Bare It All by Lori Foster (Love Undercover #3)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Harlequin 

My Copy: NetGalley

Reviewer: Nikki

A cop’s craving to know more about the woman next door could prove fatal in the steamy new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster 

As the person responsible for taking down a brutal human trafficker, Alice Appleton fears retaliation at every turn. No one knows about her past, which is exactly how she prefers it…until the sexy cop next door comes knocking. 

Detective Reese Bareden thinks he knows what makes women tick, but his ever-elusive neighbor keeps him guessing like no other. Is his goal to unmask Alice’s secrets? Or protect her from a dangerous new threat? One thing is certain: their chemistry is a time bomb waiting to explode. And with no one to trust but each other, Reese and Alice are soon drawn into a deadly maze of corruption, intrigue and desire-and into the line of fire…

.

Picking up Bare It All gave me mixed emotions. I have long since been a champion of Foster’s work but I’ve felt something was really lacking in the last book and so I wasn’t sure I would even continue with this series.

You may remember the heroine, Alice, in a Trace Of Fever from the “Men Who Walk The Edge Of Honor” series. Or you may not because she wasn’t a huge part and that book feels like forever ago. When we first met her she was much meeker but that backbone of steel was still evident even then. Since then she’s definitely grown into her own. She’s more confident and she’s managed to get her life mostly back in order.

Though she keeps mostly to herself her hunky neighbor and his dog have wormed themselves right into her heart. When he needs somewhere to stay after his apartment becomes a crime scene she jumps at the chance to offer him her place to crash. Reese has tried for weeks to get Alice to open up to him and she’s finally starting to let him in. No way is he turning down her offer. He’s going to need all his detective skills in order to crack Alice because she tightly guards her secrets. She’s also a magnet for trouble and it seems like no sooner does he have one case wrapped up does it find her.

I really liked Alice as a heroine. She was capable but realistic and I liked that distinction. She wasn’t fearless but she held herself together incredibly well in moments of high stress. With Reese in her corner she finally was able to feel safe. I mean who wouldn’t feel safe with that man in their corner? *fans self* Reese was tall, protective and loves animals…it doesn’t get any better then that. Reese was really patient with Alice’s need to keep secrets and only pushed when he felt he needed to know.  I found myself chuckling over the banter between characters. Rowdy mostly but also the two other women living in their building who were trying desperately to get in Reeses’ pants. They were just so deliciously stupid and every woman knows someone like them. Alice’s reaction to them and her need to mark Reese as her own was priceless.

On the downside I thought that for a romantic suspense it lacked…suspense. What there was felt very easy and when it came time to wrap things up everything happened very fast. I kind of wished that there would have been danger to Alice so that I could bask in Reeses’ protectiveness over her. There were hot men all over the woman wanting to keep her safe and there wasn’t a whole lot to keep her safe from. The villain wasn’t very fleshed out and we got basically nothing from his point of view.

Rowdy gets a nice set up in Bare It All that will continue into the next book where he comes front and center. I liked Rowdy in this book much better then the last because he skirts the line between right and wrong really well. He dominates every scene he’s in and I completely look forward to him falling hard for his woman.

Overall I liked this one much more then the last book and I will definitely be back for Rowdy’s book!

I give Bare It All by Lori Foster 3.75 stars!

Dangerous Refuge by Elizabeth Lowell

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: William Morrow & Company

My Copy: Edelweiss

Reviewer: Pam

On the surface beautiful, quiet Shaye has little in common with dark, dangerous Tanner. He’s a suspicious big city cop come home to the historic Davis family ranch to settle his uncle’s estate. She’s working for an environmental conservancy that acquires and protects old ranches-and she wants to preserve the Davis homestead. When the suspicious death of Tanner’s uncle at his ranch throws the two opposites together, tempers flare and sparks fly. While they have trouble seeing eye to eye, Shaye and Tanner agree on one thing: they need to uncover the truth.

Combining their unique skills-Shaye’s low-key approach and local connections and Tanner’s experience as a homicide detective-the unlikely pair share long nights in the pursuit of justice. Before they know it, the friction they generate turns to heat, igniting a burning love neither ever expected to find. They believe passion this intense cannot last. But when Shaye becomes a killer’s target, Tanner realizes he’d give up anything to protect her-including his life.

There is something that just does not add up when Tanner Davis comes to town to find out about his uncle Lorne, who just passed away. In the country, you do not go out without a hat and you do not wear your city shoes while working around the ranch, which is how Lorne is found by Shayne Townsend when she goes up to talk to him about a misunderstanding. Shayne works for the

Conservancy; a non-profit company that helps keeps family ranches and farms from becoming extinct or turned into resorts and shopping centers.

Tanner Davis is a LA homicide detective who is just as tough on the inside as he looks on the outside. He left Refuge many years ago when his father and uncle stopped talking to each other and has never regretted the move. His uncle Lorne was one crusty character and you always knew where you stood with him as he let you know. He had many friends and enemies around the area. He was working with the Conservancy and Shayne to help preserve his land, until he got angry one night when Shayne’s boss gave him the wrong papers to sign. He yelled at Shayne and anyone who would listen that he felt lied to and cheated on, he changed his will the very next day making Tanner the beneficiary.

As Tanner and Shayne try to piece together the weeks before he died, the clues just keep pointing to a suspicious death. Their relationship also starts to heat up as they spend more time together, trusting no one but each other. They find that thinking of long term means someone must change their way of life, but as danger comes closer they do not want to lose each other. One clue after another sends them in different directions until Shayne finds herself in the most dangerous situation with some unstable suspects.

This is what I called a romantic suspense, full of mystery, danger and sexual chemistry that when put together works well. I have read several of Ms Lowell’s historical romances but this is the first suspense for me and I thoroughly enjoyed. It started out a little slow as we meet the characters, watch as the mystery is revealed and Shayne and Tanner get suspicious, and then wow, the story goes into high gear and hurtles you toward the gripping conclusion.

I really enjoyed the how well Tanner and Shayne fit together and worked as partners trying to find the clues to Lorne’s death. I liked that although Tanner was a rough, take no prisoners homicide detective and portrays his bad attitude to anyone that gets in his way, he always treats Shayne with respect and admiration. She even commented about how he had two different personalities at times.

The secondary characters are interesting and as you watch Shayne deal with the politics that surround her job you could not tell who was good and who was evil, as with most politicians. I did like August who was a deputy that seemed to want to do the right thing, however always on his own terms, as he had an agenda. I am not sure if there will be more than one book surrounding these characters however this is a great single title romantic suspense.

I give Dangerous Refuge by Elizabeth Lowell 4.25 stars!

Lucky Like Us by Jennifer Ryan (The Hunted #2)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Avon Impulse

My Copy: Edelweiss

Reviewed by: Pam

Bakery owner Elizabeth Hamilton’s quiet life is filled with sweet treats, good friends, and a loving family. But all of that is about to turn sour when an odd sound draws her outside. There’s a man lying unconscious in the street, a car speeding toward him. Without hesitation, she gets the man out of harm’s way before they’re run down. Unwittingly, Elizabeth has put herself in the path of a serial murderer, and as the only one who can identify the FBI’s Silver Fox Killer, she’s ended up in the hospital with a target on her back.

All that stands between her and death is Special Agent Sam Turner. Against his better judgment, Sam gets emotionally involved, determined to take down the double threat against Elizabeth—an ex desperate to get her back, despite a restraining order, and a psychopath bent on silencing her before she can identify him.They set a trap to catch the killer—putting Elizabeth in his hands, with Sam desperate to save her. If he’s lucky, he’ll get his man … and the girl.

Elizabeth Hamilton lives in a warehouse loft and bakes wonderful goodies for a living. She comes from a well known, wealthy family but loves to give back to others to make them feel better. She was in the middle of mixing up a batch of cookies while talking to her best friend on the phone when she hears some popping sounds and looks out the window to see a man lying in the street.

Sam is an FBI agent and former special ops who is working on an assignment to find the Silver Fox, a serial killer who is terrorizing the area. Sam and his partner Tyler, are meeting an informant in a bar when things so very wrong. Sam is ambushed and drugged, taken from the bar and thrown into a vehicle. He somehow gets out of the car and starts to run when the suspect shoots him in the back. As the he is about to be run over, a woman comes running, grabs Sam and rolls him under her SUV. The suspect tries to finish them both off with his car but fortunately the police come and he runs, but not before leaving Sam very injured and Elizabeth in critical condition.

As Sam and Elizabeth struggle to get better the investigation goes into high gear to find out who did this. Both families use all their influences to get the best medical help for the two and to gain information on the killer. Danger comes close several times for Elizabeth as the Silver Fox tries to kill her, and throughout it all Sam is there for her, getting to know her and realizing that their attraction can grow in small calm moments.

This is a very quiet romantic suspense, after the initial adrenaline rush in the beginning as Elizabeth is trying to save Sam and then herself, the story goes into a more investigational mode. The tone changes as they are taken to the hospital where the staff tries to save Elizabeth. I love how the family bonds as Elizabeth fights for her life, she and Sam slowly form a relationship despite several emotional battles he must get through as his job has taken a toll on him; however Elizabeth makes him want to live life again. I like how they quietly get to know each other through holding each other and keeping each other company during some long nights. In lighter moments Sam even becomes Elizabeth’s fake fiancé and they tease each other to help fend off the weird guy she dated once who seems to not want to go away.

Even though this romantic suspense is more relationship and investigative orientated that does not mean there is no action, they do have a stalker to thwart and the serial killer to find and arrest before he kills Elizabeth. Also Tyler has an interesting relationship going on with a psychic ghost who helps him with a few investigations. I enjoyed seeing all of Sam’s family again, Sam’s twin Jack with his wife Jenna who we met in the first book and his sister Summer all come to help. And Elizabeth’s family was a hoot, as we watch her brothers and father being very protective of her. All in all the characters Ms. Ryan creates are all very interesting from those we met before to new ones, both good and evil.

The plot progression is well done and I really enjoyed how the story unfolded going from a rapid pace in the beginning to slower in the middle and then it raced to the end as the danger revved up toward a conclusion. A very enjoyable second addition to the series that I will continue to read.

I give Lucky Like Us by Jennifer Ryan 4 stars!

Seal Of Destiny by Traci Douglass (Seven Seals #1)

Available: Now Amazon/ B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Crimson Romance

My Copy: Sent

Reviewer: Pam

Love conquers all . . . but can it stop the Apocalypse?

Mira Herald is having the worst life ever. Not only is she plagued by horrific nightmares starring the Devil himself, she’s now the target of a power-hungry, rogue minion, freshly sprung from Hell and bent on her destruction. To complicate matters further, she’s acquired a stalker. One who insists he’s a divine warrior sent for her protection because she houses an ancient relic with the power to unleash Armageddon. Last time Mira checked, she wasn’t insane. Still, all this celestial mayhem is enough to drive a girl crazy.

Kagan is a member of the Scion, an elite team of immortal warriors selected by Divinity to aid mankind and save the world. After a century alone, Kagan is summoned for a new mission. He’s eager to begin. Eager until he’s informed his mission consists of protecting a woman with no clue to the power she wields. Plus, his briefing fails to prepare him for his new target’s cosmic-sized attitude problem. As Divinity’s sworn servant, he’s required to fulfill his duty. His oath, however, does not require him to be enthusiastic about his new assignment or warm-and-fuzzy toward his new compatriot. He plans a wham-bam rescue and a quick return to solitude.

Mira Herald has had a rough life and the nightmares she has had for years are not only invading her nights, they also invade her waking hours and little does she know, but soon she will be living them. Mira and her best friend Zoe were brought up in the foster care program and each had a terrible experience. Mira has taken years of self defense training to ensure that no one will ever take advantage of her again.

Kagan is a Scion warrior who has lived for centuries, recently in the secluded countryside of Italy. He has a close brotherhood with other warriors and will soon be working with them as he has received a new assignment from Divinity, The One. There are seven Seals that are being hosted in human bodies around the world and the first one is in danger of breaking, he must protect the Seal and the host. Each time a Seal is broken a new disaster will be unleashed until the final Apocalypse. Mira is the host of the first Seal and the one Kagan needs to protect.

Tolbert is the leader of a group of half breed’s or nephilim, they are also centuries old and the Scion warriors thought they had eradicated them years ago; unfortunately they just went underground and became more powerful. Argus is a demon working for this mysterious group of people and needs to get to Mira, so he takes over the body of a man that knows both Mira and Zoe; he was their case worker and their worst nightmare as he abused those in the system including Mira and Zoe. As Mira and Zoe are being held at Tolbert’s place in Colorado, the Scion warriors are on their way to rescue and destroy. They reach their destination and all hell breaks loose as they fight their way in to find Mira and Zoe. They must battle those that are about to start the end of the world, however also must protect the humans as even Lucifer has come to the party for the Seal.

This book had a lot going on, the introduction of many characters as well as world building as we discover who is who, we also learn what purpose each character has in the story, there are even those that we do not learn about until late. I had to read very carefully as there was so much information and several of the characters had side stories.

I liked all the Scion warriors; they were all very alpha men with a sexiness about them. They all had their little quirks; I loved how Wyrk was always hungry and thinking about his next meal while still being the computer genius he is. Kagan was a great hero who wanted to protect Mira even though he also wanted her, yet Xander would continually remind him about Rule #1 “do not f*ck the target”. The story premise was interesting, as the warriors are preventing the Apocalypse and they must protect those that Divinity has selected as human hosts, and I definitely see the series coming together with other Seal hosts needing protection.

I liked Mira; she was a woman that learned the hard way to not let anyone get the upper hand. She has learned to defend and protect herself from those that wish her harm. She was a great heroine however I wanted to shake her a few times as she was this strong and defiant woman at one time and then the next time she would just go along with Kagan like she wanted to be protected. The relationship between Divinity and Lucifer was interesting and the conversation they had where she reminds him of their “agreement” seems to be important and could be an interesting turn in future books.

I did notice that there were several times in the story when someone was missing, either one of the warriors or Mira or Zoe, they acted very worried yet did not go right out to look for them – they would go to get something to eat first or sit around and discuss what they needed to do. I wanted to say “go out and look for them, there are evil people trying to kill them.” But that aside, the story was exciting and I was eager to finish.

All in all a great start to a series that I would continue to read as I liked the secondary characters and I am interested in their stories enough to want to know who the other Seal hosts are and which Scion will protect them. I also liked Zoe and would like to see the relationship with Xander develop and what secrets will be revealed as they both are hiding things.

I give Seal of Destiny by Traci Douglass 3.75 stars!

Dead Man’s Deal by Jocelynn Drake (The Asylum Tales #2)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Harper Voyager

My Copy: Edelweiss

Reviewer: Pam

The dark and dangerous follow-up that continues the adventures of a magical tattoo artist begun in Angel’s Ink In a world where elves, faeries, trolls, werewolves, and vampires swim free in a sea of humanity, sometimes you need an edge. Looking for a little love? Need some luck? Desperate for revenge? Gage can give you what you need. The most talented tattoo artist in town, he knows the right symbol and the right mix of ingredients and ink to achieve your heart’s desire. One tattoo is all it takes. But remember, everything has its price. . . .

Gage learned that lesson long ago, in ways he’d rather not remember. But the cruel and powerful wizards in the dreaded Ivory Towers he escaped aren’t about to let him forget. Though Gage has managed to stay out of sight, he can’t outrun the past forever. The wizards know Gage is using forbidden magic, and they intend to punish him for his transgressions. Too bad if innocent humans and monsters-entire cities-get in the way. They will quell a nascent magical uprising and Gage will be the sacrifice they need. First, though, they have to find him . . .

I have fallen in love with The Asylum Tales, an urban fantasy with humor, action and great characters.

Gage is the owner of Asylum, a tattoo parlor in Low Town, a run-down part of the city where you keep your doors locked and rarely venture out at night. The three artists keep strange hours as the inhabitants of the area wander in for tattoos any time of night. Gage is trying to live a normal life even though he has the most powerful beings watching him. He is a strong warlock, who left before his training was complete, much to the dismay of those in the Ivory Tower. He is the only one who has ever left and is still alive, giving up his magic in return for living with humans.

Trixie and Bronx are two of the artist that work with Gage and he has always considered them close and loyal friends and lately he and Trixie have become even closer. They have worked together for several years and up until now, they have kept their pasts relatively secret from each other, however several things are coming to light that brings both Trixie’s and Gage’s past out in the open as they fight for the lives they wish to live.

Reaves is a dark elf who is the leader of the mafia in Low Town, he is blackmailing Gage, making him do the mafia’s dirty work in order to keep his secrets. Gage is getting back at him and is unwilling to sink to the depths that Reaves wants him to, which has earned him some beatings for his rebelliousness. Even Gage’s long lost brother comes searching for him per Reaves’ command and Gage wants nothing more that to break the bond that Reaves seems to have over his friends and now his family.

As Gage is torn between several crisis that seem to come up all at once, prior enemies seem to be ready to help, Gideon, the guardian warlock that has been a thorn in Gage’s side for years, the Were’s that he humiliated a while ago that want to break free of Reaves and the Pixies that Gage helped save, that have always hated warlocks. They all come together as the Ivory Towers wages war on those they feel are beneath them, in order to keep their secrets.

Ms Drake weaves a wonderful urban fantasy tale about powerful beings in control, yet there are pockets of those that live life on their own terms. The characters are engaging and the action is non-stop to the end. I read this book immediately after Angel’s Ink, the first book and was glad as the stories are so interwoven. Angel’s Ink had a clear ending yet several of the stories arcs continue in Dead Man’s Deal, making this one as enjoyable as the first and setting things up nicely for the next book.

Gage is a true hero, someone that wants to do good yet sometimes bad things happen and he must make choices. He seems to be plugging so many holes in the dam that I am not sure he could solve another problem, yet he does his best. I really enjoy the secondary characters, Bronx is funny and I would love to get more of his story, a troll who has a past and is as loyal to Gage and Trixie as they are to him. Trixie is also interesting and we learn much about her background and who she is hiding from. I also really enjoyed how Gideon is being portrayed as he is turning into one of my favorite characters.

The story is fast paced with so much going on, poor Gage is pulled in several directions before we come barreling toward the conclusion to wrap up many of the different challenges he faces. The only problem I have with this series is that there are so many different crisis’ that he must tackle. I think Gage was helping to solve five or more issues at one time, however Ms Drake worked her magic and it all flowed well. I am looking forward to reading the next in this series as I am more intrigued than ever and I know more trouble will be waiting for Gage and the gang.

I give Dead Man’s Deal by Jocelynn Drake 4.25 stars!

Stranded With A Billionaire by Jessica Clare (The Billionaire Boys Club #1)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Penguin

My Copy: NetGalley

Reviewer: Pam

The Billionaire Boys Club is a secret society of six men who have vowed success – at any cost. Not all of them are old money, but all of them are incredibly wealthy. They’re just not always as successful when it comes to love… Billionaire Logan Hawkings needs a vacation. He’s had a rough time after the death of his father and the betrayal of his fiancée. But with a visit to a recent business acquisition—a private island resort in the Bahamas—he has a chance to mend his broken heart. When a hurricane blows in, a misplaced passport and a stalled elevator bring Logan together with an unusual woman named Bronte. She’s unlike anyone he’s ever met—down to earth, incredibly sensual, and even quotes Plato. She also has no clue that he’s rich…

Bronte Dawson, a waitress from the Midwest, is stranded with the hotel’s domineering yet sexy manager Logan. What’s the harm in a little fling when it’s just the two of them, alone in paradise? But after several steamy island nights in Logan’s arms, Bronte’s ready to give her heart—and her body—to the man in charge. But she soon discovers there’s more to Logan than he’s told her…a billion times more. Now, Bronte’s caught in a whirlwind affair with one of the world’s most powerful men. But can their love endure their differences or will it all just blow over?

Logan Hawkings is a very arrogant man who buys failing businesses and turns them around to make a profit, he may be arrogant but he is also very wary as he has been burned by those that only want him for his money.

Logan and his college friends are all billionaires and have helped each other succeed in business since they got out of school. They formed this club consisting of the six friends and get together once a month to share ideas and bounce things around, while playing poker. Hunter, one of the club members tells Logan about an island retreat for sale that needs a lot of work, something right up his alley.

Bronte Dawson just wanted to have a fun vacation, she won a trip from a radio station and so far she has a lousy roommate and it has been raining. Some vacation! And now she finds out they are evacuating because of a hurricane. As she gets ready to board the bus, her roommate asks for a favor and so Bronte heads back to their room to look for a passport. She is on the way down when the power goes out, the elevator stops and she is stranded, with a gorgeous man of course.

Logan and Bronte are stuck for several hours while the storm batters the run-down resort; they finally realize they will have to help themselves, when they are out; they see the mess the hurricane has made and also realize everyone got off the island but them. They find food, shelter and some clothes and spend a few days getting to know each other, in many ways as they wait for the storm to end before they can be rescued.

When they are finally rescued and are back in civilization Logan suddenly turns cold and dismissive and she finds that he lied about himself the whole time they were stranded. She is pissed and calls a taxi. He is amazed that she ran, however eventually finds her and tries several different high handed ways to get her back. Both of them must learn to give and take if they want to make this relationship work.

This is a fun, sweet and entertaining beginning of a series, although fairly predictable. About six billionaires that became friends in college and now get together once a month, they help each other obtain their dreams. I like the idea of a boys club, however what fun it would be if there was a woman billionaire invited to join? They keep it very secret and I found it humorous when Logan brings Bronte to visit, to show he trusts her with everything and the others actually rough him up a bit, because Logan may trust her but the others do not know her yet.

The story flows well and I had no problems reading straight through to the end as Logan and Bronte deal with trust issues, respect issues and even a little control issues. Logan was a jerk to her when they got back to the real world but was a kind soul while they were stranded. I did want to hit him but I believe Bronte was able to handle him quite well. I liked Bronte; she was a quirky woman that loved to quote the classics and was not about to take any crap from anyone. I also liked the secondary characters, the two women who help Bronte while she is in New York, his assistant Audrey and her sister Gretchen are fun and engaging, I also liked the others in the club and look forward to their stories, especially Hunter; I am a sucker for the scarred and tortured hero.

I give Stranded with a Billionaire by Jessica Clare 3.75 stars!

One Last Night by Eliza Lloyd

Available: NOW Amazon/B&N

Type: Historical Romance

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

My Copy: Sent

Reviewer: Michelle

A dark past and unrequited love make John’s life difficult until he is offered the chance to spend one night with sensual, widowed duchess Lucinda Aversham. Pleasure he can provide, but one night with the woman he loves won’t be enough. Neither will living a half existence as he watches her from afar.

Lucy wants to experience a night of exquisite passion. She doesn’t want to know the man’s name or see his face. She wants to know pleasure—in any way her mysterious lover can provide.

When an unwelcome note from her one-time lover arrives, Lucy knows she must have him again. But she could lose everything if she is exposed.

Wow! I can’t remember the last time a very short story impressed me this much. In a mere 49 pages the author managed to pack in an interesting plot, scorching sex scenes and plenty of emotion. Lucinda Aversham, the Duchess of Wallingford, spent years in a loveless marriage. Her husband was insensitive and cruel, not to mention unfaithful, until his death one year ago. After years of dedicating herself to a man who showed her little regard or passion, Lucy is emotionally beaten down and sexually unfulfilled. She knows what her future holds as a duchess – she will either live out her life as a respectable widow or she will once again marry some nobleman. She also knows, however, that she missed out on a great deal while married to the duke and all that remains is a well of passion that has never been ignited.

Left with the title of Duchess and their seven-year-old son, Lucy follows what society dictates and mourns her husband for a year. After shedding her mourning attire and curious about how intimacy between a man and a woman should be, Lucy decides to allow herself one night of pleasure before settling in to the new phase of her life. She hungers for something real before rejoining proper society, so she approaches Madam Dupuis, a woman known for providing sensual entertainment. Her requirements were simple: someone who looks nothing like her deceased husband, someone not a peer of the realm, and someone willing to give her tender fulfillment. When she arrives at Madam Dupuis’ establishment, Lucy is in turn appalled at her own behavior and eager and filled with the promise of sexual fulfillment.

The man Madam Dupuis provides for Lucy Is John Allen. Lucy doesn’t recognize him because she requested he wear a mask to hide his identity. She assumes that being away from society and dressed nothing like a duchess, her identity is safe. What she doesn’t realize is that John not only recognizes her, he has secretly been in love with her for years. He was employed as a valet in her household when she married the duke, and upon his death, took over as caretaker for her son. John knows that a future with Lucy is impossible. She is a duchess with her son’s future to consider, and he is a servant with a disreputable past. He had been rescued from the streets as a boy by Madam Dupuis, and in fact received his current position based on her recommendation. When approached by Lucy, and knowing how John feels about her, Madam knows he is the perfect man to fulfill the duchess’ request.

The night of passion John gives her is nothing at all like what Lucy expected. Instead of tender and romantic, it is raw and real and sexual gratification at its most carnal. He orders her around and ties her up and touches her in ways she’d never imagined. John knows he has this one night to consider Lucy his and he does his best to show her how incredible passion can be between a man and a woman. Lucy leaves the next morning knowing that her mystery lover will forever be a memory for her. John leaves knowing he will have to face Lucy day in and day out, reliving their one night in his mind every time he sees her. That proves to be impossible, and weeks later he gives in to temptation by sending her a note in secret. Lucy is shocked when she receives his missive. How does he know her? When will he tell her secret to society? When will she see him again? When he comes to her in the night, unable to stay away, she realizes that he doesn’t want to use her shameless behavior against her – he just wants her as much as she wants him.

I liked everything about this book, starting with the cover and ending with the very last page. It’s rare that a book cover accurately depicts the characters, but this one shows exactly who I envisioned Lucy and John to be. Their romance was sexy and emotional, and I found myself pulling for their happy ever after, even knowing their situation was impossible. The way the author provided a solution for their problems may not have been entirely realistic or even all that surprising, but it worked for me and it gave John and Lucy a future they never expected to have.

I give One Last Night by Eliza lloyd 4.25 stars!

The Marrying Season by Candace Camp (Legend Of St Dwynwen #3)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Historical Romance

Publisher: Pocket Books

My Copy: Sent

Reviewer: Pam

Genevieve Stafford, the younger sister of the Earl of Rawdon (A Summer Seduction), is an icy but beautiful aristocrat. Determined to make the sort of marital alliance expected of a woman of her station, she becomes engaged to the scion of another noble family. However, when Genevieve finds herself entangled in scandal, her fiancé breaks things off. Shamed, she has no recourse but to retreat to the family estate…until her brother’s friend, Sir Myles Thorwood, offers to marry Genevieve and salvage her reputation. Genevieve expects to have a loveless marriage of convenience, but the handsome, charming Myles has other things in mind. As the two of them work to discover who engineered the scandal that could have ruined Genevieve’s life, Myles shows Genevieve just what it means to be man and wife. Genevieve finds it difficult to resist the passion Myles evokes in her, but can she risk losing her heart to a man she thinks sees their union as only a duty?

Genevieve Stafford is considered the ice princess; she is a very reserved and quiet woman. Her brother is getting married and now her grandmother is ready for her to make a perfect marriage match without any scandals. So seven months later she does just that, she is engaged to the perfect and boring Lord Dursbury. However the scandal sheets seem to have her in their sites, saying that it is just a matter of time before he calls the wedding off.

Sir Myles Thorwood is a friend of Genevieve’s brother, Alec and had always been around her family, they were close enough that when together that rarely talked without arguing or disagreeing over something, one of the only times you would see them enjoying each other’s company was when they were dancing, as she thought he was one of the best dancers around.

At a party, Genevieve is passed a note from Myles asking her to meet in the Library, however when she gets there, he is not there, instead she finds an intoxicated Foster Langdon who has often bothered Genevieve, he tries to kiss her and as she is struggling, Myles enters the library, followed closely by Lord Dursbury and his step mother. Through no fault of her own, she is ruined.

Immediately Lord Dursbury calls off the wedding bringing truth to what the scandal sheets were predicting. Myles, being the gentleman that he is, offers to marry Genevieve, however at first she turns him down. She eventually says yes after talking to her grandmother, brother and friends and realizing there is no other way out of the scandal.

The marriage takes place right away and they leave for his country home, but before they get there he wants to stay in a small cottage on his estate to help her adjust to her new life. Everything is going well until distrust and misunderstandings surface about that night in the library.

This was a very enjoyable romance of childhood friends who grow up, have to deal with scandals and then find love. Genevieve and Myles have known each other forever as he is good friends with her brother Alex, and although they do not see each other much and may snip and argue but they genuinely like each other. When they marry, they even get along for the most part, however distrust and miscommunication tear at their thin bond.

I really liked Myles, he is such a wonderful gentleman who is willing to do what is needed to help a friend and he was always trying to find the right words when Genevieve is being so stubborn, trying to make her feel better. And stubborn is truly what Genevieve is, throughout the whole book. She is portrayed as this ice queen however most of her attitude is because she is awkward at socializing and is nervous, but she does not help her cause when she has trouble trusting that someone would help her just because, she was very frustrating for me as I was waiting for her to believe in Myles.

The story is romantic and sweet without much drama until the end as they try to find out who wants to damage Genevieve’s reputation even after she is married. The chemistry works well and they are a great couple, especially when they first get married and were by themselves at the cottage, without distractions they were able to get to know each other. Unfortunately reality gets in the way and distrust settles in. I enjoyed the banter back and forth during the times they were getting along; they seemed to be great friends. This is the third in this trilogy however each book can be read independently, you do see the other characters from the first two books but it is very easy to know who they are and their stories.

Overall a wonderful story that will appeal to all historical romance fans.

I give The Marrying Season by Candace Camp 4.0 stars!

Hunter by Jacquelyn Frank

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: eKensington

My Copy: NetGalley

Reviewer: Pam

This can’t be happening to her. A random break down…an isolated mountain road, a seemingly chance meeting with a hotter-than-hot stranger. Tatyana is a modern gal who can handle any crisis, but before she knows what’s hit her, she’s sensing a hideous threat, not to her but to this man who draws her like a moth to flame. Hunter.

“I know things…I saw it.” When the attack comes, she is his protection from a diabolical enemy, even as he initiates her into a startling world of magic, sorcery and sensuality. For in a moment of terrifying danger a spark has been struck, and neither can escape the erotic fire to come…

On a dark and stormy night Tatyana’s car breaks down and wouldn’t you know it, no cell service. She feels like she is in a horror movie as she decides what to do about getting help. She is on her way to her brother Dimitre’s house and now wishes she had told him she was coming as he would be looking for her. Tatyana and her brother are very close and ever since he met his new love Annali, she has not seen him as much; she understands that he is in love but she feels this need to see him again. As she walks, jumps and dances to keep warm she hopes she finds his place before she freezes to death.

Dimitre is a new witch at Willow Coven and as soon as he met Annali, he fell in love. He believes he has found a family at the Coven and has stayed away from his true family until he learns more about being a witch in the human world. He also is keeping a few secrets from Tatyana, something he has never done before.

Hunter has recently returned to the coven at the request of Ryce, the leader who is a very powerful witch, he has asked Hunter to return after ten years because they have had an attack against the coven that left the current sentential Gracie, injured. Hunter was the sentential for years however a tragedy sent him into exile by his own choosing to make some decisions. Coming back feels right and he is glad Ryce called him.

Tatyana literally falls through the front door which Hunter and Ryce open as they were leaving, and they quickly get her warm. She tells them through her shivers that she is looking for her brother and they immediately realize who she is and that she is a dormant witch. However before much else can happen, they are attacked and between Tatyana’s latent abilities and Hunter jump starting her powers they are able to beat back Braen, a powerful warlock that seems to be wrecking havoc on the coven. The dark warlock Braen is Hunter’s true brother, but one that Hunter wants nothing to do with. Hunter has six generations of evil to live down as he is the first white witch in centuries. Hunter’s help to turn Tatyana’s powers from dormant to full on brings a bond between them that will never go away, a guardian angel type of relationship, yet there bond is something more.

As the group deals with training new witches Dimitre and Tatyana, and making plans to destroy Braen’s coven there are dangers that even they cannot predict. They must deal with evil from both within as well as outside their coven.

I truly enjoy a paranormal book that involves kick-ass immortals, witches and bad guys that want to promote evil, this book has it all. I also love when there is a group that either live together or fight together, they have a bond that no one can break and they are brothers and sisters in every sense of the word. This group of men and women are good witches and they live together within the human world without their knowledge. They protect themselves against the evil witches and warlocks that want to kill and destroy anything good. Ryce is the leader and is a wonderful character as one of the most powerful white witches around. He keeps the group together and is happiest when they are all in the mansion living peacefully; he has even built a state of the art nursery for the future witches of the coven, which I think is very sweet for this large alpha male.

I thought that Hunter and Tatyana were great together, the chemistry was electric and even though their senses may have been heightened after they were bonded; there was an attraction there as soon as they met. There was not one member of the team that I did not like as they all had their separate personalities and I hope each get their own book as the series progresses.

I liked the premise of the book, a group of witches that are “good” and each witch has their own school of talent. No one is alike and each would contribute to the safety of the coven using their own skills. The pace of the story was fast and worked as it was action packed with something always going on until the conclusion. A couple of things I did not care for is that the ending fight between good and evil happened so fast, one time they were in the planning stages and then poof it was over. I think it needed something more in the end as there was a general lack of drama. Also, I was not sure about Tatyana’s family, and how she was going to explain away her absence from her job and the close knit family she talks about, it was just not well addressed. None the less, this is a great paranormal romance full of action and romance and I hope to see more from this series in the future.

I give Hunter by Jacquelyn Frank 4.0 stars!

Wronged, Betrayed & Beguiled by Sylvia McDaniel (The Curvier Widow’s 1, 2 & 3)

Available: Now

Type: Historical Romance

Publisher: Virtual Bookseller- Self Pub

My Copy: Sent

Reviewer: Pam

They Met Over His Dead Body Until the day of Jean Cuvier’s death, his wives had no idea that he had promised until death do us part to more than one woman. Now, the Cuvier Widows must deal with his duplicity, while wondering who poisoned their wayward husband. Can they ever learn to trust and find love again?

Wronged: Marian Cuvier didn’t know how to react when she learned that the man she called husband and father to her children, Jean Cuvier, had been murdered. Yet, the biggest surprise was when the detective informed her that she’s not the only woman Jean married. There are three Cuvier Widows and one is suspected of murder. Betrayed: Nicole Cuvier went to New Orleans to share the most wonderful news with her husband only to discover him in a hotel room murdered, with two other women claiming to be his wife. It seems there are three Cuvier Widows and one is suspected of murder. Beguiled: Jean Cuvier forced Layla’s father to sell his shipping company and marry his daughter, or so she believed. Until the morning the servants wake her with the news that Jean is dead and she quickly learns she’s not the only Mrs. Cuvier. Jean has three widows, but Layla is the only one accused of Jean’s murder.

The Cuvier Widows is a trilogy that has been recently re-released into a box set with nice new covers. The overall arc of the story is about three women who recently found out they were married to the same man at the same time. Marian, Nicole and Layla had no idea about each other until they are summoned to the hotel room where he died. Even the police are stunned when three different women claim to be Jean Cuvier’s wife. I love the concept and the story is very interesting as we track each widow through the months after Jean dies. Jean leaves a trail of tears as we see what type of man he was, how he treated his children, wives and business partners, he was an evil person that left many unhappy people in his wake.

As the will is read all three realize that only Marian is the true wife and will inherit it all with both Nicole and Layla getting nothing, however they will all have to live with the scandal of being married to a bigamist.

Wronged:

Marian Cuvier was married to Jean for twelve years and they have two children. At one time she was in love with him however as the years passed and he was rarely home and took several mistresses she began to hate him. She believes she can finally be free of this loveless marriage when she finds out he died.

Louis Fournet was Jean’s business partner and is hoping he will be able to now sell the business and move on with his plan to work with his family. However when he talks to Marian she tells him that she wants to keep the business for her son and learn to run it.

As Louis teaches Marian about the business there is a growing attraction between them however they are both keeping secrets and telling lies and there is little trust in the relationship.

Betrayed:

Nicole Curvier was married to Jean for four years and is currently pregnant with their first child. Now she is worried that her child will have the stigma of illegitimacy for the rest of his life. Nicole’s mother never married her father, so she knows what will happen and how they will be treated. She is looking for a husband in name only and finds the perfect person in a drifter who comes to help. Nicole’s name is still on the deed for the plantation Jean bought so she is lucky that even through there is scandal; she will have a place of her own.

Maxim Viel has been watching Nicole trying to find information about the plantation his family used to own, he wants to get it back for them. So he pretends to be a drifter without any money and will be happy to marry Nicole and give her his name.

As they work the plantation, they become close however with lies and secrets between them neither know what is going on and there is no trust. When tragedy strikes, Nicole and Max must learn to wade through the lies to trust and love.

Beguiled:

Layla Curvier was married for only a year and she hated her husband, she was forced to marry him when her father sold him their shipping business. She is very happy to be rid of Jean and was about to leave him when she found him dead in the hotel room. She is the last one to have seen him and the prime suspect of the murder. Her childhood friend, Drew Soulier wants to help her and will use his skills as a lawyer to represent her during her trial.

Drew has a specific reason for representing Layla, he knows this will gain a lot of publicity and wants to be mayor. With all the evidence they have gathered, even Drew does not believe her innocence.

Layla believes there is another woman who may have been involved with Jean and she is determined to find information about her. She must find something to show she is innocent and in the meantime she and Drew get close. However the fact that he does not believe her and he is not telling her everything, she has a hard time trusting him.

When the trial begins, she must put her faith in Drew and others as her life depends on it.

The concept of the trilogy was great, I love that the three widows were shocked when they found out what Jean did and must make their own way for their immediate future. The year was 1895 and although it was quite modern in many aspects, still the papers were alive with all the gossip and scandal. I liked all the women in the stories, Marian was very strong and willing to take the reins of the business, Nicole was willing to marry a man she did not know to give her baby something she never had and Layla was determined to prove her innocence even though those around her did not believe her. The fault I found is with the men and all the lies, secrets and downright manipulation they did to get what they wanted. I had a hard time liking any of them. Louis did not believe Marian could run a business so never told her anything that was going on, even when a strike was looming. Max never told Nicole about his family and that they use to own the plantation she lived on so she believed he was a poor drifter until late in the book. Drew only wanted to use Layla for publicity, only when she finds evidence to help does he look at her differently.

The stories all were interesting and I enjoyed the time period, the turn of the century, where people had more choices in life, the world was changing and I enjoyed the semi-freedom women started to have. The books were fast paced I was glad I was able to read them all at the same time as they flowed well together since they all took place at the same time. All in all they were enjoyable books – I just wanted the women to live on their own without the men they selected in their lives.

I give The Cuvier Widows by Sylvia McDaniel 3.25 stars!