From NetGalley:
New York, 1866
When her mistress receives an utterly unromantic letter from a potential suitor, servant Susanna Parkwell is asked to craft an appropriate response. Though hesitant to take part in the deception, Susanna agrees, never dreaming the scorned suitor will write back.
Theodore Blakely abhors being pressured by his family to marry, but he’s intrigued by the witty refusal he receives from “Charlotte”. After exchanging more letters, Ted believes he’s found a soul mate in his thoughtful and understanding correspondent, and asks permission to formally court her.
Though racked with guilt over her lies, Susanna can’t resist the opportunity to meet Ted in person. So she poses as Charlotte at a holiday ball, where she vows to tell him the truth. But when the clock strikes midnight, will Susanna have the courage to reveal her identity and risk losing the man she loves?
19,000 words
I wanted this book to be longer. The story is complete and fantastic - I wanted more. A WALTZ AT MIDNIGHT is set in post-civil war America. I haven’t read anything else in this time period and I was fascinated. The relationship between Susanna and Teddy is sweet. I loved the letters that they pass back and forth. I can’t wait to read more by this author. I’m hoping for more set in this time period too.
the book girl gives A WALTZ AT MIDNIGHT a 5/5
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From NetGalley:
It’s hard to keep a secret in the small town of Pike, Montana, but veterinarian Margot McDougal and sheriff Roy Lee Hanson managed to keep their relationship on the sly for months. Margot cares for Roy Lee, but the last thing she needs is to worry about local gossip while she’s busy running her clinic and dealing with the loss of her beloved father.
Roy Lee can’t wait to tell the world that he loves Margot. He respected her decision to keep their affair quiet?until now. It’s time for everyone to know Margot is his gal…especially Ryan Martin, her new assistant. He’s formed an attachment to Margot and Roy Lee is sure the city boy’s unexplained appearance in Pike means he’s up to no good.
Margot just wants to help Ryan fit in, and Roy Lee’s jealousy soon drives a wedge between them. A wedge that only increases when Margot is roped into Ryan’s secret, too…
37,000 words
MARGOT’S LAWMAN is a great contemporary romance. It felt like a snap-shot into the relationship between Margot and Roy Lee. They are already happily together and this story just shows a small glimpse. Margot and Roy Lee have been secretly together for a year and Margot is finally ready to come clean, but Ryan gets in the way. Margot and Roy Lee have to work through things before they can begin their future. MARGOT’S LAWMAN is a quick, sweet story.
the book girl gives MARGOT’S LAWMAN a 4/5
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About the book:
When Lacey Billings gives her boyfriend, Ran, an erotic wake-up call in the middle of the night, she’s shocked to discover that the gorgeous man she’s kissing isn’t Ran…it’s his cousin, Rick.
Although Ran laughs off the mix-up, Lacey and Rick can’t stop thinking about the unexpected encounter, and they can’t escape the scorching flashbacks it’s aroused.
Ran doesn’t want an innocent mistake to ruin his relationship with his girlfriend or his cousin, so he proposes a solution. He wants the three of them to solve this problem the old-fashioned way, by sleeping on it…together.
This novella is HOT, HOT, HOT. I found the story unique and interesting. My only complaint is that I would have liked more. I wanted to know how the relationship between the three - Ran, Rick, and Lacey - evolved from her mistake and their night together to a committed relationship. There is a huge jump from one night to forever and the reader doesn’t get to “see” it happen. I will definitely be looking for more by this author!
the book girl gives THE BEST MISTAKE a 4/5
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About the book:
Peppa Grant’s fellow employees may call their new CEO Mr. McSexy, but she’s also heard that he’s aloof and distant. Cameron McCormac certainly seems cold toward Christmas when she meets him at the company’s annual party…but he’s also the sexiest man Peppa has ever seen. And when he offers to forgive the damage she accidentally caused to his expensive car in exchange for accompanying him to his family’s holiday get-together, she agrees.
Cameron needs a date to the family party to get his matchmaking relatives off his back. Their chemistry is instant and undeniable, leading to an incredible one-night stand. But Peppa wants love and family, while Cameron’s only interested in temporary pleasure. When their relationship takes an unexpectedly serious turn, will he run the other way-or will he give love a second chance?
I really enjoyed this book. It has the feel of a Harlequin Romance. The chemistry between Peppa and Cameron is off the charts. Their romance progresses at a quick pace and even though there are obstacles in their way from the beginning I could foresee a happily ever after. I loved the writing style of the author. I will definitely be looking for more books by Ms. Jones in the future.
the book girl gives ONE PERFECT NIGHT a 5/5
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About the book:
Roxann Thorgesson’s world is out of control. After her father suffers a fatal heart attack, she must take over as publisher of Chicago’s second-largest newspaper. Then her ex-boyfriend Michael Taylor, CEO of his own security company, shows up needing a favor. The last thing Roxann needs is Michael around causing trouble—and potential heartbreak—but he’s involved in a scandalous story she can’t pass up.
Twelve years ago, Michael walked out on Roxann without explanation. Now he needs her help. Michael’s estranged wife has been murdered and he is the prime suspect. He offers something no newspaperwoman could refuse: exclusive access to his headline-making murder accusation, in exchange for her help in uncovering the true killer. When their investigation leads them to a city hall conspiracy, both their lives and their newly reignited flame could be permanently extinguished…
The third book in the Private Protectors series goes back to the beginning taking place before the other two books in the series. Micheal and Roxann share a past that was tainted by bad memories. He left her in a way that gave no closure to their relationship and Roxann isn’t sure she can trust him although she does want to help him find the true murderer. I liked Micheal and Roxann in this story (and in the other two). The chemistry between them is great, but I most liked that Roxann demanded an explanation from Micheal about him leaving her before she would go any further with him in the present. She wasn’t going to just forget that he had hurt her the way he did. The suspense of the story is very well plotted out through the book and I was a bit taken back by who the bad guy ended up being. (Which is a very good thing!) If you haven’t read this series, I suggest starting with this book and then going to MAN LAW and A JUST DECEPTION.
the book girl gives RISKING TRUST a 4/5
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About the book:
Sometimes you just have to say “Deck the freaking halls.” At least, that’s how Leah feels about Christmas. She has a holiday tradition: she gets dumped at Christmas. Always and only at Christmas. With only 12 days till the fateful day, she’s glad she’s alone. The only thing she has to worry about is a horrible boss. And a dead-end career. And clients who drive her insane.
But sexy photojournalist Luke has other ideas; he wants to make Leah’s Christmas dreams come true. And he only has twelve days to begin a romance that will endure until the last bell has been jingled.
Love, laughter, and a little touch of revenge–that’s all a girl really needs in her Christmas stocking.
I enjoyed this novella, but didn’t love it. I think it was the style in which it was written that didn’t appeal to me. SANTA BABY is chick lit. The story is told in first person and focuses on Leah’s life (including romance). This information is in the details of the story, so it wasn’t a surprise. I have enjoyed chick lit in the past, but it didn’t work for me in this short story. I think that for me to enjoy this type of book it has to be a full length book. I need more for me to care about the characters and what is happening to them. The story is written with a very funny voice and I enjoyed it enough to read it all. It just isn’t something I would read again.
the book girl gives SANTA BABY a 3/5
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About the book:
ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS . . .
All Faith Roberts wants for Christmas is one sexy night with Matthew Carlton, the hot, gorgeous pediatric surgeon posing as Santa for a visit to the children’s ward where she volunteers. Matthew has been interested in Faith for months and is more than willing to fulfill her naughty wishes, and more. As Faith seduces her Santa, It’s Matthew who steals her heart. She might have only asked for one night, but Matthew is determined to show her that he’s the kind of gift that keeps on giving.
SEDUCING SANTA was one of my Black Friday reads. As I hung out in the freezing cold with my husband in order to get a good deal on a new laptop for his restaurant I read several books. I chose short novellas so that I could move from story to story and stay interested enough to stay awake. SEDUCING SANTA is a very sexy, but still sweet holiday romance. It quickly gets to the action and seduction part of the story, but doesn’t necessarily feel rushed. The main characters have known each other for awhile and have both lusted from a far. This helps the fact that they quickly fall into bed not seem rushed and unrealistic. SEDUCING SANTA is about two people acting on something that has been building for a while. I enjoyed the characters and the relationship that develops in this story. At $0.99, anyone who is a fan of holiday romances should check out SEDUCING SANTA.
the book girl gives SEDUCING SANTA a 4/5
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From NetGalley:
Damien Morton is madly in love. Unfortunately, it’s with his best friend’s widow, Lady Danver. Damien is not worthy of Celia. Or so he thinks. Desperate to escape his feelings for her, he plans to leave the country at the first of the year. Celia treats him as a family friend and nothing more-until they share a heated kiss beneath the mistletoe…
Celia is shocked by the passions that surge within her at her dear friend’s kiss. One touch and one taste aren’t enough to satisfy her cravings, and she is startled into action. Damien has stirred something inside her that she never expected to experience again, and she must have more. Full of shameless desire and emotions newly discovered, she decides to pursue Damien and won’t be deterred. Will she be able to convince him to stay-both in her heart and life-forever?
20,000 words
HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE is a romantic novella. I loved Damien and Celia from the very beginning. The story is very, very short and I would have loved to have more, but it felt like a complete story. I hate when novella’s feel like the beginning or the end of something and not a complete story on their own. Damien and Celia are both very fleshed out characters and the reader is able to tell what is motivating them from the very beginning. I haven’t read this author before, but after finishing the novella I went back and bought some of her back list. I really enjoyed her writing style and voice. If you are looking for a quick, sweet and sexy holiday story you can’t go wrong with HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE.
the book girl gives HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE a 4/5
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From NetGalley:
Coffee shop owner Sadie Long has been lusting after her good friend Paul Williams for years. So she’s more than a little intrigued when he invites her to a business meeting at Mavericks, the sex club where he works. While catering an event at the club is not quite the proposition she was hoping for, her business could use the boost. And she can’t resist the chance to work closely with Paul in such a sexually charged atmosphere. Enter the club’s hot owner, Josh, and suddenly Sadie’s fantasizing about being part of a threesome.
Paul has always wanted Sadie, but never thought she’d see him as anything more than a friend. On the night of the party, he and Josh tempt Sadie to reveal her deepest desire-a desire both men are eager to help fulfill.
Giving in to her sensual side, Sadie enjoys a night of mind-blowing sex. But in the light of day, will she lose Paul as a friend, or gain him as a lover?
Book 1 of the Long Shots series.
29,000 words
I have a mixed opinion about this novella.I loved the writing. DOUBLE SHOT is erotic and sensual. The author does a very good job of making the sex between Paul, Sadie, and Josh sensual instead of skanky. On the other hand, the story was lacking an emotional depth that I find necessary to enjoy erotic romance. We are told that Paul and Sadie are best friends, but there isn’t anything in the story that really backs that up. I didn’t feel the connection between the characters. I think this might be because of the length. There isn’t much time in 29k to develop depth to the characters. I will read the next book in the series because I liked the author’s voice. I’m just hoping that there is a little more emotion in the next book.
the book girl gives DOUBLE SHOT a 3/5
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From NetGalley:
Lucinda Darling thinks she’s ready to get married.
Even though Donald doesn’t give her butterflies, the heiress is ready to make her marriage work. She’s got the dress, she’s at the church and her fiancé…is making out with his ex. So Lucinda stuffs her tulle skirts into her tiny sports car and hits the road…only to have her car break down.
Jake Parker knows he’s not ready to settle down.
But Grandma Hattie is sick, so, to make her happy, he’s returning home to find himself a fake fiancée. When Jake rescues Lucy from the side of the highway, she goes from runaway bride to temporary fiancée.
Lucy hopes to escape the public eye in small-town Georgia, but she doesn’t expect to fall for Jake’s charming hometown, let alone Jake himself. Soon Jake and Lucy both start to wish their lie were true. But Lucy knows she must stop their pretense before Jake’s family-and her heart-are hurt so badly they’ll never recover.
In JUST A LITTLE WHITE LIE everybody is lying to everybody. It got a bit annoying after a while and the lies weren’t the kind that wouldn’t hurt anyone. I did like the relationship between Lucy and Jake, except for the fact that they fall in love in a few days. After what Lucy has just been through with her ex-fiance (whether she loved him or not) would make any sane women take a little break instead of falling in love days later. The secondary characters helped hold my interest in this story. I liked the author’s writing style and will try another book, but this one just didn’t work for me.
the book girl gives JUST A LITTLE WHITE LIE a 3/5
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