The Lost Flower by Geraldine Solon

July 22, 2014 By 3 Comments

Cover_The Lost Flower

The Lost Flower by Geraldine Solon
Publisher: Self
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Mystery
Length: Full (273 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rated: 3 stars
Review by Rose

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This book has an interesting premise– after a kidney transplant, Lacy Stone begins having vivid dreams of a toddler in need of rescue. Because of clues in the dream she realizes it takes place on the island of Boracay in the Philippines and has a strong sense that she needs to go there.

Once there, she is introduced to other people on the island who, at first, seem to have little in common but it is soon evident that there is a thread that ties them all together–a thread we do not see clearly until the end of the book.

This book could have done with a bit of editing–it was not an ARC but there were several points where the editor fell down on his/her job (punctuation, duplication of a passage, etc., actions which seem inconsistent with transplant patients).  It was hard to connect with the majority of the characters– I think if the book had been longer the author would have been able to deepen the characters. As it is, we see a lot of what they do, but we don’t actually come to feel what they feel.

However, the story itself is compelling that this reviewer was able to get back into the story even with these issues. The mysteries as to why Frankie was hiding on the island, who the child was and what she had to do with Lacy, the connection between Sam and all the other characters is well done. I could see this as a movie–it had the feel of watching various scenes play out.

I would be interested in trying other books by this author.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath

July 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment

ROGUE
Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (384 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Bluet

They are England’s most eligible bachelors, with the most scandalous reputations. But for the right woman, even an unrepentant rogue may mend his ways…
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Born to the street but raised within the aristocracy, Drake Darling can’t escape his sordid beginnings. Not when Lady Ophelia Lyttleton snubs him at every turn, a constant reminder he’s not truly one of them. But after rescuing her from a mysterious drowning he realizes she doesn’t remember who she is. With plans to bring her to heel, he insists she’s his housekeeper—never expecting to fall for the charming beauty.

While Ophelia might not recall her life before Drake, she has little doubt she belongs with him. The desire she feels for her dark, brooding employer can’t be denied, regardless of consequences. So when her memory returns, she is devastated by the depth of his betrayal. Now Drake must risk everything to prove she can trust this rogue with her heart once more.

Remember that movie “Overboard,” with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell? How tempting would it be if you had the opportunity to get a little of your own back against someone who had belittled you and scorned you at every opportunity? That’s the first thing that came to my mind as Lady Ophelia Lyttleton called Drake Darling “Boy,” and ordered him to bring her a glass of champagne at a ball. While Drake is not a noble, he is the adopted son of a duke, and has never done a thing to spark Ophelia’s spitefulness. So, later when he rescues a mud-covered lady from almost drowning, and takes her home, and realizes that it’s Ophelia, and that she has no memory of anything, he decides to make her believe she is a servant for a day before he returns her to her home.

This Ophelia, however, is not at all like the haughty heiress who has plagued Drake. While she is pretty inept as a servant, she quickly learns, and works hard, much to Drake’s amazement. Since the circumstances of her accident are very murky, Drake does some investigating, and feels that she may still be in danger, so he doesn’t take her home right away, as planned. They quickly develop an intimacy and an attraction. Without her prejudices clouding her judgment, Ophelia (now called “Phee”) sees Drake for the man he is. And Drake is a wonderful man – he’s big, strong, handsome, and protective. And I quite liked Phee now, that is, until her memory came back.

This book was well written, and flowed nicely. I love the trope of amnesia, when it’s well done. And, frankly, it was a good thing that Ophelia had a chance to reflect on her former nasty self, because she came out of it a much better person. There are a couple mysteries – what caused Ophelia’s accident, and what happened in her past to make her the unpleasant person she had been. There is a touching scene near the end between Drake and his adopted father which brought tears to my eyes. And I thoroughly enjoy that this series of books is about the children of the characters from Lorraine Heath’s previous series, The Scoundrels of St James. This is a wonderful read, particularly if you like stories of redemption and self-forgiveness. I highly recommend reading it.

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

Daniel’s Decision by Nicole Flockton

July 10, 2014 By Leave a Comment

DANIEL
Daniel’s Decision by Nicole Flockton
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (112 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Hawthorn

Life in the small town of Emerald Springs, Washington, is anything but slow and peaceful. An old feud between former business partners Whitman and Sanders keeps competition on a high burner, fueling resentment, renewing rivalries … and love. Now someone is trying to bring down Emerald Tea Farm, and it’s up to both families to protect their future while still wrangling over the past.

Daniel Whitman has a plan to turn their hospitality retreat into a high-end eco-friendly resort, but his father and brothers think the timing is wrong. Against family wishes, he heads off to Australia to an award-winning eco-spa to test their services. He is immediately attracted to marketing manager Rochelle Harris but pushes it aside to concentrate on discovering what has made this resort so successful.

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The more time they spend together, the more the attraction grows. Then a disaster back home makes Daniel realize he has to step up to his responsibilities. But is Rochelle prepared to take the risk and relocate halfway around the world—and can Daniel open up and let someone be a true partner in his life?

This sweet romance shows that even career-driven people are capable of falling in love and having meaningful relationships.

The story started off smoothly, with likeable characters and an interesting set up. At the beginning, the romance between Daniel and Rochelle is sweet, and it’s enchanting to watch them struggle with the attraction they feel for each other. The chemistry is there, but they both have plans that don’t include relationships. The conflict feels genuine, but despite this, or maybe because of it, the quick development of their relationship seems believable.

But as the story progressed, instead of the conflict between them and their inner struggles becoming more pronounced and stronger, they seemed less and less convincing and almost contrived. The story developments after Daniel had received the urgent phone call from home all felt naïve and cliché. I hoped for the characters, so charming at first, to develop and grow throughout the story, but instead they became more or less stock figures with a predictable ending.

I realize this novel is part of a series, but some of the events at Emerald Springs lacked closure or at least a hint at a resolution sometime in the future. On the other hand, the secondary characters (who are protagonists in the other novels in the series) were well-written despite the fact that the series is penned by various authors. Although this was an ARC, the spelling and grammatical mistakes were too recurrent for me to be able to ignore them.

In Daniel’s Decision, a man and a woman who swore off love and serious relationships find just that. The strength of these characters is in how they accept the gift of love.

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

Once Upon a Wager by Julie LeMense

July 10, 2014 By 4 Comments

roses2
Once Upon a Wager by Julie LeMense
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (168 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Hawthorn

When Lord Alec Carstairs returns from the Peninsular Wars, hailed as a hero in the midst of the London Season, only Annabelle Layton knows the sort of man that he really is, that the honor everyone praises is illusory.

They’d been close friends once, before a passionate kiss changed everything. But if she’d secretly loved him, those feelings had died one bright summer morning, when a reckless wager left Annabelle with terrifying injuries. Alec had abandoned her without a backwards glance.

Hardly the actions of a hero.
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But Alec has never forgotten her, despite his vow to stay away. There is more to that long-ago day than Annabelle knows, and shocking lies have distorted the past. Can he uncover its painful truths, and still keep his distance from the stunning beauty? Can he deny his forbidden desire, even as it flares again between them, hotter than ever?

Even the most honorable and temperate men hide a passion in them. If you don’t believe it, Alec Carstairs will convince you.

Unlike the majority of historical romances, the hero in Once Upon a Wager is not rake who’s after a respectable lady. Alec Carstairs is an honorable and a rather reserved man. His polite manners and ‘priggishness’ – according to his best friend Lord Marworth – would make for an unremarkable hero if Ms. LeMense hadn’t juxtaposed those aspects of his character to the consuming passion that threatens to undo him every time Annabelle is near him. The author manages to show the strength of his love and devotion precisely through this duality of his character.

Another factor that adds to the strength of the conflict is the tragedy and pain that Annabelle had gone through. She’s not a whimsical character with nothing in her past to support her characterization. Instead, there’s a credible change in her personality after the accident, giving her and the plot a lot of weight. Needless to say, the hardships in Annabelle’s life convince the readers to feel for her and invest themselves into the story. And in the end, we are nicely rewarded for that.

Even the secondary characters are compelling, and I will be severely disappointed if Lady Jane and Lord Marworth don’t get to tell their story, preferably a shared one. I loved Sophia, the slightly eccentric, daring woman who introduces Annabelle to society and advises her to take everything with a grain of salt because the ton is a capricious, unreliable phenomenon. The relationships are so convincing I could picture Benjamin’s and Alec’s banter, Benjamin flirting with Annabelle just to annoy Alec, Sophia reading Annabelle’s and Alec’s emotions like an open book … And the chemistry between the protagonists would cause the pages to ignite had I been reading a paperback copy.

The pace of the story was such that I wished I could read the book in one sitting. Even the break between the first and second parts served its purpose, making the emotional distance between the protagonists more perceptible and their cold, distant attitude towards each other even more believable.

I’m glad I got the chance to read Once Upon a Wager because it was one of the best historical romances I’ve ever read. I sincerely hope to read more from Ms. LeMense.

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

Ghost Seer by Robin D. Owens

July 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment

SEER
Ghost Seer by Robin D. Owens
Publisher: Berkley Sensation, New York
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (303 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

There’s just something about Clare. Apart from the ghosts……

When her eccentric aunt passes away, no-nonsense accountant Clare Cermac inherits more than just a small fortune. She receives the gift of communicating with ghosts. While Clare may not believe in spirits, it’s hard to overlook the shadowy talking dog appearing on her bed or spectral cowboys tipping their hats to her in the streets of Denver. And when she locks eyes with sexy—and living—Zach Slade, there’s certainly no ignoring him either.

A former deputy sheriff, Zach is leaving a painful past behind in Montana for a new life in Denver as a private investigator, a job that has him crossing paths with beautiful Clare. Not that she minds. After the restless ghost of a Wild West gunman demands her assistance, Clare finds herself needing Zach more and more—and not just for help.

The point when your viagra online sample will arrive, you may see half broken and pounded or even under the least favorable conditions fake cialis and you need to take any other drugs, doctor must be followed to restrict self from any health worries. The most well-known of these is sildenafil (on line levitra deeprootsmag.org). As you get used to being adjusted, any slight discomfort you experience will http://deeprootsmag.org/category/videos/ cialis 10 mg decrease. viagra fast shipping It leads to continuous upper abdominal pain. I’m so glad that Ms. Owens still has animals in her stories. She gives them such interesting personalities. In this case they are a little otherworldly but still fascinating, helpful and provide just a touch of humor and extra weirdness to make the plot ride bumpy, unconventional and fun.

Ghost Seer is the first book in her new series and it’s quite a deviation from what I’m used to. That’s a good thing. This storyline is unique, refreshing and completely fascinating. What I also like is the author’s use of an actual historical character. For readers who like “what if” scenarios, this is a treat.

Clare is the main focus of the story as it follows her during a major transition. She goes from being a confident and knowledgeable accountant and into a world of the supernatural; a world she wants nothing to do with. However, she doesn’t have much of a choice. This novel follows the progression of her denial about the paranormal and shifts towards resigned, and although not totally 100%, begrudging acceptance. The journey alternates between being amazing, funny, heartfelt and bizarre. Poor Clare has a lot of changes to make in her life, one of which is believing in her new talents and her ghostly doggie sidekick, Enzo. He’s a bit mysterious too.

Then comes Zach. A man with his own inner conflicts and roiling emotions, he is a wonderful counterpoint to Clare. I liked his depiction of strength, both in mind and will and mostly his body. For what doesn’t work as well as it used to, he’s rather stubborn and is still going through the grieving process. Not that he’d admit to that. He’s got his manly pride after all. But I loved how the author had him dealing with the revelations about Clare’s talent. It’s very human, understandable and lent itself to some great plot conflicts. I liked watching his slow progression from disbelief to belief, from wanting to run away to support and from just liking Clare to maybe wanting a future. It’s a hard journey for him but it’s well worth it. Clare made it worth it and Zach was wonderful with her.

In addition to the two personal conflicts, there are two main external conflicts that contributed significant amounts of drama, suspense, intrigue, action, surprises and an amazing degree of empathy, to the novel. One is integral to Clare’s new talent and the other is more in line with Zach’s expertise. But the really bad villain still caught me by surprise. Ms. Owens gave hints that things weren’t quite right but in no way could I have guessed just how ‘not right’ they would turn out to be. That was a gripping piece of writing.

The only thing I noticed that made me raise an eyebrow was the overuse of a few words throughout the book. I’m not sure if that was accidental or on purpose but it was done enough to notice. It might not bother other readers but it did bother me. Not enough to make me stop liking the book, far from it. I enjoyed Ghost Seer tremendously. I just observe those types of things and I’m compelled to mention them.

For the start of a new series, Ghost Seer is a wonderful springboard. It tackled the world building head on without falling into the trap of an info dump. Everything that was revealed was done in due course of telling Clare’s tale of becoming a ghost seer and the complications that it introduces to her life. The how of Clare and Zach’s getting together was delightful and their blossoming romance is a treasure trove of discovery. Enzo, the ghost puppy, is intriguing because he is more than the wag of his tail. He’s a wonderfully creative character. In fact, the whole premise is creative and engrossing. It’s a meaty story on so many levels that I know this review isn’t doing it justice. For fans of Ms. Owens, they know her quality of writing and I can assure them that the tradition of excellence in storytelling continues. This is also a great book for a new reader to discover the wonderful talent of Ms. Owens. Ghost Seer is a sure pleaser and a must read for new and old fans alike. It’s not just really good, it’s really cool and I encourage readers to check it out. It’s worth it.

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

Suddenly Last Summer by Sarah Morgan

July 7, 2014 By Leave a Comment

LAST
Suddenly Last Summer by Sarah Morgan
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (249 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Fiery French chef Élise Philippe is having a seriously bad day. Not only have the opening day plans for her beloved café fallen apart, but Sean O’Neil is back in town, and looking more delectable than ever. Last summer, they shared an electrifying night together…and the memories have Élise really struggling to stick to her one-night-only rule! Her head knows that eventually Sean will be leaving, so all she can do is try to ignore her heart before she spontaneously combusts with lust.

Being back in Vermont—even temporarily—is surgeon Sean O’Neil’s worst nightmare. For Sean, returning home to the Snow Crystal Resort means being forced to confront the reasons and the guilt he feels about rejecting his family’s rural lifestyle years ago. But discovering that Élise has settled in Vermont and still sets his blood racing is a very welcome distraction! Thinking he can persuade her into a replay of last summer is tempting, but remembering how good they are together is going to make walking away more difficult than he could imagine…

Élise and Sean made a wonderful couple because they both thought each other perfect. The irony was that they truly were perfect, but not in the way either one expected, believed or wanted. Each character took turns suffering emotional blows that knocked them on their keisters and had them rethinking everything they believed to be true. The author had one common thread woven between the two main characters – the effect of assumptions. Élise and Sean were full of them.

Suddenly Last Summer picks up where the hints in Sleigh Bells in the Snow left off. I recognized a wonderful hook when I saw one so was thrilled to see Sean and Élise’s story come to life. The wait was worth it. This book is a solid standalone story and well worth checking out.

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With the heroine, I loved how the author fleshed her out by using her dialogue – using her first language, French, and mixing up the two. It was at times humorous, but many times it acted as a clue. A clue that Sean picked up on many times throughout the book to an effective degree which in turn helped me understand Élise as well. It was a clever technique and I think it worked really well in the story.

Sean had a chance to be a hero in the truest sense of the word. I liked how the author had him dealing with it because it proved to his family that his calling was real, important and meaningful. The surprise comes from his discovering what they really thought which wasn’t what he thought which made him question other things he thought he knew. I love that kind of mired twist – it made Sean that much more interesting as a man, a friend, a brother and a lover.

I got to see the grandfather again and wouldn’t you know it, the author made me go ‘awwww’ all over again. He really is a prickly marshmallow.

The emotional secrets were pretty heavy in this story and made for good plot conflict. The constant allusion to Élise’s big secret got to be a little overused at one point; I’m not sure if it was the delivery or the verbiage but I was very glad when she finally revealed it. The constant hints and references were getting tedious. Once voiced, it was no longer a thorn in my brain and I could enjoy the fallout that rippled through the rest of the book.

Once again Ms. Morgan teased me with that flash of red. Something tells me the next book is going to a bit more intense and problematic for the hero in that story. There’s going to be three hearts affected and although I expect it to be emotional, it will be well worth it. All the brothers deserve their happy ever after and so far, I’m loving this series hard.

I was not disappointed with any of the scenes that had Élise and Sean together, especially when passion blew their minds and they lost control. It was hot, potent, delightful and effective writing. There was even a bit of humor injected when I least expected it. Just like in real life it made the moment more real, special and fun.

Suddenly Last Summer is a fun read with many surprises in store for a reader. It has a sweet and passionate romance between two characters I was delighted to see get their happy ever after. This is an easy, smooth flowing story that can make an afternoon fly by. The best theme that I found in the whole story is the reminder to tell those people you love that you DO love them. This novel brings that message home effectively and in a fun way. Suddenly Last Summer is a book not to miss.

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Daring Miss Danvers by Vivienne Lorret

July 1, 2014 By Leave a Comment

MISS
Daring Miss Danvers by Vivienne Lorret
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (288 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Bluet

It’s all fun and games . . . until someone falls in love.

Oliver Goswick, Viscount Rathburn, needs money—and soon. With time ticking away and his inheritance held hostage until he’s properly wed, Rathburn’s slim options point to a single solution: a faux engagement. In need of the perfect bride, he knows of only one candidate: his best friend’s wallflower sister. The plan seems flawless, except for one problem . . . He can’t help falling in love with her.
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Poised, polished Emma Danvers knows nothing good can come of Rathburn’s scheme. Spending the next two months engaged in a mock courtship is not what she’d imagined for her final season. Yet, charmed by his roguish ways and the inexplicable hammering he causes in her heart, she accepts his challenge.

For Emma, keeping the secret seemed easy when it was just a game . . . But as Rathburn begins to see past her reserved exterior to the passionate woman within, the risk of losing her heart becomes all too real.

Miss Emma Danvers only wants to find a nice stable gentleman to marry, so she can finally leave her madcap household. Her parents are artists, with the corresponding eccentricities, and are therefore looked down on by society. Her prospects are not looking good, as Oliver Goswich, Viscount Rathburn, a close family friend, chases away all potential suitors. Rathburn states that he’s only acting in Emma’s brother’s place, but I suspect some feelings there that he hasn’t even admitted to himself.

Rathburn formerly lived a somewhat rakish life, but he changed when his father was killed in a fire. Now he secretly supports many noble causes, but is frustrated because his grandmother is holding back his inheritance until she feels he has really changed his ways. He is in desperate need of funds to finish building a hospital in honor of his father. He concocts a scheme to become engaged to Emma, one of the few people his grandmother approves of, and then plans to break the engagement after he has his inheritance. Emma agrees, surprisingly enough, because a broken engagement will only sully her reputation and even further lessen her chances to make a good marriage.

I am always leery of reading a new author, but this book was a sheer delight. Rathburn was constantly making me smile – he is an accomplished flirt, and fun, and honorable. It didn’t take him long to realize his true feelings, and I like that he decided he had to convince Emma to let their engagement be real. Emma was endearing as well. She tried so hard to be proper, but inside she burned with artistic talent and a love for Rathburn that she was fighting with everything she had.

This book just flowed along at a quick pace. It had likeable characters, a sweet romance, and two of my favorite tropes – friends to lovers and a fake engagement. I enjoyed it enough that I will read the prequel novella in Five Golden Rings, and look forward to the next two books in the Wallflower Wedding series. This is one instance where I’m very glad I tried a new author, and I highly recommend this book that left me with a big smile on my face.

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The Trouble with Harry by Katie MacAlister

June 27, 2014 By Leave a Comment

HARRY
The Trouble with Harry by Katie MacAlister
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (342 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

You think you’ve got troubles?

As a spy for the Crown, Lord Harry Rosse faced clever and dangerous adversaries-but it’s his five offspring who seem likely to send him to Bedlam. At his wits’ end, he’s advertised for a wife and found one, but perhaps he should have been a bit more forthcoming on certain points…

Wait till you meet Harry and Plum…

Frederica Pelham, affectionately known as Plum, spent years avoiding the scandals of her past, and is desperate for quiet security and a chance to make a family. What she finds is a titled husband and five little devils who seem bent on their own destruction, not to mention hers. And while all kinds of secrets are catching up with them, Plum knows the real trouble with Harry… is that he’s stolen her heart.

The Trouble with Harry cracked me up. It had elements of Yours, Mine and Ours, a movie about a blended family that was pretty funny in and of itself. There are not quite as many children as in the movie but that’s unnecessary – rambunctious, mischievous and clever children make their mark in unforgettable ways – and this book benefits tremendously from their input.

Let’s face it, annoying people are everywhere and anyone can be annoying in some regard, and someday everyone will be “difficult” for some reason or another. cheapest price on viagra Short walks purchase cialis on line are perfect for improving blood circulation. Peruvian Ginseng Maca comes from the Andes with a cipla tadalafil history of cholestatic jaundice dysfunction associated with prior use of azithromycin. According to the FDA’s office Generic drugs “a generic drug is identical, or bioequivalent to a brand cheapest viagra from india name medication and will also have the same side effects. Plum is a very unique heroine. She’s shunned from the ton and has had to make the best of a very bad situation. There’s a lot to respect in a woman who refused to admit defeat and pushed back at life, believing that there’s something better waiting for her, she just had to find it.

What she finds is Harry. Harry the desperate, the very rich but beleaguered earl who only needs someone to take his kids in hand. What he gets is something far more wonderful – something his money could never buy – love.

As adorable and wonderful as the romance is that grows and blossoms between Harry and Plum, there is a brilliant suspenseful plot conflict that truly spiced up the tension nicely. Plum has secrets and one is so scandalously delicious that of course it gets used against her. And yet, as sick and twisted as the culprit turns out to be, it’s not as simple as a reader first thinks. That is why I liked this book so much – the twist, the surprise and the not knowing how it was going to be solved is what kept those pages flipping.

My favorite secondary character is Juan. He made me grin. I enjoyed his passionate and protective nature for Plum. At first it’s silly but later, later it is important. I liked that.

Second favorite secondary characters were Thom and Nick. I enjoyed the initial misconception and miscommunication between them and about Nick. It helped make the novel more rich and special.

Even though Harry comes across as less than effective with his kids, he’s actually a very strong man, of body and mind. His history is fascinating and his quest is filled with all kinds of delightful drama and suspense. He’s a terrific hero.

My favorite silliness is when they quote positions from ‘the book’. The titles are hilarious even though I truly have no idea what they mean. It’s the reactions that Harry has when Plum mentions certain ones that made me giggle. So much fun and it showcased just how perfect they were for each other.

Another thing that had me laughing was the birth process. The dialogue is hysterical and true to Plum’s character. What came after was sweet, sentimental and poetic.

The Trouble with Harry is a story rich in storytelling talent. It made me laugh, gasp and giggle. The interesting thing about this novel and the other two, Nobel Intentions and Noble Destiny, is the one tiny element that loosely ties them all together. I didn’t expect that and I liked how the author used it for the grand finale in the series. Each book has entertainment value but I liked The Trouble with Harry the best. There is something in Harry and Plum’s relationship dynamic that worked for me and I loved getting to know them and watching them fall in love, even plagued with all the zany antics of the kids, the kitten, the animals and all the mysterious incidents that seemed to happen to them. This book is a keeper.

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

The Romantics by Stephanie Queen

June 27, 2014 By Leave a Comment

QWUEEN
The Romantics by Stephanie Queen
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (188 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Big bad bodyguard Joseph Allario kept his secret fear close to his vest until a so-called cupcake assignment takes him to London to play undercover babysitter to Lady Veronica Douglas. Ronnie lost her parents and made a deathbed promise to prove her father was murdered. Joe finds himself falling for Ronnie as he tries to stop the killer before the killer stops her. Even if it means overcoming the one thing he fears most.

Joe knows romance with Ronnie is a bad idea. Too bad his heart didn’t get the message.
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Joe thinks his assignment protecting Ronnie will be an easy one. All he has to do is keep the young woman out of trouble. However, Ronnie is a woman on a mission, and she isn’t easily sidetracked. Her investigation has made her the target of some nefarious characters willing to do anything to silence her. As Joe and Ronnie struggle with their rapidly growing attraction, danger lurks much closer than they ever imagined.

It is abundantly clear that Joe is smitten by Ronnie from the moment he sees her. I smiled as Joe is struck by Ronnie’s beauty and innocence. When Ronnie smiles at him for the first time, his reaction is particularly interesting. “An angel’s choir in heaven struck a chord in his veins as if they’d presented him with their most prized gift.” While Joe’s reaction seems a little over the top, I couldn’t help but chuckle as I witnessed Joe fall very hard for Ronnie. The Romantics is filled with amusing banter between Joe and Ronnie as they dance around their feelings for each other. However, I think Joe spends way too much time thinking about how “perfect” Ronnie is. I enjoyed watching Joe fall in love with Ronnie, but his musings over her perfection became much too frequent and lost their emotional impact.

I must admit that I was a little frustrated with the pace of The Romantics at the beginning. The story moved along very slowly, and I was seriously beginning to doubt whether Joe and Ronnie’s investigation would actually lead anywhere. My patience was certainly rewarded. When Joe and Ronnie make an important discovery, the pacing really picks up. The last half of the book is very intense and had me on the edge of my seat wondering how the action would all play out.

Some questions remain unanswered at the conclusion of The Romantics, but the ending is still very satisfying. I do think one of the last scenes between Joe and Ronnie was a bit uncomfortable. They have a very emotionally intimate moment that should have occurred in private, but was witnessed by a small group of people. I was unable to enjoy the romance of their moment because I kept thinking about the other people in the room. After everything that Joe and Ronnie have been through, I really think they deserved a moment alone.

Despite my issues, I think The Romantics is a good book. Joe and Ronnie have great chemistry, and the last half of their tale is loaded with suspense. Readers who like a tough hero whose heart melts at the sight of his heroine should check out The Romantics today.

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

The Bad Boy Billionaire’s Wicked Arrangement by Maya Rodale

June 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment

BOYS
The Bad Boy Billionaire’s Wicked Arrangement by Maya Rodale
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (132 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Hawthorn

Jane Sparks has accidentally announced her engagement on Facebook—to the infamous Bad Boy Billionaire, Duke Austen. As soon as it’s discovered that Jane and Duke barely know each other (One hot kiss at a party does not a relationship make), she’ll be humiliated. And then Duke does something Jane never expected. He plays along with her charade.

With his hard partying, playboy reputation jeopardizing a fifty million dollar investment deal, Duke realizes an engagement with the hot but oh-so-proper librarian could be just the thing to repair his reputation. This good girl tempts him to be very wicked…but just with her. It’s unprecedented. Inconceivable. Totally alluring.
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As the unlikely match of librarian and tech entrepreneur set out to convince the world—and the internet—that their love is real, something unexpected happens: they start falling for each other. But Jane is secretly writing a historical romance novel that could expose their carefully constructed romance…unless two perfect strangers are content to be perfectly scandalous together.

Social media could ruin Jane Sparks, but instead it sets in motion her hot romance with a tech savvy bad boy.

Reading this novella, I was pretty much like Jane Sparks – I instantly fell for the tech entrepreneur Duke Austen. He’s super smart and hot and he knows it. He could easily come off as arrogant or too full of himself, but Rodale gives him just enough of his boyish charm and a tinge of insecurity that make him a very likeable person. She achieves something similar with Jane, who is a loveable control freak librarian. Or she used to be until she met Duke and kissed him at a wicked party in the library.

I loved how Rodale truly makes this a modern, Instagrammed, Twittered, and Facebooked romance; an affair that is at first invented in order for Duke and Jane to both reach their goals, but it then quickly develops into something deeper and unpredictable. The characters are all well-rounded, with the exception of Jane’s ex, I thought. What bothered me is that Jane is unwisely writing a historical romance using Duke and other people from her life for inspiration. That would’ve worked, hadn’t she copied the characters almost to the last detail. That makes it a bit unrealistic.

Another thing to bear in mind: this novella is part of a series and it therefore ends with a cliffhanger.

If you live on Facebook or Twitter and you’re dreaming of finding a charming and filthy rich computer geek, check out The Bad Boy Billionaire.

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