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Just One Kiss

28 Tuesday May 2013

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cover23875-mediumI’ll admit it, I’m biased.  I absolutely LOVE Susan Mallery’s books and I look forward to Spring because I know that it means that new Fool’s Gold books are coming out … and this year doesn’t look like it is going to disappoint.

Fifteen years ago teenager Patience McGraw fell in love with her best friend, Justice Garrett.  She finally got up enough courage to tell him how she felt, only he disappeared without a trace in the middle of the night.  Fool’s Gold and Patience were the best thing about Justice’s childhood.  In the witness protection program to escape his criminal father, he was stunned when they suddenly had to relocate after his father was seen in the area.  Now, after years in the military and a stint doing private security, Justice is back in the only place that ever felt like home to open a defense academy – and to see Patience again.  When they realize that their feelings are still strong, will they be able to trust in themselves and each other enough to commit to something more that Just One Kiss?

Once again Mallery brings readers her signature quirkiness and heart in a book full of humor, love and angst.  Although Patience is pretty well centered, Justice is struggling with the things he’s seen and done, plus his fear that he could hurt people like his father.  A fear like that goes deep and no matter how many people tell you otherwise, you are still going to have doubts.  I love the little boy hidden in the man – the one that wants so badly to connect to others, to have a normal life, and for someone to give him the comfort and love he didn’t have growing up.  No matter how big and strong and capable he is, I just want to give him a hug and a cookie.

As always, a Fool’s Gold novel is about more than the two people in the blurb.  It’s always like coming home for me when I pick up one of these books because the town is so real and the people are like old friends.  We’re given updates on everyone, but we’re introduced to new friends too, which is fun.  Mallery does a great job of giving you just enough about the people who will be in the next handful of books to tease you.  I’m actually restraining myself from picking up my ARC of the next novel as I know it is going to be so awesome.  Felicia, who will be the focus next, was definitely a highlight for me in an all-star supporting cast.  I just know she’s going to be a trip to get to know better.

New and long-term readers will love the newest in Mallery’s amazing series – with heart, humor and just that perfect tinge of heat, Just One Kiss is sure to please.

Don’t Bite the Bridesmaid

27 Monday May 2013

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cover31551-mediumAlice Shepard needs a gorgeous date for her sister’s wedding.  Her future brother-in-law just happens to be her cheating ex-fiance’s brother and she wants him to regret leaving her for her best friend.  Alice’s oh-so-hot next door neighbor is perfect.  Now she just has to convince the somewhat reclusive Noah Thorpe to spend a week with her on a cruise ship, pretending to be in love.  Noah needs to get out of town for a few days while his friends try to get him out of an arranged marriage – a vampire tradition that will tie him to a female that he’s never met.  Alice’s request is  just what he needs.  What could go wrong?

Don’t Bite the Bridesmaid is a fantastically fun read that will appeal to a wide range of people.  Even if you aren’t into paranormal romances, you should pick this one up – the fact that Noah is a vampire isn’t really a big plot point, it’s truly a relationship story.  The problems between the two could be found in any book, as Alice has some trust issues left over from her ex and Noah keeps secrets (some out of necessity but of course that isn’t going to sit well with her).

Both Alice and Noah are appealing characters and they get into some delightful scrapes together.  Alice’s family is quirky, adding just the right amount of humor to the story.  And as a part of the Sons of Kane series, there is plenty of opportunity to get more.  Noah has a couple of brothers who have potential for angsty, vampire fun and Alice has a brother that will likely play a part in a future story.  For me, that’s definitely a plus as everyone was deliciously entertaining.

If you are looking for a sweet, sexy, humorous beach read, Don’t Bite the Bridesmaid is the perfect summer treat.

One More Kiss

24 Friday May 2013

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OK, I usually start my reviews with a brief description of the book, but I thought I would let the book blurb do it for me:

Mary Blayney, the acclaimed author of Courtesan’s Kiss, returns to the Pennistan family with this new historical romance—the delectable story of a free-spirited beauty with no interest in marriage who getsmore than she bargained for when a seductive kiss leads to the possibility of love.

Dispatched by their ambitious father to snag a titled husband, Beatrice Brent and her twin sister, Cecilia, attend a house party with an array of eligible gentlemen. Defiantly ignoring her father’s wishes, Beatrice flirts shamelessly with Lord Jessup Pennistan, a gamer with scandal in his past—and the one man her father has warned her against. But when flirting goes too far, Beatrice suddenly finds herself engaged and, worse, estranged from her family. Though convinced that her fiancé’s wicked ways will bring nothing but heartache, Beatrice is powerless against Jess’s masterful seduction and the anticipated delights of the marriage bed.  
 
A gambling man who has lost more than his family is willing to forgive him for, Jess quickly realizes that compromising Beatrice was the best mistake he ever made. But to keep her he must right the wrongs of the past, reclaim his lost fortunes, and place the boldest wager of his life.  For now he has everything to win . . . and everything to lose.  
 

Now, the very first part is a good descriptor of the book, but the rest doesn’t happen until the end of the book.  When you read this kind of thing you come into a book with certain expectations and this one is kind of misleading.  Yes, Beatrice is told to avoid Lord Jessup.  And yes, they do start a flirtation.  But the compromising doesn’t actually happen until pretty much the end of the book.  The true heart of the book is the interactions between all of the many attendees of the house party and them getting to know each other.  Don’t get me wrong, it is a great book and I really enjoyed it, but it wasn’t what I expected.

Instead of focusing on Beatrice and Lord Jessup, we actually get them, plus her sister and Lord Destry, a scandal in Lord Jessup’s past, as well as some flirtations between Mrs. Kendrick and Lord Belmont.  It was quite a compelling read.  All the characters are interesting and their time at the house party leads them down some intriguing paths. I loved the romance involving her sister and I really wished I’d gotten more of Lord Destry.

For those who have read Mary Blayney’s previous books about the Pennistan family, this is a great opportunity to catch up, as well as see some beloved characters get their happy ending.  And for those, like me, who haven’t read one of her stories, don’t worry.  She does a fantastic job of making sure you can keep up.  The worst thing that will happen is that you will be itching to get those books to find out how all the prior romances played out.  Blayney has a deft hand at creating fascinating characters and I found myself looking for her backlist so I could add them to my To Be Read file.

So, don’t go into One More Kiss thinking you are going to get a story about two people who are forced to wed and have to figure out how to deal with the fall out.  Instead, it is a great opportunity to meet new friends and quickly get drawn into their lives as they spend time with each other.  It’s a fun, character driven historical romance that will draw you in and keep you reading.

Take it Like a Vamp

21 Tuesday May 2013

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cover31548-mediumNick Christos wants his best friend, Casey Meyers – she’s sweet, funny, irresistible and off-limits.  He’s a vampire, head of the Supernatural Council, and his life is too dangerous … but his resolve is weakening.  Casey thinks her neighbor is super yummy and way out of her league.  Agreeing to escort Nick to a charity function just proves it, because she may feel like Cinderella but she’s definitely not meant to live the life as a princess.  Now, though, she’s being targeted by some of Nick’s very powerful enemies.  Can he keep her safe … and his hands to himself?

Candace Havens brings readers a supernatural treat with Take It Like a Vamp and it is definitely one of my favorites this year.  It’s got that right amount of sass and fun, mixed with heat and humor – think Lynsay Sands’s Argeneau series or Erin McCarthy’s Vegas Vampires.

Nick is your typical 800 year old vampires (are there such things?) and thinks most about protecting Casey.  You would think that by now he’d have learned a few things about women but I guess since he wasn’t interested in more than a fling then he didn’t invest a lot in them.  But he is deliciously alpha and Casey definitely has what it takes to tame him.  She’s got enough spunk to keep up with him and everything that his life throws at her.

There are also a ton of fantastic supporting characters in Nick’s crew so I really hope that means that this is just the starts of a series.  I definitely want a HEA for the oh-so-dreamy Linc.  Take It Like A Vamp is the perfect introduction to their world – giving readers just enough details and characters to be interesting but not too much to overwhelm – and I’m looking forward to seeing more of it.

For readers who like romances with a little steam, a lot of fun, and a dash of heart mixed in with just that right amount of supernatural intrigue, Take It Like A Vamp is sure to delight.

Over the Edge

20 Monday May 2013

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cover27349-mediumWelcome!  Today we have the review of Over the Edge here, as well as a special treat.  Author Suzanne Carroll was kind enough to provide us with a guest spot concerning her favorite romances and their influence.  Please check out her post below and don’t forget to go visit the other sites in the blog tour (found on the May 4th post here).

Enjoy!

*****

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What are your favorite romances, and what influences have they had on your writing 

I really enjoyed The Bronze Horseman series by Paullina Simons, the first book in particular. I admired the way she created such a tender and intense romance and wove it so beautifully through the story of WWII Russia.  And I’ve always liked A Room With A View by E.M. Forster. The character of George was so extreme for the times he lived in, and I loved his honesty and his passion when he fell in love with Lucy.

I’ve always liked the little details in a story, like the way a character lights a cigarette.  Or the scuffs on someone’s shoes. Someone’s choice of cover for their mobile phone.  They’re small things that, for me anyway, give more life to a character; they tell you something extra, and it makes the character more real, I think. So when I write, and I see the characters so clearly in my imagination, some of those little details I see make it onto the page.

*****

Summary of Over the Edge:
In six weeks Zoe Harper will marry Dan Costi in an over-the-top Sydney society wedding, complete with fire-eaters and belly dancers. But when she receives an unexpected gift from her future mother-in-law, Zoe realizes she’s making a huge mistake. In a blazing sidewalk argument, she breaks up with her fiancé, and his mother—who has joined the fight via conference call.Following the advice of friends and co-workers, along with some inspiration from late-night-television self-help guru Dr. Pam, Zoe sets out to find the life she thinks she should be living. Always a planner, she makes a list of goals: travel, career, tattoos, and no romantic entanglements. It’s all carefully laid out, until she meets Angus Creed.Angus is supposed to lead the opening waltz at a charity ball in New York City. Only problem is the handsome billionaire construction magnate with the tabloid past can’t dance. Not one step.

Tainted by gossip and with a well-publicized failed engagement behind him, Angus has become a master at keeping an emotional distance. Until he meets Zoe.

What starts as dancing lessons, slowly becomes something more. Angus begins to let down his guard and open his heart, even when his past makes an unexpected and unwelcome return. As Zoe discovers the real man behind the headlines, she questions where her new choices are taking her. Her goals look good on paper, but are they what she really wants? And by the time she realizes where her heart lies, will it be too late?

Author Bio:
Suzanne lives in Sydney with her husband and children.  By day she works in an office where she sneakily scribbles plot ideas on yellow sticky notes and hopes they don’t accidentally end up on the departmental monthly report.One such sticky note has turned into her first novel, Over the Edge.

Buying link: http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/books/detail/74

Once Upon a Prince

19 Sunday May 2013

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(Come back tomorrow for our stop on the Over the Edge blog tour, complete with special guest post by author Suzanne Carroll.)

cover26772-mediumI thought this book was fantastic.  I love the Truitt clan – they are loud and Southern proud – and I want to be an honorary member.  Susanna has been dating her marine for twelve years.  It started in high school and survived multiple tours in the Middle East.  Only now, instead of proposing, he’s come to tell her that he’s found someone else.  Her life plan in tatters, she now has to decide on a new plan.  Then she meets Nate.  Prince Nathaniel is on vacation in St Simons Island, Georgia and definitely did not count on falling in love with a woman that he, by law, cannot have a future with.  He’s duty bound to go home and marry someone from his own country.  But when Susanna comes to his country to see his coronation and he sees her in his home, everything changes.  Can a king and an ordinary American figure out a way to make a life together?

Once Upon a Prince was born out of the romance of Prince William and Kate Middleton – the idea that a regular person can fall in love and marry a royal.  It’s a modern day Cinderella story and is just as appealing as the fairy tale.  Both Susanna and Nate are wonderful.  She is the perfect complement to him, reminding him of the good in himself and the world, of giving himself up to God’s plan and doing what’s right.  Even when she doesn’t know he’s a real prince, she does a great job of supporting him.  Although it directly impacts his decisions about love, I did think there was a little too much about the politics that he has to deal with.  Honestly I skimmed over most of that, just reading enough to get the basics and how it applies to him & Susanna.  I understand that the drama was important to him and how he moved forward (and I’m guessing a future story or two since this is the first in a series) but it was a little dry.  The rest of the story is definitely worth it though.

Once Upon a Prince is a must read for anyone who had fantasies of having their very own Prince Charming sweep them off their feet.

– See more at: http://juliejohnson.booktrib.com/reviews/once-upon-a-prince/#sthash.CPQM7jgE.dpuf

Jake

17 Friday May 2013

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cover21875-mediumJake is the latest novel in R. C. Ryan’s “Wyoming Sky” series and is the story of the youngest Conway brother. Veterinarian Jake Conway, one of the most sought after bachelors in his area, sees no reason to settle down …. Until he meets the sexy woman next door.  Meg Stanford has returned to Wyoming after the death of her estranged father.  She expected to have to deal with the details concerning the disposal of his ranch.  What she did not expect to find was a ten year old half-brother.  When a couple of late night break-ins send her to stay with her neighbors, Meg and Jake find their attraction hard to fight.  But as the danger heightens, will they be able to keep everyone safe?

I haven’t read any of the previous stories in the series, but I really enjoyed this one.  It has enough suspense to keep things interesting and the mystery is very sound.  For those who like a light intrigue with their romance, this is a perfect choice.  Based on the clues about the previous stories, this seems to be par for the course with this series.

I do feel that some of the dialogue is a little awkward but it only happens a couple of times and is easily overlooked.  The characters are full of rich, country charm and heart.  They make up a wonderful, strong family that looks out for each other and those around them.  They are exactly what you would expect from a ranching group that has to rely on themselves and others in times of hardship.  They are a lovely family and one that I’d be happy to be a part of.

My only other issue was with the ending.  I kinda saw how it was being set up but I don’t know that I felt that it was fleshed out completely.  It seemed like the choice Meg made to see if DC was the right choice was logical so the resulting fall-out was a little unexpected.  I think her thought process was right on and she made the best decisions with the options given to her.  I’m not sure why it caused such a fight with Jake, especially given some of their earlier conversations, but maybe it was his cowboy pride coming to play.  But the rest of the story was well-handled, the pacing was just right, and the development of their relationship very smooth.

Those who enjoy Linda Lael Miller’s country romances, with a little mystery thrown in, will enjoy Jake and might even want to check out Quinn and Josh – my guess is they are more of the same and I liked the characters as they were portrayed in this story.

Hold Me Down Hard

14 Tuesday May 2013

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Hold Me Down Hard is a sexy, short read guaranteed to heat up your day.  Eden Carver wants her sexy neighbor, and best friend, Jay Bennett, but he’s got her firmly placed in the friend category.  As a NYC cop, Jay sees a lot of bad things on the job and wants nothing more than to protect Eden.  Which definitely means that he can’t seduce the sweet Iowa farm girl, no matter how badly he wants to.  But when Eden’s friends talk her into seducing the sexy cop, all bets are off.

I really enjoyed this short story.  It’s only about 50 pages, but it packs a lot of spice into those pages.  Being so short we don’t get a lot of background, but Fox does a great job of packing as much as she can into the pages she has.  We learn that Eden isn’t as innocent as everyone thinks she is but the one time she let her kinky side out it ended badly.  Afraid that it will ruin everything if she lets Jay know how she really feels, she’s held back.  Jay also has rougher needs that he’s afraid will scare Eden.  Plus he is very dedicated to his job with the Gang Unit and thinks the danger may be more than Eden can handle.  But once they start communicating everything comes together.

The book doesn’t really explore their more kinky wants, they are mentioned but not actually acted upon.  At its heart, the story is more about getting past assumptions than it is about their darker side, which made the book that much more enjoyable to me.  Those assumptions could be about anything and makes the two so much more relatable.

If you are looking for a steamy read that you can fit into a hectic schedule, this bite-size treat is for you.  The characters are interesting and their issues are real, all of it contained in a tiny package.

Carry Your Heart

09 Thursday May 2013

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image004Warning:  There is a good chance this book will make you cry at some point.  It starts with an avalanche that kills two young men and leaves a young woman broken in body & heart.  It’s now been a year and Pippa has moved home with her dad to recover and grieve … and avoid her once promising skiing career.  But her old coach won’t let her quit and pushes her to come back.  Once on her skis again, she finds a part of herself that had been missing, plus friends that she’d lost touch with and a snowboarder who reminds her that she still has a heart to lose.  But Hunter has some issues of his own – issues that might destroy their relationship before it really begins.

I read Carry Your Heart in one day because I just could not put it down.  The beginning just broke my heart.  I couldn’t shake the fear and desperation that they must have felt during the avalanche and my chest hurt thinking of what that would have been like.  You know it’s going to be a good story when it sucks you in and makes you feel like the people are that real.

Pippa’s issues are there for everyone to see.  The competitive skiing world is close knit and they all know what happened, they knew all three of them, and it hurt them too.  It’s hard for Pippa to have to face them again – the pity, the judgment, the questions – but she quickly realizes that there is nowhere else she can be.  She still has to figure out how to move on and get over the loss of her friends but skiing is a part of her too.

Hunter is more private and very few people know enough about him to truly get him.  I’m not sure why he chooses Pippa to be the person he opens up to but he needed that very badly.  Although not as obviously traumatic, his troubles are just as difficult to manage and move beyond.  Hunter hasn’t learn to deal with a lot of his baggage and finds it easier to run away.  It’s not the healthiest of reactions and definitely causes him problems.

Some may feel that their relationship is not a good one – he’s got commitment issues and she’s coming out of a depression – but it worked for me.  They are there for each other, supporting one another, and helping to move forward.  Yes, they have their moments of stupidity, stubbornness and pride, but that just makes them more real.  People are idiots and you either forgive or move on – I’m very happy that they choose to forgive.  There are unanswered questions that suggest the opportunity for a follow up book … which I’m ok with only as long as these two stay together.  I really want them to find something good together.

Carry Your Heart falls into that New Adult category of romances – those books about people in their early 20s, with all the joy and heartache that comes with moving into adulthood.  It made me cry and laugh and sigh.  It made me fall in love with Hunter and miss knowing those boys from the avalanche.  It was real and difficult and frustrating and happy.  I will say that I got an advance copy directly from Audrey Bell and I’m not sure if it was the final edition.  There were some editing issues in my copy that I know would annoy some people but if you look through that you will find a story about loving and living that will touch your heart.

Tempting Cameron

07 Tuesday May 2013

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cover29579-mediumIn Tempting Cameron, Cameron McKenzie is back in Lone Pine Lake for his sister’s wedding but it’s only the reception and he is already feeling claustrophobic.  He can’t wait to get out of town again …. that is until he sees his sister’s best friend, Chloe Dawson, again.  But relationships never work for Cam and he definitely doesn’t want to hurt someone like Chloe.  Chloe has had a crush on Cam since her preteen years and she’s well aware of his love ‘em and leave ‘em lifestyle.  But when an accident throws them together, Chloe takes advantage of the situation to spend more time with Cam.  Will he break her heart or will she show him that he can stick for the right woman?

Readers of Erickson’s books will have already met both Cam and Chloe in Jane’s Gift and will love the chance to learn more about the broody McKenzie brother.  Sometimes you want a perfect hero – one who is hot, charming, sweet, understanding, smart, did I mention hot? – you know, George Clooney as he is in your dreams.  But sometimes you want a moody, emotional, sexy, difficult, realistic hero.  One that makes mistakes but when he gives his heart it is for good.  Cameron is definitely this second type.  He has issues (and I’m not sure that I completely understood them or where they came from) but it makes him deliciously flawed.  He’s not perfect and I love that.  Chloe is exactly what you would expect a small town second grade teacher to be – she’s sweet, innocent, caring, and girl next door pretty.  Being different from other women he’s known, she quickly gets Cam’s attention and before long his heart.  Chloe has idealized him since the beginning of her crush, but he’s flawed and she learns to deal with, and love, the man he really is.  Thanks to imperfect Cam, their’s is not an easy road but it is one that they are willing to travel.  It’s a very realistic path and one that is as human as the characters it portrays.  Readers are also treated to a little glimpse of Jane & Chris’s new life (from Jane’s Gift) and some groundwork for future stories involving the rest of the McKenzie siblings (which I’m SO looking forward to – I think Mac is going to be fantastically fun when he finally falls in love).

Tempting Cameron is the perfect read for those looking for a moody, difficult, flawed but loving hero and the wonderful woman who understands him.