Behind Closed Doors by Anne Oliver

Behind Closed Doors by Anne Oliver follows Cleo Honeywell and Jack Devlin who share an unusual past. There past colors how they see life and relationships. Both Cleo and Jack would love their friendship to go beyond.

There are secrets that Jack is keeping that give the book its name. It was a bit of a surprise after reading the back cover. While the blurb talks about getting Cleo "behind closed doors," the secrets play a much bigger role. The heavy issue of child abuse is touched upon when looking at Jack's childhood.

I enjoyed Jack and Cleo's story and the nod at Scotty's future with his significant other.

4 out of 5

February tally
Harlequins - 20 (1 SE, 4 RS, 1 Blaze, 2 HP(M&B Sexy), 5 M&B Sexy Sensation, 2 M&B Sweet, 1 M&B Medical, 3 S, 1 SD)
Non- Harlequin - 1
Sub - Total - 21

January tally
Harlequins - 11
Non- Harlequin -2
Sub-Total - 13

Total -34

A Mistress for the Taking by Annie West

A Mistress for the Taking by Annie West (published in the States as a Harlequin Presents and in Australia as Sexy) is about Marina Lucchesi who finds out that Ronan Carlisle can help settle a score with Charlie Wakefield and get control of her family business back. Marina isn't sure if she's over her head in pretending to be Ronan's mistress.

This story of revenge takes on more as Marina falls in love with Ronan. We see both points of view although we delve further into Marina's feelings. We don't learn all of his secrets until we are almost done with the book.

I enjoyed watching Marina go from ugly duckling to gorgeous swan and that isn't what attracts Ronan to her. He saw the inner strength.

As with Harlequin Presents we get a "glimpse" of life of the rich and famous. This book is part of the "Mistress to a Millionaire" series.

3 of 5

February tally
Harlequins - 18 (1 SE, 4 RS, 1 Blaze, 2 HP(M&B Sexy), 4 M&B Sexy Sensation, 2 M&B Sweet, 1 M&B Medical, 3 S)
Non- Harlequin - 1
Sub - Total - 19

January tally
Harlequins - 11
Non- Harlequin -2
Sub-Total - 13

Total -32

The French Doctor's Midwife Bride

The French Doctor's Midwife Bride by Fiona Lowe takes place in the coastal town of Amaroo where Charlotte runs the community midwife program through the local hospital. Xavier has come to the hospital and given the task of getting the hospital in fiscal shape. Unfortunately this means looking very closely at Charlie's baby - the community midwife program.

Both Xavier and Charlie agree that there can be no relationship between the two of them. Charlie works hard to show Xavier how important her program is to the community. Their work together brings out the chemistry but can Xavier and Charlie overcome their individual past histories with love.

We see a lovely slice of small community life along the coast. Can Xavier and Charlie work beyond their past? Another new author added to my list this month.

4 of 5

February tally
Harlequins - 17 (1 SE, 4 RS, 1 Blaze, 1 HP(M&B Sexy), 3 M&B Sexy Sensation, 2 M&B Sweet, 1 M&B Medical, 3 S)
Non- Harlequin - 1
Sub - Total - 17

January tally
Harlequins - 11
Non- Harlequin -2
Sub-Total - 13

Total -30

Falling for the Frenchman by Claire Baxter

Falling for the Frenchman by Claire Baxter is a contemporary that takes place in Barossa Valley in Australia. Beth needs to fight for her position in Lowland Wines when Pierre Laroche comes to look at her management for the winery's new owners, L'Alliance.

Pierre and Beth met when Beth was visiting Pierre's family vineyard in France years ago. They separated under hurt feelings on both sides. Now Pierre is trying to make Beth see that the new ideas would not be that bad while Beth doesn't want to compromise her father's ideals in how Lowland Wines is run.

This gentle romance is wonderfully told. We get a glimpse at the hardships in running a family own winery with a second chance romance in the making.

This is another new author for me who I will be keeping an eye out for her books and may look up some of her backlist.

4 of 5

February tally
Harlequins - 15 (1 SE, 4 RS, 1 Blaze, 1 HP(M&B Sexy), 3 M&B Sexy Sensation, 2 M&B Sweet, 3 S)
Non- Harlequin - 1
Sub - Total - 16

January tally
Harlequins - 11
Non- Harlequin -2
Sub-Total - 13

Total -29

Expecting His Love-Child by Carol Marinelli

Expecting His Love-Child takes place in Melbourne and involves Millie who had a wonderful last night fling with Levander Kolovsky. There evening had the unexpected result of a baby and Millie returns to Melbourne to find herself the center of attention.

I picked up the book because it takes place in Melbourne and backcover blurb despite the title. Levander is an interesting complex character with a rough background growing up in Russia. He is now part of the elite in Melbourne when confronted with the headlines that Millie is expecting his child. Millie is a struggling artist who is very much out of her league dealing with the rich and famous.

While the plot held my attention, the descriptions were a tad too flowery for me. I felt Millie while an likable heroine a tad naive and way out her element to deal with such a powerful hero. I enjoyed the places that Marinelli had her characters visit.

2 of 5

February tally
Harlequins - 4 (1 SE, 1 RS, 1 Blaze, 1 HP(M&B Sexy))
Non- Harlequin -
Sub - Total - 4

January tally
Harlequins - 11
Non- Harlequin -2
Sub-Total - 13

Total - 17