More Ebook Buzz.... Heart of a Soldier by Vanessa Hart

I'm in a hurry this morning, so perhaps this book won't get its full due, but... I found this time travel book while perusing the May issue of Passionate Ink Book Notes. If you don't belong, I highly recommend it. Because I never would have stumbled across this terrific book otherwise. Here's the blurb, courtesy of Liquid Silver Books:

On her way to her best friend's wedding, college student Stacy Webber is transported to 1963 West Germany, where the U.S. Army suspect her of being a Soviet spy. She's put under the guard of Douglas Lee Bradley III.

He worries that his sudden, explosive affair with the woman he’s supposed to be guarding could jeopardize his shot at Officer Candidate School. He doesn't understand a lot of what Stacy says but is drawn to her imaginative tales of the future. She just wants to get back to her own century and needs Brad to help her. She doesn’t expect to fall in love with him. Once Stacy uncovers the reason for her time-jump, she faces a terrible secret that affects Brad’s life. Will Brad’s future be saved if she sacrifices her own?

First of all, I found this to be one of the most plausible time travels I've ever read. The interactions between Stacy and Brad were well done, as were the references to 2006 and Brad's disbelief of things that were only 40 years in the future - even given the fact that he is a huge science fiction fan. Stacy's reaction to being transported in time is also believable, as she grasps onto the one person who seems symapthetic to her plight.

As the attraction and connection grows between them, Brad finds himself torn between wanting to believe in Stacy, and just finding the entire time travel scenario too implausible. When the true reason for her time travel becomes clear, as does her mode of transport, the two lovers struggle to find the key to happiness - should Stacy stay or should she go back to her own time?

I found this story nicely written, very sweet, and quite enjoyable. Quite shocking, really, how far we've come in my lifetime.

Passion by Lisa Valdez

In her second year of mourning, lovely young widow Passion Elizabeth Dare never dreamed she would be with a man again--and certainly not a complete stranger. But amidst the crowds of London's Crystal Palace, Passion finds herself discreetly, yet insistently, pursued by a sensual gentleman who awakens her long-supressed desires. After a loveless marriage of restrained propriety, Passion abandons herself to true bliss for the first time.

Intoxicated by his encounter with the beautiful stranger, Mark Randolph Hawkmore, Earl of Langley, cannot wait to see her again. As a series of rapturous rendezvous follows, he and his mystery lover find something rare and wonderful blossoming between them. But a blackmail scheme against the Earl threatens to destroy everything. As a scandal brews, each will have to choose between duty and desire...their love for their families--and their love for each other.

Passion is an extraordinary and powerful love story that literally ignites with the first encounter between its hero and heroine. Valdez brings them together in a coupling that is astonishingly erotic—for its time and place. And she continues to heighten that eroticism until it consumes hero, heroine and reader. Their physical need for one another transforms them on every level and, keeping with the single, unerring focus of this tale, Valdez uses their obsession with one another to reveal character. The heroine’s true artistic talent. Her dry wit and independent mind. The hero’s unflinching honesty within his own thoughts. His self-possession.

Valdez wastes little time letting readers in on their damned fate. There is no clutter, no side trips, no prolonging the misunderstanding, no foreseeable way to a happy ending. When she unmasks the need that drives them as a deep, unabiding love neither thought to ever have, Valdez elevates an already unbearable anguish to outright panic. It is just that gut-wrenching.

Valdez writes beautifully, evoking reader emotion with words both purple and profane. It is a talented pen that can simultaneously provoke and lure the reader, rendering enough shock to jolt the reader physically without loosening the story’s grip on her senses.

And it is the story itself that grips. Its characters breathe as you and I do. But it is their story—what and who they are together—that sweeps them and the reader forward. Not since Shelby Reed’s Midnight Rose, have I been as possessed, as captivated by a story. Which means I’m averaging two such reads a year.

Granted, Karen’s review (and others) prompted its appearance on my TBR list quite a long time ago. Had I simply gone online and bought it, I could have experienced it much sooner. But no, I had to search high and lo-cally, bumping it further down the list every time I could not find it. Ah well. So worth the wait.

My only regret is that I vaguely recall grumblings about Valdez’ next release. Something about its delay…

May TBR Challenge - Blackout... and a couple other Crazy books

I really like Annie Solomon's books. Absolutely loved Blind Curve. So, what did I think of Blackout? Not sure. Here's the blurb, courtesy of Annie Solomon's web site:

A month ago, she was a book dealer surrounded by family and friends. Now, suddenly, she can't remember the last four weeks of her life and everyone close to her has disappeared. Worst of all, she's the prime suspect in a murder she has no memory of committing, and she's being hunted from every direction.

Undercover agent Jake Wise has his suspect in sight and is ready to take her out—but something is keeping him from pulling the trigger. Is he tempted to protect Margo because she's innocent—or because he's falling for her? And if he's falling, what happens when he hits bottom? Nothing adds up and danger is closing in. But Jake is about to take the chance of a lifetime to save Margo—and if she's the assassin they say she is, it may be the last chance he ever takes.

So, what didn't work for me? The heroine, Margo. She wasn't deep enough for me. Perhaps that was intentional. After all, she was suffering from amnesia, and given who she is (which we later find out), it's not surprising that she would be in such total control. She was obviously one tough woman, but she wasn't sure why. As the reader, we figure this out long before she does. This, I knew was intentional, and I was ok with that. But if Margo was so seemingly unfeeling, why wasn't she puzzled by her lack of emotions? About 2/3 of the way through the book, Margo figured it out, and began displaying much more depth of emotion. At this point she became a much more believable and sympathetic character to me. I began to enjoy the book more. This is also where the action became more intense, and the story began to all come together, so maybe that had something to do with it as well.

What worked for me? The hero, Jake. Strong, reliable, there for Margo, but there because he wants the truth. He wants to avenge his mentor's death. And because he believes that Margo holds the key. Unwittingly, he finds himself attracted to her, even when he believes she might have pulled the proverbial trigger. I felt like he was a much more well rounded character than Margo. Yes, she did have amnesia, but I believe that it is possible to show real depth of emotion and flesh out a character with amnesia. In fact, it's a grand opportunity. I've seen a number of authors do this with a bit more success.

These two strong people come together in a flurry of fast paced action and subterfuge. Add in a high level cover up, and a bit of corruption into the mix. I did feel like the story lost its way just a little there in the middle, but Solomon wrapped it up fairly well in the last few chapters. The last scenes where Margo and Jake find themselves in danger, after the rest of the story has wrapped up felt unneccessary to me, though. I thought the book could have ended a chapter earlier.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, just not quite as much as I expected to, and not as much as I've enjoyed previous Solomon books.

---

Crazy Hot... by Tara Janzen
I've read all kinds of reviews of this series - leave your sense of reality at the door. Not realistic enough. Blah blah blah. I disagree. I absolutely adored this book. What a sense of fun and adventure. I loved that there was a history between Regan and Quinn. Actually, between Regan and all the Steele Street guys. It really set the stage for the entire series. I loved all the car references. I loved the action. This was just a fun, escapist adventuresome novel. But Janzen did throw in some deep stuff as well. The entire Kid storyline is quite sobering. I could have done without the Nikki/sex angel thing, actiually, but I was totally willing to overlook that and take the book for what it is.

Crazy Cool...
Kat and "Superman". This one was a tad more convoluted than the first one. Less "terrorist"y, and more "revenge"y. But still thoroughly enjoyable. Once again, I loved all the car stuff; the way Hawkins cringes while Kat messily eats in his beloved car is hilarious. Once again, you need to be willing to accept the book at face value, but if you can do that, you will be thoroughly entertained. I look at it like this: For many years, I was a critical care repiratory therapist. Yet, I still watch ER, most nights without screaming "Where's the damn RT?!?!" "They don't do it that way, you idiot!" Face value, people. It's all about the entertainment. Once again, there is a heartbreaking storyline related to Kid, and it does serve to temper the hilarity and wild campiness of much of the rest of the book.

I can't wait to read the rest of this series. Now I just need to find the time!

Been plowing through my TBR stack like it’s my job….

Linda Castillo

Dead Reckoning

Both hero and heroine are interesting, less than perfect characters. He battles pain, prescription drug addiction and a resulting surliness—at best, or complete loss of control—at worst. She was a victim at 17 and the burden manifests itself into a measure of bitchiness and degree of isolation off the scale. Castillo skillfully subjects readers to the same anguish experienced by both, soliciting both empathy and admiration for their struggles.

The mystery is interesting, but not so difficult to unravel. And I’m not certain if that may have been by Castillo’s design. It is the characters—their individual crises and the tension building between them—that moves the story along. A fast but good read and her latest I believe.


Perfect Victim

My first DNF this year. These characters lacked common sense—thinking, saying and doing outright stupid things. You have to suspend belief along about page 5. And leave it suspended.

Lisa Kleypas


When Strangers Marry

Vintage Kleypas set in pre-statehood Louisiana. It read like a good, formulaic romance written in the 1980s. Of course, compared to Kleypas’ later work—particularly her Derek Craven, Bowrunner and Wallflower series—When Strangers Marry lacked depth in both plot and characterization. A quick, light read, but not a keeper in the tradition of an early Garwood title.


A Stranger In My Arms

More vintage Kleypas that reminds me of an interview I saw on Arsenio Hall once (seriously dating myself there). Referring to the actress that played Hope on Days Of Our Lives, Arsenio acknowledged that she absolutely could not act when she joined the soap. But she was so beautiful, with so much potential, that the audience didn’t mind watching her learn. They were entranced despite her less than stellar performance. Because I know Kleypas ultimately produced stunning work, I’m equally forgiving—in an Arsenio kind of way—of these early titles.


Shadow Lover by Anne Stuart

Another from Stuart’s backlist. I liked this one. The mystery was interesting and not readily solved. The pull between the hero and heroine was laced with menace—in true Stuart style—but not enough to limit their appeal. Overall, one I’m glad I read.


Shadows and Lace by Teresa Medeiros

Another very old fashioned historical—you know, Part I, Part II and so on. Pretty good overall, but again, not a keeper to read again. I’m working my way up to reading Medeiros’ paranormal title everyone raved about last year. Just wish I liked paranormals.


French Twist by Roxanne St Clair

A contemporary I picked up right after finishing Fetzer’s last book. Although good, St Clair pales in comparison. I couldn’t get more than a few pages into French Twist. After the edgy Fetzer title, I had to revert to a historical or two before trying French Twist again. I’m glad I did. It was fairly good. A fast read with only a couple of “they wouldn’t really do that” moments. I liked it enough to pass it on to a friend.

May TBR Challenge: Over The Edge

Title: Over The Edge
Author: Suzanne Brockmann
Year Published: 2001

Blurb:

Her passion is flying. As one of the best helicopter pilots in the naval reserves, Lieutenant Teri Howe is strong, dedicated, and highly skilled–until a past mistake surfaces, jeopardizing everything she’s worked for.

Rock steady Senior Chief Stan Wolchonok has made a career of tackling difficult challenges. So it’s no surprise when he comes to Teri’s aid, knowing that his personal code of honor–and perhaps his heart–will be at risk. But when a jet carrying an American senator’s daughter is hijacked, Stan’s unflinching determination and Teri’s steadfast courage are put to the ultimate test. The rescue mission will be daring and dangerous. But somewhere between peril and resolution, the line between friends and lovers begins to blur, pushing both their lives over the edge. . . .

Why did you get this book? I inadvertantly started Brockmann’s SEAL Team Sixteen series out of order—reading Sam and Alyssa’s story first. I worked through the remaining books in this series as I could get my hands on them—again, not in order. Over The Edge was the last book I picked up and it has been languishing in my TBR stack. Despite loving these characters, I just felt that I knew all there was to know about them already. I didn’t anticipate any surprises, just an easy, comforting visit with them again when I got around to this book.

Do you like the cover? It’s nice, yes.

Did you enjoy the book? I loved the book. I had forgotten how quickly and completely Brockmann captivates with tight action, rapier wit and emotional tension. The time we spend in these characters’ thoughts is as enjoyable and engaging as their dialogue; as riveting as their actions. High praise from someone prone to skimming entire sections of internal thought. I’ve read damn few authors capable of lending animation, humor and edge to a character by simply letting us into his head. Brockmann can. She also nails every opportunity to deepen characterization through action and dialogue.

I didn’t get the easy, comfortable return to this cast of characters I expected. The pace of the action, the secondary and assorted underlying plots, and the realization that THIS is the book where Gina is attacked all served to wind me up. Brockmann doesn’t shy away from unpopular politics or violence. She does however, carry off both with integrity, IMO. As with the other books in this series, I couldn’t stop reading and didn’t want it to end.

As for the “new” characters—Stan and Teri—I enjoyed getting to know them. The romance reader in me particularly enjoyed the way Brockmann wielded Stan’s steadiness, man-to-get-things-done persona—turning it into unadulterated sex appeal from the very first scenes in the book. This guy turned me on.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? No and yes—the minute Into The Storm hits shelves in December.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing it on. I don’t keep books. Generally.

Anything else? Just a small gripe about the blurb. Teri's past mistake? Never materializes in the story. The blurb is misleading.

My little granola...

My little granola.....



So I ask my 3-year old if he would like to wear his sandals. Sure, he says. I put them on his bare feet. He walks around for a moment, then decides they don't fit right. I shrug and say, ok, sneakers it is. I put his socks on and reach for his sneaks. He objects, grabbing his sandals instead. With socks? I ask. Yeah. You can't wear socks with sandals, I explained. Yes I can. Ok then. So here he is, socks and sandals. His Dutch grandmother would be so proud. Sigh.

Over The Line by Cindy Gerard

(As blogged on http://annescomments.blogspot.com)

I was blessed to be gifted with an ARC of Cindy Gerard's latest installment of The Bodyguards called Over The Line, Romantic Times 4-1/2 star top pick, which comes out on May 30th (thanks so much Cindy!). The book can be preordered/purchased at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or at New and Used books.com. You can also read an exerpt here.

Without further ado, here is the blurb for the book:

WHEN EVERY FRIENDLY FACE COULD MASK A KILLER…

“Sweet Baby Jane” Perkins has carved out a mega-selling reputation as rock’s favorite bad girl. But her hard-living, tough-talking image can’t prevent the sharp dose of reality that hit home when her estranged mother is killed in a car accident. As bizarre coincidences escalate in her own life, Janey grows certain that someone is watching her every move, and it’s not one of her adoring fans…

THE ONLY PERSON SHE CAN TRUST…

Since leaving the Army Rangers six months ago, Jason Wilson has been adrift, a warrior without a war. Now he’s taken his first civilian assignment for his army buddy’s security firm: protecting a rock diva on her sold-out tour. Far from being a spoiled star, Janey is a revelation—sweet, modest, and incredibly sexy. Their friendship is turning to mutual, heated desire, but it’s a distraction that could cost them more than their hearts…

MAY BE A PERFECT STRANGER.

Drawn into the depths of a deadly secret, they’ll face off against a killer growing more ruthless every day, and Jase will discover just how far he’ll go to protect an explosive passion he never expected…

Did I like this book? Yes. Did I love this book? You bet your sweet bootie I did! Over The Line is a capativating and compelling read that will have you turning page after page in anticipation of what happens next.

Jase and Janey don't get together sexually until you're into the book a bit and I have to commend Ms. Gerard on a job well done. It was like reader foreplay... I wasn't sure which was more overpowering, the anticipation in the waiting or the wanting them to just get down to it already. It was an element of the book that was wonderfully done yet drove me crazy at the same time... hence, foreplay. God, I love it when an author has me devouring the pages.

And the whodunit in this book.. man, oh man... there are so many suspects you don't have a clue as to who it is. You might think you do, then something else happens and it changes your mind. I wanted so badly to peek to the back of the book to find out who was making Janey's life a living hell, but I resisted the temptation.. and let me tell you that was very, very hard to do! I even emailed Ms. Gerard to tell her so. BUT, when I got to the whodunit, I was soooooo glad that I didn't peek! It would have ruined the surprise to find out who it really was. Let me say, I honestly and truly was shocked when I found out who it was.. my jaw dropped, my eyes bugged out, and I was like, "Holy shit!" Seriously, it was that big of a moment for me. I didn't see that coming. Not for a single second.

So, my grade for Over The Line: A

It's a fan-freaking-tastic addition to The Bodyguards series, and I'm anxiously(and impatiently) awaiting Manny's story in Under The Wire which will be coming out in *gasp* December! WAIL! I've got to wait SEVEN FREAKING MONTHS? That's way too long. But WAIT! Then we've only got to wait a little while longer, June 2007, for Dallas and Amy's story in Into The Dark. Oooooh, that's very good news. So, I guess I can overlook the SEVEN torture-filled months waiting for Manny's story since it's only a little while after that to get to the find out what happens with Amy and Dallas.. you know you're dying to know as much as I am. There's no point in denying it... we're all wanting to know just what the heck Amy's story is. Soon my friends. Soon. : )

Charming the Highlander by Janet Chapman

A feisty beauty tempted by a bold highlander's touch...When a plane crash strands brilliant scientist Grace Sutter on an icy mountaintop in Maine, she finds herself alone in the wilderness with the only other surviving passenger -- Greylen MacKeague, a sexy, medieval warrior who's been tossed through time to find the woman he's destined to love. Forced together to survive the harsh, wintry landscape, neither expects the fierce passion that flares between them. But Grace is not used to letting her heart take control, and Greylen will settle for nothing less than her heart's surrender.

This is the first in a trilogy about some sexy Highlanders from the 12th century who are thrown into the 20th century and are living in Maine. Grey is strong and protective of both Grace and the infant he thinks is hers. Grace is still mourning her sister's death and although she's promised her sister to give the child to his father, she really doesn't want to give him up. Especially since she thinks the father is insane - he really thinks he's from the 12th century. She's a scientist and just knows that's impossible.

Now Grace really is a rocket scientist (I loved this aspect of our heroine) and there are some sticky complications with her boss. Grace seems to be constantly in jeopardy. Whether it's from a nasty ice storm or from a shady company that wants her rocket propulsion research.

Oh yes, there's another complication, MacKeague and the baby's father, McBain, are mortal enemies and were in the midst of battling each other when they got thrown into the future. They still hate each other.

I loved this book even though I read it way out of order. The other two are Loving the Highlander and Wedding the Highlander (in that order). I read them in 3-2-1 order and still enjoyed them!

Deep Blue by Kat Martin

For reporter Hope Sinclair, writing about the recovery of a sunken Spanish treasure off Pleasure Island should be her big chance. But Hope can’t help feeling that she’s been hand-picked for this job for all the wrong reasons. Someone wants Hope out of New York and off the story that could blow a corruption case wide open. If they think sending her to paradise will shut her up, they’ve got another thing coming.

Hope’s subject, treasure hunter Conner Reese, isn’t happy to have her along for the ride. He doesn’t need the publicity, nor does he want an incredibly tempting redhead on board, driving his crew—and himself—to distraction. But there’s something else, too. As a former Navy SEAL, Conner can sense extreme danger, and danger is following Hope Sinclair very, very closely…

Now, in the deceptively serene beauty of a sultry Caribbean paradise, Hope and Conner are moving ever closer to finding a priceless Incan relic, and diving deeper into waters more treacherous than they could possibly imagine… treasure off Pleasure Island should be her big chance. But Hope can’t help feeling that she’s been hand-picked for this job for all the wrong reasons. Someone wants Hope out of New York and off the story that could blow a corruption case wide open. If they think sending her to paradise will shut her up, they’ve got another thing coming.

Not a compelling read. I’m usually pretty compulsive about finishing a book once I’ve started it but I had no problem putting this one down to do something/anything else. The relic doesn’t figure much in the story and the tension of the plot is weak. I liked Hope and Conn but there were just too many push/pull scenes: she’s hot for him, he’s hot for her, but… She loves him but doesn’t trust him because of a previous relationship gone bad; he loves her but she just won’t let herself commit. And the sense of danger doesn’t build, it’s just there, sort of. This is the third in a series about 3 sisters but I haven’t read the other two books, Midnight Sun and Desert Heat. Maybe they’re better.

On the positive side, at least I finished it. It was good enough for me to persevere to the end.

Perfect Weapon by Amy J. Fetzer

I found Fetzer’s next book, Perfect Weapon, as good as Naked Truth in some ways, not as compelling in others.

Stay alive. That’s all Dr. Sydney Hale can think. In one terrifying minute, her life was turned upside down. Now, the cops think she’s a murder suspect, the government wants her to come in, and somebody will do anything, including kill, to the get the knowledge only she has. Alone, she’ll never survive on the run. What she needs is a perfect weapon, and Marine Jack Wilson just may be the answer to her prayers.

Jack has always been clear about who the enemy is, but now, he’s not sure. Why is Sydney Hale the only survivor of a government lab breach? What secrets is she hiding? Why is the government lying to him? Jack intends to find the answers to all his questions, but first, he has to keep Sydney alive long enough, and if there’s anything this marine knows, it’s how to keep moving and fight back. What he doesn’t know is what to do about the fierce desire she awakens in him. With no one to turn to but each other, sexual tension explodes into a passionate hunger and tender love neither can fully trust—or live without. And with the stakes rising, Jack and Sydney will make their stand, gambling everything they have on a choice that could save—or destroy—them both…

The action and suspense in this is every bit as good as it was in Naked Truth—which I liked very much. Fetzer writes with such economy, such precision that her pace seems to be on fast-forward. Again, not a word wasted and no place for the reader to catch their breath before the next turning point. Tight action. A narrow window of time. Multiple, layered forces—both good and evil—in play. And a hero and heroine at the core, drawing all of the forces in around them, shrinking the circle of action to a single point of conclusion. Very like a Clancy or Grisham novel, except for the on-air time for the heroine. Fetzer gives equal footing to both hero and heroine; the latter is not just a character trait for the hero.

So the pace and the sharp writing style are there in Perfect Weapon. What isn’t there is the unexpected, but powerful connection between the hero and heroine. Sure, there is attraction. There is even humility, humor and great tension in Fetzer’s sex scenes. But in Naked Truth, Fetzer gave us a hero and heroine drawn with such depth the reader knew them; and felt just as overcome as they did when sex and emotion converged with surprising poignancy. The romance of Naked Truth took my breath away more than once. Perfect Weapon held none of those moments for me.

The difference, I think, is the depth and believability of each character. They do not seem as strong in Perfect Weapon. In this one, the hero suffers terrible loss at the onset of the story. Fetzer does a fair job of crippling him with grief in the first part of the book. But then that grief seems to just slide away. Not in a “he’s over it” way, but in a “the grief no longer warrants its own character” kind of way. As if the devastating and brutal loss no longer plays a role in motivation or character definition. That was a problem for me. I think Jack would have been far more interesting if Fetzer had let him power through those life and death situations without lessening the crushing weight of his guilt and grief.

In Sydney, Fetzer gives us another strong, capable heroine--brilliant and assertive actually. She is also thrust into a deadly, horrifying firefight within the first 20 pages of the book. We see her in total panic, scared out of her mind, before we get to see her in competent, self-commanding mode. The switch between the two felt abrupt and the inherent conflict underdeveloped. Placing a woman who is always in control into a set of circumstances and events that are completely out of her control makes for some interesting conflicts. It just didn’t feel like Fetzer bared enough of those inner conflicts or connected Sydney’s wisecracking to her desperate reach for the nearest coping mechanism.

All that being said, I still found the couple engaging and their attraction sexy. Their lack of angst—as compared to Naked Truth—does not completely undermine their power to captivate the reader. I’ll shut up on this now.

Interestingly, Fetzer’s third leading character, Cisco, nearly steals the show. He is a deeply intriguing government agent with more emotional and intellectual depth than either Jack or Sydney. His struggle for the truth and all of its consequences is captivating. And his care for unwitting participants—namely Sydney and Jack—is palpable, even though it is largely unspoken. Here, Fetzer gives us a beautifully drawn character that powers the story as much as the action.

Overall, this is another Fetzer book I would recommend to other readers. I will continue to look out for new work from this author. Despite what appears to be little marketing or promotion efforts on her behalf, I have found mention of a new release slated for July.

April TBR Challenge: Linda Castillo's Depth Perception

Title: Depth Perception
Author: Linda Castillo
Year Published: 2005

Why did you get this book? I added this one to my TBR list after reading its blurb in a (February 2005) Writerspace.com email newsletter.

Do you like the cover? It’s nice enough. But I do think the story would have been better served by a darker image, suggestive of the evil and desolation present in its characters. As is, the image of this woman—complete with purse and low-heeled pumps—does nothing to clue readers in to her peril or her emotional devastation.

Did you enjoy the book? Enjoy is not the appropriate word to describe this reading experience. Depth Perception is a very good read. The writing is strong, characterization deep and consistent, the story compelling. I would recommend it to my reading friends.

However, very little in this book is pretty. Both hero and heroine have suffered the deaths of their children—she through the brutal murder of her 7-year old son and her husband, he through the apparent accidental drowning of his toddler boy. As a parent, this subject matter is usually off limits for me. I have neither the stomach nor the nerve to read (or watch) the stuff of my worst nightmare.

The blurb gives away his loss and I’m not sure why I dismissed it as benign. Maybe I thought since it was presented in the past tense, his son’s death would figure less in the story than it ultimately did. Her own loss—and grief twisted with a bit of the paranormal—were well masked and, had I known upfront, I most likely would have passed on this book.

As a result of their experiences, both hero and heroine are hard to watch. Their wounds are still open. Both remain in a weakened state of mind. Neither appears ready to touch or be touched—emotionally or physically—by another person. Castillo wastes no time in sharing this state of affairs with the reader. And it is precisely this challenge, this hopelessness that kept me turning pages.

Castillo’s secondary characters are difficult to stomach as well. It is near impossible to know who to trust and most—good and bad—behave menacingly toward the hero and heroine. There are no safe havens in this book—not even in our hero’s arms—and Castillo does a fine job of making the reader feel equally frightened and lost. Testament to her writing and storytelling abilities. And the reason I would recommend her to other readers.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? Yes, this was my first Castillo book. And yes, I plan to read some of her other titles, starting with The Shadow Side.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Passing it on. I don’t keep books. Generally.

Anything else? Only one concern, a minor dent in credibility. When I went to Castillo’s website to grab an image of the book cover for this blog, I noticed a quote from Harriet Klausner on the homepage.

Dark Characters From Stuart and Carlyle

Devil’s Waltz by Anne Stuart

The Honorable Miss Annelise Kempton had no idea the kind of trouble she’d get into when she accepted an invitation for a self-made man to shepherd his daughter through her first season. Particularly when Christian Montcalm, the most notorious man in London, seems undecided whether to marry Annelise’s charge for her money or seduce the staid Annelise herself. Add to that a sinister secret, naughty statues and two addle-pated young lovers, and you have the perfect recipe for high-spirited happy ever after.

I can easily echo sentiments already expressed everywhere else online. I enjoyed Devil’s Waltz very much and, if I kept books, this one would qualify as a keeper.

It features another Stuart hero that borders on villain. Adding my opinion to the collective scale, I’d weight Christian’s “degree of bad” on the heavy side. Even near the end—a happy end, mind you—he actually seems to consider leaving his heroine as hostage to brutes, envisioning a vile fate for her as he stands there weighing his chances of survival with and without her in tow. He went so far as to let her think for a moment that he would leave her behind. That was one of many moments that undermined my belief in him or even his potential.

Nicknaming the heroine “dragon” did little to endear me to him—or her—either. Stuart’s portrayal of Annelise is almost as harsh as Christian’s treatment of her. I wasn’t entirely comfortable with it and wondered how much Stuart really thought of her heroine—a woman strong on the outside and remarkably resigned on the inside. Protective at first, I finally tired of the dragon references and secretly wanted her to give in to her hope, however fleeting it felt to her.

Had it not been for the sparse moments of tenderness he showed Annelise, or her perseverance despite her self-loathing, I would have given them up to their miserable, independent fates. In the end, I simply wanted him to make her life better, save her from a misery that he was more than a little responsible for causing.

Still, it was a superb read. Primarily because Stuart writes so well, adding flesh to characters through dialogue and action in a way that few authors manage. Despite their flaws, Stuart’s characters penetrate the reader’s conscious. For me, I will always turn to a character calling me to slap him—hard—before I will turn to one that never fully materializes amidst weak dialogue and lame inner thoughts.


The Devil To Pay by Liz Carlyle

George Kemble, the man forever fixing everyone else’s problems, finds himself plagued by troubles of his own when his sister returns to London after a decade abroad. Sidonie Saint-Godard has lost her husband, but widowhood, unfortunately, bores her. When a thief called the Black Angel begins haunting the hells and alleys of London, robbing rich gentlemen of the ton, Kemble is mystified. He knows every member of London’s underworld, yet he does not know the Angel. But when a battered Sidonie collapses on his doorstep, bleeding from a nasty stab wound, Kemble begins to suspect the truth. Can he stop Sidonie’s dangerous behavior before someone else does?

Perhaps the Marquess of Devellyn can? The man unaffectionately known as the Devil of Duke Street has a watchful eye on his new neighbor, the mysterious Frenchwoman known as Madame Saint-Godard. In fact, he would like very much to seduce her, since he finds the lady lovely, intriguing, and almost disturbingly familiar . . . But when Kemble hears of his sister’s fascination with society’s most reviled nobleman, he is doubly alarmed. The Marquess of Devellyn is the absolute last person Kemble wants his sister in bed with—and for reasons which have nothing to do with Devellyn’s appalling reputation.

Also a superb read, again because Carlyle writes beautifully. Her elegant but economical descriptions pull me in and powerful characters tug me forward.

In The Devil To Pay, Carlyle’s hero and heroine are equally dark. And we see that darkness in them, through their demeanor and actions; feel it in the desperation of their private thoughts and listlessness.

For her hero, Carlyle does more than simply tell us Aleric is a rake with a dour view of his responsibilities—stereotyping readers can find in nearly every historical romance they open. Instead, Carlyle shows readers Aleric’s disdain—primarily for himself—every time he numbs himself by bottle or by lust.

In her heroine, Carlyle hides an impenetrable disappointment beneath the façade of activity, of doing something. Sidone is a woman who fills every moment with activity—some expected, some illicit and unsafe—never allowing the emotional undercurrent to the surface.

That each is inexplicably drawn to the other is understandable. Ultimately, Carlyle brings them together in an amazing sensual encounter that is powered by intense physical needs, heightened to near brutality. Then leaves them shattered by emotional longing so poignant even the reader aches.

I loved these two unconditionally; and ached for them.

Like those in Stuart’s The Devil’s Waltz, Carlyle’s characters see no way out from under the burdens that have carved their psyches. Unlike Stuart’s characters however, Carlyle’s Aleric and Sidone appear more deserving of a way out. The difference, I think, in the balance of strength and vulnerability in each.

Discovering Dani by NJ Walters... April TBR Challenge

OK, I know that the April TBR Challenge was supposed to be a book on your TBR list for 6 months or more, but y'all know I never have a book sitting around that long! This was sitting in my ebook reader for a full month - that's about as long as it gets for me, so this totally qualifies!

The blurb (courtesy of Samhain Publishing):
Dani O'Rourke has had the responsibility of raising her two brothers, Patrick and Shamus, since the death of their parents. As sole owner and operator of O'Rourke Cleaning Services, she is no stranger too [sic] hard work, but she is a beginner when it comes to men.

Burke is a very rich and successful businessman whose brush with death has made him question his priorities. He's traveled to Jamesville for peace and quiet while he plans the rest of his life.

Their lives collide when Burke accuses her of breaking into his cabin to steal from him. Their attraction to each other is immediate, and after a series of misunderstandings he finds himself caught up in the lives of Dani and her brothers.

But can this gentle, giving woman get a man as hard and cynical as Burke to believe in the power of love? Or will Burke leave town without ever discovering the wonders of life with Dani?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love NJ Walters' books. I've said it before. I'll say it again. This more traditional romance from Walters doesn't disappoint. Once again, Walters paints her characters well. You get the true sense of the deep bond between Dani and her brothers; she gave up basically her entire teenage and young adulthood to raise her brothers and keep the family together after their parents died. There is a true and loving bond between these siblings. I love the sense of family that Walters has portrayed in this book - the sense of protectiveness, respect, and caring that Patrick feels for his big sister (Am I right? Is Patrick's story coming? He is begging for one once he ages a few years!); the feelings of responsibility they all share for one another's happiness and well-being that comes out in so many ways; the 'we're in this together' connectedness that they share.

Into all this comes Burke, our hero. He comes from just the opposite kind of upbringing... and doesn't quite know what to make of this warm, giving, accepting family. All he knows is that he wants more of it. He allows himself to be drawn into their warm circle. Walters shows him as a very contradictory kind of guy. He is a ruthless businessman, but an accident and drawn-out recovery has forced him to re-evaluate much in his life. He doesn't realize what's missing until he finds it with the O'Rourke siblings. Still, he has too much personal baggage and history to let himself trust in it.

They each let their insecurities come between them, and therein lies the conflict. These insecurities are ones that we all face every day and can certainly relate to: learning to like and love who you are, knowing that you are worthy of another's love, and learning that letting someone in to help take care of you doesn't mean you can't do it yourself (or that they think you can't).

This was a very enjoyable read. A departure from the very steamy, explicit romances that Walters writes for Ellora's Cave. Walters proves that she is up to the task, and proves herself as a true romance author with this book.

Lots of time to kill on vacation...

What do you do when you go on a 5 day ski vacation with a kid who has a broken leg, and you're the designated company-keeper? You bring a shitload of books. (excuse the poor language, I just finished posting at KarenS's blog LOL). So what did I read all week? There are so many of these, so I will keep them all short and sweet, or else you will be reading all damn day (whoops there I go again - gee, thanks Karen *g*). No deep thinking for me tonight :)

The Bodyguards Series by Cindy Gerard: My blogging partner has already posted about To the Limit, and my other blogging partner Anne posted a fantabulous synopsis and review of all 3 books, so I will keep these very brief. Let me begin by reminding you what a spy/PI/military slut I am :) .

To the Edge: Book 1. I loved this book. Hard, edgy, taut. Tortured, studly, ex-military turned PI hero with a loving, teasing, tremendous family. Stalker storyline. You just know that Nolan is a goner the minute Jillian is introduced and holds her own against him. Did I say I loved this book? I thought this was the best of them all - and I loved them all, but something about Nolan just grabbed me. Sigh. What a yummy hero.

To the Limit: Book 2. This one is about the only sister in the Garrett family. Eve, ex-Secret Service, meets up with Tyler McClain, her high school one-night stand, while trying to find a missing girl. Turns out he's also a PI, and they are both looking for the same missing girl. The dialogue in this one was terrific - I loved the way McClain kept getting referred to as the "rat-bastard" - kept me grinning for pages and pages in the midst of some pretty gripping drama.

To the Brink: This is Ethan's, the eldest Garrett sibling, story. Gerard is very careful to characterize him as seemingly very proper in the first 2 books, always impeccably dressed, but his siblings are always wondering what is lurking beneath all that perfection. We get to find out here, as he races off to save his kidnapped ex-wife in the jungles of the Philippines.

What I really like about Gerard's writing is that there is no extraneous fat. It is taut, to the point, yet incredibly descriptive at the same time. The characters are fleshed out enough that you really get a sense of who they are, but without flowery embellishment. You understand what is driving them. You know why Nolan has nightmares and drinks, why Ethan was overprotective of his wife, why Eve was unwilling to trust McClain. The writing style matches the stories - tightly written, yet captivating. Look for Over the Line, Jason "Plowboy" Wilson's story in June 06. Gerard is making us wait until June 07 for Dallas (the final Garrett sibling) & Amy. Damn her.

Dangerous Curves by Pamela Britton: I have only read Pamela Britton's historicals, but have always enjoyed the heck out of them. This is the first in HQN's contracted series with NASCAR. The heroine is an FBI agent who grew up with and had a crush on our hero, a racing team owner and former driving star. When he believes one of his drivers was murdered, he asks for her to investigate, knowing that she is a race car expert. This was a fun, light read - and suspenseful. I didn't figure out the whodunnit till the very end, and I usually get those very early on. I had read somewhere, I forget where, that HQN had insisted there be no sex in the NASCAR books. Not true with this one.

In the Groove by Pamela Britton: Although I enjoyed the first one more, this 2nd in the NASCAR series was also a fairly fun read. This is the story of a driver in a slump and an ex- kindergarten teacher with a penchant for getting herself into trouble. The story was sweet (sometimes a bit too saccharin sweet for my taste, but not too terribly offputting if you like that sort of thing), and there was just enough humor to make the sweetness tolerable. Not too much action in this one... more of an introspective look for both hero and heroine... learning to trust and love themselves and each other. True to Harlequin storyline. Oh, and this one? No sex. I mean none. That must have been pretty hard for Britton - her historicals can get pretty racy :) The 3rd NASCAR, On the Edge, is due out in September. Hope it's a bit better than #2.

The Penalty Box by Deirdre Martin: I loved Martin's first book, Body Check, but had been increasingly disappointed with each subsequent book. So it was with a cynical eye that I opened up The Penalty Box. I'm glad I did. I enjoyed it, really I did. I think. Other than a slight twinge of annoyance with the heroine's obsession with her weight, and the obnoxious references to her sociology professorship, this one was a winner. And Martin didn't overly dwell on it, no more so than you or I would, but I think that's my point. I dwell enough on my weight, I hate it when I have to think about it in books. And, I work in academia, so the sociology professor thing was too close to home - ick. You probably wouldn't bat an eye at it. But, I don't think either was overdone, so what's my point? I dunno. Shut up, Lori. OK, so our heroine was the stereotypical fat chick in high school that everyone made fun of. Hero was a famous hockey player who had to retire early due to one too many concussions. They meet up again at their 10 year high school reunion. Of course, she's a raving beauty now and no one recognizes her until they read her name badge. He immediately falls in lust with her. They begin an affair. Throw in a stereotypical nasty cheerleader type who hasn't changed since high school (except to get even snarkier), a druggie sister with a Harley-riding tatoo-laden boyfriend named (can you guess it?... I'll wait...) Snake, custody of her hockey-playing 9 yo nephew (guess who's his coach?), a trans-gendered weight watcher buddy, and a boatload of her insecurities and you have The Penalty Box. Did I say that there were some things in the book that were stereotypical? I can't remember. Too harsh? I don't mean to be. I really did enjoy it. I think.

Awaken to Danger by Catherine Mann: I believe I've said before how much I love Catherine Mann. This is the latest in her Wingman Warriors series. Another great WW addition. The twist here is that this is Tag Price's daughter as the heroine, with his co-POW as the hero. They've had the hots for each other forever, but he's trying to deny his feelings out of respect for dear old dad. No can do. Now someone's out to kill her. Who do you suppose is gonna protect her while dad is out of the country? Sparks are flying. Another good Mann story.

Scandal of the Black Rose by Debra Mullins: I really enjoyed this one. This is a historical which explores the ties between twins, love at first sight that must be denied, familial obligations, secret societies, the effects of scandals on families and much more. I loved that the hero, Roman, was so loving with the heroine, yet he was so tortured because he couldn't have her. What a screwed up society England was back then LOL. So honor driven that you couldn't be with the one you loved. Oy. Anyway, a good mystery as well as a good love story. Although I had a good inkling as to whodunnit, Mullins left just enough doubt that it wasn't until the mask was lifted, so to speak, that I was sure I was right. Well done.

A Study in Scandal by Robyn DeHart: Ehhh. So-so. A sweet historical. A girl obsessed with Sherlock Holmes. A straightlaced, stick-up-his-butt detective hero. She is constantly getting in his way. How could he not fall in love with her? I'm glad I didn't pay for it - it was part of the loot I won at the Celebrate Romance conference a few weeks ago, but since it was free, I'm inclined to be a bit more generous toward it. As I said, it was a sweet story, well written. It just wasn't anything special. Although, I have to admit, I did grin through the scene where our straightlaced, stick-up-his-butt hero jacked off to a porno picture book while thinking about the heroine after their first kiss. This was the first in a series about the 4 girlfriends. I'll give DeHart one more chance...

An Unlikely Governess by Karen Ranney: This was another one in my bag of goodies at CR. I'm not a big Scottish historical freak, but free is free, right? And I did really enjoy Ranney's Highland Lords series (thanks, Nicole!). See? I can be open-minded. So I figured I'd give it a shot. It was pretty good. Not great, but pretty good. The heroine was believable, the hero as well, for the most part. I did have a hard time figuring out what his attraction to her was. Ranney went out of her way to describe how unattractive Beatrice was at the beginning, yet Devlen immediately was attracted to her. Pheremones? Must be. I have no other explanation, and Ranney didn't seem to, either. Aside from that, the hero and heroine are drawn together to protect a 9 yo duke (Devlen's cousin). Seems someone wants to kill him. Or is it all in his mind? Plenty of people with motive, including our hero himself. If you are a good guesser, you may get a partial on the whodunnit, but it's definitely a twisted one. This is a dark book for sure. As I said, all in all it's pretty good. If you like Scottish historicals and/or Ranney (do they go hand in hand?), this will be a winner for you, I'm sure.

A Whisper Of Roses by Teresa Medeiros

I picked this book up at my local UBS because Medeiros appears somewhere on my TBR list. Though not the book I had listed, A Whisper Of Roses, published in 1993, was a wonderful surprise. Reminiscent of Garwood’s historicals set in the Scottish Highlands, this book evoked the same breathlessness, the same certainty that its hero and heroine are truly destined for each other.

Blurb:

A Daring Warrior…

As she peered over the edge of the gallery, Sabrina Cameron trembled at the sight of sun-bronzed giant striding into view. But she never recognized the stranger…not until the moment she found herself surrounded by arms of warm steel—and drowning in smoldering green eyes that had once held cool disdain but now shimmered with passion. Morgan MacDonnell, the boy, had been her tormentor. Now it looked as if Morgan, the man, would prove infinitely more dangerous…

A Defiant Beauty…

Though hatred divided their clans, Morgan MacDonnel had come to Cameron Glen hoping for a truce…only to find that by evening’s end the only way to avert bloodshed between the two families was for him to marry his enemy’s daughter. But even as Morgan spirited Sabrina away to his rugged fortress, his battle would not be won. For this delicate rose of a girl would put up a bold fight…and the spoils of victory would be nothing less than a heathen MacDonnell’s heart.

I loved the setup for this romance. The hero’s reluctance to love, to trust, makes sense. He is a son without a mother, raised to power by a man both hapless and barbaric; and the protégé of a man who represents all he longs for, all he lacks under his own clan’s decrepit existence.

The heroine is strong and bright, but has not been allowed to live outside the expectations and experiences of a woman of her time. Ultimately—and this is more in Coulter’s style—she is handed over, along with a settlement of livestock, to Medeiros’ hero.

Why did I so enjoy a book filled with characters and events that should otherwise grate? The romantic fool in me? The dyed-in-the-wool romance reader in me?

The romantic fool in me loves a man who can handle (fend off) a woman—in this case in a physical battle—without leaving a mark. In A Whisper Of Roses, this was a telling moment, one in which the reader gets a first glimpse at a plan Sabrina’s father has clearly been crafting for years. It also entices readers with a hint of gentleness, a promise of the care he will show her.

He is a Scot and calls her “lass”. Sorry. I just love that. Beats “sweetheart” any day.

The drunken hilarity of Morgan’s clan. They cracked me up.

Morgan’s gentleness—despite his size, his strength and his knowledge. When he knows that the gun Sabrina’s mother holds to his head shoots only a bouquet of flowers, he still surrenders—allowing himself to be locked in the dungeon. Just one example. There were many more, and frankly, these are the moments that hooked me.

There was one part—part three specifically—that I could have done without. In this final section (unnecessary overall, IMO), our Laird dons an Englishman’s disguise, moves about in English society and goads Sabrina—now confined to a wheelchair—into walking again. For its time, this is where I found the story unbelievable. Add to that my aversion to powder and paint—for men and women both—and this part of the story fell flat.

Overall, I liked it. It swept me away. Very few books are doing that for me right now. Not entirely sure why this one did, but it did. And I admit it without an ounce of sheepishness.

Naked Truth by Amy J. Fetzer

Naked Truth is a tightly written, fast-paced story featuring CIA operatives, ex-military, private for-hire retraction specialists, military, DEA, drug and arms dealing, and more. Amidst the whirlwind of action, Fetzer weaves an emotionally intense romance that kept me turning pages until the end.

Blurb:

Clandestine operative Alexa Gavlin has nothing left. No country. No contacts. And no memory. Thirty days have been chemically erased. Stolen by whom she knows. Why, that's anyone's guess. Accused of murder and treason, Alexa becomes the hunted, trapped by what she can't remember and betrayed by her own people. Struggling to refit the puzzle before someone catches her between the crosshairs, her new mission is to stay alive long enough to learn the truth. Till she meets the man behind the laser sight...

Killian Moore is a lot of things, former Marine, retrieval expert, and pissed off. Blackmailed into hunting down the operative suspected of ruining his career, Killian sees Alexa as nothing more than some sexy vital statistics and the means to clear his name. His mission is specific, bring her in or take her out--until he locks horns with the beautiful agent and everything he believes and feels unravels with each encounter. He tells himself she's an expert at deception, yet what they share between the sheets is raw, tender, and very real. But she's on the run again, and Killian knows if he doesn't catch her, the enemy will. Alexa has every reason to be wary, but Killian desperately needs her to believe in him.

Cut off from their government, betrayed and hunted, they can rely on no one but each other. From the jungles of Colombia to the sparkling metropolis of Hong Kong , as each piece falls into place, Alexa and Killian learn that nothing is as it seems, and stopping terrorists set on a collision course will test their precious trust to the absolute limits.

I love contemporary romance as much as I do historical romance. However, I usually find the love stories in contemporaries more difficult to 'fall into'. In stories featuring a good deal of action, it is even tougher. The realist in me almost always finds it hard to believe anyone, woman or man, can get carried away by infatuation and lust when their lives are in constant danger. In Naked Truth, Fetzer more than convinced me, building characters that were true in both action and emotion.

Fetzer delivers the action and each development in the relationship between Alexa and Killian in a writing style that is sharply punctuated. The pace is very fast; each scene sharply written, then edited with a scalpel. There doesn't seem to be a single word wasted. I'd describe her telling of this story as staccato and unapologetic.

The end result is an emotional relationship between her main characters that is sharp, cutting--palpable to the reader. And, given the pace, the highly emotional moments between these two take both them and the reader by surprise. Very nicely done.

Fetzer's economic writing style also served to save readers from cliches, stereotypical villains and cookie cutter government types. It was hard to know who to trust; difficult to differentiate villains from honest government agents. Fetzer proved very adept at weaving a current of distrust through both the action and the romance. Like I said, kept me turning pages until the end.

This is another case of finding an author I love. Looking at her backlist, I see a number of Silhouette titles. Not sure if I will attempt to find and read those, but I will certainly pick up her latest, The Perfect Weapon (which does not appear to be a sequel to Naked Truth).

Portrait of a Lover by Julianne MacLean

This was the last remaining historical on my list for a while, and I couldn't wait. I had to read it NOW. I had to see if it was possible for Julianne MacLean to redeem Magnus. A more villainous villain (from Love According to Lily) I haven't seen in a long time. I have to admit, I didn't think it would be possible to do it in a believable way.

I was amazed. She actually did it! MacLean took the entire first third of the book to tell the entire back story of Annabelle and Magnus' meeting, courtship and disastrous ending thirteen years earlier from both Annabelle's and Magnus' perspectives. You see why he acted as he did. By the end of the third or fourth chapter, I was already rooting for Magnus as a hero. Unbelievable! The woman is a master, I tell you. In a stroke of literary genius, MacLean managed to change the reader's entire view of the main character in the blink of an eye. (mixing my metaphors here, but you get the picture, right?)

For those who did not read Love According to Lily, Magnus ruined Annabelle for reasons better left untold. He led her on, made her fall in love with him, ruined her, then told her flat out he was just using her. The poor girl would never be the same. We encounter her in Love According to Lily 5 years later. Portrait of a Lover takes place 8 years after that, and Annabelle is still not over the entire affair - that's how affected she was.

I loved that so much of this book was told from Magnus' perspective - it's always so refreshing to read the man's POV. Although, I suppose that in this book, there would be no other way to do it - this is really more Magnus' story than Annabelle's. It was interesting to see what had become of him in the intervening years, and to see what he thought of his childhood with his mother, after hearing Whitby's perspective of it in Love According to Lily. It is an emotional journey for both characters, but especially for Magnus, as we watch him come to terms with his actions 13 years earlier and their repercussions.

I enjoyed getting an update on Lily and Whitby - 5 children, my goodness! And I thought is was so interesting to read about the evidence of the time period as well; how Magnus introduced electrical outlets into the house he was refurbishing - very cool.

If you haven't read any Julianne MacLean, I highly recommend her. Most of her American Heiress series (now 5 books long) can be read as stand alones, and even this one can as well, but I found that I related better to the continuity of the story having read Love According to Lily first. There was just so much history and connection between the two books. Now, you all know that I am not a series slut. I often *gasp* read books out of order. So, when I say that you should probably read one first.... you can take my word for it. Both Love According to Lily and Portrait of a Lover are highly recommended! (and can I say... what a yummy cover on this one!)

Two Reads...

I'm posting this out of order - I read this one before Heartbeats, and now it looks like I went back to reading historicals, when in actuality I'm moving on to another contemporary. And here's a really odd pairing of books *g*

Here's the blurb:

THE ONLY CURE FOR TEMPTATION...
Ellen Drake has seen firsthand how dangerous scandal can be. Her family was torn apart by an unjust accusation ten years ago, and now, working as a paid companion, Ellen must keep her reputation above reproach. Catching her employer's betrothed in a sizzling tryst is bad enough; even worse that Ellen should find herself so infernally enthralled by the spectacle! Ellen intends to prevent Alex Marshall, Lord Stanton, from dallying with other women before his wedding day, but the rogue turns the tables — with an invitation to be his paramour. It's a proposition that is too outrageous, too indecent... and strangely irresistible. With a single touch, Alex opens the door to a secret world of sensual desire, a world Ellen is burning to explore...
IS TO SURRENDER...
Alex intends to be faithful once he's married, but in the meantime, London offers so many tempting bed partners. Giving the prim Miss Drake a taste of the excitement she clearly craves will be a delightful diversion, nothing more. But their secret dalliance unleashes the vengeance of someone who is plotting revenge, someone whose own erotic pursuits are twisted with madness. And the scandal that destroyed Ellen's family is about to come calling once again...

I am a huge Cheryl Holt fan. I read with excitement KarenS's interview with her. I went out as soon as I could and snatched up this book. I loved Cheryl's last release, Too Hot to Handle. I mentioned in my review for Heartbeats about formulaic novels. With Too Tempting to Touch, I felt that Cheryl Holt became too caught up in her own formula. I felt very much as though I was reading a carbon copy of Too Hot to Handle. This really disappointed me. The secret dalliance in the bedroom of the companion's bedroom at the hero's mansion. The desired engagement/marriage between the hero and the heroine's charge. The H/H's sexual exploits - doing everything up to the actual act of intercourse, and then, at her encouragement, and he just can't help himself, they finally do it, only to be caught. The forced separation after the misunderstanding. Their shared misery. His begging for forgiveness after the separation.

I thought for a moment that I was reading the same book. On the one hand, this is fabulous - I loved Too Hot to Handle, so another book just like it should be great, right? Only, instead, I found myself wondering if Ms Holt had run out of ideas. Her books have always contained similar themes, but never have they seemed to almost plagiarize one another.

As a stand alone, this book is great - a Cheryl Holt lover's dream. Read right after Too Hot to Handle, it is a disappointment. So while I recommend it, I also recommend that you read other Holt books in between, and definitely leave yourself some space between readings. I only hope that she does not have the same issues with Too Wicked to Wed, due out in September 2006. That might be too much to bear.

---

I loved Shannon Stacey's Twice Upon a Roadtrip - the humor, the passion, the sheer fun. I bought Forever Again the second it went on sale. Just didn't quite get around to reading it. Now I have. Well, let me say this. In her first two published books, Shannon Stacey has shown that she is a very versatile author. Twice Upon a Roadtrip was a zany, madcap adventure. Forever Again is a painful, yet surprisingly uplifting story of second chances.

When a one night backseat quickie in high school turns into an unwanted pregnancy, Gena and Travis end up in an unwanted marriage (at least for him - she's loved him from afar forever). When a bout of spotting occurs, Travis doubts the pregnancy and walks out without a backward glance.

Fast forward 15 years. Gena runs a B&B in town, and Travis and his fiancee come to stay to plan their wedding. There's a shocker for all 3 of them. And for Mia, their daughter, as well.

As they get to know one another again, but really for the first time, the attraction seems to grow and grow. One painful misstep after another puts happiness just out of reach for them. A large part of the story was about old patterns repeating, and this point was well made. Still, I found myself at one point wanting to yell "Damn it! Tell him to take a long walk off a short pier!! Tell him to get the *f* out of your life!! Tell him to either choose his fiancee and leave you alone or get rid of her and come to you!!" Sigh. The things we do in the name of love. For our children. Or convincing ourselves that it is out of love for our children.

Travis seems like such a great guy in every other aspect of his life - I was amazed at how his teenage patterns came back, just as Gena's did, and he reverted to the way he treated her in high school. Like dirt. Just as she allowed it then, she allowed it now. Drove me crazy LOL. What happened to the woman who overcame her teenage uncertainties to become a successful businesswoman and mother? And what happened to the guy who is a successful counselor, helping kids find their way in life? Put them in a room together and old feelings and hurts bubble to the surface. Stacey did a great job of bringing this all out, even if she frustrated the hell out of me in the process.

So, bottom line is, Stacey writes an excellent book. This is the prequel to Twice Upon a Roadtrip. Jill makes a brief pre-Ethan appearance as Gena's best friend. I recommend it :)

Heartbeats by Susan Rae

Brand spankin' new author. First book. Back to contemporaries for me. Back to my true love - romantic suspense. I think this review will be short and sweet. I enjoyed this book. Immensely. No huge emotional investment here. Just a very satisfying read.

We have Elizabeth, a doctor and Drake, an FBI agent (you know how I love my secret agents, men in uniform, and all around hunky cops!). They met in college and had a weekend fling. Six years later they meet up again. Seems someone is out to get Elizabeth. Drake puts himself on the case.

While there are some very formulaic elements in this book, I found them to be very well done. And, I don't mind well done formula. After all, isn't formula what made romance novels so popular? It's why we all got hooked in the first place, right? Boy meets girl, boy and girl have obstacle, boy and girl overcome obstacle, boy and girl admit love for each other, boy and girl have HEA. Right? Well, you can add in a few other formulaic elements to this story - a child produced from their weekend fling, unbeknownst to our hero; our heroine in danger from unknown source; hero's big buttinsky family; the fat, rude, accusatory detective on the case. Still, Susan Rae handled it all quite well, and kept the story flowing and interesting.

I found this to be a quick, delightful, escapist read. While published by Berkeley, it could easily have been a SIM. Same type of story, just a smidge longer. After all the heavy duty emotional historicals I've been reading lately, it was a refreshing change. Thanks for the recommendation, Anne. I am sure that we will be seeing more of Susan Rae.

Dark Lover by JR Ward – POTENTIAL SPOILERS

A lot of talk about this book. A lot of rallying behind it.

I’ll admit right up front that I read Dark Lover with a lot of preconceived notions. On the one hand, I expected to be blown away. So many readers I trust have been nothing less than feverish about this book, this author. Hence its place on my TBR list.

On the other hand, I expected to be tossed out of the story by references to paint roller abs and men with tits—neither very appealing to me. I was also turned off by the idea of a menacing hero and unredeemable secondary characters. These references from two other trusted readers.

So I read it.

And enjoyed it.

The earth didn’t move.

Nor did bile rise in my throat.

I just found it an enjoyable—if slightly confounding—read.

JR Ward’s Dark Lover did draw me in. I was captivated early on and enjoyed the pace of the action. I was a bit daunted by the glossary of terms at the beginning of the book, but realized fairly quickly that she explains everything easily—without disrupting flow—within the confines of the story. No need to study up before going in.

Once involved in the story, the characters grew on me. Ultimately, I have to say I liked them. But I say it grudgingly. I typically prefer characterization that is better balanced. I’m not opposed to characters that are initially unappealing, or constructed with two sides. I’m not against letting characters do things that appear out of character—at first blush. I’m not even opposed to characters presented as outright freaks of nature. However, I do have trouble when the author fails to assimilate all of it—description and actions—into a character true to himself and the reader.

And that is where I stumble in this review. Honestly, I can’t tell you if Ward brought it all together or not. When I turned the last page, I still thought the bulk of these characters were a bit too outlandish, too freakish. Their actions, personas didn’t add up; didn’t come together with any semblance of clarity.

But I can also say that when I turned the last page, I was smiling and felt genuine affection for Ward’s characters. So my response to these characters didn’t add up either.

Here is some of what bothered me. First, why would Wrath let Beth go without constant supervision—knowing she was going to go through the change any minute? Didn’t make sense given his fierce desire to keep her alive. Second, how does a woman, near-raped the night before, go ape crazy for sex with a complete, not to mention menacing, stranger? Even Wrath is confounded by her reaction to him, admitting that he used no aphrodisiacs to subdue her? How does a good cop—Jose—just “let ride” his concern for a good friend’s safety while simultaneously ignoring his duty as a cop? And I still did not like the paint roller abs imagery. It didn’t throw me out, but it did make him less appealing in what should have been a sexy scene.

Here is some of what I liked. The immature, adolescent banter. The world(s) Ward created and the balance of power therein. The butler. And at least one moment that made me laugh out loud—that moment when Beth is writhing beneath Wrath and he can’t figure out what the hell happened. Ward says he was “struck stupid”. Loved that line. And think it is representative of what did keep me in the story—Ward’s humor.

At least I hope it is Ward’s humor. This is where I may stumble again. Throughout Dark Lover, my biggest challenge as the reader was balancing the serious against the absurd. Very dark, driven characters (of the Brotherhood) who drive a flashy Escalade and listen to rap music. Ward delivers the absurd moments with a straight face in this book. A face so straight, I was beginning to think she was serious. Serious in thinking that rap music and tattoos just add to the dark mystery of her Brothers. In the end, I decided that Ward was perfectly aware of how immature her boys were. (Still dark and powerful, but pure adolescents.)

Overall, given that I was drawn into the story and more than compelled to finish it, I'm not sure if the point of characterization matters much. I guess you could say I was captivated by the story but found it difficult to take the characters as seriously as I might have liked.

Finally—in this review that is sounding more like a rebuttal—I have to say that, I didn't find Dark Lover teeming with sexual tension or eroticism. The romance was strong—emotional, binding and very beautiful in the end. The sex was sexy, yes, but nothing that would set it apart from its peers.

So, preconceived notions aside, I had a good time reading this book. On the whole, these characters—and their actions--were no more outlandish than some of Evanovich’s Plum folks. And the see-sawing between darkness and dorkdom not so different than what I saw in Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Dark Lover was quirky (albeit in a very dark world) and, chalking those confounding moments up to its quirkiness, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I’ll read Eternal Lover when I can pick it up. And this will be a set of characters I will follow. In the same way I’ve kept up with Stephanie, Buffy and Angel.

And yes, I know. Stephanie, Buffy and Angel all enjoy a cult following. And now I’ve lumped the Black Dagger Brotherhood in there. So even though I cannot for the life of me tell you what all the fuss is about, I somehow find myself a “fuss-ee”, the newest member of the Brotherhood’s cult following.

My thanks to JR Ward for an enjoyable read.

The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Warning - contains "semi"-spoliers *g*

This is by far the best of the Wallflower series so far. In fact, I would go so far as to say this is the best book that Lisa Kleypas has written since Worth Any Price (and for a good while before that). The Devil in Winter reeks of Kleypas' past style of writing (see directly below for JenniferB's take on Dreaming of You and the comments attached and you will know what I mean). Devil in Winter has a rough, unapologetically nasty hero (Lord St. Vincent, the villain from It Happened One Autumn) and a heroine that you would expect to be a pushover, who becomes unexpectedly strong. Supporting characters you care about. And it invokes memories of ... Derek Craven. Everywhere. Begin with the fact that our heroine, Evie, is Ivo Jenner's daughter. We visit with Ivo Jenner on his deathbed. Almost the entire book takes place in Jenner's gaming club. And St. Vincent ends up running Jenner's club following Jenner's death, causing all sorts of comparisons, even among the book's characters, to Derek Craven. I loved it!

As we watch Sebastian struggle with his feelings for Evie, it is eerily reminiscent of the same helplessness that Derek Craven struggled with as he fell in love with Sara Fielding (and that I loved so much with Nick in WAP as well) - spiraling out of control, losing the sense of self and selfishness that rules his life, becoming so vulnerable that he must send Evie away in order to protect his sense of being.

Luckily for us, somewhere between Autumn and Winter, Evie grew a backbone, and no one is more surprised than she is. While the other wallflowers were explored/introduced in the first two books, Evie really remained an enigma. We find out why in this book, and it really isn't pretty. But it does serve as a reminder to Sebastian that life does not revolve around him, and again is a stepping stone for the two of them to draw strength from one another. Evie becomes a source of awe (and frustration) for Sebastian as he observes her strength and watches her grow and blossom into her own woman. She, in turn, draws her strength from his support.

Like many other Kleypas fans, although I have enjoyed her recent books, I have been less than enthralled by them. With The Devil in Winter, I think she has recaptured that spark, that special something that makes her books truly noteworthy... not just another formulaic historical.

And on that note, I am leaving historicals for a bit and moving back to contemporaries for a while. Anne just sent me one that looks great! Anyone read Susan Rae's debut novel Heartbeats? My true love - romantic suspense :) And I still have Rachel Gibson's latest. ... oh and I do have one other historical on my plate still, Julianne MacLean's latest - another unredeemable villain to redeem... So many books, so little time... sigh

Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas

Like Red Lily (NR), I sat down to read this book out of duty. Reading Kleypas’ backlist is one item on my TBR list—and Dreaming of You is a title I hadn’t yet read. Simple.

Just because I knew I would hate it, is no reason to scratch it off my list, right? Wrong. That would have been like polishing my kitchen counter to a gleam, only to find an errant crumb smack in the middle of it. I wouldn’t survive it.

How did I know I would hate it? Two reasons. First, its hero, Derek Craven, was introduced as a secondary character in Then Came You, a Kleypas title I read over what were the worst few days of my life. Through no fault of its own, I will forever associate that book, those characters to that time. Second, I’m craving power and competency in my heroes right now. Derek Craven is a hero from the wrong side of the tracks—uneducated, disdained by society’s powerful upper crust and firmly rooted in the seamier—criminal--side of London life. I doubted his world would be one in which I would feel safe.

I was very, very wrong.

Derek Craven is one of the most powerful men I’ve ever read. And Dreaming Of You is the most compelling—shattering—book I’ve read from Kleypas thus far.

Blurb:

She stood at danger's threshold -- then love beckoned her in.

In the shelter of her country cottage, Sara Fielding puts pen to paper to create dreams. But curiosity has enticed the prim, well-bred gentlewoman out of her safe haven -- and into Derek Craven's dangerous world.

A handsome, tough and tenacious Cockney, he rose from poverty to become lord of London's most exclusive gambling house -- a struggle that has left Derek Craven fabulously wealthy, but hardened and suspicious. And now duty demands he allow Sara Fielding into his world -- with her impeccable manners and her infuriating innocence. But here, in a perilous shadow-realm of ever-shifting fortunes, even a proper "mouse" can be transformed into a breathtaking enchantress -- and a world-weary gambler can be shaken to his cynical core by the power of passion...and the promise of love.

That blurb doesn’t do the book justice. Sara is a published—highly successful—author. And she writes of prostitution, not dreams. The popularity of her novels combined with her open regard for every form of life—aristocrat to whore—gains her entry and acceptance everywhere. I always enjoy watching every character but the hero fall in love with the heroine first. I like the jealousy that results and the subsequent warring efforts—by all—to protect the heroine.

In this case, Sara’s seamless acceptance into Derek’s world only heightens the threat she poses to him. He does not want her there and feels no duty to allow her to use his gambling house to research her next novel. His minions feel otherwise and simply do as they please. Another enjoyment—watching subordinates rule the roost. Humor almost always abounds in these scenarios and they lend a certain insight into the hero’s character.

Derek Craven. Difficult to put into words how this character came to life for me. Kleypas infuses him with such magnetism, you cannot look away. He is a man of few words, yet he communicates—he emotes—with such power it is almost palpable for the reader. I felt Craven’s grip on my senses in every single scene in which he appears.

He is quite a powerful presence.

But he is the one character least in power throughout this story.

That is what sets Dreaming Of You apart from every other historical romance I’ve ever enjoyed. In this story, Kleypas gives all of the power to Sara, the heroine. And in Derek, she gives us a hero so wrenchingly vulnerable, we are afraid of him. Afraid of how he might react to that vulnerability—a weakness and a threat in his eyes.

Watching him come undone is the whole point. And frankly, I thought Kleypas a genius for the way she placed Derek in the readers’ hands—with as much care as she did in giving him to Sara. Caring for him was emotionally painful, a little frightening and powerfully rewarding. Perhaps not entirely safe, but rewarding nonetheless.

Read this book.

Tapestries: Bakra Bride by NJ Walters

NJ Walters has such a rich, full-bodied writing style. I really enjoy her books. I normally do not like paranormals - you guys know that. I read very few paranormals of any sort. There are only a few authors that I trust enough to read their paranormals. Sarah McCarty and Shelby Reed top that list, maybe one or two others. NJ Walters being one of them. This time travel novel is the 2nd book in the Tapestries series, following Christina's Tapestry. The series is about a place called Javara, where women are in such short supply that the men in a family must compete for a woman to be their bride, then the winner must share with his brothers once a week. To add to this craziness, once or (very infrequently) twice in a generation, a tapestry brings a woman from a far-away land (that would be our land) to be a "tapestry bride" for the man who first sees her. Sound far-fetched? Oh yeah, but NJ makes it work - completely and totally.

So, this 2nd story in the series is the story of Jane Smith, a woman who witnesses her boss commit a murder and is basically cast out of the life she knew. She is drawn to the tapestry and is magically transported to Javara, where she meets up with Zaren Bakra and the rest of his brothers. They have but a scant few days to convince her to stay with them rather than to go back to the life she left. Guess how they start the convincing?

The book flows very well. While there are plenty of sex scenes, there is also plenty of plot and story to support the sex. Jane wasn't left without options when she was transported to Javara; that would have made for too easy a decision to stay, and perhaps too weak a heroine. She, instead, must learn to love the Bakra brothers and enjoy her sexuality with Zaren and his brother, and make her own decisions about whether to either stay in Javara without all the conveniences of modern life, but with the love and comfort she has gained, including a wonderful extended family; or to go back to the potential of a good job, and a life just beginning to straighten itself out - the prospect of what could be... Jane also meets up with Christina, the first tapestry bride, who fills her in on the joys and hardships of life in Javara and the difficulties of leaving your old life behind.

The sexuality in this book fairly sizzled off the pages. The Bakra brothers are alphas at their very best - warriors; protective, fierce, loving... yet willing to let their woman make her own decisions and abide by them. Wouldn't we all wish for a man like that? And men in Javara are trained to sexually please a woman in every way, since they will need to compete for the very few women there. Needless to say, these guys know their way around a woman. *please pass the ice*

But it is really NJ Walters' storytelling - the details, the rich characterizations, the depth of feeling, that makes her books so enjoyable. Someone I know said that NJ "paints with words" - and that is how I feel when I read an NJ Walters book. So this 2nd book was as enjoyable to me as the 1st was. And NJ left an opening for the 3rd book. Damn her for mentioning how lonely Marc seemed...