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!!