Monday, June 27, 2011

Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear

Cassie Roux is a wolf biologist. She has come to Oregon to talk about wolves and that they are not harmful to humans. They just need to be left alone in the wild. Attending the lecture is Leidolf Wildhaven, he is a rancher in the area. On her way to the lecture Cassie runs across a rare red wolf and pups. After the lecture she wants to get back to them but Leidolf has different ideas. They go out to dinner and when he takes her back to the B & B, she sneaks out to find the wolf. Little does Leidolf know that Cassie is a werewolf just like him. He finds her injured in the forest and takes her back to his ranch. Leidolf wants Cassie for his mate but she is resistant. She is afraid she will have to give up her research. During all this there is a power struggle forming in Leidolf's pack, plus they have financial problems and pack members that keep getting in trouble.

Got this as a free book on my kindle and have to say I really enjoyed it. I think I will have to look for more by this author. Very good storyline and an interesting look at wolves. Lots of sexual tension between Cassie and Leidolf throughout the whole book. Also thought it was great that she found a family member she thought was dead, her cousin Aimee. The fact that Aimee was found by a member of Leidolf's pack and remained with him was nice too. Very easy read, I was pleasantly surprised.

The Marcelli Bride by Susan Mallery

Darcy Jensen was kidnapped while shopping in the mall. She is the President's daughter and her security team messed up. Joe Larson is a Navy SEAL and his team inadvertently blew up an Admiral's boat. The Secret Service decide that until the kidnappers are caught they will move both of the President's daughters to safe houses. Darcy is sent to the Marcelli Winery and Joe is the liaison between
between the security team and the Marcelli family. The Marcelli's want Joe to acknowledge them as his family. His grandparents made his parents give him up for adoption because they said they were too young to marry and raise a child. Joe has issues with this. Darcy has always felt like she was the undesirable daughter always living in her sister Lauren's shadow.

This is the fourth book in the series. Their time at the winery was a learning experience for both Darcy and Joe. The family accepted Darcy into their ranks as soon as they met her. Joe's grandfather gave Darcy her first paying job as a graphic designer. Darcy does her best to ease the chasm between Joe and his family. Loved the way Darcy and Joe were played off each other in the book. Great to see all the other members of the family and how their own family dynamic had changed since the last book. Very fast and easy read again by Ms. Mallery. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

The Seductive One by Susan Mallery

Brenna Marcelli walked away from the Marcelli family winery when she married Jeff. After putting Jeff through school he decided he needed a younger wife and left Brenna. She returned home and began working in the winery again. The vines and grapes were in her blood. Her grandfather, however, was not sure she was in it for the long haul and vowed to either sell or leave the winery to her brother whom the family had just found out about. Brenna thought she needed to take her future in hand and went to her first love Nic Giovanni and asked for a loan to start her own label. Nic's and Brenna family had been bitter enemies for years. When Nic asked her to marry him ten years earlier she was afraid how her family would react and said no. Nic gives Brenna the loan but it with ulterior motives he is bound and determined to ruin the Marcelli family.

The third in the Marcelli series by Ms. Mallery. Another fast and easy read, this one really pulls at your heartstrings. It has love, betrayal and a happy ending all in one. The story like the others flows from beginning to end, there are no slow points in the book at all. The introduction of the long lost brother added to the tension. Really enjoyed this book, as I do all her books.

The Sassy One by Susan Mallery

Francesca Marcelli was married at a young age. She did not love her husband and was only eye candy for him. She decided that she did not need a man in her life after his death and went to school to earn a doctorate in psychology. During one of her experiments she meets Sam Reese. They decide to have a friends with benefits relationship. Not long after Sam's daughter Kelly arrives to live with him, a daughter he never knew he had. Now Francesca finds out she is pregnant and hold off telling Sam. The one thing Sam can not abide by is lies and hidden agendas.

The second book in the Marcelli series. Good story and a very easy read. Francesca always felt like she was stupid. She didn't learn as fast as her sisters, but Sam never treated her that way. With a volatile temper, Sam manages to have some tense moments in the book. Love all the by play with the parents and grands in this book too.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

My Dangerous Pleasure by Carolyn Jewel

Paisley Nichols is happy with her pastry cafe and living in Iskander's garage apartment. She has not had a love life lately and one day customer Rasmus Kessler comes in and asks her to coffee. When she gets home that night she becomes very ill. It seems that Rasmus wants to indwell with Paisley. She tells him she wants nothing to do with him anymore. Several days later she goes home and she and Iskander and Dr. Harsh Marit find that her apartment has been burned and she has lost everything. She moves in with Iskander and finds out that she can release demons that have been captured by witches. Nichodemus, Iskander's boss meets Paisley and asks for her help. He also says that she will be under his protection. Rasmus will not give up and till the end keeps trying to make Paisley his own.

Lots of things going on in this book. Paisley dealing with changes in her life and Iskander coming to terms with his lost love and new love. No lags in the story it flowed seamlessly from beginning to end. For me it was a page turner, could not wait to see what was going to happen in the end. Nice to see a glimpse of Durian and Gray again. Lots of good minor characters in Kynan, Emily, Carson and Nichodemus. Nice cover to the book and fits with the storyline. Ms. Jewel is a great storyteller and a master in her genre. I highly recommend this book.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The Sparkling One by Susan Mallery

Katie Marcelli is an organizer and event planner. Zach Stryker is an attorney who needs a charity function put together. Zach hires Katie for the job, but little does Katie know that Zach's son David has just become engaged to her sister Mia. Zach is not happy about the impending nuptials and wants to enlist Katie's help to sabotage the engagement. Zach is a player which Katie recognizes and tells him no way will she help him. However she is not immune to his charm and sexual appeal.

I'm a big fan of Susan Mallery so knew I would not be disappointed in this book. All the characters in the book were great and I look forward to the other four books in the series. Great chemistry between Katie and Zach and loved all the snippy little comments of Katie's about Zach through the book. It was a good story and very well written. Contemporary romance that will deliver a fast and easy read.

The Bravo Bachelor by Christine Rimmer

Gabe Bravo has been sent by his father to try and talk widow Mary Hofstetter into selling her ranch. While Gabe is giving his talk Mary goes into labor three weeks early. Gabe drives Mary to the hospital and stays with her through the birth of her daughter Ginny. Then he stays at the ranch with her until her mother in law returns from visiting her sister. Gabe develops real feelings for Ginny and get his father to back off and find other property for his project. Mary falls deeply in love with Gabe but fears that he will ever want marriage.

Another book in Ms. Rimmer's Bravo Family Ties series. Gabe is a good strong kind man and Mary is an equally strong woman. There is a lot of chemistry between them from the first and builds through the rest of the book. Nice story with Mary helping out the homeless who come to her ranch. And also nice changes in Gabe as he learns that you can do forever. Typical series romance and quite an easy read.

Home Free by Fern Micaels

Maggie Spritzer has been invited to Camp David for Thanksgiving. She will miss the first dinner at Annie da Silva's new farm. The night before Thanksgiving Fergus Duffy shows up at Annie's house. The sisters are sure that Maggie was invited for a reason and the whole time she is there Maggie tries to figure out just what that reason is. While there she meets Gus Sullivan a handicapped veteran that she falls head over heels in love with. Between them all the sisters and Maggie figure out that large sums of money are being diverted from the country's slush funds. With help from Abner Tookus they get the information that will put the bad guys away for a long time. When the caper is done all the sisters announce that they are ready to give up the life of a vigilante and be just normal women leading normal lives.

Another very easy and very fast read. The story like all the other sisterhood books flows flawlessly from beginning to end. Was glad that loose ends were tied up and that there is hope of a new series. Hated to see this one end, I like this series much better than the godmothers. If you are fan of the series you will enjoy this book.

Deja Vu by Fern Michaels

The sisters have been granted their pardons by the President. Now they are trying to deal with being just ordinary citizens again. They are working themselves silly and their relationships with their significant others are shaky. Each of them feels that things are not over because Hank Jellicoe has not been found. The President too wants Jellicoe found and has put the FBI, CIA, and Homeland Security to work on capturing him. She has given them a 30 day time frame. The sisters have a huge file from a past FBI director in their possession and said they would never let it see the light of day. However, they decide that it is now time for them to go through the file and see if there is information that can help them get Hank.

I really love the sisterhood series and am sorry that it is going to end with the next book. This book put some things to rest already. Love the interwoven stories of all the girls. You can't really say there are any minor characters because everyone serves a purpose in the storyline. Was disappointed there was not more of Lizzie and Cosmo. All in all a very fast and easy read. If you love the sisterhood series you will like this book.

And Furthermore by Judi Dench

This book is a commentary by Ms. Dench on the many and varied roles she has played in her life. She talks about stage, film and tv. She talks about different theaters that she has played in and short anecdotes about other actors she has worked with.

The book is told in first person. She talks a little about her parents and brothers also doing theater. One thing that I did not know and learned from the book was that her co star in the tv series A Fine Romance was her real life husband. She touches only a little bit on his illness and death.

Very interesting book if you are a fan of Ms. Dench, and I am. An easy read with a look into the life of a thespian. Very little about her private life mostly the book centers on how she got roles and why she played them. I'm not a fan of non fiction but I did enjoy this book.

When You Dare by Lori Foster

Molly Alexander had been kidnapped and taken to Tijuana, where she was tormented. Dare Macintosh was in Tijuana to rescue his friend Trace's sister Alani who was being held in the same shed as Molly. Seeing Molly there and what shape she was in, Dare took both women to safety. He and Molly realized that she was not being kept for the same reason as Alani. She was not going to be sold, because she was full of bruises. Molly hires Dare to find out who had her kidnapped, so she can get her life back and feel normal again. With Trace's help, Dare compiles information on everyone Molly knows. He looks at her family and her business associates. But, also at the fan mail she receives from writing her novels. They even confront her father with suspicions that he is involved.

Excellent book from beginning to end. Kept me wanting to keep reading and turning pages. Molly is such a strong character and you can't hep but empathize with her and all that she endured. Dare is a true alpha male, but had a much softer side when dealing with Molly and his dogs. The by play between Dare and his assistant Chris was clever and humorous. Having read the second book first I have to say that I enjoyed this one more, even though I did like the second one. Nice cover on the book too. Fans of Ms. Foster will love this book.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Ladies Man by Suzanne Brockmann

Ladies Man by Suzanne Brockmann

Ellen and her children are in New York for the summer. Ellen has decided she needs a change in her life. So, she and her children are there to follow the acting bug. In a case of mistaken identity she meets Detective Sam Schaefer. Her Uncle Bob assumes he is his friend T.S. Harrison. Ellen and Sam are caught in a traffic jam for a couple of hours. Sam tells her who he really is and they spend an enjoyable time together. But, after that one night Ellen decides not to see Sam again, since he is almost 10 years her junior. Then Ellen and her family are confronted with a stalker and they can't figure out who he is after. Sam heads the team trying to unravel the mystery, first thinking it was Bob and then Ellen herself he was after. Later they learn it that T. S. Harrison was the intended victim after Sam takes three bullets protecting him and Ellen. In the end Ellen comes to the conclusion that age doesn't matter after all.

Typical series romance, one of the older books by Brockmann. Good plot and a very easy read. Added bonus with minor characters like Ellen's children Jamie and Lydia. Also Uncle Bob, Ron the limo driver and Sam's friend T.S. A look into cattle call's and what actor's go through to get roles in commercials and also soap operas. The book was very entertaining and the story went quickly, no slow spots at all.

A Bride for Jericho Bravo by Christine Rimmer

A Bride for Jericho Bravo by Christine Rimmer

Marnie has been jilted by her boyfriend Mark after living together for years. She decides she can't go home and heads to Texas to her sister Tessa's house. She is welcomed with open arms by Tessa and her husband Ash. The first night she meets Ash's brother Jericho, it is not love at first sight. Later that night she winds up stealing Jericho's chopper. Deciding she needs a job Marnie finds one at a chopper shop and goes to apply. It just so happens it's the shop that Jericho owns with his partner Gus. Gus is all for hiring Marnie, but Jericho says no. Finally he gives in and goes to see Marnie, they talk and he hires her temporarily. The attraction between Jericho and Marnie sizzles but they tell each other they only want a fling. When it's time to leave Jericho breaks it off and then Mark arrives.

I've read a couple of other's in this series and this one to is a nice easy read. It's lighthearted, funny in places with a lot of sizzle thrown in. Marnie wants to show that she has her spark back and Jericho wants his family to see him as something other than their ex con son and brother. Gus is the big champion for both Marnie and Jericho. He is the catalyst that brings them together. Very good series romance.

Southern Comfort by Fern Michaels

Southern Comfort by Fern Michaels

Tick Kelly lost his family to senseless murder. He left his old life behind and started writing books after several years of being drunk. He moved to one of the Keys off Florida. Kate Rush has quit her job with the DEA. She and her boss did not get along and she was tired of him taking all the credit for everyone else's work. Something is going on on Mango Key where Tick is living. Kate and her ex colleague Sandra go to check things out and watch a house at the end of the Key. Tick has also noticed things are not right at the house and when his brother Pete comes to visit they decide to check it out too. For Tick it's once a cop always a cop. Little do either the brothers or the girls know but the girls old boss is also down on Mango Key to find out what is really happening there.

Very fast very easy read like most of Michaels' books. The book flowed ok for me and took no time to read. Wish she would have explored the relationship between all the primary characters a little bit better though. Absolutely loved the bird!!! If you are a fan of Michaels then this is right up your alley.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Angel's Rest by Emily March

Angel's Rest by Emily March

Nic Sullivan was betrayed by her husband and her best friend and business partner. She came home to Eternity Springs to start over. Since there was no doctor in town residents came to Nic for help, although her primary patients were animals since she is a veterinarian. Gabe Callahan has lost his family in a terrible tragic accident. He feels guilt about their deaths and has thoughts of suicide. The town of Eternity Springs is dying, the town needs something to bring in money. Celeste Blessing has a plan to save the town. She wants to build a healing center and hires Gabe to over see it. After one night of passion Nic finds herself expecting Gabe's child. The question is can Gabe let go of his family to start over with Nic.

Enjoyed this book very much. It's a pretty fast read and there was nothing lacking in the story. It flowed from the first with underlying hints of stories to come. A great cast of characters with Nic, Gabe and all Nic's friends. Of course there is also Gabe's dog Clarence who saved him. Ms. March's writing style is comparable to Debbie Macomber and Mariah Stewart. If you like their style you will like this book.

You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

Aisling Grey needs her job. She has been ordered to pay alimony to her ex husband. Aisling is hired by her Uncle Damian to deliver a dragon statue to Mme. Deauxville in Paris. When she arrives at the apartment the door is unlocked. Upon going in she finda Mme. Deauxville hanging and very dead. Drake Viero is also there and questions Aisling about being a Guardian. She has no clue what he is talking about. After being questioned by the police Aisling is released. She sets about trying to find out who the real killer was. This leads her into the Otherworld culture of Paris, where everyone tells her she is a Guardian and Drake tells her she is his mate. After summoning a demon in the form of a dog, he tries to help her deal with the changes going on in her life. Including another murder that is done to cast more suspicion onto Drake.

This was a very cute book. Humorous with the talking dog and the way Aisling just keeps stumbling around and finally getting things right. Lots of sexual tension between Aisling and Drake. Good minor characters in Fiat, Amelie, Jim the dog and Rene the taxi driver. There are two more books in this series and I hope they are as good and as easy to read. I would recommend this book for those who like paranormals.

My Blood Runs Blue by Stacy Eaton

My Blood Runs Blue by Stacy Eaton

There has been a murder in Fawn Hollow Township and Officer Kristin Greene and her partner are called to the scene. The victim is someone they know. Kristen has to go and notify the family but while she is there they make some comments that give her pause. The Taylor's call in the VMF to help in the investigation. First to arrive are Julian and Gabe, Julian immediately recognizes Kristin as his killed mate Calista. When Julian's boss Alex arrives, he too see the resemblance to Calista. Kristin is not happy with their interference in the investigation. When Alex comes to her house to confer with her, he tells her that she is a half breed not yet full vampire. Kristin finds that statement ridiculous and injures herself. Alex treats her wound and then tells her to drink his blood. Already having good hearing and a powerful sense of smell after taking Alex's blood Kristin's is enhanced. Now along with trying to catch a killer, she must decide between two men.

Very fast and easy reading book. Great flow from beginning to end. You just have to keep turning the pages to see what is going to happen in the end. I read it in one sitting it was that good. The main characters had great chemistry between them Alex and Kristin and also Julian and Kristin. Lots of sexual tension throughout the book. Good minor characters with Gabe and Gina Marie. Cover art work is very good and fitting with the story. Highly recommend this book.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Trace of Fever by Lori Foster

Priscilla Patterson has lived all her life in hiding. Her mother was abducted by Murray Coburn and used by him and his friends. Priss shows up at Murray's office claiming to be his daughter. The only thing on her mind is killing the man that ruined her mother. Trace Rivers is also after Murray. His sister had been kidnapped by human trafficers and it's Trace's ambition to get all of them and have this heinous crime stopped. He does not want Priss to know what his real job is, he wants her to think that he is just Murray's bodyguard. Even though they don't really trust each other Priss and Trace reluctantly work together. Trace's reason is to keep Priss safe, Priss' reason is to kill Murray.

Even though you know how the book will end, it keeps you turning the pages to find out just how things are resolved. Not only with the situation with Murray but also the personal relationship between Priss and Trace. Lot's of sexual tension though the book, Priss and Trace play very well off each other. You can't help but dislike Murray and Helene to the bitter end. Lots of interesting minor characters in Dare, Molly, Chris, Matt and Jackson. The book flowed pretty well from beginning to end, with lots of good dialogue. Loved the play between the characters of Matt, Chris and Priss as Matt does her makeover. The cover is very nice, but don't know if it really furthers the story. Fans of Lori Foster will not be disappointed in this book.

Breathless by Scott Prussing

When Leesa's mother was pregnant with her she was bitten by a one fanged vampire. Her mother acted very strangely and drove her father away. The one constant in Leesa's life was her brother Bradley. Bradley, however, is missing. So, she decides to attend the same college near their Aunt and Uncle that Bradley attended. She also took the same vampire course that he took and became friendly with the professor. After she tells the professor about her mother, he tries to find a solution and bring her back to herself. Leesa has girlfriends for the first time in her life and enjoys the college life. She meets Rave, a volkanne and Stefan a vampire. Each want different things from her. Rave is in love with her but because of what he is they are not sure they can have a future. Stefan wants her for his consort and it's through him that she finds out her brother is still alive and where he is.

This is an excellent book. I could hardly put it down, kept reading to find out what was going to happen. Leesa has a physical problem but does not let it get her down. She is self concious about her leg but loves walking and does not let the limp limit her. The chemistry between Leesa and Rave is wonderful. They play off each other brilliantly. Liked the minor characters of her Aunt, Uncle, her friends Cali, Caitlin and Stacie also the vampire Stefan. If you liked the Twilight books you will love this one. I can't wait for the next.