The School for Brides
Cheryl Ann Smith
Berkley Sensation, Apr 5 2011, $7.99
ISBN 9780425240502
Miss Eva Black runs a school for courtesans trying to retire from their previous occupation. Dressed as a grim spinster, she teaches her students how to behave as proper wives as well as finding them proper husbands. Besides concealing her beauty, she hides the fact that her mother was a courtesan; something that always embarrassed Eva.
Fuming aristocrat Nicholas Drake arrives at Eva’s school demanding she return to him his favorite mistress Arabella that she stole from him or he will use his ducal affluence to destroy her and her school. Eva detests the arrogant lord for his highhanded ways, but is also attracted to him. She accepts his demand that she replace his former mistress, married with a child on the way, as he holds her debts. Nicholas assumed he would scare the stern spinster while breaking her, but Eva teaches him to never judge a book by its cover.
The School for Brides is a warm gender war historical romance as the spinster and the aristocrat battle for supremacy. Like the heroine, readers will be affronted by Nicholas’ attitude towards women, but she proves a worthy mentor-teacher. Although the background never full anchors the era, fans will cheer on the courtesan’s daughter as she challenges the arrogant duke on his turf.
Harriet Klausner
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Seaborne-Katherine Irons
Seaborne
Katherine Irons
Kensington Brava, Apr 1 2011, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758261403
Thirtyish and a former Olympic team rider, Claire Bishop recently inherited Seaborne, an estate in Maine. Over the objections of her caring father Richard and her odious former husband Justin, she has decided to stay at Seaborne by herself. Since she suffered an injury in a boating accident, Claire has been wheelchair bound. Her dad fears for her safety; and her ex has other schemes in mind.
Off of Coastal Maine, Atlantean Prince Morgan senses Claire’s anguish. He comes out of the ocean and takes Claire with him into the sea where he escorts her around his undersea world and like magic her useless legs work perfectly. However, Morgan has broken the strict Atlantean legal code by mingling with the humans as his half-brother Caddoc witnessed and demands legal action. As they fall in taboo love, adversaries from each of their worlds want the star-crossed couple separated and death is the best means to achieve this objective.
This is a delightful oceanic fantasy as Katherine Irons makes the underwater realm of the Atlanteans seem real from the moment the blue man-dolphin rescues a human child and never slows down until the surprising brilliant final tidal wave. Although their two respective prime enemies have no redeeming qualities, readers will root for the lead couple as Ms. Irons provides a wonderful under the sea tour.
Harriet Klausner
Katherine Irons
Kensington Brava, Apr 1 2011, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758261403
Thirtyish and a former Olympic team rider, Claire Bishop recently inherited Seaborne, an estate in Maine. Over the objections of her caring father Richard and her odious former husband Justin, she has decided to stay at Seaborne by herself. Since she suffered an injury in a boating accident, Claire has been wheelchair bound. Her dad fears for her safety; and her ex has other schemes in mind.
Off of Coastal Maine, Atlantean Prince Morgan senses Claire’s anguish. He comes out of the ocean and takes Claire with him into the sea where he escorts her around his undersea world and like magic her useless legs work perfectly. However, Morgan has broken the strict Atlantean legal code by mingling with the humans as his half-brother Caddoc witnessed and demands legal action. As they fall in taboo love, adversaries from each of their worlds want the star-crossed couple separated and death is the best means to achieve this objective.
This is a delightful oceanic fantasy as Katherine Irons makes the underwater realm of the Atlanteans seem real from the moment the blue man-dolphin rescues a human child and never slows down until the surprising brilliant final tidal wave. Although their two respective prime enemies have no redeeming qualities, readers will root for the lead couple as Ms. Irons provides a wonderful under the sea tour.
Harriet Klausner
Moon Cursed-Lori Handeland
Moon Cursed
Lori Handeland
St. Martin’s, Mar 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312389352
With the cancelation of her TV show the Hoax Hunters, Kristin Daniels knows she will need a miracle to revitalize her career. Not one to idly sit around waiting for divine intervention, Kristin believes proving a legendary monster is a fake is the ticket back to the small screen. She chooses the Loch Ness monster as her target.
Kristin arrives in Drumnadrochit, Scotland to begin her hoax busting. However, she finds the corpse of a drowned female who some locals insist was murdered by Nessie. At the ruins of Urquhart Castle, Kristin and Liam Grant meet and are attracted to one another though she feels he conceals something dark from her. Meanwhile, Edward Mandenauer offers her a lot of money to assist him on his obsessive quest to find Nessie.
The tenth “Moon” Nightcreature urban romantic fantasy takes a terrific twist as the village of Drumnadrochit seems cursed by Nessie. In the gloomy dark atmosphere, the Hoax Hunter sets out to prove the killer is human, not mythical. The predator (Nessie or human), Liam and Edward form the rest of the Moon Cursed inquiry into whom or what is the psychopathic serial killer (can Nessie be a psychopath?). Fans will Crave the Moon saga as Lori Handeland provides a great entry in a strong series.
Harriet Klausner
Lori Handeland
St. Martin’s, Mar 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312389352
With the cancelation of her TV show the Hoax Hunters, Kristin Daniels knows she will need a miracle to revitalize her career. Not one to idly sit around waiting for divine intervention, Kristin believes proving a legendary monster is a fake is the ticket back to the small screen. She chooses the Loch Ness monster as her target.
Kristin arrives in Drumnadrochit, Scotland to begin her hoax busting. However, she finds the corpse of a drowned female who some locals insist was murdered by Nessie. At the ruins of Urquhart Castle, Kristin and Liam Grant meet and are attracted to one another though she feels he conceals something dark from her. Meanwhile, Edward Mandenauer offers her a lot of money to assist him on his obsessive quest to find Nessie.
The tenth “Moon” Nightcreature urban romantic fantasy takes a terrific twist as the village of Drumnadrochit seems cursed by Nessie. In the gloomy dark atmosphere, the Hoax Hunter sets out to prove the killer is human, not mythical. The predator (Nessie or human), Liam and Edward form the rest of the Moon Cursed inquiry into whom or what is the psychopathic serial killer (can Nessie be a psychopath?). Fans will Crave the Moon saga as Lori Handeland provides a great entry in a strong series.
Harriet Klausner
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
A Port in the Storm-Judy Genandt
A Port in the Storm
Judy Genandt
Five Star, Apr 6 2011, $25.95
ISBN 9781594149511
In 1885 Boston her irate father reads the riot act to Margaret Ward for what she considered no big deal. Fuming, he exiles his daughter to the Wyoming Territory to rusticate at the Lazy R Ranch owned by Randall family.
In spite of some clumsy klutzy moments, Margaret surprises everyone when the Boston Back Bay Brahman easily adjusts to life on the ranch. Even more stunning she takes over as the teacher in the one-room schoolhouse. However, she finds three men very interested in her. Each has their assets as Phil is from her hometown, David is the flirting heir to the ranch and Tee Spencer the aloof ranch foreman compete for her attention.
Although upper crust Margaret adapts too easily to life on the rugged at times deadly frontier, readers will enjoy this late nineteenth century western romance in which the elegant easterner shows how the west was actually won. Margaret makes a difference in the small town as she proves she is more than just a high society dizzy damsel. Sub-genre fans will enjoy this historical as the lead female delightfully dances with three males who want her.
Harriet Klausner
Judy Genandt
Five Star, Apr 6 2011, $25.95
ISBN 9781594149511
In 1885 Boston her irate father reads the riot act to Margaret Ward for what she considered no big deal. Fuming, he exiles his daughter to the Wyoming Territory to rusticate at the Lazy R Ranch owned by Randall family.
In spite of some clumsy klutzy moments, Margaret surprises everyone when the Boston Back Bay Brahman easily adjusts to life on the ranch. Even more stunning she takes over as the teacher in the one-room schoolhouse. However, she finds three men very interested in her. Each has their assets as Phil is from her hometown, David is the flirting heir to the ranch and Tee Spencer the aloof ranch foreman compete for her attention.
Although upper crust Margaret adapts too easily to life on the rugged at times deadly frontier, readers will enjoy this late nineteenth century western romance in which the elegant easterner shows how the west was actually won. Margaret makes a difference in the small town as she proves she is more than just a high society dizzy damsel. Sub-genre fans will enjoy this historical as the lead female delightfully dances with three males who want her.
Harriet Klausner
Too Sinful to Deny-Erica Ridley
Too Sinful to Deny
Erica Ridley
Zebra, Apr 5 2011, $6.99
ISBN 9781420109948
Embarrassed by their daughter’s inane behavior, Lady Susan Stanton’s aristocratic parents agree to exile their offspring to rusticate in the countryside. Thus Lady Susan is sent from London by her ashamed family to live with her father’s cousin at Moonseed Manor in Bournemouth on the coast.
Susan arrives at Monseed but her paternal cousin is missing. She and smuggler Evan Bothwick meet and are attracted to one another, but his quest is to find out who murdered his brother Timothy. Meanwhile she assumes her cousin is dead while her ability to talk to ghosts ever since an icy dunk in the Thames leads her to believe the spirits are all disgruntled. After consulting with Timothy the ghost, Susan investigates his death, the smuggling activity and what happened to her cousin while the crooked magistrate wants her to leave for London immediately.
The latest Eric Ridley Regency tale (see Too Wicked to Kiss) is a super historical paranormal romance that grips the audience once the heroine reaches her exile destination. The story line is fast-paced as intrepid Susan talks to ghosts, which leads to her inquiry. Although the romantic subplot remains rightfully for the most part in the background, readers will enjoy touring the smuggler’s coast with whimsical Susan as our guide.
Harriet Klausner
Erica Ridley
Zebra, Apr 5 2011, $6.99
ISBN 9781420109948
Embarrassed by their daughter’s inane behavior, Lady Susan Stanton’s aristocratic parents agree to exile their offspring to rusticate in the countryside. Thus Lady Susan is sent from London by her ashamed family to live with her father’s cousin at Moonseed Manor in Bournemouth on the coast.
Susan arrives at Monseed but her paternal cousin is missing. She and smuggler Evan Bothwick meet and are attracted to one another, but his quest is to find out who murdered his brother Timothy. Meanwhile she assumes her cousin is dead while her ability to talk to ghosts ever since an icy dunk in the Thames leads her to believe the spirits are all disgruntled. After consulting with Timothy the ghost, Susan investigates his death, the smuggling activity and what happened to her cousin while the crooked magistrate wants her to leave for London immediately.
The latest Eric Ridley Regency tale (see Too Wicked to Kiss) is a super historical paranormal romance that grips the audience once the heroine reaches her exile destination. The story line is fast-paced as intrepid Susan talks to ghosts, which leads to her inquiry. Although the romantic subplot remains rightfully for the most part in the background, readers will enjoy touring the smuggler’s coast with whimsical Susan as our guide.
Harriet Klausner
Island Nights-P.J. Mellor
Island Nights
P.J. Mellor
Kensington Aphrodisia, Mar 1 2011, $14.00
ISBM: 9780758238191
After watching like a voyeur her emaciated boss Dorinda “Dragon Lady” Laughlin have sex at the office, Reese Parker is jealous. However, she hides her envy as the Dragon Lady directs her to place a bid on a private Texas barrier island. When Reese reaches her destination Sand Dollar, she remains mystified why her employer wants the island.
The owner Ben Adams rejects her offer; as he prefers to keep the property in the family though he has doubts he can achieve his goal. However, they are attracted to one another and one kiss has both reeling. As Reese and Ben fall in love, he shows her the island and she revises her opinion of the place though she remains unsure why her boss would want it.
Island Nights is an erotic romance starring a fabulous lead couple and several other characters in heat (besides the bony Dragon lady, Reese’s two BFFs and their hunks). Although the entertaining story line is not quite as thin as Dorinda is, fans will enjoy the romance between big bad Ben and passionate rousing Reese.
Harriet Klausner
P.J. Mellor
Kensington Aphrodisia, Mar 1 2011, $14.00
ISBM: 9780758238191
After watching like a voyeur her emaciated boss Dorinda “Dragon Lady” Laughlin have sex at the office, Reese Parker is jealous. However, she hides her envy as the Dragon Lady directs her to place a bid on a private Texas barrier island. When Reese reaches her destination Sand Dollar, she remains mystified why her employer wants the island.
The owner Ben Adams rejects her offer; as he prefers to keep the property in the family though he has doubts he can achieve his goal. However, they are attracted to one another and one kiss has both reeling. As Reese and Ben fall in love, he shows her the island and she revises her opinion of the place though she remains unsure why her boss would want it.
Island Nights is an erotic romance starring a fabulous lead couple and several other characters in heat (besides the bony Dragon lady, Reese’s two BFFs and their hunks). Although the entertaining story line is not quite as thin as Dorinda is, fans will enjoy the romance between big bad Ben and passionate rousing Reese.
Harriet Klausner
Monday, February 28, 2011
Fly Me to Paradise-Catherine Andorka
Fly Me to Paradise
Catherine Andorka
Five Star, Apr 6 2011, $25.95
ISBN: 9781594149535
In Illinois, neither she nor her husband Charles wanted children, but before he underwent a vasectomy, his wife Madeline Holt persuaded him to leave sperm at the Lynwood Fertility Clinic in case they change their minds. After he died, she decided to undergo insemination to raise a child of his. However, a mistake occurs and she learns she is carrying the offspring of Cromwell corporate pilot Kurt Williams.
Both are upset‚ but she makes it clear she will not abort the fetus nor give the child up once born. He surprises her as he agrees with her plans. However he has one exception; Though he suffers from Hodgkin ’s disease that he prays is in remission, he plans to be in their child’s life, as he vowed to never desert a kid of his like his dad did when he was six years old. As they spend time together, they fall in love. However, she keeps her distance as she feels his job is dangerous; besides which she fears heights; while he wonders why she never asked him why he donated sperm.
Fly Me To Paradise is an engaging contemporary romance in which a mistake serves as the matchmaker between a widow and a remission cancer victim. Readers will empathize with Madeline’s reluctance to get involved as love hurts especially since her late husband was cautions and still died in an accident; on the other hand Kurt serves more as a role model as he learns life is precious and potentially expendable. Although their hesitations becomes a bit repetitive, fans will enjoy this fun tale of two nice people falling in love, but each has doubts about their future except when it comes to the child she carries.
Harriet Klausner
Catherine Andorka
Five Star, Apr 6 2011, $25.95
ISBN: 9781594149535
In Illinois, neither she nor her husband Charles wanted children, but before he underwent a vasectomy, his wife Madeline Holt persuaded him to leave sperm at the Lynwood Fertility Clinic in case they change their minds. After he died, she decided to undergo insemination to raise a child of his. However, a mistake occurs and she learns she is carrying the offspring of Cromwell corporate pilot Kurt Williams.
Both are upset‚ but she makes it clear she will not abort the fetus nor give the child up once born. He surprises her as he agrees with her plans. However he has one exception; Though he suffers from Hodgkin ’s disease that he prays is in remission, he plans to be in their child’s life, as he vowed to never desert a kid of his like his dad did when he was six years old. As they spend time together, they fall in love. However, she keeps her distance as she feels his job is dangerous; besides which she fears heights; while he wonders why she never asked him why he donated sperm.
Fly Me To Paradise is an engaging contemporary romance in which a mistake serves as the matchmaker between a widow and a remission cancer victim. Readers will empathize with Madeline’s reluctance to get involved as love hurts especially since her late husband was cautions and still died in an accident; on the other hand Kurt serves more as a role model as he learns life is precious and potentially expendable. Although their hesitations becomes a bit repetitive, fans will enjoy this fun tale of two nice people falling in love, but each has doubts about their future except when it comes to the child she carries.
Harriet Klausner
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