Line of Fire by Cindy Dees

Line Of Fire by Cindy Dees

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cindy Dees delivers once again for this reader.  I have to say, I was worried initially. I did not like Kimberly at first. She was whiny, critical, and seemed very shallow. She was almost like Carrie Bradshaw in the jungle, but with a deliberate anti-military stance.  I kept reading parts and putting this down for other books and to do other stuff. But since I am a big fan of this author, I wanted to give it a chance. Plus, I definitely liked Tex. 

I would say at about page 75 is when I started liking Kimberly.  I learned more about her, why she is so hard on military men, and why she's determined to work to shut down the special ops units.  When she gets kidnapped with Tex and transported to the Gavarone rain forest, she learns first hand why soldiers like Tex are needed, and worthwhile.

I really liked the survival aspects of this book. Tex proves he definitely knows his stuff as far as being an elite special ops soldier good in the field, keeping them both alive and using what little resources that come their way. The survival elements felt realistic, although I feel that some of the steamy romance seemed less likely, since they weren't able to bath or brush their teeth at first. Maybe I'm too fastidious, but I wouldn't feel sexy if I was dirty, sweaty, hadn't been able to brush my teeth for a couple of days.  But, fortunately, I do know how to suspend my disbelief. And they do pick up ginger root and mint leaves along the way, and find a lovely fountain to bathe in before they actually did the deed.

I will say straight up that I loved Tex. He is all that and a bag of chips.  He's just a bit cocky, just enough to be realistic for a Spec Ops soldier.  But more than that, he is a really genuine, hardworking, resourceful, honorable man who truly believes in protecting others and putting his life on the line for his country and for those who are in need.  He has some vulnerabilities because of a past breakup and his mother leaving when he was a kid, that crop up when he realizes he is starting to fall for Kimberly, who is way 'out of his league.'  I was thinking he was way too good for Kimberly, but she shows that she is a good woman for him, and she embraces who and what he is, and this was shown very credibly in the progression of the novel.

The ending was great, both Kimberly and Tex making gestures that showed how much they loved each other and were committed to spending their lives together.  So I ended up believing in the romance 100%, which is good, since I wasn't feeling Kimberly initially.

As far as the action, it was top-notch. That's one of the reasons I like this author so much. She writes the kinds of books I love, a great mix of action and romance. 

This book was sitting on my shelf a long time, and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.  Although it took me awhile, this turned out to be a very enjoyable book.



View all my reviews

Married to the Enemy by Ann Major

Married to the Enemy (June Grooms, #2) by Ann Major

My rating: 4 .25 of 5 stars


This was a lovely little contemporary western romance with a prominent Gothic feel. Stormy Jones has not seen her father since she was five years old. In fact, she was told he died.  She has spent the majority of her life in her mother's women-centered commune, with little to no contact with men.  Yet she feels something missing from her life.   When Jonathan McBride enters her life, she is blown away by his rugged male appeal, and has a sinking feeling he is just what he was waiting for.  He's like the proverbial forbidden fruit, a virile male, and the epitome of what scares her mother and her followers about men. 

Jonathan came to Los Angeles to meet his employer's daughter and deliver important news.  Her father is sick and wants to see her before he dies.  One look at her tells her she's trouble.  He saves her life and ends up in her bed. He is sidetracked by an unfortunate attraction to Stormy that leads to a night of passion.  He wakes up the next day, determined to put Stormy at a distance. His experience with love in the past taught him that women could only destroy a man.  He feels enormous guilt at sleeping with Hugh's daughter, and just wants to forget about it. Unfortunately, Stormy is a hard woman to forget or to push away.   Plus, Stormy still needs to see her father, and when she blurts out a confession of her involvement with Jonathan, the conniving old man changes his will to require a marriage between the two at his death.  Jonathan doesn't want another wife, but he does want his inheritance from her father, and marriage is the only way to get it now.  Stormy feels deep inside that Jonathan is a man capable of love, no matter how hard he pushes her away.  And she's carrying his child, so she doesn't want to walk away.  The problem is, someone keeps trying to kill her. Stormy refuses to believe it's Jonathan, despite the cloud of rumors about his last wife's death hanging around him.

I really liked this book. It had a lot of emotion and intensity.  I liked the Gothic vibe, and I enjoyed the push/pull between Jonathan and Stormy. I love when the hero is hard and rough and wants to push the heroine away, but needs her and the love she shows him.  Jonathan was really quite tortured. He'd had a very rough life and it had taught him that loving and trusting others was a dicey proposition.  Stormy's innocent hope and vital passion was just what he needed in his life.  While he fights his love for her throughout the book, it was enjoyable to see him fall for her.

The western atmosphere was very well done as well. I felt like I was on a cattle ranch in Southwest Texas, where the land is closer to desert than anything else.  This book had a lot more suspenseful vibe than I associate with the typical Silhouette Desires, with someone trying to kill Stormy, and Jonathan's dark past.  I miss these old vintage Harlequins which are full of lots of drama and intensity. The newer books just don't have that zing.

I am glad I was able to read this book. Definitely worth looking up if you want a good vintage modern western contemporary romance.

Overall rating: 4.25/5.0 stars.




View all my reviews

Expecting the Boss's Baby by Leanne Banks

Expecting the Boss's Baby by Leanne Banks

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


I was rearranging my books and came across this one. It caught my eye.  So I ended up reading it. This was a very good story.  I actually liked both characters.  Michael was a man who had lost his mother at a young age, and ended up in the foster system, eventually at The Granger Home for Boys.  Because of that loss, he had determined never to fall in love or give his heart away.  For three long years, he fought feelings for his secretary, Kate, until they had too much champagne, and shared a night of passion. The next morning, he apologized and told her he wanted things to be just business.  Kate never got over that night, because she'd fallen in love with Michael.  She knew it was a risky thing to do, but the heart doesn't listen to logic. When she reveals her pregnancy, Michael has to campaign for her to marry him, to make sure that his child has a family and a secure future that he didn't have.  But that alone isn't enough. He finds that he wants his very wary wife's heart and a chance at a real family.

This was a very good book. Banks thoroughly involves me in this relationship between Michael and Kate.  This book is both emotional and sensual.  I loved seeing their hearts open up to each other and connect on deep levels. I liked that Kate doesn't settle for just part of Michael, because she shows him that he can have more if he does take a chance.  Category romance is such a neat way to get a lovely romance that you can read in under two hours, but get the full exposure, albeit in brief form.  I like marriage and baby books, and with a hero who acts tough and detached, but really is a sweetheart, plus a heroine who is very lovable, what more can you ask for with this book?

I plan to read the other two books about Michael's best buds, who were also in the Boys' Home,
Millionaire Husband and The Millionaire's Secret Wish


Overall rating:  4.5/5.0 stars.





View all my reviews

Secrets in the Marriage Bed by Nalini Singh

Secrets in the Marriage Bed by Nalini Singh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! I can see Nalini Singh's distinctive voice and brilliance with romantic relationship and character development. I was so sucked into this book, I didn't want to put it down to eat dinner. I loved how neither Caleb nor Vicki was the bad guy. They were both good people, but their family dysfunction had wired them with defense mechanisms that don't make emotional openness easy in a marriage.

I loved how the older hero, younger heroine dynamic (10 year age difference) isn't a mere plot point here. Vicki was attracted to Caleb because his strength and his energy, that he is a man who would take care of her and keep her safe; and Caleb wanted Vicki as his wife because of her beauty and her sweetness, her unique elegance. She represents his image of the perfect wife and the happy family he longed for growing up. But the things that attracted them to each other are part of their emotional angst and defenses against the world. Five years later, a lot of unresolved issues build up, and it was good reading to see those walls come down and the healing begin.

What I loved:
*The sensuality was perfect. Talking about Sexual Healing! Since sex was an issue, I did feel that all the sexy scenes were perfect and fitting for this book. And Ms. Singh definitely writes a hot love scene excellently. You could see how deeply Vicki and Caleb cared for each other and desired each other, despite Vicki's programmed hangups courtesy of her grandmother and mother.
*The characters are real and lovable. I adored Caleb's mix of strength and vulnerability. He truly is an alpha man, in the best ways. Very caring and nurturing to Vicki (and takes a lot of stuff off his family because he feels it's right). He just didn't know how to help Vicki or to get past the wall between them, and his issues with his family didn't help matters. I love how they stand up and fight for each other against others and the world, a united front. The evolution that they go through is organic. As the painful issues of their past are healed, I could see the strengths of both of their personalities shine through to reveal who they are truly meant to be.
*I don't normally reach for a married couple romance, but this one is perfect and maybe I am changing my view on that, since I realize I can read about a couple who have to work on their marriage without it being a lot of painful angst and excess drama. I liked that they fought for each other and their marriage because deep down, they didn't want anyone else or to be apart. They just wanted all of each other.
*This book was about two people who loved each other, even if they couldn't say the words. The love is there and it gives me a high to see love conquer all, as it does in this book.


Definitely going on my favorites list!

View all my reviews

The Bridal Price by Barbara Boswell

Bridal Price by Barbara Boswell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fun, well-written update of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew (actually one of my faves by him). In this case, Carling (Katarina) is an only child, the spoiled society princess of a Texas Congressman and wife, and Kane (Petruchio) is a principled, hardworking, focused rancher. If you don't like a heroine with a sharp mouth who isn't particularly nice to the hero, you might want to avoid this book. I was quite impressed with how Kane took many of the verbal darts from Carling cheerfully. I love a hero who doesn't give up on the woman he wants and shows honor in the pursuit. Yes, I love a bad boy, but not a sleazy guy. Kane is an earnest, strong-minded guy and that comes through in his actions and personality. He's not exactly domineering, but he definitely has his ideas about how things should go. I'm not into the whole "I want my wife to stay at home with our kids and just be my wife" type guy, but if that works for a woman, than Kane will definitely appeal. As it was, I still liked him and found him sexy and attractive in this book. He has a rugged, cowboy vibe that really works.

Carling has some growing up to do, but down deep, she is a decent, good-hearted woman, unfortunately a product of her shallow environment. But she has a lot to offer Kane as a wife, and I'm glad that he picked the right woman to pursue in the end. Their love connection made for a fun, sexy reread.

I'd recommend this book to folks who like the Taming of the Shrew dynamic, as well as modern western/ranch-set romances with sexy cowboy heroes.

View all my reviews

Rio: Man of Destiny by Cait London

Rio: Man of Destiny: The Blaylocks by Cait London
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was glad to come back for another visit with the Blaylocks. I love the atmosphere in this book. The modern Western feel. Small town life. Family and friends, and everything in between. The strong, tough Western hero. Rio might not make a habit of wearing his heart on his sleeve, but he feels deeply and woos Paloma with every bone in his body. Works for me! I felt the language was a bit repetitive at times, but I did love the physical and emotional bond between Rio and Paloma, and how Rio slowly showed Paloma that she could open up to him and have a home and family with him. With her sad childhood with a mother who used her and neglected her, she needed to be shown rather than told that she could be safe in a relationship with Rio. To know that she was worthy of being loved. I think he did that.

Although not a technically perfect book, there was enough substance here for me to say I really liked it. Paloma is a survivor, and strong enough to overcome demons of the past to believe in and invest in a future with Rio and in Jasmine, Wyoming. As for Rio, he was yummy. The song "Where have all the cowboys gone?" by Paula Cole comes to mind. If only he was real!

View all my reviews

The Maverick by Diana Palmer

The Maverick (Long, Tall Texans) by Diana Palmer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read any Diana Palmer for a while, and it was very nice to read one of her books again. She is a very funny lady! I like that she has normal kinds of people, and their values are traditional. It may seem hokey, but there are people like that still in the world. I felt like I was going home to visit with family and friends.

Harley came around to be a great hero. I liked that he was a sweet guy. I wasn't sure how she could pull him off as a hero, but he turned out great. I like that Alice is pretty outgoing and did some of the pursuing. Yes, normally I don't like that, but it was cute how she would always ask Harley when they were getting married. I think it helped to break the ice that she was doing some of the chasing. And with his history of being rejected by girls who were on the rebound, I guess he needed to be the one pursued.

If someone argued with my five star rating because the investigation takes too major a role, I couldn't dispute that it does, but it didn't ruin the book for me. It was great to see a heroine who was good at her job, and in a specialized field. And I liked the way the romance unfolded around the mystery, albeit unconventionally.

I was very satisfied with this book. It was a balm to my soul after having so many books that I had to read to read one I really wanted to read. Ms. Palmer remains one of my favorite authors.





View all my reviews

Undercover Man by Merline Lovelace

Undercover Man (Code Name: Danger) by Merline Lovelace

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a most enjoyable spy romance. Lighthearted but also convincing in the spy dynamics (bringing to mind a bit of the James Bond meets Scarecrow and Mrs. King vibe). Even the villain brings to mind the iconic super-villains of the Bond world. I liked Paige's realization of what she was capable of, and that David truly did love her. I also liked that he realized that he had underestimated Paige in his desire to keep her safe and secure in a crazy world. Paige really comes into her own. I also liked that David was a nerd, and a very sexy one! I loved the young French boy, Henri, who becomes a part of the OMEGA family. Paige does exactly what I'd hoped she would do as far as Henri. Maggie, David's partner, has a strong role in this book, and I expect that sparks will fly between her and the head of OMEGA, Adam.


This one earns a healthy four stars and a thumbs up from a fan of the spy genre. Spy + romance.....even better!






View all my reviews

Blaylock's Bride by Cait London

Blaylock'S Bride (Man Of The Month/Anniversary/The Blaylocks) by Cait London

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


Roman Blaylock is a Class A sweetheart. He is such a good guy. I love that he’s all about taking care of people. It was sad what his ex-wife did to him. She seriously sucked. She took advantage of his good heart, stuck him with a child that wasn’t his (although he fell in love with and raised her as his own), and refused to have sex with him. Then, she takes all their money and runs off with some other guy she got pregnant by.

At first, it seemed as though Kallista wasn’t going to be nice enough for him, but she turns out to be the right woman for Roman. She’s all fire, and she’s not afraid of him. Roman likes that she’s feisty and doesn’t fear him, like his ex-wife did. He decides she’s the one for him, although things are very complicated, since she is one of his best friend’s grandchildren, and he has promised to take care of them and his friend’s estate for them. I just loved that Roman was a man who took his promises seriously. He did what he said he was going to do. He didn’t take intimacy lightly, and exercised a lot of self-control when some men would have felt license to do differently.

Kallista is very suspicious of Roman, but it made sense, considering that she grew up with a mother who had a revolving door of boyfriends, some of whom tried to rape her. So I can understand her trust issues. But initially I wanted her to back off of Roman with her assuming he was taking advantage of an old man, when everything showed to the contrary that Roman was a good, kind man. It was good to see that Kaliista grew to trust him, and found herself drawn to Roman, falling in love with the gentle man he was, although he was also a strong, Western man. The kind of man that she’d love to be with if she was able to settle down and to trust in the future.

This was an engaging, quirky read, with unique characters, and a lot of atmosphere. There is always a distinctive feel to Cait London’s books, and that brings me back to her category romances. I always enjoy her books. This one wasn't a five star because some of the narrative seemed a bit repetitive, but it's close enough with a 4.5/5.0 star rating. I am slowly savoring her backlist, and this is another book by her that I’m adding to my favorites list.






View all my reviews

Craving Beauty by Nalini Singh

Craving Beauty by Nalini Singh

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Once again, Nalini Singh worked her magic on me. At first, I wasn't sure what to think. Hira was so mercurial, frigid ice princess one moment, vulnerable, exotic girl-child another, saying hurtful things to Marc. I was thinking I would be disappointed with this story. However, I began to see that Hira was protecting her heart from more damage like what had been inflicted over many years by a father who was a real misogynist, who treated her mother terribly, and restricted Hira's life severely, despite maintaining the appearance of being a loving husband and father. She had been treated like she had nothing to offer besides her beautiful looks and gorgeously-curved body. Her father used her as a business pawn, forcing Marc to marry her if he wanted to court her. Of course, she didn’t know that Marc wanted a real relationship with her. She thought he just wanted a sexy trophy wife.







As the book unfolded, I could see why she kept Marc at such a distance, and was so icy to him, although I hurt as Marc did. By the end of the story, I loved Hira, and I admired her for the strong woman that she was.







As for Marc, I loved him pretty much from the beginning. In fact, I wanted to take him and give him a long, fierce hug. He has a lot of the traits I just adore in a hero. He was a fierce, strong man, a real survivor, but with a gentle loving heart that hid behind steely, cold armor. He'd been abused really badly by his lousy alcoholic parents, who sold him to a thief. He lived on the streets, and was wounded grievously more than once, which was why he had scars on his face and body. I adored this man. Like Hira, his scars were badges of honor to me. This man worked his way up from nothing. Truly, he did have a chip on his shoulder against beautiful women. A stupid rich girl played a cruel joke on him, teaching him he wasn’t good enough without his money and power. Since then, he kept his heart protected. He felt inadequate because of his scars and his ignoble Bayou origins. But, like Hira, being a man who pulls himself up by his bootstraps and makes something of himself, being a strong, powerfully magnetic man spoke highly to me. She called him her fierce desert chieftain, and I felt this was a fair assessment from her viewpoint of admirable men (unlike her father). Also he is very possessive. Another plus in a hero. It gives me tingles! Golden boys born with silver spoons in their mouths don’t resonate with me the same way. If you like Lisa Kleypas's self-made heroes, you would probably like Marc. He definitely gave me that vibe, which always have the power to turn me into a melted pile of hormonal goo. Marc really was the perfect package for a hero to this reader.







Initially, this seemed a little melodramatic, (which ain't necessarily a bad thing since I like drama), but I wasn't sure what to make of it. Hira's innocence and unwordliness seemed too over the top. I had to readjust my worldview and consider how truly inexperienced and sheltered Hira was. Once I got my vantage point straight, I was all in. The intense, honest emotions and the heart-wrenching angst of Marc and Hira's pasts, and how they reach out to orphaned children to give them love (I cried on those scenes and the ones about Marc’s tortured past), and the fiery passion between them (which had me fanning myself as I read), well this was an irresistible package that won me over!



I can't say that all people would enjoy this book. Even those who are fans of Nalini Singh’s newer works, the Psy/Changeling and Guild Hunter books, might not necessarily love this book. However, I believe that the elements that make her a favorite, auto-buy author to me are very apparent in this lovely romance morsel. I’m very glad I got the chance to read this one. It’s going on my keeper shelf with my other Nalini Singh books.







View all my reviews

Lone Star Seduction by Day Leclaire

Lone Star Seduction by Day Leclaire

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


For seven years, Alejandro Montoya (I love this name!) focused on gaining his revenge against Sebastian Huntington, the man who fired his mother and threw them out on the street, all because he had the nerve to get involved with his daughter. But, he never forgot how Rebecca made his heart beat faster, even if he forced himself to believe he hated her. Now, Alex is a powerful man, rich, and determined to show that Sebastian Huntington is not better than him, just because of his Latino heritage and because his mother cleaned his house.



When it turns out that Sebastian embezzled $300,000 from the Texas Cattleman's Club, he plays right into his hands. Now he had the power to bring Huntington down. Even still, the idea of Rebecca being hurt doesn't sit right with him. He does what he can to nail her father, but help Rebecca, because his feelings for her have not dissipated despite his rage at her father.



Rebecca never got over Alex. She didn't understand why he would have made a terrible bet with his old friend from the barrio, "El Gato", that he could sleep with her. She's determined to help her father, even if it means she has to convince Alex to give her a loan against her lingerie shop and work as his housekeeper to help pay off her father's debt. Yet, as much as she wants to keep it all business, and Alex wants to focus on his need for revenge against her father, their powerful attraction keeps getting in the way.



I loved Alex. He was sexy and hot, all man. He was angry, but he really didn't want to see Rebecca hurt. He went out of his way to seek a resolution which would spare her, although he fully intended for her father to pay for his crimes, even if it was losing his ranch and having to move out of town. Alex reminded me of Alex from Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, except all grown up, and a little more of a cowboy. They both have that powerful charisma. I could totally see why Rebecca was head over heels for him.



I liked Rebecca. She had mettle, and even though I didn't like her father, I admired her loyalty to him, which she didn't let blind her to the truth about him. Her actions were understandable. It would have felt cold-blooded for her to completely wash her hands of him.



Ms. Leclaire dealt with the prejudice issue deftly. People looked down on Alex and his family because they were Mexican-American, and his mother was a domestic. Even some of the members of the TCC who had books already did the same (especially Lance and Mitch). I liked that Alex stayed true to himself, and was proud of who he was, but strove to make something of himself to show the snobs where they could stick their prejudice. I was glad that Rebecca wasn't prejudiced against Alex, although she should have taken her father to task for his snooty attitude while she was dating Alex the first time.



I liked the suspense angle, with Alex's shady friend "El Gato" as a major player in Huntington's troubles, with intentions to claim Rebecca as his bride, and Huntington's land so he could play Cattle King. Alex had to resolve his loyalty to an old friend, who had some designs against the woman he loved. He showed some real mettle dealing with his friend, who was clearly a slimy criminal. And it forced him to accept his true feelings for Rebecca.



So far, this is my favorite in the newest Texas Cattleman's Series, at least out of those I've read. I need to read Darius and Summer's story, since I've liked him quite a bit in the books I've read.



Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.



View all my reviews

Inherited: One Child by Day Leclaire

Inherited: One Child by Day Leclaire

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


If you don't like kids in your romance, this might be a hard sell for you. For that's a big part of this story. Billionaire, hard-working businessman, Jack Mason, has inherited his niece after the death of her parents (his sister and her husband) in a plane crash. His niece has serious emotional issues, and has managed to chase off every nanny Jack has hired thus far. Additionally, Child and Family Services is making noises about taking her away. His lawyer gives him one solution: marriage. Jack isn't ready for marriage, but he refuses to let go of his niece, even though she's adopted. So, he decides to advertise for a nanny, and convince her to marry him for two years.







When he has his interviews with nanny candidates, he's impressed with Annalise Stefano from the beginning. She's a good-looking woman, although understated. But she also has a calm, cool, collected demeanor he finds very appealing. And then, there is the masterful way she deals with Isabelle in full tantrum mode. He's a bit worried at her lack of experience, but circumstances occur that prompt him to hire her. She's definitely the best person for the job, able to bond with Isabelle, but also give her a sense of order and security, dealing smoothly with Isabelle's tantrums. Soon, it's clear that he can't keep his hands off her, and she seems to feel the same way. But Annalise is a person who tries to be control of herself at all times, and she wants to put Isabelle's needs first and foremost, which is what he wants too. Yet, he also wants her. He feels that the chemistry between them is too strong to resist. There were some interesting conversations regarding this issue that made me laugh.







The whole time, Jack is thinking about his master plan: marriage. He's sure Annalise is the right person for the job, in many ways. Jack is able to convince Annalise to marry him, and they form a very happy family. However, Annalise is keeping a whopper of a secret that will change things between them in a huge way.







I have to say that I loved this book. It was a slow evolution, although I knew that it was going to be a strong read from the beginning. Day Leclaire writes very well, and I thought her characters were very charismatic, from Jack to Annalise, to young Isabelle. Add in a pregnant Great Dane, and it's magic. But, the ending. Now that was just fantastic. That's what earned this book a five star rating. If a reader is too cynical to believe that lives can interconnect so seamlessly to form a perfect whole, then that reader won't like this book. However, I like to believe that we all go through rough experiences in our lives, but they have a reason, and they open doors to greater possibilities. This is one of those books.







If you don't care for kids in romances, I'd say give this one a try. It wasn't sappy. It was very well done. I don't see how it couldn't bring a tear to your eye.





View all my reviews

Billionaire's Marriage Bargain by Leanne Banks

Billionaire's Marriage Bargain (The Billionaires Club, #2) by Leanne Banks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a pleasant, lighter read. Although I wished for a little more depth from the characters, I did like Mallory and Alex. I prepared myself to dislike Alex, actually. I find I don't tend to care for the rich playboy type in contemporary romances. They can be a little too perfect for me: lots of money and power, lots of charm, lots of sexual skill, but where's the heart? Alex did have heart, even if it was buried. He really didn't intend to fall for Mallory. He got to know Mallory as a favor to her father, who he was courting to get investors for his latest resort venture. However, he found himself being drawn to the sweet, luscious young woman, who seemed so proper but had a wild streak. He was on the arrogant side, but it wasn't excessive or a turn-off for me.



I did enjoy the courtship between Alex and Mallory. I like when the hero does have to do some courting and convincing, instead of the heroine falling instantly into his bed (and in love that is not returned). It's more of an interesting read for me this way.



Mallory was a bit overly insecure. I wasn't sure exactly why. I suppose it was because of the loss her family had suffered. Her mother had withdrawn after the death of her brother, but her father was very doting, so she did get attention. She was treated more like an only child, so I would expected her to be a little more confident. She couldn't believe that Alex would be interested in her, especially long-term. That might be an issue for some readers who don't like insecure heroines. I like that Alex was attentive and affirming to her, even though he believed that his career would always be the most important thing to him, even his wife. His actions showed differently.



Leanne Banks wrote a charming book here. There weren't any major issues that got in the way of enjoying it, although I would have liked to see more character/emotional depth and development, and a bit of a pacing issue towards the end. It's silly to complain about that with a less than 200 page novel, so I won't quibble. Although I wouldn't reach for this if I wanted an intense, dramatic, meaty romance, this was not too fluffy; and the romantic and steamy moments were well done. This book fit in very well between my horror/dark fantasy picks for the month of October.



View all my reviews

First Time, Forever by Cara Coulter

FIRST TIME FOREVER by Cara Colter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book passed my good book test. I loved the characters, I was involved, and I enjoyed the storyline, and it made me feel good and optimistic when I finished the book. Not all books have to have a feel good quotient, but it's certainly nice when they do.



Evan and Kathy were both struggling to do right by the boys they were raising: Evan was a single father with a three-year-old son, and a big farm to run. Kathy was raising her orphaned nephew.



Evan used to be a wild child, raising you know what, and living life in the fast lane. When he got his girlfriend pregnant, he did the right thing, and married her. But she didn't want the settled life of a wife to a farmer, and a mother. She ran off with Jesse and broke Evan's heart. He finally got his son back, and he's determined to do the right thing by him. But, he's still insecure that he's not a good man or role model for his son.



Kathy decided that small-town life would be better for Mac, because he was getting to be at the age where trouble was calling his name. She was thirty-four and still a virgin, and thought her chances at love has passed her by. In fact, she didn't even date. Evan is too gorgeous to ignore, and he has an adorable young son. Could this man be the answer to her dreams, able to be husband to her, and father to her nephew, who badly needs a male influence?



This couple met when Mac vandalized Evan's truck. Evan recognizes the plea for help in Mac's actions, and sentences him to two weeks shoveling manure on his farm. It turns out to be a really good decision on his part, helping to bring these two people and their sons together to form a family. The kids are pretty cute: Jesse and Mac hit it off and become honorary brothers. It was nice to see Mac's sullen teen angst get melted by an adorable kid. Mac's vulnerabilities were realistic in light of losing his mother, and his father rejecting him before he was even born. He feared that Kathy didn't truly love him but saw him as an obligation, and he acted out because of it. Evan did a great job of setting boundaries with Mac, and showing him that parental love is often in the form of loving discipline, an area that Kathy had trouble. Working on the farm gives Mac something to focus on other than his sense of inadequacy and his fears.



This was a really nice, sweet story. It's probably too sweet for some readers. Things wrap up in a nice bow at the end, and that's a-ok with me. Since life isn't really like that, it's nice to read books where that happens.



Kathy and Evan are a good match. They have passion and understanding, and can work past their disputes and uncertainties to keep their marriage going. I like that their love encompassed their children, proving that there is infinite room in a person's heart for people to love. They are two people I can see happily married fifty years from now. It was great spending a couple hours with them and reading about their romance.



View all my reviews

Sold into Marriage by Ann Major

Sold Into Marriage by Ann Major

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really loved this book. It had the right mix of sexiness, angst, intense attraction, and equally intense love. Adam and Josie are two people who shouldn't have ended up together, but perhaps that was their fate, as they connect on a lonely Christmas Eve in Paris. For a moment in time, she isn't his brother's unsuitable would-be fiance' and he isn't the brother of the man who is wooing her.



Josie had a traumatic past, having been unwittingly abandoned to live with illiterate trappers in the Louisiana swamps by her rich family. She made a mistake and got involved with an opportunistic artist, who made a risque naked video of her without her permission, and exhibited it for everyone to see. Her family sends her to Paris while the scandal dies down, where she paints gargoyles and studies art, working in her friend's art gallery, and determined to stay free of men for a while. Lucas Ryder is a Texan who is following in the footsteps of Hemingway, and is determined to be more than a friend to her. When Lucas' mother finds out about this unsuitable woman, she sends Adam to investigate her and possibly pay her off.



Adam sees a seductive and beautiful woman who gives him a show in her window. There is an instant, powerful connection that he can't ignore. He has to be with her, even knowing that she's his brother's girlfriend (at least in Lucas' mind). They share a meal, and end up sleeping together. The next morning, Josie finds out who he is and feels terribly betrayed, and sends him on his way. He's just another man who looks down on her, and is out to use her.



Josie finds out she's pregnant a couple of months later, and her friend tells Adam. Adam goes back to Paris and gets Josie to agree to marry him for a long as she's pregnant, so he can take care of her and make sure that his baby has his family's name. They are both determined to see this as a marriage of convenience, although they are both in love with each other. Josie's insecurity complicates things, because she's afraid to admit to her feelings and constantly pushes Adam away. Adam made some mistakes in his past after his older brother died to save him. He had lived a circumspect life in the present, avoiding 'wild women' like Josie. He doesn't want to be in love, although Josie draws him like no other woman.



I felt for Josie, for how she'd suffered, and how she believed she was unworthy of love. Having been abandoned by her real family for many years, and when she's finally brought home, she was treated as though she was inadequate because of having run wild in the swamps for those years. She stumbled into inappropriate relationships in which she got hurt. When she meets Adam, she felt drawn to him, not knowing who he was. But, when she finds out that he's from a prominent Texas family, she doesn't feel like she can be the wife that he would want. I liked Josie. She was a sweet, kind woman, looking for love, but afraid that she was not worthy of being loved. I liked Adam too. He was deluded about himself, thinking he couldn't fall in love because he didn't deserve it after his brother died for him. He is bewildered by the fact that he fell in love with Josie, who seems so different from his longtime girlfriend, who fits into his structured life.



I liked the emotions in this book, and the strong bond between Adam and Josie. The powerful attraction between them that they had to sort out into feelings that could give them a lasting, loving marriage. I read this book quickly, eager to see this couple get their happy ending. This one was definitely a winner for me.



View all my reviews

Instinctive Male by Cait London

Instinctive Male by Cait London


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Mikhail is the businessman brother of Jarek from Mr. Temptation. After reading Jarek's book and meeting Mikhail, I knew I couldn't put off reading Instinctive Male. It seems that Ellie Lathrop is the woman who can get under his ice cold demeanor and shatter his businessman cool. Ellie is the boss's daughter, who he disliked because she came off as a spoiled playgirl. Initially, he might have seen that part of Ellie, as she adopts this facade to hide a heart broken by her mother's leaving when she was a baby, and an uncaring father who only thought of her as an asset to his own business. Mikhail seems too much like her father, and she can't resist needling him. But years later, she comes to him because he can protect her and her adopted daughter from the wrath of her father, and her selfish sister's attempts to take the girl away from her. Because her sister is actually the girl's mother.

Mikhail knows he's going to help Ellie. Family is too important to him to see her suffer for the loss of her daughter. He is able to see that the carefree girl of the past is gone, and a strong, loving woman remains. Mikhail wants to be her knight in shining armor. He wants her forever, but Ellie is afraid to give her heart, not knowing who she is, since she never knew her mother's love. But Mikhail isn't used to failing. He's playing to win, for her heart.

Mikhail is different from his brother, in some ways. But, I liked him just as much. At heart, they share their love of family, and the strength to claim the women that claimed their hearts.

View all my reviews >>

Mr. Temptation by Cait London

Mr. Temptation by Cait London


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What's not to like about this book? Celibate carpenter hero who is just waiting for the woman who can take his mind and heart off his lost wife, who he's been grieving for ten years? Buttoned-up career woman who's never had much time for romance? Beautiful seaside scenery? And then there's the fact that Jarek is Russian-American!

Jarek takes one look at Leigh, and the possibilities come to mind. He hasn't had a woman in his bed for ten years. When Leigh ends up sleeping in the bed he made with his own hands in the showroom for his family's furniture business, he realizes how good it feels to wake up with her in his arms. But Leigh's focus is on nabbing the account for a swimsuit shop in the hotel run by his brother, so she can continue to protect and take care of her aging hippie parents. She's up to her ears in work and trying to keep her family safe and out of trouble. Romance is just not on her agenda.

It's up to Jarek to show her that there is more than enough room for him in her life, heart, and for her in his bed. He's ready to marry again, and he's got his eye on her.

I confess I have a weakness for Cait London's category romances. They have delightfully quirky, but passionate love stories. She has great heroes that are beautifully masculine, sexy, intense, and deeply-layered. Her heroines are left of center in a way that is very appealing, and reminds me of real life women (who aren't always perfect and 'beautiful' according to Hollywood standards). Her books always have a message about home and hearth, and the rich cultural heritage of various Americans, that we often take for granted.

I loved Jarek's family, with his Texan mother and Russian father,and his brother who's all business. They are loving and fun, embracing Leigh as their new daughter, long before she agrees to marry Jarek. And Leigh's hippie parents made me laugh. I could do much worse for a good Saturday afternoon read.

FYI: Jarek's brother, Mikhail's book is Instinctive Male.

View all my reviews >>

Rich...Rugged...Ruthless by Jennifer Mikels

Rich , Rugged...Ruthless by Jennifer Mikels


My rating: 4.25 of 5 stars
I found myself really clicking with Ms. Mikels' writing style. She has a way of an interesting story. I was drawn into this book, and I felt a connection with the characters. I was intrigued with what made Max Henderson such a cold, unapproachable man. When I found out, it totally made sense. I could see why he had withdrawn from others. His emotional pain made him unexpectedly tortured. Although he was a businessman-type, he also had a rugged, manly appeal that I liked. I could see why Sam fell for him. I thought that Sam was a good counterpart for him. Determinedly cheerful, yet strong and independent, but not without her own baggage.

Their love story was straightforward, but it had its bumps along the way, as they dealt with their emotional issues, moreso on the part of Max. There was a nice, strong vibe of attraction and an appeal to this story. But it wasn't a dramafest in the bad way. It was nice to see their love grow as they spent time together and realized that there was more between them than patient and caregiver.

Since this is part of a series written by different authors that all ties together, there is a bit of vagueness in the description and the characterization of the supporting characters, and loose ends with the mystery of who killed Max's sister Christina, with little resolution on that front. This didn't bother me, because I knew that going into it, and I was more interested in seeing the relationship between Sam and Max unfold. In the end, I was glad I pulled this one off the shelf for my Clean Off My Category Romance Challenge. It turned out to be a very good read.

Overall rating: 4.25 out of 5.0 stars.

View all my reviews >>

Bossman Billionaire by Kathie DeNosky


My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Good story that kept my interest, but not as intense as I would like. The writing seemed a little basic, lacking some emotional depth that I hoped for. However, I am sucked into this series about a group of offspring from a rich playboy who went around planting his seed liberally, and the grandmother executive who is using her considerable means to make sure that they all have happy lives.

Luke was pretty clueless. He was all business. He had this great idea that he wanted an heir to train to take over his businesses. He approached his trusty Admin Assistant Hayley to research into hiring a surrogate, only to find that Tennessee laws precluded a non-married person from hiring one. Next plan was to ask Hayley to do it. Hayley, being an old fashioned girl, and deeply in love with her boss, came up with conditions that included marriage and joint custody, sure that her commitment shy boss would say no. He called her bluff and whisked her off to get married.

Of course, Luke is all business, and spends their wedding night in labor negotiations, instead of romancing his wife. He doesn't even buy her a ring. Poor Hayley. This husband really needs to go to husband school.

Most of this book shows Luke coming to the realization that his feelings for Hayley are quite deeper than he thought, and he'd loved her for a while, whereas Hayley spends her time trying to hide that she's deeply in love with her workaholic boss. And he wouldn't even introduce her as his wife. He still kept calling her by her maiden name and as his Admin Assistant! Boy, was Luke in for a wakeup call. He surely got one, too.

It was a pretty good book, and I'll continue this series. Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.

View all my reviews >>

On Thin Ice by Debra Lee Brown

On Thin Ice by Debra Lee Brown


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
On the heels of the last book I read, this one didn't quite measure up. Rather mean of me to say that. But, it's the truth. However, this was a decent read, and I enjoyed reading it. The best part of this book was the hero, Seth Adams. He was a dreamboat. A mix of strength and vulnerability. Half-native Inuit, he had an insecurity complex fueled by an Anglo father who never truly accepted his mixed son.

Seth is working undercover as a roughneck on the oil drilling site on a remote island in Alaska. In flies high-powered geologist, Lauren Fotheringay. Is she behind the corporate espionage he's there to investigate, or is she just stealing his heart? I wish I could steal this Alaska boy's heart. I'd never give it back. He was adorable.

Lauren, on the hand, annoyed me more than one time. She trusted her upper-crust moneyed fiance implicitly, although he was clearly too slick for comfort. She did everything she could to get herself killed more than once. Good thing that Seth was always there to protect her. I was about to write her off as a heroine, but she comes to her senses near the end of this book.

This actually was a pretty good book. The mystery was interesting. It has some good action and intrigue, and the Alaska setting was very appealing, if you like midnight-dark, bitterly cold, and nasty blizzards (which I do). I think I would have enjoyed it more if I could like Lauren more than I did. She wasn't the worst heroine ever, but she was pretty annoying, and unworthy of Seth, in my opinion.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, if you like yummy, half-Native American sexy cop heroes, and the winter/cold setting at its best, and you have a desire to spend a few hours reading a romance story set in Alaska. I wasn't going to keep this book initially, but Seth is too sweet to give away. :)

View all my reviews >>