Messing Around With Max by Lori Foster

November 22, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Messing Around With Max by Lori Foster
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short story (137 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review by: Xeranthemum

Successful relationship columnist Max Sawyers has lived life in the fast lane andenjoyed every second of it, but with a cranky rescue dog named Cleo now ruling his lifeinstead of casual temptation, he’s decided it’s time to change his ways and find a wife.Between his own high standards and his new dog’s dislike of anything female, this is noeasy feat—especially when the worst possible candidate comes crashing into his life, andshe’s the only woman the capricious Cleo can stand.

Maddie Montgomery refused to take to heart the nasty things her ex-fiancé said aftershe caught him cheating, but perhaps he had a point about her naiveté with men. Shecertainly hasn’t ruled out marriage in the (very distant) future, but for now, she’s goingto go all out in the name of fun. Who better to practice with than the gorgeous Max?Problem is, he’s beginning to think he’s met The One, and she isn’t going to like findingout it’s her…

So, any registered company can produce the medicine with the lowest best price on viagra cost. It is the tested and viagra prescription free proven treatment of ED in almost all people. Number of examination studies has demonstrated that with the insufficiency in Luteinizing hormones, individuals have a tendency to do so as it has a speedier impact than cheapest generic tadalafil and as it is in a jelly form most of men who prefer to use it for at least 3 to 4 months. The chances can never be far cheapest cialis 20mg away from splitting. This is a perfect book for new readers of Ms. Foster. This story is incredibly romantic, lighthearted and delightful. Most of her recent series feature tough heroes and feisty heroines with serious conflicts to battle and overcome. Messing Around With Max is one of those rare treats that focuses on two people falling in love with lots of humor and madcap hijinks. It even starts in the very first paragraph. The initial meeting between Max, his dog Cleo, and Maddie is quite memorable for many reasons not the least of which is the dialogue. What a reader experiences in those beginning scenes is what they can expect throughout the book – adorable, cheeky and seductive fun. Maddie alternately confuses, confounds and seduces Max just by being herself. It’s a forgone conclusion that the hero is a goner.

I think what made this story work for me was Cleo. She’s a dog with attitude and she’s a little hard to love. The love she does receive is part of what made Max such a perfect hero. How he obtained his pet, how he takes care of her and his goal for her future well-being is the driving force behind a lot of his decisions when it comes to his relationship with Maddie.

For the heroine’s part, she has some ulterior motives, unusual friends, a heart of gold and a very healthy libido. Actually, it became clear that they both have healthy appetites in that area, which made for some very steamy, spicy and entertaining reading.

The pace is brisk, the entertainment solid and the love scenes are very well written. The secondary characters bring charm, insight and a few laughs. They are warm, wonderful and full of surprises.

The scenes with the most humor that really had me laughing out loud is when Max followed Maddie on the sly and saw her going into a specialized store. He jumped to conclusions, which I’ll admit were perfectly logical, and when the big reveal came about the true purpose, it completely threw me. Max’s reaction was priceless. It was awesome.

Messing Around With Max is a must read. For fans that might have missed it, check it out because it’s a gem. For new fans, it’s a great intro to Ms. Foster’s brilliant writing. For readers who are in the mood for a feel-good read after a stressful day, this is the perfect cure. This book pushes all my happy buttons and I guarantee it’s on my keeper shelf.

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Close Contact by Lori Foster

October 2, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Close Contact by Lori Foster
Series: A Body Armor Novel
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full length (364 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

There’s no resisting a desire like this…

MMA fighter Miles Dartman’s casual arrangement with personal shopper Maxi Nevar would be many men’s fantasy. She seeks him out, they have mindblowing sex, she leaves. Rinse, repeat. Yet lately, Miles wants more. And when Maxi requests his services via the Body Armor security agency, he’s ready to finally break through her defenses—and protect her day and night.

She was ready to take our relationship to the cialis price canada next level. In case of that they should not use more than one tablet viagra sales france within a 24 hour period. You are also advised to include peppers, cantaloupe, corn canadian viagra generic click now and oranges in your daily diet. The duck was expected to free sample viagra be unharmed by being lifted aloft. Receiving a large inheritance has brought chaos and uncertainty into Maxi’s life. Her ex has resurfaced, along with lots of former “friends,” and someone is making mysterious threats. Then there’s Miles, who doesn’t ask for anything…except her trust. Pleasure is easy. Now Maxi has to give her heart as well as her body…or risk losing a man who could be everything she needs.

I have some catching up to do because I enjoyed Close Contact so much, I have to go and find the first two books in the Body Armor series. I didn’t need to have read the first two to enjoy this novel which I greatly appreciated. It’s because the characters from the first two showed up to help out Miles and Maxi that piqued my interest. Even as secondary characters, they were delish. This book had a lot of pages but I whipped through the book because the pace, the action, the romance, the intrigue, and the suspense and mystery of who was behind Maxi’s harassment kept me glued to its pages. What a great read!

My favorite aspects of this story are the cats and how Miles interacted with them. They play important roles in a few pivotal scenes. I adore a big, tough hero getting purrs from a kitty so that right there makes Miles the perfect hero. I have a hard time describing Maxi because she’s many things – confident and vulnerable, sweet yet determined, and loyal to a fault. It’s her loyalty and gumption that put her in harm’s way. It seems an odd reason to put her in the cross hairs of criminal intent, especially because she is so nice and caring to everybody she meets, but since when do criminals make sense?

The very first chapter sets up the mystery. It starts off with one puzzle but things quickly heat up to the point that Miles calls in his buddies to help out. I love that part of Ms. Foster’s novels. There’s the sense of friends becoming family, of caring, loyalty and a great sense of fun and camaraderie. It always makes me happy to be a reader during those times because I feel like I’m right there, part of the community. I also like watching Maxi be overwhelmed by how many people actually show up to help out. She’s totally bemused because everyone accepts her for who she is and they do not doubt that she’s in danger. That has to be the best feeling ever – acceptance.

It’s not that the heroine has no family, she does but there’s significant tension and some bad juju in the past. So much so that I was ready to write them off as completely unlikable. Ms. Foster had a different goal in mind and I reluctantly concede that she made the right choice. I still think they need an attitude adjustment and they don’t deserve the wonderfulness that is Maxi, and that’s all I’ll say.

The good stuff is when Maxi and Miles get together in the carnal way. Ooh la la, was that spicy! They are so good together and I think they fell in love more and more every time they fell into each other’s arms. In the beginning, the words were hard for either one to say, but they showed it with their actions and how they treated each other. I liked that too.

The villain was hard to figure out until one of the internal dialogue scenes. The book is mostly told in third person for both the hero and heroine, but I was able to peek into the villain’s thought process from time to time. It was one sentence that made me shift from one possible culprit to another. I was right! But the reasoning and the motive behind it was actually kind of sad.

Close Contact is awesome. I had so much fun. It was a great weekend read and I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan but haven’t read it yet, romantic suspense lovers, and even first time readers because it’s a solid standalone read. Anyone who hasn’t read a Lori Foster book is missing out on some great writing and awesome heroes and heroines. This author does romance right.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Heiress Gone Wild by Laura Lee Guhrke

September 30, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Heiress Gone Wild: Dear Lady Truelove by Laura Lee Guhrke
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical
Length: Full length (304 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Dear Lady Truelove,

My ward is driving me crazy. I have to marry her off and get her out of my life. There’s just one problem…

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New York heiress Marjorie McGann wants a London season and a titled husband who can help her spend the Yankee millions she’s inherited, and she thinks her new British guardian is the perfect person to help her find him. But Jonathan has no intention of letting his friend’s fortune be squandered. Under his watchful, protective eye, Marjorie finds romance hard to come by . . . until one fateful night when her own guardian’s devastating kisses makes her wonder if the greatest romance of all might be right in front of her.

This is a perfect story for romance fans that enjoy the chase, the gradual build-up of yearning and desire, of watching a hero and heroine deal with the pitfalls and frustrations of navigating society’s rules and propriety, and relish the explosion of passion when it becomes impossible to resist. Jonathan and Marjorie’s initial meeting was tame which led the hero into a complacent frame of mind. Imagine his shock when he discovers that the heroine is a woman with her own opinions, goals and dreams, and has the gumption to make things happen. Plans go awry for both of them and the challenge they face is figuring out what they really want out of life, and what they’re willing to do to make it happen. The journey is fascinating.

Marjorie’s character starts out like fresh taffy, easy to pull and stretch, is moldable yet sweet. Once she figures things out, she ends up being a woman who knows her own mind and goes after what she wants. Jonathan is a man torn between duty and desire, old dreams and an uncertain future. What does he really want? His trying to figure it out is why I liked him. Life is like that – throws curve-balls at plans and all a person can do is stand there, twisting in the breeze with no true path until something seems ‘right’. What he chooses as ‘right’ ends up being his downfall and his saving grace. I didn’t expect it to work out like that but I am glad it did. It contributed to a nice wrap-up for their happy ever after. The author chose the right scenario for her characters and I liked the circular nod to their interesting beginnings.

The most profound and pivotal moment was when Marjorie realized that she won’t settle for what’s expected. She had a ton of examples of that life starting with Lady Stansbury, the epitome of proper. The author did such a great job of detailing the acceptable activities for a lady, I groaned when everyone else did at the mention of her name. Marjorie’s “Aha!” moment was precipitated by her interaction with her old friend, Jenna. That whole scene painted a crystal clear picture of her future if she let it. What follows can be called a classic coalesced romantic HEA – satisfying and complete.

My pace of reading was moderate at best. The author is a master at description to set a scene, with details that painted clear pictures for a reader so that the tone, emotion and environment could come alive. I’m not patient with that type of writing so I was chomping at the bit to get to the good stuff – when Jonathan finally acknowledged to himself that he couldn’t deny himself any longer, that he had to have her, and Marjorie would finally be awakened to the joys of being a woman in all its glory. Finally! It was worth waiting for. I enjoyed watching Marjorie grow as a person and as a woman and I was so happy to see Jonathan finally getting everything he ever dreamed of – even though his dream changed a bit, for the better.

Heiress Gone Wild follows the traditional style for historical romance. It’s a well written character driven story with secondary characters that contribute significant assistance to both the hero and heroine when they need it most. I especially liked Jonathan’s sisters. Oh, and their husbands too. I can easily recommend this book to historical romance fans. This novel is delightful and I am happy I read it.

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

Dark Storm by Karen Harper

September 18, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Dark Storm by Karen Harper
A South Shores Novel
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (370 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

There are some forces you can’t outrun…

Forensic psychologist Claire Markwood has experienced her share of disaster. But nothing could prepare her for her sister, Darcy, going missing. Claire rushes to the butterfly sanctuary where Darcy has been working, prepared to do what she does best—work the clues. But her sister, along with her car and some of the sanctuary’s rarest species of butterflies, has seemingly vanished without a trace.

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Wow, was this a nail-biter! I started this novel and I couldn’t put it down. I began reading it early morning and finished it late in the day and I jumped on my computer as soon as I finished so I could share what I liked while it was still fresh. There’s a lot to like about Dark Storm.

I guess this is the final book in the South Shore series but that didn’t matter. It didn’t matter that I hadn’t met Nick or Claire, Bronco, Darcy or Jace before. It wasn’t an issue that I hadn’t read the previous books because this novel was purely about Claire and Nick’s race to save someone they love. It was about their present. Most supporting secondary characters were family or friends like family, helping Nick and Claire in their search and caring for their kids. Actually, that’s something that impressed me – Ms. Harper never forgot the kids. With everything else that was going on, Claire remained a mom, Nick a dad, and they were very much dedicated to their family’s safety and well-being. The writing was so solid, it made those loving elements very clear.

Speaking of elements, as I read this novel, hurricane Dorian just finished harming the Bahamas and was threatening the East Coast. When Ms. Harper wrote about a hurricane, basing it on the one that hit back in 2017 (as per her Author’s Note), I’m sure she never imagined that a hurricane would hit again the same year this book was published. As I was reading about Jace and his hurricane hunter plane, and the warnings being issued for the residents in the book, I was listening to The Weather Channel. It was rather freaky to read things that were going on in the book in my hands at the same time listening and watching it actually happening with Florida and the Carolinas. For effect, for timing, for sheer impact, reading this novel at the same time real life mirrored it made Dark Storm an even more dramatic read. It reinforced the realism and proved the author did her homework. She has the skill to create the feeling of time running out, to bring the fear and worry for her characters alive, and the author put me in the middle of the action. When Ms. Harper put Claire through the wringer, I was along for the ride. By the time Ken arrived with the flashing lights, I was emotionally exhausted. That couldn’t have happened if the author hadn’t had the skill set to make a reader feel connected and invested in a character’s well-being. Ms. Harper has that skill in spades.

Here is where I share that I talked to the book. I stopped at a few points, held the book in my hands and scolded it “Come on! Can’t you see it’s too perfect? Don’t trust it!” or, “I knew it! I knew it! I told you so!” or my favorite – “That’s the guilty party! I just know it!”… Until I found out I was wrong and had to think back to figure out what clues I missed. No one was home when I was reading the exciting parts so I could walk around my living room, talk to the novel, sit down and read some more, and get up and start talking to the book again. I tell you, I had more conversations with Dark Storm than any book I’ve read in a long while. I might seem crazy, or it might be because this was a really good story. I vote for the story.

The tie-in between the butterflies and the sea creature was bizarre, especially when I found out that it wasn’t totally fiction. That was a fascinating discovery. Actually, I am really glad I read the Author’s Note at the end because Ms. Harper shared some really cool things. Like I said before, she did her homework.

The best thing about this was the wrap-up and the happy ending. What happened to Nita at the end, that’s another thing I could relate to because that’s what happened to me, sort of. It doesn’t have to be a hurricane though. Any big, nasty storm can have that effect. I can validate the truth of that.

All in all, Dark Harbor was a super great read. It’s gripping, suspenseful, fast-paced and almost impossible to put down. There’s murder, weird plots and some unexpected surprises. The mystery kept me guessing and the crime was intense, but what made this book wonderful was meeting Claire and Nick. They were a terrific couple and are perfect together. I enjoyed seeing Nick being able to understand his wife, supporting her even when she got into all those pickles, and those passionate clinches of overwhelming love just when they needed it most. If you enjoy a well written mystery, intense suspense and husband and wife sleuths, then I wholeheartedly recommend reading this book.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Handle with Care by Marie Harte

August 27, 2019 By 3 Comments


Handle with Care by Marie Harte
Veteran Movers 3
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full length (352 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Evan Griffith has had a hell of a day…
And that was before he met the stunning, sexy woman having a meltdown.

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Kenzie Sykes is doing her best to raise her little brother and keep him out of jail―all while dealing with her own broken heart that just hasn’t healed. She doesn’t have time for romance. He’s not asking… Until he is, and she finds herself saying yes.

Fizzy, bubbly, sensational and sexy are just some of the words I can use to describe how I felt about some of the characters while reading this novel. I laughed, giggled, snickered and face-palmed; I grinned, gasped and fanned myself from the heat. All this from one book that was so good, I stayed up to almost 2 a.m. to finish it. Why is it so awesome? Because Ms. Harte made me feel like I was right there, walking alongside Evan and Kenzie, Daniel and Smith, Lila and Rachel and the whole cast that made up the families of both the hero and heroine. I felt part of the inner circle because of the third person POV from both Evan and Kenzie’s side of things. And yet, there was so much to discover about everyone that could only be done by watching what happened, listening in on other’s conversations and seeing the emotion and craziness falling in love brought into all their lives. Never mind the resulting entertainment as they stumbled, goofed, gaffed and made goo-goo eyes at each other on and off during their budding relationship. There were such strong feelings of warmth, welcoming and family, warts and all, that appealed to me on so many levels, I couldn’t help but adore this book. Handle with Care is an excellent feel-good, happy-inducing read that left me feeling 100% satisfied. This is romance done right.

The dialogue alone is a giggle-kicker. What comes out of the mouths of Lila and Rachel are blushingly hysterical and they make no apologies for their colorful views on sex. The resulting word war between Evan and Daniel, Kenzie’s brother, was unconventional to say the least, but I have to admit laughing out loud at some of the more creative ideas for swearwords. It’s how and when they were used that made it seem real, relatable and effective comic relief. Overall, the strength of this novel is its dialogue between the characters, both first and secondary.

Emotion. Oh, there is a lot of that going around. Here’s where I find the author did a solid. Everyone always follows a heroine when there’s some kind of breakup or misunderstanding in the process of falling in love. So many books use that trope to fill scenes up with angst. Not many look at it from the guy’s perspective. What does he do when he’s hurt? I know that Chunky Monkey seems to be popular for hurting heroines but what do guys do? Ms. Harte shares her vision of Evan in a funk and I’m not sorry to say, I found it hilarious. Genius and hilarious. In my mind’s eye, I could picture it so clearly. I liked the hero even more because of it.

I understand that this is book 3 in the series, and based on how I feel after finishing Handle with Care, I know I missed out in not reading the first two. But, I did not feel left out. That’s a huge difference. This can be read as a standalone because the focus is exactly where it should be, on Evan and Kenzie’s rocky, quirky, unconventional, romantic, sexy and wonderful romance.

Of all the subplots with a secondary character, Ms. Harte picked the right person to highlight, Smith. Evan and Smith’s relationship is important on a few levels. It’s sometime comical, but there is a depth of emotion, a well of untapped seriousness that gave the novel solid footing. These are people who’ve been dealt some seriously bad hands in life and yet manage to rise above it. Or are trying to. Through the hero, I came to understand that there is a lot more to Smith than what the story initially presented. The last chapter in the novel, where the HEA is revealed in all its fun and romantic glory also included a well worded, intriguing sentence that insured the obvious. I HAVE to read the next story. Consider me obsessed with the thought of Smith’s HEA – now that I have been given a hint of his teddy bear side, I want him to have something he never had. Evan discovered it, now I want Smith to have it. The big question is, how long do I have to wait to find out? That’s the mark of a well written book – the yearning for more of the good stuff. Handle with Care is definitely good stuff and if that’s the quality Ms. Harte is known to write, which I believe she is, then wanting more is a no-brainer. I’m in.

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Death of Darkness by Dianne Duvall

August 26, 2019 By 9 Comments


Death of Darkness by Dianne Duvall
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Action/Adventure
Length: Full length (497 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Seth has led the Immortal Guardians for thousands of years. With them fighting by his side, he has protected humans from psychotic vampires, defeated corrupt mercenary armies, defended military bases under attack, and more. But the latest enemy to rise against the Immortal Guardians has proven to be a formidable one, wielding almost as much power as Seth. His goal is simple. He wants to watch the world burn. And he will use every means at his disposal to accomplish it. Seth and his Immortal Guardians have succeeded thus far in staving off Armageddon despite heartbreaking losses. But they have never before faced such danger. Seth has only one wish: to protect his Immortal Guardians family and ensure the continuation of humanity by defeating his foe. But then Leah walks into his life and sparks a new desire.

Leah Somerson has suffered losses of her own. It has taken her a long time to rebuild her life and find some semblance of peace. Then one night a tall, dark, powerful immortal with what appears to be the weight of the world on his shoulders stumbles into her shop, and everything changes. Peace and contentment are no longer enough. Now she wants more. She wants to find happiness. She wants to erase the darkness in Seth’s eyes and replace it with love and laughter. She knows he’s different in ways that make most fear him. Even some of his immortal brethren keep a careful distance. But Leah will not. Nor will she shy away when danger strikes.

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Okay, comparison time. Quite few years ago, I followed a series where there was the same type of guy as Seth, sort of. You know, the one that fixed things, that everyone turned to and counted upon and never had a chance to get his own HEA, until he did. That book had a whopping of a page count too. Here’s the difference, and why Ms. Duvall’s book about Seth was perfect, eons ahead of the other in satisfaction, excitement and romance – Seth remains Seth, even though I now got to see inside HIS head. The other series, when looking out of the hero’s eyes, made the guy seem, less. He was tremendously powerful but he came across as unmanned. The level of strength from the character I’d come to expect just wasn’t there. I was devastated because I had such high hopes. Then I found out that Ms. Duvall was writing Seth’s story and I was so worried history was going to repeat itself. I am happy to say, my worries were unfounded. I hugged the book because I couldn’t hug the author in person. She managed to do EVERYTHING the other author had not – she got it right. She kept Seth as the man, hero and leader I’d come to admire, adore and yearned for him finding happiness too. Not only is Death of Darkness out-of-the-stratosphere awesome, but it hit all my happy buttons with romance, excitement and a relationship that melted my heart.

One fact I want to make sure readers understand is that this is not a standalone read. Not even a little bit. There is a direct tie-in to the previous book Awaken the Darkness which thrilled me no end. There is the villain whose arc carries through several books and fans will understand the level of evil he represents because of what he’s done and how it affects Seth. Does the villain get his comeuppance? You bet. However, it’s not as I expected. In fact, readers are going to be aghast when they get to those chapters. That’s when the action, drama, suspense and shock comes to a head. That is where I warn readers to be in a place where they won’t be interrupted as they read because you won’t want ANY interruptions. I can’t imagine fans as invested in the characters as I am would even want to blink. That’s how spellbinding, gripping, jaw-dropping and stupefying I found it to be. Make no mistake, Death of Darkness is a triumph for Ms. Duvall.

I usually talk about the characters, especially the hero and heroine. Fans know about Seth so his being sexy, larger-than-life and amazing is a given. Leah is the unknown. What kind of woman would be worthy of a man like Seth? Again, Ms. Duvall chose well. The heroine is quick-witted, loves to tease and is a delight with children. She’s strong and a perfect match for the hero. She’s got one tiny little problem. She’s human. Fans know why that’s a bit problematic. Yet, their love is so strong for each other, even when Seth gives her the inside scoop on what it’s going to be like as the years go by, Leah’s commitment to Seth is air-tight. Her love is unshakable. Actually, Leah does get shaken up a lot in this book, and I’m snickering a bit when I say that because it’s sort of a double-entendre but not in the way you could imagine. Well, okay, that might be a part of it but there’s a lot more I’m not telling you. Why spoil the fun?

The most poignant, precious and sniffle-worthy moment happens with Bastien. The cutest is Adira and the most amazing, shocking and knock-me-down-with-a-feather topic has something to do with Ami. In fact, it even shocks Seth! Do you know how hard it is to shock Seth? Seriously, this novel is a must-read just for that alone! The most suspicious has something to do with Cliff, and the most mind-boggling, eye-popping and still-scratching-my-head-over-it scene, has something to do with the Others.

Death of Darkness also has the most brilliant and dazzling plus – not one but a couple of whole chapters dedicated to the Happy in happy ever after. It’s the most complete, satisfying, loving, and joyous, festive and exuberant celebration I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. On top of that was an epilogue that yanked the figurative rug out from under my feet. Fans are going to goggle.

Do you know there is so much MORE I could write about? Seriously, this story is chockfull of great dialogue, a solid supporting cast and more twists and turns than a pretzel. Through it all, the growing romance between Seth and Leah is sizzling, seductive and extremely satisfying. Ms. Duvall has written an epic romantic masterpiece that is proudly going on my keeper shelf. Thank you, Dianne Duvall, for giving us the perfect HEA for Seth. I am content.

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

Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews

August 23, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full length (400 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.

But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.

To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.

So you can definitely rest assure of getting double discount order viagra back on what you have invested. The pills help achieve multiple orgasms and add excitement to your intimacy. amerikabulteni.com purchase cheap viagra In order to reduce postoperative infection, antibiotics can be taken several days before operation, and the bladder can be flushed with antiseptic solution for half an hour before tadalafil online operation. Thus, if the mind is not in the right place, a order cheap levitra young man may experience difficulties during arousal. Ilona Andrews has done it again. She’s written a thrilling, gripping, and electrifying story. I’m blown away by her mastery of the descriptive word. The action, the suspense, the not knowing and the twist and turns of Prime politics is dizzying in its scope. 400 pages aren’t enough, and yet, they are. I feel like I am on the ground floor of something big, momentous and altogether dangerous. The Hidden Legacy series is a must read and Sapphire Flames just proves my point.

Catalina is growing up before my eyes. In the original three books in the series, she was just Nevada’s beloved younger sister with a very unique power. In this newest book, she’s owning her power, shouldering her responsibilities and starting to accept her role as Head of House Baylor. Her growing pains are real because her injuries are real. So much is thrown at her that I’m very grateful for her 3 years of training. And yet, she’s faced with so many decisions that can hurt or help the people she loves, it’s a bit overwhelming. How the author had her handling things, making the kinds of choices she did and giving me a chance to see inside Catalina’s thought processes made it very personal to me. The heroine is a heroine because she does what needs to be done in spite of her being scared, terrified and sometimes wishing it would all go away. I also appreciated that she was loyal to her family and those she calls friends. That loyalty was sure put to the test.

Alessandro is an enigma. Yes, he is sexy, strong, and off the charts magically talented. I have no idea what he can actually do but I received teases and hints with his interaction with Duncan. I get the sense that unlike his previous fiancés, he might be serious about Catalina. I hope so because I actually like the guy, even though he’s super secretive. I also think he’s really good for and with Catalina. I wish I could get into his head but this novel is first person POV so I only know what the heroine knows when she knows it. I’m as intrigued by Alessandro as she is. I totally cracked up when he sneaked a bite of Catalina’s veggie. That was one of the funniest moments in the story.

There was action, action and more action in this book. I never knew who was going to turn into what and I worried for some of the characters in harm’s way. I really wanted the heroine to rescue Runa’s family member and that was a great part of the mystery. Who did it and why? How did they do it and how can they be stopped? Tagging along with Catalina and Alessandro as they chase the clues was exciting.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the hints of romance between the two heats up in the next book. The two of them were practically smoking from the sparks of their passion. I was worried that it would be unrequited. I worried for nothing. It’s there, it’s brewing and it’s oh so powerful. I can’t wait to see them explode. I hope they do. I had a taste of it and it wasn’t enough. I want Catalina to be 100% herself and I want the same for the hero. That would be fun because the hero is just so yummy and I think he’d make her very, very satisfied.

I assure you, Sapphire Flames is loaded with stuff to share. Like how she got a dog, what those icky bug things did, why it was so important to help Runa and how cool of a character Duncan really is. The dialogue was great and the pace was consistently well balanced. I tried to read this book in one day. I tried so hard but there was too much goodness and not enough time to take it all in. I didn’t want the story to end. I wanted to see what would happen next but the epilogue proved to me that it was impossible. I was teased with something so fascinating and unexpected I was stunned. That was when I realized what was needed – another book.

As you can probably tell, I enjoyed this novel to the max and highly recommend it. The world that Ms. Andrews has created is incredible!

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

One Fine Duke by Lenora Bell

August 7, 2019 By Leave a Comment


One Fine Duke by Lenora Bell
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (376 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review by: Xeranthemum

Ready.

Raised in the countryside by her overprotective uncle, Miss Mina Penny’s dream of a triumphant London season is finally here. She determined her perfect match long ago: Rafe Bentley, the wickedest rake of them all. There’s only one very large, very unyielding obstacle: Rafe’s brother Andrew, the reclusive Duke of Thorndon.

Aim.

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Desire!

But Mina is no damsel in distress. She’s daring, intuitive, passionate…and halfway to melting Drew’s cold heart. And although Mina thought she knew exactly what she wanted, one breathtakingly seductive kiss from Drew changes everything. Now Mina must decide between long-held dreams and dangerous new desires. Could her true destiny lie in the arms of a duke?

This was a one day read filled with excitement, daring-do and a remarkably energetic romance. I enjoyed myself tremendously and the epilogue left me feeling bubbly and happy. What’s not to like?

One Fine Duke has adventure, danger, an unusual spunky heroine and a hero in need of saving. Mina is afraid of never living life, of being put behind a wall for her safety and staying there, forever, while Drew is already behind a figurative wall and is afraid of coming out from behind it. What they both want isn’t what they need and what they need they don’t think they want. This novel explores how their lives are turned upside down, shaken up and tossed upon a path of discovery, shocking revelations and sensual exploration. For a reader that means one word: Fun.

The sparks fly pretty quickly between Mina and Drew. There is the trope of the bored duke being intrigued by a woman who flaunts the norm and gets past his ennui enough to inspire some out-of-character actions. That’s how their relationship begins but nowhere near where the author takes a reader. Ms. Bell takes that platform and creates well-rounded, flawed, quirky and fallible characters that attract, charm and beguile the reader. The heroine is clever, has a goal and a dream to achieve and her methodology is unconventional yet effective. The hero has never had a chance to reconcile his fears from being kidnapped when he was a kid and his coping mechanism, though changed through the years, has yet to get the job done. Between the two of them, they can have it all, but first, they have to solve a mystery, save Drew’s brother and avenge the death of Mina’s parents.

How the story unfolds, the dialogue between the hero and heroine and what Mina’s extraordinary curiosity leads her to discover, all make for a frequent tendency to flip the pages at a furious pace many times throughout the novel because it’s just so exciting! The part with the chair is hilarious, the shed scene sealed Mina’s fate as far as I’m concerned, and Drew’s daisy dream is attached to something wickedly delicious.

I’ll be absolutely shocked if One Fine Duke isn’t a best seller. I enjoyed it so much, smiled so often and even blushed a time or two; I really believe readers are going to enjoy the romance between Mina and Drew as much as I did. Ms. Bell has a winner.

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Say No to the Duke by Eloisa James

July 12, 2019 By 1 Comment


Say No to the Duke by Eloisa James
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full length (288 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Could she possibly refuse a duke’s hand—in favor of a sardonic, sinful rake?

Lady Betsy Wilde’s first season was triumphant by any measure, and a duke has proposed—but before marriage, she longs for one last adventure.

No gentleman would agree to her scandalous plan—but Lord Jeremy Roden is no gentleman. He offers a wager. If she wins a billiards game, he’ll provide the breeches.

If he wins…she is his, for one wild night.

But what happens when Jeremy realizes that one night will never be enough? In the most important battle of his life, he’ll have to convince Betsy to say no to the duke.

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This can be a standalone read. Indeed, I’d forgotten a certain part so I was still enjoying it. However, when I got to the part where Jeremy figures things out, I was stunned. I believe my jaw dropped and my eyes popped because suddenly I DID remember what had happened previously and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Seriously? All this time? And for the price that was paid – oh did I get steamed. It was totally a fist-bump moment when Betsy (a/k/a Boadicea) let her actions speak for her feelings. I would have done it twice for good measure. I wasn’t alone in feeling that way, Lady Knowe did too. I really liked Betsy’s aunt. Because of all that, I changed my mind a bit – reading the previous book in the series, which is another great read btw, can enhance a reader’s enjoyment with this one.

In the previous book, Jeremy was instrumental in helping the main characters through their plot twists and conundrums, but now the stakes are higher. His feelings of annoyance in the past blossoms into something wonderful – feelings that make him uncomfortable, like lust, and fascination and possessiveness (in a good way) and the poor guy doesn’t know what to do. Until he stops and pays attention to himself, to finally understand, to realize he is worthy of love and he wants it, with Betsy. To see a tortured hero finally see a light at the end of the tunnel is a glorious thing, but he’s not a pushover by any means. His strength is tested but he perseveres. He has an estranged father and their meeting was momentous and really important to what comes later in the novel. I rather liked Jeremy’s dad.

Lady Tallow is a secondary character that left a sour taste in my mouth, figuratively speaking. She was so nasty. I respected Thaddeus immensely because he had some very good qualities, but I wanted to hug him when he reacted to something Lady Tallow said. I hope someday he’ll get his own HEA – he’s a bit stuck-up but a good egg.

As far as internal conflicts, Betsy’s happiness is still being poisoned by something that was said when she was 14 years old. It’s amazing the lengths some will go to ensure they don’t get hurt ever again. The heroine had an epiphany and it was quite wonderful to read as it came about. Jeremy, like I said, is estranged from his dad, but there is the matter of his PTSD from the war. That is a huge hurtle to overcome, or at least deal with it in a healthy manner, and it does play a significant role in the plot thread.

There is a villain which was well written because I completely agreed that the person was a twisted, sorry soul. I had no sympathy whatsoever and was glad when Jeremy and Betsy figured things out. Not only that, but I was so happy when the family stood in support of Jeremy. Awesome scenes!

The scene with Thaddeus’s mom, the Duchess of Eversley, Lady Knowe, Betsy and Jeremy and a couple of others at the auction, was a hoot. There was a lot of grinning leading up to that part and certainly during it. I enjoyed Ms. James’ humor and I am of the impression that the author had just as much fun writing those scenes as much as I liked reading them.

The final chapter acts like a pre-epilogue to the epilogue. I did sniffle a bit but so did Betsy. The two combined made for a perfect, wonderful, special happy ever after and I sighed with satisfaction.

Say No to the Duke is a delight, full of charm, wit and passion. The romance is cheerfully rocky with a payoff that made me happy. This is an excellent addition to the series and Jeremy is going to fit right in with the Wilde family. I give this novel a solid recommendation to both historical romance readers and fans of the author because it’s splendid entertainment.

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

Hide and Seek by Mary Burton

June 21, 2019 By Leave a Comment


Hide and Seek by Mary Burton
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (337 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

She’s hunting. He’s watching.

Special Agent Macy Crow is a survivor. After a vicious hit-and-run nearly kills her, she gets right back to work, and now she’s gunning for a spot on the FBI’s elite profiling team. As an audition, she offers to investigate the recently discovered bones of Tobi Turner, a high school girl who disappeared fifteen years ago.

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Macy and Nevada race to put this monster behind bars before he can come out of hiding. But the murderer’s had years to hone his skills, and soon Macy herself becomes a target. She’s no stranger to pain and terror, but will Macy’s first profiling case be her last?

If fans of romantic suspense haven’t picked up this book, they’re missing out on an amazing white-knuckled ride. This whodunit kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning. Just when I thought I could put it down at the end of a chapter, a turn of phrase, an emotion or a development caught my interest and dragged me right back. The only reason I was able to sleep afterwards was because a) the bad guy made that final slip-up, b) I finished the novel, and c) there was a HFN for Macy and Nevada and a wonderful epilogue.

The strength of Hide and Seek came from the dialogue. It was reminiscent of Dragnet, one of my favorite police shows from way back. It’s hard-hitting, sometimes abrupt, always on point and their choice of words painted a picture of the leading characters, the community and the town. This novel would be great as an HBO special. I think that’s the venue for it considering some of the crimes are of a sensitive nature that were either described as it occurred (not gruesomely graphic but enough to feel the fear, horror and anger), or referred to from events in the past.

Because it was central to the plot, and the driving force behind Macy’s passion to solve the mystery, no matter the cost to herself, I kept reading. Even after I was introduced to the antagonist and becoming uncomfortable with what he did, I also became angry. See, that’s why I kept reading – anyone who does something like that has to be stopped. Has to. For sure it grossed me out but Macy had a vested interest in nabbing the deviant criminal. The reason why it was an obsession for her was revealed in the course of the story and it was at that point I understood. I appreciated her determination, strength of mind and heart and pure grit in her search for the killer. Her goal was to insure no woman would ever again be victimized. I don’t like reading about rape but in Hide and Seek it’s the crime and the author ensured that I was absolutely vested in his takedown. I cheered for Macy and Nevada. I wanted them to win, to succeed, and deliver justice and closure for all the families devastated by what happened in their small town.

As for Macy and Nevada – oh, I liked meeting them. I enjoyed the simmering passion leftover from a past hook-up and watched it smolder between them as they worked together to stop the murderer before he struck again. I thrilled to the fact that Nevada was more in to her than she realized, and I was relieved when Macy finally figured it out – that what was between them was real, passionate and reciprocated. Nevada is one sexy man.

There is a lot more I want to say about some of the secondary characters (awesome) and some of the twists and turns (whoa) but I want to steer clear of diluting the suspense, and edge-of-your-seat plot points so I’m going to end here. I strongly encourage fans of mystery, suspense and those who don’t mind some light sexy spice between the main characters, to read Hide and Seek. My advice for this well-written winner – start to read a lot earlier than I did so you can enjoy the ride to its fullest and still get some quality zzzz’s.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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