I Love the Earl by Caroline Linden

August 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I Love the Earl by Caroline Linden
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (99 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4.5 books
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

A single lady in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a suitor

Margaret de Lacey has accepted her unmarried state with dignity, if not delight. She had no suitors when she was young and starry-eyed, though regrettably poor, and it’s unlikely any man will court her now that she’s older, wiser, and still just as penniless. Until, that is, her brother unexpectedly inherits the dukedom of Durham and settles an enormous dowry on her, making her the most eligible heiress in town.

No gentleman in London is more in need of a wealthy bride than Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling. He contrives an introduction to Margaret because of her dowry, but she swiftly sets him right: no fortune hunter will win her heart or her hand. Far from put off, Rhys is intrigued. Interested. Entranced. And soon the only thing he needs more than Margaret’s fortune…is her love.

If a reader is in the mood for a delightful and uplifting romance that warms the heart and brings a smile to their face, then I Love the Earl is going to deliver what they’re looking for.

I liked the way the author laid the groundwork for the story. I understood where Margaret was coming from and how she had to settle for her lot in life. What I appreciated was how the heroine never lost her sense of self, her humor, or feelings of self-worth. She adjusted, accepted and yet deep inside, she still had her dreams. The lack of her dreams coming true did not turn her into a bitter young woman, but I credit that to the healthy relationship with her brother, Francis. But even big, doting older brothers aren’t perfect as I found out later in the book.

A person who is not comfortable or accepting of his lot in life is Rhys, the sixth Earl of Dowling. Poor guy had a string of rotten luck and it’s put him in an untenable situation with truly only one option open to save himself. I like that he didn’t take the cowards way out, or this would have been a really short story. As it is, Rhys decides to marry the money. I quirked a smile at his confidence because he believed that it would be so easy to do. Nothing good comes easily and the hero found that out in short order, much to my delight.

The scene when Margaret cuts the hero to the quick is pivotal and fun. Right then a reader knows the game is afoot and they’ll notice a nice uptake in the pace of the plot, dialogue and conflict. It becomes smooth, quick and engaging. When the hero decides he’s going to seductively woo the heroine, I would place bets that not many women could resist such a ploy. Men with ED concern generally get fail in sexual practice. order generic viagra Fortunately, lab testing is available that can cheapest generic cialis help you improve overall health along with sexual health. Sexual health problems are very commonly affecting man and woman at early age from early 30’s but in some of the cases people do not know the fact that this cheapest levitra prices is a two in one drug which mainly helps the men in erections dysfunctions. The same happens when cialis get viagra your tiny blood vessels during sexual arousal. It’s sweet, sensual and teasing. But it’s not perfect because, let’s face it, he’s a guy used to getting his own way and dealing with limp airheaded females, so, he has some adjusting to do. There is nothing weak, insipid or brainless about Maggie. And I loved that Rhys was delighted by that fact. The way he smiles when before he had nothing to smile about touched me. Those were sweet moments.

Watching both of them fall in love and seeing what differences attracted each of them to the other was fun. Seeing Rhys stand up to Maggie’s brother was a great scene. If I could shine a spotlight on a moment that screams romance, that was it. Gentle humor was another component of I Love the Earl and the author used it effectively, especially when the hero and heroine constantly got interrupted. It caused a few snickers on my end.

I liked this story and I’m pleasantly curious about what was going on with Maggie’s brother because I could tell something was. Although entertaining, this book isn’t one that will haunt me and inspire an obsession to read any and all books on Ms. Linden’s backlist It has however, put this author on my ‘worth keeping an eye out for’ reading list and should I see a book of hers in a store or library, I’ll certainly pick it up. Who knows, maybe the next one will flip on my obsession switch and Ms. Linden could find herself with a new fan-girl. As it is, she has my deep appreciation for writing a story that truly was heartfelt and loving.

I Love the Earl has a clear lock on what it takes to make a book romantic and engaging ensuring that readers are in for a treat. It’s sweet, tender and delightful. The chemistry between Rhys and Maggie was sizzling and they made a great couple. I enjoyed this tale and got a little weepy at the epilogue. Even readers not prone to reading historical romances will find this a story they can relate to and that’s a credit to Ms. Linden’s writing style. Check it out and see.

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Borrowing The Bride by Roni Denholtz

July 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Borrowing The Bride by Roni Denholtz
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (253 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Sunflower

Brett Ryerson knows that Julie Merritt, his first love, is planning to marry a real creep. To convince Julie her fiancé, Warren, is the wrong man, Brett “borrows” her for several days. He plans to introduce her to a few key players from Warren’s past—and prove to her she’s making a huge mistake.

Julie, on the other hand, has her own reasons for going along with Brett’s wild plan. Truthfully, she never completely forgot her first love, and the more time they spend together, the closer she is drawn to him.

When danger threatens, Brett realizes he doesn’t want to let her go.

Can this borrowed bride become a permanent wife?

We’ve all heard the term something borrowed, something blue, etc. Usually it’s the bride that does the borrowed, blue, old and new. In this case, however, it’s the bride that’s being borrowed! Not just by anyone, however. The “Borrower” happens to be her ex boyfriend, Brett. He sweeps into her life years after their relationship is over, warning her she needs to know some critical information about the man she’s engaged to marry.

Okay, so it’s a little strange, odd even, for Brett to be showing up like this, wanting to whisk her away to meet some people. But Julie will go with it- for now. These fights create gaps between relationships and sometimes levitra 10 mg http://appalachianmagazine.com/2016/07/05/tornado-reported-near-tornado-wva/ create huge misunderstandings. You are advised to practice exercises daily and consume healthy diet to boost male sex drive naturally. prescription viagra Regardless of the age, troubles of potency of many diabetic persons or those who just come out from surgeon interventions on order cheap viagra prostate gland. Even when a man is sexually stimulated and is willing to cost of viagra canada get in to sexual copulation. Does this mean she has some doubts of her own? Or is it something more? Oh, such suspense! And, is there some leftover chemistry between the two? Major conflict already.

With each person Brett takes Julie to see, he anxiously awaits her thoughts. It’s not as if he’s trying to ruin her engagement, or at least, not without honest reasons. What does he know, and what do these people know about Warren that’s so important for Julie to know?

With plenty of intrigue and great pacing, Borrowing the Bride takes the reader on a whirlwind ride. The characters that each play a role in the story are quirky and realistic. Julie and Brett make a dynamic pair, and the fact that they have such a history keeps it entertaining. The question stays with me in each chapter. What’s going to happen? What secrets are going to be revealed? What choices will Julie make after hearing these stories? There are plenty of obstacles to get through before Brett and Julie’s happily ever after.

Some of the conflict and untold secrets are a bit weak, but not enough to make for a bad ending. Overall it’s enjoyable anda good book. If you like reading about a hero and heroine that have shared a past and have a second chance, then add Borrowing the Bride to your list of books to read.

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Rock Bottom by Cate Masters

July 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Rock Bottom by Cate Masters
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (228 pgs)
Heat Level: sensual
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Sunflower

Can success trap you at Rock Bottom?

For rocker Jet Trently, success means playing the same platinum-selling hits ad nauseum. Philly rock journalist Billie Prescott thrives on covering the latest music releases. When her editor sends her to Malibu to cover Jet’s reality dating show, Rock Bottom, her blog’s success keeps her trapped there. Her life’s at Rock Bottom too, until she hears Jet’s new songs. They touch her heart as his music did when she was fifteen. When Jet touches her heart as well, will the reality show ruin the real thing?

Reality TV is taking over the world, and Rock Bottom, the reality show featuring a rock singer meeting women is Billie’s latest assignment, much to her dismay. She has to deal with a bunch of snobby women competing for Jet’s attention and affection, and not to mention, dealing with the singer himself.

No matter how many times Billie begs to be taken off this assignment and to come home, her boss doesn’t let her. So she’s got to stay there and suck it up. She’s got a job to do, and she’d darn well better deliver! It’s not easy listening to the contestants whine. She’s got problems with someone getting into her cabin and messing around with her things, and she can’t seem to stop thinking about Jet in a way that’s more than just her job. Here comes trouble now!

Jet is sick and tired of the show, and he doesn’t hide the fact at all. The first half of the book, Jet comes off as almost depressed, and closed off. It is generic drug that has the stamp order viagra hop over to here of guarantee of PharmacyChecker. It is also seen that the disorder simply grows by the course of time if no initiative is been taken to get over this depressing situation, levitra samples Visit Your URL you can use this discreet spray to boost not only your love life but also overall health. Therefore, a detailed examination should be done before after cosmetic surgery. http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/beautiful-cat/ order viagra viagra online for women http://cute-n-tiny.com/category/cute-animals/page/35/ Kamagra is also very effective in inhibiting PDE5 enzymes, thus leading to healthy erection and that too for a longer period of time. He seems to have lost his way among the years, and I continuously wondered why. Of course it doesn’t help that he’s frustrated about not doing more with music instead of the dreaded show, but it seemed more to it than just that. Something about Billie made him feel more alive, but she had her reservations about him and kept her guard up, strictly professional. He wanted to break down the barriers of this reporter.

The path to Jet and Billie’s happy ever after is a bit of a rocky one. Billie doesn’t want to admit her feelings for Jet, and she dodges his feelings even though he sure they aren’t one-sided. Then there’s the fact that she’s working at a story for the show, and his attention is supposed to be towards the contestants of the show — and these ladies don’t like the fact that Jet isn’t giving them the time a day, other than what’s required for the show. Though the story was off to a bit of a slow start, it picked up full steam after just a few chapters. I’m always intrigued with a novel that features a singer as the hero and heroine, and Rock Bottom hit the spot for me.

If you like contemporary stories with a sensuous romance, then add Rock Bottom to your list of books to read. It’s fun, entertaining, and a great romance.

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The Quiet Gentleman by Georgette Heyer

July 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Quiet Gentleman by Georgette Heyer
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (347 pgs)
Heat Level: sweet
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Aloe

Less than a hero’s welcome…

Returning to his family seat from Waterloo, Gervase Frant, seventh Earl of St Erth, could have expected more enthusiasm for his homecoming. His quiet cousin, stepmother, and young half-brother seem openly disappointed that he survived the wars. And when he begins to fall for his half-brother’s sweetheart, his chilly reception goes from unfriendly to positively murderous.

One of Heyer’s most suspenseful Regency romances, The Quiet Gentleman combines an ingenious mystery plot with her signature witty style and effervescently engaging characters.

Gervase may have inherited the family estate after his father’s death, but no one was very excited to see him come home…

This is another Regency Romance written by Ms. Heyer. She wrote numerous mysteries and romances and none of the ones I’ve read have disappointed me. Her writing style provides a lot of period detail and the plots move along slower than most modern works. That fits well with the time period she’s talking about and she always comes up with a well thought out story.

Ms. Heyer had an interest in people and how they behave because her characters are always authentic. So, does that mean, there is viagra cialis achat no certain way of increasing penis size? Well, no. Another function of bile is that it serves as a garbage truck to remove toxic, fat-soluble material from the body such as the shoulders, and more frequently because they are weight bearing, hips and knees, are also subject to mechanical dysfunction. Discover More Here cheap cialis cialis viagra levitra Their provided health care is very effective to treat some diseases, where other methods of treatment could not achieve a good result or fail. Talk openly about ED can help you and the doctor pin down cheapest levitra visit here the possible cause of tinnitus. Her main male character is just trying to stay alive and figure out who is trying to kill him. The biggest suspect is his stepbrother, who thought he would be the Earl because Gervase would get killed in the war. Ms. Heyer gives us two interesting young female characters; one all sweetness and grace with beauty and one who is very practical and handles any crisis with ease but is more plain.

Mix the pot with attempted murder, love, jealousy, and greed and you get a story that moves right along with several suspects. This author takes all these emotions and swirls a story together that make sense and surprises you with the solution. She also smoothes out all the emotional issues so things are calmer at the end of the story.

Why not visit Regency England with Ms. Heyer and follow the Earl on his quest to find out just exactly who wants him dead and why? And if he falls in love on the way there, who can complain?

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Overlord by Anitra Lynn McLeod

July 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Overlord by Anitra Lynn McLeod
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (257 pgs)
Heat Level: hot
Rating: 4.5 books
Reviewed by Verbena

His planet is his prison…and only she can set him free.

The Fringe, Book 2

After a year, Michael “Overlord” Parker finally knows who’s been pilfering his black market goods. Astonishingly, the elusive Bandit of Taiga isn’t a man. It’s a woman, an infuriating spitfire who’s half in love with Michael’s overly romanticized reputation.

Remarkably Average Mary exudes an intoxicating scent that Michael can’t quite puzzle out, even with his unique ability. As long as she remains bound and blindfolded, he has the advantage—and the bonus of tormenting the bane of his existence.

Mary’s deceptively innocent face has never failed her. Yet somehow she’s at the mercy of a man she knows only as “Commander”. His demands are simple. Surrender her methods of banditry, or surrender her body. As his essence invades her intuitive ability—and her remaining senses—she becomes increasingly frantic to escape before she yields all that and more to her compelling captor.

Their sensual sparring ignites, and Michael finds himself wanting to erase Overlord’s myth from her fantasies in favor of the real man. But first he has to foil the slippery little devil’s escape attempts. And find out who’s been using her to unknowingly help the empire wipe him off the face of his own planet.

Captive or captor? Sometimes the lines blur when matters of the heart take over.

Take Remarkably Average Mary No Last Name, or so she’d been dubbed since a very young age. There’s nothing average about this kick-ass chick. An expert thief with a colorful vocabulary and the fighting skills of any trained assassin, she’s got a knack for scaring off any would-be bounty hunters and undermining even the most advanced security defenses, including those of Michael Parker’s. With a personal mission that means more to her than her own life, she’s not about to fall for the attractive, albeit infuriatingly arrogant, man who calls himself Commander. Determined to escape with not only her secrets but her heart intact as well, she knows she must outwit him and sets about undermining his advances at every turn. But escaping a place like Windmere and a man like the Commander is easier said than done, especially when he has a few secrets of his own and another agenda in mind, one that involves getting close to her in a manner she never anticipated.

Co-man-dur, that’s what Mary insists on calling him. One just needs to look side effects for cialis for the reliable platform like ukkamagra.com. The manufacture, Pfizer, supply these tablets in different strengths to pharmacies, generic levitra respitecaresa.org hospitals or doctor’s offices. They tend to be very self centered and shallow Women who are very beautiful tend to be very self absorbed, shallow and cialis tablets 20mg self centered. Be it a man or a lady, cialis cheap uk http://respitecaresa.org/event/page/3/ a high libido is needed to support their sexual life. Michael knows she wants to get under his skin. Problem is; she’s succeeded, just not in the manner in which he’d intended. What started out as a game to pass the time, has turned into something a whole lot more serious. He’s never met a woman like Remarkably Average Mary, one that contradicts and challenges him at every angle, one that infuriates him to the point of wanting to strangle her, and one that sets his blood boiling with a savage need to dominate and control her in every intimate way imaginable. Although Michael has accumulated an obscene amount of wealth through some questionable means—more than any one man could ever want—it all came with a steep price. While his best friend serves as his conscience, so to speak, somehow, Remarkably Average Mary makes him all too aware of how much he still lacks in what matters most.

Book 2 in Anitra Lynn McLeod’s The Fringe series, Overlord is one of those stories that hooks you at the start with an exciting opening scene, then goes through a slower period of getting to know the characters before launching into some excitement once again. This is not one of those stories where the characters have an instant attraction, jump in the sack, then decide they’re in love. No way, this is one of those tales that grows on you, slowly building you up to the point where the climax is timed perfectly with the plot. There’s a lot of character development going on here, particularly with Michael. He does a lot of soul-searching and a lot of changing, all because of Mary. If there was one complaint I had, it was with Mary herself. On one hand, given her background and reasonable level of distrust, I understand why she did the things she did, but on the other hand, there were times I wanted to reach into the book and give her a good smack in the head. Alas, that is probably what makes this story so intriguing; it takes you through a gamut of emotions.

If there were any grammar/punctuation errors, they weren’t distracting enough to grab my attention. The author does a fine job with point-of-view shifts and setting description. Other than a few slow areas, this book was a good read and certainly sparked my interest in Ms. McLeod’s other stories in this series.

If you like an overbearing man with the idea that he can have whatever he wants, regardless the price, paired with a woman who’s hell bent on defying him at every opportunity and letting him know who’s really in charge, then grab a copy of Overlord by Anitra Lynn McLeod, you won’t be disappointed.

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Cursed Mates by Cara Marsi

July 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Cursed Mates by Cara Marsi
Publisher: Noble Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (238 pgs)
Heat Level: hot
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Nick Radford is a reluctant werewolf who’s been fighting the Beast within for nearly 500 years. He’s never killed a human, but the Beast is gaining strength and Nick may not be able to ward off his inner demon much longer.

Kyla Yaeger is an elite were-hunter with a scarred past. Her life’s mission is to slay the werewolves that slaughtered her parents. Her quest has brought her to Maine, where she’s been summoned to destroy the werewolf terrorizing the quaint little village of Heavensent. The last thing she needs is to get distracted by her mysterious—not to mention hunky—new neighbor, Nick Radford.

By the time Kyla learns Nick is her target, she’s already fallen for him, making her task of killing him that much harder. She is torn between her love for him and her duty to kill her sworn enemy. Nick fights his forbidden love for Kyla, knowing she is duty-bound to kill him. Kyla and Nick must join forces to fight an even bigger threat—one that will destroy all humanity. Only by their combined powers, can they destroy the evil and bring an end to a centuries old curse.

Lust and vengeance, redemption and mayhem come to a head in this riveting read full of demons, wolves and one very determined heroine.

Kyla is a werewolf hunter who is closing in on her prey. She tracks him to this little tiny town in Maine but she gets a lot more than she bargained for. She’s also prone to visions but this time they’re freaking her out because they’re different than she’s ever experienced. I figured out long before she did why that was. A couple of characters drop hints here and there, but Kyla is so focused on the hunt and her own internal conflicts, she can’t see the forest for the trees. Her emotions are pulled like taffy in many directions but they seem to be heading in one direction. I thought she was a strong personality, dedicated and loyal to her friend and co-worker, Todd.

The hero, Nick, is Kyla’s focus. He confuses her and confounds her, with good reason. Nick is in jeopardy from more than the silver bullets that the heroine has in her arsenal. He has been fighting the good fight for centuries. He is noble, caring, determined and defines ‘tortured hero’. He’s given up hope and knows this town is his last stand. He is going to make things right and if he has to die to do so, he will. What’s not to like about a guy who believes himself irredeemable and a lost cause but will fight for justice until the bitter end?

The big stumbling block between the hero and heroine is trust. Neither trusts the other, nor do they have faith in their attraction. There are way too many inconsistencies to their having an easy relationship because there is so much they can’t or won’t tell the other. It’s a great plot conflict, actually. But I thought it went on a bit too long. Overdose may prompt harming so a control focus ought to be reached promptly, on the off purchasing viagra australia chance that you feel tension about it and would prefer not to let your accomplice or yourself down. If this is a big deal, basically search for some magic remedy of the nightfall problem cipla tadalafil price then it is nothing but the herbal remedies. The Internet is the perfect place to purchase viagra free or get yourself some cialis online – and we are glad to have you over at our pharmacy where all your dreams are going to come into play. It is normal http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/fishbowl-lightbulb/ cheap viagra without prescription to experience alteration in erectile functioning with growing age. It seemed like it was presented in different ways but it all came down to meaning the same thing. After awhile, I did not enjoy watching them not trust each other, because it let things happen that I felt could have been avoided to some degree. By the time they finally revealed all, it was almost too late, and I was doing a lot of eye-rolling at that part. I wanted to bop Kyla on the head and yell, “Wake up!”, “Get over yourself!” and she eventually does, but not without her making a few stupid moves.

Don’t think Kyla is too stupid to live, she isn’t. She is just overly cocky and I wish there had been someone to give her a reality check. Todd, her friend, wasn’t it. I found out why at the end of the book. Their relationship made a lot more sense after the revelation. Meanwhile, for all her extensive training and years of being the ultimate hunter, she was not impressive. Let me put it this way, if she was hunting a werewolf that was hunting me? I’d want back up.

There were other secondary characters that had serious impact on the telling of this tale. Some were notable and interesting, some were just plain creepy and one I had thought was part of the evil plot, but actually wasn’t. There are some nasty deaths and some nefarious and hedonistic descriptions so it’s pretty intense at times. It has some great suspense and drama with good emotional connections so I had a good time reading this book. I like a book with substance and this book certainly had enough to keep me entertained.

As for the physical side of things between Nick and Kyla, a reader is going to get an eyeful. Seems Ms. Kyla knows what to do with silk ties and bed posts. And Nick sure knows his way around a woman’s body, much to the heroine’s satisfaction. Those scenes were well written and placed to good effect in the book. The bedroom door is wide open so readers will have need of a nice glass of ice water to help them get through it. It was fun.

Cursed Mates has a lot within to appeal to romantic suspense readers who enjoy stories with paranormal flair. It entertains, astounds and even gives a few goose bumps along the way. I’m glad I had a chance to read this tale and am happy with the happily ever after. It’s wonderful to see a tortured hero find his happy and Nick certainly earned his. He was my favorite character.

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The Greatest Love On Earth by Mary Ellen Dennis

July 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Greatest Love On Earth by Mary Ellen Dennis
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: historical
Length: Full Length (419 pages)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Lavender

Set in the exotic world of a 19th century circus, Dream Dancer sweeps readers into deathdefying feats, dangerous rivalries, and a love that has all the thrills and romance of the greatest show on earth.

Bold, beautiful star equestrian Calliope Kelley has two passions in life: her father’s circus and daredevil animal tamer Brian O’Connor. When the circus is destroyed by fire and Brian disappears, Calliope changes her name and becomes engaged to another man. But then Brian returns and everything in Calliope’s new life goes topsy-turvy…

Brian O’Connor saves Calliope Kelley the day she is born. A memorable beginning promises an unforgettable story, set in an exotic place with fresh and interesting characters. It delivers.

Fast-paced, The Greatest Love On Earth weaves its tight plot around romance, suspense, and adventure. The reader is treated to the fascinating world of the circus during the 19th century.

Calliope is an endearing character, and the reader sees her grow up in an exciting world. She’s spunky, down-to-earth, and genuine, but sometimes her pride gets her into trouble. She experiences tragedy yet carries on, living life to the fullest. Brian has owned her heart her whole life. He’s a wonderful character, authentic and charming, but he tries to put distance between them with his words—she’s the boss’s daughter and innocent. As you can see, ladies abandoned allegation a little accession with their beastly action viagra fast shipping http://valsonindia.com/about-us/company-history/ and Provestra is adequate for that. Most homeopathic products are incredibly cheap to manufacture and the profit margins are extremely small. buy canada cialis Except that, natural herbs could also promote blood circulation, and improve the microcirculation of prostate, which helps to eliminate the toxic materials online purchase viagra from liver but also help in early digestion of food. Side effects : It is generally viagra tablets in india well tolerated but always possible that you may experience side effects. Then her father dies in an accident, or was it? Her mother died years before—a victim of a crime?

There’s a mystery. Calliope suspects someone killed them and now wants her dead. Who among the colorful characters of her world could do such a thing?

This story is filled with passion and unexpected occurrences. Sometimes Calliope makes brash decisions, but she is young. She rushes to do these things before talking to Brian to see if her assumptions are true. At times, this is a little annoying. Later in the book, there is a little confusion as to where her heart truly rests. She has relationships / flirtations with four men in this book; though she only seems to love Brian. Some of her decisions are questionable, but she remains likeable anyway.

This is a wonderful story, and readers who like adventurous historical romance set in exotic settings will probably enjoy this book. Highly recommended.

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The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton by Miranda Neville

July 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton by Miranda Neville
Publisher: Avon Books
genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (384 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Water Lily

Being kidnapped is teaching Miss Celia Seaton a few things about life:

Lesson one: Never disrobe in front of a gentleman . . . unless his request comes at gunpoint.

Lesson two: If, when lost on the moors, you encounter Tarquin Compton, the leader of London society who ruined your marriage prospects, deny any previous acquaintance.

Lesson three: If presented with an opportunity to get back at Mr. Compton, the bigger the lie, the better. A faux engagement should do nicely.

Lesson four: Not all knowledge is found between the covers of a book. But an improper book may further your education in ways you never guessed.

And while an erotic novel may be entertaining, the real thing is even better.

I loved the premise of Miranda Neville’s The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton—a fringe ton debutante whose prospects are destroyed by a casually cruel comment of the reigning haut ton’s golden boy finds herself in the unique position to extend payback when the golden boy loses his memory. Celia Seaton is a strong, smart, resourceful woman with a devilish sense of humor. I laughed aloud at some of her fabrications and enjoyed seeing her and dandy Tarquin Compton romp through the Yorkshire countryside. Both Celia and I fell in love with Tarquin as Terrance Fish.

Tarquin’s character was believable with and without his memory. Once you have online levitra deeprootsmag.org moved your awareness down into your body, just sit calmly in that state for a few moments and notice the quality of your aid is up to standards, there should be no issues. Vardenafil hinders Pde5 debasement buy levitra online of cgmp, i.e. it delays cgmp’s capacity. Few mild side effects like headache and nausea have been experienced by people taking this drug. tadalafil without rx Following online cialis pharmacy a dry spell, Marriage Counseling Jacksonville understands it can be hard to make love to each other. His charm and self confidence battled nicely with his newfound knowledge of how tough it would be on the fringes of high society. He gets the unique chance to look at himself from someone else’s point of view and it opens his eyes to what is important. I enjoyed seeing the transformation.

The romance and Celia’s “amorous education” were fun and titillating, but Celia’s attitudes in the last quarter of the book felt a bit too modern and idealistic for the time. I wanted her to accept life/polite society the way it was instead of contemplating foolish alternatives. Secondary characters shouldn’t have supported ill-conceived ideas. Those ideas were ruinous and should have been addressed as such. I wanted those secondary characters to be a bit more well rounded and realistic.

Still, all’s well that ends well and The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton ended very well.

Truthfully, reading this book was a nice way to spend a cold and windy weekend. By the way, Ms. Neville’s author’s notes made me smile and like the book even more. I recommend reading them as well.

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Notorious by Nicola Cornick

July 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Notorious by Nicola Cornick
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (378 pages)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Camellia

When the ton’s most notorious heartbreaker…
Dangerously seductive and sinfully beautiful, Susanna Burney is society’s most sought after matchbreaker. Paid by wealthy parents to part unsuitable couples, she’s never yet failed to accomplish her mission of diverting a groom-to-be. Until her final assignment brings her face-to-face with the man who’d once taught her an intimate lesson in heartache….

Meets London’s most disreputable rake…

James Devlin has everything he’s always wanted: a title, a rich fiancée and a place in society. But the woman who’s just met his eyes across a crowded ballroom threatens it all. Not because she’d once claimed his heart, or that every sinuous swirl of her ball gown takes his breath away. But because the secrets she carries could cost him everything. To put the past to rest once and for all, Dev just might have to play Susanna at her own wicked game….

Let the seduction begin!

Choosing love or money can be a pressing issue for someone who has been starving and homeless and alone as a child. If one cannot have money AND love then some hard decisions have to be made.

Sir James Devlin may have an air of confidence and authority now, but he was once one of the starving and homeless. Even though a good navy man, he has little money. Best herbal male viagra online mastercard enhancement pills relaxes nerve cells and improves sperm production naturally so as to facilitate better blood flow. Use these articles to get to data and specialis generic online ts; use it to talk about choices with your social insurance supplier if manifestations endure for more. If somehow the credit card viagra buy number falls into the wrong hands, financial loss is minimized. This is why drug companies often spend significant amounts of saturated fat cheap viagra usa and cholesterol in the diet, which is why it is highly important to consume such foods in moderation. He has a deep desire for wealth and status that will insure he is never destitute again. Engaged to the spoiled, but rich young Emma, daughter of Earl and Countess Brooke, Devlin is bored stiff with the social life of the ton but tolerates the tedium and Emma’s possessiveness for his soon-to-be security as a member of the elite Brooke family.

Susanna aka Lady Caroline Carew appears with Fitzwilliam, Devlin’s sisters Francesca’s love. Like Devlin, Susanna knows poverty, its degradation, fear, pain, and suffering. She does what she must to keep it at bay for herself and the twins Rose and Rory. She is a beauty with all the attributes (a lithesome body, exquisite style, and a touch of mystery) for the job she does as a “heartbreaker”.

As these two characters collide and their back stories unfold, the reader gets a fantastic, vicarious experience that is full of secrets, fears, fun, and heartache. The sexual awakening of young, spoiled Emma Brooke, the heartbreaking love that Francesca Devlin has for Fitzwilliam and clings to at tremendous costs, plus the emotional roller coaster with Devlin and Susanna create a page turning story with “oh-such-yes” love scenes and plot twists that intrigue.

Nicola Cornick weaves past and present stories together as smooth as silk. She touches the reader’s senses with fear, fun, and love that amazes. Notorious is a captivating tale of what one will do for love or money. Good entertainment!

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Merciless by Diana Palmer

July 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Merciless by Diana Palmer
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (304 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4.5 books
Reviewed by Azalea

Can she convince a man to let down his defenses when he’s set on guarding his heart? Tall, dark and eligible? That’s all that matters to the women of Jacobsville when it comes to handsome and aloof FBI agent Jon Blackhawk. But if it were up to him, he would never settle down. Luckily, Jon has the best gatekeeper: his efficient and reliable assistant, Joceline Perry. Without her help, he’d be at the mercy of husband hunters—but the more he comes to rely on her, the more he notices how invaluable she really is… While Joceline can’t deny that her boss is attractive, as a single mother with responsibilities she’s determined to be professional. But when Jon is accosted by a criminal seeking revenge, she comes to his aid—fueling the spark that is growing between them. As the attempts on Jon’s life increase, Joceline stands by his side. But when the smoke clears, will the man who avoided love realize that all he ever needed was right there all along?

Tall, dark and aloof FBI agent Jon Blackhawk isn’t ready to settle down, certainly not with any of the prospects his manipulative mother Cammy selects. Fortunately, his administrative Assistant Joceline Perry has his back. She also has a secret she cannot reveal to anyone, especially her good-looking boss. However, when a revenge-seeking criminal targets Jon, his family and Joceline and her son, the two must work together…and try to deny the attraction simmering between them.

For five years, Joceline has worked for Jon, determined not to let her feelings for the handsome Cherokee/Lakota man show. Joceline is efficient, indispensable to Jon, and willing to dish out the banter, but she’s very private about her personal life. The story she tells people is that Markie’s father was a soldier who left for Iraq and never came back. As a single mother of an asthmatic boy who may have ADD, Joceline’s number one priority is to Markie, to care for him and protect him as best she can. On the job she has an uncanny ability to ferret out information needed for Jon’s cases, but she’s adamant about not doing menial tasks such as making coffee—not in her job description.

Jon works out of the San Antonio office on the violent crimes squad and specializes in human trafficking crimes, sometimes with his older brother McKuen Kilraven, another federal agent, and Detective Sergeant Rick Marquez. Both Jon and his brother are ultra-conservative. Rumor has it that Jon has never had a woman, but it not for the women’s lack of trying. It seems his mother is determined to find a wife for her youngest son, and she knows it’s not going to be anyone as immoral as Jon’s assistant who has an illegitimate son. Jon meanwhile, is discovering that he’s quite attracted to Joceline.

When a known criminal, Harold Monroe, is released, threats begin, first toward Joceline and Markie, then toward Jon and his family, and Jon seeks the help of Rourke, who seems to be a mercenary with South African origins, to guard Joceline and Markie. You need viagra cost india to focus on aerobic (with air) activities. Phase 1: Emission: Emission starts when sperm moves from our testicles to the prostate, which would aggravate purchase cheap viagra prostatitis. In the event levitra generika browse around this link now that you are miserable with the span of 24 hours, a 100mg tablet is recommended by medical experts as it has the strong power to cause longer erection. Important Instructions When Taking Read Full Report cheap cialis overnight viagra many benefits for men suffering from ED. Eventually, Jon decides they’d be safer at his ranch. What Jon doesn’t realize is the killer is after more than just Joceline and Markie. Jon is shot and lands in the hospital. Joceline rushes to his side. They return to the ranch where Cammy Blackhawk descends. Finding Joceline there, Cammy vents her rage on Joceline who now realizes any possibility of a life with Jon is but a dream. Cammy’s anger sets off an asthma attack in Markie, and she rushes him to a hospital, only to be followed by a repentant Cammy who shares a few secrets of her own.

I enjoyed Merciless very much despite a few niggles, namely a plot that has been done and done: a drop-dead gorgeous Texan who happens to be Native American, who happens to be rich as Croesus, who happens to have a spectacular ranch and an opinionated overbearing mother. We are told that Cammy Blackhawk is really a nice person, but in the first half of the story she seems more caricature than character. Then she transforms into a gentle and caring woman. The manner in which Ms. Palmer handled Cammy’s confession pulled it from the brink for me. At this point I was invested in both the characters and the outcome. There is much more, but mentioning any of it would be a spoiler.

Merciless has several twists and turns and a host of bad guys to keep you guessing as to who the real killer is. There are numerous secrets revealed along the way. There are a couple of love scenes that I would label lightly sensual.

Ms. Palmer is a skilled writer who manages to tie up all the loose ends in this suspenseful story.

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