Book review: Along Came Trouble (Camelot #2) by Ruthie Knox

coming from Random House / Loveswept, March 11, 2013!

Ruthie Knox’s Camelot series continues in this sizzling eBook original novel, featuring two headstrong souls who bump heads—and bodies—as temptation and lust bring nothing but delicious trouble.

An accomplished lawyer and driven single mother, Ellen Callahan isn’t looking for any help. She’s doing just fine on her own. So Ellen’s more than a little peeved when her brother, an international pop star, hires a security guard to protect her from a prying press that will stop at nothing to dig up dirt on him. But when the tanned and toned Caleb Clark shows up at her door, Ellen might just have to plead the fifth.

Back home after a deployment in Iraq and looking for work as a civilian, Caleb signs on as Ellen’s bodyguard. After combat in the hot desert sun, this job should be a breeze. But guarding the willful beauty is harder than he imagined—and Caleb can’t resist the temptation to mix business with pleasure. With their desires growing more undeniable by the day, Ellen and Caleb give in to an evening of steamy passion. But will they ever be able to share more than just a one-night stand? 

This is the 2nd book in Ruthie Knox's Camelot series. Ellen Callahan is a single mom  with a famous pop star singing brother Jamie. Normally this would not be a problem for Ellen except he dated her pregnant friend next door for months then broke it off and next thing you know the paparazzi  are showing up on her doorstep. Shortly after that Caleb Clark shows up to inform her he's there for her security. After being married to a man who took her for granted cheated on her and used her  she learned how to stand on her own and take care of herself.  She just says NO to Caleb. Over and over. He's got his work cut out for him. He's supposed to provide security for Ellen which she doesn't want and her neighbor Carly who isn't a whole lot better. Then when Jessie realizes he's made a mistake breaking it off with Carly he shows up to throw the whole mess into a tail spin. I enjoyed this book to one point but was frustrated it as well. I liked the characters well enough but Ellen sometimes drove me nuts. I mean come on. Caleb is amazing trying to keep up with everything. Ellen takes forever to finally give in some. I think that part might have been drawn out a little to long. I felt awful for Caleb a time or two. No one seemed to want to cooperate with him. It all works out in the end of course and you get a glimpse at some secondary characters that will appear in the next book.  This book for me was really good in some parts and ho hum in others. The parts that made me laugh really helped move the book along. Little to much stubborn all around in this book. Still a good read though. 3 out of 5 stars for Along Came Trouble by Ruthie Knox.

Find out more about Ruthie Knox and this series here www.ruthieknox.com

Book review: Secrets of a Shy Socialite (Beyond the Spotlight #2) by Wendy S. Marcus

She'll do anything to protect her newborn twins…

Jena was always "the good Piermont twin," preferring nursing others over life in the limelight. Seducing her all-time crush was the bravest and definitely the most outrageous thing she's ever done. What did giving in to her desire bring her? Two adorable baby girls! But the social fallout will be nothing compared to confessing the truth to the unsuspecting father.

And how will he react when Jena reveals her most heartbreaking secret of all?

This is book two in the medical romance series Beyond the Spotlight by Wendy S Marcus. I reviewed book 1 yesterday. As i said yesterday i had not read a medical romance until now and it seems it might be something i could read more of. In Secrets of a Shy Socialite Jena, who is Jaci twin sister finally comes clean about who the father of her twin baby girls is. We find out in book 1 along with Ian but no  one else knows til we get started in this book. Justin is a good guy but with some hang ups. He doesn't want to be be married or have kids. His upbringing shaped his ideas and unfortunately he's not going to get a choice on at least one of those two things. He is the Jena's twins father. One night of drunken passion on his part and a broken condom and he's a dad. Problem is he thought it was Jaci until after.  His reaction to the news drove Jena away for ten months so she could regroup have her babies and decide what to do.  Justin is stunned at first but quickly regroups. It doesn't take long for him to realize Jena isn't what he thought. She might not be the wild child outspoken person Jaci is but she's tough as hell when it's needed. She's not a spoiled rich girl either which she proves by taking a job in a urgent care center in a bad part of town. She needs the work as her brother put i a freeze on what money she did have and she still needs to be married to claim her 25 million dollar trust fund.  Justin is a cop and also runs security for the urgent care  center so he steps up to watch over Jena while learning more about her. Jena has a bigger secret than  Justin being the father of her twin girls though. When she finally reveals it to Justin will he run or stand tall?  This was a great ending to the two book series. Justin and Jena get introduced in book one and it is amazing how different a secondary  character is once brought into the spotlight. The author tackles some tough topics in both books. Abuse, PTSD, traumatic injury and breast cancer. Yet you don't feel totally bogged down by all that because of the way the characters handle it.  You end up feeling a bit emotional by the end of this book. Love the characters. 4 out of 5 stars for Secrets of a Shy Socialite by Wendy S Marcus.

Find out more here www.wendysmarcus.com

Book review: Craving Her Soldier’s Touch (Beyond the Spotlight #1) by Wendy S Marcus

Available Dec, 31st 2012 
She swore she'd never give in to him…

Feisty nurse Jaci Piermont's heart was crushed when Staff Sergeant Ian Eddelton walked away from their passionate night together. But letting him know? Not an option! This reluctant socialite would much rather channel her energies into helping the vulnerable women she works with.

Now Ian's back—as gorgeous as ever, but with dark secrets in his eyes. Her head might be screaming "keep away," but Jaci's rebellious heart has a very different idea…!

This is my first Wendy S Marcus book and i believe my first medical romance.  I read the blurb for this and the first chapter and was interested and decided it was time to try a couple new things. I am happy to say it was a good choice!  This is the first of 2 in this series and is about a set of identical twin sisters who are as different as night and day. First up is Jaci. Both sisters need to marry in a few months time or give up a 25 million dollar trust fund. It's not that they're worried about getting the money for themselves but instead the good they can do with that much money. Both twins are nurses so they can make their way in the world working and do. Jaci is a traveling home health nurse and also runs a center for abused women. Ian is a soldier and friend of Jaci's and although there is attraction she's always held him off til now. After one night of passion though Ian runs off earlier that he was supposed to as he was going back to Iraq. Ian was career Army until a terrible injury and the death of his friends takes him out of the military for good. Now he's back and finds out that he doesn't know Jaci as well as he thought. She's not just a rich girl living a pampered life. Now Ian has a few secrets of his own as well. I really enjoyed this book. There was a little of everything in this book. The medical aspect is there as Ian is dealing with a injury and PTSD and Jaci is dealing with abuse of herself and her mother. Then there is drama, romance and some humor thrown in as well. I love when a book has just the right mix of elements to make a great read. You also get a little of the players for book 2 in Justin ( Ian and Jaci's friend) and Jena who is Jaci's twin. All over Craving her Soldiers Touch is a well rounded book.  It's one of those books that you are drawn through with a sense of enjoyment. The only turn off for me is there is one part and i believe it was just a paragraph of medical jargon that was over my head. As that wasn't the reason i was reading the book anyway it didn't bother me much.  I would encourage anyone who wants to try a medical romance, but hasn't yet to try Wendy S Marcus and this series.  After reading this one i immediately got my hands on book 2 and read it as well.  4 out fo 5 stars for Craving her Soldiers Touch by Wendy S Marcus.


Find out more here.www.wendysmarcus.com

Hot Cover Monday! Leopard's Prey ( Leopard series book 6 ) by Christine Feehan

Available May 28th 2013

From a tough stint in the armed forces to stalking the unknown as a bayou cop, leopard-shifter Remy Boudreux has been served well by his uncanny gifts. And right now, New Orleans could use a homicide detective like Remy.

A serial killer is loose, snatching victims from the French Quarter with pitiless rage and unnatural efficiency. But something else is drawing Remy into the twilight -- a beautiful jazz singer bathed night after night in a flood of blood-red neon.

Sultry, mysterious, and as seductive as her songs, she’s luring Remy deeper into the shadows than he ever imagined. And as their passions swell, his keen instinct for survival will be challenged like never before. By a killer -- and by a woman.

Find out more here www.christinefeehan.com

Die for Me: A Novel of the Valentine Killer by Cynthia Eden

She thought her fiancé was the perfect man—until he turned out to be the perfect killer…

Katherine Cole is running for her life, desperate to escape the Valentine Killer—so-called because he stabs his victims through the heart and leaves them holding a telltale single red rose. Still he tracks her to New Orleans and begins carving a bloody path to her door. But this time, Katherine refuses to run any farther. This time, she’ll do anything to stop the madman she once loved, even trust the sexy cop promising to keep her safe…

Detective Dane Black never lets his emotions interfere with his job, even as the Valentine Killer surfaces in New Orleans to stalk his prey. But when Dane agrees to protect the killer’s ex-fiancée, Katherine Cole, he can’t ignore the passion kindling between them. After a single unforgettable night binds them body and soul, Dane knows he won’t rest until Katherine is safe in his arms—and the Valentine Killer is dead.

I have no idea why but when i saw this cover i just had to read this book. I like my romantic suspense but not so much when there is a lot of killing in them. It's more of a thriller is some ways than a romantic suspense. In any case it turned out to be a damn good mix. If i could have blocked out the time to read this in one sitting i would have. It didn't take me long to realize i was really going to enjoy this book. If after 3 chapters you don't want to put it down to do anything it's probably going to be a keeper. There is so much going on in this book but the pace is great. It's not too fast not too slow. The characters are complex and fleshed out. I always like to think i can figure out who the killer is when reading a book like this and for a while your sure it's Michael like it's supposed to be. Then the doubts come. lol I know i was off a time or two and thought there was a twist coming i could see but it wasn't what i thought.  Cynthia Eden keeps you guessing. Not only about the killer but the characters as well. Lots of suspicion and doubts among her characters. The only put off for me and it was slight is i felt the book went on a little to long.  That's it and it really wasn't a big factor at all for me. Would i recommend this book to a friend? Heck yes! It's a thrill ride for sure. 5 out of 5 stars for Die For Me by Cynthia Eden.

Find out more here www.cynthiaeden.com

Book review: Three Sisters (Blackberry Island #2) by Susan Mallery

After Andi Gordon is jilted at the altar, she makes the most impetuous decision of her life – buying one of the famed Three Sisters Queen Anne houses on Blackberry Island. Now the proud-ish owner of the ugly duckling of the trio, she plans to open her own pediatric office on the first floor, just as soon as her hunky contractor completes the work. Andi's new future may be coming together, but the truth is she's just as badly in need of a major renovation as her house. 

When Deanna Phillips confronts her husband about a suspected affair, she opens up a Pandora's Box of unhappiness. And he claims that she is the problem. The terrible thing is, he's right. In her quest to be the perfect woman, she's lost herself, and she's in danger of losing her entire family if things don't change. 

Next door, artist Boston King thought she and her college sweetheart would be married forever. Their passion for one other has always seemed indestructible. But after tragedy tears them apart, she's not so sure. Now it's time for them to move forward, with or without one another. 

Thrown together by fate and geography, and bound by the strongest of friendships, these three women will discover what they're really made of: laughter, tears, love and all.

This is the 2nd book in the Blackberry island series. There is a whole webpage for the series on Susan Mallery's website for you to check out.  It has all kinds of interesting stuff like recipe's and info about the Island. I read book one and struggled with it in parts but i think that was because the characters are more intense than i like. I think it takes a certain mood to read some books. It was the same with Three Sisters. This isn't a fun romance book. It's about finding your way through life. Connecting with people. Everyone has problems. Looking around you might think so and so has a perfect life but i can almost bet you they don't. Some people are just better at hiding it. This about 3 women who are not sisters but by the end of the book feel life sisters. Trust me it doesn't start out this way. Each one has their own conflict to deal with.  It felt slow to me til the halfway point but i think when telling 3 separate but still connected stories it's hard to keep a momentum going because you have to keep switching to each one. If you follow me on goodreads or twitter i think i mentioned i was having trouble with this one. I don't like to read the really conflicted type books where there is a lot of pain for the characters. I do but i don't particularly like it. I like how the 3 women start slowly getting to know each other and slowly start trusting each other. Deanna especially has a hard time since she comes across as a real bitch at the beginning.  It's worked out slowly but surely when you are really just want to yell advice to them to speed it up. lol Of course the book has a happy ending but it's a hard fought happy ending. I was sincerely on the fence about this book for the first half but had hoped that it would turn around for me and it did. 4 out of 5 stars for Three Sisters by Susan Mallery.

Find out more about Susan Mallery and her other work here www.susanmallery.com

Hot Cover Monday! Forbidden Fires! (Bondage & Breakfast series book 3) by Jodie Griffin

Book three of Bondage & Breakfast

 A year ago, Detective Delia Robinson and Fire Marshal Colin Butler got up close and personal while working a case. But their sizzling relationship didn’t last. Now there’s a serial arsonist on the loose, and it’s up to Delia and Colin to bring him down—if they can resist their attraction long enough to concentrate on the investigation.

Delia quickly sees the connection between the crime scenes: elements of BDSM. Though she denies it, Colin is stunned by the realization that his former lover is aroused by the idea of bondage play. And suddenly he can’t stop fantasizing about being the one to bind her…

Unsure how Colin would react, Delia never revealed her desire to be dominated in the bedroom. But she’ll finally have the chance to find out when they go deep undercover—as a married couple at a B&B offering classes in domination and submission…

Find out more here and read a excerpt. Ages 18 and older please for the excerpt. jodiegriffin.com

Audiobook review:Lover Unleashed (Black Dagger Brotherhood #9) by J.R. Ward, Jim Frangione (Narrator)

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, seductive cloth as her brother. Imprisoned for eons by their mother, the Scribe Virgin, she finally frees herself - only to face a devastating injury.

Manuel Manello, M.D., is drafted by the Brotherhood to save her as only he can - but when the human surgeon and the vampire warrior meet, their two worlds collide in the face of their undeniable passion. With so much working against them, can love prove stronger than the birthright and the biology that separates them?

I've been trying to do some catch up reading via audiobook lately. I was two books behind in this series so i decided it was time to catch up so i started with Lover Unleashed. Manny and Payne's story. Later books in this series are more involved and complex that the first handful of books. The main focus is supposed to be Manny and Payne. Payne is Vishous's twin sister that he didn't know he had until the last book. Manny was Jane's friend a highly sought after surgeon. When Payne is paralized and there is nothing else Jane can do to help she decides to go after Manny and hope he can perform a miracle. This mean giving back all the memories they took from him previously when he helped them out. Every time they do this though is scrambles the brain and does permanent damage. Manny has thought Jane was dead all this time and technically she is so when he sees her he's a bit stunned and then angry but of course he helps. He falls for Payne immediately. For me this book was more about Vishous and Jane than Manny and Payne. I enjoyed that part but felt like the romance between Manny and Payne fell a little flat. Thankfully you get a little of the other characters in the series as well to help pull you through it. There were good parts and parts i wanted to just give up on it. The narration by Jim Frangione was excellent. All the voices were distinct and fit the characters. I could listen to him for hours and in fact did and this is a long audiobook. Overall not one of my favorite although i do like all the slang that's thrown around. It's almost poet at times. lol 3 out 5 stars for Lover Unleashed by JR Ward.

Find out more here www.jrward.com 

Book review: The Best Man (Blue Heron #1) by Kristan Higgins

Faith Holland left her hometown after being jilted at the altar. Now a little older and wiser, she's ready to return to the Blue Heron Winery, her family's vineyard, to confront the ghosts of her past, and maybe enjoy a glass of red. After all, there's some great scenery there....

Like Levi Cooper, the local police chief-and best friend of her former fiancé. There's a lot about Levi that Faith never noticed, and it's not just those deep green eyes. The only catch is she's having a hard time forgetting that he helped ruin her wedding all those years ago. If she can find a minute amidst all her family drama to stop and smell the roses, she just might find a reason to stay at Blue Heron, and finish that walk..

Kristan Higgins writes a good book but this one just outdid that for me and i would call it fantastic awesome book. This was just what i needed to shake off the winter blues. Poor Faith was kind of misunderstood as a teenager. She came across a bubbly airhead sometimes. A goody goody too. In reality she was trying to make up for something bad she thinks was her fault. She fell in love with a guy she thought was perfect and was ready to spend her life with right up until he outted himself as gay right at the alter. Her life seemingly destroyed she ran away to San Francisco for 3 years. She's back now though to help find her dad a new wife and to build something on the families vineyard. She plans on stays a couple months tops. Jeremy the guy she was supposed to marry is still there as the towns doctor. He wants to be friends because he still does love Faith. She tries to deal with that and Levi Jeremy's best friend who is also the guy who outted him. At the time it felt like a betrayal. He always seemed to hate her and gave her nothing but contempt really. Now though it feels different. He's different, she's different. This book has a little of everything. I did a lot of giggling. Some crying and some laughing. There is so much more going on in this book that you think at first. Faith has some deep hurts you don't see right away. Levi has had feeling for Faith for way longer that you think as well. They both can be a little annoying at times but it's a defense against getting hurt as they both have had that happen to them before.  When your hurt deeply it's hard to trust and to believe and both Faith and Levi have to struggle their way through to get to each other and to something that will last. One of the best books I have read in a while. 5 out of 5 stars for The Best Man by Kristan Higgins. Read it!!!

Find out more from Kristan Higgins website here. www.kristanhiggins.com

Book review: Tactical Advantage (The Precinct: Task Force #3) by Julie Miller

His only job was to protect her—not to get her into bed. When his co-investigator was attacked just moments after Detective Nick Fensom left the scene, he swore he'd never let her get hurt again. Thanks to their tense relationship, criminologist Annie Hermann wasn't happy to have Nick as her newly appointed protector. And although Nick couldn't blame her, being together 24/7 caused him to see Annie in a whole new light. Before long, he couldn't stop picturing the beautiful brunette wrapped up in his arms—and in his sheets. But allowing unfamiliar feelings to get in the way of the job was completely unprofessional …especially once Annie discovered the evidence that could cost her her life

I believe this is my first Julie Miller book. I'm a big fan of romantic suspense and i have really good luck with Harlequin's Intrigue line. This was no exception. Nick and Annie were like oil and water. Didn't mix. Annie has a sad background though. Her parents were killed in a car accident when she was a young girl and she had a fiance who dumped her when she wouldn't conform to what he thought she should be. After being hurt and left alone so many times she's insulated herself from any kind of relationship where she could get hurt and left again. Then she gets attacked on the job and Nick who she was partnered with when it happens saves her and decides he will protect her at all costs.  This book is action packed from start to finish. I was rooting for Nick and Annie right from the start. You can't help but like both characters. The one thing that confused me is they catch one of the bad guys in the story but not the two that the whole thing is focused on. I'm not sure if that's part of the series or if it's just not that important to the love story part of the book. I did enjoy the writing. It was fantastic. I was guessing the wrong guy the whole time. lol 4 out of 4 stars for Tactical Advantage by Julie Miller.

Find out more on the Julie Miller website. www.juliemiller.org

Hot Cover Monday!! UNFORGETTABLE Berkley Heat "A Dalton Gang Novel" by Alison Kent

Out August 2013

THE DALTON BOYS TAKE THE REINS

The infamous Dalton Gang was once known for riding—and playing—hard. Now, as owners of the Dalton Ranch in Crow Hill, Texas, they’re working from sunup to sundown. But one look from the right woman can tempt them back into the saddle…

When a walk on the wild side turned into a nightmare for Everly Grant, she escaped her abusive ex by taking a job with Crow Hill's small newspaper. Now assigned to write a human-interest story on the return of the Dalton Gang, she soon discovers that Boone Mitchell could give her plenty more than a good interview. As much as she craves safety, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Boone’s dangerous streak. Before she takes the cowboy to bed, she lays down the law: There are no strings attached, and she’s the one in charge.

That’s fine for Boone. In fact, Everly teaches him things no other woman ever dared. Soon they find themselves wanting more than their simple arrangement will allow. But to get there, Everly will have to open up in ways she thought she never could…

Read a excerpt here www.alisonkent.com

Book review: One Night with a Cowboy (Oklahoma Nights #1) by Cat Johnson

Available February 26, 2013

One Sweet Ride. . .
Oh yeah. A single look at the leggy blonde in the stands and Tucker Jenkins is ready to buck all night long. It's time to forget all about his cheating ex and his usual hands off policy. 

One Hot Night. . .

Becca Hart is an East Coast professor. Not a buckle bunny. But no degree can prepare her for the moves of the sexy bull rider she hooks up with at her first rodeo. . .or the shock of finding him at her first Oklahoma State University staff meeting. 

One Happy Ending. . .

Tuck knows it's all about holding on, no matter how wild the ride. Now he just has to convince Becca that a rough start out of the chute doesn't mean they aren't a smokin' combination. . 

This has got to be one of the hottest covers! I mean look at it. Tucker Jenkins isn't what he appears. When Becca and her sister meet him and his friend Jace at a rodeo they figure him and his friends are a couple of cowboys chasing buckle bunnies. As much as Becca liked him that wasn't for her. She's there for a job interview anyway at OSU. They had one night of passion and she figured that was it. Imagine her surprise when she gets the job at OSU and runs into him at a mixer to welcome her? Tucker is not only a championship rodeo guy he is also in the military and a trainer at OSU for their ROTC program. After some miscommunication though the two hit it off again even though both had bad romantic experiences in their pasts.  Problem now is there is a no fraternization rule that says people who work for the college can't date. Sneaking around seems to work at first tile they get caught in some close calls. Tuck is tore up about what he feels for Becca and also doesn't want her to lose her job which he finds out she really needs.  He decides to volunteer for 6 months of duty in Iraq in one of the most dangerous areas there. He's been there before but not at a place where there are high casualties. He tells Becca goodbye and heads off hoping 6 months apart will clear his head and give him some prospective. It doesn't take him long to realize he misses Becca and loves her. Finally he confesses but in the meantime she's out of her mind with worry when she finds out where he is and why. I enjoyed this book but at the same time it felt a little wishy washy to me.  I would really get into at some points and others i wanted to skip ahead. Made it hard to decide how i feel about the book as a whole.  I liked it enough to try book 2 when it comes out so that's a good sign for me. Sometimes the first book in a series is not a the best indicator for the whole series. I enjoyed the writing just not the pace i guess.  3 out 5 stars for One Night with a Cowboy by Cat Johnson.


Find out more about Cat Johnson and her work here www.catjohnson.net

Book review: Anything for You (Coming Home #2.5) by Jessica Scott

From the author of Because of You comes an all new Coming Home short story.

Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison has spent a year recovering from his combat injuries. A year spent in the arms of the woman of his dreams. But loving Jen comes with a price: every time he touches her, he faces the uncertain fear that loving her might mean losing her forever. 
 
Jen is a breast cancer survivor and with Shane, she’s found a man who loves her despite her scars. But her scars may be too much for their love to survive. 

As their love grows, so does the risk to Jen’s life. And Shane must make the toughest decision any man can make to save the woman he loves.

If you have read Jessica Scott's Coming Home series she gives us a short story to go with the series involving the characters from book 1(Because of You). In this short story we pick back up with Shane and Jen and their lives after their book ends.  Jen had a vicious battle with breast cancer and had her breasts removed in the course of her treatment. Shane is scared to death if Jen gets pregnant and then her cancer returns he'll lose her and possibly the baby as well. He struggles with what they should do. Unfortunately he doesn't discuss what to do with the one person he needs to, Jen. When she finds out by mistake it might the one thing that could end them.  You get a few glimpses to other characters from the series as well. Of the two books in this series so far book 1 was my favorite and i loved Shane and Jen. If you haven't read this series yet you should definitely give book 1 a shot and then you can read this short story and enjoy the immediate reunion with the characters.  4 out 5 stars for Anything for You by Jessica Scott.

Find out more here www.jessicascott.net

Book review: Beneath the Secrets part 2 (Tall, Dark and Deadly series) (serial) by Lisa Renee Jones

Vengeance is all Blake Walker has lived for....until he met her. She will bring him to his knees but will it be in passion or pain? 

Two paths collide.

Two people who will do anything, including sleeping with the enemy, to avenge or save someone they love. But what if everything isn't as it seems and the enemy isn't the enemy at all? Can these two broken people drawn together by their sizzling hot attraction see beyond their pain and their need for vengeance and find the trust they will need to survive a vicious drug lord's wrath before it's too late?
Part 2 Feb 28th
Part 3 April 30th
Part 4 May 31st

This is the last book is the Tall, Dark and Deadly series. The previous book came out as separate books but book 3 is being broken up into parts like a serial. I'm not a fan of this and would rather read it as a whole book but non the less I am still reading this. I have read the other books and part 1 so i want to finish it but also i have loved this series. One of my favorite series by this author.  Part 2 gives you another small piece of the story and takes about 45 minutes to read. Blake is trying to decide if Kara is the enemy or someone he needs to help and protect. Kara has some big secrets and she's not telling. Not the Blake isn't giving it his all to find out. Kara has  the same problem as Blake though. She's trying to decide if Blake is a bad guy or a good guy. By the end of this part of the serial though the gig appears to be up for Kara. You'll have to wait til part 3 to find out though. The writing is awesome. I love the characters but i don't like it broken down into parts. You barely get started and it's over. If i rate it based on the writing i could give it 5 out of 5 stars, but if i rate it based on the amount i get to read for each part I would have to lower it. To what i'm not sure. It's frustrating. Do you like serials? If yes how long do you think each part should be? I don't mine them but i think it should be long enough to get somewhere and should be a serial from the beginning and that is my problem here. I'll still read the next two parts though of course. lol

Find out more about Lisa Renee Jones and her work here www.lisareneejones.com

Hot Cover Monday! A Twofer! Trying to Score, Taking Shots by by Toni Aleo

Release 5/2013

Find out more here www.tonialeo.com

Book review: The Wicked Wager (A Regency Murder Mystery & Romance) By Anya Wylde

Guest review by Amber

The infamous rake, Lord Richard Hamilton, has finally chosen his bride—the very appropriate Miss Emma Grey.

The ton approves, Lord Grey is pleased, Lady Grey delighted, and Emma is over the moon, but her uncle, (the blasted) Duke of Arden opposes the match, and Emma is ordered to move to the duke’s estate to think things over.

Richard Hamilton refuses to take things lying down and concocts a plan. A plan that should have brought the lovers together and had them married within a month. It was a simple matter of masquerading as the duke’s gardener, compromising the lady, and then having the duke rush them off to Gretna Green.

Alas, he underestimates the duke’s intelligence and the tangled situation on the estate—never had he imagined that compromising a lady could be so difficult.

His endeavours lead to a comedy of errors, charades, and knotty love affairs. Yet he forges ahead in spite of pesky house guests, a flea bitten mattress, his lovesick best friend, and a blackmailer.

Just when things seem to be going well, someone is murdered (very inconvenient), and he happens to be one of the suspects (extremely inconvenient).

His simple plan for winning the wager suddenly becomes … a tad complicated.

The first thing I should note is that I’m not much of a historical romance reader.  But I am a big mystery reader and I do have a fondness for the Regency time period.  Or maybe that’s a weakness for Colin Firth.  Might be one or the other. 

This is a pretty cute book with a few issues.  Miss Emma Grey is going to marry Lord Hamilton, but her uncle, a duke, wants her to wait.  Richard Hamilton isn’t into the idea of waiting.  So he hatches this utterly ridiculous plan to follow her to her uncle’s estate and pretend to be a gardener for a reason that really makes no sense so I will leave it to there reader to unravel the mess that is their wager.

I enjoy the madcap romp element of this story, like The Importance of Being Ernest, or the like.  However, the murder mystery is kind of lacking in that it doesn’t even pick up until the very end of the book.  It’s not really so much of a mystery as it is a comedy of errors with a random murder thrown in at the end.  So in that way, I felt a little misled. 

Also, I was kind of bored until the heroine’s fake ‘fiancé’ shows up in the form of Richard Hamilton’s friend, William Raikes.  I really enjoyed William and his romance with Emma’s cousin much more than the relationship between Emma and Richard.  That part of the story was definitely funny. 

So, in summary, for an absurd but rompy good time, this book rates high.  For a murder mystery, I have to admit I found it rather lacking.  I’d give it a 3.5 out five stars.  


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