tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61515024045156864092024-03-05T14:07:52.664+01:00Lounging With BooksLounging With Books reviews Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-78002928671479279242013-06-28T21:22:00.000+02:002013-06-28T21:22:41.868+02:00Requested Review: Diane Escalera -The Right Temptation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_XOltfDVdsna2TObB7zWYkWZ-JN6dxLbXY95aPi6kexniTfx-CYllMv7MB9qGxGNOWI9iUpkoikmLGgSiuWXofSXcoh_FMNJ6rqqmhf6dhUq8mdyHbpHN2nNmVSeXs3WF3XlpR1qwao/s600/therighttemptation3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_XOltfDVdsna2TObB7zWYkWZ-JN6dxLbXY95aPi6kexniTfx-CYllMv7MB9qGxGNOWI9iUpkoikmLGgSiuWXofSXcoh_FMNJ6rqqmhf6dhUq8mdyHbpHN2nNmVSeXs3WF3XlpR1qwao/s320/therighttemptation3.jpg" width="212" /><br />
</a>
<strong>Blurb:</strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"Can a childhood crush mature into the real
thing? Kayla Martinez has recently landed an RN position at a prestigious
hospital in her hometown. The new job is everything she's hoped for, especially
when one hot specimen shows up in the ER. She hasn't seen her childhood crush
in years, and considering how much hotter he's gotten over time, she almost
ends up needing resuscitation. The last thing Nico LaCosta needs is a broken
arm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now his pal's kid sister wants to soothe his
pain, but he'd rather keep his distance so her big brother doesn't break his
other arm. Kayla's no child anymore, though. She's one hot-blooded woman,
determined to remind him of a mind-blowing kiss back when they were teenagers.
Leave it to Kayla to drop by his house unannounced and play Nurse Seductive. A
guy has to follow the buddy code, or face the consequences. Still, sometimes
giving in to temptation is worth it... "</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
Ebook: 90 pages
</div>
Latin Heat Trilogy - part 2<br />
Contemporary Romance
<br />
ISBN: 1616504757
<br />
ISBN13: 9781616504755
<br />
Publisher: Lyrical Press, Inc
<br />
Release date: June 2013
<br />
<br />
Main characters: Nico La Costa & Kayla Martinez<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My review:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First lines
of the story:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“She felt like such a stalker. Miracle no one had called the cops to
report that some random chick kept doing drive-bys in their peaceful
neighborhood. Then again, maybe no one had noticed. Kayla Martinez hoped for
the latter. Casing Nico La Costa’s house like a crack addict in need of a quick
fix<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>topped her list of most embarrassing
moments. Getting arrested for said behavior would definitely screw up her
plans.”</i></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wow! What
can I say… Diane Escalera has done it again with the second part in her Latin Heat
trilogy. She pulls you in right from the start with her hawt and captivating
characters, once you start to read you can’t stop. I loved the first part in
this trilogy about three cousins, we already met Dylan and Shay in Still Hot
For You and now we meet Nico and Kayla. Like Still Hot For You this story
focuses on one event, one weekend that changes the lives of Nico and Kayla
forever. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although this story is only 90
pages long, Diane Escalera managed to create a believable story with depth and
character development, the attraction between Nico and Kayla vibrates from the
pages, making this story one hawt, fast read. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kayla never
forgot the one kiss she shared with Nico all those years ago. He ruined her for
other men, but Nico has a rule: he stays away from his friends younger sisters.
Kayla has worked hard to get her RN position at the hospital, all work and no
play. She is confident, feisty and determined; she has achieved all her goals
but one, Nico. When he shows up in her ER with a broken arm she decides it is
now or never and plans a wicked seduction to win his heart. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nico La
Costa knows what he wants. He works hard to achieve his career goals, he takes
good care of himself, he values his family and friends and he likes to have a
good time with a hot babe every now and then, but he is not looking for
something serious right now. I felt a bit sorry for Nico, here is this hot
looking, confident guy who doesn’t stand a chance from the moment feisty Kayla
passes his threshold to seduce him, gone is his perfect, organized life and his
confidence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Like I said
before this is a short story, I usually don’t like short stories because they
often don’t work for me, but Diane Escalera knows how to balance her stories
perfectly. She provides you with the right amount of background information and
combines this with strong, likeable characters and the right dose of sexual
tension. It is fast-paced but never felt rushed, Nico and Kayla’s characters
are well-layered, especially Nico’s. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Right
Temptation is about two people falling in love, two people who are meant to be
together. The way Diane Escalera describes Nico makes you want to jump his
bones, so hawt…. He is also the one put through the emotional wringer, Kayla
scares him with her intentions and he needs time to get used to all the new
emotions Kayla stirs up. I love Kayla’s strength and confidence; she does not
hesitate to pursue her dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Once again Diane Escalera delivers a heartwarming
and sexy read, The Right Temptation is an abundance of smoldering romance,
chemistry and one serious hawt hero! Keep your fan nearby!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4 stars</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b><br /></span>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-8178188860364546712013-04-23T14:49:00.000+02:002013-04-23T17:19:10.465+02:00Cover Reveal: Until Fountain Bridge - Samantha Young<br />
Here some thoughts about a series I started and heart....<br />
<br />
Wow! I loved Samantha Young's On Dublin Street and I hear from friends that Down London Road is even better, oooo is that even possible?? For me On Dublin Street was a perfect read and I have trouble putting my thoughts on paper about that one, because it was such an emotional journey and for the length of the story I actually moved to Dublin Street and lived there, feeling every emotion Joss and Braden shared with us. I love to feel such an emotional connection with the characters of a story.<br />
<br />
So... <i>Until Fountain Bridge</i> (an On Dublin Street novella) follows the romance between Ellie Carmichael and Adam Sutherland, who we met in On Dublin Street, it is to be released by NAL in ebook in the US June 18th! Yay!! Here's the cover and blurb... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZiMQEKvr94ILgI4CHsmDxNpVlEUQwTkw73u7JMcHu_r9aYLVnbPsCaHWH6nfuGGi_jLdatkWCBSOO7J7CZTPEPvEFOiUbJ6TUis1yS5M83tlrw_KoZpgFkttePhyzyd0Ga4V8d4KXO0/s1600/SY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZiMQEKvr94ILgI4CHsmDxNpVlEUQwTkw73u7JMcHu_r9aYLVnbPsCaHWH6nfuGGi_jLdatkWCBSOO7J7CZTPEPvEFOiUbJ6TUis1yS5M83tlrw_KoZpgFkttePhyzyd0Ga4V8d4KXO0/s400/SY.jpg" width="266" /></a><strong>Blurb:</strong><em> </em></div>
<em></em><br />
<em>Ellie has been in love with Adam Sutherland for as long as she can remember. What started as a childhood crush on her protective older brother Braden,best friend soon bloomed into full-blown infatuation . Unfortunately, it also meant full-blown heartache, as Adam refused to fall for his mate’s little sister. </em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>But it takes a crisis to make Adam realize he’s wasted too much time denying his feelings for her. Unwilling to waste a second more, he decided to make Ellie his, no matter the consequences. Now happily settled with the woman he’s pined after for years, he’s about to find out what their ten year courtship was like for her, through the journals she kept during their ups and many downs. And though Adam may have Ellie now, he has no idea how close he came to losing her.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<br />
<br />
But first up is Down London Road, release date May 7th!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpAhv0rlntwSxAoaQDV7_15YcNGYZ05ajULFVPpdHOJw19kXx2T2JKzqotPKhu08O78oqUyuM59e6C2Ln33I0aDe4QIwhMV1D3-Q0wdXmbKOlLrqW-cknP7fg0FBZg-QmnJk0c5g5iPM/s1600/aaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpAhv0rlntwSxAoaQDV7_15YcNGYZ05ajULFVPpdHOJw19kXx2T2JKzqotPKhu08O78oqUyuM59e6C2Ln33I0aDe4QIwhMV1D3-Q0wdXmbKOlLrqW-cknP7fg0FBZg-QmnJk0c5g5iPM/s400/aaaa.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<strong>Blurb:</strong><br />
<br />
<em>It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her
younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been
making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember.
She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her
brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>But with
Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work
gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted
to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her
walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Then Cam
moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes
impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s
secrets…even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece. </em><br />
<br />
<br />
Woohoo, I love to discover a new series that grabs me by throat, has me emotionally invested and makes me forget the whole world around me! Don't you?<br />
<br />
<em></em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em></em><br />Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-65056505881298389512013-04-15T23:04:00.000+02:002013-04-15T23:05:12.815+02:00Review Lover At Last - J.R. Ward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMGsEiOFXOw/UWavtSp5IHI/AAAAAAAACJA/ezv5ofOCfOc/s1600/n403601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><strong></strong><br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMGsEiOFXOw/UWavtSp5IHI/AAAAAAAACJA/ezv5ofOCfOc/s1600/n403601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMGsEiOFXOw/UWavtSp5IHI/AAAAAAAACJA/ezv5ofOCfOc/s320/n403601.jpg" width="212" /></a>Hardcover: 608 pages <br />
Paranormal Romance/Urban
Fantasy<o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;">ISBN-10:</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"> 0451239350 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;">ISBN-13:</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"> 978-0451239358 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;">Publisher:</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"> NAL Hardcover; 1
edition (March 26, 2013) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;">Main Characters: Qhuinn & Blay<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Blurb:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Qhuinn,
son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline,
shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most
brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete.
Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he
is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....<br />
<br />
Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for
Qhuinn. And it’s about time: it seems Qhuinn has found his perfect match in a
Chosen female, and they are going to have a young. It’s hard for Blay to see
the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a
heartbreak waiting to happen. And Qhuinn needs to come to terms with some dark
things before he can move forward…<br />
<br />
Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but
as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene
in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the
true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together...
finally become one.”</span><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4c0808; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;">First line of
story: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;">“Qhuinn, son of
Lohstrong, entered his family’s home through its grand front door.”<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;">My thoughts:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I fell in love with
John, Blay and Qhuinn the moment they entered the Black Dagger Brotherhood
world, but I was never really into the Team Qhuay hype. So I had no sky-high
expectations for their story, the last three BDB books I liked but I wasn’t
really emotionally invested in them like with the first three books in the
series. I did not like the way V’s story ended and the low point of the series
for me was Phury’s story. So why keep on reading this series? Because I am a
sucker for all those domestic BDB mansion scenes and I love to catch a glimpse
of the other brothers and their shellans/mates.<br />
<br />
The problem I have with Ward’s stories is the constant switching between
plotlines, and yes it annoyed me as well with Lover At Last. I really wanted to
lose myself in Blay and Qhuinn’s romance, but every time their romance made any
progress Ward switched to a secondary plotline or Qhuinn and Blay started to
bicker again over things like a bunch of girls and I grew tired of the miscommunication
between them. I also did not like the way Blay lied about his break-up with
Saxton to Qhuinn. <br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“”I’m not with anybody,” Qhuinn said.</span></em><i><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Blay laughed again with an edge. “As in a
relationship? Of course not. But do not expect me to believe that you’re
spending your off time crocheting doilies and alphabetizing a spice rack with
that female.” </span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I haven’t had sex in almost a year.””</span></em></i><br />
<br />
There were a few heartbreaking moments in their romance that grabbed me by the
throat, but they were few and far between. Basically I felt that the romance
was snowed under by all the other characters and plotlines, their romance and
HEA was on hold till the last chapters in the book, only then it gained
momentum. It wasn’t until then that Qhuinn and Blay finally connected on a
deeper, emotional level, this did not make their romance very believable for
me.<br />
<br />
I loved the erotic scenes between Blay and Qhuinn but they were just that, they
were all about releasing the sexual tension between them instead of
establishing a deep, emotional connection. I understand that Qhuinn had a lot
of stuff to work through before he finally figures out whom he is and what he
wants but the romance felt rushed to me. As a romance reader I felt a bit
robbed, 608 pages and less than 30% was about their romance.<br />
<br />
I really liked Layla in Lover At Last; she really is a strong character. But I
did not care much for the way Ward handled Layla’s miscarriage and the
miraculous healing by Payne; I fail to see the necessity of this plotline to
the story. Layla has a strong connection to Xcor and I love to see where Ward
is going with that one. Assail and Sola are interesting characters, they have a
strong chemistry going on, but for me their plotline stole Qhuinn and Blay’s
limelight.<br />
<br />
Another plotline that demands more and more attention is the one with iAm and
Trez; it looks like Ward is slowly introducing us to yet another world/species
within the BDB world. I have no clue what Ward has up her sleeve with these
guys and I honestly don’t know if I like these characters, but I do understand
why Ward has moved them into the Brotherhood mansion. With all the brothers
mated, this will give Ward a reason to continue to visit the mansion in the
future and we all love those visits to the BDB mansion.<br />
<br />
And then there is the power struggle for the throne, Wrath is becoming a king
more and more and I love his interactions with his brothers and his shellan
Beth, Qhuinn’s induction into the Brotherhood was heart-warming, I was fanning
myself… Those scenes are why I still want to read this series, why I still dive
into a new BDB release the moment it hit the shelves. <br />
<br />
As for Lover At Last, there were things I liked and things that did not work
for me, it certainly did not knock my socks off in the romance department.
There were just too many other plotlines occupying the pages instead of Qhuinn
and Blay’s romance, therefore I was not emotionally invested in this story.<br />
<br />
The next chapter in the BDB series (spring 2014) will probably be titled The
King and it will be about Wrath and Beth, I can’t wait to revisit them and see
how the story develops further, hopefully their story will grab me by the
throat and demand my full attention again. Wrath won’t have it any other way… I
hope.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: NL;">3 stars</span></b><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<br /></span><br /></span><br />
<br />Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-749418152845847702012-05-21T00:00:00.000+02:002013-04-01T15:53:08.833+02:00Requested Review: Diane Escalera - Still Hot For You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3aBLtsCIak/T7lb21RqHJI/AAAAAAAABX0/P9Bc2s_dsC8/s1600/Still+Hot+For+You.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3aBLtsCIak/T7lb21RqHJI/AAAAAAAABX0/P9Bc2s_dsC8/s1600/Still+Hot+For+You.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3aBLtsCIak/T7lb21RqHJI/AAAAAAAABX0/P9Bc2s_dsC8/s320/Still+Hot+For+You.jpg" width="213" /></a><em></em><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Diane Escalera - Still Hot For You</span></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ebook: 77 pages </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Contemporary Hot Romance<br />ISBN: 9781616503628</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lyrical Press, Inc</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">March 2012<br /><br />Main Characters: Shay & Dylan La Costa</span></span><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Blurb:</em><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Desperate times call for desperate measures.
And Shay LaCosta is pretty desperate. She's wrecked her blissful marriage of
five years by demanding she and her husband Dylan have a baby. What the hell
was she thinking? She knows she was wrong and she’s ready to set things right,
if only Dylan will let her. Bet he can’t shun her Booty Camp offer: delicious,
white-hot sex in exchange for what’s going on inside his brain.<br />
<br />
Dylan may be macho and stubborn, but he really does miss his wife. A little of
Shay's pushing gets him past their estrangement and into her web of seduction.
She seems to have an erotic week mapped out to perfection, and who is he to
complain? Their marriage is meant to be, so they'll fight with each other, and
they'll fight for each other.</em></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><strong>First line
of the story:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“His kiss was slow. Deep. Erotic. Just like she had imagined repeatedly
in her head, only this time it was real, and undoubtedly the hottest
make-out<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>session of her life.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There is
something about the characters in Diane Escalera’s stories that I can’t resist.
Dangerous Desire was the first story I read of her, Cruz and Sienna held my
attention captive all the way to the end and though Still Hot For You is a much
shorter story, only 77 pages long, it was the same with Shay and Dylan. I love
these stories because the romance and the emotions of both heroine and hero
come to live so vividly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Shay and
Dylan have a good life together; both are focused on their career. Shay has
wrecked her happy marriage by demanding they have a baby as soon as possible, she
should have known that Dylan does not respond well to demands. Her biological
clock began to tick louder and louder when she turned 29 and she could not help
herself. Now she knows better, she and Dylan have plenty of time to get
pregnant, but their relationship has gone awry. It is time to fix their
relationship so she and Dylan get their physical and emotional connection they
once shared so easily back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Dylan La
Costa has his career and life mapped out, he works hard to achieve his goal and
thought Shay felt the same way. So a baby does not fit in his carefully mapped
out life for some years and now he finds himself estranged from his wife. How
did that happen so fast? They are civil towards each other but that’s it, he
truly misses Shay but has no clue how to turn the tide. When Shay starts her
seduction he let himself be seduced, he wants his wife back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Both Dylan
and Shay are easy characters to like, it was love at first sight for them, but
they come from very different backgrounds. Shay’s parents are rich; she never
lacked for anything material wise but did not get a lot of attention or love
from her parents. She is beautiful, strong and independent and worked hard for her
career, her parents do not approve of Dylan because his parents are poor.
Dylan’s family is not wealthy but they are close and affectionate. Dylan is the
carpenter with faded jeans and a motorcycle (drool!), his masculinity radiates
from the page; he is smart, ambitious, has his own construction company and is
very much in love with his wife. He wants a better life for himself and Shay,
but feels he is financially not secure enough to start a family yet. Sigh,
falling in love with him was so easy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Though the
story is short it isn’t rushed or lacking depth, for me it felt like I was
reading a chapter out of Shay and Dylan’s life. Their problems are easy to
relate to, imo Shay and Dylan have been so focused on the future, grown so
serious that they have forgotten how to have fun and live in the here and now. Shay
wants to fix their relationship and commits herself to a booty camp, that may
sound shallow but it gets them talking again about all kinds of stuff, the
past, the present and the future. It is hilarious to see how every-day-life
sometimes gets in the way of the romantic moments but it also made things
believable and slowly they break free from their all-work-no-play-routine and
find their way back to each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Though the
storyline is simple, a couple trying to save their marriage, Shay and Dylan are
not. Their attraction is obvious, that never was the problem, and therefore
their sex is steamy and hot. Shay and Dylan are well-rounded characters with
many layers and they have many Mars-Venus moments in Still Hot For You. I love
it how Diane Escalera shows us how different Shay and Dylan think about certain
things and have no clue how the other feels about it, their conversations are
emotional and touching.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Diane Escalera’s writing is smooth and
addictive, her characters amiable, hot and sensual. I found it refreshing to
read about two characters who were already in a romantic relationship. Shay and
Dylan’s journey to find their way back to one another is gripping, sensual and
hot. Still Hot For You is an emotional, witty and sensual read; I loved it from
start to finish!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><strong>4 stars<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><em>
<o:p></o:p></em></span><br />Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-85749072012797880302012-02-27T11:31:00.017+01:002012-02-28T13:10:58.167+01:00Requested Review: Cera's Place by Elizabeth Mckenna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1xSV-7bUYA/T0tZMtPWppI/AAAAAAAABUs/GH1VT4H2yy4/s1600/Cera's+Place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b1xSV-7bUYA/T0tZMtPWppI/AAAAAAAABUs/GH1VT4H2yy4/s320/Cera's+Place.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><em><b>Blurb:</b> Life hasn’t been exactly kind to San Francisco saloon owner Cera Cassidy, but she has built a successful business and a family of friends. She carries the reputation of a tough woman with a big heart, along with a derringer in her skirt pocket. One summer night, she discovers that the neighborhood thug is kidnapping Chinese girls to sell to the local brothels. Outraged, Cera vows to bring him to justice, but he’s not going to let anyone interfere with his livelihood.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Jake Tanner, a scarred ex-soldier haunted by his Civil War experiences, is on a mission to fulfill a friend’s dying wish. The trail has brought him to Cera’s door. Captivated by her Irish beauty, he is more than willing to join in her fight – if only she would let him.</em><br />
<br />
Elizabeth McKenna – Cera’s Place<br />
<br />
Ebook: 185 pages <br />
Historical Western Romance<br />
ISBN: 978-1468110272<br />
<br />
Main Characters: Cera Cassidy & Jake Tanner<br />
<br />
<strong>My review:</strong> <br />
<br />
Cera’s Place is up and running from the getgo and right away it was obvious that this was not the typical historical romance with a knight in shiny armor and a damsel in distress in need of rescue. For a historical romance it has unusual strong female characters and a dominant suspense part. I was eager to discover where this story would lead me, instantly I liked Cera and I never was good at resisting scarred, handsome characters like Jake, yet because of the leading suspense part I wondered how much space was left for the development of the romance between Cera and Jake as the story is only 186 pages long. <br />
<br />
As a successful saloon owner Cera stands her ground in a world dominated by men, she is fierce, bold, caring, loyal to her friends and has a strong sense of justice. She lives her life on her own terms, when she finds out that the town’s villain is kidnapping Chinese girls to sell to local brothels she vows to bring him to justice, but her sense of justice puts her and her friends in serious danger. In the midst of all these troubles Jake Tanner walks into her saloon and immediately she is drawn to him like a moth to a flame.<br />
<br />
Jake stole my heart the moment I met him. Though the war is over Jake is still a soldier through and through and he is on a mission to fulfill a promise he made to a friend and fellow soldier who died on the battlefield. His mission brings him to Cera’s Place and she stirs up feelings he thought were long dead. He is compassionate, loyal, protective and persistent in everything he does. I loved the combination of skills, persistence, vulnerability and emotions in Jake. He is very much the tormented hero, still dealing with the pain of his past, trying to pick up his life again. It is hard not to like him!<br />
<br />
Both Cera and Jake are strong-willed, fiercely independent, and no strangers to loss and grief. Hurt by the man she once loved Cera guards her heart and keeps all men at bay. She tries to do the same with Jake but he is too persistent and isn’t going anywhere. He slowly gains her trust and bit by bit she falls in love with him but she is scared to give her heart to another man. Jake has lost his wife and child, he is scarred by the war physically and mentally and that frightens him but Cera captivates him, he wants her but is afraid he is not good enough for her. Jake and Cera are appealing characters you can easily relate to and their romantic struggle and scalding attraction tugged at my heartstrings, I so wanted to see them both happy. <br />
<br />
Elizabeth McKenna’s writing immersed me deeper and deeper into the story and she delivers a beautiful, intriguing tale. Cera’s employees are all strong women, all very different but scarred by their pasts yet they are all determined to create a better life for themselves. As secondary characters they entertain, add humor and give this story more layers and a certain depth without stealing the spotlight from Jake and Cera. Still Jake stands his ground between all these women as a true hero! The only problem I have with Cera’s Place is that the suspense part dominated the story and although it is well developed and has a good pace I felt the romance part was snowed under. For me the romance moved too fast at times, I felt that I missed certain scenes/parts of Jake and Cera’s romance. As a romance reader I would have loved to see that part more deepened and more equal to the suspense plotline. <br />
<br />
But I loved Jake and Cera’s emotional journey for justice and love, they touched my heart and I was rooting for them. Elizabeth McKenna delivered a powerful and captivating read with Cera’s Place. Supported by a striking and witty cast of characters Cera’s Place is entertaining, it is a thrilling read that kept me riveted to my chair from start till finish! <br />
<br />
<b>4 stars</b><br />
<br />
This review will also be posted at <a href="http://romancebookcraze.blogspot.com/">Romance Book Craze</a>.Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-11056393772925235212012-01-23T23:36:00.001+01:002012-02-05T00:49:56.696+01:00Requested Review: Soul Survivor by Misty Evans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJF2oS-QauCg_nx4b1boWVpw9xZZOylvG1lBIp3TFn_lr-wSYt0gJHps9cMyHjVp3gDt7mkuPqJL1tU3EWfxxxxes-xziUc5AL2nlr__MUWZ4256N4oSt2GNuO4u39hWB5k-MNOnfcw0/s1600/SoulSurvivor_150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJF2oS-QauCg_nx4b1boWVpw9xZZOylvG1lBIp3TFn_lr-wSYt0gJHps9cMyHjVp3gDt7mkuPqJL1tU3EWfxxxxes-xziUc5AL2nlr__MUWZ4256N4oSt2GNuO4u39hWB5k-MNOnfcw0/s320/SoulSurvivor_150.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><strong>Blurb:</strong><br />
“Haunted by tragedy, FBI profiler Rife St. Cloud is driven to find the person who brutally attacked six women. Unfortunately the only survivor, Keva Moon Water, has no memory of what happened, and the evidence makes her the prime suspect.<br />
<br />
Keva cannot die. She has waited a thousand years to be reunited with the man she loves, whose soul sleeps within Rife. Though he refuses to believe her claims of immortality, there’s no denying the passion that burns between them. Keva desperately hopes their sexual connection will be enough to awaken Rife’s memories of the love affair that started a war and bound their souls together for all eternity. <br />
<br />
But when Keva’s own memories come trickling back, she realizes that a future with Rife depends upon confronting the mistakes of the distant past…”<br />
<br />
<br />
Misty Evans - Soul Survivor<br />
<br />
Lost Worlds Series Part 1<br />
<br />
Ebook: 171 pages<br />
Paranormal Romance<br />
Carina Press<br />
ISBN: 978-1-4268-9178-6<br />
<br />
Main characters: Rife St.Cloud & Keva Moon Water<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>First line of book:</b><br />
“Hundreds of Virgin Marys stared at Rife St.Cloud from every surface inside the old church, their serene eyes in direct contrast to the bloody bodies of the six dead women at his feet.” <br />
<br />
Keva Moon Water is cursed with immortality after a spell that went wrong. She used to be the Chieftess and Shaman of the Salt Coast Clan. She has waited a thousand years to be reunited again with her soul mate, the man she loves, whose soul sleeps within Rife St.Cloud, only then will the curse end. There is a problem: Rife St.Cloud does not remember her and he has come to investigate the murder of her beloved sisters and she is the prime suspect. <br />
<br />
Rife St.Cloud is a FBI profiler on a mission, to catch as many murders as he can. He does not believe in magic or any other paranormal activities. He believes in what he can see and touch, but the moment he lay eyes on Keva his instincts tell him she is not the killer he seeks. He feels this strange deep connection with her and has visions of a life in the far past, yet what she tells him makes no sense at all.<br />
<br />
Enann is the son of the Red Fire chief and was supposed to marry Keva, but she rejected him and performed the ceremony with his half-brother Kai, whose soul has now awakened in Rife St.Cloud. Now Enann has used his evil powers to find a way to travel through time to take Keva back in time to do her duty and have his revenge. <br />
<br />
Keva realizes that no cop or FBI agent can catch the killer of her beloved sisters, only she can. To save Rife/Kai she has to face the consequences of her past mistakes and try to fix the mess she created. <br />
<br />
Soul Survivor is the first part in the Lost World Series by Misty Evans, and she had me hook, line and sinker right from the start. Two soul mates destined to be together yet cruelly separated find their way back to each other; yes that has my romantic heart racing. The plot of Soul Survivor is different and refreshing and drops us right in the middle of the action. A murder scene where Keva rises from the dead because she feels her soul mate is near, the mystical vibe that surrounds the scene and the masculinity of Rife St.Cloud that rolled of the pages in huge waves just the way I like it had my full attention immediately. And yet I had no clue where this plot would take me. <br />
<br />
So as the plot unfolds it is clear that the rites and traditions of the Salt Coast Clan play an important part in Soul Survivor. Bit by bit Misty Evans takes us further into Keva’s mystical world where the past is back to haunt the future. I love how she combines the mystical elements of Native American lore with the romance and the suspense and though the story is fast-paced from the start it does not feel rushed, somehow the pace and different elements all fit in the story perfectly. <br />
<br />
And though the romance between Rife (I love his name!) and Keva develops rather quickly, which is normally a minus point with me, it did not bother me in this story. I guess it is because they already shared a history in the past and their chemistry for each other in the present is obvious because their souls recognize each other. Their interactions are intense and at all times there is this sensual undercurrent between them. This and the fact that Evans convincingly let Rife struggle to come to grips with all that has happened, which is consistent with his character, made me believe it all.<br />
<br />
The only other key-character that plays an important part in Soul Survivor is police chief James Chee, Rife’s grandfather. As a descendant of Native Americans he has a healthy respect for everything mystical and he is the one helping Keva to discover what is going on and to show Rife that not everything is as black and white as Rife wants it to be.<br />
<br />
The second-half of the story had me mesmerized, Keva travels a thousand years back in time to face her mistakes and stop Enann from doing more harm. She comes face to face with her younger self and Kai, she has to save lives without altering the past, and then she has to return to the present and face the murder investigation. It sounds far-fetched but when you are engrossed in the mystical world of Soul Survivor it all makes sense and every little piece of the puzzle fits perfectly in the plotline. <br />
<br />
Misty Evans kept me on the edge of my seat till the very last page and managed to create a believable story with a satisfying ending. She blends an intricate plotline of past and present easily with the mystical stuff, the thrilling suspense and the passionate meant-to-be-romance.<br />
<br />
Soul Survivor is an addictive, fast-paced romance with a strong mystical vibe. I loved it! I can’t wait to read what Misty Evans has up her sleeve for us with the next part in this series! <br />
<br />
<b>4,25 stars</b><br />
<br />
<p>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-79811546311774574012011-11-24T12:49:00.000+01:002011-11-24T12:49:45.897+01:00Requested Review: Double Strokes by Kat Black<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKu8CU44G7I/Ts1kDKn4i-I/AAAAAAAABSU/ptVcL0L-W3c/s1600/Double%2BStrokes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKu8CU44G7I/Ts1kDKn4i-I/AAAAAAAABSU/ptVcL0L-W3c/s320/Double%2BStrokes.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><strong>Just what is a good girl supposed to do, faced with the wicked temptation of not one bad boy, but two?</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>No matter how hard good girl, Gemma Trent, tries to run from the mistakes of her past, she can't seem to escape the memories of two hard-bodied, hot-blooded rowers, and the shameful things she let them do to her one crazy night five years ago in the college boathouse. Perhaps only by facing up to those mistakes can she prove that she’s no longer that sort of girl, and finally set herself free.</strong><br />
<strong><br />
As determined as Gemma seems to be to smother the truth of her passions, Nathan Hunter and Ben Pearce—having already had her slip through their callused fingertips once—are equally committed to fanning the embers and rekindling the fire they suspect still smoulders deep inside. Now that they have her within reach again, all they have to do is convince Gemma to put her own self-imposed prejudices aside, and remind her just how good it feels to share.</strong><br />
<br />
Kat Black - Double Strokes<br />
<br />
Ebook: 32 pages<br />
Erotic Contemporary Romance (ménage M/F/M)<br />
Release date: 12 September 2011<br />
Total-E-Bound Publishing<br />
ISBN: 978-0-85715-699-0<br />
<br />
Main characters: Nathan Hunter, Ben Pearce and Gema Trent<br />
<br />
<strong>First line of book:</strong><em>“In one of the bustling spectators' enclosures set up along the Thames riverbank for the annual Henley Royal Regetta, Nathan Hunter milled with a group of old university rowing club peers, reunited for final days of the world-famous competition." </em><br />
<br />
Five years ago Nathan Hunter and Ben Pearce were students and rowers for their university. Gemma Trent had made up a perfect third of their crew, she had called the strokes and kept Nate and Ben on course. They were good friends but after the crew of another rowing team walked in on their threesome experiment everything had changed. Gossip had spread like wildfire, Ben and Nate were considered heroes but Gemma was spurned and had to flee to Scotland to finish her degree. The three of them never felt that intense passion again with anyone else and now for the first time in years all three of them are together at the annual Henley Royal Regetta. Can Gemma be persuaded to give their threesome another try to rekindle their fire and finish what they started?<br />
<br />
Before reading this story I had my doubts about Double Strokes because it is such a short story. I wondered if it was possible to create a believable erotic story with only 32 pages, but Kat Black did just that with Double Strokes. Kat Black’s brisk and fluent writing made sure I fell for this story hook, line and sinker. <br />
<br />
I loved the dynamics between Gemma, Nate and Ben. Gemma came to the Regetta to prove she has moved on, that she has grown out of these feelings for Ben and Nate. She is beautiful, likeable and sensitive. Nate and Ben are like day and night, both are tall and athletic but the comparison ends there. Ben is blond, bright and fair. He is charming and easy with a playful sensuality. Nate is the complete opposite; he is dark, intense with a fiery passion and he is the brooding (caveman) type. Together they make sure Gemma experiences her sexual awakening and they give her what she has been missing in her life. The sex is explicit, smoking hot and intense and I loved how it also mirrors the personalities of Gemma, Nate and Ben. <br />
<br />
Kat Black’s characters leap off the pages, especially her two men. I love the raw, sexual potency of the pair. Double Strokes worked for me because Gemma, Nate and Ben already have a common past. Before the grand finale Kat Black skillfully blends their past and the present together so I understood Gemma’s insecurity, her hesitation and cravings very well, but also Ben and Nate’s perspective is crystal clear. <br />
<br />
Double Strokes is a fabulous, sensual ménage story, I could have read on for hours but I ran out of pages way too fast! <br />
<br />
<strong>4 stars</strong>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-16251871094487708762011-11-09T23:09:00.001+01:002011-11-09T23:13:46.160+01:00Requested Review: Primal Heat by Donna Grant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKRJMNOTipI/Trr32gHsd2I/AAAAAAAABSA/9n7xpdKWzHA/s1600/primalheat_300x190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKRJMNOTipI/Trr32gHsd2I/AAAAAAAABSA/9n7xpdKWzHA/s320/primalheat_300x190.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><strong>“Being an American in Britain isn’t easy. For Krista, it’s downright hard especially when she’s plagued by erotic dreams that increase as Halloween approaches. So when she’s given a dare by her co-workers to pluck a rose from the most haunted house in Cardiff, she agrees never thinking it would be more than a scare tactic.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>As a Tracker, all Orrin wants to do is capture the Were’s before they feed off the people of Cardiff, but when he lands on Earth and discovers the woman he’s been sharing dreams with is there, he can’t help but find her. All he plans to do was talk, but the lust that flares between them leaves no room for talking.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>But the Were’s have come for more than food. They’ve come for Krista, to claim her as the mate to their leader. To resist their seduction is futile. Unless a Tracker is involved.”</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
Donna Grant - Primal Heat<br />
Ebook: 52 pages<br />
Paranormal Romance<br />
<br />
Re-issued novella<br />
<br />
ISBN 13: 978-1906811211<br />
Release Date: Oct 2011<br />
<br />
Main characters: Krista Evans & Orrin Black<br />
<br />
<b>First line of book:</b><em></em><br />
<em>"“How could I be so stupid?” Krista Evans asked herself for the hundredth time since exiting."</em><br />
<br />
<strong>My review:</strong><br />
Krista Evans just moved from the States to Cardiff, Great Britain. She has left her old life and foster family behind to move to an unknown city. She has no logical explanation for her move besides the overwhelming need to be in Cardiff and now she is having strange, erotic dreams of a man. She is young, practical and independent.<br />
<br />
Orrin Black is a Tracker for his people, the Acanti. He comes from a different planet and roams across the universe in his quest to track and kill the enemy of the Acanti’s, the Weres, to protect the innocent. He is called to Earth by the woman of his dreams, his mate. It can be no coincidence that the Weres are also in Cardiff; they are after the woman of his dreams as well. He cannot let that happen. Orrin is an adventurer, loyal, protective and a real warrior.<br />
<br />
Primal Heat is up and running from the start, Donna Grant captivated me with likeable characters but even more with her creation of a whole new world besides Earth and a different set of rules that comes with that world. Unfortunately there was not much room to explore this world any further since Primal Heat is only 52 pages long and focuses on Krista’s and Orrin’s adventure. For the story it was not necessary to provide more information but Donna Grant does such a good job in creating this new world that I soaked up every word and it whetted my appetite for more. <br />
<br />
Primal Heat is fluent and fast-paced; it is a mix of paranormal and sci-fi with a good dose of hot smex. It is a quick but addictive read, as a reader you want to know more about the link between Orrin and Krista. Their attraction is strong and their love scenes are steamy and hot. Primal Heat has the perfect balance of suspense and romance, it played out perfectly and left me completely satisfied as a reader, it would be nice to read more Acanti stories in the future. Primal Heat is another, thrilling page-turner by Donna Grant and a real treat for her fans and every other romance reader out there.<br />
<br />
<strong>Favorite quotes:</strong><br />
<br />
<em>"“I take it she left before you got back.” </em><br />
<em>Orrin gave a jerk of his head. “These damn modern women. Had this been a hundred years earlier, she would have listened to me.” </em><br />
<em>“Maybe.” </em><br />
<em>“You aren’t making things better.”"</em><br />
<br />
<em>“You don’t understand what you do to me, Krista, but with you, I’m the man I’ve always wanted to be. With you, I’m the man I always should have been.” </em><br />
<br />
<strong>4 stars</strong>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-64475544953070635982011-10-26T16:24:00.001+02:002012-02-05T00:43:27.275+01:00Requested review: Gloria Schumann - Called Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0KylfpNCag/TqgRa2qjHQI/AAAAAAAABR0/eAHT5hFmq0A/s1600/Called%2BHome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0KylfpNCag/TqgRa2qjHQI/AAAAAAAABR0/eAHT5hFmq0A/s320/Called%2BHome.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><i><b>“Emma Benson's view of life was crafted as a child by the death of her brother, the abandonment by her father and later, the man she trusted she would marry. A teacher by training, she forgoes her chosen path to save the Wisconsin farm she calls home from financial ruin.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br />
A tornado threatens damage, but David Schlosser—back in town after years in New York writing best-selling novels—could ruin her neatly tended life. He's looking for the charms of the small town he once rejected and finds more than he bargained for. He risks everything to get what he wants.<br />
<br />
The storms of life throw Emma and David together and into the world of a criminal determined to ruin their plans by any means necessary. Robbery and near death connect Emma and David to their nemesis and during the throes of securing life and limb they make every effort to resist falling for one another.”</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
Gloria Schumann - Called Home<br />
<br />
Ebook: 333 pages<br />
Contemporary Romance<br />
<br />
Release date: May 8, 2010<br />
<br />
Savant Books and Publications<br />
ISBN: 0-9841175-7-1<br />
ISBN: 978-0-9841175-7-4<br />
<br />
Main characters: Emma Benson & David Schlosser<br />
<br />
<b>First line of book:</b>“<i>It felt like home and yet it didn’t</i>.”<br />
<br />
Until now Emma Benson’s life has not been easy, all the important men in her life left her. Her relationship with the man she loved ended, her brother died when she was young and she saw how her father walked away from her and her mother. She left Wisconsin to be a teacher but came home to help her mother save the farm she grew up on from financial ruin. She does not need another man in her life telling her what to do, these days she only relies on herself to avoid another disappointment. She did not bank on David Schlosser to be so persistent to help her and the fact that he is so attractive to her does not help her case either.<br />
<br />
David Schlosser could not wait to get away from the small town he grew up in, determined to make something of himself he went to New York to become a successful writer. Now, years later, he is a successful and famous writer but he is tired of the fast life in the big city. He craves for the charms of the friendly, little town he grew up in, he goes back to buy himself a place he can call home. He ends up seeking shelter from a tornado at the Benson farm where he meets Emma. He cannot get her out of his mind but she has made it clear she wants nothing from him, but David is not one to back down from a challenge. So now he is not only hunting for a place to call home, he is also determined to make Emma his.<br />
<br />
Emma is a headstrong, fierce, outspoken, prickly and too-independent-for-her-own-good kind of woman. She has learnt the hard way that she can only rely on herself so she will never ask for any help when necessary. She is distant and does not really participate in life to avoid emotional pain.<br />
David is a well-balanced person. He is kind, honest and successful. He is at a point in his life that he knows exactly what he wants and goes for it. He is very patient with Emma and seems to know exactly what she needs; it was very easy to connect with David because he is so laid-back.<br />
And then there is Nancy, Emma’s mother. Nancy is a lovely, caring and hardworking lady who lost her son and had to raise Emma on her own while running a farm. Although she had a tough life she is never bitter and always tries to make the best of things. She is getting older and needs help, but she is shrewd enough to know that David will be good for Emma so she pushes Emma and encourages David.<br />
<br />
Called Home has a suspense part and a romance part, and though the focus of Called Home is on the romantic development between Emma and David, the romance goes hand in hand with the suspense. The changes in Emma’s and David’s relationship are slow and subtle, but would imo not have been possible without the suspense part. Some thug attacked Emma in the bookstore where she works in the evenings, after this happens the attacker continues to threaten her. This leaves Emma vulnerable and she allows David to help her and protect her, it opens the door for them to become closer.<br />
<br />
Emma and David are at very different points in their lives. While David is financially secure for life and has the career as a best-selling thriller author he always wanted, he came home voluntarily to create a home for himself. Emma came home because she was needed at the farm, to help her mother. She has given up her passion to teach and does not live her life the way she had hoped or planned. She struggles to save the farm but also with herself.<br />
<br />
Without the attack Emma would have kept the wall around her heart firmly in place, now David can slip through the cracks of that wall to get through to her, to convince her that he won’t leave her. There are no steamy love scenes in Called Home, but the story does not need it and I did not miss them at all. There is the undeniable, smoldering chemistry between David and Emma and there are plenty of stolen kisses to back up their romance.<br />
<br />
There are not many secondary characters besides Nancy, but there are a lot of town folks who pass in review. I love how they all add to the charms of a rural, little town where everyone knows each other’s business and everyone looks out for another. Gloria Schumann has a keen eye for details and somehow she manages to bring to life a whole, small town with its shops and inhabitants.<br />
<br />
The story is even-paced yet it pulled me in instantly. As a reader I got dropped in the kitchen of the Benson farm at page 1 and at once I connected with Emma, Nancy and David while they tried to survive a tornado. And though I had a pretty good idea how this story would develop it did not stop me from reading and it had a few surprises here and there. I loved how this story is about “normal” people and their struggles with life, I loved following Emma and David on their journey towards happiness, not once was it boring and I believed in them as a couple.<br />
<br />
This is the first story of Gloria Schumann that I read, but it won’t be the last. I love her voice, the fluent writing and her keen eye for details and characters. All the characters in this story are “real” and belong to that little town, their actions fitted in the story perfectly. The romance is beautiful and the heart-wrenching. Called Home is a must-read for readers who love a classic romance with a touch of suspense!<br />
<br />
<b>4 stars</b>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-29609022294643671532011-09-29T14:04:00.004+02:002011-09-29T23:24:49.323+02:00Requested Review: Finding Felicity by Monica Marlowe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAd9h7OejUHhzC0agIHSyQulrI2ZqIXY-XDsRVXk-Ie-x44lJ92HomO7BMQChRFRjakt0mZSgamSfxRXjJlcd8syo7kHdW4CuEyCc9G5UH3LfQFO6YaHciDIuNSssmDy-hRoykMwGrKrg/s1600/Finding+Felicity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAd9h7OejUHhzC0agIHSyQulrI2ZqIXY-XDsRVXk-Ie-x44lJ92HomO7BMQChRFRjakt0mZSgamSfxRXjJlcd8syo7kHdW4CuEyCc9G5UH3LfQFO6YaHciDIuNSssmDy-hRoykMwGrKrg/s320/Finding+Felicity.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>Finding Felicity - Monica Marlowe<br />
<br />
Ebook: 252 pages<br />
Contemporary Romance<br />
<br />
Release date: 2 August 2011<br />
<br />
Eternal Press<br />
Digital ISBN: 978-1-61572-447-5<br />
Print ISBN: 978-1-61572-448-2<br />
<br />
Main characters: Madeline O' Connor & Anthony Lamberti<br />
<br />
Blurb:<br />
<br />
<i>“Madeline O’Connor was happy. Or was she? When she learns that her estranged sister is gravely ill, she leaves behind her life in Manhattan to be at her sister’s side in Italy. There, she discovers an ancient Benedictine monastery that accommodates travelers, and she decides to stay there, among the monks. Everything in her life turns upside down when she falls for Brother Anthony Lamberti, a soft-spoken Italian completely different from the men she knows in New York. Together Madeline and Anthony find love for the first time, and learn that life and love always find a way. Loving Anthony creates a new life for Madeline. A new life she would never have imagined and yet is perfect for her in every way.”</i><br />
<br />
<strong>My review:</strong><br />
<br />
When Monica Marlowe asked if I wanted to review her story I said yes because I liked the Italian vibe that surrounds it. But it took me a while to get into the story because of the switching between the past and the present. All these different characters were introduced and it was obvious they were all connected somehow, but as a reader I did not know how. So that was a bit confusing for me at first but at the same time it kept me on the edge of my seat because after a few chapters I understood the connections between the characters but I had no clue in what direction Monica Marlowe would take me with this story. <br />
<br />
I was not prepared for the emotional roller coaster ride. I really had a love – hate relationship with Finding Felicity. When I finished it I had this lump in my throat for quite a while and I actually cried. Now, that is not like me. There were parts that I loved but also parts that I hated and I totally did not grasp the actions of the heroine. The story grabbed me by the throat and urged me to think about certain aspects of life. To me this is not the average light and fluffy romance, it does not have the usual happily ever after and I truly had mixed emotions about it. It left me pondering about certain views of life. <br />
<br />
Businesswoman Madeline O’Connor is very much in control of her life. She lives for her business, her staff is her family and she is a great boss and a kind person but has no personal life at all. At the request of her nephew Jonathon she goes to Italy to visit his mum, her estranged sister Carrie who is seriously ill, a sister she has not seen in seven years, a sister she cannot forgive for falling in love with her husband. A sister who got pregnant by her husband. And here she meets Brother Anthony, a friend of her sister Carrie and her nephew Jonathan, she immediately feels this deep connection with him, he feeds her soul, shows her to look at things from a different point of view and with that forces her to scrutinize her own life. She starts to question everything in her own life that has happened. Although she knows it can never be she falls in love with Anthony.<br />
<br />
Anthony has been abandoned by his mother and was left at the doorstep of the monastery. Father Marco found him and raised him among the monks, they have set him on the path to a monastic life, but lately he has become restless, questioning himself, his faith and wonders if it is not time to leave the monastery. He has great insights, has no need to be anything else but himself. But his feelings for Madeline confuse him, it tears him up because he cannot be a man for Madeline and still serve God as a monk, he does not know any other life than the sheltered monastic one he has lived so far.<br />
<br />
For me it feels like the whole story is based on making choices, choices that altered the lives of many loved ones involved. The secondary storyline of Father Marco shows that wonderfully. As his story slowly unfolds it is clear that he would not be a servant of God today if he would have made a different choice in the past, one that involved a woman he loved very much. Also the being at the right place but at the wrong time is a leading factor in this story, it left me upset and constantly pondering the “but what if?” question. But as many people in real life the characters of this story are trapped in their own lives, choosing what is safe and familiar above the unknown.<br />
<br />
Finding Felicity is a fascinating entangled web of tragic relationships and choices made. While I easily understand the choices of the secondary characters (Father Marco and Carrie) I could not grasp Madeline’s decisions. The choices she made in Italy did not match the in-control-business-woman from New York, which I found strange and annoying. Who would leave a sister who is on her deathbed to be with a man, and then a little later ends up in the bed of yet another man. I could not wrap my head around that or the fact that she so easily switched men and claims to be in love.<br />
<br />
As for Anthony, he made some strange choices too. His struggle with his feelings for Madeline and his love for God is heart rending, so are his decisions. But at least I understood them and they were consistent with his character, which does not mean I agreed with every decision he made. But at the end of the story he writes a letter to one of the characters explaining his actions, this left me completely satisfied yet at the same time it tore me to pieces.<br />
<br />
But still I loved Anthony the most in this story, he made Madeline a better person just by showing her that there are other points of view about certain things, he teaches her about forgiveness and he forces her to think about what she really wants from life and if she is on the right path. When Madeline goes back to New York she expects to just pick up her life again, but she can't because she has changed. She looks more closely and different at things and she wants different things from life. Madeline’s love for Anthony has made him a better person as well, but in the end meeting Madeline is not so life-altering as vice versa.<br />
<br />
I did not like the way this story unfolded, I was so hoping for another twist in this story but it did not happen and once again my heart broke into a thousand pieces at the end. And yet again the question “What if” crossed my mind. At the same time I was a bit overwhelmed by everything the characters had to face. I mean things as death, cancer, faith, betrayal, adultery, infertility, a plane crash, war, religion and homosexuality; for me it was all a bit too much. <br />
<br />
And although I wanted a different ending for Finding Felicity because I felt a deep connection to most of the characters and wanted them all to be happy (in a way they are happy just not the way I wanted it), I admire the direction Monica Marlow took with her story; it took guts to write it the way she did. I love how all the characters and the choices they made are connected with one another. There is a happily ever after just not the one I hoped for as a romance reader “pur sang”. Finding Felicity is beautifully written and touched me deeply, it took me on an emotional journey and lingered in my mind long after I finish it. <br />
<br />
<strong>4 stars</strong>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-77027305371162076532011-09-16T09:24:00.003+02:002011-09-26T22:25:18.003+02:00Requested Review - Dangerous Desire by Diane Escalera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0-pCGo_1Nns/TnJP6J7__mI/AAAAAAAABO8/DYHOQJACf3w/s1600/dangerousdesire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0-pCGo_1Nns/TnJP6J7__mI/AAAAAAAABO8/DYHOQJACf3w/s320/dangerousdesire.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><i>Dangerous Desire - Diane Escalera<br />
Ebook<br />
Contemporary Hot Romance<br />
<br />
Release date: 18 July 2011<br />
<br />
Lyrical Press<br />
<br />
Digital ISBN: 9781616502959<br />
Print Edition - Coming October 2011<br />
ISBN: 9781616503079<br />
<br />
Main characters: Cruz Santino & Sienna Diaz<br />
<br />
Blurb:<br />
<br />
Sometimes you have to lose one thing to find another.<br />
<br />
Sienna Diaz is desperate to find her missing beagle, no matter what it costs. She hires Cruz Santino, the best—and hottest—in the business. He’s an ex cop, dangerous on many levels, which comes in handy when all evidence indicates her beloved pet was snatched to use in a dogfighting ring.<br />
<br />
Cruz will do whatever it takes to find Sienna’s lost pet, but he also wants results from the smokin’ hot attraction between them—and he isn’t above breaking his own hands-off-clients rule to get there. However, until he brings her beloved beagle home safely, he won’t have Sienna's undivided attention...and affection.</i><br />
<br />
<b>My review:</b><br />
<br />
First line of story:<br />
<br />
<em>"What a crappy day. If one more thing went wrong, Sienna Diaz would scream so loud she'd pop an artery."</em><br />
<br />
When Sienna Diaz comes home from work she discovers her house has been trashed and her beloved dog, Zola, is missing. Desperate as she is, she hires Cruz Santino, an ex-cop who now tracks down missing pets for a living. He quickly discovers that her dog was stolen for a purpose, to be bait in the dog fighting industry. Sienna will do whatever it takes to get her pet back but cannot fail to notice what a hot guy Cruz is and the way he stares at her, their attraction is mutual. Three years ago she got divorced and since then her love life has been nonexistent. Perhaps it is time to revive it and Cruz might be the right man for the job. <br />
<br />
Cruz Santino cannot take his eyes off the hot woman who has hired him to find her missing Beagle. The attraction between them is explosive and he is determined to explore it further, but finding her pet has to be his top priority. As the illegal dog fighting industry attracts lots of thugs and criminals Cruz decides to keep Sienna at his side so she is safe. While they search for Zola they also explore their explosive chemistry together and Cruz discovers that Sienna might be the one for him. Now he only has to convince her that he is the one for her.<br />
<br />
I really liked the blurb of this story but I wasn't so sure about the hawtness of this story. A pet detective... first thing I thought of was Ace Ventura, mmmm Jim Carrey, no offense, but he is not very hot in my book, but Ace Ventura is no match for Cruz Santino. The guy is hot with a capital H! In no time the two main characters, Sienna and Cruz, whisked me away to sunny Florida and held me captive with their romance till the very last page. What a pleasant, hawt surprise this story turned out to be. I loved it!<br />
<br />
Sienna Diaz is a character many readers will easily connect with. She is in her late 30's, divorced with a full-grown daughter away at college. The last three years of her life have been all about creating a new life for herself. So far she has played it safe, thankful for finally having some inner peace. She somewhat lost herself in her marriage and is now finding her true self again. She is fiercely independent, sassy, witty, and direct. But she is also a great mom, compassionate and caring; she is in control of her life. So when Cruz enters her life and she feels this strong attraction to him she knows she has to act on it.<br />
<br />
Cruz Santino is a very likeable character; it is very easy to fall in love with him. He used to be a cop but lost his motivation to continue and quit to start his own company Top Dawg. He runs his office together with his younger brother. Their brotherly banter cracked me up. Cruz has many different layers; he is very much an alpha male, very protective of the ones he loves. He radiates power, control, raw appeal and has a steely exterior. All of this conceals a much gentler side that is only reserved for certain situations. He is easy to get along with and his relationship with Roman, his dog, is touching and mirrors what kind of guy Cruz really is. Ambitious, always in control, responsible and loyal to the bone. Yet also very caring, honorable and laidback. He knows what is important in life, but building his business took up all his time leaving no room for love.<br />
<br />
<b>Quote:</b><br />
<br />
<i>"Her eyes slowly drank him in. Good God. He had the sexiest bod she'd ever seen. Taut and tan, his muscles were chiseled in a way that gave his dimensions beautiful symmetry. Tori would 've been impressed. She'd always preached about the importance of muscle balance. Some men took it to the extreme. Not Cruz. He sported a tapered waist with shredded abs, V-shaped torso, and arms that made her drool ---."</i> <br />
<br />
Basically Dangerous Desire has two plotlines, the romance and the suspense part. The whole story takes place in approximately 4 days and it is only 194 pages long. Yet Diana Escalera manages to create a believable story, it is fast-paced and off and running from page one but it did not feel rushed to me at all. I was afraid that the missing pet angle would be laughable and too simple to create a thrilling suspense part but it had dept and was thrilling right up to the end because the story takes you to the dark, twisted world of the dog fighting industry, a pet’s owner worse nightmare. Both the romance and the suspense part are in balance, I love how the secondary characters like Cole, Dan and Tori easily blend into both parts of the story, giving the story an extra dimension. <br />
<br />
From the moment Cruz and Sienna meet you feel the mutual attraction rolling of the page, you could say it was love at first sight for them, but it really was lust at first sight. Love came a little later, which is why I totally believed in them. I love the fact that Sienna is five years older than Cruz and that this is not an issue between them at all. Miss Escalera fabulously builds up and releases the tension between Cruz and Sienna with hot, erotic scenes and I love how they grew closer with every bit they got to know about each other. The sex scenes are sexy and hot and it clear that they belong together.<br />
<br />
This story was a fabulous reading experience for me. Miss Escalera’s voice is thrilling and full of passion. I am looking forward to read more of her work. Fast paced and fluent, witty and moving, Dangerous Desire is sizzling hot from start to finish. <br />
<br />
<strong>4,5 stars</strong>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-78732612992217850592011-05-04T16:11:00.023+02:002011-09-26T22:21:58.972+02:00Ashley March - Seducing The Duchess<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKXaZBSAqzk/TcFayOd4_FI/AAAAAAAABM4/TS1ujS8Mnlo/s1600/Seducing+The+Duchess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKXaZBSAqzk/TcFayOd4_FI/AAAAAAAABM4/TS1ujS8Mnlo/s320/Seducing+The+Duchess.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><em>Ashley March - Seducing the Duchess</em><br />
<em>The Bridal Pleasures Series Part 1</em><br />
<em>Paperback: 302 pages</em><br />
<em>Genre: Historical Romance</em><br />
<br />
<em>Release Date: October 5, 2010</em><br />
<br />
<em>Publisher: Signet Eclipse</em><br />
<em>ISBN: 978-0-451-23236-6</em><br />
<br />
<em>Main characters: Philip Burgess & Charlotte</em><br />
<br />
<strong><em>Blurb:</em></strong><br />
<br />
<em>It was just another scandalous night…</em><br />
<br />
<em>Gambling. Carousing. Flirting. Charlotte, Duchess of Rutherford, will do anything to create a scandal large enough to force her husband to finally petition for a divorce. Once madly in love with Philip, she is now determined to escape from their less than civil marriage and the reminders of his betrayal.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Until he stole her away…</em><br />
<br />
<em>Philip Burgess, Duke of Rutherford, is not a man to tolerate regrets. He wed Charlotte for revenge, not for love or convenience, knowing she would come to hate him. But he never expected he would one day find himself craving her attention or desiring her company….</em><br />
<br />
<em>And gave her something more…</em><br />
<br />
<em>Philip is no longer the cold, deceitful man she married years ago. And when he promises Charlotte a divorce if she will help him become a better husband for another woman, she wonders if she truly wants to lose him—and if Philip may still possess her heart after all…</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>My review:</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong>Most lingering quote:</strong></span><br />
<br />
“It was a clever wager. And a very foolish one, to tempt her indifference and her discipline.” “I seem to remember we were supposed to swim together,” Philip called from the edge of the pond. “No, I merely said it would be a swim in the nude.” --- “I never said I would join you.” He gave her a rueful grin over his shoulder, then planted his foot in the water. “”<br />
<br />
<strong>Seducing The Duchess in brief:</strong><br />
<br />
The ninth Duke of Rutherford, Philip Burgess, married Charlotte to take revenge on Charlotte’s brother who eloped with his fiancée. He never loved her and told her that the morning after their marriage, they went their separate ways. Three years later Charlotte wants to cut all her ties with Philip to get away from his betrayal and her own hurt, she wants a divorce. Knowing how he hates scandal she creates one after another by playing the harlot, still Philip will not give her one. But Philip falls in love with her and plots to win her heart again. He promises to give Charlotte her divorce if she teaches him to become a better husband for someone else.<br />
<br />
<strong>What got me hooked (or not):</strong><br />
<br />
To be honest, I had a hard time focusing on this story; it did not grab me at all. The constant bickering between Philip and Charlotte was tiresome and repeatedly. It got a bit better for me after page 200 but still I felt no connection at all with Charlotte. I read it without feeling any emotions, without any affection for the key-characters. <br />
<br />
<strong>The harlot: Charlotte, Duchess of Rutherford:</strong><br />
<br />
Charlotte was only 19 when she fell in love and got betrayed by Philip. Now she is 22 and she plays the harlot perfectly to force Philip to divorce her. She is quite contradictive in her behavior, on the one hand she is a temptress, detests Philip, does everything that is considered improper and is confident and in control of herself, Charlotte created the temptress to shield herself against the hurt of Philip’s betrayal and rejection. But on the other hand she is not in control at all, she is still the innocent girl of 19, she is insecure and ruled by her fear to get hurt again by Philip, yet she knows she is still in love with him but does not trust him at all. She is constantly at odds with herself. <br />
<br />
<strong>The haughty duke: Philip Burgess, ninth Duke of Rutherford:</strong><br />
<br />
Philip is the classic example of an arrogant duke and as a reader we cannot really blame him for it either. From the cradle he was raised by his grandfather to be superior to others, to be a duke and behave as one is deeply ingrained in him. It is not in him to behave in a looser manner but he wants to change because he doesn’t want to become the spitting image of his grandfather, a man he hates. He falls in love with Charlotte and wants to gain her trust because he had to admit to himself that the only time he feels truly alive is when he is with Charlotte. It is interesting to see how he deals with his inner conflict and fights against himself.<br />
<br />
<strong>The Romance:</strong><br />
<br />
This romance felt like the movie The War Of The Roses, I did not feel the love between them because of the constant sneers and bickering. I felt some compassion for Philip, he really tried hard to overcome his past and to change, and for me he was much more in balance than Charlotte. Charlotte just tired me, I understood her but felt no compassion for her. I only felt the romance and the deeper connection between them in the last few chapters when they finally both admit things to themselves and grow up. <br />
<br />
<strong>Plotline:</strong><br />
<br />
Another thing that makes it hard to keep focused on the story is that nothing really happens. The only storyline is the relationship between Charlotte and Philip. There are no interesting side-characters, the whole story pivots on Charlotte and Philip and their character development, which is a bit tedious and repeating. And the end was rather abrupt, it would have been nice to read an epilogue.<br />
<br />
<strong>Cover Love:</strong><br />
<br />
For me it is important that a cover is consistent with the story, it is the cherry on the cake. It has to have the right vibe and has to be yummy. A cover together with the blurb is what catches the eye of a reader. The cover of Seducing the Duchess matches the story perfectly and I love the red in it, it is a typical historical romance cover. <br />
<br />
<strong>Verdict:</strong><br />
<br />
I cannot say this story is a real page-turner, not for me. Too much of the same bickering and not enough progress in the storyline, it was slightly boring. But Seducing the Duchess is a debut novel, and I could taste the potential in Ashley March’s writing. The writing is fluent and her dialogues are spicy and full of wit, the characters’ thoughts are penned down beautifully and I will certainly give Ashley March’s next novel a try.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><strong>3 stars</strong>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-91060610963641169352011-04-26T10:43:00.001+02:002011-09-26T22:20:03.281+02:00Arc Review: Untamed Highlander by Donna Grant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-32WJPSnD91M/TbXprK2JJKI/AAAAAAAABMc/uAcN2IoE79Q/s1600/4+Untamed+Highlander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-32WJPSnD91M/TbXprK2JJKI/AAAAAAAABMc/uAcN2IoE79Q/s320/4+Untamed+Highlander.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><em>Donna Grant - Untamed Highlander</em><br />
<em>Dark Sword Series Part 4</em><br />
<em>Paperback: 325 pages</em><br />
<em>Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance</em><br />
<br />
<em>Release Date: April 26, 2011 </em><br />
<br />
<em>Publisher: St. Martin's Press</em><br />
<em>ISBN: 78-0-312-53347-2</em><br />
<br />
<em>Main characters: Hayden Campbell & Isla</em><br />
<br />
<em>Blurb:</em><br />
<br />
<em>IN THE FLESH</em><br />
<br />
<em>Druid-born and magic-blessed, Isla is one of the deadliest she-devils ever to serve the forces of darkness. As an immortal Highland warrior, it’s up to Hayden Campbell to destroy her and her kind. But for Hayden, Isla is more than a sworn enemy. She is temptation...</em><br />
<br />
<em>ANGEL IN HIS ARMS </em><br />
<br />
<em>Taking Isla captive, Hayden hopes to avenge his kinsmen who died by Druid magic. But when he looks into Isla’s eyes, he sees the secrets of her past. When he touches her skin, he feels the passion in her soul. And soon Hayden comes to realize that this beautiful, beguiling woman is not his enemy at all—she is his destiny. And, even as the forces of darkness conspire against them, their love will conquer all...</em><br />
<br />
<strong>Note: </strong>For your overall reading enjoyment I suggest strongly to read this series in order because of the ongoing plot and world building.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>My Review:</strong><br />
In a world where the forces of darkness plot to rule the world with black magic, a small group of warriors refuses to align themselves with this evil. These immortal Highland warriors all have an archaic god inside them, each has a different power, and they were turned by the forces of darkness but escaped. Now they have joined forces to defeat the evil Deirdre who created them and just when they thought that the battle was won… it starts all over again.<br />
<br />
For Hayden Campbell brings home a survivor of the battle, the wounded Isla. Forced to serve Deirdre as a drough Isla shares a connection with her and therefore knows Deirdre has not been destroyed, that they are just in the midst of the calm before the storm. But Hayden not does feel calm at all; he cannot reconcile his budding feelings for this drough with his vow to kill any drough he comes across. But Isla is not his enemy; she is just another victim of Deirdre’s hunger for power. Their passion for one another is something he thought he would never experience, but their love is fragile and Deirdre’s hold on Isla is strong, maybe too strong... <br />
<br />
With Untamed Warrior we return to Donna’s Grant fabulous world of the Dark Sword Novels. It is already part 4 in this unique series and Donna Grant created another rich and layered story by blending myth, history, fantasy, suspense, romance and paranormal elements perfectly. Once again Donna Grant had me fall for her story and hero hook, line and sinker from page one, her writing is smooth, fast-paced and addictive with a capital A. <br />
<br />
All of the warriors are scarred by their past thanks to Deirdre. But Hayden Campbell is consumed by his hatred for droughs, he can think of nothing else. It was interesting to follow his emotional journey, how he battled with himself to deny his attraction for Isla and his need to protect her versus his need to protect his newfound family (his fellow warriors) and his aversion for droughs. Hayden has the god of massacre inside him, Ouraneon. He has the power to call up and control fire. He hides behind a wall of bluntness but deep down he is very lonely. He copes with his affection for Isla by doing the hot/cold routine; he kisses her passionately then completely ignores her. My heart cried out for Hayden as I so wanted to see him happy again. <br />
<br />
Of all the women introduced in this series Isla is by far the most tortured one. Almost 500 years she has been Deirdre’s prisoner, to safe her family she was forced to do Deirdre’s bidding. Forced to serve the black magic for so long Isla hardly knows herself anymore. She is haunted by the awful things she has done and keeps to herself. She is smart, fierce, courageous and her magic is strong. She only survived Deirdre’s cruelty for so long by showing no fear and no emotions. Yet Hayden confuses her, he shatters her self-control to pieces. <br />
<br />
I love how Donna Grant builds up their romance. Their attraction is clear and instant from the start, it rolls of the pages in huge waves. Their inner struggle is moving, both have flaws, both lash out, their honesty and bluntness emotionally hurts the other, yet they can’t stay away from each other. They understand one another so well, they recognize the loneliness in each other, and their connection is so deep that it is unbreakable. Their love scenes are passionate and intense. And even though the odds were against them, I was rooting for them! I felt they were a perfect match in every way.<br />
<br />
For me the emphasis in Untamed Highlander is on the romance between Hayden and Isla. The ongoing plotline of the battle against Deirdre and her evil is there but more in the background. That does not mean there are no new developments, Isla provides the warriors and reader with new information and as a reader you can feel that change is coming. Still the story is perfectly in balance and reads like clockwork. And I love the dialogues between the warriors, they are full of wit. Each warrior has his own charms and makes you crave for more Dark Sword stories!<br />
<br />
Untamed Highlander is a powerful, passionate and emotional read. Hayden will linger long in your heart after you finished this story. I loved the emotional journey of Hayden and Isla, their romance is intense, dark and addictive from start to finish! Next stop in the Dark Sword Series is Shadow Highlander, Galen’s story, it will be released August 30, 2011.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>4,5 stars</strong>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-33566708027085210512011-03-10T13:50:00.002+01:002011-09-26T22:17:15.462+02:00Cherise Sinclair - Club Shadowlands<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oKkrA62aY3I/TXjCbFVxoqI/AAAAAAAABMM/rCsw9EK4CxU/s1600/Club+Shadowlands+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oKkrA62aY3I/TXjCbFVxoqI/AAAAAAAABMM/rCsw9EK4CxU/s320/Club+Shadowlands+1.jpg" width="213" /></a><i>Cherise Sinclair - Club Shadowlands<br />
E-book: 155 pages<br />
Masters of Shadowlands Series Part 1<br />
Genre: BDSM Contemporary Erotic Romance<br />
<br />
Publisher: Loose Id<br />
ISBN: 978-1-59632-133-5<br />
Release Date: January 13, 2009<br />
Main Characters: Jessica Randall & Master Z (Zachery)<br />
<br />
Blurb:<br />
<br />
Her car disabled during a tropical storm, Jessica Randall discovers the isolated house where she's sheltering is a private bondage club. At first shocked, she soon becomes aroused watching the interactions between the Doms and their subs. But she's a professional woman—an accountant—and surely isn't submissive . . . is she? <br />
<br />
Master Z hasn't been so attracted to a woman in years. But the little sub who has wandered into his club intrigues him. She's intelligent. Reserved. Conservative. After he discovers her interest in BDSM, he can't resist breaching her walls and unleashing the passion she keeps hidden within.</i><br />
<br />
<b>My review:</b><br />
<br />
While searching for new authors to devour I stumbled across the website of Cherise Sinclair and with the subtitle “Dominant males, Sizzling tales” she had my attention immediately. Miss Sinclair is an erotic romance author who writes emotional, erotic romance with a touch of BDSM, after I browsed through her backlist I bought a few books of her Masters of Shadowlands series and started in part 1, Club Shadowlands. I finished it the same day and it left me craving for more, right then I knew I had to read all of Sinclair’s books for I totally fell in love with her writing.<br />
<br />
Shadowlands is such an emotional, sexy and naughty read that I could not stop reading, I immediately fell in love with the characters of Club Shadowlands. Still I find it difficult to review this story, I always have trouble writing a review of a story I like very much, but I am going to give it a try anyway. So here a few thoughts why I liked it so much that I now want to read all of Miss Sinclair’s sizzling tales.<br />
<br />
This story is only 155 pages and the focus is on the blossoming relationship between Master Z (his name alone makes you week in the knees) and the very-innocent-to-the-BSDM- lifestyle Jessica Randall. After a series of events she ends up at Club Shadowlands and discovers that she is very drawn to this lifestyle and Master Z. She wants to explore her submissive side further and Master Z is more than willing to oblige her, he finds her very intriguing. <br />
<br />
A lot of BSDM stories are very intense to read and are not in everyone’s comfort zone, others are such a light read that you can hardly call it a real BDSM story. But Cherise Sinclair manage to keep the story light yet profound and totally believable, we follow Jessica on her emotional journey to discover and accept her submissive nature step by step, therefore the balance of the story is perfect. <br />
<br />
The urge to read on without missing a single page is so strong because of the great characterization. You cannot help falling in love with the characters; Jessica’s insecurities, her struggle to understand the rules of the lifestyle and to admit that she is submissive is gripping. Master Z is really classy, very masculine and totally in control, he emanates power, danger and discipline. He introduces Jessica to his lifestyle and knows exactly what she wants and needs even before she does. He protects her and nurtures her submissive side. Their chemistry is explosive, the BDSM scenes are intense and breathtaking and though the pivot of this story is their budding dom/sub relationship, Sinclair expertly adds little details of Master Z and Jessica’s daily life so you know they are a perfect match in every way.<br />
<br />
At the same time she introduces us to some other Masters of Club Shadowlands, all different yet they emanate the same power and control as Master Z does. I got a little taste of what is yet to come in this series, they are sexy as hell and made my mouth water, I cannot wait to read what they have up their sleeves for us. I really like how Cherise Sinclair pulls us into the world of Club Shadowlands. She gives us such an insight in how a sub/dom relationship works; trust and obeying the rules are of crucial importance in such a relationship. <br />
<br />
Sinclair’s voice is addictive, her writing is smooth and her characters are real and jump of the pages, and although this story is only 155 pages she manages to create a rich, emotional story that has dept and passion but at the same time is not too heavy to read. I love how she takes you one step at the time deeper into the world of BDSM. <br />
<br />
If you like your stories sexy, hot and certainly not vanilla then Club Shadowlands is right up your alley, my only complaint... it is too short! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>4,5 stars</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-34277599879563681042011-03-07T16:44:00.005+01:002011-09-26T22:14:34.922+02:00Donna Alward - Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVWJ8-y6zHc/TXT5l8fsdqI/AAAAAAAABL8/x3xvE_SnihI/s1600/c31907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVWJ8-y6zHc/TXT5l8fsdqI/AAAAAAAABL8/x3xvE_SnihI/s320/c31907.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><i>Donna Alward - Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle<br />
Paperback: 187 pages<br />
Stand-Alone<br />
Contemporary Romance<br />
Publisher: Mills & Boons<br />
ISBN: 978 0 263 88834 8<br />
Release date: October 2010<br />
Main characters: Wyatt Black & Elli Marchuk<br />
<br />
Blurb:<br />
<br />
<strong>The cowboy…</strong><br />
After a hard day’s ranching, Wyatt Black wants to kick back with a cold beer. But when he steps onto his porch he has unexpected company – his tiny abandoned baby niece! <br />
<br />
<strong>His doorstep baby…</strong><br />
Against her better judgment, his neighbour Elli Marchuk agrees to help Wyatt for a few days. <br />
<br />
<strong>And the girl next door!</strong><br />
Elli soon falls in love with baby Darcy, but it’s her grouchy, gorgeous protector who’s got her head over heels….</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wyatt Black has no clue what to do when he finds his baby niece Darcy abandoned on his porch. He is a rancher and knows nothing about babies. Fortunately his neighbor Elli Marchuk is willing to help him with baby Darcy till he has figured out what is going on here. Wyatt and Elli fall in love with baby Darcy and she is their number one priority till Darcy’s mum returns. They feel attracted to one another but both carry a lot of emotional luggage and this stands between them. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To be honest, I had low expectations when I started this story. Why? Because it is a novella, it is only 187 pages long or perhaps better said short. Me and short stories are usually not a good combination, I almost always miss a certain depth in the characters or plotline and it usually feels rushed. But Donna Alward pleasantly surprised me with Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle. It is a beautiful, even-paced, emotional and solid read about two people who try to heal themselves and leave their past behind. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The story works for me because it is not rushed. The whole story takes place in approximately 2 – 3 weeks; it is even-paced and only deals with the relationship of Wyatt and Elli. So no complex plotlines or lots of characters, just a classic love story between two people. Because the storyline is pretty straightforward the strength of this story lies in the character development of Elli and Wyatt. Both are strong, likeable and totally caught in the maelstrom of emotions that baby Darcy brings along. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wyatt is a rancher, handsome, strong, and a bit blunt sometimes but also gentle, caring and responsible. He had a lousy childhood; his father drank and beat him and he took care of his mom instead of the other way around. To compensate his father’s absence and lack of responsibility he always felt the need to fix things or people and still does. He tries very hard not to be like his father, but his parents’ marriage has scarred him. Having Darcy in the house makes him realize he is nothing like his father and that he is worthy of a family. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Elli is a strong and caring woman who lost her baby; on top of that she has lost her job and got divorced. Now she tries to pick up the pieces of her life and tries to figure out what to do with it. The last thing she needs is to fall head over heels again for a rancher and take care of a baby. But taking care of Darcy is forcing her to face her grief and start living again instead of hiding from the world. And while spending time with Darcy and Wyatt she discovers what she really wants out of a relationship. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I was really rooting for Elli and Wyatt, I so wanted them to be happy and have their HEA. Thanks to Darcy they both had to scrutinize their lives, they helped each other to fathom things about themselves so that they can move on with their life. At the end of the story both have a better understanding of themselves, making them well-rounded characters. Elli and Wyatt’s conversations are vivid and some were very recognizable, making the story only more real. Do not expect steamy love scenes, there aren’t any and I did not miss them. This story does not need it for it is packed with real-life emotions.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With this story I now have Donna Alward on my radar. Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle is a powerful, emotional and classic love story. It kept me captive and rooting for Elli and Wyatt to the last page. It is feel-good romance at its best and I loved it!</span><br />
<br />
<b>4 stars</b>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-21721881239888426232011-02-28T22:03:00.003+01:002011-09-26T22:12:11.028+02:00Arc Review: Monica Burns - Pleasure Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6saereJURRQAhvbxiePlMtiwUXsAEur0E-8BFONKBIeOYhevjWMmKtFXsfkQzCTZEGMrRGCEe-MDU5uuybAPJwN176mUKOH6Vv6Bwofr1GgR8tYmhSlKMg3mFLRVE3hrcqH6AmLffOo/s1600/Pleasure+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6saereJURRQAhvbxiePlMtiwUXsAEur0E-8BFONKBIeOYhevjWMmKtFXsfkQzCTZEGMrRGCEe-MDU5uuybAPJwN176mUKOH6Vv6Bwofr1GgR8tYmhSlKMg3mFLRVE3hrcqH6AmLffOo/s320/Pleasure+Me.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Monica Burns - Pleasure Me<br />
Stand-Alone </em><em> Erotic Historical Romance</em><br />
<em>Paperback: 352 pages </em><br />
<br />
<em>Publisher: Berkley Trade</em><br />
<em>ISBN-10: 0425238792 </em></div><em>ISBN-13:978-0425238790</em><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><em>Release date: 1 March 2011<br />
<br />
Main characters : Baron Garrick Strattfield & Lady Ruth Attwood</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<em>Summary:</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<i>Youth and beauty are a courtesan’s greatest assets. At forty-one, Lady Ruth Attwood appears to have lost both, as her latest lover just abandoned her for a younger mistress. Struggling with the knowledge that she’s no longer considered desirable, she’s uncertain whether to be offended or flattered when a younger man makes her an unusual offer. In need of funds, she agrees. But then she does the unthinkable. She falls in love.<br />
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Despite his reputation as a man’s man, Baron Garrick Stratfield has never been with a woman. His physical impairment is such that he knows not even a whore will touch him, and he needs a mistress who’s willing to be kept without sharing his bed. But passion is just a delicious kiss away because his new mistress is wreaking havoc with his senses. Worse yet, someone is not only out to ruin his reputation, but frame him for murder.</i></div><br />
<b>My review:</b><br />
<br />
Pleasure Me is the first historical romance I read by Monica Burns, I was already familiar with her Order of Sicari Novels and I loved those. So I wondered if her latest historical romance could mesmerize me in the same way as her paranormal romances. I guess I was not prepared for Baron Garrick Strattfield; he knocked me off my feet with his raw, intense, masculinity right from the start. And I immediately felt sympathy for Lady Ruth Attwood and was vexed on her behalf, in only 18 pages (the first chapter) I went through a whole range of different emotions, so yeahhhh this story had my undivided attention.<br />
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Lady Ruth Attwood is a 41 year old courtesan. She fears she is no longer attractive since her last two lovers have left her for younger women. She struggles with the fact that she is considered old and now has to figure out how to proceed with her life. Then she meets Baron Garrick Strattfield who is obvious younger than her, the attraction between them is instant, but she keeps her distance. Having a younger lover is just “not done” in the Ton, but Garrick makes her an offer she can’t refuse. <br />
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The undeniable attraction is obvious from the moment Garrick and Ruth meet in the entryway of some party, and it only grows stronger throughout the story. But both have to deal with their personal issues, and these issues stand in the way of forming a deeper connection. Another thing that stands in their way of finding happiness is the Ton. Breaking the rules of the upper class society equals social ruin so Garrick and Ruth are under a lot of pressure. I love how Monica Burns brings Ruth and Gareth to life and puts them through the emotional wringer to find and accept themselves and each other. Their dialogues are emotional and full of controlled passion; you can feel their sexual tension from start to finish.<br />
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Both Garrick and Ruth have insecurities. From page one it is clear that Ruth is hung up about her age and the fact that all the men in her life leave her. Her father’s refusal to acknowledge her forced her to become a courtesan. She is smart, independent, compassionate and very stubborn. But most of all she is a real classy lady with her heart in the right place and although she always longed for a family of her own, she knows that will never happen. To protect herself and Garrick from further heartache she keeps throwing her age in Garrick’s face to stop him from getting any closer. But does that stop Garrick at all, nooo and it made me love him even more.<br />
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Now Garrick’s masculinity rolls of the pages in huge waves, a real alpha male, very protective of the ones he loves, fierce, honorable but also gentle. Yet he has to live with an embarrassing birth defect and his uncle has humiliated him to the bone for it when he was a kid, because of this he has never shared a bed with a woman and denies himself the chance to find true love and happiness. So he overcompensates by trying to be the best in everything else he does. Garrick pulled at all my heartstrings and I was rooting for him the whole time! <br />
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As Pleasure Me is a character-driven story mostly focused on Garrick and Ruth, I found it refreshing to read that Ruth is the one with all the experience and that Garrick is the virgin in the bedroom. It was touching to see how their trust in one another grew page after page and how they slowly broke down each other’s walls. Pleasure Me is not the average historical romance read, it is intense, passionate and emotional. You don’t have to be a historical romance lover “pur sang” to enjoy it; I dare to say it is one of the better upcoming historical releases.<br />
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The secondary cast of characters enhance the story even more, most of them linger a bit in the background yet somehow as the story enfolds it turns out that some of them have influenced the lives of both Garrick and Ruth profoundly in the past and continue to do so in the present time. The plotline is straight yet invigorates around page 220 when it becomes clear that someone is out to ruin Garrick. I loved how Monica Burns effortlessly interweaves all the pieces of the plotline and the characters to a fabulous, hot read. Her fluent, smooth writing had me hooked from the start. The epilogue ends the story perfectly and left me completely contented and with a big smile on my face.<br />
<br />
Monica Burns is an author to keep your eye on because Pleasure Me is breathtaking, intense and sheer passion with a capital P!<br />
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<strong>4,5 stars</strong></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-61122319964272804172011-01-03T12:53:00.001+01:002011-09-26T22:09:55.936+02:00Arc Review: Immortal Champion - Lisa Hendrix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV95VVUA94zPgG-yFiS3axQM_JUHbjjDuiSuXLDK1bSqycGyNSIWMFZhX2kXzQ8CN2nDPty-e1WefZKHEMgmO2Sm5KEY6cvip3Wv0h6Iz1-ot5RS0PzMpYYXO7c3tBmzAq3dj-EUWSCcE/s1600/Immortal_Champion+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV95VVUA94zPgG-yFiS3axQM_JUHbjjDuiSuXLDK1bSqycGyNSIWMFZhX2kXzQ8CN2nDPty-e1WefZKHEMgmO2Sm5KEY6cvip3Wv0h6Iz1-ot5RS0PzMpYYXO7c3tBmzAq3dj-EUWSCcE/s320/Immortal_Champion+1.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><em>Lisa Hendrix - Immortal Champion</em><br />
<em>Immortal Brotherhood Series Part 3</em><br />
<em>Paranormal Historical Romance</em><br />
<em>Paperback: 336 pages</em><br />
<br />
<em>Publisher: Berkley</em><br />
<em>ISBN-10: 0425239217 </em><br />
<em>ISBN-13: 978-0425239216 </em><br />
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<em>Release date: 4 January 2011 <br />
Main characters : Gunnar & Eleanor de Neville</em><br />
<br />
<em>Summary:<br />
He faces a future of cold uncertainty, until her warm embrace…</em><br />
<br />
<em>Part of a Viking crew of warriors cursed by an evil sorceress, Gunnar the Red must toil through eternity as half-man, half-beast, living out his days as a great bull, while his nights are spent in human form. And though he keeps mostly to the wilds, his heart yearns for the simple comforts of man—and the chance to redeem a tragic past…</em><br />
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<em>Seeking refuge from a bitter winter in the welcoming hall of Richmond Castle, Gunnar rescues two maidens when a blaze erupts—and his destiny is forever altered. For one of the young women is Lady Eleanor de Neville, who is immediately entranced by her rescuer. Her kiss of gratitude—the brief touch of her lips against his cheek—awakens a longing in her soul. And even when she is betrothed to another, Eleanor never forgets her courageous knight.</em><br />
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<em>When Gunnar rides back into Eleanor’s life, she is consumed by undeniable passion. And though his body surrenders to her every touch, Gunnar’s heart remains imprisoned by the curse—and only the magic of the truest love can save him…</em><br />
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<strong>My review</strong>:<br />
Nine Norse warriors were cursed for eternity by the dark magic of the sorceress Cwen after they had killed her son in a raid for treasure. They were forced to spend half of each day as humans and the other half as beasts, each warrior a different beast. But hopes shines on the horizon for the curse can be broken by finding true love and their amulet. Two warriors broke the sorceress’ curse already, now Cwen is furious and has vowed to never ever let the remaining seven warriors undo her spell. To make life even more unbearable she has immersed England in a true, harsh winter. And so starts the story of Gunnar, son of Hrólfr, also known as Gunnar the Red, cursed to spend his days as a great bull and his nights as a human…<br />
<br />
Although Gunnar and his fellow warrior Jafri usually keep to the wild, the cold winter forces them to seek shelter and warmth at Richmond Castle, Jafri during the day and Gunnar at night. Gunnar tries to keep a low profile but when a fire occurs he immediately helps and saves two young damsels in distress, Lady Eleanor de Neville and her cousin Lucy. Eleanor is immediately taken with him but Gunnar leaves the same night knowing he cannot stay any longer. But the Nornir (fate-spinners) have woven their life-strands firmly together and so they meet again four years later. Eleanor is no longer a girl and she and Gunnar are consumed by their passion, this convinces Gunnar that he has found his true love at last, but Eleanor is promised to another man. Political scheming, misunderstandings and honor keep them apart, yet once again the Nornir throw them together. But love alone does not break the curse and ends Gunnar’s torment, not if Cwen has anything to say about it… <br />
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If Lisa Hendrix had lived in the past, she probably would have been a skald in the Viking Age. There is something about Hendrix’s voice that pulls you straight into her story, from page one she throws you back in time to the 14th century and thanks to her keen eye for historical details it feels very authentic. With a fluent, even-paced, but stunning storyline she kept me intrigued and she urged me to keep on reading Immortal Champion by blending a great, emotional charged romance with a fascinating legend and paranormal elements. It was a wonderful ride through a range of emotions; I already loved Hendrix’s first two stories in this series and Gunnar’s story made me fall in love all over again with the Immortal Brotherhood. <br />
<br />
Of course I am a bit biased, I love a good historical romance and when I read the words Viking, curse and brotherhood in a blurb I am sold. Besides the thrilling ongoing plotline, Lisa Hendrix really has me hooked with her characters, each of her Norse warriors make me week in the knees. Her heroines are not annoying or completely helpless; neither are they G.I. Janes (I hate that). They are spirited and smart. Hendrix’s characters are three-dimensional, they feel real and they take you with them on their emotional journey to find their HEA.<br />
<br />
I was so rooting for Gunnar and Eleanor; they had so many obstacles in their way to find each other. Gunnar is the kind of hero you fall in love with immediately, he is betrayed by love and his curse weighs heavy on his shoulders, his torment is heart-wrenching. He is a real warrior; strong, loyal, honorable and full of hope to one day break his curse. He is mysterious yet always in control except when it comes to Eleanor.<br />
<br />
And Eleanor is a great heroine, she has her own bucket full of trouble. As a lady in her position she tries to make the best of her life but she is just another pawn in her father’s wheeling and dealings. She is loyal to her family, is smart, resourceful, bold and fearless. She learns quickly to outwit her father. I loved the chemistry between her and Gunnar, as a reader I got a good sense of their inner-workings, their insecurities, issues and desires. They are perfect for each other! <br />
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There are many secondary characters enhancing this book. The sorceress Cwen remains a mystery to me but throughout the story it becomes clear that she is regaining power again as years go by. Gunnar’s fellow warriors Brand, Ari, Jafri and Torvald drop by and I have a feeling that Brand and Ari are going to be important characters for future parts in this series. Eleanor’s family is well represented, some of them are very warm and likeable others are not. And then you have Lucy and Percy, not only are they good friends of Eleanor but they are also very important for Gunnar’s hea. I loved their part in the story. <br />
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The plotline of this story is fabulous, a perfect mix of myth, history, magic and romance. With each book we learn a little more about the brotherhood’s curse and Cwen. And yet it looks like breaking the curse is going to be more difficult and complicated with each book. There are many details and little sub plotlines within the plot and somehow they all come together at the end of the book, therefore it is impossible to put the book down!<br />
<br />
Lisa Hendrix has penned down another winner with Immortal Champion and I already crave for the next part in the series. Let’s just hope we get to read the stories of all remaining warriors.<br />
<br />
So Immortal Champion in a nutshell: brilliant, mesmerizing and addictive to the very last page! A must-read!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><strong>4,5 stars</strong>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-15554386359825130592010-11-15T23:06:00.004+01:002011-09-26T22:03:01.857+02:00Arc review: Christina Crooks - Hands On<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TOGrJF2Zo6I/AAAAAAAABFg/JarE1AxuQ7g/s1600/Hands+On.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TOGrJF2Zo6I/AAAAAAAABFg/JarE1AxuQ7g/s320/Hands+On.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Hands On</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Christina Crooks</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Genre: Contemporary Romance</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Publisher: Samhain Publishing</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">ISBN: 978-1-60928-246-2</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Length: Category</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Format: ebook</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Publication Date: November 16, 2010</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Ebook received by author for review</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<em><span style="color: black;"></span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Blurb:</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<em><span style="color: black;"></span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Want to make Fate laugh? Try telling her who’s in charge. </span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<em><span style="color: black;"></span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Talented, down-on-her-luck puppeteer Ginnie Anderson’s life seems destined to fall down around her ears. Much like the rented bungalow that’s just collapsed in a heavy rainstorm, endangering her precious collection of marionettes.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<em><span style="color: black;"></span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Her livelihood in need of protection and repair, she can’t refuse her landlord’s offer of temporary shelter in his magnificent home. Under his roof, though, she finds her hard-won grasp on her independence slipping—and herself falling into his arms.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<em><span style="color: black;"></span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">The hallmark of Harry Sharpe's business success: he never makes the same mistake twice, particularly when it comes to manipulative women. So why is Ginnie, who pulls strings for a living, like a siren’s song in his blood? It’s best to put temptation as far out of reach as possible.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<em><span style="color: black;"></span></em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: black;">Yet when Ginnie’s past threatens to destroy the life she’s built for herself, Harry must decide which is more important. Holding tight to his sense of self preservation, or letting go to capture Ginnie’s fragile heart—before it breaks into a thousand pieces.</span></em></div><br />
My review:<br />
<br />
Ginny Anderson is determined to start her life over; she has left her controlling ex and rented a charming, little bungalow. She has a new job and wants to make a career as a puppeteer, then her charming yet desperate-in-need-of-repair bungalow collapses in a heavy rainstorm and she has no other choice than to accept the offer of her landlord, Harry, to move in with him temporary. She falls hard and fast for Harry even when he tells her he isn’t looking for a relationship, she is setting herself up for more heartache yet she can’t help herself.<br />
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Not so long ago Harry Barrett Sharpe was a well-known real estate tycoon, but after his manipulating ex-fiancée tried to ruin him and destroyed his reputation, he retired from the public eye and now lives a solitary-minded life. He lost all faith in women and vowed to never get involved with a woman again, and then fate throws Ginny in his life. Ginny is a puppeteer and literally pulls at strings for a living. She turns Harry’s life upside down and gets under his skin yet his self preservation won’t allow Ginny to capture his heart, now Harry has to make a choice.<br />
<br />
Hands On is a short novella of 125 pages and I have said it before in other reviews of short stories; me and short stories are usually not a good combination, the reason why I wanted to read this story was the blurb, I found the fact that Ginny was a puppeteer intriguing and different. Unfortunately Hands On and I are not a good combination somehow; it did not work for me on various levels. I did not have a connection with the main characters and I did not buy into the story completely.<br />
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Ginny Anderson is a puppeteer who has left her controlling ex to start her life over again and make it on her own. Determined to be herself from now on instead of how others (her mother and ex) like her to be she has accepted a job elsewhere. The timid and meek girl is gone. I can understand that she feels free to be herself for the very first time in her life and to do whatever she wants but it takes Ginny only one afternoon to fall head over heels for Harry, she reminded me of a giggling teenager with a crush. The giggling teen act irritated me throughout the story; however I did like her devotion and passion for her work as a puppeteer. But I could not reconcile her actions with her past therefore I did not feel a connection with Ginny. <br />
<br />
And I felt the same thing with Harry; I could not connect with him. He is a successful businessman and a recluse thanks to his ex-fiancée who destroyed his reputation. But he immediately offers Ginny to move in with him temporarily, mostly because he is her landlord and feels guilty but he had other options to act rightly. He is an honest, hard-working man but emotionally damaged by his past. Yet I could not reconcile his actions with his past either and therefore I never bought into this story completely. <br />
<br />
The whole story centers on Harry and Ginny’s relationship. Hands On is a classic love story about two people finding true love, but it felt so rushed to me and therefore at times unbelievable. To me the story’s Achilles heel is that the characters were contradictive and therefore not well-balanced. Hands On fails to reach its full potential because it is only 125 pages and therefore it is not explored in depth enough. <br />
<br />
But I loved the grand finale when Harry and Ginny finally get things right. Christina Crooks’ writing is witty, smooth and captivating, and in spite of its shortcomings, Hands On is still an enjoyable, fast read. <br />
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<strong>3 stars</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-22490067419095802252010-11-11T20:53:00.005+01:002011-09-26T22:01:03.916+02:00Victoria Dahl - A Little Bit Wild<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TNxIcjKC3bI/AAAAAAAABEw/GhgbLWUKiLs/s320/A+Litte+Bit+Wild.jpg" width="200" /></div><em><span style="color: black;">Victoria Dahl - A Little Bit Wild</span></em><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">Paperback: 329 pages</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">Zebra Books published by Kensington Publishing Corp. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">ISBN-13: 978-1-4201-0483-7</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">ISBN-10: 1-4201-0483-7</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">Genre: Historical Romance</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">Book: stand-alone</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">Main Characters: Jude Bertrand & Marissa York</span></em><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">Blurb:</span></em><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">He Is Not What She Had In Mind. </span></em><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">Jude Bertrand is not an excellent dancer. Nor does he wear the most fashionable coats. But when Marissa York's brother approaches him, desperate to preserve Marissa's tenuous reputation, Jude does prove heroic enough to offer to marry the girl. In fact, the union should more than make up for his lack of social graces-and his own scandalous past...</span></em><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">But Minds Change...</span></em><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">Marissa knows that betrothal to the son of a duke-even one as raw and masculine as Jude-will save her from ruin, but that doesn't mean she's happy about it. Soon, though, she finds that Jude has a surprisingly gentle touch-and plans to use it to persuade Marissa that their wedding day cannot come soon enough...</span></em><br />
<br />
Although I have several books of Victoria Dahl on my shelf A Little Bit Wild is my first acquaintance with Dahl’s work but it won’t be my last. I had no problem in finishing this story in one sitting, Dahl’s typical style of wit had me flipping the pages and I could not stop. A Little Bit Wild is not your average historical romance novel; it is as the title says a little bit wild and unconventional. Jude and Marissa, the main characters, break every rule the stiff Victorian society has laid on them.<br />
<br />
This story takes place in England in 1847 and Dahl literally drops us in the middle of a scandal. Marissa York comes from a respectable, noble family but scandal always seems to find her family. She gets caught red-handed by her brother while making love, her reputation is ruined. There is only one solution to fix her reputation and avoid scandal, Marissa must marry and fast. Only Marissa has no intention of getting married and especially not to the guy who took her virginity. But her brother is relentless, so when Jude Bertrand, a friend of the family and house guest, offers to marry her she has no choice but to agree for the time being. Jude is raw, muscular and anything but graceful, he is everything she is not looking for in a man but she soon finds out that Jude has a very pleasant touch…<br />
<br />
Jude Bertrand, born out of wedlock, is the acknowledged son of a duke; he has always liked Marissa York, even though she never really noticed him. He has often seen her eyes linger on elegant young men he still considers to be boys not men. He is also the only one who noticed that Marissa is full of passion and she desperately tries to contain it. She is different than the other ladies and her streak of wildness turns him on, he plans to use it to his advantage and show Marissa that she really doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life with a graceful young lad but that she needs a real man like him who knows exactly what she needs…<br />
<br />
This story is even-paced and character-driven. It is a journey of soul searching, a heroine who claims to be a proper lady but is really a bit wicked and an illegitimate son who wants to be truly accepted for the man he really is and not just as the acknowledged son of a duke. Marissa is headstrong, feisty and outspoken but also a bit spoiled, shallow and naïf. She likes to flirt and seduce men to kiss her; she does not realize that she is restless and bored with her life as it is. Jude is honorable, loyal and strong. He is coarse-featured, broad shouldered with a wide face that looks hewn from stone. He has masculine features and an unrelenting height; he looks more like a blacksmith than a gentleman. He likes to provoke Marissa into very unladylike conversations. <br />
<br />
I love the way their relationship unfolds, their witty, bold and naughty conversations vibrate from the pages. They really are perfectly fitted for one another. Their emotions and passion spice up the story even further. There are not many secondary characters in this story, but the ones that caught my eye were Marissa’s brothers. Also a bit unconventional, they are known for their bad temper, their bickering and the way Dahl describes the occurrings in the York's family home reminded me by fits and starts of a slapstick, really hilarious. But the brothers mean well and will do anything to protect their little sister and family name. Edward, who is the head of the family obviously runs his family with a not so firm hand and Aidan is the tortured one, now he is the one I would love to see in his own story. <br />
<br />
The plot thickens a bit when the family gets blackmailed and Marissa’s escapades are about to become public knowledge. Although you can see the blackmail coming from a mile away the blackmailer comes from an unexpected corner. There were also a few things that irked me about this story, although Marissa is a very adventurous and untamable lady, she really gets a lot of freedom. In those days ladies were not left alone with a man without a chaperone, but Marissa has done so several times, she pretty much goes her own way, Jude even spent time in her room. For such a smart lady she does not really seem to care for her reputation. At some point she even drinks brandy, but a lady was not allowed to drink hard liquor in those days. These things were “not done” at that time and a respectable family like Marissa’s would not have allowed that. Also modesty and propriety demanded in those days that a pregnant woman of the gentry who is already showing remained confined, she certainly would not have openly received three men no matter how urgent the matter was. So even though Jude, Marissa and the York family are a bit unconventional for those days these things irked me a bit. <br />
<br />
But I did enjoy A Little Bit Wild very much, it is a refreshing story. The dialogues sparkle with wit and both Marissa as Jude are penned down so vividly that they jump of the pages. A Little Bit Wild is refreshingly different and wickedly witty read.<br />
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<strong>3,5 stars</strong><br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-57890147775866573032010-09-20T10:48:00.006+02:002011-09-26T21:59:04.601+02:00Vicki Lewis Thompson - Claimed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gMI-w2VNrshfpOVT7u5EfyfNopY_bx-v4_E9w9y-K5o0qQuYh5d2J7szjqnis6fHfOMMLJfJIdO6de9MT_6qOdCPi3b_g6ITO0KCcG7YSQtRGxfSoYC0f7eIxPjzuNbH6qXqfFGRjFI/s1600/coverclaimed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gMI-w2VNrshfpOVT7u5EfyfNopY_bx-v4_E9w9y-K5o0qQuYh5d2J7szjqnis6fHfOMMLJfJIdO6de9MT_6qOdCPi3b_g6ITO0KCcG7YSQtRGxfSoYC0f7eIxPjzuNbH6qXqfFGRjFI/s320/coverclaimed.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: black;"><em>Claimed! </em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>Vicki Lewis Thompson</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>Part 3 in the Sons of Chance Series</em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>Genre: Contemporary Romance</em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>ISBN: 0-373-79560-2 / 978-0-373-79560-4</em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>Publisher: Harlequin Blaze</em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>Release: August 2010</em></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>Book origin: e-copy provided by publisher for review</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em><strong>Blurb:</strong> </em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>Following a dream brought Josie Keller to Shoshone, Wyoming. Following her heart brought her plenty of great sex with good-time cowboy Jack Chance! She was head over heels for him. until he left her. </em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>Stay with one woman? Not a chance! Then why does Jack miss Josie like crazy? Had their relationship been more than just incredible sex?</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><em>Little do Josie and Jack know that a plan's afoot to get them back in the saddle.together. And once there, it's not long before they're burning up the bedsheets again!</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>But the past is never far away. Before it catches up with them, Jack has to decide if he's going to stake his claim on Josie, or lose her forever..</em></span><br />
<br />
When Josie Keller fell in love with Wyoming and decided to move there, she bought a bar, the Spirits and Spurs, and worked hard to make it a success. She met Jack and fell head over heels in love with him, thought he was the one. With Jack Josie had lost all her inhibitions, she felt alive and beautiful. But after 6 months of blistering sex and bliss Jack had walked away, leaving her heartbroken and alone.<br />
<br />
Up to ten months ago Jack Chance had a good life; he loved his work at his father’s ranch and could not keep his hands off his girlfriend Josie, spending every free moment he had with her. But everything changed when Jack’s father died in an accident. Riddled with guilt, Jack ended his relationship with Josie and as the eldest son he was left in charge of running the ranch, a job he never wanted. <br />
<br />
His father’s death still weighs heavily on his broad shoulders when fate brings Jack and Josie together once more. Jack’s brother is getting married on horseback and Josie is the maid of honour. There is just one little problem, Josie can’t ride and needs riding lessons, Jack happens to be the right person to teach her. It does not take them long to stir up their passion again but this time Josie demands much more from him than just mind-blowing sex and Jack is not sure he can give Josie what she seeks…<br />
<br />
Claimed is part 3 in the Sons of Chance series by Vicki Lewis Thompson. Claimed is playful and reads like clockwork. Miss Thompson does an excellent job in taking us on a journey to a typical little town in the middle of the country side. Both Jack and Josie are loveable characters and all the ingredients were there to create a powerful love story, yet I found something was lacking. This story lacked emotion, it did not sweep me off my feet and though I found Claimed an enjoyable read the story missed depth. <br />
<br />
Jack obviously has some issues with his past, his mother left when he was a toddler. Now many years later he still is not able to call his stepmother mom, he calls her Sarah while he knows this pains her. He always has to be the one to end things; he never lets anyone come close because he never shares his emotions or his thoughts. <br />
<br />
Josie is a really nice and social character, works hard but was really hurt when Jack ended what they had, saying their relationship was just sex nothing more. When Jack returns in her life she vows to keep her distance, yet one look at his fabulous body during their first riding lesson and she surrenders to her passion for him. This while she knows he has not changed a bit. <br />
<br />
After all that has happened, Jack and Josie just pick up their sexual relationship. I loved the sex scenes; they were passionate, hot, playful and witty. But I do not understand that Josie surrenders so easily knowing that Jack hasn’t changed. That does not mean that Jack is a complete jerk, he is an honorable and sexy man, he just does not handle things with Josie very well. When she realises that Jack still has the same issues and refuses to open his heart for her, she forces his hand, either he opens his heart for her or she walks. <br />
<br />
Then almost in the blink of an eye Jack changes, in a grand gesture at his brother’s wedding he shows Josie he can change and declares his love for her. And though the gesture was romantic and beautiful it did not convince me, it was too abrupt. For me, the story line was too weak, because it is only about Jack and Josie's relationship, it might have worked better for me if the characters were fleshed out better, now it missed depth and emotion.<br />
<br />
So for me Claimed was a fast-paced, easy and enjoyable read that entertained me for several hours but it did not grab me emotionally, yet it piqued my interest enough to want to read the stories of Jack's brothers. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>3,5 stars</strong></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-79245997778747363992010-08-06T07:02:00.004+02:002011-09-26T21:54:17.300+02:00Susan Fox - Love Unexpectedly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PkIXOQ2HX0J6eSWWNODQ-VTGh4gEpSxW6GfaGsygQ9Smv-_R53sd5JAZDvXoJCUIXVWTgbcdNf0Bai1yXrgqmYet9Tcr3rvx3dm8EVFxzEaNGPTE4jbrMe7Y_qbY2oQrdR0kYgbNT5M/s1600/Love+Unexpectedly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PkIXOQ2HX0J6eSWWNODQ-VTGh4gEpSxW6GfaGsygQ9Smv-_R53sd5JAZDvXoJCUIXVWTgbcdNf0Bai1yXrgqmYet9Tcr3rvx3dm8EVFxzEaNGPTE4jbrMe7Y_qbY2oQrdR0kYgbNT5M/s200/Love+Unexpectedly.jpg" tt="true" width="133" /></a></div> <strong>Summary:</strong><br />
<br />
<i>At thirty-one, Kat Fallon's luck with men shows no sign of improving. But when she asks her best friend Nav Bharani to be her date at her younger sister's wedding in Vancouver, she has no idea that she's about to get on board the most surprising ride of her life. . . <br />
<br />
Nav has been secretly in love with Kat ever since he moved in next door. When she reveals that she loves taking train rides, especially the meeting-strangers part, Nav devises a plan to win Kat's heart. On every leg of her trip to Vancouver, he shows up disguised as a different sexy stranger. Stunned by Nav's daring, Kat finds herself succumbing to his inventive transformations. But what starts out as an innocent adventure soon becomes much more for Kat as she is forced to choose between her long-held fantasies of the perfect mate--and the prospect of something far more real.</i><br />
<br />
The Wild Ride To Love series is about three sisters traveling home for their kid-sister’s wedding. In part one Sex Drive (published under the pen name Susan Lyons), Theresa Fallon flies home for the wedding and finds true love in the arms of Damien Black. I fell hard and fast for Damien and the way he seduced Theresa. Therefore I could not wait to continue my ride with Theresa’s sister Kat in Love Unexpectedly, who prefers trains over planes to get home. Could her journey by train equally mesmerize me the way Theresa’s journey did? The answer is yes for train trips are sexy too! From page one Kat pulled me along on her journey and nothing could deter me from reaching my final destination: the last page of Love Unexpectedly.<br />
<br />
This story begins in the basement laundry room of Kat’s apartment building, where she pours her heart out to her neighbor and best buddy Nav Bharani. Kat is happy for her baby sister but she is also green with envy that sis is getting married while she also longs for marriage and kids, yet she somehow jinxes every single one of her relationships. She picks her men poorly and Nav wonders if she ever is going to open her eyes and realize that her Mr. Right is standing right in front of her. He has been in love with Kat from the moment they met, but Kat has stuck him in the buddy trap. He is her best friend; she has never had a best friend before and won’t risk her relationship with him. Then out of the blue Kat asks Nav to be her date at her sister’s wedding and to pretend he is her boyfriend. Now he sees his chance, since Kat hates to fly she is going to take the train home and what better way to show her who her perfect mate is and make her his girlfriend for real while spending time together as strangers on the train…<br />
<br />
Love Unexpectedly is an even-paced and character-driven story. Both Kat and Nav have to take a long look in the mirror and make some changes if they ever going to be truly happy with themselves and in a relationship. Kat is the PR director of a luxurious hotel; she is beautiful, creative and has great organizational skills. She is social and outgoing and yet she has no high self-esteem, she thinks herself boring and average. Therefore she dates men who are the complete opposite of her and they are of course completely wrong for her. <br />
<br />
Nav Bharani is a photographer, he is basically a nice guy who could look a lot better but he does not care about his appearance. He is laidback, a good listener and likes to date, but the only reason he dates a lot is to get over his love for Kat. His parents do not approve of his career, they wanted him to take over the family business and agree to an arranged marriage. Their culture and way of living collides in every way with the way Nav wants to live his life, Nav loves his parents but their relationship is uneasy. He is determined to make it on his own as a successful photographer.<br />
<br />
I liked Nav from the start but he stole my heart when he fully revamps his looks and surprises Kat on the train playing the “stranger”. Together they play their little game and they come to see each other in a different light. Kat discovers that though she and Nav have been neighbors for many years she really doesn’t know that much about him. The more she gets to know him the more she wants him but she desperately clings to Nav as her best friend, she does not want to lose her best friend. But the “sexy stranger” is lean, muscular, and has an awesome butt, he is drop dead gorgeous and soon Kat longs for more. They have many in-depth conversations and their journey really is one intense ride of self-reflection. Nav discovers that he likes to look well groomed and that his aversion to keep up appearances has to do with his parents constant strive for perfection. Kat also learns that she dated exciting guys with good looks but no substance to boost her self-esteem. <br />
<br />
Just as in Sex Drive every chapter is told either from Kat’s point of view, or Nav’s. This gives you a good insight in Kat’s confusion for having feelings for her best friend and Nav’s determination to conquer Kat’s heart for good. I love that their in-depth conversations together with the casual chats they have with other travelers on the train are meaningful and provide them with many insights about themselves and each other. Both Damien and Nav have given Teresa and Kat a fresh perspective on their family. It is obvious that though all sisters have a warm affection for each other they also experienced their childhood differently, they have issues and insecurities and therefore drifted apart. Now little by little they find their way back to one another. <br />
<br />
The dialogues in this story are so down-to-earth and easy to relate to, they keep the story dynamic and interesting. The sexual tension between Kat and Nav is very erotic and comes to a full eruption on the train, at the same time I could feel Kat’s confusion and Nav’s frustration and I liked the way their friendship develops into something more, with each page I turned their characters grew more profound. <br />
<br />
With Love Unexpectedly Susan Fox took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride, with amazingly well rounded characters, intriguing dialogues and seductive passion she kept me on the edge of my seat! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><strong>4 stars</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-9650839235202885752010-07-21T12:03:00.007+02:002011-09-26T21:47:43.439+02:00Paula Quinn - Ravished By A Highlander<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TEa99Eu_6HI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/VivtqxlO5vQ/s1600/Ravished+By+A+Highlander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" hw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TEa99Eu_6HI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/VivtqxlO5vQ/s320/Ravished+By+A+Highlander.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>So far Paula Quinn has five books to her name, and I devoured each one of them. She instantly became one of my favorite authors in the historical genre. Her beautiful, fluent and authentic-to-the-time-period writing has never failed to enchant me and got me hooked on her stories. I fell head over heels in love with Callum MacGregor and his clan after reading Laird of the Mist and A Highlander Never Surrenders, so I wondered if my high expectations for their successor could be met. <br />
<br />
Ravished By A Highlander is the first part in the Children of the Mist series, which introduces the next generation of the MacGregor clan. It starts approximately 30 years after Laird of the Mist, the political climate has changed and Callum MacGregor leads his clan in peace, they are no longer outlaws. But the clan is surrounded by many different enemies and Callum must navigate his clan through a minefield of political intrigues to maintain this fragile peace. Against this setting we meet Callum’s son Robert (Rob) MacGregor.<br />
<br />
Rob MacGregor is the firstborn son of Callum MacGregor, the mighty and notorious laird of the MacGregor clan. He is on his way to the coronation of England’s new king when a little detour lands him in the middle of an ugly attack. Although it is not his fight he intervenes and saves the mysterious Lady Davina from a burning abbey. As a man of honor he is determined to deliver this lass to safety, but when he discovers Davina’s secret he knows immediately she is a threat to him and his clan. Still he cannot let her go; his heart is consumed with a passion he cannot deny. Now he has to choose between his heart and his duty. <br />
<br />
From the day she was born Davina Montgomery has been kept under lock and key for her own protection and safety. Her true identity can never be revealed, her only friends and companions are the nuns and the men who have sworn an oath to protect her. She knows that one day the enemy will find her, due to betrayal that day comes much sooner than expected. Her rescue comes from an unexpected corner and soon she falls under the spell of her rescuer and his men. But can she truly trust them and dare she risk it to put this fierce but gentle Highlander and his clan in so much danger?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Ravished By A Highlander is off and running in the first chapter and never lets up, as always Paula Quinn’s fluent writing immediately took me back in time to the Scottish Highlands of 1685. It is obvious that Quinn has done profound research of the time period for she effortlessly mixes historical facts with fiction into a powerful, beautiful and passionate story. The pages are also filled with smart-mouthed, intense, passionate conversations that kept me on the edge of my seat and I could almost hear the Scottish burr of the MacGregors roll off the pages. <br />
<br />
All his life Rob has been prepped to one day follow in his father’s impressive footsteps and together with his father he works hard to ensure the clan’s prosperity. He is a natural born leader, loyal to the bone, honorable, fierce but also gentle, he works hard and always does the right thing. He never ever goes against the wishes of this father, but for once he wants something for him alone, follow his heart instead of duty. He is every woman’s dream warrior come true, this is the way Paula Quinn describes him:<br />
<br />
<i>“Rob MacGregor was unholy for certain, with a sinewy, broad chest feathered with dark hair and a belly carved in small, tight squares. The most sinful of all though was the sensual V curve of muscles below his low hanging plaid.”</i><br />
<br />
Davina has lived a sheltered life so far. She is a petite beauty and has resigned herself with her fate; she exists but does not really live. The only knowledge she has from the world outside her window comes from books. She is strong, loving, still full of hope despite her hopeless situation and protective of the people she cares for. Rob wants to gain her trust since he already guessed her secret and Davina just wants a taste of real life. Slowly their relationship blossoms into something more meaningful. Their attraction and passion for one another cannot be denied though they try really hard, it pulled at my heartstrings for nothing good can come from it. Rob goes against everything his father taught him about protecting the clan by keeping Davina at his side and now he has to face his father’s wrath, but the urge to claim her as his own is overpowering. Davina knows what she has to do if her identity is discovered but till then she holds on to every blissful moment she can get. Paula Quinn beautifully pens down their passion and attraction for one another, it jumps of the pages with a scalding heat and urged me to read on. <br />
<br />
And though I was all emotionally wrapped up in Rob’s and Davina’s dilemma I could not escape the plethora of the secondary cast of characters. Paula Quinn made my heart beat faster by having Rob’s brothers, his cousins and the siblings of Graham Grant parade throughout the story. Will, Finn, Connor, Colin, Tristan, they made my mouth water and their bickering made me laugh out loud. Since this series is not called Children of the Mist for nothing I hope to see them all get their own story for Paula Quinn’s background characters are scorching hot warriors. <br />
<br />
So did Paula Quinn meet the high expectations I had for Ravished By A Highlander? Yes she did, for once again I devoured every word on every page. Paula Quinn really is one of the best historical romance authors out there, she never fails to touch my heart with her stories and her characters. There is not a thing I did not like about this book! She beautifully penned down a rich, layered and authentic story by combining historical facts, well-rounded characters, passion and suspense perfect to a tee. The next generation of MacGregors is hot and sexy and knocking on every romance reader’s door, ready to be discovered! Their interactions are heart rendering, Rob is every woman’s dream warrior, strong, raw, fierce and sexy! Tristan’s story is up next and I can’t wait to read what this rogue is up too!<br />
<br />
Ravished By A Highlander is packed with history, drama, hot Scottish highlanders, wit and passion. Utterly irresistible!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>4,5 stars</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Although not necessary, for your reading pleasure you might like to read Laird of the Mist and A Highlander Never Surrenders too, these are the stories of the parents of the Children of the Mist.<br />
<br />
Paula Quinn's next story in the Children of the Mist series will be Seduced By A Highlander.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TEbB9M539lI/AAAAAAAAA2g/8acXMqJDbR8/s1600/73470684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" hw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/TEbB9M539lI/AAAAAAAAA2g/8acXMqJDbR8/s320/73470684.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>Paula Quinn<br />
Seduced By A Highlander<br />
Part 2 Children of the Mist Series<br />
<br />
Publisher: Forever<br />
ISBN: 978-0446552370 <br />
Releasedate: 31 August 2010<br />
<br />
Blurb:<br />
<br />
<i><b>SINS THAT CAN’T BE FORGIVEN</b><br />
<br />
Tristan MacGregor is famed throughout the Highlands as a silver-tongued seducer and an unrepentant rogue. Bold and charming, he’s dallied with many women, yet none as beguiling and mysterious as the lass he steals a kiss from at the king’s court. Little does he know this beauty is one of his clan’s greatest enemies. <br />
<br />
<b>PASSION THAT CAN’T BE DENIED</b></i> <br />
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<em>Isobel Fergusson has despised the bloodthirsty MacGregors ever since they murdered her father. When she learns the handsome stranger who melted her resistance is a MacGregor, she vows to forget him. But Tristan means to possess her at any cost and Isobel’s body turns traitor at his touch. Can a man she’s sworn to hate be the only one she can ever love?</em>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-34132287290475065072010-03-25T15:00:00.004+01:002011-09-26T17:34:47.922+02:00Lisa Marie Wilkinson - Stolen Promise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wPSzkIpe8eMgGPFOGqWDKpIYtGQRjRUQQDmjqeSN-i5KVpYpilrqN2r6IYOY_Lvw7Ub2eM2c4gOoalMtWKjeF-szEbI0SfdtUpbF4iQcX_poeFAOJBwnHXtPnlVj4vuiAhvj6OQiRt4/s1600/Stolen+Promise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wPSzkIpe8eMgGPFOGqWDKpIYtGQRjRUQQDmjqeSN-i5KVpYpilrqN2r6IYOY_Lvw7Ub2eM2c4gOoalMtWKjeF-szEbI0SfdtUpbF4iQcX_poeFAOJBwnHXtPnlVj4vuiAhvj6OQiRt4/s400/Stolen+Promise.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />
<i>“At the Lowara Gypsy Camp outside Windsor, England, in 1806, a young woman will lose her independence in a common marriage market transaction. Jade knows she is promised to Dimitri, a possessive abuser. <br />
<br />
When her father sends her to the arms of another man, Jade finds only slight consolation . . . until she encounters her intended. Evan Dark is a half-Gypsy gentleman—nothing like Dimitri. Caught in a battle between tribes, Jade is a piece of property, the ideal runaway bride. In order to escape Dimitri’s clutches, she sails for Charleston with Evan as his indentured servant. But, engaged to another woman as part of a plantation merger in South Carolina, Evan’s affiliation with Jade can never be more than professional.<br />
<br />
Evan must choose between fulfilling his obligation to marry his betrothed or accept his overpowering passion for Jade, a woman his matchmaking Gypsy grandfather deemed the perfect Romany wife. In nineteenth-century America, where insincere tradition meets old money and arranged matrimony in upper-crust society, Evan faces the most difficult decision of his life: Remain loyal to the fiancée he holds in commitment . . . or be true to the lover he holds in his heart.”</i><br />
<br />
Stolen Promise is the second novel of Lisa Marie Wilkinson and from page one it demanded my full attention for this story takes off full steam ahead! Lisa Marie Wilkinson threw me back in time to the early 1800’s, with a great eye for historical detail she took me on a touching journey to the Romany culture with its many beliefs and customs and the every-day-plantation-life of the crème de la crème of Charleston’s society.<br />
<br />
With Evan Dark Lisa Marie Wilkinson created a classic hero, he is strong, honourable, dutiful and reliable. As the heir to a large plantation he is used to give orders, but when he finds out his real father was a gypsy he sails to England to discover his roots and learn more about his Roma background. He meets his grandfather who insists he takes a Romany wife from another tribe so an alliance between the tribes can be made. As a man of honour, Evan friendly declines the offer and intends to leave for America where his fiancée and duties are waiting for him, and then he runs into Jade.<br />
<br />
Jade is a beautiful, strong, young woman who is trapped in the traditions of the Romany culture. A Romany woman has no rights; she obeys and accepts her fate. Jade has known for a long time she is supposed to marry Dimitri, an abuser. But she refuses to accept this; she wants a better life for herself and her younger sister, away from everything that has to do with her own culture. So she runs away, gets into trouble and Evan saves her. He insists on taking her back to her camp.<br />
<br />
On the way back to the camp Evan and Jade experience several charged, breathless moments of undeniable attraction. It also becomes clear that Jade has lived an isolated life in the gypsy camp; she knows little of life outside the camp. Trouble always seem to find her. But she is a real survivor, she is smart and spirited. The gypsies have their own traditions and law, and when they blackmail Evan to uphold the arranged marriage, he has no choice than to play along so he can escape later. After all, a gypsy marriage has no value outside the gypsy world. He is very angry when he finds out that it is Jade who he has to marry, he is convinced she has entrapped him. But he also cares and worries for Jade, he does not like to leave her with Dimitri, so when she makes him an offer to be his indentured servant if he takes her and her sister with him to America he cannot refuse.<br />
<br />
And so their fate stays entangled, Evan takes Jade and her sister to South Carolina. Now both sisters have to learn to live in Evan’s world. Evan is a true gentleman, he is very protective of Jade and her sister. Their smouldering attraction keeps growing although both know it can never be more. But Evan starts to have doubts about his upcoming marriage, due to Jade he starts to see his fiancée in a different light. He does not voice his thoughts out loud because he knows his duties; he is expected to marry his fiancée Glorianna so that their two plantations can merge. But he cannot overlook certain things that Glorianna has done or deny his passion for Jade and the way she makes him feel either. He is torn between his duty and his heart. <br />
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Wilkinson’s writing is laid-back and smooth, the combination of the romance, suspense, characters and the pace of the story see to it that the story is perfectly in balance. I like it that Jade and Evan meet each other early on in the story so you see their attraction for one another slowly grow into something more meaningful. Both Jade and Evan’s characters are well-rounded; it is very clear what makes them tick. I also enjoyed learning more about the Romany culture, Lisa Marie Wilkinson vividly depicts the gypsy’s way of life and their traditions, and this provides you with a better insight into the gypsy world. <br />
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The supporting cast of characters is a mishmash of a charming kid brother, a loyal sister, a brother without a backbone and one malicious viper. All play their own part and add depth to the story. I especially liked his younger brother Patrick, although he is the youngest, he knows exactly how Evan feels and tries many times to push Evan on the right track. The dialogues are witty, full of humour and leap off the pages, especially the ones between Jade and Evan and Evan and his brother Patrick. <br />
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<b>Quote:</b><br />
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<i>“What did you do?” “I placed a curse on him.” Jade replied. “You cursed him with the recipe for hedgehog soup?” ““He should have learn to speak Romanes”, Jade said with a shrug.”<br />
</i><br />
With Stolen Promise Lisa Marie Wilkinson delivered a romantic but fast-paced story set against the backdrop of the gypsy world and the Southern hospitality of South Carolina. It is fluently written and researched with profound characters. This warm, dynamic and spirited story will keep you reading until the very last page!<br />
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<strong>4 stars</strong>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-12302134829031569022010-03-09T19:38:00.003+01:002011-09-26T17:24:57.182+02:00Fire in His Eyes - Stella & Audra Price<p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/S5Sfe5cxcaI/AAAAAAAAAoE/f4j9wbXwQPA/s1600-h/Fire+in+his+Eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/S5Sfe5cxcaI/AAAAAAAAAoE/f4j9wbXwQPA/s320/Fire+in+his+Eyes.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>Once upon a time dragons and demons peacefully shared this earth with ignorant humans. But all of this changed when the dragons sided with the Ice King against the Fire King. The Ice King lost the battle and the Fire King vented his rage by ordering the extinction of all dragons, only a few dragons escaped his wrath and went into hiding.<br />
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Char is a fire dragon who lives in hiding with five other dragons. But lately he is fed up with being in hiding all the time, he wants to start living again. A beautiful woman has caught his eye and he wants to claim her as his own. There is just one problem, this beautiful woman happens to be a demon. How will she react when she finds out he is a dragon, will she betray him or love him? Not to mention that his actions will endanger the lives of his friends...<br />
<br />
Get ready for a fire dragon with attitude!<br />
<br />
Stella and Audra Price have created a wonderful new world full of demons and a few dragons. They have managed to bring this world to live with feisty characters. You will fall in love with the dragon family home the moment you meet them. Char is the macho guy/dragon who falls head over heals in love with Alcyone. She is a demon who wants nothing more than someone to love. The characterisation of the secondary characters is excellent and makes you eager for more. The dialogues are funny and witty.<br />
<br />
Alcyone to Char and vice versa:<br />
<br />
<em>“The thought turns you on, dragon? Me and another woman?” “Honestly? The thought of you and me turns me on more.”</em><br />
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Although I really loved this new world that the ladies Price created I found in general that the story was lacking a little depth, especially the first part of the story. The background information of this new world was too succinct and the relationship between Char and Alcyone should have been explored in depth to make it more believable. But this novella is just 171 pages long and my only complaint is that this story has so much potential, that I wanted it to be a full length story.<br />
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Stella and Audra Price have created their own unique world and I will definitely want to read more about this charming dragon family, so I am looking forward to read the next fast paced story in this series!<br />
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<strong>3,5 stars</strong>Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6151502404515686409.post-49383369116957232122010-03-05T14:54:00.002+01:002011-09-26T17:19:23.825+02:00Hot Cover Alert!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/S5AnZHHQ0DI/AAAAAAAAAnM/M_UJ1zJ3KTk/s1600-h/Hot+Finish+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TI-Jv4i-Ed4/S5AnZHHQ0DI/AAAAAAAAAnM/M_UJ1zJ3KTk/s400/Hot+Finish+1.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br />
Don't know about you gals, but I think this cover is hot! And I love it that the concept of the cover is the same as the first two in this series. <br />
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Title: Hot Finish<br />
Author(s): Erin McCarthy<br />
ISBN: 0-425-23594-7 / 978-0-425-23594-2 (USA edition)<br />
Publisher: Berkley<br />
Releasedate: August 3, 2010<br />
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Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy is the third part in her Fast Track series, it is Ryder's and Suzanne's story. It will be released on August 3, 2010. I so heart this series that the wait for Hot Finish is pure torture!!! Ryder and Suzanne already share a history together and there were some hilarious scenes between them in the previous two parts, like the pie incident!<br />
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Here is the blurb:<br />
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<i><strong>Not all marriages last forever… </strong><br />
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Suzanne Jefferson is broke, which is why she’s given up charity work for wedding planning. Fortunately, she has a high-profile client—and best of all, he’s paid in advance. There are just two teensy problems: The bride is a bona fide bridezilla, and Suzanne’s ex-husband is the best man. At least she thought he was her ex-husband…<br />
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<strong>But this one might...</strong><br />
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Two years after their marriage fell apart, stock car race driver Ryder Jefferson still can’t stop thinking about Suzanne. Which is why he isn’t too upset that, due to a glitch, the two are still technically married. Now he’s imagining easing Suzanne’s woes by satisfying her needs in the bedroom. After all, that’s the one room they never argued in. Besides, with wedding bells ringing all around them, Ryder is wondering if—even though they’d quit the race a few laps too early—they can still come on strong with a big, romantic finish...</i><br />
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And let us not forget the previous two hot covers!<br />
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Let's start with the cover and the story that made me fall in love with stock car drivers! Flat-Out Sexy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94Jd0hUzGPtadZR7lrJKeuINVrWsW0FPRDB2VUx7-IqtprGRa3DruYgTCCpHYaf-NtBAhbl0xlRO-KSvAV7pHTFkYn-ud4Rcj7G-cTwCipjm8skTmXw6DDeLmMKOJvjNhaMPYXMnKZt8/s1600-h/Flat-Out+Sexy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94Jd0hUzGPtadZR7lrJKeuINVrWsW0FPRDB2VUx7-IqtprGRa3DruYgTCCpHYaf-NtBAhbl0xlRO-KSvAV7pHTFkYn-ud4Rcj7G-cTwCipjm8skTmXw6DDeLmMKOJvjNhaMPYXMnKZt8/s400/Flat-Out+Sexy.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><b>Blurb:</b><br />
<i>“<strong>She met him at the racetrack…</strong><br />
<br />
…which was the last place Tamara Briggs wanted to find a man. Even a deeply intriguing, seductively sexy man like Elec Monroe. Tamara is a single mother now after losing her daredevil husband in an accident – and she’s not about to get involved with another driver and put her kids or herself, through that again. Besides, Elec is young enough to be her… younger brother.<br />
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<strong>Now things are moving a little too fast…</strong><br />
<br />
But he sure does get her heart racing. And after she is tricked into a blind date with him, Tamara gives in to her passion. Things screech to a halt, though, when he asks to meet her children. Whatever happened to wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am? Suddenly Tamara has to decide how big a risk she’s willing to take to experience the thrilling, terrifying power of true love…”</i><br />
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And part two in this fast-paced series is Hard and Fast!<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPPcZnp7r4Qfn6TqPsQNNJStU0YOfOn9fOPV8dQxyPfsY-kvUKu_EQ7a5tU3pwTG56zrqIOt3OPgusHz8VB-IUygpxvjKzMGqEZboT7LujxnmZ_EhNuBoR4PUa1K01BNugQaNENqfHT4/s1600-h/Hard+and+Fast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPPcZnp7r4Qfn6TqPsQNNJStU0YOfOn9fOPV8dQxyPfsY-kvUKu_EQ7a5tU3pwTG56zrqIOt3OPgusHz8VB-IUygpxvjKzMGqEZboT7LujxnmZ_EhNuBoR4PUa1K01BNugQaNENqfHT4/s400/Hard+and+Fast.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><b>Blurb:</b><br />
<i>“<strong>An experiment in romance…</strong><br />
<br />
New to Charlotte, North Carolina, stock car racing country, graduate student Imogen Wilson meets Ty McCordle, a driver who inexplicably has her pulse racing. After an encounter at the track with a woman whose main goal in life is to marry a driver, Imogen realizes she’s hit on the perfect topic for her sociology thesis. If she follows the rules on how to get a man, can she steer her way into the hearts of the drivers and establish their dating- and mating-patterns?<br />
<br />
<strong>… that’s testing the limits of passion.</strong><br />
<br />
Although sexy and reckless Ty is the ideal test subject, Imogen knows she can’t pursue him for the sake of science. Yet he’s the one who’s chasing after her, and Imogen realizes that she actually wants to be caught. A Southern gentleman like Ty won’t disappoint – he will satisfy her curiosity and make all the risks worthwhile…”</i><br />
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My reviews for the two previous parts in the Fast Track series:<br />
<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://dream-mistress.blogspot.com/2009/06/erin-mccarthy-flat-out-sexy.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">Flat-Out Sexy</span></strong></a></li>
<li><a href="http://dream-mistress.blogspot.com/2009/09/experiment-in-romance-new-to-charlotte.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">Hard and Fast</span></strong></a></li>
</ul>And the good news is that more books are planned in the series! <br />
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To visit Erin McCarthy's website, click <strong><a href="http://www.erinmccarthy.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">here</span></a></strong><span style="color: #45818e;">.</span><br />
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But for now I am waiting impatiently for Hot Finish, august 3 cannot come soon enough for me. <br />
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Happy reading everyone!Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07569829862360633081noreply@blogger.com11