To Love a Texas Ranger by Linda Broday

September 30, 2016 By Leave a Comment

LOVE
To Love a Texas Ranger by Linda Broday
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (448 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Gravely injured on the trail of a notorious criminal, Texas Ranger Sam Legend boards a train bound for his family ranch to recuperate…only to find himself locked in battle to save a desperate woman on the run. Determined to rescue the beautiful Sierra, Sam recruits an unlikely ally. But can he trust the mysterious gunslinger to fight at his side?

Sam is shocked to discover his new ally is not only an outlaw, but his half-brother. Torn between loyalty to his job and love of his family, Sam goes reeling straight into Sierra’s arms. Yet just as the walls around his battered heart begin to crumble, Sierra is stolen away. Sam will risk anything to save her—his life, his badge, his very soul—knowing that some bonds are stronger than the law…and some legends were born to be told.

To Love a Texas Ranger comes to life with action, cruel outlaws, a mystery treasure map, a mystery man who aids Ranger Sam Legend BIG TIME and a “throw-away” girl who says she “can’t be fixed;” yet brings light, reality, and confidence back to Sam after his near-death experience.

Linda Broday’s smooth weaving in of foreshadowing and backstory adds to the intrigue as Sam Legend, Sierra Hunt, and “Andrew Evans,” the mystery man, make the outlaw-infested journey to the Legend’s Lone Star Ranch. Over and above the outlaws threatening, the weather, wounds, and personal worries make life miserable for them. However, amid all the danger, worries and woes, love tiptoes in, puts down roots, and hangs on tenaciously regardless of the obstacles that look insurmountable—a beautiful love that is caring, sweet, and sensual with a touch of spice.

The unraveling of the man and map mysteries reach back to time-gone-by when human flaws and frailties set in motions the events ruling the main characters’ lives at the time of the story. This makes for reading that captivates.

There are other themes besides love, familial relationships, feelings of guilt, and low self-esteem that add depth to this story—a Prodigal Son theme, a “Greater love hath no man than this…” theme, and “…be sure your sins will find you out” theme; yet religious events are not a part of the story.

To Love a Texas Ranger is thought-provoking and compelling with a few twists that are attention-keeping. But, of course, the very best part is the true, pure love that rings clear with a “foreverness” quality.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Always Mine by Ruth Cardello

September 30, 2016 By Leave a Comment

always
Always Mine by Ruth Cardello
The Barrington Billionaires Book 1
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (220 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

When it comes to getting what he wants, Asher Barrington is a hammer who is known for crushing his opponents. From the moment Emily walks into his office and challenges him, winning takes on a whole new meaning.

The only thing standing between Emily Harris and her goal to open a museum for the blind is an arrogant, sexy as hell billionaire, who thinks sleeping with her will not complicate the situation.

He won’t change. She won’t back down.
But together they sizzle.

I loved everything about this book. I loved the brilliant and witty writing style that pulled at my heartstrings, made me laugh, and really just captured my heart. I couldn’t ask for better characters. Asher and Emily, the hero and heroine were both strong and equally matched yet polar opposites. The chemistry between the two was just delicious! I fell in love with Asher and his entire family. I only wish my mother-n-law was as lovable as Sophie was.

I also loved the honesty and integrity that was displayed by the characters. The plot was not only believable it was riveting. I wasn’t expecting the phone call that Emily got at Asher’s parent’s house and my heart just broke for her. I would warn anyone who reads this book to be prepared. If you are affected like me, you will not want to put it down, you will not want to go to your child’s swim meet or your child’s football game, and no way will you want to cook supper. If you don’t finish it before bedtime then you won’t be sleeping. And if you must step away from the book, you won’t be able to think about anything but getting back to see what happens next. Yes, that was me. Yes, it was that good!

Some readers might be turned off by Asher in the beginning. Give him a chance. One of the reasons I loved the hero is for his redemption quality. At first he is a jerk but by the end he is “the hero that we all dream of”.

I think I have a new favorite author and I will be getting Book 2. I love when I find a book this wonderful that I literally glow after I finish it. Pick up your own copy of Always Mine and find out for yourself.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell

September 29, 2016 By Leave a Comment

three
Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational
Length: Full Length (384 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Stargazer

Hallie has a secret. She’s in love. He’s perfect for her in every way, but he’s seriously out of bounds. And her friends aren’t going to help her because what they do know is that Hallie doesn’t have long to live. Time is running out…

Flo has a dilemma. She really likes Zander. But his scary sister won’t be even faintly amused if she thinks Zander and Flo are becoming friends – let alone anything more.

Tasha has a problem. Her new boyfriend is the adventurous type. And she’s afraid one of his adventures will go badly wrong.

THREE AMAZING THINGS ABOUT YOU begins as Hallie goes on a journey. A donor has been found and she’s about to be given new lungs. But whose?

Imagine a life where you knew you had a short amount of time to live; how would you live those remaining days?

Hallie lives just such a life; without a very rare and risky transplant she faces the certainty of a short life. Yet, Hallie takes every opportunity to change the lives of those around her. Jill Mansell takes the reader on an adventure behind the advice columns. So often we read the columns, deliberate on the advice for better or for worse and then head off on our own lives. Yet, behind each article or column written there is a true to life person with their own hopes, dreams and fears.

From beginning to end, Jill tugs at the heartstrings of the reader and entices them into a world that many of us consider exists but are often thankful that those experiences and fears are not necessarily our own. The cast of characters including the cat which is at the center of a huge family dispute only add to the advanced storytelling that only Jill can weave together.

I especially enjoyed the various situations that Flo and Hallie end up in; especially when the men become involved. Overall the structure and plot layout was great. When beginning the read, there are an almost overwhelming amount of characters to keep track of and the reader and begin to feel a little overwhelmed. As the story moves along, the reader begins see what the author has in store and how everything flows.

This is an amazing read and challenges the reader to look beyond the superficial world that we tend to take for granted. The author challenges each one who reads the book to see more than just daily life but to see the impact that we, as an individual, have on the lives around us.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Omega Rising by Anna Kyle

September 29, 2016 By Leave a Comment

omega
Omega Rising by Anna Kyle
Publisher: World Weaver Press
Genre: Contemporary, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (285 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Daisy

Cass Nolan has been forced to avoid the burn of human touch for her whole life, drawing comfort instead from her dreams of a silver wolf—her protector, her friend. When her stalking nightmares return, her imaginary dead sister’s ghost tells her to run, Cass knows she should listen, but the sinfully hot stranger she just hired to work on her ranch has her mind buzzing with possibilities. Not only does her skin accept Nathan’s touch, it demands it. Cass must make a decision—run again and hope she saves the people who have become her family, or stand and fight. Question is, will it be with Nathan or against him?

Nathan Rivers’ life is consumed by his quest to find the Omega wolf responsible for killing his brother, but when the trail leads him to Cass and her merry band of shapeshifters, his wolf wants only to claim her for himself. When evidence begins piling up that Cass is the Omega he’s been seeking, things become complicated—especially since someone else wants her dead. Saving her life might mean sacrificing his own, but it may be worth it to save the woman he can’t keep from reaching for.

Ms. Kyle’s tale takes us on a real adventure, peopled with a mismatch of supernatural characters. We meet a range of shapeshifters and learn about a variety of supernatural talents. As the first book in a series, Omega Rising sets the scene and builds a realistic world.

The characters who work at the stables have their own distinct personalities and back stories. The protagonist, Cass, especially. I liked the unusual handicap she had, though I did feel its interaction with her love interest was a little corny and predictable. That said, the love interest came just how I like them – dark, dangerous, and with a heart that sets its sights on the right girl. You certainly won’t be disappointed by the bedroom antics – these characters love a hot romp under the sheets, and enjoy teasing each other with new and experimental ideas! The man here is definitely in charge, but the woman won’t take a stupid decision without complaint, or a fight. In fact, in this regard, she soon sets him to rights.

I enjoyed the small mysteries which were revealed throughout and felt these were well handled, but I did feel that the shapeshifting wolves that arrived late to the party could have done with more history behind them, and more to differentiate them. As it was, they multiplied the total character count and at times I found myself forgetting who was who! It didn’t help that on a few occasions I felt like I had missed a step in the plot. Suddenly a character was much happier around another character they were wary of before, or a conclusion was made about a small detail of plot that was easy to miss. This could be because the pace throughout the book was very high, and, therefore, smaller details were easier to overlook.

Readers should also be aware that there are some potentially trigger-worthy pasts discussed. Cass has a history of abuse and the romantic interest has also been manipulated but none of these acts take place in real time.

All in all, I would really recommend this book to romance and fantasy lovers. The weight is more towards romance than fantasy, but I can see that the novel is establishing a world for later development and using the lens of a strong romance to do so. For those of you who like to see different side characters paired off, the potential for that with this book is there in spades. A mythical past of the supernatural world appears to be being resurrected alongside this mottled crew of survivors, and I look forward to seeing it progress into a fantasy tale with worldwide implications for the supernatural community.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Forgotten Debutante by Becky Lower

September 28, 2016 By Leave a Comment

forgotten
The Forgotten Debutante by Becky Lower
Cotillion Ball #9
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (126 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

In 1863, America is war-weary. Fifteen-year-old Saffron Fitzpatrick, whose teenage years have been spent mourning the dead rather than dancing at her debutante ball, just wants to visit her beloved horse after being housebound due to the draft riots. A chance meeting with soldier Ezekiel Boone changes everything.

Three years ago, Ezekiel ran away with his older brothers to join the war effort, welcoming the chance for adventure. But when all four of his brothers die at Chancellorsville, he retreats home, despondent and depending on the kindness of strangers, like Saffron, who help him on the journey. They share a wild ride and a breathless kiss, parting with fond memories.

Fate reunites the couple three years later, and their former attraction rekindles as they discover unexpected common ground and begin to build a relationship. But though the war is over, a future together may still elude them … especially if Saffron’s older, protective brother and the U.S. Army have anything to say about it.

The war separated Saffron and Zeke once. Will the army tear them apart a second time?

Saffron and Zeke meet under unusual circumstances, and their emotions lead them into sharing an innocent yet intense first kiss that neither of them forgot. Three years later they find themselves face to face again. While they’ve both reminisced about that kiss, they don’t really know much about each other. Will reality be able to live up to their dreams?

I must admit that I have mixed feelings about Saffron. While it is clear she has a good heart, I think she has a lot of growing up to do. She strikes me as childish despite her insistence on being treated as an adult. One passage describes her “stamping her slippered foot.” This action is more suited to a child throwing a tantrum rather than a young woman. I also wanted more emotional depth from Saffron. The Civil War was extremely brutal and Saffron and Zeke are tasked with digging up the remains of soldiers and bringing them back to be buried in cemeteries. This would have been a particularly gruesome undertaking, but Saffron doesn’t seem to be affected by it, or at least there is no evidence of it as I read. Despite these issues, I am happy to say that by the end of the story, I saw glimmers of the mature woman Saffron has the potential to become. I can’t give details without spoiling the story, but I will say that Saffron supports Zeke in two particularly difficult circumstances.

Zeke is an easy hero to warm up to. He in kind, generous, and always willing to help. He shoulders immense responsibility at a young age. When his brothers die, he returns to the family farm even though he never imagined himself farming for the rest of his life. He does it because his family needs him. Zeke is certainly an admirable young man.

While I believe that Zeke and Saffron have the potential to be a great couple, their relationship never really flared to life for me. Again, I must cite Saffron’s immaturity as the chief obstacle in my mind. Zeke is more rounded and has much more emotional depth. When I compare him to Saffron and her somewhat spoiled attitude, I have a hard time picturing them as a truly compatible couple. However, I will say that Saffron is determined to prove her love for Zeke and she does this by fiercely supporting him when a weaker woman would have deserted him. I believe in time that they will grow into a strong couple.

The Forgotten Debutante is a good book. Zeke and Saffron are sweet and their happy ending is certainly deserved. While this story is the ninth in a series, it stands alone well as Ms. Lower explains everything very clearly. Fans of historical romance might want to give The Forgotten Debutante a try.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Destiny’s Highway by Lane Pierce

September 27, 2016 By Leave a Comment

highway
Destiny’s Highway by Lane Pierce
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (43 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Outgrowing Oklahoma, Danielle is an attractive young woman hoping for a fresh beginning in Southern California.

Luke is a young writer headed home from a motorcycle trip across the Southwestern states. A chance encounter in a New Mexico café sets the star-crossed couple upon a journey of misadventure and an insatiable desire neither can resist.

Can triumph be borne out of tragedy? Where there’s life, there’s always hope.

A motorcycle accident has Danielle questioning everything in the never-ending days while she waits for Luke to wake up. Is this really where their destiny has led them both?

I found this to be an interesting short story. The start was a little clunky to my mind – while we open in the present day we fairly quickly move back in time to Danielle and Luke meeting. While I feel the author tried to make this regression seamless, I personally find it easier to follow time-jumps (even small ones of a few months like this) if there’s some sort of sub-heading – or “Three Months Ago…” to mark where the time has changed. The normal “asterisk break” simply signifies a normal scene change to me, so I got a little lost at the start.

Aside from this though I enjoyed the story. I liked Danielle and thought the meeting up with Luke was different and fun. Although they got together quickly, I expected it to happen fast given the length of the story. I would have loved a little more time to be spent on Luke’s recovery – instead of jumping ahead in time maybe have had Luke and Danielle talk about their future, make some plans. Considering Luke’s accident was where the story started I feel it would have been a bit more satisfying to spend more than just a few pages in that place before jumping back and forth.

Readers should know there was one creepy scene – certainly not horror (to my mind) but enough to make me shiver. For an otherwise happy, fluffy and light romance story I found it a little jarring – though it definitely gave the story a unique twist and will remain memorable to me.

The author managed to mix good characters, an interesting plot and inject just a little bit of small-town psycho into a story in a very small number of words. All up this made the story lovely to read in my mind. Overall I enjoyed it and would definitely look for more by this author.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Safe from Harm by Kate Serine

September 27, 2016 By Leave a Comment

harm
Safe from Harm by Kate Serine
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (339 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

There’s something about prosecuting attorney Elle McCoy that Deputy Gabe Dawson just can’t get enough of. Even with Gabe’s family legacy in law enforcement and promising career, Elle’s smart, sassy rejection of all his charm makes Gabe want her even more.

But Gabe’s confidence is shaken when he’s shot on the steps of the courthouse, protecting Elle from a terrorist intent on revenge. Worse, Elle isn’t out of danger yet. But as they race to counter the terrorist’s next move, Gabe determines to prove to Elle—and himself—that he’s a man worthy of her.

“Irredeemable” is what Elle McCoy, a lawyer in the prosecutor’s office, calls Deputy Gabe Dawson. She’s known him since high school when he, even then, was cocky, swaggering, arrogant and handsome with girls chasing him.

Gabe never misses a chance to rile or make a pass at Elle, the beautiful titian-haired, green-eyed lawyer. They have a unique connect that began the day he helped move her things into Elle’s Aunt Charlotte’s house after the untimely death of Elle’s parents.

She refuses to be one of his many lady friends. However, when threats and true danger come for both them and their loved ones, they stand together with firm resolve.

Love, so long denied, wiggles its way in through all the danger, strife, and ugliness and holds on tenaciously. It is like a golden thread that shines through the darkness—heart satisfying.

The anti-cop antagonist Jed Moore, with his deranged way of thinking, made this reader’s flesh crawl. The author does a wonderful job of making Jed’s character mean. What Jed has done to his own family, emotionally, mentally, and physically, is horrific.

I admit I put this good story down for a time because of the over use of crude words that did not seem to fit characters who prayed in church and who spent their time protecting and defending people. But the plot and the characters I’d come to care about pulled me back. I really wanted to know how Gabe and Elle got their happy-ever-after and to be sure Jed got his comeuppance.

The back story, the intrigue, the undercurrent of unease, the action, and the romance were well woven together to create suspense on several levels.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Father for Daisy by Jennifer Wenn

September 26, 2016 By Leave a Comment

father
A Father for Daisy by Jennifer Wenn
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (218 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Thirteen years ago, at her senior prom, Gillian Crane did the unthinkable – she became drunk for the first time and lost her virginity to an unknown man. Later, when she found out she was pregnant, her unloving, unyielding mother threw her out and told her never to return.

Gillian succeeds in building a new life for herself in New York City, vowing never to see her childhood home again. But when she learns her mother is dying, she drags her twelve-year-old daughter back to hell on earth, also known as Barnesville. Once again caught in small town life amongst old friends and enemies, her past comes back to haunt her, turning her world upside down as the question still remains. Who is the father of her child?

For a small town, Barnesville seems to have its share of small town chaos. Gillian Crane is summoned to her home town due to her mother’s illness. Will this visit allow Gillian to be able to reconcile relationships from her past along with discover who’s her daughter’s father?

I have mixed feelings about this book. Barnesville is a nice small town and the story was believable in that aspect. The small town people and closeness of such. Everyone knows everyone, the gossip mill and the picture of the legendary Main Street; the location for the family restaurant and church. I found it puzzling that Gillian came back to town because her mother was sick, but Gillian’s purpose seemed more about who was her daughter’s father. What mother wouldn’t want a father for her daughter? Gillian’s prom night left her inebriated and pregnant. Now Gillian has found the courage to find out what happened that night.

Gillian’s mother is sick and the story really didn’t touch much on why the relationship between Gillian and her mother Rachel was dysfunctional. For Rachel to be on her death bed I would have expected her to be more compassionate and wanting to leave with her daughter’s relationship in a better place. There was no resolution or feelings to the mother-daughter relationship. Since this is such a touchy matter, as a reader I would have liked to have been given more about why there was such a strain on this relationship.

Gillian wasn’t aware of the feelings Andrew had for her. She has always had her eyes set on Lucas. For some reason Gillian’s mom decides now is the time to reveal family secrets and this leads Gillian’s pursuit to turn towards Andrew. This made her seem desperate and in urgent need of a man. Once Gillian and Andrew start their relationship it moves so fast it was very difficult to believe. The story was set in length to possibly keep the reader in suspense, but to me it was pretty predictable.

The writing is good and told in a easy to read format. The plot is interesting and one that had my attention to know why Gillian didn’t know who was the father of her child. There’s something about stories that take place in small towns that I find very likable. The plot was one that had a few holes in it to me but overall this is an enjoyable quick read with a resolution for Gillian. If you enjoy a book with a happy ending of love this is a book you will want to add to your reading list.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Wedding Audition by Joanne Rock & Catherine Mann

September 26, 2016 By Leave a Comment

audition
The Wedding Audition by Joanne Rock & Catherine Mann
Runaway Brides Book 2
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (153 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

The tabloids call her the Hit and Run Bride after reality show star Annamae Jessup walked out on Atlanta’s favorite baseball player on cable television. Eager to escape her notoriety, Annamae takes a road trip to find the grandmother she’s never met and winds up discovering a whole lot more than a band of back woods relatives. There’s no escape from reality TV, even in Beulah, Alabama, population 3000.

The last thing Wynn Rafferty needs in his new life is a spoiled television princess who can’t even know his real name. He’s in temporary witness protection as an apple farmer after his undercover work put his life in danger. He needs to lay low until the heat dies down from his last case— even if he sucks at growing apples as badly as he sucks at relationships. But Annamae turns his new town into a media circus, unwittingly threatening the lives of him, her and most of Beulah. Wynn is an expert at keeping the world at arm’s length, but when it comes to Annamae, the only way he can keep her safe is to keep her very, very close.

The Wedding Audition was a quick, fun, easy, and enjoyable read. All the characters were believable and likable. They often made me laugh out loud especially the conversation between Annamae’s mother and grandmother outside the hoedown dance. The relationship between the main characters, Annamae and Wynn, progressed nicely with little conflict and made me feel all warm and fuzzy. I wouldn’t mind getting involved with a man like that. I particularly enjoyed their easy banter with each other.

I thought the plot was a bit predictable and a tad unrealistic but the characters made me look past all that. The suspense of Annamae and Wynn hiding out for different reasons kept me turning pages. The happy ending left me feeling overall satisfied. It was nice to read a romance book that didn’t stir any anguished feelings or over the top drama.

There were two external conflicts that haunted Annamae and Wynn individually that for the most part, worked. The final confrontation from Wynn’s plot arc was a bit anticlimactic because it didn’t deliver what the story led me to believe would happen. Even though It didn’t meet my expectations, it was no less entertaining.

On the whole, The Wedding Audition was delightfully cheesy, really funny and was well written. It’s a nice, simple, perhaps cookie cutter type plot, but it’s an enjoyable story to escape into. I was delighted by the chemistry between Annamae and Wynn and was happy with the conclusion of their romance.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare

September 23, 2016 By Leave a Comment

DOYOUWANTOSTART
Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare
Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (226 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library.
•Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan?
•Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall?
•Perhaps the butler did it.

All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn’t her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers’ true identity, she’ll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she’s ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn’t got a clue.

But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit … and melt a woman’s knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte’s safety is the truth about his dark past.

Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte’s feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who’s sworn to never love?

Talk about a story that twists like a pretzel. Do You Want to Start a Scandal has to be one of the most surprising of stories because it’s not all like I was led to believe. This novel is full of red herrings and goose chases and I was perplexed for most of it because it’s a mystery. However, the means of sleuthing and the reasons for it are unlike any I have ever read and I found it kind of funny.

I don’t think it’s set up as a true mystery; the book is a romance through and through, and a good one. However, the intrepid heroine, Charlotte, is determined to solve the mystery of the garter because in doing so, she’ll be able to clear her reputation. However, as the story goes on, I’m not convinced that she’s convinced that it’s really her goal at all.

I liked Charlotte and her way with words. One of my favorite lines comes her speaking with the hero. She’s not supposed to like him, but what is a reader to think when she accuses the hero of having a “masculine lip elixir”? I totally snorted when I read that.

Another belly laugh came from the part when Charlotte’s mother tried to explain marital bedroom activities using vegetables and fruits. I had a fit of the giggles when the heroine turned the tables on her mom with a bit of creative questioning. I also liked that the heroine was not afraid to show the hero what it’s like to simply have fun, like when she started playing with his hair – the descriptions inspired more giggles. It’s Charlotte’s zest for life, optimism and sense of adventure that is her charm. She’s straightforward, vocal and amazingly sharp-witted. She’s an excellent foil for a serious minded, proper stick in the mud peer who just happens to live a daring and dangerous double life.

Charlotte is oil, Piers is vinegar, and when they mix, they create a spicy blend that flavors the salad of life so well that they simply can’t go back to being who they were before they met. Granted, Piers makes some spectacular blunders and makes me question his judgment, and Charlotte inadvertently gives the wrong impression to another lady of the ton, much to her consternation, and that makes her fallible too. They are not perfect characters but they are perfect together.

I think the only thing that was slightly over the top was Piers’ ability to find a missing bit of cloth that Charlotte desperately wanted found. The where and how of it seemed like an impossibility. Also, I really wished someone would have taken Edmund in hand. The kid was a menace. That child should have been in bed, sleeping.

When the mystery is finally solved, it’s done in a spectacular style with an eye-popping revelation. Somehow, I don’t think anyone in the vicinity of the great revelation will ever forget that night. Certainly I won’t. That scenario was a first for me and I credit Ms. Dare on providing me with a most unique and singular reading experience.

There is no doubt that Do You Want to Start a Scandal is an entertaining, engaging and romantic read. It can boast two strong characters, an interesting mystery twist and a seduction of the senses. There’s humor and clever use of quips and dialogue not to mention delightful descriptions to bring the romance alive for readers. It’s truly a story well worth reading.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,
Next Page »