"I don't need no doctor, 'cause I know what's ailin' me..."
Torel recognizes all the signs when he meets his meant-to-be human mate. And then he ignore"I don't need no doctor, 'cause I know what's ailin' me..."
Torel recognizes all the signs when he meets his meant-to-be human mate. And then he ignores, denies, suppresses, and darn near works himself into a snit. Why? Because he (whine) doesn't want a mate. He wants to be the BigA$$ almighty famous doctor. No time for nookie, no no no... Funny thing - his destined human honey feels exactly the same way (and why does that get him all hot and bothered?) It's a goofy tale of non-lovers who backpedal themselves right into the red-hot flaming romance they think they don't need. Read it, and then say "Told ya so!"
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"I don't need no doctor, 'cause I know what's ailin' me..."
Torel recognizes all the signs when he meets his meant-to-be human mate. And then he ignores, denies, suppresses, and darn near works himself into a snit. Why? Because he (whine) doesn't want a mate. He wants to be the BigA$$ almighty famous doctor. No time for nookie, no no no... Funny thing - his destined human honey feels exactly the same way (and why does that get him all hot and bothered?) It's a goofy tale of non-lovers who backpedal themselves right into the red-hot flaming romance they think they don't need. Read it, and then say "Told ya so!"...more
Nina Beaumont's Sapphire Magic is billed as a historical romance, but it reads more like the narrative of a Romantic equivalent of a military campaign
Nina Beaumont's Sapphire Magic is billed as a historical romance, but it reads more like the narrative of a military campaign. The Congress of Vienna and the post-Napoleonic end of the nineteenth century is the venue of this stunning series of battles between a beautiful, headstrong, independent young Englishwoman named Arabella, and Austrian Count Fernando Berg - Nando. Nando is an older, cynical, war-weary soldier, and a wounded spirit. He's sick to death of the posturing and deception of courtiers and spies alike, especially the females who simper and betray the unwary, like a certain lady once did to him. Their meeting ignites an attraction that Nando can't acknowledge for fear that he will give in to Arabella's love. She sees through his terminally broken-hearted loner facade, and challenges him at every turn to gather his courage, trust her, and love her forever. They both play the long game, but if Nando wins there will be two broken hearts, so Arabella battles him incident after encounter, not able to claim full victory, yet pushing Nando ever closer to ultimate surrender. This is a long, drawn out, exhausting campaign, with ever-higher stakes. The lives and happiness of more than Arabella and Nando hang on the outcome. Readers who want a quick romantic tussle will rue the patience it takes to read this book. Readers who appreciate high-stakes games, duels to the death, and heroines with courage and indomitable will, will savor every turn of the tide until the final surrender. Me? I loved the emotional see-saw and the vibrating energy of every page! This is a voluntary ARC review.
Merged review:
Romantic equivalent of a military campaign
Nina Beaumont's Sapphire Magic is billed as a historical romance, but it reads more like the narrative of a military campaign. The Congress of Vienna and the post-Napoleonic end of the nineteenth century is the venue of this stunning series of battles between a beautiful, headstrong, independent young Englishwoman named Arabella, and Austrian Count Fernando Berg - Nando. Nando is an older, cynical, war-weary soldier, and a wounded spirit. He's sick to death of the posturing and deception of courtiers and spies alike, especially the females who simper and betray the unwary, like a certain lady once did to him. Their meeting ignites an attraction that Nando can't acknowledge for fear that he will give in to Arabella's love. She sees through his terminally broken-hearted loner facade, and challenges him at every turn to gather his courage, trust her, and love her forever. They both play the long game, but if Nando wins there will be two broken hearts, so Arabella battles him incident after encounter, not able to claim full victory, yet pushing Nando ever closer to ultimate surrender. This is a long, drawn out, exhausting campaign, with ever-higher stakes. The lives and happiness of more than Arabella and Nando hang on the outcome. Readers who want a quick romantic tussle will rue the patience it takes to read this book. Readers who appreciate high-stakes games, duels to the death, and heroines with courage and indomitable will, will savor every turn of the tide until the final surrender. Me? I loved the emotional see-saw and the vibrating energy of every page! This is a voluntary ARC review....more
I was unexpectedly entranced by this slow-moving and sensitively related tale of the man who returns from India to claHistorically paced sweet romance
I was unexpectedly entranced by this slow-moving and sensitively related tale of the man who returns from India to claim a title he thought never to have, and the calmly rational widow who is a veteran of her own fight for independence. Both have egregiously horrid families of origin, and their own very real personal demons that haunt them. The turn of the 19th century English setting is well integrated into a story filled with danger from without and within, peopled by characters who are (for the most part) individualized, memorable, and integral to the outcome. Save for the over-the-top villainy of his step-brother and her father, these folks populate a world long gone but made real in Jayne Davis' well-written tale of love, redemption, and second chances.
Merged review:
Historically paced sweet romance
I was unexpectedly entranced by this slow-moving and sensitively related tale of the man who returns from India to claim a title he thought never to have, and the calmly rational widow who is a veteran of her own fight for independence. Both have egregiously horrid families of origin, and their own very real personal demons that haunt them. The turn of the 19th century English setting is well integrated into a story filled with danger from without and within, peopled by characters who are (for the most part) individualized, memorable, and integral to the outcome. Save for the over-the-top villainy of his step-brother and her father, these folks populate a world long gone but made real in Jayne Davis' well-written tale of love, redemption, and second chances....more
Darcy is a professional "Date" working for a service that caters to wealthy clients. He is hired for a weekSweet switch-up on the fake boyfriend trope
Darcy is a professional "Date" working for a service that caters to wealthy clients. He is hired for a week-long society wedding bash, posing as Abby's boyfriend. He does his usual flawless job - until Abby's brother Adrian complicates things. "Complicates" as in pushes Darcy's buttons, lights his fire, and distracts him from his job. That Darcy is equally hot for Adrian makes it SO hard to resist... But Darcy is a pro, and a decent man, and won't let his client down - even if it means losing his chance with Adrian. It's hot, it's sweet, it's a total minefield of family dynamics and hidden agendas, and I cheered for Darcy and Adrian the whole way through to HEA. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Merged review:
Sweet switch-up on the fake boyfriend trope
Darcy is a professional "Date" working for a service that caters to wealthy clients. He is hired for a week-long society wedding bash, posing as Abby's boyfriend. He does his usual flawless job - until Abby's brother Adrian complicates things. "Complicates" as in pushes Darcy's buttons, lights his fire, and distracts him from his job. That Darcy is equally hot for Adrian makes it SO hard to resist... But Darcy is a pro, and a decent man, and won't let his client down - even if it means losing his chance with Adrian. It's hot, it's sweet, it's a total minefield of family dynamics and hidden agendas, and I cheered for Darcy and Adrian the whole way through to HEA. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review....more
The aptly named Star-Crossed Dating Agency (illegal intergalactic bride-poaching mission invented by the Pyrosians in Off course and headed off-planet
The aptly named Star-Crossed Dating Agency (illegal intergalactic bride-poaching mission invented by the Pyrosians in order to save their species) has yet to be truly accepted by humanity. Desperate Pyrosian dignitaries are trying a little match-making theater in order to make themselves more welcome on Earth. So, of course some idiot Pyrosian male who already got his has to go and invite Radek to the show. And of course, Radek isn't even Pyrosian, so there's no human gal waiting for him. And of course, when the anti-alien terrorists attack the Big Alien Mating Party, Radek the Romaki Ice Dragon does what self-preservation dictates: despite promises to the contrary, he shifts into his dragon form and flies off to safety... Except he flashes on a woman in the rubble - and two thoughts occur. 1. She's hurt badly and needs help. 2. She's MINE! One hot flying dragon to the rescue, and one incipient mating coming right up. It's a cute tale, with a few interesting twists, and I wish the author had taken us further down the by-ways. The Romaki dragons are an interesting bunch. Radek's momma is the dragonlady-from-hell, and her pick for Radek's mate is an all-star intergalactic Beyotch.... Ah, well. Of such tantalizing tidbits are sequels made... After all, the Star-Crossed Dating Agency is apparently going to go pan-galactic.
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Off course and headed off-planet
The aptly named Star-Crossed Dating Agency (illegal intergalactic bride-poaching mission invented by the Pyrosians in order to save their species) has yet to be truly accepted by humanity. Desperate Pyrosian dignitaries are trying a little match-making theater in order to make themselves more welcome on Earth. So, of course some idiot Pyrosian male who already got his has to go and invite Radek to the show. And of course, Radek isn't even Pyrosian, so there's no human gal waiting for him. And of course, when the anti-alien terrorists attack the Big Alien Mating Party, Radek the Romaki Ice Dragon does what self-preservation dictates: despite promises to the contrary, he shifts into his dragon form and flies off to safety... Except he flashes on a woman in the rubble - and two thoughts occur. 1. She's hurt badly and needs help. 2. She's MINE! One hot flying dragon to the rescue, and one incipient mating coming right up. It's a cute tale, with a few interesting twists, and I wish the author had taken us further down the by-ways. The Romaki dragons are an interesting bunch. Radek's momma is the dragonlady-from-hell, and her pick for Radek's mate is an all-star intergalactic Beyotch.... Ah, well. Of such tantalizing tidbits are sequels made... After all, the Star-Crossed Dating Agency is apparently going to go pan-galactic....more
Jet is Pyrosian, and has fled to the Pyrosian embassy on Earth to escape the stifling control of his family. He and an impoCrazy kidnap victim romance
Jet is Pyrosian, and has fled to the Pyrosian embassy on Earth to escape the stifling control of his family. He and an important embassy guest, Hannah Dewan, are kidnapped by anti-alien terrorists. Things get rough when they are confined in adjacent cells, and then things get muddled when an accidental touch triggers the the mating bond an d the Scorching. These two have a tension-fraught and sexy time trying to outwit their captors and find a way to escape. No spoilers, but HEA happens for all but the undeserving terrorists. total enjoyment!
Merged review:
Crazy kidnap victim romance
Jet is Pyrosian, and has fled to the Pyrosian embassy on Earth to escape the stifling control of his family. He and an important embassy guest, Hannah Dewan, are kidnapped by anti-alien terrorists. Things get rough when they are confined in adjacent cells, and then things get muddled when an accidental touch triggers the the mating bond an d the Scorching. These two have a tension-fraught and sexy time trying to outwit their captors and find a way to escape. No spoilers, but HEA happens for all but the undeserving terrorists. total enjoyment!...more
Pearl Tate's wonderfully entertaining series, The Quasar Lineage, has gone long past the point of stand-aAmped up action nearly overshadows the mating
Pearl Tate's wonderfully entertaining series, The Quasar Lineage, has gone long past the point of stand-alone novels. Chevepak's Cherished is nearly impossible to comprehend without the background and story arc of the previous books. If you pick this up before reading the prior novels, you'll find yourself confused by the rapid-fire mention of incidents and characters that haven't appeared in this novel. That said, for fans of the series, this is a mind-boggling, nail-biting suspense-and-action adventure in the Mission Impossible style, as April and Chevepak attempt to complete their mating in the middle of a clandestine mission to rescue an underground network of freed males from a planetary revolution during an attempted hostile alien takeover... And that's the short version! Seriously, this is really good action/adventure - so good it almost overwhelms the romance between fated mates Chevepak and April. Pearl Tate does her usual red-hot, melt-your-eReader sexy love story, so rest assured that the chain of matched and mated human women and Quasar males continues unbroken, but the real meat of this novel is the wild action and heart-in-mouth twists and turns of the plot. I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review....more
The Earl and the Enchantress is a mostly historical romance featuring a flawed but courageous hero and a woman of indepNot bad, but needs some editing
The Earl and the Enchantress is a mostly historical romance featuring a flawed but courageous hero and a woman of independent mind and outspoken opinions who matches his courage. Unusual in that the story doesn't end at HEA on the wedding day, but moves on to define and refine what it means to love without judgement and to support loved ones by giving them time and space to solve their own issues. The characters are wonderful, the romance is lusty and lovely, but for me there were two issues that dropped this book to just a 3 star read: One is the niggling intrusion of 20th century vocabulary, expressions, and sociology throughout the narrative. The other is the general wordiness and excessive explanatory tone in the narrative. Both of those issues might have been addressed by a savvy editor or a team of helpful beta readers, but (as they say) it is what it is. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review....more
A Post card from Hell is quite an entertaining read. Whodunit junkies and fans of the paranormal alike will enjoy thiAnita Blake meets Stephanie Plum
A Post card from Hell is quite an entertaining read. Whodunit junkies and fans of the paranormal alike will enjoy this cheeky and humorous "detective gets her man - and her demon" mash-up. Cleverly written, slightly snarky, and clearly ripe for a sequel. I'm all in. This is a very enthusiastic and totally voluntary ARC review....more
This isn't really new - an Englishman of noble blood makes a career for himself in the Navy. Then one by one, hisCountry bumpkin catches a titled lord
This isn't really new - an Englishman of noble blood makes a career for himself in the Navy. Then one by one, his father and older brothers die, leaving him the title, the estate, and the family responsibility which will force him home from the sea. He's not pleased, but he is resigned. He heads off to assume his new role and prepares himself for the necessity of wedding a titled and well-dowered bride. A chance meeting with a newly-arrived American poor relation to the family of a friend has him unsettlingly bedeviled by her brash manners and untamed American ways. You know where this is headed. The path forward is muddied and booby trapped by a pair of managing English ladies with nothing better to do than interfere in the lives of unmarried lords and American waifs. It all turns out well, and ticks off all the boxes required of a Regency romance. Diehard fans of the genre will enjoy it, and the rest of us will read it, pronounce it good enough, and move on. I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review....more
Felicity Allen is American, but her gifted voice leads her to a career on the Continent. Meeting Maximilian Berg, an AustrianLovely historical romance
Felicity Allen is American, but her gifted voice leads her to a career on the Continent. Meeting Maximilian Berg, an Austrian nobleman, is just the beginning of an astonishing journey into Felicity's family history, the political instability of Vienna, and the love of a lifetime. There's a lot of action, a fair dose of angst, moments of nail-biting suspense, and thorough it all, the steady drumbeat two hearts determined to unite forever. Thoroughly researched, historically accurate, fascinating and engrossing - here's a historical romance like few others I've read. I heartily recommend it! This is a voluntary ARC review....more
How can you love the person who is responsible for the greatest tragedies of your life? In school, Kensley crushed oWonderfully real, emotionally rich
How can you love the person who is responsible for the greatest tragedies of your life? In school, Kensley crushed on Noah Kirby, but he left to join the Marines and crushed her dreams. He returns, a wounded war hero, whose life was saved by the sacrifice of Kensley's beloved brother, Kevin. She has nothing left - no family, no future, no hope. So why the heck can't she turn off the attraction to Noah? Noah is in bad shape. Physically he's healing, but his heart and mind are a raw mash-up of PTSD, survivor's guilt, grief, and a desperate attraction to the one woman he has no right to love. Tmonique Stephens' bittersweet portrait of grief and healing elevates this small-town second-chance romance to powerful heights of intimacy and irresistible connection. It's all about the inner journey, and Ms. Stephens never steps wrong or takes shortcuts. This is a light-up-your-world five star love story. This has been a voluntary ARC review....more
Landon Collins is a real piece of work. His mom was a wife who cheated, and his dad was a vengeful hotel magnate who divorced hisIroning out the kinks
Landon Collins is a real piece of work. His mom was a wife who cheated, and his dad was a vengeful hotel magnate who divorced his kids along with his wife. Then daddy dearest hired him to manage the secret BDSM club in the hotel basement. The nasty old dude adopted 3 orphan girls as "Grandpa" and raised them with all the love he denied his son. A Dom is born... Andi, one of the 3 girls, grows up to be a wicked-smart, wisecracking Ms Independence who protects her heart by holding the boys at bay. There's not a submissive bone in her body. When the hotel magnate dies, he leaves a weird will, with a few fiendish stipulations for Andi and Landon to meet before the inheritance is theirs... I can"t say more - spoilers! It's a little contrived, and a lot short on backstory, but this slightly dark and darkly funny love story held me bemused and bespelled from page one to the deliciously drawn-out torturous HEA. Steamy attraction, very mild kink, and delightfully complex characters, all done in quirky Penelope Bloom style - this one is a treat. And this has been a voluntary ARC review....more
Fast and Hard is a high-speed, high-stakes smoking hot love story set in the rarified world of Formula OManoeuvering for position on and off the track
Fast and Hard is a high-speed, high-stakes smoking hot love story set in the rarified world of Formula One racing. Former world champion driver Lennox Gibbes is a big-money sponsor's nightmare - the only thing worse than his current race performances is his reputation for off-track bad behavior. Sports PR hotshot Mallory is hired to rein in the surly Scotsman with attitude, lest he cost his race team the backers who fuel their big-ticket high-octane toys. She has an attitude of her own, with a high-profile family out to sabotage her dream of her own PR firm. All the people in this novel who have wealth and connections also seem to be suffering from malignant narcissism; it's clearly a case of two good-hearted and talented "little people" getting stomped on by the rich bad guys. Oddly enough, Lennox and Mallory spark the best in each other, and their unlikely professional alliance morphs into real love (and hot sex). The nasty attempts to undo the duo, professionally and personally, are evil enough to make readers cheer for Team L&M, the main characters are sympathetically written, and the blind twists and hairpin turns of the plot come at breathtaking speed. It's all a bit formulaic, but really well done. This one gets the checkered flag....more
A Satyr For Christmas is sort of a strange concept - Greek Mythology celebrating a Christian/secular holiday? Aside from that, it's a good storCute!
A Satyr For Christmas is sort of a strange concept - Greek Mythology celebrating a Christian/secular holiday? Aside from that, it's a good story! Satyrs were once human, but were cursed with goat-feet, ram's horns, insatiable lust, and eternal life. During the day, they can appear normal but after dark, the horns come out. Cyprian Agrios, poor fellow, has found a way to be able to move about freely in modern society - he's hiding in plain sight as a rock star. The buttoned-up, locked-down reporter who is sent to interview him is not impressed with his banter, or his "prosthetics," but is strangely and unwillingly attracted nonetheless. A chance second meeting involving her revolting ex, Cyprian, and his back-stabbing former bandmate sets the stage for love, lawsuits, and lusty encounters the satyrical kind, as as a mythical monster becomes a real hero to a gal who needs someone to Grinch-proof her Christmas Present, and Future. This is a voluntary ARC review. ...more
The poor Drexian warrior who was captured, tortured, and genetically modifies by the Kronock now gets his story. Drexians mnice addition to the series
The poor Drexian warrior who was captured, tortured, and genetically modifies by the Kronock now gets his story. Drexians may have defeated Kronock Generasl Krav, but Krav's depraved mission goes on in the brainwashed mind of the captive Drexian warrior. Shreya, one of the independents who has refused to be a tribute bride, is a scientist who believes she can reverse his damage. When he kidnaps her to fulfill the Kronock "mission," romantic sparks fly. He has to decide if his "mission" is more important than his mate - and the suspenseful lead up to his decision is page-turning good, and steamy as well. Tana Stone's sexy Drexian mates series continues , and I can't wait to see what's next. I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review....more
While I normally adore any/all of Ruby Dixon's books, this one isn't a fave. The drugging and kidnapping thing is iffy with Not the best of the series
While I normally adore any/all of Ruby Dixon's books, this one isn't a fave. The drugging and kidnapping thing is iffy with me, but I can live with it. That Callie is depressed and angry I can also understand and live with. But Callie's behavior is so egregiously cruel to M'tok! This isn't Earth, M 'tok isn't Cuban and neither is anyone else on IceHome. Callie is acting like she won't accept any other reality - which is w-a-ay beyond depression - it's psychotic. I guess that's why I can forgive the drug-and-dragaway; this chica is in need of psychotropic meds and in-patient treatment , and M'tok inadvertently supplies the only alternative available on IceHome. Given the context of the entire story, It's nowhere near as sinister as you might think. Now, S'bren doing ditto to Penny? SO NOT DOWN WITH THAT!!...more
Christmas is the catalyst for miracles. The birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge. The GCharming second chance love story
Christmas is the catalyst for miracles. The birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge. The Grinch's cardiac growth spurt. The WWI one-day truce when German and Allied troops put down their guns, crawled out of their trenches, and sang Christmas carols. In this lovely holiday story, a man who believes himself alone and unloveable finds out that he really has it all - loving extended family, a loving woman, and children he never even knew existed. The problem with blessings is that too many of us, like this rancher, are too afraid to embrace what is so freely given. Curl up with a warm afghan and a mug of cocoa, and enjoy this sweet holiday treat from Mary Sue Jackson I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review ...more
Ava Devlin revisits the scandal-bedeviled Somers family to tell the tale of Alex Sommers, the scalawag younger brother of the sThoroughly entertaining
Ava Devlin revisits the scandal-bedeviled Somers family to tell the tale of Alex Sommers, the scalawag younger brother of the stuffed shirt Viscount Gideon Sommers. Alex is a charmer, a party animal, and, when not bedding willing local wives and widows, a student act Oxford. Graduation sees him forced to leave Oxford and his last paramour behind, as he heads back to his less-than-approving family. Coincidentally, accomplished socialite Gloriana Blakely, who has fallen out of favor with her folks over one too many rejected marriage proposals, is a Somers family guest. She makes it her mission to give Alex a "come-out" party to introduce him to those of the ton who might help him determine a future path for himself. Neither their scandalous first meeting, nor the subsequent party shenanigans, nor the bizarre suspicions of espionage and the threat on Alex's life, can derail the train of Glory's growing love for him, and his for her. Family secrets, old school friendships, and marriage machinations all figure in this charming tale of growing up and becoming who, and whose, each one is meant to be. Delightful characters, major and minor, and clever plotting are the best of this very steamy Regency romance. Five sparkling stars!...more