Lori's March Reads

Here's what I read in March, according to my Goodreads account. I read 28 books, 3 of which I rated as 5-star reads. Awesome!

Come Toy with Me (Harlequin Blaze #437) by Cara Summers
Goodreads rating: 3
Publisher: Harlequin
I found I don't really care for listening to audiobooks. I'm not able to multitask enough. This was a free download from Audible quite some time ago, and I just got around to it. However, the story itself was cute, and I liked the hero a lot. The heroine avoided being TSTL, so that was a plus as well. I didn't care for the reader, which I imagine can make or break a book.

Doctoring the Single Dad (Silhouette Special Edition) by Marie Ferrarella
Goodreads rating: 3
PublisPublish Posther: Silhouette
I didn't get enough of Lucas' thoughts. Seemed like with his beloved wife dying less than a year before, he should have had more struggle with a new relationahip. And I didn't believe Nikki's sudden doubt in the relationship. It seemed like an obvious plot device to drive the final confrontation.

Having Justin's Baby by Pamela Bauer
Goodreads rating: 4
Publisher: Harlequin
Really, a 3.5. It's a best friends to lovers theme, and I thought the author did a great job of showing the uncertainty, the hurt, etc between friends.

In Bed with the Badge (Cavanaugh Justice #17) (Silhouette Romantic Suspense #1596) by Marie Ferrarella
Goodreads rating: 4
Publisher: Silhouette
Typical Cavanaugh Justice book. Which means I enjoyed it, but I didn't want to have its babies.

Mountain Investigation (Bear Claw Creek Crime Lab) (Harlequin Intrigue #1147) by Jessica Andersen
Goodreads rating: 3
Publisher: Harlequin
Hmmm... I can't remember much about this one, which probably says something.

Naked Edge (I-Team, #4) by Pamela Clare
Goodreads rating: 5
Publisher: Berkley
Oh holy mama, was this good. I loved every second of it, from the Native customs shown to Gabe's man-whore tendencies. I loved how careful and tender he was with Kat, and then how he'd do or say something so boneheaded that I wanted to smack him. And as you've been hearing, there is an amazing climax scene (no pun intended) that shows the depth of Gabe's love for Kat. I think I actually gasped. If I had one quibble, it was that Gabe was too comfortable with his situation in the end. But to make him suffer would likely have prolonged the book, so...

Nothing But Scandal (Zebra Debut) by Allegra Gray
Goodreads rating: 3.5
Publisher: Zebra
There were some parts that dragged, and I would have liked to see a little more groveling from the hero. But overall, a solid book.

Original Sin (The Seven Deadly Sins, #1) by Allison Brennan
Goodreads rating: 3
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Because I'm not a fan of the supernatural and of witches, or of overly religious tones in books, this wasn't a tremendously enjoyable read. However, if you are a fan of witches (and implied therein, the supernatural), then you will likely love it. Excellen, excellent heroine, and fantastic writing from Brennan. It just wasn't my cuppa.

Pirates by Linda Lael Miller
Goodreads rating: 4
Publisher: Pocket
An old, old time travel from LLM. Loved both the hero and the heroine. Set against the American Revolution, but in the Caribbean.

Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas
Goodreads rating: 5
Publisher: Bantam
This is a reread for me. I loved Thomas' prose, her characters (even if I wanted to smack Camden a couple times), and the way she can mix such matter-of-factness with deep emotion. Great book!

Promise Me Tonight: A Weston Novel by Sara Lindsey
Goodreads rating: 3
Publisher: Signet
This is a "falling for my brother's best friend" novel. I liked it a lot at first, but as the book went on, I realized that both characters were pretty selfish and unwilling to bend. That selfishness is why I lowered a 4-star to a 3-star. I really enjoyed the family interactions, Isabella's wonderful parents, the sibling relationships. But both Isabella and James spent a lot of time trying to out-manipulate the other. I did like Lindsey's voice a lot, and a lot of the book was good fun.

Return to Me (Last Chance Rescue, #2) by Christy Reece
Goodreads rating: 4
Publisher: Ballantine Books
I liked this one a lot. I hated that it took so long for Noah to realize his worth as a person, and thought the protective thing was a bit much, but I understood it. I liked that Samara took control of her life, but not unrealistically. She was terrified, reacted appropriately with a mix of bravado and trauma, and was unfailingly loyal to Noah, even when she would have had every right to go out and do otherwise. The book got better as it progressed, so the slower start didn't bother me.

She's Positive (Kenner County Crime Unit, #7) (Harlequin Intrigue #1144) by Delores Fossen
Goodreads rating: 3
Publisher: Harlequin
I didn't believe that any FBI agent would act the way that Colin did. Plus, Danielle had several TSTL moments. Add in sex while in peril, and... The reason for the 3 star instead of 2 is that I really like Fossen's voice. Intrigues are tough because they are almost always in peril, and there's only a short amt of time to work in the sex. But still, I like her voice. But please, don't do TSTL heroines. Really!

Something About You by Julie James
Goodreads rating: 5
Publisher: Berkley
Loved this one! A bit more intrigue than her first two, but I thought that she wrote the characters reacting in a realistic manner. And I just loved how Cameron felt like such crap after he realized what had happened. They handled that in a mature manner (for the most part *g*). Julie James is something special.

Surrender to Me by Sophie Jordan
Goodreads rating: 3
Publisher: Avon
This was a reread (although I didn't realize it until I started reading). Not a lot special about it. American hero and English duchess roadtrip in Scotland. The heroine bugged me quite a bit in this one. She couldn't get away from the way she was supposed to act (even though she never acted that way unless Griffin wanted her to be with him).

Sweet Temptation by Maya Banks
Goodreads rating: 3
Publisher: Berkley Trade
I had a few issues with this one, most notably, the D/s relationship. There didn't seem to be a give and take. Micah didn't appear to be having sex or dominating for anything other than his own pleasure (including bringing in multiple partners for Angel without any seeming reason for it). He never said anything along the lines of "This makes me happy to see you pleasured". Nope, just ordered Angelina around and treated her awfully. Note that there are several scenes w/multiple partners, including a m/f/m/m/m scene. Where I found, once again, no reason explained for it. It's always been my understanding that a true D/s relationship works because the Dom truly cares for making the experience on that the sub loves. This seemed to be all about Micah taking and giving nothing back. And although Angelina notes to herself that she's enjoying it, I just didn't buy it. Three stars because I like Banks' voice, and enjoy the secondary characters (although Julie almost seemed to be a caricature of herself). Also, Micah does admit his mixed up feelings and does his share of groveling at the end. It just wasn't soon enough and enough quantity for me. I was disappointed in this one and saddened because of it. I really like the other books in this series.
NB: A fangirl tried to get into an argument with me on Goodreads, trying to explain Micah's motivation to me. I just wasn't seeing it.

Tabloid Star (Tabloid Star, #1) by T.A. Chase
Goodreads rating: 4
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Good book about a movie star and his bartender/waiter lover and how they come to terms with his outing. I thought that Ryan was very well written, and liked how he didn't deny who he was, just took control over it instead.

The Accidental Countess (Harlequin Historical, #981) by Michelle Willingham
Goodreads rating: 3.5
Publisher: Harlequin
I enjoyed this one, but thought that a lot of issues could have been resolved if the H/H would just talk to one another. Some communication would have been great.

The Hellion and the Highlander (Devil of the Highlands, #3) by Lynsay Sands
Goodreads rating: 3
Publisher: HarperCollins
I wanted to love this one, but I was thrown out of the story every single time that they called each other husband and wife instead of by their names. Once in a while is ok, but oh, that got on my nerves. I did enjoy the little running gag that every time Kade tried to make love to Averill, they were interrupted, either by an attack on Kade or by someone happening upon them. Although I wondered why they didn't just do it at night in their own bed? The whole second half of the book didn't hold my attention too much, as there wasn't a ton of relationship-building between Kade and Avy. Much of the focus turned to the external rather than keeping the focus on them. (full review here)

The Highlander's Bride (Zebra Debut) by Michele Sinclair
Goodreads rating: 4
Publisher: Zebra
I enjoyed this debut book. I loved the relationships between the brothers and between Conor and Laurel. Looking forward to reading the other brothers' books.

To Wed A Highlander by Michele Sinclair
Goodreads rating: 4.5
Publisher: Zebra
Finally. A book where I understand the characters' motivations. I liked both the hero and heroine. They both grew yet never lost who they were. This was an excellent book.

The Mane Event (Pride, #1) by Shelly Laurenston
Goodreads rating: 3
Publisher: Brava
Fun, but not a lot of substance between the H/H except for sex. But that was ok, cause I like her voice and it was a fun read.

The Marriage Ring by Cathy Maxwell
Goodreads rating: 4
Publisher: Avon
Interestingly, a virgin hero, IIRC. And he was determined to stay that way, another interesting tidbit. It was a quick read, and quite enjoyable.

Twins For The Teacher (Harlequin American Romance Series) by Michele Dunaway
GOodreads rating: 3
Publisher: Harlequin
An interesting book. I liked that the author didn't shy away from Hank's feelings for his first wife, but if I was the heroine, after discussing her a lot, and often, I'd want to scream my head off. No woman truly wants to hear about a loved first wife that much. Jolie was too good to be true.

Under the Gun (Harlequin Intrigue Series) by HelenKay Dimon
Goodreads rating: 4
Publisher: Harlequin
I meant to give this a fill review. I liked it a lot. And the shared past between the h/h meant they didn't just jump into sex. Plus, the hero was injured all the way through, which for the most part didn't affect his ability to be a superhero, but often caused him pain an annoyance. Pretty good book, although I never really did buy why she left him in the first place.

Waking Evil (Mindhunters, #2) by Kylie Brant
Goodreads rating: 3
Publisher: Berkley
I think this was my least favorite of the 3, but still a good read.

Waking the Dead (Mindhunters, #3) by Kylie Brant
Goodreads rating: 4
Publisher: Berkley
Loved this one (and the first one, too). Although if bickering and bantering between the h/h isn't your thing, you might want to avoid it. I thought that was done smartly and very well, but I can see how it would bother some.

What the Librarian Did (Harlequin Superromance, #1622) by Karina Bliss
Goodreads rating: 3
Publisher: Harlequin
While I liked it, it wasn't the be-all and end-all that many have made it out to be. I thought Dylan was too quick to judge Rachel at the end, and Rachel was too quick to judge Dylan as well, thinking that he'd exposed Mark to pot. And excuse me, but he's in college. If pot is all he's exposed to, well... he's a lucky kid. So I did think she was a little too rigid.

So, there are my reads for March. I began Betrayal In Death, but had to set it aside. I think that I overdosed on the In Death books and just needed a break. So I missed Christine's challenge this month *sob*. But I'll be picking it up again on my vacation.

TBR on vacation (what? I'm gone for about 6 days with nothing to do!):
Betrayal In Death
Instant Temptation
Shoot to Thrill
Pride and Passion
Catch Me if You Can
Bound by Nature
Reyn's Redemption
Bucked
Unridden
Lessons from a Scarlet Lady
Coming Home
Sinful Surrender
Royal Baby, Forbidden Marriage
His Wanted Woman
Mischief Becomes Her
Propositioned Into a Foreign Affair
Five-Alarm Affair