Innocent Fire by Brenda Joyce

Rating: 2

Synopsis: Leaving behind the sheltered life of a French convent, Miranda journeyed to the New World and an arranged marriage to a prosperous Texas rancher. Arriving in America, the innocent European met her fiance's friend Derek Bragg, a rough-hewn Texas Ranger, whose harsh manner and candid comments about her beauty enraged the shy miss.

Although bragg fought to deny his feelings for his charge, he knew that he was falling in love with her. Miranda, too, was struggling with her desire for her escort as they trekked across the treacherous wilderness. Drawn to the lawman -- enflamed by his raw masculine virility -- will Miranda sacrifice her innocence to the fire blazing out of control in her heart?

Review: AHHHGGGHH. This sums up my feelings about this book in one 'word'.

Not a terrible book, but the heroine was such a NINNY I felt like I was rolling my eyes constantly. Also, (slight spoiler) when she was kidnapped for a THIRD time I was a little appalled at the author. Really? She needs to be kidnapped 3 times? I certainly did not feel in any way connected to the characters, so when Very Bad Things happened to her I didn't really care.... I didn't! It's terrible to admit, I know! Maybe, just maybe, if every other sentence out of her mouth didn't sound like a variation of "Eeek! This is not proper! Ladies do not do this! Icky!" Ok, I exaggerated SLIGHTLY, but the idea is the same. I think she is, seriously, the most NON-sexual heroine I have ever read about. Stick that poor girl in a nunnery!! The hero should have dumped her.

I normally love this author to pieces, so I hope the rest of the Bragg series is better.

Married to the Boss by Lori Foster

Rating: 4

Synopsis:

If he wanted a marriage of convenience, it would be at her convenience!

R. J. Maitland, President of Maitland Maternity, was forced to do some major damage control. The media circus surrounding allegations that he had fathered an abandoned child had left his reputation in tatters and the clinic in jeopardy.

Dana Dillinger had been R.J.’s right hand for years — loyal, dependable...and hopelessly, secretly in love with him. When he suggested that marriage was the best way to salvage the situation and prove he wasn’t the playboy the press had labeled him, Dana accepted his "proposal." With one exception...

R.J. wanted a marriage in name only — no sex, just marriage. Dana wanted all the marital rights of a bride — including and especially sex — or the deal was off. Between a rock and a hard place, R.J. agreed, not knowing what he’d just gotten himself into!

Review: I thought this book was adorably sweet. I actually would have enjoyed more meat on the bones of the story -- Dana's background and such. It was a pretty light read, though it has a mild emotional punch or two. I have never been crazy about the whole series by different authors idea -- there are more books about the other characters by other authors, and frankly, I would not run out and buy the other ones, though I am curious about how the loose end pans out in a later book. Oh well....

Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare

Rating: 4

Synopsis: Ever the bold adventuress, Lucy Waltham has decided to go hunting for a husband. But first she needs some target practice. So she turns to her brother’s best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to hone her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion–one that could send all her plans up in smoke.

Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past full of long-buried secrets. He keeps a safe distance from his own emotions, but to distract Lucy from her reckless scheming, he must give his passions free rein. Their sensual battle of wills is as maddening as it is delicious, but the longer he succeeds in managing the headstrong temptress, the closer Jeremy comes to losing control. When scandal breaks, can he bring himself to abandon Lucy to her ruin? Or will he risk his heart and claim her for his own?

Review: I actually really really enjoyed this book. I thought Lucy seemed a bit young and immature at first (one of my big pet peeves), but she seemed to grow more mature as the story went on. There was lots of humor and fun in this book. I thought the chemistry between Lucy and Jeremy was fantastic -- I adored the wardrobe scene!! While their premarital chemistry was smoking hot, after they got married it kind of fizzled. I actually started to think that they weren't the most well matched couple ever, and it never quite recovered for me.... It all ended well and happy, of course, but I just couldn't give it a higher rating for that slight nosedive. Over all I am looking forward to getting the next book in the series and finding out what happens to her friend.

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....

Caught in the Act by Lori Foster

Rating: 4 ♥

B&N synopsis:
When a robbery goes bad, undercover cop Mick Dawson can't believe Delilah Piper (aka mystery writer Lela DeBraye) was just in the wrong place at the wrong time-- and neither do the perps. The only way to protect her while he investigates what really happened is to stick with her 24/7-- and try not to fall for the object of his investigation!

Review: It wasn't until after I picked this up that I realized it's about the same Mick who appears in Fallen Angels, to my delight!! I really loved this book -- it was funny, emotional, and totally sexy. I saw some reviewers didn't like the "big misunderstanding" (which is really not all that big, in my humble opinion), but frankly I don't mind some misunderstandings in my stories. I think it adds an emotional element that is hard to achieve any other way. Just my 2 cents. Anyway, I am so looking forward to reading the next 2 connected books, Mr. November and Treat Her Right.

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.