Romance Book Review: With A Twist

Author: Heather Peters
ISBN: 9781603105835
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Publisher: Red Sage

Purchase this book here through: Amazon

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Quick novella featuring an older woman, Ava, celebrating her 40th birthday. Sitting on a bar stool at her bar Ava is approached by a younger man, one that looks familiar. It turns out that Shane is the ex-fiance of the woman, whom her ex-husband had an affair.

As she gets to know this gorgeous younger man she has to battle the demons about being the younger woman and learning to enjoy the new passion in her life with Shane. Well written erotic romance with a fabulous story line.

Description:
Forty year old Ava Denotti needs a hefty dose of self-confidence.  Can she get it from the twenty-nine year old  former fiance of the woman that ran off with her husband?

Tattooed, Bad boy Shane Sullivan is determined to make up for the time he wasted with the wrong woman.  He's finally given the opportunity to pursue an attraction that's always been forbidden. Sexy Ava Denotti is all woman, and he wants her- in every position possible, and he wants her bad.

The two kicked to the curb ex's prove the end of one relationship can often be the beginning of something so much better. And falling in love can be a sweet revenge.

Romance Book Review: Falke's Peak

Author: Anna Leigh Keaton, Madison Layle
Series Connect: Puma Nights
ISBN: 9781426890987
Genre: Erotic Romance, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, Shape-shifter Romance


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Dakota and her friends were suppose to head out on a girl's only vacation, but one of her friends has to back out and the other winds up bringing her fiance along for the trip. Rather than become the odd man out, once again, Dakota decides to split off from her friends and find some adventure on her own. When she spots a sign offering hiking trips into the mountains she decides to find out more.

The Falke brothers own a hiking and adventure business. Their unique service offers a little bit of extra protection in the way of a people friendly cougar to take on tours. That cougar happens to be one of the Falke brothers in his shifter form. When Dakota comes into Catamount Outfitters looking for a guide for a hike, she meets all the sexy Falke brothers. Owner of the business Axel decides he wants to be the one to take Dakota on her trip.

With he in human form, and his younger brother Gunnar in cougar form the three head out for a three night stay out in the wilderness. All goes well until the brothers realize that they both want Dakota for their own. Trying desperately to keep his hands off the client may be the hardest thing Axel and Gunnar ever do, because they both suspect that Dakota may be their one and only mate.

This was a very enjoyable read. Those who like paranormal will like the angle of the cat shifter and scenes with Dakota coming to terms that the cougar acting like the house cat.


Description:

She couldn't believe her eyes.

Stressed out ad-exec Dakota wandered into Catamount Outfitters in search of a guide for a wilderness excursion. She didn't expect to be greeted by not one, but five of the most ruggedly delicious-looking men she'd ever seen. Not to mention a live cougar guarding the shop.

The Falke brothers have more than just good looks in their genes.
Eldest brother Axel agrees to guide Dakota on her mountain trek. In cougar form, Axel's twin, Gunnar, was there as a protection from predators-but he had his eye on the sexy client instead.

Into the wild...

While the rule with clients was "paws-off," both Axel and Gunnar couldn't resist Dakota's seductive Native American beauty and determination. As cold days led to hot nights in the cabin, Axel and Gunnar wondered if they'd finally found a woman strong enough to tame them...

Romance Bytes: What I Did For A Duke

Author: Julie Anne Long
Series Connection: Pennyroyal Green Series
ISBN: 978-0061885686
Genre: Regency Romance
Publisher: Avon

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Description: 
For years, he's been an object of fear, fascination . . . and fantasy. But of all the wicked rumors that shadow the formidable Alexander Moncrieffe, Duke of Falconbridge, the ton knows one thing for certain: only fools dare cross him. And when Ian Eversea does just that, Moncrieffe knows the perfect revenge: he'll seduce Ian's innocent sister, Genevieve—the only Eversea as yet untouched by scandal. First he'll capture her heart . . . and then he'll break it.

But everything about Genevieve is unexpected: the passion simmering beneath her cool control, the sharp wit tempered by gentleness . . . And though Genevieve has heard the whispers about the duke's dark past, and knows she trifles with him at her peril, one incendiary kiss tempts her deeper into a world of extraordinary sensuality. Until Genevieve is faced with a fateful choice . . . is there anything she won't do for a duke?

Romance Byte: Against the Law

Author: Kat Martin
Series Connection: The Raines of Wind Canyon
ISBN-13: 978-0778329404
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Mira

Purchase the book through: Amazon


Description:
At thirty-two Dev is "mostly retired" from Raines Investigations, content to run operations from his sprawling Arizona home. But Dev has never been able to say no to a beautiful woman, so when Lark Delaney comes to him for help, the former U.S. Army Ranger from Wind Canyon gets back in the game.
Lark is sexy, successful and dedicated to tracking down the baby girl her sister gave up for adoption. It should be a straightforward case, but it's not long before Dev uncovers a shady adoption ring and worse—the child's parents have been murdered and the little girl has been taken.

As the case grows dangerous and Lark needs him more than ever, Dev can't ignore his growing attraction for her. He also can't trust his judgment with women or the emotions he's long-since buried. But there's a chance, if he gets this right and saves Lark's niece, that he'll end up saving himself, too.

Romance Book Review: My One and Only

Author: Kristan Higgins
ISBN-13: 978-0373775576
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: HQN
Release Date: March 29, 2011

Purchase this book here through: Amazon

Usually, when I get a book this early before publication, I try to wait to review it until just before the book comes out so that those interested will have it available. The problem was I opened the book to read the first few pages and I was hooked. It only took me about a day to read the whole 382 page book, because I just couldn't put it down.

I've read a couple of Kristan Higgins books and I am totally in love with her style. She has a way of keeping the reading interesting, using mostly whit and charm. Here heroines are spunky and heroes are sexy and charming enough to keep the attention of the strong female characters.

In My One and Only, Harper is a divorce attorney who meets her ex-husband again for the first time after 12 years. Her step-sister and his step-brother are getting married. The young couple have only known each other for a few months, despite being in laws for a short time many years back, and Harper is sure her step-sister, whom she dearly loves, is making a mistake.

The book opens with Harper deciding it is time to take the bull by the horns and propose to her longtime boyfriend, firefighter Dennis. Dennis is sexy and in his own way quite charming. He spends most of his time calling Harper "Dude". That should give you a good idea of his personality.

Dennis is nothing like her former husband, Nick. The story is written in the first person from Harpers point of view, but Nick's personality shines through the pages. He never stopped loving Harper after all these years, despite the fact that he had remarried and divorced.

One of the things I love about Kristan Higgins' writing is through even through the hard emotional times she keeps up the whit and the banter completely naturally. Keep an eye out for the book. It will be well worth the read for those who enjoy straight contemporary category romance Harlequin style.

Description:
Divorce attorney Harper James can't catch a break. Bad enough that she runs into her ex-hubby, Nick, at her sister's destination wedding, but now, by a cruel twist of fate, she's being forced to make a cross-country road trip with him. And her almost-fiancé back at home is not likely to be sympathetic.

Harper can't help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick's eyes, Harper's always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting—just around the bend.

Romance Book Review: The Lust Boat

Author: Roz Lee
ISBN: 9781603105958
Genre: Erotic Romance
Publisher: Red Sage Publishing
Publishing release date: Feb. 28, 2011

Purchase this book through: Amazon

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Ryan hasn't been happy for a long time. When he sees Candace board his "floating den of iniquity", The Lothario, he knows that she is the right woman to him. After spending years held up in his stateroom he comes down and meets the woman of his dreams.

As soon as Candace makes her way on to the "Lust Boat", the Lothario, she realizes that her friends have sent her on more than a simple singles cruise to get her grove back after her fiance calls off their wedding. Lucky for her she has latched to a man who is willing to let her take things at her pace. But when she finds out exactly who Ryan is will that be the end of their budding relationship?

This book is one wild sex scene after another. If one is looking for a book that might hold with step-by-step lessons in the art of love making this one would be a fun start. Well written and exciting sex scenes. A great romance story amongst the sex scenes.  

Description: 
When her fiancé called off the wedding and told her he'd had better sex with a blow up doll, Candace traded in her honeymoon cruise for a week on the Lothario, the most notorious ship to ever sail the high seas. Little does she know that Ryan, the sexy passenger who offered to be her escort as she samples all the ship has to offer, is really Ryan Callahan, the ship's playboy owner.

Ryan Callahan is single, rich, and considered quite the catch. Two years ago he and his business partner launched the Lothario, a floating den of iniquity where passengers can indulge their every sexual fantasy, but since the ship docked following its maiden cruise, Ryan has been so scarce he's earned the nickname, Monk, until sweet, naïve Candace coaxes him out of his tower, heats his blood, and steals his heart. But will she still want him when she finds out who he really is?

Romance Book Review: Secrets Everybody Knows

Author: Charlotte McClain
Series Connection: Weaver Circle
ISBN: 9781616502362
Genre: Sensual Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Lyrical Press

Purchase this book through: Amazon

When Elaine was 16 years old she fell in love with Johnny. They had to keep everything secret because she was too young for him. For a year the two met in secret, until he left town fearing he would do something that they would both regret and he would end up hurting the girl he loved.

Johnny didn't go back to his small town home after leaving, because he couldn't face her. When his mother calls him needing him to come home because his father is ill and she needs his help he sees this as his chance to make everything right.

Now he's back and Johnny wants to be with Elaine so bad, but he can't because once again he doesn't want to ruin Elaine's school teacher reputation.

This is a beautiful love story about two people who love each other but can't get around the circumstances of living in a small town. There are no sex scenes in this book, and at times the hero and the heroine aren't even together, but you can feel the love the two have pour through the pages. Very well written, can't wait to check out the rest of the series.

Description:
Love can’t flourish in the dark.

Fifteen years ago, Elaine fell in love with Johnny McMannus, the local bad boy. He was nineteen and she was jailbait. To keep them both out of trouble, Johnny left town.

But years later his father’s heart attack brings him back to run the family garage. Hoping to reconnect with Elaine, Johnny has to first fix the mess his parent’s alcoholism has made of things.
Before Johnny can deserve Elaine, he has to salvage his family’s reputation, save their home, and
rescue the business.

Too bad Elaine doesn’t want to be deserved. She wants to be loved. She never got over
Johnny and she’s done sneaking around with him as they had before. If he can’t love her in public,
to her way of thinking he doesn’t love her enough.

Warning: Nosy neighbors, hypochondriac mothers and underage girls.

Romance Book Review: Foolish Notions

Author: Aris Whittier
ISBN-13: 978-1594145841
Genre: Sensual Romance
Publisher: Five Star

Purchase this book through: Amazon

A year ago Samantha left James after finding him in the arms of another woman. When James' mother, Marie, becomes ill and is looking for a nurse to take care of her. Marie decides she wants Samantha to take care of her.

When James calls Samantha's first thought is to say no, but once she sees Marie she just can't and decides she can only help. The hardest part is knowing that she is still attracted to James.

James wants to explain everything to Samantha, but she isn't ready to hear what he has to say.

This is a very well written drama about a love that is meant to last, even after a long time apart.

Description:
Hardnosed-CEO James Taylor years to find the right nurse for his ailing mother, Marie. When his ex-girlfriend Samantha whom he hasn’t spoken to in almost a year fills the position, sparks fly. Passion builds when James and Samantha live under the same roof. Turmoil boarders desire—the two fuse and feed off each other. For weeks things simmer. James is consumed with wanting to explain to Samantha what she really witnessed the night she saw him kissing another woman. Samantha refused to listen. Love and passion can’t be denied and it lures them into the bedroom. The physical intimacy not only uncovers buried emotions, but also the love they have for each other. James feels they are rebuilding what they once shared, while Samantha secretly fears that he may hurt her again. Her heart wants him, but her mind won’t let her forget.

Romance Book Review: Ghost From The Past

Author: Carol Lynne
Series Connection: Cattle Valley
ISBN: 978-0-85715-465-1
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ M-M
Publisher: Total-E-Bound

Book number 22 in the Cattle Valley series brings readers back to the original trio of the series, Rio, Nate and Ryan. A long last love of Rio's comes back from the dead and it appears he will stop at nothing to get Rio back.

Back before Rio and Ryan came together as a couple, Rio was with a man he thought he would spend the rest of his life with. Already in love with Rio, Ryan stayed to help Rio pick up the pieces after the "death" of Rio's lover. Now to upset the life Rio, Ryan and eventually Nate, have built together, "Ghost", Rio's once lover comes back.

Telling Rio he wants to explain everything and get their life back to the way it once was, Rio tells "Ghost" he wants nothing but to go home to his men. Not taking no for an answer, "Ghost" follows Rio back to Cattle Valley bringing danger with him.

A very emotional story as Rio tries to work out his own feelings for his past love, and deal with the emotions of finding his place in the busy everyday life of his partners Ryan and Nate. I really like this story because of the way Carol Lynne works to continue to pull emotions from the original characters in her books.

Description:
Book twenty-two in the Cattle Valley Series

Happily settled in Cattle Valley with the men he loved, Rio Adega wasn’t expecting the one call that could bring his world crashing down around him. “Rio, it’s Chet. You’d better brace yourself, old friend. Ghost has been recovered, alive. He’s asking for you.”

In less than a minute, Rio’s loyalties are tested. Ghost. The one man Rio owed his entire life to was alive. Not only had he unknowingly left the African jungle thinking his mentor and lover was dead, but he’d managed to move on.

How can Rio make amends to the man who gave him everything, while still holding onto the relationships he’s worked so hard to build?

Romance Book Review: Primal

Authors: Lora Leigh, Michelle Rowen, Jory Strong and Ava Gray
Series Connection: Anthology, Breeds, Nightshade, Skin Tight (Ghostland), Skin Series
ISBN: 978-0425239056
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Berkley Trade

Purchase this book through: Amazon

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This anthology is four stories by four different authors. Each short story features a continuation of each author's series. I wasn't familiar with any of the series except for Lora Leigh's Breed story, Primal Kiss. This novella continues where Styx's story ends with Council scientist Broadmore in custody and his brother-in-law Engllas still on the run. Engllas knows he needs to stay off the breed radar and keep his daught Kita safe from not only the Breeds, but the council and other enemies.

Kita is tired of living with her father and uncle's mistakes and is ready to live her own life. She is under the protection by her father's hired security man Creed. Creed has a lot of secrets. His main goal is to keep Kita safe and close because he knows she's his mate.


This story brings some of the existing story line to a close and continues into the next in line of the series which will be Navarro's story. That book is scheduled to come out in April.


Jory Stong is another of my favorite authors and I'm looking forward to checking out the Skin series that Skin and Bone from Primal was about.


All and all for those who are fans of these authors. This is a good book filled with short stories.


Description: 
Lora Leigh is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for her intense erotic romances.
Michelle Rowen is a paranormal romance author of vampire novels for Grand Central who resides in Southern Ontario.
Jory Strong has had twenty-two romances published by Ellora's Cave and has won numerous awards for her writing. She lives in California.
Ava Gray is the pseudonym for author Ann Aguirre. She lives in Mexico.

Four all-new stories of primitive desire- with a never-before- published novella of the Breeds.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh returns to her sensual world of the Breeds in an all-new novella that explores just how savage, and how far, a man is willing to go in the name of desire. Plus three other stories of irresistible passions from three masters of hot paranormal romance.

Michelle Rowen's Bleeding Heart
Bleeding Heart takes place a few days after the events in Nightshade.


This novella demonstrates what happens when a dhampyr (half-human/half-vampire) is on permanent drugs to control the vampire part of his psyche, but the drugs make him unable to feel anything. Declan rushes his former lover, Jill, to what might be their last hope: a doctor who can tell them how to remove the Nightshade from her bloodstream. Nightshade makes her blood irresistible to vampires, but it kills them almost instantly. In addition, it is killing Jill. Following double-cross after double-cross, Jill and Declan learn they can only trust each other; are they strong enough to resist emotion-resisting drugs and a deadly potion?

Ava Gray's Skin and Bone
Silas is running from the people who used him as an experiment and if he has anything to do with it he will stay under their radar.  When an earthquake hits he has no choice but to save the woman who gets trapped in the rubble, but he never expects to be so attracted to her. 

Juneau is in Ecuador to teach English to the Ecuadorian children when an earthquake hits and she becomes trapped.  Salvation comes in the form of Silas, but who is this man and what is he hiding from?

Jory Strong's Angel-Claimed
Set in the same world as Ghostland, winner of the 2010 Readers’ Crown, paranormal romance category.  The story of an angel who crosses the boundaries of desire after committing the ultimate sin—falling in love with a mortal female.

Lora Leigh's Primal Kiss
A good girl all her life got Kita Claire Engalls has always stood up for her father, but now she's not quite sure what's going on with him. When she meets bad boy security specialist Creed Raines she decides maybe it is time to become a bad girl and go after what she wants.

There's a lot she doesn't know about the man charged with protecting her. Creed wants Kita more and his next breath. He knows that Kita is his mate, but will she run screaming when he finds out who he really is.

Romance Book Scene Best of 2010 Awards

The following list are best of what Romance Book Scene Review in 2010. 

Over the year approximately 400 books were reviewed and listed on this site. 

And the winners are...

Contemporary/Mainstream Books
  1st Place — Instant Temptation by Jill Shalvis

2nd Place — Leave Me Breathless by HelenKay Dimon

3rd Place — Burning Up by Susan Anderson

Honorable Mention —
Secrets of the Lotus by Michelle Flye
A Time of Love By Barbara Cameron
Something Worth Fighting For by Lena Matthews

Short Stories Romance
1st Place — Do Over by Mari Carr

2nd Place — A Taste of Haven by Sierra Summers

3rd Place — Picture This by Cate Masters

Honorable mention — Arctic Shift by Lissa Matthews

Anthologies Romance
1st Place — Nauti and Wild by Lora Leigh and Jaci Burton

2nd Place — Burning Up by Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra and Melijean Brooke

3rd Place — Summer Brides by Susan Wiggs, Sherryl Woods, Susan Mallery

Cowboy/Western Romance
1st Place — Falling Fast by Cerise DeLand
 
2nd Place — Eagle's Redemption by Cindy Spencer Pape
 
3rd Place — Diablo by Georgina Gentry

Vampire Romance
1st Place — Lover Mine by J.R. Ward

2nd Place — Vampires Not Invited Cheyenne McCray

3rd Place — Vampires Hate Their Thighs by Gerry Bartlett

Fantasy Romance
1st Place — Last Dragon Standing by G.A. Aiken

2nd Place — This Side of Heaven by Fallon Blake

3rd Place — Cast In Chaos by Michelle Sagara

Romantic Suspense
1st Place — Nauti Deceptions by Lora Leigh

2nd Place — Dirty Sexy Murder by Cathleen Ross

3rd Place — Breaking Daylight by M.J. Fredrick

Honorable mention —
Moving Target by Rosalie Stanton
Preja Vu by Alanna Coca
Undercover Housewife by J.J. Keller

Erotic Romance
1st Place — Undercover Lover by Charlene Teglia

2nd Place — Kissing Cowboy by J C Wilder

3rd Place — All Lit Up by Cathryn Fox
 

Paranormal Romance
1st Place — Rapture Untamed by Pamela Palmer

2nd Place — Hunter's Need by Shiloh Walker

3rd Place — Lion's Heat by Lora Leigh

Honorable mention —
Storm Warnings by Toni Anderson
What a Demon Wants by Kathy Love
Dirty Sexy Murder by Cathleen Ross
          
Historical Romance
1st Place — Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn

2nd Place — A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James

3rd Place — Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt

LGBT Romance
1st Place — Jacob's Ladder by Z.A. Maxfield

2nd Place — Hayashi's Hero by Marie Hart

3rd Place — Saving Noah by Carol Lynne and Cash Cole

Honorable mention —
Devlin and Garrick by Cameron Dane
Scarred by Carol Lynne

Series Romance
1st Place — The Breeds by Lora Leigh

2nd Place — The Feral Warriors by Pamela Palmer

3rd Place — Wulf's Den (also, Roxie's Protectors) by Marisa Chenery

Werewolf/Shapeshifter Romance
1st Place — Born to be Wild By Christine Warren

2nd Place — Beast Behaving Badly by Shelly Laurenston

3rd Place — Coyote Gorgeous by Vijaya Schartz

Steampunk Romance
1st Place — Scoundrel by Zoe Archer

2nd Place — Clockworks and Corsets by Regina Riley

3rd Place — The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

Reissue Romance
1st Place — Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts

2nd Place — Dust to Dust by Tami Hoag

3rd Place — Midnight Sons, Vol. 3 Falling for Him / Ending in Marriage / Midnight Sons and Daughters by Debbie Macomber

Love Inspired Books
1st Place — His Holiday Bride by Jillian Hart  

2nd Place — Hometown Princess by Lenora Worth

3rd Place — Treasure Creek Dad by Terri Reed

Best Authors Review For 2010
1st Place — Pamela Palmer

2nd Place — Shelly Laurenston

3rd Place — Lora Leigh