Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Rating: 5 ♥ ♥ ♥

Review: Gracie Snow is supposed to escort ex-football star Bobby Tom Denton to the set of the movie that he is very very late to film. Bobby Tom is bound and determined to drag his feet and take his time getting there, but he didn't count on a tenacious wallflower like Gracie. She will do whatever she needs to do to get his gorgeous butt there and save her job. And she will fall in love with her charge along the way....

There are so many things about this book I loved, I just don't know where to start. It's a little odd I loved it so much. What kind of name is Bobby Tom? What is WITH his fashion sense?? Yuck! Why does Gracie need to be plain to start?? And yet, I loved Bobby Tom so much I graciously overlooked his atrocious name and flashy apparel because how could you NOT love him? He's just so outrageous in the most adorable way. And Gracie! Poor dear! You really feel for her. She feels so boring and plain, but with the help of a makeover she starts to feel pretty for the first time ever! This book just had so much heart and emotion and it was just plain old fashioned FUN!! And I just adored the secondary romance between his mom and the town "bad guy". It was almost sweeter than the romance between Bobby Tom and Gracie. But not quite. I could just go on and on, but I'll stop now. Clearly I am keeping this one around!

Stranger in my Arms by Lisa Kleypas

Rating: 5 ♥

Back cover:

"Lady Hawksworth, your husband is not dead."

With those words, Lara's life turned upside down. Hunter, Earl of Hawksworth, had been lost at sea. Or so she'd been told. Their unhappy marriage—with its cold caresses and passionless kisses—was over. But now a powerful, virile man stood before her, telling secrets only a husband could know, and vowing she would once again be his wife in every way. While Lara couldn't deny that this man with smoldering dark eyes resembled Hunter, he was attentive and loving in ways he never was before. Soon she desperately wanted to believe, with every beat of her heart, that this stranger was truly her husband. But had this rake reformed—or was Lara being seduced by a cunning stranger?

Review: I LOOOVED this book. It was not quite like anything I have read before. I thought it was wonderful and romantic and I enjoyed seeing Lara grow her backbone back and learn to love her husband. But not her husband. How confusing. hahaha! I thought Hunter (but not Hunter) was really sweet and endearing. This is one of those books where as you're reading you think 'how sweet', but in the back of your mind you know that in real life it would actually be a little creepy that this guy who is clearly NOT her dead husband comes to take his place. Still, it's not hard to love this story. I do sort of wish we got to know more about the new Hunter, but the author just decided that we should only know him by his new identity. We learn just enough about who he was, but clearly we are meant to look forward and not behind. I do so love a Kleypas novel!

It Had to be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Rating: 5 ♥

The Windy City isn't quite ready for Phoebe Somerville -- the outrageous, curvaceous New York knockout who has just inherited the Chicago Stars football team. And Phoebe is definitely not prepared for the Stars' head coach Dan Celebow, a sexist jock taskmaster with a one-track mind. Celebow is everything Phoebe abhors.

Review: I thought I didn't like SEP, having tried one of her oldies once up a time and hating it and never finishing it, so I read this book kicking and screaming. I stopped screaming soon into starting it. Wow!!!!! Lets just say that I wasn't half way through before I made a mad dash for my local UBS and bought out everything they had of hers. Talk about a turn around! I nearly got whiplash! Utterly fabulous. I found it funny, sexy (wowser), and it had a lot of heart. I have never read anything quite like it before. Phoebe was a wonderful heroine -- one of my favorite types. The type who has a public face that is so unlike who she really is, and the hero catches a glimpse of the real woman and stops at nothing to 'unmask' her and find out what makes her tick. I LOVED Dan. He's a wonderful hero and also one of my favs -- uncivilized. I do love me an uncivilized and rough around the edges hero. Yum.

Duke of Shadows by Meredith Duran

Rating: 5 ♥

Sick of tragedy, done with rebellion, Emmaline Martin vows to settle quietly into British Indian society. But when the pillars of privilege topple, her fiancé's betrayal leaves Emma no choice. She must turn for help to the one man whom she should not trust, but cannot resist: Julian Sinclair, the dangerous and dazzling heir to the Duke of Auburn.

In London, they toast Sinclair with champagne. In India, they call him a traitor. Cynical and impatient with both worlds, Julian has never imagined that the place he might belong is in the embrace of a woman with a reluctant laugh and haunted eyes. But in a time of terrible darkness, he and Emma will discover that love itself can be perilous — and that a single decision can alter one's life forever.

A lifetime of grief later, in a cold London spring, Emma and Julian must finally confront the truth: no matter how hard one tries to deny it, some pasts cannot be disowned...and some passions never die.

Review: Loooove. Like the book in the previous post, this book is by a newby author, and was also a huge hit in the romance community. Unlike the previous book, I adored it. This book was a little dark, but I found I enjoyed that about it. I find my tastes are changing lately, and these darker more dramatic, less conventional books are appealing to me more and more. I found it totally engrossing, and quite amazing. The emotional journey and healing after so much tragedy and grief by both hero and heroine was really wonderful. Ahhh the scene where they are re-united was amazing. This is one of those book that will never fade into the woodwork of my mind -- it will stay with me for a very long time.

The Magic of Ordinary Days by Ann Howard Creel

Rating: 5 ♥

Olivia Dunne, a studious minister's daughter who dreams of being an archaeologist, never thought that the drama of World War II would affect her quiet life in Denver. An exhilarating flirtation reshapes her life, though, and she finds herself banished to a rural Colorado outpost, married to a man she hardly knows. Overwhelmed by loneliness, Olivia tentatively tries to establish a new life, finding much-needed friendship and solace in two Japanese American sisters who are living at a nearby internment camp. When Olivia unwittingly becomes an accomplice to a crime and is faced with betrayal, she finally confronts her own desires.

Review: One Sunday evening I caught the movie form of this book on Hallmark. I loved it. A few days later my good friend emailed me very excited about a book and insisted I had to read it. She was already on her third reading of it. When it occurred to me that it was the same as the movie, I was intrigued!! I wasn't so sure I was going to like the book -- I thought it might be kind of Janette Oke-ish in book form, and I outgrew Janette Oke by my 16th birthday. But despite my misgivings, I checked it out from the library and dived in. It was one of those books that you're going along reading and thinking, 'hm it's good, but not great', and then before you know it your completely enamored.

It was amazing. There are so many layers and so much emotion and heart in this story, it just blew me away. Way better than the movie. I think the screenwriter for the movie missed the whole point of the book -- literally. Part of the story was totally different in the movie and was inconsistent with what the book is saying.

In life we make choices. Sometimes things work out better than we thought they ever could, and sometimes they don't. But not matter what choices we make there are ALWAYS consequences. We need to think about our choices and reactions and actions and think about what might happen as a result. And who we might hurt and effect with our actions.

I also appreciated the message that it's OK to live an ordinary life! There is NOTHING wrong with that! We can't all be destined to wander the globe and have adventures.

I just can't say enough good things about this book -- it's a must read and I am going to have to get a copy to keep.

Through a Dark Mist by Marsha Canham

Rating: 5 ♥

In the dark forests of medieval England, En route to her wedding, Lady Servanne's party is attacked by notorious Black Wolf and his band. Her kingdom's future is changed forever when she and Black Wolf submit to their growing passion, and he claims to be the true heir to her future husband's title.

This book was amazing and wonderful. It was a sweeping epic ride from start to finish with lots of swash buckling, adventure, romance, and intrigue. Very much a re-telling sort of Robin Hood story, I was thoroughly swept up in the story from start to finish -- Marsha Canham is a masterful story teller!!

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.

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.

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.

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!!

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Rating: 5 ♥
Synopsis: Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn't know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trop aboard he discovers notyhing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide . . . is she his biggest threat—or his promise of a happy ending?

Review: I have been looking forward to Penelope's story -- if anyone deserved a happy ending it's her. She's been largely over looked and unnoticed in all of the previous books, and you really feel for her and want someone to see her and love her. This was a very satisfying story. And bonus -- we find out the identity of Lady Whistledown!!!! It was who I suspected, though Julia Quinn did a good job of making me question my guess before the Great Reveal. Just a lovely story worthy of the Bridgerton series.

An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

Rating: 5 ♥

Synopsis: Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

Review: Wow!!!!! I simply adored this book!!! I enjoyed how it started out with the Cinderella-like story line, but then about a hundred pages in it veered off in a new direction. I found the whole book honestly delightful. I was either giggling or getting teary through most of the book. It seems like with each Bridgerton book I become more and more enamored with this family. I confess I am a sucker for anything with a fairy tale twist, but not all authors pull it off -- this was just utter perfection.

One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake

Rating: 5 ♥

Synopsis:
It's tough to play it cool on a sultry summer night . . .

The perfect daughter. The perfect prom queen. The perfect wife. Jenny Tolliver's been the good girl all her life, and it's gotten her nowhere. Now that her marriage has been busted up by her cheating ex, she's decided it's time to regroup and rediscover herself. This summer she's headed back to her hometown of Destiny, Ohio, to the very lakeshore cottage where she grew up, to figure out what life holds in store for her next.

She never dreamed the answer would be Mick Brody, Destiny's #1 hellraiser. He comes from the wrong side of the tracks (or in his case, the lake), and he's landed in hot water more times than he can count. He's exactly the kind of guy Jenny's always kept her distance from . . . but soon the good girl and the bad boy are caught in a raw heat that's out of control. Too bad Mick's got a secret that threatens to tear them apart and ruin Jenny's perfectly, passionately reckless summer . . .

Review: I do love a bad boy.... in my books that is. And I love finding new-to-me authors!! This book was just great. Easy to sit and read for hours on end, humorous, emotional, and very sexy!!! Loved it. Can't wait to read more from this author!

My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway

Rating: 5 ♥ ♥

Dear Mr. Thorne,

I give you fair warning. I intend to do whatever I must to abide by your late uncle's will and win Mill House. Though I know he never expected me to succeed, and for whatever reasons is using me to shame you, I accept his challenge. For the next five years, I will profitably manage this estate. I will deliver to you an allowance and I will prove that women are just as capable as men. And at the end, I shall accept Mill House as my reward.

Sincerely,
Lillian Bede

My Dear Miss Bede,

Forgive me if I fail to shudder. Pray, do whatever you bloody well want, can, or must. I shall look forward to making your acquaintance in my lawyer's office five years hence, when I take possession of Mill House.

Avery Thorne

Review: What a wonderful book!! This took me by surprise -- I didn't know how I would like a beta hero, but frankly, I adored him. It was a refreshing change from conniving, harsh, rake types I normally read about. Surprisingly, despite the fact that there are NO villains or bad people in the entire book, it still managed to stay interesting and fresh. I thought every interaction between Avery and Lily was sweet and endearing and very romantic. This is very much a romantics book. I would have liked more letter interaction I think -- that is my only complaint. Or rather, I would have liked to have seen more of the letters. This is one of those books that made me feel a broad range of emotion. I was laughing, I was crying.... I totally cried when I read the letter Avery wrote after his friend died. I just cannot say enough good stuff about this book, I highly recommend it.

Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning

Rating: 5 ♥

Synopsis: He has stolen her past, but MacKayla will never allow her sister's murderer to take her future. Yet even the uniquely gifted sidhe-seer is no match for the Lord Master, who has unleashed an insatiable sexual craving that consumes Mac's every thought-and thrusts her into the seductive realm of two very dangerous men, both of whom she desires but dares not trust.
As the enigmatic Jericho Barrons and the sensual Fae prince V"lane vie for her body and soul, as cryptic entries from her sister's diary mysteriously appear and the power of the Dark Book weaves its annihilating path through the city, Mac's greatest enemy delivers a final challenge...
It's an invitation Mac cannot refuse, one that sends her racing home to Georgia, where an even darker threat awaits. With her parents missing and the lives of her loved ones under siege, Mac is about to come face-to-face with a soul-shattering truth-about herself and her sister, about Jericho Barrons...and about the world she thought she knew.

Review: As usual, I now have more questions than answers!!! I am so ready for book 5 to get some of those answers!! I was so completely engrossed in this book I barely came up for air. Once I read the last line I wanted to scream.... WHO IS IT???? I think this cliff-hanger is even worse than the last one!! While I adore this series, I do hope KMM gives us some books more like what she used to write after this series is over.... Oh, and if Jericho isn't the hero at the end of this series I will probably scream. Seriously.

The Warrior by Nicole Jordan

Rating: 5 ♥

Synopsis: For five turbulent years, Ariane has dutifully prepared herself for marriage to King Henry's most trusted vassal, the legendary Norman knight Ranulf de Vernay. But cruel circumstance has branded Ariane's father a traitor to the Crown. And now Ranulf is returning to Claredon, not as a bridegroom... but as a conqueror.

Survivor of a hellish youth, Ranulf knows well the treacheries of noblewomen -- and mistrusts the regal, defiant beauty to whom he was once betrothed. But while he shields his wounded heart with impenetrable armor, she sears his soul with sensuous fire. Ranulf may have vowed to claim her lands and her body as his prize, but ultimately it is the mighty warrior who must surrender to Ariane's proud, determined passion -- and her remarkable healing love.

Review: This was a fabulously sexy medieval read, I thoroughly enjoyed it and savored it. My only complaint was that the hero wasn't made to suffer much at all for his deplorable treatment of the heroine. Over all I found this a great book and I am looking forward to reading more books by this author! My cover is far better than this one, but I couldn't find a copy for this review....

Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas

Rating: 5 ♥

MEET THE BLUE-EYED DEVIL

His name is Hardy Cates. He's a self-made millionaire who comes from the wrong side of the tracks. He's made enemies in the rough-and-tumble ride to the top of Houston's oil industry. He's got hot blood in his veins. And vengeance on his mind.

MEET THE HEIRESS

She's Haven Travis. Despite her family's money, she refuses to set out on the path they've chosen for her. But when Haven marries a man her family disapproves of, her life is set on a new and dangerous course. Two years later, Haven comes home, determined to guard her heart. And Hardy Cates, a family enemy, is the last person she needs darkening her door or setting her soul on fire.

WATCH THE SPARKS FLY....

Review: I wasn't crazy about the first book in this series (Sugar Daddy), but this book was a whole different story-- I loved it! It was emotional and, at times, hard to read, but it was so immensely satisfying and sweet. I liked Hardy in the last book, but this one made me love him. I'm very glad that I gave this book a chance.

Impetuous by Lori Foster

Rating: 5 ♥

The normally frumpy teacher Carlie shows up at her best friend's costume party masked and dressed to kill as a harem girl -- she has no idea that she will attract the notice of her friend's brother-in-law, sexy ladies man Tyler. After an unexpectedly sexy encounter, Carlie sneaks out on Tyler.... but Tyler won't give up on finding his mysterious harem girl. Now he has suddenly noticed Carlie as a woman (who is not a frump at all) though, and he is getting to know the caring wonderful woman that she is inside and he finds himself torn between the two, never guessing that they are one and the same.....

This is a reissue of Lori Foster's very first published book, so I went into this one without high expectations.... while there was a detail or two that didn't really make sense, over all I was extremely impressed with this book. The banter between Tyler and Carlie is fun, funny, and endearing. And of course it was sexy. I LOVED it. And, um, wow on the cover!! Kept this one covered when the kids were around..... ;)

Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward ,

Challenge: Double trouble (a story with a twin)...
Rating: 5 ♥

This is not your teenage daughter's vampire story. The Bella in this story is not a child. In the previous book (Lover Eternal, book 2) Bella was kidnapped by the Lessening society and held captive by a deranged Lesser with serious head issues. Zsadist has made it his personal mission to find her and bring her back, haunted by the connection they had before her abduction. In a stroke of luck, he and the rest of the Brotherhood find out where she is and rescue her, en mass. I have to say that part made me a little teary, that they would all care that much. Now Bella must heal inside and out after her weeks at the hands of the Lesser named Mr. O. Not the only one with some healing to do, Zsadist is seriously mentally and physically scarred from his own past as a blood slave to a female vampire, who used him for more than just his blood, and warped his ideas of sex. The way Bella and Zsadist are able to come together, heal together, and be together was touching and wonderful. I was thoroughly enamoured with this book and it's complexity. A few things happen to other characters in this book that didn't exactly thrill me however. I can't wait to find out how this story continues.....

The Game by Brenda Joyce

Rating: 5 ♥

Synopsis:

The Players:
Released from the sanctuary of a French convent, highborn, tempestuous Katherine FitzGerald sets sail for her beloved Ireland—only to find herself prisoner of the infamous pirate known to the Elizabethans as the Master of the Seas.

The Moves:
The pirate captain is Liam O'Neill, favored by Elizabeth the Queen. A hardened court player, he is determined to win the willful Katherine while advancing his own secret causes. But now he must risk everything he cherishes in order to triumph at a very treacherous game— through heartbreaking deception...and by breaking all the rules.

The Game:
has begun...

Review: Amazing. Utter fantastic-ness!! I was so fascinated by every aspect of this book -- Joyce really brings to vivid life the court intrigue, the thoughts and feelings of queen Elizabeth, and of course the two protagonists, Katherine and Liam are some of the best. I want a Liam! He was the stuff a woman's dreams are made of -- vivdily masculine, and delicious. This book blew me away and even if Joyce's other books were utter crap (which they are not, mostly), this book would still ensure I was a total rabid fan. This book is not to be missed. It is also not to be given away. This goes into The Box of Amazing Keepers.