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Some Like It Wicked

06 Tuesday Nov 2012

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Pandora Maybury, Duchess of Wyndwood, finds herself the talk of the Ton when her husband is killed while fighting a duel, along with the other man involved. Scandal has it that the men were both her lovers and fighting over Pandora. Since she has come out of her year of mourning, she finds herself not accepted by most people, and propositioned by less than noble men. Saved one night from such a man by Rupert Stirling, Duke of Stratton (nicknamed Devil), Pandora isn’t sure that his intentions are that much better.

Rupert is your typical duke – arrogant, commanding, impatient, and assured. He steps in and takes over almost every situation. But he’s also kind, caring and generous to those he takes under his wing. Pandora also has a big heart, taking care of those around her, but she also has an underlying streak of daring. She doesn’t stand Rupert’s high-handedness for long, which makes for fiery interactions between the two. Together, they are entertaining, sweet and, of course, spicy.

Pandora is hiding a few secrets and there is a mystery around break-ins at her house that lends a touch of intrigue, but it is the developing relationship between the two that makes the book great. This is a fun historical romance with compelling characters and and engaging story.

**Some Like It Wicked is the second book in the Daring Duchesses series. The heroines of this series are three friends so the others make an appearance in this story, however I didn’t feel like it was necessary to read the first book to enjoy this one.**

Baby Under the Christmas Tree

05 Monday Nov 2012

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Elle Austin is the deputy PR director for a major league hockey team and one of her main duties is helping the players when they get into trouble. When their enforcer, Max “The Beast” Beasley, finds himself wanting permanent custody of his son, it is up to Elle to help him work through it. Spending so much time together, though, may prove too much for her as she’s spent the last year trying to limit her contact with Max and ignore her desire for him.

Baby Under the Christmas Tree is a nice treat for the holidays. Elle has hangups about sports stars, and Max in particular, but she’s tough, courageous, and smart. Qualities she’ll need in spades when dealing with Max. Max has issues with his self-worth, although most people wouldn’t know it from his hockey persona. He grew up in foster care and spent time on the streets, which causes him to feel separated from the life he now lives as a successful pro-athlete. He also has issues with commitment and emotional involvement due to his childhood. Suddenly finding himself with his son full-time creates a lot of changes in his life, most of them for the better.

This is your typical story-line of a commitment-phobic man meeting his match, but Teresa Carpenter does a great job with it. The characters are compelling and fun, their issues are interesting and believable, and their journey is sweet. Max is strong, giving and thoughtful. He hides a lot between his swagger, but that just makes getting to know him all the more enjoyable.

A Gift For All Seasons

01 Thursday Nov 2012

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In A Gift For All Seasons, Patrick Shaughnessy returned from military service in the Middle East with many scars, both physical and mental. He managed to push through medical procedures and therapy to get back on his feet for his family. When his wife decides that she cannot handle it any more, he concentrates all of his energy on his business and his daughter. A landscape job for April Ross’s Inn reminds him that there could be more to his life than what he’s currently living.

This is an amazingly sweet story. Patrick has had life deal him a serious blow but he’s persevered, although not thrived. He’s reserved, emotionally withdrawn, and has self-confidence problems. He tries so hard to make a normal life for himself and his daughter, but he’s afraid. He struggles every day and believes he can’t handle more than what he already has on his plate. April is a giver and has made a lot of sacrifices for her family and for her deceased husband. She is instantly drawn to Patrick, and his adorable daughter, and wants very much to make them happy again. Even though that isn’t something you can do for someone else, April makes a huge difference in their lives and their story is very heartwarming. This one will pull at your heartstrings as Templeton does a fantastic job giving readers a touching story with detailed characters dealing with life, love, doubt and faith.

**This is book 2 in Karen Templeton’s Summer Sisters series. You can pick up that this is part of a series based on the information dropped concerning April’s cousins, however it has little to no impact on this story.**

A Snowglobe Christmas

31 Wednesday Oct 2012

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A Snowglobe Christmas brings readers two sweet holiday stories about people learning to trust in God’s plan. Amy Caldwell is returning to Snowglobe, Montana to take over her mother’s store. She left five years ago when her fiancé, Rafe Westfield, chose the Marines over her. Now she’s back, but so is Rafe. Sara Kincaid has a bad history with men – her father left when Sara was twelve and her own husband left when she was 9 months pregnant. Time spent with widower Owen Larsen and his daughter Janey shows her what a good, solid man is like. The only problem is that he is moving in a couple of weeks. Can these couples open themselves up to God and see the path He has in mind for them?

In Yuletide Homecoming, Linda Goodnight creates two characters battling with their pasts. Amy’s father left her when she was a child and Rafe’s choosing his military career over her just emphasized her abandonment issues. She wants to protect herself from being hurt by Rafe again, but God has other ideas and throws the two together. Rafe thought he was doing the best for both of them when he joined the military but haunted by what he saw in war he has his own burdens and spending time with Amy again makes him question if he made the right decision before. Their struggles will touch your heart and their journey back to each other is a perfect complement to the holiday season.

Lissa Manley’s A Family’s Christmas Wish is also touching and emotion-packed. Sara and Owen have had their own troubles – Sara’s horrible luck with men and the death Owen’s wife have lead the two to believe they are better off on their own. However, a friendship that blossoms between their adorable daughters means the two spend a lot of time together and they realize that there may be more to life than what they have. Sara is sweet and sensitive; she’s a great mother and good friend. Owen is caring and giving. He tries very hard to be a good father, especially now that his daughter has lost her mother. Both are afraid of getting hurt and Manley does a wonderful job showing their deepening feelings, their conflict with themselves and their choices for the future.

Lean on Me

26 Friday Oct 2012

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Lean on Me is the second in HelenKay Dimon’s Holloway series. Cassidy Clarke has traveled the world to climb some of the tallest mountains but she now finds herself in her small West Virginia hometown, broke and without direction. Unfortunately the town isn’t very welcoming since she bad-mouthed them during an interview. Unexpectedly championed by one of the town’s much loved sons, former classmate Mitch Anders, Cassidy finds herself accepting an offer of a place to stay . . . with him.

This is a pretty short book, a quick read at just over 100 pages. Cassidy is at a crossroads, but she handles it with grace and courage. Mitch is flirty, charming and fun. His interactions with Cassidy and his friends are funny and entertaining. For the most part he’s confident, in a witty and audacious way that makes him fantastic, but he has his own issues and that was my only problem with the story. I don’t know if it was because it is so short, but I didn’t feel like his romantic hang-up with Cassidy was given enough detail. It seemed to come on too quickly at the end but the resolution was satisfying and touching, as was the majority of the book.

As with most romance series set in small towns, this one is eccentric and entertaining. The inhabitants have a gossip grapevine that defies description and makes for some humorous, exasperating and embarrassing situations. Being the second book in a series, those who have read It’s Not Christmas Without You will get another glimpse of the inhabitants of Holloway, West Virginia. But if you haven’t, that’s ok – I haven’t and did not feel it impacted my enjoyment of this one.

If you are looking for a quick, humorous read, pick up Lean on Me. It’s full of romance, quirkiness and fun.

The Three Musketeers: Surrender the Dark

25 Thursday Oct 2012

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Jarrett McCullough heads an independent consulting company that works with the government to deliver sensitive information into the most dangerous areas of the world. His latest case has gone drastically wrong and he finds himself wounded on the doorstep of the last person he wants to see. Two years ago Rae Gannon’s last job for Jarrett ended badly and she retreated to a remote mountain cabin. Finding her ex-boss on her doorstep brings back horrible memories of that time, as well as a new awareness of him as a man and the danger of the past she thought she’d left behind.

Surrender the Dark is an emotionally charged books about two people coming terms with the decisions they’ve made and the people they’ve become. The secret, life-and-death nature of their jobs have left Jarrett and Rae emotionally distant, suspicious and wary. Kauffman does an excellent job of providing details into their thoughts and feelings, creating believable characters with moving issues that readers will understand. Their growth throughout the story is well-developed and touching, mixed with intimate scenes that are hot enough to sizzle the page.

Jarrett’s case is an underlying theme, creating conflict between them, but the related action does not make an appearance until the last couple of chapters. You’ll be disappointed if you go into it expecting a lot of intrigue, but it is a story centered on the people, not the case, and in this it definitely delivers.

This is the first in Donna Kauffman’s The Three Musketeers series and one of Loveswept’s Classic Romances. Almost all of the story includes only the two so there isn’t really a secondary cast, although Jarrett’s friends (the other two musketeers) make an appearance toward the end and have their own follow-up books. Originally published in the mid-90s, the story holds up exceptionally well with only a minor instance with technology showing its age. The anchor is the personal side of Jarrett and Rae, an emotional journey that is not dictated by when the book was written.

Forever Werewolf

22 Monday Oct 2012

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In Forever Werewolf, Trystan Hawkes is an omega wolf, a lone wolf without a pack. His father is half-werewolf, half-vampire and his mother is full-blood vampire, which rules out acceptance from traditional werewolf packs. He comes to Castle Wulfsiege on an errand for his father’s company, delivering a package to the pack leader, and ends up staying to help dig them out after an avalanche. His immediate, and mutual, attraction to the leader’s daughter could cause them both issues as Alexis is hiding her own secret … as is another member of the pack.

This is a solid paranormal romance – Hauf does a good job of detailing the rules of her world to those who aren’t familiar with it, without overburdening those that are. As with any other-worldly book, readers have to come into it with an open mind, but nothing in the story stretches realism too far (well, for a world full of witches, vampires and werewolves). Tryst is a good solid alpha male, complete with his own issues and troubles, but he is smart, sensitive, and giving. He is willing to help strangers in a crisis and wants only to do what is best. Lexi has her own problems but she too is smart and wants what is best for her pack. The interactions between the two are hot and steamy, with a good dose of fun. There are plenty of scuffles and some pack intrigue that keep things interesting, even outside of Tryst & Lexi’s romance.

This is a 2 for 1 book and includes a second, bonus Michele Hauf story – Moon Kissed.

Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight

21 Sunday Oct 2012

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Lady Louisa’s Christmas Knight is the newest in Grace Burrowes’s Windham family Series. Lady Louisa is the oldest of the Duke’s single daughters and should be the next to get married. However, she is hiding a secret that she believes limits her prospects until it can be resolved. Sir Joseph Carrington fought in the war with a couple of Lady Louisa’s brothers and is a family friend. The two begin to get closer but Sir Joseph thinks his lack of title puts him beneath Lady Louisa’s notice, plus he has a secret of his own. A rake’s attempt at ruining her has Sir Joseph offering marriage and the two must decide if their secrets can be shared or if they will destroy everything.

This story is the perfect balance – a heartwarming romance, with a dash of intrigue to keep things interesting and a touch of holiday cheer. The characters are well-developed and their romance is slow & sweet as they start to see each other in a different light. Lady Louisa is unique and quirky, an original with a sharp mind and big heart. She’s found her perfect match in Sir Joseph and their interactions are funny, playful and touching. He’s honorable, intelligent, and witty, with a strong heart and deep character which makes him perfect hero material. They have great chemistry and you find yourself rooting for them from the very beginning.

Lady Louisa’s family plays a huge part in her life so they are all well represented in this story. Many of them have had their own story so readers are given an update on their lives, however it will not affect your enjoyment of this one if you’ve never read another of Burrowes’s books. The secondary characters are fantastic though, unique and entertaining, and the writing is beautifully done, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself finishing this story and heading out to get the previous books.

The Convenient Bride

18 Thursday Oct 2012

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The Convenient Bride is a lovely story about a man coming to grips with his past. Sienna will do just about anything to save her family’s hotel and Antonio Moretti is willing to use that to his advantage. If Sienna does not pay off the loan Antonio gave her father immediately then he will take control of the hotel by default. He is willing to make her a deal though, one that will allow her the time to get the hotel on its feet, but in exchange she has to become his wife for a year. Antonio needs a better image in order to secure a hotel owned by his aunt and uncle. They don’t approve of his playboy lifestyle and he believes that aligning himself with Sienna could change their minds. But nothing in his experience prepares him for Sienna.

Due to a tragedy in his past Antonio has walled himself off from everyone and put all of his attention into his work … and into women. He’s ruthless and driven but removed, enjoying the finer things in life without emotional involvement. Sienna is all about family and has given up her own dreams to help her dad with his hotel. She’s smart, sexy and caring. She’s not at all familiar with the wealthy world that Antonio lives in and her refreshing attitude causes him to re-evaluate the way he looks at life. (I’d say she’s like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman but I don’t want to give anyone the idea that she’s a hooker. The more cynical might disagree since Antonio is paying her to be his wife and, though that isn’t something most of us can imagine doing, Sienna handles it with style and grace). The reveal of Antonio’s secret tragedy is very emotional and the ending is quite touching. This is a fast-paced story, just days pass from beginning to end, but for those that love the idea of a soul-mate, someone who is so perfect for you that you recognize it immediately, it is a delightfully precious tale, regardless of the timing.

Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed

13 Saturday Oct 2012

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I love Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed – I’ve read it twice now because a while back I received an advance copy and was intrigued enough by the story that I read it right away. I wanted to wait until the publication date to write the review, so I read it again to make sure I remembered it right … Loved it then and love it now.

Roberta owes her husband’s cousin, Jonas, a lot of money but he is willing to overlook the debt if she becomes his mistress for a week. The two cousins have been enemies all of their lives and if her husband finds out about the debt, there is no telling what he could do to her. In order to protect her sister, Sidonie takes Roberta’s place in meeting Jonas for a week at a remote castle. She expects to find a scarred, heartless monster willing to take her virtue during a week of sin but what she finds instead is a complex, intriguing man – a man more dangerous to her heart than to her body.

Jonas is scarred on the inside as well as out. He’s had a lot of people let him down and a lifetime of betrayal has made him a harsh, ruthless man. He has the potential to be so much more than society expects of him and he just needs someone to believe in him, to be there for him. Someone who can see behind the scars and cynical persona to the person underneath. Sidonie is strong and caring – two things she will need to deal with Jonas.

Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed is an touching, exciting ride. When Sidonie and Jonas aren’t steaming up the pages, they are tugging at your heartstrings. The characters are complex, well-developed and troubled. You quickly find yourself drawn to them, wanting the best for them, and just when things start going well Campbell yanks the rug out from under you.

This book is an emotional roller-coaster from the beginning – Jonas has not had an easy life and they have to be willing to face a lot of demons before even thinking about a happily-ever-after. It is the first in The Sons of Sin Series and if the kick-off is any indication it will definitely be exciting.