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.

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.

Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy

After reading several novellas by HelenKay Dimon, I wondered how I would like a single title. I'm pleased to say I liked Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy very much: 4 out of 5.

Annie Parks came to Hawaii to gather information and settle a score, not spend time handcuffed to a sexy stranger's bed. Okay, so this particular stranger saved her from drowning after she was pitched overboard by some goons. And he's about six feet of hard, Hawaiian muscle and gorgeous cool that's making forgotten parts of her say, "A-lo-ha!" She needs to stay focused, but a side dish of Kane Travers is awfully tempting.

Kauai Police Chief Kane Travers is not a vacation kind of guy. So it figures that when Internal Affairs suspended him, he'd end up rescuing a sarcastic, dishonest, extremely hot redhead who is clearly hiding something. Amnesia? Yeah, right. Kane's got half a mind to give Miss Whoever She Is something she'll never forget. His cop senses tell him that the lady's in deep and needs his protection. But how can he get her to tell him anything when all he wants is to take her home and do everything?

Is it just me, or does it seem like there are fewer contemporary romances out there these days? In any case, this perception--real or not--makes me really appreciate good contemporary writers when I find them. Dimon is one of them.

Your Mouth Drives Me Crazy starts with an intriguing spin on the classic amnesia story. Yes, Annie is injured. She tells Kane she doesn't remember who she is. But she hasn't really lost her memory. Instead, she's on the run. She has a mission to fulfill, and she's not sure whether to trust Kane. At the same time, she and Kane are desperately attracted to each other.

Kane has problems of his own. He's on "involuntary vacation" from his job as police chief. Enter another problem: Annie. I loved that Kane knows Annie isn't being honest with him, so there is no big misunderstanding about her honesty. He knows there's more to her story, and he also knows what he's starting to feel about her.

She does have a mouth that drives Kane crazy, and this makes the dialogue a treat to read. Here's an example:

"Travers is a famous Hawaiian name?"

He opened one eye and peeked at her. "Are you always this chatty after sex?"

"Be happy I'm not singing."

"Oh, I don't know. I like the idea of having a woman break into song right after an orgasm."

Speaking of sex, Kane and Annie have terrific chemistry, and their love scenes are wonderfully written. This chemistry is one of the biggest strengths of the book.

I did think that Annie should have fully trusted Kane sooner than she did. His job as a cop was a definite barrier, but I thought he proved himself before Annie did. Then again, given her end goal, that's understandable. The ending was just fantastic, and I'm excited to read Dimon's upcoming books. She's a great new voice in contemporary romance.

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.

Lush . . . and a Contest

I enjoy Sasha White's books, so I was excited to read Lush. I had an interesting reading experience and thought I'd report it in a way I've seen Rosario do.

"The Principles of Lust"
Sleek and sexy erotic art gallery owner Teal Jamison knows what she likes and isn't afraid to let carpenter Zack Dillon know that her current fantasy features him in all his masculine glory. But Zack has a deliciously different game in mind for a woman accustomed to taking charge . . .

"Passion Play"
Quick to follow where passion leads, then back off when things get too close, jewelry designer Mia Jones's sensual odyssey with singles columnist Dominick Jamison is perfect: hot, sweet, and with no risk of complications. But how long can her heart stay cold--when she's lost in the heat of a man devoted to every forbidden pleasure her body craves?

"Sexual Healing"
When massage therapist Caitlyn Ellis shows photographer Jack Lowell the joys of sensual self love for the camera, he can't resist the erotic invitation to take pleasure in her lush curves--or deny himself the hands-on ecstasy of loving a beautiful woman determined to heal his battered soul . . . by setting his body on fire.

Before opening the book: Love the cover. Wish I had hair like that. LOL!



"The Principles of Lust"

Page 3: The prologue for "The Principles of Lust." Whew! This one jumps right in to the erotic. That's Sasha for you. I like the heroine's unusual occupation: opening an erotic gallery.

Page 7: Teal (interesting name) knows what she wants. I like that, and I like the fact that she's not a repressed woman who is all show. That's an all-too-common scenario in romance novels.

Page 13: I definitely want to know more about Zack. Like Teal, I'm curious about why he backs away when he so obviously wants her.

Page 14: Enter another woman . . . uh oh. The word "Master" makes me stop reading. This is apparently a hot button for me. I read on to the end of the chapter, but the scenario doesn't do much for me. I set the book aside.

"Sexual Healing"

Before reading: OK, I'm skipping ahead to this story.

Page 179: Another heroine with an interesting occupation, this time a massage therapist. The story gets off to a sensual start. I'm intrigued . . .

Page 183: The first chapter offers a strong introduction to Caitlyn. It's clear what she wants and where her lines are.

Page 203: Jack is a wounded hero; I'm a sucker for those. He and Caitlyn are definitely generating sparks . . . and a lot more. Good stuff.

Page 208: Ah. Caitlyn wants to help Jack heal. This could be a recipe for disaster, but so far it's working.

Page 217: It's working really, really well.

Page 224: This is a great chapter. Yeah, Jack says he just wants to "f*ck," but it's clear there's a deeper connection between these two.

Page 232: Love this section.

When he's snapped a dozen pictures and showed no sign of stopping, she clued into something. He was a photographer. A man who made his living looking through a camera, and she bet he saw a lot more clearly through a lens than he ever did with the naked eye.

Words didn't mean a lot to this man. What he saw did. Actions did.

A wonderful description of Jack.

Page 248: I love the way this chapter ends.

Page 250: Oh, that was terrific. This is a great story--I just wish it had been longer. Still, it makes me excited to read another story.

"Passion Play"

Page 91: Interesting. This story is told in first-person (the other two are third-person stories). This heroine is a jewelry designer.

Page 95: Oh, good. We get the hero, Dominick's point of view as well, also told in first-person.

Page 101: OK, the first meeting of Mia and Dominick is terrific. They've got energy, heat, and fun banter.

Page 105: Hmm. She's left him behind. Should be interesting to see how he tracks her down.

Page 117: He tracked her down. :)

Page 135: I like these two together, and I'm invested in the characters.

Page 138: Oooh, I like the direction Dominick is going with his writing.

Page 150: The sex-only relationship is becoming something more . . .

Page 176: Another terrific novella. Dominick and Mia are memorable characters, and this ends up being a sweet love story. With a lot of sex, of course. :)

"The Principles of Lust," Take Two

Page 19: I've liked the other two stories. I'm brave. I can go back to this one.

Page 23: Now there's a mystery--who is sending the notes against the gallery?

Page 29: Teal confronts Zack about his interest in her. Good for you, girl. Now he's going to make her dinner.

Page 37: Zack shows Teal his basement. (No, that's not a euphemism.) I like that they don't immediately get revving. Instead, it's back to dinner.

Page 43: I'm liking Zack and Teal more. They're good together.

Page 46: Love the fact that they don't even get to the basement this first time. ;)

Page 51: Another memorable passage.

Brina was looking at her like she was crazy. "What's wrong with regular sex? There's a reason missionary is the most popular position, Miss I-know-everything-about-lust."

"Yeah?" Teal smirked at her. "And what is the reason?"

"It's the most intimate."

It hit her right between the eyes. That was why she was so freaked-out by Zack. Somehow, someway, he'd managed to control their whole night, without using any physical restraints, and it had been extremely intimate.

Now I understand the point of the earlier scene that kind of turned me off. It serves to contrast with the simple intimacy Zack and Teal share.

Page 88: I like this story more than I thought I would. Much more.

The novellas in Lush are trademark Sasha White--the stories make you think and the characters make you care: 4 out of 5.

Now, for the contest. I have an autographed copy of Lush to give away, and I want to do it this week. One thing I liked about Lush is the unusual jobs the characters have. To enter, post a comment here about an unusual occupation you'd like to see in a romance novel. I'll accept entries through April 15, 2007. You can list as many occupations as you like, although you'll be entered only once. I'll choose a random winner on April 16.

Heartbreaker

I have a fondness for Diana Palmer's books because they were among the first romances I read and loved. It's more of a nostalgia thing than an active can't-wait-for-her-next-release thing. I picked up Heartbreaker when I saw it at a bookstore.

J.B. Hammock played by his own rules, and rule number one was never settle down. He treated his women well, but with a no-strings detachment they all accepted. But sweet Tellie Maddox hovered about like a gossamer butterfly, always trying to take care of him, always caring about him. It was enough to make a confirmed bachelor take drastic measures.

Then Tellie lost part of her memory. She believed she was J.B.'s faithful sidekick. Even he couldn't be so heartless as to push Tellie aside, and so he played the role of friend . . . until friendship turned to something else, something so much deeper than a heartbreaker like J.B. ever intended. He was hooked.

Then Tellie's memory returned . . .

Heartbreaker is pretty standard Palmer fare: 2.5 out of 5. Older man rebuffs younger woman because she's too naive and innocent to give him what he needs. The story definitely has a sense of familiarity to it, which I found both annoying and oddly comforting. It's hard to explain. I kept thinking, "Just talk to her" at the same time it followed a familiar pattern.

There's a lot of name dropping in this book--references to past characters. I thought there were more details in this regard than there needed to be. I don't object to characters from past stories making an appearance, but I want them to be smoothly incorporated into the story.

I remember reading a blog entry or AAR column. The topic was about a long-time reader of an author enjoying that author's latest book less than a new reader did. That's a bit how I felt about Heartbreaker. Did I enjoy it? Yes. But that enjoyment stems more from remembered reading pleasure than from loving this particular book.

Kink

I mentioned in a previous blog entry that I would be reviewing Kink. Well, here it is! Kink is a two-author anthology with novellas from Sasha White and Saskia Walker.

Watch Me
Some people have coffee. Some have tea. But the only thing that really wakes Bethany Mack up in the morning is sex. Too bad marriage to Grant has settled into a sex-starved routine. That is, until she spies a hot roofer next door. Broad, sexy shoulders: check. A muscular chest you could nuzzle all day: check. And under those jeans, well, the thought just makes her weak. So she puts on a little show for him through the window, letting her inhibitions loose, and discovers a naughty new addiction. But how will her husband react when he discovers just how far a desperate housewife will go for some lov'n from him?

Sex, Lies, and Bondage Tape
Clayton's one hunk of a musician. A pin-up hottie for squealing teens everywhere. And he's gay, Kelly Burton discovers when she sneaks into his dressing room for an autograph, but gets a peep show instead. . . . But Kelly's soon distracted: a bouncer has found her. A bouncer with pecs of steel, a six-pack, and sinewy arms. After a scolding, the bouncer decides to have his wicked way with the naughty-but-eager groupie. And what follows is a night of passion, hard-rock-style . . .

Kink is a great title for this book, because the stories are a little kinky. ;) Not too much, I'd say, but this is not a book for readers who want fade-to-black sex scenes. The love scenes in both novellas are lush, with no holds barred. The fact that these scenes are also emotionally compelling just makes it better.

In "Watch Me," readers needn't worry that Bethany has an affair with another man. She doesn't. She isn't a woman who wants to look elsewhere for excitement; she simply wants her relationship with Grant to be different. She gets exactly that, and the relationship plays out in intriguing ways.

There is an issue, though, and I like the way that White brings it up and makes it part of the story. It helped answer the niggling voice in my head that kept asking, "But what about . . .?" I wasn't sure the issue was completely resolved--I wish this section was expanded a little--but when I finished the story, I was confident Bethany and Grant had established a relationship that works for them.

Walker's story takes place in a short space of time but it feels like longer because of the connections she creates between Kelly and Tommy. I loved the scene where he confronted her about spying on Clayton--it was hot and interesting. Once I read it, I wasn't stopping until the end. :)

One scene went a little past my comfort threshold but it's to Walker's credit that she makes it work for the characters. I did wish that part of the conflict hadn't hinged on a misunderstanding, and Kelly does something that seems a little cold. The action is set up, however, in a way that makes it believable under the circumstances. And I loved the way Tommy resolved it.

My rating for Kink is 4 out of 5--a solid, enjoyable read.

Watch for the interview with Sasha soon!

British Bad Boys

I'm a big fan of Nancy Warren's Harlequin novels. I've enjoyed her books for Brava to varying degrees. British Bad Boys falls right in the middle: 3 out of 5.

George and the Dragon Lady
George Hartley is high on the list of England's most eligible bachelors: he's young, single, gorgeous--and, as the 19th Earl of Ponsford, lives in a castle. Granted, the castle has seen better days . . . but nights with the Earl are what LA TV producer Maxine Larraby keeps thinking about . . .

Nights Round Arthur's Table
Seattle thriller author Meg Stanton desperately needs a quiet place to work. Stag Cottage in the English countryside is perfect . . . until she meets local pub owner Arthur Denby. He's as dark and brooding as one of her imaginary villains, and Meg always falls for her villains. But there's nothing imaginary about the things Arthur does to her after last call . . .

Union Jack
Former head chef and current love cynic Rachel Larraby can't believe she got dragged across the pond for a catering job. Weddings--ugh, she's had enough personal experience, thanks. And though perennial best man Jack Flynt is quite smashing, she can keep it to just a steamy fling. Until this very bad bloke starts looking at her with those forever eyes . . .

The premise is an interesting one, and I looked forward to reading this book. What I discovered is a good read that could have been better if each story had been longer. All three stories feature a British hero and American heroine who meet each other for the first time in the story. Warren does a terrific job of showing the physical chemistry the characters share, but the depth in the relationships isn't entirely believable.

In the first story, for instance, one passage summarizes the discussion between George and Maxine where they talk about their pasts, their emotions, etc. The summary keeps the novella short, but I found myself wishing these conversations could have been included rather than merely mentioned. It lessened the impact and left me wanting more.

I had similar feelings about the other two stories. They were good, but lacking the depth I love in Warren's longer work. "Union Jack" is my favorite of the three stories, partly because of its pitch-perfect ending.

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.

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.

Bad Boys of Summer

Geez, how long ago did I say I'd review Bad Boys of Summer? Well, I started reading it on the flight home from RWA in Atlanta and finished it later that day, so it's been a while. Long enough that I had to do a quick review of the stories before writing this review.

Luscious by Lori Foster
Bethany Churchill just quit her lousy job, dumped her lousy boyfriend and moved into a new apartment. She's not looking for love, but her hot new landlord is determined to change her mind. SWAT officer Lucius Ryder--known to the women in the building as "Luscious," much to his chagrin--is one sexy lawman, and before long Bethany is tempted to find out he's really as delicious as his nickname . . .

It's About Time by Erin McCarthy
County prosecutor Trish Jones has had it with smooth-talking, under-performing suits. And though she's never had a thing for big, brawny guys, one look at Caleb Vancouver's bulges makes her think she might have been missing out. One Harley Ride later they're back at her place, and she realizes that she has been missing out . . . on quite a lot . . .

Wish You Were Here by Amy Garvey
Photographer Mackenzie Pruitt knows exactly what she wants her future to look like, and this summer that means renovating a dilapidated shed into a studio. But when hunky carpenter Leo Dawson shows up, she'd much rather have his capable hands on her than on a hammer. He's not the kind of guy she always thought she'd fall for, but when he touches her, she can't imagine wanting anyone else . . .

Bad Boys of Summer is a nice entry in the Bad Boys series. "Luscious" is my least favorite story of the three, although I loved the fact that Lucius was able to tell the twins apart so obviously. I thought that was a nice touch. It's a solid story, if nothing particularly memorable: 3.5 out of 5.

I wondered how McCarthy would portray the tough Trish. She seemed a bit too hard at times as a secondary character in previous stories. In "It's About Time," I liked the fact that Trish's character doesn't undergo a dramatic change, but we see a different side of her. Caleb is the perfect man for her, one who will balance her nicely. At one point, Trish expresses surprise that a man who looks so big and tough is one she finds herself thinking of as cute and sweet. McCarthy does a good job of making this realistic. He is cute and sweet: 4 out of 5.

"Wish You Were Here" is the first story I've read by Amy Garvey that doesn't include a mystery. Well, there is a mystery of sorts, but it doesn't revolve around a dead body. It was nevertheless an engaging romance with wonderful characters. I don't want to go into detail since this is a story better read than described. This excellent story proves Garvey's versatility: 4 out of 5.

I rate Bad Boys of Summer as 4 out of 5 overall.

Viva Las Bad Boys

I read HelenKay Dimon's Viva Las Bad Boys some time ago and planned to blog about it. Then I caught a persistent stomach bug. I'm feeling a lot better these days (in other words, I no longer want to die, although I'm still consuming copious amounts of Sprite), so I'm hoping to get to some of the blog entries I've been wanting to make.

Now, enough about my stomach; onto the book. It's an excellent read: 4 out of 5.

Jackpot
Jack McAllister is looking to get lucky on his vacation, and the jilted bride sitting at the slot machine next to him might be his answer. Getting her up to his room is a breeze. Realizing Laine Monroe isn't a bride at all . . . also easy. The pretty blonde is there to catch Jack in a compromising position, and Jack's all too willing to compromise.

Player's Club
Consultant Jenna Barrister didn't get where she was in business by being a pushover. She just never expected to be assigned as playboy superchef Zach Jacobs' corporate babysitter. But when the lights go out, Jenna's resolve crumbles. She wants to experience the heat, and the rebellious chef knows just how to turn it up.

Two of a Kind
As the Casino faces its first blackout, Assistant Manager Alex Mitchell figures there are worse places to get stranded than in the soon-to-open spa with a mysterious and sexy guest. Alex doesn't know Caroline Rogers is a travel reviewer on a job, and she's not telling. When Caroline's business mixes with pleasure, Alex welcomes a game where the winner takes all.

I love good contemporary romance, and these stories are all strong. Each one tells the story of a couple who finds love during a casino blackout, and I found this to be an intriguing premise.

"Jackpot" gets the anthology off to an excellent start. Laine has ulterior motives for attracting Jack's attention. She picks an interesting approach, and I got a kick out of her explanation for wearing a wedding dress, especially when Jack begins to become suspicious and tries to get her to talk. I did wish Laine had been more forthcoming a little sooner, but that would have eliminated the conflict. The love scenes were very hot. 4 out of 5.

"Player's Club" is my favorite story of the three. I enjoyed seeing Jenna and Zach circle each other, as Zach pursued and Jenna tried to resist. Her resistance doesn't last long, although it was longer than I would have lasted. LOL! Zach and Jenna's first love scene was terrific, and I liked the way they made bets with each other--it gave the title of this story a fun double meaning. 4.5 out of 5.

"Two of a Kind" concludes the anthology, and although it's my least favorite of the three, it's still quite good. Alex and Caroline have strong chemistry, and I thought Alex was terrific. Caroline was a good match for him. I would have liked another 10 or 15 pages at the end of the story. The resolution seemed a little too quick, and another scene or two would have strengthened the ending. 4 out of 5.

I found it interesting that none of the stories feature a hero and heroine who have met before. With novellas, it can be challenging to create a meaningful connection between characters who meet for the first time, but the author does a fine job of that here. With Viva Las Bad Boys, Dimon proves herself to be a great new voice in contemporary romance.

Let's Pretend

I'm working on another story, but I've been trying to make more time for reading. I seem to get cranky when I don't have reading time.

Last weekend, I bought some books during Samhain's 10%-off sale. Raine Weaver's Let's Pretend was one of them, which I bought after reading a number of blogger recommendations.

Veronica Peale is playing a game.

Her best friend Kayla has decided to "loan" Ronnie her newest boy-toy, all in an effort to make her boss, Paul Lang, insanely jealous. Veronica reluctantly agrees to pretend that she's having a torrid love affair with Brant Coleman in order to entice the man she really wants.

At least, she thinks he's the man she really wants . . .

Brant Coleman is also playing a game. He is, in reality, an insurance investigator, trying to discover why Ronnie is in possession of a priceless pair of antique earrings, reported stolen by one of the wealthiest families in Cleveland, Ohio. It is his job to verify that they are the stolen earrings and, if possible, to recover them. And if he has to pretend to be Kayla's tool and Veronica's lover to get what he wants, so be it.

At least, he thinks he's pretending to be in love with her . . .

When buying an unfamiliar author, there's always a chance I won't enjoy it. In this case, there was no need to worry. I liked it very much: 4.5 out of 5.

My favorite romances are character-driven, and the two main characters of Let's Pretend shine. Brant, with his various ploys to get Ronnie's boss to notice her, is hilarious. I ended up feeling the same way Veronica did--anxious to know what he would do next.

And Ronnie--she's intelligent, dedicated to her job, and a little insecure. She is so vividly portrayed that I felt as if I got to know her. Theirs is a case of opposites attract, and it's an opposition that works really well.

The sexual tension in this story is excellent. Ronnie and Brant have different reasons for fighting their attraction, but both of them initially fight it. I loved the scene where the inner battles stop. I'm a big fan of the-harder-they-fall romances, and Brant falls hard.

I did think Ronnie was a bit foolish to do a certain something (unspecified here to avoid spoilers) toward the end of the story, but otherwise I enjoyed the book. I only wish I'd known it was coming out in paperback this month, or I would have bought that version. I'd love to have it in paperback.

Making Him Want It

I bought Renee Luke's Making Him Want It a little more than a week ago and read it in two sittings. Although the setup struck me as implausible, I enjoyed the book: 4 out of 5.

Successful literary agent Jamal James is tired of by-the-numbers booty calls. He wants something he's never had before, something that goes deep like the no-holds-barred fantasies spun by his star erotica writer, Kat Mason. The sistah's sexy stories, published in every men's magazine, have made him rich . . . and whetted his appetite for more. Someday, he hopes to meet the mystery woman--his perfect chocolate fantasy--in person and act out every one of her sizzling tales in the flesh. For now, he'll have to content himself with some time at the Night Kitty . . .

Kat can't believe she's in this club dressed to the nines in body-hugging lingerie. She may be the hottest writer on the planet, but deep down, she's as shy and straight-laced as they come. Yeah, and she's also out of material. It's time for her to do some research--hands-on research--in a place where no one knows her, where she can be anybody indulging in a night of complete carnal pleasure. And she's just set her sights on Jamal, the one man to take her there . . .

I'm sure you can tell by reading the summary above what I mean by implausible setup. And the erotica writer who needs inspiration is familiar, although in other books I've read, the woman is a sex columnist, talk-show host, etc. I was a little uncomfortable, too, by the way Kat has to have a few drinks before she's brave enough to approach Jamal and follow through on a sexual encounter.

However, I do understand being shy, and I thought it was interesting that Kat slips into a different persona to do things she wouldn't normally do. It's not that she imagines she is someone else--it's more that the persona allows her to do something she wanted but hadn't allowed herself to do.

Making Him Want It is part of Kensington's Aphrodisia line. I've bought a few of them since the line's debut, and they all include a warning on the back cover: "This is a REALLY HOT book." The "warning" is definitely accurate. The sex in this book is explicit, and there's plenty of it.

What makes the book good is the way the sex is integrated into the story. Skipping over these scenes would involve skipping over part of the plot and character development. I particularly liked the scenes where Jamal and Kat realize they love each other; they are especially well done.

I did have a few quibbles. First, Kat mentally refers to the size of Jamal's dick (for example: "Ten-Inches-of-Yummy") too often. Don't get me wrong--Jamal is yummy. I just thought this particular point was brought up so much that it overshadowed his other qualities. I didn't mind a few references, but at some point it crossed the line for me and seemed more like objectification.

Second, their relationship proceeds with Jamal discovering who Kat is, but she doesn't know him. This isn't bad in itself, but I had a problem with the way he reveals his identity. Since I'm about to give spoilers, you'll have to click and scroll over the white space below if you want to read it. Instead of privately telling Kat that he is also her agent, he decides to let her find out when she attends a publicity party as the guest of honor. Surely he would realize this is a bad way to surprise someone. I know this kind of revelation is more dramatic, but still . . .

Despite my quibbles, I enjoyed the book and found it a good read. I'm looking forward to Luke's next book.

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.

Champagne Rules

I kept being drawn toward Champagne Rules by Susan Lyons during trips to the bookstore. After reading the review of it by Paperback Reader, I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did, because the book is very good: 4 out of 5.

When Suzanne Brennan met Jaxon Navarre, she had yet to experience the ultimate in pleasure . . . but his tender initiation made her wildest dreams come true. Their brief, passionate affair had nothing at all to do with . . . forever. Four years later, the same rules apply. Keep it light. Keep it simple. And keep it sexy. Very, very sexy. In Jax's bed, Suzanne finds that desire goes deeper than she ever imagined and erotic pleasure has a whole new meaning. But when it comes right down to it, she's ready to break every rule in the book for him . . .

The story starts in Crete, where Suzanne and Jaxon meet on the beach and subsequently find a cave where they have sex. They don't exchange names or numbers, they just spend an afternoon together, then walk away.

Four years pass, but Jaxon and Suzanne haven't forgotten about each other. Suzanne finally decides to post an online ad to try and find her one-time lover, and Jaxon finds it because he has been searching the Web regularly to try and track her down.

What follows is a reunion that starts as a continuation of their previous affair, but which ultimately grows into something more. It's this process that I found most interesting. They start with what Suzanne calls the Champagne Rules--they'll meet on occasion and enjoy each other, just as you would enjoy the occasional champagne.

Jaxon is focused on his career and doesn't think he has time for a real relationship. Suzanne wants to get married and have a steady home life, and doesn't think she can have one with her fantasy man. But their feelings for each other soon overcome their plans.

I like the characters--Suzanne and Jaxon struck me as very real people. At times I thought there was a little too much interaction with the friends. Suzanne's circle of friends helped distinguish her as a person, but they also dominated the story at times. Still, I enjoyed Champagne Rules and would definitely recommend it. I plan to pick up Lyons's next story.

When Good Things Happen to Bad Boys

I don't usually whine, but occasionally something good comes of it. I whined on Sybil's blog a while back when she talked about reading When Good Things Happen to Bad Boys, and HelenKay Dimon graciously offered to send me a copy.

Lori Foster, "Playing Doctor"
Attitude makes a huge difference in bed. It could be Axel Dean's motto. The sexy physician likes his women with sensual moxie, and Libby Preston definitely seems to fit that bill. There's the naughty grin. That hot bod. Her eager kisses and cheeky insults. Her . . . admitted virginity. Whoa. Okay, cue cold shower. Axel may not be an honorable man, but he has his limits. Except Libby won't take no for an answer. She's determined to have someone show her what she's been missing, and suddenly, Axel can't bear to think of Libby playing doctor with anyone else . . .

Erin McCarthy, "The Lady of the Lake"
Pro baseball player Dylan Diaz is pretty sure he's going to hell. When you rescue a drowning woman from a lake your first thought should be, "Are you okay?" not, "Can I make mad, passionate love to you?" But the minute sputtering kindergarten teacher Violet Caruthers is on Dylan's boat, that's all he can think about. Maybe it's the potent combo of a nun's personality inside a stripper's body. Maybe it's the way she drives him crazy with desire and laughter. Or maybe, Dylan's finally found what's been missing in his life, and he's not about to let go . . .

HelenKay Dimon, "Hardhats and Silk Stockings"
Hannah Bridges is the most infuriating woman architect Whit Thomas has ever met--and the sexiest. If he could just get the tough contractor to stop proving himself at every turn, they might have time to discuss more important things, like his hands on her . . . blueprints. What Hannah needs right now is a night of pure bliss that's all about her: no regrets, no control, no limits. Now, in a private room where pleasure is the only goal, Hannah is about to receive a delicious education in total ecstasy . . .

I have to admit that Lori Foster is a hit and miss author for me. In this case, "Playing Doctor" was a hit: 4 out of 5. This story works mainly because of Axel--the man falls for Libby and he falls hard. When written well, this scenario is a joy to read. For the most part, "Playing Doctor" is fairly joyful.

Libby and Axel get involved very quickly, which isn't surprising given the fact that it's a novella. What's a little more surprising is that they hadn't met beforehand, although she knows who he is.

The back cover gives away the fact that Libby is a virgin. She didn't seem unrealistic, though, which can happen with virginal heroines. And she doesn't stay one for long.

Erin McCarthy's "The Lady of the Lake" is the second story. I don't think it's a huge secret that I love McCarthy's books, and this story is another winner. I want to know how she does it--she has such a gift with humor, and she starts the story with Violet falling off the back of her boyfriend's boat. He doesn't notice, but the situation as McCarthy describes it makes it funny:

Violet Caruthers had known that Frank wasn't the most attentive of boyfriends. But if she had been asked, she would have thought that even he would have noticed that his girlfriend had fallen off the back of his fishing boat.

She would have been wrong.

From there, Violet is rescued by Dylan, who is instantly taken with her. This is another story where the man falls hard, and I really enjoyed it. It's interesting to note that Violet and Dylan meet for the first time in this story just as Libby and Axel did in the previous one. It works better here, and it's hard to explain why.

Violet has an interesting goal, which Dylan agrees to pretty quickly. I'm not sure if anyone but McCarthy could have pulled this one off, but it's great: 4.5 out of 5.

"Hardhats and Silk Stockings" by HelenKay Dimon concludes the anthology. I'm a big fan of role-reversal stories; in this case, the heroine does construction. I'm no expert, but the setting and situations seemed realistic to me. In some stories, the way a character's work is described ends up being jarring and unrealistic. That wasn't the case here. Nothing like that pulled me out of the story.

Hannah is pitch-perfect as a woman who conceals her body because of the field she's in and who conceals her heart because someone close to her has hurt her. I thought she held out just a little too long, but it made sense in context.

Whit is terrific, a man who knows who he wants and pursues her. Some might view him as calculating, but I saw it as knowing Hannah--she wouldn't have responded to conventional wooing, so he tries something a little unconventional. ;) All in all, a strong story: 4.5 out of 5.

A Fine Work of Art

It looks like I've discovered another auto-buy author. I read and enjoyed Shelby Reed's A Fine Work of Art over the weekend: 4.5 out of 5.

At thirty-six, university art professor Elizabeth Gilstrom finds herself facing a bleak, lonely future when her husband leaves her for his young medical assistant. After giving up her own career as an artist a decade before, Elizabeth has nothing to show for their ten-year marriage . . . only the faded memory of a paintbrush's weight in her hand, an empty bed, and an empty heart.

She's still reeling from shock and devastation when graduate student Boone McCrea walks into her office . . . and into her bed. Boone might only be twenty-four, but he is, quite simply, one of the most attractive men Elizabeth has ever seen, a work of art that stirs wild sensations she has long repressed.

I love the older woman/younger man scenario, and the fact that they are teacher/student adds an interesting dynamic to the plot. It did cause some niggling in the back of my head--I kept thinking that Elizabeth was headed for trouble by getting involved with a student. Still, I liked both Boone and Elizabeth enough that I kept reading. I think Reed resolves the issue in a way that makes sense for the characters.

A Fine Work of Art is very much Elizabeth's story. It's told in third person strictly from her point of view. I usually prefer books that include both the hero and heroine's point of view, but in this case, I felt like I got to know Boone quite well through Elizabeth's perspective. In fact, I think it made the story more interesting to learn about Boone this way.

Elizabeth's journey from grief to moving on seems very realistic. She makes progress, backslides, and doubts herself much like anyone else would in her situation. Although Boone is part of her journey, I never felt like he was the sole reason for it. Their scenes together were very hot, though. :)

Reed is just a terrific writer. I love the vivid characters she creates as well as the unique stories she tells.

A side note: the cover of this e-book is rather startling, partly because it's different from the one shown on the Ellora's Cave website. Don't open this one at work or with kids around.

Her Body of Work

I can tell it's going to be very difficult to choose a favorite series romance for the All About Romance annual poll. This week I read Marie Donovan's Her Body of Work and enjoyed it very much: 4.5 out of 5.

When sculpting a nude, the artist must . . .
Understand the male body
Chicago sculptor Rey Martinson has always worked with nudes, but she is floored by her new model's male perfection. Cuban-American Marco Flores's body is more than inspiring--it's irresistible.

Be good with her hands
Because it turns out that Marco is incredibly talented with his--on Rey! After each wildly arousing modeling session, they find release in intense lovemaking.

Have an eye for detail
Rey can't ignore that there's something suspicious about Marco. He's the first lover she's ever had who sleeps with a gun under the pillow! But for Rey, being with Marco is worth the risk. Because she's never been with a man who stimulates her so strongly--as an artist . . . or as a woman.

This was such a good book I don't know where to start. First, there's Rey. I liked her unusual occupation, and for the most part, she's an excellent heroine. I didn't appreciate Rey's agent implying that she needed to have a "personal relationship" so she could get revitalize her art. Other than that, though, I thought Rey was a strong character. She's a woman who can take care of herself, as she shows a few times in the story.

I loved Marco. I'm no expert, but I thought Donovan did a great job of creating a Cuban-American hero and of making his heritage very much a part of him. It was such a treat to watch him fall for Rey. When he realizes his feelings for her are serious, he doesn't try to hide it from her or himself.

As for that "intense lovemaking"--well, that's definitely accurate. I would say there's more sex than in the typical Blaze, but it's incorporated well into the story and didn't seem superfluous.

I also liked the way Marco's secret was handled. Readers learn about it early in the story, but he doesn't reveal it to Rey until much later. It was nice to see Marco realize that the time had come to tell her rather than waiting for circumstances to reveal it for him.

I visited Donovan's site and didn't see any news of an upcoming book. Hopefully she'll have another one coming up. I thought this was a fresh contribution to the Harlequin Blaze line.

Virgin for Sale

No, the title of this blog entry isn't a reference to my resolution (heh!), it's actually the title of a January Harlequin Presents by Susan Stephens. I bought it because it's the first in a new series, Uncut, which proclaims "even more passion for your reading pleasure." There was more sex than I've read in many Presents titles, but I was too frustrated by the hero to enjoy reading it: 2 out of 5.

Constantine Zagorakis has left poverty behind to become a billionaire known for his ruthless tactics. . . .

Lisa Bond has defied her past, too; now she's independent and successful.

Their deal: One week on Constantine's private island to talk business--and he'll show her the pleasure of being with a real man. . . . But when the week is over, and their working deal sealed, both may pay a price on which they hadn't bargained. . . .

Constantine (Tino) is an alpha run amuk. I don't pick up a Presents thinking I'm going to read about a softer, gentler man, but geez. He plans to buy her company, while Lisa only wants to sell part of it, enough for a much-needed cash infusion. Otherwise, her company is likely to go under. Stated like that, it sounds like an interesting conflict.

But Tino is terribly high-handed. It's his way or the highway in business and in his personal life. The business is understandable, I guess, but I was frustrated by the way he kept thinking that Lisa was such a controlled woman and she needed someone to tame her. This, even though he knew about her background from day one--Lisa came to live with her father after leaving a fanatical commune. Does Tino really have to "tame" her to make a point?

And that brings up another thing. I thought there was so much here that was underexplored: Lisa's past and Tino's troubled past are mentioned but not delved into. This could have been a source of so much richness and character development but it just didn't happen until the very end of the book.

There are a couple of good moments that happen toward the end of the book. I was touched by the thing with the flowers (trying to be cryptic here), for instance, and I was starting to believe the scenes at the end are pretty good.

The title of this book is a misnomer. Lisa is a virgin, but she's not for sale. And about the Uncut aspect--as I said, it's racier than other Presents I have read, but it's not racy like a Brava, for instance. Though there was some spanking, which I hadn't read in a Harlequin before.

In any case, Stephens is clearly a good writer; I just wish Tino had been a bit less bulldozer-ish. I'm ready to read about a sweet beta hero. Have any suggestions?