Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn

Challenge: Read a book with 4 words in the title.
Rating: 4

Struck by love at first sight, Robert Kemble, a future earl, and Victoria Lyndon, the vicars daughter, enjoy their whirlwind courtship in the country and plan to get married. But both have fathers who are against their relationship, and on the eve of their planned elopement things go all wrong when Victoria's father stops her. By the time Victoria goes to find him and explain, Robert believes he has been stood up and runs off to London. Robert's father lets her believe he was only dallying with her, and her heart is broken. Seven years later they meet again by chance, and both find that the spark is still there. But both believe the other person stood them up. Now they need to learn to trust again if they are going to be happy ever after.

I almost stopped reading this a couple of chapters in. It started out a little silly, but I decided to give it a bit longer before giving up. I am very glad I did. Julia Quinn has crafted a wonderful emotional story about love lost and then found again. You really feel for both and what they both go through as a result of their meddling fathers. This book, thankfully, does not depend on the big misunderstanding to carry it through the whole book. They do figure out what happened and it becomes more about other issues in the later half of the book. Over all it was fun and enjoyable.

Only You by Elizabeth Lowell

Challenge: Read a book that's been on the TBR for awhile.
Rating: 4.5

Saloon card dealer Eve Johnson has nothing left to bet but herself, so in order to get a stolen treasure map back, she will wager her virtue. Unable to give the winning hand to herself, she gives it to unsuspecting stranger, sharpshooter Matt "Reno" Moran. But when the other players don't take well to Reno winning, Eve steals the map in the confusion and runs off with Reno's winnings -- including her virtue. Reno tracks Eve down and grudgingly agrees to team up to find the missing gold mine in the Colorado mountains. As they follow the map and dodge the killers on their tail, they discover that love is more important than gold.

It's true that Lowell tends to follow a formula in her Only series, but it's a formula that works. I really enjoyed this story in classic western form. This is easily the best western series I have read. Lowell's stories are always interesting, always emotional, and always satisfying in the end. I look forward to the next in the series!

Some Like It Wicked by Teresa Medeiros

Challenge: Read a book published in 2008

This book was chosen by default for this particular challenge, as I almost never buy new books, so I didn't have a large number of new releases floating around on my shelves. This was a very quick read -- I read it within 2 days without even really trying to get through it fast. The characters are likable and interesting -- especially Robert the Bruce the obese cat. I think he was the most amusing character in the book. LOL! While I enjoyed this story it never really moved me or wowed me. It was cute and sweet and I enjoyed the ending a lot. I enjoyed the humor. There were several laugh out loud moments in here that show the authors quirky sense of humor. I have to share one of my favorite lines from the book:

He couldn't have marked his territory any more clearly had he piddled on her kid boots like one of her aunt Margaret's ill mannered spaniels.

Winter '08/'09 Reading Challenge

I am now on to my third Shelfari Readers of Romance reading challenge. In the next 3 months (Dec-Feb) I have to read 15 books! The criteria and my book choices are as follows:

1. Reader’s Choice Place any book here
Highlander Unchained by Monica McCarty

2. Book that was read and Reviewed in the Fall Challenge
The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt (reviewed by Cindy)

3. Read a book that has a “D” word in it for December
Her Only Desire by Gaelen Foley

4. Read a book that has an arranged marriage or Marriage of Convenience (AAR Special Titles could be a big help!)
My Devilish Scotsman by Jen Holling

5. For Valentines Day, read a book that has love, kiss or heart in the title
Only Love by Elizabeth Lowell OR Straight For the Heart by Marsha Canham

6. Read a book by Lisa Kleypas
Worth Any Price

7. A book that makes you think about Christmas
Winter Fire by Elizabeth Lowell

8. A title that has 4 words in it
From This Moment On by Lynn Kurland

9. Read a story that has a military or civil servant (firefighter/cop/fbi/clan chief/commander) in it –can be any genre
Morgan by Lori Foster

10. Read a book that has a Viking or Pirate in it!
My Fair Viking by Sandra Hill (I go on the record saying that I am reading this with my feet dragging the whole way. I have not been impressed with her stuff but I am told her Vikings are good, so we will see...)

11. Pick a book that was first published in 2008
Some Like it Wicked by Teresa Medeiros

12. Read a series (Harlequin or Sillehoutte)
Cullen's Bride by Fiona Brand

13. Read a book that the author has 3 names (ie Susan Elizabeth Phillips/ Karen Marie Moning)
Re-read a KMM book -- yet to be decided. Probably Immortal Highlander.

14. For the New Year-Pick a book that has been in your TBR pile for a long time --Out w/ the old in w/ the new!
Only You by Elizabeth Lowell (clearly I am trying to get through this series! This has been on the TBR for about 3 years easily.)

15. Read a book that has a “W” word for Winter
A Rose In Winter by Shana Abe (soooo looking forward to this one)

Never Too Much by Lori Foster

Confirmed bachelor and diner/hotel owner Ben Badwin enjoys women. So when the new landscaping business owner across the street comes in all dirty and worn out, Ben plans to "enjoy" her. But Sierra Murphy is not interested. She just wants to work and try to forget the past she is running from. But Ben isn't giving up, and when her past comes to find her, he does everything he can to keep her around and protect her because his bachelor days were over the second she walked into his life.

Cute! Not mind blowing, and not as good as some of her work, but a cute story. I also enjoyed the secondary romance between his mom and the hunky older landscaping guy.

Wild by Lori Foster

I've been looking forward to this last Winston Brothers book! Zane Winston is used to women throwing themselves at him, but none have been quite so unusual as the Gypsy palm reader next door to his own electronics shop. Her exotic dark looks aren't really to his taste, but he finds himself oddly intrigued. He goes to talk to her at her home above the store, only to find out that Tamara Tremayne is not so exotic after all! Her long dark wig and black contacts hide a beautiful blonde woman who stirs his interest. But Tamara will have to sell her shop and move if she can't figure out who is trying to sabotage her shop and ruin her business. Now that he has found her Zane will do anything he can to help her and keep her around forever.

Loved it! Plenty of twists and turns, great love scenes, and a very fun cast of characters. Great series!

The Duke by Gaelen Foley

*Slight spoilers in this review!*

The Duke of Hawkscliffe is a paragon of virtue. So when his ladylove dies suspiciously he decides to do whatever it takes to find the killer, if there is one. When he risks his reputation by taking a mistress who is connected to his suspect, he never intends for the relationship with the beautiful courtesan Belinda Hamilton to be anything but a farce. But for a courtesan he realizes she is very innocent, and as he closes in on the killer, he also digs deep and learns who this woman really is and what horrible circumstances brought her to this profession. Before either of them know it they have broken the courtesan rule and fallen in love.

I admit I have mixed feelings about this book. There are two things I don't especially love in a romance novel -- rape of the heroine (no matter who did it), and a heroine who is a courtesan. This novel contains both elements. There were two things that allowed me to forgive the author. One, she does not go into details about the rape. It happens, you're there, but you aren't forced to "live" it. Two, the Duke is her first lover after the rapist takes her virginity, so it's not like she has been around the block before meeting him. Honestly, this was a very emotional touching story, and if I were not familiar with Gaelen Foley and already a fan of her books, I may not have read this in the first place. It has a very romantic (slightly over the top) ending, though I didn't feel that Hawk came around fast enough. It was very Pretty Woman meets the Regency, and not a bit 'o fluff, but worth the read for Foley fans.

Highland Guardian by Melissa Mayhue

Romance novelist Sarah Douglas decides she needs to get away and throw her life to the fates and see what happens. So she goes to the first Scottish cottage she finds in her search for her getaway. Sarah hopes to overcome her writers block and come to terms with her ability to sense feelings of people, but her unexpectedly handsome landlord Ian MacCullough has some other ideas for how she can spend her time. Ian is a half fae guardian -- he guards the fae portal and protects humans from rogue fae. When he realizes that Sarah is also half fae, he fights his feeling that he may just have found his elusive soul mate. But an evil pure blooded fae has plans to use Sarah to get back to the land of fae, since as a half fae female Sarah can see the hidden portals, putting her in great danger and forcing her to dig deep into her hidden gifts and powers to save herself and the man she loves.

I enjoyed this story. It was a light easy read in an interesting setting with lots of fun characters. It didn't set me back on my heels or anything, but it was worth reading and kept me interested throughout!

The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe

This is magical and mesmerizing tale about the Drakon, a race of people who can shape shift into a smoke or dragon form. They live in their shire far into the European hills, away from outsiders. Everyone from their race are not allowed to live outside the shire in order to protect their secret. But every once in a while someone will fake their death and escape to the outside world. When Rue turns 17 she comes into her powers and becomes the alpha female. As such she would be required to marry the alpha male Christoff. She has been in love with him for years, but she refuses to have him this way, so she flees, faking a drowning to keep the tribe from looking for her. But 7 years later, the tribe hears of someone who turns to smoke and steals jewels, and they know that one of their own are in London, so they set up a trap to catch their smoke thief.

As usual Shana Abe draws you in and fascinates with this unusual tale of love and magic. I enjoyed it a great deal. The only reason I can't give it a 5 is because the ending felt a little forced. I wasn't completely convinced that Rue was ok with going back to the shire. In fact I am sure she didn't want to, she just wanted to be with Christoff. I am looking forward to reading more about the Drakon!

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb

So, I didn't actually finish this book. I realize I am going to be in a major minority here, but I had trouble getting into it, and I read through half the book trying to get into the story. It wasn't that it wasn't good, it just wasn't to my taste. Eve is a pretty moody and damaged, and she has a hard job. Frankly, the thought of reading an on-going series about her and her job is kind of depressing to me. In this particular book she is trying to find someone who is killing prostitutes, and some of the subject matter is graphic and rather violent. I did enjoy Roarke as a hero. His caring and suave charm towards Eve was endearing, but I can't see reading the whole series just for him. I'll be chalking up this series as not for me.

Sawyer by Lori Foster

I WAS going to read Shanna by Woodiwiss, but it looked so long, and I felt so tired just looking at it... so I picked this small volume instead. Lazy, I know. LOL! Anyway, this was a very cute, light read. Honey Malone (yes, her read name) is on the run from unknown people who are trying to kill her. When she crashes into a fence and winds up in a pond as a result of being very sick with a fever, it's sheer luck that the fence and pond belong to Buckhorn county's hot doctor Sawyer Hudson and his band of equally hot brothers. Lucky girl. Sawyer insists that she stay with them while she recovers and they try to figure out who could be trying to kill her and why. Sawyer has sworn off marriage, but something about Honey makes him reconsider.

I really enjoyed this story. It wasn't mind blowing (hence the 4 rating), but it was short, sweet, and hot. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Buckhorn series! I have enjoyed everything I have read from Lori Foster!

Faefever by Karen Marie Moning

There isn't a lot I can say about this book without putting spoilers, but this is how I felt about it:

Holy. Crap. Once upon a time, when I read Darkfever, I knew this series would be darker, and much more intense than anything else I had read, but I had absolutely no clue how pitch dark things might get. Bloodfever was a shock, but it was NOTHING compared to this book. I have read that this book leads to Mac's darkest hour, and does it ever. The last few chapters of the book are chilling. Shocking. A warning: this book (and series) are NOT for the faint of heart. KMM isn't pulling any punches with this story. I will be anxiously awaiting Dreamfever, and I hope that what they say about it always being darkest before the dawn will come to be in the next installment. It breaks my heart to leave Mac there.

The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

Wow!!! Count me in on the new fan bandwagon!! This book was too fabulous for words. Widowed Anna Wren is in need of a job to keep food on the table for herself, her mother-in-law, and their maid. It just so happens that Edward, The Earl of Swartingham, is in desperate need of a secretary. While this solution is not entirely ideal to both parties at first, it solves both of their problems. The love between the two grows in a very sweet and believable way, and when Edward feels like he absolutely cannot hold on to his lust for another second, he decides to visit London and the brothel he has frequented in the past to satisfy his baser needs. Anna finds out his plan and is furious ... until the fates give her a chance to be one he spends the night with him at the brothel without his knowledge.

I started this book before bed, and then could not tear my eyes from it for 2 1/2 hours before finally forcing myself to go to bed. It was wonderful, sweet, and engrossing. Words can not describe how much I loved this book. I loved Edward so much. I was intrigued by the "ugly" aspect (pox scars), and I was amused at his fondness for throwing nic-nacs when angry. It made him oddly endearing. This is a comfort read through and through!!!

Savage Thunder by Johanna Lindsey

Jocelyn Fleming is a feisty redheaded widow on the run. When her elderly British husband dies, his son is furious that his dad left most of his money to Jocelyn and hires someone to find her and bring her back. Jocelyn runs away to America and with her large caravan of guards and servants and travels around dodging "Longnose" (her pet name for the hunter). A botched attempt on her life by Longnose brings half-breed Colt Thunder into her life when he helps her escape her overturned carriage. Jocelyn decides that Colt will be the perfect man to help her dispose of her virginity to keep any future husband from knowing her deceased husband and she were never intimate. Neither count on the fling turning into something more and lasting.

I enjoyed this book. It didn't wow me or anything, but it was a good light read with lots of adventure. I haven't read a western for a while, and this was a western through and through with several gun fights, sleeping on the range, etc. Jocelyn is lovably aristocratic and ladylike without being annoying, and Colt was very hot and there is an AWESOME love scene on a horse. LOL!! Kind of made me wish I knew how to ride..... I had to find this old bodice ripper cover to post with it since #1, it's the cover I have, and #2 I like the old racy covers. ;)

A Highlander Never Surrenders by Paula Quinn

The sequel to Laird of the Mist, Graham jumps into the hero role in this story. When he saves Claire from a band of robbers, he finds he can't quite let this sword wielding hellion just go on her merry way, despite her insistence that she will be fine. When he realizes she is relative of the king, and the sister of the man he is trying to track, he decides he just can't let her go. When Graham is told by Claire that her brother Connor is dead and that he was killed in an ambush, it's up to them to find out who the true traitor is.

Honestly, I don't know what happened with this book. Laird of the Mist was funny, charming, sweet, and a delight to read. This was not funny, not charming, and not a delight to read. Frankly it was a bit boring. I tried, I really did. Just reading this book made me feel sleepy. It moved very slowly, Graham was just ok for me, and Claire was a serious tom-boy, and the funny band of warriors were not in this story -- I guess they were having a serious day. I was really disappointed in this book, and that pains me to say.

Truth or Dare by Lori Foster

I took this book with me camping recently (yes, camping. Ugh.), hoping that I would 1) have time to read it, and 2) be distracted enough while reading to forget where I was. I didn't have a huge amount of time to read, being constantly distracted by children pushing the camp site boundaries, but when I was into it, I was all there! This is another one of those re-issue, previously published in other anthologies, kind of books. Contained in one volume was: "Satisfy Me", "Indulge Me", and "Drive Me Wild". The three stories were about 3 friends who work together and live in a small mid-west town where nothing exciting ever happens -- until the day a porn shop goes in across from their work place. The three friends are as different as can be, and they come up with a bazaar idea; go to the shop, one person at a time, and take home the first guy they see buying something that falls into the criteria they set up before hand. Naturally, because this is a romance novel with HEA, all of the girls find the men of their dreams. I loved all of the stories. The last one a little less than the first two (the heroine was kind of bitchy), but over all this was a fun, light, racy read. Perfect book to distract me from the great outdoors... ;)

The Secret Swan by Shana Abe

If there is one thing you can count on from Shana Abe, it's wonderful emotion. Amiranth has been in love with Tristan since the moment she saw him at age 9. She has watched him every time she chances to see him. But Tristan has never even noticed her. When they are grown and a marriage is arranged for them, Amiranth is thrilled beyond belief. Tristan has no idea his wife's dream has come true by marrying him, and he does not treat her very well in the few days he spends with her after their marriage. Within days he drops her off at one of his remote estates, and goes off to war. Amiranth waits 8 long YEARS for her husband to come back, slowly losing hope that her husband is still alive. When he finally does, he meets his wife's "cousin" -- a woman who claims his wife is dead. Amiranth's dreams of happily ever after were shattered when Tristan left her there so many years before, and now she will do anything to avoid being hurt again -- even if it means pretending she is dead. Now Tristan must earn back the love of the woman who has changed since he last saw her as a girl and prove that he is finally worthy of her love.

I cried buckets reading this story. You feel so badly for the 'girl' Amiranth, and even more for the woman she becomes and the heartache she endures, mostly alone. I felt Tristan more than redeemed himself and became a very worthy hero. I read several very negative reviews for this book, and I believe that to truly enjoy it you have to be an emotional person, because this is a very emotional story. It is not all light and fluffy like some books. I loved this story!

Blade's Lady by Fiona Brand

Description: Anna Tarrant has always assumed that her "knight" in her dreams is not real. He has been there in her head to comfort her through many difficult times. Anna's stepfather has been trying to kill her and gain control of her fortune and family company since she was a girl, and after one attempt as a young adult Anna decides to go into hiding until she is of age to claim her fortune and company, or she knows she will never survive. Finally, her birthday a mere couple of weeks away, Anna has been on the run for seven years, and she knows that she will soon be able to come out of hiding -- but her stepfather has hired a hit man to kill her, and now she is in more danger than ever. Blade has been having dreams about a mysterious sexy red head for years, and now he has finally found her. Fiercely determined to keep her, he has to call upon all of his special forces training to keep her safe and convince her that she deserves a happily-ever-after.

Review: I have a new author to search high and low for. I absolutely had trouble tearing my gaze away from this book, I was utterly mesmerized by the story from the very first page on. With high emotional intensity that reminds me of an oldie Linda Howard, this book has it all and more. Blade was the perfect modern "knight" to Anna's damsel in distress. Call me old fashioned, but I love a modern knight in shining armor who will go to any lengths to save his true love. This comfort read is off to my keeper shelf!!!

Prince Charming by Gaelen Foley

Description: Ascencion's most elusive and widely loved Masked Rider has chosen to rob the wrong coach -- inside sits Rafael, the Prince of the Mediterranean island, and the future King. Not realizing her mistake until it's too late, Lady Daniela Chiaramonte has been caught red handed in her Robin Hood-like endeavor to keep her people fed and pay the outrageous taxes the crooked tax man has inflicted on her. Rafe is stunned by the beauty that dares rob him and his friends, and very intrigued -- He can't stop thinking of getting her into his bed. Prince Rafe has a proposition for her: marry him and give him an heir, or she and her coach robbing cohorts can hang. Dani agrees to the deal, and she even begins to fall in love with her husband, but soon she is caught up in the plot to get rid of the entire royal family and now she must save her husband from the treasonous plot.

Review: I have loved every other Foley book I have read. Not this one. I was caught up and engrossed through the first 100 pages, then got a little bored in the middle 200 pages, and then it picked up again in the last 100 pages. I liked the different setting; I've never read a romance set in the Mediterranean before. I did NOT like the hero. I thought he was an ass. He started out a total playboy, and never really lost that feel. He even nearly cheated on Dani with his former mistress, which I found appalling. That particular scene was nearly a 3-some, which kind of shocked me. Thankfully she veered off of that particular line. I never really got the connection between them. The writing was good, the descriptions of certain events a bit graphic (good and bad, depending on the description) but the character development left me bored. I was relieved to finish this book and still didn't much like the hero in the end. If I'm not mistaken this is one of Foley's early works, and all the other books I have read of hers were more recent, so perhaps she has simply gotten better over time. I am still a big fan of hers, but this particular novel will not be reread.

Highlander Unmasked by Monica McCarty

What's better than a delicious highlander? This is the second book in Monica McCarty's highlander series, and it features the younger brother of the laird from book one. Alex MacLeod is a renowned warrior and for years he has cultivated the idea of his being a mercenary with no ties to his brother for one purpose: to protect his clan by going 'undercover' at court to find out as much as he can about a plot to abolish all highlanders. He intends to then go off and fight against the plot. He doesn't count on running into a neighboring clan and having to rescue Meg MacKinnon and her mother from bandits while they make their own way to court.

Meg must find a strong man with strong loyalties for a husband. Her brother is not strong enough or intelligent enough to be laird by himself, so she has made a deal with her father: she will go to court and find a suitable husband to help her brother rule. When she is rescued by what appears to be a band of misfit warriors, Meg cannot get her mysterious savior out of her mind. She is shocked to find her rescuer at court and thrilled to find out he is from a good family. But her hopes are dashed as Alex plays his part at making her think he is not loyal and certainly not the man she needs. But despite all that must keep them apart, they find in each other a love that cannot be ignored.

Fabulous story, lots of great tension, and engrossing from the first. I got teensy-bit tried of reading about court, preferring my highlander in a highland setting and all, so I can't give it a five, but I give this story a 4!!

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

It is a sad but true fact that just because a book is widely loved, this does not necessarily mean it is actually good. I can think of two such books off the top of my head. "Flowers From the Storm" being one. Utter trash that book. I am VERY happy to report that "The Duke and I" really IS an excellent book!! Whew! Relief. What a FUN book! I tell you, as I read this book I was either smiling, laughing, or crying. The hero, Simon, had a stuttering problem as a child and his idiot father pretty much ignored his very existence because his long awaited son was not perfect. The poor child worked tirelessly to improve himself and work past his awful stutter. Even as an adult he would struggle with it when in distress or angry. The heroine, Daphne, is one of 8 children and her adorable mother (seriously, I loved this mom, she was a riot) is determined to see her oldest daughter married. To get the mom and society off of their backs, so to speak, the two make a deal to pretend an attachment. All is well until they actually begin to fall for each other and things start to get complicated and sticky. Frankly, I was surprised at the depth of this story. I have read Julia Quinn's books before and usually found them pretty light, but this one definitely had some bite to it. I pretty much read it in one day (ok, a day plus one evening), and I enjoyed every second of it. I know the plot is not entirely original, but you easily forget that as you get caught up in the charm of this story!!!

My Wicked Highlander by Jen Holling

Scotland is in the middle of a nationwide witch-hunt. Unluckily for Isobel MacDonell, she happens to BE a witch. Blessed with the ability to see things that have happened or will happen, Isobel is in danger when she uses her gift to help people. So when Sir Philip Kilpatrick arrives in England to escort her back to Scotland to marry the man her father has chosen for her, she is then forced to travel back through a land that could prove deadly for her. But before she arrives back home to her family she also faces the danger of falling in love with her escort, who is haunted by his own past. Isobel is determined to help Philip find out what happened to his sister who disappeared when she was a child. He blames himself for losing her and he feels he can never go home to stay until he finds her.

This was a complex and fascinating tale of magic and love. Jen Holling is a new-to-me author, and I am interested to read about her other magical sisters. I love a good highlander story, and I love even more when there is a little magic and mayhem thrown in!

Fallen Angels by Lori Foster

Containing 3 previously published novels, "Beguiled", "Wanton", and "Uncovered" (this one was new I believe), all 3 contain characters who work together at a P.I. firm.
Beguiled:
P.I. Dane Carter is under cover posing as his recently deceased twin to try and find out what really happened to his brother. When his brothers ex-girlfriend Angel Morris comes to him thinking he is his twin, things get very interesting when she reveals a secret about his brother.

Wanton:
P.I. Celia Carter is trying to atone for her past mistakes and guilt by finding bad guys who prey on innocent girls. But her boss Alec Sharpe would rather help her re-awaken her sexuality. When they teem up to solve both problems, things get very steamy!!!!!

Uncovered:
Firefighter Harris Black finds nude pictures of a mystery woman near a fire he has just put out. To further mystify him he finds notes with HIS name in them! Who is this woman who knows him and is secretly in love with him? Little does he know she is closer than he thinks....

All three of these stories were HOT HOT HOT. I seriously love this author. She reminds me a bit of Linda Howard, only hotter. She has a serious talent, and I loved all three of these stories, and I will most assuredly be reading these again when I want a good hot comfort read!

The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Because this is her first book, I will forgive her. But she better not have any more books like this one. I wouldn't call this book awful, but nor would I say it was good. I'm ok with wounded heroes and heroines, but seriously, this was a little much. The hero was all over the place, personality wise. He was an ass, then he was a jackass, then he was a jerky jackass, then he was sort of nice, then mean, then sweet, then loving.... the man could not decide what kind of guy he was. He was so inconsistent I NEVER knew what he was going to do next. He never followed through on any threats, and he irritated the crap out of me. I came up with several ways I thought he should die in the first 100 pages of the book, but he got moderately better after that. The poor heroine was a pitiful abused woman. I thought she was a little inconsistent too, though not as bad. Over all I would not recommend this book except in the case of extreme boredom.

The Winston Brothers by Lori Foster

Well, hello Lori Foster! Wow, does this book pack a wallop or what?? I had never read one of her books before, and count me in as a new huge fan! This is a 3-in-1 volume with novella's previously published in anthologies. Cole, Mack and Chase (and Zane, who has his own book) are brothers who own a bar, and enjoy their single status, but once the right women walk into their lives, they fall hard. I especially LOVED Cole and Sophie's story. It may have been short, and I would have loved a longer story, but Lori does a fabulous job of packing in the sexual tension and fun. I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson

Ok, I do NOT read James Patterson. I am a strictly romance girl. But a friend of mine convinced me to give this book a read, and I admit that the story line was very intriguing, so I decided to break out of my female author only box and read it.

Jane has an imaginary adult friend named Michael who has helped her through many hard times. She loves him dearly, and she assumes that he is going to be with her forever. But on her 9th (I think) birthday he breaks her heart when he tells her that he needs to leave her now. He's been her friend for as long as he is allowed, and now he needs to go help other boys and girls. He tells her that once he is gone she will magically forget him and their time together will seem like a dream. He leaves a broken hearted little girl. Fast forward 20 odd years later. Contrary to what Michael told her, Jane has never forgotten him. In fact she wrote an award winning play based on their friendship. When Michael is between assignments he happens across her, to his stunned disbelief, and when she also catches a glimpse of him the sparks fly. But how can an imaginary friend be her true love?

I LOVED the idea behind this book. I didn't love the execution of it as much though. As I was reading it I was very conscious of the fact that a man had written it (with a female co-author), as the writing was not at all flowery or romantically descriptive as women tend to write. I had a couple of nit-picky things, and things I would have changed in the story (I think he should have seen her play before even seeing her again -- that would have been fabulous), but over all I found it highly enjoyable -- for a book written by a man. ;)

Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts

The second in the Irish trilogy, this story continues with Brenna O'Toole and Shawn Gallagher, childhood friends who realize that as adults there is something more between them. They decide to have a fling, but Shawn starts to realize that Brenna is one he wants to keep.

I enjoyed this story, but I wouldn't say I loved it. It resembled the last book I read of hers, "Heaven and Earth". Her formula tom-boy heroine, and absentminded easy going hero were in evidence. I'd say I enjoyed the setting and feel more than the characters. I just can't relate to a tom-boy chick. It doesn't compute. I enjoyed that the ghost Gwen and fae Carrick made appearances, and I am looking forward to reading the conclusion of this trilogy and seeing Gwen and Carrick together again after so many years.

Highlander Untamed by Monica McCarty

Duty and the king have commanded that Rory MacLeod and Isabel MacDonald handfast in order to end a feud that began 2 years before when Isabel's uncle humiliated Rory's sister. Rory's goal is to please the king, and then not marry Isabel once the year of handfasting is over. Isabel has been instructed by her uncle to spy for him and gain information he needs to destroy Rory's clan. Attraction immediately sparks between the two and as they come to know one another better, the plans they secretly hold for betrayal become less and less important, as both try to find a way to make this temporary marriage permanent.

I read some rave reviews for this new author, and just had to give her a try. What I found in this book was a wonderful, sensual and stunning. This author clearly has a talent, and her research and attention to detail were flawless. The characters were very engaging and you really come to care for them and fear for them and hope everything turns out ok. I am thrilled to already own the next 2 in this trilogy and I am excited about the next trilogy that is coming out in '09. This is an author to watch!!!

The More I See You by Lynn Kurland

Jessica Blakely decided she had made a slight error in judgment when she went off to England with a recent blind date. He's a boor, he's an idiot, and she just wants to find a true knight in shining armor! So while walking through a castle garden she wishes for a true knight.... and a few minutes later she is swept back to medieval England where a knight sweeps her up to save her from hunting dogs. But Richard De Galtres isn't quite what she expects. His gruff manner fearsome scowls hide a gallant and loving man who needs her love. Before she knows it she wants to stay and love this gruff knight forever.

How sweet was this book?! I loved it. Richard was a very sweet hero. I loved how he was so gruff and grumpy while he was being chivalrous -- it was so funny and adorable. And I thought Jessica was the perfect woman for him. It took me about 50 pages or so to really get into it, but once I did I didn't want to put this adorable story down. Lynn Kurland is a master at writing an emotional and sweet story. It made me want to go give my husband a squeeze. "-)

Heaven and Earth by Nora Roberts

The second in the Three Sisters trilogy, this story was about Riley Todd. As in the first book, she is fighting her gift of magic and tries to ignore it as much as she can. But when charmingly nerdy MacAlister Booke shows up on the island looking to study the magic of the three women, Ripley finds herself drawn to him and before she knows it she has fallen in love with this lovable absent-minded nerd. And to her dismay, she can't ignore her powers any longer if she wants to save the man she loves.

I wasn't overly thrilled with this book. I enjoyed the first book of the series SO much more. This was easy to put down and didn't really ever grab me. I wavered between liking the heroine, and being thoroughly irritated by her. She's very sarcastic and harsh and she swears a lot, which I didn't enjoy. The hero was adorable. I normally don't like nerdy heroes, but this one was a good one. I think I'm over the witch-theme, just like I'm over vampires. I'll finish out the trilogy -- I'm looking forward to reading Mia's story.

Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue

In the year of 1272 Conner MacKeirnan, descendant of the fae, needs to marry in order to save his sister from a terrible marriage to an evil Laird. To do that he needs to travel through time and find the right woman because of a vow he made to never marry any woman in his own land. In Denver 2007, Caitlyn Coryell has just discovered her fiance with another woman and has decided to celebrate the end of her engagement by putting on some sexy lingerie, and drinking a Scottish alcohol she's been saving, when out of the blue and hot highlander pops into her bedroom and asks her to come to his time and marry him temporarily to save his sister. Thinking this a great drink-induced fantasy, she agrees.

This was a cute book. I wouldn't call it great, or fantastic -- a few loose ends and not a lot of detail prevent that, but worth a read for the time travel fan. It kept my attention and the characters were enjoyable.

Summer reading challenge wrap up

My Summer reading Challenge on Shelfari is complete, and here are a few questions we were asked to answer:

If you could recommend ONE book for others to read in the Fall Challenge, what would it be and why?
Definitely "Intimate Enemies" by Shana Abe. It was a very moving story with an unusual setting and two of my most favorite characters ever.

What was the worst book you read?
Probably "Deceptions" by Amanda Quick. It just didn't follow through, the characters were boring, and I was very disappointed in it.

Was there an author you found that you LOVED or HATED?
Any authors I loved I already knew I loved, and I tried a new author (Brenda Joyce), and while I didn't dislike the book, I got a clear enough picture of what sort of story she writes and I won't be reading anymore of hers. I didn't appreciate her idea of romantic.

Did you review books that were reviewed by other readers? If so, were the reviews alike or totally different?
I think a couple books were read by others as well. I don't recall exactly, but they differed a little. One I didn't like (Silver Angel), but someone else did.

Any other Comments or Suggestions?
Looking forward to the Fall Reading Challenge, but I am also enjoying reading anything that strikes my fancy while I wait!

Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn

When another clan raids her home, Kate Campbell doesn't hesitate to jump in and fight with her own sword, but to her surprise she is saved from being cut down when yet another feuding clan comes to her rescue. When she is injured by "friendly" fire, Callum McGregor decides she would be better off coming with him. When he learns who she is, the niece of the man he came to kill, he is delighted to change her status to captive in hopes that her uncle will come after her and make his job easier. But by the time they get to his own keep he is hopelessly in love. But Kate needs to convince him that his torturous past doesn't make him unworthy of being loved back.

Outstanding!!! Reminiscent of Julie Garwood's old historicals, this book was the ultimate comfort read. Sweetly romantic, engaging, and funny! Kate and Callum are fantastic characters, and Callum's band of warriors are absolutely hilarious. I cannot wait to read more by this author. This book goes on the 'KEEPER' shelf!!

Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey

n order to get out from her father's thumb, Kimberly is looking for a husband. She journeys to the home of the Duke and Duchess of Wrothston as their house guest as she begins her search. Also there as a house guest is Lachlan, the Laird of Clan MaGregor, and he happens to be there in search of a rich wife to restore his clans stolen fortune. After they both get a little tipsy on too much champagne, they sleep together and Lachlan becomes determined to have Kimberly as his wife.... but Kimberly believes him to be in love with someone else, and she won't have him if he can't love HER.

This book sort of strolled along. Never quite boring, but never exciting either. The hero was so-so, the heroine was so-so, and all of the characters were, well, so-so. I normally think of Lindsey's books as comfort reads, but not THIS comfortable. If it were any more comfortable I would have fallen asleep. In fact I did get a little droopy-eyed while reading it the other night.

Intimate Enemies by Shana Abe

I can sum this book up in two words: utterly fantastic. I read a couple of reviews on a Amazon that called this book boring, and to those people I would ask, are you CRAZY????

After the death of her father and serious injury of her cousin at the hands of invading Vikings, Lauren MacRae has taken temporary control of her clan on the isle of Shot. Half the island is inhabited by her clan, and the other half is inhabited by the hated English. When Lauren saves their new lord, Arion du Morgan, from one such Viking attack and brings him back to her castle to recover from his wounds, an idea is born. What if they declare a temporary truce to increase their numbers and fight off the Vikings for good? Neither side is thrilled with the alliance, but for the sake of survival they join their forces. But neither side count on the attraction and intense love that start to blossom between Lauren and Arion as they fight to hide their feelings to keep the alliance from turning sour. Now Lauren's betrothed from a mainland has come to claim his bride, and he wants to destroy the English side of the isle and kill Arion. Lauren must now choose between her duty to her clan and her true love.

The love story between Lauren and Arion is one I won't soon forget. At times tender, tentative, intense, and sweet. Lauren was the perfect balance between capable strong woman, and a feminine woman who also needs to be cherished. Arion was sweet, strong, protective and he was always there when Lauren needed him. The whole book was a delight to read and I was sad to turn the last page. Normally around the end of a book I am ready to finish and move on the the next book on my shelf, but this one I felt the need to savor after finishing. This book has earned an easy home for life on my bookshelf and I am certain I will be reading it again and again. I HIGHLY recommend it if you enjoy a tender historical romance. I wish ALL books had that special something that I found in this book.

Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts

I can sum this book up in one word: Charming. Set in modern day Ireland, this story is about an American woman who feels the need to get away from the job she hates and get back to her Irish roots and find herself again. So she journeys to Ireland, and moves into a cottage on Fairy Hill where a now dead distant relative used to live. In the small village she finds magic, ghosts, fairies, friends, and love.

The magical elements are never over-powering, and in fact lend even more charm to the story. The village people are fun and lively and they jump off the page. The author does such a great job I wished I could jump into the book and live there too! The romance was sweet and charming. I loved this book and I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy!! I give it 5 stars!

Swept Away by Marsha Canham

Annaleah is visiting her aunt on the seashore when a nearly-naked man washes up in a nearby tide pool. He comes to long enough to say, "They need to know the truth, before it's too late". Her aunt recognizes him as Emory Althorpe, an adventurer who has been recently branded a traitor and spy for Napoleon. Anna knows this can't be true the more she gets to know this man, so she agrees to help him clear his name despite the danger and possible consequences if she is also branded a traitor for helping him....

I read this while on vacation, and it was pretty good. Not as much romance as I would have liked. It was a lot of running around, here and there, everywhere, trying to escape people trying to capture them and figure out who is trying to frame Emory. I admit the mystery of who the real traitor is took me by surprise, so I like that it wasn't too predictable. Over all it didn't excite me too much, but it was a nice easy read!!

Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas

When Lady Sophia gets a job working for the Bow Street magistrate Sir Ross Cannon, she has only one goal: Destroy him in any way she can. She believes him to be responsible for punishing her brother harshly and causing his death when her brother was arrested for pickpocketing. She intends to seduce him, make him fall in love with her, and gather evidence of corruption at the same time. Then she plans to ruin him. What she doesn't plan on is finding a caring, fair, forgiving man who needs her love.

This book was wonderful. I was drawn in right away by the romantic and sexual tension between Ross and Sophia. They are both good people who have been ill used and disappointed in their lives, and they both need each other very badly. I loved how this book wasn't set in the typical ball rooms, drawing rooms, etc of the Regency era. This book was more working-class (though the characters are well born), which I felt made them seem more real and normal. The love story was very touching and it was a delight to read. I highly recommend it!!! I give it a 4.5!!

If You Desire by Kresley Cole

This was my first by this author, and I just didn't love it as much as I thought I would. I'm a sucker for the theme -- hero is in love with the heroine for years and doesn't think he's good enough for her, comes to find out heroine has loved him for years too..... In this book Hugh MacCarrick has come back to England at his at an urgent request to protect his employers daughter Jane Weyland from a mentally unstable rogue assassin who wants revenge on both Hugh and Jane's father by killing Jane -- the only woman either of them care for. It felt like a thin excuse, but I went with it. Jane is a bit of a thrill seeker. Within the first couple of chapters we meet her as she and her cousins are attending a masquerade ball for courtesans.... yeah. A little odd. Then Hugh marries Jane so that he can take her away to hide her (all things considered marrying her to protect her reputation seemed a bit like closing the barn door after the cows have escaped - LOL!), but he is determined to keep the marriage in name only and leave her when the threat is over, despite the fact that they are both madly in love with each other.

Frankly, the chemistry between the hero and heroine was pretty darn good throughout most of the book. I admit that. But the writing had an odd feel to it, and the hero's primary reason for not wanting to stay married is a curse that was put on his family 500 years before dooming he and his brothers to never love. It added an odd supernatural element to the story that felt totally out of place. Perhaps if I had read the first in the series first it might have been better explained... The ending was a little anti-climatic, I felt. Not as strong as I expected. Over all I enjoyed it and it was a quick read, and I will likely read more by the author if I happen across her books, but I won't be rabid to find them all.

Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught

Whitney has loved her childhood crush Paul for as long as she can remember. She is determined to marry him someday, so she is devastated when her father sends her to live with her aunt and uncle in Paris when she turns 15. She decides to make the best of it by making herself into a lady instead of the hellion she is known to be and win Paul when she someday returns. 4 years later her father has sent for to return home. Whitney is now a stunningly beautiful, and very captivating, woman. She sets out to win Paul, but a wrench in thrown into her plans by a new neighbor, Clayton Westland who is determined to have her for himself. (Not a spoiler btw) She finds out he is actually the Duke of Westmoreland, and he also happens to be her betrothed!!

This was a very long book. The version I read was 706 pages long! I confess that for the first half of the book I wondered why we were getting SO much background and why the courtship was taking so long. I understood by the last half. I needed a box of tissue right next to me for that last half. This was a very involved and emotional love story with lots of twists and turns. You REALLY feel for both characters and what they are going through. It was very intense and enjoyable and I see now why it is so highly rated!!! It's a must read!

The Princess by Jude Deveraux

When princess Aria washes up on military man JT's vacation beach, he finds his rest and relaxation ruined by a girl who won't eat with her fingers, won't let him so much as touch her, makes him walk behind her, and generally acts like the uppity princess she is. Someone tried to kill her, and now it's suddenly become his responsibility to protect her. When they get back to the mainland the government comes up with a bazaar convoluted plan to keep her safe while at the same time benefiting them by making the two of them marry. Aria needs to learn to act like an American for the plan to work.

Hmm. Well, since this book got such high reviews on book seller sites I was expecting to really enjoy it, but I didn't. The hero ran hot and cold throughout the WHOLE book. He was either mad or he was lovey-dovey. He was so easily annoyed that it got old really fast. And the the heroine's snobbery was more annoying than funny. I did enjoy that this book was set in the 40's, which is highly unusual for a romance, and I found I enjoyed that. I enjoyed reading about Aria learning to be American, but the romance of the story was lukewarm at best. I didn't feel the chemistry between the characters AT ALL. And the plot that the American military came up with was confusing and strange. At one point Aria goes back to her country pretending to be an American, and then pretending to be an American pretending to be a princess.... got it? Me neither. I think even the author got confused. LOL! I think I would have enjoyed this book very much as a teenager, but as a 30-something I enjoy a little more depth in my books. For the setting and for originality I will give it a 3.

Where Angels Fear by Ginna Gray

Waking up in bed with virile Sam Lawford was hardly Elise Holman's typically angelic behavior. Lately she'd been fighting an attraction to her very sexy boss, but there is no excuse for her impulsive behavior where he is concerned. She is stunned by his solution to their mutual attraction. He abruptly proposed -- then stipulated that, she wouldn't have his love or any children from him. Though Elise feared treading into such a cold bargain, she prayed warm affection would soften Sam's heart. But was she simply a fool rushing into marriage with a man who refused to love?

I am a big fan of Ginna Gray's oldies from the 90's. Her style is very reminiscent of vintage Linda Howard in the way she is able to evoke emotion and really make you care about her characters. I found this on the book sale table at the library and couldn't resist this blast from the past. She really draws you in the second you open the book and it was very hard to put this book down. I felt the ending was just a touch forced and his confessions of love a little over-done for how he was throughout the rest of the book, but aside from that I really enjoyed this book!! I give it a 4 rating.

Devil Takes a Bride by Gaelen Foley

Lizzie Carlisle, companion to Dowager Viscountess Strathmore, is tired of seeing the bills pour in, but no sign of the nephew of her employer. She takes the matter into her own hands and writes a misleading letter to Devlin "Devil" Strathmore to force him to visit his lonely aunt. Believing his aunt (his only living relative) to be at deaths door, he races to her home to find his aunt well and in the care of a meddlesome and enchanting woman that he desires to know much better....

But Devil Strathmore is not what he appears-- believing the members of an exclusive and depraved 'club' to be the murders of his parents and young sister, he plans to infiltrate the club and discover just what happened that night they died in a mysterious fire. In order to be accepted he must play up to the club's rep and behave like a degenerate. But his plans for total revenge are altered by the fact that he is falling in love with the woman of his dreams and now he has to choose between love and his long planned revenge.

Fast paced, sometimes intense, very entertaining book. Not as romantic as the last (and first) book I read of hers, but no less enjoyable. The story centers more around the mystery than the romance, so just for that I give it a 4!

Promise of the Rose by Brenda Joyce

A bit more intense than I was expecting, this book had a lot of medieval political intrigue. I really loved the hero for the first half of the book, but he got a bit meaner than I would have liked in the last half. I think he should have been made to suffer a bit for his mistrust and ill-treatment of the heroine. I didn't feel he was properly repentant at the end. The ending was sweet, but I somehow expected more for such an emotional book. Over all it was pretty fast moving and interesting throughout. The author struck a good balance between keeping the reader informed of the goings on without boring with too many details. The romance was hot without being gratuitous. I would have given it 5 stars if the hero had redeemed himself a little more.

Silver Angel by Johanna Lindsey

English miss Chantelle Burke is trying to escape her horrible guardian when she stumbles on the wrong people and is kidnapped and taken to the middle east, where she is sold into slavery and put in a posh harem owned by Jamil, the Dey of Barikah. What she doesn't know is that the man posing as Jamil is really an Englishman named Derek, there to help his twin (the real master) find out who is trying to kill him. Chantelle's silver haired, slim beauty isn't appreciated by Jamil, but Derek is instantly attracted to her English-like beauty and decides to make her his own.

I can't say I loved this story. There are many romantic places and settings in the world, but I don't find a middle-eastern harem to be one of them. Granted, Derek never slept with any of the other women in the harem, but Chantelle didn't know that, and so I found it hard to believe she could possibly fall in love with someone she believed to own nearly fifty women for his exclusive pleasure, 3 of them wives for heavens sake. In fact when she realized she loved him she pretty much demanded that he never sleep with any of the other women, which I found laughable given the circumstances. I didn't like Derek at all. He wasn't exactly emphatic about taking her back to England with him when his help was no longer needed. And he planned to make her his mistress when he got back since he was already engaged. It was only after his finance begged off that he essentially said, 'hey, now I can marry that other chick!' ok, maybe not in so many words, but it had that feel. *giggle* I normally really enjoy Johanna Lindsey's books, but this was a miss for me. I'll be nice and give it a 3.

Deception by Amanda Quick

Rating: 3

Olympia Wingfield devotes all of her time to her passion for studying ancient legends. But when she suddenly becomes guardian to her 3 hellion nephews she has little time or quiet for her studies. So when Jared Chillhurst appears on her doorstep after escorting a new shipment of goodies to her from her uncle, she is delighted when he announces that he is also the new tutor for her nephews, also courtesy of her uncle. In reality Jared is there to learn what she finds in the old diary that is in the shipment. The diary was written by his great grandmother and it contains clues to finding a treasure.

When I read the back cover of this book I was expecting an action/adventure/pirate/treasure hunt sort of story. Perhaps the person who had the job of writing that blurb should be fired. It was none of the above! I kept waiting for them to jump on a ship and go find the treasure they kept talking about, but they never did!!! Even at the end they sent someone else to go find it!!! Huh? And for someone who is there to find out what she deciphers, Jared is remarkably uninterested in listening to what she finds. And the heroine. Oh my word. Constant defense of her man is very admirable, but makes for a rather boring story. I also thought the character development was a bit lacking. It was like reading about paper dolls -- there was no depth to them at all. And the author just couldn't decide WHO she wanted to be the "bad guy" so she threw a few semi-bad guys in. If I wasn't reading this book for a book challenge I would have tossed it into the UBS bag 200 (of 400) pages in! *snore*

A Kiss at Midnight by Shana Abe

It's 999 and it's believed that the world is about to end. But Rafael Leonhart doesn't believe the doomsday talk. All he knows is that ancient prophesy has dictated that at the turn of the millennium the land of Alderich will belong to him. But the current lord doesn't want to relinquish it, so Rafe kidnaps his granddaughter, Serath Rune, from the convent where she has lived for 11 years, in hopes that his hostage will help convince the elder Rune to give the land over to him. But neither Rune nor Sareth are what he expects. Rune cares not at all about his granddaughter, and Sareth is viewed with fear by the people of her childhood home and thought to be a witch. And now he is finding himself falling in love with his hostage.

A little darker than I was expecting, but a good book. The theme of the "end of the world" was highly unusual, and I can't say I loved that part since it cast a slightly dreary feel over the book, even knowing that it wouldn't be the end of the world. I felt like Rafe and Serath weren't quite as well rounded of characters as they could have been, but I still thoroughly enjoyed their love story. If there is one thing you can count on Abe to do, it's to pull you in and give you a story with a different twist than you have ever read before. I'll give it a 4.