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.

Wired

After reading a blog that started as an interesting discussion about costumes at book signings and turned into a dogpile, I vowed to read the first two Shomi books: Wired by Liz Maverick and Marianne Mancusi's Moongazer. I read Wired a few weeks ago and am glad I did: 4 out of 5.

Seconds aren't like pennies. They can't be saved in a jar and spent later. Fate seeps through cracks and shifts like fog. Pluck a second out of time or slip an extra one in, the consequences will change your life forever. Is the man you love really the man you think you know, or is there a version of your life in which he's your enemy? If you didn't know who or what you were before, would you take a chance on becoming that person again?

L. Roxanne Zaborovsky is about to discover fate is comprised of an infinite number of fires, filaments that can be manipulated, and that she's not the one at the controls. From the roguishly charming Mason Merrick--a shadow from her increasingly tenebrous past--to the dangerously seductive Leonardo Kaysar, she's barely holding on. This isn't a game, and the pennies are rolling all over the floor. Roxy just has to figure out which are the ones worth picking up.

This is one of those books that took a little while to get into. Maybe because I wasn't sure what to expect, and it's not always clear what's happening. The reader is basically in the same position as the heroine--thrown right in and trying to figure out what is going on.

By the time I got a third of the way through the book, though, I was engaged in the story, curious about how it would play out, and starting to form my own theories. I was right about one part of it, but it's complicated.

As I reread the back cover blurb, I realize it's a bit vague. I'm not going to try and describe the plot, as it's a bit complicated and I think it's best appreciated when you just read the story. The label on the spine calls this an action romance. The action takes center stage with the romance staying firmly in the background. I typically like more romance, but it worked for this story.

Wired was fascinating, different from anything I've seen out there in a while.

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever

Julia Quinn's The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever is another of the books I got at RWA. I read it last weekend and quite enjoyed it: 4 out of 5.

2 March 1810 . . . Today, I fell in love.

At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her--until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart. And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever.

But the years that followed were as cruel to Turner as they were kind to Miranda. She is as intriguing as the viscount boldly predicted on that memorable day--while he is a lonely, bitter man, crushed by a devastating loss. But Miranda has never forgotten the truth she set down on paper all those years earlier--and she will not allow the love that is her destiny to slip lightly through her fingers . . .

This book includes two of my favorite scenarios: unrequited love and diary entries. And Quinn puts both elements to good use. In the unrequited love books I've read in the past few years, the man has been the one to love from afar. In this case, it's the heroine. This was a nice twist. Another element I appreciated was the fact that there's complexity in her feelings. As Turner's life changes and as he changes, she revises her opinion of him. Miranda may love him, but it's not a blind love.

As for Turner, I found myself quite sympathetic to him. Quinn does an exceptional job of showing how his previous marriage affected his thinking. It helped me as a reader to know where he was coming from. I thought his reluctance to admit he loved Miranda was especially realistic. He thought he loved his first wife, so he associated that emotion with the heartbreak he felt. What he felt with Miranda wasn't heartbreak.

Overall, I liked The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever. It wasn't my favorite of Quinn's novels, but still one I enjoyed and one I will reread.

Secrets Rising

I've been on a reading marathon since I returned from RWA. Hey, I have to read some of these books I've been getting, right? I picked up Suzanne McMinn's Secrets Rising and got a quick, compelling read: 4 out of 5.

Keely Schiffer is having the strangest day. There's the skull in her rose garden and she receives a gift from her dead husband. Then an earthquake hits, and Keely's trapped with a handsome, gun-toting stranger.

Detective Jake Malloy heard that nothing bad ever happened in the town of Haven, but this so-called R & R has turned into a nightmare. Except for being stuck in a dark cellar with a sexy woman till help arrives. For Keely and Jake, near-death stokes hidden fires, but the earthquake seems hell-bent on stirring up all the people of Haven, past and present . . .

Secrets Rising (love the title) is a story that moves quickly. The set up is good, and I enjoy the way Jake and Keely are trapped in the cellar together. The action starts quickly and keeps on going.

What I enjoyed most was the chemistry between Jake and Keely. The tension between them when they in the cellar is amazing, and it leads to a great consummation scene.

The second half of the book slows down a bit as the mystery takes center stage. The story kept my interest, but it doesn't have the same tension as the first half.

I closed the book with the sense that Jake and Keely's relationship is just beginning. There's a lot they don't know about each other. That doesn't diminish the feeling that they are a couple that will stay together. This is the first book in a new series. I'm interested in seeing what happens in the next one.

And Able

I've become a fan of Lucy Monroe, so I grabbed And Able when I saw it. It's a bit of a mixed read: 3 out of 5.

Claire Sharp trusts few people and relies on no one. But after her life is threatened, ex-mercenary Brett Adams blows into her self-contained world, full of southern charm, rugged good looks, and enough sexual experience to write a how-to manual . . . experience he makes it clear he'd like to use on Claire. She wants help fighting the bad guys, but she's not about to fall into Brett's bed. For one thing, the guy has a no-commitment clause that would stump most big-shot attorneys, and for another, despite her response to his sensual kisses, in Claire's experience sex isn't exactly fireworks and brass bands. Definitely not worth getting too excited over . . .

Brett plans to prove her wrong. He's never felt such a powerful combination of lust and friendship with a woman. He'll give her a white-hot pleasure like nothing she's ever known and she'll realize that some things in life are worth every risk. When the threat to Claire grows dangerously close, pitting them against deadly odds, Brett will do whatever it takes to save her. Because Claire Sharp has just found herself a man who's ready to bring it on, willing to do what it takes, and able to go the distance . . .

And Able is nicely written and features Monroe's trademark emotional storytelling. She has a way of getting you to care about her characters quickly; not every writer can do that.

Yet even as I was becoming engrossed in Brett and Claire's story, I found it a bit too predictable. After one scene between the two, I thought, "This is how their story will play out." And I was right.

Now, you expect a happily-ever-after ending from romance; that's not the kind of predictability I'm talking about. I mean I anticipated several plot points before they happened, and this lessened the effect of the story for me.

I do like Monroe's books, though, so this won't keep me from buying them.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One Last Look

One Last Look is the final book in a trilogy by Linda Lael Miller. I liked the first two books, but I think this one is my favorite: 4.5 out of 5.

Clare Westbrook is a survivor who built her new law practice from sheer determination--and an unexpected inheritance. Now Clare, carrying her lover Tony Sonterra's child, has taken the biggest risk of all: saying "yes" to his marriage proposal and finally burying her lifelong commitment phobia. So why is fear running through her veins and haunting her dreams? Sonterra is fired up to leave Pheonix for small-town Arizona, to replace the town's missing police chief and target a lethal desert crime ring. Clare's willing to stand by her man, but her fiance won't be the only one flirting with danger on the job: as a special investigator for the D.A.'s office, Clare is plunged into a race to find a missing child whose mother was murdered--a hot case that puts Clare's safety, and that of her unborn child, on the edge. For in a place where secrets have nowhere to hide, the promise of Clare's bright future could vanish in the blink of an eye . . .

Tony and Clare were the focus of the previous two in the series: Don't Look Now and Never Look Back. One Last Look puts Clare in danger once again. This time, though, her relationship with Tony is solid. Yes, Clare has commitment issues, but her love for Tony is never in question, nor is his for her.

I fell in love with Tony in the first book, and I still think he's a wonderful hero. He and Clare butt heads just enough to keep him from slipping into too-good-to-be-true territory. I like that he is both protective and sensible. For example, he knows that Clare needs her own car, so after hers is totalled, he buys her a Hummer. I couldn't help but smile at the image of Clare driving a red Hummer.

As in the other books, Clare finds herself in dangerous situations. There were a couple of times when I wanted her to contact Tony sooner than she did, but in general I enjoyed the suspense aspect of the story.

One Last Look was an even better conclusion to the trilogy than I hoped it would be. I'm going to miss Clare and Tony.

A Taste for Passion

I picked up Patrice Michelle's A Taste for Passion a few months ago when I was browsing at the bookstore. I had narrowed my purchase decision to this book or another one, and I bought this one when I saw that it was an autographed copy. That probably doesn't surprise many of you, since my love for autographed books is no secret. In any case, that's how I ended up buying this book, and I'm pleased to say that I ended up really liking it: 4 out of 5.

Rana Sterling finally meets the man of her dreams and BOY does he know how to push all the right buttons. Only, Mr. Tall, Dark and Too-Good-to-Be True turns out to be just that; he's a real live, fanged vampire!

Lucian Trevane has a duty to fulfill. He's expected to take the role of Vite, leader of the vampires in three days. But he knows he won't take the position without his wife by his side. Now, after seventy years of searching for his reincarnated fiance, he finally finds the woman of his dreams in Rana Sterling, Rana may respond to his lovemaking, but she refuses to become his vampire wife. As if their lives aren't complicated enough, throw in a vengeful vampire, a surprise twist, and the fact that Rana and Lucien can't deny the strong attraction that exists between them and you've just stepped into A Taste for Passion.

Reincarnation stories are tricky--I think it's easy to make the reincarnated character too much like the original character. In that case, it's not clear whether the hero and heroine are really in love or whether they are together because one of them resembles a previous love.

In A Taste for Passion, we don't learn a lot about Lucian's fiance, but we do know that Rana's personality is different. I appreciated this very much. Lucian reinforces this by making it clear at one point that they are different and that his feelings for Rana are unique. I also liked the fact that Rana doesn't simply fall into Lucian's arms. Well, she does when she is dreaming of him; when awake, she makes him work for their relationship and for her.

The back cover text mentions "a surprise twist," and there certainly is one. I like the unique way this part of the story plays out. My main issue with the book is that I wish it had been longer. I wanted more of a good thing.

This book is the first in a series, and I picked up the second one, A Taste for Revenge, today. It should be interesting.

Can't Get Enough

After being so proud of myself for having all of my TBR books on shelves (instead of on the floor or in bags), I found a box full of books. The TBR shelves are obviously a work in progress. When I went through the books, I saw Sarah Mayberry's Can't Get Enough. (You know it's bad when you have so many books you can't remember them all!) It's a recent Harlequin Blaze, and I decided to read it. I'm so glad I did. It's one of the best books I've read all year: 4.5 out of 5.

It was so nice to post the back blurb last time rather than describing the story, so I'm going to do it again.

He's everything she despises--a babe magnet with more notches on his belt than a mullipede has legs.

And he thinks his coworker is wound so tightly she irons her underwear at night.

Two people couldn't be further apart.

But when Jack Brook and Claire Marsden get stuck in a sweltering elevator one afternoon, it's a different story. By the time they're rescued, Jack and Claire have swapped confidences and oh, they've had the most spectacular sex of their lives!

Back in the office they're still butting heads over projects, but now there's a heightened awareness added to the mix. With this kind of tension in the air, how can they resist another round of sexy indulgence?

What I loved about this book are the characters. Many romances have a hero that the heroine thinks is a womanizer, but that turns out not to be the case. Here, Jack is no faux womanizer; he's the real deal. That's why his transformation from wanting casual relationships to falling in love with Claire is so rewarding to read. I cried a little at the end of the book.

Claire is also terrific. She's confident about her work. She's less confident about other matters, such as her relationship with her father. He never contacts her unless he wants something, and he remembers few of the details of her life. She worries when she realizes that she is falling for Jack. I like that she considers whether it is wise to get involved with him. I've always thought it was unrealistic when a heroine isn't worried about dating a former womanizer. Claire is cautious and considers things from several angles.

As I mentioned, Can't Get Enough is a Blaze title. However, it's longer than the traditional Blaze; both the font and margins are small. If you like contemporaries but avoid series titles, I would encourage you to try this one. I hope Mayberry has another book coming soon.

The Midas Trap

My experience with the Silhouette Bombshell books I've read has been pretty hit or miss. Sharron McClellan's The Midas Trap is one of the few I've read that falls somewhere in the middle: 3.5 out of 5.

Veronica Bright was disgraced in the academic community when she presented a theory about myths such as the one about Midas being real. Without evidence, Veronica wasn't able to prove her theory's accuracy. Simon Owens was one of the scholars who dismissed Veronica's theory. Now he has evidence that her theory might be true, and he needs her help.

I liked the book's set up. The mythology angle was interesting, and I enjoy the adversaries-becoming-lovers plot. I wasn't as intrigued with the characters. While they were interesting, they didn't quite cross the level into compelling. The theory about mythology ended up being the most interesting part of the book.

There were some predictable moments in the suspense story, and the romance could have been stronger. Still, it has some nice moments, and I learned there is a sequel. I plan to give it a try, too.

Through a Crimson Veil

With the surge of paranormal romance and the fact that I can't seem to get enough of the subgenre, you'd think I'd have read about every paranormal being out there. Patti O'Shea's Through a Crimson Veil offers a new one for me--both the hero and heroine are half-demons. It sounds unusual, but it works: 4.5 out of 5.

Mika has a mission: get inside Conor McCabe's house and find a certain incantation that may be dangerous to the demon world. She approaches Conor with a request for protection. Though both Mika and Conor are half-human, half-demon, Conor is from a type of demon that is strong and physically aggressive. This makes him a good choice to protect Mika, who is from a less aggressive demon branch.

When Mika spends time with Conor, she realizes that he is her vishtau mate--the demon version of a soulmate. Some authors rely on the idea of the couple being "mated" to skip the getting-to-know-you and falling-in-love stages of the romance. Thankfully, O'Shea doesn't do that. Conor and Mika may be vishtau mates, but they have to fall in love like anyone else; in fact, they go through a lot before getting to their happily-ever-after.

Through the Crimson Veil is the third book in the Crimson City series. I've read and enjoyed books two and three.

In other news, I'm trying to make my house somewhat presentable before my Halloween party on Saturday. It's been a slow process. I don't know how I've managed to accumulate so much stuff. Yikes!

A Family Portrait

JJ Massa is a new author for me. I decided to try A Family Portrait after seeing an ad for it in the RT Bookclub magazine. There were a number of things I liked about the story, but I found it to be a rough read in some ways, too: 3 out of 5.

Tavist lost his mate and his child years ago, and he never expected to find love again. When he gets to know Tracey and her three children, he realizes that they are his new family.

A Family Portrait is part of a series, and it shows. I felt very much as if I had missed a big part of the story, like Massa assumed that readers would be familiar with the earlier books and therefore didn't include some background that would have helped, both in terms of character relationships and the world of werewolves.

I wish the story had included more build up. Tavist's previous loss and Tracey's abused past could both have been played up more than they were. In Tavist's case, it would have made finding a new family more touching. With Tracey, building up to a revelation of her past would have made it even more heartbreaking. Knowing about it so soon decreased the impact for me.

The book also has a few stylistic issues. First, commas are a helpful and lovely piece of punctuation. This book could have used more of them. In addition, the main characters also have a habit of using each other's name in dialogue. In one section:

"Tavist," Tracey said breathlessly when he sat down, "I'm so happy to be going home. I just hate hospitals, I've spent so much time in them."

"Tracey, you know you'll need help at home for a while." She nodded. "I'd like to help you. Would you let me?"

She looked at him for a minute. "Tavist you've been so wonderful since this crazy thing happened. Are you sure you want to be tied down any more?"

"Tracey, I'd like to be tied down to you much more."

This occurred frequently. This type of dialogue makes me think, Stop! I get it, already.

Now that I've spent a lot of time talking about the problems, I'll talk about the things I like. There are some great moments with several characters, times that just shine. Tav is gentle with Tracey's children and patient with Tracey. He's a great hero. Massa also drew me into the story enough that I wanted to know more about the characters and their world. That's definitely a good thing.

TBR Challenge: Her Man to Remember

I feel pretty good about the results of Keishon's August TBR challenge, which was to read series books. Yesterday I finished Suzanne McMinn's Her Man to Remember, which turned out to be a great book to end the month on.

1. Title/Author
Her Man to Remember by Suzanne McMinn.

2. Brief Synopsis
More than a year after his wife's death, Roman tries to come to terms with the memory of his wife by returning to Florida, where they went for their honeymoon. Instead of getting a peaceful resolution, Roman sees a woman who looks like his wife, Leah. She has Leah's scar and wears Leah's bracelet. She is Leah. But she doesn't remember Roman.

3. Copyright Year
2004.

4. Indicate if you liked or disliked it?
I loved it: 4.5 out of 5. I enjoy a good amnesia story, and this was one of the best I've read in a while. There was plenty of suspense in the story, but I loved how the focus stayed on Leah and Roman. Sometimes with romantic suspense, writers focus more on the suspense. My preference is for more romance than suspense, and Her Man to Remember offers just the mix I like.

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

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

7. Is this a new author for you?
No, I've read a few other books by McMinn.

8. Would you read more by this author?
Yes, and I have six or seven more on my TBR shelves.

The September challenge is listed as simply fiction. Perhaps I'll interpret that as chick lit and read a few of the ones I have waiting to be read.

Erin McCarthy

I'm rereading Erin McCarthy's "Fuzzy Logic" from Bad Boys Over Easy, and I have to say that I love her writing. The first book I read was Bad Boys Online. I picked it up for half-off at a bookstore that was having an out-of-business sale. It tempted me each time I went to the bookstore, and I was so glad I finally picked it up. All three stories have an Internet tie-in. I loved it--McCarthy offers such a nice balance of sensuality and humor. "Press Any Key" is my favorite of the anthology.

Since reading Bad Boys Online, I've bought everything she's written. Here are the grades:

Bad Boys Online: 4 out of 5
Smart Mouth: 4 out of 5
Houston, We Have a Problem: 4 out of 5
Mouth to Mouth: 4 out of 5

McCarthy also has short stories in these anthologies:

Bad Boys in Black Tie
Perfect for the Beach
Merry Christmas, Baby
Bad Boys Over Easy

I like McCarthy's full-length books better than her short stories, but she's still quite skilled there, too. My favorite of her short stories are "Blue Crush" from Perfect for the Beach and "Fuzzy Logic."

Another great thing about her is that she usually writes two books a year plus a short story or two. Her next novel is due out in May. I will have to exercise considerable restraint by not buying a copy until the RWA signing in July.

Alyssa

Out of Control

This review is dedicated to Wendy.

Some authors you like because they write interesting variations of a character or story. Others you like because every story seems completely different. I thought that Shannon McKenna might fall into the former category; then I read Out of Control. While still steamy (you saw the smoke coming from my direction, right?) and not completely different, this story offers a nice change of pace from McKenna's previous books: 4 out of 5.

Don't misunderstand me; I'm not talking about a radically different book here. Out of Control contains all the things I love about McKenna's writing: steamy and emotional sex, intriguing suspense, gripping drama. Did I mention the steamy and emotional sex?

A brief summary: Davy McCloud is phasing out his P.I. business when Margot, an aerobics instructor who works next to his martial arts studio, comes to him with a problem. She's being stalked.

Davy knows there's more to Margot's story. He was instantly attracted to her when she started working next door. He put his P.I. knowledge to work by doing a background check, only to discover that she's not what she seems.

What's different about Out of Control are the characters. While protective, Davy McCloud is a bit less alpha than her previous heros. And Margot isn't as innocent as some of her heroines. Some critics have said that McKenna's heroines are pushovers; I don't agree with this assessment--Raine from Behind Closed Doors, for example, is more than a match for Seth. Whatever your opinion on this subject, Margot isn't a pushover in any sense.

Characters from the previous books make appearances here, but I don't think you need to have read them to follow this story. For readers who have, it's nice to see Raine and Seth, Connor and Erin, and Sean (the last single McCloud brother) again. If you haven't read the books, don't worry that Out of Control falls prey to sequel-itis. The previous characters play important, if minor, roles in the story.

Another intriguing difference in this book is the sex. Readers of the previous books will remember the multipage sex scenes. There's no lack of sex in this book--and have I mentioned that it's steamy, emotional, and complicated?--but many of the encounters aren't as long. If you're a fan of the heat, though, there's still plenty of it here.

As I've mentioned before, I was disappointed in Return to Me, but Out of Control shows McKenna back in fine form.

Alyssa

Bad Boys Over Easy

I started reading Bad Boys Over Easy this afternoon, and I gobbled it right up (so to speak). Two of the stories are exceptional and one is good. This is the perfect weekend read: 4 out of 5.

Erin McCarthy's "Fuzzy Logic" starts the anthology. I've long been a fan of McCarthy's writing, and "Fuzzy Logic" doesn't disappoint. Lucas is surprised when a package of sex toys shows up on his doorstep. He's even more fascinated when he learns they belong to his tenant, Ashley, the woman he's wanted for years.

I love romances where one of the characters carries a torch for another, and I also adore beta heroes. "Fuzzy Logic" uses both of these elements, along with an interesting heroine, which makes it a treat to read. Ashley and Lucas are very hot together. One thing I can count on with McCarthy--all of her stories and characters are different and compelling. This story rates 4.5 out of 5.

"The Cupid Curse" is a paranormal romance by Jen Nicholas. Val (short for Valentine) writes a letter to Cupid to find her soul mate. Cupid sends a novice named Gideon to deal with the matter. A gust of wind sends Gideon's love-arrow (this is not a euphemism) astray; it ends up hitting Gideon himself.

This is a fun story as long as you don't take it too seriously. The main problem with it is that it relies too heavily on the "destined love" principle--once Gideon is hit by the arrow, he's destined to love Val, and she's destined to love him in return. I don't have an issue with the destined-love idea except when it offers an easy way to get a couple together without having them spend much time falling in love. That's the case here: 3 out of 5.

Jordan Summers's "Mesmerized" is the third story and ends the anthology on a high note. Amanda is a skilled hypnotist, and Derek is a journalist determined to expose her as a fraud. Derek jumps at the chance to participate in Amanda's on-stage act, but when it's over, he seems to be still hypnotized.

The still-hypnotized element seems far-fetched, but I can go along with far-fetched plots if I enjoy the characters. I enjoyed reading about Derek and Amanda. I was engrossed in their story: 4 out of 5. I've now read two stories by Summers, and she's quite good. I look forward to reading more of her stories.

Alyssa