Archive for the Category &raquo;puchased book &laquo;

Review: Sinful Surrender by Beverly Kendall

Category: 4/5, Contemporary Romance, puchased book Leave a Comment

Jul

41250787 From the back of the book:

Millicent “Missy” Armstrong is entering her third London Season, but not for lack of suitors. Since her debut three years ago, Missy has received twenty marriage proposals. But she is interested in only one man - her brother’s best friend, James Rutherford. As a child, Missy looked up to James. As a grown up, her admiration has blossomed into the longings of a beautiful, sensuous woman - and she won’t rest until James admits his love - and desire - for her…

James Rutherford rues the day he let his physical weakness get the better of him by kissing Missy. His best friend has made it clear that Missy is off limits, and though he’s avoided her for three years, he hasn’t forgotten the feel of her soft lips pressed against his - and it seems neither has she. for no matter how much James tries to discourage Missy, he keeps winding up in her arms, sharing heated caresses that promise the most delirious pleasure...

This book has been on my shelf since was released, but kept getting buried, and I’m mad at myself for letting it sit so long. I started this book around 11pm, thinking I would read a few chapters and then fall asleep. I stayed up until 3am reading. I couldn’t put it down and had to find out what was going to happen between Missy and James. This is an almost perfect romance. I could have done without James’ behavior. There were times he was downright mean to Missy “for her own good”. Missy is the kind of stubborn heroine that I love. She knew she was in love with James and no one was going to convince her otherwise - even James. These two take a very long and at times not-so-pleasant road to their happily ever after, but it was very satisfying for me when they got there. I’m hoping that we will get to read James’ friends Thomas and Alex’s stories in the future. Next time I won’t let Beverly Kendall’s book sit on my shelf for so long.

the book girl gives SINFUL SURRENDER a 4/5!

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Review: Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas

Category: 4/5, Historical Romance, puchased book One Comment

Jul

54778462 From the back of the book:

He is everything she wants to avoid…

For two years, Catherine Marks has been a paid companion to the Hathaway sisters - a pleasant position, with one caveat. Her charges’ older brother, Leo Hathaway, is thoroughly exasperating. Cat can hardly believe that their constant arguing could mask a mutal attraction. But when one quarred ends in a sudden kiss, Cat is shocked at her powerful response - and even more so when Leo proposes a dangerous liaison.

She is not at all what she seems…

Leo must marry and produce an heir within a year to save his family home. Catherin’s respectable demeanor hides a secret that would utterly destroy her. But to Leo, Cat is intriguing and infernally tempting, even to a man resolved never to love again. The danger Cat tried to outrun is about to separate them forever - unless two wary lovers can find a way to banish the shadows and five in to their desires…

I love all of the Hathaways and Leo in particular. His story has intrigued me since the beginning. Of all the Hathaway siblings, Leo has had the most growth and change throughout the series. In the beginning he was broken and hurting due to the loss of his fiance, then thrown into his title he became wild and unmanageable. By the time Married By Morning starts Leo is settling down and has overcome most of his turbulent past. But he definately isn’t looking for love or even a flirtation. Catherine Marks is someone that Leo can’t seem to get around. She doesn’t like him and he doesn’t like her, yet he is repeatedly drawn to her. I loved the way these two fought their attraction to each other and how electric it was when they came together! Marks is the perfect woman for Leo. There are lots of appearances by the other Hathaway family members and Dodger the ferret (who is a major player in Leo and Cat’s story). I can’t wait to read Beatrix’s story next!

the book girl gives MARRIED BY MORNING a 5/5!

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Review: One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare

Category: 5/5, Historical Romance, puchased book Leave a Comment

Jul

56057859 From the back of the book:

A handsome and reclusive horse breeder, Spencer Dumarque, the fourth Duke of Morland, is a member of the exclusive Stud Club, an organization so select it has only ten members - yet membership is attainable to anyone with luck. And Spencer has plenty of it, along with an obsession with a prize horse, a dark secret, and now, a reputation as the dashing “Duke of Midnight.” Each evening he selects one lady for a breathtaking midnight waltz. But none of the women catch his interest, and nobody ever bests the duke - until Lady Amelia d’Orsay tries her luck.

In a moment of desperation, the unconventional beauty claims the duke’s dance and unwittingly steals his heart. When Amelia demands that Spencer forgive her scapegrace brother’s debts, she never imagines that her game of wits and words will lead to breathless passion and a steamy proposal. Still, Spencer is a man of mystery, perhaps connected to the shocking murder of the Stud Club’s founder. Will Amelia lose her heart in this reckless wager or win everlasting love?

This is the first book in the Stud Club trilogy by Tessa Dare. I am a complete fan-girl and loved all of her previous books. This is why I was a little worried when I started this book. I didn’t like Spencer at all in the beginning. He is rude to Amelia and everyone else around him, but once the story progressed and clues were revealed as to why he behaved that way I fell completely in love with him. Amelia on the other hand I liked from the very beginning. I can’t wait to read about the other stud club members, especially Rhys. The book moves at a very fast pace and the writing is fantastic. Tessa Dare should be on every historical romance fan’s auto-buy list!

the book girl gives ONE DANCE WITH A DUKE a 5/5

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Review: Sweetest Little Sin by Christine Wells

Category: 5/5, Historical Romance, puchased book One Comment

Jul

45084789 From the back of the book:

A MARQUIS’S BETRAYAL

Lady Louisa Brooke has many suitors, but the only man for her is the wild and ruthless Marquis of Jardine. When Jardine suddenly abandons her after a long-standing liaison, he leaves her with nothing except the secret they share. Her future in ruins, Louisa recklessly accepts a mission from the head of the secret service and becomes embroiled in a perilous operation in which nothing is as it seems…

A LADY’S REVENGE

The Marquis of Jardine is determined to destroy the criminal mastermind who’s sworn vengeance against all he holds dear. But when he hears that Louisa is to wed a dangerous enemy, Jardine is tortured by jealousy and fear for her safety. He tracks her down, only to discover that her mission collides with him.

LOVE THAT WON’T BE DENIED

Together, Louisa and Jardine must now foil a plan to betray the secret service and escape a diabolical revenge. But can they put the past behind them and take the greatest risk of all - on love?

SWEETEST LITTLE SIN should come with a disclaimer that warns the reader they should read THE DANGEROUS DUKE before reading SWEETEST LITTLE SIN. I haven’t read THE DANGEROUS DUKE and was confused and/or lost for parts of the book. Louisa and Jardine have a past together, but without reading the previous story it took me awhile to piece together exactly what that past was. There were also several references to plot points of THE DANGEROUS DUKE that went right over my head. I do think that if you have read THE DANGEROUS DUKE this story would be enjoyable. My other problem with SWEETEST LITTLE SIN is that the spy stuff and intrigue overshadowed the romance. I wasn’t really sure if Louisa and Jardine really loved each other or if they loved the sneaking around. I had high hopes for this book since I liked WICKED LITTLE GAME, but this one just didn’t do it for me at all.

the book girl gives SWEETEST LITTLE SIN a 2/5

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Review: Tempting the Marquess by Sara Lindsey

Category: 2/5, Historical Romance, puchased book Leave a Comment

Jun

56081557 From the back of the book:

While Olivia Weston loves matchmaking and romantic novels, she intends to make a suitable match. But first she wants an adventure, and when given the opportunity to visit reclusive widower living in a haunted castle, Livvy can’t possibly resist.

After his wife’s death, Jason Traherne, Marquess of Sheldon, shut his heart to everyone but his son, and until now he has succeeded in maintaining his distance. But there’s something about Livvy - her unique blend of sweetness and sensuality - that tempts him beyond all reason.

Though there’s nothing suitable about the feelings he inspires in her, Livvy can’t help falling for the marquess. But can she persuade him to let go of the past and risk his heart again?

TEMPTING THE MARQUESS is the second book in the Weston series and a very good read. From the very beginning Livvy feels something for the widowed marquess and tries to help him make his life better even though he wants nothing from her. I liked the way these two interacted. Jason doesn’t want to feel anything for Livvy but just can’t help himself. Livvy helps him come back to life after the devastating loss of his wife. This book has everything that is needed for a perfect romance - a tortured hero, a caring heroine, a secret from the past that can destroy their love and a very happy ending. I can’t wait to read the next Weston novel!!

the book girl gives TEMPTING THE MARQUESS a 5/5!

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Review: Sugar Creek by Toni Blake

Category: 5/5, Historical Romance, puchased book Leave a Comment

Jun

54625675 From the back of the book:

Welcome to Destiny, Ohio - Where two families have been at odds as long as anyone in town can remember.

Rachel Farris returned to her childhood home with one mission in mind: get Mike Romo out of her family’s apple orchard business and out of their lives. But hard-nosed and totally hot Mike, who happens to be the law in Destiny, is convinced the Farris clan stole the land from his family fifty years ago and he’s not backing down. Even when shapely trouble shows up in a pair of designer blue jeans. However, neither the hunky cop nor the sexy prodigal hometown girl can anticipate the electricity that heats things up whenever they’re together - adding new sizzle to an ongoing feud that’s raged for generations, and soon putting both their hearts at risk.

On Monday I posted about my love for ONE RECKLESS SUMMER by Toni Blake and now it is SUGAR CREEK’s turn. I loved this book as much as ONE RECKLESS SUMMER. I want to live in Destiny. In the beginning I wasn’t sure about Mike and Rachel. I was afraid that their bickering would get on my nerves, but it didn’t. Their arguing quickly turns from real dislike to intense sexual tension. Rachel, much like Jenny in ONE RECKLESS SUMMER, changes throughout the book. She starts out a city girl ready to help her grandmother then move on, and ends up learning what’s really important in life.

One of my favorite things in SUGAR CREEK is the retelling of Rachel’s grandmother’s romance with Mike’s grandfather. It tied the family history and romance together fantastically.

the book girl gives SUGAR CREEK a 5/5!

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Review: One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake

Category: 5/5, Contemporary Romance, puchased book One Comment

Jun

47161309 From the back of the book:

It’s tough to play it cool on a sultry summer night…

The perfect daughter. The perfect prom queen. The perfect wife. Jenny Tolliver’s been the good girl all her life, and it’s gotten her nowhere. now that her marriage has been busted up by her cheating ex, she’s decided it’s time to regroup and rediscover herself. This summer she’s headed back to her hometown of Destiny, Ohio, to the very lakeshore cottage where she grew up, to figure out what life holds in store for her next.

She never dreamed the answer would be Mick Brody, Destiny’s #1 hellraiser. He comes from the wrong side of the tracks (or in his case, the lake), and he’s landed in hot water more times than he can count. He’s exactly the kind of guy Jenny’s always kept her distance from…but soon the good girl and the bad boy are caught in a raw heat that’s out of control. Too bad Mick’s got a secret that threatens to tear them apart and ruin Jenny’s perfectly, passionately reckless summer…

ONE RECKLESS SUMMER is the perfect book to read this summer (along with the next book in the series SUGAR CREEK). This was my first Toni Blake book and I can’t wait to read everything she has ever written. ONE RECKLESS SUMMER features Jenny, a recent divorcée, and Mick, the town bad boy who is trying to stay hidden. My absolute favorite thing about this book is the crossing back and forth on the lake between their houses. I don’t know what it was about their rowing back and forth was so romantic, but it was so very romantic. Add that to the fact that they had to keep their romance a secret and this book is perfect!! Jenny undergoes a lot of changes throughout the book and her character’s growth is very realistic. The way she goes from the perfect daughter/wife/neighbor/friend to someone who puts herself and her new relationship first is fabulous. I was cheering her (and Mick) on through the whole book. I’m really looking forward to reading more Destiny, Ohio books!

the book girl gives ONE RECKLESS SUMMER a 5/5!

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Review: STRAIGHT UP by Deirdre Martin

Category: 5/5, Contemporary Romance, puchased book Leave a Comment

Jun

45084771 From the back of the book:

Even a man on the run can enjoy the thrill of the chase…

After getting on the bad side of New York’s Irish mob, Liam O’Brien thought he could weather the storm back in Ireland. Working as a bartender in his parents’ old village of Ballycraig, he’s not looking for any trouble. But he could use a bit of fun.

Aislinn McCafferty has already been scorned once by a man at the wedding altar. Now, any man who tries to woo her is quickly and coldly dispatches. The unknowing Liam soon learns this the hard way - and is immediately intrigued.

Eagerly accepting a wager from the pub’s owner, Liam begins a determined pursuit of the stubborn and beautiful Aislinn, who in turn uses all of her wiles to rid herself of the charmingly determined Yank. But neither of them expects this donnybrook of the sexes to turn into love…

I was anxiously awaiting Liam’s story and I wasn’t disappointed. I loved the how this couple falls in love. Liam falls for the stubborn Aislinn and knows that he has his work cut out for him. I liked the way she made him work for her attention. Isn’t it almost every woman’s fantasy to have someone so captivated with them they will do anything to see them? My only problem with this story comes at the end. It’s hard to express without giving away a major plot point, but I can say that things happen rapidly at the end. It felt as though the story was moving at a good pace and then we hit Mach speed. STRAIGHT UP would have been perfect if not for this one thing, but it was a pretty big thing for me.

the book girl gives STRAIGHT UP a 3/5

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Back Cover Blurb of TEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT YOU by Julia Quinn

Category: 3/5, Contemporary Romance, puchased book Leave a Comment

Jun