When the Rogue Returns by Sabrina Jeffries

January 28, 2014 By Leave a Comment

ROGUE
When the Rogue Returns by Sabrina Jeffries
Publisher: Pocket Books
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (365 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Victor Cale never imagined that his sweet, shy bride, Isabella, would use her talents for creating exquisite imitation jewels criminally. But there’s no denying that her handiwork was used in the theft of the Dutch royal diamonds– right after Isa disappeared into the night.

Ten years later, Victor is sent to Edinburgh to investigate a wealthy baron’s mysterious bride-to-be… who turns out to be Isa, masquerading as an alluring widow. No longer the meek girl he once knew, Isa boldly asserts that it was Victor who abandoned her, after he helped steal the royal diamonds!

Piecing together the truth of the past reawakens their volatile passions, which burns hotter than ever. But with a decade of secrets between them, Victor and Isa must trust each other to bring the real thieves to justice– without getting burned themselves.

I love it when a plan comes together. I enjoy it even more when the plan is against someone who believes that they are unstoppable and who have no compunction in using people to get their way. What this one person did many years ago ended up destroying the lives of two young people in love and this story is how they get their lives back. It’s also about how they relearned to love the people they’ve become and like the mighty phoenix, rise from the ashes of the past to embrace a glorious future. It’s the journey of getting from A to B that makes this book an amazing read.

Since find out this link cheapest viagra a very long time, males have been experiencing the problem. They are on the clock and must see levitra properien a set number of patients an hour. Kamagra Pills are a good alternative of cialis professional effects as available at the lowest prices with the same natural ingredients as VigRX and allows more blood flow move to the penis. Erectile dysfunction can affect men’s lives at any age. canadian pharmacy cialis I absolutely adore the heroine, Isa, in this tale. It’s because of how Ms. Jeffries wrote her character that made the difference from a humdrum run of the mill type historical heroine to a woman I can respect, cheer for and be impressed with. Isa is not weak, meek or easily lead. At least, the woman she became isn’t. A reader is first introduced to her when she was innocent, trusting and easily manipulated. Even though it was a drastic measure that set her apart from the people who destroyed the life she had, she’s made her own life, on her own terms and doing a deuced fine job of it. The heroine, when the story really gets going, is woman fully grown and wise to the world. She doesn’t suffer fools gladly, has gained wisdom beyond her years and is a person worth knowing. In short, she’s worthy of the hero.

If anyone has been reading that past few books that Ms. Jeffries wrote, they might remember Victor. He’s come a long way and his story is one I looked forward to reading. In this book, I got to see him as he was early in life, and then when he and Isa are reunited, I saw a man also fully grown, come into his own but for the hero, there’s a lot of bitterness, anger, determination and obsession driving him. He’s also a man of lethal talents and he intends to right a wrong. Except the wrong he intended to right isn’t the one he ends up tackling. That plot twist was divine and thoroughly exciting.

When the book has the two protagonists finally come together and truths are revealed, the book could have fallen apart right there. Why? Because that was the pivotal moment where the author could have had Isa behave as many authors do – and I would have thrown the book at the wall. Instead I was cheering and grinning and I would have given Isa a bear hug if I could have done so. Isa stayed strong. All the lessons she learned, all the beliefs she had and the love she had for Victor gave her a strength that not only did she not shy away from, but used it to good effect. If ever there was a perfect moment in time for a lady to use profanity, it was used to the ultimate good. I felt like saying, “You go girl!” ::fist pump:: I do not believe I have ever felt prouder of an historical heroine as I did at that moment. From that scene on she was my girl. That was how a heroine should be and in my mind, Isa has a theme song, Stand by Your Man by Tammy Wynette. Totally awesome.

Secondary characters are key. Everyone who was in Victor’s or Isa’s life played a role in helping them come together and in dealing with, in a most exciting and effective way, the villains. One of the villains was especially cruel because of the kind of betrayal perpetuated. There was a certain wisdom in how Ms. Jeffries had Isa and Victor choose to deal with it. In a way, it was very noble to give a choice when they’d not given any to Isa or Victor. Showed who had real class and honor.

After being away from each other so long, I was thrilled with how the author handled their rekindled passion. It was like they had to seduce each other all over again, but this time around, there is no blushing bride and awkward groom but a woman and man who know what they like and aren’t shy about going for it. It was steamy, charming, spicy and delightful all at once. The flowers were an over-the-top gesture that just oozed romance. I thought it rather sweet.

The culmination of the plan was very exciting and dare I say it, set the hook for the next of the Duke’s Men to fall into love’s trap. And if the heroine is as feisty as she was in the scene she barreled into, I’m going to be an impatient reader waiting for it. It promises to be very entertaining indeed!

Some readers might think that the risk of telling as many people as Isa did about her whole sordid past and not have even one person think badly or act against her is a trifle too goody-goody but as far as I’m concerned it stood as a testament to the life she’d lived, the woman she’d become and the respect she’d earned by interacting with them. I didn’t think it was unbelievable at all.

Ms. Jeffries has a solid reputation of delivering a high quality story about well-developed characters and a knack for making them a delight to know and read about. When the Rogue Returns is a reinforcement of that well-earned accolade. This is a thoroughly entertaining historical romance that new and old fans should absolutely try. I loved how the author wrapped up the “happy ever after”, making my reading experience complete. This book is definitely getting a high recommend from me.

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Four Weddings and a Fireman by Jennifer Bernard

January 27, 2014 By Leave a Comment

FIREMAN
Four Weddings and a Fireman by Jennifer Bernard
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (285 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

It takes a certain kind of man to stand out among the Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel.

Firefighter Derek “Vader” Brown is one of a kind—six feet of solid muscle with the heart of a born hero. It’s that protective streak that has him pursuing a promotion to Captain to pay for his mother’s home care. And it’s why he intends to figure out why his sometime girlfriend Cherie Harper runs hot as hellfire one minute and pushes him away the next.

Cherie’s got it bad. Vader sweeps her off her feet—literally—and their chemistry is combustible. There’s just the little problem of a nightmare from her past she was desperate to escape. And then her sister Trixie arrives, causing havoc for Cherie and the male population of San Gabriel. Cherie doesn’t want her past to complicate Vader’s life or his career. But there’s nothing like a firefighter to break through all your defenses, one smoldering kiss at a time . . .

What’s awesome about a firefighter besides his bravery, brawns and courage? Brains, determination and the heart of a lion. Followers of the The Bachelor Firemen series will remember Vader as being a pumped up behemoth of a man who only seemed to be the perfect side kick, the jokester and the one most in love with pumping iron to the exclusion of all else except fighting fires. Four Weddings and a Fireman showed that Vader has deeper depths than anyone ever dreamed, and it made for one heck of an interesting story.

First, this is a solid standalone read. A new reader will fit right in with reading this book out of order and be perfectly fine. When I first discovered this series, it was by accident and it was the third book in. I’ve since grabbed all the back stories and all the ones since and have enjoyed every single one, Four Weddings and a Fireman included. There’s just something about Ms. Bernard’s talent that one bite is simply not enough. Those bachelor firemen create a craving and the author delivers such a fine and entertaining romance for each and every man that they are a treat to read.
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Vader is a very large man who is constantly seen perfecting his form with weights at the gym What the author does is explore why he is the way he is. What drives him and creates that intense focus is nothing less than heroic. However, the hero is under a misconception – one that he is so stubborn against changing that it almost costs him someone he loves. That pivotal moment when change is forced upon him opens his eyes to what amounts to his fearful arrogance and it alters the course of his relationship with his firemen brothers and to an even greater effect, his on again/off again romance with the love of his life, Cherie. It’s an excellent vehicle for drama, suspense and hope. Add frustration. Poor Vader is put through the “love wringer” so many times, my heart ached for him.

Cherie was a surprise. She’s neither shallow, nor ditzy, nor is she leading Vader on and toying with him. There’s a very good reason for blowing hot and cold all the time and it turns out, she was right to try to keep Vader at a distance. That overall fear guided her internal conflict until it became THE conflict – the one that effected everyone around her, even innocent bystanders, and produced some of the best tense, action packed scenes in the book.

Cherie’s sister sort of annoyed me but she sure was effective at mixing things up and her character got things done. Cherie’s brother and his cohorts were integral to the plot too. I thought her brother was a bit more emotional then he needed to be but that’s before the author revealed why he reacted so irrationally to some of Cherie’s decisions. Vader’s mom was important too because she provided motivation and some of Vader’s internal conflict. I’d say every single one of the secondary characters included in this book were vital because they enhanced Vader and Cherie’s strengths and weaknesses and certainly played a part in bringing them together – eventually.

The villain was not a figment of anyone’s imagination. He turned out to be much worse than even I could have predicted. The author created an effective villain who was irredeemable. He gave me the creeps.

Dialogue was key but so were the descriptions of Vader and Cherie seducing each other, even unintentionally, and the fun and sexy hijinks that ultimately took over. I enjoyed how even the most innocent of things could get the hero all hot and bothered, and how totally in love Cherie was with Vader that he was a constant aphrodisiac, her moth to his flame.

There were times, quite a few, in which I was vastly annoyed with the heroine’s constant dithering about whether to trust Vader, about how closed book she was and that waffling drove me nuts. After I read the story, I understood all, but while it was happening, it just seemed to go on and on, over and over and I wanted to yell at her, “Tell him!” That’s why I felt her sister was an important character – she helped give Cherie the shot in the shorts the heroine needed to do the right thing. Vader’s own “shot in the shorts” was dramatic and unnerving, but again, effective.

When it comes to the hero and heroine ‘getting it on’, I’m a happy reader. Ms. Bernard provided me with plenty of opportunities to see that those two get on, pardon the pun, like a house on fire. It’s the perfect cliché to attach to those two. Talk about steamy pages!

Four Weddings and a Fireman is a sure pleaser for romance fans. For readers who think the ultimate sexy and hot hero is a fire fighter, they’re going to find a lot to enjoy as Vader finally gets his girl. It’s a thoroughly fun and entertaining romance with just enough drama and suspense to keep the pages turning. There’s humor, silly antics and even sentimental scenes to keep a reader’s emotions engaged. The happily ever after includes a wonderful, satisfying wrap-up that had me sighing wistfully. I want to attend a party like that. It sounded like so much fun! And that’s the compliment. I’d like to meet all those guys because Ms. Bernard created characters that seemed to come alive and jump off of the pages straight into my heart. Who wouldn’t want a hunky fireman of their own? Try Four Weddings and a Fireman and find out for yourself.

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

The Same Mistake Twice by Albert Tucher

January 24, 2014 By 2 Comments

TWICE
The Same Mistake Twice by Albert Tucher
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Short Story (98 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Daisy

For ten years the dead man lurked in an unmarked grave with a bullet in his head and no one to miss him. Now he has resurfaced, and the only clue to his identity is Diana’s phone number freakishly preserved in his pocket. The police are demanding a list of her clients, and they threaten to stop looking the other way about her business. Diana must stall the cops and solve the case, and she’s running short of time. Her investigation will take her back to her earliest days as a prostitute. She will confront old mistakes and old enemies, and that’s the best-case scenario. The worst could be another secret grave—for her.

Diana is a ‘realist’, as the book describes, and her profession is a result of her wanting money and the knowledge that prostitution is an easy way of getting it. The intricate relationship between her and Detective Tillotson is what makes this book appealing. Usually prostitutes are glorified in pornographic detail or derided as dirty. Here they are seen as a natural part of life and Diana’s interactions with the Detective show a side to solving crimes which is rarely dramatized.
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These main characters feel lifelike, are blunt, and have their own life problems to deal with which often get in the way of the other’s needs, creating the main tension of the story. Diana likes her privacy and Tillotson needs to chip away at it to solve the murder.

The plot is surprisingly complicated for a shorter piece of fiction and I was left reeling with questions, often having to reread sections and stop to piece together the action in my mind. Some of this is great plotting but some of it needs to be tightened up. The issue is that with the amount of suspects and jump in and off characters, it is hard for a reader to keep every individual separate and therefore the book loses some of its impact as we struggle to pair names with people.

I was also surprised that a lot of the delving into Diana’s past is in her head, memories brought alive. This is not badly done, in fact it probably gets the point across much faster and more dramatically than meeting them again and thinking about past times, but it is a surprise and unusual for crime fiction in its passivity.

However, for those who love to see punch ups and meetings in dark corners with people you thought could be trusted, there’s plenty of that in here too so don’t be disappointed by occasional introversion.

In short, The Same Mistake Twice is a slice of reality. Diana is a realist who makes objective lists to please her customers – condoms, pleasant manner and knowing when to leave are essential bullet points. Good customer service is key for her. And there is a tone to this which some readers may not like – particularly as there are occasional visual references to sex where Diana is pleasuring her clients – but this seedy reality is not the main drive of the piece. The main message to be taken from Tucher’s work is that prostitutes are people, too, and often they have information in their large, compartmentalized brains, that can solve disappearances and murders. They should be tolerated and, sometimes, thanked. This is a new mine of crime inspiration to be explored and enjoyed.

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

Wulfe Untamed by Pamela Palmer

January 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

WULFE
Wulfe Untamed by Pamela Palmer
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (247 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

They are called Feral Warriors—an elite band of immortals who can change shape at will. Sworn to rid the world of evil, consumed by sorcery and seduction, their wild natures are primed for release…

The most enigmatic and tortured of the Feral Warriors, Wulfe is haunted by the quiet beauty of a human woman who no longer remembers him. Once a captive of both the Mage and the Ferals, Natalie stole a piece of his heart before he took her memories and sent her safely back to her fiancé. But now the Mage are threatening her again, and Wulfe will risk anything to protect her.

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The final battle, the ultimate bad guy take down and the mess it makes and the people it saves all help in delivering an action packed story and satisfying happy ever after for this long awaited romance between Wulfe and Natalie.

I wouldn’t classify this as a standalone because the groundwork for the relationship between Natalie and Wulfe was built a couple of books ago. A reader needs to have read the previous adventure in which they met. It helps explain why their getting together is so poignant, special and powerful in Wulfe Untamed. They weren’t allowed to be together initially because of dire circumstances and a few tormented decisions that Wulfe had to make. It was sad when they had to part and it was even more heart wrenching watching him pine for a women he could never have. Talk about unrequited love and putting the needs of the many before his own. It was very emotional.

The action starts practically right away when the bad guys find Natalie. She doesn’t remember them, doesn’t believe Wulfe and has a hard time wrapping her brain around the chaos and horror that suddenly surrounds her. I liked Natalie because she was quick on the uptake and followed her gut feelings. She trusted Wulfe when she knew she shouldn’t but because of the previous story, it made perfect sense to me. She didn’t remember him, but some part of her did and that allowed for what happened next.

There are a lot of folks that populate this tale that made it a wonderful reading experience for me. I was excited to see so of my favorite heroes and heroines who had had their own stories in the past show up in this tale to help out Natalie and Wulfe. But the best thing about this particular book is the eventual well rounded happiness. It’s hard won with a lot of fighting, bloodshed, horror, pain, death, strategizing and brute strength, and even a few amazing jaw dropping surprises delighted me, before an allover happy ever after could be realized. When it does happen, it’s simply wonderful, uplifting and it gave me the sniffles. For the final book in the Feral Warriors series, Ms. Palmer saved the best for last.

Wulfe was heavily scarred and unlovable. At least, that is what he thinks. The reasons for the intense scarring were heroic and tragic. He was a true tormented hero so seeing him find his one true love had me melting into a pile of delighted shivers. And the epilogue embraced all of the men who never believed they could find love. The ending was pure pleasure and enjoyment and it made all the trials and tribulations that went on before worth it. I know I had a goofy smile on my face when I read the last few paragraphs.

Ms. Palmer has an excellent grasp for action words and descriptions. The battle came alive for me and I was highly entertained never mind that I couldn’t put the book down. The drama was that intense. The dialogue fit, flowed well and the editing was perfect. All in all Wulfe Untamed can be touted as another gem to add to the author’s string of hits. It’s well done, worth reading and I highly recommend it.

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Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

January 23, 2014 By 1 Comment

DUKE
Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
Castles Ever After
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (230 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Hollyhock

As the daughter of a famed author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up on tales of brave knights and fair maidens. She never doubted romance would be in her future, too. The storybooks offered endless possibilities.

And as she grew older, Izzy crossed them off. One by one by one.

Ugly duckling turned swan?
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Rescued from drudgery by charming prince?

No, no, and… Heh.

Now Izzy’s given up yearning for romance. She’ll settle for a roof over her head. What fairy tales are left over for an impoverished twenty-six year-old woman who’s never even been kissed?

This one.

Isolde Ophelia Goodnight has a problem. Her godfather left her a castle, but not only is it falling into ruin, it’s inhabited by an ogre. Well, maybe not an ogre. He’s actually a handsome duke, but he acts like an ogre, and he believes the castle is his. Thus begins Romancing the Duke, a delightful fairytale that follows the adventures of Izzy, England’s sweetheart due to her father’s wildly popular stories that feature her, and Ransom William Dacre Vane, the eleventh Duke of Rothbury, a scarred and isolated misanthrope who wants nothing to do with Izzy or the fans of her father’s writing who follow her around.

Ransom and Izzy are charming characters, and it’s easy to become caught up in their stories. Each of them has seen hardship and each has much to overcome before finding the happily ever after that should be waiting at the end of every fairytale. But even though the the troubles the hero and heroine face are often quite sad, the author manages to inject a great deal of humor in the story, making this a fun read. I especially enjoyed how Izzy is a constant surprise to the duke. He does his best to scare her away, both from the castle and from himself, but she never reacts the way he expects her to, and always challenges his perception of himself and the world. I also liked the secondary characters—Duncan, Ransom’s faithful valet and Abigail, the vicar’s daughter who befriends Izzy—and the richness their presence adds to the story.

My one knock on Romancing the Duke would be how modern it feels, both in situations and in language. I don’t mean there are glaring anachronisms in the book, rather that the tone of it is essentially modern. That is not my preference in historical novels, but the story is involving enough and the writing competent enough that it didn’t materially affect my enjoyment of the story. There were also a few too many sex scenes—both complete and interrupted—for my taste. At certain points in the story, it felt like the plot got lost in all the sexual activity, but the author eventually brings everything back into focus for a satisfying resolution.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Ransom and Izzy and would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a romance novel with a little fairytale in it.

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The Bride Says No by Cathy Maxwell

January 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

NO
The Bride Says No by Cathy Maxwell
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (196 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Quince

What happens when a bride says no?

He is the bastard son of a duke, arrogant, handsome, a little bit dangerous, and, of course, one of the most sought-after bachelors in London. He is also about to be publically jilted by some chit of a girl! Blake Stephens’ pride isn’t about to let him be humiliated, so he charges after his bride to the wilds of Scotland, determined to bring her to the altar.

What happens when the heart says yes?

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It has been a while since I read an historical romance novel. But then I read the blurb for this book and decided to make a short trip back to the land of historicals. I am really glad I did with Cathy Maxwell’s The Bride Says No, because this story was different.

The Bride Says No was a great surprise for me, because it is completely different from all the historical novels that I’ve read in last ten years. The author stepped out from the established forms of historical romance novels and wrote something completely new.

Ms. Maxwell’s story did not focus on just one couple and their path to the HEA. She incorporated and told three interconnected romances in this relatively short story. The writing is good, the author kept control of the reins to the story the whole time, and I liked the way she decided to give voice to each character. The tale it is told from the different perspectives, providing the reader with the thoughts and feelings of each character when it is important.

The downside of interlacing three stories within the main love story between Lady Aileen and Blake was that it was a bit rushed. But on the other hand, it is quite obvious that Lady Aileen and Blake are not the main characters and that the overall story arc in this and in future books in the series, “Brides of Wishmore“, is and will be, Lady Tara.

Ah, Lady Tara, she is such an interesting anti-hero; the one I love to hate. In the end I cheered for her.

The author also tackled some very interesting issues in this story, such as a status of women in the Regency era, hypocrisy of the society and domestic violence. I found that these topics are gently introduced into it and they do not burden the story, and on the contrary they enrich and uplift it in a way that The Bride Says No became more than just story about affairs of the heart between male and female characters.

As I already mentioned, The Bride Says No is the first book in the series “Brides of Wishmore“, and I would really, really love to read the second one – a Lady Tara story, because I have a feeling that it will be something like Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew ( one of my favorites of his comedies). Finally, The Bride Says No is just a great story and well worth a reader’s time.

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Spirited: A Tidewater Novel by Mary Behre

January 23, 2014 By Leave a Comment

SPIRITTED
Spirited: A Tidewater Novel by Mary Behre
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (294 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

She’s running from who she is…

All Jules Scott wants is to live a normal, quiet life—preferably one that doesn’t include ghosts. Jules’s talent for communicating with the dead has brought her nothing but trouble. Despite her best efforts, needy spirits always find her and draw her into their otherworldly drama. When one implicates her in a series of deadly crimes, she may need to entrust her secrets to the person least likely to believe her…

He’ll do whatever it takes to catch her.

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Ever read a book that was so suspenseful it left you shivery, so exciting that it left you hyperventilating? That can partly describe this amazing story called Spirited. One thing is for sure, I was blown away. Ms. Behre has an amazing capacity to draw in a reader with her characters and deliver an intensely entertaining and eye-popping read. I am in awe.

Spirited is the first book I’ve ever read by this author but I was so impressed by my reading experience, I will not only look forward to the next book in the series, Guarded but I’m going be looking for any previous books. If this is a sample of her usual style, I want more. Understand something. I don’t think I’ve had a book take over me like the way this has done in a LONG time. Yes, I’ve enjoyed books, some immensely so, but to have a physical effect on my breathing and dry eyes from trying not to blink so I won’t miss a second of the action, the jumpy feeling of wanting to know what happens next yet maybe afraid of finding out, but the burning obsession of having to know – to do all that to me? Now that is writing talent.

There are a lot of stories out there about so called ‘ghost whisperers’ and psychics and whatnot, but the author took a common paranormal theme and made it her own. I adored how she lead Jules, the heroine, from ignoring her gift to embracing it and using it to perform a miracle. That growth of personal acceptance was phenomenal. Ms. Behre imbued her characters with warmth, humor, honor, and distinct and interesting personalities. Every single person, dead or alive, played a key role in helping solve a mystery that seemed to get messier, more mysterious and intriguing as each chapter lead Jules to find her true love while solving the crime.

Finding true love while keeping a secret is hard. Keeping that secret when your true love might end up being a cop is almost a recipe for disaster. Seth is the hero and he really defines the word because he has some wonderful, romantic qualities. He’s not perfect and he makes mistakes but he does a lot of things right and one of those is falling in love with the heroine. The journey is bumpy and is never ever boring. I got the biggest laughs right in the beginning when they first met. When Jules got an eyeful of Seth’s sleeping attire I could not contain my mirth. That. Was. Hysterical! And little zingers kept popping up here and there throughout the story so it was a nice touch. Clever, actually.

Let’s talk sensuality. The pages steamed from it. I adore a story with a sexy build up. The teases, the glimpses of heat, the yearning, the ‘almost’ moments that bring that passion to a fever pitch only to have life or a cold wind blow to pop the moment – that is the kind of romantic tale that makes reading fun. The anticipation builds not just for the characters but for the reader as well. Jules and Seth weren’t the only ones happy when they finally did the deed. It was great!

Another thing that was powerful was the suspense of solving a mystery. The clues, the deaths, the race against the clock – it was gripping. Here’s another thing about Spirited that I appreciated – the writing style. Every chapter ended with a plot twist, a cliff hanger, a surprise reveal, just something that hooked me and kept me wanting to know what happens next, who was going to learn what and would Jules ever trust Seth enough to tell him her big secret? How was that going to look like? Sound like? How was he going to take it? And is the good guy really a good guy? Oh man, there was one scene when I almost came off of my chair because I thought Jules had just trusted the wrong guy. It’s writing like that which impresses me no end and Ms. Behre makes it look so easy.

Spirited is a must read book for fans of romantic suspense. I can’t come up with one complaint or wish that something could have been done different. I consider it one of the most perfect books I’ve read in a long time. Its characters, dialogue, plot, editing, method of delivery and mastery of descriptions were everything I could wish for in any book, not just a romance. For readers willing to give this book a try, leave yourself plenty of time to read it because if you’re like me, you might not want to put it down. This is the kind of book that if I could drive and read at the same time, or walk and read or work and read , this is the book that I’d do it with. I took a chance on a new author and I consider it one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time. I’m a happy reader.

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

The MacGregor’s Lady by Grace Burrowes

January 22, 2014 By Leave a Comment

LADY
The MacGregor’s Lady by Grace Burrowes
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (383 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Asher MacGregor has returned from years wandering the Canadian wilderness to assume an earldom he’s avoided, and to seek a bride he does not want. He’s saddled with an additional family obligation in the form of Boston heiress Hannah Cooper, whom he is to escort about the London ballrooms so she might find an English husband.

Hannah is no more interested in settling in Britain than Asher is in returning to the New World, and yet their sympathy for one another soon turns to passion. With Hannah anxious to return to the family she’s trying to protect in Boston, and Asher bound to his earldom in the Highlands, they must trust in love to span an ocean of differences and difficulties.

“If grief had a landscape, it would be these highlands.” By the time I read this sentence in the novel, I felt as if I were roaming those brooding, enduring mountains with Asher and Hannah as they grieved for what they believed cannot be. The strong emotion Grace Burrowes has built into these two compelling characters by this time in the novel had me immersed in their heartbreaking situation.
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The vicarious experience the reader has with Asher MacGregor, the Earl of Balfour and Hannah Cooper, a rich Bostonian young woman with a scheming step-father is full of all the rituals, taboos and social pitfalls found in the Victorian Age of England. The meddling and determination of older generation members of their respective families thread through the tapestry of the story in a muted color yet ever present and at work.

The strength of character of the hero and heroine added to the back story of what each of them has endured before they met makes a strong foundation for their persevering and being successful even though it seems for page after page of the novel it will be at the expense of their own happiness. Anxiety builds to a climax that showcases just how strong love can be in the face of adversity.

Grace Burrowes has a remarkable ability to bring the environment to life. The scents and sounds, even the feel and look of the soot from the foul smelling coal seem real. However, her special talent for developing strong, memorable characters is the very best part of her novels. Even the secondary characters have unique personalities that make a reader think they all have stories of their own that would be interesting to know.

MACGREGOR’S LADY is replete with family members, many of whom readers will recognize if they’ve read other Regency or Victorian novels by Grace Burrowes. Asher’s family members the reader may recognize from THE BRIDEGROOM WORE PLAID and ONCE UPON A TARTAN.

The powerful Duke and Duchess of Moreland, from the Windham series, in their not too subtle way salvage a touchy situation allowing the MacGregor clan and Hannah to return to their beloved highlands for the little time Hannah and Asher have together. Hannah feels she must sail back to Boston to face the wrath of her step-father in an effort to make live a little easier for the family she loves and that he abuses.

Neither Asher MacGregor nor Hannah Cooper has it in their nature to grab for their own happiness at the expense of their families. Duty to and love for their families which are an ocean apart wrecks havoc on both their hearts. How Grace Burrowes brings about a happy-ever-after keeps the reader in suspense to the very end but so worth waiting for. Especially good reading!

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

Timeless by Jan Scarbrough

January 21, 2014 By 2 Comments

SPLINTERED
Timeless by Jan Scarbrough
Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press
Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary, Historical
Length: Full Length (152 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When Beth Abbott receives a surprise inheritance from her birth mother, she travels to the family’s nineteenth century mansion in Old Louisville, now a bed and breakfast. There she meets the resident ghost, a little girl whose crying not only scares, but also intrigues guests. Beth sets out to discover the identity of the ghost and why she appears happy to Beth, not sad.

Jeff Halstead, a man with several secrets, runs the bed and breakfast. But he’s more than that to Beth, and she feels their connection immediately. A psychic medium who doubts his skills, Jeff slowly uncovers the truth of their past lives. Will he be in time to reveal the identity of Beth’s enemy? Will the love they shared in the past follow them into the future?

Is it ever too late to get a second chance?
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There were times while reading her tale that I grew frustrated with certain mannerisms and not terribly constructive ways of thinking that Beth slips into every time there is a crisis, yet the complexity of her personality always pulled me back into discovering what happens to her next. Beth’s flaws make her genuinely feel like a real person. She is by far my favourite character in this book.

I had trouble understanding the growing attraction between Jeff and Beth. He is such a brusque, private person that I wondered what Beth saw in him. This became even more true once he began attempting to exert more control over her life than is appropriate for two people who barely know one another. They share few interests, and their personalities are nearly polar opposites. It would have been helpful had there been a few more scenes highlighting what they do have in common so that I could better understand why Jeff and Beth were initially interested in one another.

The best scenes occur when something paranormal happens. Ms. Scarbrough’s choice to portray them as whimsical and mysterious instead of frightening was a great choice for the overall tone of this piece. Figuring out what might cause a ghost to laugh was what first drew me into this particular story, and I was quite satisfied with how the author slowly provides answers to all of my questions.

At first I was a little surprised by the flashbacks that occur later on the plot, but they quickly became scenes to anticipate. The events that take place decades before any of the characters in this novel were born are just as interesting as what happens to Beth and Jeff. While more than enough details were included to keep this reader engaged in both timelines, I would have enjoyed spending even more time with the people who lived in Beth’s mansion over a century ago.

Timeless is a good choice for anyone who loves ghost stories. I would especially recommend it for people in the mood for paranormal fiction who aren’t interested in anything scary.

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

Golden Girl by Anne Beverley

January 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment

GIRL
Golden Girl by Anne Beverley
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (152 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Hollyhock

Lights! Camera! Sadness…

Most girls would jump at the opportunity to model for a brand new cosmetics line, but Lisa Morgan is different. She resists being the “face” of Golden Girl until she learns it’s the only way she can save the career of the man she has come to love.
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Within days her new and glamorous lifestyle leads her into a web of jealousy and competition that she doesn’t understand. The man she loves is fighting with another for power over the company, while the old man in charge prepares to die. And when Lisa realizes that his last wish is to see the Golden Girl campaign succeed, she knows she’ll never be able to back out of the agreement, even though it is tearing her apart.

Reading Golden Girl is like opening a time capsule that shows just how much the world—especially the world of romance novels—has changed since this story was written thirty years ago.

Lisa Morgan is the heroine and golden girl of the title. She’s young—only twenty-two—and innocent to a degree that today’s heroines rarely are. Not just sexually inexperienced, but innocent of the ways of the world, especially the business world. A secretary, she’s roped into modeling for her company’s new cosmetics line, partly because she does not question the motivations or character of the people around her. If I didn’t quite buy the reason she continues with the modelling project, I did appreciate the degree to which Lisa grows and matures as a person because of it, and also because of her experiences with Alain and Paul, the handsome cousins at the center of a power struggle at the cosmetics company.

Paul Genet, the hero of the story, is a bit of a mystery to Lisa even though she knew him before her transfer to London—their mothers were friends and Lisa had a crush on Paul as a teenager. That previous acquaintance left the falling-for-each-other part of the romance a little more off-page than I would have liked, but the interesting details of the cosmetics launch were enough of a compensation that it didn’t bother me too much. There is a significant difference in Paul and Lisa’s ages (eleven years) creating an imbalance in the power dynamic of the relationship—especially since he is an executive at the company where she is a secretary. Lisa is awed as much as attracted by Paul at the beginning of the story, which means their romance is impeded by perhaps a few too many misunderstandings, but I enjoyed how Paul’s reaction to Lisa changes as she blossoms into a self-sufficient young woman.

Golden Girl is probably not for everyone—younger readers will likely be impatient with Lisa’s occasional passivity and naivete—but if you’re nostalgic for old-school romance, you will likely enjoy this trip back to the eighties as much as I did.

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