What She Wants

25 Monday Mar 2013

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Book Review, Life In Icicle Falls, Sheila Roberts, What She Wants

What She Wants is a fun and unusual take on romances. This time, we follow three men on their road to romantic happiness. Jonathan Templer’s fifteen year high school reunion is fast approaching and it’s the perfect opportunity to tell Lissa Castle how he feels. Jonathan has loved her forever but she’s never seen him as more than a friend. Kyle Long has a crush on the gorgeous receptionist at work but she’s always overlooking him for other guys. He’s convinced she just needs to see beyond his short stature to see the great guy he is underneath. Adam Edwards might be successful in the traditional ways but when he comes home from a business trip to find himself locked out of his house, he’ll need to dig deeper to win back his wife. Realizing that romance novels are written by women and contain what they are looking for in a man, the poker buddies start reading to figure out what women want.

Roberts brings readers a cute look at the world of romances. It’s not too unusual to have books told from both points of view, but it is a nice surprise to have this one told exclusively from the men’s side. And even better, they aren’t the quintessential hunks that usually populates these books. Jonathan is a nerdy computer geek who wears glasses and graphic tees. Kyle is short and also a little geeky. Adam might be the more traditionally good-looking of the group, however he is definitely lacking as a husband. All three need help to see where they need to improve and learn the things that are important to women. They have different issues but at the core they are men looking for a mate, someone to make them complete, and it makes for an intriguing read.

What She Wants is a captivating and entertaining look at the men’s perspective on finding love. They learn a lot about what’s important about themselves, about the women they love and how to be a good partner.

Dating the Devil

24 Sunday Mar 2013

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Book Review, Dating the Devil, Lia Romeo

PR Assistant Lucy O’Neill thinks she’s met the perfect guy …. even if he does like to leave his socks on in bed. Lewis Mephisto is sexy, good-looking, and seems to be very into her. So what if he occasionally suggests that she does things that she doesn’t agree with – like stealing her bosses only client and leaving for a different firm or taking money from her rich roommate so she can fly with him to Vegas. Overall he’s just about perfect … until she finds out he’s Satan.

Dating the Devil should be taken in the fun manner in which it is intended. Don’t try to poke holes in it, just enjoy the ride. Both Lewis and Lucy are fun and interesting, although out of necessity everything is from Lucy’s point of view. She does have issues with who he is once she finds out, but amazingly enough it is handled in a very realistic and engaging manner. Lewis gives Lucy a logical and moving story about balance in the world to explain his job. This is the part where you need to just take it as it is intended. It makes sense and his reasoning that people damn themselves, he just gives them the opportunity, works for me.

Let me say it one more time, just have fun with Dating the Devil. It isn’t a serious discussion on right & wrong, good & evil, God & Satan. You could substitute his job for any less than desirable, kinda sketchy, one and the theory would be the same – what can you overlook to be with the one you love? If you like a little paranormal in your romance and enjoy stretching the bounds of realism just a little, this is a great pick. In the end, it’s a cute, entertaining romance about an everyday woman dating the devil, and should be handled as such.

Lord of Secrets

23 Saturday Mar 2013

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Alyssa Everett, Book Review, Lord of Secrets

In Lord of Secrets, after years of travelling the world, Rosalie Whitwell finds herself an orphan when her father dies on a ship sailing back to England from America. Her only prospects are to go live with her aunt and uncle, who has assumed her father’s title, or find a genteel lady’s job… until she gets an offer of marriage from fellow passenger, the standoffish Lord Deal. Deal is known for his solitary tendencies. He avoids most social interactions and comes across as a snob. When the lovely Rosalie ends up alone, Deal feels the unexpected urge to offer marriage as a way out for her. Though he is attracted to Rosalie, he’s done things that make him unworthy of her. Will he be able to get beyond them to make it a real marriage? Can Rosalie discover what demons haunt him?

I really enjoyed getting to know Rosalie and Deal. Rosalie has an overwhelming desire to mother and please everyone. She feels like she has to be useful in order to not be turned away. After her mother died, her father sent her away to school until she was old enough to benefit him on his travels. She’s spent the time since making herself useful so he wouldn’t send her away. A traumatizing event in Deal’s past has shaped his life up to this point. It has left him with serious doubts about the kind of man he is and whether he is worthy of giving himself fully to Rosalie. I loved watching these two get to a point where they can move forward with their life together. I also loved that at the end Rosalie states that Deal’s history will still affect his future at times, so once again love doesn’t fix everything (a big pet peeve for me). Some things require time and attention to be resolved.

If you are looking for a heartfelt historical, with hard-hitting emotional issues and a sweetly satisfying resolution, Lord of Secrets is your book.

The Importance of Being Wicked

21 Thursday Mar 2013

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Book Review, The Importance of Being Wicked, Victoria Alexander

Winfield Elliott, Viscount Stillwell, will do just about anything to put his family home back to rights after it is damaged in a fire. Even the argumentative, albeit strangely attractive, widow representing the firm he’s hired to refurbish it. With her sensible, but ugly, shoes and obvious enjoyment at thwarting him, she should be easy to resist. Lady Miranda Garrett knows all about Win’s reputation – three broken engagements and a rakish youth – so she expects him to be charming. She also expected to be able to resist him. But the more time they spend together, the more drawn to him she becomes. And soon they find themselves dangerously flirting with love.

I really like Win. He’s smart, with charmingly befuddled moments thanks to Miranda, earnest and definitely sexy. He has a strong core of responsibility and honor, love for his family, and dedication to his friends. And for the most part I like Miranda. She’s sassy, smart, and funny. I do think her belief that Win is a “twit” and the condescending way she treats him early on is a little overdone. I think that it is supposed to be charming but it just seems mean to me. Yes, he says a few things about a woman’s place in the world and is hesitant to work with Miranda but this is also the prevailing belief of the time. Part of it stems from Miranda’s hurt pride that he doesn’t live up to his reputation and try to seduce her pants off, figuratively speaking, but it just makes her seem a little spiteful. But as their relationship progresses, their interactions become a little more playful and less negative. After that, their road to a happy ending might not be bump free but it is definitely a more enjoyable ride.

There are lies and secrets throughout the story, but what good historical romance doesn’t have at least a few. Win’s failed engagements are part of a previous novella, Lord Stillwell’s Excellent Engagements, but while that story does give some history on Win and a little more insight into his character, I don’t think it is necessary to have read it before reading this one. It is included at the back of the book, though, if readers want to skip to it first and then come back to finish The Importance of Being Wicked. And it should also be mentioned that Alexander has a large number of books in print and some of the characters and events from previous stories appear in this one. Again, I don’t think that it is a requirement to have read them, but I do think that familiarity with them might lend a little extra depth to the story. I enjoyed it any way but I get the feeling I could have had a better understanding of things if this hadn’t been the first book I’d read.

Overall, The Importance of Being Wicked is an entertaining historical romance, with a cheeky heroine who keeps her charming hero on his toes, amusing flirtations, a little heat, and quite a bit of heart.

Three Sisters

19 Tuesday Mar 2013

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Blackberry Island, Book Review, Susan Mallery, Three Sisters

Andi Gordon moved to Blackberry Island to start over after she was left at the altar. She’s bought one of three Victorian houses, known as the Three Sisters, that sit on the highest hill in town. On one side lives Deanna Phillips and her five daughters in her historically accurate home. But hiding behind the perfect façade is a mess of a family. On the other side is Boston King, married to her high school sweetheart and living with an immense tragedy. Brought together by geography, the three women quickly find themselves in a friendship that will help them through some of the roughest times of their lives.

In Three Sisters, Susan Mallery once again brings readers a story packed full of emotion, delivered in her unforgettable style of smart dialogue, compelling characters, and heartfelt narrative. I have to admit that I start to giggle and clap like a little kid as soon as I hear that she’s got a new book coming out. I have yet to find one of her stories that doesn’t pull me in right away and leave me feeling more fulfilled at the end.

This one is told in three parts as Andi, Deanna and Boston all have to deal with the curve balls life throws at them. I appreciated the switch back and forth as each story was hard hitting and I needed to the chance to change gears before getting overwhelmed. Andi’s is the most traditional storyline, in a typical romance sense – she is left at the alter and has to cautiously feel her way in a new town with the chance of a new love. Although her’s is the least emotionally raw of the three stories, the relationship she builds with Wade, and the troubles they experience, is still heartwarming. Personally, I found Deanna’s to be the most difficult to handle – she is so confused and broken when she realizes that her family could be falling apart. Her changes are the most satisfying for me. Boston’s does run a close second, though. Her troubles are heartbreaking and the devastation to her marriage is easy to understand.

For readers looking for a book of depth and emotion, Susan Mallery’s Three Sisters is not to be missed.

Along Came Trouble

15 Friday Mar 2013

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Along Came Trouble, Book Review, Camelot series, Ruthie Knox

When Ellen Callahan’s pop star brother gets involved with her neighbor Carly Short, and then breaks up with her, the paparazzi start swarming. Jamie brings in hunky Caleb Clark to handle security, but Ellen & Caleb don’t quite see eye to eye on what his job should be. Local boy Caleb left Camelot for the army and multiple tours in the Middle East. Home now to help his family and start his own security firm, he needs this job to go well. And an undeniable attraction to his client’s sister isn’t helping matters.

Along Came Trouble is the next book in Ruthie Knox’s Camelot series, although it probably could stand alone. The original novella, How To Misbehave, tells the story of one of Caleb’s sisters, but she plays a minor enough role in this book that you don’t have to worry if you missed it. Don’t get me wrong, it is a fun read so if you haven’t read it I highly recommend you do but you are safe in reading this one first.

Once again, Knox brings readers a rich blend of humor, heart and angst. Ellen has problems with the thought of getting involved with a guy again and losing her hard-won independence. She spent a lot of her life playing second fiddle, first to her brother and then to her husband. She’s now created a life and a home for herself and the thought of giving any control to someone else just freaks her out. Then into her life walks Caleb Clark. His entire job is to make decisions and tell her what to do. With her life in turmoil thanks to her brother, it’s no wonder that she resists anything serious with Caleb. And Caleb is definitely alpha, all tough muscles and take-charge attitude, but he is also caring, sensitive and charming. His only flaw is thinking that if he wants something and works hard enough, then he can make it happen. But he didn’t count on Ellen.

Readers are also treated to the romance of Carly and Ellen’s brother Jaime. I have to say I really would have liked for these two to have their own book. Their side plot is sweet and I think I would have enjoyed getting more on Jamie’s growth from spoiled pop star to man in love. He’s a rascal and fun to read. Carly is a little more prickly but I think I would have liked to have gotten to know her better. The next story is about Caleb’s sister, Katie, and from what Knox gives us here it looks to be a winner too.

If you are looking for a fast-moving mix of heat, heart and humor, Along Came Trouble is a guaranteed winner.

My Cowboy Valentine

14 Thursday Mar 2013

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Be Mine Cowboy, Book Review, Hill Country Cupid, Jane Porter, My Cowboy Valentine, Tanya Michaels

My Cowboy Valentine is a two book treat for lovers of country romances. InBe Mine, Cowboy by Jane Porter, a couple gets a second chance at love. When Cade King walked out on Rachel James five years ago, it broke her heart but she moved on. Now, she’s working to make a life for herself and her son. When Cade walks back into her life unexpectedly, she remembers everything they had … And everything he left behind. Cade has spent the last couple of years sober, but full of regret for the way he behaved when he left. Can he convince Rachel that he’s a changed man and worth a second chance? Hill Country Cupid by Tanya Michaels highlights what happens when an unofficial matchmaker falls for the man she’s trying to help. Tess teaches ballet to Nick Calhoun’s daughter. When she realizes that the shy cowboy has a crush on the single mom of one of her other students, she can’t resist trying to help. But the more time the two spend together, the more drawn to each other they become. Can the matchmaker make her own match?

Be Mine, Cowboy is a delightful story of regrets and second chances. Cade spent years bouncing between foster homes and his alcoholic mother. Although Rachel wanted to be enough of a reason for Cade to sober up, his addiction was too strong. Once he hit bottom, he worked hard to get his life back on track and he’ll do whatever it takes to make Rachel see that. What he didn’t expect was to find Rachel a single mom to an autistic son but he’s up to the challenge. Porter does a fantastic job of giving readers the complicated, and heartbreaking, world of being an autistic parent.

Hill Country Cupid is a sweet tale of two people needing a little self-confidence boost. Tess never feels like she measures up and definitely doesn’t want to be seen as someone’s second choice. Growing up with a stutter and smaller than his older brothers, Nick always felt like he failed in comparison. Michaels does a fantastic job of delivering a lot of heart in a short story as the two learn to appreciate their strengths and each other’s.

Never Trust a Rake

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

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Annie Burrows, Book Review, Never Trust a Rake

The Earl of Deben has decided that it is time to find himself a wife. Unfortunately, at the first party he attends, he’s reminded of exactly how calculating women can be. Trapped in a compromising position by a debutante, it looks like he’ll create more for the gossips to talk about … until he gets help from an unlikely source. When Henrietta Gibson comes to the aid of Lord Deben, she has no idea that her life will never be the same. But can she resist the appeal of the devilishly handsome rake, knowing that she’ll never see him again once he’s finished whatever game he is playing?

I love a good rake. He’s charming, usually handsome, but always sexy, and most definitely in need of the love of a good woman. Lord Deben is no different. His past is very complicated – he’s his father’s only legitimate child , his parent’s marriage was unhappy due to his mother’s infidelity, and the way he was treated as heir left no chance of a good relationship with his siblings – which has left him bitter and with an extremely poor view of women and marriage. That is until he meets Henrietta. But he has no experience in how to handle someone like her.

Henrietta had an unconventional upbringing herself, except she at least felt the love of her father and siblings. Her scholarly father may not have a clue about how to make sure she knows how to move about society but that is her greatest appeal to someone like Lord Deben. Henrietta sees so much more in him that even he gives himself credit for, plus the loneliness and desire to be loved that is buried deeply under the surface.

I usually don’t like a story that is based on miscommunication and games, but Burrows weaves such an enthralling tale that I couldn’t help but be drawn to these two. Lord Deben is such a complicated and confused soul. It was extremely addicting to watch the two of them dance around one another and their feelings.

Never Trust A Rake is an enthralling treat for readers of gold old-fashioned historical romances of redemption through love.

His Reluctant Rancher

12 Tuesday Mar 2013

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Book Review, His Reluctant Rancher, Roxanne Snopek, Three River Ranch

In His Reluctant Rancher, Desiree Burke has come to Twinridge to escape trouble at work and help the Gamble family. They’re recovering from a tragedy – a horrible car accident that killed one son, left his father paralyzed, and gave a load of survivor’s guilt to everyone. Zach Gamble is doing everything he can to shoulder the burden of keeping his family and their ranch going. Bringing physical therapist Des in to help his father is a last ditch effort to save their home, but as the two work together around the ranch, their attraction may be more than they can handle.

This is part of Roxanne Snopek’s Three River Ranch series and there is some overflow from a previous story. Des and Zach have met a couple of times before and flirted but nothing ever came of it. Des is big city and Zach is all rancher. I got the basics of their previous interactions as the story progresses so I don’t think it is necessary to have read anything else before giving this one a chance.

I really liked both Des and Zach. Des has some commitment issues left over from growing up in foster care. She learned early on to not open herself up and get attached, since everything was temporary. She’s sassy and fun, and it was a treat to watch her fall for Zach. Zach has his own issues. He was adopted and always felt a little on the outside. Now, having been the driver when the natural born son died, but making it out without a physical scratch, he’s got some serious emotions scars. It was heartbreaking to have him come to grips not only with the accident but also where he stands in the family. There is a conversation with his father toward the end of the story that brought me to tears.

I think my only complaint is that not enough time was spent on the rehabilitation of Joe, the whole reason why Des is at the ranch. She’s there as a hail mary to get him back on his feet but we see very little of the actual therapy. There are a couple of sweet interactions between the two but I would really have liked to see much more. The time, though, is spent on developing her relationship with Zach and I have to say that was very satisfying. They make a very good match and I really enjoyed seeing the two of them interact.

His Reluctant Rancher is a fantastic story about healing, falling in love, and finding your footing again.

Makeover Miracle

11 Monday Mar 2013

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Charmaine Ross, Makeover Miracle

Being chosen to take part in a makeover show brings up a lot of difficult emotions for Abbey Miller. She only applied for her friend Jennifer and never expected to be chosen, but now she will be on TV showcasing all of her flaws. Quinn Campbell started Makeover Miracle to help people but has never been drawn to someone as strongly as Abbey. There is something about her that reminds him of his sister, the one person he was unable to help. Per the book’s synopsis: “This is a story about one woman’s journey through emotional turmoil and the man who is able to make her believe in herself. Set against the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, Makeover Miracle is a story about forgiveness, understanding, personal growth and, of course, falling in love with that one special person.”

I really enjoyed this story. Abbey has one of those sparkling personalities that makes for a fun read. She’s got some serious self-esteem issues, with reason, and it is satisfying to watch her come to believe in herself. The TV show covers a lot of things, not just weight loss, so I think that maybe a segment with a counselor would have helped from a realism standpoint, but the growth that she does have, thanks to her friends and Quinn, is compelling and believable nonetheless. Quinn is charming and engaging. He’s got some issues of his own, residual guilt about his sister’s death, but it helps to give him a sympathetic understanding of the show and a specific relationship to Abbey’s issues. I will say that the writing was a little awkward in some spots but that just kept this great story from being exceptional.

This book is full of memorable characters, with a moving story-line and a feel-good ending. For an uplifting read, give Makeover Miracle a shot.