Never Love a Scoundrel

24 Wednesday Jul 2013

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Book Review, Darcy Burke, Never Love a Scoundrel, Secrets and Scandals series

New review is now up.

*****

Lord Jason Lockwood has a horrible reputation, full of madness and vice. A family scandal almost a decade ago has left him on the outside of society, left to find his own place in the world surrounded by those considered without respectability … like him. He blatantly throws wild parties full of all manner of debauchery, uncaring that he will not be able to rejoin polite society. Then he meets Lady Lydia Prewitt. Lydia is also not well regarded by society, but for a different reason. Thanks to her gossip-mongering aunt, she is feared instead. Wanting to find acceptance and a husband to create a family with, Lydia sees the opportunity to improve her standing by helping Lockwood reenter society. But as they spend time together, Lydia’s feelings for Lockwood grow … can she chance a relationship with him if it means being exiled as well?

Never Love a Scoundrel is the fifth book in Darcy Burke’s “Secrets and Scandals” series and delivers a nice mix of intrigue and passion that is guarantee to keep readers enthralled. Her characters are wonderfully complex, with flaws and quirks that will draw you in and steal your heart. Lockwood has scars, not only from his most recent family scandal but from his childhood too, that cause him to exist on the fringes. He has his reasons, and they are good ones, but they definitely affect his dealings with Lydia. And there’s a mystery surrounding his half-brother, Ethan, and his activities that are at the core of the book, and Lockwood’s reason for being back in society, that is very engrossing. Readers of the previous stories will recognize Ethan and the good news is his story will finally be told in the next book.

This is the first of this series that I’ve read and there are some characters and plot points that move throughout the series (or at least from book to book), but I was easily able to keep up. It does end with a bit of a cliff-hanger that will be resolved in the final book, Scoundrel Ever After (due out this fall), but there was enough of a resolution in this one to feel satisfying. I’m definitely hooked enough to want to read the next one too … and get my hands on the previous four stories as soon as possible!

A Rogue’s Rescue

22 Monday Jul 2013

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A Rogue's Rescue, Book Review, Donna Lea Simpson

Despite her vast wealth, Miss Ariadne Lambert, at the ripe old age of thirty-three, is a plain and aging spinster with little but a fading hope that a knight in shining armor will come to sweep her off her feet. Which makes her the perfect prey for the unscrupulous “Dapper” Dorsey, who would stop at nothing to seduce a needy and wealthy woman and then coldly fritter away her funds in the gaming halls of London. As Ariadne succumbs first to his wily charms and then to his kisses, will her need for affection rob her of her dignity—and her fortune?

Viscount Ingram, whose soiled reputation from one especially salacious incident has left him exiled to the sidelines of society, marks his time as a dark and brooding man, tolerated more for his title than his merit. But even he has his standards, and when he learns of a rival’s plot to seduce and then steal from a helpless spinster, he vows to stop him.

Ingram’s noble sentiments and uncharacteristic sincerity are in for a shock, however, as he discovers that the hopelessly gullible Ariadne is in fact a clever and shrewd woman who’s got more than a silly giggle up her sleeve. As the two team up in a devilish scheme to bring about the final undoing of Dorsey, cooperation turns to admiration and then attraction, and they discover that their last chance to repair their reputations may also be their first chance at finding true love.

*****

A Rogue’s Rescue is a fun little romantic double-cross. Ingram thinks that Ariadne is a sucker, the perfect mark for a man looking to take advantage of her for her money. But she’s actually savvy, smart and has a plan to show a rogue like Dorsey a thing or two. She’s a little different than the average society lady but that’s perfect for Ingram because he needs someone a little different, someone who will see beyond the reputation that society has given him. He may not have been an angel as a young man, but he’s definitely grown into a fine gentleman … people just choose not to see it. Because of the charade that they both are living, the delusion they operate under is entertaining and it’s very sweet once they finally start to get to know the real people underneath. I so love that these two found each other. And the setup that they have for Dan is fun and adds that extra bit of sass and fun to a story of two people falling in love.

This is a fast read and comes in at just at under 100 pages, but it’s perfect if you are looking for a bite-sized regency romance. A perfect way to spend a pretty summer afternoon, surrounded by lords and ladies and a little intrigue.

By Design

19 Friday Jul 2013

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Book Review, By Design, Jayne Denker

In By Design, Emmie Brewster is not having a good year. She’s in a dead end job and a dead end relationship, plus she’s just celebrated the first anniversary of her mom’s death. What she doesn’t need is to see what fabulous lives her high school classmates have. When a gorgeous man comes in to her office to hire her boss’s interior design firm, she thinks that things could be looking up. Just as fantasies start to take root she finds out he is involved with one of those successful classmates … a married classmate. Will she listen her friends and learn to go after what she wants – a better job, a better man, a better life?

It took me a while to read this one and I’m not sure why. I think the very beginning might have been a little slow but once I got into it I just couldn’t put it down. I’d try to find a stopping point to do those mundane, everyday things (like cook and eat) but I’d get to the end of a chapter and find myself compelled to keep reading.

Emmie has a horrible boss who treats her like a nobody and, even though she has a design degree, she’s not allowed to do more than get coffee. Her boyfriend runs around on her and comes back when it is convenient. Now that her mom has died, it seems like her dad wants nothing more than to explore the world, ignoring Emmie in the process. And then she finds out that the new guy she’s been crushing on may or may not be dating a married woman. It’s a complicated, messy situation but definitely one that you could easily see happening in real life.

She does have support, though – wonderful, sweet, quirky people who are a treat to read. And she eventually learns to find that inner woman who knows who she is and what she wants and is brave enough to do something about it. Some people may not approve of Graham – either his actions before or after meeting Emmie – but I thought the resolution to all of their issues was beautifully done and I cheered for Emmie through the last third of the book.

By Design is an engaging story not only about finding love, but also about finding yourself.

Long Simmering Spring

17 Wednesday Jul 2013

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Book Review, Elisabeth Barrett, Long Simmering Spring, Star Harbor

I love the Grayson brothers – so far we’ve had Seb in Deep Autumn Heat and Theo in Blaze of Winter. Now we get delicious, bad-boy Cole.

Julie Kensington grew up in Star Harbor with the Graysons and remembers the troublemakers well. Now, she’s back to open a practice in her home town and the last thing the by-the-book doctor needs is an overwhelming attraction to broody Cole. Cole came back from war with his shares of demons. He’s always had a thing for straight-laced Julie but he’s never felt good enough for her, even more so now that he’s haunted by his past. But when Julie decides to loosen up a little, he can’t resist being the one to show her the joys of being wild.

So far I think Cole is my favorite. He’s tormented by the things he’s seen and done – not only as a soldier, but also as a hell-raiser of a child. He knows he has a problem and he’s seen someone about it but, in that typical tough-guy way, he’s trying to power through it as much as he can. When Julie is threatened by known and unknown people, and when Cole realizes the depths of his feelings for her, things get very overwhelming for him and he has to decide if he can overcome his issues.

Readers of the previous Star Harbor novels will appreciate the on-going mystery surrounding the Lorelei as well as the drug problem that has been featured in the previous books. However, if this is your first one, don’t worry – Barrett does a great job of giving the pertinent details (and in a way that won’t feel overdone to those returning readers), adding a great suspense element to what was already an enthralling story.

Long Simmering Spring is a great mix of intrigue and angst, complimenting a really sweet second-chance love story.

Big Girl Panties

16 Tuesday Jul 2013

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Big Girl Panties, Book Review, Stephanie Evanovich

Review is below. As a bonus, click on this link to sign up for a reminder to tune in 7/24 @ 3pm for a #BTLiveChat with Stephanie Evanovich, author of BIG GIRL PANTIES.

With the slow decline and death of her husband, Holly put on a lot of weight. Never a skinny girl anyway, she has now moved well into obese. But a chance encounter on an airplane with gorgeous personal trainer Logan may change everything. Logan usually only takes on rich and famous clients but drawn to quirky Holly he thinks she might just be the perfect challenge, a chance to try something new, to transform her. Spending time together brings the two closer and an attraction builds, but can they take the chance when society makes so many assumptions based on looks? And as Holly becomes more confident in her new self, will she find happiness with someone else?

Big Girl Panties is a fantastically fun look at a very serious topic. Holly is full of humor and grace, even at her heaviest and her wacky sense of humor and amazing work ethic are an instant attraction for Logan. She’s different from other people he knows and they quickly become friends. It’s a sweet friendship, but there is still that disparity there – Logan is one of the “pretty” people in the world, those who are wealthy and gorgeous, and even though Holly is attractive, she will never be called hot, not like the models that Logan normally dates. As their friendship deepens, Holly is still a project to Logan, one where he is trying to turn her into something more fitting to what he is used to. But Logan is also, unbeknownst to either, a project for Holly. Drawn to her spirit and wit, he starts to see the chance of something more between them, even as he is still stuck thinking of the kind of person he should be with. Someone who is a socially acceptable match to his hotness.

The slow build of emotions and the growth for these two is addictive – I read the book basically in a day because I just could not put it down. Big Girl Panties gives readers an interesting take on how we view ourselves and each other, and the expectations society puts on people and their choices.

(I will give a couple of warnings. First, the point of view switches between multiple characters (not just Logan and Holly) and sometimes does it from one sentence to another. Evanovich does a great job of making sure that readers are clear on who it is but it could be a little unnerving to some. Also, Logan’s friends Chase and Amanda have an unusual relationship – it is publicly known that they are into spanking and it does come up in this story. Personally I did not have any issue with it, but it could be a deal breaker for some.)

Ethan

14 Sunday Jul 2013

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Book Review, Ethan, Grace Burrowes, Lonely Lords series

When Ethan Gray was just a boy, his father sent him to boarding school, separating him from his family. Soon after arriving, he was assaulted by a bully, Hart Collins, and his mob. Ashamed and traumatized, he did everything he could to bury it and move forward, cutting himself off from everyone he held dear. Alice Portman became a governess to escape from her own childhood trauma, scarred by the same bully. She is now part of Ethan’s staff, looking after his two small sons, and they soon find a chance to heal together. But just when it looks like they could make a life together, Collins appears to ruin everything.

Burrowes once again brings readers a troubled and endearing hero. We first met Ethan in Nicholas and now we get his story – and what a heartbreaker it is. Ethan is a good man, but one who has lived with the bastard tag all of his life. Separated from his family and sent to a harsh school run by uncaring adults, he had a terrible thing happen to him, one that affects the rest of his life. Alice’s life has also been impacted by a devastating event in her childhood, one that has impacted her decisions ever since. These two are very compelling as they work through their pain and learn how to overcome it together. These are awful events, but ones that have a positive outcome as they bring these two together.

Ethan is definitely not for the faint of heart – I cried as Ethan learned to relate to his sons and move beyond his past. It’s definitely a tear-jerker but one that is worth it. Having loved every one of Burrowes’s “Lonely Lords” so far (see Darius & Nicholas), I’m definitely looking forward to future books in the series. Burrowes keeps giving readers heroes and heroines that tug at the heart and make you smile when they get their happy ending.

Trying to Score

13 Saturday Jul 2013

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Book Review, The Assassins series, Toni Aleo, Trying to Score

Trying to Score is an enthralling look at two people getting a second chance. When a young Fallon Parker gave her heart to hockey star Lucas Brooks, she gambled on love and losing spectacularly. Time has passed and she’s working hard to make a good life for herself … then Lucas skates back into her life again. Lucas has spent years hiding his troubles and it cost him the love of his life. But he’s determined to show Fallon that he’s changed. Can they overcome the past and find happiness together again, especially when Lucas learns Fallon has been keeping a big secret?

I have to admit that I put off reading this one because I knew it was going to hurt. While reading Taking Shots, I got so involved that when things went sour it broke my heart. Of course it had a happy ending, as does this one, but the road in both books was a hard one. So be prepared to get a little worked up …

I absolutely love Lucas. He’s big, bad and macho. Cocky and arrogant, but vulnerable, sweet and so very much gone over Fallon. He’s definitely not perfect and he made quite a few mistakes but he’s worked hard to turn his life around and he so very badly wants a second chance. His vulnerability, his dyslexia and his love for the son he just met touched me.

Although there were times that I didn’t like Fallon, I love that Lucas loved her, faults and all. She might be difficult, short-tempered and unwilling to let go of the past, but she does have her reasons. Maybe she should be willing to forgive a little earlier than she does, but I’m very satisfied with the way it all turned out.

Since this is the second book in a series we get a fun little update on Shea and Ellie, and of course we get to see more of those sexy Assassins. Fallon’s sister Aubrey is going to be the star of the next book and we get a look at her as well as her hero. Considering what Aleo has put her people through so far, and the glimpses we get here, Empty Net is going to be another heartbreaker… And I can’t wait.

Taste the Heat

09 Tuesday Jul 2013

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Book Review, Love and Games, Rachel Harris, Taste the Heat

New review below. And the publisher has a cool contest going on with it ending on July 31st. Check out the rafflecopter link to enter.

Colby Robicheauz is back home after a decade away to help her family – with her father’s death, their restaurant needs a head chef and she is the perfect choice. While leaving behind her own successful restauarant in Las Vegas for the summer is bad enough, Colby knows she’s also going to have to handle demons that she’s been running from for years. What she doesn’t expect to find is her old crush Jason Landry looking just as tempting as ever. But Colby’s not ready to get involved with anyone and she definitely has no plans to stay in the town that holds so many bad feelings. Jason also isn’t ready for romance. He lost his wife and is now raising their daughter alone. He knows that she really needs a mother but starting something with Colby when she has no intention of staying is not a good idea. A summer fling might be just the thing for both of them …. if they can keep their hearts out of it.

Who doesn’t love a sexy fireman? Add in that Jason can cook, is a great father and truly loved his high school sweetheart? So very hot! Jason is everything you would want in a hero – he’s gorgeous, hard working, dedicated, loving, and faithful. He wants the best for his girl even if he doesn’t feel like he can ever fully give his heart again. But once he realizes that his emotions might be more involved with Colby than he intended … he goes with it and throws himself into the relationship wholeheartedly. Colby has her reasons for being a little gun-shy with men – a bad past and a looming exit date – but who could pass up the opportunity to have a hot fling with your teen crush, especially when he looks like Jason. I really liked seeing these two realize their feelings and go with it. I totally understand Colby’s hesitation and I think that Harris does a fantastic job of giving her emotional baggage without dragging her down with them. Actually, she does a fine job with both of them. You know they will have their Happy Even After at the end, what romance doesn’t, but the best part is the journey and this one is a can’t miss.

Taste the Heat is the first in the “Love and Games” series and I am very much looking forward to more. There are a lot of opportunities, not just with Colby’s siblings, but you can also bring in Jason’s firefighter buddies and keep going. Harris has a crisp, addictive writing style and I would definitely read more from her. With a fun and emotion story about finding love and forgiveness, Harris brings readers a winner.

Love Him or Leave Him

08 Monday Jul 2013

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Book Review, Love Him or Leave Him, Sara Daniel, Small Town Big Dreams

Love Him or Leave Him is a wonderfully fun, sweet story about second chances and finding home. Connor and Becca were high school sweethearts but their romance was destroyed by rumors. Years later, Connor is now back serving as sheriff and Becca finds herself once again attracted to him. But she’s close to being able to enjoy the life she’s always dreamed about and a relationship with the man who broke her heart isn’t in her plans.

I really liked Becca. Although I didn’t have a brother I had to take responsibility for, I did grow up in a small town. Because I left for college and didn’t go back, I understand her yearning to see more of the world, but I also know how wonderful living in a small town can be. It can be limiting but it can also be nice to know the people you see every day. That’s the comfort that Connor finds in the town after having been to less than pleasant parts of the world. He’s still suffering from those things he’s experienced and those ghosts are dragging him down. Thought it is a long and hard road, I really enjoyed the journey these two made getting back together and realizing how they can fit their hopes and dreams into a shared life. There’s a little bit of a mystery over some pranks that are happening in the town, but it’s mainly a catalyst to get these two to straighten out their futures.

Love Him or Leave Him is the second story in Daniel’s “Small Town, Big Dreams” series but other than seeing more of the quirky, and thoroughly enjoyable, townsfolk it really doesn’t make a difference. But if you haven’t read its predecessor Construction Beauty Queen I highly recommend it. It is just as cute and funny with that right amount of romantic angst. I love this town, it reminds me of Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold, and I can’t wait to see more of it. Hopefully Daniel has plans to bring us more from Kortville, Illinois soon.

Suddenly Beautiful

05 Friday Jul 2013

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Book Review, Boone Brux, Suddenly Beautiful

Suddenly Beautiful is so much fun! It has a touch of paranormal flair but at its heart it’s just your everyday love story. Nikki loves her boss, has for years, but he’s content to leave her in the assistant category of his life. Then one drunken night he’s overpowered by his desire for her and crosses the line (granted he’s a demigod, son of Aphrodite, and he was drunk on Ambrosia, the elixir of the gods, that lowered his guard and released his secret wants.) But Tor doesn’t have time for a personal life, especially with a demigoddess like Nikki, who doesn’t even know that she’s the daughter of Ares, so he just wants everything to go back the way it was. Except now that his feelings for Nikki are out there, he can’t ignore them.

This was such a fast read – it took me just a few hours and I loved every minute of it. Nikki is sassy, fun and quite a hoot once her demigoddess status is revealed. She had a bad relationship with her mortal mother and has no idea who her father is. She handles it well when she finds out that he’s actually a god – having a deadbeat dad is bad enough, but finding out he’s the god of war can’t be easy.

Tor is all macho male, with his own parental issues. Unlike Nikki, he actually does know who his goddess mother is and is one of the few demigods who was actually raised by his god parent. But that leaves him with his own troubles. All he wants now is to lead a normal(ish) life and dating someone who can turn him to stone or give him a goat tail isn’t exactly part of that plan. It is entertaining to see him struggle against his growing feelings but once Nikki is out of the business box he put her in and in his personal life, he’s a goner. His dealing with his mom is a delight and I got a kick out watching his feathers get ruffled.

Suddenly Beautiful is the perfect choice for a funny, sweet, sexy beach read with just that touch of fantasy thrown in to keep your imagination hopping. Kick back with a frosty beverage and allow Brux to sweep you into her entertaining world of gods, goddesses and their irreverent off-spring.