High Octane
Lisa Renee Jones
Harlequin Blaze, Feb 15 2011, $4.99
ISBN: 9780373796052
Like his two Crazy Aces buddies former Ranger, Ryan “Cowboy” Walker seeks precarious thrills such as sky diving from a plane for the Texas Hotzone (see Crazy Aces). Reporter Sabrina Cameron is the daughter of a U.S. Senator who is running for the White House; so is prim and proper following the rules of engagement as written by her dad’s handlers.
Thus when Sabrina, on a dare, goes skydiving; the activity is out of character for the by the book daughter. When these opposites meet, Ryan challenges Sabrina in every way as he plans to jump start her sense of adventures especially her libido.
Ryan is ultra alpha as he orders Sabrina the omega to behave in a manner of his liking. In a sense he becomes her handler replacing the professional assigned by her daddy’s election team. Thus, there is a core of realism in their intriguing relationship, but his bullying and her acceptance though High Octane will leave romance readers with an uneasy feeling to what is a heated well written drama.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, February 4, 2011
Face-Off-Nancy Warren
Face-Off
Nancy Warren
Harlequin Blaze, Feb 15 2011, $4.99
ISBN: 9780373796014
“Ice Time”. Upon retirement from the NHL, star Jarrad McBride returns home to Vancouver to coach. When he and teacher Sierra Janssen meet they start dating, but she fears she is not in the class of his former wife, a swimsuit model.
“The Sin Bin”. Jarrad’s sister Samantha McBride and her former boyfriend firefighter Greg Olsen decide to start a new fling though she rejected his proposal before she left for college.
“Breakaway”. Their brother hockey player Taylor McBride and Canada’s top figure-skating star Becky Haines start dating until her parents intervene by arranging for their daughter to go out with a singer.
Ice turns ultra hot as Nancy Warren scores the Hat Trick with this charming tour of British Columbia.
Harriet Klausner
Nancy Warren
Harlequin Blaze, Feb 15 2011, $4.99
ISBN: 9780373796014
“Ice Time”. Upon retirement from the NHL, star Jarrad McBride returns home to Vancouver to coach. When he and teacher Sierra Janssen meet they start dating, but she fears she is not in the class of his former wife, a swimsuit model.
“The Sin Bin”. Jarrad’s sister Samantha McBride and her former boyfriend firefighter Greg Olsen decide to start a new fling though she rejected his proposal before she left for college.
“Breakaway”. Their brother hockey player Taylor McBride and Canada’s top figure-skating star Becky Haines start dating until her parents intervene by arranging for their daughter to go out with a singer.
Ice turns ultra hot as Nancy Warren scores the Hat Trick with this charming tour of British Columbia.
Harriet Klausner
What I Did for a Duke-Julie Anne Long
What I Did for a Duke
Julie Anne Long
Avon, Feb 22 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061885686
Ian Eversea breaks one of the most powerful rules amidst the Ton. Everyone knows never to mess with arrogant Duke Alexander Moncrieffe; for if you do you will pay an exorbitant price.
The Duke is outraged when Ian had the audacity to fall in love with Alexander’s fiancée. He decides Eversea must pay for this affront. What better way than to seduce the man’s innocent sister before ruining and dumping her. However, Moncrieffe learns that the plans of mice and men often go astray when women are involved. Eversea’s sister Genevieve has spunk as she dares to enter Moncrieffe’s inferno where passion ignites both of them. However, Genevieve must choose between marriage to a man who adores her and a scandalous spinsterhood by selecting the duke she loves who apparently fails to reciprocate her feelings.
The latest Pennyroyal Green historical romance (see Like No Other Lover) is an engaging tale that is more aligned to the sub-genre than the previous seafaring I Kissed an Earl, but contains Julie Anne Long’s trademark freshness with an enjoyable gender war. If White’s took bets, the arrogant male would slaughter the innocent female; however she defies the odds just like her brother did as love is a powerful stimulus. This is a marvelous tale.
Harriet Klausner
Julie Anne Long
Avon, Feb 22 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061885686
Ian Eversea breaks one of the most powerful rules amidst the Ton. Everyone knows never to mess with arrogant Duke Alexander Moncrieffe; for if you do you will pay an exorbitant price.
The Duke is outraged when Ian had the audacity to fall in love with Alexander’s fiancée. He decides Eversea must pay for this affront. What better way than to seduce the man’s innocent sister before ruining and dumping her. However, Moncrieffe learns that the plans of mice and men often go astray when women are involved. Eversea’s sister Genevieve has spunk as she dares to enter Moncrieffe’s inferno where passion ignites both of them. However, Genevieve must choose between marriage to a man who adores her and a scandalous spinsterhood by selecting the duke she loves who apparently fails to reciprocate her feelings.
The latest Pennyroyal Green historical romance (see Like No Other Lover) is an engaging tale that is more aligned to the sub-genre than the previous seafaring I Kissed an Earl, but contains Julie Anne Long’s trademark freshness with an enjoyable gender war. If White’s took bets, the arrogant male would slaughter the innocent female; however she defies the odds just like her brother did as love is a powerful stimulus. This is a marvelous tale.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Reluctant Bride-Anne Marie Duquette
The Reluctant Bride
Anne Marie Duquette
Harlequin American Romance, Mar 1 2011, $4.99
ISBN: 9780373753529
Grand Canyon guide Max Hunter is frustrated with his fiancée sports photographer Kari Cavanaugh as she always has an excuse for delaying their marriage. He decides no more shenanigans from his beloved even if it means breaking their two-year old engagement and his heart.
They are heading to the Grand Canyon, which may be their last trip as an entry. However someone claiming to be Kari’s mother Margot arrives. Her mother allegedly committed suicide though no body was found. Kari prays the woman is her mother, but if she is why did she vanish; if not why is she terrorizing Kari.
This is an enjoyable romantic suspense as the mystery of Margot makes for a taut thriller that supersedes the underdeveloped romantic subplot. Still readers will be hooked from the moment Margot arrives in Arizona. Like the beleaguered heroine who is unsure whether she wants the woman to be her mom or not as there are pros and cons to each; fans will ponder could this be her mom and if yes where was she and why appear now; while if not sinister stalking seems strangely possible but once again why Kari.
Harriet Klausner
Anne Marie Duquette
Harlequin American Romance, Mar 1 2011, $4.99
ISBN: 9780373753529
Grand Canyon guide Max Hunter is frustrated with his fiancée sports photographer Kari Cavanaugh as she always has an excuse for delaying their marriage. He decides no more shenanigans from his beloved even if it means breaking their two-year old engagement and his heart.
They are heading to the Grand Canyon, which may be their last trip as an entry. However someone claiming to be Kari’s mother Margot arrives. Her mother allegedly committed suicide though no body was found. Kari prays the woman is her mother, but if she is why did she vanish; if not why is she terrorizing Kari.
This is an enjoyable romantic suspense as the mystery of Margot makes for a taut thriller that supersedes the underdeveloped romantic subplot. Still readers will be hooked from the moment Margot arrives in Arizona. Like the beleaguered heroine who is unsure whether she wants the woman to be her mom or not as there are pros and cons to each; fans will ponder could this be her mom and if yes where was she and why appear now; while if not sinister stalking seems strangely possible but once again why Kari.
Harriet Klausner
The Comeback Cowboy-Cathy McDavid
The Comeback Cowboy
Cathy McDavid
Harlequin American Romance, Mar 1 2011, $4.99
ISBN: 9780373753499
Though he has physically healed from the accident at the rodeo, former rising star Ty Boudeau has not mentally loved on. He has not been the same since he had to put down his favorite and best horse.
At her grandfather’s Seven Cedars Ranch, Adele Donnelly runs the Cowboy College. Outside of teaching her students, she avoids cowboys as she expects they would break her heart. Ty arrives hoping to regain his lost confidence by receiving roping lessons from the alleged best Adele, but soon wants to become the teacher’s pet more as he is attracted to his instructor. He changes the rules of engagement as she ropes his heart.
The fascinating part of this fun ranch romance is that the rough edged cowboy uses a gruff exterior to hide a soft interior (a sort of American male Sabra) while the patient teacher conceals a relationship phobia especially with rodeo participants. Although readers will shout at Adele to move on as she overdoes her irritating prickliness, fans will root for this couple to make it while thinking like Lani about the intertwining of their gene pool.
Harriet Klausner
Cathy McDavid
Harlequin American Romance, Mar 1 2011, $4.99
ISBN: 9780373753499
Though he has physically healed from the accident at the rodeo, former rising star Ty Boudeau has not mentally loved on. He has not been the same since he had to put down his favorite and best horse.
At her grandfather’s Seven Cedars Ranch, Adele Donnelly runs the Cowboy College. Outside of teaching her students, she avoids cowboys as she expects they would break her heart. Ty arrives hoping to regain his lost confidence by receiving roping lessons from the alleged best Adele, but soon wants to become the teacher’s pet more as he is attracted to his instructor. He changes the rules of engagement as she ropes his heart.
The fascinating part of this fun ranch romance is that the rough edged cowboy uses a gruff exterior to hide a soft interior (a sort of American male Sabra) while the patient teacher conceals a relationship phobia especially with rodeo participants. Although readers will shout at Adele to move on as she overdoes her irritating prickliness, fans will root for this couple to make it while thinking like Lani about the intertwining of their gene pool.
Harriet Klausner
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Invitation to Ruin-Bronwen Evans
Invitation to Ruin
Bronwen Evans
Kensington Brava, Mar 1 2011, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758259196
Melissa Goodly has always dreamed of marrying for love. Anthony Craven has always dreamed of remaining a bachelor. When the Lord of Wicked Depravity mistakenly enters the room of Lady Virginity, they both lose control. However, they are caught together in a comprised position.
Out of honor, Anthony proposes and Melissa accepts. Craven would never have seduced an innocent like his new spouse, but realizes she is perfect as a naive convenience to conceal his sinful activity. Thus the night of their marriage, she shocks him with her bold sexual behavior. He vows never again as his personal pledge was to never sire an offspring since he believes his family possesses evil blood. However, once again Melissa stuns him with her resolve to break through to her spouse. She fails until an enemy from his past abducts the wife Anthony now realizes he loves.
Although the theme of a tormented male believing his blood is too tainted to have offspring has been used before (see Too Wicked to tame by Sophie Jordan), Bronwen Evans keeps her historical romance fresh due to a super heroine and a strong support cast including a vile villain. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Craven enters the wrong room (another commonly used theme) and never slows down as the aptly surnamed lead couple make for a terrific tale as she teaches him goodliness is in everyone even the craven especially if one takes a chance on love.
Harriet Klausner
Bronwen Evans
Kensington Brava, Mar 1 2011, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758259196
Melissa Goodly has always dreamed of marrying for love. Anthony Craven has always dreamed of remaining a bachelor. When the Lord of Wicked Depravity mistakenly enters the room of Lady Virginity, they both lose control. However, they are caught together in a comprised position.
Out of honor, Anthony proposes and Melissa accepts. Craven would never have seduced an innocent like his new spouse, but realizes she is perfect as a naive convenience to conceal his sinful activity. Thus the night of their marriage, she shocks him with her bold sexual behavior. He vows never again as his personal pledge was to never sire an offspring since he believes his family possesses evil blood. However, once again Melissa stuns him with her resolve to break through to her spouse. She fails until an enemy from his past abducts the wife Anthony now realizes he loves.
Although the theme of a tormented male believing his blood is too tainted to have offspring has been used before (see Too Wicked to tame by Sophie Jordan), Bronwen Evans keeps her historical romance fresh due to a super heroine and a strong support cast including a vile villain. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Craven enters the wrong room (another commonly used theme) and never slows down as the aptly surnamed lead couple make for a terrific tale as she teaches him goodliness is in everyone even the craven especially if one takes a chance on love.
Harriet Klausner
The Perfect Scandal-Delilah Marvelle
The Perfect Scandal
Delilah Marvelle
Harlequin HQN, Feb 15 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780373775545
In 1829, Marquis Tristan Hargrove secretly authored the extremely popular tome How to Avoid a Scandal. He diligently tries to adhere to his book avoiding any impropriety, behaving as a perfect gentleman.
However, for the first time as an adult, Tristan struggles to keep his base desires at bay after seeing his new aristocratic London neighbor; he cannot stop thinking of her lips demanding he kiss her. Polish immigrant Zosia Kwiatkowska is King George’s ward. The monarch seeks to marry the volatile immigrant who wants her freedom to help liberate Poland from Tsarist rule. Unable to resist and ignoring his grandmother’s plea to not do it, Tristan resolutely sets out to make Zosia his wife. As they fall in love, her Polish freedom quest places both of them at risk.
The latest Perfect Scandal late Regency romance is made fresh by the Polish fight for independence. This historical backdrop enhances the storyline by providing a fascinating cast starting with the lead female who uses crutches to walk and upon meeting Tristan in person for the first time at her bedroom window where he proposes marriage. Although grimmer than the previous two entries (see Prelude to a Scandal and Once Upon a Scandal), Delilah Marvelle provides a perfectly marvelous finish to a wonderful historical series.
Harriet Klausner
Delilah Marvelle
Harlequin HQN, Feb 15 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780373775545
In 1829, Marquis Tristan Hargrove secretly authored the extremely popular tome How to Avoid a Scandal. He diligently tries to adhere to his book avoiding any impropriety, behaving as a perfect gentleman.
However, for the first time as an adult, Tristan struggles to keep his base desires at bay after seeing his new aristocratic London neighbor; he cannot stop thinking of her lips demanding he kiss her. Polish immigrant Zosia Kwiatkowska is King George’s ward. The monarch seeks to marry the volatile immigrant who wants her freedom to help liberate Poland from Tsarist rule. Unable to resist and ignoring his grandmother’s plea to not do it, Tristan resolutely sets out to make Zosia his wife. As they fall in love, her Polish freedom quest places both of them at risk.
The latest Perfect Scandal late Regency romance is made fresh by the Polish fight for independence. This historical backdrop enhances the storyline by providing a fascinating cast starting with the lead female who uses crutches to walk and upon meeting Tristan in person for the first time at her bedroom window where he proposes marriage. Although grimmer than the previous two entries (see Prelude to a Scandal and Once Upon a Scandal), Delilah Marvelle provides a perfectly marvelous finish to a wonderful historical series.
Harriet Klausner
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