Pure Temptation
Connie Mason
Leisure, Apr 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780843964028
In 1795 London, “Black” Jack Graystoke relishes the finer things in life, women and gambling. Tired after an evening of revelry, he goes to sleep at the dilapidated family home, Graystoke Manor only to have his two century or so dead relative albeit her ghost Lady Amelia insist he leave his bed to search for an unknown something.
Jack accidentally runs over unemployed Irish farmer’s Moira O'Toole. He takes her to Graystoke so she can heal where his best friend Spencer Fenwick concocts an impish scheme to make Moira Jack’s ward so they can find her a wealthy husband. Jack is attracted to her and believes she reciprocates, but he needs a wealthy spouse as well so he plans to propose to Lady Victoria Greene. Still he cannot resist the lure of his ward and they become lovers. When lies and omissions lead to their break-up, danger mounts for both of them with love and Lady Amelia giving them a ghost of a chance for survival.
PURE TEMPTATION is a reprint of an entertaining late Georgian ghost romance filled with spirit and love. Fast-paced, fans will enjoy this fun paranormal historical though the enemies’ subplot feels somewhat intrusive.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Out of Sight-Stella Cameron
Out of Sight
Stella Cameron
Mira, Apr 27 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778327752
In New Orleans Sculptor Sykes Millet may be a psychic able to read and control the minds of others, but like his ancestots for centuries and his relatives today (see Out of Mind and Out of Body), he cannot prevent the curse from destroying those he loves. In the Court of Angels Jude Millet insists he needs to find Harmony and the missing keys to open up its supernatural powers while also fighting the evil Embran.
His efforts have become complicated by family friend nightclub manager Poppy Fortune. She has inadvertently fallen into the center of the Embran conflict, but in honor of her family, victims of the supernatural, she refuses to step aside although the man she loves Sykes pleads with her. He has no choice but to keep her safe and pray his deep regard for Poppy does not turn into deadly love.
The third Court of Angels is another outstanding paranormal romantic thriller starring a courageous heroine and her champion who fears falling in love with her, but the heart rejects the brain. Fans will root for the heroic duet though Poppy’s behavior at times is over the top of Driskoll Mountain. Action-packed from the onset, Out of Sight is another electrifying urban fantasy.
Harriet Klausner
Stella Cameron
Mira, Apr 27 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778327752
In New Orleans Sculptor Sykes Millet may be a psychic able to read and control the minds of others, but like his ancestots for centuries and his relatives today (see Out of Mind and Out of Body), he cannot prevent the curse from destroying those he loves. In the Court of Angels Jude Millet insists he needs to find Harmony and the missing keys to open up its supernatural powers while also fighting the evil Embran.
His efforts have become complicated by family friend nightclub manager Poppy Fortune. She has inadvertently fallen into the center of the Embran conflict, but in honor of her family, victims of the supernatural, she refuses to step aside although the man she loves Sykes pleads with her. He has no choice but to keep her safe and pray his deep regard for Poppy does not turn into deadly love.
The third Court of Angels is another outstanding paranormal romantic thriller starring a courageous heroine and her champion who fears falling in love with her, but the heart rejects the brain. Fans will root for the heroic duet though Poppy’s behavior at times is over the top of Driskoll Mountain. Action-packed from the onset, Out of Sight is another electrifying urban fantasy.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, April 2, 2010
A Mother's Wedding Day-Rebecca Winters and Dominique Burton
A Mother's Wedding Day
Rebecca Winters and Dominique Burton
Harlequin American, Apr 2010, $4.49
ISBN: 9780373753062
"A Mother's Secret" by Rebecca Winters. Max de Roussillac places his recently divorced alcoholic dad Steve in rehab while taking over managing the family vineyard. However, his return means seeing the love of his life who jilted him just before their wedding. Andrea Danbury still loves Max, but fears his reaction when he meets her daughter though her Samantha is overseas and not really talking to her.
“A Daughter's Discovery” by Dominique Burton. Samantha Danbury seeks her paternal heritage in Alaska with plans to meet her recently discovered grandparents. However, when she meets park ranger Jake Powell, she falls in love with him, but he is a misanthrope who prefers his female to be Beastly the dog.
These two interrelated charming family dramas, ironically written by a mother-daughter duet, hook the reader throughout due to a strong cast. Character driven readers will relish A Mother’s Wedding Day as Rebecca Winters proves once again how talented she is and her daughter Dominique Burton displays the gene pool with an equally strong entry.
Harriet Klausner
Rebecca Winters and Dominique Burton
Harlequin American, Apr 2010, $4.49
ISBN: 9780373753062
"A Mother's Secret" by Rebecca Winters. Max de Roussillac places his recently divorced alcoholic dad Steve in rehab while taking over managing the family vineyard. However, his return means seeing the love of his life who jilted him just before their wedding. Andrea Danbury still loves Max, but fears his reaction when he meets her daughter though her Samantha is overseas and not really talking to her.
“A Daughter's Discovery” by Dominique Burton. Samantha Danbury seeks her paternal heritage in Alaska with plans to meet her recently discovered grandparents. However, when she meets park ranger Jake Powell, she falls in love with him, but he is a misanthrope who prefers his female to be Beastly the dog.
These two interrelated charming family dramas, ironically written by a mother-daughter duet, hook the reader throughout due to a strong cast. Character driven readers will relish A Mother’s Wedding Day as Rebecca Winters proves once again how talented she is and her daughter Dominique Burton displays the gene pool with an equally strong entry.
Harriet Klausner
His Baby Surprise- Lisa Childs
His Baby Surprise
Lisa Childs
Harlequin American, Apr 2010, $4.49
ISBN: 9780373753055
An injury sends professional hockey star Brooks Hoover home to Trout Creek, Michigan with his NHL career probably over. He wants to coach the high school hockey team, but assistant principal Priscilla Andrews, who knew him as a teen and knows of the headlines he made as a troublemaker, has doubts bigger than the ice rink.
His past apparently hip checks Brooks when a baby is left at his door with a note claiming he is the father. Everyone in town wants the infant taken away from Mr. Irresponsible but instead he skates ahead with being a daddy. Now if he can only convince his employer Ms. Prim assistant principal that with her and the bay at his side, he scores the hat trick.
The lead couple is a complex duet who makes this hockey romance a winning tale. Fans will enjoy their tango while he proves to be an MVP when it comes to the baby he takes care of and she is stunned by her feelings for him and the child almost as much as observing how his parenting goes. His Baby Surprise is a warm Michigan contemporary.
Harriet Klausner
Lisa Childs
Harlequin American, Apr 2010, $4.49
ISBN: 9780373753055
An injury sends professional hockey star Brooks Hoover home to Trout Creek, Michigan with his NHL career probably over. He wants to coach the high school hockey team, but assistant principal Priscilla Andrews, who knew him as a teen and knows of the headlines he made as a troublemaker, has doubts bigger than the ice rink.
His past apparently hip checks Brooks when a baby is left at his door with a note claiming he is the father. Everyone in town wants the infant taken away from Mr. Irresponsible but instead he skates ahead with being a daddy. Now if he can only convince his employer Ms. Prim assistant principal that with her and the bay at his side, he scores the hat trick.
The lead couple is a complex duet who makes this hockey romance a winning tale. Fans will enjoy their tango while he proves to be an MVP when it comes to the baby he takes care of and she is stunned by her feelings for him and the child almost as much as observing how his parenting goes. His Baby Surprise is a warm Michigan contemporary.
Harriet Klausner
One Enchanted Evening-Lynn Kurland
One Enchanted Evening
Lynn Kurland
Jove, Apr 27 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780515147919
In 1229 Montgomery de Piaget who believed in fairy tales could use a happy ending with his current assignment. The knight needs to repair a fixer upper Artane castle before the walls fall around his ears.
Seattle, Washington theater costume designer Pippa Alexander is in England creating costumes for a gala when she and her sister Cinderella fall through a time portal that tales them to 1229 Artane Castle. Montgomery believes the siblings are fairies and asks them to use their powers to help fix the dilapidated pile of rocks he calls home. A drugged Cinderella insists she is the Fairy Queen while Pippa tries to get Montgomery to understand they are humans from almost eight centuries in the future. Montgomery still thinks she is the miraculous answer to his prayers as his claim on the castle is at best tentative, but his claim on her heart permanent regardless if he needs all the time in the world to prove it to his Pippa.
The latest time traveling de Piaget romance (see Till There was You and Dreams of Stardust) is a terrific entry as Artane is definitely a fixer upper. Fast-paced and filled with humor, fans will enjoy the awesome adventures of the twenty-first century Washingtonian fairy sisters in the crazy world of de Piaget family medieval England.
Harriet Klausner
Lynn Kurland
Jove, Apr 27 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780515147919
In 1229 Montgomery de Piaget who believed in fairy tales could use a happy ending with his current assignment. The knight needs to repair a fixer upper Artane castle before the walls fall around his ears.
Seattle, Washington theater costume designer Pippa Alexander is in England creating costumes for a gala when she and her sister Cinderella fall through a time portal that tales them to 1229 Artane Castle. Montgomery believes the siblings are fairies and asks them to use their powers to help fix the dilapidated pile of rocks he calls home. A drugged Cinderella insists she is the Fairy Queen while Pippa tries to get Montgomery to understand they are humans from almost eight centuries in the future. Montgomery still thinks she is the miraculous answer to his prayers as his claim on the castle is at best tentative, but his claim on her heart permanent regardless if he needs all the time in the world to prove it to his Pippa.
The latest time traveling de Piaget romance (see Till There was You and Dreams of Stardust) is a terrific entry as Artane is definitely a fixer upper. Fast-paced and filled with humor, fans will enjoy the awesome adventures of the twenty-first century Washingtonian fairy sisters in the crazy world of de Piaget family medieval England.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Rogue In My Arms-Celeste Bradley
Rogue In My Arms
Celeste Bradley
St. Martin’s, Mar 30 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312943097
Sir Colin Lambert hopes he is the one who sired Melody, an infant left in front of his gentlemen's club three and a half years ago. Furthermore, he assumes the mother is his former mistress Chantal Marchant, an actress though he has problems understanding why she would abandon her baby without talking to him.
Colin searches for Chantal without much success until he meets the actress's seamstress Pru Filby. Struggling to feed her younger brother and herself, Pru agrees to be Mellie's nanny while Colin continues his search for Chantal, whom he knows he loves. However, when the adults are separated, Pru with the baby enlists the aid of a traveling troupe. When Colin, worried about both females, finds them he ponders why he wants Pru who hides from him she loves him as she believes her former employer has his heart.
The latest Runaway Brides Regency romance is an exhilarating historical tale that continues the saga of who Melody’s father and mother are (see Devil in My Bed). The story line is fast-paced from the moment Colin decides it must be him and goes about searching for the love of his life only ironically to realize the love of his life is accompanying him on the search. Although the suspense serves as a catalyst it remains secondary to Colin’s quest for love.
Harriet Klausner
Celeste Bradley
St. Martin’s, Mar 30 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312943097
Sir Colin Lambert hopes he is the one who sired Melody, an infant left in front of his gentlemen's club three and a half years ago. Furthermore, he assumes the mother is his former mistress Chantal Marchant, an actress though he has problems understanding why she would abandon her baby without talking to him.
Colin searches for Chantal without much success until he meets the actress's seamstress Pru Filby. Struggling to feed her younger brother and herself, Pru agrees to be Mellie's nanny while Colin continues his search for Chantal, whom he knows he loves. However, when the adults are separated, Pru with the baby enlists the aid of a traveling troupe. When Colin, worried about both females, finds them he ponders why he wants Pru who hides from him she loves him as she believes her former employer has his heart.
The latest Runaway Brides Regency romance is an exhilarating historical tale that continues the saga of who Melody’s father and mother are (see Devil in My Bed). The story line is fast-paced from the moment Colin decides it must be him and goes about searching for the love of his life only ironically to realize the love of his life is accompanying him on the search. Although the suspense serves as a catalyst it remains secondary to Colin’s quest for love.
Harriet Klausner
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Straight Up-Deirdre Martin
Straight Up
Deirdre Martin
Berkley, May 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425234662
When her fiancé jilted farmer Aislinn McCafferty, she vowed no more men in her life unless they are sheep. Soon afterward her parents died in a car accident. Grieving and angry she wants to be left alone with her flock though her sister is visiting her and her elderly loyal employee remains on her sheep farm.
Fleeing the New York Irish mob, Liam O'Brien hides in Ballycraig, Ireland. When he meets the acrimonious Aislinn, he wants her but she rejects him. Cocky, he makes a bet with the local pub owner that he will get her to go out with him. However, as Liam gets to know Aislinn, he wishes he never made that stupid wager as he is falling in love even as the doubting Aislinn begins to reconsider the charm of four legs vs. two and a half legs. Still refuses him; as she expects him to return across the Atlantic back to the big city.
Straight Up is an enjoyable romance starring two initially unlikable lead characters who grow on the reader. Liam has an ego larger than the Atlantic while Aislinn has had her esteem shattered. Although the thin plot is mindful of Doc Hollywood and filled with an eccentric secondary cast who like fans take bets on the outcome as Deidre Martin provides an amusing tale of love.
Harriet Klausner
Deirdre Martin
Berkley, May 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425234662
When her fiancé jilted farmer Aislinn McCafferty, she vowed no more men in her life unless they are sheep. Soon afterward her parents died in a car accident. Grieving and angry she wants to be left alone with her flock though her sister is visiting her and her elderly loyal employee remains on her sheep farm.
Fleeing the New York Irish mob, Liam O'Brien hides in Ballycraig, Ireland. When he meets the acrimonious Aislinn, he wants her but she rejects him. Cocky, he makes a bet with the local pub owner that he will get her to go out with him. However, as Liam gets to know Aislinn, he wishes he never made that stupid wager as he is falling in love even as the doubting Aislinn begins to reconsider the charm of four legs vs. two and a half legs. Still refuses him; as she expects him to return across the Atlantic back to the big city.
Straight Up is an enjoyable romance starring two initially unlikable lead characters who grow on the reader. Liam has an ego larger than the Atlantic while Aislinn has had her esteem shattered. Although the thin plot is mindful of Doc Hollywood and filled with an eccentric secondary cast who like fans take bets on the outcome as Deidre Martin provides an amusing tale of love.
Harriet Klausner
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