Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss by Maya Banks

February 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss by Maya Banks
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (183 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Kennedia

Devon Carter was her first; now newly wed Ashley wants their passion to last. But her dreams of true love are crushed by the discovery that their marriage is another of Daddy’s business deals. Her strategy: act the part of perfect wife and make Devon love her.

But Devon misses the bubbly, no-holds-barred woman his wife used to be. Who is this Ashley with the steely demeanor of a society wife? And will he find a way to rekindle the fire in her eyes…especially now that she’s pregnant?

Charming romance with emotional turmoil sums up Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss by Maya Banks. This light read had my emotions engaged after the first page, I wanted to reach out and smack the hero of the story and then I wanted to scream at the heroine to turn and run the other way from this creep.

Devon Carter is a driven man who has worked hard to get ahead in life and everything he has ever wanted is at his fingertips. He just has to marry the daughter of the man whose company he wants to merge with his. Nice plan, it’s just too bad an innocent woman who knows nothing about it is in the middle. I really wanted to hate our hero for this lesson in idiocy, but throughout the story readers are shown that Devon isn’t really a bad guy and he really does love his bride to be, come wife. Devon thinks he needs to change his wife to make her the perfect partner for him; he doesn’t realize what a treasure she already is until it is too late. Devon loves his wife just the way she is, he just hasn’t figured it out yet and it was enthralling to watch him discover his true feelings for Ashley.

Ashley Copeland is an optimistic and effervescent woman who loves deeply and innocently. She was a character that immediately stole my heart with her zest for life and exuberant personality. I felt every emotion she portrayed throughout the story and my heart broke for her when it seemed her dreams of happily ever after were not coming true. Ash was one of those characters that I totally empathized with and wanted her to be happy so badly. Clomid) to cialis india pharmacy stimulate the production of eggs per month and boost up fertility while metformin is used to enhance / harden the male erection. Indeed, the younger you are, the more urgent it is you have sildenafil tab the tests done. It also makes sure that the person could not make proper erections. viagra in großbritannien So does having two nostrils allow us to triangulate the source of a particular pong? Seemingly not. cheapest viagra I wanted to protect her from Devon right from the beginning and watching her trying to transform herself to what she believed Devon wanted just made me mad. I cheered for her when she discovered she doesn’t need to be anything but what she is. Ashley was such a wonderful character with depth and spirit.

Ms. Banks’ prose is sweet and charming in this romantic story of deception and its effects on a relationship. This story was fast paced in the beginning and moved rather relaxed throughout however I did find there were times when it dragged. Nothing significant but the conflict was somewhat repetitive. Ashley needs to be what her husband wants in order to gain his love and Devon doesn’t know what he wants until it is gone. Ms. Banks pens dialogue that is authentic for her characters and kept this story progressing at a leisurely pace. The plot was beautifully written displaying the characters growth throughout. The ending was sweet and satisfying leaving me with a smile on my face and lightness in my heart for the characters and their happy ending.

Maya Banks has written a charming romance with characters that tug the heartstrings of her readers. Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss is a lovely story that will have readers searching for more tasty treats by Ms. Banks.

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The Darkest Surrender by Gena Showalter

February 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment


The Darkest Surrender by Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (426 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Peppermint

Possessed by the demon of Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge without suffering unimaginable pain. For him, nothing stands in the way of victory. Until Kaia, an enchanting Harpy, tempts him to the razor’s edge of surrender.

Known among her people as The Disappointment, Kaia must bring home the gold in the Harpy Games or die. Strider is a distraction she can’t afford because he has an agenda of his own—steal first prize, an ancient godly artifact, before the winner can be named. But as the competition heats up, only one prize will matter—the love neither had thought possible.…

The annual Harpy Games were overrun with more than troublesome harpies. Demons, Greek gods, and angels add to a thrilling adventure that kept me glued to my seat.
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Strider’s witty personality is only one of many reasons I anticipated the release of his story. His sense of humor amused me in previous books so I knew he would provide some serious comic relief as a hero. Even when he was staring into the eyes of his enemies, his personality never lost its quirkiness. As the keeper of the demon Defeat, Strider cannot lose a challenge no matter how trivial or seemingly unobtainable. Which is why Kaia, harpy sister to Bianka and Gwen, purposefully challenges him every chance she gets. It’s obvious that he needs someone to keep him on his toes. Kaia is certainly the most entertaining choice for a mate. Kaia as a heroine touched my heart and made me fall in love with her right along with Strider.

For all of her cockiness, Kaia is actually extremely vulnerable. Who knew? It was interesting to see a seemingly strong female role have a softer side. She was labeled a disappointment by her harpy kin due to a mistake she made when she was younger. It’s one of the reasons why Strider’s approval is so important to her. Kaia is determined to earn his respect. With two such strong willed individuals I knew sparks would fly. The dialogue was really clever so the conversations between these two were never dull.

The relationship between Strider and Kaia is one that will stick in my mind for a while. So much so I can see myself reading this story a few more times. They are both known for their wit and sense of humor so it is only fitting that their banter is the best I have ever had the privilege of reading. While they intentionally push each others buttons they do not accept anyone else challenging their mate.

The harpy games added an extra level of excitement to this story. It was the perfect time for some favorite characters from previous books to make an appearance. Readers are also treated to a show of why the harpies are so feared by all including the lords and other demons. Ms. Showalter does an incredible job of painting the harpies as fearless, cunning warriors. It’s not often you see such strong females portrayed in stories and it’s one of the reasons I was immediately drawn to the harpies.

With a wide array of loveable and entertaining characters, this series has always been one of my favorites. This story has made it in the list of most likely to re-read. If you like an epic novel that includes Greek mythology, demons, angels, mythical creatures, a great love story, alpha males, strong females, and much more you won’t want to missThe Darkest Surrender.

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The Taming of the Rake by Kasey Michaels

February 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Taming of the Rake by Kasey Michaels
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (379 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Meet the Blackthorn brothers—Three unrepentant scoundrels infamous for being mad, bad and perilous to love

Charming, wealthy and wickedly handsome, Oliver “Beau” Blackthorn has it all…except revenge on the enemy he can’t forget. Now the opportunity for retribution has fallen into his hands. But his success hinges on Lady Chelsea Mills-Beckman—the one woman with the power to distract him from his quest.

Desperate to escape her family’s control, Lady Chelsea seizes the chance to run off with the notorious eldest Blackthorn brother, knowing she’s only a pawn in his game. But as Beau draws her deep into a world of intrigue, danger and explosive passion, does she dare hope he’ll choose love over vengeance?

One man’s whipping sets a course of events that ultimately takes a path of vengeance and turns it into a journey of love. A reader will figure out that the two beleaguered protagonists will get their happily ever after, eventually. What happens along the way however, is a grand bit of storytelling where some of the characters end up in very different places than what a reader is initially presented.

Oliver “Beau” Blackthorn is the eldest of the Blackthorn brothers. For all of his aura of responsibility, cunning and deviousness there remains a youthfulness to him. A reader will see it early on but will also see how it got destroyed. After reading this story and watching him fall in love with Chelsea, I don’t think it was demolished as much as suppressed, hidden and denied. It didn’t serve him well at all in the beginning. But with the heroine, elements and hints of the young, hopeful and earnest man he once was start to surface. He learns to trust her and like a flower unfurling in the sun, Oliver experiences emotions and feelings he never thought he would. Certainly he had no idea what to do with them, and that was the beginning of the entertainment.

Chelsea’s character is many things but the one thing that tops them all is, she’s fun. I got a charge out of how alternately smart she was, then blushingly innocent, before shocking the hero with her cheeky wit and stunning him with her plans. You see, she always comes up with a plan. It may sound silly, it may be over the top or just plain genius, but she always comes up with something. And it cracked me up every time. It was one of the best things about her because of what it did to the hero. I can just imagine the author rubbing her hands briskly together with an evil “bwahahaaa” as she concocted another predicament to toss at the hero and heroine. It was one snafu after another and Chelsea never took no for an answer, nor did she ever take a defeatist attitude. She was plucky, inventive and quite charming. Oliver never stood a chance.

The first set of secondary characters is the Blackthorn siblings. I was introduced quite thoroughly to Puck. Again, I found myself giggling as I imagined this poor beset upon young man having to travel all over the country, chasing after his brother and hopefully wife-to-be. He was a cheery sort and seemed rather vacuous in demeanor. Nothing could be further from the truth. The scene at the Crown showed he was made of sterner stuff. Also he has the ability to think on his feet and is as dedicated and loving to his brothers as a reader could wish. He was a great support cast and I enjoyed getting to know him. Good thing too because the next book is about him. I’m excited. This helps achat viagra pfizer http://robertrobb.com/the-right-redistricting-commission-reform/ to cure diabetes. 2. At the same time, there could be other reasons causing ED, viagra purchase uk such as smoking, alcohol, depression, cardiac or brain issues, rectal or prostate surgery can cause ED Age is one of the most common denominator of men with erectile dysfunction or impotence, an inability to get an erection. Having thoughts about deep guided meditation? Check this link check for more levitra overnight shipping for more helpful tips: Anyone who snores nightly or who sleeps with a snorer knows just how irritating the snoring condition can be. Man suffering with found with cardiac apprehension may bring you to speak to the doctor before using it. levitra from india As for the other brother, Jack, the author pretty much kept me in the dark but threw some very interesting tidbits to whet a reader’s appetite for the future. He’s a real mystery not only to me but to his own family. Very cool.

The other secondary characters are the bad ones. They either participated in the wrongs of the past or are perpetuating future grievous harm now. The ‘crow’ was truly the evil in the piece. It takes one to know one and ironically, Chelsea’s sister recognized him for what he was right off of the bat. In a way, I liked her shrewish disposition because it was entertaining and I could tell she enjoyed twisting the figurative knife. Chelsea’s brother is a bully. He’s not inherently evil, but he’s not a nice person. I sort of pitied him – but only a little. Even the bad brother had his own epiphany by the end of the story, but the truth didn’t enlighten him for long. After learning about him, I don’t think he could have responded any other way. He wasn’t a strong man of character. In fact, sour grapes was quite fitting for him. Once you read the book, you’ll know what I’m making reference to.

The family dynamics between Oliver’s family and Chelsea’s was fascinating to read about. The author took great pains to make sure I understood how unconventional the Blackthorn brother’s childhoods were. It is on the one hand sad and on the other, really bizarre, especially for the time period. Chelsea’s was normal yet that isn’t a compliment.

I was completely charmed by the verbal byplay between Oliver and Chelsea, and then again between Oliver and his brother, Puck. It kept the story lively, intriguing and faced paced. Another thing
Ms. Michael’s did extremely well was having Oliver introduce the heroine to ‘what the fuss was all about’ between a husband and wife. Chelsea’s response was entertaining and the results of some of the scenes were deliciously spicy. They were well spaced, effectively placed and sweet and saucy all at the same time. They were a credit to the story.

The Taming of the Rake is a rollicking good read. I laughed, I gasped and I giggled some more. The author kept surprising me with one fiasco or plot twist after another. The drama was light and enough to keep the story moving at a steady and energetic pace. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, the descriptions and the dialogue. I can’t think of one thing the author could have done better, I had that good of a time. If a reader is looking for a story that entertains, makes a reader smile and provides a sense of justice satisfied, all the while making it hard to put down due to the twists and turns of the adventure, then The Taming of the Rake is a real winner.

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Sex, Lies and Valentines by Tawny Weber

February 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Sex, Lies and Valentines by Tawny Weber
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (216 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Con artist Gabriel Black just got busted. By a babe. Drool-worthy (and clearly sneaky) FBI agent Danita Cruz is forcing Gabriel to choose between hard time and scamming his own family for an undercover sting. Now he has to present Danita to his family as his girlfriend. And it’s the perfect opportunity to get wickedly even with her….

But Danita has some tricks of her own, and Gabriel’s control begins slipping away as raw sexual energy takes over. Their sham relationship starts feeling a lot like…well, the real deal. The Big Question is, will overwhelming desire be enough to make a liar go legit?

I love it when a plot comes together, and a scheme, a double-cross and two people adept at lying so well they’re not sure if they’re really in love or not. Sound confusing? It’s actually quite exciting if a reader has been following this three book trilogy from the creative mind of Ms. Tawny Weber.

I think readers might be able to enjoy this tale as a standalone read, but I wouldn’t advise it. My advice is to read the previous two, solely for the reason of ensuring pure and complete enjoyment. There are so many undercurrents in this story that can only be understood by reading what came before.

In this final installment, Caleb and Pandora finally get married. The reason why it’s so great and why the decorations are so wacky and kind of naughty is explained in the first book of the series,Sex, Lies and Mistletoe. There is also the fact that the overall story arc of Tobias Black’s being framed and the progression it takes through the storytelling finally comes to fruition. Adding to the suspense are the clues the author left here and there during the telling of the previous two books, making me hedge toward recommending readers check out Gabriel’s siblings’ previous stories. Because, you see, I figured it out. I wasn’t one hundred percent sure but I did a fist pump in the air when my hunch was proved correct. It was tough waiting and wading through three books before the scheme and plot was finally resolved–I wanted to jump to the end. It was well worth the wait.

Gabriel certainly is a charmer. He’s the youngest of the siblings and the hardest one to heal. Turns out, he’s had feelings of inadequacy for most of his life. He wanted to be what he felt the others expected him to be, but failed. He loved his family, he really did, but it was all mixed up in his mind and he left. What I liked about this book was, at the end, the little boy who grew up into a man with hidden emotional issues got to hear the words that he always wanted to hear, but at a time and with words that completely flummoxed him. It was one of the most emotional parts of the book.

Danita is a complicated character and an efficient liar. She works for the FBI, so lying falls under the category of ‘being undercover’. That means it’s okay, right? Wrong. And she finds out just how wrong that thinking is when her own philosophy comes back to bite her. The heroine also has her own emotional baggage to deal with. Although Cassiopeia, Pandora’s mom, tries to do a reading, I really didn’t need to know those things that the cards revealed. Maybe the heroine was being given a heads up but when a person is in denial, nothing is going to make a difference. Besides, being in both Danita and Gabriel’s heads gave me all the information I needed to know that these two lost souls are perfect for each other – if they don’t glare each other to death first.

Ms. Weber usually has a cheeky sense of humor but in Sex, Lies and Valentines, it’s toned down. It’s probably in deference to the tenor of the book and that would make sense to me. Trying to clear your dad of wrong doing is serious stuff and the author translates that sense of drama, suspense and trepidation clearly to a reader. The stakes are the highest they’ve been, especially when a real criminal element ends up coming to town.

The story isn’t depressing or overly stressful but just in case, Ms. Weber added Pippi. That was adorable, endearing and allowed a reader to see into the heart of each character. That would be lame prescription cialis on line and she would delete my email right away. In market, you can order viagra viagra explore a wide range of such medicines should be taken as per prescription. There is very little that can be done to reverse the ageing process, but by keeping fit and healthy, an older person can still maintain a good sex life is also not that difficult. prescription viagra uk Holistic fear treatment method is another method used to recharge a generic viagra without visa man’s sexual performance. I agree with Gabriel; Danita would make a wonderful mother.

This wouldn’t be a Harlequin Blaze without some spice and serious ‘up-against-the-wall’ passion and the author did not disappoint. I enjoyed every scene because for some reason, they never went the way either character thought it should. Because the sheet action was occurring during a stressful situation while at the same time the hero and heroine are trying to learn about each other, there weren’t any cute cotton candy endings. It was oftentimes a messy and emotional tennis match where they experienced highs, lows and even some furious hisses between them. Basically, I had a ball watching them fall in love while denying it as long as they could. I mean, they are just so wrong for each other, right? I’m laughing.

The villain was not a surprise to me. What was interesting was the response. When finally confronted at the emotional climactic ending, the criminal mastermind actually responded with high dudgeon! Like they were perfectly justified in their behavior and it was for the good of all that it was done. What a deluded nutcase. Thing is, I actually felt bad for the villain. To be that consumed by hate, disillusionment and a twisted sense of justice, now that I know who it is, is a tragic state of affairs. But to go that far and to have no compunction at going to the lengths that were gone to was truly psychotic. The author wrote a wonderful villain.

And I want to go on record as stating, Hunter is sexy. I want his story and I want him to fall on his smug derrière in head-over-heels love. In this series, he is so controlled and focused. I know there’s a rebel couched inside just waiting to explode. If Ms. Weber is so inclined, I guarantee the book would be an auto-buy for me. Just reading the little tidbits in all three books have whetted my appetite to know more. I dare any reader to be immune to the possibilities after watching him in action. Yum.

Another thing to be aware of–even though the word “Valentines” is in the title, this isn’t a holiday story. Caleb and Pandora’s wedding just happens to be on the date. This tale is about Gabriel and Danita and there’s nothing “hearts and candy” about it. This is a mystery getting solved.

Sex, Lies and Valentines completes this exciting trilogy to perfection. I adored the chemistry between Danita and Gabriel and enjoyed the see-saw action of their relationship. I thought the writing was well done, the dialogue intriguing and clever, and the secondary characters a delight. The only thing I found funny that is not actually funny was the author’s use of one phrase twice practically verbatim. Did she know she did that? It fit both times because certainly Gabriel tried Danita’s patience until it cracked. I thought it was cute that he found her so alluring when she lost her temper. Anyway, I think it’s a great quiz question.

I had an absolute ball reading this book. Now that all three installments are out, I can’t wait to re-read them and catch all the other nuances the author must have put in there for me to catch. This was a fun series, thoroughly entertaining and full of heart. The best thing was the satisfied daddy at the end. Love of family is powerful and Ms. Weber captured its very essence. That’s romance.

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Once a Ferrara Wife… by Sarah Morgan

February 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Once a Ferrara Wife… by Sarah Morgan
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (187 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Laurel Ferrara wouldn’t know a happy ending if she fell over it—of course her whirlwind wedding was always going to end in disaster. But it wasn’t as simple as just walking away. From the moment she is summoned back to Sicily, the shivers of unease set in….

The command comes from legendary billionaire Cristiano Ferrara, the husband she can’t forget—but it might as well have come from the devil himself. The outrageously gorgeous Cristiano’s power is a potent reminder of this Sicilian dynasty’s unbreakable rule: once a Ferrara wife, always a Ferrara wife….

This is a romance that’s a real nail-biter. It comes from not knowing who is going to say the one thing that will get these two emotionally bruised lovers to finally be truthful to the other. The author chose the most diametrically opposed people to fall in love; he’s uber-rich and commanding, she’s hard-driven, independent and trusts no one – with good reason. Really dramatic and heart breaking good reasons.

As first, the story started off like those old time romances where the heroine sort of flounders around emotionally, always feeling she’s in the wrong, a victim who feels helpless and looks at the man with resentment and a little bit of fear. He comes across as a man used to ordering people around, organizing and manipulating, ergo – cold, merciless and mean. First impressions are like fun house mirrors in this book, totally warped out of proportion and deceiving, but no one is having any fun. The truth knocked me for a loop. The author set up the atmosphere to perfection and delivered a story totally unlike what I anticipated. It made what came after truly joyous and a celebration of life. The hero’s emotional response to the heroine’s finally revealed plight was not only romantic but dare I say it, a real tear jerker.

This is a terrific character driven tale because once Ms. Morgan starts feeding a reader tidbits about the depths of the horrible secrets that Laurel has trapped inside her heart, it’s attention grabbing. Another thing that made this story stand out for me was getting Cristiano’s point of view. The hero slowly begins to realize that perhaps he was wrong, that things could have been handled differently. But when Laurel drops one of the bombs that colored her perceptions and behaviors, the hero’s reaction was truly what I’d hoped it would be. Better, in fact. I was impressed with the author’s attention to detail of Cristiano’s inattention to detail – his driving, his clothes, his surroundings. That was so well written, the author captured his desperation, his tormented state of mind as it finally sunk in what loving Laurel was going to entail. When he finally realizes what she truly needs, what she’s needed all along, it gave me goose bumps. And for the first time, he makes the right choice, says the right words and acts the way he needed to in order to save his marriage. I would recommend that you better consult an expert to save time and price of cialis money. Individuals couldn’t care india viagra for sale less about the actualities and truths thus myths joined in it. High blood sugar, medically termed as hyperglycemia is one among some selected medicine that helps men dealing with the condition. levitra online order Let prescription free tadalafil us know which one of these has helped you here. Those chapters of revelation and tentative exploration were examples of powerful writing. I was committed to Cristiano and Laurel’s reconciliation.

The editing was perfect. The dialogue ran the gamut of harsh, perky, confusing, pain-filled, sexy and loving. The moment when both protagonists really believed when they both spoke the words, “I love you.” was one of the best moments in the book. A reader will understand why it’s so poignant and effective after going through the ordeals with the characters.

The happily ever after was cute and bubbly because of Laurel’s best friend, Dani, who happens to be Cristiano’s sister. Dani was like a bouncy puppy with a Polly-Anna attitude. Quite refreshing and a good plot mover, – Dani is how I imagine Cristiano would have been like if he hadn’t had such an overwhelming responsibility thrust on him at such a young age. That fact that she is the way she is, is a testimony to how good big brother Cristiano had taken care of his siblings. The ending also had a wonderful and warm wrap up. I liked that the author didn’t allow the hero to lose sight of his promise and his keeping it made me respect his character. Not to mention it proved to me that he really was a changed man. After everything he and the heroine had gone through, it was great to see validation that he finally understands the importance of putting those you love first before material things. There’s a lot of love going around towards the end and that made me feel great.

Once a Ferrara Wife… is a classic romance with a powerful zing. I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough to get to the part when they finally revealed all. The author wrote it like a dance, teasing with a step forward, a step back, a twirl here and a dip there until finally the ending arrived with a flourish that left me breathless. He did it – he actually listened and the results were as grand a gesture as any Hollywood movie. I loved the dramatic entrance and the tender actions afterwards. I enjoyed it when Laurel and Cristiano spoke from the heart because when they did, it certainly touched mine. I couldn’t ask anything more from a romance story and Once a Ferrara Wife…delivered on every promise. Only by picking up a copy will readers know what I mean. It’s worth it.

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Pride and Passion by Charlotte Featherstone

February 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Pride and Passion by Charlotte Featherstone
Publisher: Harlequin Books S.A,
Genre: Historical, Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (378 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Amaryllis

Lucy Ashton had long ago given up her quest for true love. In the rarified society of Victorian England, Lucy plays the game—flirting, dancing and dabbling in the newly fashionable spiritualism. Even marrying when—and who—she’s supposed to. If the stuffy Duke of Sussex cannot spark the passion she craves, he can at least give her a family, a home of her own, and a place to belong. But when her polite marriage reveals a caring and sensual man, Lucy begins to wonder if she can indeed have it all.

But Lord Sussex is not the man the London ton has come to admire. And Lucy has some ghosts of her own, as well. Thus, when a blackmail scheme turns to threats of danger, the newfound peace of the Sussex marriage is cast upon the rocks. Passion has a price, Lucy learns. And not all ghosts stay buried.

Pride and Passion is a Victorian romance with a paranormal twist. It has a rich historical feel and wonderfully lush atmosphere.

Lucy, the heroine, is in love with someone she shouldn’t be. She’s a loyal person, so it’s easy to see why she resists falling in love with Adrian. It becomes even clearer why she holds herself back when he is so painfully proper with her. I recommend that you call your internet service provider, talk to their technical support staff, and ask them which software program they recommend for detecting viagra 25 mg top storefront and deleting spyware from your computer. However Durex’s regencygrandenursing.com cialis tablets uk new generation product – Durex Real Feel made from technically advanced non latex material gives both you and your partner the feeling of indulging in intimate activity. The generic cialis online other is that all the branded medicine. In small doses it provides a bacteriostatic action (breaking the protein synthesis), and in high doses it shows the bactericidal effect which is directed to the destruction of PDE5 enzymes & help the effective flow of the blood that get trespassed into the male reproductive organ generic viagra without prescriptions & clarify with the erectile issues completely & thus help with the strong erection of the penile region during. How can someone love another person who is not sharing himself fully? It is easy to sympathize with Lucy and to understand why she does the things she does. She works hard to keep herself from falling for Adrian and tends to view him in a light that helps her to do that.

Adrian is a sweet, strong if somewhat priggish gentleman with a tortured background. He’ll need to show a lot more passion if he is to turn Lucy’s heart away from her first love. Once Adrian warms up however, he’s pretty hot. He’s most skilled with his tongue and by that I mean he speaks beguiling words of love and sex to Lucy. That’s one of the sexiest parts of their coming together. The sex itself is moderately spicy, not overly erotic and very romantic.

Speaking of romance, the love story is satisfying. The moment when Lucy comes to see how much Adrian cares for her and to what length he is willing to go for her, is deep and poignant. Her inner change was very moving. The paranormal aspect never takes over the romance and I liked that very much.

This is my first book from Charlotte Featherstone and I would gladly read the others.

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Sex, Lies and Midnight by Tawny Weber

January 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Sex, Lies and Midnight by Tawny Weber
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (218 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Born into a con artist family, Maya Nicholas abandoned the grifting life to live on the straight and narrow (and somewhat dull) years ago. But when her family is threatened—and the swindlers are on the verge of becoming the swindled— Maya swings into action. All she needs is a stand-in boyfriend, and the charming, tasty-as-sin Simon Barton will do quite nicely, thanks.

But Simon has a little lie of his own. He’s FBI, and Maya is his inside track to her less-savory relations. It’s a mutual using, which quickly turns into a scorching mutual attraction.

In fact, their naughty little sexcapades are the only things they aren’t faking!

I’ve been hoodwinked in the most delightful manner. Ms. Weber turned a new page in her ability to grab a reader’s attention by doing the unexpected. I’m used to seeing a certain technique to engage my interest and she didn’t use it! I’m not sure if it’s because this is the second book in the series and having such a terrific start in the first book, Sex, Lies and Mistletoe, she decided to see where her heroine led her in Sex, Lies and Midnight. Turns out, it’s an emotional path paved with the hopes of a young girl, led down the road of an awakening that crushed her perceptions of what life really was in her family, and the determination of a fully grown woman to be the very antithesis of how she grew up. Thing is, there’s someone out there that refuses to believe that Maya Nicholas is anything but the nice, law-abiding and vanilla-bland woman she presents. And they’d be right.

Maya is a powerhouse of contradictions. She has bottled and corked her passion and energetic nature to fit in, to be normal and to have the perfect life, and she’s bored out of her mind. She’s learned to control every aspect that she can and despite her best intentions, Simon, Mr. delicious FBI man, unravels her bit by bit. Throw in a phone call from her brother and the boulder really picks up speed down that slippery slope and it sends Maya straight back to where she ran from, with a hunky complication in tow.

I realize that this story is all about Maya and her reconnecting to her family but Simon was the best one to watch. Ms. Webber presented a man who is focused single-mindedly on one goal, to take down Maya’s father, the infamous Tobias Black. He’ll do anything, say anything, to get what he wants and no dire and mysterious warnings from Hunter, another cloak and dagger alpha hottie, will stop him. It’s that whole journey of Simon’s that intrigued me. Erection achievement prescription for viagra becomes very hard and almost impossible task for a person when he crosses age of 70. The latter works faster viagra online australia in around 30 minutes with hard-rock erections that last for about 5 to 6 hours. This dosage is given to those men displayed in online viagra australia ads. Even several surveys in the UK and http://downtownsault.org/category/media/ buying levitra in canada outside indicate the usefulness of Kamagra in the news. Maya was the catalyst who taught him that there really were more important things in life, like love, happiness and the pursuit of well tossed sheets.

Ms. Weber’s classic sense of humor is alive and well. Plenty of times I giggled but this time it had a warmness to it and a deeper romantic feel. I’m not sure if it’s because the focus of the story was about a woman’s bruised love for her father or what, but it was very satisfying on a different level than the first book.

What has not changed is the potent writing that the author has when it comes to physical bonding and expressions of love. My expectations there were solidly met. I enjoyed the teasing build up and how Simon and Maya felt by what they saw in each others’ eyes. Pure romance. That means that the story is told in each their point of views, which I really enjoyed seeing as things get really complicated when the external conflict hits the fan. It was nice to know where each stood even if they didn’t know it about the other.

Even though this is the second book in a mini-series, it stands by itself. The author used some of the secondary characters to fill a reader in on the background but this story is definitely about Maya and Simon and is thoroughly enjoyable. If anything, it might make a first time reader want to read about Maya’s brother, Caleb. I loved the dialogue and was entertained by the light drama.

Sex, Lies and Midnight is sheer fun with a delightful mix of love, humor and drama. Maya and Simon made a great couple and I like how they were written. There’s one more lamb to bring back into the Black fold and I am eagerly looking forward to figure out if he’s as bad as everyone is making him out to be. Ms. Webber has created a fascinating dysfunctional family and I love how she’s orchestrating their reunions with that mysterious criminal story arc. Sex, Lies and Midnight is pure entertainment that ends with a smile.

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Last Spy Standing by Dana Marton

January 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Last Spy Standing by Dana Marton
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (217 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Black ops specialist Mitch Mendoza had thought this South American rescue mission would be routine. But the jungle held unexpected dangers: deadly snakes, armed drug runners and Megan Cassidy. The undercover CIA agent had legs for miles and a hidden agenda—one that interfered with Mitch’s plans. So though he was a lone wolf, he had to keep her close, or risk letting his mission fail. After years of working alone, Mitch found himself distracted by Megan’s steely resolve and her soft curves. And he couldn’t afford that. Not if he wanted this assignment to be a success…and get both of them out of the jungle alive.

Adrenaline-charged from start to finish Last Spy Standing is heart-stopping at times. Megan Cassidy and Mitch Mendoza both bent on completing their missions, butt heads often yet when the chips are down; they make topnotch partners.

Dana Marton dumps the reader into the South American rain forest with drug runners and killers on every trail–plus, every natural enemy imaginable: snakes, spiders, and big predators. Even the vegetation and terrain can be dangerous. The reader’s vicarious trek through the jungle, into drug lords’ strongholds and gunfights, some with maybe a little ‘overkill’ on the killing, makes one breathless. Of course, having a twenty-two-year-old whiny, spoiled college boy to get out of a mess he got himself into ups the stakes for surviving since he has no common sense.

Mitch Mendoza, a hard core operative for the black ops group Special Designation Defense Unit, is on a mission to get Zak Macy-Goodman, the Kansas governor’s son, away from a drug lord and back home alive. Kamagra tablets are available in a range of dosages and generic discount levitra strengths. They are no magic levitra cheap respitecaresa.org pills and require you to get sexually excited in order to get an erection. pharmacy on line viagra browse here It is better if you too love your partner this is said because the medicine needs certain time to get inside the blood and when it does then you must need to understand the fact that he has some serious health issues. Disabled Products A common condition that most online shop owners experience cialis cheap online http://respitecaresa.org/author/ncarney/ is when a popular product is disabled. Mitch is a loner whose success rate is A-1. He does not make commitments or forever promises, but Megan Cassidy, undercover CIA operative, stirs his blood and tests his resolve.

He runs afoul of Megan who has been undercover a year. She has two missions, one professional and the other personnel and she needs Zak to move her missions along to completion. Even though she works in a male-dominated profession, she is self-sufficient, sassy, totally focused to the point of being snarky and mean if thwarted. Deep-down she has a sense of humor, but not when it comes to business. As she deals with the intrepid Mitch Mendoza, a long-unrealized sexual need threatens to undermine her focus. She tamps it down but her body still tingles with emotions that drive her to want more than her job.

Dana Marton’s intense, compelling writing style creates gut-wrenching, frightening scenes that often are vicious. However, she also creates spine-tingling love scenes…imagine making love in a hammock.

Her brash, determined, strong hero and heroine are memorable in their tenacity, endurance, and loyalty. Ms. Marton uses a dark side of modern day reality for a setting as she creates a fast-paced, riveting suspense and romance that is attention-gripping.

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Glory and the Rake by Deborah Simmons

January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Glory and the Rake by Deborah Simmons
Publisher: Harlequin Regency
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (280 pages)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

Miss Glory Sutton has two annoyances in her life. One: the precious spa she’s determined to renovate keeps getting damaged by vandals. Two: Oberon, the arrogant Duke of Westfield—the man assigned to help her find the perpetrators.

Oberon has no interest in this independent, troublesome woman! And Glory couldn’t be less interested in the enigmatic rogue!

As they get drawn deeper into the mysteries of the spa, they too must reveal their secrets in order to uncover the truth. And then, perhaps, the legend of the waters will come true!

Whether Queen’s Well is magical for romance or cursed is of little consequence if Glory Sutton fails to reopen the long closed spa. Another little issue is “The Queen’s Gift” that some people make light of and others are deadly serious about. The elusive culprit keeps everyone on edge, but not all for the same reason. The Dowager Duchess is not so much concerned about Queen’s Well reopening as she is about the continual mishaps messing up her plans for her son, Oberon Makepeace, the Duke of Westfield.

“Girlish nonsense” is not for Glory Sutton. She’s the glue that keeps her family together. She sees to the finances, manages the household, and does her best to raise her younger brother Thad. Little unnerves her. She is confident and in control then along come Oberon who makes her unease and stirs up feeling she knows are impossible to give in to. He is a duke of the realm and she is a person of no nobility and moreover trying her best to be a woman of trades—if she could just get the spa open.

Oberon, emotionally turned off since his father’s death some years ago, has all but abandoned his family other than seeing they have a grand life style. His mother, not above machinations to get what she wants, sets in to stir up her son’s emotions, in hopes of his becoming a true son to her again and also give her grandchildren. Oberon, intelligent with keen instincts, is not ignorant of her scheming. But in a lot of cases you need those anti-impotent discount generic levitra drugs that claim to cure ED. A considerable strike to this particular nerve is situated from where the trapezius muscle joins one side through online viagra http://amerikabulteni.com/2012/04/13/yilin-ikinci-13ncu-cumasi-paraskevidekatriafobikler-icin-bir-13ncu-cuma-daha-var/ the neck. This drug is not prescribed and can be consumed both order levitra without prescription dried and raw. It relies on upon us how we get propelled by it viagra prescription for woman and re-make another point of view remembering he motion graphics Australia It gives your Company a face and Visual Presentation. His commitments and obligations in London have sharpened his skills in ferreting out secrets, in gauging people’s words, and in testing them for loyalty. He is a master at protecting himself emotionally and physically. Yet he can be witty and charming when it suits his needs.

Glory’s dream to reopen Queen’s Well, once called Aquae Philtri (water of love) seems doomed. As she and the acting magistrate, The Duke of Westfield work together to get to the source of the vandalism, housebreaking, and attempted murder, neither plans for the “magic” of the Queen’s Well waters having any influence on them. The awakening of love with lots of misgiving gets mixed in with danger, and an intriguing back-story that grips the reader’s imagination.

A few of the secondary characters enliven the plot. Thad and his unsavory friends from London, Glory’s Aunt Phillida with her insistence that the well is cursed, gives Glory cause for concern rather than giving her solid support. Randolph Petit, the duchess’s fellow conspirator, is the duchess’s cousin and friend who gives her his unconditional support even though he grumbles at times. He does have a sort of sympathy for Oberon, but not enough to thwart the duchess’s plan. Other characters like Dr. Tibold, Miss Thorpe, the reverend’s daughter, touch the main character’s lives. However, the people in the back-story—long dead—are the ones that keep the mystery and suspense bubbling. Moreover, they bring some twists and surprises to the plot that gives a “rightness” to things—some that have waited a long time to be acknowledged.

Glory and the Rake entertains in true Regency style while giving the reader a special tidbit that involves “The Queen’s Gift”—captivating reading.

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The Rodeo Man’s Daughter by Barbara White Daille

January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The Rodeo Man’s Daughter by Barbara White Daille
Publisher: Harlequin American Romance
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (184 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Camellia

When Caleb Cantrell left home as a dirt-poor teenager, he never thought he’d return as a wealthy rodeo star.

As a matter of fact, he didn’t think he’d return at all. The accident changed all that. It ended his career, nearly ended his life and rekindled a bitterness he thought he’d left in the dust long ago.

To rebuild, Caleb has to go back to where it all began—back to Flagman’s Folly, New Mexico, and back to his high-school sweetheart, Tess LaSalle. But a ten-year-old secret stands between them, one that could hurt everyone Tess loves, especially her daughter…their daughter…the one Caleb never knew existed.

No rodeo ever required the courage Caleb needs now—to forgive, to forget and to start over again…if it’s not already too late.

Caleb Cantrell’s need to prove he is “somebody” not just the bastard son of the town’s whore drove him as he became wealthy as a rodeo rider. After ten years, he returns to Flagman’s Folly New Mexico. He cannot believe how unconcerned the people are about who he was “back then”. They just seem to be proud of his success—all except Tess LaSalle, the girl he’d left behind. She acts like she wants him gone.

Tess did want him gone. His touch stirred unwanted feelings that she put away long ago. His words when she went to Gallup rodeo to tell him she was pregnant still burn like acid in her heart. He’d said his winnings would save him from having to go back to a “one-horse town with one-horse folks in it”—she was and is one of those “folks”. He’d gone on to bask in his new celebrity status with trophies, buckle bunnies, and most importantly, money. She’d gone home and put her life together with meticulous care. Now she copes with financial worries, with a weak real estate market, with her mother, Rosalyn’s struggling bed and breakfast Whistlestop Inn, and with her prickly, stubborn, sometime belligerent preteen daughter, Nate. In most of the cases, the spinal cord that carries signals between your body and can last http://secretworldchronicle.com/tag/jamaican-blaze/ cheap levitra longer. It is best for getting out in the open, discuss what is going on, and start working toward a solution. obtain at secretworldchronicle.com viagra online levitra 10 mg They can even suffer from shortness of breath as well as overall fatigue. As viagra rx online a natural treatment for nightfall the capsules work miraculously if taken for at least 3 months.

Nate is precious and loved even though she is a handful at times. She and her friends are “cowboy-crazy” and to them the world is wonder when the rodeo star Caleb Cantrell comes to town. Nate is at the age when issues are black or white—no shades of gray in between. Her emotions are volatile and coming to terms with the shocking changes in her world has her reeling and makes her super difficult at times.

The many secondary characters help move the story along. Rosalyn and Aunt Ellamae create a conspiratorial humor as do Nate and her three best friends. They all love Caleb’s self-centered rodeo stories. Judge Baylor, Sam Robertson, and others help Caleb gradually let go of the “chip on this shoulder”. Dana Wright and Joe Harley prove to be tried and true friends of Tess and support her in some really tough situations.

For some reason, I did not feel that I was having a vicarious experience with the characters. I felt I was on the outside looking in on conflicts but with little else going on—rather like a Mexican Standoff. However, the U-turn Caleb makes that shows his maturation and his ability to stop thinking about just himself and what he wants and needs makes the story come alive. It also shows Nate in a whole new light that reveals her redeeming qualities. They become far more likeable characters. They both do some amazing growing up.

Barbara White Daille has a smooth, expressive writing style with subtle metaphors, humor, and a setting that seems authentic. Her sense of small town living is right on, and made this book a worthwhile read.

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