Sunday, December 28, 2014

Romance Book Review: P. Jameson's A Mate's Wish

Author: P. Jameson
ISBN: N/A
ASIN: B00R5219XI
Genre: Holiday Romance, Paranomal, Shifter Romance, Werecat Romance
Publisher: Author

Purchase Link: Amazon

Okay so Christmas has come and gone this year, but it is never too late to enjoy a little bit of seasonal romance and since this book doesn't so much center on Christmas as it does the couple go right ahead and indulge.

Bethany takes on a season job at a holiday vacation spot only to find that the boy her family once fostered works at the same lodge as a handyman. When Bethany was 12 she fell in love with Renner, but he had been mean and tortured her on many occasions. She had no idea that Renner had secrets and was doing what he thought was best for her. 

Now all grown up, Bethany is not longer the same tender hearted 12 year old, as a matter of fact she looks nothing like her old self and although Renner is more than interested he has no idea she is the young girl he left behind fifteen years earlier. 

Bethany however know that the boy she once loved is Renner and is on the one hand upset he doesn't know her and grateful for the chance to keep her heart in tact. So she stays far away for Renner in hopes he doesn't recognize her. But that doesn't last for long when they do finally get together and Bethany's secret is out everything changes for both of them. Worse yet is that Renner has been keeping a big secret from Bethany and that secret could keep them from their own happy ever after. 

For a nice quick holiday romance this is a good read. It is set as a stand alone book, but may be the author will decide to move this into a series using members of the secondary cast as leads. 

Description:
Christmastime at Lake Haven Lodge is the stuff of legends. Tucked away in a crook of the Ouachita Mountains, visitors come to relax and unwind for the holidays. What they don’t know is that it’s run by a clan of virile mountain cats. 

Handyman, Renner Blackfoot, is bored with his existence. Filling his bed with random females for his panther’s pleasure isn’t enough anymore. When the lodge hires an extra masseuse to help with the busy holiday season, he finds himself pulled in by her sensuality and wishing he was anything but a shifter. Because the cats have a code: No life mates. No exceptions. Break the code and you’re on your own. 

Bethany Robertson has a secret: she knows the handyman and she wants to steer clear of him at all costs. Luckily, she’s changed enough since they were kids that he has no clue she’s the girl who used to comfort him when he cried at night. The girl he tormented in return. She just needs to get through the holidays without Renner recognizing her and then she’ll be on her way. When her secret is revealed after a chance encounter, she wonders if maybe their history wasn’t what she thought it was. And if maybe they have a future. 

***Contains adult language and explicit sex scenes. Intended for mature audiences only. 


***A stand-alone holiday shifter romance

Saturday, December 20, 2014

ABCs of Christmas Romance..."M"



Title: Mr. Miracle: A Christmas Novel
Author: Debbie Macomber
ISBN-13: 978-0553391152
Genre: Holiday Romance
Publisher: Ballantine Books

Purchase Link: Amazon

Description:
Beloved author Debbie Macomber celebrates the most wonderful time of the year in this heartwarming Christmas novel of romance, hope, and the comforts of home—coming soon as a Hallmark Channel original movie!

Harry Mills is a guardian angel on a mission: help twenty-four-year-old Addie Folsom get her life back on track—and, if the right moment strikes, help her find love. Posing as a teacher at a local college in Tacoma, Washington, Harry is up to the task, but not even he can predict the surprises that lay in store.

After trying to make it on her own, Addie has returned home to Tacoma for the holidays, but this time she plans to stay for good, enrolling in the local community college to earn her degree. What she doesn’t plan to do is run into Erich Simmons.

Addie and her next-door neighbor, Erich, are like night and day. Growing up, he was popular and outgoing while she was rebellious and headstrong, and he never missed an opportunity to tease her. Now she intends to avoid him entirely, yet when they’re suddenly forced to spend Christmas together, Addie braces for trouble.

Perhaps it’s the spirit of the season or the magic of mistletoe, but Addie and Erich soon find they have more in common than they thought—and that two people who seem so wrong for each other may actually be just right. With a little prompting from a certain angelic teacher, the two are in for a holiday miracle they’ll never forget.


ABCs of Christmas Romance ... "L"



Title: Love and Mistletoe
Author: Zara Keane
Series Connection: The Ballybeg Series
ISBN-13: 978-3906245119
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance
Publisher: Beaverstone Press LLC

Purchase Line: Amazon

Kissed by Christmas, True Love by New Year...

Policeman Brian Glenn wants a promotion. Studying for a degree in criminology is the first step. When a member of Ballybeg's most notorious family struts into his forensic psychology class, his hopes for a peaceful semester vanish. Sharon MacCarthy is the last woman he should get involved with, however hot and bothered she makes him get under his police uniform. Can he survive the semester without succumbing to her charms? 


Sharon's had a rough few months. She knows her future job prospects depend on her finally finishing her degree. When she's paired with her secret crush for the semester project, she sees a chance for happiness. Can she persuade Brian that there's more to her than sequins, high heels, and a rap sheet?

ABCs of Christmas Romance..."K"



Title: Kisses, She Wrote: A Christmas Romance
Author: Katharine Ashe
Series Connection: The Prince Catchers
ISBN-13: 978-0062229908
Genre: Historical Romance, Holiday Romance
Publisher: Avon Impluse

Purchase Link: Amazon

Description:
Christmas in town has never been so steamy . . .

Handsome as sin and scandalously rakish, Cam Westfall, the Earl of Bedwyr, is every young lady's wickedest dream. Shy wallflower Princess Jacqueline of Sensaire knows this better than anyone, because her dreams are full of the breathtaking earl's kisses. And not only her dreams—her diary, too.

But when Cam discovers the maiden's not-so-maidenly diary, will her wildest Christmas wishes be fulfilled in its pages . . . or in his arms?

ABCs of Christmas Romance..."J"



Title: Just Like Christmas
Author: Jennifer Conner, Sarah Vance-Tompkins, Carol Ritten-Smith, Samna Ghani
ASIN: B00QQWH0AE
Genre: Holiday Anthology
Publisher: Books to Go Now

Purchase Link: Amazon

Description:
The Christmas Horse - Jennifer Conner 
Laura left Jon for New York five years earlier to become a dancer. Jon told himself he was over Laura and he definitely no longer loved her. 
When Laura’s horse is spooked by a siren, he falls in the neighbor’s pool and Jon saves him.  
How far will this matchmaking Christmas horse have to go to bring Jon and Laura back together? 

Celebrate Me Home - Sarah Vance-Tompkins 
When career-focused Shelby Martin returns to her small hometown in northern Michigan to take care of her mother, she is counting the days until she returns to New York City in time to celebrate Christmas...until she finds steamy comfort in the arms of her former high school crush, Ethan Bardenhagen. The former NHL bad boy is more than willing to keep Shelby hot on cold winter nights, but he's made it clear there's no strings attached. 
Shelby can't forget Ethan broke her heart when she was a teenager, but the longer she spends enjoying the passion she finds in his arms, the more she knows she's fallen crazy in love. Ethan has already found his way home, but with Christmas just around the corner, will Shelby find true love or is this just a hot holiday fling? 


Christmas Charisma - Carol Ritten-Smith 
Several months after the death of her husband, Joanna Hollister and her son return to her hometown to restart their lives. But with Christmas drawing near, her immediate goal is to get through the holiday season with as little heartache as possible.  
Then she meets single-father, Luke Klausen. Luke helps her settle into the community. She finds him charming, and everything points to a positive future with him. He’s a good man. Their boys get along. Her parents think Luke’s perfect for her. And she knows he loves her.  

As tempting as it might be to allow their relationship to bloom at Christmastime, Joanna holds back. She feels disloyal to her deceased husband. Or is she merely afraid of loving another man and perhaps losing him too? 


'Tis but a Dream - Samna Ghani 
When ambitious and talented Snow Donovan finds the job of her dreams, she thinks she has finally found her fairy-tale ending. The right job, the ultimate home and financial security.  

However, a hostile supervisor is all set to shatter her aspirations. Snow is unprepared for not only the hostility but also the irresistible attraction she feels for Richard Wilder, a dynamic and successful business-man who is committed to protect her at all cost. Will Snow be able to control her attraction to him and keep things professional or will she finally give in and find her true “happily ever after?” 

ABCs of Christmas Romance..."I"



Title: It Happened at Christmas
Author: Debbie Mason
Source ISBN: 1455527718
Genre: Holiday Romance
Publisher: Hachette Book Group

Purchase Link: Amazon

Description:
"Christmas, Colorado, will get you in the spirit for love all year long." --- Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author

Love is the best Christmas gift of all.
Free-spirited activist Skylar Davis is out of money and out of options. After using up her trust fund trying to save the world, she hides out in Christmas, hoping the kindness of friends will help her forget the reckless actions of her past. All goes well . . . until she comes face-to-face with one of her mistakes: the town's gorgeous young mayor.


Ethan O'Connor likes his life drama-free and predictable now that he's about to make the move from small-town politics to the Colorado State Senate. Then Skye blows back into town, as impulsive and passionate as he remembers. If word ever got out about their night together-the night he's never been able to forget-the scandal could cripple his career. Yet as he starts his campaign, Ethan finds that, like the town of Christmas itself, he can't get Skye out of his head . . . or his heart.

ABCs of Christmas Romance... "H"



Author: Mary Connealy, Audra Harders, Ruth Logan Herne, Sandra Leesmith, Tina Radcliffe, Missy Tippens
Anthology
ISBN: n/a
Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance
Publisher: Amazon

Purchase Link: Amazon

Description:
Six heart-warming romances from award-winning, best-selling and multi-published authors will make you smile your way through the holiday season... and beyond! In today's busy, commercial world these sweet stories remind us of the true spirit of Christmas: faith, hope and love... and the greatest of these is love! Six happy reads at one low price! Merry Christmas! 

"Hope for Christmas" by Mary Connealy 

Kelsey is alone, lost, pregnant, stuck in a blizzard and surrounded by wolves. 
And then things get worse. Tanner Harden finds her but with trouble coming and a baby at risk, can they stay alive long enough to fall in love? 

“Her Christmas Cowboy” by Audra Harders 

Can a single mother looking for forgiveness, and a reclusive cowboy convinced he’s beyond redemption, find hope and love in a simple Christmas pageant? 

"Longing for a Miracle" by Ruth Logan Herne 

Christmas dimmed when an automobile accident claimed Tasha Sorkos’s little girl… could saving Rafe Karralis’s sick daughter bring the light of faith, hope and love back into her eyes? 

"A Heart Full of Hope" by Sandra Leesmith 

Elena Delgado loves her father’s new business partner, Stephen Edwards. As they work together to find funding for the project that will bring jobs and hope to their small community in time for Christmas, will Stephen notice her? Or is he still in love with the fiancée who left him? 

“I’ll be Home for Christmas” by Tina Radcliffe 

Dr. Matthew Christopher doesn't believe in happily ever after. Can wedding planner Patience McCord melt the heart of the last bachelor in time for Christmas? 

"One Perfect Gift" by Missy Tippens 


In this sweet Cinderella story with a country music twist, a homeless single mother with a secret may get more than she expected for Christmas, including hope, love and home, sweet home.

ABCs of Romance "G"



Author: Karen Hall
ISBN: N/A
Genre: Holiday Romance
Publisher: Books to Go Now

Purchase Link: Amazon

Description:
Popular bachelor Robert “Bob” Barnwell is in no hurry to get married. Between running Barnwell’s, his family’s candy company while his uncle is on his honeymoon, and his round of social engagements, who has time to fall in love, especially when Barnwell’s is competition with Hanover’s, his chief rival for a coveted cash prize. When pretty saleswoman Laura Stern convinces him to buy a typewriter, Bob hires her as a temporary secretary and finds himself unexpectedly attracted to her. But then calamity strikes the factory and it looks as if the woman of Bob’s dream might be his worst Christmas nightmare come true. 


Laura Stern love the independence her work being a sales clerk and a volunteer teacher gives her. Give that up for a husband? No, thank you! Calling on England’s biggest candy company to demonstrate a typewriter is just part of her job. But when Robert Barnwell hires her to work the few weeks before Christmas, and they later wind up in the same community choir, her heart begins to take on a mind of its own. And just when it looks like Cupid is about to strike, an old nemesis makes its own mark, threatening not only Laura’s reputation but her newfound love as well. 

ABCs of Christmas Romance "F"




Author: Mary Campisi
Series Connection: Truth in Lies
ISBN: 978-1942158011
Genre: Holiday series romance
Publisher: Mary Campisi

Purchase Link: Amazon

Description:
It's time to head back to Magdalena in this holiday novella...

The town is preparing to celebrate the holidays when a snowstorm hits and threatens to ruin the festivities. But that's not the only threat blowing into town...Pop's son is here from California to enjoy Christmas with his father, but when he leaves, he's taking Pop with him...or is he? Will the town give up the Godfather of Magdalena, or will they show Pop's son that when we open our hearts, anything is possible...even second chances?

NEW FEATURE: Magdalena's growing! People are getting married, having babies, and moving back to town, so I've decided to include a list of characters and their backgrounds--some new faces, some from previous books. You'll find Who's Who in A Family Affair: Fall located right after the dedication.


Bonus Material: If you enjoyed the small-town sense of community and caring in A Family Affair (Truth in Lies Series), you'll experience that same coziness in Simple Riches. There's heartache, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption, all wrapped up and waiting for you. Included in this e-book is the first chapter of Simple Riches, That Second Chance, Book Three. I plan to introduce Simple Riches' "Bad Boy," Michael Androvich and "Good Girl," Elise Pentani to Magdalena, New York in A Family Affair: Winter.

Romance Book Review: Milly Taiden's Curves 'Em Right

Author: Milly Taiden
Series Connection: Paranormal Dating Agency
ISBN: 978-1503175129
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Shifter Romance, BBW Romance
Publisher: Latin Goddess Press

Purchase Link: Amazon

Dani is looking has given up looking for the perfect boyfriend until her friend introduces her to Mrs. Gerri Wilder of the Paranormal Dating Agency. Gerri is sure she can help an adventurous girl like Danny find the man she's been looking for, maybe even two men who really need Dani to complete them.

Alpha Kane and his Beta Blake have been looking for the right woman to complete their triad. Kane's mother has decided it is time to intervene and introduces the men to Gerri Wilder and the PDA. Thinking there is no way she is going to find them, what the two have been looking forever for Blake and Kane agree to give it a try.

Dani is surprised when she meets the men that Gerri wants her to meet is her brother's good friends Kane and Blake. Kane and Blake can't believe that the woman that Gerri wanted them to meet is Dani, someone they've wanted for a long time, but promised her brother they would never date. Once the three meet the chemistry is definitely there, but there is still a lot to work out for them to have a future together.

The is book can be read alone from the series. It definitely scores high on the hot, hot, hot meter, however it may have a tad too much sex for me. I liked the idea that the wolves thought they needed to spend some time with Dani so that she didn't think their relationship was all about sex, however they never seemed to get around all the sexy time together.

Description:
A BBW in search of love + two sexy wolf shifters ready to claim her as their mate = Sizzling Ménage Romance

Daniella Flores is looking for a good man. A man who will accept her as she is and go crazy for her curves. So far she’s had no luck in the romance department and is worried she might never find the right one. When Mrs. Wilder of the PDA offers to help, Dani is all for trying anything. Mrs. Wilder promises to find her love, romance and hot sex. What woman in her right mind would say no to that?

Kane and Blake have been searching for a mate to complete their Alpha triad. There’s just one problem: they’ve yet to find a woman they both want. 

Not to worry, Kane’s mother comes to the rescue and brings in the PDA. Unfortunately for them, Mrs. Wilder has something up her sleeve and it’s not a bra. When they meet their mysterious date, they know she’s the woman they need.

A masquerade ball brings Dani and the shifters together. The two men who are really good friends with Dani’s overprotective older brother. She’ll get one chance to finally live the fantasy night she’s always wanted with the wild wolves. Besides, it’s not like they could really want her for a mate. It will take some maneuvering for Kane and Blake to keep Dani, not lose their friend and their pack, and prove her curves are the only ones they want.

Note: This book can be read as standalone.


Reader Warning: This book contains panty-melting sex (the kind that makes you need fudge and a cold shower), adult language (we like some freaky dirty talk), and violence. If this is not the kind of stuff you like to read, skip this book. However, if you like dirty, raunchy sex with two men on one curvy sarcastic girl, then this is right up your alley. Enjoy!

Friday, December 12, 2014

Romance Book Review: GA Aiken's Light My Fire

Author: GA Aiken
Series Connection: Dragon Kin
ISBN-13: 978-1420131598
Genre: Fantasy, Shifter Romance, Dragon
Publisher: Zebra Books

Purchase Link: Amazon

In number eight in the Dragon Kin series, readers are brought back to human Queen Annwyl domain and time. 

Elina, Daughter of the Steppes has been sent by her people to kill the Queen of Dragons, Rhiannon. This is a task that Elina knows will lead to her death, but she is a woman of honor and tries her best. When she fails her mission she is put in jail. 

As the captain of the Queen's guard it is Celyn's job to follow Queen Rhiannon's orders. So rather than kill a would be assassin he puts the young human in a safe place and then forgets about her, until the queen asks Celyn to bring the human to him, now if he can just remember who the Queen is talking about. 

A member of the fierce Cadwaladr clan, Celyn hasn't really been considered a warrior. The Queen nick named him "Celyn the Charming". So when he has a chance to prove to his family that he can take on a tough task for his Queen to prove that he can live up to the family name. 

When Celyn escorts Elina back to her homeland to work on an alliance between their two people as they battle a common enemy. But it isn't going to be an easy home coming for Elina, as the Queen has once mentioned, Elina was set on a mission she was sure to die trying and her leader was not happy to see her alive. 

In the meantime a new enemy is found that wishes to rid the world of the human Queen Annwly's and dragon prince Fearghus' children, as well as the other human/dragon children. 

As one of my favorite authors, GA Aiken/Shelly Laurenston never fails to entertain. This book is just the right amount of humor, gore and romance—a recipe for success for any book in this series. 

Description:
The trouble with humans is that they’re far too sensitive. Forget you put a woman in the local jail for a few months–and she takes it so personally! And yet she is the one trying to assassinate the queen. And now I’m trapped with Elina Shestakova of the Black Bear Riders of the Midnight…gods! That endless name!

But what am I to do? I am Celyn the Charming with direct orders from my queen to protect this unforgiving female.

Even more shocking, this unforgiving female is completely unimpressed by me. How is that even possible? But I know what I want and, for the moment, I want her. And I’m sure that she, like all females, will learn to adore me. How could she not when I am just so damn charming?

Monday, December 8, 2014

The ABCs of Christmas Romance... "E"



Echo Bay Christmas
Author: Gina Robinson
ISBN: 978-0615854526
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Gina Robinson

Purchase Link: Amazon

SOME MEMORIES ARE TOO PAINFUL TO FACE 
Tara Clark is spending her first Christmas at her grandparents' resort lodge since her brother died near there in a snowboarding accident on Christmas Eve ten years ago. When her matchmaking grandma sets her up with tiny Echo Bay's newest resident–none other than her ex-fiancé Ryan Sanders–not even a record snowfall can dampen the rekindling of a love that wouldn’t die. 

SOME LOVES ARE TOO STRONG TO DENY 
When Ryan Sanders returns to the small town he grew up in, his life feels nearly complete. But as the snow piles up in the week before Christmas, and his ex-fiancée Tara shows up, Ryan has to face the truth that he has never really gotten over her. And with Christmas Eve fast approaching, all he wants for Christmas is Tara.

The ABCs of Holiday Romance..."D"



Dressed in Holiday Style
Author: Kristine Grayson
Series Connection: Santa Series Book 3
ISBN: 978-1561466238
Genre: Holiday Romance
Publisher: WMG Publishing

Purchase Link: Amazon

Description: 
Raine Wilkins covers Life and Style stories for the Chicago Courier. When she runs into Niko North outside a gala event, she finds herself drawn to him in ways she can’t explain. She trusts him—an enigmatic stranger!—but she doesn’t quite know why, although his stunning good looks might play a role. And he seems to need her help.

Because Niko might inherit his family’s business, Claus & Company. He thinks the business should help needy children all year round. He wants to make that change, but he doesn’t know how. 

Few know more about Greater World need than Raine. Can she help Niko fight decades of tradition for the greater good? And can they help each other believe that fairy tales really do exist?


Deadly Holiday Reunion 
Author: Lenora Worth
ISBN: 978-0373446308
Genre: Love Inspired Suspense
Publisher: Love Inspired

Purchase Link: Amazon

Description:
A CHILD'S LIFE WAS IN JEOPARDY 

Texas Ranger Jake Cavanaugh will do anything to rescue his kidnapped daughter from the clutches of a killer. And that means turning to Ella Terrell—his high school sweetheart—for help. The former FBI agent is lucky to be alive after her own encounter with the vengeful madman. And now history seems to be repeating itself this holiday season. Ella needs time to sort through the past—yet time is a luxury they don't have. For the kidnapper is taunting them with misleading clues and a ticking clock. But Ella will bring Jake's child home at all costs—even at the risk of losing her heart and her life….

Sunday, December 7, 2014

ABCs of Christmas Romance "C"


 
Candlelight Christmas
Series Connection: Lakeshore Chronicles
ISBN-10: 077831474X
ISBN-13: 978-0778314745
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA

Purchase Link: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Description:
A single father who yearns to be a family man, Logan O'Donnell is determined to create the perfect Christmas for his son, Charlie. The entire O'Donnell clan arrives to spend the holidays in Avalon, a postcard-pretty town on the shores of Willow Lake, a place for the family to reconnect and rediscover the special gifts of the season.

One of the guests is a newcomer to Willow Lake--Darcy Fitzgerald. Sharp-witted, independent and intent on guarding her heart, she's the last person Logan can see himself falling for. And Darcy is convinced that a relationship is the last thing she needs this Christmas.

Yet between the snowy silence of the winter woods, and toasty moments by a crackling fire, their two lonely hearts collide. The magic of the season brings them each a gift neither ever expected--a love to last a lifetime.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

ABC's of Holiday Romance "A"


Author: Nancy Thayer
ISBN-13: 978-0553393873
Genre: Romance, Holiday Romance
Publisher: Ballentine Books

Purchase Link: Amazon

Description:
In this enchanting holiday novel from New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer, family and friends gather on Nantucket for a gorgeous winter wedding with plenty of merry surprises in store.

As Christmas draws near, Felicia returns to her family’s home on the island to marry her adventurous, rugged boyfriend, Archie. Every detail is picture-perfect for a dream wedding: the snow-dusted streets, twinkling lights in the windows, a gorgeous red and white satin dress. Except a lavish ceremony is not Felicia’s dream at all; it’s what her mother, Jilly, wants. Jilly’s also worried that her daughter’s life with daredevil Archie will be all hiking and skydiving. Wondering if their handsome neighbor Steven Hardy might be a more suitable son-in-law, Jilly embarks on a secret matchmaking campaign for Felicia and the dashing stockbroker.

As the big day approaches and Jilly’s older daughter, Lauren, appears with rambunctious kids in tow, tensions in the household are high. With the family careening toward a Yuletide wedding disaster, an unexpected twist in Nancy Thayer’s heartwarming tale reminds everyone about the true meaning of the season.

ABCs of Holiday Romance "B"


Authors: Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kristen Proby, Melody Anne, Kate Meader
ISBN: 978-1476783833
Genre: Anthology Romance, Holiday romance
Publisher: Pocket Books

Purchase Link: Amazon

Description: 
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling indie authors Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kristen Proby, Melody Anne, and debut author Kate Meader come together to write a sizzling romance anthology.

Outside it may be frosty, so turn the heat way up with these stories of desire!

Can a determined woman executive and a playboy billionaire survive being stranded together in a snowstorm? Jennifer Probst depicts an encounter almost too hot to handle…

Drew and Kate play an encore to Tangled in this sexy take on a “Christmas Carol” by Emma Chase. When a Christmas Eve argument condemns Drew to a troubled night, three dream women teach him that no gift could be more tantalizing than Kate…

With Kristen Proby, ski slopes are quite delightful. Grace Douglas is sure she’ll never learn to ski, but instructor Jacob Baxter could teach her lessons of a different kind…

Can a southern California transplant survive Montana’s deep snows?Melody Anne, author of the bestselling Andersons series, melts the icy drifts completely away with the heat between sexy Hawk Winchester and brand-new teacher Natalie Duncan…

What could be hotter than a firefighter? Kate Meader shows how hot it can get as Beck Rivera and heiress-turned-tattoo-artist Darcy Cochrane discover that nothing ignites holiday flames like rekindling a lost love…

Friday, December 5, 2014

Romance Book Review: Diana Palmer's Texas Born

Author: Diana Palmer
Series Connection: Long Tall Texans
ISBN-13: 978-0373658411
Genre: Western Romance
Publisher: Harlequin

Purchase Link: Amazon

Michelle's father has died of cancer leaving her with a stepmother, Roberta, who seems to have never cared for her Michelle's father at all. With a nasty habit and a need for money, Roberta makes life miserable for Michelle. One day in desperation Michelle meets her next door neighbor, Gabriel, and unloads the whole story on him. 

In that short meeting Michelle and Gabriel establish a strong bond. Shortly later Roberta dies, leaving Michelle, an 18 year old high school student alone and Gabriel offering to take her in and with the help of his sister Sara the three form a family of their own. With the help of the brother and sister, Michelle is able to live her dream of going to college and becoming a journalist. 

For Gabriel, Michelle is like no one he has ever met. Many would call him cold as ice, but when he is with Michelle he is happier than he's ever been. He falls in love with her, but he can't do anything about it because she is so young and innocent. He knows she feels the same about them and holds them both off until she is old enough to understand her feelings more and grows up.

Michelle doesn't realize it, but Gabriel has been keeping secrets from her and while the two continue to fall and love and wait to do anything about their love, their time might be running out as not knowing Gabriel's secrets might cause Michelle to do something that would ruin their relationship forever. 

This long run series generally has a formula that is followed with many of the couples featured in the books. Other members of the community come back and visit or play secondary roles, which is all part of the charm to these books. 

I was pleasantly surprised that this booked stepped away a bit from the author's norm. Gabriel stayed true to Michelle while he waited for her to grow older. There was no sleazy girlfriend coming out of the woodwork to keep the heroine at bay until she grew older. 

Also, while some might question how at 24 years old Gabriel was able to amass so much money, ever at his chosen profession, (this is a fictional story after all) at least in this case the featured couple were only six years apart. Sometimes the 15 to 20 year difference, especially when the girl is 18 years old is a bit too much, even for fiction.

Description:
Their love was born in Texas… 


Gabriel Brandon had been her hero ever since she was a girl and he'd rescued her, an orphan, from sure ruin. And Michelle Godrey had loved him forever, the mysterious rancher with the dark eyes, her protector and guardian angel. Now she'd blossomed into a woman. But could Michelle ever cast aside the shadows that lingered between them? Could she show Gabriel that their Lone Star love was true?

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Romance Book Review: Milly Taiden's Her Purrfect Match

Author: Milly Taiden
Series Connection: Paranormal Dating Agency
ISBN-13: 9781502772336
Genre: Erotic Romance, Shifter Romance
Publisher: Latin Goddess Press

Purchase Link: Amazon

When Alyssa found that her friend mate her mates through a matchmaker and is living happily ever after she decides to give the matchmaker a try to meet a man who can give her the happily ever after she wants. 

Mrs. Wilder sends her to meet a man she thinks will be "purrfect" Alyssa. 

Grayson Green is pride leader and loner. He doesn't want to be dictated to, or have his pride demand that he mate. By the time he finds out that one of his guard signs him up for a matchmaking service, he doesn't have complain because Alyssa is already there and he knows she's his. 

While Alyssa and Grayson get to know each other, someone its happy that Gray's finding his mate may ruin his plans for taking over the Pride. 

If you're looking for a strong alpha hero with a way with dirty talk, you'll love Gray Green. This story even comes with a strong BBW who is only looking for love in all the right places. Milly Taiden's writing style is entertaining and very sexy fun.

Descriptions:
Alyssa Moran is tired of being the old cat lady with no man. She has very specific needs and goes to visit Mrs. Wilder at the Paranormal Dating Agency. Shockingly enough, she is promised a man who likes cats, wants kids, likes curves and will be wild in bed. 

Grayson Green needs a mate. Fast. But he refuses to be pushed into anything. That is, until a curvy funny woman shows up in his territory saying she’s there for him. Who is he to argue when someone as delectable as Alyssa decides she wants to give herself to him? 

Of course, not all is at it seems and some people want Alyssa gone and Gray dead. If Gray mates, the future of his pride will be sealed and no one can argue his place as leader. Unless it can be stopped before they ever get a chance to make some cubs. He will have to work hard at convincing a human she’s the only one for him or lose his pride and his mate. 


Reader Note: This book contains scorching sex (the kind that will make you sweat and need ice cream), adult language (he's a very dirty talker and we like it), and violence. If this is not the kind of stuff you like to read, skip this book. However, if you like dirty, raunchy sex with a growly tiger on one funny curvy girl, then this is right up your alley. Enjoy! 

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Romance Book Review: Maddy Barone's Wolf's Lady

Author: Maddy Barone
Series Connection: After the Crash
ISBN: n/a
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Sci-Fi Romance, Futuristic Romance, Werewolf Romance, Shifter Romance
Publisher: Maddy Barone

Purchase Link: Amazon

Against his better judgement Sand Wolfe accompanies his cousin Stone Wolfe to Omaha to help another cousin, Sky, in his new business. As a born wolf he would rather stay as far away from the city as possible. Once he sets foot in Omaha though he realizes pretty quickly his mate is close by and he would do anything to find the special woman made just for him. 

It is 2070 and in this world there are few women and those that are available are highly sought after. In Omaha women don't have a choice once they turn 18 they must become businesswomen and make themselves available sexually to men. Amanda doesn't like it, however it is her only choice in life until she can find a man she wants to make her husband. 

Sand finds Amanda working at Sky's the Limit and lets her know that she is his mate. Amanda agrees to spend time with Sand to see if he is husband material. Being a little possessive, okay very possessive, Sand finds it hard to let Amanda continue working while he is courting her. If it wasn't hard enough for Sand to figure out if how to court Amanda, not everyone is happy that Amanda will stop servicing the men of Omaha and is causing trouble for the couple. 

In this, the 6.5 installment of the After the Crash series, author Maddy Baron opens the door to the last book in the series to be released this coming spring called "Wolf's Princess". In previous books in the series most of the heroines have been ladies who survived a crash that brought them into the future. In this book, the author explores life on future earth with woman that were born in this time and what they deal with. Omaha is a city that forces women to sell themselves to men for sex. 

This story gives insight to why Sky has not returned to claim his mate in so long, as well as brings into the scene the problems developing in Omaha. Amanda's issues shows some of the problems Sky has been dealing with. It will be interesting to see where this part of the story leads. The author has already announced that "Wolf's Princess" will be the last book in the series.   

Description:
In the year 2070, there are no cool advanced technical gadgets or weapons. In fact, most people are living like it’s the American frontier all over again. Terrorists used nuclear devices to simultaneously destroy most major US cities, as well as major cities in other countries. With the huge loss of life, the infrastructure crumbled. Hospitals and rescue services were so overwhelmed that they failed. The terrorists also released a virus that later came to be known as the Woman Killer Plague. It killed both men and women but more women died, making females valuable commodities. 

This is the world of Sand Wolfe, a lonely bachelor of the Lakota Wolf Clan, and Miss Amanda, the woman his wolf claims as their mate. 

Sand goes to Omaha to work as muscle in his cousin Sky’s whorehouse. There he meets his mate, Miss Amanda, who also works in Sky’s House, although in a very different position. She is the only woman his wolf will allow him to have, and she’s the only woman he wants. He will do anything to convince her to accept his mate claim. 

Can a businesswoman leave her glamorous life and settle down in a wolf den? Amanda finds Sand’s methods of persuasion very persuasive. But will the men of Omaha allow her to leave? Sand figures he might have to kill a few of her clients, but it’s a small price to pay to bring his mate home. 

Although this story takes place later than other books in the series, it is meant to stand alone.