Tag: #romance

Book Review: Scandalous in a Kilt by Anna Durand

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

SCANDALOUS IN A KILT (Hot Scots #3) by Anna Durand is the third book in this contemporary romance series that had my emotions all over the place and that is what I always hope for when reading a romance. I was happy, sad, understanding, mad, frustrated and completely satisfied right along with each main character. Ms. Durand made Rory and Emery come to life!

Emery Granger has been downsized. As a last hoorah before she has to make decisions regarding her future, she takes off to New Orleans to forget her problems for a weekend. Sitting at the hotel bar, fresh off the plane, Emery is approached by a gorgeous, hot Scot in a kilt with a proposition.

Rory MacTaggart is in New Orleans on business. A successful Scottish solicitor by day, he has had no luck at love. After surviving three failed marriages, he no longer believes in love. Seeing his brothers’ wedded bliss with their American wives, he decides after his night with Emery to offer her a contracted marriage with many rules, but no emotions.

As free-spirited Emery adjusts to her new life in Scotland, her new husband and all of his rules, she begins to discover the true Rory hidden behind the hardened shell of hurt around his heart. Their relationship is passionate, but can she break through and help Rory to love again?

The premise of this romance is not new, but Emery and Rory make it exceptional. I love how Emery knows herself and what is truly of value in life. Even as she takes some emotional knocks at she tries to get through to Rory, she is not a doormat. Rory is successful, hot and so lonely. I believe Ms. Durand very successfully portrayed a man hurt to the extreme, but who is willing to slowly learn to love and trust again with the right person.

As in all of this series, the sex is explicit and smokin’ hot, but I did not feel it was gratuitous. The relationship rules and breakdown of those rules fit into their growing relationship realistically. This book can be read as a standalone, but I feel you will want to read about the other two brothers and their American wives, too. I have enjoyed this whole series, but Emery and Rory have stolen my heart and are now my favorites!

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.

Book Review: The Viscount and the Vicar’s Daughter by Mimi Matthews

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

THE VISCOUNT AND THE VICAR’S DAUGHTER by Mimi Matthews is the second historical romance I have read and reviewed by this author and it will not be the last. Ms. Matthews sets her romances in Victorian England. They are beautifully written and era appropriate. The plots are character driven with no sex, but swoon worthy romance.

Tristan Sinclair, Viscount St. Ashton is world weary. Years of drinking, gambling and evading the responsibilities of his station have left him with the reputation as a rake and scoundrel beyond redemption. He has made his way to a notorious house party in Yorkshire to escape into drink as the Christmas season approaches, but his father has sent word that he will meet him there for a discussion of his future.

Valentine March is alone in the world and accepts a new position as a lady’s companion. The daughter of a vicar, she is very innocent and does not realize the type of house party she is attending.

When Valentine and Tristan meet, Valentine knows nothing of Tristan and his reputation. When she finds out what others say of him, she vows to avoid him and keep to herself, but one foolish encounter binds them together. As Valentine gets to know Tristan, she realizes that he wishes to be more than his reputation. As Tristan gets to know Valentine, she inspires him with her belief and trust, but she has a secret in her past that she believes makes her unworthy of him. Can these two find happiness together or will their pasts separate them?

The plot may be like others in this genre, but Ms. Matthews brings her characters to life on the page and so it feels completely unique. Tristan and Valentine both have pasts that make them feel lost and alone. They find each other at just the right time. Tristan needs Valentine’s belief in him and Valentine needs Tristan’s love and acceptance. The romance develops at a steady pace and the dialogue is witty and believable. The description of travel, dress and mores demonstrates the author’s exceptional knowledge of the time period.

I am looking forward to reading many more Victorian romance books by Ms. Matthews!

Book Review: Heat by Lisa Carlisle

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

HEAT (Underground Encounters Book 5) by Lisa Carlisle is a fast paced novella that returns the reader to the hot and steamy paranormal romance world of VAMPS. All types of paranormal creatures are drawn to VAMPS and this novella features a gorgeous gargoyle shifter.

Tracy is a bartender at VAMPS who has overcome an abusive relationship. She has taken out an order of protection, taken self-defense classes and now focuses her personal life on attending college and spending time with her little brother when not working at VAMPS. Through all her troubles, Tracy has confided everything to the gargoyle statue by the bar. She does not know why she is drawn to the statue, but she considers it an old friend.

Danton is a powerful gargoyle shifter who transforms into human form to protect people in danger, but especially Tracy. He anxiously awaits her shifts at the club and yearns for her as a man. When Tracy’s ex shows up drunk and attacks her, Danton comes to life. Due to a curse, he only has twenty four hours in his human form to convince Tracy to spend the time with him and possibly more?

This novella has Tracy and Danton instantly attracted and having sex. There is a twenty four hour time limit and it is a novella, so it calls for a quick hook-up, but based on Tracy’s past with abuse, I felt very uncomfortable with her decision. The author does take you through Tracy’s thought process and explains her feelings, but I feel it would have made a better novel length story with the topic of abuse. Tracy and Danton are well written for the shortness of the story and I really did like them. As always in this series, Ms. Carlisle’s sex scenes are smokin’ hot and steamy and a new paranormal lover appears in each with interesting world-building and backstory.

I will be looking forward to more stories coming out of VAMPS and the Underground Encounter series.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.

Book Review: The Lieutenants’ Online Love by Caro Carson

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

THE LIEUTENANTS’ ONLINE LOVE by Caro Carson is a sweet contemporary military romance with no sex, romantic relationship build-up, misunderstandings and realistic dialogue both online and face-to-face.

Lieutenant Chloe Michaels is ready for her first posting in the military police company at Fort Hood. She has focused on this day through her years at West Point and never had the time for a real romance, but she does have an anonymous friend online, Different Drummer. Matched through a website that only allows messages and texts, no pictures, they have been friends for 8 months as Chloe has moved across the country training. She values their friendship and Drummer’s advice as they grow closer and closer. She especially values him as her real life work colleague, Thane Carter proves difficult.

First Lieutenant Thane Carter is at the height of his success as senior platoon leader of his military police company. His love life is not on the same track. His does not want to play the field and wants a real relationship with someone to share his life permanently. He may not have a real-life girlfriend, but he does have Ballerina Baby online.

From the beginning of her new posting, Chloe and Thane each wish the other could be more like their online friend and less irritating. When the two decide to meet, Thane learns that his Ballerina Baby is Chloe. Now, he has to wrap his mind and emotions around the fact that his online love is at the desk right next to him at work and fraternization could lead to them being kicked out of the job and service they both love.

Even though the plot is not new, the addition of the military ramifications gave it an interesting twist. The story is fast paced and easy to read. I feel the author’s writing shines in her dialogue, especially the contrast between their online and real life interactions. I feel it was very realistic and it kept me entertained as well as engaged throughout the book. Chloe and Thane made me cheer for their HEA. (There may have even been a happy tear in my eye at the ending.)

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.

Book Review: Scent of the Jaguar by S.E. Gilchrist

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

SCENT OF THE JAGUAR (Deadly Forces #2) by S.E. Gilchrist had me on another action packed romantic suspense adventure in the steaming Amazon jungle. This book features Kitarna Ashford’s older sister, Bernie and the other band of passengers from their downed plane being hunted by mercenaries through the deadly jungle.

Bernadette “Bernie” Ashford is an archeologist on her way with her botanist sister to a new dig that could turn into an important major discovery. Before they make it to the site, the sister are warned through a static filled call from their father that their lives are in danger from “El Jaguar” and to leave the area immediately. As they are flying away over the vast jungle, Bernie realizes that the plane is too low and they are suddenly told to brace for a crash landing.

Zane MacIntosh was on a previous dig with Bernie and mysteriously disappeared the same day as a valuable artifact. Bernie cannot believe he is on the plane and is suspicious of his motives. She is sitting with Zane and his mother as the plane goes down. She gets a brief glimpse of her sister after the crash, but they get separated as the two groups flee from the mercenaries chasing them.

Zane and Bernie work together to get their group to safety. As they are being chased by mercenaries, they are also vulnerable to all the dangers of the Amazon. The heat, humidity, native bugs, reptiles and animals all add to the misery and despair as the group tries to survive. As Zane and Bernie learn to trust one another, they wonder if there is a traitor in their little group? Bernie keeps praying that Kit has survived and Zane’s mother seems to be more than a retired school teacher.

This is a suspenseful and action packed read that sets a fast pace with an ever increasing threat to the survivors. Zane and Bernie were well written, resourceful and realistic main characters. Zane’s mother was a surprise and an intriguing addition. The sex scenes fit well in the story. This is the second book in this duet of stories and can be read as a standalone, but if you are interested in the first book it is Beat of the Jungle by Erin Moira O’Hara. Both are excellent reads.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.

Book Review: Wicked Envy by Sawyer Bennett

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

WICKED ENVY (The Wicked Horse Vegas, #3) by Sawyer Bennett should be read using oven mitts! This is a menage-between-friends scorcher with a sizzling romance story and the extra benefit of mind-blowing sex throughout. This is definitely a keeper to read over and over on cold winter nights, or rainy spring nights, or in an air-conditioned summer bedroom at night, or on a crisp fall night with a cool breeze blowing in the windows.

Dane Hawthorne is a brilliant entrepreneur. After being raised in the foster care system, he starts his own biotech company that is worth millions and is on the brink of an invention that will change medical testing forever. In college, he met his two best friends, Avril and Andrew. The three are inseparable. Dane brings Avril into his company as the CFO and Andrew as the head of scientific development. Seventeen years after meeting, with all of life’s ups and downs, they are still together.

Avril Carrigan walks in on her finance with another woman in their bed. After listening in on Dane, who is a long time member at The Wicked Horse trying to get Andrew to the club, Avril decides that that is just what she needs to get over her anger and hurt. She wants to let loose and The Wicked Horse sounds like the perfect place.

As the three experience the debauchery at The Wicked Horse individually, they soon realize they want to experience it with each other, but that is crossing a huge line that could affect their long standing friendships forever.

I love that this story is told in all three POVs because each friend brings a different personal reality to the relationship. The friends have a strong bond that changes and matures as the sexual and romantic relationships grow. Ms. Bennett surprised me with the two that become a romantic couple. She handled the other friend’s leaving the sexual menage with compassion and wisdom on his part. The sex in this book is explicit, kinky and frank. This is my favorite Wicked Horse Vegas book to date and I am looking forward to many more.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.