365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #328

Forsaking All Others - Susanne McCarthy
Harlequin Presents
Harlequin, 1996
ISBN: 9780373118502
Reissue - Harlequin Treasury, 2011
eISBN: 9781459276826









My rating

From the back cover:

"In name only... 
'You're the woman who stood at the altar with my cousin not more than a few hours ago, vowing to forsake all others. You didn't manage to keep it up very long, did you?' 
Leo Ratcliffe had kissed his cousin's new bride and discovered that whatever reasons Maddy had for marrying, love didn't enter into it. Even on her wedding day she had wanted another man—Leo! But he hadn't given Maddy a chance to reveal the truth—that she was marrying his cousin only to forget Leo's own impending marriage.... 
Now Maddy was widowed and Leo was still single. But instead of the love affair she had dreamed about, all he was offering was a marriage of convenience: sexual satisfaction and heartbreak guaranteed!"


Another book from the Treasury line. I don't think I have read any books by Susanne McCarthy before.

The heroine Maddy sees the hero Leo for the first time in a few years when she returns to her former marital home after he husband's death. Maddy knows that her husband's family, especially his cousin Leo, never approved of her marriage or her eventually separations and she expects that Leo will not make things easy for her, but all Maddy wants is for her son's inheritance to be preserved. Learning that Leo is co-trustee with her makes her worried, and she is stunned when he asks her to marry him. Maddy thinks he is only asking in order to get some form of revenge against her, and his actions only seem to confirm this fact. Maddy refuses at first, she has always been in love with Leo and her heartbreaks at his very obvious dislike of her. But eventually she has to agree, and Leo quickly shows her exactly what he wants from her and even though she shares the desire between them, Maddy knows he will never love her.

This is an interesting and well executed plot, I enjoyed it. There is a lot of chemistry between the hero and heroine - this is well used through the entire book. This is very much 'classic' in style - the hero is a little too dominant, but it works. The back story between the hero and heroine is well detailed and adds to the conflict, but it is too info-dumpy at first.

Overall though, this is a nice easy story with a good flow and plenty of emotion.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #237

Forbidden to His Touch - Natasha Tate
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263890419












My rating

From the back cover:

"Trapped by desire for the one woman he can't touch... 
Rafael Chaves is a man tortured by his gut-wrenching past and tempted by a future he dares not even dream about. Knowing he'll never deserve the only woman he's ever wanted, Rafael will make sure she stays as far away from him as possible. 
But when Sophia Turino, daughter of the man who raised him from the gutter, stands before him seven years later she's even harder to resist... confident, successful, and as intoxicatingly beautiful as ever. It's time for Rafael to obliterate his darkly powerful infatuation..."


This is Natasha Tate's third book, I really liked both of her previous books so I was looking forward to reading this one.

The heroine Sophia and the hero Rafael haven't seen one another in seven years, ever since Sophia left her father's vineyard in order to live her own life. Rafael has never really forgiven Sophia for leaving, it hurt both her father - the man whom had taken Raf in as a child - and it hurt him. He had always wanted Sophia but never allowed himself to give in to his need for her. Sophia is nervous about returning, not only does she have to bury her father but also see Raf again. Their initial meeting is fraught with tension and Sophia quickly returns to her seemingly safe life only for Raf to come see her not long after, telling her that she must come back to help him run the vineyard. Sophia refuses to let Raf bully her into anything and manages to assert herself back at the vineyard. But Raf stays away from her, afraid that she will make him lose his precious control, and this only ends up hurting Sophia. Especially when after a night of blistering passion between them Raf retreats even further away from her.

Wow, what a roller coaster of a book! This is a wonderful story of forbidden love and all the emotions that go with it, and it is very intense to read. There is so much tension - sexual, animosity, misunderstanding, etc - between the hero and heroine, I really couldn't see how they would ever get their happy ending, which in my opinion makes it even more special when it does happen. Natasha Tate has written such a beautifully dark story, and it is absolutely flawless. The hero is tortured, extremely tortured, and this is done brilliant. I felt this was very much his story, and I couldn't help but fall for him.
The Californian wine country setting is beautifully described, the author paints a vivid picture that really sets the tone of the whole story.

The book is fast paced, and draws you in from the start as well as being jam-packed with emotion and passion. Thoroughly recommended.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #326

Return of the Moralis Wife - Jacqueline Baird
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263890570











My rating

From the back cover:

"A virgin to sweeten the deal 
Infamous playboy Orion Moralis believes in lust, not marriage - until with one innocent sigh the daughter of a business rival turns his world on its head. Selina Taylor is achingly pure, and as he captures her lips Orion knows he must possess her! But their marriage is short-lived... 
Six years since Selina was discarded like a used plaything she's older - and definitely wiser when it comes to sexy, powerful men. But trapped on Orion's luxury yacht she finds memories of the past return to haunt her... With the bad comes the oh-so-good - and soon she can't resist the sensual pull between them..."


This is the latest offering from Jacqueline Baird - out in April here in the UK.

The hero Rion sees the heroine Selina, his ex-wife, for the first time in sex years when he arrives to attend her grandfather's funeral. He immediately realise that he still fiercely desires her, and with his knowledge of what is in her grandfather's will Rion decides to finally get his revenge on her betrayal. Selina is surprised and a little perturbed by Rion's arrival, she hasn't seen him since he threw her out of his life and still remembers her heartbreak at both the end of their marriage and the discover of the true reason he married her. Rion blackmails Selina into spending a two week holiday with him on his yacht, for his pleasure. At first Selina tries to fight against the desire that is still between them, but eventually gives into her last chance to be with Rion. Rion is surprised by the changes in Selina and his ruthless revenge scheme quickly turns into much more, but Selina has her own life now and refused to give Rion her heart again.

When I started reading this book I wasn't enjoying it - it seemed to have a few too many unappealing elements - but I ended up quite liking it. The heroine makes this book worthwhile. She starts off being a bit of the wounded party, but really grows into a strong and intelligent woman. She was also very honest and forward thinking, I particularly liked her attitude when faced with the possibility of the short-term affair with the hero, thinking why shouldn't she enjoy it! The hero learned his lesson in the end and there was a nice bit of grovelling.

Overall, this is a well written book. I enjoyed it.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #325

Matchmaking Baby - Cathy Gillen Thacker
Harlequin American Romance
Harlequin, 1996
ISBN: 9780373166138
Reissue - Harlequin Treasury, 2011
eISBN: 9781459274723








My rating

From the back cover:

"A Baby On Her Doorstep 
The towheaded toddler in the pretty pink stroller came with a blankie, a teddy and a note. Unfortunately, she didn't come with instructions. Like who she was or who her parents were. 
As concierge of Bride's Bay, Joanie Griffin assumed little Emily was a guest's child who needed baby-sitting. But the baby arrived at the worst time - just when her former flame showed up, two years and three months after their breakup. 
Now she'd never get rid of Steve Lantz. Because when Joanie picked up the blue-eyed baby, she called her "Mommy" - and Steve assumed he was "Daddy""


This is another book that is from the Harlequin Treasury line (I bought a lot of them, yes!), I bought this one as it was recommended by a user on Goodreads.

The hero Steve arrives at the hotel resort where the heroine Joanie works to give a speech as part of a conference, but he is also there to try and win Joanie back. Joanie is not willing to listen to Steve, he broke her heart when she found another woman in his bed, but he is persistent in trying to get her to talk to, and believe, him. When a baby is abandoned outside Joanie's room, Steve jumps to the wrong conclusion believing that the baby is Joanie's and his, despite Joanie's almost constant denials. Joanie has no choice but to care for baby Emily while searching for whoever left her, and with Steve helping with the baby and their proximity, it brings them closer and closer. Steve desperately wants to be with Joanie again and hopes their new found closeness will make her trust, and love, him again.

This is a very sweet and charming story that I really enjoyed reading. I believed in the love between the hero and heroine, and it was so refreshing to have a hero being the one who is so open about his feelings. Their relationship has real growth within the story, and it was really satisfying to read how the two of them slowly worked through their issues.
As for the abandoned baby part of the plot - well, it is a little far-fetched (I mean, surely if a baby was abandoned, Police and Social Services would come storming over!) but, it is a charming little touch and quite enjoyable.

An endearing and very romantic read.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #324

A Deal at the Altar - Lynne Graham 
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263890563












My rating

From the back cover:

"Her indecent proposal! 
Having pulled himself up from the streets of Athens, Sergios Demonides thought he had seen it all. Then Beatriz Blake walked into his office and asked him for a marriage of convenience! 
Independent, proud and unadorned, Beatriz is a far cry from the usual glamorous women who grace his bed. But Sergios doesn't need another trophy - he needs a mother for his late cousin's children. 
The overlooked Blake heiress and the ruthless billionaire strike a deal. But she doesn't read the small print - that sees them sharing a bed!"


This is the latest from Lynne Graham (out in April) and a follow on from her last book - Roccanti's Marriage Revenge.

The heroine Beatriz is forced into approaching the her Sergios about a marriage of convenience - her sister had originally meant to marry him - otherwise her father will stop all his financial support for Beatriz's disabled mother. At first Sergios is uninteresting in Bee, as she is nothing like his usual type of woman, but he realised that she is exactly the kind of woman he needs to help him raise his late cousin's three children. Sergios expects to be able to marry Bee and continue with his life as usual and also expects her to do as he says, but he soon realises that Bee is far from amenable. Bee doesn't like the situation she is in but knows it is best for her mother as well as the three children she has become a mother to. When circumstance forces Sergios and Bee to be closer than they expected, Sergios begins to see that he is wildly attracted to Bee and she means so much more to him than he first thought. But Bee is determined to keep her heart, knowing that Sergios doesn't ever plan on losing his freedom.

I was so hoping that I would like this book, but... oh, I really didn't. And that is mainly down to one fact - the hero had a mistress (yuk, hate that word!) all the way through the book. Regardless of the fact that it was revealed eventually that he hadn't actually been with her since marrying the heroine, that his future cheating was almost glorified throughout the book was really, really unappealing. This kind of thing is not, and never will be, something that appeals to the 'romantic fantasy' that we read romance novels for.
Needless to say, I didn't like the hero. I wanted to like the heroine, and I did - she was very fiery and independent up to a point, but I found her overlooking the whole mistress thing, as well as the fact that she gave up her job, and let the hero give her a 'make over' a little hard to swallow.

Throughout reading this book my mind kept saying "no, no, no, no..."! Not for me, is this book! YMMV.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #323

The Devil and Miss Jones - Kate Walker
Mills & Boon Modern
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263890471











My rating

From the back cover:

"Martha Jones has never taken a risk in her whole life. Until the day she runs out on her wedding and succumbs to the magnetism of a man she has only just met! A man she knows only as Diablo. 
Lone wolf Carlos Ortega won't promise Miss Jones more than one searing-hot night. Yet Carlos is shocked by Martha's sweet innocence. This runaway bride is a virgin, and it seems the repercussions of their sizzling encounter could last forever..."


The cover and title of this book are really great, and I was looking forward to reading this one.

The hero Carlos and the heroine Martha are both running away something - Martha from her wedding after discovering her fiancé cheating, and Carlos from the shock and hurt of finding out the truth of his parentage. They meet when Carlos finds Martha out walking in the rain, still in all her wedding finery, and stops to help her. There is an immediate spark between them, which neither of them truly understands, but each needing comfort they succumb to the desire between them. However, afterwards Carlos is plagued by doubts and Martha leaves having her confidence crushed for the second time that day, wanting never to see Carlos again. Four months later, she is going back on that vow and is at Carlos's family home waiting for him to arrive so she can tell him that she is pregnant, not knowing how he might react.

This is a very passionate and intense book, and I really enjoyed reading it. The hero is very appealing; he is perfectly alpha yet also kind. The heroine is also a great character - I liked her spirit. There is lots of chemistry between these two, and it is brilliant portrayed by the author.
The story takes place over four months, but the hero and heroine probably only spend twenty-ish hours together - all of it is brilliantly written, but I had a hard time believing in the final declarations of love. However, Kate Walker's wonderful storytelling makes it work, and it is a fantastic story.

Overall, this is a charming and sizzling book, definitely worth a read!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #322

The Good, the Bad, and the Wild - Heidi Rice
Mills & Boon RIVA
Harlequin UK, 2012
ISBN: 9780263892963











My rating

From the back cover:

"One of the Good Guys? 
Nick Delisantro is famous – for scripts, for his looks, and above all for his ruthless bad-boy charm. Eva, on the other hand, has spent her life being an overlooked wallflower! Now she’s got to meet with Mr Tall, Dark and Brooding or her only chance of promotion is over… 
Nick can’t stop staring at the mysterious blushing girl who’s dressed like a vixen but frozen under his gaze like a rabbit in the headlights… He can’t wait to see what’s behind the innocent front! But Nick’s about to get far more than he’d bargained for – not only does Eva have the key to his secret past, but there’s nothing more dangerously addictive than a good girl going wild…"


The fabulous Heidi Rice kindly sent me a copy of this book - thank you so much, Heidi! I love the title of this book, and couldn't wait to read it...

The heroine Eva is nervously waiting for the hero Nick to arrive so she will finally be able to talk to him. Eva works for an ancestry research company, and has tracked down Nick as the grandson of a very important client. But as soon as Nick arrives and they see each other, all of Eva's planned introduction flies out of her head. Nick is more than a little intrigued by Eva, and they end up spending a very passionate night together. However, Nick throws her out the next morning after discovering the real reason she approached him. Eva is humiliated, heartbroken, and fired over her actions with Nick but a couple of weeks later learns that he has agreed to travel to Italy to meet his grandfather, providing she goes with him. Nick has no interest in actually getting to know his grandfather, or so he tries to tell himself, but he does want Eva, badly. Once in Italy though, Nick finds he is not so sure of himself and Eva notices, which quickly turns their red hot fling into much more.

I was really blown away by this book, it is amazing. There are so many different layers in this book that create such a maelstrom of moods. The hero and heroine fit together like, erm, well I can't think of a good analogy but you get the idea! For me this felt different from Heidi Rice's last couple of books, but it is just as brilliantly executed. There is less dialogue but this is replaced by brooding and angst that really works within the story. I felt the hero and heroine went on a journey - both individually and together - and that, for me, makes this such a riveting read.

This book sparkles with passion, emotion, and discovery. It has become my favourite of all Heidi's [fabulous] books!

A must-read!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #321

Mine Until Morning - Samantha Hunter
Harlequin Blaze
Harlequin, 2011
ISBN: 9780373796243

N.B. This is a North American release.










My rating

From the back cover:

"Tessa Rose is intoxicating to bodyguard Jonas Berringer. But not simply because she has an intimate knowledge of aphrodisiac scents. Nor is it because she's forbidden fruit: a client, the boss's daughter. Though both things help.... 
But Jonas thinks he has nothing to offer Tessa, not after a moment of lost focus costs Jonas his sight. But when Tessa and Jonas find themselves alone during a blackout, they discover endless temptations in the dark. Until morning, they'll just have to trust their other, heightened senses to see them through...."


I have had this book on my recommendations list for ages, but it has not yet been released over here. Samantha Hunter very kindly sent me over a copy - Thank you so much, Sam!

The hero Jonas is still struggling to come to terms with his recent, albeit temporary, blindness when he is visited by the heroine Tessa. Jonas was injured whilst employed to protect Tessa, but their mutual attraction for one another caused him to be distracted on the job. He blames himself for everything, but is also angry at Tessa as he believes she was using him. Tessa wants to make it up to him but Jonas refuses, and this hurts her as she really thought that they had something together. When a storm hits causing a blackout over the city, Jonas has to call Tessa for help - and they end up helping each other as well as finally acting on the passion between them. They each know there is more between them than just lust, but Jonas thinks he has nothing to offer Tessa, as well as the fact that he knows she will feel betrayed when she finds out the real reason he is there.

Once I got over my initial shock that the characters were already having sex only 10 pages in (don't worry, it was a dream! Even Blaze's don't move that fast!), I really enjoyed this book. I was intrigued by the idea of the blind hero, and thought this was executed really well - the descriptions of the hero's other heightened senses were very evocative. I especially want some of that honey dust now - for my skin, not for anything else, you understand! I'll be honest and say that I could have done without the hero's recovery happening that very same night - it is a little bit cheesy.
As expected there is a lot of sizzle in this book, and it works! Although, the scene in the subway car was a little, er, icky and I found it a bit uncomfortable to read.

The story is fast paced with a nice blend of fun, emotion, and angst. Well worth a read.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #320

Not Forgiven, Never Forgotten - Elizabeth Power
Harlequin Presents
Harlequin, 2011
ISBN: 9780373130375

N.B. The UK title of this book is 'For Revenge or Redemption?'








My rating

From the back cover:

"A reckoning… 
Years ago, wealthy socialite Grace Tyler humiliated Seth and almost destroyed his family. Now the former boatyard hand is a multimillionaire, and he's out to settle a long-overdue score. He'll take Grace's business and her body. 
A seduction! 
Except Seth hasn't reckoned on the desire between them burning him every bit as fiercely as it consumes Grace! 
A redemption? 
He's come back to prove Grace's guilt—but now it's Seth who needs to be redeemed. For Grace is more inexperienced than he expected…and she's expecting his baby!"


Another Presents! I love the title of this one.

The heroine Grace learns that her company has been involved in a hostile take over, and is shocked to discover that the person responsible is Seth, the hero, the man with whom she had a very passionate teenage love affair. Seeing Grace again reminds Seth of both the passion he once felt for her as well as the pain her betrayal caused. He is going to use the chance he has found to take over Grace's company to finally get revenged on her, and Grace knows this and accepts it knowing that her cruel actions when she was young were unforgivable. However, Seth is also unaware of just what happened to Grace after he left, things she has never forgotten, but he does realise that Grace is different to what he was expecting. The passion between them still burns brightly, and this gives them a second chance together, but with so much pain and secrets in their past neither of them can really trust the other.

This book had me absorbed from the very first page, it is packed full of emotion and passion, I couldn't stop reading! What is so great about this book, in my opinion, is that both the hero and heroine grow as characters, before and during the story. It really made the relationship feel three dimensional. The pain and loss each character had inside them made this a very poignant read, I really felt that they needed each other.

The writing is full of angst, passion, sympathy, as well as hope, and this makes the book very enjoyable.

Recommended.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #319

The Shy Socialite - Lindsay Armstrong
Harlequin Presents Extra
Harlequin, 2011
ISBN: 9780373528455

N.B. This is a North American release - the UK and Aus/NZ title is 'The Socialite and the Cattle King'.








My rating

From the back cover:

"Prim and proper socialite-turned-journalist Holly Harding is looking for her first big scoop. And what better topic than the infamous cattle king Brett Wyndham? But when Holly meets Brett she notices something inherently dangerous about the enigmatic billionaire, and she quickly finds her professional no-nonsense attitude slipping! 
When their plane crashes in the middle of the Outback she is forced to rely on Brett for protection. How long can inexperienced Holly deny their sizzling attraction…?"


Another Presents. I have a confession to make... I actually got this book out from the library ages ago (when it came out here in the UK) and didn't realise that this was the same book, I really wish they wouldn't have different titles, it is very confusing. I never actually finished reading it, I got a couple of chapters in and wasn't enjoying it so I stopped reading it. Anyway, once I had started reading this one and realised my mistake I thought I would continue on with it, you know, perhaps I would like it this time...

The heroine Holly is trying to make a new life for herself away from the limelight of her previous society life, and has recently got a job as a journalist. Her first interview is with Brett, the hero, a well known yet very private Cattle Station owner. Brett hates publicity but agrees to an interview with Holly, sensing that she is different from many other women, he is also very attracted to her. Holly is not used to male attention and is flustered around Brett, but when they are forced into making and emergency lading in the Australian Outback she has to rely on him. As they try and find shelter and help, Brett and Holly get to know one another and the feelings for one another that started out as desire soon turns into much more.

The descriptions of the Outback setting are so vividly portrayed that it is such a shame that I found this book so boring! I found that the story was OK, but manages to be both dull and unbelievable - the crash and everything could have been made really exciting, but just ended up dragging. The relationship and desire between the hero and heroine seemed a little forced in, in my opinion.

This book just didn't work for me, and it left me disappointed and bored. YMMV, of course!

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #318

Princess from the Past - Caitlin Crews
Harlequin Presents
Harlequin, 2012
ISBN: 9780373130504

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









My rating

From the back cover:

"Behind the imposing walls of the castle, free-spirited Bethany Vassal discovered that her whirlwind marriage to Prince Leo Di Marco was nothing like the fairy tale she'd imagined. Before long, the forgotten princess ran away, hoping the man she fell in love with would one day see sense and come and find her…. 
Marrying Bethany is the only reckless thing Leo has ever done, and now he is paying the price. The time has come for him to produce a royal heir—and Bethany must return to the very castle from which she fled!"


This is another Presents I bought recently.

The hero Leo and the heroine Bethany have been separated for three years when Bethany asks for a divorce. Leo had not been expecting the blow, and despite the separation he begins to realise that he doesn't want their marriage to end. He knows he made mistakes in their marriage after their whirlwind relationship, and didn't allow Bethany enough time to adjust to life as the wife of a prince, and now it is time to make it up to her. Bethany is disheartened when Leo tells her that their divorce has to be arranged in Italy, she knows that when it comes to Leo she is often blind sided by desire, she has spent the last three years rebuilding her confidence and is ready to move on with her life. When they are back in Italy, Leo immediately starts trying to win Bethany back, and she notices the changes Leo has made, as well as the effort he is making with her. The desire that drew them together in the first place is still alive and well between them, but Bethany is unsure about giving all of herself to their marriage again, fearing that she will only be left lonely and heartbroken again.

Royalty based romances are not really my cup of tea, and I only chose this as I really like Caitlin Crews's books. I did enjoy this book, but it didn't totally 'do it' for me. I really liked the plot, and the fact that the hero really wanted to make up for his past mistakes. The hero is a good character - he is a little bit too arrogant, but his love for the heroine is very believable. His attempts to win back the heroine is written beautifully, the story has plenty of passion and angst, as well as a bit of sparkle.

Well written and enjoyable, just not my personal favourite style of romances.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #317

Trouble in a Pinstripe Suit - Kelly Hunter
Harlequin Presents Extra
Harlequin, 2012
ISBN: 9780373528582

N.B. This is a North American release - UK and Aus/NZ title is 'Sleeping Partner'.








My rating

From the back cover:

"Restoring a dilapidated hotel doesn't come cheap, but Mia Fletcher doesn't want to accept financial help from Ethan Hamilton. This dangerously sexy businessman isn't someone who takes no for an answer, however, and soon their flirting turns into something more.… 
Mia knows Ethan isn't a forever kind of guy, but she cannot resist taking what he has to offer by getting him out of his immaculate suit and into bed! Surely their explosive affair will burn itself out—unless Mia can tame his untouchable heart.… "

I bought this book recently with a bunch of other Harlequin Presents. I love this title!

The heroine Mia arrives on the island of Penang after learning that she has inherited a hotel from the mother she thought had died many years before. When she finds the rather dilapidated hotel, she is met by the hero Ethan, whom she discovers is the son of the man her mother had left her father, and her, for. Ethan knows that it is hard for Mia to find out the truth about her mother, and he wants to help her through it, but Mia refuses. Mia decides to try and renovate the hotel, and during the process learns a lot about the mother she never got the chance to know. And as much as she tries to ignore him, Mia can't deny the affect that Ethan has on her. She wants to hate him but the more time they spend together the more she falls for him. Ethan also realises that his feelings for Mia run deeper, especially seeing her strength as she comes to terms with everything, but he doesn't know if he can ever give her more.

This is a really fascinating book, and I enjoyed it. It has a nice blend of emotion and charm, and the writing is full of passion. The exotic setting is vividly portrayed and very evocative, but I got a little bored with all the myths and ghost stories after a while. The relationship between the hero and heroine felt very natural and full of spark, but I didn't quite understand the fact that the hero was the one who did most of the chasing, then changed his mind about what he wanted from the heroine - it came off as a little shallow.
The plot around the heroine's mother choosing a different life was emotional, and handled well by the author - it was written with a refreshing honesty that I really responded to.

Overall, an enjoyable book.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #316

Daddy Devastating - Delores Fossen
Mills & Boon Intrigue 2-in-1
Harlequin Mills & Boon, 2011
ISBN: 9780263885064








My rating

From the back cover:

"For FBI special agent Russ Gentry, Julia Howell is nothing but trouble. First the Texas heiress blunders into his undercover operation to bring down a black-market kidnapping ring. Then she turns his life upside down with a single photograph. 
Russ's connection with the beautiful baby girl in the photo is instant and absolute...and Julia finds herself falling for this man who stepped up when most would have turned and run. As bullets fly and their passion grows, Julia is convinced this devastatingly handsome protector will play an important role in an innocent baby's future. And in hers."


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

The hero Russ is deep undercover trying to bring down an illegal baby-selling ring when the heroine Julia approaches him, jeopardising his cover. Julia has tracked down Russ as the father of her late cousin's baby, whom Julia is guardian of. Thinking on his feet to avoid his cover being blown when members of the ring meet him, Russ pretends that he and Julia are involved. He is forced into letting Julia know just what she has stepped into and Julia is more than a little shocked and scared. When she confronts Russ about the baby he denies ever meeting her cousin, and Russ realises that the father is actually his twin brother whom recently died. Although Russ is shocked by the news of his nephew, he also realises that he wants to be a part of the little boy's life. But first he needs to finish his assignment, and now Julia is involved. They are forced to spend time together, and this eventually leads to them falling for one another. However, Russ's dangerous life brings back painful memories for Julia but she is also able to confront her fears and realise that she wants to change her life as well as have a future with Russ and the baby.

This was pretty much like the previous book I just read (The Baby's Guardian) in that the suspense part of the story is very good, but the romance is really lacking. Speaking of the suspense part, while it was good and quite interesting there are a few holes in the plot that are a little difficult to ignore. Also, I found it hard to believe that the heroine would fall for, and sleep with, a man she only met a few days previously, when she has spent the last 10 years as a virtual recluse after an attack. It doesn't really work, in my opinion.

But, the book held my interest - it's OK. Awful title though!

Xx

A very uncomfortable day...

I am sure any woman reading this will be able to understand completely what I am about to talk about in this post. And that is the dread monthly period, and how it can turn a regular day into feeling like hell and a normal woman into a crazy person! (Also, it's the day of the month my husband dreads as he gets the 'run to the shops' job, I have been told that buying ladies items is very embarrassing for a man!) 

I'm talking about period pain.

Yesterday I had what can only be described as a completely wasted day and, you know, it is very frustrating when your whole schedule is pushed to one side because you can't really do much more than sitting around in pain and feeling very sorry for yourself. 

I spent the majority of yesterday fidgeting in discomfort, my period pain is always in my lower back, and oddly my neck, and no matter what I tried I just could not get comfortable. I tried lying down on sofa, sitting up on sofa, laying in bed, I lasted a total of 10 minutes sitting at my desk before I was so uncomfortable that I had to go back to the sofa!

Last time I was in America I bought some over-the-counter medication specifically for period pain and other related symptoms, and they are fantastic at getting rid of the pain - it's really strong stuff - but the trouble is they make me so drowsy I lose a couple of hours being half asleep from it!

Isn't the whole thing just so damn inconvenient!

Anyway the whole thing made me think about the relation between period pain and writing - how when things aren't going right it starts as a little niggle and begins to get more and more uncomfortable until you begin to realise nothing is working! And that is a little of what I am going through at the moment with my current WIP.

What do you do when that niggle turns into something that can't be ignored or medicated, and the only solution seems like giving up and just doing nothing?

Should you delete the whole blasted thing and start again, or maybe take a break to get over the 'pain' and go back to it when your less frustrated, or just plough on and hope that it sorts itself out eventually? 

My answer - to both the period pain and the writing pain - is taking a break. So that's what I am doing.

Sometimes we all need to learn that stepping away from a situation that seems hopeless can solve many dilemmas and refresh our whole outlook on things. The trouble with writing (and period pain) is that when things are bad it seems that nothing can get you out of that deep pit of despair, especially when others around you don't really understand, and sometimes the only solution is a bit of rest.

What do you do when everything gets too much and doing nothing seems a much better idea?

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #315

The Baby's Guardian - Delores Fossen
Mills & Boon Intrigue 2-in-1
Harlequin Mills & Boon, 2011
ISBN: 9780263885064












My rating

From the back cover:

"In the past twenty-four hours Sabrina Carr had been shot at, kidnapped and held hostage. As if being eight months pregnant wasn't stressful enough! 
Now, after narrowly escaping the clutches of masked gunmen, Sabrina and her baby needed a protector. That's when hot Texas cop Shaw Tolbert came to her rescue. As the surrogate mother to his child, Sabrina couldn't help the sizzling attraction to Shaw that the danger stirred up...or the kiss that told her she meant more to him than she ever realized. With her attackers still on the loose, Sabrina's priority was keeping the baby safe. But how could she keep her cool when things were so hot?"


I bought this Intrigue 2-in-1 ages ago but forgot I even had it.

The hero Shaw is a cop and he is called to a hostage situation in a maternity unit. There are many heavily pregnant women begin held hostage, and Shaw's attempts to think of a way to get them out safely is hampered when he discovers one of the hostages is Sabrina, the heroin, whom is pregnant with his child. Sabrina is terrified by the threat against her and her unborn child, especially when the kidnapper's take her with them when they escape. She desperately hopes that Shaw manages to move past his guilt over his wife's death and Sabrina's pregnancy and comes to save her. Shaw does save her, and tries to keep her safe from the continued threat against her, and during the time they spend together Shaw begins to realise that his feelings for Sabrina run much deeper than just passion.

I liked this book, kind of! The suspense part of the plot is pretty much perfect; it is full of nail-biting tension and edge-of-seat excitement, which makes the story very fast paced. But the romance part is left severely lacking - it feels almost forced in. The hero and heroine didn't really have that much time together without something to do the suspense plot happening, so it was difficult to truly grasp, and believe, the developing relationship.

Overall, this is an OK book.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #314

His Penniless Beauty - Julia James
Harlequin Presents
Harlequin, 2010
ISBN: 9780373129317


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








My rating

From the back cover:

"Four years ago, Sophie loved Nikos Kazandros with all her heart. What she didn't know was that Nikos would take her virginity and then move on… 
Now, not knowing where to turn for money, Sophie has taken a job she wouldn't normally have considered. But on her very first night things go disastrously wrong when she bumps into…Nikos. He's outraged to see how she's earning a living and knows he needs to stop her immediately. But the only way to do that is to keep her close and pay for her time…"


I am a big fan of Julia James's books, you probably know this by now!

The hero Nikos is at a party that he really doesn't want to be at when he sees Sophie, the heroine, dressed up like a tart and on the arm of a lecherous businessman. He is reminded of how Sophie and her innocence were once his, and now she seems anything but innocent, and his anger gets the better of him. Sophie is devastated to see Nikos for the first time since he abandoned her and her whole world had come crashing down. She especially hates that he has to see her now, in her lowest moment, acting as a sort-of escort in order to get the money she so desperately needs to keep her gravely ill father in a care home. Nikos only thinks that Sophie has become like every other avaricious woman, but can't stand the thought of her virtually prostituting herself and offers her money providing she leaves town for a little while. She accepts, which only makes Nikos think he is right about her however after she has gone he can't stop thinking about her or stay away. When the passion between them erupts Nikos wants to hate Sophie, but only ends up learning the truth about her situation and the role he played in ruining her life.

There is something about Julia James's overly dramatic stories that really appeal to me, and I very much enjoyed this one. The gradual retelling of the shared history between the hero and heroine is incorporated into the story perfectly, and really well written - the author really did show how both the characters felt about everything, so the conflict felt three dimensional. As usual in a Julia James book, there is that one great big misunderstanding, but you know what, that is what she does best and it works.

There book is over the top, and emotional yet very compelling. A great book.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #313

D'Alessandro's Child - Catherine Spencer
Mills & Boon Modern
In 'His Child' Mills & Boon By Request
Harlequin Mills & Boon, 2008
ISBN: 9780263861358


My rating

From the back cover:

"When Michael D'Alessandro discovers that three years ago his ex-wife gave birth and then had his baby adopted, his only desire is to find his son. 
Michael finds little Jeremy safe and utterly loved by his new mom, the lovely Camille. Soon passion takes over. But Camille is unaware that Jeremy is Michael's son. 
How can Michael tell her the truth - and keep both his child and the woman he adores?"


This is the third book in the By Request omnibus, as above. I really don't like the individual cover of this book, it looks like the guy on it is laughing at me!

The hero Michael has just discovered that his ex-wife had not told him that she was pregnant when she left him, and then allowed his son to be adopted, illegally since he did not give his permission. He tracks down the people who adopted his son, not knowing what to expect, and finds the heroine Camille - a devoted single mother. Even though his son has a loving home, Michael can't fathom not being a part of his child's life so he positions himself into meeting Camille and becoming friends with her. Camille enjoys spending time with Michael, and finds herself more and more drawn to him, which after the disaster that was her marriage is something she never expected to feel for a man again. Michael is also surprised by his growing feelings for Camille, and he feels guilty for lying to her about his true reason for being in her life. The passion between them is intense, but when Camille discovers the truth, her hurt crushes her feelings for him.

Wow, this is an emotional story and really enjoyable. The subject matter is quite brave and unlike many other books like this. The hero is really well rounded and written beautifully - he is angry and behaves badly at times, but this is totally understandable, and he is also very willing to show his feelings. I liked the heroine, but at times she was a little too naive.

This is a very poignant and emotional book, and I really enjoyed it.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #312

Nathan's Child - Anne McAllister
Mills & Boon Modern
In 'His Child' Mills & Boon By Request
Harlequin Mills & Boon, 2008
ISBN: 9780263861358


My rating

From the back cover:

"When Nathan Wolfe discovers that he's a father, he decides that marriage is the only way to mend the past.
Carin Campbell had good reasons for keeping Nathan's child a secret. But now he's demanding that they marry. Carin knows he's proposed out of duty, not love. Besides, he isn't the type to settle down. 
That was then, Nathan says. Now he's determined to prove her wrong..."


This is the second book in the By Request omnibus, as above.

The hero Nathan arrives at the home of the heroine Carin and immediately asks her to marry him. Carin knows that Nathan has finally found out about their daughter. Thirteen years ago, Nathan and Carin had fallen in love with each other but Carin's father had expected her to marry Nathan's brother as part of a business deal between their families, and Nathan had been consumed with guilt over their affair and left without a word. Carin has had to build a new life for herself and her daughter Lacey after being abandoned by her family, and she won't let Nathan come in and change all that she has worked hard for. She has never denied Lacey the truth about her father and is pleased that Nathan is dedicated to getting to know her. Nathan struggles with his feelings towards Carin, he knows that by not telling him she allowed him to live his life the way he had wanted to, but he also regrets missing out on his daughter's life. In all their years apart, Nathan has never forgotten Carin and knows he still loves her. But Carin makes it clear that she won't give up her life, and Nathan's own work commitments may ruin their newly rebuilt relationship.

I very much enjoyed this book. I'm not a big fan of Anne McAllister's Modern's, I prefer her Silhouette Desire's, but this one is very good. Much more in line with her Desire's, in terms of plot and emotion, than some of her more recent books. The story is well written and thought out, and the back story is weaved in wonderfully. It was a nice change to have the secret child older than the usual 1-6 years old - and the scenes between the hero and his teenage daughter gradually getting to know one another are very poignant. There is a lot of believable stuff in this book, and that is what makes it particularly enjoyable in my opinion.
The hero and heroine's relationship feels very natural and is emotional to read - the whole story executed very well.

A great book.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #311

The Mistress's Child - Sharon Kendrick
Mills & Boon Modern
In 'His Child' Mills & Boon By Request
Harlequin Mills & Boon, 2008
ISBN: 9780263861358


My rating

From the back cover:

"Property tycoon's secret love child... 
After Philip Caprice and Lisi fell into bed together, Philip left at midnight....The reason he gave for leaving had prevented Lisi from telling him that their evening of passion had resulted in a darling baby, Tim. Until now... 
Property millionaire Philip has just discovered he has a son.... Lisi knows Tim needs a dad. Philip's solution is that Lisi and Tim move in with him.... Does Philip just want to play at happy families--or does he want Lisi to be his mistress once again?"


This is another By Request omnibus I bought from the kindle store as it was on sale.

The heroine Lisi is shocked when the hero Philip turns up at her work place, even more so when he makes it clear that her is there to see her. Philip has never forgotten Lisi and the brief passionate time they spent together, nor has he forgotten his shame over his actions. Lisi was devastated when Philip just walked out on her, especially after his parting remarks. His constant attentions now make Lisi nervous, and she tries to keep him from finding out that he is the father of her son Tim. But she also can't deny that her feelings for him have never gone away, and it is not long before Philip finds out the truth. Initially he is angry at Lisi for keeping his son from him, but he realises that after what he did to her she had every right to do it. But he wants to be a part of Lisi's life and be a father to his son, so he tries to make Lisi believe and trust in him. Something Lisi doesn't know if she can ever do.

This is a brilliant book, so well written and understandable. So often in 'secret baby' stories there isn't any actual good reason, apart from circumstance, for keeping the baby secret, but in this book the heroine has every reason to. This is a very appealing part of this book. Also, there was no insistence on marriage just because there is a child, hurrah! Sharon Kendrick keeps you guessing about what actually went wrong between the hero and heroine, and when it is revealed, wow it is a shocker - one that I didn't want to accept but I did and that was down to the wonderful, empathetic writing.
The way that the hero and heroine gradually learn to like each other and fall in love feels very natural and is very satisfying to read.

I enjoyed this story very much; emotional, well written and believable.

Xx

365 books in 365 days Challenge ... Book #310

The Prodigal Wife - Susan Fox
Mills & Boon Tender Romance
In 'Reclaiming His Wife' Mills & Boon By Request
Harlequin Mills & Boon, 2009
ISBN: 9780263871296


My rating

The is the third book in the By Request omnibus, as above.

The heroine Lainey has been married to the hero Gabe for nearly five years, but in those five years she has refused to see or have anything to do with him. Lainey had left him on their wedding day after her mother told her that Gabe married her purely for her late father's ranch. But after her mother's recent death, Lainey had discovered evidence that her mother had been lying to her all these years. When Gabe sees Lainey arrive at his home, he knows she has come for a divorce. And she had, but she also wants to apologise to Gabe for her appalling behaviour. Gabe is initially distrustful of Lainey's motivations, and he also doesn't want a divorce. He asks her to stay, to both keep an eye on her and also in the hope that they can become a family. Lainey is surprised that Gabe wants to be with her after all she has done, but knows in her heart that Gabe is a good man. A man that she gradually begins to fall in love with.

I did not expect to like this, but I really did. If I had to pick one word to describe this book, it would be "beautiful"! The hero and heroine's relationship is built up so gradually, and honestly, that it feels totally natural and is very heart warming to read. There isn't a big 'black moment' in this story, and that is a pleasant surprise. The whole story flows brilliantly. The hero is, sigh, so nice - there is nothing cruel of manipulating about him. Both character's are mature about learning from their mistakes.

I was absorbed in this from start to finish, it is a very satisfying read.

Xx