Three Weeks With Lady X by Eloisa James

Description...

Having made a fortune, Thorn Dautry, the powerful bastard son of a duke, decides that he needs a wife. But to marry a lady, Thorn must acquire a gleaming, civilized façade, the specialty of Lady Xenobia India.

Exquisite, head-strong, and independent, India vows to make Thorn marriageable in just three weeks.

But neither Thorn nor India anticipate the forbidden passion that explodes between them.

Thorn will stop at nothing to make India his. Failure is not an option. 

But there is only one thing that will make India his—the one thing Thorn can't afford to lose...

His fierce and lawless heart.

***** 

My review….. Three Weeks With Lady X is such a charming, witty, sexy story. The way it all unfolds grabbed me from the first pages and held on to the very last. Lady Xenobia India is the perfect example of my favorite heroines. A strong, independent free thinker, she's the furthest thing from a Wallflower the ton has ever seen. She's a beautiful woman and had many opportunities to marry, but didn't want a conventional arrangement. She's worked hard to fund her own dowry so that she could choose her own husband, and this alone made me love her! Thorn Dautry, the hero of this story, is Tobias, the illegitimate son of the Duke of Villiers. There was something so powerful about him, and yet so vulnerable, too. Being labeled a bastard, even though his father found and claimed all his bastard children, was something Thorn had to live with. But it was refreshing to see how he handled it all... not accepting and assuming his role as a lesser member of society, but making himself into a force to be reckoned with, in his own rights. This alone made me adore him and hope for the kind of happily ever after only the most amazing of heroes is worthy of. The bottom line... Despite something that was, in my mind, a highly unlikely, in fact, nearly impossible event towards the end - I loved this book! Eloisa James has been a favorite historical romance author of mine from the very first book I read, A Kiss At Midnight, and has been an auto-buy author ever since. I adore the humor, the passion, and the unique stories she gives us, and the beauty of her happily ever afters. A copy of this story was provided by Avon Books in exchange for an honest review.

Lost in You by Lauren Dane

 

He’s faced down every demon…except one fast-talking Southern girl.

It hasn’t been easy for Joe Harris to live down his not-so-honorable past, but the military made him a better man. He’s determined to make up for past mistakes, starting with coming home to care for his ailing father.

Things are going as planned until his best friend’s little sister comes barreling into his life. Funny, quick talking, smart, beautiful, she’s a temptation he tries—and fails—to resist.

When Beth Murphy hears Joe is back in town, she makes sure she’s the first on his welcoming committee. Though he tries to pretend he’s gruff and unworthy of her, she sees the man who spoils his dog, who touches her like she’s precious. Cherished. But there’s one wall she can’t break down—the truth about what’s happening at home.

On the night the nature of his father’s illness becomes painfully, publicly apparent, Joe does the right thing—push Beth as far away as possible. But if he thought she’d go away quietly, he’s about to learn she’s made of sterner stuff.

**********

Lost in You is the second book in Lauren Dane’s Petal, Georgia series. It’s a wonderful story, poignant and heartbreaking on many levels, but truly, truly a wonderful story.

As the book opens, with Beth Murphy learning that Joe Harris is back in town and setting herself to doing everything she can to get him to see her as more than just his best friend’s little sister, I really expected this to be a fairly light, run-of-the-mill erotic romance. Well, it’s definitely erotic and it’s definitely a romance, but trust me when I tell you, it’s so much more.

Lost in You is a story about loving unconditionally. It’s about acceptance, forgiveness, compassion, and family. About opening yourself up and letting the people who love you help you, to lift your spirits and help carry your burdens. I laughed at Beth’s blatant flirting and no holds barred quest to work her way into Joe’s heart. She never gave up hope, and never stopped trying, because he was already in her heart, and she wasn't about to let him out without a fight. Joe’s story, his father’s story… just heartbreaking, but so, so inspiring, too. There were moments I wanted to smack our hero and heroine, but no matter. Their actions were, for the most part, understandable and in keeping with their circumstances.

Since this is a spin-off of the Chase Brothers series, we do get to revisit them and their families, and while I haven’t yet read those books, I wasn't confused and didn't feel like I was missing anything - well, other than some fantastic stories. But that's okay, because I will definitely be reading those now.

The bottom line: What more can I say than I’ve already said? Not much, really, except that I was totally sucked in, completely invested in the story and the people, and can’t wait to get back to Petal, Georgia again, soon!

Many thanks to Samhain Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review. It was a pleasure!

The Devil's Thief by Samantha Kane

The daughter of a reformed jewel thief, Julianna Harte knows a thing or two about stealth. When the foundling home she provides for finds itself in dire financial straits, Julianna is forced to do the unthinkable. In a bit of misguided Robin Hood derring-do, she slips through the window of a wealthy rake to search for a treasure she knows is there: an invaluable pearl. But when the towering and very naked occupant of the moonlit bedroom ambushes her with a bargain—a night in his bed in exchange for the pearl—Julianna doesn’t know if it’s masculine heat or sheer desperation that makes his terms so tempting.

Alasdair Sharpe had no intention of keeping his end of the bargain. Planning to offer his little cat burglar carte blanche instead, he promptly loses himself in the delights of unexpected pleasure. But when he awakes the next morning to find his family heirloom gone, fury quickly replaces sensual languor. Of course, Alasdair is more than willing to use seduction to reclaim his stolen pearl—and find the key to Julianna’s heart.

 **********

The Devil’s Thief is the first book in Samantha Kane’s The Saint’s Devils series. It’s a fun, sexy, romantic story, opening in a most unusual way and grabbing my attention from the start. Right off the bat Ms. Kane gives us everything we need to know about Julianna’s late night break-in into Alasdair’s bedroom, and I enjoyed that because it left plenty of page time to getting to know the actual people involved in the story.

Alasdair and Julianna are our hero and heroine, and both are fun, intelligent, and romantic, and together, a very passionate couple. Julianna’s unconventional upbringing is really what sets the stage for this story and allows for the introduction of some likewise unconventional characters. The other members of The Saint’s Devils, Roger Templeton, and Sir Hilary St. John, their group’s namesake, are both truly interesting people whose stories are sure to be just as exciting and deliciously sexy as Alasdair and Julianna’s is.

One of my favorite people in the book turned out to be a seventeen year old pimp-and-fencer-of-stolen-goods whose mother of his two children is in prison for murder. But don’t let Wiley’s seedy business dealings and association with thieves and killers fool you - he’s got ethics! I can only hope he’ll get a story of his own!

The bottom line: Engaging, entertaining, fast paced and very, very sexy, The Devil's Thief is a great start to this series. Roger Templeton's story is up next and, based on the excerpt at the back of this book, promises to be another great read!

4 of 5 stars

My thanks to Novel Sidekick, Random House, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret Life of Lady Lucinda by Sophie Barnes

Lucy Blackwell is desperate, reckless, and maybe a little bit crazy. That's the only possible explanation for tricking a man she doesn't know into a dance, a kiss, and an engagement - all in the middle of the biggest ball of the year! But Lord William Summersby is the final piece of her grand plan, and she'll do what it takes to make this marriage of convenience work - as long as it's convenient for her. She just never counted on falling in love...

**************

The Secret Life of Lady Lucinda is the third book in Sophie Barnes' Summersby series. It's a charming, romantic, sexy story full of mystery, adventure, humor, and some burn up the sheets lovin'.

Lady Lucinda Blackwell has a secret - and a mission - and she'll do whatever it takes to see it through, even if it means tricking the only man who can help her into marriage - which she does! Afterall, as Lucy surmises, it's not like they'll have to stay married for long, because if they just refrain from consummation, their marriage can be annulled. Simple as that, that!

Lord William Summersby has decided it's time to take a bride and the woman he's chosen will make him the perfect wife. Lady Annabelle Forthright is proper, intelligent but unassuming, pretty, healthy...  surely she'll provide him with plenty of good looking heirs. His life will be as it should be - quiet and uncomplicated. But when William finds that he has compromised a woman he's never laid eyes on before, he does what he and his family believe is the right thing to do - he marries her instead, turning his well ordered life into one of chaos and intrigue.  As the days pass and he gets to know his new wife better, William starts to think that maybe Lucy really is the best match for him - and she thinks to avoid the marriage bed? Not likely!

From the very first page when it grabbed hold and broke my heart, to the very last when I was left smiling from ear to ear, I absolutely enjoyed this story. The close knit - albeit unorthodox - Summersby family made for some great times with their teasing banter and obvious love for one another. While Lucy's plan to ensnare William was rather silly, given the time period it was also ingenious, and had me giggling from the irony of it all.

The bottom line: Sophie Barnes writes witty, romantic and sexy tales that are sure you leave you with a smile on your face, too. If you like your historical romance to be on the lighter side, but with an interesting plot and  loaded with passion, then you simply must read Ms. Barnes' stories, and the Summersby series is a great place to start!

My thanks to Avon Books for providing me with a copy of this story for review. It was such a pleasure!

The Lass Wore Black by Karen Ranney

Catriona Cameron was once famed for her seductive beauty and charm. Now she saw no one, hiding from the world...and no one dared break through her self-imposed exile.

No one, that is, until Mark Thorburn burst into her home, and Catriona's darkened world began to have color again. Thorburn, secretly the heir to an Earldom, claimed he was a footman. But Catriona didn't care about the scandal their passion could cause...for this very touch sparked her back to a life of sensuality, one she thought she'd never have again.

Little does she know that Mark is part of masquerade. One that will end when they become the target of a madman set on revenge. Mark realizes he will have to do more than win her love...he will have to save her life as well.

**********

In a genre saturated with the usual plot props – tales of the ton, seasons, heirs, peerage – it’s always a treat to read a story that can tackle those elements and make them unique. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the traditional historical romance novels, too, but The Lass Wore Black brings something different to the mix, and I can’t tell you how refreshing that is!

Karen Ranney is an author who’s been around for awhile, and despite my love of historical romance, I hadn’t yet read any of her books. I was pleased to find that her writing is engaging and her characters are interesting people whose stories are worth telling.

Well, truth be told, I had a problem with Catriona for the first half of the book, but if I had started reading with the understanding that it’s a Beauty and the Beast meets The Ugly Duckling type tale, I’d have been better prepared for her shallow, bitter disposition. That said, there did come a point when she began to see that the woman she had been and the woman she had the potential to be were worlds apart. When she finally cast off her veil, so-to-speak, and allowed herself an honest view of the world around her, she became a truly compelling heroine, one whom I could cheer for.

Mark isn’t your run-of-the-mill historical romance hero. He’s part of a distinguished family, that’s true, but he’s also a doctor, someone who understands the adage, “Where much is given, much is expected.” He’s a wealthy man, thanks to his grandmother, and he could have easily used that wealth to pay others to care for the needy, but he doesn’t. He’s a man who puts himself right into the thick of things and uses his medical training to help those people who can’t afford doctors and medicines. He teaches them about ways to improve their health and circumstances, and it’s clear he truly cares for those less fortunate than himself. I easily invested in Mark from the start and found him to be an honorable, passionate and very sexy man.

The story itself is intriguing, though not without some minor flaws - I do wish the dialog had felt and sounded more authentic. There was no indication of the Scottish brogue I would have expected, and I missed that.  It was Catriona's journey from a bleak existence to a life worth living that made this such a compelling read, and that wouldn't have happened without Mark at her side, sometimes gently guiding her forward while other times prodding, but always loving, and never giving up.

The bottom line: The Lass Wore Black is an emotional, romantic, sexy tale. It’s entertaining, engaging, unique, and a story I won’t soon forget!

My thanks to Avon Books and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy of this book for review. It’s been such a pleasure!

Deck the Halls With Love by Lorraine Heath

Lorraine Heath is one of my favorite historical romance authors so I’m not sure why I haven’t yet read the Lost Lords of Pembrook series. Well, after this delightful holiday novella, I assure you, I’m going to remedy that right away!

Christmas is a time for miracles … and second chances at love.

In her dazzling first Season, Lady Meredith Hargreaves gave her heart to Alistair Wakefield, the Marquess of Chetwyn, only to have it shattered when he proposed to another. And now that he's free to pursue her? It matters little, because she's on her way to the altar, heartbreak be damned.

Chetwyn once set aside his dreams in favor of duty and honor. But as Christmas approaches, he is determined to put his own desires first and lure Lady Meredith back into his arms, where she's always belonged.

First he steals a dance; then he steals a kiss. But when they find themselves alone in an abandoned castle during a snowstorm, reignited passion consumes them both. And Chetwyn will have one last chance to steal back Meredith's heart, once and for all.

This is such a wonderful story! It has all the things I hope for in my holiday reading; romance, passion, humor, redemption… and most important of all, that special kind of magic found only at Christmas.

I’m so looking forward to reading this series, start to finish!

Many thanks to Avon Books and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy of this book for review. It’s a lovely story and I enjoyed every minute of it!

Five Golden Rings - A Christmas Anthology

Five Golden Rings is a collection of short love stories made all the more special for their Chistmastime magic. I enjoyed these sweet, sexy, romantic tales, each a delightful read.

Mistletoe Magic by Sophie Barnes: What better way for Connor Talbot, Earl of Redfirn, to spend the holidays than convincing Leonora Compton that the only match she needs to make is with him!

***This is my first taste of Sophie Barnes’ writing and I enjoyed it. It was sweet, steamy, funny… a charming holiday tale!

His Perfect Gift by Karen Erickson: The Duke of Ashton has had three years to plan for his perfect Christmas present—the Lady Eleanor Fitzsimmons as his wife. Now, all he has to do is convince the reluctant lady …

***Oh, this was such a fun story! Again, Karen Erickson is a new-to-me author and I enjoyed her writing. Sexy, romantic… truly entertaining!

War of the Magi by Rena Gregory: Phin Baldwin does not believe in Christmas magic … until the clever and beautiful Ginny Overton gets it into her head to show him how wonderful it can be when wishes come true.

***This story has a decidedly Christmas feel to it and I loved it! A turn of the century, old west story that left me with a smile on my face and a contended sigh in my heart! Rena Gregory is an author whose writing I can’t wait to read more of!

Her Christmas Knight by Sandra Jones: Just returned from the Crusades, marriage is the last thing on Sir Caerwyn's mind. But will he be able to resist Lady Nia, the thief of his boyhood heart, when she tempts him yet again?

***I absolutely adore medieval era stories and this one was such a great read. Short, entertaining, and sexy, Sandra Jones knows how to tell a story!

Tempting Mr. Weatherstone by Vivienne Lorret: Responsible Ethan Weatherstone is determined to save Penelope Rutledge—and her reputation—from her silly scheme, but can he save himself from the temptation of her lips?

***I loved this one! What a sweet "friends to lovers" tale. Emotional, charming, sexy... another great addition to this anthology, and I can add Vivienne Lorret to my list of new-to-me authors to read in the New Year!

The bottom line: Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year and so I devote a good deal of my reading time during December to Christmas themed books. I often find anthologies will have at least one story that doesn't work for me, but this delightful Christmas collection of five stories was a joy to read, start to finish! Each and every story, in some way, touched me and brought to my heart that magical feeling of Christmas.

My thanks to Avon Books for providing me with a copy of this wonderful collection for review. It was such a pleasure!

Under The Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

 

 Just one more kiss….

There's no place like home for the holidays. And the Lucky Harbor Bed & Breakfast is bursting with festive lights and good cheer. But for Mia, Christmas is turning out to be anything other than merry and bright. Her recent break-up with her boyfriend Nick has made her return bittersweet. But then a surprise arrives, when Nick follows her to town bearing gifts-and asking for forgiveness.

Nick grew up without a family of his own so he's overwhelmed by the love that Mia receives from all her relatives, gathered together to celebrate the season. Under their watchful eyes, Nick finds earning back her trust the hardest thing he's ever had to do. If he succeeds, he will receive the greatest gift of all, Mia's love for a lifetime.

*****

Romantic, sexy, sweet… Under the Mistletoe is a Christmas novella from the Lucky Harbor series and, like everything Jill Shalvis writes, is a very charming story. And, it's the perfect way to kick off my holiday reading!

I truly enjoyed this book, but I wish it had been longer. It takes place five years in the future and Mia – Tara and Ford’s daughter from The Sweetest Thing – has been away at college, growing up and falling in love. It would have been nice to have a deeper glimpse into this part of her life, but all-in-all, it’s a great story. It’s a happy for now tale with the promise of a beautiful happily ever after down the road, and because Mia and Nick are young and just starting their lives and careers, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This novella took no more than an hour to read, so if you're looking for a Jill Shalvis fix, or needing something quick to read for a Christmas themed challenge, then this is a great book to choose!

My thanks to netgalley.com and Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, for giving me a copy of this story for review. It was such a pleasure!

The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James

 

How can she dare to imagine he loves her…when all London calls her The Ugly Duchess?

Theodora Saxby is the last woman anyone expects the gorgeous James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook, to marry. But after a romantic proposal before the prince himself, even practical Theo finds herself convinced of her soon-to-be duke's passion.

Still, the tabloids give the marriage six months.

Theo would have given it a lifetime…until she discovers that James desired not her heart, and certainly not her countenance, but her dowry. Society was shocked by their wedding; it's scandalized by their separation.

Now James faces the battle of his lifetime, convincing Theo that he loved the duckling who blossomed into the swan.

And Theo will quickly find that for a man with the soul of a pirate, All's Fair in Love—or War.

**********

The Ugly Duchess is yet another wonderful story in Eloisa James’ Fairy Tales series. In all that it is charming, romantic, funny and sweetly sexy, it’s also heartwarming, poignant and a truly beautiful love story. 

There’s something so special about Ms. James’ retelling of these classic stories. We read the originals as children and learned valuable lessons, and now, as adults, we can read them and learn those lessons again while being entertained and seduced by the magic and power of love.

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I adored James who had loved Theo, his Daisy, since childhood. Best friends, companions, confidantes… these are the things enduring relationships are built on, and James and Daisy had that, and more, from the start.

Of course this tale is about recognizing where real beauty is found, and in this scene, one of my favorites of the story, that lesson was beautifully delivered -

“If you ever utter a word about my wife that is less than complimentary, I will not slam you against the wall again. I will instead send you through a window. And not on the ground floor, either.”

James didn’t wait for an answer; who expects garbage to answer back? Instead, he held out his arm to his wife.

When they turned, they saw that the gallery was now crammed with people.

“My duchess,” James stated, his eyes sweeping the crowd with the air of a man who has ruled the waves. “She is not a swan, because that would imply she had once been an ugly duckling.”

He glanced down at Theo. Her eyes were painted with an exotic tilt at the corners. Her cheekbones were regal and her bottom lip was colored a perfect red that made it more kissable than it already was. Small but lush breasts, skin the color of clear moonlight, rose above a waist the size of a man’s hand.

But none of that mattered compared to the innate kindness in her eyes, the joyful turn of her lip, the wild intelligence with which she greeted every day.

That was beautiful.

And so is this story. I laughed, sighed and even got weepy a few times. And now, as I sit here thinking back on this charming tale, I can't help but smile for all the Daisies and their James' throughout history who understood that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, and as Confucius so insightfully told us, "Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."

And how sad are their lives for all that they miss.

My sincerest 'thank you' to HarperCollins/Avon Publishing for sending me a review copy of this wonderful story. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it!

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

 

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos.

 

**********

 

Okay, well, that blurb isn’t the best and while it gives the readers somewhat of an idea of what to expect, the book is actually much, much better than it suggests.

 

A Discovery of Witches is the first book in the All Souls Trilogy, and Deborah Harkness's debut novel. It’s a unique story that subtly brings together and addresses many of today’s cultural and societal issues, as they pertain to the All Souls Trilogy world, without beating the reader about the head with messages of political correctness. In fact, the story is so fun, so well written and meaningful that by the time I was through I was left wishing I had the next book right here in my hot little hands!

 

I’m going to give you a heads up here… this story is slow to start, but it’s only due to the very necessary amount of world building and backstory that we readers need in order to understand the complex society these beings exist in. My point is, Do. Not. Give. Up! At about the twenty some percent mark it really picks up and once it does, it doesn’t let go. The romance is slow to build, too, but it's there and it’s sweet. The sexuality is mild with most scenes taking place behind closed doors, but I loved the sexual tension and passion between Diana and Matthew.

In my opinion, the true excitement of this story lies in the quest to unravel the mystery of vampire, witch and daemon origins and, depending on who existed first, deciding which species is most entitled to the fullness and truth of that knowledge.

The bottom line: Loved it. What an incredible, exciting, thought provoking, fun debut novel! Deborah Harkness is well on her way to making quite a name for herself in the PNR/UF genres and I am so looking forward to watching it happen, each story and every step of the way!

Many thanks to my Goodreads friend, Nomad, for suggesting this book as a buddy read. I'm afraid I would have put it off indefinitely had it not been for her suggestion. Also, for those who took part in the DHASG buddy read - Pat, Tammy, Heather, Teresa, Megan and Cindi - I enjoyed discussing this book and sharing thoughts with you all!          

 

The Lady Risks All by Stephanie Laurens

 

The Lady Risks All is an exciting mystery, one filled with enough twists and turns to keep me wondering who the villain is right ‘til the very end. It's also a lovely, historical romance, that was sweet, passionate, and very sensual.

Neville Roscoe, notorious and enigmatic, lives resolutely outside society, bound only by his own code of honor - until challenged by his desire for the one woman he cannot have.

Miranda Clifford is a lady imprisoned by rigid respectability - until tempted by a passion beyond her power to deny.

Flung together in peril, through danger and intrigue, they discover a love impossible to ignore ... or keep.

This story is my first taste of Stephanie Laurens’ writing and, despite some minor flaws, I was quite pleased! Her way of telling a story is sweet and flowing… full of emotion and, as I said, sensuality. The characters, Miranda and Neville, are such complex people that I couldn’t help but fall hard for them both and hope to see them attain the happily ever after they so rightfully deserved. In this colorful world Ms. Laurens has created we are given a glimpse of both the shady and the sophisticated side of life in historical England, a world I look forward to visiting again, one day soon.

My thanks to HarperCollins/Avon Publishing for providing me with an ecopy of this book for review.

The Virgin's Revenge by Dee Tenorio

Determined to get out from under the thumbs of her six overbearing brothers, Amanda Jackman moves out of the family home and sets a course that allows her to live on her own terms. She has a job she loves, a house of her own and life is good! What more can a girl ask for?

Cole Engstrom has his life all planned out, too. A place of his own, a job he loves and the occasional no-strings-attached women to warm his bed when the urge hits him. His life is on the course he has set for himself, and it’s a good one! What more can a guy ask for?

Amanda and Cole have been friends ever since Jackman brothers took him under their wings back in high school. She’s been wildly attracted to him right from the start, but their friendship is too important to risk losing it by asking him to take things to the next level. But when she overhears her brothers “talking” with Cole, laying out their plan to have Cole woo then marry her, she decides to teach them all a lesson and does a little plotting of her own!

The Virgin’s Revenge is the fourth book in the Rancho del Cielo series, and having not read anything by Dee Tenorio before, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Because this is published by Samhain I thought it might possibly be a nothing-but-sex wild ride, but that’s just not the case! This story is heavy on the romance, passion and playfulness, but it isn’t until later in the book before things really heat up, making this an all around delightfully romantic, sexy story that had me grinning from ear to ear one minute, sighing deeply the next, and fanning myself yet another.

The bottom line - If you enjoy stories with lots of humor, meddling but loving and devoted friends and family, check this one out. If you need your romances to be sweet, the trials and triumphs heartwarming and inspiring, give this book a try! If you like all of those things and some sexy goodness, then stop wasting time thinking about it and just do it. Just read this book! With their quirky personalities and zest for life, the people of Rancho del Cielo are an absolute joy to spend time with.

The ecopy of this book was provided by Novel Sidekick in exchange for an honest review.

The Virgin’s Revenge by Dee Tenorio
Series - Rancho del Cielo #4
4 of 5 stars
ebook, 253 pages
Expected publication: July 3rd 2012 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
ISBN13 9781609288662
Edition language - English

Giving it Up by Amber Lin

Blowing a guy was one thing, folding his underwear seemed so…personal.

Allie Winters lives in an emotionally dark place, coping with the secrets from her past in a way that works for her. She's only told one person the truth about what happened to her and the dangerous extremes she goes to to find peace.

Allie prowls the club for a man who will use her hard and then ditch her. Hey, it's not rape if she wants it. Instead she finds Colin, who looks tough but treats her tenderly, despite her protests.

He tempts her, but kindness and a few mind-blowing orgasms aren't enough to put her back together again. Allie has no hope for a real relationship. Two years ago her best friend betrayed her in the worst possible way – she’d be stupid to trust a man again. Besides, she has her daughter to think of, the only good thing to have come from that dark night.

But when her rapist returns, threatening her sanity and custody of her daughter, Allie turns to Colin. Under his protection and patient touch, Allie begins to heal and learns to hope. Colin’s no saint, though, and his criminal past draws danger of its own. Allie must fight to protect her child and the man she loves, hoping her new-found power will be enough to save them all.

In this, her debut novel, Amber Lin tackled a difficult subject and took us inside the mind, heart and soul of a survivor. And make no mistake about it - despite her actions - Allie is a survivor. As a mother myself I appreciated how much Allie loved her daughter, despite the circumstances of her conception. She recognized that Bailey was an innocent in all that had happened, I only wish she could have recognized that she was an innocent, too. The glimpses we were allowed, the time we spent inside her head, made her internal conflict all the more poignant, and left me wishing I could wrap her in my arms and hold her until she could see herself for the amazing woman she truly is.

Colin Murphy - well, I'm a hero driven reader but this is a heroine driven story so when it comes to Colin Murphy... sadly, there's not much I can say about him. For all the insight we were given into Allie, Colin's personality - aside from sex - wasn't really developed as much as I would have liked. We know he's a bad guy doing bad guy things for his bad guy brother, but we don't get much more than that. Here we have Allie, this incredibly complex, troubled, tormented heroine... why on Earth was Colin drawn to her? What did he see in her? Why did he want her? And in the end, what made him accept her? Those are all questions that, even after finishing the story, I'm still asking myself. The little we did get to know of Colin had me liking him a lot, but not nearly as much as I wanted to. Just a bit more insight into his thoughts and feelings... well, I've no doubt I would have loved him.

Before closing I'll quickly mention that this is a dark, emotional, contemporary romance, and while the rape is not depicted in horrifying detail, Allie's desire for rough sex might make some readers uncomfortable.

The bottom line: Giving it Up is quite an impressive debut novel and I'm very much looking forward to reading more by this very talented author!

My sincerest thank you, Ms. Lin, for providing me with an eARC of this story.

The Sinner by Margaret Mallory

The Sinner is the second book in Margaret Mallory’s Return of the Highlanders series. Set in 16th century Scotland, the turmoil of clan feuding, alliances by marriage and political unrest of the times makes this an exciting, funny, and sexy story.

Alex MacDonald is the Highland’s version of a rake, and proudly so, because if there was one thing he had learned from his parent’s marriage is was to avoid one of his own at all cost. He sees nothing wrong with taking many a lass to his bed because, as his father told him, “men like us needed women like we need the sea—and that one woman would never do for us.” But as often happens to these blissfully bedded men, it’s become apparent that he may have no choice when it comes to matrimony. The only problem is, the woman he’s set his sights on, Glynis McNeil, wants no part of Alex or marriage.

Glynis escaped one abusive husband and isn’t about to give marriage a second try, regardless of how much a good union would benefit her clan. Her reputation as an untamable, knife wielding woman has embarrassed her family, and she knows she should marry again, if for no other reason than to remove some of the shame, but she just can’t do it. Not even the handsome, charming, verra sexy Alex MacDonald can tempt her… Okay, okay, she’s tempted by him alright, but marriage has nothing to do with it!

I'll mention this for those who might be wondering; I have not read the first book in the series, The Guardian, but had no problem following this story whatsoever. It works very well as a stand alone novel, and that’s saying a lot coming from me, one who suffers from a chronic case of MR.BIOs – Must Read Books In Order syndrome.

The bottom line - The Sinner is a fast paced, entertaining tale that had me laughing, sighing and fanning myself. I love the historical elements used as a backdrop, the blending of fact and fiction. I've read a few book by Margaret Mallory and I've truly enjoyed each and every one because she knows how to write stories and characters I can’t help but love. I’m very much looking forward to reading more in this series.

This book was provided by netgalley.com in behalf of Forever, an Imprint of Grand Central Publishing.

The Gamble by Kristen Ashley

There are already many excellent reviews of this book, so I’m going to keep mine short -

I kept seeing Kristen Ashley’s name show up on my Goodreads friends’ status and review updates, so I had to see for myself what all the hoopla was about! Well, to be honest, I can't quite put my finger on it, but whatever it is about this book and this author, I’m sold! The writing isn’t flawless and it took me a bit to get used to the author’s style, but once I did it was easy to read and I couldn't put it down. The characters are often times annoying as hell, especially Max who is, hands down, one of the most obnoxious, domineering men I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. The story itself is all over the place and yet easy to follow and a joy to read.

The bottom line - Sometimes heartwarming, sometimes tragic, The Gamble is a funny, romantic, hot story, one I truly, truly enjoyed!

Deadly Obsession by Kristine Cayne

What do you get when you take a gorgeous, sexy, Oscar winning actor, add in screaming, breast flashing, psychotic fans, dangerous, hunky bodyguards, stalkers, and an eccentric, obsessively protective agent? You get a typical day in the life of playboy movie star, Nic “The Lover” Lamoureux. But when you toss widowed mom, Lauren James, and her adorable son, Jason, into the mix you get Deadly Obsession, a romantic, exciting, and very hot story.

Deadly Obsession is the first book in Kristine Cayne's Deadly Vices series and my first taste of this author's writing. While there are some predictable events and a couple of moments when I had wished things were moving a little quicker - because I wanted to find out what was going to happen next, overall the story is easy to follow, the writing flowing at a comfortable pace. Our hero and heroine are, despite Nic’s over the top stardom, down to earth people who want the same thing we all want out of life – happiness. They have their flaws, that's for sure, but it was important enough to them to work around each other’s imperfections so they could be together, and that was fun to watch. Kaden, Rémi, Jake and Rachel made a great supporting cast of characters, all worthy of their own story – and I hope they get them because I'm truly looking forward to reading more in this series.

The bottom line – I laughed, I cried, I sighed and was left wanting to read more. If you're looking for a new voice in romantic suspense, and a story with something a little different, I'd recommend picking up Deadly Obsession and giving this author a try. I'm sure you'll be pleased that you did. 

4 of 5 stars!!

My thanks to Kristine Cayne for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Time Out by Jill Shalvis

 It’s official! Jill Shalvis can write nothing wrong.

Well, official as far as I’m concerned, anyway.

Coach Mark Diego is in the midst of a public relations nightmare when two of his NHL Mammoths team members are involved, on camera, in a brawl against two rival Anaheim Ducks team members. As penance, and hoping to show the teams in a better light, Mark and the other coach agree that the guilty parties will be required to spend their off season providing community service to areas in need. Mark chooses his burned out hometown of Santa Rey, California, where during the day his players will help construction crews rebuild homes devastated by wildfires, and they’ll spend their evenings and weekends coaching the community’s recreation center youth baseball team. And of course, just as he had expected, given the choice between community service or suspension, the Mammoths team members are on board the plan, too. But what he didn’t expect was his powerful attraction to the recreation center’s coordinator, Rainey Saunders.

Once upon a time, during her jailbait years, Rainey Saunders had a major crush on Mark Diego, her brother’s best friend. She crushed so hard, in fact, that in her attempt to get him to notice her as more than just a kid, she not only embarrassed herself, but in the end, ruined her’s and Mark’s friendship. It wasn’t that Mark was being a jerk, not at all - he was trying to avoid being a felon, and even though her mind knows it, her heart can’t get on board with it at all. She would have thought that the years and time apart would have lessened her humiliation, but when Mark shows up to do the volunteer work, and he’s reporting to her, the only thing more embarrassing than what happened all those years ago is how badly she still wants him, now.

Time Out is everything I’ve come to expect from Jill Shalvis, and then some! Romantic, funny, heartwarming, poignant… and holy hell!!! She more than provided the “blaze” in this Harlequin Blaze novel!

I fell, absolutely, unequivocally, madly, passionately in love with Mark Diego, not in spite of his flaws but because of them. He’s an amazing, honorable, sexy man and one of my favorite heroes, ever! Rainey Saunders is a strong, passionate, savvy, force to be reckoned with, the perfect woman to have by his side. Apart they are wonderful, together they are amazing!

The bottom line – I seem to say this a lot about stories by Jill Shalvis, but here goes again; Buy this book. Stop thinking about it and just do it. You won’t regret it.

This book was provided by netgalley.com in behalf of Harlequin Blaze, in exchange for an honest review.

Kiss Me, I'm Irish - an Anthology

1. The Sins of His Past by Roxanne St. Clair: 4 stars - This was such a great story! Romantic, heartwarming, sensual and sexy… it had all the things I love in a short story. Seamus “Deuce” Monroe is funny, famous, successful, and all kinds of sexy. He knows how to charm women, in bed and out, but when a reckless move on his part ends his Major League Baseball career, he finds himself back home, and completely out of his element. Kendra is a strong, no-nonsense woman who’s had more than her fair share of heartache, but with her feet on the ground a steady plan for the future, she sees at least some of her dreams coming true. That is, until she runs into Deuce, the one man in the world who can bring her dreams to a screeching halt, and has every intention of doing so.

2. Tangling with Ty by Jill Shalvis: 4 stars - Now this… this was an emotional story, one that had me in tears. I just adored ‘Ty Patrick O’Grady of Dublin’ and Dr. Nicole Mann, and their story was so touching. Sweet, romantic, heartbreaking, incredibly hot… this one, in true Jill Shalvis style, had it all, and I loved every minute of it! Two people, both so lonely, and not even realizing it until they each see it in the other, but will they be able to set aside their stubborn determination to remain single long enough to see the chance for true love standing right in front of them? You’ll have to read it yourself and find out.

3. Whatever Reilly Wants by Maureen Child: 3.5 stars - I really enjoyed this story! It’s hot, funny, and had me giggling out loud. Connor Reilly is a handsome, healthy, sexually active Marine, one of the brothers in a set of identical triplets. But a $10,000 wager has the brothers abstaining from sex for 90 days, the money to be divided between the winners, or winner take all if just one makes it to the end. If they all three lose, their older brother, Father Liam Reilly, will get the money and use it for a badly needed roof job for his church. Connor wants to win the bet, not only for the money but to prove he can hold out, so he does everything he can to avoid temptation; staying away from bars or anywhere else trouble in the shape of a woman might find him. Unfortunately for Connor, one not-too-bright comment to his “pal” Emma has her doing everything in her power to make sure he doesn’t win, and let me tell you… this made for some fun reading!

The bottom line – I was already a fan of Jill Shalvis and Roxanne St. Claire, and now I can add Maureen Child to the list, too! If you’re looking for some fun, sexy short stories, stories with heart and soul, give this anthology a try. You won’t be disappointed!

This anthology was provided by netgalley.com in behalf of Harlequin/HQN

Saving Grace by Norah Wilson

Police Detective Ray Morgan and his wife, Grace, an up-and-coming newspaper reporter, have it all – jobs they love, a nice home, and the perfect marriage. Or so it seemed. But when Grace announces that she’s leaving Ray for another man… well, no one ever saw that coming, especially not Ray. Stunned and devastated by Grace’s revelation, Ray can only watch as the woman he loves walks out the door. He can't imagine anything being worse than this, but then just a few hours later he gets a phone call telling him that Grace has been in a car accident. The angry, betrayed part of his heart tells him to keep his distance, to let her lover care for her now, but the husband part, the part that still loves her, wants to go to her, to make sure she’s okay. When Grace claims no recollection of the hours before her accident, Ray can’t be sure whether she’s faking the amnesia or not. He wants to believe her, but doesn’t want to be hurt again, but can he trust her… does he want to?

Saving Grace is the second book in Norah Wilson’s Serve and Protect series, and another exciting read. When we first met Grace and Ray in Guarding Suzannah, we learned that Ray is well liked and respected by his fellow officers, devoted to his job and very good at what he does. But despite Ray's camaraderie with the guys, both on and off the job, Grace has never quite felt like she fit in, never felt that she was really accepted by the wives of the officers Ray works with. She’s smart, pretty, chic, and perfectly proper… not at all like the other women, so of course things might be awkward for all of them. But what I loved about Grace in this story is that we get to see the woman she really is, her heart and soul, and we also see that the car accident is probably the best thing that could have ever happened to their marriage.

Now, you might be thinking, 'Oh, no! Not another amnesia story!!' because yeah, let's be honest… that storyline has been done time and time again, especially in romantic suspense, but I have to say, I really enjoyed this version of it! It’s fresh, exciting, emotionally charged… and watching Grace and Ray, these two people who care deeply for one another, try to salvage their marriage by learning the truth about what led up to Grace’s supposed affair… it was both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and in the end, absolutely beautiful.

The bottom line - Once again Ms. Wilson has created a story that fits her characters, and characters that make the story. Even though there were moments of predictability, I enjoyed Saving Grace a lot. It’s romantic, passionate and very sexy, and I’m soooo looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Protecting Paige and anything else I can get my hands on by Norah Wilson!

Guarding Suzannah by Norah Wilson

Guarding Suzannah is a fun, sexy, romantic suspense novel, and my first taste of Norah Wilson’s writing. I enjoyed her easy, comfortable way of storytelling, and the voice she gives to her characters, making them believable, quirky people I couldn't help but love!

Suzannah Phelps is a criminal defense attorney who has been dubbed ‘The Ice Princess’ due to her cold, calculating demeanor in the courtroom. She’s every cop’s worse nightmare because with her razor sharp mind and well honed skills, she can tear their cases apart, and few of the people she represents ever end up behind bars.

John “Quigg” Quigley is a no-nonsense Detective who has seen firsthand how The Ice Princess works in the courtroom, but despite her aloof, seemingly snobbish behavior, he sees something else in her, too – that Suzannah’s need to keep people at arm’s length, to be in absolute control of her life is her way of making sure no one sees how vulnerable she really is. But when it becomes clear to John that Suzannah’s life is in danger, there’s no way he’s going to let her out of his sight. John knows she needs the kind of protection he can provide, and despite her protestations to the contrary, becomes her self-appointed bodyguard.

I really enjoyed this story. While it is romantic suspense, it’s more romantic than suspenseful, and I loved that through their budding relationship, the characters drove the story. There's certainly a ‘bad-guy’ plot there - and a well told one at that, but what I loved about it most is that it enhanced, rather than overshadowed, the romance. Another thing that I enjoyed about Guarding Suzannah is the location. This story takes place in Canada which made it refreshing in that phrases, dialogs and settings were not the same places we so often read about.

The bottom line – If you're looking for something fresh, and you enjoy romance in your romantic suspense like I do, you’ll definitely want to give Guarding Suzannah a try. As I said, it’s a fun, sexy story and I’m thrilled to have found another author who knows how to tell a tale – by letting her characters pull us in and keep us coming back for more.