Review... Awaken to Pleasure - Nalini Singh

Awaken to Pleasure - Nalini Singh

Mills & Boon Desire

(ebook reissue)

My rating 

This book started off good but quick became contrived and cliché-ridden. Elements of this book had the potential to be incredibly emotional and add really depth to the story, but instead the author just skims the surface and the issues raised just seemed to resolve rather too easily.

Nice descriptive writing, although taken (in my opinion) a little too far with the physical description of the hero. He ended up sounding like some hulking-great, thick-necked, pulsing-veins WWE wrestler - not the toned sort-of sexy kind either!

Found myself rolling my eyes throughout a lot of the book too. Shame, as this could have been so much more.

Xx

Book Review... Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss - Maya Banks

Tempted by Her Innocent Kiss - Maya Banks
Harlequin Desire
Harlequin, 2011
ISBN: 9780373731565









My rating

From the back cover:

"Devon Carter was her first; now newly wed Ashley wants their passion to last. But her dreams of true love are crushed by the discovery that their marriage is another of Daddy's business deals. Her strategy: act the part of perfect wife and make Devon love her.
But Devon misses the bubbly, no-holds-barred woman his wife used to be. Who is this Ashley with the steely demeanor of a society wife? And will he find a way to rekindle the fire in her eyes…especially now that she's pregnant?"


I was looking forward to reading this book, I really enjoyed the first two books in Maya Bank's Pregnancy & Passion Mini Series (Enticed by His Forgotten Lover & Wanted by Her Lost Love).

I have to be honest and say that I didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous two, but this is still very much an enjoyable book.

I particularly liked that the author didn't shy away from making the hero behave badly, and he knew it as well. The heroine is fun, flighty, and spirited, she is definitely different to a lot of romance heroines.

There is plenty of passion that sizzles on the pages and suits the hero and heroines relationship perfectly.

It was interesting to read how the heroine tried to change herself, to become more like what she thought the hero wanted, only to begin to lose what it was that made her likeable. I think this is quite honest, and true of some difficult relationships.

Overall, very enjoyable.

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 #347

Wanted by Her Lost Love - Maya Banks
Harlequin Desire
Harlequin, 2011
ISBN: 9780373731329












My rating

From the back cover:

"Despite his fiancée’s chilling betrayal, developer Ryan Beardsley provided for Kelly Christian when he sent her packing. So he’s livid to find her working in a dingy Houston diner, desperate and pregnant. 
Regardless of whether the baby is his - or his brother’s - Ryan demands that Kelly return to New York with him. Now. For the baby’s sake. Or maybe because the woman’s as irresistible as ever."


This is the second book in Maya Bank's 'Pregnancy and Passion' mini series. I loved the first book (review) so I was looking forward to this one...

The hero Ryan finds the heroine Kelly working at a run down diner, after searching for her for a while, and is  surprised to see she is heavily pregnant. His initial anger towards her is replaced with concern when he sees that she is obviously not well. Kelly doesn't know what to think about Ryan turning up and pretending to be concerned about her, she has never forgotten her hurt and heartbreak when he refused to believe her against his brother's lies. But she knows that she has reached the end of her rope and needs to stay healthy for her baby so she takes the help Ryan offers her. Ryan doesn't want to forgive Kelly for her supposed betrayal. but he can't deny that he needs her as much as she needs his help. He takes her away, in order to help her relax and regain her strength, and they both promise to try and put the past between them. But Ryan's lack of faith in her slowly eats away at Kelly and she soon realises that as much as she loves him she simply can't live the rest of her life knowing that he thinks the worst of her.

I can't say how much I enjoyed this book, it was firing on all cylinders right from the start. The book follows on nicely from the first book in this mini-series (Enticed by His Forgotten Lover) but it stands along fine. What I liked about this is that it had an altogether different mood from the first book. There is a lot of angst and genuinely tear-jerking moments in this book, as well as plenty of passion and a believable love between the hero and heroine. The heroine really is the star of the show here; she goes through so much - her health problems (which, by the way, are very nicely handled by the author) and her heartbreak - yet she is able to grow as the story progresses and eventually realise that she deserves more than the way she has been treated. Simply fabulous!
My only teeny moan about this book is that I feel everything was tied up and forgiven a little too neatly.

A beautifully written story, very compelling, and almost Presents worthy in it's emotion and angst levels! I loved it.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #340

Baby & the Beast - Laura Wright
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 2002
ISBN: 9780373764822
Reissue - Mills & Boon Desire, 2011
eISBN: 9781408942505










My rating

From the back cover:

"Caught in a raging snowstorm, imminent mother-to-be Isabella Spencer had never imagined that Michael Wulf, the sensual hero of her teenage fantasies, would come to her rescue. Now Isabella was ensconced in his high-tech mansion, secretly craving the touch of this reclusive millionaire who'd long ago closed off his heart.
Opening his home to his childhood friend - now an alluring woman - was dangerous enough. And when Bella gave birth to an adorable baby girl, Michael found himself yearning to play the part of father...and Bella's passionate husband! 
Was it possible for this lone wolf to shed his solitary ways and open himself up to love?"


I bought this recently from the Mills & Boon website - there is a bunch of backlist books from most lines reissued in ebook form on there! (Also available, as far as I could determine, on Amazon and other UK ebook stores).

The heroine Isabella is travelling back to her home town hoping to make a new life for herself and her baby when her car breaks down in a snowstorm. She is rescued by the hero Michael, whom takes her to his home to recover. Michael has never forgotten the love and shelter Isabella and her father gave him as a teenager when they took him in after he had run away from the children's home he had been living in. Looking after Bella is a way for him to finally repay the debt he believes he owes them, but he wasn't expecting to be snowed in with her, or that he would have to deliver her baby when Bella goes into labour. And he definitely wasn't expecting to find the grown up Bella so alluring. Bella has always been a little bit in love with Michael, and she is really proud that he has made such a success out of himself, but she fears that he hides himself away too much, afraid to open his heart after the trauma of his childhood. She wants him to open up to her, but Michael can't and fears that he is growing too attached to Bella and her little girl, wishing that they belonged to him, so his only way of dealing is to push her away.

This is a very quick and easy read, but enjoyable all the same. There is a lot of emoiton written into the story, from both the hero and heroine's individual backgrounds, and their developing relationship. The book has a nice flow and the love between the characters built slowing, and that made it feel very real. The hero is a wonderful character, so well developed he is open and warm yet also complex, he definitely deserves his happy ending. My only complaint is that the 'black moment' came from Michael overhearing a couple of bitchy women gossiping about him - for me, it felt a little too trivial to make an impact.
This book is a much gentler style of Desire than some of the more recent ones, and I actually prefer this type (the older ones).

A very pleasing book, well written with a genuine-feeling love story.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #332

Enticed by His Forgotten Lover - Maya Banks
Harlequin Desire 
Harlequin, 2011
ISBN: 9780373731206

N.B. This is a North American release.









My rating

From the back cover:

"'Have we met?' 
Answer: a right hook Because Bryony Morgan pulls no punches. Even when she's very pregnant and facing down the father of her unborn child. She fell for wealthy hotelier Rafael de Luca when he courted her for her beachfront real estate. Then he disappeared. Now, she's in New York for answers--and she won't accept a brush-off. 
But selective amnesia after a crash has Rafael puzzled. How could he ever forget a combustible beauty like Bryony? Solution: return to the island where they met, and relive the unforgettable nights in question--until he remembers everything..."


I bought this book recently, I have read some of Maya Banks's non category books and while the more racier ones are not really my cup of tea I do like her style, and I like the Desire line, so...

The hero Rafe is trying to go about his life business as usual without any of his business associates realising that his recent plane crash has left him with amnesia for the preceding months. During a business gathering he is approached by the heroine Bryony, and left stunned when her response to his query whether he knows her or not is a punch to the face. Bryony is upset to learn about Rafe's condition, especially that the time he has lost is the time he spent with her. Rafe doesn't know what to think of Bryony's assertions that they had fallen in love with one another, but he wants to believe her. In hope of regaining his memory, Rafe asks Bryony to take him back to her home, the place they had supposedly fallen in love. Although nothing seems to trigger his memory, Rafe begins to realise that Bryony is very special and he wants to have a future with her and their child regardless of what went on before. But he also can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen.

I was surprised by how much I liked this story. The amnesia trope is something I wanted to roll my eyes at, but I have to say that this is done very well. I couldn't get enough of the really fun writing style that Maya Bank's has, it has a nice casual style and the dialogue, especially the heroine's, made me smile. This reminded me a little of the older Desire books that are much more down to earth than some of the more recent Desire's have been.
The pace and flow of the story is perfect, and the conflict is weaved in very subtly, as I was reading I felt that something wash going to come crashing down at any minute, and that made it very compelling reading.
The reasons behind the characters actions are well explained, with plenty of drama (in a good way).

This book manages to be both intense and heart warming, I really liked it! I look forward to reading the other books in this mini-series.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #298

Cowboy Pride - Anne McAllister
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 1996
ISBN: 9780373760343
Reissue - Harlequin Treasury, 2011
eISBN: 9781459279094









My rating

From the back cover:

"'BRENNA NEEDSA A HUSBAND,'
Jed McCall's nephew Tuck told him. Pregnant and alone, Brenna Jamison was back—trying single-handedly to run her father's ranch. 
'WE NEED A WIFE,' 
Tuck said. If footloose cowboy Jed McCall didn't do something drastic, he would lose custody of the boy. But marriage? 
'WHY NOT?' asked Tuck. There were reasons that only Jed knew. And marrying Brenna—becoming a father to her child—would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire."


This is another book from the Harlequin Treasury line, and one that came highly recommended.

The heroine Brenna has returned to her family home newly widowed and pregnant. She desperately misses her late husband, whom was he best friend although she never loved him - she has always been in love with her teenage sweetheart Jed, the hero. Jed has also never had anyone else touch his heart and has never forgotten Brenna. But even though she is back he doesn't want to see her, that will remind him of his shame over his betrayal and reasons he ended their relationship ten years ago. However when he discovers she is pregnant, and after he gets over his all consuming jealousy, he can't seem to stay away. Jed is also having problems, he has pressure from social services around his custody of his nephew and needs to show a more settled existence. His nephew suggests that Jed marry Brenna and Jed asks her, surprising himself. Even more surprising, Brenna agrees. Now they both have what they wanted all those years ago - to be together -  but Jed refuses to open up or allow anything remotely intimate to happen between them.

This is an incredibly emotional and touching story. The writing is pretty much flawless, it's so evocative and descriptive. The plot is also very brave of the author, but beautifully done. The hero and heroine are wonderful characters, both their past and presents are full of tension and pain, yet they so belonged together. I really couldn't see how these two would get their HEA. The hero's secret is shocking, but well thought out. I particularly liked that his secret was linked to a, er, 'problem' that makes his reasons a little more understandable (I asked my husband for his opinion on it!).

I have read a lot of Anne McAllister's Modern/Presents and I'm not crazy about them, from this books example I much prefer her style in these Desire's.
I loved this book, thoroughly recommended.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #293

Secret Son, Convenient Wife - Maxine Sullivan
Mills & Boon Desire 2-in-1
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263890853











My rating

From the back cover:

"Tate Chandler had never wanted a woman as much as he'd wanted Gemma Watkins—until the day she'd betrayed him. Yet when he learned they had a son, he demanded Gemma marry him, or he'd fight for custody. Tate was a man of honor—he'd create a family for his heir, even if it meant marrying a woman he couldn't trust. 
Their marriage was about duty, nothing more. But Gemma's beauty tempted him to make her his wife in every way. Could he lure her back into his bed without letting her back into his heart?"


This is my first Maxine Sullivan book, I was looking forward to reading this. I am always interested in new-to-me authors!

When the hero Tate sees the heroine Gemma in a ward of the hospital wing that has just been dedicated to his affluent family, he is immediately reminded of her betrayal. Gemma tries to hide her reason for being in the hospital, but Tate soon finds out about her son - his son. Tate can't believe that on top of Gemma's betrayal with his best friend she has also kept his son from him. He knows he can never trust Gemma again but for his son's sake, as well as his family's name, he insists they marry. Gemma loved Tate with all her heart and was deeply hurt when he believed his devious best friend over her. But knows she can't deny her son his father. After they are married Gemma soon realises that Tate has no intention of taking their marriage further than convenience, despite desire that is still between them.

This was a good read; enjoyable and well written. The story has a nice flow and there is plenty of emotion weaved into the book. The hero and heroine fit well together and there is a nice bit of chemistry. The hero's trust issues became a little tedious after a while, and a ruined a little bit of my enjoyment of the story. I wanted the heroine to stick up for herself a but more, but generally she was quite a good character.
I had two problems with this book; first is that there wasn't really enough explanation of the motive of Tate's best friend for betraying him - the reason given was that Tate dated one of his ex-girlfriends at university, surely that can't be it? It seems rather petty. The second is that again there was lack of explanation around the heroine's parents and why they didn't like her. Because of these things, I felt that some of the conflict felt a little flat.

Apart from that, I enjoyed it!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #292

Carrying the Rancher's Heir - Charlene Sands
Mills & Boon Desire 2-in-1
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263890853











My rating

From the back cover:

"The passionate, impulsive evening Tagg Worth had spent in the arms of brown-eyed beauty Callie Sullivan was madness. Visions of their tryst still haunted him, but their one-night stand was a mistake the wealthy rancher swore he would not repeat. Hawk Sullivan's daughter was strictly off-limits—especially since Hawk's main goal in life was to put Tagg out of business. 
Then, suddenly, there was a baby on the way. His baby. Tagg vowed to do the right thing, no matter what it cost him. But his inconvenient new bride tempted his solitary heart down a path a Worth didn't dare follow…."


I bought this book a couple of months back but couldn't motivate myself to read it, I'm not sure why!

The hero Tagg and the heroine Callie spent an unforgettable night together a few weeks back, that in Tagg's opinion should never have happened. Callie is the daughter of his family's biggest rival, and they could never be together - for that reason and the fact that Tagg will never love another woman, after his late wife died. Although he has tried to forget her he has found it difficult and it gets even more difficult when Callie begins working at his family's ranch. Callie has always been a little bit in love with Tagg, but her father's over-protectiveness and plain dislike for Tagg and his family has always stopped her from approaching. Her one wild night with Tagg has left her pregnant and she decides to go after what she wants - her, Tagg, and their baby as a family. Tagg can't deny his fierce desire for Callie and they soon reignite their affair. But when Tagg finds out about the baby he insists they marry but makes it clear that he will never give Callie his heart.

I enjoyed this book, there is plenty of chemistry between the hero and heroine, as well as an interesting, well written story. The hero's grief for his late wife is very poignant and handled well, but I do feel that he hadn't fully gotten over it and this took a little bit of shine away from the central relationship. The heroine is a nice character; very gentle and reasonable.
I loved the setting, it is very vividly described and I felt a real sense of place.

This is a nice story.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #286

Having the Billionaire's Baby - Sandra Hyatt
Mills & Boon Desire 2-in-1
Harlequin Mills & Boon, 2010
ISBN: 9780263881837











My rating

This is the second book in the Desire 2-in-1, as above.

The heroine Callie and the hero Nick spend a night together, but Callie flees the next morning when she discovers exactly who Nick is. They met at the wedding of Callie's business partner, who is also her ex-fiance. Callie had spent the whole wedding convincing herself she needs to live in the now, hence the one-night stand. However, she didn't realise that Nick was the bride's brother, or that he is her company's newest client. She tries to forget about Nick, but finds it difficult especially as their one-night has left her pregnant. Nick has been searching for Callie as he has not been able to get her out of his mind, but he has had no luck finding her. His sister asks Nick to check out her new husband's business partner, as she is jealous, and Nick is delighted to discover it's Callie. He ends up taking over his brother-in-law's side of the business with Callie, and he hopes to explore what is between them. But Callie needs to prove that she can be independent and turns him down. However when Nick finds out about the pregnancy he sees this as his chance to get what he wants.

This is a well written and interesting book, I enjoyed it. The relationship between the hero and heroine is very sweet and there is plenty of chemistry. Their story is told well and is very engaging, as well as believable. The conflict and the story is a little 'well-used' but it is executed well and the story feels very modern.
This is my first Sandra Hyatt book (I believe this was also her first book) and I really enjoyed it, I will look to read her other books in the future. Sadly she passed away last year, I'm sure she will be greatly missed.  RIP.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #285

The Magnate's Baby Promise - Paula Roe
Mills & Boon Desire 2-in-1
Harlequin Mills & Boon, 2011
ISBN: 9780263881837











My rating

From the back cover:

"For billionaire businessman Cal Prescott, there was no question. He'd marry and produce the requisite heir. And he wouldn't have to look far for the right bride—his one-night affair with Ava Reilly had left Cal's senses riled and Ava pregnant with his baby. 
Sheer desperation had Ava agreeing to marry without love. She wanted her land as much as Cal wanted his corporation…and they both wanted their unborn child. Surely that would be enough to build a marriage on. That, and the burning passion that longed to be reawakened…."


I found this Desire 2-in-1 in the Kindle store recently.

In order to gain control of the company he has worked so hard for, the hero Cal needs to marry and have children before his stepbrother does. Although this condition has angered him, he luckily has a solution. He has tracked down the woman he had an unforgettable one night stand with a couple of months ago, and she is pregnant. The heroine Ava is doing her best to keep her Outback retreat afloat, but with the financial problems and her recently discovered pregnancy she is struggling to cope. When Cal comes to see her and offers her marriage as well as help for her business she reluctantly agrees. Although Cal still fiercely desires Ava, as far as he is concerned it is a marriage of convenience, for both of them, for business purposes as well as their baby. But that doesn't stop them from growing closer, even though each of them have past hurts that stop them from truly opening up to each other.

This is my first Paula Roe book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked reading how the relationship between the hero and heroine developed, it has a nice flow and feels very natural. The heroine is a good character, I really responded to her. Her flaws and conflict are well written and relatable. The hero is a little more difficult to understand, he seemed to vary in temperament a bit. But they worked well together, and there is plenty of sizzle.

Well written with a good, solid plot. I liked it. Deserves a better title though!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #255

Daddy By Accident - Paula Detmer Riggs
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 1997
ISBN: 9780373760732
Reissue - Harlequin Treasury, 2011
eISBN: 9781459271616








My rating

From the back cover:

"MOTHER-TO-BE 
Despite the screech of tires and the shattered glass, pregnant Stacy Patterson was aware that sexy Boyd Macauley had gotten her out of her car accident alive. But she had no money, no place to go, and too much pride to ask for help—until Boyd came to her rescue again. 
FATHER-BY-PROXY 
Boyd had vowed never to let another person get too close, yet fragile Stacy needed a place to stay. By day they prepared for the birth of her child, and by night they gave in to their overwhelming passions. He'd vowed that it was strictly temporary—but was he only fooling himself?"


This is another book from the Harlequin Treasury line.

At the beginning of the book the hero Boyd is witness to a car accident that leaves the heroine Stacy injured and her estranged and violent ex-husband dead. Boyd helps her to stay calm but when he realises she is heavily pregnant he is reminded of his trauma when he lost his wife and unborn child. Even though he doesn't want to get involved, Boyd finds himself drawn to Stacy and offers her help, which even though she tries to refuse he knows she desperately needs. Stacy struggles with her emotions over the recent events in her life, but knows she needs to stay strong for her beloved unborn child. The light in her otherwise bleak recovery is Boyd, and Stacy can't help but fall for him. She accepts Boyd's help and as they spend time together they begin to grow closer and closer. But Boyd can't let himself give in to his growing feelings for Stacy as he can't get over his thoughts that he is betraying his wife's memory.

Wow, this book is very angsty but still totally enjoyable. The relationship between the hero and heroine develops gradually and so beautifully, it feels real and is enthralling to read. The hero and heroine are two brilliant characters, both individually and together, and they are written with real depth. I do feel that the heroine 'got over' the death of her ex-husband a little too quickly, but there was enough backstory given to accept this. Boyd is a wonderfully complex hero, but at times I was confused over his feelings towards his past marriage - sometimes it was the perfect marriage and nothing could hold a candle to it, and other times it was a mismatch relationship that had more downs than ups. It is a little confusing to me.

Overall, this is a very emotional and enjoyable book.

I have one big complaint though - there is a lot of errors in the text of this book, which is very off putting. This seemed to be errors from when, I presume, the text was scanned in and character recognition. One example that is almost constant throughout is that the letters r and i when together were mistaken for an n, so we had charity being chanty and Mario being Mano etc. There are other mistakes but it would take me a while to go through them all! This needs a proof read, mistakes like this are very disappointing.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #241

One Night, Two Heirs - Maureen Child
Harlequin Desire
Harlequin, 2011
ISBN: 9780373731091

N.B. The above details relate to the North American release of this book.


My rating




From the back cover:

"Duty is his world. And upon seeing Sadie Price with twin girls, marine Rick Pruitt realizes he has some proposing to do. He never would have left Royal, Texas, if he'd known Sadie was carrying his babies.
Yet the feisty single mom has no intention of agreeing to a loveless marriage. True, she and Rick share a bond, as well as undeniable passion. But Sadie believes vows should last a lifetime, not be declared out of obligation. Making it Rick's new mission to change her mind..."


This cover makes me laugh, the model and the Stetson look so serious!

The hero Rick has just returned from active duty as a marine and is considering coming home for good. His experience while on duty and the death of a fellow marine have left him feeling a little raw. When he runs into Sadie, the heroine, he is pleased to see her again and reminded of the almost perfect night they spent together three years ago. However his pleasure turns to shock when Sadie reveals that their night together resulted in beautiful twin girls. Angry and hurt that Sadie kept this form him and that he has missed so much of his daughters lives, he tells Sadie that they will get married. Sadie has always known this day would come and wants Rick to be a part of the girls lives but she refuses to marry him. Sadie married for duty once before and had her heart crushed, and she only wants to marry for love. As Rick spends time with Sadie and their girls he tries many ways of getting Sadie to say yes, including them acting on the fierce passion between them, but he is honest about the fact that he can never love her. And love is the only thing Sadie will ever accept.

I really enjoyed this book, it has a well used plot but it is written and executed beautifully by the author. The interaction between the hero and heroine was particularly nice to read, and I especially liked the very gradual development of their relationship. It felt very real and believable. There is a nice blend of passion and tenderness in this book, that I feel really works to add depth.
I do have to admit that I found the hero's reluctance to love and his sudden turn around a little trivial and it made the HEA feel a little bit clunky.
But overall this is a solid and enjoyable read, a good example of what I like (and want) from the Desire line.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #224

The Billionaire's Baby Arrangement - Charlene Sands
Mills & Boon Desire 2-in-1
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263883121





My rating




From the back cover:

"The highway collision had brought together more than their two vehicles. Suddenly businessman Nick Carlino was face-to-face with a woman from his past...and her five-month-old baby. Though they hadn't seen each other in years, Nick offered Brooke Hamilton and her child shelter after the crash. It was the right thing to do as they got back on their feet.
But how could something so right feel so wrong? Having Brooke under his roof brought back memories the billionaire would rather have kept forgotten. And passions he needed to control. Nothing short of Carlino Vineyards' legacy hung in the balance..."


This is the second book in the Desire 2-in-1 as above. I really don't like the title of this book, while the UK edited Harlequin's/Mills & Boon's have moved away from this style of titling the some of the NA ones are yet to do this, sigh! Don't let this put you off, it's a good read.

The hero Nick and the heroine Brooke were once very close school friends but their friendship ended badly when Nick rejected Brooke. They meet again many years later when they are involved in a car crash. Brooke is injured and since she is a single mother to her five month old daughter Leah, Nick promises to help her and lets her stay with him. Brooke has only just returned to her childhood home of Napa Valley hoping to make a new life for her and her daughter after inheriting her late aunt's house. Brooke is on her own after he ex-husband left her for another woman and he doesn't yet know about Leah, both things are never far from Brooke's mind. It's not long before thirteen years worth of bottled in passion erupts and Nick and Brooke agree to a 'simple' affair. Nick doesn't want commitment and he is still carrying anger over events that led to the end of his baseball career and the machinations of his late father, but he soon begins to feel like Brooke and Leah belong in his life.

I always like reunion stories and this one has the added extras of friends-to-lovers and unrequited love! It is an enjoyable book. I really liked the bond and friendship between the hero and heroine, it really made their love for each other feel very read. The book isn't as racy and fast paced as you would usually expect from a Desire, but this is not a bad thing. The book grabbed me from the start and had a wonderful flow throughout.
However, I do feel that some things were too conveniently dealt with, such as the ex-husbands turning up, which was done far too late and then resolved before you had chance to draw breath!

Nevertheless, this is a very entertaining book with a wonderful reunited/friends-to-lovers theme.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #223

Bargaining for Baby - Robyn Grady
Mills & Boon Desire 2-in-1
Harlequin UK, 2011
ISBN: 9780263883121






My rating



From the back cover:

"Queensland sheep station owner Jack Prescott wasn't ready to be a full-time father. He'd do his duty and care for his orphaned nephew, but he had no place in his battered heart for a baby…or for guardian Madison Tyler, the woman hell-bent on disrupting his life.
Yet Jack couldn't ignore the attraction he felt for Madison. Their affair was fast and furious…and soon fraught with regret. The city girl's stay in the Outback was only temporary and Jack had a little boy to care for. How could they even consider bargaining for more time when neither was prepared for forever?"


I seem to have read a lot of Desire's recently, but they have been older ones so here's a newer one!

The hero Jack is devastated to learn of his estranged sister's death, and shocked when he meets his sister's best friend Maddy, the heroine, whom informs him he is now the guardian of his nephew. Maddy misses her friend so much and knows she must honour her promise to help Jack with his new role. Jack is not happy about having self confessed city girl Maddy helping him, bit realises that she meant her words to his sister, and that he does need the help. Jack struggles at first with coming to terms with having to be a father to his nephew, it reminds him of what he lost when his wife and child died. But slowly, and with Maddy's help, he gets used to it and opens his heart to his nephew. And surprisingly, he and Maddy become closer and closer, and before long neither of them can deny the passion between them, or feelings much more deep.

This is a really lovely story, and a little different from what I was expecting from a Desire. The setting is so wonderfully described by the author, I felt a real sense of place. The hero and heroine are well matched, there are enough differences in their personalities to create some delicious tension and they really balance each other out. I think the author did a good job of showing the hero's grief and how he is scared of letting go of it, as well as the heroine's bravado despite her sadness. It makes this story have wonderful depth.
My only complaint is that I feel some issues are a glossed over (such as the hero's estrangement from his sister, the ex-girlfriend, Maddy's father issues) and left the book a little bit lacking in my opinion.

This has plenty of passion and emotion, and is a very engaging read.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #215

Stormwatch - Dixie Browning
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 1985
ISBN: 9780373486540






My rating




From the back cover:

"SHE'D LOST HER RENEGADE PLAYER
But Willy Silverthorne Faulkner had kept on going-now sadly widowed, but still possessing that same lazy, loose-jointed walk that drove men wild. Her independent life on the Carolina coast suited her languid leanings just fine.
Then into her life of ease dropped Bainbridge Scott. Angry, surly and rude, Bain was like a bear with a wounded paw, lashing out at anyone who ventured too close. But Willy refused to be baited. Somehow he'd found his way into her heart. His rare and sudden smiles ignited her, telling her that this was love ...but Willy, of all people, knew how devastating love could be."


This is another of the really old Desire's that I found second hand.

The hero Bain has rented out the heroine Willy's island cottage for some rest after he was seriously injured during an undercover operation. He takes out his frustration and surliness on Willy but she is not bothers but it and her very relaxed nature soon helps him relax. Willy finds herself drawn to Bain, and tries to help him as much as she can, which is sometimes met with Bain's irritation. Spending time with Bain makes Willy realise how lonely she has been in the last few years since her husband passed away. But as much as she enjoys being with Bain, she struggles to let herself go enough to give in to the passion between them. Bain realises that he is falling for Willy and, just as she helped him, vows to help her love again.

I found this book a little odd at first, especially when it comes to the authors way of describing (apparently the heroine walks as though she has "ball bearings in every joint", now I don't know about you but the mental image I get from that is very odd!). But the book is enjoyable, with a slightly different plot and it is interesting. I especially liked the heroine, she is written with a nice blend of sadness and looseness that works really well in the story. The very gradual nature of the relationship is fantastic, it adds a nice flow to the book.
I felt like I knew the two characters and was really cheering them on to find their HEA. Oh and in case you were wondering, the heroine's name is short for Wilhelmina, phew!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #207

Cowboy Dreaming - Shawna Delacorte
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 1997
ISBN: 9780373760206





My rating




From the back cover:

"STRANDED:
When Melanie Winslow returned to the Colorado ranch where she was raised, she never expected to find herself stranded in a mountain cabin with Cody Chandler. The rugged ranch manager was the answer to every daydream Melanie had ever had about strong, sexy cowboys...
WITH A SEXY COWBOY:
But this one was real, with a kiss that made Melanie's heart beat faster, and a smile that hinted at the most intimate things. The trouble was, the last thing Melanie intended to do was fall in love with an untamed cowboy-no matter how perfect he seemed. If only her heart felt the same way..."


This is another old books from the Desire line. I must admit that I didn't think I would like it as the blurb just didn't appeal to me, but I really enjoyed it. Apologies for the cover image, I had to photograph my copy of the book as I could not find a good quality image online.

At the beginning of the book the heroine Melanie returns to her father's ranch for the first time in ten years, hoping to get closure on her estrangement with her father. She is surprised by all the changes made to the ranch, especially the new manager Cody, the hero, whom seems to be very close to her father, something that makes her a little suspicious. She was also not expecting to find that her father is terminally ill. Cody is also very suspicious of Melanie and her motives for returning now, when her father is gravely ill, and feels anger towards her for her lack of contact with her father over the years, something that has caused his good friend hurt. Melanie and Cody end up spending a lot of time together and they form a tenuous friendship as well as a mutual attraction. Melanie begins to realise that she has been wrong about her father all these years and now has to face the he will soon be gone, she turns to Cody for comfort and their passion for one another soon grows deeper. But with the secrets and suspicion still between them someone is bound to end up hurt.

This is a very enjoyable book, it has plenty of spark and sizzle between the hero and heroine, a beautiful setting, some very emotional moments, and a beautifully crafted love story. The heroine Melanie is very well written, what I liked most about her was that she was humble and admitted to her mistakes. The pain she felt when she learned the truth and when she lost her father was heartbreaking, and really added depth to this story. Cody is also a great character, so open and honest, a great hero!

This is an emotional, passionate, and tender book and really enjoyable - the blurb is very misleading!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... book #205

Affair of Honour - Stephanie James
Silhouette Desire
Silhouette Books, 1983
ISBN: 9780340341704





My rating




From the back cover:

"A QUESTION OF HONOUR
Icy silver eyes held her captive until Ryder Sterne decided that his lovely prisoner wasn't a trespasser after all. But the electric encounter between the daredevil writer and beautiful philosophy professor Brenna Llewellyn had just begun.
Ryder lived life in the fast lane, and Brenna had landed on the inside track. In his embrace she could almost forget the career crisis that had driven her to this mountain cabin retreat.
Suddenly she faced a new challenge: a lover who demanded commitment and took absolute possession - giving her no choice but to abandon all logic ... for love."


This is a really old book that my husband found second hand in a charity shop - he bought it as he thought the cover is hilarious!

The hero Ryder and the heroine Brenna meet when Brenna mistakes his cabin for the one she has rented and attempts to climb in the window. They immediately find a common ground in their interests and they end up spending a lot of time together over the following days. Brenna is not interested in a relationship, and very much concerned over her future after one of the professors she works with stole her ethics research and she has been advised to ignore it so not to jeopardise her career. Ryder is an ex-marine and believes in honour and helps Brenna to come to terms with her feelings and decide what to do. After they spend the night together Ryder makes it clear to Brenna that he wants a forever with her, but Brenna struggles with her confusion over both her feelings towards Ryder and her future career.

I enjoyed this book, it was entertaining and full of passion between the hero and heroine. The whole story took place over a period of only a few days but the author made it seem like it was much longer, especially the depth of feeling in the development of the relationship. The passion is also interspersed with moments of warmth, intrigue, and fun. Both characters are likeable and well written, there is a nice balance between them.

On an irrelevant-to-the-story note, the font the format of this book uses is something similar to Comic Sans, and it's a little difficult to read... picky, picky!

Xx