REVIEW: The Border Lord by Sophia James
July 3, 2009
Wendy the Super Librarian's review of The Border Lord by Sophia James
Historical romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 May 09
While I know some readers who can't get enough Scottish historicals, I am not one of them. Oh sure, I like them, but only occasionally. As a pallet cleanser if you will. I picked up Sophia James' latest because I was ready for another Scottish historical, I love discovering new Harlequin Historical writers, and I'm a complete and total sucker for the marriage of convenience trope. Unfortunately, after a bang-up first half, I found the second half of this novel to be muddled with too much external conflict. Read more
Tags: 2009, Grade C, Harlequin Historical, Historical Romance, May 2009, Review, Scotland, Sophia James, The Border Lord, Wendy The Super LibrarianREVIEW: The Heiress’s Two-Week Affair by Marie Ferrarella
June 28, 2009
Wendy the Super Librarian's review of The Heiress's Two-Week Affair by Marie Ferrarella
Romantic suspense released by Silhouette Romantic Suspense 1 Apr 09
Romantic suspense is a tricky genre to write in because the author has to satisfy both camps of readers. The suspense has to be suspenseful, the romance has to be romantic, and both of them have to be convincing. Then try to do that in a shorter category format, and it's a pretty tall order to fill. This first book in the multi-author Love In 60 Seconds series also has the added task of setting the whole wheel in motion. While the author does an amiable job juggling it all, I still found the experience a bit of a mixed bag. Read more
Tags: 2009, April 2009, Grade C, Love In 60 Seconds, Marie Ferrarella, Review, Romantic Suspense, Silhouette Romantic Suspense, The Heiress's Two-Week Affair, Wendy The Super LibrarianREVIEW: From Friend to Father by Tracy Wolff
June 27, 2009
Wendy the Super Librarian's review of From Friend to Father by Tracy Wolff
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin SuperRomance 9 Jun 09
When I read Tracy Wolff's debut Harlequin SuperRomance late last year I had some issues with the heroine. Now, with this second book for SuperRomance, I find myself having issues with the hero. I'm thinking by the time her third SuperRomance comes out that I'm going to love the hero and heroine so much that I'm going to want to have a menage a trois with them. Read more
Tags: 2009, Contemporary Romance, From Friend To Father, Grade B, Harlequin SuperRomance, June 2009, Review, Tracy Wolff, Wendy The Super LibrarianREVIEW: Pulling The Trigger by Julie Miller
June 25, 2009
Wendy the Super Librarian's review of Pulling The Trigger (Kenner County Crime Unit Series) by Julie Miller
Contemporary romantic suspense released by Harlequin Intrigue 9 Jun 09
Harlequin is my last hold-out for impulse buys. Shorter page counts at a lower price make me more open to navigating uncharted waters. I've discovered a lot of great new-to-me writers this way, but I've also had my fair share of duds. While I would hardly classify Julie Miller's latest as a dud, I must have been asleep at the wheel when I purchased it because I failed to notice the "Kenner County Crime Unit" series logo smack in the middle of the front cover. For those not familiar with the previous books in this multi-author series, the beginning of Pulling The Trigger is a bit of bumpy ride. However, those readers willing to stick with it will be rewarded with a page-turning cat-and-mouse style suspense story. Read more
Tags: 2009, Grade C, Harlequin Intrigue, Julie Miller, June 2009, Kenner County Crime Unit series, Pulling the Trigger, Review, Romantic Suspense, Wendy The Super LibrarianREVIEW: Pleasured By the Secret Millionaire by Natalie Anderson
June 25, 2009
Wendy the Super Librarian's review of Pleasured By The Secret Millionaire by Natalie Anderson
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Presents 1 Jun 09
I tend to be a bit impulsive when selecting Harlequins to read, mostly going by back cover descriptions and authors who, over time, have proven to be consistent for me. I'll be honest, the back cover copy on most Harlequin Presents leaves me fairly cold. But Natalie Anderson's latest was different. When I was purchasing June titles, the back cover description for this book actually sounded interesting to me. Also, I'll admit, I was intrigued by the "millionaire" hero. Only a millionaire? Not a billionaire or a tycoon? Wow. The current state of the economy is even worse that I thought. Read more
Tags: 2009, Contemporary Romance, Grade C, Harlequin Presents, June 2009, Natalie Anderson, Pleasured by the Secret Millionaire, Review, Wendy The Super LibrarianREVIEW: Menage On A Train by Alice Gaines
June 21, 2009
Wendy the Super Librarian's review of Ménage On A Train by Alice Gaines
Erotica ebook short story released by Spice Briefs 1 Apr 09
Travel is a popular theme often explored in erotic romance and erotica. Makes me wonder if there's a travel agency somewhere that specializes in these sorts of getaways: 5 days, 4 nights, and your own personal horny cabana boy! In Alice Gaines' latest story for Spice Briefs, the heroine finds herself ditching the Mile High Club in favor of a luxury train through eastern Europe. Read more
Tags: 2009, Alice Gaines, April 2009, eBook, Erotica, Grade B, Menage on a Train, Review, short story, Spice Briefs, Wendy The Super LibrarianREVIEW: Disrobed and Dishonored by Louise Allen
June 19, 2009
Wendy the Super Librarian's review of Disrobed and Dishonored by Louise Allen
Historical romance ebook short story released by Harlequin Historical Undone 1 May 09
I've been reading quite a few sexy short stories lately and a popular theme keeps cropping up in the historicals. The heroine finds herself betrothed to a thoroughly undesirable beau and figures the best way to get out of the situation is to rid herself of her virginity. Sometimes this particular trope works for me... and sometimes it doesn't. It all boils down to how well the author can sell the characters, and in this case I had a bit of a mixed reaction. Read more
Tags: 2009, Disrobed and Dishonored, eBook, Grade C, Harlequin Historical Undone, Historical Romance, Louis Allen, May 2009, Regency, Review, Wendy The Super LibrarianREVIEW: A Holiday Romance by Carrie Alexander
June 15, 2009
Wendy the Super Librarian's review of A Holiday Romance by Carrie Alexander
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin SuperRomance 9 Jun 09
I tend to get a bit bitchy defensive in regards to my Harlequin reading. Oh, I'm used to dealing with the slings and arrows of the non-romance reading set. What I tend to resent is when I have to justify my Harlequin love to other romance readers. Carrie Alexander's latest SuperRomance is just the kind of book I love to throw out at these non-believers. No babies (secret or otherwise) and no tycoons (Greek or otherwise). Just two healthy adults who fall in love after being thrown together by circumstance. And no, that's not boring. Read more
Review: Tonight, My Love by Tracie Sommers
June 12, 2009
Wendy the Super Librarian's review of Tonight, My Love by Tracie Sommers
Erotica short story ebook released by Spice Briefs 01 May 2009
I've always felt that an author succeeds when they can illicit a strong reaction from the reader. Nobody remembers the ho-hum stories, but they do remember the stories they loved beyond all reason, and the ones that had them tearing their hair out. On that score, Tracie Sommers not only gets the gold star, but probably deserves some sort of erotica writing award. This story turned me on and repulsed me in equal measures. I can honestly say this has never happened to me before. A first, in my ten-plus years of reading erotica.
Tags: Erotica, Grade D, May 2009, Review, Spice Briefs, Tonight My Love, Tracie Sommers, Wendy The Super LibrarianReview: Let It Ride by Jillian Burns
June 8, 2009
Wendy the Super Librarian's review of Let It Ride by Jillian Burns
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Blaze 01 May 2009
When I'm looking for an emotional read from Harlequin I tend to gravitate towards the SuperRomance or Silhouette Special Edition lines. Frankly, the last place I expect to find "emotional" is within the covers of a Harlequin Blaze. Blaze is where I go for "sassy and sexy," not "gut-wrenching and heart-felt." Well, you know what they say about assumptions don't you? Yep, after reading Jillian Burns' debut for the line I feel very much like an ass. What a fun, and emotional, surprise this book turned out to be! Sometimes impulse buying does pay off.
Tags: Contemporary Romance, Grade B, Harlequin Blaze, Jillian Burns, Let It Ride, May 2009, Review, Wendy The Super Librarian
