Highlander Unchained by Monica McCarty

Challenge: Readers choice!
Rating: 4
pages: 367

Back cover: Lachlan Maclean will do whatever it takes to protect his clan–even if it means abducting the most willful woman in the Highlands with the secret intention of wooing her for marriage. A born searing sensual leader possessing brute strength, and an imposing command, Lachlan is unprepared for the beautiful spitfire Flora MacLeod, who jeopardizes his plans to save his clan, and digs beneath his hard, chiseled exterior to expose a tenderness that may be his undoing.
The greatest marriage prize in the Highlands, Flora is determined at all costs to avoid her mother’s fate of being bartered away as a political pawn. Vowing to make her captor pay for his ruthlessness, she boldly engages him in a battle of wills, sweetening the challenge with dangerous passion–even as the lingering curse and deadly ghosts of a past tragedy reach out to thwart a tender love that has yet to be spoken.

Review: This was the third installment of this fabulous authors first trilogy. The writing was great, the story line good, the heroine totally annoying. As I was reading it I had trouble feeling the connection and romance between Lachlan and Flora, but I didn't put my finger on the problem until close to the end when Lachlan accused Flora of having no sense of responsibility or duty. That's what was bugging me! She's a spoiled brat! If you tell her to go left, she'll go right, just to be annoying and contrary! Someone needed to paddle her bratty behind. Besides Flora's brattiness, it was a very enjoyable and engrossing book. I had to give it a 4 just because of Flora. If she had been more of an adult it could have earned a 5 easily. Book one was definitely the best of the series. I am really looking forward to the authors next trilogy that is coming out as we speak!

Only Love by Elizabeth Lowell

Challenge: A title with love, kiss or heart for Valentines day.
Rating: 4

Pages:408

Back cover: Cast adrift during the War Between the States, Shannon Conner grew to womanhood in a lonely cabin high in the Colorado Rockies. Though stubborn and courageous, Shannon is ill-prepared to deal with the predatory Culpepper brothers—and the intoxicating ardour of the man who defends her honour, Rafael 'Whip' Moran.

A loner and a wanderer, a man tied to no place or promise, Whip aids the wary young 'widow' who has a walk like honey and a determined grip on her shotgun. But neither the Culpeppers nor grizzlies are as dangerous to Whip as the passion Shannon offers him—a passion that could cost Whip the freedom that is as much a part of him as his soul.

Review: I really loved this story. It started out really well with Whip saving Shannon from a pack of disgusting degenerates, and then his unconventional and sweet "courting", to get her to trust him. While I did enjoy it very much, it did get a little old with Whip first trying to sleep with her, then trying NOT to sleep with her, and then trying not to get her pregnant when he finally DID sleep with her (which took entirely too long in my opinion), and then his insistence that he couldn't stay with her because he values the sunrise he hasn't seen more than he values her. Of course he finally realizes that she is indeed more important than "yondering" (a phrase that was used often enough to hurt my head). I think this book could have earned a 5 if the author didn't over use phrases and themes constantly, but I was able to over look it for the most part. I look forward to reading Case's story!! side note: I wish Shannon had used his real name (Rafe) rather than his "west" name (Whip). It would have felt more personal.

Her Only Desire by Gaelen Foley

Challenge: A title with a 'D' word in it.
Rating: 3.5
Pages: 453

Back cover: Born into the wealthy British ruling class of India, Georgiana Knight is as unconventional as she is beautiful. She has sworn not to marry till she meets a man who will treat her as an equal–but that vow doesn’t appease her sensual curiosity. When Ian Prescott, the Marquess of Griffith, arrives on a mission to defuse the threat of war, she is immediately drawn to the mysterious and darkly handsome diplomat, and cannot resist provoking the hidden lust that smolders beneath his cool surface.

Ian is mesmerized by Georgie’s alluring mystique but burdened by a dark secret. And she is a temptation he cannot afford. But when she becomes entangled in his mission, she must be secreted away to England for her own safety. Georgie finds herself in the unfamiliar world of aristocratic London, where Ian becomes her guide, her confidant . . . her seducer. His incendiary kiss sets her soul on fire, and Georgie knows she will never be satisfied until she has made this magnificent man her own.

Review: This story starts out in India, which I wasn't that crazy about. Frankly, I just don't think it's a very romantic local.... but that's just me. This is the first in the Spice trilogy, and having read them out of order, I already read the second one and loved it so much more than this one. This one wasn't bad, but it just didn't live up to the sensuality I am used to in Foley's novels, and again, the location kind of put me off. It was an interesting read and I did enjoy it -- there was plenty of action and adventure to hold my attention, I just didn't find it terribly romantic. With exception of a couple of scenes, it was a little forgettable. Since I DID enjoy the second one very much, I am still looking forward to the third in the trilogy!