Review: Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt

WHEN A MASKED MAN . . .
Twenty years ago Maximus Batten witnessed the brutal murders of his parents. Now the autocratic Duke of Wakefield, he spends his days ruling Parliament. But by night, disguised as the Ghost of St. Giles, he prowls the grim alleys of St. Giles, ever on the hunt for the murderer. One night he finds a fiery woman who meets him toe-to-toe-and won't back down . . .

MEETS HIS MATCH . . .
Artemis Greaves toils as a lady's companion, but hiding beneath the plain brown serge of her dress is the heart of a huntress. When the Ghost of St. Giles rescues her from footpads, she recognizes a kindred spirit-and is intrigued. She's even more intrigued when she realizes who exactly the notorious Ghost is by day . . .

DESIRE IGNITES A DANGEROUS PASSION
Artemis makes a bold move: she demands that Maximus use his influence to free her imprisoned brother-or she will expose him as the Ghost. But blackmailing a powerful duke isn't without risks. Now that she has the tiger by the tail, can she withstand his ire-or the temptation of his embrace?

Artemis Greaves and Maximus Batten, the Duke of Wakefield, have tempted me since the previous book in the Maiden Lane series, Lord of Darkness.  I am so glad Duke of Midnight lived up to my expectations. 

Artemis is not a typical lady of quality.  She has a sharp mind and is a strong woman, but she's seen as lesser or lower by her companion, Lady Penelope Chadwicke.  She and Maximus match wits perfectly as she tries to blackmail him, and soon discover they are perfect for each other. 

As the story continued, the intrigue and the romance continued to build.  Some of Maximus's decisions weren't stellar, but of course he and Artemis are together at the end of the book. 

Review: Sanctuary Island by Lily Everett

When Ella’s sister decides to reunite with their estranged mother, Ella goes along for the ride—it’s always been the two Preston girls against the world. But Sanctuary Island, a tiny refuge for wild horses tucked off the Atlantic coast, is more inviting than she ever imagined. And it holds more than one last opportunity to repair their broken family—if Ella can open her carefully guarded heart, there is also the chance for new beginnings.

Grady Wilkes is a handyman who can fix anything…except the scars of his own past. When he accepts the task of showing Ella the simple beauties of the island that healed him, he discovers a deep sense of comfort he thought he’d lost. But now he must convince the woman who never intended to stay that on Sanctuary Island, anything is possible—forgiving past mistakes, rediscovering the simple joys of life, and maybe even falling in love.

I will admit, I was skeptical.  I don't typically go for women's fiction books, mainly because I end up crying.  When I found out Lily Everett was also Louisa Edwards, whose romances I have more often than not enjoyed, I was willing to take the chance.  

And I'm so glad I did.  

The world of Sanctuary Island that's presented in this book doesn't really lend itself well to the novellas which Ms. Everette previously released.  Sanctuary Island is lush and rich in characters and heritage, and while, yes, at its heart is a woman struggling to reconcile her past and her relationship with her mother and sister to her future, Sanctuary Island is also about love, about forgiveness, and about moving on in the face of heartbreak.    

I inhaled this book.  I lived every moment with Ella Preston, and when Taylor burst in to Grady's house to reveal Ella's "plan" for the island, I almost screamed at the top of my lungs for Grady to slow down and think things through.  

I am so looking forward to learning more about Ella and Merry and Jo and how these three woman coexist on the island and with one another. 


(A very special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Sanctuary Island.)

Review: The Unexpected Wedding Guest by Aimee Carson

"Surprised to see me?"

Getting caught in her wedding dress by her drop-dead-gorgeous ex-husband is Reese Michael's worst nightmare. Especially when her perfect-on-paper fiancé then cancels their wedding!

Reese has spent years trying to forget how her marriage to Mason Hicks crashed and burned—yes, their chemistry was incredible, but a girl can't live on lust alone! And what's a jilted bride supposed to do when the one man she could never forget is back in her life, as irresistible as ever? Mason might be her own personal brand of Kryptonite, but surely life is meant to be lived a little dangerously…?

The Unexpected Wedding Guest is the first full-length novel in The Wedding Season miniseries.  This is the first of the series that I read, and the first book by Ms. Carson that I've read. 

As far as setting the scene for the forthcoming three books, the remaining Awesome Foursome's male partners are to be determined, though I think one could trace the paper trail and connect the couples based on the men mentioned within The Unexpected Wedding Guest.  That might make a fun game! 

Reese Michael married young -- at 19.  She had smoking chemistry with her husband, Mason Hicks, but when it came time to discuss any problems, Reese didn't (or couldn't).  She would turn to her parents for help, perhaps not realizing how that made Mason feel.  And Mason found it easier to shut Reese out, so it's no wonder they grew apart and their marriage ended.  Ten years later, Reese believes she's found her true love in Dylan, a lifelong friend who seems to be the perfect man.  What Reese doesn't realize -- until Mason shows up at the wedding site -- is that she might not be in love with Dylan.  

Reese and Mason's chemistry is off the charts.  It's easy to see why Reese was swept away by it when she was 19.  And while once Mason makes Reese question if she still has feelings for him or not, I found myself wondering if they would fall into their old patterns once they decide to give their love another try.  I hope we see glimpses of them as the miniseries progresses as I don't want them to just jump into marriage without having learned something from their past mistakes.  

(A very special thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Unexpected Wedding Guest.)

Review: Thrown by a Curve by Jaci Burton

She thinks she knows this player—but he has a few surprise moves.

For Alicia Riley, her job as a sports therapist for the St. Louis Rivers baseball team is a home run—until she becomes the primary therapist for star pitcher, Garrett Scott. Out of the lineup with an injury, he’s short-tempered, hard to handle, and every solid inch, a man.

Right now, the only demand he’s making on Alicia is that she get him ready to pitch in time for opening day. Except the sexual chemistry between them is so charged, Alicia’s tempted to oblige Garrett just about anything. But both their careers are at stake—one bad move and it’s game over for both of them.

Garrett also feels the hot sparks between them, and the way he figures it, what better therapy is there than sex? Now all he has to do is convince the woman with the power to make the call.

Thrown by a Curve picks up with Alicia Riley, Cole Riley's sister, and pitcher Garrett Scott.  It is also the final Riley book and ushers in new characters who happen to be friends of Garrett's from college, now in various professional sports. 

Garrett has been injured and is slowly working his way back into pitching rotation.  His rehab isn't progressing as he would like it to, so when Alicia is observing his treatment, he asks for her opinion.  Shocking them both, as well as the staff of trainers, he decides to have Alicia oversee his rehab.   Garrett would like to push his relationship with Alicia farther, but she is adamant they maintain professional boundaries. 

What I liked about Alicia and Garrett was their banter.  It's brisk and lively with just a hint of sexual innuendo, especially once Garrett imagines having sex with Alicia.  I didn't like that Garrett stopped supporting Alicia's method of therapy once his shoulder became stronger and improved.  That this happens after they've started sleeping together was bad timing on Garrett's part. 

I am interested to see how the Play by Play series can move forward with no Rileys as one of the main characters, so I look forward to reading One Sweet Ride to see how Ms. Burton handles that issue.   

Review: Love Irresistibly by Julie James

HE’S USED TO GETTING WHAT HE WANTS…
 

A former football star and one of Chicago’s top prosecutors, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cade Morgan will do anything to nail a corrupt state senator, which means he needs Brooke Parker’s help. As general counsel for a restaurant company, she can get a bug to the senator’s table at one of her five-star restaurants so the FBI can eavesdrop on him. All Cade has to do is convince Brooke to cooperate—and he’s not afraid to use a little charm, or the power of his office, to do just that.

AND WHAT HE WANTS IS HER


A savvy businesswoman, Brooke knows she needs to play ball with the U.S. Attorney’s office—even if it means working with Cade. No doubt there’s a sizzling attraction beneath all their sarcastic quips, but Brooke is determined to keep things casual. Cade agrees—until a surprising turn of events throws his life into turmoil, and he realizes that he wants more than just a good time from the one woman with whom he could fall terrifyingly, irresistibly in love. . .  

The year-long wait for the next book by Julie James at times goes by quickly.  Like, say, when I haven't just finished a book she wrote.  And as with the previous books in this series, I find myself craving -- nay, needing -- her next book as soon as I've reached The End.  Love Irresistibly is no exception.

Cade Morgan is a dirty-talkin' man!  I wasn't really prepared for how sexy this book would be.  Ms. James writes some great heroines and her heroes are typically attractive, but AUSA Cade Morgan just lays everything on the line once Brooke Parker gets under his skin.  I loved their banter from the get-go. 

I wasn't sure if I'd like another attorney-attorney pairing, and I was also curious about how the romance would work if one half wasn't an AUSA (or with the FBI), but I'm happy to report this might be my favorite book by Ms. James.   And if I could offer a suggestion: Agent Wilkins totally needs his own book.   

Review: Lord of Wicked Intentions by Lorraine Heath

Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped—to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle—awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright . . .

Lord Rafe Easton may be of noble blood, but survival taughthim to rely only on himself and to love no one. Yet when he sets eyes on Miss Evelyn Chambers, an earl's illegitimate daughter, he is determined to have her, if only as his mistress . . .

After her father's death, Evelyn Chambers never imagined she would be sold to the highest bidder, yet circumstancesgive her little choice but to accept the lord's indecent proposal. Rafe is wealthy, as well as ruthless. Yet his coldness belies deep passion and deeper secrets. If she must be his, Evelyn intends to lay bare everything the Lord of Pembrook is hiding. But dark discoveries threaten to destroy them both until unexpected love leads the last lost lord home . . .

Rafe Easton is exactly the man we've come to know in the two previous books of this series, She Tempts the Duke and Lord of Temptation.  He's a loner, not ready to accept his brothers' return and fall back in the family way.  After escaping their uncle, Rafe experienced more on the streets of London than either of his brothers; they would be shocked to know what Rafe endured to survive. He rarely lets his conscience get the better of him, until he meets Miss Evelyn Chambers.  

Evie is on the auction block, thanks to her illegitimate status, at the hands of her half-brother who would sell her to the highest bidder.  She is confused at first, thinking the gentlemen in her father's home only wish to marry her.  Rafe tells her true and ends up saving her from the meat market.  She vows she will learn all of Rafe's secrets.  She never planned to fall in love with him.  

I'm glad we are able to learn -- finally -- why Rafe keeps his distance from his brothers.  It's clear from the two previous books that both Sebastian and Tristan are eager to have Rafe in their respective lives and to include him in their family once again.  Rafe's wariness is warranted, though, but I knew Evie would break down his defenses and reunite him with his brothers and their wives. 

(A very special thank you to Avon Books, Harper Collins and Edelweiss for providing me with an ARC of Lord of Wicked Intentions.)

Review: Wave Goodbye by Lila Dare

St. Elizabeth, Georgia, offers charm, Southern hospitality—and the occasional murder. This time, when a new hair salon tries to steal business, it’s someone’s life that gets cut short…

Violetta’s salon is up in arms. Business is dead. Snippets, a big box haircutting chain, has opened in St. Elizabeth, undercutting prices and luring away loyal customers. Violetta’s daughter, hairdresser Grace Terhune, is shocked to discover that it’s her old high school rival Lisa Butterworth who’s behind the big sweep—and Grace isn’t going to take this sitting down. Snippets’ cold-blooded prized employee is doing wonders with Violetta’s client list. According to Lisa, it’s just business—until a bitter confrontation leaves Grace more than frustrated, and Lisa less than alive. Now Grace is the prime suspect in her rival’s murder. And only her friends at Violetta’s can save her—before the charge proves permanent.

I've never read a series where the authors changed midstream, and while I found Wave Good-bye enjoyable, I didn't enjoy it as much as the three previous books.  I'm not certain if I will continue with the series or not because Grace lost some of her spunky-ness in this novel.  She was content to sit back and let events happen, and I don't believe the Grace Terhune I thought I knew would do that.  (As an aside, this kind of breaks my heart, especially if the original author conceived these characters.)  

Snippets is a chain salon offering steep discounts to St. Elizabeth's residents.  Grace isn't certain whether her mother's salon will be able to compete.  When her old rival, Lisa Butterworth, is killed, Grace decides to investigate, and Marshall John Dillon of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation returns to the scene of the crime.  

I was glad to have Grace and "Marsh" finally confess their love for each other.  They'd been dancing around it for three books.  Again, I didn't find it as rewarding as I had hoped, and I'll give the reasoning to the writing style.  

I was content to bid St. Elizabeth and Violetta's farewell after book 3, but Wave Good-bye was a good way to tie up loose ends leftover from Die Job.    

Review: Beauty and the Blacksmith by Tessa Dare

At last, Diana gets a romance of her own! But with the last man anyone in Spindle Cove expects...

Beautiful and elegant, Miss Diana Highwood is destined to marry a wealthy, well-placed nobleman. At least, that's what her mother has loudly declared to everyone in Spindle Cove.

But Diana's not excited by dukes and lords. The only man who makes her heart pound is the village blacksmith, Aaron Dawes. By birth and fortune, they couldn't be more wrong for each other...but during stolen, steamy moments in his forge, his strong hands feel so right.

Is their love forged strong enough to last, or are they just playing with fire?

My problem with Ms. Dare's books (and novellas) is that I read them too damn fast.  I try to wait and stretch my enjoyment as long as possible, but once I begin, I simply cannot put it down.  That, alas, is the case with Beauty and the Blacksmith, which I finished in the blink of an eye.  Damnit.   

Now that I'm finished cursing, Beauty and the Blacksmith is a wonderful addition to Ms. Dare's Spindle Cove series.  Just keep writing about Spindle Cove!  Keep writing about moments like this: 

He propped one finger under her chin, tilting her face back up.  "If I were to kiss you, once wouldn't be enough.  I'd want to kiss you many times.  In lots of places."  

What I love about Ms. Dare's writing is the effortless way she choreographs a scene.  It can be something as small as fingertips touching, but it literally will have me on the edge of my seat wondering if the characters will touch or won't they.  

But I was very surprised to find Diana Highwood paired romantically with the blacksmith, Aaron Dawes.  Diana has been set apart throughout the Spindle Cove series as the highest of high, especially to hear Mrs. Highwood tell it.  All hopes of survival for Mrs. Highwood and Diana's two sisters hang on Diana's ability to (1) overcome her asthma, which has brought the family to Spindle Cove, and (2) land a duke or higher.  The pressure has lessened since Minerva married Lord Payne, yet Diana still keeps herself in check and presumes to go along with her mother's lofty goals.  In this novella, however, Diana finally stands up for herself, and she and younger sister, Charlotte, set about preserving Diana's happiness.  

Charlote's bow-shaped mouth quirked.  "This is my mother you're dealing with.  She's a dragon.  Arm yourself.  Gird your loins.  Gather your courage and your best steel.  And yes, formulate a plan of attack."

If you love historical romance, you cannot go wrong with Ms. Dare, and Beauty and the Blacksmith is a fine example of why. 


(A very special thank you to Avon Books, Harper Collins and Edelweiss for providing me with an ARC of Beauty and the Blacksmith.)

Review: The Love Shack by Christie Ridgway

Return to USA TODAY bestselling author Christie Ridgway’s Crescent Cove, California, where the magic of summer can last forever…

Globe-trotting photojournalist Gage Lowell spent carefree childhood summers in Crescent Cove. Now that he desperately needs some R & R, he books a vacation at Beach House No. 9—ready to soak up some sun and surprise old friend and property manager Skye Alexander. Their long-distance letters got him through a dangerous time he can’t otherwise talk about. But when he arrives, the tightly wound beauty isn’t exactly happy to see him.

Skye knows any red-blooded woman would be thrilled to spend time with gorgeous, sexy Gage. But she harbors secrets of her own, including that she might just be a little bit in love with him. And she’s convinced the restless wanderer won’t stay long enough for her to dare share her past—or dream of a future together. Luckily for them both, summer at Crescent Cove has a way of making the impossible happen…

We move back to the core characters who'd grown up at Crescent Cove, focusing on Skye and Gage.  We finally learn what has Skye so jumpy, though I had predicted something similar at the beginning of the second book when she's startled in the office.

Both Gage and Skye are suffering from PTSD, and while Griffin was experiencing a type of trauma related to his grief and what he'd witnessed in Afghanistan, both Gage and Skye are alike in that the trauma was directly inflicted upon them.  

The secondary love story features Teague and Polly, both of whom we've met in the first book, Beach House No. 9.  

Overall, The Love Shack was a wonderful addition to the series, and a great way to return to the core characters of Beach House No. 9.   I was sad to see this series end, despite the fact that I felt like I'd been punched in the gut while reading.  It's that emotional and that good. 

(A very special thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Love Shack.)

Review: Bungalow Nights by Christie Ridgway

Return to USA TODAY bestselling author Christie Ridgway's Crescent Cove, California, where the magic of summer can last forever…

Combat medic Vance Smith made a promise to a fallen officer: to treat the man's young daughter to an idyllic vacation at Beach House No. 9. One month, some sun and surf, a "helmet list" of activities to check off and Vance will move on. But the "little girl" he's expecting turns out to be a full-grown woman. With silky hair, big brown eyes and smelling sweetly of the cupcakes she makes for her mobile bakery, Layla Parker is irresistible. And Vance shouldn't lay a finger on her. Honor—and one heck of a scarred heart—says so.

To Layla, Vance is a hero who was injured trying to save her father's life. She intends to spend their month of lazy days and warm nights taking very good care of the gorgeous soldier—inside and out….

While Bungalow Nights is set in Crescent Cove, the hero and heroine are not in the core group of characters introduced in Beach House No. 9.  That may be the only reason I didn't enjoy the second book of this series as much.  

Vance Smith made a promise, one he intends to keep.  He's taking his commanding officer's young daughter on a beach vacation to Crescent Cove for one month.  He's not sure what he'll do with a child, though he's hopeful the little girl's mother or another female relative will tag along.  When Vance meets Layla Parker, he's not expecting a full-grown woman, so he has no idea how to proceed or fulfill his promise.
 
A new cast of characters are introduced -- Vance's cousin, Baxter, Layla's uncle, Vance's brother, Fitz, Vance's ex, who is now Fitz's girlfriend, Vance's parents, Addy -- and returning characters such as Skye, who manages Crescent Cove, Griffin and Jane.  Addy is onsite to study the silent films once made and produced on the property, and she becomes engaged in a mystery.  At times, the relationships are almost overwhelming; then again, I wanted to know more about Skye's skittish behavior more than I wanted to know about Vance and Layla falling in love.

But romance is a good reason to return to Crescent Cove, and I'm glad we will visit it a third time in The Love Shack.   

(A very special thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Bungalow Nights.)

Review: Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt

WHEN STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT

He lives in the shadows. As the mysterious masked avenger known as the Ghost of St. Giles, Godric St. John's only goal is to protect the innocent of London. Until the night he confronts a fearless young lady pointing a pistol at his head-and realizes she is his wife . . .

BECOME LOVERS . . .

Lady Margaret Reading has vowed to kill the Ghost of St. Giles-the man who murdered her one true love. Returning to London, and to the man she hasn't seen since their wedding day, Margaret does not recognize the man behind the mask. Fierce, commanding, and dangerous, the notorious Ghost of St. Giles is everything she feared he would be-and so much more . . .

DESIRE IS THE ULTIMATE DANGER

When passion flares, these two intimate strangers can't keep from revealing more of themselves than they had ever planned. But when Margaret learns the truth-that the Ghost is her husband-the game is up and the players must surrender . . . to the temptation that could destroy them both.

The previous book in this series, Thief of Shadows, wasn't as enjoyable as I had hoped.  So I began Lord of Darkness with some trepidation, especially given that Godric St. John had been a minor character in previous books, and little was known about him.   I am so very glad I went into this book with an open mind.  

Godric St. John won me over.  100%.  

He's a very unusual hero: he's a widower, not particularly handsome, Megs even calls him old (Godric is 37), he loved his first wife, Clara, and loves her still -- desperately.  He's dark, moody, and not because it suits a purpose other than to comfort him because he is alone by choice.  Having been blackmailed in marrying Lady Margaret Reading, he's fine to go about his days while she lives in the country.  And he is above all a gentlemen who welcomes Megs to his London home as if she were merely on a shopping trip rather than a two-year absence.  

Megs has a single goal in mind when she returns to London: to find her deceased fiance's killer -- the Ghost of St. Giles.  She hangs on to what a life with Roger and their child might have been like, unable to move on.  Godric knows a portion of this pain, yet he is able to safely let go of his love for Clara and embrace a future with Megs.  

The subplot featuring Artemis Greaves, companion to Lady Penelope, and the Duke of Wakefield looks to be a good one.  Their story will play out in Duke of Midnight (October 2013). 

(A very special thank you to Forever Romance, Hachette Book Group, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Lord of Darkness.)

Review: Beach House No. 9 by Christie Ridgway

When book doctor Jane Pearson arrives at Griffin Lowell's beach house, she expects a brooding loner. After all, his agent hired her to help the reclusive war journalist write his stalled memoir. Instead, Jane finds a tanned, ocean-blue-eyed man in a Hawaiian shirt, hosting a beach party and surrounded by beauties. Faster than he can untie a bikini top, Griffin lets Jane know he doesn't want her. But she desperately needs this job and digs her toes in the sand.

Griffin intends to spend the coming weeks at Beach House No. 9 taking refuge from his painful memories-and from the primly sexy book doctor who wants to bare his soul. But warm nights, moonlit walks and sultry kisses just may unlock both their guarded hearts....

This is my first book by Ms. Ridgway, and I must say, it stuck with me long after I'd finished it.  Beach House No. 9 has romance at its core, but it's so much more than that.  

Griffin needs Jane's help; he just doesn't believe it.  Griffin has been contracted to write his memoir of his time imbedded with a squad in Afghanistan, yet he cannot overcome the bad memories in order to focus on the good ones.  Jane has a knack of getting to the heart of the problem with authors, but Griffin's problem is so much bigger than she's aware of.   They hurl insults at each other, all the while learning to depend on the other and reveal deeply hidden truths about themselves.  

The only aspect I didn't like was