Intimate Danger

I've had a good run of luck with Amy J. Fetzer's books in the past. This weekend, I finished Intimate Danger. I guess I was due for one I didn't love as much as the others.

Clancy McRae is mad as hell. Charged with creating technology-enhanced troops, she's discovered her top-secret nano-device has been surgically implanted in four U.S. Marines without her approval. Though it makes them smarter, faster, and stronger than any human on earth, in this untested stage it can also drive them insane--or kill them. Now she's stolen classified data, risking her career--and her life--to go after them.

While recovering from a shoulder wound, Spec Ops leader Mike Gannon learns the rest of his team was dropped into the jungles of Peru to locate a chilling new weapon. Then: nothing, nada. Injured or dead, it's his duty to bring them home and destroy the threat. But when a scrappy red-haired beauty butts into his rescue mission, insisting the government turned his men into lab rats, Mike doesn't believe her--till she becomes a moving target.

Keeping Clancy with him keeps her safe, yet as the tropical temperatures rise with their passion, Mike and Clancy are ensnared in a labyrinth of ingenious deceptions concealing a peril no one suspects--and only they can stop. In the dark forgotten Andes, they unearth a deadly plan and an ancient menace that turns a resuce into the crucial fight for their very survival.

And the clock is ticking . . .

There's always a lot going on in Fetzer's books. In this case there was too much. Too much time in the beginning of the story when the hero and heroine weren't together, too many point of view characters, and too many scene jumps that keep the reader from getting engaged in the main story.

I wanted to become invested in Clancy and Mike's story, but every time I did, the point of view shifted. Now, this isn't my favorite technique to begin with, but it's even more difficult when the POVs don't really add much. In this case, some of them did, but others didn't. The story would have been better served by focusing more time on the main couple.

Speaking of which, I like Mike and Clancy, but they fell in love very quickly. That's typical for Fetzer's stories, but the jump from stranger to in love was a bit too abrupt. A higher page count for their part of the story would have helped with this.

Fetzer is a good writer, and I'm still looking forward to her next book. But this one definitely wasn't my favorite.

All Together Dead

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Demon's Delight

Demon's Delight is an anthology I picked up at RWA. It's a solid read, though I found myself wishing a couple of the stories were longer.

From MaryJanice Davidson . . . Can a witch and a witch-hunter find common ground . . . without killing each other first?

From Emma Holly . . . A beautiful scientist in the realm of the Demon World falls in love with a human male she has experimented on--and is changed forever . . .

From Vickie Taylor . . . Zane is hell-bent on danger--the more he eludes death, the bigger the rush. Then he awakens from a near-drowning not only alive, but in the caring arms of a beautiful angel. But the ethereal Rosemary is driven by her own desires--and full of surprises.

From Catherine Spangler . . . Meet Rachel, hooker and vampire, plying both trades after hours until she meets Gabriel on the night shift. He's an angelic emissary on a mission to prove Rachel still has a sould, and to save it. But she offers him a mortal temptation he never expects . . .

I loved the concept of MaryJanice Davidson's story, "Witch Way." The hero and heroine are destined to battle each other until both die. Unfortunately, neither one wants to do it. The premise is intriguing, and I enjoyed the interaction between Chris and Rhea. However, the story could have used another 20 pages or so to make the romance more convincing. I was a bit disappointed in the love scene as well.

The next story is Catherine Spangler's "Street Corners and Halos." It was lovely to watch the wounded Rachel heal. Her backstory was intriguing, which made her a character I wanted to read about. The resolution did seem a bit too easy; however, I liked spending time with the characters, and I plan to see what else Spangler has written.

Emma Holly's "The Demon's Angel" comes next, and it's set in the same world as the story I loved in Hot Spell. "The Demon's Angel" is plenty hot, and I loved the hero. Once again, though, I would have liked to see what Holly would have done with another 20 pages. Harry and Khira have such a complex relationship simply because of the way they meet. I would have liked to see this dealt with a bit more.

My favorite story was Vickie Taylor's "Angel and the Hellraiser." Rosemary is an angel who is set to save Zane . . . if she can. At first, he appears to be a classic troublemaker; it's soon clear that there's more to him than that. Rosemary has a lot to offer him. In a nice reciprocity, she needs to learn something from Zane as well. This story brought tears to my eyes at one point. It was very nicely done.

Demon's Delight was a quick read with a nice variety of stories. They averaged out the book to be 3.5 out of 5.

The Raven Prince

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drop Dead Gorgeous

I loved last year's To Die For by Linda Howard, so I was excited to read Drop Dead Gorgeous, the sequel. Once I got it, though, I was a little reluctant to read it. Why? Because I liked To Die For so much, and I worried I wouldn't like this one. Needless to say, I got over it and read the book.

Blair Mallory has already survived one murder attempt. Now, while planning her wedding and dealing with holiday-season madness, Blair once again dodges a bullet. Or, more precisely, a Buick. And though the driver's identity remains a mystery, his or her murderous intentions are all too clear.

Or are they? After all, Blair's homicidal ex-husband and his partner-in-crime/wife are safely behind bars. And even Wyatt Bloodsworth, Blair's police detective groom-to-be, isn't inclined to believe she's being targeted again. All of which makes Blair wonder if her close call was simply a mishap. But the wondering stops when she narrowly cheats death again in another seemingly innocent accident. Two strikes is all it takes to convince Blair that she's back in someone's crosshairs. And the only thing more frightening is that Wyatt still doubts her. That means this time no one will be watching Blair's back when she sets out to get the drop on her would-be killer--before whoever it is finally drops her.

Though I was more ambivalent about Drop Dead Gorgeous, I still liked it: 4 out of 5. It was great to see the continuing adventures of Wyatt and Blair, and I loved seeing them work out an issue. They are quite different, and I thought their disagreement and reconciliation was beautifully portrayed. I liked that the sensuality level went up a notch in this book as well.

As for what I was ambivalent about . . . it's a bit tough to explain, but I'll give it a shot. In To Die For, the juggle for position between Blair and Wyatt was fresh and cute. In Drop Dead Gorgeous, the juggle continues, but at times it seemed excessive, almost mean-spirited. Some things aren't worth fighting about just to have the upper hand, you know?

Still, I enjoyed the book and would certainly read another sequel, though it might be pushing it to have someone else coming after Blair. It will be interesting to see what develops.

The Rules of Seduction

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jacob

I received a copy of Jacquelyn Frank's Jacob at the RWA conference, where editor Kate Duffy called it the project she'd been most excited about. Naturally, this piqued my interest, although I didn't read it until this month. Duffy's praise is a lot to live up to, but I liked the book: 3.5 out of 5.

Since time began, there have been Nightwalkers--the races of the night existing in the shadows. For them, anything is possible, except love with a human. Ancient law denies these impossible pairings that can end only in destruction. For those who waver there is Jacob, the Enforcer.

For 700 years, he has commanded the element of the earth, resisted temptation, and brought to justice those who have fallen prey to their lust for humans. Immune to forbidden desires, Jacob's control is total . . . until Isabella. Then, the conflict begins.

The concept for this book (and series; there are more books to come) is excellent. I was intrigued by the world Frank creates and found myself wanting to know more about it. The relationship between Jacob and Isabella evolves in a natural and interesting way.

I did wish there'd been more depth to the story. I felt like I knew some things about Jacob and Isabella but didn't really know who they were on a deeper level. It didn't help that Isabella is a bit of a cliche at first, an inexperienced librarian. She evolves quite a bit, and I thought she ended up a more interesting character by the end of the book. Still, I would describe this as a pleasant read rather than a particularly riveting one.

Gideon is the hero of the next book; it looks interesting.

Dark Dreamers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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. :)

Definitely Dead

I've long been a fan of Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series. Definitely Dead is the sixth installment (not including two novellas):

As a person with so few living relatives, Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse really hated to lose one. But she never guessed that it would be her cousin Hadley--a consort of the vampire queen of New Orleans. After all, technically speaking, Hadley was already dead. And now, as unexpected heir to Hadley's estate, Sookie discovers the inheritence definitely comes with a risk.

Someone doesn't want Sookie looking too deeply into Hadley's past--or for that matter, Hadley's possessions. And they're prepared to do anything in their power to stop her. But who? The range of suspects runs from the rogue weres who reject Sookie as a friend of the pack to the vampire queen herself, who could be working through a particularly vulnerable subject--Sookie's first love, Bill.

Whoever it is, they're definitely dangerous--and Sookie's life is definitely on the line . . .

Although not perfect, I enjoyed Definitely Dead: 4 out of 5.

I usually try to avoid spoilers, but there's so much I want to say here that I'm not going to try for obscurity. OK, actually, I'll try for some obscurity, so scroll over the white space if you want to see all the text; however, there are still spoilers ahead. That's your warning--if you don't want to have the story spoiled, stop reading this review now.

Last chance . . .

Sookie's on the road in this installment, and she's got a new man in her life, shifter Quinn. I haven't decided yet what I think about him, mainly because I don't feel like we've really gotten to know him yet. I was amused by this part:

It was a little startling to see the tiger mark his new territory--this is not something you expect to see your boyfriend do--but I decided it would just be ridiculous to mind the display. Besides, I had enough to think about, keeping up with the tiger.

I still enjoy Sookie's sense of humor, although it was sorely tried in this book (see developments below).

It's no secret I'm a fan of Eric. He was in this story, but not nearly as much as I like. I wonder whether he'll continue to pursue Sookie or not. It's not like him to give up, but I have to wonder about his response when he learned Sookie has fairy in her blood. Since vampires are so attracted to fairies it's almost an addiction, it made me wonder whether he'll decide that's why he cares for her. It'll be interesting to see what happens with him. I wouldn't rule him out yet.

As for Bill? Well, I wouldn't rule him out yet either, although I had in the previous book. It's a bit contrary, actually, since in this installment we learn that Bill was ordered by the Queen to get close to Sookie in the first book. Did this upset me? A little, although I was prepared for it since I'd stumbled on a spoiler at another blog. But I didn't see it as his choice--how could he tell the queen no? And I believe him when he said he fell in love with her. I felt bad for him by the end. Still, I think it's going to take some doing for Sookie to go back to him.

The mystery was interesting, although I thought the Debbie Pelt plot was resolved a bit too simply. I wouldn't be surprised to see it continue in the future, though it would probably be several books down the road.

Those are my initial thoughts. I may come back and add to them later. Also, I plan to go back to obscuring spoilers in future posts.

TBR Challenge: Fascination

May's TBR challenge is to read either a book featuring someone in law enforcement (even if only loosely connected) or an e-book. Fascination is in the former category, and I finished it this month after getting almost halfway through it a few months ago.

Title
Fascination

Author
Samantha Hunter

Year published
2005

Why did you get this book?
I read Hunter's debut and liked it, so I decided to pick this one up when I saw it at a used bookstore.

Do you like the cover?
I liked it, but didn't love it.

Did you enjoy the book?
I had a similar reaction to the book itself as I did to the cover. I liked the story well enough but didn't especially adore it. 3 out of 5.

Sage Matthews's fascination with hacking into computers and creating bugs got her into deep trouble. Just ask special agent Ian Chandler, who handcuffed the fiery readhead--and has been monitoring her every sexy teasing move since.

Ian has now formed his own crack crime-busting team--The HotWires. His first case? None other than Sage, fresh off probation, but seemingly up to her old tricks. Ian's hot on her tail, but his plans backfire one sultry steamy night.

He tangles with Sage between the sheets--breaking every rule in his personal code of honor. And he's about the break a few more as his gut instinct tells him she's been framed again--and only he can prove her innocence . . . .

I mentioned that I started reading this book a few months ago but put it down. I stopped reading because I was a bit frustrated with the way Ian decides to sleep with Sage partly so he can have full access to her apartment. Plus, their relationship went beyond breaking a "personal code of honor." I have a pretty high tolerance level for romance where some behavior would be unprofessional or unethical in the real world--cop/suspect, for instance. In this case, though, I kept thinking Ian was way over the line.

I think it helped that I returned to the book after a few months. I'd largely forgotten how far Ian went initially; plus, the second half was stronger than the first. I also liked the fact that Sage gave as good as she got.

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?
Passing it on. I've got to stop keeping so many books.

Anything else?
I have another one of her books, About Last Night . . ., TBR. I'll read it, but I'm not in a hurry to pull it off the shelf.

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.

I Love You to Death

I got my hair cut and colored today, something I usually do before going to a book signing. It's shorter than it's been in a long, long time. Getting three inches cut off is not something I want to do again. I forgot about the whole wet/dry issue--three inches when wet is a different matter than when it's dry, especially since my hair is naturally curly. It's a little shorter than I wanted, but it grows quickly. Or so I keep telling myself.

In other news, the interim results for the All About Romance 2005 poll reminded me that I need to put my list together. I was hoping to read a few more 2005 books before voting, but I suspect it would be wise to create a tentative list just in case I don't read as many as I want. I don't want the deadline to sneak up on me.

Now, to the review. I've enjoyed Amy Garvey's writing since I read her contribution to "Wicked" Women Whodunit. What I liked about the story was the way the main characters met, made love, then developed a lasting relationship. Not many authors can pull off this type of story, but Garvey does a great job with it. So, despite my desire to show some restraint, I couldn't keep myself from buying I Love You to Death when I saw it at the store.

Blind dates--the scourge of every single woman's life, even if she's secretly hoping that maybe this time Mr. Right will show up. In Amy Garvey's sexy new collection of tales, the right guys do arrive--but they come up with some unexpected complications . . .

"My Love Life is Killing Me"
Newly divorced Alex Ramsay is ready to plunge back into the dating pool when her friend sets her up with a guy guaranteed to show her a good time. Just one look proves that Matt Crawford is worth every one of her pre-date jitters--until she discovers that he's really John Tanner, private investigator, and that her date is in the men's room . . . dead. Tanner isn't the type to mix business with pleasure--unless Alex can convince him that partnership definitely has its perks . . .

"Dial M for Mortified"
Anything for business is Darcy Bennett's motto, even throwing a "blind date night" at her struggling coffeehouse, Sacred Grounds. The event is a huge success, especially when reporter Noah Gleason shows up. Darcy would rather pin him down and do some one-on-one investigation herself instead of answering his questions--and gruff, sexy Noah seems more than happy to oblige. Until someone screams, and suddenly mingling has turned into murder . . .

"Dead Men Don't Write Checks"
Elementary school teacher Franny Gabriel is fiercely protective of her neighborhood. With the Landry Foundation planning to tear down yet another historic building, she's going into battle--in her best cocktail dress and a new pair of heels. Crashing the Foundation's annual fundraiser is the best way to corner Theo Landry--it's business by very blind date. The corporate marauder turns out to be more tantalizing temptation than tough guy, though, at least until one of his opponents suffers death by dessert . . .

"Killer date" just took on a whole new meaning . . .

Garvey still writes good stories: 4 out of 5. As in the previous books I've read, each story includes a murder mystery in addition to the romance. "Dead Men Don't Write Checks" is my favorite story of the three. The summary of the story suggests that the historic building is the main conflict of the story, but this issue is actually dealt with early in the story, leaving the rest to focus on the romance and the mystery, both of which are top-notch. I loved Theo and thought he was a very compelling hero: 4.5 out of 5.

"My Love Life is Killing Me" is my second-favorite story in the anthology. Alex is wonderfully three-dimensional, and I liked the detail about her dancing background. Garvey clearly has some knowledge in this area, and it added a nice touch of realism to the story. Tanner is equally dynamic, and his journey is especially interesting to watch. He's accustomed to being a lone wolf and is both baffled and intrigued when he finds himself wanting to spend more and more time with Alex: 4 out of 5.

"Dial M for Mortified" may be my least favorite story of the three, but it's still an enjoyable read. I did wonder about the fact that Noah kept putting off writing a story. I hope he got one finished at some point. 4 out of 5.

A final piece of book news: I finished Poor Splendid Wings and enjoyed it a lot. Will post a review in the next few days.

TBR Challenge: A Singular Lady

One of my ongoing TBR challenges is to finish books I started, then set aside. I put down A Singular Lady after reading about 50 pages. In this case, it wasn't the book; I just wasn't in the mood for a Regency. I finished it recently, and I'm glad I came back to it.

1. Title/Author
A Singular Lady by Megan Frampton.

2. Brief Synopsis

During the Season, debutantes rush to London to find a man who'll fill their hearts with love--or their bankbooks with money. The Honorable Titania Stanhope is of the latter category. She simply has no choice--for her father has bequeathed his entire fortune to his mistress. Armed with velvet, dancing slippers, and a firm resolve, Titania heads to do battle in the ballroom in order to vanquish--and marry--a gentleman who can afford to keep her family from ruin.

Edwin Worthington, Earl of Oakley, wants nothing to do with money-grubbing young ladies. He wears scuffed boots and old jackets, allowing Society to regard him as the penniless black sheep of a wealthy family. But in reality he has a fortune--and no plan to marry--until he meets Titania, a woman whose sharp wit and keen mind are rivaled only by her lovely face. Can Edwin let go of his pride in order to follow his heart?

3. Copyright Year
2005.

4. Indicate if you liked or disliked it?
I liked it very much: 4 out of 5. One thing I enjoyed is the humor. There are a number of great moments as Titania attends different events, but I especially liked the glimpse into Titania's and Edwin's thoughts, such as this moment when Titania is asked if she was doing anything improper.

Well, Titania thought to herself, if by improper you mean allowing a man to kiss me passionately, stroke my breasts, and attempt to lift my skirts up, then yes, I guess you could say I was doing something improper.

I also thought the chemistry between Titania and Edwin was great, although I did want to see more scenes with them together. Edwin is terrific, although I thought he drank a bit too much toward the end of the book. Other than this, however, I liked the story.

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

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?
Absolutely.

TBR Challenge: My Shadow Warrior

It's December, and my TBR challenge, in honor of Maili, is to read Scottish romance. I wanted to read My Shadow Warrior after seeing a review about it. It's a good book: 4 out of 5.

1. Title/Author
My Shadow Warrior by Jen Holling.

2. Brief Synopsis

Rose, the youngest of the MacDonnell sisters, is more concerned with her father's mysterious illness than with her impending marriage to her childhood sweetheart. A gifted but frustrated healer, she decides to beg help from William MacKay--a reclusive laird who is renowned not only for his ferocity, but also for his healing powers. Denied entry to his fortress in the cold, harsh mountains of the far northwestern highlands, Rose uses cunning to force her way in, and William is duly intrigued with this bold slip of a girl. But securing his help may not be enough to save Rose's father. For there is something darker at work in the glen, something more powerful than William's and Rose's magic combined, and only the soul-deep passion that shadows their mutual desire can help their love prevail.

3. Copyright Year
2005.

4. Indicate if you liked or disliked it?
I liked it. I enjoyed William, a tormented hero who is devoted to his daughter and who finds himself falling for Rose despite himself. Rose herself is a compelling heroine. She wants William to try and heal her father, and she is willing to go to great lengths to make that happen.

I found myself enjoying the writing itself. In one scene, William confronts a mob. I loved the way the Holling depicted the scene and built up to William's simple and logical response. (I'm being vague to avoid spoilers.)

The romance works well. The main drawback of the story is its obvious villain.

5. Was the book designated a DIK or Five Heart book at any of the review sites?
Not that I found.

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?
Certainly.

I have more Scottish romance on my shelves, including Janet Chapman's Charming the Highlander and Kinley MacGregor's Claiming the Highlander. Yay! I'm sure Maili will be thrilled.

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.

Charmed and Dangerous

I couldn't resist buying Charmed and Dangerous by Candace Havens. It was a paranormal romance that sounded terrific. The story wasn't as terrific as it first sounded, but it got better in the second half: 3.5 out of 5.

Bronwyn is a witch who protects the British Prime Minister through charms and spells. Soon she's also protecting Sheik Azir, a man who is the target of several assassination attempts. Bronwyn finds herself drawn to Azir even as she starts to develop a relationship with Sam, a warlock.

The story starts well; Bronwyn's voice is an interesting one and the book is told as journal entries from her point of view. As the story continues, however, there starts to be a sameness to the journal entries. There's danger, she casts a spell, she averts disaster. From pages 40-100, I put the book down several times. Things pick up a bit toward the end, but not enough to overcome the slow start.

To Love and to Cherish

I'm back in town. I made my annual trip to the Shakespearean Festival, this time with my mom and sister. I had a nice and busy time. For plays, we saw The Foreigner (not Shakespeare) and All's Well That Ends Well. They were terrific. I liked the latter far more than I thought I would, considering it's a somewhat problematic play. We did some fun shopping, too.

Now I'm back at work, feeling like I need a vacation to recover from my vacation. Typical.

In any case, I read an amazing book during the trip: Patricia Gaffney's To Love and to Cherish. There is an author quote on the cover describing this book as "one of the most hauntingly beautiful love stories I've ever read." This description is totally accurate.

Christian (Christy) Morrell is the vicar of Wyckerley. As the book begins, he is at the bedside of a dying parishioner. That man is the father of Christy's childhood friend Geoffrey, whom he has not seen in years. Geoffrey soon arrives with his wife, Anne; Christy discovers that Geoffrey is not the same person he knew years ago. This Geoffrey is ill, cruel, and violent. When Geoffrey goes off to war, Anne and Christy get to know and come to care for each other.

At first, I wondered what I would think of a hero named Christy, but 100 pages into the book, I decided I wanted a Christy Morrell of my own. He is the kind of hero I adore: observant, intellectual, and serious. He is strong, but not in a physically overpowering way; instead, it's a strength of character. I loved the way he lived his faith--it's not overbearing; it's simply part of who he is.

Anne is an equally fascinating heroine. The contrast between the way she is when Geoffrey is around in the first part of the book and the warm woman she becomes with Christy is amazing.

To Love and to Cherish features rich characterization, not just with the two main characters. Gaffney paints a vivid picture of the town and its inhabitants. I enjoyed the small touches, such as the fact that neither Anne nor Christy seems aware of how beloved they are by the townspeople.

The book isn't perfect. In one section, Anne believes that God was punishing her, and something happens toward the end of the story that is kind of glossed over. Neither of these things is completely explored; I felt a little like I'd been left hanging. Still, I adored the main characters, and I found myself going back and rereading, which is my indication of a keeper: 5 out of 5.

Never Love a Stranger

I decided to buy Ellen Fisher's Never Love a Stranger after reading an excerpt. I received it from Amazon today and devoured the book in a few hours: 4.5 out of 5.

Annie Simpson is baffled when she walks into her kitchen one evening to find a naked man there. He introduces himself as James and says he is from the future. Events unfold that make Annie believe him.

Wow, this is an excellent book. James and Annie are so vibrant they practically jump off the page. I love the way Fisher lets us get to know these characters through their actions.

The world building is exceptional. There is a lot of information to cover, and it's spaced out through the story so readers can follow what is happening without being bogged down by endless pages of exposition. The story is well paced and kept me engrossed. I was seriously annoyed when the phone rang halfway through the book. Luckily it was a quick call, so I could get back to reading.

I want more futuristics like this one. Now.

On an unrelated note, I finished my Romancing the Blog column. Watch for it tomorrow.