Romance Review: Taming the Beast by Heather Grothaus

Taming the Beast

by Heather Grothaus

Kensington Publishing

ISBN: 9781420102437

http://www.heathergrothaus.com/

Release Date: November 3, 2009

from the author's website:

After years of turmoil, Roderick Cherbon has left the Crusades to return to the home he loves. But the wars have changed him, and the heir who thought to heal his father’s injustices has become a vicious beast of a man, scarred inside and out. He will speak to no one, see no one; he leaves the shadows of his ruined keep only under the darkness of night. And even in death his father mocks him: to retain his land and title, Roderick, the Beast, must marry.

Lady Michaela Fortune is reviled for her poverty, ridiculed for her dreams, and preyed on for her soft heart. Humiliation and want dog her beloved family, and her pride is an indulgence she can ill afford. Cherbon and its shattered lord offer a solution. But to court a man who has fallen so low, Michaela will need all her grace and beauty to harbor any hopes of taming the beast…

my thoughts:

I have loved every book of Heather Grothaus' so I was so excited when I received Taming the Beast in my mailbox. Let me tell you, it's another winner. Michaela is a remarkable woman. She has endured so much but she still hopes for something better. Roderick needs a woman like Michaela to help him learn to live again. This truly is a "beauty and the beast" story with a few other elements thrown in.

I love, love, love this book. I knew Heather wouldn't let me down and she didn't. I recommend all of ther books. If you haven't picked up a Heather Grothaus historical, you need to do so. Taming the Beast is completely stand-alone so you don't have to have read any of her other books. The Warrior, The Champion, and The Highlander all have connecting characters so if you're going to read one of those I strongly recommend reading all three.

Pre-order or Reserve your copy of Taming the Beast today, you won't regret reading this one.

Romance Review: For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper

For the Love of Pete

by Julia Harper

Grand Central Publishing

ISBN: 9780446619189

http://www.juliaharper.com/

Release Date: January 1, 2009

from the author's site:

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN OPPOSITES ATTRACT?

Free-spirited Zoey Adler is about to hijack a federal agent. And not just any federal agent, but very Special Agent Dante Torelli, a man whose designer suits and Italian shoes are more GQ than FBI. But when her baby niece, Pete, is snatched right in front of her eyes, Zoey doesn’t hesitate to scramble into Dante’s spotless BMW. She needs his help to rescue the baby . . . if only she can ignore his Lips of Sin.

OH, BABY!

Dante’s original mission is down the drain and he’s dodging bullets with a loopy redhead by his side. He likes quiet. She never shuts up. He likes to follow the rules. She throws the rules out the window. But these opposites do more than attract—they ignite. With a henpecked hit man running wild, cooking-obsessed matrons chasing down contraband spices, and a relentless killer tracking them all, Dante and Zoey will risk everything—for themselves and . . .

FOR THE LOVE OF PETE

my thoughts:

For the Love of Pete is hilarious, fun romp. This was the first book I've read of Julia Harper's but it won't be the last. I had so much fun with this story. Zoey and Dante are an excellent pair; they played off each other well. The secondary characters were just as great. I loved all of the back and forth and the comedy of errors.

I can't wait for more from Julia Harper! Take my word for it, this is such a great book you don't want to miss it.

Romance Review: To Catch a Thief by Christine Skye

To Catch a Thief

by Christine Skye

HQN Books (Harlequin)

ISBN: 9780373773077

http://www.christinaskye.com/

Release Date: September 1, 2008

from the publisher's website:

Nell MacInnes can spot a forgery from a mile away. After all, she learned from the best—her father is one of the art world’s most notorious thieves. His brutal beating by the very authorities who claim to keep the world safe from harm taught her one more valuable lesson—trust no one.

The last thing rugged Navy SEAL Dakota Smith needs on his mission is a tempting woman he doesn’t trust. But a sketch by Leonardo da Vinci has gone missing, and the art conservator’s skill in detecting forgery would be invaluable, if only her ties to the criminal world are as dead as she says they are.

Soon an edgy partnership and white-hot attraction are forged between Nell and Dakota as they race to Draycott Abbey to track down a ruthless criminal with terrorist ties before time runs out—and the da Vinci is lost forever.

my thoughts:

This was the first Christina Skye book I read, but it certainly won't be the last. The Romance and the Suspense were wonderful. Nell and Dakota make a great pair. It took them a while to get out of their own way and realize it, though.

The action in To Catch a Thief just keeps on coming. There were surprises I never saw coming, and with as much as I've read it's getting harder for me to find an author who can surprise me.

I definitely recommend reading Christina Skye's To Catch a Thief and I'll be getting my hands on her other books as well.

Romance Review: Scions: Revelation by Patrice Michelle

Scions: Revelation

by Patrice Michelle

Silhouette Nocturne

ISBN: 9780373618002

http://www.patricemichelle.com/

Release Date: December 1, 2008

from the author's website:

They thought they understood the prophecy.

They were wrong.

Caine Grennard was a werewolf, living among humans and lacking purpose--until the night he met a woman with an exotic, irresistible scent. A woman who might be his deadliest enemy.

When her aunt is kidnapped, Emma Gray swears to do anything to get the older woman back. Even if it means trusting the mysterious--and sexy--stranger named Caine.

But more is at stake than one woman's life: Emma's past holds the last key to unlocking a prophecy Caine's clan is depending on. The fate of both their clans rests on them trusting the impossible, electric connection between them, even in the heart of betrayal...

my thoughts:

I loved Patrice Michelle's previous Scions books, and Revelation was no different. Questions from the past finally become clear. Caine and Emma were great together and seeing them finally come together was great. It was a hard journey with many roadblocks, but in the end it was worth it.

Since each portion of the prophecy has been covered, I'm not sure if Patrice Michelle will add any more books to this series, but even if she doesn't I still look forward to whatever else she may release.

Romance Review: Seduce Me in Shadow by Shayla Black

Seduce Me in Shadow

by Shayla Black

Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster)

ISBN: 9781416578444

http://www.shaylablack.com/

Release Date: September 29, 2009

from the publisher's site:

Ex-marine Caden MacTavish has shunned his magical heritage all his life, but he will do anything to heal his desperately ill brother, a Doomsday Brethren warrior in mourning for his missing mate. Posing as a photographer, Caden must convince firecracker tabloid reporter Sydney Blair to reveal the source of her recent exposé on a supernatural power clash. Unfortunately, keeping his hands off the sizzling redhead proves as hard as getting them onto the potent and mystical Doomsday Diary he discovers at her bedside. A bloody rebellion led by an evil, power-hungry wizard is imminent. If Sydney divulges the book's existence, she will jeopardize magickind's most deeply guarded secrets and become the ruthless wizard's number one target. Caden has never trusted magic's cruel and dangerous powers, but he will protect Sydney with his life and magic -- even if it means risking his heart.

my thoughts:

I'm completely in love with Shayla Black's Doomsday Brethren. I loved Tempt Me with Darkness when I read it last year and it was agony waiting a full year for Seduce Me in Shadow, but it was so worth the wait. Caden and Sydney are great characters and I look forward to seeing more of them in the next book Possess Me at Midnight.

What I really love is that there is so much more going on here than just Caden and Sydney's story. There is certainly plenty of attention paid to them and their romance, but we get to see quite a bit of the world Caden comes from (much as he'd like to deny it).

If you like dark paranormals with a lot of action then you have to pick up Shayla Black's Doomsday books. I flew through both of the stories so far and I'm practically hopping up and down waiting for the next book. :) There is so much that comes up that I'm so curious about, but naturally we're being kept in suspense.

Trust me, these are books you don't want to miss.

Romance Review: Texas Wedding For Their Baby's Sake by Kathryn Albright

Texas Wedding for Their Baby's Sake

by Kathryn Albright

Harlequin Historical

ISBN: 9780373295616

http://www.kathrynleighalbright.com/

Release date: August 1, 2009

from the author's website:

Caroline Benét enjoyed one night in her fiancé’s arms before he left to fight for freedom in the Texas territory. The day news reaches her of the Alamo slaughter is the day she learns she is carrying his child.

He may have survived, but Brandon Dumont can’t return to the life he once knew or the woman he loves—not as a cripple and a man battling his own personal demons.
When Caroline shows up in Texas, Brandon is determined to send her packing. But Caroline wants more than Brandon’s name for their baby. It will take a love as big as Texas to win him back.

my thoughts:

I love Kathryn Albright and her books. Her stories are particularly special to me because she's a local lady and I know her personally. Brandon and Caroline's story is a beautiful story of two people who knew and loved each other finding each other again. In the months they are apart Brandon and Caroline each change and grow so that when they meet again they aren't quite the same people they were before. And despite them trying to deny their love; it won't be ignored. The attraction between them is too strong.

This book felt very real to me. The people were real, and so were their problems. Yet Brandon and Caroline didn't let their problems get the best of them. They faced their difficulties head on and perservered.

I loved this story and I hope you will too. If you're interested Brandon and Caroline are first brought up in Kathryn Albright's previous novel, The Rebel and the Lady, which is the story of Brandon's brother Jake.

Romance Review: Winter Kissed by Michele Hauf and Vivi Anna

Winter Kissed

A Kiss of Frost by Michele Hauf

Ice Bound by Vivi Anna

Silhouette Nocturne

ISBN: 9780373617999

http://www.michelerhauf.com/

http://www.vivianna.net/

Release date: November 1, 2008

from Michele Hauf's website:

A Kiss of Frost

When winter god and assassin Jal Frost's latest assignment targets mortal Kate Wilson, the last thing Jal anticipates is falling for his victim. But she provides a warmth unlike anything he's known. Soon Jal faces his most vexing challenge as he must choose between the woman he loves and his duty as a god.

Ice Bound

On a special mission to Japan, Dr. Darien Calder hopes to learn more about the legendary Ice Maiden, who purportedly froze lost travelers with just a touch of her icy lips. But when she rescues him from a snowdrift, will the warmth of Darien's newfound love be enought to thaw the Ice Maiden's heart?

my thoughts:

Winter has never been my favorite season, but the hot stories in Winter Kissed may make me want to change my mind. I love both Michele Hauf and Vivi Anna so I love that they came together with stories for this book. Jack Frost and the Japanese Ice Maiden aren't characters that you often get to read about. I'm a big fan of mythology so I really enjoyed the unique mythologies that each of these ladies used.

If you get a chance, grab a copy and settle down for a nice cool read. :) Highly recommended.