Romance Book Review: Calisa Rhose's Risk Factors

Author: Calisa Rhose

ISBN: 9781616504496

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

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Sweet emotionally charred love story featuring Veterinarian Viv and EMT Conner. Viv meets Conner in a small Missouri town after taking over her uncle's Veterinarian hospital and he brings his daughter's pet skunk in to be checked out. 

The couple are immediately attracted to each other, but as a single father who has been hurt more than once in his life, Conner isn't sure he wants to get involved with anyone right now. But his attraction to Viv is strong and he can't let her go without wanting to see her again. 

Viv is happy with her new life. As usual not satisfying her parents, she has decided she can only make herself happy. When she meets Conner, she is at a time when she wants to settle down with a man she can love. She isn't looking for a one night stand and she's worried that is all Conner is really looking for. As the couple fight their own demons they grow closer, but can Viv break through Conner's tough barriers to get her happy ever after?

I like both characters and felt that although Viv had lots of reasons to step away from Conner, she kept in character being strong till the end. Those who like sweet, (translated very limited sex scenes), and hard working love stories will enjoy this book. 

Description:

Love, like life, is not without risk.

Veterinarian Vivian Dane has purchased her uncle’s practice in the tiny town of Wales, Missouri, where most residents still doubt her ability to treat their pets. But Viv is used to being considered less-worthy than her predecessors. After all, her parents are world-renowned wildlife vets, and most everyone is unimpressed she’s chosen to not follow directly in their footsteps. Now Connor, a patient’s owner, is hot for Viv, but clearly doesn’t think she’s dating material because he has a daughter…who he believes no woman is good enough for.

Being a perfect dad is EMT paramedic Connor’s life focus. He can’t seem to stay away from sexy Doctor Viv, but attraction is as far as he’ll ever let it go. His mother abandoned him, leaving him to be raised in the foster system, and then his wife abandoned both him and their daughter. He absolutely will not risk bringing another woman into his little girl’s life and having her feel the hurt of being left…again.

Forfeiting is easier than attempting and failing. So why does Viv feel compelled to prove she’s a sure bet for Connor and his daughter? Can Connor trust Viv–and himself–enough to play the possibilities?

WARNING: Happy-ever-after mixed with four-legged friends.

Romance Book Review: Nora Roberts' The Perfect Hope

Author: Nora Roberts
Series Connection: Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy, Book #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Paranormal/ Ghosts

Publisher: Putnam Trade Paperback

Purchase a signed copy from Turn the Page Bookstore

The Perfect Hopes brings the Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy to an end with the featured story about the third Montgomery brother Ryder and the Inn BoonsBoro's innkeeper Hope. When Hope first came to town and took the job as innkeeper, Ryder didn't take to her right away. She was too beautiful and everyone made the decision to hire her too quickly. Time has gone by and his feelings toward Hope didn't seem to change much. 

Yes she was beautiful and who wouldn't look at her, but he liked his life. His brothers were both attached to their women, but that wasn't going to be Ryder. 

Hope left D.C. with a broken heart and wanting a change and a new job. When she's offered the innkeeper job at Inn BoonBoro she takes it. It has been a long dry spell of a year since she started her new life. She loves her town and just maybe Ryder would be someone who she can share a sexual relationship with. She's not asking for anything more right now, because frankly she doesn't think Ryder is all the interested in something more. But just sexual relationships have a way of catching up with you and turning into a little bit more. 

In the meantime, Ryder's brother Owen and Hope are continuing to research the details of the life of the woman whose ghost haunts the Inn. Lizzy first made herself known to Beckett in the first book to the trilogy, Next Always. The group is hoping they can find out why Lizzy's spirit is still haunting the Inn. They know that she once had a love named Billy and if they can find the answer to the mystery of what happened to him, who knows, maybe Lizzy can be happy and cross over. 

This book is so Nora Roberts. I was delighted to see that she kept Ryder in character from Book 1 until the series end. Hope is not at all the woman he thought she was at the start and that is good. I really like the character she evolved into. All and all a nice end to a fairly good series. I'm still thinking that My Last Boyfriend is my favorite of the bunch, but this one is neck and neck with it. 

Description:

Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out—with a tough-as-nails outside and possibly nothing too soft underneath. He’s surly and unsociable, but when he straps on a tool belt, no woman can resist his sexy swagger. Except apparently Hope Beaumont, the innkeeper of his own Inn BoonsBoro…

As the former manager of a D.C. hotel, Hope is used to excitement and glamour, but that doesn’t mean she can’t appreciate the joys of small-town living. She’s where she wants to be—except for in her love life. Her only interaction with the opposite sex has been sparring with the infuriating Ryder, who always seems to get under her skin. Still, no one can deny the electricity that crackles between them…a spark that ignited with a New Year’s Eve kiss.

While the Inn is running smoothly, thanks to Hope’s experience and unerring instincts, her big-city past is about to make an unwelcome—and embarrassing—appearance. Seeing Hope vulnerable stirs up Ryder’s emotions and makes him realize that while Hope may not be perfect, she just might be perfect for him…
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Romance Byte: Kelly Gendron's Fatal Promise

By: Kelly Gendron 

ISBN: n/a

Genre: Erotic Romance/ BDSM/ Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Siren-BookStrand, Inc.

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Description:

When Rainey Ann McKenna's dying husband asked her always to be there for his brother, Tex McCoy, she had no idea that five years later her promise would bring a murderer into her home. According to the conditions of his release, for the next three months Tex will be on house arrest. Obligated by a promise, Rainey Ann takes the gorgeous but dangerous felon in.

Tex McCoy may have gone to jail for murder, but after a decade of being incarcerated, he too is dead inside. Resurrecting any of Tex's feelings—including the ones he once had for Rainey Ann McKenna—could be fatal. In jail, he fantasized about Rainey Ann. Behind steel bars it was acceptable to think of her in such a way, but in the real world, it's dangerous.

Yet as desire awakens, Rainey Ann’s threat heightens. After years of being locked up, Tex is ready to reclaim some control, and his fantasy woman is only a touch away.

A Siren Erotic Romance

Romance Byte: Terry Spear's A Howl for a Highlander

Author: Terry Spear

Series Connection: Heart of the Wolf

ISBN: 9781402258930

Genre: Paranormal/Shapeshifter

Publisher: Sourcebooks

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Description: 

A Highland Wolf on a Mission...

Duncan MacNeill is hell-bent on catching the thief who's stolen the clan's fortune and run off to Grand Cayman Island. Duncan has rarely left his homeland and he couldn't care less about an island paradise. He never expected to find a beautiful distraction who will show him just how appealing paradise can be...

Meets a Dangerous Distraction...

Lone wolf and botanist Shelley Campbell headed to the island to study the old growth forests. She didn't count on meeting a handsome Highlander who can't keep his paws off her.

Next book out in May:

Title: A Highland Werewolf Wedding

ISBN: 978-1402266836

Genre: Paranormal/Shapeshifter

Publisher: Sourcebook

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Description:

Elaine Hawthorn is a gray American werewolf, currently out of work, and on a mission to share in a family treasure. When she arrives in Scotland, she nearly has a head-on collision with one hot, kilt-garbed Highlander, and runs him off the road.

Werewolf laird Cearnach MacNeill isn't happy Elaine ruined his car, but he quickly becomes her protector after a misunderstanding lands her right in the middle of two feuding clans. Now he's out to ensure that this sexy female wolf gets her fair share of her clan's treasure. He knows he should leave well enough alone, but it's too late to leave his heart out of it.

Romance Book Review: Pepper Goodrich's Afternoon Delight

Author: Pepper Goodrich

ISBN: not assigned

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance

Publisher: Whisper Publishing

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Recently divorced Nadia meets a younger man who sends a spark through her system. After an afternoon of sexual fun at a home the two are working investigating a property boundary issue. 

Since the two work together, both know that a relationship really isn't an option, but a few sessions of "Afternoon Delight" can't hurt, until someone finds out their little secret.

Very erotic romance with lots of sexual exploration. Cut couple with a few confidence issues.

Description:

When Nadia Reynolds and Jax Madison meet to sort out a real estate boundary issue, instant fireworks spark and business turns into a private showing. A serious relationship is not an option for her, especially since she was thrown over for a younger woman.

Jax is on the fast track to partnership in his law firm and doesn't need the distraction of a sexy entanglement. Nevertheless, he's intrigued by more than her real estate experience, and they have several more "consultations".

When a co-worker threatens to expose their risky business encounters, will their afternoon delights end or can their song become all night long?

Romance Book Review: Sidda lee Tate's Hijacked

Author: Sidda Lee Tate

Series Connection: The Night Series

ISBN: 9781937325596
Genre(s): Erotic Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Beachwalk Press
Publication Date: March 18, 2013

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This book isn't anything but what it professes to be, a quick fun romp between a hot and wild barmaid and a sexy rancher ready to explore life after his divorce with a little love and romance mixed in.

Sharon Blake is working her night job so she can make some extra cash and visit the beach for the first time. She takes on a job at Nights as a waitress. She's young and single so why not have some fun with her job. She sees a handsome Kyle checking her out, so on her break she slips him an invite for some fun in the supply room. 

As the two get to know each other, Sharon realizes that what she's feeling for Kyle is not something she's ever felt before and she's like to do a whole lot more exploring. Unfortunately someone has other plans for Kyle. Will that leave Sharon out in the cold. 

Sometime when I read these short novellas I really wish there was more to them, like in this case it would have been nice to see a little more of the conflict issues, but it is what it is a shore erotic romance and that is good too.

Description:

Will an unexpected encounter leave Sharon's heart hijacked?

When Sharon Blake meets Kyle Phillips her first instinct is to simply seek the pleasure she's certain he can give her. But surprisingly, she feels a strong connection with him, something she's never experienced before, and that conflicts with everything she's always believed—sex is sex and nothing more.

The last woman Kyle trusted with his heart betrayed him, and he has no interest in getting involved with anyone. There's only one problem—now that he's met Sharon, he craves her touch, her laughter, the look in her eyes when he pulls her near.

Kyle and Sharon soon realize that being apart isn't an option. Someone else, though, has different plans for Kyle, and Sharon is left questioning everything he's told her. Kyle tries to explain, to make things right again, but Sharon doesn't know if she can trust him, and her instinct is to walk away now before her heart is bruised even further.

Content Warning: strong language and graphic sex

Romance Book Review: Serenity Woods' Mr. Insatiable

Author: Serenity Woods

ISBN: 9781616504359

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Lyrical Press

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Definitely a hot and steamy sweet love story featuring two friends who work their way to lovers.

Enya is feeling blue at her brother's wedding over the break up with her current boyfriend. When her longtime friend Kit asks what's wrong, he's determined to make her forget all about her selfish ex and find out what it is really like to have someone who you can trust make love to you. 

They were only going to do it as friends, for just one night, but one night alone was never going to do after Kit got his first taste of Enya. When the two set off on a four day trip to China, he knows he's going to seduce her, but when seduction turns into love can the two be together after Kit hears the secret Enya has been keeping?

Description: 

Gossip says he is hot between the sheets. Has Mr. Insatiable finally met his match?

Enya’s been curious about Kit’s bedroom exploits ever since his ex-girlfriend spilled the beans about his…skill. But he’s not for her. Enya can’t provide what he wants from life, especially not between the sheets.

After Enya admits she’s not good at sex, Kit persuades her to trust in him. Together, they can create fireworks in the bedroom. A few drinks followed by a discussion about kinky sex, and Enya succumbs to his charm.

Thrilled he’s been proven correct, Kit can’t keep his hands off Enya, and she’s unable, and unwilling, to resist him. But is it just great sex…or something more?

CONTENT WARNING:

Sexy, sizzling hot romance. Please read with air conditioning on.

Romance Book Review: Angie Fox's Immortally Embraced

Author: Angie Fox

Series Connection: MASH

ISBN: 978-0312546670

Genre: Paranormal/ Shapeshifter/ Gods and Demons/ Dragon Shifters

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Kudos go out to Angie Fox and her world building skills in the second in the MASH series. Immorally Embraced tells the story of Dr. Petra Robichaud, a supernatural doctor with a penchant for communicating with ghosts. 

In the first book in the series, Petra learns she is part of a prophecy that predicts the how the war between the Gods will turn out. The predictions never tell the whole story, and it is up to Petra and the current man in her life to figure out the answers. 

In book two, Petra is reunited with her first love, whom she thinks has been dead for over 10 years. She mourned his death for all those years, just finally meeting a man and losing him recently. When she hears the latest prophecy, she realizes right away it is about her, but doesn't understand what it means. Enter Marc. 

Marc went off to war and decided that unlike the regular army, the gods never let anyone go. He thought Petra was better off without him and fakes his death. When he enters her life again he tells her he needs her help to speak to a ghost. The only problem is Marc's on the enemies side and so is the ghost and Petra needs to go AWOL to help.

Petra soon realizes that Marc isn't the same man she remembers. He's cold and living for the moment. She reaches with her heart and she can't go through what she did before fearing the situation is hopeless for the two of them. The couple soon learns that the fate of the humans are in their hands and they need to do whatever they can to help. Can Petra do that and spend time with Marc without losing her heart to him again?

This is the first Angie Fox book I've read. I like her strong female lead character. She's not perfect, she got a smartass mouth and she's a bit impulsive. The sexy Marc has a few flaws of his own, but there is no doubt of his feelings for the heroine. 

For me a romance is a true romance when a character stays true to her partner, and although I didn't get to read the first book in the series, I was a little disappointed when Galen just disappears in the first chapter to leave room for the new man in Petra's life. The whole scene with Medusa is pretty fun and perhaps the only really funny part in the book.

Description:

IN THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES…
Even during a truce, Dr. Petra Robichaud has her hands full as the M*A*S*H surgeon to an army of warring gods—especially when Medusa herself turns up pregnant. Petra has no idea what to expect when a gorgon’s expecting, but she won’t let it turn her to stone. As the healer-hero of an ancient prophesy, it’s Petra’s job to keep the peace. But as the lover to a warrior demi-god, she knows how impossible some jobs can be…

IT’S EVERY GOD FOR HIMSELF.
Commander Galen is sexy, strong, and sworn to lead his team to hell and back. But when he announces to Petra that he can no longer risk her life for his love, the doctor is on her own…Until a mysterious new entity—in the form of a hot-blooded male—enters the picture. Can he be trusted? Can he be resisted? Meanwhile, an oracle delivers another prophesy that places Petra back on the frontlines with the man she may be bound to for eternity—in love, or in war…

Romance Book Review: Judy Mariott's Cruising the South China Sea

Author: Judy Mariott

Series Connection: Paranormal Sightings

Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Crime

Publisher: Whisper Publishing

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When an older human man's body is found on a cruise ship in the middle of a werewolf shift, Gerry Slavinsky from the Centre of Paranormal Services is called in to investigate. What he finds is a ship that is serviced by a large group of werewolves and a whole list of suspects who might have gone rogue. 

Beth has won a trip on a cruise ship. A vacation is just what she needs as she continues to deal with the fact that a year ago she was bitten by a werewolf and now she is compelled to shift whenever the moon grows full. She has been too worried to ask anyone for help, until she realizes that the attractive man she's met on the ship is also a werewolf and she follows him to see if she can ask him some questions. 

Gerry has been hurt in the past, but can he take the chance and fall in love again, while trying to find the mystery rogue?

While this is part of series, it does not have to be read together. The only connection between the books is that the male characters all work for the same organization searching the world for rogue wolves. 

Description:

Beth, a curvaceous red head from London, England, thinks her love life is over when she is attacked by a rogue werewolf. Full of self-disgust over her new form and not really understanding what has happened, she withdraws into herself, until through her work as an artist, she wins a two week luxury cruise in the South China Sea. Despite huge reservations over managing ‘shape shifting’ at sea, she accepts.

As soon as she boards in Hong Kong, she meets Gerry Slavinsky; an CPSW investigator from Boston USA, appointed to discover how a passenger died in his cabin under peculiar circumstances. The attraction for both of them is explosive; but both know that any sexual union is out of the question. Sensing her arousal, Bjorg Adamsen, both the cruise hotel director, and the powerful, ship pack leader, pursues her. Despite his obvious good looks, intuitively she perceives evil. When the murders continue, Beth knows that, to survive, she must ally herself to one or the other.