious territory but to say erotica/erotic romance is nothing more than ‘prettying’ up porn so lil women can feel ok reading it… feels wrong.  Wrong. Wrong.  Then again I hate blanket statements.

It is very rare that an action, feeling or reaction is ALWAYS.  Or maybe that is just me…

If you are in San Antonio area SA Food Bank and Red Cross need local volunteers. Click on the link for more info. Our thoughts are with everyone on the coast.

Please be smart and safe. If you aren’t in SA but the surrounding areas I am sure Red Cross will be in other areas to help evacuees. Keishon and Alison Kent you two stay safe! As well as everyone else out there. CHECK IN! Don’t let us worry and don’t take unnecessary risks. Sez you know… me.

I know I am a wuss, landlocked and prolly just worrying cuz I have never been through it. But it sounds scary as all get out. You can check in with Alison Kent through her hubby’s blog and keep up with her tweets here. And Keishon here… I am seriously loving twitter right now.

Traffic already looks horrid…

You may or may not know this but I often do not know how to leave well enough alone.

U R Shocked… yes?

I started on livejournal, created a blog on blogspot, the ever awesome (and missed) maili changed my template – two or three times, followed by the dearest of janes moving me to wordpress, I think there was a template change or two before a lil piggy took us to market and made my want of a magazine template come true.

This made the blog fall down.

It went BOOM.

It took a pig, a geek, a lawson, a gwen and few annoying (and most likely annoyed) dotster peeps to put the blog back together again. We used a lot of ducktape and superglue. {this is where I say again – no gwen I do not want to delete all the old posts }

After all that I think it took me an hour err no a day a week to decide I didn’t like it and I wanted more!
And since then, I have been searching for THE PERFECT POND TEMPLATE! {and keeping gwen from deleting all the old posts}

So while I am thinking about it again… any suggestions? Yes Lawson I know, no no no touchy yet.

Welcome to the Pond

We got fun and games, we got everything you want, honey now tell us your name

uh well not really but close

So tell us – who are you? What cha like to read? Are you a romance only peep? Do you remember who Maili is? What was your first romance? What is your favorite subgenre? Like Vamps? Ever read a gothic? Would you touch Steele? Or you know whatever….. you wanna tell us!

Or if you have an intro done on your blog link us babee.

Nifty blog the awesome meljean posted about yesterday

great post for authors to read and might interest some readers: pimpin your book economics of galley

Or why you really don’t need or want that many ARCs or you want your ARCs to be cheaply made and fall apart after a few reads.  Or I would think you would

Seriously – go read it – but read it first cuz I think you might hatttteeessss her (the heroine, Nicole) if you read the first book first (Sweet Talk). Can’t wait to see what Lime thinks and will even try and finish my review if I can get to it.

Why am I so bouncy happy about it right now, when I read it months and months ago? Because it has a soft spot in my cold, black heart as I reread the series while under house arrest. It made me smile while I was trying not to freak the hell out.

AND because Jane posted a review today (I think it went up today) and there is a lot I agree with. This is much oddness as I rarely agree with her on contemps.

So that is all the more reason you should read it because it sooooo ups your chances of liking it too .  Really!  I would have give it an A and don’t let the dry summary keep you from at least picking it up or reading an excerpt.  Hawk is a great hero with an interesting way about him and his courtship – and reads like a man.  The kiddos are great – his daughter doing the perfect daddy’s girl and plays the ‘I know how to manipulate daddy’ card well.  And Raul, plays the serious, almost too much but his background explains it well.  It is not without its issues but I would give it an A-.

Hey it can be the contemp of the summer *g*. Do tell if you read it (love it or hate it) and most of all what order you read it in. Now I am going to try and go do work without bruising myself up anymore (don’t ask).

Sybil’s review of Rogue by Danielle Steel
Fiction hardcover release from Delacourt Press 24 Jun 08

Rogue is not a romance novel but one has to give kudos to whoever it was that made that poll because no way would it or this book have gotten as much attention from the romance blogland without pulling our strings and watching us get puffy. The joke is Danielle Steel is a ‘guilty pleasure’ read or a ‘beach read’ or whatever stupid sayings they dust off every June. I have loved me some trashy fiction and more smutty reads than I can remember, sadly this isn’t even that. I would say it was something close to Reality TV only it isn’t that deep.

Blake Williams is a charming, handsome, playboy who retired at 35. Now at 46, he test drives young women and travels. He has three children (well, three he fathered, too many others to count that he dates) by his ex-wife Maxine. She got tired of being his mommy too and divorced him, but she didn’t take him for all she deserved could have, so they are teh BFF’s.

Maxine has always been the adult. She is a psychiatrist and “…one of the foremost experts in trauma in both children and adolescents”. This ‘expert’ is able to watch her ex (who people still call her ‘husband’) blow in and out of their kids’ lives, knows they can’t count on him for crap (but hopes he will come through and not break their heart this time), and lets him take her 13 year old daughter, 12 and 6 year old sons – alone or with bimbo-of-the-week – out of the country. And is so smart she ‘falls in love’ with a man, who is such an adult he spends all his time trying to get her to send her children away to boarding school. So he can have her all to himself. WHAAAAT??

That is pretty much the sum of the book. No matter how often the reader is told how smart, loving, educated or wonderful these characters are we never see it. Maxine agrees to marry a man who has to try not to hate her kids. And the most interesting characters in the book are the bimbos.

The grade should be lower but I read it without force being needed. OH! And I like the cover…. so sad cuz I use to like Danielle Steel once upon a time.

Grade: D –

Being married to Blake had been an amazing adventure for Maxine. Brilliant, charismatic, and wholly unpredictable, Blake Williams made millions and grabbed headlines as a dot-com entrepreneur. His only shortcoming was as a husband—first his work and then his never-ending quest for fun kept him constantly on the move, far away from Maxine and his family. For five years Blake and Maxine have worked out an odd but amicable divorce, with friendly though infrequent visits, a yacht he lends her every summer, and three children they both adore. Blake enjoys his globe-trotting lifestyle—dating a succession of beautiful, famous, and very young women—while Maxine raises their kids in Manhattan and pursues her passion, working as a psychiatrist, a world-renowned expert on childhood trauma and adolescent suicide. Then everything changes….

For Maxine it starts when she falls in love with Dr. Charles West, a man who is everything Blake is not—mature, grounded, and present. For Blake it begins when a devastating earthquake strikes near one of his palatial foreign homes and he sees hundreds of orphaned children in need of shelter. Now Blake wants Maxine in his life again—as a partner in a humanitarian project that could change countless lives. For Maxine the choice is clear. But Blake’s sudden transformation—from carefree playboy to compassionate, responsible grown-up—raises questions she’s never managed to answer . . . and some she’s afraid to ask. After all, Maxine is on the cusp of a new life, about to marry Charles, and almost certain that Blake Williams, aka the Rogue, is a man capable of doing anything—except change….

An unforgettable story of two people pursuing happiness from opposite directions, Rogue is a journey of choices and the amazing opportunities that come together—just when life seems to have been successfully rearranged at last.

This was first posted on 12/16/07
As I have been thinking a lot on reviews and grading (again) I figured you guys should be too . If you commented before (click the date it was first posted) do you still think the same? If you missed the post the first time what are your thoughts? And yes sorry about the lack of posts yesterday work is a mad house and we are planing BIG things for the month of June

Question I would love for anyone and everyone to answer….

I know it has been talked about over and over but I have been giving letter grades a bit of thought over the past few days. I never ‘graded’ reviews before I was apart of AAR. So that pretty much shaped my view of what the letter grades meant. I still pretty much think along the same lines but wondered what you thought.

If you personally grade your books, as I know more than a few of you keep reader logs, what is a “C” grade to you?

If you review what is a “C” grade?

If you are reading a review, how do you view a “C” grade?

If you are an author, how do you ‘view’ a C grade and is it different than how you feel about it when reading a review of another book?

I admit I do not see a C grade as a bad grade. C = average. It could be a book I have seen a 100 times before, enjoyed while reading and forgot it as soon as I closed the book. “I” don’t see that as a bad book but it isn’t a B either. A C grade could be a book that hit a few buttons but nothing that made me want to throw it over. A book I would grade a C is a book I could see a lot of people reading and liking or loving.

I have to say though, as a reader I don’t pay much attention to the letter as much as the commentary. Am I the only one that doesn’t think C = bad?

Sybil’s review of The Power of Love by Foster, McCarthy, Laurey, Stockham, Blake, Castell, Sargeant, McLane, Monroe, Kelley, Maynard, and Wilder
Special Romance Anthology released by Berkley on 3 Jun 08

The Power of Love isn’t at all what I thought it would be. Novellas are hard to do well. Make it a short story and it more often than not doesn’t work for me. Add in the awesome fact the author’s proceeds go to The YMCA Battered Women’s Shelter of Cincinnati – well I was expecting more women’s fiction than romance. I was very wrong.

Each of these women deserve a round of applause. Not only did they put together a book for a great cause, they did it well. These are not throw away stories. Each story ranges from a nice bite to a snack size and the overall book will give you a great taste for each author’s writing.

We are talking 305 pages and 12 authors, so I am going this a touch differently than a normal review. You can find the summary and a bit of background here. And excerpts Vol I and Vol II have been posted as well. The reviews are arranged by grade, not order of appearance in the book.

Grade: A+

Salesman of the Year by Karen Kelley
This was a hard story for me to grade because I so adore the author but haven’t been able to read a book of hers lately that worked for me. Karen Kelley is awesome on the funny, which rarely works for me. Salesman of the Year is a tale of second chances and finding the stregth in yourself to be who you want and not what you are told to be. In 20 pages she wasn’t able to flesh out the heroine as well as she could have but since I knew to expect that going in I went with what I was told. Because no woman deserves an Adam…

Angel in the Alley by Patricia Sargeant
Completely loved this story and was surprised because I admit I saw ‘Angel’ in the title and my reaction was ACK here be inspy. I am not sure if Patricia was going for an inspy feel to her tale or not but it is a fabulous story. My complaint is I wanted more pages because it was wanted more with more time with Archer.

Grade: A

Unpredictable by Erin McCarthy
Predictably I loved this story. The h/h were fantastic and interesting. McCarthy shines in novella form and this, while not her best, shows just what she can do. I really hope Kensington does for her what they did with Foster’s Truth or Dare and McKenna’s All About Men – release her Bad Boy novella’s in a MM book with just her connected stories.

Chicken Soup for Annie by Luanne McLane
This is an author I have never been able to connect with and don’t think I have finished a novel by her yet. Again she is one who does well with the funny (and I don’t). I was shocked by how much I adored this story. I would have given it an A+ but honestly I wish she hadn’t of put it in here (although it fits perfectly with the theme) because even though the story begins and ends to where you KNOW where they are going. I wanted to read it all.

Dance the Fandango by Rosemary Laurey
This is another tale of 2nd chances only this time it is for LOVE itself not a love lost. I didn’t expect a 65 year-old heroine and honestly do not pick them up to read that much. Dance the Fandango works perfectly in The Power of Love and is done very well. But man the kids annoyed and hello they were in their 30s.

Grade: A-

Sweet Dreams by Lori Foster
I LOVED how this story unfolds and Foster shows why so many people love her novellas. She is awesome at building a story, characters you care for and telling a whole story in a short page count. This one was 23 pages! I would have given this an A+ but the five year wait didn’t work for me – just too long

The Mouse Who Roared by J.C. Wilder
This is the one story I would say isn’t a romance, doesn’t tell a whole story and is more of a moment in time. But more than that it is THE beginning of a woman taking control of her future and embodies what “I think” this gift of stories is about. I was too bummed that it ended like it did to give it an A but it is a fabulous story of finding your strength and going for it.

Grade: B+

The Girl Next Door by Janice Maynard
TGND seemed a touch out of place because it starts from Jason’s pov (the hero). A tale you all know, parent’s die sibling comes home to raise the younger kids. Somewhere along the lines lurve developed between a best friend forever of one of the sibs. I love those stories. Don’t ask me why, I have no idea. And I loved Jason and Felicity.

Grade: B

No Angel by Lucy Monroe
This is a would be office romance story and I like those. No Angel has a Harlequin Presents feel to it but too much time was spent away from the h/h. With the page count being so small I would have like to have more time with Cheryl and Zack.

Hannah’s Choice by Kay Stockham
Another 2nd chance at love story… do so love those. Hannah and Mitch are great characters. And you feel so much for them in so few pages. This is a grade A story that is missing at least 10 pages. (at least) Hannah’s choice to run made sense but not from Mitch. Mitch is too great a guy and the author doesnt have enough time to sell why Hannah made such a bonehead move.

Grade: C

Last of the Red-Hot Mammas by Dianne Castell
I think this was my least favorite story. It isn’t really bad but I just couldn’t take that ride. The plot seemed to unbelievable and the characters didn’t click with me enough to over come that. It is a sweet story but I can’t see any school wanting the Principal to behave like that.

After Hours by Toni Blake
More lurve in the office… only this one the hero annoyed. And there wasn’t enough room for Michael to grovel enough. Odd it seemed like there wasn’t enough connection between the h/h, thinking back on it I think this was the steamiest story. Blake can do really steamy really well when she wants too.

Overall this really is a great novel to pick up and get a chance to try out 12 different authors. Or, if you are already a fan of Lori Foster and Erin McCarthy, you will want to pick this up. And of course it is supporting a great cause – by helping people by buying a book .

Overall Grade: A-

Blurb:

In this engaging anthology of never-before-published stories, twelve award-winning and bestselling authors are united by their unique visions of the resilient woman and her quest for self, for fulfillment, for empowerment, and for an enriching new appreciation for what love really means—and why it matters.

A young woman is torn between the overbearing security of her fiancé and the excitement of an old flame…a desperate wife is forced into the workplace for the first time in her life…an ambitious professional woman finally finds the courage to take control of her career—and her man…an emotionally fragile divorcee finds resolve in the ethereal visitations of an archangel. These are just some of the women who discover and rediscover their wonderfully fallible selves in the shadow of love—romantic love, platonic love, new love, and lost love. You’ll be touched, inspired, charmed, and amused by these twelve original stories of disparate longings, unsettled lives, and the power of love.

Read short excerpts of each story here.