Title: HOT ON HER HEELS (Lone Star Sisters) - Susan Mallery

 Line:     HQN

Release month UK/ North America: November 2009

The S-Factor:   Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

Dana Birch vowed never to put herself at the mercy of a powerful man. She became a deputy so that she could take care of herself and protect those she loves. Especially her best friends, the Titan sisters.

Twenty years ago, Garth Duncan swore revenge on Jed Titan for abandoning Garth and his mother. Now he's back to fulfill that promise, even if Jed's daughters get caught in the crosshairs. All that stands between him and his goal is Dana, her gun and a growing passion that can't be denied….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Author Susan Mallery has crafted an emotional and very moving book, the last in her Lone Star Sister series, HOT ON HER HEELS. It was the two characters who drew me into this incredible story, Dana and Garth. Like all of Mallery’s books, the message is about family, friends, trust and love as only she can pen.

In the first three books one is introduced to the head of the Titan family Jed and his beautiful and spirited daughters, Lexi, Skye and Izzy, the three women who took Dana into their home and made her part of the family due to an abusive father. What was so wonderful to read throughout all three books was the love and support the four of them gave each other. So in the end, Hot on Her Heels was about trust, love, family, belonging, believing in those around you and in yourself.

Hot on Her Heels is Garth and Dana story, one that for me personally was an emotional roller coaster. However, Susan’s character development the bantering between the girls and Dana’s smart mouth to Garth had me howling with laughter. The authors humour shines though and it’s no wonder that Hot on Her Heels hit #5 on the New York Times Best Seller list this past week.

Throughout the series there are two apparent factors Jed and his illegitimate son Garth who vows to take down Jed because of what he did to Garth’s mother, Kathy. Garth’s plan is to get to Jed through his daughters so in each book it focuses on each sister, their father and their half brother with Dana in the wings ready to take Garth down. In the end, Garth plans to legally destroy Jed, take his business, home and all assets, everything making sure he goes to jail.

For Dana, Garth was the evil one, he messed with her friends the Titan sisters and she would take him down. She agrees to follow Garth and find out what he’s up to and is amazed also to learn that the youngest Titan sister Izzy is determined to reform Garth, love him and make all of the sisters forgive and bring him into the family. They’ve learned it’s not Garth to fear but their father Jed. The sisters agree with Garth’s but want Dana involved in the investigation to make sure everything is legal.

The story is fast paced in the beginning and things begin to happen quickly, Jed pays Dana a visit, she is run off the road and her rental car shot at. Garth decides to move Dana into his condo because now like his sisters she needs to be protected. Dana’s not sure what to think of the situation because he unsettles her and she likes being in charge. She’s tough, determined and not like the women he’s used to….no make-up, no designer clothes like his sisters and he knows she’s hiding something from her past. But he also realizes in the end what he wants is someone who stands up to him, someone who is a challenge.

Garth was a wonderful addition to the book because at first you hate him and then you forgive him for the way he treated his sisters. Watching him struggle with the “family thing”, learning to interact with his sisters and their husbands was humorous to read and then so was his relationship with Dana as it became more intense and serious. Could this woman who didn’t trust, who was strong be in danger of loosing her heart? And how about Garth, would he take down his father, become a part of a family and would he let his guard down and let Dana in?

Towards the end of the story, as a reader who loves a happy ending, I began to wonder would Garth and Dana find their happy ever after? As much as they seem to be a great couple with incredible chemistry, there are many obstacles they both face. Dana struggles with the fact that the women he has dated are models, socialites who wear designer clothes where she hasn’t worn a dress in years. With the love and support of the Titan sisters, they help her with some of those issues. However, it’s constant in her mind that Jed reminded her she would never fit in because she was “white trash”. Then on top of everything else she meets Garth’s ex-fiancé and again questions her place in his life. Does she dare take a chance, risk heartbreak and when she figures it out, tell him how she feels?

But the same applies to Garth because for most of his life he has had to trust himself and has only had one friend he could count on. Like Dana he has a past, one that left both physical and mental scars plus a mother because of a tumour would never be the same as Jed Titan refused financial help years earlier. Vengeance at what cost and would it is worth it? For Garth, love doesn’t factor into the equation as he tells his sister. Prepare yourself, there will be lots of tears shed while reading this love story, especially in the final chapters.

Again, Susan Mallery has written such a beautiful, intense and wonderful story. It’s undoubtingly one I will cherish and long remember.

Hero Hotness Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor♥♥♥
Weepy Factor♥♥♥

Reviewed by: Marilyn

Behind the Book (A Border’s Interview)

Question: Scene you like most and would never cut:
“Hmm…I’m not sure there’s one scene in particular that I love the most, but there are a lot of scenes that I loved. The first kiss ranks high, of course. The realization that the heart is in danger, that sort of combination of panic and giddiness.

The scenes that mean the most to me are those scenes that show internal growth. Love changes a person, and I like to see those changes. One of my favorite scenes in HOT ON HER HEELS comes about midway through the book. Dana has never been a girly-girl. She prides herself on her toughness and her ability to take care of herself no matter what happens. She doesn’t do dresses or high heels. But then Garth invites her to be his date for a fancy benefit.

Despite her best intentions, Dana is falling for Garth, which feels as scary to her as falling backward from the roof of a Dallas skyrise. She wants him to like her, wants almost desperately for him to look at her with that special fire in his eyes that a man gets when a woman dresses up for him. For the first time in her life, she wants to be feminine. So she calls the best fashion expert she knows, Lexi Titan. Pregnant Lexi takes great delight in playing fairy godmother to Dana’s Cinderella. That scene was a lot of fun to write… and the scene in which Garth sees Dana in her finery was probably even more fun!” Susan Mallery

LEAH'S CHOICE - Marta Perry

Title: LEAH’S CHOICE

Author: MARTA PERRY

Line: Berkley Books

Release Month: November

The S-Factor: Sweet and Sensitive

Back-Blurb:

Pleasant Valley, Book one.

All of Pleasant Valley seems to think the newcomer from Lancaster County is the perfect match for Teacher Leah. After all, so few new families come to their secluded Amish community, and fewer still unmarried men. That Daniel Glick is a widower with three young children to look after while he manages his farm should make him even more open to the idea of marriage.

But Daniel’s past haunts him at every turn. Though he cannot miss the beauty in Leah’s bright eyes and patient ways, he also sees a reminder of the pain he came so far to escape.

And Leah has a burden on her heart that could daunt even someone as strong and steady as Daniel. Years ago she was engaged to Johnny Kile, a young man who became swept up in the outside world, leaving her behind, alone and heartbroken. Since then she has immersed herself in her love of the children she teaches, forgetting any hopes of having her own family. When Johnny returns, seeking reconciliation, Leah suddenly must decide between two pathways, either of which will change her life forever. . .

A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and her own Pennsylvania Dutch roots led Marta Perry to write about the Plain People who add to the rich heritage of her home state. She is the author of more than thirty-five inspirational romance novels and lives with her husband in a century-old farmhouse. Please visit her at www.martaperry.com.

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Leah was torn. She loved her Amish way of life. She wanted to hang on to it with both hands. But she wanted more. How could she say no when the opportunity came along to work with a medical group that could improve the lives of the Amish children?

Daniel didn’t understand. He was still hurting from his wife’s desertion before her death. He was still trying to understand his children, and what they went through while they had been away from him.

When I started reading this book I did not know what to expect. I’ve never read anything about the Amish before. This book was an eye-opener for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am looking forward to the rest of the stories about Pleasant Valley.

Marta Perry’s use of the Amish “dialect” in this book definitely made the story more realistic. It was actually close enough to my own knowledge of German that I could follow along with only one or two references to the glossary in the back of the book. (though I do believe the words were originally Dutch, the two languages are very close)

An interesting and encouraging story of how to overcome hardships in life and make the right decisions, hard though they may seem at the time.

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor (will it last) ♥♥♥♥♥ (in this case I’d like to give it double the 5 hearts because the Amish take their vows very seriously indeed, and there is no such thing as divorce)
Humor Factor ♥♥
Weepy Factor ♥

Reviewed by: Donna B

MERCENARY'S PROMISE - Sharron McClellan

Title: MERCENARY’S PROMISE

Author: SHARRON McCLELLAN

Line: Silhouette Romantic Suspense

Release Month: September

The S-Factor: Shivery and Scintilating

The Back-Blurb:

The only thing more impenetrable than the Colombian jungle? Her web of lies.

Wilderness guide Bethany Darrow was desperate to save her kidnapped sister in Colombia, but lying about having the money to pay dark, mysterious mercenary Xavier Monero would cost her dearly. Especially when their forced proximity during a dangerous jungle rescue unleashed a smoldering, irresistible attraction.

Xavier knew the beautiful American was trouble the second he laid his eyes on her. Taking Bethany on the mission was a risk, and he wasn’t prepared for the peril she placed on his heart. Suddenly he wanted more than fortune—he wanted Bethany, body and soul. But everything comes with a price. . .

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Bethany Darrow refused to give up when the others involved in trying to rescue her kidnapped sister lost hope. Her sister had been gone for two years. Why did she think she would succeed when the professionals couldn’t?

Because she had Xavier Monero on her side. Or did she? What did he want before he would agree to find her sister? Why did she insist on going along?

This book was full of harrowing experiences. Jaguar attacks, poisonous snakes, biting insects – you name it, this book had it. And that wasn’t even counting all the enemy soldiers roaming around. And then just fighting your way through the jungle when Bethany was more used to the desert.

What did Xavier do when he learned she didn’t have the money she had promised him? What heart-break did they discover in the end when they went looking for his sister, too?

Sharron McClellan is a relatively new author to Harlequin, but I will be looking for her books for a long, long time to come. The suspense had my hair standing on end, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what was going to happen next. Her command of the English language is nothing short of amazing. She makes you feel like you’re right there in the story alongside the hero and heroine.

Hero Hotness Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor: (will it last?) ♥♥♥♥♥
Humor Factor: ♥♥
Weepy Factor: ♥♥♥

Reviewed by: Donna B

THE CHRISTMAS LOVE-CHILD – Jennie Lucas (Snow, Satin and Seduction Collection)

Author: Jennie Lucas

Line: Harlequin Presents Extra: November 2009/Mills and Boon Modern UK: October 2009


The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

It's Christmastime in London, and unwittingly Grace is swirled into the sumptuous and scandalous world of Prince Maksim Rostov. When the unworldly secretary learns he took her innocence in exchange for a business deal, she flees broken-hearted.

But when Maksim discovers Grace's pregnancy secret, the ruthless Russian drags her to his guarded mansion in snowy Moscow. There he'll keep her as his captive bride and unwilling princess….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

The Christmas Love-Child is the most perfect and romantic love story for the Holidays. Of course, it’s brilliantly crafted by author Jennie Lucas and this time her hero is the most sensual, ruthless and handsome Russian alpha with the most incredible name, Prince Maksim Rostov.

Maksim is known for being ruthless and will stop at nothing to seal a deal. What he now wants he can’t have because his mistress has gone to his competition, is engaged to the CEO and has guaranteed him the oil deal with her father. However, like all successful businessmen, Maksim knows that Alan Barrington has a secretary who worships him, one that he believes if he can get her to tell him Alan’s secrets, then he’ll get the deal back.

Grace Cannon is secretly in love with her boss, and he uses her in the most inappropriate way, over works her, uses his charm on her, she’s underpaid, plus she lives in the basement of his home and she pays him rent. On top of everything else, she an innocent and is devoted to her family. So much so, she’s trying to earn money to save their home back in California.

Its Christmas time and Alan sends Grace on an errand to purchase lingerie for his fiancé, the lovely and beautiful redhead Francesca who is Maksim’s past mistress. Maksim stages a meeting and absolutely sweeps her off her feet. However, it’s not one sided as Maksim sees not the plain woman before him, he actually sees her inner and physical beauty. He actually likes her, he shares with her things he’s never told anyone and I personally thought he just might have fallen in love with her. I know that Grace fell hard for this handsome prince.

Of course, as all powerful and handsome ruthless billionaires, he seduces her and then the worst thing happens, Grace believes he’s betrayed her when her boss fires her, leaves her without anything and so on Christmas Eve she returns home heartbroken to her family in California. She’s devastated and knows that they will now loose their home. On top of everything she finds out she’s expecting Maksim’s baby.

Christmas becomes an unhappy time for the couple, he demanding she marry him and return to Russia with him, plus the accusations they both hurl at each other were painful to read. And just when one doesn’t think it can become worse, he leaves her at his mansion, ignores her, they speak horribly to each other and just can’t seem to get past it all. Where has this man gone, the man she loved, the man she swore they could see into each others souls?

The Christmas Love-Child has it all, emotions, misunderstandings, miscommunication, mistrust and such passion, it consumes them both. What disappeared from their relationship was trust However, so many lessons this couple would learn especially Maksim as he would remember he’s always taken care of his own and he’d let Grace down by not being there for her, not protecting her and leaving his bride on her own. And for sweet Grace her journey is a little more painful but in the end so worth it all. Like all Christmas miracles this Prince and Princess come to understand each other and bask in the warmth of their love thanks to the very talented author Jennie Lucas.

Hero Hotness Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Weepy Factor♥♥♥

Reviewed by: Marilyn

Personal note to the Author: I’m so pleased you went ahead with your Russian alpha as I fell in love with him!

Next Comes Love - Helen Brenna

Title: NEXT COMES LOVE

Author: HELEN BRENNA

Line: HARLEQUIN SUPER ROMANCE

Release month ( North America/ UK / Australia): North America - October

The S-Factor: ( Sizzling! / Simmering / Sweet) SIMMERING

Back-Blurb:

Street-smart city girl Erica Corelli spent the three best days of her childhood on Mirabelle Island. Now her sister has disappeared and Erica's on the run with her six-year-old nephew. The boy's father, an abusive Chicago cop, will stop at nothing to get his son back. Erica can only hope this unforgettable island paradise is a safe place to hide.

Garrett Taylor, the island's chief of police, takes one look at Erica and thinks, Trouble. The mysterious, sexy kind that disturbs a man's peace and instantly complicates the simple life Garrett came to Mirabelle to find. But no matter how hard he tries, he can't keep his mind—or his hands—off Ms. Couldn't Be More Wrong for Him

Review: (average of hearts overall out of 35 – so total hearts divided by five?) ♥♥♥♥♥

Ms. Brenna's second installment in the 'An Island To Remember' series, NEXT COMES LOVE is a wonderful suspense driven read. Garrett Taylor's moved to Mirabelle Island to be part-time police chief and escape his dark side that began to appear during his time as a Chicago cop. When he bumps into the mysterious newcomer Erica and her supposed son, something seems off about her story. When he finds out the truth from a news report that she's the boy's aunt and that the boy's been reported missing, Garrett sets out to uncover the truth.

Erica brought her nephew Jason to the one place she thinks will be safe: Mirabelle Island, the one place she remembers having a happy time as a child with her younger sister and mother. But when she bumps into Garrett Taylor, the chief of police of the small island within moments of their arrival, Erica's unnerved. Jason's abusive father is a cop, and don't all cops stick together? But Erica will have to battle her attraction to the part time cop, part time handyman as trouble looms.

I loved Garrett and Erica immediately. I loved how Erica is willing to put her life on hold to protect her six year old nephew and go on the run, waiting anxiously for word from her sister that she's okay and what Erica is supposed to do. Till then, she's biding her time on Mirabelle and trying to not find herself attracted to Garrett and not make friends, which is easier said than done in the small community as she works as cook and bartender at the small pub. What Erica doesn't want most, to feel connected to people there slowly happens. I loved the scenes early on in the book where Garrett's working on the small apartment Erica's renting above the restaurant and she finds herself reluctantly feeding the handsome handyman. The chemistry between the two is very fun to watch evolve.

It was a wonderful treat to return back to Mirabelle Island and meet more of the locals. With its own distinct flavor, Mirabelle is as much a character as Garrett, Erica and Jason. I look forward to the next in the series.

Definitely my favorite of the two books in the series so far, readers looking for a great mix of romance and suspense should pick up NEXT COMES LOVE.

Reviewed by: Lis


Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor (will they have a happily ever after) ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor♥♥♥♥
Weepy Factor ♥♥♥♥

MARRIAGE REUNITED: BABY ON THE WAY - SHARON ARCHER

Author: Sharon Archer

Line: Medical Romance

Release Date: October 2009

The S-Factor: Sweet

Back-Blurb:

A miracle to mend a marriage

Dr Liz Campbell thought her marriage was over. She still loved Jack, her gorgeous firefighter husband, with all her heart. But he'd left because he could not give her the one thing she wanted most in the world... his baby.

Now Jack's back, and hoping to rekindle his marriage - his time away has made him realise how much he loves his wife. A single kiss leads to one wonderful night - and one incredible miracle... Liz is pregnant with his child!

Now there's every reason for Jack to stay. He's determined to be the husband Liz wants and the father their baby needs.

Review:

If you haven't discovered the magic of Sharon Archer, then rush to the book store and get ready for her wonderfully moving and beautifully written Medical Romances!

Jack Campbell's good looks and charm had swept Liz off her feet! Jack might have been from the wrong side of the tracks, but Liz was unable to resist the firefighter and when he had proposed marriage to her, Liz had accepted. Liz had hoped that she had finally found the man of her dreams. But she was in for a very rude awakening when Jack had told her that he was unable to give her the one thing which she wanted more than anything in the world: a baby of her own!

Liz was shocked when she realized that Jack was adamant that he wouldn't father a child with her. Cracks soon started appearing in their relationship and Jack had decided that the best thing for him and Liz would be to part ways, so he headed off to America for six months and hoped to start afresh. But forgetting Liz was easier said than done...

On his return to Australia, Jack tracked down Liz again - and was gobsmacked when he found out that his wife was pregnant with his child! A baby was the last thing Jack expected. But turning his back on his wife and child was not an option. However, Liz is adamant that she is going to bring up this baby on her own.

But will Jack convince her that he wants to be a permanent part in her life - both as father to her child and a husband to her?

Marriage Reunited: Baby on the Way is a wonderful story. I laughed, I cried and I was completely mesmerized from page one. Sharon Archer's characters just leap off the pages and you cannot help but root for them and cheer them on to their much-deserved happy ending.

Sharon Archer's writing shines with warmth, humour and charm and I'm positive that she's well on her way to becoming as big a name in romance as Margaret Way and Marion Lennox!

Hero Hotness Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Weepy Factor♥♥♥

THE WICKED BARON - SARAH MALLORY

Author: Sarah Mallory

Line: Historical Romance

Release Date: October 2009

The S-Factor: Simmering

Back-Blurb:

When Luke Ainslowe returns from his lavishly opulent lifestyle in Paris, his reputation as an expert seducer of women precedes him. The ladies of the ton are torn between scandalized outrage and the desire to become mistress to the most dashing rake London has ever known….

Innocent Carlotta Durini refuses to become the baron's next conquest. For she lost her heart to Luke once before, and now believes herself impervious to his lethal brand of seduction. But what if the Wicked Baron refuses to take no for an answer?

Review:

Sarah Mallory's second Historical Romance for Mills and Boon is a delicious treat for Regency fans the world over!

All of London is enchanted with the exotically beautiful Carlotta Durini. Graceful and elegant, Carlotta has many a gentleman's heart a-flutter and her aunt, Lady Broxted, has high hopes for her. Carlotta hopes to marry a titled gentleman with a substantial fortune in order to allay her parents' financial worries - and to forget the man who had broken her heart: Luke Ainslowe, the Wicked Baron.

Yet, forgetting him seems to be harder than anticipated for Luke has turned up in London again and brought back to the fore all the old feelings which Carlotta had tried so hard to bury...

Luke finds himself enchanted once more by the beautiful Carlotta. However, he's perturbed by the fact that the innocent young girl he fell in love with has now become a ruthless chit with marriage on her mind. As Carlotta accepts another man's proposal, Luke cannot help but feel that she is making a huge mistake...

Will the Wicked Baron be able to convince Carlotta that her future is by his side?

The Wicked Baron is an enchanting Regency romance featuring a wonderfully feisty heroine, a swoon-worthy hero and plenty of adventure, intrigue, passion and seduction to keep readers enthralled from start to finish! Sarah Mallory's Regency world is captivating, beautiful rendered and immensely atmospheric and I for one cannot wait for her next novel to return to this wonderful world!

Hero Hotness Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Weepy Factor♥♥♥

ITALIAN DOCTOR, DREAM PROPOSAL by MARGARET MCDONAGH

Author: Margaret McDonagh

Line: Mills and Boon Medical Romance

Release Month: October 2009

The S-Factor: Sweet

Back Blurb:

Gorgeous but shy Ruth Baxter lost interest in relationships long ago – until a seductive encounter with one dangerously handsome Italian ...

He just happens to be Dr Rico Linardi, leading specialist and Ruth’s potential new boss! How can she even consider working in close proximity with a man who stirs desires she didn't know she had?

Rico knows the connection between them overwhelms Ruth, so he begins to break down her defences gently. After all, he is attracted to her beauty and her intelligence, and wants her as his lover – and his wife!

Review:

Margaret McDonagh sweeps us back to the beautiful Scottish town of Strathlochan with her latest mesmerizing Medical Romance: Italian Doctor, Dream Proposal.

GP Ruth Baxter has always been a shy bookworm. She's never happier than when she has her nose stuck in a book. But she's always extremely nervous whenever she has to strike up conversations! Her passion for knowledge has seen her through an awful childhood and an acrimonous relationship with a man who lost no time in telling her that despite the fact that she was an academic genius, as a girlfriend she was a complete and utter failure.

Luckily for Ruth, her busy job as a GP leaves her no time for a relationship - and she's perfectly happy about that! Recently, Ruth has been busy researching the immune system for one of her young patients. She has struck up a correspondence with the expert in the area - Dr Rico Linardi - and when he invites her over for a conference, Ruth is expecting a fusty old Professor - so she's shocked when she claps eyes on Rico for the very first time and realizes that the Italian doctor is the most gorgeous man she's ever seen!

Sparks immediately begin to fly between Rico and Ruth, however, Ruth is wary of acting upon her attraction. Men have always hurt and used her and she is not ready to go through all that pain again. But she hasn't counted upon Rico's determination to make her his...

Margaret McDonagh never fails to pen engrossing romances imbued with pathos, emotion and realism and Italian Doctor, Dream Proposal is another one of her enchanting and enthralling Medical Romances that will keep you reading all night long. Margaret McDonagh's ability to create richly drawn and believable characters and her talent for writing captivating romances make her one of category romance's most talented writers and I am already counting the days until the release of her next novel!

Hero Hotness Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor♥
Weepy Factor♥♥♥♥♥

Title: THE LATIN LOVER – Lucy Monroe/Trish Morey

Author: Lucy Monroe and Trish Morey

Line: Harlequin Presents

Release month UK:/ North America: October 2009

The S-Factor: Sexy and Sensational

Back-Blurb:

The Greek Tycoon's Inherited Bride by Lucy Monroe

Phoebe's betrothal to Spiros Petronides' brother meant she was forbidden, and honor was the code the Greek billionaire lived by. But with one kiss Spiros knew he had to claim her as his!

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ - THE GREEK TYCOON’S INHERITED BRIDE

To say I loved The Greek Tycoon’s Inherited Bride by Lucy Monroe is an understatement…..it was fantastic.

It had all the makings of a super romance, a Greek alpha, family honor, an arranged marriage plus the girl he knew he couldn’t have, his best friend who was promised to marry his brother. The arranged marriage by two proud Greek friends the Petronides and Leonides, a marriage not taking into consideration the participants feelings.

Spiros Petronides is the sort of Greek every woman would die to have in her life. He’s not only gorgeous; he’s rich and he very sexy. From afar he’s always fancied Phoebe Leonides but due to both of their families being close, he’s thought of her brotherly best friend. However, for Phoebe, it’s quite the opposite, she not only adores Spiros, she’s secretly loved him her entire life.

Phoebe has a serious problem because as a teen she agreed to an arranged marriage her family and the Petronides family made years earlier. On top of everything else, her fathers business is in trouble and will go under unless Phoebe married Dimitri, the oldest son. She’s sincerely upset because she feels her family has literally sold her into a loveless marriage when she secretly loves the younger brother, Spiros. On top of everything else, when Spiros visits her and they share a kiss which leads to passion so volcanic it scares them both, she’s sure she cannot go through with the marriage.

There were so many emotions to this love story, Spiros and his overdeveloped sense of honor where Phoebe was concerned to the point of letting love go and even lying about his feelings. He was so afraid he would be weak like his father as far as relationships went that he would go to any length not to become like his parents. Spiros fought his love and his need for Phoebe but in the end you will tear up at how he goes about proving his love and his desire to marry her.

As for Phoebe, one literally reads and watches her become a strong woman when she stands up to both families, forgives Dimitri for choosing another to marry, forgives the scandal that incurs due to Dimitri’s mistress, forgives Spiros for hurting and lying to her about his feelings. It’s truly an incredible love story as only Lucy Monroe can intensely pen.

Hero Hotness Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor♥♥
Weepy Factor♥♥

Back-Blurb:

Back in the Spaniard's Bed by Trish Morey

Leah left Alejandro Rodriguez because she'd overstepped the boundaries of a mistress and fallen in love! The Spaniard's arrogance angered her, but his touch ignited her. So when Alejandro storms back into her life, how can Leah deny him?
The S-Factor: Sensual and Sizzling

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ - BACK IN THE SPANIARD’S BED

Be prepared for a sensual journey based on blackmail and such a sexual need that defies all reason in Back in the Spaniard’s Bed by the extremely talented author, Trish Morey. It’s a journey that both troubled me at first and then swept me along with Alejandro and Leah.

Leah made an important decision months earlier when she walked away from her affair with the billionaire and impossibly sexy Alejandro Rodriguez because she loved him and knew it was only a matter of time until he replaced her in his bedroom. She was finally becoming independent and stronger. Now months later she’s faced with the man himself who is determined to have her back and then make her pay by dumping her. He holds all the cards because he’s aware her brother is in financial trouble and so he blackmails her into coming back to him and pays off her brother’s debt to the loan sharks. He’s like a drug to her and she can’t help herself. For that matter, neither of them can help themselves and can’t seem to get enough of each other.

Alejandro Rodriguez was probably one of the most sexy alphas I’ve read lately because of author Trish Morey’s description of the man himself. I swear, he was the devil in disguise and her description of him and his relationship with Leah, well lets just say it will have you thinking and dreaming about this hero. What I loved about his character was that he was so self assured until the rug was pulled out from under him and when he had to take a close look at himself, his feelings, their relationship in the past and as it stood in the present; very emotional indeed. It was an affair that was so incredible and entertaining to read, one I will remember for some time.

As for Leah, the emotion she had to hide, mainly her love for him, her feelings that she wasn’t good enough for him nor wife material plus the fact she had to endure the harshness of his sister, well have some tissue ready, you’ll need them. Leah’s feeling of being temporary and convenient and finally giving up difficult to read as well. However, in the end, Alejandro’s realization that he loved her, probably had always loved her redeemed him for me. Back in the Spaniard’s Bed plain and simply was magnifico!

Hero Hotness Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Weepy Factor♥♥♥

Reviewed by: Marilyn

THE SHEIKH’S FORBIDDEN VIRGIN – Kate Hewitt – The Royal House of Karedes

Author: Kate Hewitt

Line: Harlequin Presents / Mills and Boon Modern

Release month UK: July 2009/ North America: October 2009

The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

On her twenty-first birthday, Kalila is pledged to marry the King of Calista. But first she must be delivered to her husband-to-be. Scarred, sexy sheikh Prince Aarif, the king's brother, is sent to escort her. However, willful virgin Kalila tries to escape and Aarif has to catch her. In the desert heat his scorching desire for her ignites—a desire that is forbidden!—and Aarif claims Kalila's virginity, even though she can never be his!

When she walks up the aisle on the day of her wedding, Kalila's heart is in her mouth: who will be waiting at the altar to become her husband?


Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Kate Hewitt takes her readers on an extremely romantic journey through the desert in The Sheikh’s Forbidden Virgin. While reading this exciting adventure, an adventure it surely was, I actually felt like I was in Zaraq, in its markets, the palace and in a desert storm. As for Calista where Princess Kalila is to be wed, the same applied, the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, riding in the desert with the sun beating down and fantasizing of being with a rugged sheikh. The author succeeded in giving me my fantasy and then some.

Kalila had known from a very young age that she would have to marry the future king of Calista. An arranged marriage by her father and Zakari’s father. She had just finished college in London and now she has to return home and to her duty. She mourns the fact that both of her parents married for love and she wants the same for herself. But duty prevails and she must go through with it. She hasn’t seen her future husband since she was twelve years old. Now this future king is due to come and claim her in Zaraq. However, he doesn’t come, he sends his brother Arif who is a very rugged, handsome and aloof prince.

Arif is the brother everyone looks to, the protector and an extremely honourable prince. One immediately senses the attraction between Arif and Kalila, a forbidden one because of course nothing can come of it because she is soon to become the wife of his brother. Arif holds a lot inside, has dreams of a horrible kidnapping which ended in the result of one of his brothers disappearing, never to be found. However, he adores his country and family and is determined to take Kalila home to his brother.

Kalila resists the marriage and escapes by horseback and rides off into a dust storm the day they are to leave. She is confused because first of all she hasn’t heard from her bridegroom and she’s attracted to Arif. Of course Arif follows and they have to spend the night in the desert in a tent. They act on their attraction and in the morning Arif is furious with himself. He can’t believe he has betrayed his brother and the burden is heavy on his heart. However, Kalila is pleased it’s happened even though she’s lost her virginity and is to marry the King. She feels it was precious and sacred.

Once in Calista, still no King, no message and Kalila is more confused. She is lonely and misses her time with Arif. It was such a sad time for them both and really a sad time for this reader because once you read this wonderful book you will be cheering them on and hoping to see them together. Each time they meet or go sightseeing, it’s a battle for them both not to look or touch, it’s heartbreaking.

Kate Hewitt is such a talented author and this sheikh book was a little different from others I’ve read because I felt I could actually live the fantasy. It’s such a sweet romance, even though their emotions for each other were a little rocky at times. The Sheikh’s Forbidden Virgin was a wonderful addition to The Royal House of Karedes series. The author recently stated in an interview “I liked how star-crossed my lovers were – their situation seemed truly hopeless, and yet love prevailed – of course”! Kate Hewitt more than succeed with her goal.


Hero Hotness Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Weepy Factor♥♥

Reviewed by: Marilyn