Marrying McCabe by Fiona Brand

Rating: 4

Not as good as her first 4 books, this was good, but when I turned the last page I realized that McCabe never told Roma that he loved her! Um, ok. And her name, Roma, drove me a little crazy. Is she a tomato...? Anyway, other than those two minor things this was a decent read.

Desire Untamed by Pamela Palmer

Rating: 4

Synopsis: They are called Feral Warriors—an elite band of immortals who can change shape at will. Sworn to rid the world of evil, consumed by sorcery and seduction, their wild natures are primed for release . . .

Kara MacAllister's quiet small-town life is transformed forever the night a powerful stranger rips her from her home, claiming she is the chosen one—the key to his survival.

Spiriting her away into the rain-soaked night, Lyon reveals a truth Kara can barely credit. She's immortal, and the only one who can save his race. And deep within her, he arouses a fierce, primal hunger beyond anything she's ever imagined.

But only when their lives are threatened by an ancient evil will Kara and Lyon realize they have found a love they would risk their immortal souls to claim . . . and a powerful desire that could never, ever be tamed.

Review: Pretty good. Nothing I would get wowed over, but a decent read! Steamy, interesting, but check your brain at the door, because some of the stuff in here is slightly over the top. I enjoyed it!

Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas

Rating: 5!!!!!!!!!!!! ♥ ♥ ♥

synopsis:

Zachary Bronson has built an empire of wealth and power—now he needed a wife to help secure his position in society...and warm his bed in private. But not just any woman will do for a man whom all of London knows is not a gentleman. Then he unexpectedly swept Lady Holly Taylor into his arms for an unasked for—but very alluring—kiss, and suddenly he knew he had found a woman whose fierce passions matched his own.

Lady Holly Taylor was beautiful, generous, and, as a widow, destined to spend her life playing by society's rules, even when they went against her bolder instincts. But Zachary's kiss had aroused her, and though the shocking offer he made didn't include marriage, she was compelled to risk everything and follow him to the place where dreams begin.

Review: HERE!! Here is my rough, brutish, ill-mannered Tarzan hero (see previous review)!!! How I loved him. Adored. It's books like this that set my standards so high. Why can't all heroes be like this one??? I found Zachary Bronson absolutely wonderful -- he's rough, he's ill-mannered, he's totally and un-apologetically wicked. I found him utterly delightful and charming. Call me crazy. Allow me to gush further: I was literally captivated by this story from the first and it wove me into it's delightful spell until I turned the last page. When Zachary kissed her and she started crying.... sigh. I cried for Holly and all that she had to go through to find happiness again. I loved the way he loved her. It was perfect. And her daughter and her button string! So sweet and adorable. I have to say it: Zachary Bronson in all his brutish, arrogant glory just marched up to Nick Gentry and booted him off of my most favorite Kleypas hero of all time throne. Best book I read all year, hands down.

To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

Rating: 3 1/2

Synopsis: Sir Phillip knew that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he'd proposed, figuring that she'd be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except . . . she wasn't. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her . . . and more.

Did he think she was mad? Eloise Bridgerton couldn't marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking . . . and wondering . . . and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except . . . he wasn't. Her perfect husband wouldn't be so moody and ill-mannered, and while Phillip was certainly handsome, he was a large brute of a man, rough and rugged, and totally unlike the London gentlemen vying for her hand. But when he smiled . . . and when he kissed her . . . the rest of the world simply fell away, and she couldn't help but wonder . . . could this imperfect man be perfect for her?

Review: I adored the first four Bridgerton books, to varying degrees, but this one really flopped for me. I think perhaps Julia Quinn's idea of "rough brute" and mine differ greatly. I adored the idea of a rough ill-mannered hero! What fun! Would he have any manners at all? Would he be like Tarzan?? Imagine my disappointment when a mild botanist who is a bit afraid of his children emerges from the pages of this book. I'm afraid it just never made me sit up and take notice. The romance was a bit tepid, to be sure. I somewhat enjoyed Eloise's interaction with the wild children (much more Tarzan like actually than their father), but overall I had hoped for much more....

To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

Rating: 4 1/2

Synopsis:
Reclusive Sir Alistair Munroe has hidden in his castle ever since returning from the Colonies, scarred inside and out. But when a mysterious beauty arrives at his door, the passions he's kept suppressed for years begin to awaken.

Running from past mistakes has taken legendary beauty Helen Fitzwilliam from the luxury of the ton to a crumbling Scottish castle ... and a job as a housekeeper. Yet Helen is determined to start a new life and she won't let dust-or a beast of a man-scare her away.

Beneath Helen's beautiful façade, Alistair finds a courageous and sensual woman. A woman who doesn't back away from his surliness-or his scars. But just as he begins to believe in true love, Helen's secret past threatens to tear them apart. Now both Beast and Beauty must fight for the one thing neither believed they could ever find-a happy ever after.

Review: A few years ago I probably would have avoided this book based on Helen's past as a Duke's mistress, but I would have missed a treasure if I had. I do love a good fairytale retold, and this book very much fits the bill. I found Helen very genuine and real, and her 'beast' Alistair was truly wonderful. I also appreciated the 'break' from heroes in this series who are so obsessed with finding the Spinner Falls traitor. Alistair wants to know as well, but he is not consumed with the puzzle as the previous 3 heroes in this series have been, which got a bit old. I am super excited to read about the long-lost-thought-dead Reynard in the last book!!

The Heart Breaker by Nicole Jordan

Rating: 5 ♥

Synopsis:

Burdened by Family debts, Heather Ashford has no choice but to exchange her dreams of romance and accept the proposal of ruggedly handsome cattle baron Sloan McCord. However the widowed rancher is more than she bargains for. Tormented by a deep sorrow, Sloan keeps his heart well guarded, even as he sets her body on fire night after night. But each time Heather gazes into his ice blue eyes, she realizes she wants more from this man than his passion—she wants his love.

But Sloan McCord has vowed never to love again. Although his infant daughter needs a mother, he doesn't want—or need—a wife. He is surprised that Heather, an elegant citybred lady, turns his remote Colorado ranch house into a home, and tenderly cares for his child. She is beginning to haunt his thoughts by day and steal his breath by night—and this he cannot have if he is to keep a safe distance. Does his fierce bride of convenience have the strength to heal his broken heart—before he breaks hers?

Review: First, I have to say I am a sucker for cheesy covers. They amuse me. But inside the cheesy covers of this book I found a delightful and emotional story as well! I thought Heather was a fantastic female lead, and well suited for the very yummy Sloan. I loved reading their story and it had one of my guilty pleasure elements -- Sloan is a total jerk at one point and Heather makes him work to win her back. I hate when the heroine falls back into the hero's arms with very little effort on the hero's part. Over all I found this story very satisfying and lovely.

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

4 1/2 ♥

synopsis:
"Everyone says Lord Ian Mackenzie is crazy—and possibly a murderer—but a young widow longing for passion is determined to bare the truth about the dashing and darkly charming Scotsman."

Review:
I was extremely intrigued by the talk this book was stirring up amongst romance readers, so despite having some-what given up on this author, I snagged a copy from the library, and am I ever so glad that I did! Hello! Ms. Ashley is back on my radar! The hero in this story is mildly autistic, though clearly high functioning. He was delightful and charming and I thought Beth was completely perfect for him. I thought the author handled his condition sensitively and created a very endearing hero. All of the characters really jumped off the page and I am SO excited to read about Ian's brothers.

The Pride of the Lions by Marsha Canham

Rating: 4 1/2 ♥

Synopsis:
They were torn between pride and passion. . .

It was a boastful wager, a bold flirtation meant to win a proposal from the most eligible officer in His Majesty's Royal Dragoons. How was the spoiled and pampered Catherine Augustine Ashbrooke to know the handsome stranger with the brooding midnight eyes would see through her plot and make her the pawn in a dangerous game of his own?

United by a reckless game of chance. . .

Alexander Cameron may have won the highborn English beauty in a duel, but not even the lure of long-forgotten desires could keep him from his meeting with destiny. He had no choice but to carry his reluctant bride off to the Highlands, to a world of ancient blood feuds and a brewing rebellion--a world where fiery passion and breathtaking courage would prove that even legendary warriors could lose their hearts.

Review: A very sweeping and epic type of story, I enjoyed it very much! This book leaves us on a cliff -- Catherine and Alex don't get their happily-ever-after in this book, I will have to read the next one for that. Highly entertaining.

To Seduce a Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt

Rating: 5 ♥
Synopsis:
Jasper Renshaw, Viscount Vale, has a problem: he needs to marry and produce an heir to the title. All Jasper wants is to find a lady who will put up with him long enough to wed so he can retreat to his life of debauchery--a life that keeps the haunting memories of his past at bay. Knowing that Jasper is under pressure to marry, Melisande Flemming grasps her fate with both hands and volunteers to wed him. Although Jasper is initially only interested in producing an heir, he soon becomes entranced by his wife--prim and proper by day, wanton by night-- and vows to learn her secrets.

Melissande, however, is determined to keep her husband at a distance. She has loved, and lost, before, and will do anything to keep him from learning her terrible weakness: she's secretly been in love with him for years. But to her chagrin, her husband pursues her, wooing her as if she were a paramour, not his lady wife. As Melissande and Jasper embark on a passionate game of cat and mouse, secrets from the past begin to resurface.... threatening to tear them asunder.

Review: I sort of put off reading this book because I wasn't so sure I was going to like Melisande as a heroine, having met her in To Taste Temptation. I mean, a heroine who only wears brown?? Who ever heard of such a thing! But this was one of those books I seriously misjudged. It was actually fantastic. Even after finishing it I was still thinking about it and awed by it. I admit I was hoping that Vale would get her out of those brown dresses already and everyone one would discover that she is actually beautiful and not plain at all.... but it didn't go that way at all, and I admire the author for not only NOT changing Melisande, but also not changing Vale. Despite all of their ups and downs in this book, one thing made abundantly clear was that Melisande and Vale accepted one another as they were, and never tried to change the other person. It was refreshing. I was very much reminded why I am such a huge fan of Elizabeth Hoyt -- she is an amazing writer.

The Dream Thief by Shana Abe

Rating: 4 ♥

B&N synopsis: In the remote hills of northern England lives a powerful clan with a centuries-old secret. They are the drákon, shape-shifters who possess the ability to Turn—changing from human to smoke to dragon. And from the very stones of the earth, they hear hypnotic songs of beauty and wonder. But there is one stone they fear....

Buried deep within the bowels of the Carpathian Mountains lies the legendary dreaming diamond known as Draumr, the only gem with the power to enslave the drákon. Since childhood, Lady Amalia Langford, daughter of the clan’s Alpha, has heard its haunting ballad but kept it secret, along with another rare Gift....

Lia can hear the future, much in the way she hears the call of Draumr. And in that future, she realizes that the diamond—along with the fate of the drákon—rests in the hands of a human man, one who straddles two worlds.

Review: The second book in the Drakon series.... as with the first book, I enjoyed it, but it took a bit for me to get into it. I was actually kind of bored until about half way through, when the book suddenly grabbed me. It's the craziest thing -- with Shana Abe's book I sometimes feel like I'm more hypnotized by the story than anything else. I'm not a huge shape-shifter fan, but it works in Abe's writing style. Her fairy tale way of writing tricks you into enjoying story lines you wouldn't think you would. It was certainly left with some loose ends though, which I did not like. I know she plans on addressing them in the next book, but I really wanted them addressed right away. The "tribe" Lia is a part of makes me crazy. I feel like a rebellious teenager when I read about them. I hope they get their due one of these books.....

Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare

Rating: 5 ♥

Synopsis: When a young woman disappears, journalist Sophie Alton investigates and is led to the woman's brother, a convicted killer who is running from the law. Together, they follow a dangerous path toward the truth-and unforgettable passion.

Review: Utterly fantastic. I have yet to read a book by Pamela that I have not enjoyed. This book was very fast paced and sexy with lots of fascinating twists and turns. I wondered how the two of them could possibly find a happy ending, but it all worked out wonderfully, of course. And I LOVED the cameo of Leiha, the asian queen! Haha!! If you don't know who she is, it would take too long to explain, but the short version is that she is someone I know. This book is a keeper!!

Covet by J.R. Ward

I waited months for this book. I put it on my wish list at the library, on paperback swap, and waited with bated breath for my name to come up.... finally, the library sent me a notice -- it was on hold for me!! Yippy! Then I started it.

I'm afraid I only got about 130-ish pages in. Fallen Angel? He's just a guy who stepped in a puddle that had live electricity laying on it. Heaven? Sure, if you think of heaven as a couple of English chaps playing croquet next to a castle as heaven.... His sign to direct him to the person he is supposed to help? A neon arrow on the screen of a mounted TV pointing down to his boss who stands beneath it. The heroine? Oh, she's a 'lady of the night' in a seedy goth club. Sigh. I can't fairly give this book any kind of number of hearts since I couldn't bring myself to finish it, but suffice to say, I will be passing on this series.