Hero Of My Heart by Megan Frampton

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Historical Romance

Publisher: Loveswept

My Copy: NetGalley

Reviewer: Pam

When Mary Smith’s corrupt, debt-ridden brother drags her to a seedy pub to sell her virtue to the highest bidder, Alasdair Thornham leaps to the rescue. Of course the marquess is far from perfect husband material. Although he is exceedingly handsome, with a perfect, strong body, chiseled jaw, and piercing green eyes, Alasdair is also too fond of opium, preferring delirium to reality. Still, he has come to Mary’s aid, and now she intends to return the favor. She will show him that he is not evil, just troubled.

Mary was a damsel in need of a hero, but Alasdair’s plan is shortsighted. He never foresaw her desire to save him from himself. Alasdair is quite at home in his private torment, until this angel proves that a heart still beats in his broken soul. The devil may have kept her from hell, but will Mary’s good intentions lead them back to the brink—or to heaven in each other’s arms?

Alasdair, the Marquess of Datchworth was deep in a drug induced fog when he heard the most startling thing, a man was auctioning off a woman explaining that she was a pure vicar’s daughter. Alasdair lifted his head and looked at the spectacle and for the first time in a long time he made a decision that would help someone else and he placed a high bid for her.

Mary was not sure what was going on around her, however when her head finally cleared she was standing in a room with a man she did not know. She remembers her brother selling everything they owned, even her shoes after her father died and yet he still did not have the money he needed to gamble and do the things he wanted so was doing something drastic.

She needs to get to London as soon as possible to find her mother, someone who she thought was dead until her father’s death bed confession. Alasdair believes he needs to help her, save her from her brother who continues to believe he can get more money out of her, so they set off on a wild trip with his plans to marry her in Scotland. Mary is not truly convinced he will go through with it and as they travel through the countryside and encounter several obstacles which include her brother, Alasdair’s cousin, money troubles and drug addiction, they will both make some decisions that will change the rest of their lives.

The story was intriguing and had a wonderful promising premise, I enjoyed the romance between the two however I do believe everything that happened to them was solved very easily for both. From the sale of Mary by her unscrupulous brother, Matthias, to how easily Alasdair recovers from being addicted to opium to how Mary is accepted into society when they arrive in London. Other than a small amount of hardship, their troubles were solved too easy. I really liked the concept of the story, the fact that Alasdair was drowning in blame and despair and he wanted to just stay obliviously drugged and just waste away but how he rallied to save Mary while she was trying to save him. However for such serious subjects as drugs and the selling of another human being there was just no drama.

I did like Alasdair, as much as he wanted to just drift away from life; he was an honorable man that kept his word about saving Mary. He immediately wanted to marry her to help her, and then backs off when he believes he is saving her from himself; she is suspicious of him and does not know what to believe however she has her own agenda as she needs to get to London so goes along with him. The story flowed well and was interesting to the end and I liked the two characters together. Had there just be a little more angst I would have loved it.

I give Hero of My Heart by Megan Frampton 3.5 stars!

Down London Road by Samantha Young (On Dublin Street #2)

Available: May 7th, 2013 Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: NAL

My Copy: Sent

Reviewer: Nikki

Johanna Walker is used to taking charge. But she’s about to meet someone who will make her lose control….

It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.

But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.

Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets …even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.

Jo has some serious emotional baggage coming from such a horrible abusive background and now having to bear the weight of dealing with a drunken mother and taking care of her teenage brother. She’s a strong, hard-working woman who only wants whats best for her brother and she’s looking for a way to achieve that. She uses the only thing she feels she has in her favor, her good looks, to attack men who would be financially able to give her what she needs. In doing that she sells a piece of herself with every boyfriend she finds. She deludes herself into thinking she genuinely cares for these men when I never really felt like she did. Her heart was in the right place though.

When she meets Cam her first impression of him is of a cocky bastard. He instantly sizes her up and jumps to some horrible conclusions, which were partly true, but all the same, mean of him to call her on them. When he realizes how wrong he was about her and how much he craves her touch he tries to make amends with the beauty who works so hard to hide herself from everyone. My problem with Jo was how easily she caves because she’s attracted to him. He treated her so badly and said so many hateful things but at the first sign of his apology she’s ready to forgive and forget just so she can sleep with him. For a woman we were supposed to believe was working toward improving her self worth, it kinda rubbed me the wrong way. I wanted her to hold out for more…not spill her entire life story to the man after his first sign of graciousness.

I was worried going into this one because the first 100 pages of the book are awfully slow with what felt like a lot of filler. Then I went from bored to sobbing in one chapter and I was glad I stuck with it because after that the plot line picks up and the story unfolds nicely.  Cam and Jo work well off each other and once he gets to know her Cam is unbearably patient with her.  He was also amazing with her brother which was very important to Jo. It’s definitely a darker romance.

Down London Road is a good contemporary romance from an author I hadn’t tried before. I would have liked more from the heroine in terms of a backbone and I wish the hero wouldn’t have been such a pompous ass for as long as he was. I also wish it didn’t take them so long to get together so that the rest didn’t feel as rushed. I will definitely come back to this author again though because she managed to turn me around in one chapter and any author who can make me cry deserves my readership.

I give Down London Road by Samantha Young 3.50 stars!

 

 

Hard Mated & Lone Wolf by Jennifer Ashley (Shifters Unbound #3.5 & #4.6)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Penguin

My Copy: Bought

Reviewer: Nikki

A short novel of the Shifters Unbound series. Spike, a wildcat Shifter and the champion fighter of Shiftertown, is stunned when Myka, the best friend of a dying human woman, announces that Spike has fathered a cub. What’s more, the mother is giving the boy to Spike to protect and raise. 

Myka, who’d been raised by an abusive stepfather, is not sure that a wild fighter named Spike is the best man to bring up the cute little jaguar cub. She goes to Shiftertown to check out Spike, and finds that the man behind the name is a lonely Shifter who’s lost most of his family and is a fierce caretaker to those he has left. 

Spike is torn between the cub and his duties as tracker to the Shiftertown leader, and begs Myka, the only person who understands, to help him. He starts to like the sassy Myka, a horse trainer who’s not afraid of working with animals, even if they’re wildcats who turn into humans. 

When Spike’s job puts his cub and Myka in danger, Spike is forced to choose between those to whom he’s pledged his loyalty and his need to protect the woman and cub he’s come to love.

The Shifters Unbound books are one of my favorite shifter series to date. Jennifer Ashley definitely knows how to write an engaging story that includes everything I want in shifter romances. In this short novel readers get to know more about Spike, the shifter who is always present but is scarily silent, preferring a threatening presence over threats.

When Spike finds out he has a son and the mother is dying he quickly swoops in to become a father. He takes to being a father fairly easily and wins over the trust of his cub quickly. Not so trusting is Myka, the best friend of the mother who passed. The tattoo’d badass shifter in front of her can’t possibly be a good father and she vows to keep en eye on him out of a promise she made to her friend to watch out for her son.

While these are shortened in length I never feel like I get cheated out of a good story with Jennifer Ashley. She somehow manages to make even the short ones feel longer and complete. Each novella offers readers a chance to reconnect with past characters and introduces more. I love reading about the hierarchy within the shiftertown and welcome any chance to read more, especially the original Austin shiftertown.

Spike and Myka together (love the names BTW) worked well and Ashley even treats readers to an action packed ending that really ties together books 3 and 4. The shifters in her books actually shift too which is nice. It bugs me when I’m reading paranormal romance with no actual paranormal. Though reluctant at first, Myka finally realizes that not only does she not have to worry about her friends son, but that she didn’t know all that much about shifters to begin with. I loved Spike and his larger then life attitude that had no trouble being humbled.

Hard Mated is an awesome addition to a series I’ve come to expect greatness from!

I give Hard Mated by Jennifer Ashley 4 stars! 

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Penguin

My Copy: NetGalley

Reviewer: Nikki 

Ellison Rowe, a Lupine Shifter, makes it his goal to protect Maria, once held captive by ferals, from male Shifters looking for mates. He likes Maria’s resilience and fire, but she’s been broken, and Ellison wants more than anything to heal her. When a new danger threatens Shiftertown’s cubs, Maria partners with Ellison to stop a cold-blooded criminal.

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Ellison has been in several Shifter Unbound books and he’s finally getting his story told. He’s the goofy wolf shifter who is always quick with the witty comebacks. He’s become a staple in this series and he’s set his sights on Maria. A lovely beauty who is skittish from an abusive past at the hands of feral shifters. Ellison knows he has to go slow with her but other unmated shifters in shiftertown are making that next to impossible. Torn between wanting to go slow and his unbridled need to feel her beneath him Ellison vows to protect her against everything and everyone, even if that means putting a mate claim on her.

Maria was a great heroine because she made such huge strides in such a short time. She’s justifiably nervous around shifters but knows that Ellison especially would never hurt her.  Even knowing that she is still apprehensive of him but she can’t deny the pull she feels from him.

The way Ellison and Maria flirt was just so honest and sweet. There wasn’t anything hot and heavy going on and instead there was a warm pull that had them joined before they even knew what hit them. Ellison utilizes such restraint with Maria and is was nice to see Maria finally step up and take some action of her own towards the end.

When faced with the attempted abduction of town cubs Maria and Ellison join forces against a faceless enemy in order to protect what’s theirs. An awesome thing about shiftertown is that they pull together in times of need. The children might not be physically be theirs but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel the threat to them just as intensely.

I simply cannot wait for Tiger Magic which is out soon! Over the course of the last few books we’ve gotten a chance to know him a bit but I’m interested to see where Ashley takes the experiment that resulted in such a fearless, amazing man.

I give Lone Wolf by Jennifer Ashley 3.50 stars! 

Grabbed By Vicious by Lolita Lopez (Grabbed #1)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Sci Fi Erotic Romance

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave

My Copy: Sent

Reviewer: Nikki

Hallie has never run so fast in her life. One of the frightening sky warriors from the warship Valiant is hot on her heels and intent on capturing her as his new bride. He takes her down and places his collar around her neck. With one word, he claims her.

Mine.

Born and bred for the military, Vicious has spent the last twenty-four years rising through the ranks. This dark-haired sprite ensnared him with one glance. Now she is his reward.

Despite her fear of Vicious, Hallie surrenders under his skillful hands and mouth. Vicious makes a promise to her. If she’ll submit to him, she’ll know only pleasure and comfort. After a lifetime of hardship, his offer tempts her greatly.

One night with Hallie and Vicious feels his protective instincts flaring. He’ll do anything to make her happy and keep her safe, even if that means surrendering his heart. Though he intended to master her, Vicious realizes it may be his sweet Hallie who masters him.

Inside Scoop: Our heroine endures trials and violence with strength equal to that of her warrior mate. (She also witnesses F/F play, and endures a collar and light BDSM. Fortunately she likes that part.)

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Grabbed By Vicious is Lolita Lopez’s new sci fi erotic romance and the first in her “Grabbed” series. Lopez is a new to me author but after some research I see she’s a quite established author with a nice size backlist. When I read the back cover copy for the book it jumped out at me. I’ve been glomming sci fi erotic alien romances lately and this one fit right into my cravings.

Vicious is a very decorated member of his military and he’s decided it’s time for him to take a human mate. He finds himself surprised that the mating he chooses is a small female that seems to be bursting with attitude. To take her he must first best her in a chase. If she reaches the finish line she earns her freedom. If not, she becomes his in every way.

Hallie just wants to leave her pathetic planet and be free from everyone. A rough upbringing and horror stories about the aliens make her shy away from Vicious and what she views as his barbaric ways. She soon finds he is more then meets the eye and that their ways of living aren’t quite so different.

I really liked Hallie and Vicious together and thought they were well suited for each other. Even though Vicious is a trained leader and can be lethal at a moments notice, he goes out of his way to make Hallie feel comfortable with her new surroundings. A virginal heroine is never at the top of my must read list but it seemed to work okay in this one. The village Hallie was from seemed to be filled with asshats of epic proportions who went out of their way to make her life hell. Not that her home life was any better with a abusive father and brothers who looked the other way. Vicious spends a great deal of time assuring her he can be trusted and trying to figure out what she needs from him. As an erotic romance I expected the sex to be scorching, frequent and explicit. While I didn’t really find it inventive, it was everything else and I enjoyed every intergalactic minute of it.

Lopez introduces readers to a man who I really hope has the next book. Terror, Vicious’ best friend, is simply an AWESOME character. Tall, broad, scarred and full of supreme alpha-ness, I loved him! He seems to hide a lot of his emotions behind a surly attitude so it will be interesting to see him become unraveled over a woman. His presence in the book made the story line branch out a bit more then what I normally find in an erotic romance. I liked that Lopez went the extra mile to add in a longer, more evolved plot then just sex.

As far as dislikes I could say the same thing I say about all of these romances. There isn’t much variation between them. The story lines all kind of run together in these alien books and yet I still enjoy them. I still jump at the chance to read them. They easily pass the time and Lolita Lopez is no different. It’s hot, it’s well written and she’s definitely and author I would pick up again.

I give Grabbed By Vicious by Lolita Lopez 3.50 stars! 

Joint Review: Love Irresistibly (FBI/US Attorney #4)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Berkley

My Copy: Sent

Reviewed by: Pam/Nikki

HE’S USED TO GETTING WHAT HE WANTS… A former football star and one of Chicago’s top prosecutors, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cade Morgan will do anything to nail a corrupt state senator, which means he needs Brooke Parker’s help. As general counsel for a restaurant company, she can get a bug to the senator’s table at one of her five-star restaurants so the FBI can eavesdrop on him. All Cade has to do is convince Brooke to cooperate—and he’s not afraid to use a little charm, or the power of his office, to do just that.

AND WHAT HE WANTS IS HER. A savvy businesswoman, Brooke knows she needs to play ball with the U.S. Attorney’s office—even if it means working with Cade. No doubt there’s a sizzling attraction beneath all their sarcastic quips, but Brooke is determined to keep things casual. Cade agrees—until a surprising turn of events throws his life into turmoil, and he realizes that he wants more than just a good time from the one woman with whom he could fall terrifyingly, irresistibly in love . . .

Brooke Parker has been the general counsel for Sterling Restaurants for two years; Ian Sterling has big plans for his company and wants to control the entertainment and ballpark restaurant contracts all around the country, he even set up a sports and entertainment division which Brooke was hired to run. She has been very successful gaining numerous sports arena contracts since she started. The only thing it has cost her are several relationships; Brooke’s boyfriend of three months recently dumps her telling her that she is not a “big picture” kind of girl. He is looking for someone different and ready for a family; unfortunately he is the third one in eighteen months to tell her the same thing.

Cade Morgan works for the U.S. Attorney’s office as a prosecutor, he has worked on some big cases and is well known in the community, however it helps that he is also famous for winning the Rose Bowl in the last few seconds and then having a career ending shoulder injury at the same time. Cade needs help with an ongoing investigation involving a dirty politician so is visiting Brooke to see what can be done; he takes FBI agents Seth and Vaughn to her office to see about setting up a sting operation by gaining access to Sterling’s 5 star restaurant to get evidence while the Senator dines.

Cade also has relationship problems, he just broke up with his girlfriend because she said he was emotionally unavailable and this was also not the first time he has heard that about him. He had several disappointing events in his childhood which caused most of his stilted emotions however he has not wanted to deal with them until life comes knocking in the form of a sixteen year old boy who is his half brother. They form a tenuous relationship which grows as they get to know each other.

Cade and Brooke’s relationship starts slow and as they continue to need each other’s help on various projects the connection grows into something more. It all comes to a head when both Cade’s past comes to meet up with him and she must decide on her future.

PAM: This is the fourth book in the FBI/U.S. Attorneys books and although loosely tied together they do share some of the same characters. The first books had a little more suspense and adventure as the hero and heroine spend some time trying to get the bad guys and getting out of some dangerous situations. However this newest installment did not have any of the previous suspenseful moments. I have to admit I really enjoyed the danger in Ms. James’ previous books and was a little disappointed. This is a true romance that deals with the problems of everyday life getting in the way of true love. That being said I did enjoy the story and the small amount of angst that Cade deals with about his past. I liked Cade and Brooke together as their banter was a witty back and forth continual conversation that was fun to read. Their personalities meshed well and the sexual tension and chemistry work. I really liked Brooke’s best friend Ford and loved when she accidentally “liked” an article on facebook to show all her “friends” she was interested in the Rules of Casual Sex, Ford’s reaction was hilarious. The pace of the story is good as you watch Cade’s and Brooke’s relationship grow into love.

Cade’s relationship with his brother, Zach is emotional as it brought out all the past feelings he had for his absent father, I liked that he made a statement that he was not going to treat Zach like his father treated him. I enjoyed seeing several characters from the other books; I really liked how Cade’s relationship with Rylann and Kyle was still alive despite him arresting Kyle for being the twitter terrorist. There are several characters that could be next in the series and I would enjoy reading any one of their stories.

I give Love Irresistibly by Julie James 3.50 stars!

NIKKI: Uggg Pam, you totally hit it on the head. Where was the heat? Where was the action? Not here, that’s where. I wanted to like this book. I did. I swear it. But nothing seemed to happen the entire book. it was slow paced (heh, Pam and I disagree on this one) and I found myself bored with Brooke’s constant indecision. She wants a steady boyfriend. She wants a life. yet she practically lives at work and then she wonders why even those boyfriends that have strong careers aren’t going for her. Well duh lady, you’re married to your job.

On the flip side I really enjoyed Cade’s character. He had this lawman, strong and steady vibe about him that just did it for me. He also had a ton of emotional baggage, which is nice for the man to have every once in awhile. When his past catches up to him and he finds out he has a half brother from the father who abandoned him…well to put it lightly, he’s rightfully pissed off. The man who left him didn’t leave this half brother and he essentially got to have the life Cade should have. I had to give Cade credit though, he reacted with grace and soon he and his brother are forging a relationship that will no doubt stand the test of time.

Together Brooke and Morgan slowly (and I mean that) evolve into a romance. It’s tame though so a wide range of romance readers should like that aspect. Problem was I just wasn’t blown away by their connection. It felt surface to me and I needed something more meaningful.

I wanted more from this book and really think it missed it’s mark in the string of this series. I will come back and see what the next journey is about and hope for the best.

I give Love Irresistibly by Julie James 2.75 stars

Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2)

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Historical Romance

Publisher: Ballantine Books

My Copy: Edelweiss

Reviewed by: Pam

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.

A year ago Genevieve McInnis was on her way to her wedding when the group was attacked and all were killed but her, she was the obsession of Ian McHugh and he wanted no man to have her but him. He brought her back to the McHugh keep where she has been held prisoner as well as being abused and tormented.

Ian was an obsessive man and once he considered someone his no one else could have them. It was the same with Eveline Montgomery, she had also not wanted his advances and he abducted her, however she had a champion in Graeme Montgomery and he came for her with an army killing Ian in front of all the McHugh clan. The clan knew that the Montgomery’s would seek revenge, however Patrick McHugh escaped with many men before the warriors came, leaving mostly women

and children and few provisions. Genevieve stayed behind as she did not have anywhere to go, her family thought she was dead. All she could hope for was that the Montgomery’s would be merciful and maybe send her to an Abby to live a peaceful life.

Bowen is acting in Graeme’s place as he rides to McHugh’s keep and takes over as Laird. As he meets Genevieve he finds she is a puzzle to him, the clan calls her a whore yet she does not seem like one, until she propositions him for her freedom. But before he can make any decisions about Genevieve, the McHugh keep is attacked by Patrick and his warriors.

Bowen is the one that is a puzzle for me; he is the Laird in charge and wants to do the right thing for the clan yet can’t seem to make a decision about those that live there. He also goes back and forth between what he thinks of Genevieve, believing what the clan says and then waiting to talk to her to get her side. They spend a small amount of time together and she tells her story which he eventually believes and then he is immediately in love, really?

Genevieve takes care of Bowen when he is injured after the fight with Patrick and earns the respect of the Montgomery’s and Armstrong’s men, they also know that she fought several men to protect Bowen. I like that they are beginning to feel she is a good person in a bad situation that she had to take some drastic actions to stay alive. She is a strong and courageous woman.

I enjoyed seeing the past characters, the brothers are great together and I really enjoyed seeing Bowen’s sister Rorie again as she is a kick and I have liked her personality in the past. Eveline also makes an appearance and immediately likes Genevieve and they become fast friends. I also liked that Genevieve’s family does not think poorly of her for her experience and they welcome her back with loving arms.

I did not get the feeling she loved Bowen, I think she liked him and respected him but I felt she was more upset leaving Rorie and Eveline than Bowen. I think she started to feel something while she was away from him but I did not feel the emotion from her at all. He was head over heels for her and was quite depressed when she left yet she was happy with her family for awhile.

I enjoyed the book, just not as much as the others. I liked that the book moved forward in the trilogy and we met new characters, I will continue to read Ms. Bank’s Highlanders as the others have been engaging and they are always a fun and thrilling as they take you back to a time of danger and intrigue.

I give Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks 3.5 stars!

Swamp Magic by Bobbi Romans

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Crimson Romance

My Copy: Sent

Reviewer: Nikki

Deep in the muggy swamps where there is but one rule, kill or be killed, a new species has emerged—born not from nature but spawned from evil.

Octavia wasn’t stupid. Those unfortunate souls who have crossed paths with her didn’t just become swamp creatures, they became the least deadly of them. She hadn’t counted on the strong spirits of those she’d cursed. 

From those murky swamp depths, a hero emerged. The type from which legends are born.

Moss, whose sensual iridescent tattoos are in fact thanks to his reptilian side, still struggles to come to terms with his fate and wants nothing more than to be left alone. 

Beth’s life becomes upturned when she reluctantly agrees to accompany her idiotic brother on a hunt for the Bog Man. When she becomes separated from the others she comes face to face with the legend himself . . . only no one ever mentioned how damn sexy he was.

The swamp’s dark history tests the duo on their survival skills as well as luring them deeper into the magic of the swamp.

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When I got a request for Swamp Magic I immediately accepted it based on one thing, and one thing only….how unique it sounded. I read a lot of shifter romance and yet had never heard of any swamp shifters. Snakes I have heard of, but never read because snakes ick me out. Gross. No thanks. Swamp shifters though….gators, reptiles, ect…was something I could get behind and so when I read this blurb I knew I had to check it out.

Moss is one of those humans who was cursed by the swamp witch into a endless lifetime of servitude doing her bidding and being her sex slave. When he stumbles upon a wayward human female lost in the swamp he doesn’t hesitate to help her find her way. Into his bed that is. Though Beth knows she should be weary of the man who materializes right out of the murky swamp water, she finds herself more intrigued then scared. What follows is some awesome sex in the middle of the swamp in a questionable rustic cabin.

Even though Moss and Beth get together fairly early in the book, I did find there to be a solid story line that played out at a good pace as the book unfolded. The story behind Moss and his background was well thought out and implemented. I enjoyed that there even was a back story so I was thrilled it was well done. Beth holds her own as a heroine and she has a few shining moments that made me like her. The secondary characters, including Beth’s timeless aunt, Moss’s fellow shifter friend and the witch herself are all well rounded characters who bring life to the story. I wish the author would have left the secondary love story alone though. It felt a bit to much and took away from the main purpose of the book, Moss and Beth.

Where Swamp Magic goes wrong is in some of the stilted writing, editing and prolonged story line. At times the writing was jarring and seem to come off as forced. Some of the dialogue just didn’t flow. Some of that might be contributed to cultural differences but some of it just didn’t sound right. Another editorial look seems to have been in order before publication and a lot of it could have been cleaned up. I also have a huge pet peeve for authors throwing in random new villains towards the end of a book. It always feels like the author needed to make the book longer and so he/she throws in more obstacles for the hero/heroine to overcome. It is rarely done where is feels seamless and so it gets on my nerves. It takes away from what the author is trying to accomplish and so I have to mention it here.

Swamp Magic is an entirely unique story that, as a whole, I enjoyed. Sure, it needed some fine tuning but the story won out in the end and I finished it in record time.

I give Swamp Magic by Bobbi Romans 3.50 stars!

 

 

Shades Of Passion by Virna DePaul (Special Investigations Group #3)

Available: March 19,2013 Amazon/B&N

Type: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Harlequin

My Copy: NetGalley

Reviewer: Nikki

Shades of the past

Detective Simon Granger has devoted his life to solving high-risk cases, and he’s vowed never again to get involved with a woman whose work is equally as dangerous. But when the Special Investigations Group teams him with a beautiful psychiatrist , his resolve is shattered by the tense and emotionally charged partnership…. 

Shades of intrigue

Determined to outrun the grief over her sister’s death, Dr. Nina Whitaker reluctantly agrees to use her training to help the police. Despite Detective Granger’s disdain for her profession, she believes she can change his mind. But then a grieving father begins a deadly game of revenge, threatening Nina’s life, challenging her beliefs, and drawing Nina and Simon together in an explosive endgame of intrigue…and unstoppable passion. 

Shades of passion…

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Nina is on the run from her past. After the death of one of her patients and the subsequent fall out she flees to the other side of the country to start over again. She meets SIG Agent, Simon, who is running from his past as well. His ex girlfriend, a psychiatrist, was murdered 6 months ago by a man she was trying to help and he’s been trying to tell himself he’s fine ever since. He’s never dealt with the emotional aspect and now his work is starting to suffer.

When Nina starts getting threatened Simon must work to overcome his own issues in order to protect the woman he is coming to care deeply for. Her aspirations of working with the police to enact a supplemental department trained to handle people with mental illness, takes a back burner to the threats on her life.

Nina and Simon are forced to work together even though Simon’s deep rooted disdain for psychiatry keeps pushing them apart. They circle around the argument and return to it again and again. It’s what made seeing them as a couple hard to swallow. There was no getting past this issue and even at the end of the book I was left shaking my head because even though Simon does make strides to seeing Nina’s POV, they will never see eye to eye on the topic of mental illness. All Nina’s “doctor speak” at times could get a bit overbearing and I think that coupled with their constant arguments, brought the book down a bit for me. Simon himself could be overkill in his reactions to Nina’s profession. By the end it felt like they were beating a dead horse.

All the past characters make appearances in this one and I enjoyed seeing them all again. DeMarco (Simon’s partner) is set up nicely for the next book. His PTSD from difficult case will play an integral role I assume as he learns to get past it and move on. I actually thought that given how much page time he got that we’d learn a bit more about him. He seemed on the very edge of a mental breakdown but then really nothing happened. It was a bit odd for it all to be laid out there if nothing was going to come of it yet.

The best part of Shades Of Passion was that I never saw the ending coming. I never put two and two together and so this one kept me guessing until the end with who was involved. I love a suspense that surprises me in the end and Shades Of Passion definitely got me there.

I give Shades of Passion by Virna DePaul 3 stars! 

Rapid Hearts by Rachael Ruddick

Available: Now Smashwords

Type: Contemporary Romance/ Erotica

Publisher:

My Copy: Sent

Reviewer: Michelle

Jessica, a kayaker, arrives in the Athlete’s Village for the Olympics after a nightmare trip from Oklahoma to discover her ex-husband standing in her apartment! With the same last name and initials, their bookings have been merged, and with the whole town sold out, Jessica has no option but to share accomodation. As their chemistry instantly begins to sizzle, the room’s only bed begins to beckon!

The Games hold a special significance to the couple, as they’d met at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics four years ago. Jessica, young and naïve, left Jake after a whirlwind romance to try to find herself, taking a devastating secret with her.

Now reunited, Jessica falls straight back in love with the man she selfishly walked out on three years ago, and struggles to keep her head on the Games as the stakes get higher- both in the water and in her heart.

Can Jake forgive her for leaving? And will he trust her to stay forever this time?

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It can be frustrating to review a short story romance because most of the time there isn’t enough time to fill the book with very much of anything. It’s difficult for an author to perrfectly flesh out characters, provide a strong, believable plot and give the reader plenty of romance, sex and emotion…. all in under a hundred pages. While I really liked the idea of this book, the whole thing fell a little short.

I love the Olympics and stories about athletes. I love stories about second chances, and that’s what this book was. Jessica and Jake are kayakers who met and fell in love at the Olympics. Following a whirlwind courtship, they were married and planned to build a life together. Unfortunately she couldn’t quite settle for various reasons and her love for him wasn’t enough to keep her there. Fast forward to the next Olympics, where thanks to a scheduling mishap, they are forced to share an apartment. It doesn’t take long for their passion to reignite, despite her being determined to keep her distance and Jake holding a grudge and wanting her to answer for how she treated him.

I liked Jake a lot. I thought the author did a good job of portraying how a man in his position would handle things. He was bitter about her leaving and had tried to move on, but seeing Jessie again brings his feelings back to the surface. At first he plans to just give in to the attraction and then be the one to walk away from her. He soon discovers, though, that along with his passion, his love for her is also rekindled and he knows he wants her in his life. I thought he was a strong, caring, honest hero.

The problem for me with this book was Jessie. She seemed very immature (it was hard for me to believe she was actually 28) and never seemed very sincere with Jake. Sure, she had the hots for him, and her feelings for him never really disappeared, but she seemed to hold it against HIM that she couldn’t handle their marriage. The reasons Jessie gave for abandoning him were so cliche it was ridiculous.

The sex scenes were very matter of fact and almost clinical, but I did like the chemistry between these two. They were sexy together and Jake was very romantic. I like an author who knows how to write an epilogue, and this book had a great one – extremely touching and left me with a warm, happy feeling.

I give Rapid Hearts by Rachael Ruddick 3.5 stars.

The Second Chance Cafe by Alison Kent

Available: Now Amazon/B&N

Type: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Montlake Romance

My Copy: Sent

Reviewed by: Pam

Kaylie Flynn was luckier than most children left to the Texas foster care system, blessed with a foster mother who taught her the comfort of home and the healing power of baking the perfect brownie. Now, Kaylie has journeyed back to Hope Springs to open a cafe in the charming Victorian she once shared with her foster family and to finally find answers about her past and where she came from. Yet Kaylie’s carefully laid plans quickly become complicated. The house needs far more work than she realized, and Tennessee Keller, the carpenter Kaylie hires, stirs up feelings she hasn’t felt in a long while. When an unexpected crisis threatens to unravel her dreams, Kaylie seems to have all the ingredients for a perfect disaster or quite possibly the perfect love.

Kaylie Flynn has lived all her life waiting for something to happen, wondering if her mother or father was ever coming to get her, wondering when was she going to her next foster home and when she turned eighteen she wondered how long before her foster parents would kick her out. But by that time, she was done wondering what was going to happen to her and made her own things happen. She left Hope Springs and her heartache behind, moving on with her life. Ten years later she is back, the proud owner of a three story Victorian house, the one she had spent the best years of her life in. She came back to Hope Springs, Texas to find the answers she is still wondering about.

Ten years ago Kaylie left Hope Springs; she was eighteen and afraid of the rejection she knew was coming now, that she was too old to be in foster care. She had loved the eight years she spent with May and Winton Wise, they were wonderful to her, however she was always waiting for the next thing.

When Kaylie was twelve, May introduced her to brownies and she has never looked back, after graduating from college, she opened the Sweet Spot and for over four year, it was a great business for her. And although she left town because she did not want to miss what she could no longer have, thinking it would all disappear, it took her a while to realize that May and Winton were always there for her and would seek her out over the years.

When she was ready, she sold her business in Austin and paid cash for the house, finally coming home. She planned to open a café called Two Owls Café, a place for people to gather and enjoy themselves during the hours of 10 and 2 each day. She also had another reason for moving back to town, to find out what happened to her parents. The last thing she remembers of her mother is her lying on the floor after she tried to kill herself and she does not remember anything of her father. She had no way to find him as his name was not on the birth certificate, but hopes that there is information in Hope Springs.

Kaylie needs help renovating the beautiful home she now owns and most residents recommend Tennessee Keller (Ten) a local contractor with a great reputation. As a matter of fact Ten had always wanted that home for himself and after Kaylie hires him on the spot, they make several compromises about how the café should look and still keep the integrity of the house.

She needs a chef so she puts an ad in the local paper but also asks around, as this is a small town and nothing is faster than small town gossip. Luna, a woman who grew up in Hope Springs hears about Kaylie and she not only knows a chef who would be great but also knows a secret about both Kaylie and the chef, Mitch. Mitch came home from the Gulf war years ago to tales of violence and drugs and has unsuccessfully been looking for his daughter ever since.

The town of Hope Springs is a town full of friends, family, hope and unfortunately secrets. Between what Luna knows, the fact that Ten wants to save every young man in trouble because of the guilt he feels about his brother and Kaylie trying to find out about her long lost parents, The Second Chance Café is a story full of secrets. Life is all about making your own way and yet it is nice to know there are those people you call friends who will always help and Hope Springs has just those types of friends.

This was a nice, small town romance that was enjoyable to read. The characters were fun and quirky like most small towns and pleasing to get to know. Ten and Kaylie had a nice romance with some believable ups and downs and the story develops well as secrets are uncovered, feelings are hurt and tension is thick. And even though I love a great HEA, the ending was a little too predictable with little flourish. We learn a lot about the main characters of Hope Springs, and yet there are many more individuals with stories to tell. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.

I give The Second Chance Café by Alison Kent 3.5 stars!