Surviving Demon Island

I've read Jaci Burton before, so I decided to try the first book in her latest series. Surviving Demon Island turned out to be a very nice read: 4 out of 5.

What's America's top female action star doing on a tropical island shrouded in secrecy? To Gina Bliss, competing in a survival-type reality show is a nice change from fending off on-screen villains. Until she meets real-life action hero Derek Marks. A survival specialist in a tight black T and sexy stubble, he's arousing every bad-boy fantasy she's ever had . . . and testing her survival skills to the max.

Martial arts, jungle warfare--Derek's done it all. But his latest mission is more dangerous than a stick of dynamite. Try telling that to the sexy, adrenaline-pumped acress who's got his libido racing off the charts. As the heat rises between them and real-life violence erupts, suddenly Derek and Gina are on the run . . . and when they uncover a secret so explosive it could blow the lid off their so-called reality show, these two unlikely heroes are about to discover what surviving's really about . . .

In a subgenre--paranormal romance--where you see a lot of the same old thing, Surviving Demon Island offers a fresh look at a demon world. The book starts out simply enough: Gina is offered a chance to participate in a new reality series. We see her desire to do something new and exciting. What she gets is a world different than she ever expected, one that's turned inside-out.

She also gets Derek.

It's clear from the beginning that Derek is in on the secret, that he knows what's going on behind the scenes. There's also the classic man-and-woman-at-odds attraction between them. Still, the story offers some interesting surprises: two in particular toward the end notch up the conflict. And I loved the way Derek and Gina's relationship heats up. :)

This is my favorite of Burton's books (those I've read, anyway), and it's built on a fascinating premise. I'm very excited to read the next book in the series.

You Had Me at Halo

I won Amanda Ashby's You Had Me at Halo in a recent contest. When I read it, I discovered it was a real treat: 4 out of 5.

Holly Evans has just seen her own body laid to rest, and if it had been up to her, she wouldn't have chosen that particular dress for the event. Still, she could live with that (so to speak), if it guaranteed a quick jump to Level 3 of the afterlife, which she hopes will feature both reruns of Friends and reunions with long-lost loved ones.

But Holly has some mortal baggage to unload first, starting with the matter of how she died. Yes, she drowned in her bathtub under suspicious circumstances, but she did not kill herself. Holly had too much to live for, from her recent promotion to taking the next big step in her relationship. OK, her life had a few loose ends, but whose doesn't? Holly's heavenly shrink isn't buying it. He says she has to return to Earth to staighten things out. The problem is, she'll need to borrow someone's body to do so, and the body in questiion to none other than computer geek Vince Murphy. Oh, and although Vince was supposed to have vacated the premises, he apparently never got the memo.

Now Holly has forty-eight hours to resolve her issues while sharing arms, legs, and . . . other things with a guy she barely noticed when she was alive. But the real surprise is what life has to offer when you have only two days to live it.

You Had Me at Halo is a delightful story about Holly's search to discover what happened to her and her struggle to resolve some of the things in her life. As the blurb and cover suggest, this is a story with a lot of humor. The scenes where Holly, in Vince's body, has to convince her friend that she's still alive. Sort of.

There's definitely some humor about what happens when two people share a body. And Vince . . . I simply adored him. What a sweetheart! He's a wonderful illustration of the idea that still waters run deep. He helps her throughout her search for answers.

You may wonder if a happy ending is possible in such a scenario. Wonder no longer: it is. I was generally pleased with the ending (spoiler ahead), although I wished Vince hadn't lost his memory of their time together in the process.

Ashby has created a story that's sweet and fun. I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

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 . . .

Cupid Inc.

Michele Bardsley's Cupid Inc. is one I brought back from RWA. It's a quick, if not completely satisfying, read: 2.5 out of 5.

It's not easy to fall in love . . . especially in Sin City. Nobody knows this better than Greek deities Psyche and Eros, who keep a wonderful eye on the mortals in Las Vegas. With a little divine intervention from Aphrodite and the rest of the gods and goddesses, Psyche and Eros set out to fulfill the sexual desires of their clients, hoping to turn lust into love . . .

Wrong office. Right man. A clerical error sends an adventurous woman to the incorrect address, but the accountant she surprises decides this is one appointment he wants to keep in "The Accountant and the Virgin."

In "The Stars in Her Eyes," a wedding planner wins a date with her favorite movie star--and gets a lot more than his autograph.

In "One Mile Up . . . a Little to the Left," two journalists researching a story about a luxury airliner give "flying the friendly skies" a whole new meaning.

In "The Spy Who Rubbed Me," a former jewel thief and a lonely waitress team up for an ecstasy-filled adventure that gets their adrenaline racing and their pulses racing.

Each of the stories is framed with short segments about Psyche, Eros, and Aphrodite. I think this just ended up being a little too "cute" for me. Or maybe I've just read a few too many Greek mythology reworkings. If this isn't the case for you, you'll probably like Cupid Inc. more than I did. I just kept wanting to get back to the other stories.

The four main stories focus on couples who take advantage of the dating service. The novellas are fast paced, quick to read, but they aren't particularly memorable. The short length of each story might be partly to blame--it's hard to develop characters in the space they're given. For fun and light reading, though, you may want to give it a try. The stories are plenty steamy.

My favorite story in the book is "The Stars in Her Eyes." The chemistry between the characters is great, and I enjoyed reading the story. I liked it enough that I'd definitely try Bardsley again if I liked the blurb.

The Notorious Rake

Mary Balogh's The Notorious Rake has been on my TBR shelf for a while, and today I finally felt like picking it up. It's a great read: 4.5 out of 5.

Lord Edmund Waite was everything that Lady Mary Gregg despised in a man. He was lewd, lascivious, mocking--the most notorious rake in the realm. Happily, Mary had nothing to fear from this lord of libertines. A bluestocking like her could never tempt a man whose taste ran to pretty playthings for his pleasures.

How startled Mary was to find herself the object of Lord Waite's determined desires. But even more surprising was her reaction to his shocking advances. How could she remain a lady with this man who knew so well how to make her feel like a woman . . .?

As always, Balogh's strength is with her characters. Mary is practical in most ways but she has one weakness--she's afraid of thunderstorms. This fear leads her to take shelter with Edmund and soon she's in his arms. Edmund believes that they are beginning an affair, while Mary insists it was a moment in time, one that turns into a few moments, but still . . . And so, the conflict begins.

Some readers may have trouble with Edmund. To say that he comes on strong is, at times, putting it nicely. There are certainly times when he frustrated me. These times are balanced by others, though, when we see the man behind the mask. At one point, Mary even refers to the cynical, indifferent mask he wears. I love the way his story unfolds slowly.

The last fourth of the novel is simply marvelous. From the moment Edmund sees his aunt's visitors, the story just gripped me by the throat. I read that part at my parents' house and stopped reading every few pages so I wouldn't burst into tears. :) It was beautiful.

So why wasn't it a 5? Well, I thought the wrap-up was a little too neat in one respect, and Edmund showed cruelty at moments. Still, this one is well worth reading if you can get your hands on it. A lovely story.

Full Moon Rising

Keri Arthur's Full Moon Rising was one of the books in the RWA goodie bag I got at the registration desk. I've been curious about this one since reading the All About Romance review of it a few months ago.

A rare hybrid of vampire and werewolf, Riley Jenson and her twin brother, Rhoan, work for Melbourne's Directorate of Other Races, an organization created to police the supernatural races--and protect humans from their depredations.

While Rhoan is an exalted guardian, a.k.a. assassin, Riley is merely an office worker--until her brother goes missing on one of his missions. The timing couldn't be worse. More werewolf than vampire, Riley is vulnerable to the moon heat, the weeklong period before the full moon, when here need to mate becomes all-consuming . . .

Luckily Riley has two willing partners to satisfy her every need. But she will have to control her urges if she's going to find her brother. . . . Easier said than done as the city pulses with frenzied desire, and Riley is confronted with a very powerful--and delectably naked--vamp who raises her temperature like never before.

In matters carnal, Riley has met her match. But in matters criminal, she must follow her instincts to not only find her brother but to stop an unholy harvest. For someone is doing some shifty cloning in an attempt to produce the ultimate warrior--by tapping into the genome of nonhumans like Rhoan. Now Riley knows just how dangerous the world is for her kind--and just how much it needs her.

As the blurb suggests, this is not a traditional romance. Since I knew this in advance, I was prepared for it. Arthur's is an interesting and compelling world: 4 out of 5. The story is told in first-person from Riley's point of view, and it's clear the world she lives in isn't a calm one. She faces danger, along with the machinations of others, on a regular basis.

She also lives in a world where it's perfectly acceptable to take multiple sexual partners without guilt. I like the way Riley makes no apology for it; she simply presents it as a normal part of her life. What I didn't like? It's a big spoiler, so scroll over the white text at your own risk: Both of her lovers turn out to be part of the plot. One I can understand, but two doesn't say much for her taste in men. Wouldn't she have had an inkling about one of them? Apparently not.

The plot isn't tied in a neat bow by the end. Since I was prepared for this, it was fine, but other readers might find this frustrating. I thought the conclusion worked and was satisfactory. Full Moon Rising is a fast-paced story packed with lots of action. Arthur does a good job of creating a vivid, memorable world I would be happy to revisit.

Kelley Armstrong

After reading Dates from Hell, I decided to pick up Kelley Armstrong's Bitten, which had been languishing on my TBR for several months. If I remember correctly, I bought it at Media Play . . . back when Media Play was still open.

Bitten completely blew me away. I've already reviewed it, so I won't repeat myself, but it was very, very good. I quickly bought and read the rest of the books in the series. Here's how I rate them.

• Bitten: 5 out of 5
• Stolen: 5 out of 5
• Dime Store Magic: 4.5 out of 5
• Industrial Magic: 4.5 out of 5
• Haunted: 4 out of 5
• Broken: 4.5 out of 5

Armstrong excels at world-building and story telling. The Otherworld is unique, vivid, and memorable. But it's the storytelling that makes me a fan. Bitten is particularly masterful. Another writer might have clogged up the beginning of the story with backstory, but that's not what Armstrong does. She gives just enough to tell the story, providing backstory through flashbacks or narrative as it's needed.

Case in point: Elena refers to being bitten or "the person who bit me" at least three times before we find out who that person was. (Don't worry--I won't spoil it in this post.) There are several places where Armstrong could have shared this information earlier in the story, but she doesn't. The choice is a good one because it adds to the emotional punch. It wouldn't have had the same impact if it had been revealed sooner.

Something that impresses me as a reader and a writer is how distinctive her characters are. Her men don't only look differently and act differently. They talk differently. Here are some examples.

Clayton, from Bitten
During a scene with Elena and Jeremy: "I'm staying. . . . If Elena thinks she can show up, then walk right back out, after I've been waiting for over a year--"

"You'll do what?" I said, stepping toward him. "Kidnap me and lock me in a hotel room again?"

"That was six years ago. And I was only trying to convince you to talk to me before you left."

"Convince? Hah. I'd probably still be there if I hadn't convinced you to set me free by hanging you off the balcony by your ankles. If I'd had any sense, I'd have let go while I had the chance."

"Wouldn't have done any good, darling. I bounce. You can't get rid of me that easily."

Clay rarely has long speeches--he's more of a doer than a talker. This exchange reveals his sense of humor, his casual speech, and his complicated relationship with Elena.

Jeremy, from Bitten
During a scene where he's telling Elena not to make any hasty decisions about leaving the Pack: "Adjusting to this has been more difficult for you than anyone else. You didn't grow up knowing you'd become a werewolf. Being bitten would have been bad enough, but the way it happened, the circumstances under which it happened, make it ten times harder. It's in your nature to fight something you didn't choose. When you make your choice, I want it to be because you've spent enough time out there to know that it's what you want, not because you're stubborn and want to assert your right to self-determination here and now."

This speech is classic Jeremy. Elena's father figure is patient and logical, both of which qualities are evident here.

Lucas, from Industrial Magic
During a scene where he's explaining to Paige how he'll handle an upcoming discussion with his father: "My intention is simply not to refuse as vehemently as I normally do, or he'll blame you, however illogical the reasoning. I will hear him out, and I will endeavor to be more receptive to his paternal attentions than is my wont."

"Uh huh."

Lucas smiled. "In other words, I'll make nice."

Lucas is a lawyer as well as a sorcerer, and his language tends to be more sophisticated. He's also aware of this tendency and is able to see the humor of it, as the last sentence shows.

Another thing I like in Armstrong's book is her use of humor. Instead of including moments of slapstick, her humor tends to be wry and understated, a type of humor I really enjoy. In Dime Store Magic, we learn that witches and sorcerers have a longterm animosity toward each other. I loved this moment when sorcerer Lucas bursts into a Coven meeting.

"Are there any questions?" Cortez said after his presentation.

Silence.

Eleven-year-old Megan, the youngest neophyte, raised her hand. "Are you a bad sorcerer?"

"I lack some proficiency in the higher-order spells but, at the risk of sounding overconfident, I must say there are worse sorcerers."

:)

Armstrong has a terrific site for readers. It has all the usual things on author sites, pages about the books, FAQ, and contests. It also offers free online reads, some of which chronicle Clay's past. One of them, Savage, is being released as an audiobook. This, too, will be available free on her website. There's also a fairly active message board.

She has two books out in the next year--one in October, not set in the Otherworld, and one next spring with Jaime, a celebrity necromancer. Next year's book will be out in hardcover. This will disappoint some readers, I'm sure, but I say good for her. By the time I read Industrial Magic, I found myself wondering why the series wasn't in hardcover already. Yes, the installments will be more expensive, but Armstrong has earned it. And that makes it even more likely to be released in audio versions, a definite plus for me.

Kelley Armstrong has joined my list of favorite writers. I'll be looking for a book signing opportunity so I can get autographed copies of all her books.

Dates from Hell

I know I said I wasn't planning to go back and write reviews for the books I read in the past. However, I decided that a review of Dates from Hell would be a good lead-in for my next author spotlight. (You don't have to ask who it will be, do you?)

I was planning to buy Dates from Hell, but then I won an autographed copy from Kelley Armstrong.

Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil
Kim Harrison takes us to the Hollows, where living vampire/homicide cop Ivy Tamwood, investigating a string of very nasty murders, finds herself caught between two very different men, who put every dating principle she holds dear to the ultimate test.

The Claire Switch Project
Lynsay Sands gives the power to shape-shift to a most resourceful woman, who uses it to her wickedly sexy advantage at her high school reunion.

Chaotic
Kelley Armstrong enters the Otherworld to help a beautiful half-demon tabloid reporter escape a disastrous blind date by giving her a hot lead . . . that leads her to an even hotter werewolf jewel thief.

Dead Man Dating
Lori Handeland gives the term "dating hell" a whole new meaning, when a Manhattan literary agent out on her first date in months, is forced to choose between a sexy devil and the rogue demon hunter who's out to destroy him.

I wondered whether I would like "Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil" because I tried to read Dead Witch Walking and set it aside after less than 100 pages. I just couldn't get into it. I liked this story, though. Ivy was an intriguing heroine, and I'd like to read more about her. Can someone tell me if any of Harrison's full-length books are told from her point of view? Even though I liked the book, I was very aware that this was part of a series and at times I felt like I was a step behind. 4 out of 5.

"The Claire Switch Project" was a disappointment. An incident in a lab gives Claire the ability to change her appearance, transforming herself into anyone as long as she has a picture as reference. First of all, Claire and Kyle have liked each other for years and haven't done anything about it before now. Then, at the high school reunion, Claire shifts into "Brad Cruise," a popular movie star to pose as her friend's date. I'm sure the plot was intended to be zany fun, but it struck me as juvenile and superficial. 2 out of 5.

Kelley Armstrong's "Chaotic" was the best story in the anthology. It's interesting to note that this is the first story I ever read by Armstrong. As with Harrison's story, it was clear that this book was part of a series, yet I never felt lost or behind. I'm sure readers of the series would catch things I didn't on the first read, but everything necessary to understand this story was explained. I'm planning to reread the story in the next week; it will be interesting to see the depth this adds to the story. I liked both Hope and Karl and only wish I'd seen more of them together at the end. 4.5 out of 5.

Lori Handeland's "Dead Man Dating" is the reason I wanted the anthology. I've enjoyed her paranormal stories in the past (Blue Moon especially). This one was good, but I wished it had been longer. Kit and Chavez are interesting characters and I would have liked to spend more time with them. I was surprised at the end when I realized I didn't feel like I knew Kit very well. Odd, since the story was from her point of view. Anyway, I'd love to see them again, even as secondary characters in another book. 3.5 out of 5.

The anthology as a whole rated 3.5 out of 5. It also introduced me to an author I now rank in my top five. But that's another story. :)

Bitten

I've had Kelley Armstrong's Bitten in my TBR pile for a while. After reading Armstrong's story in the Dates from Hell anthology, I picked up Bitten.

Elena Michaels seems like the typically strong and sexy modern woman. She lives with her architect boyfriend, writes for a popular newspaper, and works out at the gym. She's also a werewolf.

Elena has done all she can to assimilate to the human world, but the man whose bite changed her existence forever, and his legacy, continue to haunt her. Thrown into a desperate war for survival that tests her allegiance to a secret clan of werewolves, Elena must reckon with who, and what, she is in this passionate, page-turning novel.

The blurb is right. Bitten is both passionate and page-turning. It's also one of the best books I've read this year: 5 out of 5.

This review will be filled with spoilers, so if you haven't read it, think you might want to, and don't want to have anything spoiled for you, stop reading this.

Now.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

OK, then. There's so much to like about this book I don't know where to start. Actually, I do--with Elena. Bitten is told in first person from her point of view. She's a fascinating character, a strong woman who became a werewolf without being offered a choice. She is living with a man in Toronto, although she has mixed feelings about a man she left behind to live on her own, away from her pack. The problem is that she straddles two worlds and doesn't feel completely comfortable in either one. Elena's journey of self-discovery is a significant part of the book.

This is really a book with wide appeal. In addition to the story of Elena's self-actualization (if that's what you want to call it), there's mystery and romance.

Elena's got a wonderfully wry sense of humor. I like moments like this:

Naturally, Jeremy was impressed by how well I'd handled things on my own and vowed never to shurt me out of anything ever again. Yeah, right. His first words were nonrepeatable. Then he said that if I ever, ever did anything so stupid again, he'd--well, that part was unrepeatable, too, though Clay, Antonio, and Nick were quick to repeat it, each adding their own threats. So, the brave soul who saved the day was forced to slink from her victory site and ride home in the backseat of her own car. It could have been worse. They could have put me in the trunk. Actually, Nick suggested that, but he was kidding . . . I think.

Can I just say I loved, loved, loved Clay? He's a man (OK, a werewolf) some would describe as a cold-blooded killer, yet he's sentimental enough to wear a wedding ring for nearly a dozen years because he considers himself married to Elena. When I read about how Clay made Christmas festive for her in the past and that he had presents for her, hoping she would return the previous Christmas, it nearly broke my heart.

When I finished Bitten, I started reading it all over again, and I know it's one I'll reread many times in the future. I've already ordered the second book in the series, and it's going to be tough to keep from jumping right into it. Perhaps it will be a reward for writing the three reviews that are waiting for me . . .

TBR Challenge: Simply Unforgettable

I'm sneaking in just before the deadline on this one. The April challenge was to read a book I've had in my TBR for six months or more. I read Mary Balogh's Simply Unforgettable, which has been TBR since I got it at last year's RWA.

Title
Simply Unforgettable

Author
Mary Balogh

Year published
2005

Why did you get this book?
I've enjoyed her books in the past.

Do you like the cover?
Yes. It's one of those covers with no models on it, and its elegance suits Balogh's writing style.

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

They meet in a ferocious snowstorm. She is a young teacher with a secret past. He is the cool, black-caped stranger who unexpectedly comes to her rescue. Between these two unlikely strangers, desire is instantaneous . . . and utterly impossible to resist. Lucius Marshall, who is the Viscount Sinclair, and Frances Allard share a night of glorious, unforgettable passion. But Frances knows her place--and it is far from the privileged world of the sensual aristocrat. Due to begin her teaching position at Miss Martin's School in Bath, Frances must try to forget that one extraordinary night--and the man who touched her with such exquisite tenderness and abandon.

But Frances cannot hide forever. And when fate once again throws them together, Lucius refuses to take no for an answer. If Frances will not be his wife, he will make her his mistress. So begins an odyssey fraught with intrigue, one that defies propriety and shocks the strait-laced ton. For Lucius's passionate, single-minded pursuit is about to force Frances to give up all her secrets--except one--to win the heart of the man she already loves.

Lucius and Frances meet because of the weather and the encounter is initially hostile. Lucius's carriage nearly runs Frances's off the road as he passes her. From there, I was intrigued by the way Balogh portrays the shift from hostility to like, then from like to passion. They are snowbound only a few days, but the shift is completely believable. I loved the scene in Lucius's carriage where he drives her to the school. Their mutual tenderness is beautiful to see.

I'm sure you know by now that I love stories where the hero is an arrogant man brought down by love. That's definitely the case with Lucius. He doesn't want to let Frances go and doesn't know what to do about it. He's also a man who doesn't take no for an answer. Some readers might thing he bulldozes right over Frances at times, but I didn't see it that way. It helped that he is so concerned about what she wants at the end of the story. (I don't want to give spoilers.)

I like the way Lucius deals with societal concerns. So often in historical romance, you have dukes falling in love with governesses and there's no apparent concern about whether they will be accepted by society. In Simply Unforgettable, the issue is brought up and dealt with.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?
Not new to me, and yes.

Are you keeping it or passing it on?
Keeping it. Not only is it a good book, it's autographed to me.

Anything else?
I enjoyed the characters and the story moved quickly. If you considered reading it, I encourage you to pick it up.

The next book, Simply Love, looks wonderful. Unfortunately, it comes out in August, so I don't think it will be available at RWA. I can only hope . . .

Hot Ticket

I'm slowly, but surely, beginning to read again. I just finished sports-themed Hot Ticket: 4 out of 5.

Deirdre Martin's Same Rink, Next Year
Once a year, concierge Tierney O'Connor hooks up with the same hot goaltender at the hotel where she works. It's a perfectly uncomplicated arrangement--until a blizzard turns their annual one-nighter into a lost weekend steamy enough to melt the ice.

Julia London's Lucky Charm
Uninhibited radio host Kelly O'Shay loves to take on the egos of overpaid sports stars. Then she goes after hot-shot shortstop Parker Price, whose losing streak takes an unexpected turn when he goes head-to-head with his lovely nemesis--on the air and off.

Annette Blair's You Can't Steal First
Famous for his big numbers at bat, Juan Santiago's struck out only once in his life--with Quinn Murdock. Now the Red Sox star player is getting one more shot with the sexy sporting goods magnate. But first he has to prove he's not just playing the field.

Geri Buckley's Can't Catch This
Lindy Hamilton got her two-timing boyfriend right where it hurts--by stealing his pricey tickets to the Florida Moccasins football game. When she discovers that the really interesting action is in the stands, it proves to be the hottest season opener on record . . .

Lucky Charm is the first (and longest) story in the anthology, although it's listed second on the back cover. It gets the book off to a good start. I'm not usually a fan of the mouthy, tear-down talk-show host, but after Parker and Kelly's initial meeting, I enjoyed watching them spar. I've sometimes mentioned about previous stories how much I like it when a hero falls hard for the heroine. In this story, there's a nice role reversal. Yes, Parker falls for Kelly, but she falls hard too, in such a way that leads to a sweet moment at the end of the story. Lucky Charm receives 4 out of 5.

Same Rink, Next Year comes next, and I'm afraid it suffers in comparison to Lucky Charm. Where the latter is fast-paced, the former moves more slowly. While I liked Tierney and David, the set up for their story wasn't particularly believable. They spend all year looking forward to spending one night together? This didn't quite gel for me. There are some nice moments while they get to know each other: 3.5 out of 5.

You Can't Steal First ends up being the best book in the anthology--and, I admit, it's the biggest surprise to me. I didn't finish the last book I tried by Annette Blair. This story, though, I loved: 5 out of 5. When I look at the seperate elements of the story, I realize that I've seen some things before: two high-school sweethearts, cruelly parted by fate; a demanding parent; a hero who's not as much a womanizer as he's made out to be.

In this case, though, the story adds up to more than the sum of its parts. Quinn and Tiago are unforgettable characters, and as much as I liked the dialogue in Lucky Charm, I liked the banter and chemistry in You Can't Steal First even more. I just flipped through the story again to find a quote to post, but I don't want to spoil any of it. This is a very, very good story. I'm going to have to give Blair's single titles another try.

The final story in the book is Can't Catch This, and I'm afraid I can sum it up in three words: can't remember this. It's a nice enough story about a woman who meets and begins dating the cousin of a football player. The story isn't bad, but as I said, it's not especially memorable either: 3 out of 5.

Playing Easy to Get

I was in a chat room, minding my own business, when Nicole cornered me and said I needed to read the anthology Playing Hard to Get. (OK, she didn't really corner me; she just mentioned it.) So I read the book this week and would describe it as pretty average: 3.5 out of 5.

From New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon comes "Turn Up the Heat,'' the story of an average woman who wins the vacation of a lifetime--a trip to Sex Camp. But what Allison George gets is a race for her life with none other than an ex-Mafia hit man who is now being sought by his prior employer. Vince Cappelleti knew the island was a risky proposition, but he'd run out of options. Now the only thing he wants in his sights is Allison, but in order to have a future with her, he must first deal with his past.

Jaid Black's sizzling hot "Hunter's Oath" sends grief-striken Sofia Rowley to the Arctic Circle, where her brother, a U.S. Army officer, was lost in a deadly helicopter crash. She's about to take a shocking journey into a secret underground world where Viking bride-hunters auction off their bounty . . . and where a strapping warrior vows to make this beautiful Outsider his.

Possession and passion entwine in Kresley Cole's sultry story, "The Warlord Wants Forever." Nikolai Wroth, a ruthless vampire warlord, searches for his Bride--the one woman who can render him truly alive. When his fevered chase leads to Myst the Coveted, a Valkyrie seductress who craves only freedom, a battle of domination and desire begins. Will the power of her seductive wiles overcome his strength? Or will she surrender and experience the deliciously agonizing lust that Nikolai has endured waiting for his one and only Bride?

"Turn Up the Heat" starts with an appealing fantasy--leaving an oppressive place of work to have your fantasies fulfilled on a private island. But the characters don't quite engage me. The story is just too short to create a solid connection with Allison and Vince. The pacing was good, and I wanted to know what would happen, but the story didn't quite cross the line from good to great: 3 out of 5.

I had a similar issue with the length of "Hunter's Oath." I was definitely intrigued by the story, although the Viking society is ruled by a bit too much testosterone. There's also a woman I wanted to bash over the head. (You'll know the part I mean when you read it.) There is a clash of ideologies as well. I thought it was resolved a bit too easily with only one conversation. Again, this is where another 20 pages would have helped: 3 out of 5.

It probably won't surprise you to know that the longest story is the one I enjoyed most. This is the first time I've read anything by Kresley Cole, and the world she creates in "The Warlord Wants Forever" is a compelling one. Neither Myst nor Nikolai are perfect characters, which is something I appreciate. In this case, I found my sympathy going back and forth between them: 4 out of 5.

Melani Blazer

I really don't want to keep Angie in suspense forever, so here's the name of the previously unnamed author I mentioned in a previous blog entry: Melani Blazer. Angie is actually the one who introduced me to Blazer's books. I read Hot Rod Heaven a few weeks ago, so when I saw Legend of the Leopard in the bookstore, I picked it up. It is another winner: 4.5 out of 5.

One of the things I liked about Hot Rod Heaven was the emotional resonance. Legend of the Leopard has plenty of emotional depth as well, and Blazer has a gift for writing characters that come to life quickly. I felt like I knew Salvatore and Julia, and I love that they are multidimensional characters with strengths and flaws. The sensuality level is excellent as well--there's plenty of sex, but I never felt like there was too much or that it overwhelmed the story. It's simply part of the story, like it should be in a good romance.

I complained earlier that Blazer doesn't have dozens of other books. She does have several books and novellas I can choose from, though, so all is well. I just have to figure out where to start. I have to admit that when an author has e-books, I always wonder whether they will be coming out in print. Thus, I have to decide whether to buy now or wait. I'm sure that authors have no problem with me buying now. ;) But it is an issue I always consider. My next two purchases will be Dante's Relic and Legendary Tails III, both available in print.



P.S. As a side note, can someone explain why Ellora's Cave has a series called Legendary Tails? I noticed this in the bookstore. Do they all include animals or other creatures with tails? If they refer to stories, then the series should be Legendary Tales.

Hot Spell

I think this book has one of the coolest covers of the year.



That, in combination with a desire to read books by two of the authors in this anthology, made me snatch it up when I saw it in the store. I'm pleased to say that it was well worth the money spent: 4.5 out of 5.

Emma Holly's "The Countess's Pleasure" is the first story in the book. I actually read it last. Based on comments on other blogs about Holly's books, I wasn't sure what to expect or what I would think. People seem to really like or really dislike her work. I ended up really liking "The Countess's Pleasure."

A countess named Georgiana goes to a sex club of sorts where she sees a man she finds appealing. He turns out to be an indentured servant who is working off a family debt. Georgiana offers him money for a night of pleasure. Although Iyan has not sold his services before, he agrees.

As I mentioned, I wasn't sure what to expect from Holly's story, and I was a little surprised that the hero was introduced as a stage performer. Not surprised enough to stop reading, though. Once I started this story, I read it in one sitting. The characters are very vivid and interesting. This story reminded me of Robin Schone's The Lady's Tutor. It isn't an exact parallel, but the initial approach of the heroine and the intense sexuality are similar. This was a terrific story, especially for its length: 4.5 out of 5.

The second story is "The Breed Next Door," by Lora Leigh. Tarek is a Breed, a race that was created rather than born. He has been attracted to his neighbor, Lyra, since moving in. When a man breaks into Lyra's house and she is forced to stay with Tarek, Tarek learns that she is his mate.

I was intrigued by this story and the Breed world. I got a kick out of Tarek's reaction when he was told that Lyra was his mate. The length of the story is its main drawback; it could have used another 15 or so pages so that the shift from lust to love wasn't so quick. I also wanted to see more about how Lyra and Tarek would merge their lives when outside the bedroom. Still, it's a solid novella: 4 out of 5.

"Falling for Anthony" by Meljean Brook is the third and longest story. Spoilers ahead (click and scroll over the white space if you want to read them): When Michael leaves England and is attacked and killed by a strange creature, he is given a choice--die or become a guardian. He becomes a guardian and is soon assigned to a task involving the woman he loves.

I was impressed with the complexity of the world Brook creates in so few pages. It's fairly complex. My summary doesn't begin to explain it, and it's really better to read it for yourself. I did have a quibble with the heroine. I thought her reaction to learning of her father's infidelity was extreme. I don't require a heroine to be perfect for me to like her, but I couldn't relate to this particular element. However, I like how Emily accepts her past and doesn't beat herself up over it. As for the hero, Anthony is just beautiful. The love scenes are hot and compelling. "Falling for Anthony": 4.5 out of 5.

Completing this collection is "The Blood Kiss," by Shiloh Walker. When his brother is kidnapped by a vampire leader, Roman retaliates by saving his brother and taking the vampire's daughter, Julianna. While Julianna has no particular affection for her father, she doesn't appreciate being kidnapped after she helps Roman rescue his brother.

I've read one other book by Walker, Her Best Friend's Lover, which I enjoyed, but I liked this one even more. The attraction between Julianna and Roman was immediate and believable, and the conflicts were interesting. I liked one of the twists at the end, when one character ends up being different than he/she appeared earlier in the story.

I'm very glad I bought Hot Spell. Now I have some research to do about the authors' upcoming and/or connecting books.

Hot Rod Heaven

I decided to try Melani Blazer's Hot Rod Heaven after reading Angie's endorsement. I'm so glad I did; I loved it: 4.5 out of 5.

Bree's fiance was killed in a car wreck two years ago, and her best friend, Sebastian (Bash), went missing at the same time. Bree is trying to move on when Bash shows up on her doorstep needing help for his car, but primarily wanting to see her again. Their chemistry soon leads to a relationship that is threatened by ominous appearances by a black Corvette. There's not much more I can say about the plot without venturing into spoiler territory.

This book is excellent on so many levels. Bash and Bree are real people, and I felt like I got to know them quickly. Bash in particular is keeping secrets, but his love for Bree was obvious. As for Bree, her emotions were portrayed so vividly that I felt like I was right there with her. That takes no small skill on Blazer's part.

The mystery of the Corvette is an intriguing one. With each appearance of the car, I speculated about what it could mean and how the story would develop. I guessed part of it, but the ending was a complete surprise.

Hot Rod Heaven is definitely a keeper. I didn't start rereading it immediately (which is how I gauge whether a book is 5 out of 5), but I know I'll enjoy rereading Bree and Bash's story in the future.

TBR Challenge: Summer Heat

Paranormal romance is the subgenre of this month's TBR challenge. I chose Jaci Burton's Summer Heat, a book I've had for several months but hadn't gotten around to reading it. I seem to be on an e-book binge right now, even though I read them in print format whenever possible.

1. Title/Author
Summer Heat by Jaci Burton.

2. Brief Synopsis
Melissa Cross enters Aidan Storm's life when she comes to New Orleans on business. Aidan isn't an ordinary man; he has a unique ability to affect the weather. Soon he and Melissa are having an affair. Even as they enjoy a sexual relationship, both characters fight their feelings in a desire to avoid emotional involvement.

3. Copyright Year
2004.

4. Indicate if you liked or disliked it?
I liked it but thought it had a few problems, too. Usually I'm able to set aside problematic issues when it comes to romances between characters who work together. I just enjoy the fantasy and go with it. I had problems doing that here, perhaps because the characters know so little about each other when they first have sex. Then there's the back-and-forthing they do--they have sex, then Melissa decides it won't happen again, then they have sex, and so on. The pattern became tiring after a while.

Nevertheless, I ended up liking Summer Heat. I liked the paranormal element of the story; it was original and interesting enough that I wanted to know more about it. The second half of the book picks up a bit. There's still some back-and-forth business, but it worked better somehow or I was more accustomed to it. I'm not sure which. The ultimate rating is 3.5 out of 5.

5. Was the book designated a DIK or Five Heart book at any of the review sites?
I didn't check any review sites.

6. Do you agree or disagree with the reviewers?
Not applicable.

7. Is this a new author for you?
Yes.

8. Would you read more by this author?
Yes. There was an excerpt from Burton's contribution to an anthology, Mesmerized, that intrigued me so much that I headed for the bookstore to buy it. Some day I will develop more self control in this area, but apparently not yet.

Men at Work

I'm slowly working my way through the books I bought at the RWA signing. My TBR list was big before that event, but it's completely unmanageable now. Yikes. In any case, I read Men at Work by Janelle Denison, Nina Bangs, and MaryJanice Davidson. I picked this one up because it was the one book by Denison that I didn't already have. Hers was the best story in the anthology; the others were interesting but not especially memorable: 3.5 out of 5.

"Slow Hands" by Janelle Denison is a coming home story that really works. So often in these stories, one character leaves the small town to go to the big city. That's what happens in this case; Tess Monroe heads to Atlanta for college, leaving Morgan Kane behind. What makes this story work is why she does it. Tess's mother died when she was young, so she was raised by her grandmother. The grandmother is the one who encouraged her to move to a big city and create a career for herself. She tried it, isn't convinced she likes it, and is in a place of transition. When the story opens, her grandmother has died and she returns home, thinking that she will get the house fixed and sold.

Morgan and Tess are still very attracted to each other, and they decide to have a fling while she's in town. So, I liked the characters and loved their chemistry. I also liked Tess's decision at the end. I thought it really fit who she was. "Slow Hands": 4.5 out of 5.

Nina Bangs writes the next story, "Color Me Wicked." In this story, two people are brought together to decorate a house. These two people, Amanda Harcourt and Con Maguire, have a history similar to the couple in Denison's story. Amanda left to go to New York City; Con planned to go with her but broke up with her before she left. Now, Con admits that he didn't have the money to go.

While I liked Amanda and Con, I wasn't as fond of the paranormal parts of the story. There's a matchmaking woman who "gets off on emotional turmoil" so she brings together couples with little in common and watches the resulting chaos. There's a mind-reading cat whose thoughts Con can hear. There are plants who perk up when people have sex near them. The result is that I enjoyed the story when it focused on Con and Amanda, and not so much when the matchmaker, mind-reading cat, and voyeristic plants were in the picture: 3.5 out of 5.

MaryJanice Davidson's "The Fixer-Upper" completes the anthology. I have a mixed response to her books. I love her Undead series. I've liked some of her contemporaries and really disliked others. As for my feelings about this story . . . well, let's start with a quick summary. Cathy Wyth moves into her new house and finds that her next door neighbor, while gorgeous, is a jerk. One day she comes home to find him replacing a light bulb for her, even though she told him not to. She startles him, which results in his getting an electric shock and falling off the ladder. When he comes to, he is a new man.

I liked Cathy. I didn't like her friend so much, since she was constantly pushing Cathy to have sex with the neighbor. I liked the neighbor, once he woke up. I'm about to include some spoilers here. If you want to read them, click at the beginning of the white space, then scroll over it to the end of the white space. Spoilers begin: The neighbor, Ken, dies when he falls off the ladder. Jack, a ghost who lived in Cathy's house, then inhabits Ken's body. So, we've got ghost Jack in neighbor Ken's body. So, OK, I can take this. It's different, but I try to work with it.

But then we learn that Ken's spirit is still hanging around. I'm not sure whether he is hanging around the house or his former body, but either way seemed creepy. So he's dead but not really dead? There's no real answer to this, other then the fact that Cathy and Jack believe that Ken will eventually "just fade away." I find this somewhat disturbing. If he's not dead, is it fair for Jack to inhabit Ken's body because Ken is a creep? Spoilers end. "The Fixer Upper": 2.5 out of 5.

So, Men at Work ended up being like many anthologies, with one great story, one good story, and one not-so-good story.

TBR Challange: The Bartered Heart

I finished The Bartered Heart for Keishon's TBR challenge. Here are the results.

1. Title/Author of Book
The Bartered Heart by Nancy Butler

2. Brief Synopsis
Griffin Darrowby has lost his money through investments; now, he resolves to marry a wealthy woman. He leaves London to court Lady Minerva, but he's kidnapped along the way by two men who plan to ransom him. He escapes when the men go to London, and he meets the brothers' stepsister, Gates. Gates is far from wealthy, but Griffin finds himself drawn to her.

3. Copyright Year
1999

4. Did you like or dislike it?
I liked it and rate it a 3.5 out of 5.

5. Was it designated a DIK or Five-Heart book at any review sites?
Yes, it received five hearts from The Romance Reader.

6. If yes to the above, do you agree or disagree with the reviewers?
My opinion is more in line with the All about Romance review, which gave the book a B. I liked the book but found certain aspects predictable. Also, The Bartered Heart includes a personal pet peeve: a couple where both people fall in love with someone else. This always strikes me as too convenient--everyone is happy; no one gets hurt.

7. Is this a new author for you?
No, I've read other books by Butler, including The Discarded Duke and Prospero's Daughter, both of which I liked better than this story.

8. If you answered yes to question 4, would you read more by this author?
Yes.

9. Did you find a new author to read from your TBR pile?
No, I've read Nancy Butler before.

10. Does this encourage you to read more from your TBR pile?
Yes. I may read another Regency this month, and I'll definitely check Keishon's site to see next month's TBR challenge.

Alyssa

E-Book Experience

You may remember one of my columns for Romancing the Blog explained why I don't read e-books. Last week I decided to break with tradition and try a few e-books. I bought Arrested by Alyssa Brooks (whom I found courtesy of Romancing the Blog) and The Vampire's Christmas by Angela Knight. Since I don't have an e-book reader, I went with the PDF format.

I bought Arrested after being intrigued by the cover and the excerpt. The story itself was not as enjoyable as I'd hoped: 2.5 out of 5. I was definitely convinced of the couple's lust, but they knew next to nothing about each other when they first hit the sheets. This can work in a story, but the hero and heroine need to get to know each other as the story progresses. That didn't really happen here.

The Vampire's Christmas was pretty short, 28 pages. The characters and plot were interesting but the sex turned me off: 3 out of 5.

Here's a question about e-books. Arrested was 63 pages and cost $5.75. The Vampire's Christmas was 28 pages and cost $2.49. I realize that one page on a PDF does not equal a book page, but it still seemed like less value for the page count than a paperback. Am I wrong about this? Feel free to express an opinion or set me straight if I'm missing something. I realize that creating a book in different formats takes some doing, but surely it's less expensive than an actual paper printing.

Would I try e-books again? I won't rule them out, especially if I get some kind of e-book reader so I don't have to read them on the computer. That's a bit cumbersome. But I can't say that I'm going to spend much time shopping for e-books.

Alyssa

The Assassin

At last, it's the weekend. I still feel like I need a vacation. Weekends are nice, but I am ready to get away for a few days and just be, if that makes sense. Unfortunately, I don't think that will happen for a while.

I haven't been in the mood to read much lately. I've picked up a number of books, read a few chapters, then put them down again. One book I finished this week is Rachel Butler's The Assassin, which I rate 3.5 out of 5. The label on the spine calls it a romantic suspense. The suspense part is stronger than the romance; although the main characters love each other by the end of the book, it happens so quickly that I'm not convinced of it. I believe in their chemistry and in the fact that they want to spend more time together. I'm not so sure about love, though. This is apparently the first book in a series that will follow the characters; I'm interested enough to try number two, which will be available later this year.

Alyssa