Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal by Jayne Fresina

May 23, 2013 By 1 Comment

MERCY
Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal by Jayne Fresina
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (377 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

When a Perfectly Proper Lady…

Lady Mercy Danforthe always has a plan. It’s what makes her such a successful matchmaker, and why she’s obligated to spend a great deal of time generously organizing the lives of her friends and family. But there’s one man beyond her help. One man whose recklessness she can’t rein in; whose chaos she can’t contain. Her ex-husband, Rafe Hartley. Her one—and only!—mistake.

Flirts with a Reckless Rogue…

Rafe has never forgiven Mercy for running out on him. Their hastily annulled marriage may have one lasted three hours, but that doesn’t mean he needs her help finding a proper wife. Someone needs to teach little Miss Know-It-All a lesson about keeping her adorably freckled nose out of other people’s business. And it just so happens that Mercy “Silky Drawers” Danforthe still owes him a wedding night…

A Scandal’s Never Far Behind

What goes around, comes around, especially for a mysterious lady in black. Imagine my surprise, shock and delight when I figured out that this book picks up where another had left off, but years later. There is no doubt that this is a standalone read but when I realized that this Mercy Danforthe is the same one from The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne it tickled my fancy to realize that this young girl is all grown up and is still as opinionated and full of herself as before. What kind of trouble is she going to get into now?

What a tangled mess of yarn. It’s as true now as it was then – things that happened in our youth shape our decision making process in the future, for better or worse. I remember Mercy as being outspoken and quite a little lady of action. That inner motor, that drive to do and to make a mark has been honed and perfected in the Lady Mercy of the present. Readers will have no trouble at all figuring that out.
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What they won’t realize although I had a sniggle of memory from before, is why she is the way she is. I blame it on her brother. Readers will be quick on seeing that as well. It’s tragic, really. You know the old saying, “attention for being bad is better than no attention at all”? That sums up the backdrop that drives the overall motive of the story. It started out that way but became a way of life. It’s pitiful! But don’t let Lady Mercy hear you say that, she’d be affronted. She has things all planned out and all the logical details dance to her whim. Or so she likes to think. As the tale goes on, a reader gets to understand that Mercy isn’t shallow but very passionate, caring and still has her bonnet hung on one man. The worst sort of man – Rafe.

Rafe is borderline anti-hero. He has a veneer, a role he plays and he makes sure no one sees anything other than what he wants them to see. The rest see what they want to, and that’s just fine with him. Except, there’s this delightful older woman who sees in him something much more and it was gratifying to see that he took her words to heart. One of them will rue the day but half the fun is in figuring out who, why and when. As a reader gets to know him, the nuances that make up the man begin to show and he’s actually a pretty good guy. He’s really confused, confounded and tied in knots whenever Mercy is on the scene but that’s part of his charm. I suspect readers will pick up on the clues long before Rafe, the man who makes denial an art form, figures out his true feelings. Until then he has the misguided notion that Mercy should find him a bride. That has ‘disaster’ written all over it and I had a ton of fun watching that intent unravel.

When Mercy and Rafe do experience that long delayed wedding night, it’s well written and does not go according to plan. Nothing between them actually does which is perfect.

Speaking of which, I mention Mrs. Pyke. What an odd duck. Ungrateful wench too. Both Rafe and Mercy had dealings with that woman and I’m still of undecided mind if she was a helpful secondary character to have, or a hindrance. I felt bad for the kids and I kind of expected someone to say or do something, but they never did. Not really. It got my dander up.

Other secondary characters were much better received and I thought they did a splendid job of highlighting both Rafe and Mercy’s personalities not to mention prodding the plot and/or conflict along as needed. Most were interesting and gave the scenes flavor.

The most silly, endearing and fun scene came towards the end. I cracked up at the part when someone fainted and Lady Ursula made her demands. Those couple of pages were well written, pure genius and had me grinning from ear to ear. The best part was the reward of a satisfying happy-ever-after. Well worth the journey.

Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal is an eventful book about a busy lady who learns the value of being true to herself and that perfection is way overrated. It’s entertaining, well told and dare I say, cute. It’s light on the suspense and there’s no dark drama. Sometimes, airy but with substance is exactly what I need and on the day I read Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal, it was perfect.

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

A Passion for Pleasure by Nina Rowan

May 23, 2013 By Leave a Comment

PASSION
A Passion for Pleasure by Nina Rowan
Publisher: Grand Central
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (384 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

Prelude to a Kiss

A brilliant pianist and notorious rake, Sebastian Hall indulges his passion for music and women with equal aplomb. But now that his elder brother has married, his father insists he pursue a more respectable path and find a suitable wife.

Music to Her Ears

As a girl, Clara Whitmore quietly loved her piano teacher from afar. Yet her youthful crush cannot compare to the powerful desire she feels when she unexpectedly meets Sebastian again. Perhaps the man who once dominated her dreams could be the husband she has hoped for—and save her from the fate she most fears.

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Risking scandal, ruin, and their own reputations, Sebastian and Clara enter into a marriage of convenience. But the pair soon discovers that their undeniable attraction is anything but convenient. Swept up in a crescendo of desire, Sebastian and Clara take each other to new heights of ecstasy—until secrets from the past threaten to doom the duet forever. Now Sebastian will have to change his tune—and prove his love is true.

When Sebastian and Clara come face to face for the first time after many years, she’s just as enamored as she was as a young woman. He’s oblivious to who she even is. But he’s not oblivious to the effect she has on him. When they discover their attraction is very much mutual, the trouble begins. Each holds a secret they don’t want to make public, but together can they find a way to satisfy the other’s needs and find happiness too?

Clara Whitmore is desperate for help and she’ll stop at nothing to get it. That includes proposing to her one-time piano teacher, Sebastian Hall. Lucky for her he just happens to be the handsome and charming son of an earl. Clara’s self-sacrifice and single-minded determination to get back what she’s lost is both endearing and a bit crazy. The author does well with balancing her crazy moments with her more clear-headed ones.

Sebastian Hall’s life of doing as he pleases has come to an end. Coming on the heels of his brother’s marriage, his father has given him an ultimatum of marry or else. When Clara, frantic with need, gives him the perfect opportunity to make his father happy, he agrees. What he doesn’t expect is to find a woman full of passion – and secrets. I’ve always been a sucker for musicians and Sebastian is no exception. He’s witty, he’s charming and he’s handsome. Not to mention that he’s harboring his own secrets. His situation really spoke to me though and his desire to keep it quiet was more than just stubborn pride.

I’ll admit I was a bit wary of the idea of marrying for the sake of meeting obligations, but the author did an excellent job of making it work. Together, Clara and Sebastian are a dynamite couple who are compatible both in and out of the bedroom. When Sebastian pulls a surprise move near the end of the novel, you really find out just how perfect they are for one another. I couldn’t have been happier at that moment.

A Passion for Pleasure is a romantic and humorous story about desperation and the acts that accompany it. Both steamy and exciting, this historical novel was a true joy to read.

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

The Magic of I Do by Tammy Falkner

May 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

MAGIC
The Magic of I Do by Tammy Falkner
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (306 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Peppermint

Desperately Seeking Excitement…

With the temporary prohibition on magic on the land of the Fae, Claire Thorne might as well go back to the Regency world. The haut ton has just as many annoying rules as her world, but at least they have parties and dances. Plus, the roguish Lord Phineas “Finn” Trimble is there…

When the feisty faerie tumbles into his room through a magical portal, Finn can’t believe how completely unpredictable she is. Even before the two stumble into a dangerous intrigue that threatens both their worlds, Finn discovers that his hitherto carefree life is about to go up in smoke…

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Finn is not a  human  weakling either. Finn has a subtle strength to him that I came to enjoy. He didn’t have to prove that he was the big man on campus to win over my heart, or Claire’s. It was the small things that proved that he was more than capable of protecting the ones he cared for and providing whatever they needed. While his playboy antics were a problem for him in the past, it is clear that he is not willing to miss a good thing when it comes to Claire. His ex’s popping up in the story also made for interesting little twists that enhanced the story line.

One aspect that I think is worth mentioning was how entertaining Claire’s internal battle was when it came to Finn. His being human was a large concern of hers and on more than a few occasions almost blinded her to not only how much Finn cared for her, but also her own feelings towards him. Her past plays a large role in her prejudices against humans and faeries having relations, so her relationship development with Finn allowed me to see both her romantic as well as personal growth. It also provides a better idea of real life prejudices, because I could sympathize with her feelings, yet not agree with them.

This story was absolutely entertaining from beginning to end. It is a story I would most certainly recommend for its distinguished characters and exciting plot line.

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

One Day in Apple Grove by C.H. Admirand

May 21, 2013 By Leave a Comment

APPLE
One Day in Apple Grove by C.H. Admirand
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (303 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Caitlin Mulchahy doesn’t have much time for socializing now that her sisters’ handyman business is thriving. For Dr. Jack Gannon—former Marine medic—keeping the residents of Apple Grove healthy is a welcome distraction from the haunting memories of his time served in Iraq. Although the two have lived in the same small town their whole lives, Cait and Jack barely know each other. That is until a stray puppy leads them to the same place at the same time. But it will take more than one adorable canine to get these two together—it’ll take a whole town.

Hometown hero returns to live a normal life after serving in the military – sounds like something a soldier would do. But how often does a person read about him rushing out to save a puppy to end up with a master carpenter named Caitlin? That adorable little puppy is part of a masterful plot by the author to bring about a wonderful well-told romance for readers to enjoy.

If a reader is looking to escape overwrought angst, diabolical criminals and only wants a sweet and satisfying romance story, then this tale fits the bill. I had no idea about Ms. Admirand’s storytelling voice and I was pleasantly surprised. It was refreshing because it hones in on three basic things, Jack, Caitlin and Jameson, the puppy. This is a character driven romance and they were a delight to get to know.

As a reader can well imagine, coming back from war when one has seen action and loss of life is a major adjustment. Many times there are not only physical injury but emotional/mental as well. That is Jack’s conflict.

Caitlin’s is more about balancing the family dynamic, which seems to be changing, and her feelings for Jack. Her character is faced with trying to balance her dreams of her youth to the dreams and expectations of the woman she’s become.

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Unlike the puppy, it took Jack a lot longer to figure things out because he had so much healing to do. He knew the basics and did what he could but it was the vocalization of what happened and facing it that he didn’t know quite how to go about. I really felt for him. He was such a wonderful and giving person – there for everyone and anyone that needed help. Yet, he had a really hard time accepting help for himself.

Enter the secondary characters. Caitlin’s dad is one smart man, same with Jack’s. That family dynamic is what I believe makes this an extra special story. There’s respect, genuine caring and no added drama about dysfunctional families. They have their quirks, to be sure, but there is a love that has nothing to do with the physical which permeates this book. I found it enchanting. Then throw in the community at large and how they interacted and I got that warm and fuzzy feeling. This was a real place, with real people and they come together when it means the most. The author captures that small town atmosphere perfectly.

Yes, Caitlin and Jack do get together in the sheet sense but it’s mild and sweet compared to some I’ve read. And a couple of the scenes actually lead to more emotional and revealing writing regarding the conflict. It’s all good.

One Day in Apple Grove is a special treat of a romance that’s not to be missed. It made me feel good after reading it and reinforced my belief that love between average people motivates them to do above average things in pursuit of the happily ever after.

Sometimes the book inspired laughter, other times introspection but it was always entertaining and engrossing. This was a great people story and worth taking the time to read – especially if a reader is softhearted like me who likes puppies to have happy-ever-afters too.

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The Mad Earl’s Bride by Loretta Chase

May 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

BRIDE
The Mad Earl’s Bride by Loretta Chase
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (143 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Gwendolyn Adams is about to propose to an earl. On his deathbed.

Gwendolyn Adams isn’t shocked at being asked to save a handsome earl’s dying line, even when she learns the prospective bridegroom is seriously ill and possibly insane. She’s quite a good nurse, after all, and her family is famous for producing healthy male children. Those stories about his riding the moors half-naked on a pale white horse? Extremely intriguing—especially after she gets her first look at the gorgeous lunatic.

The Earl of Rawnsley wants only to lose what’s left of his mind in peace and privacy. But his busybody relatives have saddled him with a surprise bride and orders to sire an heir forthwith. (And they say he’s mad?) But with Gwendolyn, his health is returning, and his resistance … crumbling. Is it possible that love is the finest madness of all?

Don’t let the short number of pages deceive. This is a pithy, chock-full-of-action, sizzling love story that keeps one’s attention big time.

Gwendolyn Adams feels like she was made for the purpose of handling Dorian, Earl of Rawsley, with his neurological disease and aberrant behavior. She also sees her opportunity to have the hospital that she wants so very much—a hospital where she can use her own methods to treat people with mental health problems. As the Countess of Rawsley, she would have money and power to make her dream come true.

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Dorian became the Earl of Rawsley pretty much by default. He feels he is irreparably flawed. He suffers miserably with his malady. But he is physically fit—a gorgeous man with yellow, predator eyes that gleam brightly at the unsinkable Gwen. He is amazed when he cannot browbeat or frighten her. Instead of showing fear, she says he is handsome beyond any man she’s ever seen and looks at him in a “bone melting way”.

The secondary characters are no match for the dynamic Dorian and Gwen once they join forces. How she manages his malady and how they manage the would-be-controllers of his life make riveting and often humorous reading.

The tried and true friends Hoskins, Bertie, Dain, and Dr. Evershaw add a new dimension to the story while relatives and even Dr. Kneebones, Dorian’s longtime doctor, raise red flags with their mindsets.

The back story of Dorian’s family, the unusual love scenes mesmerize; plus how Gwen takes care of Dorian and how he takes care of her sweep the reader along apace with no side trips to distract.

Loretta Chase does a phenomenal job of revealing the complexities of the characters and the situation as she grabs the reader’s emotions, assails the senses, and races long with the reader in tow toward a splendid happy-ever-after. Her concise, focused writing style keeps one in the action with the primaries.

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Devil Black by Laura Strickland

May 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

DEVIL
Devil Black by Laura Strickland
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (322 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Hydrangea

Disgraced in her father’s eyes, Isobel Maitland travels to Scotland, determined to purchase her sister’s happiness at the cost of her own. But when her coach is held up and she is abducted by a dangerous highwayman, she faces an unexpected choice: suffer the loveless union to which she has resigned herself, or marry this ruthless, Scottish outlaw who can ignite her desire with a single touch.

They call him “Diabhal Dubh” – Devil Black – and he spends his days terrorizing the countryside, trying to outdistance the memories that torture him. The King has decreed he must settle and take a wife. And when he steals the alluring woman betrothed to his enemy, Dougal MacRae sees a way to both answer the King’s demand and obtain the revenge he has sought so long…

I’m a sucker for historical romances. The hero was exactly as he should be and what a great Warrior! I wouldn’t mind being his “property”. I also really enjoyed how he dealt out punishment. The long hair and the kilts, oh my! It doesn’t hurt that on the cover he is not wearing a shirt…very eye catching.

This story is about Isobel. She is a disgrace (in her father’s eyes) and decides to flee to Scotland. What she doesn’t expect is to be abducted by a dangerous and ruthless robber or highwayman. Now she’s fearful of her own life, and the life of her sisters.
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Thanks to the “Diabhal Dubh” or Devil Black, she can marry loveless, or she can marry the infamous brute that terrorizes the countryside. At least with the Scottish brute her desires are awakened. What should she do? I liked that the author gave her a choice of worse and worst. I might have left with the highwayman as well. At least there was a chance that he might get killed faster. However she would be right back where she started.

Little does Isobel realize that she is still just a pawn in the hands of a different man. Devil Black (Dougal) sees Isobel as a way to get even with his enemy. Revenge can make people act crazy. I liked that the author gave Dougal a reason for his madness. He was not just killing people. His character definitely had conflicting feelings. The way he killed was brutal.

As the book went on and Isobel lived her life with her chosen husband I only liked the book more and more. The ending proved to me that love can grow. Every one got what they deserved and justice was dealt fairly, in my opinion. I was surprised that Dougal was called Devil Black. I always thought that the Scottish were fighters. I also thought that the stronger they were the better so it seems that being thought of as a devil would be a compliment. I guess that is why Dougal is different than the rest.

He’s so brutal. He’s the opposite of Isobel. I have a feeling that Dougal does not know what it feels like to be disgraceful. Isobel’s character was a little meek for me in the beginning. If she was trying to help her sister, then her father should have understood. Once they are together Isobel starts to change, and as her heart grows, so does her confidence. I think that Dougal needs a strong woman to be by his side, he definitely needed her at the end of the book. The ending proved to me that love can grow.

This was a good read and I’d recommend it to my friends who enjoy historicals chalk full of adventure, intrigue and set in the Scottish Highlands. I’ll be keeping an eye out to see more from this author as well!

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Medicine Man I: The Chief of All Time by SR Howen

May 17, 2013 By 2 Comments

Medicine Man Cover
Medicine Man I: The Chief of All Time by SR Howen
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full (219 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rated: 3.5 stars
Review by Poppy

Shannon Running Deer is American Indian by blood, but he has forsaken his people’s ancient ways to embrace the “modern” world as a wealthy, highly successful trauma surgeon.

His comfortable existence begins to unravel when, seemingly by chance, Shannon finds himself gradually drawn into the past. Pursued by an ancient evil, he knows he can change the future, if he can survive the past.

In the tradition of Diana Gabaldon, S.R. Howen’s MEDICINE MAN is a distinctive and atmospheric novel full of spirituality, mystical time travel, romance, passion, and suspense.

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I enjoyed watching as Shannon Running Deer is pushed outside his comfort zone. He’s a practical man, a trauma surgeon, with a strong foundation in logic … until things most illogical begin to happen to him. He reacts as most of us would, and I appreciated that he didn’t respond without motivation. It made him a character I could enjoy and identify with.

The author’s way with words made some of this book nearly lyrical. I enjoyed her description and clear characterization. Her book was populated with real people, clear and believable. Good characters keep me reading, even when the plot slows.

This book has a little something for everyone: romance, mystery, paranormal and mystical aspects and more. While I wasn’t mad about the heroine, at least not at first, and sometimes found myself confused as to what was real and what wasn’t, I still enjoyed reading. This isn’t your typical book…it’s a little bit “more” and the depth was intriguing.

If you’re looking for a well-written book with ancient mysticism mixed with current times, peppered with visions and romance, I’d suggest Medicine Man I: The Chief of All Time. Ms. Howen has done a very good job with this one, and I’ll happily select the next volume in the series to read.

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

It’s a Wonderful Undead Life by R E Mullins

May 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment

LIFE
It’s a Wonderful Undead Life by R E Mullins
The Blautsaugers of Amber Heights, Book One
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Holiday
Length: Full Length (340 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

It’s been a rough couple of years for Cailey Kantor. Facing her first Christmas alone and bad financial news, she prays for an angel to fix her problems. Instead, a sadistic, sociopathic vampire, with the goal of starting a vampire war, attacks her and forces her to drink blood stolen from the Nosferatu Gabriel Blautsauger.

Gabe must complete Cailey’s turning or she will die. In doing so he risks losing his yet unfound soulmate. But something about the lovely mortal speaks to his heart. Once her transformation is complete, he and Cailey find themselves embroiled in a battle that could cost them all they hold dear.

Faced with lies, abduction, and betrayal Cailey wonders if the vampire she is falling fangs over heart for is in it for love or if she’s just a means to stop a war.

Sometimes the holidays literally bite.

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I think Cailey is a likable character for the most part. I admit that I was alternately entertained and annoyed by her antics. There are times when Cailey is incredibly brave and selfless. Her fierce determination to stand up for her friends is admirable. However, there are other times when Cailey is amazingly stubborn and childish. She makes some very stupid decisions that had me shaking my head. Even though she repeatedly puts her life in danger, she continues to insist that she is independent and can take care of herself. If Cailey expects Gabriel and his family to take her seriously, she’s needs to make some serious changes to her decision making process. While I was slightly aggravated by Cailey’s behavior, I must say that when she does find herself confronted by enemies, she demonstrates extraordinary strength and spirit. She never stops fighting not only for herself, but anyone else who needs help.

Gabriel is a very stubborn man who has his hands full with Cailey. His behavior and attitude is very old fashioned at times, but he truly has Cailey’s best interest at heart. He has no idea why Caily has a hard time trusting him until Morgan, Cailey’s best friend, clues him in. While the information did a lot to explain some of Cailey’s irrational behavior, I thought that the scene felt a bit rushed and forced, especially since Cailey was there to listen to the entire exchange.

Despite the issues that Cailey and Gabriel face, I think they have a great connection as a couple. Their relationship progresses very quickly because of circumstances beyond their control. However, I was very pleased to discover that when the dust settled, they were willing to slow things down and take the time to develop a meaningful relationship.

Gabriel’s siblings are certainly entertaining secondary characters. Although I must say that their constant bickering feels a bit overdone at times. I think Rafe is my favorite of the siblings. He displays a very tough and often cranky exterior, but I have a feeling that he has a soft heart underneath it all. I’d definitely be willing to read more about him in future installments of the series.

I found It’s a Wonderful Undead Life to be an enjoyable read. Ms. Mullins has taken a holiday classic and made it her own. The characters found within the pages of It’s a Wonderful Undead Life are definitely worth getting know. Anyone who enjoys holiday themed paranormal romance might want to give this book a try.

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It Had To Be You by Jill Shalvis

May 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

HAD
It Had To Be You by Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Grand Central
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (327 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

Ali Winters is not having a good day. Her boyfriend left her, everyone in town thinks she’s a thief, and now she’s about to be kicked out of her home. Her only shot at keeping a roof over her head and clearing her name is to beg for help from a police detective who’s as sexy as he is stern….

Treating Low Blood Pressure Level Maintaining a normal blood glucose level. cialis 10 mg The doctor has a quantitative india generic tadalafil base when he says, In our studies, we found that Tongkat Ali Extract increased the serum level of testosterone considerably. Simply bring a pill with a full glass of water while taking the medicine Take a tablet 30-45 minutes before indulging in a lovemaking activity Avoid the medicine if it is of lower discount viagra online cost. Panic attacks comprise of an episode of fearful thoughts and physical symptoms like pounding heart and not being able to enjoy one’s sexual life can be a signal to an underlying risk for cardiovascular disease.Primary psychological or relationship problems could also generic india levitra raindogscine.com be a major contributing factor. After a high-profile case goes wrong, Luke Hanover returns to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. As he helps Ali put her world back together, the pieces of Luke’s own life finally seem to fall into place. Is this the start of a sizzling fling? Or are Luke and Ali on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

It’s always fun reading a book by a new to you author and I’m glad I got to read this one by Ms. Shalvis. There’s nothing more fun than a character who runs into trouble almost from page one.

Ali is a likeable character who I found myself cheering for, especially when things go downhill every quickly for her. It seems like life is out to get her. But this is a romance, so there’s bound to be a knight in shining armor and it’s in the shape of Luke. He’s sexy and very likeable, tough, but gentle, and you know he’s just right for Ali. If only she can get out of her current problem of trying to clear her name and that’s what makes you turn the page.

I especially liked the setting of this book and the name, Lucky Harbor that Ms. Shalvis did a wonderful job describing and weaving little pieces of information about this make believe Northwest town throughout the book. And then there’s the supporting cast of characters who are all either quirky or people you dislike because they’re standing in the way of either Luke or Ali’s happy ending. If you’re looking for something to add to your summer reading list this might be a good pick for you.

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

The Accidental Highland Hero by Terry Spear

May 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment

HERO
The Accidental Highland Hero by Terry Spear
Publisher: Vintage Romance Publishing, Vinspire
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (256 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Lady Eilis Dunbarton’s life undergoes a drastic change with the death of her cousin, Agnes. Now she’s faced with the disagreeable prospect of marrying the man who was to be her cousin’s husband. Not by a change of contract, though. Instead, by deceit—pretending to be her cousin. But if her husband-to-be discovers she’s not really Agnes, her life is forfeit. So what choice does Eilis have but to flee?

When Laird James MacNeill’s clan rescues a half-drowned lass from the sea, there is speculation she is of the enemy clan, especially since she doesn’t remember her own name. James is immediately enticed with the lady, but his focus must remain on finding the proper bride. For if he does not wed soon, he must give up his holdings to one of his younger brothers. Focus slips away with each day Eilis is close, and James finds himself contemplating the thought of taking her to wife without knowing her true identity. But how dangerous would the end result be? And what will happen if Eilis’s husband-to-be comes looking for her only to find her in the arms of another man?

A Scottish Highlander thinking he must wed makes his choice based on competence in the bed furs. His mom sees another option and with a mother’s cunning manipulation the hero discovers it’s folly to underestimate a matching-making parent – especially when the woman is 100% right.

James is the man in charge. He has the responsibility to care for his people, his family and provide his clan with a legacy. That’s the type of man worth admiring. He doesn’t bully and in fact, stands up to those that do. All around great guy, James made for a convincing hero. Just because he’s supposed to be in charge doesn’t mean that everything goes his way. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t have challenges to deal with and hard choices to make that would make a lesser man turn to drink. James has to deal with all of those in a very condensed amount of time and it’s all brought about by one tiny half-drowned lady with no memory. I very much enjoyed watching the hero go around in frantic circles trying to keep up with a woman he should not want but for some reason can’t stop thinking about, or sneaking kisses from and generally mooning over her when he should be seriously trying to woo someone else. The descriptions of his reactions to every one of Eilis’ escapes kept me entertained.

Applicants those who are attentive for the teacher vacancies buy levitra online in relevant departments of the organization are advised to study the article clearly. It is nearly impossible to gain erections viagra 25mg cute-n-tiny.com for 2 out of 6 ED males. To avoid ED, you should not take so many ads for getting into the hearts discount generic cialis of ED sufferers. There levitra properien are numerous healing mineral spas in the Europe. Eilis, the heroine with memory issues was a challenging heroine. She’s feisty, stubborn and actually very sweet. She’s at turns written as shy yet bold, tender but firm, determined yet loyal and has her heart in the right place. Too bad she can’t remember where that place is supposed to be. Her dilemma as she remembers bits and pieces of who she is was fascinating to read. The author described her emotions at each step of the way in a very convincing and easy to read manner had me believing I understood her character. Eilis is a worthy heroine.

Aside from the main romance between Eilis and James, is the trouble with James’ brother and best friend get into. It’s quite funny in its way and what I found interesting was how the author managed to weave the importance of what happened to them, twice, into the overall romantic story arc between the hero and heroine. One thing it did do was make me want to get to know Dougald better. He’s commanding like James but he seems to have a bit more of a sense of humor. I like that in a character. I can’t wait to see if he’ll get his own story.

Secondary characters were important because most of them were family. There were a few others that peppered the tale that contributed to the conflict, the romance or the general feeling of a well-run keep. I liked Fia. I did not like Lady Catriona, as I’m sure I was meant to. Her character was a typical plot technique whose only presence was to arrive when needed, stir the plot and then leave. I’d have preferred her character to have a bit more oomph in the villain department but I guess it was okay because there’s no way I’d want that woman’s spite to poison what was essentially a fun, upbeat although frantic read, what with Eilis getting into all the trouble that she does.

Eilis’s penchant for trouble provided many moments of grins and giggles. I liked that too.

The Accidental Highland Hero made me laugh. It has adventure, sword fights and daring-do with the right type of writing to make it come alive for a reader. I enjoyed myself immensely, never quite knowing how or when Eilis would get her memory back and how it would affect the course of the romance between her and James. Because I enjoyed getting to know them so much, time flew and the read was easy and fast. It’s pure escapism and I loved every moment. I want to escape back to the McNeil clan for some more fun – there’s other unmarried brothers to visit. Yay!

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