Monday, March 31, 2008

Forbidden by Suzanne Brockmann

Forbidden by Suzanne Brockmann is the story of Kayla Grey who travels to Montana to inform Cal Bartlett that his brother may still be alive. Cal saves Kayla from an early snowstorm and feels the instant attraction but deems her off limits when he finds out who she is. Cal and Kayla travel to the country to see if the rumors are true.

On top of the growing romance between Cal and Kayla is the mysterious events San Salustiano surrounding his brother's disappearance. Even in this shorter format Suz gives the reader a satisfying read. I enjoyed reading about Cal who is a strong cowboy with a strong sense of ethics.

4 of 5

March tally


Harlequins
- 9 (3 Mira, 1 SIM, 1 M&B Sweet, 1 NASCAR, 2 M&B Temptation, 1 Medical)
Non- Harlequin -10

Sub - Total -19

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -53

Improper Etiguette by Janice Maynard

Improper Etiquette by Janice Maynard is three novellas connected by Miss Matilda's Guide to Love and Romance for the Proper Young Lady. Each novella has the woman finding a copy of the book and reading an excerpt and seeing how 1949's rules translate to the 2000's to find their love.

I enjoyed the three stories of sexy discovery and love with a nice dose of humor. Threading the etiquette book through the three stories made it fun.

4 of 5

March tally


Harlequins
- 9 (3 Mira, 1 SIM, 1 M&B Sweet, 1 NASCAR, 2 M&B Temptation, 1 Medical)
Non- Harlequin -9

Sub - Total -18

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -52

Their Special-Care Baby by Fiona McArthur

Their Special-Care Baby by Fiona Mc Arthur is a sweet romance beginning with mistaken identities. Dr. Stewart Kramer helps saves a person he believes is the wife of his dead brother. He finds himself drawn to her although he has definite issues with how she treated their family. Amanda wakes up with no memories but knows she doesn't feel like Desiree. The story follows Amanda and Stewart through the trauma of dealing with premature babies and their growing love.

3 of 5

March tally


Harlequins
- 9 (3 Mira, 1 SIM, 1 M&B Sweet, 1 NASCAR, 2 M&B Temptation, 1 Medical)
Non- Harlequin -8

Sub - Total -17

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -51

Feeling the Heat by Rhonda Nelson

Feeling the Heat by Rhonda Nelson is a fun story following Georgia Hart, a wedding planner, trying to track down her mother's engagement ring that her ex-boyfriend stole from her. Linc Stone who is a bounty hunter has been assigned to help Georgia find the boyfriend and ring.

Sparks fly as Georgia tries to fit in with Linc's world. He calls her "Trouble" and she has a very different nickname for him. This was a fun read as we watch commitment phobe Linc fall hard for Georgia. What will he do for love?

4 of 5

March tally


Harlequins
- 8 (3 Mira, 1 SIM, 1 M&B Sweet, 1 NASCAR, 2 M&B Temptation)
Non- Harlequin -8

Sub - Total -16

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -50

Strokes of Midnight by Hope Tarr

Strokes of Midnight by Hope Tarr is part of The Wrong Bed series. Author Becky Stone is given bad news that she much co-author a book with Adam Maxwell to save her career.

Becky and Adam must rise above their one night stand in New York City to write a book together in the winter wonderland of New Hampshire. What adds to the fun of this book is that we get to see their collaboration at the beginning of some of the chapters as their main characters undergo change so do Becky and Adam.

I will definitely look for more books by this author. The storyline was interesting to read and I loved her humor.

4 of 5

March tally


Harlequins
- 7 (3 Mira, 1 SIM, 1 M&B Sweet, 1 NASCAR, 1 M&B Temptation)
Non- Harlequin -8

Sub - Total -15

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -49

Thunderstruck by Roxanne St. Claire

Thunderstruck by Roxanne St. Claire is in the Harlequin NASCAR line. We follow Mick Churchil, football star from the UK, and Shelby Jackson, part owner of the family-owned race team. Shelby wants nothing to do with the help that Mick could bring the cash strapped team and Mick is under orders not to get close to Shelby.

We get a snippet of what Daytona is like from inside the track. Shelby is a strong woman and an understanding of NASCAR that she feels Mick will never match. Mick can bring about positive change to Thunder Racing. We learn about family devotion and watch these two strong people fall in love with Daytona the backdrop.

4 of 5

March tally


Harlequins
- 6 (3 Mira, 1 SIM, 1 M&B Sweet, 1 NASCAR)
Non- Harlequin -8

Sub - Total -14

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -48

Executive Mother-To-Be by Nicola Marsh

Executive Mother-To-Be by Nicola Marsh is part of the Baby on Board series. Kristen Lewis is a top notch executive with a new boss, Nate Boyd whom she had a spur-of-the-moment one night stand with before they met. Nate is a driven entrepreneur with secrets of his past life.

The two must now find a way to cope with Kristen's pregnancy. Can Nate get past the shadows of his past? How will Kristen fit in with his future? This was a fun read.

3 of 5

March tally


Harlequins
- 5 (3 Mira, 1 SIM, 1 M&B Sweet)
Non- Harlequin -8

Sub - Total -13

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -47

The Perfect Kiss by Anne Gracie


The Perfect Kiss by Anne Gracie is Grace Mathew's story as she tries to help a childhood from from entering into a loveless marriage to Dominic Wolfe. Grace wants a life of travel but postpones her plans to pose as her friend's chaperone.

Dominic wants nothing to do with Grace's friend but is definitely intrigued by Greystoke aka Grace. Sparks definitely fly between Grace and Dominic.

This was the last of the books about the Merridew sisters but one does not need to have read the earlier books. This book was is a 2008 RITA finalists. I can see why.

4 of 5



March tally


Harlequins
- 4 (3 Mira, 1 SIM)
Non- Harlequin -8

Sub - Total -12

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -46

Sight Unseen by Samantha Graves


Sight Unseen by Samantha Graves is a wonderful romantic suspense. Raven Callahan is an art thief with pyschic power. When her partner is kidnapped she works with Dax Maddox, an ex-cop with who has run across Raven in the past.

A mistake on his job caused Dax to lose his partner and his ability to see color. While Dax is seeking the person responsibility for this costly error he runs across Raven. Can Raven and Dax work past their distrust of each other and find the person who seems to be pulling the strings from afar?

I enjoyed watching the relationship between Raven and Dax grow. Raven was a smart fun character. I am looking forward to Graves' next book that will focus on Raven's sister.

4 of 5

March tally


Harlequins
- 4 (3 Mira, 1 SIM)
Non- Harlequin -7

Sub - Total -11

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -45

Worth Every Risk by Dianna Love Snell

Worth Every Risk by Dianna Love Snell is an interesting romantic suspense following undercover DEA agent, Zane Black and his stowaway, Angel Farentino. Both of them are keeping secrets from each other but whose secret is more dangerous?

Angel stowed away to get away from Mason Lorde, her employer. Lorde is relentless in his pursuit of Angel and what she has taken with her in her escape. I enjoyed Angel's strong sense of survival and how she tries not to put Zane in danger. It was fun watching Zane struggle with the information that he received about Angel and his growing attraction to her.

I have had this book on my TBR pile for way too long and am thankful that eHarlequin's March mini-challenge encouraged me to move it forward.

4 of 5

March tally


Harlequins
- 4 (3 Mira, 1 SIM)
Non- Harlequin -6

Sub - Total -10

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -44

Are You Afraid? by Carla Cassidy

Are You Afraid? by Carla Cassidy is a romantic suspense about Jessica Langford who was the only one to successfully escaping a serial killer whose final act was to bury his victims alive. She has overcome her past and has a thriving therapy practice and radio show helping others overcome their fears. Her nights are shattered as she is getting prank calls. Detective Jake Merridan has problems of his own as a serial killer.

book coverMixed in with the story are Jake's son, Jimmy, and Jessica's son, Charles. I enjoyed this book. The boys stories were a nice addition to the ever present threat from the killer. Cassidy does a great job of keeper the reader on their feet as one tries to figure out the killer before it is too late.

4 of 5

March tally


Harlequins
- 3 (3 Mira)
Non- Harlequin -6

Sub - Total -9

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -43

Paint It Red by Carla Cassidy

Paint It Red by Carla Cassidy follows Vanessa Abbott as she tries to move on past her husband's suicide two years ago. Events start happening in Vanessa's life to make her feel that Jim may not be dead and has returned with vengenance on his mind. Christian Connor has relocated to the area and takes an interest in Vanessa.

Who is leaving Vanessa her favorite flowers and calling without leaving a message? Is it Jim back from the dead? This is a gripping suspense novel with Vanessa and Christian's romance building amidst the chaos. Cassidy writes an intriguing mystery that has you wondering.

4 of 5

BookcoverMarch tally


Harlequins
- 3 (3 Mira)
Non- Harlequin -5

Sub - Total -8

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -42

Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton

Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton is the first book in a new Knitting Mystery series. Kelly Flynn returns to Colorado to close up her aunt's home but finds herself drawn to one of aunt's favorite places at House of Lambspun. While the police believe her aunt's death to be a burglary gone wrong, the more questions that Kelly asks the more it points to murder.

This delightful beginning to the series will definitely have me looking to follow Kelly and her cohorts as they solve murder in this small Colorado town. I love the setting and include in the book is a recipe and knitting pattern. There are romantic elements that will be interesting to follow between Kelly and Steve Townsend.

4 of 5

book cover

March tally


Harlequins
- 3 (3 Mira)
Non- Harlequin -4

Sub - Total -7

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -41

Home Before Dark by Susan Wiggs

Home Before Dark by Susan Wiggs is Jessie Ryder's journey back home to create memories. Sixteen years ago she gave up her daughter for adoption to her sister, Luz, and her husband, Ian. Jess meets Dusty, a man that has a tragic past, but is trying to live for the future with his little girl, Amber.

The title says it all as Wiggs tells the story of a woman whose life is turned upside down by blindness. Wiggs has us follow the journey of Jessie, Luz, Lila (Jessie's daughter) and Dusty through their point of view. I found this to be a very compelling book.

4 of 5

March tally


Harlequins
- 3 (3 Mira)
Non- Harlequin - 3

Sub - Total -6

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -40

Sunday, March 30, 2008

The Wedding Party by Robyn Carr

The Wedding Party by Robyn Carr is a fun contemporary romance following Charlene Dugan. She decides that as part of her busy life it is time to marry again when her daughter claims she doesn't want to grow old like her mom. In the mix is a wedding planner who is working closely with her fiance since Charlene keeps missing their meetings, her ex-husband who drives her crazy but wants a second chance, their daughter who might be just a tad spoiled and her mother who can't remember where she's been.

This book is a slice of life in Charlene's world. We see a successful lawyer who wants to find time for love in her life. While not the same depth as Carr's Virgin River, she stil creates characters we care about. We care about Charlene's mother as she shows signs of early onset Alzheimer's and watch her daughter take major steps in acting her age.

4 of 5

March tally


Harlequins
- 2 (2 Mira)
Non- Harlequin - 3
Sub - Total -5

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -39

Lakeside Cottage by Susan Wiggs


Lakeside Cottage by Susan Wiggs is a wonderful contemporary romance about a summer romance that could be so much more. Jordan Harris (JD) is hiding from his fame while thinking about what his future will hold and Kate Livingston is spending the summer at her family's summer camp to re-energize and think about her future. Add to this mix are a runaway, Callie and Kate's son, Aaron.

While called a summer read this book was a lot more. JD and Kate's romance wonderful to follow. We see JD's reluctance to socialize so he can keep his anonymity and watch as he becomes involved with Kate, Aaron and Callie.

This my first book that I've read by Wiggs but it won't be the last. Her characters have wonderful depth and I connected with them. Wiggs also deals with the serious issue of type 2 diabetics with teens. It was done with sensitivity and flowed with the storyline.

4 of 5

March tally
Harlequins
- 1 (1 Mira)
Non- Harlequin - 3
Sub - Total -4

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -38

Hard Evidence by Pamela Clare


Hard Evidence by Pamela Clare - Tessa Novak, an investigative reporter, is an eyewitness to a crime and sees Julian Darcangelo who she assumes is involved in the murder. Julian is involved but not in the manner as Tessa believes. He is an undercover FBI agent following a killer that has haunted him for the past three years.

Julian is a dark and angsted character that can't believe how Tessa is getting under skin and making realize that being alone and having that "white picket fence" could be in his future. Tessa uses her journalistic skills to learn more about that murder she witnessed. Her investigation could put Julian at risk and definitely is putting her in the front of killers.

One reason I enjoy series is seeing past characters and Clare doesn't disappoint. We get to see Kara and Reece again. Their appearance isn't forced but part of the story. Clare's romantic suspense books have definitely become an autobuy for me.

4 out of 5


March tally
Harlequins
-
Non- Harlequin - 3
Sub - Total -3

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -37

Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare


Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare is a wonderful romantic suspense following journalist, Kara McMillan who may have bitten off more than she expected when she followed a tip of a whistle blower and add to the mix Senator Reece Sheridan who has a protective streak which extends to Kara.

It was interesting following the how tos of a journalist working on a breaking story. Clare uses her background as a journalist to have us step into the mind of a reporter.

The story that Kara is following is making someone unhappy to the point of sending out threats. These threats bring out Reece's protective streak while making Kara feel loved she worries how he can fit into her life.

I enjoyed this book so much I immediately found the next book that I had in my TBR pile by Clare.

4 of 5


March tally
Harlequins
-
Non- Harlequin - 2
Sub - Total -2

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -36

Freefall by JoAnn Ross


Freefall by JoAnn Ross is the first book in her latest series, A High Risk Novel. Zack Tremayne returns back home to Swann Island after his last SEAL's mission in Afghanistan goes seriously wrong. Also home is Sabrina Swann who had her dream literally bombed beneath her feet.


Both hero and heroine are deliciously angsty and have wounds that need healing. Include a past that Sabrina hopes Zack doesn't remember. On top of their personal histories Swann Island seem to have a serial killer that believes they are above the law.

I can't wait to see where this series goes because Ross has indicated that we will get more tidbits about the events in Afghanistan in the next two books. This story interwoven with the serial killings makes this book edgy and wonderful read.

4 of 5

March tally
Harlequins
-
Non- Harlequin - 1
Sub - Total -1

January/Febuary tally
Harlequins
- 31
Non- Harlequin -3
Sub-Total - 34

Total -35