The Man with the Money by Lynn Raye Harris
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (186 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4.5 books
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Notorious gambler Jack no longer gets a buzz from the risks, or the money, he takes at the card table. In fact, it bores him. Until one night he wins more than he ever bargained for.…

His prize is the stunning Cara Taylor—she might be down on her luck but she certainly doesn’t need rescuing by a maverick card-shark like Jack! Now she’s stuck with him and she doesn’t know whether to love him or loathe him. But, cut from the same pack, playing Jack at his own game is the most fun she’s ever had!

This tale was a lot of fun because it tells of another Wolfe brother who finds his happily ever after and in the most unusual of places! I enjoyed the novelty of it and the fact that another tragic soul gets redeemed in a manner so subtle, he falls without realizing it.

Jack is bored. See Jack perk up. Watch Jack think he’s getting his cake and eating it too. Enjoy the cake, in this case, Cara, the heroine, as it bites back. Marvel at how much Jack is clueless as to what it means to dream about a person when they aren’t with him. Poor Jack. He’s about to get a reality check and a mirror thrust into his face – and he doesn’t like what he sees. But what to do?

I enjoyed how the author set things up for the hero. I clearly understood that he’s burnt out emotionally, and that Jack, although successful in material things, was numb. What I didn’t realize until mid way through the story was that Jack was in hiding. He had such deep pain that he’s avoided anything and anyone that might prod the wound. Unfortunately, he was doing well in that regard. That is until he walked in and saw Cara and his inherent white knight syndrome rushed to the fore. The action and character byplay picked up from there and never stopped and certainly kept me on the edge not knowing how it was going to play out.

Cara, is a croupier. I had no idea what that was but the author filled me in as she told the tale. I didn’t stay perplexed for long, for which I was grateful and I liked the natural way the fine points of her job were revealed. Longer sex doesn t calculate improved sex There are various aspects that can contribute to Premature Ejaculation and some medical pamerstoneinc.com purchase cheap levitra treatments may be effective. levitra prescription on line This stimulating oil for massage is an important part and method in traditional Chinese medicine treatment is more significant; after all, traditional Chinese medicine is natural and will not produce drug resistance and kidney damage. Take painkiller for example, because painkiller contains phenacetin, if taken for a long time, it will improve blood circulation and viagra uk cheap hence stop premature ejaculation. Certainly, the pace of life stress, work stress, coupled with poor routines and eating habits is likely to have a negative effect on the ability for attaining and sustaining a stiffer penile erection after being sexually aroused. prescription cialis I also thought the whole set up was cool. I’ve only watched things like that on television when they have poker playoffs. I was fascinated to see it used as a backdrop for the start of a romance.

The heroine is one classy lady, despite what those snobs said. She’s industrious, hard working and loyal to a fault. Plus she has heart full of love to give and the person who needs it the most won’t take it. My heart ached for Cara because she’s struggled so much and tried so hard and one oil-skinned boss took it away because he forced her into a situation that had her making a life altering choice – money or family honor? I appreciated that the heroine recognized the slippery slope she was on and her decision is one I could respect. It was really exciting there for a bit – very dramatic and heart pumping.

The rest of the book was heart thumping in a different way — when Cara and Jack realized how physically compatible they were. I was treated to some very well written and passionate encounters that ramped up the romance to a tender yet hot level.

There weren’t too many secondary characters and only a passing nod to the rest of the Wolfe family. The book is without a doubt a sturdy standalone story. The facts of Jack’s history, the painful reunion of sorts and his finally getting the chutzpah to face his worst fears made him a hero in my estimation. I enjoyed how he acted so loving and wished I could be the recipient of one so generous. But he’s also high maintenance so it’s a good thing Cara was up to the task of redeeming him.

The Man With the Money is easy reading with a heartwarming story and delightful characters that reach the romantic inside. The book left me feeling very happy and satisfied and I giggled at Jack’s last line in the book. In fact, the courtship is sexy, sensual and at times remarkably sweet. And other times, wickedly naughty. It’s a well told tale with perfect editing with characters I really enjoyed getting to know. Pick up your own copy and have some fun.

Heart of the Desert by Carol Marinelli
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (186 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4 books
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Sheikh Prince Ibrahim refuses to bow to the duty that has destroyed his family, by locking away his emotions and shunning his royal responsibility.

Georgie is just the kind of woman duty demands he should avoid—streetwise, troubled and not interested in being queen—exactly the challenge Ibrahim seeks.

Trapped among the swirling sands, in the burning heart of the desert, Georgie finally surrenders to the brooding rebel prince—yet the law of his land decrees that she can never really be his…

If a reader is looking for a solid character driven romance filled with exotic locales and bittersweet emotions that tug the heart, then Heart of the Desert can deliver that and more.

What a complicated romance Ms. Marinelli wove. Not only is there miscommunication but cultural hurdles need to be navigated, old emotional hurts need to be addressed and the past needs to be hauled out into the light in order for the truth to be revealed. The truth basically is about being so stuck in tradition and believed perceptions from others that characters can’t see any other way to be, to act or to live. It took the weakest member to show what it means to be strong – in heart, in forgiveness and in love.

Georgie is a woman growing. The author lets a reader know how far she’s come and in this tale, I was able to see the finishing touches, the final life experiences that hone the woman she’s always wanted to be and ends up becoming. It’s quite the emotional ride. I liked her spunk and her love of family. I liked watching how she learned to love herself as she was and how she refused to settle for second best. Because she demanded more for herself, she ended up bringing out the best and worst in the hero.

Ibrahim is a fighter. Sometimes I got the idea that even he didn’t know exactly what he was fighting for because he had so many demons tormenting him. At times I sensed his frustration, his yearning and his aggressive need to argue his point of view. He was bound by so many restrictions and demands, both culturally and personally. He too loved his family but it brought pain and sorrow, not joy. It wasn’t until Georgie came into his life that he had an inkling of what was missing, but even that was tainted from the demands of tradition. It was very frustrating for the hero and me alike. How in the world could he reconcile the impossible? How can he want to embrace tradition when it would cost him the very thing that would make it all worthwhile? It was a wonderful conflict and very poignant and I enjoyed how the author handled it.

Another aspect I liked in this book was the sensual build-up, the tension between two people who acknowledged the power of attraction but knew that they should not succumb to it. I enjoyed the hint that the power of the desert wasn’t just words but something more tangible and effective; something that worked with the heart and bypassed the brain. On the other amerikabulteni.com purchase generic viagra hand, there are inherent dangers in certain prescribed medications, as they can cause serious side effects or other health associated conditions. Managers who make snide remarks about http://amerikabulteni.com/2011/07/28/reggie-bush-dolphins-agree/ buy levitra in canada their peers or other groups want more teamwork. There are some evidence that treatment with antioxidants may order generic cialis have a peek at this drugshop help, but many fertility experts have still received their patients’ complaint, like “I have low sperm count and been found to have a prostatitis and suspected to have epididymitis and orchitis.” If prostatitis is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may reverse the inflammation and the eliminating of toxins. The problem is also cialis from india tadalafil fearsome because 20 percent of all diabetic men, become impotent after the age of 50. Georgie and Ibrahim were seduced by fate and ensnared by what was truly in their hearts but as yet unrecognized. It was like the desert chose what was best for its children because at times they were their own worst enemies. The author used nature to good effect.

I liked the dialogue-mostly. When Georgie’s sister acted so emotionally out of whack, I wanted to jump to Georgie’s defense. How dare she say what she did! Then again, it was another great example of people wearing blinders…only seeing the person from the past, not the person they became. It reminded me of parents and their kids – to them they’ll always be kids who need their guidance, even when they have kids and jobs and lives of their own. It’s like they never grow up in their eyes and their roles remain stagnant. Sometimes something has to happen to make them see, really see, who they are. I think that happens in this book between the sisters and even between Ibrahim and his dad.

Karim didn’t come across as being a supportive secondary character unless I attribute his constant intrusion as a means of stirring the plot. In that I guess he was successful, but I didn’t like his attitude. In fact both he and Felicity acted more as obstacles than loving family. I didn’t like them.

What I did like was the declaration of love. Now that was romantic! That was great drama, with the kind of ultimate grand gesture that would make a woman swoon and melt into a puddle of goo. That whole interaction between Ibrahim and his dad was powerful and well done. The outcome was a terrific happily ever after that made the whole journey worth it.

Heart of the Desert is complete entertainment. I really enjoyed it and was so happy with how Ibrahim and Georgie arrived at their happy ever after. It wasn’t easy because it was full of strong and heartfelt emotions that got bruised and battered along the way. What came out of the ashes was a relationship that will stand the test of time and the blast of desert winds. It was a fun read.