An Irish Vet in Kentucky by Susan Carlisle

May 15, 2025 By Leave a Comment


An Irish Vet in Kentucky by Susan Carlisle
Publisher: Harlequin, Mills and Boon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A PULSE-RACING ENCOUNTER…

Vet Conor lost everything when his wife and unborn child died. Now, working in Kentucky with a horse entered in the famous derby is the ideal distraction. He just didn’t expect to be in such close quarters with beautiful equine trainer Christina… After her ex destroyed her professional reputation, Christina is firmly off men. Until the Irishman moves into the room next door! Soon, their chemistry can’t be reined in. But as the finish line approaches, can they move on from their heartache and bet that this time they’ll win?

You can’t deny nature!

I have to start this review by saying I love the books of Susan Carlisle. As soon as I see a new one, I can’t wait to get my hands on it. This book was no different. The writing was crisp, it kept me on my toes wanting to know what would happen to the characters and had me rooting for them all the way. All with the backdrop of the Kentucky Derby. What more could you ask for?

I dove right into this book and immediately liked the characters. Conor has been through a lot and needs a fresh start. I liked that he wasn’t shy about his job or going for what he wanted. Christina has been hurt, romantically and financially, so she’s not interested in another relationship. I liked that these two were trying so hard not to get together. That’s what made me root for them more!

If you want a fast-paced story, with characters not soon forgotten, with the backdrop of the Kentucky Derby, then pick this one up. Recommended.

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A Kiss Under the Northern Lights by Susan Carlisle

February 7, 2025 By Leave a Comment


A Kiss Under the Northern Lights by Susan Carlisle
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A CONNECTION TO STAY FOR?

When Dr. Trice moves to the far north of Iceland, she’s looking forward to immersing herself in her job and getting away from her painful past. She’s nervous, but her temporary colleague Dr. Drake Stevansson is happy to show her the ropes. Drake has the looks of a real-life Viking, and a way of making Trice feel safer than she ever has before. Their snow-melting desire is undeniable, but Drake is leaving. So what happens when stolen glances turn to fiery kisses that threaten to derail both of their plans?

Two doctors who deserve a happy ending surrounded by gorgeous vistas.

I love the work of Susan Carlisle. She’s one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait for her next book. When I see a new one’s out, I jump. This one was definitely worth the wait.

Dr. Trice and Dr. Drake are a good combination. I loved them from the beginning and rooted for them to get together. They’re developed and well-rounded characters. I could see them as I read the book and got emotionally involved with them. I didn’t want the story to end. It’s a feel good plot and one I want to revisit often.

If you’re looking for a great book for a chilly night, then this one is the one for you.

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Falling for the Trauma Doc by Susan Carlisle

June 19, 2024 By Leave a Comment


Falling for the Trauma Doc by Susan Carlisle
Kentucky Derby Medics, Book 1
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

It’s off to the races with Susan Carlisle’s latest Harlequin Medical Romance as a physician’s assistant and trauma doc treat patients at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby…while trying to resist each other!

THE MAN SHE SHOULDN’T FALL FOR!

Callee needs to move on from a huge loss, and the way to do that is to armor plate her heart. So when trauma doc Langston arrives at her clinic to temporarily conduct research, she knows she’s in trouble. Not only is he helpful with patients, but their chemistry is electric! Is Langston the guy to take a leap with, when he isn’t planning to stick around?

She wants to make a difference and he’s not ready to settle down, but when they meet the chemistry is off to the races.

I’ve already mentioned before that I love the work of Susan Carlisle. I’ve read all of her books and couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. I’m glad I did. The writing sparkles and the characters are great. I couldn’t put it down.

Callee wasn’t interested in human medicine, until circumstances changed. Langston is there to conduct research. These two probably shouldn’t work out, but they balance each other well. I liked the banter between them and the way the story developed. It wasn’t quick, which is great. The story had time to unfold and I ate up every page.

If you’re looking for something sweet and unique, then this is the book for you. Callee and Langston are my favorites. Check it out!

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Second Chance for the Heart Doctor by Susan Carlisle

June 12, 2024 By Leave a Comment


Second Chance for the Heart Doctor by Susan Carlisle
Atlanta Children’s Hospital
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Will the children’s cardiologist put his heart on the line for the new pediatric nurse? Find out in Susan Carlisle’s latest Harlequin Medical Romance story.

Risking his locked-away heart…

After his ex ran off with his best friend, cardiologist Jenson’s sole focus is his small patients. But the fireworks that erupt when he meets dedicated nurse Bayley are too powerful to ignore… Both are determined to put their jobs ahead of romance, but beautiful Bayley continues to captivate him. Is the guarded doctor ready to embrace a second chance?

Tough circumstances, but tender hearts.

I love the works of Susan Carlisle and will auto-buy her books. This one was no exception. I loved the storytelling, the characters and the developments.

Bayley and Jenson are great together. They’ve been through a lot of tough situations, since both work in the children’s hospital setting. They’ve seen some beautiful things, but also some horrors. How they handle them and navigate love are the true balancing act.

The author writes these characters, who could be jaded and negative, in a very positive way. I rooted for them and wanted to see them get together. I got emotionally involved from page one.

If you’re looking for something tender and sweet, then this might be the book for you. Recommended.

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The Duke’s Proposal for the Governess by Eleanor Webster

June 11, 2024 By Leave a Comment


The Duke’s Proposal for the Governess by Eleanor Webster
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A wedding to save her from scandal

A bride to save his heart?

After the death of his beloved brother and mother, Randolph, the Duke of Elmsend, feels his life is empty. So, he’s in no mood to entertain the rambunctious Harrington family while they’re in London. Then he meets Abigail, their governess. When her reputation is in jeopardy, he does the unimaginable—propose! But whilst Randolph can offer her a ring, can he ever offer her a real marriage?

Two people who never would’ve found each other realize they’re meant to be.

I loved this story because it showed that love isn’t conventional. Randolph wasn’t looking for Abigail when he met her. Wasn’t expecting to fall in love. But anything is possible.

I loved that this book was well-written and fast-paced. I wanted to know what would happen to the characters and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Abigail and Randolph are sweet and perfect for each other. They’re great characters and it was fun following their story.

If you want a happy ever after that’s not run-of-the-mill, then pick this one up. I loved it.

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Wicked Secrets by Anne Marsh

November 13, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Wicked Secrets by Anne Marsh
Publisher: Harlequin Mills And Boon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

Before Mia Brandt and Tag Johnson rediscovered each other on Discovery Island, they shared a memorable one-night stand. Eight hours of dancing, laughter and red-hot passion before they both shipped out to serve overseas. Tag didn’t think he had any regrets about loving and leaving his strong-willed Master Sergeant, but he’s about to be proved deliciously wrong…

Former military pilot Mia Brandt is on a cruise ship with her cousin as part of a bachelorette party. Only a few months out of service, Mia has plenty on her plate and even in her worst nightmare she hasn’t come up against anything like this bachelorette hell. And then at one of their ports, Mia runs into Navy rescue swimmer Tag Johnson – a one night stand she’s never managed to forget. Events get out of hand and soon Mia find herself left behind on the small island with Tag, and in the space of a few short days their secrets begin to grow out of control.

I found this a delightful romp of a story and easily got sucked into Mia and Tag’s chemistry. I particularly loved how they each were very much the take charge type of character and yet they never let it interfere too much with their chemistry or trust. Both of them were used to giving and receiving orders, and in so many ways Mia and Tag were evenly matched I found it a real pleasure to read about them working out how to come together as a team and find the common ground between them.

I found the whole story quite refreshing and modern, and I particularly enjoyed how it didn’t slot into one of the usual romance novel tropes or genres. Mia had some flashbacks from her service – which I found so refreshing and realistic – and Tag initially wasn’t ready to settle down but slowly came to the realization that he wanted the fake engagement between himself and Mia to become the real deal. It was wonderful and I just couldn’t put this book down once it got going.

Fresh and different I thoroughly enjoyed this spicy romance story and I know I’ll enjoy re-reading it again sometime soon.

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A SEALs Touch by Tawny Weber

August 8, 2023 By Leave a Comment


A SEALs Touch by Tawny Weber
Publisher: Harlequin Mills And Boon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

Subject: Navy SEAL Taylor Powell

Mission: Find a sexy fake girlfriend…with even sexier benefits!

Lieutenant Taylor “The Wizard” Powell has a reputation for getting out of tricky situations. Bad guys, bombs, weapons—no problem. Finding a girlfriend in order to evade matchmaking friends? Not so easy. He’s banking on contractor Cat Peres to help him out…not realizing his tomboy friend has a whole lot of sexy surprises hidden in her tool belt.

Cat can’t remember a time when Taylor wasn’t the object of her hottest dreams—so she can’t help but agree to his plan. Their only rule? Friends, no matter what. Except the deliciously hot chemistry that ignites between them takes them both by surprise…and having nothing between them might just ruin everything.

Lieutenant Taylor Powell is used to taking care of himself, but he’s really struggling to avoid what feels like everyone in his life trying to set him up with a long procession of women. So he reaches out to one of his closest friends, Cat Peres to try and stem the tide. What starts as a fake relationship all too quickly becomes real for them both – but can they risk their long-term friendship on something that might not work out?

This is a very enjoyable, spicy romance. Readers who like the “friends to lovers” trope should feel this is a very satisfying story. While Cat has been smitten with Taylor for years, I really did enjoy how she didn’t just hang around for him. She was completely modern and carried on with her work and life and I was really pleased with this.

With these sorts of books, I am always amused and enjoy how surprised the hero inevitably is by the chemistry and shock at looking at such a long-standing friend in a new light. I really enjoyed how Taylor didn’t try to walk away from that, especially once he realized it was obviously more than just hormones, but a strong and real connection.

Sassy and fun, this is a great and quick read I really enjoyed.

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Seducing The Marine by Kate Hoffman

August 3, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Seducing The Marine by Kate Hoffman
Publisher: Harlequin Mills And Boon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Fern

Subject: Marine Will MacIntyre

Current Status: Medical leave

One day a year Will MacIntyre lets himself remember the woman who left him after he enlisted. But seven years later, on the anniversary of that fateful day, Will is defusing a bomb in Afghanistan—and it explodes.

Dr. Oliva Eklund can barely find the boy she loved inside the hard, chiseled body of the man Will is now—a Marine who knows just how to tempt her, just how to seduce her. Olivia is well aware that Will plans to return to his unit after he recovers, but she can’t resist trying to heal him. Even if it means sending him back into a war zone. And breaking them apart forever.

Seven years ago Dr Olivia Eklund and Will MacIntyre broke up – on the day he enlisted to join the Marines. For seven years Will had defused bombs – literally – and not made a single mistake, until he finally lost his streak and the bomb he was defusing blows up. Returning home, Will is shocked to run into Olivia, and even more surprised she’s now a local doctor. Olivia knows she needs to heal Will – but she also knows that means their hearts might break when he leaves. Again.

I enjoyed this spicy romance and really felt Olivia and Will were a strongly matched couple. Neither of them had let their hurt stop them from achieving what they each wanted, even if they had never really been truly happy in the intervening years. I was particularly pleased that even though this is a typical Harlequin romance novel, it was still very modern and relatable. The spice and heat of the chemistry between Liv and Will was believable but not enough for me to feel the book should be slapped with an “erotic” title. There was plenty of plot and characterization outside of the simmering romance between our two main characters.

Equally I was pleased Liv didn’t simply hang around town and wait for her wayward hero to return. Liv actually went out there and enjoyed her life. She has an incredible intelligence and used that to get her medical degree then build a satisfying life around that. I really enjoyed how both Liv and Will had solid and logical reasons for their behavior, but they were each willing to listen and try to keep an open mind about the other.

Readers who enjoy a spicy romance should definitely find this an enjoyable and delicious read.

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The Outlaw’s Claim by Brenda Jackson

July 19, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Outlaw’s Claim by Brenda Jackson
Westmoreland Legacy: The Outlaws Book 4
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Western, Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

From friends to lovers to…

having a baby?

Maverick Outlaw is a man who knows his own mind—and he knew from the beginning that a fling with longtime friend Sapphire Bordella would be more than just sizzling, mind-blowing sex. That is, until Phire says they should go back to being just friends—and then announces that she’s pregnant with Maverick’s child and her father expects her to marry someone else! Maverick may not be ready to give his heart, but nothing will stop him from claiming what’s his…

From Harlequin Desire: A luxurious world of bold encounters and sizzling chemistry.

There’s love out there, if they’re willing to chase it.

I liked this story by Brenda Jackson. I’d had this author’s books recommended to me many times and finally took the leap. I’m glad I did. The story engrossed me right away and I had to know what would happen next. The writing is crisp and the characters vivid. This is the fourth book in the series, but I didn’t feel lost. In fact, I felt dropped in the middle and caught right up.

Phire, aka Sapphire, has been infatuated with Maverick for years, but she’s convinced he won’t love her. One night of passion leads to a blessed surprise. She was his friend, then it became something more…then didn’t. I liked the push-pull between the characters and the way they were both so determined not to accept their feelings. It made for great tension.

If you’re looking for a hot book that’s great for an afternoon (or two) reading, then check this one out. I’ll be looking for more in the Westmoreland series. You should, too.

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From Florida Fling to Forever by Susan Carlisle / Secret from Their LA Night by Julie Danvers

July 4, 2022 By Leave a Comment


From Florida Fling to Forever by Susan Carlisle / Secret from Their LA Night by Julie Danvers
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

From Florida Fling to Forever by Susan Carlisle

Soak up the Floridian sun with Susan Carlisle’s latest Harlequin Medical Romance as two surgeons try to resist their greatest temptation: each other!

Rule number one? Forget their fling
If only it was that easy! Pioneering transplant surgeon Lily Evans is always cool under pressure. So why does the idea of working with ex-fling Max James have her so hot under the collar? Max is just passing through Florida, after all, and maintaining a professional relationship is top of their agenda. Yet Lily’s sensible head is being overruled by her unusually reckless heart as she begins to fall for more than just Max’s roguish charms…

Secret from Their LA Night by Julie Danvers

It started with one night…
…and led to a nine-month secret!
Dr. Emily Archer would rather be anywhere than Los Angeles! Arriving to offer her sports medicine expertise to an international dance team, she’s immediately confronted by the memories of her turbulent childhood in the spotlight. Fortunately, on her first night, she finds the perfect distraction—charismatic Dr. Daniel Labarr. Neither can resist when instant passion takes over… And neither realize that their passion has been life changing!

Two great stories to warm the heart.

I love a good romance and these two stories deliver. I already knew I liked Susan Carlisle’s books and now I’ve discovered Julie Danvers. Both books made me happy, left me satisfied and I can’t recommend these enough.

In Susan Carlisle’s From Florida Fling to Forever, Dr Lily and Dr Max have a fling. They should work out and be together, but that’s too easy. I liked how the author wrote the twists and turns for this couple and had me rooting for them right away. They’re both likable characters and easy to envision. I also felt like I was there in the sweltering Florida heat. Kudos.

In Julie Danvers’ Secret from Their LA Night, Dr Emily and Dr Daniel have a one-night stand that results in a pregnancy. I liked that Emily is flawed. She’s been through a lot and wants someone to take care of her. Is that Daniel? Well, this is a one-night stand and those don’t always work out. Now throw in the pregnancy. Things get sticky, but also adorable. I rooted for these two, too. I liked the way the author wrote the characters and will look for more by this author.

If you want something great for a couple afternoons of reading and packed with heart, then this is the pair of books for you.

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