Ruthless
Anne Stuart
Mira, Aug 1 2010, $7.99
ISBN 9780778328483
In 1765 Paris, English Lady Elinor Harrington struggles to prevent her hedonistic out of control mother from wasting what little funds they have left. When her mom runs off to a party hosted by the notorious King of Hell Viscount Francis Rohan, Elinor follows thinking she knows what debauchery she will find there, but is unsure of how to remove her mom from the decadence without causing a scandal.
Rohan knows an innocent Elinor does not belong in his den of iniquities. However, he is also stunned that his lower other head disagrees with his assessment of her. Thus he decides to play with her. However, as he lowers the bar with his S&M games, he finds himself wanting more from his now beloved who is confused by her sexually voracious “protector”.
This erotic Georgian Era romance is not for everyone as Rohan living up to the title is an extremely dark lead male filled with Fire and Ice while Elinor initially comes across as a victim (of her mom and beloved). Sub-genre readers will enjoy this tale of codependency as the sexual predator becomes the prey of his mentee with love as the equalizer.
Harriet Klausner
Sunday, July 4, 2010
White Heat-Brenda Novak
White Heat
Brenda Novak
Mira, Jul 27 2010, $7.99
ISBN 9780778327950
Several college students from wealthy families formed The Church of the Covenant. Over the years their little sect has grown until there are two hundred members in the flock. Ethan Wycliff is the Holy One leader with twelve Spiritual Guides. The unholy thirteen use their flock for sex and drugs. They are also righteous murderers defending what they believe is their divine right.
The Department 6 private security firm assigns Rachel Jessop and her supervisor Nate Ferrentino to go undercover as a married couple in order to infiltrate and expose this deadly cult. The pair, who shared a one night stand both never forgot, travels to Paradise, Arizona home of the Church of the Covenant with Rachel as a weak person seeking solace and Nate as her skeptical husband.
This is a fascinating romantic suspense thriller with its intimate look at the Cult’s activities especially sexual dominance and torture in the name of the Lord. Nate is euphoric with the assignment because he wanted a second to the nth trysts with the woman who seduced him that one time. On the other hand Rachel is much more complex, but too much so; she remains humiliated by what she did that one time and the Cult brings back better forgotten childhood memories of a strict by the bible rod using father. Readers will enjoy this glimpse into how few charismatic nasties can dictate in every sense over those in need desperate to belong to anyone.
Harriet Klausner
Brenda Novak
Mira, Jul 27 2010, $7.99
ISBN 9780778327950
Several college students from wealthy families formed The Church of the Covenant. Over the years their little sect has grown until there are two hundred members in the flock. Ethan Wycliff is the Holy One leader with twelve Spiritual Guides. The unholy thirteen use their flock for sex and drugs. They are also righteous murderers defending what they believe is their divine right.
The Department 6 private security firm assigns Rachel Jessop and her supervisor Nate Ferrentino to go undercover as a married couple in order to infiltrate and expose this deadly cult. The pair, who shared a one night stand both never forgot, travels to Paradise, Arizona home of the Church of the Covenant with Rachel as a weak person seeking solace and Nate as her skeptical husband.
This is a fascinating romantic suspense thriller with its intimate look at the Cult’s activities especially sexual dominance and torture in the name of the Lord. Nate is euphoric with the assignment because he wanted a second to the nth trysts with the woman who seduced him that one time. On the other hand Rachel is much more complex, but too much so; she remains humiliated by what she did that one time and the Cult brings back better forgotten childhood memories of a strict by the bible rod using father. Readers will enjoy this glimpse into how few charismatic nasties can dictate in every sense over those in need desperate to belong to anyone.
Harriet Klausner
Infamous-Suzanne Brockmann
Infamous
Suzanne Brockmann
Ballantine, Jul 27 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780345521200
In 2010 history professor Alison Carter is the expert on the feud between legendary Marshal Silas Quinn and notorious outlaw James "Kid" Gallagher of the brutal Kelly Gang; the Kid kidnapped and murdered the lawman’s wife, Melody. In 1898 in the Red Rock Saloon in Jubilation, Arizona Quinn and the Kelly Gang faced off. Alison knows she has come a long way from growing up the daughter of an alcoholic as now she is the consultant to the Hollywood film Quinn.
Having served in the Bush senior’s Gulf War, A. J. Gallagher came home suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. For several years he depended on alcohol to numb the ghosts of war. Sober, he wants to exorcize the ghost of his great-grandfather The Kid. However, the Kid refuses to go to hell; instead demanding his descendent clear his name as he insists the legend is false since he and his beloved Melody ran away to Alaska to escape from abusive Quinn. A.J. confronts Alison, but though his evidence is the word of mouth from a spirit, the veteran and the professor are attracted to each other. When deadly felons go after his woman, A.J. vows to keep her safe.
This is a great paranormal romance mindful of Who Shot Liberty Valance and Robert Wuhl’s presentation in Assume the Position on “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.” Fast-paced, the story line is at its best when the focus is on the Kid challenging A.J. to sell the facts to the so called expert while A.J. wants to sell himself to his beloved expert. When the plot takes a suspense spin, it loses some of the charm and underlying insight that the winners write the history to make them heroes and their adversaries’ villains.
Harriet Klausner
Suzanne Brockmann
Ballantine, Jul 27 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780345521200
In 2010 history professor Alison Carter is the expert on the feud between legendary Marshal Silas Quinn and notorious outlaw James "Kid" Gallagher of the brutal Kelly Gang; the Kid kidnapped and murdered the lawman’s wife, Melody. In 1898 in the Red Rock Saloon in Jubilation, Arizona Quinn and the Kelly Gang faced off. Alison knows she has come a long way from growing up the daughter of an alcoholic as now she is the consultant to the Hollywood film Quinn.
Having served in the Bush senior’s Gulf War, A. J. Gallagher came home suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. For several years he depended on alcohol to numb the ghosts of war. Sober, he wants to exorcize the ghost of his great-grandfather The Kid. However, the Kid refuses to go to hell; instead demanding his descendent clear his name as he insists the legend is false since he and his beloved Melody ran away to Alaska to escape from abusive Quinn. A.J. confronts Alison, but though his evidence is the word of mouth from a spirit, the veteran and the professor are attracted to each other. When deadly felons go after his woman, A.J. vows to keep her safe.
This is a great paranormal romance mindful of Who Shot Liberty Valance and Robert Wuhl’s presentation in Assume the Position on “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.” Fast-paced, the story line is at its best when the focus is on the Kid challenging A.J. to sell the facts to the so called expert while A.J. wants to sell himself to his beloved expert. When the plot takes a suspense spin, it loses some of the charm and underlying insight that the winners write the history to make them heroes and their adversaries’ villains.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Passionate Pleasures-Bertrice Small
Passionate Pleasures
Bertrice Small
NAL, Aug 3 2010, $15.00
ISBN: 9780451227003
Lucifer Nicholas is CEO of Channel, which is a woman’s only network where females can fulfill their fantasies in private (parts and no family or friends knowing). Tall fortyish Kathryn St. John is the Egret’s Point librarian. Lucifer wants to lure Miss Kathy as he has successfully done with the males of her “Sin Gin” family, but she will be tough to bring to the dark side through passion as she is a typical librarian avoiding scandal.
Lucifer’s fantasy takes an upbeat turn when the new middle-school principal Timothy Blair arrives at the library. He wants Miss Kathy, but she remains reluctant and not just because he is younger than her. She prefers the Channel males that he conjures from literature than hard bodies. Still they go out on dates and soon make love. He knows she is his fantasy while she learns loving a hard body is better than a dream. However, the townsfolk led by her brother object to the scandalous behavior between the principal and the librarian.
Passionate Pleasures is a fun well written romantic fantasy starring a wonderful “triangle” as Tim’s arrival makes Lucifer’s plans for Kathy attainable until love complicates the equation. Readers will passionately gain pleasure from Bertrice Small’s clever tale of a woman learning “Ain’t nothing like the real thing” (Marvin Gay and Tammi Terrell).
Harriet Klausner
Bertrice Small
NAL, Aug 3 2010, $15.00
ISBN: 9780451227003
Lucifer Nicholas is CEO of Channel, which is a woman’s only network where females can fulfill their fantasies in private (parts and no family or friends knowing). Tall fortyish Kathryn St. John is the Egret’s Point librarian. Lucifer wants to lure Miss Kathy as he has successfully done with the males of her “Sin Gin” family, but she will be tough to bring to the dark side through passion as she is a typical librarian avoiding scandal.
Lucifer’s fantasy takes an upbeat turn when the new middle-school principal Timothy Blair arrives at the library. He wants Miss Kathy, but she remains reluctant and not just because he is younger than her. She prefers the Channel males that he conjures from literature than hard bodies. Still they go out on dates and soon make love. He knows she is his fantasy while she learns loving a hard body is better than a dream. However, the townsfolk led by her brother object to the scandalous behavior between the principal and the librarian.
Passionate Pleasures is a fun well written romantic fantasy starring a wonderful “triangle” as Tim’s arrival makes Lucifer’s plans for Kathy attainable until love complicates the equation. Readers will passionately gain pleasure from Bertrice Small’s clever tale of a woman learning “Ain’t nothing like the real thing” (Marvin Gay and Tammi Terrell).
Harriet Klausner
Possess Me-R.G. Alexander
Possess Me
R.G. Alexander
Heat, Aug 3 2010, $15.00
ISBN: 9780425235287
“Release Me”. Following the accident and family acting as if she died, writer Allegra leaves Houston intends to move in with her friend Michelle in New Orleans. She is stunned to be attracted to tormented Rousseau, who thinks he reciprocates but fears his desire may be orchestrated by a sexual voodoo spirit Bone Daddy.
“Reclaim Me”. Ben has loved Michelle since they were children, but she denies the attraction. Bone Daddy intercedes as the matchmaker between the runaway artist and Big Ben.
“Redeem Me”. On All Saint’s Day, Bone Daddy can actually walk the streets of New Orleans in a corporal body. When he runs into reticent Bethany, he thinks she is the reincarnation of his eternal love, but how can they be together tomorrow.
These are three interrelated super heated romantic fantasies starring a solid (pun intended) cast.
Harriet Klausner
R.G. Alexander
Heat, Aug 3 2010, $15.00
ISBN: 9780425235287
“Release Me”. Following the accident and family acting as if she died, writer Allegra leaves Houston intends to move in with her friend Michelle in New Orleans. She is stunned to be attracted to tormented Rousseau, who thinks he reciprocates but fears his desire may be orchestrated by a sexual voodoo spirit Bone Daddy.
“Reclaim Me”. Ben has loved Michelle since they were children, but she denies the attraction. Bone Daddy intercedes as the matchmaker between the runaway artist and Big Ben.
“Redeem Me”. On All Saint’s Day, Bone Daddy can actually walk the streets of New Orleans in a corporal body. When he runs into reticent Bethany, he thinks she is the reincarnation of his eternal love, but how can they be together tomorrow.
These are three interrelated super heated romantic fantasies starring a solid (pun intended) cast.
Harriet Klausner
Private Dancer-Sheri Whitefeather
Private Dancer
Sheri Whitefeather
Heat, Aug 3 2010, $15.00
ISBN: 9780425234570
Beverly Gilbert loves her vocation in spite of knowing that being an exotic dancer who also taught the art led to her divorce two years from her husband Jay Novak. He hated her profession and demanded she end her career as Malibu; instead she quit their marriage. Now his former ménage partners (Amber and Luke) persuade Jay to come to the Dusky Doll because he remains hard (heart and penis) at the thought of Beverly.
Jay asks her what she has been doing and she mentions regression therapy. In the late eighteenth century in the Mediterranean, Camille Renard is to marry spoiled Neylan Empire heir Prince David Abir Ron Veli, but she detests being just part of the harem. She wants to be his harem and plans to lure her future husband with her sexual enticement. As the stripper and the ex begin an affair, she wonders if he was the Prince while he is jealous of her Prince.
This is an entertaining erotic romantic fantasy that uses reincarnation to tie the two eras together. The story line is heated from the moment Jay reappears in Beverly’s life especially beginning with her lap dance that readers will want to emulate with their significant other. Well written with strong characterizations, sub-genre fans will relish Beverly two times while wondering like her if Jay is jealous of himself.
Harriet Klausner
Sheri Whitefeather
Heat, Aug 3 2010, $15.00
ISBN: 9780425234570
Beverly Gilbert loves her vocation in spite of knowing that being an exotic dancer who also taught the art led to her divorce two years from her husband Jay Novak. He hated her profession and demanded she end her career as Malibu; instead she quit their marriage. Now his former ménage partners (Amber and Luke) persuade Jay to come to the Dusky Doll because he remains hard (heart and penis) at the thought of Beverly.
Jay asks her what she has been doing and she mentions regression therapy. In the late eighteenth century in the Mediterranean, Camille Renard is to marry spoiled Neylan Empire heir Prince David Abir Ron Veli, but she detests being just part of the harem. She wants to be his harem and plans to lure her future husband with her sexual enticement. As the stripper and the ex begin an affair, she wonders if he was the Prince while he is jealous of her Prince.
This is an entertaining erotic romantic fantasy that uses reincarnation to tie the two eras together. The story line is heated from the moment Jay reappears in Beverly’s life especially beginning with her lap dance that readers will want to emulate with their significant other. Well written with strong characterizations, sub-genre fans will relish Beverly two times while wondering like her if Jay is jealous of himself.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Walker’s Wedding-Lori Copeland
Walker’s Wedding
Lori Copeland
Harvest House, Jul 2010, $12.99
ISBN: 9780736927611
In 1870 Boston, railroad heiress Sarah Livingston is a twenty-fives year old and unmarried. She believes she will remain a spinster as her father rejects all males who court her as he assumes each one is after her fortune.
At the same time that Sarah frets she will never be married, in the Wyoming Territory Walker McKay has given up on having a wife since he was jilted at the altar. Still he sends for a mail order bride.
When Sarah sees an opportunity to take the place of a mail order bride, she leaps into the role. Sarah arrives by train in Wyoming where she finds her fiancé Walker hosting a barbecue. Walker informs the preacher, who had no idea this was a wedding party or did the other guests, to marry him and Sarah. As they fall in love, she fears how he will react to her deception as she feels just like Trudy who dumped Walker.
This is an amusing lighthearted western romance with a powerful message of the importance of trust in relationships between people and with God. The tale contains two likable lead characters and a strong support cast. The story line is fast-paced but it is the relationship between the distrusting groom and the desperate bride who make this Americana so much fun. As with Outlaw's Bride and A Kiss for Cade, Walker's Wedding is an enjoyable nineteenth century romance.
Harriet Klausner
Lori Copeland
Harvest House, Jul 2010, $12.99
ISBN: 9780736927611
In 1870 Boston, railroad heiress Sarah Livingston is a twenty-fives year old and unmarried. She believes she will remain a spinster as her father rejects all males who court her as he assumes each one is after her fortune.
At the same time that Sarah frets she will never be married, in the Wyoming Territory Walker McKay has given up on having a wife since he was jilted at the altar. Still he sends for a mail order bride.
When Sarah sees an opportunity to take the place of a mail order bride, she leaps into the role. Sarah arrives by train in Wyoming where she finds her fiancé Walker hosting a barbecue. Walker informs the preacher, who had no idea this was a wedding party or did the other guests, to marry him and Sarah. As they fall in love, she fears how he will react to her deception as she feels just like Trudy who dumped Walker.
This is an amusing lighthearted western romance with a powerful message of the importance of trust in relationships between people and with God. The tale contains two likable lead characters and a strong support cast. The story line is fast-paced but it is the relationship between the distrusting groom and the desperate bride who make this Americana so much fun. As with Outlaw's Bride and A Kiss for Cade, Walker's Wedding is an enjoyable nineteenth century romance.
Harriet Klausner
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