Oh my! I have a new TOP 10 FAVORITE HP. This book is adorable!!!!!!!!!!!
Heroine: Young vet who is super sweet and is a real champion for a difficult dOh my! I have a new TOP 10 FAVORITE HP. This book is adorable!!!!!!!!!!!
Heroine: Young vet who is super sweet and is a real champion for a difficult dog.
Hero: champion for his elderly godmother and is very no-nonsense.
Penny Jordan creates a charming and picturesque town, and I'm ready to live there! With gardens and cottages and quirky villagers.
This book includes a lot of my favorite things...
*Heroine is a vet/science person, also heart of gold and very kind *Hero is sexy, a bit grumpy, loyal, has a hidden heart of gold *Older couple in love (side story) *Lots of animals, including dog training class! *The main dog is adorbs, and even gets his own POV a few times! *Not too much angst *No irritating misunderstandings *The dog has a heroic moment! SQUEEEEE! *Lots of good sexual tension between H/h
This book is almost 100% perfect for me. I think I'll re-read it again today. Hee hee!
The premise for this novel is really cute. A tabloid reporter goes undercover on a reality TV show that features a "love dog" who brings together fracThe premise for this novel is really cute. A tabloid reporter goes undercover on a reality TV show that features a "love dog" who brings together fractured couples. The suspense portion of this story was high...the entire time you're worried that Samantha's cover will be blown. Watson did a good job wrapping up this difficult conflict at the end.
I'm not gonna lie. My favorite character, by far, was the dog Apollo. He was super sweet, loving, and adorable, and I was stressed out thinking he would not get his HEA. (I was more worried about Apollo and his HEA than the human characters in the story). Well, the ending was PERFECTION! True love and happiness for all, human and canine alike. I do think the H/h of this book took a back seat to the dog and his quest to make people happy. But the magic of this story was the dog, and getting his charming POV added the pop into this book.
This is a super cute quickie story about a dachshund who is stingy with kisses (until the HEA, of course!...hee hee). It's free right now on Amazon foThis is a super cute quickie story about a dachshund who is stingy with kisses (until the HEA, of course!...hee hee). It's free right now on Amazon for prime members (Kindle version) and it is also available in print on the author's website. There are some adorable illustrations of her family members and their cutie pie doxies. Loved it!...more
First up, let me just say that Stabenow must be sweating bullets. Folks have been chomping at the bitReview for Restless in the Grave by Dana Stabenow
First up, let me just say that Stabenow must be sweating bullets. Folks have been chomping at the bit for this book for a long, long time. Which means expectations are up. Which means, as an author, that you're worried about not living up to those expectations. As we all know, readers are a tough bunch. This book takes two of her larger-than-life characters, Alaskan state trooper Liam (from the Liam Campbell Series) and private investigator Kate (from the Kate Shugak Series) and puts them into one extraordinary book. Not only did this book meet my expectations, it surpassed them. In grand fashion. This book has the perfect balance of setting, characters, suspense, wit, gravity, and I-didn't-see-that-one-coming surprises. Plural. Because Stabenow heaps on the surprises at the end of this tale. Some are tragic, if not inevitable. And some are intriguing. And some catapult Kate into 007, Ms. Bad-Ass Heroine territory.
I love cozy mysteries...they're quick, light, and easy to digest. Some romantic suspense and straight up mysteries are too disturbing for me to read. And often, I find that the authors focus too much on the storyline, and not enough on the characters. The characters make the book. Period. No matter how clever the mystery is, if the characters don't have enough meat on their bones, the book is flat.
Stabenow's books are pure magic. Not only are her storylines clever, complex and chock full of cool tidbits (ranging from the Alaskan fishing industry, historical and cultural details, background about flying and airplanes, etc), but she makes the Alaskan setting come to life. And she should. She lives there. Everything about it is crystal clear....the funky people, the difficult economy, the brutal weather, the spectacular wildlife. Stabenow is in love with Alaska, and every word of her stories brings this fact to life. But the best part of her books, for me, showcases her talent with inventing real, gritty, complex characters. Kate is a ballsy bad-ass, but she is still a conflicted woman struggling with day-to-day problems. Liam is the most swoon-ilicious Alaskan state trooper ever....hot, hunky, sexy, loyal to his family. But also finely nuanced with many shades of gray. Stabenow is a master at creating real characters. And this is what propels her books to the top o' the mystery heap for me.
I was curious about how successful she would be mixing Kate and Liam together into one book. Would I be satisfied? Honestly, I could read 4,000 books about Liam and it wouldn't be enough, but I thought she did a pretty damned good job incorporating both Kate and Liam into this story. I would have liked a bit more Liam, of course....it's been too long since we had a Liam story, and I was ravenous. But, this was enough to satisfy my appetite. And watching Moses bully Kate into her yoga poses was brilliant. Seeing a character from Liam's world butt his way into Kate's world was spine-tingling cool. Even as Stabenow put this book on a path toward tragedy.
The ending of this book is the best ending I've read, probably ever. When I thought the book was over, she added on one more surprise. Then, another. Then, another. One was shocking and tragic. One was paranormal and intriguing. And one had the promise for a future romance. Honest to God, I couldn't stop smiling after I finished this book.
My expectations were high. And Restless in the Grave blew them right out of the water. Out of the frigid, icy Alaskan waters.
Grade: A
Planning my trip to Alaska and hoping to meet some beardy state troopers, Penelope...more
How To Flirt With A Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
Oh boy! I forgot how much I love this author. Her humor, her writing, her cute first person POV heroHow To Flirt With A Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
Oh boy! I forgot how much I love this author. Her humor, her writing, her cute first person POV heroine with the great one-liners. This book was just what the doctor ordered to erase the disturbing bearotica images from my traumatized brain.
First of all, the cover is adorable and original in the world of romance novels. Love it! Second of all, this story is set in Alaska, home of many big, burly, hairy guys. And bears.
(Hmmm. I didn't realize how many similarities this book has with Bearotica: Hot and Hairy Fiction. Disturbing.)
Anyhow, right from the beginning of the book, I knew I was going to like it....
"Our conversation was interrupted several times by locals who approached me to introduce themselves. Well, local men who approached me to introduce themselves. Big, burly, and in most cases barely shaved, they were polite, even courtly, as they sidled up to my bar stool......" (Hold on a minute while I check air fare to Alaska.....)
OK! I'm back. Too expensive.
The premise for the story is great....a city girl escapes to Alaska to start a new life free of her hippy parents' interference. The hippy parents and Mo's atypical upbringing are hilarious. The werewolf hero, Cooper, is sexy and protective, although we don't really get to know him well enough in my opinion. And the icing on the romance novel cake? There is a dachshund in this book! An argyle-sweater-wearing, bear-fighting weenie dog. Super epic win!
Harper's humor is her strong point. The story soars when Mo is making funny observations about life in Alaska. As the story skips to more disturbing material (bloody werewolf deaths, an attack on Mo, etc), the story is not as effective and the pacing sometimes drags. I also thought we didn't get to know Cooper well enough. He spends a lot of time scowling and brooding, (and of course having fantastic sex with the heroine), but not enough time getting to know her.
In spite of these shortcomings, I loved the story. I was worried about Alan, the rejected suitor looking for love in the wilds of Alaska, and Harper wrapped up that loose end in a sweet and tidy way. (Which involved purchasing mega-packs of condoms at Bulk Wonderland...hee hee!).
This is a sweet, fun story, and I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series, The Art Of Seducing A Naked Werewolf.
Oh, this book is fabulous! I can't believe Annette Blair made an agoraphobic heroine work, but she diBedeviled Angel by Annette Blair (Quickie Review)
Oh, this book is fabulous! I can't believe Annette Blair made an agoraphobic heroine work, but she did. And the hero is delicious...I want one of his golden (and silver...hee hee hee!) feathers! The sweet, tender moments are to die-for. My favorite moment is when the heroine tosses the twins' uniforms out the window. Blair knows that little gestures like this make a big emotional impact. This book is charming, lusty, fun and sweet. And, it's got doxie puppies. It just doesn't get any better than this! Grade: A...more
Dog named Piglet, heroine who loves gardening and could give 2 shits about fancy clothes/jewelry...and is totally unimpressed with her fancy-pants ItaDog named Piglet, heroine who loves gardening and could give 2 shits about fancy clothes/jewelry...and is totally unimpressed with her fancy-pants Italian blackmailer/lover. Sexy hero who saves her dog's life and says the most romantic things ever--in ITALIAN.
I usually avoid contemporary romance, but this book is a gem. Here are some of the cool things about it....one of the main characters is a Chinese CreI usually avoid contemporary romance, but this book is a gem. Here are some of the cool things about it....one of the main characters is a Chinese Crested named Hairy who is a disco dancing champion. The heroine is not skinny, and she is a vet. The hero is a totally sexy alpha male rugby player who is HOT. There's a sassy adopted teenage daughter, sarcastic Chinese receptionist, crazy ex-husband, and a cool dad with an old, blind 3-legged Shepherd. The story is laugh-out-loud funny, very sexy, and the POV in the dog's head is hysterical. The scene at Bayside Stella's where Thomas and Emma are eating crabs is so buttery and hot, I'm left lusting for crustaceans and wicked hot sex simultaneously. Whew!
Anyway, I have probably read this book at least ten times, and I just love it! For anyone looking for a fun, sexy, kooky, doggie-centric contemporary romance novel this book is a keeper. Grade: A
I am seriously going to have to enter a 12-step program to get over my addiction to A Duke of Her Own. I cannot stop A Duke of Her Own by Eloisa James
I am seriously going to have to enter a 12-step program to get over my addiction to A Duke of Her Own. I cannot stop re-reading this sucker. I just re-read it for the third time in a matter of weeks.
It doesn't look like anything special (cheesy pastel romance cover).
It doesn't sound like anything special (book blurb on the back turned me off--I hate books where the hero is trying to choose between 2 women, and the whole duel thing sounds trite).
But Holy Christ On A Crutch, this book is pretty damned close to flawless. The only other time I have finished a novel and thought, this is a totally perfectly written, constructed, and characterized book, was when I finished Loretta Chases' Lord of Scoundrels. A Duke of Her Own has everything that I adore in a historical romance...incredible characters, a beautiful story, lots of humor, sexy interludes that create a nice slow burn throughout the novel, and a wonderfully satisfying ending.
Thank you, Eloisa James for the most exquisite dialogue, with banter so sharp it cuts like a knife. The dialogue between the hero and heroine is wicked, funny, sexy --it literally sparkles with energy. In fact, in my not so humble opinion, James' dialogue is right up there among the best written in a historical romance novel.
Thank you, Ms. James, for a perfectly constructed novel....the pacing is perfect, the characters are original, the writing is flawless.
Thank you, Ms. James, for creating Villiers...a flamboyant, and yet very masculine, smart, fascinating, commanding, sexy hero.
Thank you for Eleanor, who is one of my favorite heroines ever! I love the scene in the orphanage where she kicks butt. I love the scene with Mrs. Busy where she is caressing her riding crop while kicking butt. I love the scene where she is plopped on the floor in her beautiful gown, playing knucklebones with Villier's bastard son, and growing more competitive by the minute! I love....well, every scene. But the scene at the end of the book with Oyster her pug is so freaking great, that I think I have re-read that scene about twenty times (so far). Absolutely. Wonderful. Thank you!
Thank you to all of the readers and reviewers who recommended this book, so that I read it in spite of the cheesy cover and off-putting book blurb, including Carolyn Hughe's Romance Reviews.
This book is part of a series, which I found rather uneven. However, this book can totally stand alone (although to truly appreciate the depth of Villier's chess obsession, you may want to read the others in the series, too). Eloisa James definitely saved the best for last, because A Duke of Her Own is perfection. Grade: A+++++ (OK, just one plus!)
This is one of my favorite re-reads. It is brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! I am seriously in love with MaximilNo True Gentleman by Liz Carlyle (2002)
This is one of my favorite re-reads. It is brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! I am seriously in love with Maximilian de Rohan....how's that for a name! Dark, brooding, moody, sexy....yowzah! This book really transcends the romance genre...it is something much more than one would expect. Carlyle's prose is rich and nuanced, and this book is not a fast read-sort of romance novel. It needs to be savored like a fine wine, and it is well worth it. In the same way that I need to adjust to Annette Blair's unique style of writing each time I read one of her books, Carlyle's voice as a writer is also something unique and special. This is a romance novel for the intelligent, curious and demanding reader...just the way I like them!
Carlyle's characters are nothing short of amazing. The contrast between Max, the dark and introspective investigator, and Catherine, the proper English widow, is wickedly delicious. Everything about this book is spot-on...the structure of the story, the unfolding of the mystery, the revelations about the characters, and the masterful writing. The love story is at times wicked, touching, sensual, intense and emotional. Wow! It's absolutely amazing.
The secondary characters are also fascinating, and many have their own stories, also (although this book is by far my favorite). I must admit that there are quite a few romance novels that I find enjoyable to read, but I can't remember the character's names the next day. This one stays with you for a while. It is fascinating. I don't think this book is for everyone...some readers may find the pace too slow, the prose too rich...it is certainly a more complex book than many romance novels I have read. I honestly think this book is a treasure. I defy you to read this one and not fall madly in love with Max. He is not your typical romance hero, but he sure is a memorable one. Grade: A+
When I first read Elizabeth Hoyt's debut novel, The Raven Prince, I was amazed. The last time I read a debut novelTo Beguile A Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt
When I first read Elizabeth Hoyt's debut novel, The Raven Prince, I was amazed. The last time I read a debut novel and thought, Holy Mother, here's a new author I am already addicted to, was the book Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan. (If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it!) The Raven Prince had a preposterous premise for the book, but nevertheless, Hoyt's writing is so fabulous that I truly didn't care. I absolutely fell in love with her "hero"- and I use that term very loosely, because Hoyt's heroes are flawed men, warts and all. The hero of To Beguile A Beast is no exception. Sir Alistair Munroe is horribly disfigured from an extremely traumatic wartime incident. He is cranky, blunt, irritable, and rude. I love him! And luckily for him, eventually beautiful Helen Fitzwilliam does, too. Hoyt's sex scenes are among the best written by a historical romance author...very earthy, lusty, and real. No flowery prose or formalities here. You get a very real sense of the characters' physical attraction, and that is not so common in historical romance. The underlying message about physical beauty is a theme I really like...Helen was chosen as a mistress by an arrogant duke because of her beauty, but it means nothing to her since he treats her as a possession. Alistair is so disfigured that small children scream in horror when they see him. And yet Helen and her children learn to love the man he is inside...filled with honor, integrity, and intellectual curiosity. There is nothing I like better than the redemption of a broken man through the love of a good woman (Sydnam in Balogh's Simply Love, Zsadist in JR Ward's Lover Awakened, Zarek in Kenyon's Dance With The Devil). Watching the transformation of Alistair's crumbling castle and ruined life, into a home filled with love, and a future filled with hope, is a wonderful journey for the reader. I absolutely adored this book, and I know that it will be re-read many times in the future. Thank you Elizabeth Hoyt for creating another masterpiece for romance lovers everywhere.
Although I am hugely disappointed in the violent turn of events Ms. Feehan has taken of late, her earlier CarpDark Symphony by Christine Feehan (2007)
Although I am hugely disappointed in the violent turn of events Ms. Feehan has taken of late, her earlier Carpathian vampire novels are still among my favorites. This week, I decided to re-read Dark Symphony, one of my favorite books in the Dark Series. For those of you not familiar with Feehan's Carpathians, I'll give you a brief overview. These books are high on the melodrama, contain extremely long-winded, graphic sex scenes, and the heroes are super-alpha "vampire"-like Carpathians, who pledge undying loyalty to their "lifemates." Yeah, they are pretty much over the top, but if you buy into this whole thing (which I do), then they are extremely romantic. Dark Symphony is one of my favorites for several reasons.
First of all, this is one of the Dark Series with no vampire fight scenes. Most of the Dark books have a bundle of foul vampires, with their talon-like nails, rotting flesh, hideous teeth, etc etc. Basically, they're not pretty. It adds a whole different paranormal dimension to these books which is okay if I'm in the mood for a vampire fight scene...
Vampire: I'm going to kick your Carpathian butt. Carpathian: You are an abomination, you must die to protect mortals and immortals alike. Vampire: Come and get me, Skippy.
(Can you tell I'm sort of in a weird mood?) Anyhoo, the bad guys in Dark Symphony are humans and shapeshifters, not vampires. And it just goes to show that Feehan doesn't really need all that crazy paranormal business to write a great book. The Scarletti family is a hoot, and Christine Feehan's humorous side (which does not reveal itself very often in her ultra-serious, melodramatic books) is a breath of fresh air. There are several places where I actually laughed out loud while reading this book. Antonietta is a very original Feehan heroine...a blind and very talented pianist, she is confident and self-assured. (Most of the human heroines freak out when they learn their lifemates plan to "convert" them into Carpathians, but Antonietta was not hesitant. Her attitude...."Bring it on!") Love her! Also, I like Byron. Unlike some of the really intense heroes (Darius, Gregori, etc.--who I also love!), Byron is more understated and rational thinking. (Some of the Carpathian males are sort of like cavemen dragging their unwilling women folk home to their lair--not that there's anything necessarily wrong with that, mind you!).
And finally, there's a totally cool dog! Yep, that's right....I LOVE romance novels with cool dogs, and Celt, a borzoi, is loyal, fierce and protective of his charges. You can tell Feehan is into animals, and her description of Celt and all of the shapeshifting beings (owls, dragons, Jaguars, wolves, etc) are fascinating.
I have re-read Dark Symphony many times and it never fails to get me in a good mood. I highly recommend this classic Feehan, and pray that she returns to some good old-fashioned romance in the future. Grade: A
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