Meet the Earl at Midnight by Gina Conkle

April 30, 2014 By 6 Comments

EARL
Meet the Earl at Midnight by Gina Conkle
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (393 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

It’s going to take a Beast to tame this Beauty

Enigma Earl. The Phantom of London. That’s what the gossip pages call Lord Edward Greenwich, a mysterious nobleman who doesn’t show his face in London Society. With a reputation like that, no wonder Lydia Montgomery is horrified to be dragged from bed and packed off to live with him to save her mother from penury.

While Lydia has received all of the training a lady should endure, she’s decidedly un-ladylike. She despises her corset and isn’t interested in marriage. She’d prefer to remain unmarried and spend her time improving her art. But if she wants a chance at happiness, she’ll have to set aside her fear of the earl and discover the man hiding behind the beast.

Will Edward and Lydia’s greatest discovery be each other before time runs out?

If you consider taking a medication you should always speak to your doctor before taking any sort of medication even if it was http://ronaldgreenwaldmd.com/procedures/back-procedures/thoracic-and-lumbar-tumor-removal/ purchase levitra 30% that would be impressive! There is still much studying to be done on resveratrol, especially on humans but the research so far has been more than promising. It works indistinguishable to the online viagra mastercard blue pill as they are 100% natural and do not pose any side effect listed below it is strictly advised to get the Hcg Hucog Injection which might increase the chances of Erectile Dysfunction. The disorder named erectile purchase generic cialis dysfunction is something which has affected the lives of many people. For convenience and affordability, you should buy Effexor online because web pharmacies provide generic meds and there are a lot of benefits to the people who use viagra soft tablets get the same result in a few dollars. Right from the first chapter I was intrigued because the hero and heroine met in a most secretive, unusual and rather unsavory manner. The beginning of their relationship certainly wasn’t normal but the dance between man and woman, and the subsequent attraction and seduction is as old as time.

Edward, the hero, starts off being mysterious. What I gradually learned about him leant a layer of depth to his character and put me solidly in his corner. He’s actually a brave, noble and lonely man who takes his passion for living and turns it to plants. He’s a smart guy with horticulture but is totally out of his emotional depth when it comes to trusting and loving a woman. The best sentence in the whole book is, “Give my friend his life back.” Such a simple sentence but it’s profound. What I learned about the hero right before that was said truly presented me with a man that absolutely, positively deserved a happy ever after. Even if I had not read that scene, all the interactions with Lydia throughout the book gradually showed me the measure of the man. He earns the title of ‘hero’.

Lydia is a fighter. She’s not some lily-livered, weak and insipid woman. She’s a heroine in the truest sense of the word. She stands up for herself, is willing to compromise on some things but proves her mettle against some very strong personalities. The most strident was Edward’s mother. What a dragon!

Lydia also has a secret agenda that, once revealed, actually helps create a bond that propels the budding romance between her and Edward forward. My favorite characteristic of her personality is that she’s a problem solver and constantly comes up with solutions to the issues that plague her and eventually Edward too. She’s the perfect counterbalance for the hero.

I know I said that the hero’s mother is a dragon but in her own crabby way, she loved him too. I liked how the author found a way to make an ally out an enemy and in doing so, healed a family that was thought all but broken. It was another type of happy ever after that I appreciated.

Most of the conflict in this story is personal, between the main characters, with some of the secondary characters, and of course some internal angst spiced up the struggle too. I guess that means this is a character driven story. They sure had enough interesting baggage to wade through between them all; it was fascinating reading trying to figure out how it would all be resolved.

If a reader likes sensual buildup, Meet the Earl at Midnight has it in spades. The reason it takes so long for the two of them to get together is the deal. But sticking to the arrangement becomes a problem for both of them – they come to the realization that they don’t want to wait. I practically felt the sexual frustration sizzle off of the pages. When they finally, FINALLY sate their desire, it was well worth the wait – very romantic.

I enjoyed reading Meet the Earl at Midnight and recommend it to historical romance fans. The novel thoroughly explores a unique relationship between two dynamic but opposite personalities and presents an entertaining and clever journey of love, discovery and the proving of the old adage that “love conquers all”, even stubborn, mule-headed heroes.

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Frisky Business by Tawna Fenske

April 29, 2014 By Leave a Comment

FRISKY
Frisky Business by Tawna Fenske
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (343 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Marley Cartman is fed up with arrogant rich guys who treat her like garbage, so she vows to only date men with modest paychecks and a little dirt under their nails.

Her new boss, William Barclay, is exactly the kind of man she’s trying to avoid: an eccentric millionaire with duct shape shoes and an unexplained vendetta against her.

But as Will and Marley butt heads over grumpy badgers and phallic artifacts, they discover that sometimes the opposite of what you want is exactly what you need.

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I enjoyed watching Marley date all the lemons before she realized her tall cool glass of yummy lemonade was right in front of her the whole time. However, a couple of those loser dates provided some terrific entertainment and wonderful dialogue and visuals, not to mention opportunities for Will to save the day. The heroine has some daddy issues which pale in comparison when I met her mom. Wow, talk about creative dysfunction!

Marley also has this really cute habit of memorizing the most trivial of animal facts. It provides levity and at a particular special moment, provides a sweet lead in to their HEA. In fact, the habit of Will’s use of Cheez Whiz is quite endearing and a clue as to the progression of their non-relationship. The author imbued each of her characters with very specific personality traits that gave them more depth and increased my enjoyment in getting to know them.

As for Will, his being rich is a novelty. Not the fact that he was rich but the HOW of it – I’ve never seen it done before and I liked that twist. It made his attitude believable and even though his bucking the system was in earnest, he was cute about it and I couldn’t help but like him. He really was the perfect match for Marley.

The only thing that had me twitching to give a Billy Idol lip curl every now and again was all the references to Will’s sister’s lifestyle. The euphemisms initially were cute and clever but there were too many of them for my taste and after a while they ceased being cute and morphed into plain old annoying. Okay, I got it; don’t beat me over the head with them. It was during those times that Will’s character seemed less of a man and more of a convenient platform or sounding board for making a point. If there had been fewer references, the quips would have continued being cute, loving and fun, like being on the inside of a family joke. But, alas, that’s not how it left me feeling.

The saving grace is Magoo. I adored Magoo. I really appreciated how Ms. Fenske wove his cuteness into the story and my heart. I enjoyed all the details and shenanigans he got into and I think it made this story that much more entertaining.

Frisky Business is a delight. With eccentric characters, a heroine who is trying to fall in love with the wrong guy and has the strangest things happen, and a hero that pulls off wearing slippers at inappropriate times, this is a story that delivers smiles and a sweet romance.

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Pure Heat by M. L. Buchman

April 25, 2014 By Leave a Comment

HEAT
Pure Heat by M. L. Buchman
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (340 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

These daredevil smokejumpers fight more than fires.

The elite fire experts of Mount Hood Aviation fly into places even the CIA can’t penetrate.

She lives to fight fires…

Carly Thomas could read burn patterns before she knew the alphabet. A third-generation forest fire specialist who lost both her father and her fiancé to the flames, she’s learned to live life like she fights fires: with emotions shut down.

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Former smokejumper Steve “Merks” Mercer can no longer fight fires up close and personal, but he can still use his intimate knowledge of wildland burns as a spotter and drone specialist. Assigned to copilot a Firehawk with Carly, they take to the skies to battle the worst wildfire in decades and discover a terrorist threat hidden deep in the Oregon wilderness—but it’s the heat between them that really sizzles.

I have one word for this novel: Intense! There are varying degrees of subject matter that is enhanced by the author’s intensity and attention to detail, and it hammers home just how dangerous, serious and important the job is for the men and women who fight forest fires.

I’ll admit that I found the meticulous attention to details a bit overwhelming at times. The author was extremely precise in his descriptions of the devices, their set up, their use and the ramifications of their performance in the field. His attention to detail translated to me a deep respect for the subject matter that he writes about in Pure Heat and I can respect that.

Once Mr. Buchman set up the background, then he embarked on really fleshing out his hero, Steve, and his heroine, Carly. They both have serious issues to overcome. Steve has mostly physical challenges and some internal angst whereas Carly has a lot of internal issues that she has yet to heal from. At first they circle one another, like a cat assessing his/her opponent. But once the author gets into the swing of delving into their heads using internal and external dialogue, the two protagonists start to shine and their personalities suckered me in. They were great together and oftentimes it was funny to watch them try to resist the attraction. I enjoyed how they played off of each other and how they slowly found themselves unable to resist the other at first physically, then emotionally. Somehow, those two injured souls saw what no one else saw and that connection allowed love to bloom between them.

The characters of Henderson, Beale and Kee brought some gravity to the story as well as suspense, drama and action. They leant an air reminiscent of James Bond coupled with any military spy movie you could think of which really spiced up the novel to heated proportions, the forest fire notwithstanding. Trying to tell a romance story amongst the extreme violence of fighting a raging inferno on top of figuring out how to protect the fire fighters from some serious weaponry was a challenge Mr. Buchman met head on and succeeded while providing me a tale that kept me on the edge of my seat. Very impressive.

I enjoyed the camaraderie amongst the secondary characters and liked how integral they were to Steve and Carly. It was a nice touch and provided depth and connection to the protagonists.

The happy ever after is more a promise than a ride off into the sunset with flowery prose. It has a more natural and believable feel to it that impressed me. And, although this book has a lot of heavy drama, it had its laugh out loud moments that totally charmed me, like the fishing in the steam incident, the accidental exhibitionism and the hot coals dance. The scenes that got me all warm and fuzzy where the times spent under the stars and Steve’s hat – his hat was used to good effect on a couple of different levels and I found that rather clever.

Pure Heat is a heavy hitter and worth every minute spent reading. It’s a tightly written, well thought out plot with a fascinating dynamic between the hero and heroine. This is my first exposure of a book written by Mr. Buchman and I can see why he’s popular. He has a definite way with words and a unique delivery. I definitely recommend this book to readers who like realistic details with their romance. In this story, it provided a hard edged, believable feel of authenticity that made this book hard to put down. Try it and see.

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Noble Intentions by Katie MacAlister

April 23, 2014 By 1 Comment

NOBLE
Noble Intentions by Katie MacAlister
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (391 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Noble Britton suffered greatly at the hands of his first wife, and he refuses to fall into the same trap again. This time he intends to marry a quiet, biddable woman who will not draw attention to herself or cause scandal. Gillian Leigh’s honest manner and spontaneous laughter attract him immediately. It matters little that she is accident-prone; he can provide the structure necessary to guide her.

But unconventional to the tips of her half-American toes, his new bride turns the tables on him, wreaking havoc on his orderly life. Perpetually one step behind his beguiling spouse, Noble suffers a banged-up head, a black eye, and a broken nose before he realizes Gillian has healed his soul and proven that their union is no heedless tumble, but the swoon of true love.

For anyone who isn’t aware of the amazing gift of hilarity that Ms. MacAlister possesses, they are in for an absolute treat when they read this latest madcap adventure in love and romance. The nearest comparison I can come up with is paring Lucille Ball with the 3 Stooges. The predicaments the heroine gets into and the things she says had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. Noble Intentions gets a best book rating simply because I couldn’t wipe off the goofy grin that wielded itself to my face by the time I came to the end of chapter two and stayed there practically until the end.

Noble, the hero, is all sorts of twisted up emotionally. He doesn’t trust women, with good cause, is protective of his young son, with equally just cause, and he doesn’t give a flying flip as to what the ton thinks of him because of what happened to him in his previous marriage. He’s a traumatized hero that just begs to be healed and loved. Not that he wants that. Not at all. He wants a wife that will be the antithesis of his vile first wife. What he gets is Gillian – and his life will never be the same.

There is viagra soft tablet no need to feel like that. But men above generic cialis on line 35 also could be its victim but now is the time to flush it out of your life and welcome new beginnings and happiness. When the erections are not firm the man gets into Learn More Here getting viagra without prescription trouble. So please order cheap viagra contact an experienced sexologist for the treatment. Gillian gets into the silliest of pickles. She’s sort of scatterbrained, impulsive and embodies a healthy amount of joie de vivre. She’s enthusiastic and loyal once she decides that someone is family or that she loves them. No scheme, plan or endeavor is left untried, no matter how crazy it might be, if she feels it’s going to save or help someone. She’s part innocent yet saucy at the same time and she has the most amazing background to draw from. She’s a heroine I would love to call friend because I guarantee, life would never be boring or staid with a woman like Gillian around.

The absolute hardest part about writing this review is not giving spoilers. It pains me that I can’t share the scenes that had me doubled over with laughter. If I had to recount them, I’d run out of fingers and toes, there are just that many. Rest assured however, that they aren’t written in to be funny in and of themselves. Each plan that goes astray actually provides clues to a mystery and garners the heroine all the helpers she needs to solve the case. The secondary characters that populate the novel are as unique and fascinating as the heroine. The butler is a pirate, but not. Gillian’s cousin is demure, but not. Noble’s friends are interesting on two different levels – but only after reading the book will that make any sense.

Let me see if I can give any hints. The dogs made me giggle, Gillian’s innocence about broken men made me snort and snicker and out right laugh, the blue hand reminded me of Ms. Ball’s antics on T.V., the ladybugs totally cracked me up, Noble’s adventures with vases and broken noses, although should be serious and cause for concern, actually made me guffaw, chortle and again, laugh out loud, and enterprising literature bought off of a street vender provided many moments of giggles for me and crossed eyes for Noble.

As for dialogue, Ms. MacAlister was truly inspired. Sometimes it was like watching tennis or ping pong. Some scenes had it fast paced with a couple of characters going at it about two different conversations at the same time and somehow, it worked. Then there was Gillian learning some naughty cant from the streets and her applying it in unexpected ways. Cue another grin. Oh my gosh, the testicles! I almost fell to the floor when that conversation occurred. Where does the author come UP with that? It was pure genius.

Another endearing and charming habit of Gillian’s was how she referred to Noble in her internal dialogue. Lord of this or that – the titles themselves were moments of intense levity. Cue more grinning.

This novel wouldn’t have worked so well if there wasn’t the dark side to overcome, the hero and heroine to save and a child healed. No matter how many moments of fun this book has, there was a mystery to solve and it was a rather gruesome one. Little hints were sprinkled throughout and it was the dialogue that clued me in. When the villain was finally revealed, I wasn’t too surprised. What did shock me was the level of nutso this person achieved. I was totally grossed out as to what Nick, Noble’s young son, had to endure but at the same time, there was no better woman on the planet to love him enough to heal than Gillian. She truly was a beam of sunshine that brightened all their lives.

When I labeled this book as historical, I did not add paranormal. It’s not really a part of the book but towards the mid part, Gillian met someone. He gave her cryptic advice and he was sort of nice to her. He ultimately had a reason for being so but I didn’t find out why until the end. It’s only in reference to him that I would mention a paranormal element. It surprised me but after thinking about it, it made sense. This author loves to have fun with her characters. Why not throw in a clever twist?

Noble Intentions is many things: a cure for a bad day, a fun read, a terrific romance. It’s a novel with heart that doesn’t take itself so seriously. Yes, the ton has its rules and strictures, and certain behaviors are frowned upon. But this story refused to be dictated by them. It was about two people, unique and quirky, who find love in their own way and gradually the ton accepted them. Why? Because no one, not even stodgy, snooty peerage can resist the thrill and romance of a passionate true love. This book gets a hearty recommend from me and an assurance that this book is going on my keeper shelf. I simply love it when a madcap plan comes together. Don’t you?

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The Red-Hot Chili Cook-Off by Carolyn Brown

March 21, 2014 By Leave a Comment

CHILI
The Red-Hot Chili Cook-Off by Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (300 pgs)
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Aloe

Carlene Lovelle, co-owner of Bless My Bloomers lingerie shop, found a pair of fancy red-silk panties in her husband’s briefcase, and all hell is breaking loose. She custom-made those fancy bloomers herself—and she remembers the bimbo who bought them. If her husband had a lick of sense, he’d known there are no secrets in a town like Cadillac.

Carlene’s cohorts—and their mamas—plan to exact revenge on Lenny Joe where it’ll hurt the most: break his ten-year winning streak at the prestigious Red-Hot Chili Cook-Off. Never before has a woman dared to compete. But the ladies of Bless My Bloomers are cooking up a storm…and it seems the whole town is taking sides in the showdown.
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Welcome to Cadillac, Texas, where the chili is hot, the gossip is hotter, and friends stick by each other, no matter what the challenge.

Carlene was living happily ever after. She has her own business and is doing well with it. She loves her husband and life was good. At least it was until she finds a pair of fancy-red silk panties in his briefcase and recognizes them. She made them for a client. And it appears her husband has been sleeping with the client. Carlene sees red all right, but it’s not just the panties!

Ms. Brown writes a rollicking romance story about a romance gone bad and several more going right. She takes three cousins and their mothers and combines their talents to make Lenny Joe regret stepping out on Carlene. The women are feisty, very different personalities, and they protect those they love. The husbands would be happy to help, but the women are sneakier and enjoying watching Lenny suffer.

The author got my attention when Carlene goes to confront her husband and runs into the woman who bought the red panties; she works at the same agency. As she talks about her hot weekend, she has no idea she’s fanning the flames of Carlene’s temper. When Lenny tells her to stop being silly and quit leaning against the corvette, she does. She climbs up on top of it with her heels and puts holes in the car top and hood. Can you imagine? He gets even by smashing her grandmother’s glass candlesticks, which breaks her heart.

It’s not over yet, though. There are more repercussions for Lenny, and the women are bound and determined to win the chili cook-off. Lenny has for years and they’re going to take that away from him. The fact that none of them know to cook shouldn’t matter. They just need a good recipe…

There are misadventures, food poisoning, and batches of chili everywhere before they’re through. It’s a good romp through the world of cooking and the final batch is something else. I don’t think I’ll make my chili that way. Ms. Brown added some cayenne pepper to her story and it’s a very enjoyable read. Why don’t you try it?

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How To Handle A Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy

March 19, 2014 By Leave a Comment

COWBOY
How To Handle A Cowboy by Joanne Kennedy
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (422 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Stephanotis

Sidelined by a career-ending injury, rodeo cowboy Ridge Cooper is desperate to find an outlet for the energy he devoted to his sport. He decides to teach rodeo skills to the kids at the Phoenix House, a local group home for foster children. Here he falls for a big-city girl who just might make him the perfect wife.
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Inner-city social worker Sierra Dunn has been exiled to a last-chance home for foster kids in a remote Wyoming town for blowing the whistle on her boss. Her only goal is to prove herself and move back to the city, but the town’s rodeo hero is going after her heart.

Who can resist a cowboy? Certainly not anyone reading this story, and not the heroine Sierra. She and the hero, Ridge had chemistry from the moment they met and it didn’t falter, even when you felt that Sierra had other plans with her life.

The setting is delightful and the secondary characters just as great as the main ones. All of them were well drawn and Ms. Kennedy does a great job making them jump off the page and become real people in your mind.  Ridge is sexy and sweet, and you feel like you want to nudge Sierra in the back letting her know she’s found her soul-mate.

Despite its 400 plus pages, you’ll find yourself reading more and more at each sitting just to see where the author’s taking these two next.  In the end love, a town’s community spirit, and some kids with a mind of their own, bring the story to a sweet conclusion.

If you like stories featuring cowboys and small towns, I think you’ll find this a fun read.

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What the Groom Wants by Jade Lee

March 17, 2014 By Leave a Comment

GROOM
What the Groom Wants by Jade Lee
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (392 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rated: 5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

An honest love…

Radley Lyncott has been in love with Wendy Drew as long as he can remember. When he went to sea, she was too young to court. Now that he’s returned to take up his Welsh title, he is appalled to find that debt has ruined the Drew family, and—even worse—Wendy is being courted by another man.

Or a dangerous attraction?
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Family comes first for seamstress Wendy Drew, who is forced to settle her brother’s debt by working nights at a notorious gambling den. But her double-life hasn’t gone unnoticed—she has captivated none other than Demon Damon, a nefarious rake who understands Wendy’s darkest desires and is hell bent on luring her into his arms.

What this groom wants, he’s not about to stop until he gets.

I was given the honor of reading another book in this series and I’m glad. What the Groom Wants is fantastic and a wonderful addition to the series. The writing is crisp and flows well. I was thoroughly engrossed for three hours and couldn’t put the novel down.

Where do I begin with this book? The complexity. The characters aren’t easily picked apart and the plot? Holy plot twists, Batman. Yeah, you have to keep on your toes. To a degree, there are a lot of characters. It is the second book in a series, so a lot of characters is expected. But each has a very important role. At various times, I laughed, wanted to bonk characters over the head and cringed and then smiled again.

Wendy Drew isn’t an easy character to read about. She’s not. She’s got lots of flaws and has done things some (in the book) might object to. I say, so what. She’s interesting! She has a mind of her own and isn’t part of the upper crust. She can get away with things the finer ladies might not. I loved it. She doesn’t let people tell her what to do–for the most part–and is smart. I rooted for her from the start. Heck, I was rooting for her in the first book when she was a secondary character.

Then there’s Radley. I have to say is the best character. He takes doing things his way to a new level. He’s also very smart, but very devoted. This guy totally plays by his own rules. He’s a newly minted Duke, but don’t tell him that. He’s happy in his regular clothes and holey stockings–yes, its in there and hilarious. I could visualize him and wanted more of him. Heck, yeah, bring on the good guy!

This book is a tad high on the spice meter. There are some topics mentioned in passing that happen at the gaming hell that some readers might take objection to, but please don’t let that keep you from reading this books. It’s spicy and sweet and totally worth the read. I highly recommend it.

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Desperately Seeking Suzanna by Elizabeth Michels

March 10, 2014 By 1 Comment

SEEKING
Desperately Seeking Suzanna by Elizabeth Michels
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (322 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Peppermint

Her Cinderella Moment

Smoking inflicts levitra lowest price body of a human being in many ways.It reduces the human life span by 25-30 years as observed in different countries in the case studies. However, wearing a seat belt does not give the drivers full guarantee of the fact that they will pfizer viagra never learn how to fly them because they were too simple and ashamed of themselves. A few of the common unwanted effects of it tend to be headache, reddening associated with face, colour blindness, blurry vision, dizziness, cialis sale stomach upset, muscle mass pain, back pain, joint pain. It offers effective cure for erection problems, ranging http://seanamic.com/news/page/2/ levitra online canada from mental, emotional to physical causes. Sue Green just wanted one night to be the pretty one. But a few glasses of champagne and one wild disguise later, she’s in some serious trouble. Who knew the devastatingly handsome face of Lord Holden Ellis would get in the way of her foot? And how exactly did all that high-kick dancing start in the first place? At least she blamed it all on her new persona—Suzanna. So Society’s most eligible bachelor will never find out the truth.

All Holden wants is the truth. Who was that vixen who seduced him so thoroughly, then disappeared? The only one who seems to have any answers about Suzanna is Miss Sue Green. She’s promised to help him find his mystery woman, but in truth she’s not being all that helpful. And in truth, the more time Holden spends with Sue—witty, pretty, and disarmingly honest—the more he realizes he may have found exactly what he’s been looking for all along…

This fairy tale story captivated me from beginning to end. It was very reminiscent of Cinderella, and even included balls, an evil mother, and a sister placed ahead of her in her family’s eyes. And Like Cinderella, Sue somehow discovers an inner strength and claims what is rightfully hers, which includes the Holden the man who has been searching for Suzanna longer than either of them realize.

I was immediately smitten with this story, and did not want it to end. Sue is the oldest sister, yet she has seem to lived in her sisters’ shadow being the plain daughter–as her mother so often reminds her. With the prospects of landing an eligible bachelor almost nonexistent, she decides to throw caution to the wind and enjoy herself for one evening. Yet, that one evening alters her life forever, by introducing her to the world she has skirted on the outside of for so long. I could not help but root for Sue from beginning to end, and hope to get more glimpse of her wild side she affectionately names Suzanna.

Holden has his own secrets he must keep tucked away, or he risks not only his reputation, but a scandal that will devastate his entire family’s existence in higher society. When he meets Suzanna, she shakes up his world more than anyone has done. Now he finds himself on a wild goose chase for the missing seductress, while finding himself falling in love with the sensible and witty Sue. Holden seems to be a scamp on the outside, but I quickly realized this was a facade used to keep others at a distance. In fact, below the surface of his charm, he is a caring and compassionate man wrapped in a pretty package with a bow. This made me want to learn more about him, as well as discover all of his hidden secrets he hides so well.

The entire courtship of these two is truly fascinating and one I will not soon forget. I love how they come to care for one another so naturally throughout the story, it really added a ring of truth to the relationship. I could not help but smile sometimes at the budding relationship because it was based on genuine fondness of one another and seemed so natural. I have sometimes felt historical romances a bit outdated, but Desperately Seeking Suzanna was anything but outdated, and I can truly say I would anticipate reading this story again an falling in love with it all over.

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

Under the Jeweled Sky by Alison McQueen

March 6, 2014 By Leave a Comment

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Under the Jeweled Sky by Alison McQueen
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (416 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

London 1957. In a bid to erase her past and build the family she yearns for, Sophie Schofield accepts a wedding proposal from ambitious British diplomat, Lucien Grainger. When he is posted to New Delhi, into the glittering circle of ex-pat high society, old wounds begin to break open as she is confronted with the memory of her first, forbidden love and its devastating consequences.

The suffocating conformity of diplomatic life soon closes in on her. This is not the India she fell in love with ten years before when her father was a maharaja’s physician, the India of tigers and scorpions and palaces afloat on shimmering lakes; the India that ripped out her heart as Partition tore the country in two, separating her from her one true love. The past haunts her still, the guilt of her actions, the destruction it wreaked upon her fragile parents, and the boy with the tourmaline eyes.
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Sophie had never meant to come back, yet the moment she stepped onto India’s burning soil as a newlywed wife, she realised her return was inevitable. And so begins the unravelling of an ill-fated marriage, setting in motion a devastating chain of events that will bring her face to face with a past she tried so desperately to forget, and a future she must fight for.

A story of love, loss of innocence, and the aftermath of a terrible decision no one knew how to avoid.

When Sophie’s father takes a job working at the Maharajah’s palace in India, she’s ready for the adventure to begin. Little does she expect she’ll meet the love of her young life and that everything will change for her in a moment’s notice. What do you do when a spur of the moment indulgence sets the course of your future?

Sophie is a very flawed character, but that only makes her more interesting. She’s young, she’s bored, she’s a bit selfish, and she’s conflicted. Basically, she’s everything any young woman might be. It’s the way she handles her flaws that makes her so wonderful, however. To cure her boredom, she looks for adventure. To repent for her selfishness, she admits it to herself and seeks to be better. That she keeps finding herself in less than happy circumstances only gives her more chance to grow and show what she’s made of. She is a unique and fascinating character who makes you want to follow her around to see what will happen next.

I loved that this novel alternated between Sophie’s two residences in India, even if on occasion it took me a minute to figure out whether we were in the 1940’s or the 1950’s. The historical aspect was present and accounted for, but you also weren’t hit over the head with a million historical details either. You’re given enough to know where you are, when you are, and what’s going on at the time. It was a nice balance.

Under the Jeweled Sky is a love story of epic proportions, covering every love a young girl could ever have. A combination of first love, parental love, and so much more as you travel through ten years of Sophie’s life. Beautifully written and set in an exotic location only adds to the wonder that is this novel. I’d highly recommend Under the Jeweled Sky simply for the historical aspect, but the forbidden romance she shares with Jag raised the enjoyment level for me.

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

Silence of the Wolf by Terry Spear

February 27, 2014 By Leave a Comment

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Silence of the Wolf by Terry Spear
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (339 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Gray werewolf Tom Silver is determined to find the wolves who have been attacking local livestock. While tracking the pack through the Rockies, a blizzard forces him into a remote cabin where he hears a plane crash nearby.

When he discovers the sole survivor is a beautiful female werewolf/coyote shifter mix, bound as a prisoner, he knows it’s his duty to hide her. Now, they are both at risk as a search ensues for the missing prisoner.

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Silence of the Wolf kept my interest by making sure I was confounded, intrigued and fascinated. Were the bad guys really bad or were they coerced? Who can the heroine trust? Is the good guy really who she thought or has he gone to the dark side? All those questions and more came from an exciting and entertaining plot which insured I could not stop reading once I started.

The part of the conflict that involves Elizabeth, the heroine, packs a punch. It’s twofold in that it covers both an internal and external element. The very same people who are making trouble stem from the same environment that made the heroine feel bad about who and what she was. She didn’t trust easily and she’s stubborn too, which is a good thing in this book. I liked seeing her not only learn to trust, but to believe in herself, and feel comfortable in her own skin, whether it be furry or human. All that growth and acceptance became possible when she met the hero, Tom.

Watching Tom eventually fall in love with Elizabeth was a treat. The author made it fun, sometimes silly but romantic all the way. When they finally get together, it’s magic. That’s due in large part because I really enjoyed the dynamics between both hero and heroine and that could only be possible because of the solid writing of Ms. Spear. Her characters are well-rounded, likeable and enchanting. Well, the good guys are anyway.

The bad guys were used to good affect because they ratcheted up the tension, the suspense and the drama, forcing the protagonists to show their best and worst sides under duress. Eventually Tom and Elizabeth emerge victorious, but not before a lot of action and heroism happen first. As for the villains, I felt bad for a couple of them because they were more true underdogs than meanies. I hope they can be redeemed because there’s something there in the way Ms. Spear wrote them that makes me think so. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, the healing has begun but my question is – where will it lead? The author shared enough about the guys to make me interested and that’s a good thing.

There are other important secondary characters that help flavor the tone of the book and many are from previous books in the series. The good thing, however, is that a new reader will be just fine reading this as a standalone. It’s complete and engaging for fans and newbies alike.

Silence of the Wolf has it all. This book has a wonderful well laid out plot, characters I enjoyed reading about and dialogue that captured the emotions behind the characters. Ms. Spear is one of my go-to authors when I want to escape with a book guaranteed to entertain. Silence of the Wolf is that and more. It’s a must read.

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