First Comes Love by Whitney Lyles
Cate Blakely is enjoying being newly wed to Ethan when she suspects she might be pregnant. Her and Ethan weren't even trying, they were just trying to enjoy couple time. Most of their friends recently having babies, pregnant or trying, and everyone is asking whether they're next. Then suddenly they are.
Ms. Lyles follows Cate's journey from first pregnancy panic, through doctor's appointments, a friend's fertility struggles, pregnancy ills, other people's babies and the general overall travel through the land of motherhood in a very realistic way. There were times I was nodding my head. There was no perfect pregnancy here. When Cate is so sick that she can barely comb her hair or get out of bed to help with the business, even when a younger, prettier assistant is hired, I was sold. This was my pregnancy. I've been there, I understand that!
This book made me laugh out loud, made me smile or grimace in rememberance of my own pregnancy journeys, and made me wisftul and sad about fertility and miscarriage issues. The tone of this book was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hadn't read the previous installments of this heroine, but it didn't matter, I didn't need to. This book was very stand alone.
I wonder if Ms. Lyles will be penning a new novel that tells of motherhood and how Cate's relationship with Ethan evolves through that. I, for one, would like to read it.
I give this a 5Labels: Rating 5
The Cinderella Pact by Sarah Strohmeyer
The Cinderella Pact by Sarah Strohmeyer
New American Library (Penguin), June 2007
Nola Deviln is not who people think she is. Or rather she is, but Belinda Apple isn’t. You see, she’s both. On a quest to show her magazine editor that being overweight has nothing to do with how well she can write, Nola invents Belinda Apple, a thin, gorgeous, and hip writer from Britain.
She initially does it to prove a point, then gets all caught up in the fantasy. While no one’s ever met Belinda, everyone thinks she’s fabulous. Even Nola’s friends take advice from Belinda—her weight loss advice, in particular, gets their notice. Thus the Cinderella Pact is born, and Nola and her two best friends vow to lose weight by a certain date. Belinda says it’s as easy as walking it off.
As she starts to lose weight, Nola feels great, but Belinda is having issues. The magazine can’t seem to get a hold of her and have started to worry they’ve been defrauded. They aren’t happy. As Nola struggles to keep her identity hidden, lose the weight, keep up with her sister who’s getting married (with Belinda as her maid of honour), deal with a man who pops in, and then back out, of her life, she realised that it’s hard enough to be one person, let alone two.
This book was wonderful. I loved that Nola was a real woman, with real problems and real curves. I loved that even though she lost weight and became thinner, that it didn’t immediately make everything in her life become perfect. I loved that they talked about the various ways people try to lose weight, and that, mostly, Nola made sensible decisions about weight loss.
The tension and pacing in this book were very well done. I laughed out loud, I felt sorrowful, I sneered at the magazine editor, and I was smiling at the end. Even though I had guessed who the hero was, there were moments when I became unsure, moments when I wavered in my loyalty to who he was and what he was up to.
Ms. Strohmeyer has produced a witty book, with characters that are all three-dimensional. I’m not a big fan of the big girl who loses weight and suddenly has a fairy tale ending but, in this case, the author delivers the story with such finesse that I found myself sucked in. Well done! I look forward to picking up more of this author’s books.
I give it 5 Kisses, Reviewed for Romance Divas
Labels: Rating 5
Into the Dark by Cindy Gerard
Into the Dark by Cindy Gerard
St. Martin’s Paperback, June 2007
Amy Walker has been after a madman for a long time. In her quest to find him she was held hostage, raped and tortured, in a foreign country. Then along came the Dallas and the guys from E.D.E.N. to rescue her and the other hostages. After the rescue she decides it’s better not to get anyone else involved so she disguises herself and goes in to hiding. She’s determined to get the man who is running the secret organisation that reduced her mother to a vegetable. She’s even more determined to keep Dallas out of it.
Dallas has wanted Amy back every since she left. When she shows up on his doorstep six month after disappearing he isn’t sure what to think. Seeing that she is in danger he swears to protect her no matter what the cost and the two of them head off in search of a killer. A killer who happens to be related to Amy. Falling in love isn’t part of his plan.
I have been waiting for this book ever since I first read about Amy and Dallas in To The Brink. Sometimes when you are highly anticipating something it doesn’t meet your expectations. Well, I am thrilled to say that Into the Dark met and exceeded my expectations. I loved it.
Ms. Gerard transformed Amy from a victim to a hard-core, kick-butt heroine with a vulnerable side and it was believable. I loved the interaction between Amy and Dallas. The story pacing was intense all the way through. The tension was palpable.
I kept waiting for something that would make Amy not related to the bad guy (this isn’t a spoiler it’s on the back cover). I kept waiting for anything to redeem these antagonists, there was nothing. If I could hate a book character I would hate these ones. These “bad guys” were so bad it made me sick to my stomach. When the story rocked to its conclusion I was one happy girl. Well, other than the fact that the story concluded.
What made me even happier was meeting two new characters, Jones and Jenna, who were just as real as Amy and Dallas. Often in books that have so many high octane heros and heroines the characters start to feel like no one you’d ever meet. However, Ms. Gerard has given each of these characters flaws and personality and even though they have jobs to do you feel that you know them - they could actually exist. Ms. Gerard says this is the end of her E.D.E.N. series. Whether it is or whether it isn’t I sincerely hope we will see Jones and Jenna’s story.
Kudos to Ms. Gerard for maintaining the tension, pace and quality of writing throughout this series.
I give this 5 kisses. Review for Romance Divas
Labels: Rating 5
Stealing Amy by Randy Jeanne
Stealing Amy by Randy Jeanne Triskelion Publishing
Bad things keep happening to Amy Harrington, and none of them are her fault. Someone stole her identity and seems to have run off to Mexico with it. When her car is towed, another credit card declined and she is arrested for the second time, Amy decides to take matters in to her own hands and track down her identity thief.
When Amy meets Nick Cavenaugh, an architect on his way to the location where she has pinpointed the suspect, she uses his lack as of an assistant to her advantage. He’s a hot man who needs help getting around in Mexico and Amy is just the girl to help.
As straightlaced, uptight Nick and carefree and casual Amy spend more time together they start driving each other crazy, and not always in a bad way. Unfortunately when Amy learns that the INS now suspect her for smuggling illegal aliens across the border she ends up in a lot more trouble than she bargained for and someone wants her dead.
I liked this book from beginning to end. It was a fun and fast read. The heroine made me laugh out loud and her attitude about everything made me wish that I thought more like that. Even as someone kept taking over her identity and getting her in trouble she tried to carefree. Combine her with the sexy but uptight hero and it made for a great read. Best of all, the heroine saved herself in the end, while Nick had to come to his own conclusions and take care of his own issues that had been plaguing him. The characters were well built and the addition of several side character, including Amy’s rather neurotic mother and the alcohol swilling bad guy with many faces.
I read this all in one sitting. The pacing and tone of the book was well done – there was fun and suspense, a very hard combination but it worked here. I will definitely look forward to reading more from this author.
I give this 5 Ayres (RORR)
Labels: Rating 5
Rises the Night, Review for Romance Divas
RISES THE NIGHT
By::Colleen Gleason
Signet Eclipse, 2007
A Historical Paranormal
Lady Victoria Gardella is a vampire slayer who is dealing with her own heartbreak and tragedy. When she takes her anger and despair a little too far one night, she decides to take a step back and re-focus on better learning her skills and control. It's a good thing she does because there is a new evil rising up as a very powerful vampire gains control over the ultimate weapon to control the souls of the dead. It could mean the end of the Venators and thousands, if not millions, of people.
With the not so trustworthy, but still attractive, Sebastian Vioget, by her side, she heads across Europe for the final showdown in Italy. Unfortunately, it is there that she witnesses the ultimate deceit by a former ally
Having not read The Rest Falls Away but hearing good things about it, I decided to give this book a chance. Honestly, I would not have normally picked up a historical but the description was just too interesting to pass by. I'm so glad that I made that decision. Rises the Night is a fantastic account of this lady, vampire slayer and her family. I love the way Ms. Gleason gives us history, along with action, humour along with angst.
The women of Rises the Night intrigued me. Even though Lady Victoria can obviously kick some major vampire butt, she is still tender and unsure of herself. Her losses, her loves, all come in to play in her reactions. I wouldn't have pegged her for as young as she was because she seemed so mature, but she had already seen so much in her short life. Aunt Eustacia was marvelously written. I could picture her clearly in my mind and I really liked her. She's someone I wouldn't mind having in my family, that's for sure. I wonder if we will learn more about the mysterious Wayren
I found Rises the Night to be an easy read that has many levels of complexity and information. I didn't need to read The Rest Falls Away as it stood alone fine on its own. I will, however, be buying it since I now want to collect this series. Congratulations Ms. Gleason you turned this non-historical romance lover into a believer! I look forward to more of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles.
5 KissesLabels: Rating 5
On the Edge, for BE Reviews
On the Edge by Shannon Stacey Samhain Publishing
Tony Casavetti is due for some extended time off. He has just finished an assignment where he was ousted by the bad guys a little sooner than he expected where his trusty assistant over the com port, Charlotte Rhames, helped him get through it all in one piece. Before getting his time off, however, he needs to attend an important meeting of the Devlin Group, the privately owned rogue-agency that he works for. He is looking forward to the getting together with the Devlin Group if only to finally meet Charlotte whose voice he has dreamed of for over eight years. While his mental picture of Charlotte is not very flattering he thinks her voice is sexy as hell. Meeting Charlotte and attending the Devlin Group function sets of all sorts of explosions.
Charlotte Rhames has been the Executive Administrator for the Devlin Group for a lot of years. She’s met many of the agents but none of them pulled her like Tony Casavetti. She is hoping that the two of them could turn their vocal parry into something more physical after the tête a tête but unfortunately, when their world is rocked in more ways than one she has to make things right. As she heads back into a world she thought she’d never turn to again she does it with Tony by her side. Charlotte isn’t a trained field agent but this assignment is more personal and she’s the only one who can get close to the man who set off the attack on the Devlin Group. When all the tremors stop, will there be any chance for Tony and Charlotte?
I have been waiting for this book for a very long time. I loved 72 Hours, which was the first book in this series. I couldn’t wait to see the next book. In fact I had it in my mind that it would be Gallagher’s story. I wasn’t expecting this one. My disappointment did not last long, however, because this book kicked butt. From the very start the pacing was on and didn’t let you out of its grip.
I loved the build up to the meet between Tony and Charlotte. I mean, yeah, I knew she was obviously not going to be a grandma but, whoa, she was hotter than anyone would expect, least of all Tony and I loved that he was surprised like that. He seemed a bit cocky and that threw him for a loop. Both Tony and Charlotte’s backgrounds were built into the story so that you were able to understand their actions and reactions. The sparks between the two were evident from the beginning but it was easy to understand how they couldn’t just be together immediately.
There are some truly shocking moments in this story and my heart was thumping as I wondered how far it would go. I was right there with Tony in thinking this couldn’t be happening. I was right there with a heavy heart, hurting for both of them. It was powerful. I don’t really want to get into what this was because it is something the reader must experience to understand but it was very well done and very awkward to get around. Ms. Stacey handled it brilliantly, in my opinion.
Some books are easier to write a synopsis of than others. There are things that happen in this book that made me cringe and things I can’t disclose in the review without giving away more than I want to. I just truly believe you need to read this book. Then re-read it. It is good and if I tell you more than that, it will spoil it.
I will now start my letter writing campaign to Ms. Stacey about the third installment in this series. Surely she must have them all written and is just torturing us with the wait for the next one?
I give this a 5
Labels: Rating 5
Kiss Me Deadly, Review for RD
Kiss Me Deadly by Susan Kearney Tor Romantic Suspense, July 2007
While driving home from work Mandy Newman, a lawyer dealing in divorces, is run off the road by someone she assumes is an angry ex of one of her clients.
While shaken she tries to move past the ordeal and concentrate on taking care of her baby daughter with the help of her mother.
When she and her co-workers discover they have won the lottery and millions of dollars she is on cloud nine.
Not even a face to face with her daughter’s father can bring her down, especially since he doesn’t know he’s a dad.
As one of her co-workers is murdered and the rest are being targeted by a killer Mandy has no choice but to accept help from the one man she is trying to avoid – Zack Taylor.
Zack is a DEA agent who on leave after a rough assignment turns sour. When he comes face to face with Mandy Newman again after almost two years all he can think about is how she made him feel when they were together, and the night of passion they shared. He has no idea that one night created a child he never knew he wanted. But when Mandy is threatened and his family is jeopardized he starts to understand that he can deny his feeling all he wants but he would do anything to protect those he loves. He must now catch a killer before the killer catches them and destroys any hope he has of starting over.
Kiss Me Deadly gripped me from the first page, all the way through to the end of the book. I love how Ms. Kearney has made Mandy both tough and vulnerable, showing first one side and then the other. When faced with possible impending death her thoughts were only of getting home to her daughter, which, as a mother, I found completely heart-wrenching and believable. Zack Taylor is an Alpha male but he comes flawed and we see tenderness creep through that makes him not so Alpha that you want to smack him. He was still the hot hero, but without the “me Tarzan, you Jane” mentality that so many Alpha males have.
The suspense in this book builds as you are taken back and forth between various scenarios and trying to get a feel for who the villain is. While I started to suspect fairly early on who it might be, I did change my mind a number of times, and even expected that I would be wrong. Layered in with the suspense and main love story we get to know the supporting characters and feel their lives are integral to the story – you find they are much more than people thrown in to add red-herrings or pad the story; they are living breathing beings who made Kiss Me Deadly rich and textured.
If you are looking for a romantic suspense that alternates between sizzling, tense and nice sweet “aww” moments then I suggest you pick up this book.
I give this 5 kisses.
Labels: Rating 5
Kiss of Midnight, for BE Reviews
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian
Bantam Dell
http://www.laraadrian.com
Gabrielle Maxwell’s life hadn’t started of so well. Apparently abandoned by her mother in a garbage bin, she made her way through a variety of foster homes before she was adopted at age twelve. By then Gabrielle was quite independent and had learned she was “different”. That difference led her take amazing photographs of lonely, deceptively, deserted places. While out at a night club, celebrating the success of a good gallery showing, she witnesses a brutal and bizarre murder and no one believes what she saw.
The murder and her photographs bring visitors to her door. These visitors aren’t from Gabrielle’s world – they are vampires. One of them, Lucan Thorne, wants to protect her and is passionately drawn to her. One of them only wants to use her in a mounting war between vampires, and then discard her as dead.
Lucan is a Breed warrior, sworn to protect his kind against the threat of the Rogues. What he doesn’t know is that the Rogues have a new leader and the battle he is staging is going to be one that they’ve never seen before. He never expected, or wanted, to bind himself to a mortal woman, but Gabrielle is not just any woman. She is a Breedmate, a kind of mortal woman that is able to bear the children of a vampire.
While Lucan and Gabrielle fight against an unknown enemy, as well as their feelings for each other, they discover that fate had brought them together when she was a baby and destiny brought them together now.
Kiss of
Midnight drew me on the very first page and didn’t stop until I was finished.
I eagerly wanted to read each page and each word lead me to the next.
I found all the characters believable and their relationships something I could relate to or at least understand.
Lucan was hot from the minute I “saw” him watching Gabrielle across the crowded dance floor of a night club.
At that point all I knew of him were a pair of sunglasses but I sensed so much more.
Gabrielle had a great mix of independence and loyalty; she had passion for her work and friends to have fun with. Behind all of this I felt an aching in Gabrielle to really belong that I can’t put into words but that I really felt as her characterization was further expanded. When she met Lucan that aching started to diminish and I was knew they were right together. That may sound odd but there are so many times in books where the lead characters meet and I don’t believe it - I don’t believe their relationships or that they were connected so quickly. In Kiss of Midnight I believe all of it.
It takes a true craftsman to layer characterization and build relationships in such an intricate weaving that the reader is drawn in to the tale. Lara Adrian is that true craftsman. Also, even though Kiss of Midnight is the first in a series, which I knew before I started reading it, the book was written in such a way as to show the entourage of Breed warriors without doing it in an obvious “oh yeah, this is heading to a series” kind of way. That usually dulls the reading slightly for me.
All in all, Kiss of Midnight was an excellent read. I am excited to see Ms. Adrian continue on with this series and look forward to the release of Kiss of Crimson. I
I give this a 5
Labels: Rating 5
Hallowed Ground, Review for BE Reviews
Hallowed Ground by Lori G. Armstrong
Bear Butte county PI Julie Collins is struggling to learn the business while her partner dears with his own issues. Left on her own she gets involved with a case that leads to several disturbing murders. While trying to track down a missing girl, nothing is what it seems and everyone around her is getting hurt.
Hired to find the missing girl by Tony Martinez, Julie starts to get suspicious when things don't add up. Nothing about the case, or her feelings for Martinez, are simple and as the body count rises she becomes the next target for the killer.
From page one of this book I was taken in where, frankly, I didn't expect to be. I'm not sure why. The blurb on the back of the book is good but something in me hesitated. Maybe I've just read too many "just ok" suspenses lately so I didn't want to expect too much.
Hallowed Ground has a lot going on from a missing child and a Lakota Holy group, to rival Casinos and an east coast crime family, reminiscent of the Mob. Add to that one badass hero who heads a version of what I assume to be the Hell's Angels. Even with all that the author keeps everything straight. There was no time where I had to go back and re-read something to figure out what she was talking about. The only thing I was kept guessing about until the end was who did it and I love that.
Told in the first person we get to see the world through Julie's eyes. She is a is a kickbutt heroine, with a scarred past and an interesting way with dealing with things. She's tough and yet, not so tough. Like so many of us, her mouth gets her in to trouble on more than one occassion - she's feisty and real. I like her, although I'm not sure I'd want to hang around with her, as trouble seems to follow wherever she goes.
Having not read the first book in this series, Blood Ties, I will now be placing it on my to be read list. While this is definitely a stand alone book I'd like to see more of Julie Collins and her world. Ms. Armstrong has me hooked and it looks like I will have to wait for November of this year for the third installment. I highly recommend you get Hallowed Grave.
I give this a 5Labels: Rating 5
Precious Things, Review for RORR
On her way to a job interview with one man at Bulwark Mutual Funds, Jewell Kincaid witness an employer being rude to his employees and stops to intervene. When she realizes he is hearing impaired she signs to let him know what she thinks. She finishes her interviews and leaves, and although acing the interviews she is unsure what standing up to a manager at the company will do for her hiring chances. When she is hired on for a higher position that what she applied for, with a higher salary to match, she has no idea what she’s in for.
When Jewell Kincaid stands up to BP (Benjamin) Roth he is taken aback. After perusing her resume and seeing how well she can handle herself, in addition to the fact she is fully capable of using ASL, he decides to manipulate things and hire her himself.While he hires her based on his libido Benjamin has no idea that it is his heart that is in danger.
Together Jewell and Benjamin become a formidable force in the office, both personally and professionally. As they draw closer together Benjamin’s life explodes. The murder of his sister rocks his already fragile world. Being brought up by an abusive father and a seemingly indifferent mother has made him tough. Very tough. The only one to get through to him, before meeting Jewell, had been his sister, Victoria, and now she was gone.
Can Jewell show Benjamin that love makes all the difference and that she will stand by him no matter what? Or will Benjamin retreat to his cold, silent world where it is easier to not love anyone than continue to be hurt by them?
Katelyn Hughes has done a masterful job at creating both these characters and the world in which they live. I love the way she has made Benjamin both soft and hard with his emotions. The way he is at war with himself, the way he strives to be better than he is told he would be, yet how he believes that he is unlovable, touches the reader. It would easy to let him fall to the bitterness yet Ms. Hughes intersperses sections where you can see how much love and tenderness this hero really has. Jewell is no wilting lily either; even though she is sweet and giving she is also feisty and strong. She stands up for herself when needed and realizes when just stepping back is a better idea. Growing up in a diverse, loving family has given her a solid background and her family’s back story is very well thought out.
My one and only caveat for this story is if you buy it based on the cover, as some people do, then you will be slightly confused as it really has nothing to do with the story. Also, for myself, I didn’t really like the addition at the end of the story where the heroine is pregnant. I think this was a typical plot line in an atypical book. It wasn’t needed as the book “had me from hello” so to speak. However, this is a minor thing and it didn’t upset me too much. With writing this good I’m not sure there’s much to ruin.
Precious Things is wonderful, touching novel that will leave you, at times, gasping in horror at how awful people can be and then smiling in delight at how good they are. This isn’t your classic good versus evil, although there is that element, it is the growth of two people, both individually and as a couple, and how they come together to prove that love is a precious thing that can overcome even the most heinous of circumstances.
I give it a 5Labels: Rating 5
Desert Guardian, Review for WCP
Desert Guardian
Wild Child Publishing.com © 2007
Title: Desert Guardian
Author: Karen Duvall
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
ISBN: 1-60154-014-0
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Length: Novel
Release Date: October 2006
Kelly Bancroft has found the location of the crazy cult her brother has joined, determined to bring him home. Easy, right? Not really, since she has absolutely no idea what she’s in for and the time she’s already spent there has been a bit of a blur. Everything is not what it seems and what she hoped would be a simple matter of talking her brother out of his depression turns in to a desperate attempt to save both his life and her own.
Sam Reed is a cult intervention specialist hired to rescue both Kelly and her brother. He’s played rescuer/kidnapper before and is known as The Arrow. Unfortunately, this time he’s dealing with a cult leader that both wants something from him and has kept something from him. This time the cult he needs to infiltrate brings memories that are a little too personal. Sam’s not sure he can keep the focus he needs to get the job done.
Star Mother has all of her people believing they are going to a wonderful new world. She has strict rules and they must be followed but very soon a new life will await all of them. Unfortunately, it’s a little too Jonestown and the special elixir she’s been giving them isn’t letting any of her members get any perspective. Can Sam and Kelly join forces and help each other or will a fanatic take down a large group of people with her crazy visions?
Desert Guardian is a fast-paced well-written romantic suspense. Other than watching the Jonestown massacre movie on tv, and perhaps seeing some other news clips, I am not familiar with cults other than wanting to stay away from them. Ms. Duvall has painted a very clear picture of what life can be like for those who join particular groups and how easy it might be for someone to become acclimated within a cult without even realizing it. She shows how it affects families and loved ones and the very real danger in trying to extricate people from that world.
In a gripping tale the author makes us believe that the hero and heroine must work together to achieve their outcome and that the close contact they have makes their growing attraction for each other very real and intense. As Sam and Kelly walk the fine line between lust and trust they find that in order to achieve their final goal they must depend on each other. Even In the scene where there is a small misunderstanding that leads Kelly away from Sam it is believable because her background has been depicted as such that the reader knows she would have those insecurities. Often I find those scenes in a book and think “but if they just talked to each other” but here between the timing and the heroine’s history it works.
Desert Guardian was a highly enjoyable book that I read straight through. If you are looking for a good suspense with a romantic theme and a new twist on danger, then I recommend this book.
Rating: 5 Cats
Labels: Rating 5
Things To Do review for Gotta Write Network
Things To Do
By Nell Dixon
Romantic Comedy/Romantic SuspenseISBN: 1-59998-136-X
Novel, 311 pagesAugust 2006Samhain PublishingEmma Morgan is an ordinary girl going about her life and conveniently forgetting she is married. She had been married to a man she worked and played with briefly in Antigua and it had nothing to do with her daily life back home in England. Or at least she had stuffed the memories away and merrily gone on with her life. Unfortunately, life has a way with catching up with you and Emma's "husband" came back to claim her, catapulting her into a whirlwind life that is a bit more than she is expecting.
Suddenly Emma is faced with her not-so-secret husband and his "friends," a dog-napper, her sister's cheating fiancé, her female best-friend's possibly cheating husband, and, to top it all off, her mother is dating her boss. Life is not so humdrum anymore. Add to that some gangsters, her male best-friend becoming the man of her dreams and Emma isn't sure what she wants or where she is going, or frankly, if she'll make it there safely.
Things to Do by Nell Dixon is a fun chick-lit style romance with a suspenseful twist. I loved the way she took the chick lit tone and managed to make it at once thrilling and funny. Her heroine Emma is a bit daft, and you kind of wonder how she doesn't clue in more to her suddenly attentive husband and his secretive ways, but then again sometimes love is blind and lust even more so. She also doesn't see the best friend who's always been there, and her contemplation that he is in love with her sister is all wrong. Again, I think this can be so accurate as we all see ourselves in a certain light and often we don't think as highly of ourselves as we do others. I think this is especially true with dynamics like this heroine's family has.
With all of the twists and turns you would think it would be hard to keep track of who's who and what's what but it isn't. Ms. Dixon has done a good job at making it all seem effortless and the whole storied played brilliantly as a filmstrip in my head. This book combined two of my favourite types of reading - romantic suspense and chick lit. Well done Ms. Dixon!I give this story 5 Guylian chocolates out of 5Labels: Rating 5
Surviving Demon Island - review on RD
SURVIVING DEMON ISLAND
By::Jaci Burton
Bantam Dell, 2006
Paranormal Romance
Top female action star, Gina Bliss, signs up for a Survivor-like reality show for what she thinks will be a nice break on a tropical island. Unfortunately, she's not prepared when she really must survive more than just the elements. Luckily, the trainer, Derek Marks, is not only hot but he is trained in martial arts, jungle warfare and more. Gina has never let anyone get to close to her and guards both her privacy and heart fiercely. Could Derek be the one to tear down those walls?
Derek is a trained hunter and he has no time for prima donna's, even if they are sexy as hell, but something about Gina brings out the beast in him. When all hell breaks loose, can he trust his instincts to protect his team, or is he being pulled towards an abyss he can never get out of? Will his feelings for Gina be an asset or a liability? In this game of survival it isn't every man for himself, it's all about teamwork.
This book is fantastic. The writing is strong, the pacing tight and the tension very real. You can feel it coil in your stomach as you read page after page. What you think is going to happen and what actually happens are sometimes two different things and that's a good thing in a novel like this. Jaci Burton has done a great job of creating a world that is both intense and real. There are some laugh aloud moments and some holy crap moments.
The romance between Gina and Derek grows, falters and grows again. The intense attraction between them is hot and immensely believable, especially given their circumstances. Sometimes the only way you can hold on to reality is to hold on to someone else.
This reviewer does not normally like books about demons, real or otherwise, but this novel is your classic case of good versus evil and it is done very well. This is action adventure and romance at its finest. My understanding is that this is the first in a series but unfortunately, the next one isn't due until next Fall. I'm not sure I can wait that long! Go put your name on a list to buy this as soon as it is released. It is a keeper for sure.
5 KissesLabels: Rating 5
Noon review for BE Reviews
Noon by Katherine Warwick Grove Creek Publishing
http://www.ballroomdancenovels.com/ Nicole Dubois has grown up with a silver spoon in her mouth and only the best dance partners money can buy. She's so good that no one measures up. Until her mother hires Noon.
Breck Noon is a boy from the wrong side of the tracks and he has definitely never had the privileges that Nicole is comfortable with. The one thing he does have is moves. He starts out dancing to earn his way out of hardship and ends up loving both the dance and his partner.
Can Nicole and Breck overcome their differences and end up in sync and on top? Or will circumstances rip them apart over and over again?
This is the second novel I have read by Katherine Warwick and where I liked the first one, I loved this one. It was enchanting, gripping and my hands actually started to tense while holding my palm pilot (I was reading it in ebook format). My first glimpse of Breck Noon was that he was an arrogant man who was just taking back something he lost. I was thinking I didn't like him. I was wrong. The backstory of this novel is intense and real and Breck Noon turned into a man to be admired. He refused to let history repeat itself and didn't give up even when there were so many times there was no reason for him not to.
Nicole Dubois is a spoiled, rich girl but eventually she earns some integrity and common sense. Once in a while her decency would peek out but her focus was on dance and how far she could climb. Her solid family background helps to bring her to a more attainable and likeable level.
I found all of the characters in this novel to be well written and believable. While my knowledge of dance is pretty much limited to Dancing with the Stars, I found myself envisioning each dance clearly as the author so delicately details them. Nicole and Breck grow from awkward teens to adults and encounter many trials and tribulations all the way. They even head to the top dance competitions but there are so many twists and turns that who knows which partner(s) may win.
Without a doubt, Noon is a recommended read. Katharine Warwick is well on her way to a great career and I cannot wait to read more from this descriptive author.
I give it a 5
Labels: Rating 5
Dragon Undone Review for WCP
Dragon Undone
Review at
Wild Child Publishing.com © 2006
Title: Dragon Undone
Author: Sara Dennis
Publisher: Cobblestone Press
ISBN: 1-60088-022-3
Genre: Shifter/Fantasy
Rating: Wild
Length: Novel
Release Date: July 2006
Author's Website: http://www.saradennis.com
Berdhan loves his drink and his village, and he's vowed to protect his family since his brother was killed by a dragon. Since Berdhan then took that dragon's life the village assumes he is the one with the knowledge to protect them against further attacks.
Chaia is a dragon, able to take human form. Unfortunately, on one of her practices, she is captured by the men from Weld village, who mistakenly assume they are protecting her from the dragon.
Berdhan and Chaia form a bond and, in a quest to take her home, they learn more than they ever wanted to know about each other and an ancient prophecy that ties them together. Will they be able to unite their two worlds or will their union result in a war?
For one who was never into dragons before, this reviewer has certainly been reading them now, and amazingly, finding them quite enjoyable. I really liked this book by Sara Dennis, although it did seem slightly familiar with the quest to unite the dragons and humans. Ms. Dennis was skillful in her narration of this tale and I was drawn into the story immediately.
I found both Berdhan and Chaia immensely likeable and loved Berdhan's slightly cynical views. Chaia seemed a bit too delicate at first but showed her strengths quickly. For me this book was a fast read and I did not want to put it down, and in fact I stayed up late to finish reading it. The prophecy was handled very well, as was the reaction from the dragons to Chaia's relationship with Berdhan.
I enjoyed everything about this book until the ending. When it ended I had the same feeling I did after watching Pirates of the Caribbean II (and numerous other movies where the ending only serves to make you need to see the next installment) - I was disappointed. I understand wanting to have a lead in to the next book in the series, I just wish it wasn't handled this way. It left me worried and upset. In the Harry Potter series we know there will be more books in the series but each book has its own conclusion, it could stand alone (although why you would want it to is beyond me but I digress). The ending of this book makes it clear you need to read the next book to know what will happen. I would have been happy if it ended even one or two pages back. I'm not saying I won't buy the next book, but what happens if I can't or I miss it or something...then I will never know what happens and THAT will bother me forever.
Ms. Dennis, I loved your story and I would have given you a Freya's Award had it not been for the way this ended. Others may have no problem with the ending but this reviewer needs each book to stand alone and leave her hoping you will write a sequel, rather than forcing her to have to wait for one. Otherwise, your writing is brilliant, creative and, obviously, you will go far.
I give it 5 cats
Labels: Rating 5
Sorcha's Heart Review for Wild Child Publishing
Sorcha's Heart
Wild Child Publishing.com © 2006Title: Sorcha's Heart
Author: Debbie Mumford
Publisher: Freya's Bower
ISBN: 1-934069-19-1
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Sweet
Length: Novella
Release Date: July 2006
Author's Website: http://www.debbiemumford.com
Sorcha wants to prove that she is a strong enough wizard to retrieve the Hearts of Fire amulet and bring about some kind of peace treaty between the humans and the dragons. She is willing to do whatever it takes to get the amulet, even going against her mother's wishes and advice.
The price exacted against Sorcha is much higher than she expected, but out of it comes a new understanding for dragons, and she believes she will be able to help both the dragons and her people. At her side is the one being she never expected to fall in love with — he is a dragon.
Sorcha's Heart held me captive from the word go. The writing is impeccable, and the story is very unique. In the quest to unite two worlds, a heroine finds herself squarely in the middle, with an amazing hero by her side. I am trying to word this review carefully as there are some surprises in this novella and I'd rather not give them away. I love the way the author made us feel for both the dragons and the humans and how I was able to truly be inside Sorcha's mind. I felt everything Sorcha felt. Debbie Mumford has created a world that you feel could really exist.
The problem with this review is I want to be vague because I want you to read the book. I want you to go out and buy this novella and read it and be taken to another land where you will be at once enchanted and awed. The only flaw I can find, and it is slight, is that the ending may have been just a little too cute for the story. That being said, however, it did make me smile and nod. Sorcha's Heart is a wonderful romantic fantasy by Debbie Mumford.
I give it 5 cats.
Labels: Rating 5
I Did (But I wouldn't Now) Review for Rites of Romance
I Did (But I Wouldn't Now)
by Cara Lockwood
Downtown PressLily Crandell is separated from her crazy rock-star husband only to find herself in trouble for some of things she did in retaliation. She flees to London to avoid seeing photos and hear constant news of her ex and his silicone filled actress/girlfriend. The only problem is she wasn't quite supposed to leave the country.
In London Lily hides in the flat of an ex-boyfriend, now best friend, who has commitment issues of his own. Add to the mix a high-flying soccer stud who thinks he's God's gift to women, a totally deranged stalker girl, a hugely pregnant sister who thinks her husband is cheating and a tiny dog with incontinence and you have a lot of fun packed into one novel.
When I first started reading this book I wasn't quite sure I liked Lily Crandell, as she herself admits, she is a bad person. However, you look beyond some of her deeds and see the reasons and you have to agree that there are times any one of us would love to retaliate the way she does. Most of us don't actually follow through but, like reading any of the tabloids, it's a guilty pleasure we'd love to act on if only just once. So, in the end I was cheering for her because really, even though she'd made bad choices, she did it mostly from love (I think). I also loved the story between Lily and her old flame. Who among us hasn't longed for that friend to become something more?
I Did (But I Wouldn't Now) is a truly delightful read and as I headed towards the home stretch I was actually laughing out loud at some of the antics. If you want an entertaining story that will make you forget about your own problems I highly recommend this one. As far as chick lit goes this is one of the best I've read.
I gave this a Full Moon (the best rating available on Rites of Romance)
Labels: Rating 5
Bound By Blood Review for Rites of Romance
Bound By Blood
by T.C. Lotempio
Whiskey Creek PressTop New York investigative reporter Leigh Hartley is a recently divorced mother who is trying to make the right decisions for her and her teenage daughter, Rory. When she inherits an old manor that's been in her family for centuries, she figures it's a good opportunity for her and Rory to get away from the big city and start fresh. What she doesn't realize is that the estate comes with attachments more pressing than the six months Leigh is required to live there in order to complete the inheritance.
Paul Devlin is a detective on the hunt for a serial killer. Unfortunately for him he lives in a town where they believe that spirits and ghost stories actually do come true. What's worse is he's not so good with ghost stories.
Leigh and Rory Hartley find that Coltonville is a whole lot more interesting than they'd initially anticipated, and not necessarily in a good way. No one in town is who or what they seem to be. Who can they trust? Can they even trust their own intuition? In a race against time they will discover the key to the killer is in their own house and in their ancestry.
I'm not sure my blurb for this story does it justice. Frankly, I didn't know what to include because there is so much going on in this book, and for once it is a good thing. I think my heart rate was kept at an accelerated pace during the entire book, in fact, it probably increased as I read further. The suspense and spine-tingling effect of Bound by Blood is really that good. While I sort-of guessed who the killer was, I changed my mind quite a few times and even then I didn't expect the ending, although I guess I did in a way. Now I'm sure that is a confusing sentence but you will have to read the book to understand.
Honestly, this book was excellent and I don't normally read books about spirits and witches. Frankly, I don't appreciate going to bed completely scared, which I did after reading this book. It wasn't scary in a "boo" kind of way but it was frightening nonetheless. The only bad thing I can say about this is that it head-hopped quite a few times and there was a thread of information between Rory and her father that I would have liked to have seen resolved because stuff like that should not be left undone. Despite this I have to give this story a Full Moon because as a suspense novel it absolutely hits the mark. If you are looking for a suspenseful tale, a battle between good and evil and a romance all wrapped together, then you need look no further than Bound by Blood.
I gave this a Full Moon (highest rating available for Rites of Romance Reviews)
Labels: Rating 5
