What Happens in Vegas by Natasha Deen

October 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

What Happens in Vegas by Natasha Deen
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Comedy
Length: Short Story (136 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Books
Reviewed by Moonflower

It’s not that Binda Morningstar’s an idiot—the girl’s got more degrees than a thermometer—but there’s something about a crisis that makes her lose her mind…and accidentally injure anyone within a ten-foot radius. But if she’s going to rescue her boss from a cursed jewel, she’s going to have to keep it together. Unfortunately for her, the cop on the case, Corin Hawthorne, has her losing her mind and her heart…and if he gets any more drool-worthy, she’s going to lose her inhibitions, too. To save her boss and win her man, she’s got to out run a mobster, out wit the YIFFS at a sex-fetish convention, and out think an ex-wife—and she’s got to do it all without breaking an arm or inadvertently hitting anyone with pepper spray…it’s all got Binda hoping that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Natasha Deen just shot herself into the stratosphere. This book was outrageously funny and out of this world!

If someone asked me earlier today to name my favorite romantic comedy author…well let’s just say the person that comes to mind wasn’t Natasha Deen. While I still love my “other” author, I now have a new addition to the club. I was giggling after the first paragraph, burst out laughing by the second and I was taking notes on my Kindle by the end of the very first page. I knew right then this was going to be a keeper and boy was I right!

Binda, Binda, Binda. This girl is a handful. Oh, she has an overabundent amount of spunk, should not be let out of the house without a warning label, and really truly has a food fetish. My first note that I mentioned was her description on how stupid she was for getting involved with her current crisis, “Gloriously stupid. The kind of stupid that poets wrote about—the kind of stuff that would be legend on the internet, garner me a billion hits on the uploaded video, and make my name into an active verb—“Whoa, dude, you totally pulled a ‘Binda’!”

I can’t help it … I have to share another quote. I highlighted this so fast my Kindle didn’t know what to do. Two of my personal favorite terms to describe a good looking man are delish and yummy. Natasha has just been awarded the crown for her description of Corin: Where Nigel resembled a banana with glasses, his brother looked like the sexiest, tangiest, best tasting thing in the grove—the kind of fruit that’s firm and meaty, leaves juice running down your chin and makes your mouth water just to look at it. If that description doesn’t describe a gorgeous man, I don’t know what does.

Binda seeks out Corin’s assistance to find her missing boss, Nigel. She knows deep down he is in danger, but Corin is reluctant to believe her. His relationship with his brother is estranged to put it kindly. Her perseverance pays off and so begins their less than twenty-four hour whirlwind adventure. If only he’d known that he should have left the house decked out in Kevlar and wearing a cup.

If I’ve sold you on this book, let me just say this: When you start reading, lock your door, turn off the phone and give dire warnings to friends and family not to interrupt you. You are going to have an outrageously good time and you will not want to be disturbed. Right from the start I was hooked.

Ms. Deen penned a hilarious romp with non-stop action. I never wanted it to end, but I had to come up for air. She had me gasping and rolling in laughter. What Happens in Vegas is a wonderful detour from life, jump in feet first. You won’t be sorry. There is one thing I hope Ms. Deen does that my other author did, she continued to write novels of her accident prone heroine. I would really enjoy visiting Binda again and again.

I’m going to leave you with one last tidbit from the book. I have to admit I laughed so hard during this scene it took me over ten minutes to read it, because I was crying. You only get the summary of the event, but it just points out the amount of hilarious fun waiting for you between the pages: I had tripped over my feet, head-butted a gangster in the crotch, got a mouthful of criminal penis, and the man thought I was brilliant. If that wasn’t a sign we were meant to be together, fornicating and discovering the various uses for honey and warmed chocolate, then I didn’t know what was.

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In the St. Nick of Time by K. M. Daughters

September 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In the St. Nick of Time by K. M. Daughters
The Sullivan Boys, Book 5
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (210 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3.5 Books
Reviewed by Poppy

All the Sullivans are good cops… The last Sullivan is a girl. Can she stack up against the boys?

Kay Sullivan Lynch, reinstated to the Chicago Police Department after two years as a widowed mom of four, not only plans to excel on the force, but to show her brothers—who opposed her return to “the job”—that she’s up to the challenge.

Captain Flynn Dowd, battling demons of his own, empathizes with Kay’s struggles—but Sidewalk Santas collecting for the hungry are dropping dead all over Chicago. No apparent motive, no identifiable MO. It’s up to Kay and Flynn to stop the “Santa Slayer.”

As they race against time to stop the killer, Kay’s grief-deadened senses awaken to Flynn’s overwhelming sexual magnetism. But when he becomes more than just her partner, will her hkids’ opposition force her to choose between motherhood and her man?

After the devastating loss of her husband in the previous book of this series, Kay Sullivan Lynch is finally ready to reclaim her life. She makes changes that include a new look and a new job.

I like Kay, have liked her since the beginning of this series. She was a solid link between the brothers and come complete with a loving marriage, so I was very nearly as devastated as she was when her husband, Mike, died. She’s smart and strong – she’d have to be to raise her kids alone and keep them as grounded as they are. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about her finding love again, but thankfully our hero, Flynn Dowd, was just the perfect guy for her to move on with.

Flynn is funny, handsome and laid back. He rolls with the punches, though that doesn’t mean he’s a wimp. Far from it. But he’s willing to make some sacrifices and some changes in order to be involved with Kay. And more, it takes a brave man to date a woman with so many older brothers (and cops, to boot!).

As much as I loved our protagonists, though, I did have some issues with the story, many of which may not bother readers unfamiliar with the series. For instance, I think Pat’s behavior toward Kay when she returned to work was far too much of an overreaction. The Pat I knew from the other books wouldn’t have been so over-the-top angry and unkind and that was a bit frustrating. Also, as in the previous books, the mystery is secondary to the romance and in this case was far too easily resolved.

Still the chemistry between Flynn and Kay was what truly mattered here. Watching them go from smoking hot lust, to affection and love despite the obstacles in their path was truly heartwarming. And the writing team of K. M. Daughters has such skill with their words that I couldn’t stop reading, even if I’d wanted to. Their characters, their emotional hooks, and in depth, clear description kept me glued to the pages.

True, this wasn’t the strongest book in the series, but that’s a bit like saying milk chocolate isn’t my favorite candy. It isn’t, but I still thoroughly enjoy it when I indulge. K. M. Daughters remains one of my favorite authors and I look forward to their next release.

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A Ghostly Charm by M. J. Fredrick

September 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A Ghostly Charm by M. J. Fredrick
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery, Paranormal
Length: Short Story (124 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Books
Reviewed by Poppy

An isolated island off the coast of South Carolina, a cursed Celtic symbol, a ghost tour led by a handsome charlatan, and a reporter determined to debunk anything supernatural come together in A Ghostly Charm.

Maddy Saunders has come to McDavid Island on assignment for a new magazine, wondering how she’ll ever rebuild her ruined reputation by writing about ghosts.

Mal Sheridan leads a ghost tour to bring business to the island for his sister’s New Age shop. Business is good as long as no one is looking too closely. When his creative stories start to come true, he has to figure out why there are ghosts where there weren’t before.

Maddy decides to help Mal figure out why this is happening, while fighting her attraction for this inappropriate man. She has to put her faith in Mal, in something she never thought she could believe, to break a curse.

I’m not a big reader of ghost stories, it’s true, but with all the hullaballoo about Ghost Hunters I had to pick this book up, and I’m so glad I did. I do most of my reading before bed, but found that this book wasn’t conducive to peaceful sleep. It spooked me enough that I had to put it down and read it in the bright daylight.

Maddy Saunders is a writer who’s come to debunk a ghost hunting adventure. She doesn’t believe in ghosts, so looks for every trick that Ghost Hunters Mal and Justin cook up. Ironically, Mal doesn’t believe either … so when real ghosts appear, things get a little crazy!

Sparks fly between Maddy and Mal anytime they’re near each other. Neither is particularly happy about the attraction nor are the ghost hunter groupies who have the hots for Mal (but then, who wouldn’t? He oozes sex appeal ala Han Solo – cocky, handsome, and well aware of his good looks but still a decent guy).

As things escalate (both with the ghosts and with Mal and Maddy’s relationship) things get crazy, passionate and the pages flew by. How would they fix their predicament? How could they exile the ghosts who had suddenly taken over the island? How would they ever build a solid, lasting relationship with all their differences (not to mention the fact they live so far apart)?

Ms. Fredrick does a stupendous job writing this fast-paced, spine-tingling story. I loved every moment of it from the newlywed ghost who wants a wedding night, to the ex-girlfriend to Justin (who I think needs his own story). Her writing is clear and concise and truly evocative and descriptive. Even better, if you’re looking for some heat in your story, she delivers that too, in spades. That’s not to say there isn’t heart as well, there certainly is, but it crackles with sexual tension first.

Ms. Fredrick, you’ve made me a fan of ghost stories. Write another one, and I’ll be first in line to pick it up.

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Monogamy Twist by Nancy Jardine

September 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Monogamy Twist by Nancy Jardine
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (267 pgs)
Heat Level: sensual
Rating: 3.5 books
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Luke Salieri thought he’d seen everything. But when he inherits a dilapidated English estate from a woman he’s never heard of—and with quirky conditions besides—it’s a mystery he wants resolved immediately. There must be a woman out there who can meet his needs. But how far will he have to go to persuade her?

Lucrative employment for a whole year? The job of researching the old house and its fantastic contents is enticing – but Rhia Ashton can’t see herself living with gorgeous Luke Salieri and not wanting his body as well. Can she live and sleep with him for a whole year and then walk away? Rhia has her own ideas about what will make it worth her while.

I loved the idea of a powerful man forced to marry a woman because someone manipulated him behind his back. I enjoyed the fact that a supposed amiable and easily led woman turned the tables and made the man face what is important in life. And it’s not the pursuit of money and power.

Monogamy Twist has at its core, a wonderful romance that grows from a practical base. The hero treats it like a business deal and the heroine treats it like an adventure and a challenge. What they both don’t expect is that their personalities mesh, her sense of humor and his inner torment balance each other out. They both heal, they both find love and they both are stunned that a dead woman could have such a profound impact on their lives. The charm of the story is their journey and they go from perfect strangers in lust to friends and partners in love.

Rhia is the heroine and the owner of Thor, the dog. She’s spunky, intrepid and I enjoyed her ability to rise to a challenge and not get bogged down with emotional angst and typical female hissy fits when it comes to jealousy and backstabbing ex-girlfriends. She’s pragmatic at best and equally lusty for her neighbor.

The focus of the heroine’s adoration and exasperation is Luke. He’s a tortured hero who had a loveless childhood and is a bit dysfunctional when it comes to relationships. He dates the kind of women he knows but falls in love with the kind of woman he needs. Not that he admits that right away. He was so mixed-up, he didn’t recognize the feeling for what it was.

The story is strong and the romance is a delight. The issues that knock down the rating for this book are varied. There is head hopping, strange word/phrase use, a few five dollar words like, ‘salubrious’, a hero who wails his complaint, emotional bouncing not in keeping with the character’s voice or scene, over the top embellishment – case in point, how Luke’s father died – and a lot of narrative where it came across not as a character’s point of view but the author filling me in on the details. The revelation about Luke’s mother made me laugh; the use of Danielle had me rolling my eyes, and after awhile the author forgot all about Thor. I didn’t. Amazingly enough, despite all of the above listed, the author created likeable characters in Luke and Rhia which kept me invested to finding out how they would eventually have their happily ever after. And even though there were some odd mixtures of phrases, their dialogue was often funny and entertaining.

Monogamy Twistis a cute story. It’s lighthearted, enjoyable and Luke and Rhia made a terrific couple. I’m glad I got a chance to read this book because it was a fun way to pass the time.

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Magical Lover by Karilyn Bentley

September 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Magical Lover by Karilyn Bentley
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (280 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 4.5 books
Reviewed by Aloe

In a world where men can become dragons, Thoren is one of the most powerful. As a shape-shifting Draconi, Thoren wants nothing more than to continue searching for Halfling children and returning them to Draconia. The last thing he wants or needs is a mate—until he meets Keara, an outcast unaware of the power that lies within her.

Keara doesn’t know what to make of Thoren or of the magic he practices. She learned early to keep her magic hidden—her witchy red hair and green eyes are burden enough. When Thoren offers his hand in place of a forced marriage with Lord Simon, Keara jumps at the chance to leave her town behind. But she fears Thoren will shun her when he discovers the truth about her abilities.

Can Thoren convince Keara she is his lifemate, or will her secret talent be the wedge that drives them apart?

No matter how you feel about, there is one basic rule to follow with dragons: Don’t piss them off.

This author whisks you away into a magical world where dragons, magic and love all mix. I got caught up in her story and read it non-stop until I finished it. Ms. Bentley’s characters are strong and will defend to the death those they love.

Keara is an orphan who works with herbs and has taken in Jamie, a young boy who was also an orphan. When the local lord decides he wants her for his own, she has no power to refuse. Then this tall dark stranger shows up, claims her as his own and marries her. They don’t even manage to get out of town before the lord shows up with his men and surrounds her house. He still wants her. But Thoren isn’t about to let anyone else have her…

The author throws in a rogue dragon to go with the evil lord, adds a bit of warfare along with budding love, then mixes in dragon heritage to give you a really fast action story that stands up well. It was really a pleasure to read this story, and I bet there will be a sequel. There are too many questions left unanswered to suit me. I want to hear more about the dragons!

I found this was a well paced, fun story to read. Thoren rejects Keara because she’s not his match. Then he finds out she is, but he can never get her alone to tell her. His frustration screams off the pages as you read the story. I have to admit, though, I thought it served him right.

Why don’t you get a copy of this book and take a ride with a dragon, too? You won’t regret it.

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Secrets in the Sand by Alana Lorens

September 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Secrets in the Sand by Alana Lorens
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (216 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3.5 books
Reviewed by Camellia

After a run of bad relationships, Lily Pearl Evans has finally become an independent woman. In the New Mexico desert town of Chaparral, she works for herself, sets her own rules, and is determined no man will hold her back again.

Gene Nicholas worked for more than a decade to achieve his dream to be a doctor. Wanting to share his gifts with those less fortunate, he leaves south Florida to volunteer for Doctors Without Borders in Mexico.

When Gene provokes a showdown with the local Mexican drug cartel, he becomes a man with a price on his head. On the run, he ends up on Lily’s doorstep–a mystery man forced to conceal his past to protect them both. With the cartel’s dangerous web drawing tight around them, can Lily and Gene survive a drug lord’s revenge?

The storms within are to be feared far more than the storms outside is true for the characters in Secrets in the Sand.

Dr. Gene Nicholas feels like he sold his soul and probably his mortal life for a bit of moral satisfaction. In blind fear, he runs from the Agustin drug cartel in Mexican where he had been working as a doctor with Doctors without Borders. Scared, disoriented, exhausted and blood spattered, he appears out of the night at the door of the Sassafras Social Club in the sparsely populated corner of southeastern New Mexico.

The Sassafras Social Club, operated by Lily Pearl Evans with seven co-workers, is a place where peace reigns—a place where no questions are asked and empathic listeners are always available. Lily knows she operates on the edge of respectability but the independence that she and her co-workers have for the first time in their lives overrides all else. They keep a low profile and offer a sought-after service and nobody that disrupts is allowed to stay—well, almost nobody.

The doctor’s integration into the workings of the Sassafras Social Club unveils the inner personal storms in each person there—storms that each of them tries to keep hidden. Working as a handy man under a false name, he wrestles with his conscious as he works to keep the people he cares about safe from the brutal cartel. His often ineptness efforts, his non-threatening demeanor, and his giving, caring ways endear him to the women at the club. They are comfortable with him and appreciate his input and help. Even Lily, who had long since sealed her feelings away in her determination to not be hurt again, is drawn to him. They connect in a way that she had never before experienced.

There were times when I felt that I was on the outside of the action and just being told about it, but it was usually when the secondary characters were involved. However, these characters keep the emotional pot bubbling. Carmen and Inez from Mexico cause the doctor some anxious moments, but their secrets are as dangerous as his. The pregnant Vallie, who is working to become a nurse, plays a unique role in the scheme of things, while, Ester, the cook (and so much more), creates a little storm of hostility every time she has any interaction with or about the mysterious handyman. She has her reasons.

Lonnie, the trucker from California that Lily had once lived with, and Big Mike who is the unofficial bounce at the club who seems to have his own agenda, are both driving forces as the plot unfolds. Some of the antagonists who stoop so low as to use children to accomplish their own evil ends tap into one’s outrage. They do make for some tense moments.

Alana Lorens’ descriptions of storms in New Mexico plop the reader down into the experience in a way that assails the sense. As she deals with some of the less-than-noble aspects of humanity and with modern society’s less-than-noble enterprises, she captivates with her ability to reveal the innermost needs and fears of the characters as they rise above adversity and find that happy-ever-after that had seemed so out of reach.

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River of Fear by Kathleen Mix

August 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

River of Fear by Kathleen Mix
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full Length (316 Pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Jasmine

After ten years shouldering heavy responsibility as her siblings’ guardian, fern farmer Annie Brenton yearns for an exciting and carefree future. Despite the repeated threats of a stalker, she refuses to cower in her house and compromise her long-awaited freedom.

When widower Luke Erickson and his two young children turn to Annie for help and she takes them into her home, she believes her financial worries and stalker problems are solved. Instead, the stalker ratchets up his violence, and her developing feelings for Luke turn her world upside down.

As Luke’s past suddenly catches up to them, Annie is forced to make an impossible choice. Is loving a wandering sailor and his children worth the sacrifice of her freedom and the risk of a broken heart?

What do you get if you take a mystery stalker, a hot man, two adorable kids, a big, protective dog and a river that scares you? A really good, thrilling page-turner with many sexy “oooo” moments and adorable “awww” moments.

Luke is an ex-Navy Seal running from a past that is trying very hard to catch up with him. He is self-assured while still vulnerable and caring enough to question his own motives and how his actions will impact others. Annie is frightened of the stalker but determined not to be scared away but confused as to what she wants her future to hold. Annie’s job is quite unique and not one I had ever even thought of before or seen in any other books.

The suspense is built up very well throughout the book and had me turning the pages to see what happened next. Ms. Mix also does an excellent job of keeping you guessing on who the stalker is. She gives you just enough clues to think you might know who it is then she throws a red herring out there and throws you off entirely.

The thing that struck me as unbelievable was the fact that neither Luke nor Annie had a problem with letting the kids play outside after some of the things that had been happening with the stalker. If I was in that situation my kids would be glued to my side and always in my sight.

Other than the children, there aren’t many secondary characters. We get a few phone calls between Annie and her friend, as well as Annie and her sister and we get one visit from the sister. Annie has quite a history with her siblings that could have really been built up but was left a little flat and the sister is portrayed in such a way that you are left with no sympathy for her at all.

I really enjoy the romantic suspense genre and this book was no exception. The action brought on by the stalker fit the genre very well and the characters were believable. Definitely a book that I would recommend to a friend, so grab a blanket and a reading light, curl up in bed with the lights out, settle in for some nail biting moments and read this book.

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Recompromising Amanda by Barbara Burke

August 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Recompromising Amanda by Barbara Burke
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Short Story (56 pages)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating: 5 Books
Reviewed by Moonflower

How has beautiful, popular Amanda Smythe-Kincaid managed to reach the ripe old age of twenty-five without getting married? Could she possibly still be carrying a torch for Jason, her brother’s best friend? It’s been years since they were caught kissing in the conservatory.

Jason, the third Viscount Greyshott, has been in love with Amanda for ages. Too bad he can’t convince her of that fact, and too bad she repeatedly turns down his marriage proposals.

When Amanda asks Jason for a shocking favor, he realizes this may just be the opportunity he needs. And when fate, in the form of an exasperated older brother and some inadvertent eavesdropping, finally steps in to bring this charming Regency couple into each other’s arms—where everyone around them knows they’ve always belonged—Amanda doesn’t stand a chance.

“I bet she’ll die an old maid and never know love.” Eleven simple words can change your life forever.

Living during the regency times couldn’t have been all manners and politeness. Imagine that under the thin veneer of a proper lady is a fiery, passionate heroine and beneath the façade of a distinguished lord is a deviously inventive hero. Time is running out for these two would-be lovers. Upon learning of their true feelings for each other, their passion is ignited and it burns hot and strong. Who knew doing something so wrong could feel so right?

Hopelessly romantic and helplessly in love, Amanda Smythe-Kincaid is destined to never marry. As a young girl, she vowed to never marry unless it was for love. She is twenty-five and in love with her long time friend Jason. Regretfully, the only reason he proposes is because of honor. After overhearing those eleven earth shattering words, the vision of her dismal future shocks her. Amanda forms a new plan. She may die an old maid, but she was going to know the touch of a man and it will be Jason’s, even if it is for only one night.

For seven years Jason has asked Amanda to marry him. She has refused him every time. The first proposal was after he nearly ruined her reputation with a kiss. Jason continues to ask her year after year and will do so until she accepts his offer. Jason loves Amanda, but is unsure how to make her love him. After one conversation with her brother and a request for help from Amanda, Jason’s hope is revived. It will be a perfect opportunity to prove to her that he loves her and that they belong together.

Recompromising Amanda is a delightful story. Ms. Burke took all the great qualities of a historical romance novel and compressed it flawlessly into this little gem. Jason is a brilliant, patient gentleman and Amanda is intelligent and independent. They are perfectly suited for each other, but Amanda has to have been blind not to see that Jason truly loves her. This story was well paced and edited. I am duly impressed that Ms. Burke told an enjoyable and charming story in such a short book. This is a perfect story for a perfect couple.

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Storm’s Interlude by Vonnie Davis

August 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Storm’s Interlude by Vonnie Davis

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Full Length (316 Pages)

Heat Level: Hot

Rating: Best Book

Reviewed by Jasmine

Nurse Rachel Dennison comes to Texas determined to prepare her new patient for a second round of chemo. What she isn’t counting on is her patient’s twin brother, Storm Masterson. Despite her initial attraction, Storm has two things Rachel can’t abide: a domineering personality and a fiancée.

Half Native American, with the ability to have “vision dreams,” Storm dreams about Rachel for three nights before her arrival. Both are unprepared for the firestorm of emotions their first encounter ignites.

Ultimately, it is Rachel’s past—and abusive, maniacal ex-boyfriend—that threatens to keep them apart…and Storm’s dreams that bring them together again.


If you were driving along, out in the middle of nowhere, and found a hot man walking down the road wearing nothing but some cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, would you stop? If he was as hot as Storm Masterson then I know I would!

First, let me say that Texas is not a state that I’ve ever really had much of a desire to visit (no offense, Texans). It is hot and dry and has really big spiders. Ms. Davis, however, described Texas, its hill country and beautiful sunsets so vividly that I have now added it to my list of places to go before I die.

Rachel is a funny, vibrant character with a very caring heart who puts others’ needs ahead of herself, even when in peril. Storm is a sexy man who loves his family, which just makes him all the sexier. The relationship between all of the characters in this book is so real, I loved it. It was like peeking into a close family and seeing how it all ticks. Even the father, who has passed away, is a real character. Noella, the housekeeper slash cook slash stand-in mother, is absolutely hilarious and a delightful secondary character. The relationship between Storm and Sunny as brother and sister is heartwarming. Storm is the older brother that every girl would want.

The scene where Storm realizes that Rachel is his sister’s nurse is laugh out loud funny, and the scene is so vivid that it was like watching a movie. This was probably my favorite scene in the whole book because it is so real.

On a personal note, the whole concept of Rachel’s job moved me. With a friend who has terminal cancer, the ideas that Rachel had, while fiction, really got me thinking about my friend and what I could possibly research that might help her in some way. I hope, for the sake of cancer patients out there everywhere, that there is someone like Rachel in reality.

This book has easily found its place on my keeper shelf and has become one of my personal favorites. If I could pull these characters from the pages and make them real I would. This is a family that I would want to be friends with and hang out with on a Friday night at a barbecue. I will revisit them again in the future and I very much look forward to it. I would recommend it to any one of my personal friends and I highly recommend anyone reading this to check it out.

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Marrying Cade by Sally Clements

August 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Marrying Cade by Sally Clements
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (166 pgs)
Heat Level: spicy
Rating: 3.5 books
Reviewed by Iris

Capable financial advisor Melo Bellucci always knew when it came to organising her sister’s wedding she’d be in charge. After all, her sister Rosa is notoriously scatterbrained. But there’s a silver lining in the form of the Best Man, Melo’s childhood crush, Cade West.

When Cade returns to the Tuscan island, Isola dei Fiori, he’s prepared to mix business with pleasure, especially when he meets Melo again. The confident, sexy woman is a world away from the lanky tomboy he remembers, and attraction burns between them instantly.

But when he discovers that the perfect site for his hotel, idyllic Paradise Beach, belongs to Melo rather than her father, can their relationship survive, when there are two plans for Paradise?

A palate cleanser in word form! This is an excellent, refreshing book just perfect for the dog days of summer. A well-written, entertaining novel to make you say “aah” when you reach the end.

The plot isn’t a new one. Boy meets girl, girl falls in love with him, but she is too young. They meet up again at a wedding, and sparks fly. It’s the details that keep this novel from being trite. The exotic Italian setting lent itself beautifully to wedding festivities and romantic moments. The family winemaking tradition also allowed for interesting plot twists and turns.

Our heroine is a lovely mix of modern femininity mixed with the “good” Italian daughter. Having a slightly misogynistic father who also happens to be very ill adds to her sense of duty as well as her desire to stand up for herself.

The hero, true to form, wishes to remain a bachelor, but has feelings for our heroine. His history with the family entwines him in the business controversy and his friendship with the groom causes the involvement in the wedding. His interest in Melo causes the story to become more interesting.

Be assured of some romantic tension, exotic locales, and a happily every after for all parties involved.

Grab your sunhat, lounge chair and an icy beverage – then kick back and enjoy this lovely romance!


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