Along for the Ride

Michelle M. Pillow's Along for the Ride has been getting some good buzz. Even more importantly, the story sounded intriguing, so I picked it up at the bookstore. It was a terrific find: 4.5 out of 5.

New York City police detective Megan Matthews is cursed with always being right. Her instincts are good, her deductive reasoning even better. She's found her hard-headed ways to be too much for most men, so she's given up trying to find Mr. Right and has settled for arresting Mr. Wrong.

Easy on the eyes crime-scene photographer Ryan Lucas has had a crush on the sexy detective since he first took her photograph by accident at a crime scene. That picture became headline news, and she hasn't talked to him since. He's tried everything to get her attention, but when nothing works he's left with only one option. But is blackmailing a cop into marriage really a good idea?

I've been craving a solid, character-driven romance, and Along for the Ride had just what I wanted. Megan and Ryan are well-drawn characters, so realistic I felt like I knew them. Ryan is a wonderful example of the appeal of beta heroes. He's smitten with Megan from the start, and I loved watching Megan's journey to the realization of her feelings toward him. It was a nice role-reversal from the norm.

This is how erotic romance should be, with love scenes that are always relevant and revealing, and characters who are always engaging. I loved the way Pillow spread the character revelations throughout the story--it kept me turning the pages, anxious to find out what happened next.

I'm on the hunt for more of Pillow's books in the Cheek line. Along for the Ride is apparently part of a series, so I'm going to track down the other books.

Sleepless at Midnight

I like Jacquie D'Alessandro's books, but haven't read any in a while. I heard some good buzz about Sleepless at Midnight, and I'm so glad I checked it out. This historical romance was a delight from start to finish: 4.5 out of 5.

The ladies in London are abuzz over Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, especially Miss Sarah Moorehouse. Her imagination is fired up, so when she spies Matthew Devenport, Marquess Langston, mysteriously sneaking home in the wee hours clutching a shovel, she simply must investigate. Impelled by curiousity, the adventurous lass steals into his bedchamber--only to be caught red-handed by the impossibly handsome and totally naked nobleman.

The Marquess Langston has more important things to worry about than a group of literature-loving ladies. But Matthew's grand plan to rescue the family from ruin could be lost when he discovers Sarah hiding behind his bedroom curtain. What is this meddlesome woman up to? And why are his desires inflamed by a chit who is too inquisitive for her own good? Well, two can play at this game . . . and when Matthew captures the beguiling Sarah in all her naked glory, the night of mischief has only just begun.

Sleepless at Midnight is the charming story of a bookish heroine who falls for a handsome man who needs to marry for money. What transforms this story from a standard romance plot to a compelling read are the characters. Matthew and Sarah meet during a house party and are skeptical of each other. Sarah wonders why Matthew is digging out in his garden, and Matthew sees her curiosity is a threat.

I loved watching Sarah and Matthew go from wariness to attraction to affection. And they have wonderfully witty conversations. There's plenty of humor in the story as well, with Sarah's conversations with her friends, and an amusing attempt to create the perfect man. Then there's Matthew's dog, Danforth, who sits on people's shoes. All of this comes together to create a book that's charming and fun.

Visions of Heat

After reading the first two books in Nalini Singh's paranormal series, it's safe to say she's become an autobuy.

Used to cold silence, Faith Nightstar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous--aching need . . . exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her.

Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo can take the form of either man or jaguar, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar's instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating, and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith's sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced--and keep her from Vaughn.

I hesitated to read this when it first came out because I feared it wouldn't live up to the previous book, or that it would be too similar. Once I got it at July's RWA conference, I couldn't resist reading it. As often happens, I needn't have worried. This is no mere rehash of Slave to Sensation; Vaughn and Faith are strong characters in their own right. Now that I've read Visions of Heat, I'm not sure how I managed to wait before buying it.

The danger to Faith is a real one. The dark visions threaten to engulf her, so she goes to Sascha (the heroine of Slave to Sensation) for advice. In the process, she meets Vaughn. He responds to her on a visceral level, and I liked seeing the animal side of him. It's mentioned that he's closer to his changeling side than many of the others, and you definitely see that.

I also like that Faith's discovery of and integration into the changeling world doesn't come easily. As a Psy, she's been trained not to feel emotion. Vaughn pushes her to feel, but it's not a smooth transition. This is portrayed realistically and makes for a compelling story.

Singh does an amazing job of blending romance and suspense in this book. Romance may be a little stronger, but that's the way I like it. :) With an intriguing hero and heroine, Visions of Heat rates 4.5 out of 5.

Born to Be Wilde

Since contemporary romance seems a bit like an endangered species these days, I was delighted to get the chance to review Janelle Denison's latest book, Borne to Be Wilde. Denison is a writer I've enjoyed since her category days--her Harlequin Temptation Private Fantasies is still one of my favorites--so this was even more a treat.

Ex-Marine turned security specialist Joel Wilde thrives on the high-wire thrills that come with his job. And he isn't about to give all that up to settle down--not even with a sexy woman like Lora Marshall. Which means that while he's protecting her from a violent gang, he'll need to set a few ground rules to keep things professional. Good thing he's always been a rule-breaker at heart . . .

The last thing Lora needs is a hard-to-resist man with a history of breaking hearts. Before she knows it, though, she's indulging in a sultry tryst with her hot-blooded bodyguard. But the closer she gets to Wilde, the more she wonders if he'll ever be tamed . . .

I have a soft spot for good contemporary romance, and Born to Be Wilde definitely hit the spot: 4.5 out of 5. A little bit romantic suspense, a little bit sweet, and a whole lot steamy, it kept me turning the pages quickly. Though part of a series, this book stands quite well on its own. Denison offers a glimpse of other characters in the series in a way that doesn't overwhelm the story or feel contrived.

Joel and Lora have an immediate chemistry. Joel is more reluctant to get involved, but it's clear his emotions are engaged from the beginning. I liked Lora's reaction to the knowledge that Joel sought her out because of her brother. This issue doesn't become a big misunderstanding. This book offers great character-driven conflict.

As for the romantic suspense, I like the way it plays out. One development is a little too convenient, but I ultimately appreciated the fact that the resolution is different than I expected.

I'm not usually a fan of secondary romances, but the one in this book is wonderfully sweet. It features Lora's friend Sydney and her daughter's math teacher. Daniel is a little too perfect; however, I loved watching him break through Sydney's shell.

If you've been missing contemporary romance as much as I have, you'll want to pick up Janelle Denison's Born to Be Wilde.

All Together Dead

All Together Dead is the seventh book in Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampires series. I loved the first four books, liked the next two. This one, though it doesn't stand alone all that well, I loved: 4.5 out of 5.

Being surrounded by all varieties of undead, changeling, and preternatural beings has gotten to be nothing out of the ordinary for Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse. Still, even she has her limits. Betrayed by her longtime vampire love, Sookie must now not only deal with a possible new man in her life--the oh-so-handsome shapeshifter Quinn--but also contend with the long-planned vampire summit in Rhodes.

The summit, which has attracted undead power players from all over the central U.S., is sure to be a tense situation. The vampire queen of Louisiana is in a precarious position, her power base weakened by hurricane damage to New Orleans. And there are some vamps who would like to finish what nature started. With secret alliances and backroom deals the order of the day--and night--Sookie must decide what side she'll stand with. And her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe . . .

All Together Dead offers an intriguing glimpse into vampire politics. The wedding and court cases are interesting. Harris does a wonderful job of world building. The mystery is good, too, multilayered. I picked up on the significance of the luggage pretty early, but there are several other nice surprises.

The relationships also take an unusual turn in this book. Sookie's relationship with Quinn deepens. I wasn't sure I liked him in the previous book. In this one, I have to admit I'm warming up to him a little. I like him, but I'm still an advocate for Eric.

Speaking of which, Sookie and Eric's relationship also gets a boost, although it's not in a way I expected. It should be interesting to see how that affects things in different books. I'm a little nervous that something bad to come might be foreshadowed in this book. I'm not sure I can take the thought of it right now. So I'm taking comfort in this recent interview Q&A with Harris.

MediaBlvd> Will Sookie’s unresolved issues with her former vampire lover, Eric, continue to come up, and do you see there ever being any resolution to their issues?
Charlaine> He is certainly going to be in the series, and he’ll keep on being in the series, at least for the foreseeable future. But, I’m not sure how their relationship is going to develop. He has a lot more issues with it than she does.

Now it's a wait for the next book in the series . . .

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Although I've had J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince since the day it was released, I only read it this month. I didn't read it immediately for a couple of reasons: (1) No air conditioning, so sitting to read a long book didn't sound at all appealing. (2) I was a bit turned off by book 5, which vexed me because of who was killed at the end. I also thought it could have used some editing. Desperately.

This month I finally had the urge to read it, so I did. It was quite good (4.5 out of 5), even though the only development I didn't know before reading was the identity of the Half-Blood Prince. I knew who died this time around--really, who else could it have been? I guessed even before a coworker accidentally let it slip.

Anyway, I'm not going to do a summary, because the Harry Potter books are so well known. I'll just discuss a few things. I imagine I am among the last to read this book, so I'm not going to do the highlight the spoilers thing. So, if you want to avoid spoilers, stop reading.

I thought book 5 could have been condensed quite a bit to be more effective. I felt that way a little with book 6, though not nearly as much.

I liked the bits with Dumbledore. It's nice that Harry (along with the reader) is finally starting to get some answers. The Horcrux idea is fascinating, and it should be interesting to see Harry find and destroy them in the next book. Might Harry also be a Horcrux? It can't be ruled out at this point, and that would certainly add a dramatic touch to book 7. I suspect there will be plenty of dramatic elements in the book.

I was not surprised by Dumbledore's death, or even by the manner of it. In book 5, the one person I didn't want to die was the person who did. I expected this to be the case of book 6 . . . and it was. Dumbledore was clearly next in line.

Not sure what I think of Snape. He's so smarmy and petty, plus killing Dumbledore is not the act of a good person. But it's clear that what he's doing at the end is telling Harry how to defeat Voldemort.

"Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter!"

And Snape prevents the Death Eater from killing Harry as well, although he says it's because "Potter belongs to the Dark Lord--we are to leave him!" (More evidence of Harry being a Horcrux?) I don't like Snape, and I'm not sure he's supposed to be likable. But I suspect he will be a crucial part of helping Harry defeat Voldemort.

Harry takes some important steps in this book: standing up for what he believes with regard to the Ministry of Magic; helping Dumbledore retrieve a Horcrux (sort of); making the decision at the end to do whatever it took to defeat Voldemort. I like watching him grow up.

I had originally planned not to read the next book in the series until someone else who read it could confirm that Harry doesn't die in it. But I don't think I'll be able to wait that long before reading it.

The Object of Love

Eeek! I planned to post this more than a week ago. Problem is, when I'm writing, I'm not doing much reading--or writing about reading, for that matter. Well, I'll just keep stumbling along, doing my back and forth thing. Enough about that.

I discovered Sharon Cullars when I read Again for The Romance Reader. I enjoyed it, so I bought The Object of Love when I saw it in the book store. I liked this book even more than Cullars' debut: 4.5 out of 5.

It's been five years since Lacey Burnham saw Sean Logan, and in that time her son Calvin's best friend has turned from a surly youth into a handsome, self-assured young man. Crushed with grief over Cal's sudden death, Lacey offers Sean a place to stay when he's in town--an innocent proposal that quickly becomes anything but. Lacey is stunned and confused by the yearning he ignites with a single kiss . . .

Beautiful, warmhearted Lacey Burnham was a haven of comfort in Sean's troubled youth. Now, against every shred of logic she possesses, Lacey is falling hard for Sean and for a heady carnal bliss she's never experienced before. But the ghosts of the past are waiting. And sooner or later, every shadow must face the light of day . . .

As I mentioned, I liked Again; The Object of Love blew me away. It's full of emotion, drama, and sensuality, and I loved every minute of it. I'm a fan of older women/younger man stories, and this one works really, really well. Sean is the same age as Lacey's son, so we're not talking the five-year (or less) gap we often see in such stories. There's a bigger age difference here, but Cullars does a wonderful job of showing that these two can make it. Sean still has some growing to do, I think, but I am optimistic about their relationship.

Lacey is easy to relate to. Her pain over her son's death is very real, and it makes her very sympathetic. As for Sean . . . well, he's terrific. He's loved Lacey for years, and he finally has an opportunity to show her. I'm not sure how she resists for so long. There's a marvelous scene near a waterfall where you see everything he's feeling. The Object of Love is easily one of the best erotic romances I've read.

Calvin plays an interesting role in the story. I wasn't sure I liked him, but he grew to be sympathetic as well. The resolution to that story is perfect. I enjoyed the way the story unfolds a little at a time.

I was sorry to hear that Cullars has no more books contracted with Kensington. I hope that changes. If it doesn't, though, I'll read her books wherever they end up.

Anyway, I'm hosting a contest with this book, The Object of Love, as a prize. Just post here and tell me about a book you read by a new-to-you author that you enjoyed. I'll select a winner on June 11.

No Humans Involved

When I discovered Kelley Armstrong's books last year, I rapidly devoured them. I've been waiting for the next book in the Otherworld series, No Humans Involved, for a long time. When it finally arrived, I dropped everything to read it: 4.5 out of 5.

It's the most anticipated reality television event of the season: three spiritualists gathered together in one house to raise the ghost of Marilyn Monroe. For celebrity medium Jaime Vegas, it is her best shot at the celebrity holy grail: a TV show of her own. Because, unlike her colleagues, who are more show than substance, Jaime is the real thing.

Reluctant to upstage her fellow spiritualists, Jaime tries to suppress her talents, as she has done her entire life. But there is something lurking in the maze of gardens behind the house: a spirit without a voice. And it won't let go until somehow Jaime hears its terrible story. For the first time in her life, Jaime Vegas understands what humans mean when they say they are haunted. Distraught, Jaime looks to fellow supernatural Jeremy Danvers for help.

As the touches and whispers from the garden grow more frantic, Jaime and Jeremy embark on an investigation into a Los Angeles underworld of black magic and ritual sacrifice. When events culminate in a psychic showdown, Jaime must use the darkest power she has to defeat a shocking enemy--one whose malicious force comes from the last realm she expected . . .

One reason I've been looking forward to this book is the fact that it features Jeremy, the mysterious werewolf alpha who was introduced in Bitten. From Elena's perspective, Jeremy is kind, logical, and often inscrutible. I wondered how he would be perceived from another perspective, and No Humans Involved provides a fascinating glimpse.

Jaime made her first Otherworld appearance in Industrial Magic, but this is the first time we get her point of view. She's a thoughtful, less action-oriented heroine than we've seen in previous books, but these traits don't make her less compelling. I enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with her.

The suspense aspect is terrific. I liked trying to put the puzzle pieces together and see where they led. And I loved the plot twists along the way.

As for Jaime and Jeremy . . . sigh. Some great moments. Truly wonderful moments. The hangman scene was nicely done. Then there's the balcony . . .

As an avid fan of the Otherworld books, I loved getting glimpses of past characters. I asked myself once or twice if a new reader would feel lost. I don't think so; most references had minor impact on the main story. There might be some sense of "Oh, something happened before," but that's often the case in a long-running series.

The next book in the series is told from Hope's perspective. I thought she was set up nicely here, and I loved the scenes--however brief--with Hope and Karl. How am I going to wait a year for the next one . . .

Pleasures of the Night

Like most readers, I have a list of autobuy authors. Sylvia Day is one of them. Reading Pleasures of the Night reminded me why.

In the Twilight between sleep and consciousness, a battle rages between Dream Guardians and Nightmares. Captain Aidan Cross is a legend, as skilled in fulfilling erotic dreams as he is with the glaive that kills his enemies. Women see Aidan as part of their fantasies . . . except Lyssa Bates. Exquisite, desirable, enigmatic Lyssa perplexes this immortal seducer because she sees him as he really is. And as he attempts to unravel her secrets the unthinkable occurs: Aidan Cross falls in love.

Lyssa has been having the most incredible dreams about a man whose blue eyes hold the promise of decadent pleasures and tempting intimacies. And then he appears on her doorstep! This intoxicating stranger is just as irresistible as the man of her dreams . . . but with her surrender there is also grave danger . . .

Because Aidan is on a mission, and the passion that consumes them body and soul could have dire consequences. Loving the mortal woman prophesied to destroy Aidan's world is not only impossible . . . it is forbidden.

Let's get this out of the way. The Alyssa mentioned in the acknowledgements? That's me. Now, here's what I thought of the story.

I love the Dream Guardian world--I think it's interesting and original. Sylvia's got a terrific idea here, and she pulls it off well. Aiden is completely believable as a disillusioned captain who yearns for something more. He finds it in Lyssa. I love their first meeting, where Aidan is intrigued by her no-nonsense attitude. Lyssa's history is also interesting. Though she sleeps a lot, she doesn't really rest.

The story intensifies when Aidan leaves the dream world and comes to Lyssa in the flesh. Day does a great job of showing Lyssa's conflicting confusion and trust when this man she doesn't know appears in her life. Watching their relationship develop was fascinating, and it leads to an amazingly poignant scene toward the end of the book.

I already knew Sylvia wrote wonderful historicals; Pleasures of the Night confirms her position as a leader in paranormal romance: 4.5 out of 5.

Should be interesting to see how the larger story of the Dream Guardian world unfolds.

Secrets in the Marriage Bed

I read one of Nalini Singh's earlier Silhouette Desires. While I liked it, it didn't lead me to look for her other books. That changed after reading Slave to Sensation. So when I saw Secrets in the Marriage Bed, I bought it. I'm so, so glad I did: 4.5 out of 5.

They were reconciling. That was all Caleb Callaghan could focus on when his estranged wife, Vicki, shared the news of her pregnancy. He was determined that this time their marriage would succeed, no matter what it took.

But was Vicki's price too high? She wanted more than his love and support . . . she demanded honesty between them, starting with his secrets. But there was something in Caleb's past he could not--would not--share. For the truth would only destroy them.

Secrets of the Marriage Bed is one of those rare books that stays in your mind after it's finished. In this case, the memory lingers not because of a showy plot, but because the story is about two adults who talk to each other and work through the issues causing problems in their marriage.

Caleb's devotion to Vicki is obvious and touching. I like the way he was determined to take advantage of the opportunity to rebuild the relationship. Vicki is an equally memorable character. Her desire for a better relationship is realistically shown, as is her wariness. I loved the fact that these two work together to make things better between them.

Smart and Sexy

I think every reader has authors whose books they really enjoy. One of those authors for me is Jill Shalvis. Not surprisingly, I read and loved her latest book, Smart and Sexy: 4.5 out of 5.

Noah Fisher has worked for months to make Sky High the most prestigious charter airline in California. He's long overdue for a break--something involving ski slopes, cold beers, and hot ski bunny babes, not necessarily in that order. The itinerary doesn't include being hijacked by Bailey Sinclair, gorgeous widow of one of Sky High's wealthiest (ex-) clients. But here they are, and being crammed in a cockpit with the scared, stubborn, unbelievably sexy former model he's been fantasizing about invokes Superman tendencies that could get Noah in serious trouble.

Bailey is desperate to find the stash of money hidden by her conniving, thieving late husband--before the bad guys he owed find her. It's a long shot, but nothing compared to the gamble she's taking by being so close to Noah. Every minute in his company has Bailey thinking about doing crazy, reckless things like touching, grabbing, kissing . . . and oh wow, being kissed right back. Suddenly, seat-of-your-pants seems like the only way to fly, and maybe it's the altitude playing tricks, but this is one trip she never wants to end . . .

The tone of the back cover suggested Smart and Sexy would be a light-hearted romp. It isn't. Instead, it's a gripping romantic suspense novel with characters who lingered in my mind long after I finished the book.

Speaking of the characters, the way Shalvis sets up the situation is perfect. Noah and Bailey aren't strangers--in fact, Noah's had a weak spot for Bailey for some time. This makes it all the more believable that he would want to help with her quest. Bailey is equally drawn to Noah; it is no accident that she tags along on a flight where he is the pilot.

I loved Noah. He's a well-rounded character with strengths and insecurities. His connection with and protection of Bailey is wonderful to watch. Bailey is initially secretive; trust comes slowly for her. The way her trust grows is realistic and compelling.

These two characters generate a lot of heat together. This book includes some of the best love scenes Shalvis has written.

The mystery is also excellent, and I loved that it complemented rather than overshadowed the romance. Smart and Sexy is the start of a series, and I can't wait to read the next one!

The Nymph King

Now that I've posted an interview with Gena Showalter, it's time to write a review for her latest book, The Nymph King. I loved it: 4.5 out of 5.

Females young and old, beautiful and plain crave Valerian's touch. None can resist his blatant sensuality and potent allure . . . until he steals Shaye Holling from a Florida beach and holds her prisoner in his underwater kingdom.

The cynical Shaye wants nothing to do with the mighty warlord, but she's inexplicably drawn to him. For underneath the warrior's arrogant beauty lies a complex and powerful man. A man whose caress is like fire . . .

Now Valerian must fight for the privilege of claiming her as his own. Because there's one thing Shaye doesn't know . . .

That when a nymph discovers his true mate, she's his for life.

The Nymph King includes two components I don't necessarily love in a story: kidnapping (it's not a secret if it's on the back cover, right?) and the "true mate" idea. Showalter not only makes both these scenarios work, but creates an unforgettable love story.

I've praised Showalter's world-building before, but I have to say it again. In this book, she provides readers with a fascinating glimpse into Atlantis. It's portrayed so vividly that I could easily picture it, and it also provides insight into Valerian and the other nymphs.

Valerian is wonderful. Yes, Shaye turns out to be his mate, but that doesn't make things easier for him. In fact, he doesn't want a mate. Once he accepts that she's the one for him, he strives to win her--and I do mean win her. He has to work at it, and this results in some wildly romantic moments, such as the one that occurs when she asks him to tell her one thing he likes about her.

Shaye's a slightly less memorable character, but I loved the way she made Valerian work for her love. And her anti-greeting card idea is terrific. An example: "Congratulations on your new promotion. Before you go, would you mind taking the knife out of my back? You'll probably need it again."

I've mentioned before that there is a character in this book named Alyssa because I won a contest. Her role is short but sweet. LOL! Speaking of short and sweet, there's also a terrific secondary romance in this book.

The Raven Prince

I tend to read fewer historicals these days since I overdosed on them several years ago. Authors like Elizabeth Hoyt make me rethink that position: 4.5 out of 5.

Widowed Anna Wren is having a wretched day. After an arrogant male on horseback nearly squashes her, she arrives home to learn that she is in dire financial straits. What is a gently bred lady to do?

The Earl of Swartingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behavior.

When Anna becomes the earl's secretary, it would seem that both their problems are solved. Then she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London for his "manly" needs. Well! Anna sees red--and decides to assuage her "womanly" desires . . . with the earl as her unknowing lover.

Many bloggers have already written about The Raven Prince, so I'm not sure what I can add to the discussion. If I had to sum it up, I would say that this book is one of the best debut books I remember reading. The characterization is fresh and complex, with none of those, "Why did (s)he do that?" moments. And wow, did I ever love Edward. He's far from the perfect hero, and that just makes him all the more compelling to read about.

The hidden identity ruse is one I've seen in other books. Given the context, I didn't find it at all strange that Edward didn't immediately recognize Anna, and I loved the way the physical relationship was both part of and distinct from their interpersonal relationship. As I reread the last sentence, I'm not sure I explain it well. Let me try again. There's one scene where Anna thinks that while she is enjoying the sexual relationship, she also recognizes that it's a purely physical one at that point, and she wants something more. She has more with her emotional relationship with Edward, and I loved seeing these two characters bring the two relationships together.

The language and sex scenes in The Raven Prince are richly sensual, and I loved the book. I'm excited to read Hoyt's next one.

The Rules of Seduction

Madeline Hunter's books tend to be hit or miss with me. The Rules of Seduction turned out to be a big hit: 4.5 out of 5.

He enters her home without warning or invitation--a stranger of shadowy motives and commanding sensuality. Within hours, Alexia Welbourne is penniless, without any hope of marriage. Until Hayden Rothwell takes her to bed. When one impulsive act of passion forces Alexia to marry the very man who ruined her, Hayden's seduction of Alexia is nearly complete. What Alexia doesn't know is that her irresistible new husband is driven by a secret purpose--and a debt of honor he will risk everything to repay. Alexia is the wild card. Reluctant to give up their nightly pleasures, Hayden must find a way to keep Alexia by his side . . . only to be utterly, thoroughly seduced by a woman who is now playing by her own rules.

Some of Hunter's books I've started and not finished. The Rules of Seduction, though, just drew me in and didn't let go. Hayden is a hero who's caught by a promise. When he discovers a man's embezzlement, he promises not to tell anyone why the man had to move to the country. That man is Alexia's cousin, and his explanation paints Hayden as the bad guy, which causes problems for Alexia when she realizes she is attracted to Hayden.

I like this book for many reasons. Although Alexia feels conflicted about Hayden, I like the way she faces her attraction for him and takes responsibility for her feelings. Once they are married, she doesn't hesitate to defend him, even though she doesn't know the truth of what happened. I found this admirable.

And Hayden is wonderful. I loved watching him try to make life easier for Alexia even before he fell for her. His concern for her continues after their marriage, when he gives her the opportunity to make her own decision about him. The ending is just terrific.

I'm having a good run of historicals lately. I hope it continues.

Hunted

I've been reading Amelia Elias's work since her first book, Three Wishes. I own most of them, though I haven't read everything. This week, I read Hunted.

Explosions, car wrecks, assassins, escaped murderers, and a kidnapping . . . arranged marriages can really take their toll on a vampire.

Witness to a brutal murder, Sian Lazuro didn't count on the killer escaping moments after his conviction. Three years later, she's learned the hard way there's only one person she can trust--herself. When she wakes up in bed with a gorgeous stranger who claims to have saved her life, she's understandably wary.

Diego Leonides is like no one she's ever met before. Sensual, mysterious, and clearly delusional, he insists not only is he a vampire, but she's now his eternal mate.

Diego never dreamed he'd find his mate by getting hit by her car, and she's no happier about their sudden bonding than she is. The only survivor of a massacre that wiped out his entire Clan, he's spent the century avoiding taking a mate. Now he finds himself stuck with a woman running from a murderer just as the descendants of the vampire slayers who killed his family arrive in San Francisco to finish the job with him.

Arranged marriages are hard enough on a vampire without having to convince his mate that the real bloodthirsty fiends are the mortals . . .

Elias is one of those authors I think should get a NY publishing contract. Any day now. I give Hunted 4.5 out of 5.

One of Elias's strengths is in her characterization. I love Diego's protectiveness even as he wants to fight his growing feelings for Sian. Once he realizes what he feels for her, though, he doesn't hide it from himself or from her. There's something wonderful and sexy about that.

Sian's a strong character as well, a rare heroine who truly can take care of herself . . . at least in most circumstances. The world of vampires is an unfamiliar one for her, and I thought she dealt with the knowledge in a realistic way. She makes a frustrating choice toward the end of the book (just talk to him, OK?), but I still liked her overall.

Hunted is the first book in a series, and I'm looking forward to reading Outcast, the next book, which is out now.

Aussie Rules

Jill Shalvis's Aussie Rules was in my reading now column for a while now, but that's because I'm lousy at updating my sidebar. The book is actually a nice, quick read: 4.5 out of 5.

It's bad enough that gutsy pilot Mel Anderson has to clean up after her lovable but completely disorganized best friend and business partner, Dimi, while her certifiable employees make more work than they do. Now, the one man she hoped she'd never see--the man who owns the deed to her airport, thank you--is back and looking for trouble. Scratch that, he is trouble. Amazing, holy cow, more please trouble . . .

Bo Black wants his family's airport back, and he's determined to get it. This laid-back Aussie is nobody's fool. Thing is, neither is Mel. She's intense. Uptight. Sexy. And very, very tempting. Suddenly, Bo's thinking less about revenge and more about kissing and touching and falling into a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-underpants kind of forever love . . .

Now, somebody's going for broke; somebody's going crazy; somebody's going to try everything; and somebody's going to play a very risky surprise . . .

What makes this story so good? The way it focuses on the characters. As the story progresses, it's clear that a mystery needs to be solved, but the mystery doesn't overwhelm the attraction and budding romance between Bo and Mel, two real people with real emotions.

Shalvis's books often have quirky secondary characters, and this book is no exception. They aren't merely quirky, though; they also show depth. Two in particular share a very sweet love story.

I really enjoy the way Shalvis reveals the history of the airport to readers. It's shared piece by piece, which really works for this book. I also like the fact that there is no convenient misunderstanding as the mystery unfolds. That probably won't make sense unless you've read the book, but I want to be vague so I don't spoil anything. Too often in fiction, there's a convenient explanation for a character's bad behavior. That doesn't happen here, and I appreciated that.

Shalvis's next Brava will be released in April. It's also set in an airport and it looks pretty interesting. It also has a terrific cover! I'm looking forward to it.

Born in Death

Born in Death is the latest installment in J.D. Robb's In Death series. This is one series I continue to enjoy: 4.5 out of 5.

Technology has advanced in 2060 New York City, but childbirth has been the same since the beginning of time. And despite the brutal double homicide on Lieutenant Eve Dallas's caseload, she has to be there for her pregnant friend Mavis, even if it means throwing the dreaded baby shower . . .

But Mavis needs an even bigger favor how. Tandy Willowby, one of the moms-to-be in her birthing class, has gone missing, just days before her due date--not even showing up at the shower at Eve and Roarke's place that she'd been looking forward to so much. A recent emigrant from London, Tandy has few friends in New York, and no family. When Eve enters Tandy's apartment and finds Mavis's shower gift wrapped and ready on the table--and Tandy's packed hospital bag still on the floor--her spine starts tingling.

Normally, this would be turned over to Missing Persons. Eve has more than enough on her plate trying to find out who murdered Natalie Copperfield and her fiance, both employed at a prestigious accounting firm. But Mavis wants no one but Eve on the case--and Eve can't say no. She'll have to track Tandy down while tracing the deals and double-crosses hidden in some of the city's richest and most secretive citizens, in a race against a particularly vicious killer. Luckily, she has her multimillionaire husband Roarke's expertise to help with the numbers crunching. But as he mines for the crucial data that will break the case wide open, Eve faces an all-too-real danger in the flesh-and-blood world.

If you follow this series, you probably know that a long-awaited event occurs in this book, one suggested by the title. It's been a long wait. While the In Death books usually come out every six months, it's been almost a year since the previous book. I was beginning to feel withdrawl symptoms.

I love the beginning of the story, where Eve's discomfort with the concept of babies and childbirth is clear. There are a lot of nice character moments in this book, and they're really the reason I love this series so much.

The mystery is nice, too. I thought it was interesting and well-crafted, a nice change from the deranged serial killers that have been in some of Robb's previous books. I also liked the way the second mystery, Tandy's disappearance, played out.

I'd heard that Roarke wasn't in this story as much, but I didn't notice that he was off-stage (I suppose that should be off-page) as much as I'd expected. He is very much a part of this book.

I'm excited to read the next book! I can only hope it isn't as long a wait.

Dark Dreamers

Dark Dreamers is an anthology by Christine Feehan and Marjorie M. Liu.

Dark Dream
She's known him since she was fifteen. Every night, he is with her: his face, his voice. Tonight, Sara Marten will meet the man who is both angel and demon, salvation and temptation: Falcon--the Carpathian, the banished hero. Tonight, Sara will meet the dark-eyed destroyer destined to be her mate.

A Dream of Stone & Shadow
There are those who do terrible things in this world, and those who simply watch. Charlie would do neither. Imprisoned, his only release is through his own destruction--or through Aggie Durand. Sweet as a kiss or a rescued child, she is the one dream he does not dare desire. As an agent of Dirk & Steele, she could be his salvation. Today, Charlie's dream is waking.

I must admit I've read only a few books by Christine Feehan. In general, I thought they were OK, but they didn't make me want to seek out all of her work. In fact, "Dark Dream" is the first Carpathian story of hers I've read; I actually read books from two different series. I thought the premise of this one sounded interesting. I liked the "known him since 15, but don't know who he is" angle. However, I ended up sticking with my "OK, but not terrific" opinion.

My main reason is this: there's not much character conflict. There's a quick introduction and some initial distrust on Sara's part, but this is dispatched quickly. From almost the beginning, there's very little to keep Falcon and Sara apart. Sure, there is an evil vampire who comes after Sara, but there's very little else to the story.

If you like the Carpathian series, though, you might enjoy it more. There are other Carpathian characters as well, who I'm guessing were featured in previous stories. They help the external plot along, and if you've read the previous books, it's probably nice to get this glimpse of how the couples are doing now. Overall, this story rates 3 out of 5.

"A Dream of Stone & Shadow" is the shorter and stronger of the two stories. Liu has a knack for creating interesting situations and original characters, and she does it well in this story. I don't want to say anything more about the plot than the blurb gives away, because I want to avoid spoiling the story. Suffice it to say I thought it struck a nice balance of action and romance. The ending in particular was terrific.

The story transported me back to the magic of Tiger Eye, which I loved for its unique premise and emotional story. "A Dream of Stone & Shadow" struck me in a similar way. Aggie is a wonderful heroine. Charlie fascinated me, and I wanted to know more about him. This story rates 4.5 out of 5.

Anything for You

I've picked up Sarah Mayberry's books since reading Can't Get Enough. Anything for You is her third book, and it confirmed my feeling that Mayberry is one of the strongest writers in the Blaze line: 4.5 out of 5.

The world according to Sam Kirk has just turned upside down. His best friend and business partner, Delaney Michaels, has returned from vacation a new woman . . . a gorgeous, hot new woman. Suddenly Sam is thinking entirely inappropriate thoughts about his buddy. Worse, with Delaney's changed look, she's abandoning their friendship in pursuit of the picket-fence dream. It's a nightmare come true.

Then one night finds them tangling in the sheets. It should feel wrong, wrong, wrong . . . instead, it feels very right. And now Sam knows exactly what he'd do to keep his best friend: absolutely anything.

This story gripped me from page one and didn't let up until the end. Friends who become lovers is one of my favorite plotlines, but that's not why this book kept my interest. I grew to care about the characters very much. I particularly liked Mayberry's portrayal of Sam, a man who depends on his best friend, Delaney, and doesn't realize that he's grown to love her. The scenes where he is trying to make sense of their changing relationship are very poignant.

I also sympathized with Delaney, who loves Sam but doesn't believe he returns her feelings. At times, I wanted her to tell Sam why she was pulling away from him, but that would have made for a short book. The more I think about it, though, the story really wouldn't work any other way. If she had told him of her feelings earlier in the book, he wouldn't have had the time he needed to reach his own conclusion.

Mayberry writes great love scenes. They more than live up to the Blaze name. :) But what's even more significant is the way she writes emotional and compelling characters. If you like category romance, I encourage you to give this author a try.

Belated TBR Challenge: Closer

September's TBR challenge was to read a series romance. I completed the challenge but never got around to writing about it, so I thought I'd do it now.

Title
Closer

Author
Jo Leigh

Year published
2006

Why did you get this book?
I like Leigh's books and usually buy them, but I got this one in a giveaway.

Do you like the cover?
Yes! I think it's a great cover, very provocative.

Did you enjoy the book?
Yes. I rate it 4.5 out of 5.

A stalker has ruined Christie Pratchett's life. He's stolen her job, her friends and her freedom. The police can't help, nor can the FBI. Now with a single call for help, it's all up to ex-Delta Force Boone Ferguson.

Boone lives under the radar . . . with a secret that could cost him big. But he's going to train Christie to become a warrior princess--and his lover. Together they're going to risk it all, on the street--and in the bedroom.

The book makes a strong start as Leigh shows us how much Christie's stalker has affected her life. The scenes from the stalker's point of view are definitely creepy. There aren't too many of them, which I appreciate. I prefer not reading too much from the bad guy's POV in books, just a personal preference.

Boone is a terrific hero, and I love how he doesn't just step in to protect Christie, but he takes steps to help her learn to protect herself. As for Christie, she is no passive victim. Yes, she is devastated by the way the stalker has isolated her. Her reactions here seem very genuine. But she also strives to overcome the problems. And the scenes with Boone and Christie just sizzle.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?
Yes and yes.

Are you keeping it or passing it on?
Keeping it.

Anything else?
The next book in this series, Relentless, comes out next month. It will be interesting to see who's in that story.