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Force of Nature by Suzanne Brockmann The 11th book in Brockmann's
Troubleshooter series, Force of Nature involves two couples, one set a P.I. and his
sexy assistant and the other set featuring an openly gay FBI agent and a
movie star some readers might remember from Brockmann's Hot Target: A Novel .
Ric Alvarado has enough on his mind without watching after his new secretary
Annie Dugan, the little sister of one of his best pals...but she is
determined to act like a partner instead of sit behind a desk and file
papers. Ric's trouble doesn't stop there though, because he has now
found himself in deep with a major crime boss, who also just happens to love movies.
Jules is the FBI agent
working to keep Ric and Annie safe while trying to bring down the crime
boss. Now he's also in charge of protecting movie star Robin Chadwick,
on whom he's developing a major crush!
Brockmann is a master of
romantic suspense and fans of this series have not been disappointed with
this installment. Those who might hesitate at the gay love scenes
should not worry that they'll feel uncomfortable, if anything Brockman keeps these too much in the "rated G"
level and most fans just wanted more Robin and Jules! A sweet, suspenseful romance. By C.C.Moore ****1/2 |
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Dead Right by Brenda Novak
The third book in Novak's Dead Trilogy, this one is strong with good
characters and a chilling villain. Very taut, hot sexual tension, and
a good, if slightly expected, ending makes this book a fun read. The
daughter of Rev. Lee Barker, Madeline, wants answers when her father's car
is pulled from a quarry outside of town. She hires PI Hunter Solozano
to find the answers, but what they discover is almost too horrifying for her
to face. Soon though, its obvious that she will have to face the demons of
her father's past, because a killer still at large, and she might very well
be his next victim. By Staff ***1/2 |
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Edge of Midnight by Shannon Mckenna
Sean McCloud questions his
twin brother's suicide even fifteen years later. Now, his
ex-girlfriend Olivia Endicott is getting threatening phone calls, so Sean
joins forces with Olivia to hunt down the sicko who's tormenting her.
He suspects that this monster is the same killer who murdered his brother,
Kevin. While they race desperately against a madman, Sean and Olivia
rekindle their passion. McKenna writes explicit and HOT love scenes,
so be warned! You'll be fanning yourself with the book as you read
along. What's even more important though is this novel has a
interesting and complex storyline that climaxes with an nail-biting finish.
By Suzanne L. **** |
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Love, Lies & Videotape by Kayla Perrin
Here's a scorcher with heart! Rising Hollywood star and good girl
Jasmine needs to run away when she is betrayed by someone close to her.
Her sleazy boyfriend videotaped their sex and is now using the tape to
further his own career. Needing to escape the media, she goes to
warm and beautiful St. Lucia.
Darien Lamont is running from a failed marriage and a shattered heart.
You'll be up late into the night to see if these two can ever find it in
their hearts to trust again. |
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The Perfect Bride (de Warenne Dynasty) by Brenda Joyce
In Joyce's seventh de Warenne novel, a wounded war veteran, Rex de Warrenne
lives in exile at the tip of Land's End in Cornwall. He has no
hope for the future until lovely "perfect" lady Blanche Harrington shows up
on his doorstep. Blanche is scarred inside, but no one knows that she
thinks she's going mad. After a night of passion, her flash-back
memories overwhelm her and send her fleeing. Rex might just be the
only one to pull her back from the brink of madness. A nice, elegant
regency with a wealth of interesting characters and a hero that made me
swoon from the earliest pages. by Suzanne L. **** |
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Your Wicked Ways by Eloisa
James
Helene, the Countess Godwin,
has lived estranged from her scandalous husband for ten years while he has
flagrantly lived with opera singers and ladies of ill repute. Now
Helene is determined to finally find her own happiness. She wants a
child of her own and will do whatever it takes to get one, including
sleeping with her own disreputable husband. I applaud Ms. James for
her efforts to create mature, unique lovers in this book. Helene and
Rees are both musicians and composers who have not found much happiness in
their relationships. What doesn't really work here is that neither
character is very interested in (or good at) sex. They have their
moments as Helene slowly realises that sex doesn't have to be painful, and
Rees eventually learns that he can go longer than five minutes--but it's so
LATE in the book. Three hundred pages of them fumbling with one
another without heat or even much passion is a long way to go for a romance
book. the secondary romance though, involving Rees's brother is pretty
sweet and moving. Too bad they weren't the main characters. By Suzanne L.
**1/2 |
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Much Ado About You by Eloisa James
What a sweet romance! Starting a series about four sisters (all of
the books out and ready to be borrowed or bought) Ms. James writes the kind
of novel I love. Tess Essex is the oldest of four orphaned sisters,
and knows that she must marry well so that she can help her sisters make
their debut into Society.
Unfortunately (Or fortunately as it turns out later), Tess is left
at the altar by her first beau and in the meantime her younger sister runs
off with a horse-mad young man. Poor Tess! She need not fear
though, for handsome, reserved Lucius Felton has decided to step in and save
her...now if only he can admit that he loves her these two will find a happy
ending! I really enjoy Ms. James's style because she always surrounds
her heroines with intelligent best friends and sisters who aren't afraid to
give their opinion. By Suzanne L. **** |
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The
Preacher's Daughter by Cheryl St. John (harlequin historical)
Lorabeth
Holdridge starved for a life
without censor or deprivation. She longed to experience freedom away from
the strict confines of her home with Reverend
Holdridge always stuffing the bible
down her throat. She wanted freedom to go to go to the library to pick out
more exciting reading material, take a walk at night, and if she ever had
the chance she would love to take a trip on a train.
Benjamin Chaney was a veterinarian
who led a horrible childhood. Even the dreams tragically awoke him from
sleep every night. With a mother working as a
prostitute, and no father in
sight; Ben could only think he was anything but a decent man. Especially
when he committed murder trying to save his eldest sister Ellie from being
raped. All charges were dropped because the man was killed in self defense
but still, the blood was on Ben's hands. He couldn't just forget about the
past, Ben believed it molded him into the man he was today.
Eventually feelings began to blossom between
Lorabeth and Benjamin. There was
only one thing to do, get the Reverend to give his blessings on the
marriage. The Reverend was a very strict man and Ben was quite sure he would
refuse, to wed the couple. Could Ben win him over with the life he has made
for himself? Would the truth behind Ben's past enough to make the Reverend
refuse to give his daughter's hand?
I loved this story! I don't know how much more I can say. The book was a
lengthy sort but the story line flowed effortlessly, and I finished it in
two days. There were so many amusing
parts that had me laughing out loud. The little girl Lillith's dialect was
perfectly written. You will have to read to find out what a
mammoth cloth is. I have to say
this is my favorite Historical Western Romance so far. The sensory details
of this story won my heart. I would catch myself holding my breath and
smiling all throughout this book.I gladly award Ms. St. John 5 hearts for
her remarkable tale of the old
fashioned kind of love. By Crystal ****1/2
Reprinted by Permission from
Crystal Reviews:
http://www:bookreviewsbycrystal.blogspot.com/
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Dockside (Lakeshore Chronicles) by Susan Wiggs
Susan Wiggs does not disappoint
with her new installment into her Lakeshore Chronicles. Single mother
Nina Romano longs to buy the Inn at Willow Lake, but Greg Bellamy gets there
first, and then has the gall to ask her to manage it! She refuses, but
soon Greg wears her down. Their relationship soon turns hot, but
Nina's used to being on her own. She can't quite trust Greg with her
heart, but he's the kind of man knows how to go after what he wants.
This is a romantic, grown-up love story that will sweep you away. Highly
recommended! By
Suzanne L. ****1/2
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Innocence and Impropriety by
Diane Gaston A sweet romance between a
Vauxville Singer and a secretary to a peer. Rose sings with all her
heart, and mesmerizes the men who listen to her, especially Flynn, the Irish
secretary to Lord Tanner, the man who would make Rose his mistress. As
Flynn falls for Rose he is in the unenviable position of having to win the
woman of his dreams for another man. To add to the suspense, an evil
man lurks on the outskirts, playing a sadistic game against Lord Tanner,
with Rose as the prize. Will true love win? Ms. Gaston writes a
well put-together love story that kept me turning the pages. by Suzanne L
***1/2 |
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Harlequin American
: Ryan's Renovation by Marin Thomas (four stars)
Both Anna and Ryan have internal scars that are in need of
healing. He is a survivor of 9/11 and divorce and meets Anna when he
goes to work at a Rubbish Removal company. His scars will not allow
him to trust, but Anna's capacity for love might just give him a reason to
go on. |
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Double Take by Catherine
Coulter (suspense/romance)
This gripping new FBI
mystery (Ms. Coulter’s 11th) is an intriguing look into the world
of psychics. Six months before the beginning of the novel, renownedpsychic
Dr. August Ransom is brutally murdered, and his wife, Julia, is still the
prime suspect. Now Julia is in San Francisco and someone is trying to kill
her… Fortunately, she has FBI agent Cheney Stone tailing
her, and when she’s thrown off Pier 39, he dives dark, cold water to save
her. They are joined by Sheriff Dixon Noble, who is still searching for his
wife, and Agents Dillon Savich and Lacy Sherlock—all recurring characters in
Ms. Coulter’s FBI series. A fun, fast-paced romantic suspense…fans will be
staying up late into the night to enjoy this one. By Staff ****
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Safe Harbor by Christine Feehan
(magical romance)
Book five of the Drake Sister Series starts out with a
terrifying, televised attackon shy but gorgeous Hannah Drake—she’s being
targeted by a killer who’s after supermodels. Her sisters rush to her
rescue, using all their magical gifts to save their sister. Sheriff Jonas
Harrington, who’s always been in love with Hannah, watches in horror as the
woman he loves is nearly killed on live TV. He swears that he will hunt
down the killer and keep her safe, no matter what it will take. Fans of
magic, hot romance and suspense will be fanning themselves with the book
before this one is over. By Staff ***1/2 |
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Desperate Duchesses
by Eloisa James (historical romance)
Sheltered Lady Roberta St. Giles, whose father is said
to be a mad poet, falls in love with the Duke of Villiers from across a
crowded room. She vows to marryhim and follows him to a house party put on
by the very naughty Duchess of Beaumont. The Duchess is out to ruin Villiers and decides to use Roberta to do it. Meanwhile the Duchess’s
brother, Damon Reeves, has fallen in love with the smart and sweet Roberta
and will do anything to save her for himself. This book is a top pick
by the Romantic Times and hot, hot, hot. You’ll be swooning by the
end! (So pour yourself another glass of wine and dig in!)**** by Staff
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The River Knows by Amanda
Quick
Louisa Bryce is a woman of secrets, one of them being
her name and identity. Working as a reporter for a sensational magazine,
Louisa meets the richand gorgeous Anthony Stalbridge. Anthony and Louisa
are both snooping on the same man, Elwin Hasting, when they are
discovered—and to hide their spying, they kiss and pretend a love affair.
Now together they work to uncover Elwin’s criminal secrets, including the
possible murder of Anthony’s fiancé. Amusing moments, heartfelt romance,
and a good dose of deadly murder make this tale an interesting read. By
Staff **** |
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Catch
a Mate by Gena Showalter
Jillian Greene
works as “bait” to lure cheating spouses and catch them in the act. This
job has made her conclude that no man can be trusted. Her new co-worker,
the gorgeous Marcus Brody, had no better faith in women. Will they get over
their cynicism to take a chance on each other? Romantic times calls this
book “hilarious” and “witty”. I found the dialogue fast and funny, but
the premise a bit wacky. By staff ***1/2
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Slightly Dangerous
by Mary Balogh (historical romance)
Though this is the last book in a grand series, it can easily be read on
it’s own and enjoyed thoroughly. Wulfric, the Duke of Bewcastle, is a cold,
calculating man with one redeeming value—he loves his family. Christine is
a lively, vivacious country school teacher who would never dream of even
talking to the dreaded, chilly Duke. A house party brings these two
disparate people together, and through a series of hilarious mishaps,
Christine has soon won Wulfric’s affection…but does she want a man who can
keep ice from melting with his stare? A charming, lightweight romance that
will make you grin from ear to ear. By Staff ****
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