Lori's February reads

Looking back at what I actually recorded in Goodreads, February seems like it was a slow month for me. I read 13 books, bringing the total for the year to 32.  Frankly, I think that I just forgot to enter some books in there, but who am I to argue with myself?

Anyway, here's my list:

Game for Love by Bella Andre
2 stars
This one pushed my forced seduction buttons, which was a shame since overall I liked the characters. It bothered me enough that I really lowered my grade. I reviewed it for Book Binge here. Contemp

Needing Nita by Norah Wilson
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed this freebie from Smashwords. I liked the tension between the hero/heroine, and understood where Nita was coming from. I also really liked Craig's character. Would not mind at all reading more from this author. Contemp

Believe in Me by Laura Moore
4.5 stars.
Loved it! The only thing keeping it from 5 star was the overload of instruction on horses, and horse show. But I really couldn't mark it off further than that because it was all such an integral part of the story. Contemp

The Lady Most Likely...: A Novel in Three Parts by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Connie Brockway
4 stars
I liked this book, and even though all 3 authors have a different style, I enjoy all of them, so the different writing styles for the 3 stories didn't bother me. I liked that the stories all intersected, too. A fun, sweet, simple read. Historical

How to Woo a Reluctant Lady (Hellions of Halstead Hall, #3) by Sabrina Jeffries
4 stars
I'm really enjoying this series. I liked both Minerva and Giles. They both had issues to deal with, and they did. Minerva was the one who didn't want to get married, and I really liked watching Giles woo her into love. Historical

Turn It On (Turner twins # 1) by Vivian Arend
4 stars
I really liked this story a lot. I loved the dynamics between Maxine and Ryan, and was happy to see her grow more independent, even as Ryan tried to protect her but realized he had to let her make some mistakes on her own. They were hot together, and their love and attraction were lovely to witness. Liked the sense of family in the book. Reviewed on Goodreads here. Contemp

Turn It Up (Turner twins # 2) by Vivian Arend
4.5 stars
It's an older woman/younger man trope, which I usually hate with a thousand burning passions, but Arend made it work for me. Excellent book. Reviewed here. Contemp

The Spy Who Loved Her (Once Upon an Accident, #3) by Melissa Schroeder
4.5 stars
Anna and Daniel's story - finally! I loved this historical where the hero, used to the independent women in his family, inexplicably found himself turning caveman over his heroine. And she was having none of it. Includes a mystery for Daniel's family of spies. Reviewed here. Historical

Maybe This Time by Kathryn Shay
4 stars
Yet again, Shay confronts a tough issue, with a teenager totally disengaging from society, her parents, and her school. And a forbidden romance between her father and her teacher. Well done, as always. Reviewed here. Contemp

Love Is Murder (Lucy Kincaid, #1.5) by Allison Brennan
4 stars
A novella that although it's listed as 1.5 in the series, is really the prequel to the series. I like Lucy a lot, and think she's a good heroine for this series. Rom Susp

Surrender to An Irish Warrior (MacEgan Brothers #6) by Michelle Willingham
4 stars
I read this on Wendy's recommendation, and so glad I did. Definitely a dark book, but well-written and kept me riveted throughout. A tough job for a medieval. Historical

Notorious Pleasures (Maiden Lane, #2) by Elizabeth Hoyt
5 stars
A fantastic 2nd entry in the series. Again with the morally ambiguous characters, the hero embroiled in illegal activity, but for the good of his family, and a heroine who can't deny her need for the bad boy but is self-sufficient and strong. Hoyt remains one of my favorite authors. Historical

Mesmerized by Lauren Dane
5 stars
It's the latest in the Federation/Phantom Corps series, and I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of it. All the things you expect from this series: a terrific blend of family, suspense, heartbreak, and love set against the burgeoning war. Action, adventure, and romance. Awesome. Simply awesome. Reviewed here.