The Santina Crown... The Sheikh's Heir - Sharon Kendrick

The Sheikh's Heir - Sharon Kendrick
Mills & Boon Modern Special Releases
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263897678












My rating

From the back cover:

"SHEIKH AND JACKSON IT-GIRL IN UNEXPECTED BABY SHOCK! 

Unconfirmed sources report that celebrity wedding planner Ella Jackson is pregnant! Currently single, Miss Jackson caused quite a stir at her sister’s high-profile, royal-studded party last month where she tossed a glass of vintage champagne over Sheikh Hassan Al Abbas following a very public argument. 

What happened in private is anybody’s guess, and certainly the palace haven’t officially confirmed that Miss Jackson was seen leaving the Sheikh’s opulent suite the morning after the party… Could this Cinder-Ella beat her sister to a royal title…and a royal heir?"


An interesting and absorbing book, I especially loved the start as it is really entertaining and a great way of getting the hero and heroine together and it made me like the heroine instantly. 

The hero frustrated me quite a bit with his arrogance, disdain and rudeness, but these kind of heroes are what Sharon Kendrick excels at and, you know, I kinda liked him eventually!

The story sticks to it's theme well and this is an entertaining and well told romance. But, for me, there was something missing, it just didn't live up to both its expectation and potential. To me, continuity series should be more daring and different, but this one, well, it's a perfectly enjoyable Modern, but nothing that hasn't been done before. 

However, it is a well written and enjoyable book so don't let me put you off!

Xx

Book Review... A Husband of Convenience - Jacqueline Baird

A Husband of Convenience - Jacqueline Baird
Harlequin Presents
Harlequin, 1999
ISBN: 9780373120529
Reissue - Harlequin Treasury, 2011
eISBN: 9781459252042









My rating

From the back cover:

"A father for her unborn baby...
Josie's husband, Conan Zarcourt, was tall, dark and handsome. Yet Josie could only look, not touch, because theirs was a marriage in name alone. Conan had stepped in as father to his brother's child—the baby Josie was carrying.
But when an accident left Josie with amnesia she naturally assumed that Conan was her husband, her lover and the father of her baby. And until she remembered the truth, Conan was more than happy to have Josie in his bed...."

Another Treasury book and another classic trope - marriage of convenience - and one that is done very well by Jacqueline Baird.

There is a lot of reality to this story, such as the heroine regretting her mistake of sleeping with her ex and the difficulties two people face learning to live with one another, and that makes this an enjoyable book to read.

The heroine is nicely independent as well as a but prickly - for the most part I liked her.

The star of the show here though is the hero... right for the first he fell hard for the heroine and spent the rest of their time trying to show her despite having so many obstacles. I love this kind of story and hero.

I could have done without the small amnesia part - or have had it introduced earlier in the story - as it was, it felt a little crowbarred in.

Overall this is a well written, classic story with a pretty much perfect hero!

Xx

Book Review... Brittle Bondage - Anne Mather

Brittle Bondage - Anne Mather
Mills & Boon Romance
Mills & Boon, 1994
ISBN: 9780263786149












My rating

From the back cover:

"'I want a divorce, Ben. I've met someone else and we want to get married.'
Rachel's marriage had ended in bitterness and recrimination. Ben had been unfaithful to her and had tried to lie his way out of trouble. Two years later the dust had begun to settle and their only point of contact was their small daughter, Daisy. 
And that was the way Rachel wanted it now that Simon had entered her life. It didn't occur to her that Ben might have other views on the matter."


I have read quite a few of Anne Mather’s books and found them all enjoyable. No difference for this book, I liked it… but I don’t think it quite lived up to its potential.

One thing I have noticed from this author is that her books often have a nice level of maturity in the story and older (than usual) characters. I like that about them.

This is a reunion story; the hero and heroine are separated after a rather bitter end to their marriage. I could tell straight away that the hero was still desperately in love with the heroine and couldn’t bear to let her go. I would really like to have had his POV included. The heroine came across as a bit of a shrew at times, I didn’t always warm to her.

This is a sweet and passionate reunion story with lots of emotion. However with the title ‘Brittle Bondage’ I thought it would be more brooding, more dark even. The story dragged in places and the heroine’s neediness just became frustrating.

Overall though, this is a nice, enjoyable book.

Xx

Book Review... Defying Drakon - Carole Mortimer

Defying Drakon - Carole Mortimer
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263890679












My rating

From the back cover:

"Can he turn defiance into desire?
Drakon Lyonedes has it all: power, wealth, sex appeal...and any woman he wants Until the beautiful Gemini Bartholomew steps into his life, that is...
Confronting him over his plan to turn her family home into a hotel, Gemini intrigues Drakon. The problem? "Long-term" just isn't in this infamously arrogant tycoon's vocabulary-and Gemini is a virgin who surely wants more than one night of sizzling, scorching passion...?
She's determined to defy him, but whose willpower will prove the strongest?"

This book sounded like it was going to be a classic Carole Mortimer book… While I can’t fault the writing and storytelling, which is flawless as always from this author, the story itself felt flat. It is a rather ‘tame’ book (and I’m not just talking about heat levels), to me it lacked that spark and intensity that makes the Modern/Presents line so appealing.

I couldn’t warm to the hero at all; he was constantly blowing hot and cold and was distrustful of the heroine to the point of it becoming quite frustrating to read.

The heroine is OK, she stood up for herself and had lots of independence. She, in fact, is what saved this book from being a bit of a disaster, in my opinon.

The story is a bit slow going and, at times, eye-rollingly clichéd (e.g. the hero took the heroine to see the opera, she got all dressed up and then they arrived at the airport to fly to the performance… Pretty Woman already did that!)

An OK read but a little disappointing. Not very original.


Xx

Book Review... Shades of Sin - Sara Wood

Shades of Sin - Sara Wood
Mills & Boon Romance
Mills & Boon, 1993
ISBN: 9780263781762












My rating

From the back cover:

"The rebel is back....
Ruan Gardini had been the local 'bad boy.' Four years ago, his zest for life and love of danger had made Natasha come alive for the first time...
Natasha Trelawyn had been unhappy and withdrawn - until she'd met Ruan. But they'd parted bitter enemies, and she'd started a new life without him...
Now Ruan was back - to claim his revenge. And Natasha hadn't bargained for the power that he, with his darkly smoldering charisma, still possessed! How long could she keep on resisting him when he seemed intent on making her pay in full the price of their shared past?"


This is one of those books that for the first thirty pages or so you have absolutely no idea what is going on yet it is difficult to put down.

The basic theme of this book is revenge, but the plot is much more complicated and intriguing than your usual revenge-style romance. This made for a very up-and-down read; the book manages to be both gripping and frustrating.

I like Sara Wood’s style, very ‘classic’ yet with plenty of passion and depth. The inclusion of the hero’s POV (strange in a book of this time) is a definite plus and helps the plot flow a little more smoothly.

The love story between the hero and heroine is very powerful, with lots of tenderness steming from the hero and heroine being childhood sweethearts, as well as some stormy emotions when they are reunited. I felt that there was so much going on in the story that the actually romance got lost amongst it and the book ended up feeling a little disjointed.

A good read, just not quite there.

Xx

Book Review... Contract with Consequences - Miranda Lee

Contract with Consequences - Miranda Lee
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263890969












My rating

From the back cover:

"He can give her everything she's ever wanted...

Last year Scarlet King was a blushing bride-to-be, but now she's alone and more than anything longs for a baby. This time she's determined to prove she doesn't need a man! 

Successful, spine-tinglingly gorgeous John Mitchell has desired Scarlet for years, so seizes the chance to claim her. But his proposal comes with a devilish price: if she wants a baby, they'll do it the old-fashioned way! John reminds Scarlet of the pleasures she's been missing, but when the affair is over will Scarlet gain her wish but lose her heart?"

I usually find Miranda Lee's books enjoyable, and this one is certainly that but it doesn't quite have the sparkle that her other books have.

The plot is relatively simple, and I'm all for non-bogged down romances, but this just came across as a little lacking,

The heroine feels a little immature, not at all like her 34 years. With her want to have a baby and her lack of success in relationships there was a chance to give the heroine a really emotional past and make the story a little more deep, but this was missed.

The hero was also a little disappointing, I could see what the author was trying to do with his 'emotional unavailability' as a result of his childhood, but it didn't quite work.

I really liked the shared history between the hero and heroine, especially that the hero had always harboured feelings for the heroine.

Overall this is a really sweet romance that is also full of sizzle. A nice read, not anything more.

Xx

Review... You Don't Know Jack - Erin McCarthy

You Don't Know Jack - Erin McCarthy
Brava
Kensington, 2008
ISBN: 9780758214102












My rating

From the back cover:

"Jamie Peters no longer believes in true love. True idiots, true scumbags, true moochers - these she believes in wholeheartedly, and she's got the checkered dating history to prove it. So, she's more than a little skeptical when her cross-dressing psychic tells her she's about to meet her soul mate - during an accident. Yeah, sounds about right. And then it happens. A knight in shining armour steps between her and a mugger on a subway platform. Just a regular, honest, upright Jack. The kind they don't make anymore...

Jonathon Davidson doesn't believe in destiny - or lying to beautiful women as a rule. But now that Jamie thinks he's just an ordinary guy, how can he possibly tell her that he's really, her roommate's brother, a millionaire to boot, and the jerk who's investigating her application to his grandfather's charitable trust because she may be involved in something illegal? Yeah, rhetorical question. He can't. Not until he knows what's going on. Besides, it would require being able to resist Jamie's luscious curves long enough to say, "Hi, my name is Big Liar. Let's get naked." Sometimes, destiny sucks..."

I have tried quite a few Single-Title romances from a bunch of popular authors but I have never really warmed to the style of them, so I started reading this on with a bit of trepidation. While I can't say that I love it, I did find it relatively enjoyable.

My favourite thing at this book is that the hero falls head over heels in love with the heroine and isn't afraid to say it.

The heroine is quirky and endearing but she constantly pushed the hero away for what seemed like ridiculous reasons and this became incredibly frustrating after a while.

The premise of the book (hero is investigating heroine, falls in love but doesn't say who he really is or what he's doing) had great potential for both conflict and fun, but I think everything was revealed too early, it let the idea down in my opinion. After that it seemed liked all the book was about was the heroine's issues (and she had a lot) and the hero being a bit too-good-to-be-true.

It's an OK read.

Xx

Book Review... Spirit Willing, Flesh Weak - Julie Cohen

Spirit Willing, Flesh Weak - Julie Cohen
Little Black Dress, 2006
Headline 
ISBN: 9780755334810












My rating

From the back cover:

"Rosie Fox is a liar. A really, really good liar. But when you’re a stage psychic who’s not actually psychic, you have to be. Then one night, while pretending to commune with the dead relatives and pets of her audience, Rosie makes a startling prediction – which tragically comes true. Suddenly she’s trapped in a media frenzy, spearheaded by the impossibly handsome journalist Harry Blake, a man intent on kick-starting his stalled career by exposing Rosie as a fraud. Yet when his interest in her goes from professional to personal, she thinks she can trust him not to blow her cover – but maybe she’s making a huge mistake."


I wasn't entirley sure I was going to enjoye this one. The blub hints at a bit of paranormal in the story, which is just not my thing. But I picked it up, mainly as it's by Julie Cohen!

At times I had to grit my teeth and get through the unexplained moments, such as the prediction, but I kept with the book and ended up enjoying it.

In my opinion it is not one of Julie Cohen's best, but it is well thought out, interesting, and superbly written. The heroines past is weaved in to the story perfectly, I really felt that I 'knew' her and understood exactly how (and why) she got to where she is.

The relationship between the hero and heroine builds nicely and the hero's betrayal was perfectly timed.

The scenes of the heroine on stage doing her psychic readings are really gripping; very evocative, thought provoking, and ever so slightly tongue-in-cheek. There is lots of depth here, you can tell the author has done very thorough research.

So yes, an enjoyable book despite my misgivings!

Xx

Book Review... Secrets of Castillo Del Arco - Trish Morey

Secrets of Castillo del Arco - Trish Morey
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263890303











My rating

From the back cover:

"Fairytale palace or gilded cage? 
Reclusive billionaire Raoul del Arco’s deathbed promise to a friend haunts him. He swore to marry Gabriella D’Arenburg . . . but knows that taking her as his wife will only destroy her innocence. 
Gaby has no idea that Raoul has sworn such an oath. And when he storms back into her life he has a dark, dangerous edge she finds disturbingly alluring. 
Now, trapped in Raoul’s gothic castillo, Gaby is paying the price of his promise. The key to her lavish prison? Succumbing to her new husband’s touch . . . "


I like a good tortured hero story, and I was hoping for good things from this book.

While the story is played out well, keeping you interested with all the twists and turns and hints about what might be under the surface, I feel this book never really reached it full potential.

There are a lot of elements that are confusing and frustrating. I couldn't understand the hero, especially his whole I-can-never-love-again-because-I-married-a-cheating-bitch thing. Okay, I can understand how he wouldn't find it easy to trust women after that, but at times he treated the heroine appallingly and all because of his past marriage. Came across as a little shallow.

Interestingly enough, there seemed to be a lot more POV from the hero but so much of it was internal monologues and deep-POV, it was so self involved and not in a good way. A lot of the little things got missed out (I'm a stickler for details!), by the end of the book I still didn't know what the hero actually did., as in job-wise!

The bare-bones of the story is the hero lying, constantly, to the heroine to fulfil his purpose and that doesn't sit well with me. It makes the heroine come across as stupid (in my opinion) when she is far from it.

Overall, this isn't a bad book. It is well written and certainly draws you in, but the premise didn't quite work...

Xx

Book Review... Take a Chance on Me - Jill Mansell

Take A Chance On Me - Jill Mansell
Headline Review, 2010
ISBN: 9780755328208













My rating

From the back cover:

"Cleo Quinn doesn't have a great track record when it comes to men, but now Will's come along she's optimistic. Handsome, attentive and an absolute gentleman when it comes to her questionable cooking skills, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo... apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her childhood adversary, is back in Channing's Hill and tormenting Cleo as if he'd never been away. 
But life never goes to plan, does it? Johnny isn't the only one stirring up trouble and, for Cleo's family and friends, all kinds of sparks are starting to fly. If you think you can put the past behind you, think again..."


I read a lot of Jill Mansell's books in my early twenties and always found them warm, engaging, and fun reads. This book was no exception.

I had a hard time getting to grips with the heroine's story. Although I don't mind books where there is more than one character's story involved, I felt in this case there is too much of the book devoted to a few too many character's stories.

All the character's lives/stories are intertwined but I feel that it would have been nicer if the focus had just been on Cleo and Abbie's stories - Abbie's story is wonderful, and beautifully written.

In my opinion there was a little too much jumping around, however the storytelling is flawless. This is a book that instantly grabs you and sucks you in, and it is very enjoyable.

There is lots of fun and quirkiness that makes this style of British 'Chick-Lit' magical, and, above all, the story and the characters are believable.

A good, solid read that will while away a few hours. Not a keeper for me though.

Xx

Book Review... Lizzy Harrison Loses Control - Pippa Wright

Lizzy Harrison Loses Control - Pippa Wright
Pan Publishing, 2011
ISBN: 9780330521710












My rating

From the back cover:

"'Have you ever noticed that the modern romantic heroine can be, not to put too fine a point on it, a bit useless?' 
Lizzy Harrison has everything under control Lizzy Harrison isn't a romantic heroine. Not even close. She doesn't have a cat, owns no more shoes than the average person, and is in no way hopelessly scatty and disorganised. In fact her life is in perfect order, and that's just how she likes it. Okay, so she hasn't met the right man yet, but she really doesn't have the time what with her busy job in PR and her packed schedule of improving activities. Her diary is planned months in advance and she's determined that nothing spontaneous will force its way into her life...hasn't she? But when her best friend Lulu questions her need for control, Lizzy starts to wonder if she needs to let go a little. So when she's thrown into the arms of her boss' number one client, notorious comedian (and love-rat) Randy Jones, she reluctantly relaxes her hold on routine. Lizzy Harrison is about to find out that losing control could win her more than she had ever imagined. "

This book was one of those recommendations you get on Amazon after buying something. I was a little sceptical, but it didn't take long before I was hooked in.

The subject is interesting, fun, and quite honest. I felt for the heroine, at first, being pushed into becoming the pretend girlfriend for a disastrous celebrity client for a PR stunt, something she really didn't want to do. But then she went and ruined all my respect by actually getting involved with him, although I suppose that was the whole point and, probably, quite true to life.

But what pissed me off most was that even though the character admitted to her weakness about becoming involved with him, the author then had to make her turn into a blind fool and have her ignore everything she, as a supposedly intelligent women, already knew about this guy. Very frustrating as I kept thinking why bother spending all that time making out that she was smart, aware, the 'anti-chick-lit-heroine' and then go and turn her into a heroine that is 100 times worse than the 'chick-lit-heroine' she had mocked previously.

I'm not entirely sure what the author was trying to do with the Russell Brand/cross-dressing Eddie Izzard style character of Randy-the celebrity- although it was certainly intriguing and different. But the fact that he was a heroin (and other drug) addict, and slept with many other women during the time he was involved with the heroine, was very distasteful especially that there was no mention by the author about the heroine's health - you don't have to be too obvious but a little mention of safe sex here would have been a good thing.

Overall though, this is an enjoyable read, it certainly kept me reading despite my moans!

Xx

Book Review... The Dark Side of Desire - Julia James

The Dark Side of Desire - Julia James
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263890778










My rating

From the back cover:

"Offered by her father… 
English rose Flavia Lassiter has never been comfortable in her father’s glitzy world. Summoned to yet another of his ostentatiously lavish parties, she has one order: to be ‘nice’ to a wealthy investor. Her body may be on offer, but she shields her heart behind an icy shell. 
Taken by the billionaire! 
Leon Maranz emanates a dark power that sends shivers through her body – threatening to shatter her frosty façade. To let the self-made billionaire bed her would be to do her unscrupulous father’s bidding. But to turn Leon down would be to deny her body’s deepest desires…"


The blurb of this book makes it sound remarkably similar to James's book 'Purchased for Revenge'. And while it is a little similar in terms of style, the story is different.

I'll be honest and say that at times I found this frustrating to read. The angst in this story is through the roof, and there is so much inner monologuing. It got really annoying after a while. The word here is Drama!

What I did like about this book though is the simplicity of the love that grows between the hero and heroine. The hero in this book is brilliant - he falls for the heroine hard and isn't afraid to say so. Makes a nice change from the usual badly behaved/revenge focused Julia James's hero.

Has a few problems, but this is an absorbing read. Don't be put off by the blurb!

Xx

Book Review... Lori Foster's Buckhorn Brothers

Buckhorn Beginnings - Lori Foster
HQN Books
Harlequin, 2011
ISBN: 9780373776122












My rating

From the back cover:

"Sawyer 
The only doctor in Buckhorn County, Kentucky, Sawyer Hudson knows a thing or two about saving lives. But when he rescues the beautiful Honey Malone from a car wreck and nurses her to health at his home, he finds himself dreading the day she's well enough to leave. Because now that he's met the woman of his dreams, he's not about to let her go…. 
Morgan 
Buckhorn's big, bad sheriff, Morgan Hudson, wants a wife—one who's even-tempered, undemanding and content with small-town life. So why can't he stop thinking about brazen Misty Malone? The dark-haired city girl is downright aggravating—not to mention she's found herself on the wrong side of the law. But though she may not be perfect, Morgan is hell-bent on convincing her they'd be perfect together!"


I read the Buckhorn brother's books years ago when they were first released. In fact they were some of the first ever romance novels I read and I still remember their bright red covers - they were released under the UK 'Sensual Romance' category.

When I saw that they had been re-released I thought I would give them a go...

But I don't remember them being so damn wholesome.

I'm not talking heat level here, 'cause the books are actually quite steamy, but in the 'could these men be any more chivalrous' way!

Putting that to one side, these two stories are sweet, funny, steamy, and above all charming. Morgan's story is the better of the two, in my opinion.

My only complaint about these stories is that the author has created two fantastically feisty heroines but it is ruined by the fact that she has also made them total damsels in distress.

A good read, and certainly nice to revisit these books I read as a teenager!

***

Forever Buckhorn - Lori Foster
HQN Books
Harlequin, 2012
ISBN: 9780373776474












My rating

From the back cover:

"Gabe 
Gabe Kasper, the heartthrob of Buckhorn County, Kentucky, can have any woman he wants. But it's prickly, uptight Elizabeth Parks who gets under his skin. She thinks Gabe's some kind of hero and wants an interview for her thesis. He doesn't consider pulling a couple of kids out of the lake heroic, but he'll answer her questions in exchange for kisses…and more. 
Jordan 
Jordan Somerville thinks he wants a woman who's a paragon of virtue. But then the gentle veterinarian—rescuer of strays—meets Georgia Barnes, single mother and exotic dancer. She's a far cry from Jordan's dream woman—and she's made it clear that he's hardly her dream man, either. So why is he suddenly tempted to break all his own rules? "

I mentioned above that I read this mini-series when they were first released, however I had never read Jordan's story. So I was looking forward to reading it finally.

Once again these are two very steamy stories, but just a little too 'good' for me. These brothers are seriously too good to be true, I need more flaws! Perhaps I am too used to reading Presents that my taste in heroes tender to err on the side of brooding-angry-alpha goodness.

There is something that has bugged me about all four of these stories and that is the fact that hero in each story doesn't realise/work out that he loves the heroine until one of his brothers tells him that he [the hero] loves her. This was almost exactly the same in each story.

But regardless of my negatives I have to be honest and say that I really like these books. There is something very endearing about them, and of course it helps that they are really well written.


Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #358

The Soldier's Secret Daughter - Cindy Dees
Mills & Boon Intrigue
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263895124











My rating

From the back cover:

"'I hated you, but I still wanted you.'
Dashing spy Jagger lived in a world of danger. Not even a sweet brown-eyed siren could be trusted, especially when he had to bring down her employer. Somehow Emily broke through his defences – and set him up for two years of captivity. Or so he thought. 
Emily hadn’t expected a cryptic message to lead her to rescue the man who’d disappeared after their night of passion. Nor had she known that he’d been held prisoner and believed she was responsible. Despite the suspicion, they must work together to stop the threat against them…and protect their precious daughter."


I bought this recently from the M&B website, I hate the cover and title!

The hero Jagger is sent to try and infiltrate a shipping company suspected of being a front for an international terrorist organisation. He spots the heroine Emily about to enter the building, knowing that she is an employee Jagger charms her into thinking he also works there and that he is interested in her. Emily falls hook, line, and sinker and with no idea that he is simply using her she gives in to temptation and spends the night with him. But she wakes up alone, feeling every bit a used as she was, only Jagger didn't walk out on her, he was abducted. Two years later Emily receives a strange email leading her to discovering Jagger in captivity in a shipping container. She helps him escape but Jagger refuses to trust her, thinking that she is in cahoots with those responsible for kidnapping him. He realises her innocence when they are forced to go into hiding and she nurses him through a serious injury. Emily reveals to him that their one night together resulted in a baby girl and Jagger is desperate to meet her, feeling like with Emily and their daughter around he finally has something to live for. But he is also determined to bring down the terrorists and Emily can't stand the thought of losing Jagger when she has only just found him again.

OK, what to say about this book... Well, it's exciting that's for sure. But it is way too over complicated, especially crammed into a 50-60k word book. I really liked all the action and tension in the book, and love that the author has tried something very different, but there is something that doesn't quite work and I'm not even sure what that is. The secret baby plot is unnecessary, it's almost forced in and isn't even mentioned until over half-way in. There is enough story without it.
The terrorist's are German - you're thinking Die Hard, right?! I know I am. The Iron Curtain fell a long time ago, I don't want to be reading lines such as "you Stasi SOB". Move on...

Anyway, good suspense, action, and passion. Not so good details.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #356

The Wedding Gift - Sandra Steffen
Mills & Boon Cherish
Harlequin Mills & Boon, 2011
ISBN: 9780263888799

My rating

From the back cover:

"A second-chance love...
A small miracle kept nurse Madeline from completely unravelling. When a tragic accident claimed her fiance, at least his heart could be used to save another life. Seeking closure, she went in search of the man who had received this gift. What she found - exasperating, irresistible architect Riley - opened a whole new world to her.
Not since the transplant had Riley felt as alive as when Madeline waltzed into town. Soon she had the bachelor wrapped around her finger. Had Riley been given his very special second chance to wed this once-in-a-lifetime woman?"


I have had this book on my Kindle for ages and honestly I forgot I even had it!

The heroine Madeline has tracked down the hero Riley, wanting to see if he is doing well. Riley is the man who received her late fiancé's heart donation after a tragic accident, something that Madeline has never quite gotten over. Although she had only planned to see from a distance that he OK, she ends up needing to meet him. Riley thinks that Madeline, as a nurse, was hired by his worried mother to check up on him, he ignores all of Madeline's denials and tells her leave. However, when they meet again Riley feels a strange connection to her and begins to think that a relationship, albeit a casual and temporary one, with her may be just what he needs to get him out of his recent funk. Madeline also finds herself drawn to Riley, and spending time with him makes her feel happy for the first time in a long time. But Riley still doesn't know the real reason she is there, and Madeline doesn't know how to tell him the truth.

This is a very sweet, simple, and easy to read romance. The relationship between the hero and heroine built gradually and felt very real. The characters were able to deal with their issues as their relationship progressed, and this is satisfying to read. I could see the conflict coming a mile off, and it played out a little too predictable for me. The flowery 'magical' elements included by the author are, in my opinion, frustrating as they make the book feel a little silly. And, the ending is very poor - it is way too cheesy as well as rushed.

But, this is a sweet and enjoyable story.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #351

A Vow of Obligation - Lynne Graham
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263890662












My rating

From the back cover:

"From making his bed...
On a mission to steal Navarre Cazier's laptop to save a fellow chambermaid's reputation, Tawny Blake is caught red-handed! Blushing brighter than her flame-coloured hair, she's sure she'll be fired. Then Cazier presents her with a shocking proposition...
To lying in it!
The infamous billionaire needs to stop the prying media digging into his scandalous past, and Tawny is the perfect diversion. The seduction of society beauties has always come effortlessly to Navarre, yet getting feisty Tawny to wear his ring, even if just in public, could be his greatest challenge yet!"


Lynne Graham is one of the authors I have read the most of in this challenge, and certainly one of my all time favourite M&B authors. So even though her last book was not for me, I will always read her new releases!

The heroine Tawny rather foolishly believes her friend's tales that one of the guests of the hotel she works at has indecent pictures of her, and convinces Tawny to try and steal it so she can delete them. But Tawny is caught by Navarre, the hero, and then discovers that what her friend told her was a lie. Although she tries to protect her innocence she knows that Navarre doesn't believe her. Navarre is not sure what to think of Tawny, but he knows he can't risk letting her out of his sight while she potentially knows damaging information about him. Seeing the chance to solve a current problem, he agrees not to report her if she will act as his fiancée for a while to deflect unwanted attention from his personal life. Tawny reluctantly agrees, but their mutual desire for one another soon turns into blazing desire that neither of them want to deny. However things end badly when Tawny's heart is broken by Navarre's lack of trust in her despite what happened between them. And, her later discovery that she is pregnant only makes things worse.

This is a difficult review to write as I found the book a little up and down. It starts off very poorly, I was frowning in frustration to be honest, but it picked up and started to be really enjoyable with a nice witty feel, only then it plummeted down again with the [unnecessary] unexpected pregnancy plot. It ended quite good though!
The heroine is nicely portrayed, with some fun little quirks and a believable personality - she is definitely the best thing about this book. The hero is frustratingly domineering, but it does work within the story.
The opening scene in this book is what almost put me off  - we are led to believe something that isn't very appealing, when it turns out not to be the case I breathed a sigh of relief, but the actual truth makes the opening scene, on reflection, even more distasteful. I know I am being very evasive, but I don't like giving too many spoilers away.

Overall, this isn't a bad book at all and very enjoyable at times!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #350

The Sheriff and the Baby - C.C. Coburn
Harlequin American Romance
Harlequin, 2010
ISBN: 9780373753130












My rating

From the back cover:

"When Sheriff Matt O'Malley rescues a pregnant woman after a car accident and helps deliver her baby, he quickly begins to feel protective of her - of "both" of them. Matt is increasingly drawn to Beth Ford and her daughter, Sarah - although he's noticed that Beth isn't your average new mom. 
For one thing, she's obviously hiding something. Like her real name... 
Beth's falling for Matt, too, and she loves the large, boisterous O'Malley clan. She can't let herself trust him, though. The last time she trusted a cop she almost ended up dead - and now she's on the run. But Spruce Lake, Colorado, is starting to feel like home to Beth...and the O'Malleys are definitely starting to feel like family."


After the last book I read was an all-guns-blazing Presents, I thought I would calm down with a more gentle American Romance one! 15 books to go...

The hero Matt comes to the rescue of the heroine Beth when she crashes her car during heavy snowfall. When he realises she is in labour he quickly gets her to the hospital and ends up supporting her through the birth of her daughter. This is bitter-sweet for Matt as it brings back painful memories of his wife and unborn child's death, but he also feels an almost unbelievable connection to Beth and her little girl. Beth is thankful for Matt's help but wary when she finds out he is the Sheriff of the small town she has been hiding out in. When he starts asking questions she is forced to lie and what is worse is that he knows it. When Beth falls ill and Matt once again comes to her aid they end up spending time together getting to know one another and caring for Beth's baby as though they were a family. When their feelings for one another deepen, Beth knows she will have to come clean about everything, but that still will not take away the threat against her and her baby.

This is a good story, if you look past some of the gaping plot holes, and the actual romance part is very pleasing. The suspense-style part of the story doesn't quite work in my opinion. Up until this point the pace of the book is very gentle and almost soothing, then the 'action' is suddenly thrust upon you - it feels very clunky and out of place. I think there was enough story there without needing the action/suspense scenes.
I did enjoy reading how the hero and heroine slowly grew to love one another, and especially liked how the hero gradually let go of his pain.
I don't like the structure of this book; the POV changes a lot using scene breaks (mid-scene), sometimes it changes after only a few lines, and this made it feel very fractured , difficult to read, and spoilt the flow of the story. Plus the inclusion of POV from a few secondary characters takes focus away from the central relationship and doesn't, in my opinion, add anything to the story.

However, the romance and relationship between the hero and heroine is really lovely.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #348

A Touch of Persuasion - Janice Maynard
Harlequin Desire
Harlequin, 2012
ISBN: 9780373731596











My rating

From the back cover:

"Six years ago, Olivia Delgado was abandoned by the man she loved - a man who had never existed. Billionaire adventurer Kieran Wolff had used an alias, made love to her, then disappeared. Now he's returned, insisting on not only meeting her daughter - his daughter - but on seducing Olivia back into his bed!  
Passion still simmers between them, threatening her good sense. Can he be trusted this time, or is Kieran still a Wolff in sheep's clothing?"


I bought this recently from the Harlequin ebook store.

The hero Kieran turns up on the heroine Olivia's doorstep after discovering, quite by accident, that he has a daughter. He is furious with Olivia for keeping this from him, but Olivia refuses to back down to his anger and demands. Olivia had been devastated when Kieran had up and disappeared on her six years ago, and her later discovery that he had given her a false name and not told the truth about himself made her decide to go it alone with her pregnancy. Kieran wants to get to know his daughter, as well as the chance to have Olivia - the woman he has never forgotten - back in his arms again. Olivia reluctantly agrees to a weekend with Kieran and his family, but knows that Kieran's wanderlust lifestyle will only end up hurting her daughter. She also knows that however much desire there still is between them, she can't let Kieran in her heart again.

I quite enjoyed this book, there is a nice casual flow to the writing and the story itself is interesting. But, boy, did the hero get on my nerves... he was the one in the wrong. He gave a false name then skedaddled, the heroine had every right not to tell him, in my opinion. His constant demands for visitation/custody but also unwillingness to change his lifestyle are incredibly frustrating - these are huge plot holes and very easily avoided, it was very frustrating to read this kind of thing, it let's down the rest of the story.

But, there is plenty of passion and tension, plus a believable love-story. A good book.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #344

Rancher's Perfect Baby Rescue - Linda Conrad
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
Harlequin, 2012
ISBN: 9780373277629











My rating

From the back cover:

"Susannah Paul had been grateful to the Devotees for helping her when she was pregnant and alone. But when her baby was born with a minor defect, she discovered the horrible truth about Cold Plains. And she ran. Desperate and exhausted, she found refuge at the Pierce ranch…and a savior in surly Nathan Pierce. 
Nathan had plenty of reasons to distrust the Devotees…and Susannah had been one of them. But as the delicate beauty insinuated herself into his life and his heart, Nathan realized she was different. And very much in danger. Soon nothing mattered more than protecting Susannah and her child from the evil closing in around them."


I'm getting very near to the end of my challenge now!

The heroine Susannah finds shelter in a barn, exhausted after spending all of the day on the run with her two week old baby. She is found by the hero Nathan, whose family owns the ranch she stumbled into, and she reveals to him that she has run away from the town of Cold Plains that has been taken over by a cult called the Devotees, after fearing for her baby's welfare as she was born with a large birthmark. Although initially wary of any that has been involved with the Devotees, Nathan takes Susannah and baby Melody in until they can regain their strength. Nathan has also heard the rumours about the Devotees not allowing anyone not 'perfect' and after his ex-wife got involved with them then ended up murdered he knows Susannah is in danger. He keeps them safe as much as he can as well as trying to help 'deprogram' Susannah from the cult's way of thinking, and he slowly begins to fall for the lost but beautiful woman she is. Susannah has never felt like she belongs as much as she does with Nathan, but she knows that the Devotees are looking for her and the only way to keep her and Melody safe is to leave.

This is the second book in the 'Perfect, Wyoming' mini series, and follows on nicely from the first book (Special Agent's Perfect Cover). But it did feel slightly flat and the suspense part didn't really move forward. The heroine, at times, is frustratingly weak, yes she had had a bad life and had a lot of people walk over her, but she needed a backbone, stat! The issue raised about her having to prostitute herself in the past was not dealt with at all - she said it, then it was forgotten about - I couldn't understand this at all, it's too much of a big thing to just throw in. The hero saves this book, he was just wonderful!

Overall, not a bad book but I was left asking a lot of questions.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #343

Back in the Lion's Den - Elizabeth Power
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263890426











My rating

From the back cover:

"Imprisoned with the past…
Conan Ryder storms into gym instructor Sienna’s life, interrupting her workout and raising her heart-rate through the roof! He demands his little niece comes with him to visit his sick mother, but Sienna won’t release her child into the hands of her estranged in-laws alone. 
With trepidation she re-enters the lion’s den…
The luxurious home in the South of France is a gilded prison under Conan’s accusing gaze. Blaming Sienna for his late brother’s demise, he plans his revenge… But when his dark game of seduction is turned on its head – who’s using who?"


Is it me or does the woman on this cover have seemingly giant boobs...!

The hero Conan goes to visit the heroine Sienna with a request that she allows her daughter to visit his mother. Sienna and her daughter Daisy have not seen Conan and his mother since just after the death of her husband (Conan's brother), they had never approved of her and she was glad to get away from them. However, she agrees to take Daisy to see her grandmother but once there she tries to avoid both Conan and his mother allowing Daisy time to get to know them as well as taking herself out of the firing line. Conan is surprised by the changes in Sienna, and soon realises that he doesn't like her spending time alone and he can't seem to stay away. They both feel the desire between them and it is not long before they are acting on it. But with so much distrust from the past between them Sienna knows that she is likely to end up heartbroken again.

I was expecting a lot more from this book. I always find Elizabeth Power's books full of emotion, but there was something missing in this one. The plot is interesting and the writing is flawless - these are good things! But, I found it difficult to relate to each character, they seemed a little contradictory. E.g. The hero threatens on more than one occasion that he will consider suing for custody, then later he tells her he can't have a relationship with her, or any other woman with a child, as he won't raise another man's child... Doesn't make sense right?! Also, the heroine is one minute insisting on how much she loved her late husband and then the next she's revealing that he was a wife beater... Very confusing and a little frustrating to read. These are easy mistakes to correct, so very annoying from the readers persepective.

But, there is lots of tension and chemistry throughout the book, and it flows well. Enjoyable, but not great.

Xx