Book Review: Seducing an Angel

Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh

Thoughts: How would you feel if the only reason for the romance starting up is that you need money or you will be left destitute (as well as your friends). So instead you find a man who is willing to pay you to be his mistress. But he is much more of a stand-up man so he won’t do it. He will give you the money but he won’t let you put yourself out that way.

It was nice to see “little” Stephen from the books about his sisters finally find the person he belonged with. I am really looking forward to what his cousin finds in a woman. She has to be someone special.

What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance

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Book Review: Start Me Up

Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl

Description: Lori had a chance to escape the small town that she has lived in her whole life. But she came back to help her father and hasn’t looked back since. She has reconnected with her old friend and her friend’s geeky (and yet incredibly cute) brother is back in her life.

Lori hasn’t been in a relationship in a while so what she wants more then anything is a no-strings attached relationship and Quinn is the perfect man for that. He always gets more involved with his work then the string of women that have paraded through his life. And he wants to get involved with her too.

But that isn’t everything that is going on in Lori’s life. It looks like her father was killed. Someone is creating havoc at her garage. And she is being contacted by people who will do anything to get some land that she was left by her father.


Thoughts: This is another of those romances that have hit the hot level. And I enjoyed it quite a bit (much like I loved the other Victoria Dahl book that I loved). The side story of the garage and Lori’s father was not something that I thought really needed to be a part of it. I was so concerned with the romance that I really didn’t concentrate on it all that much.

Despite this – the book is a quick read that you will love.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

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Book Review: Burning Wild

Burning Wild by Christine Feehan

Description: Jake Bannaconni is not a normal man. He has had a horrible childhood that has scarred him in ways that he never could have imagined. He trusts no one – not even his family. And with good reason. When he meets Emma Reynolds he knows she must be in his life no matter what. So he will stop at nothing to make that happen.

But the two have trust issues. And Jake has a large secret that a normal person won’t be able to handle.


Thoughts: More than a normal paranormal romance it has a touch of erotica. It is a hot romance that keeps you entertained. You feel for him in terms of his family and you want Emma to make him happy. You understand her need to not ruin their relationship as his child is her child and hers is his.

I love Christine Feehan but even more I like her romances. She gives them to you with unique stories. Usually they have had rough childhood. And their romancec with someone else saves them.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance

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Book Review: Black Hills

Black Hills by Nora Roberts

Description: Lil and Coop met when they were only 11 years old. Lil a farm girl who has had parents who loved and cared for her all her life. Coop a city boy who had been shipped off to stay with his grandparents for the summer. All he wants is to be back where he belongs – in the city. They bond that year as they realize they have more in common then they originally believed. Flash forward several years later when they are older and realize that their friendship has progressed. But things don’t work out for them as expected. Now they are in their 20’s and Coop is back to the farm and when someone starts threatening Lil he realize he will do whatever it takes to protect her (and win her back). Lil was hurt by Coop’s earlier defection and doesn’t want to open herself up once again. Can she?

Thoughts: Nora Roberts always delivers a book that will entertain. I love her series books because it allows me to get in touch with characters and see them through to the end. But these single story books are also a great read. You love the people in them or hate them – just as you should. The stories always end with a great love that was fated to be coming together.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

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Book Review: Under her Skin

Under her Skin by Susan Mallery

Description: Book one in the Titan sisters’ series. The Titan sisters have always had a bit of a thing with their father. He doesn’t seem to love or appreciate them. So they strive to get his attention. For Lexi Titan that meant opening up a spa on her own and making something of herself. When a mysterious loan finally comes due and almost means her losing her spa she will do anything to stop that from happening.

Cruz Rodriguez has the money but not the connections and he knows a Titan can give him those connections. When he finds out that Lexi needs something from him it is the perfect opening for a fake engagement. Their past has shown both of them that they have an attraction for one another, so this should work out great – right?

Thoughts: I have read the books out of order so I knew a little about what was going to happen in this one before it did. I can’t wait to see how they all end and they find out how good of a person their father (and the mysterious loan person) are. Right now they seem pretty darn evil.

In terms of this story in particular I enjoyed it. Cruz is a hard man. He ignores his daughter, has heart Lexi, but it is all because he just doesn’t know who to trust. And a woman that can teach him that he is worth everything in her life is important.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

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Book Review: Lip Service

Lip Service by Susan Mallery

Description: Her whole life Skye Titan has done what her father has wanted her to do. Whether it meant marry the man he wanted or take care of the house. That has left Skye in a mansion, widowed, with a child. When her old love returns to town Mitch Cassidy she can't deny her attraction to him.

But will her old man ruin this relationship for her a second time? What about the half brother who will do whatever it takes to bring her down? Can their love survive this time around?

Thoughts: This is my first read in this series (even though it is book 2) and I enjoyed it (and plan to go back to book 1 and read that). There is definitely more then what it seems going on with Skye's father and brother. What is going on there? Will her dad redeem himself? Is he really as evil as he seems? (I am starting to think so).

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

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Book Review: Bending the Rules

Bending the Rules by Susan Andersen

Description: Poppy Calloway isn't a rich girl trying to help out some underprivledged kids. She had a very special youth herself. When several children get in trouble for tagging the local businesses - Poppy can't help but take them under her wing.

Detective Jason de Sanges had a rough childhood. And he believes that you are what you do. And these kids are trouble. He can't convince Poppy to stay away from them. Can he realize the true reasons that Poppy does what she has? What happens when violence threatens her and the kids?

Thoughts: I liked the first book in this series and I like this one even more. It is a fun read. It is great to see how the kids redeem themselves both in their own eyes and those around them. Add to that the romance and this book will keep you entertained from start to finish.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

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Book Review: Lover Avenged

Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward

Description: Rehvenges is a sympath who has hidden amongst the other vampires for years. Few know his secret (for if he was found out he would be sent away to a special camp). One of those who knows his secret is Wrath the Blind King and leader of the Brotherhood.

When someone wants to kill Wrath - Rehv stops it. The Lessoning Society seems to be gaining power and they know they have to stop it. Meanwhile Rehv has met a woman that he thinks he can love - Ehlena. But if Ehlena knew who he really was (both a sympath and a drug selling nightclub owner) she would run far away from him. Rehv has his own secrets and has been selling his soul to keep them secrets.

The Lessoning Society needs to be stopped. But can they? What is going on with Wrath and his blindness? Do some of the old rules need to be changed?


Thoughts: As these books have progressed they have become more about the larger story - then the individual romances. I am not complaining - I like it. It allows you to become invested in characters you will see incoming novels. It makes it entertaining when you have a book like this at over 500 pages.

I enjoyed this book a lot and can't wait to see what is next in this series.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal with a touch of romance

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Book Review: Lavender Morning

Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux (Book one in Edilean Series)

Description: Jocelyn Minton had everything. Then one day her mother was taken away and she was left with a father who loved her but couldn't identify with her. Add to that evil stepsisters and stepmother and she was alone. Until she found Edilean Harcourt. Edilean was the grandmother she never had. She loved her and took care of her in ways no one had in years.

When one day Edilean dies of old age - she leaves Jocelyn a legacy. A house in the town that is named after her family. She also leaves Jocelyn the need to find out waht really happened - why did she leave? Why was she being financially supported by a man who didn't have to support her?

Thoughts: I love Jude Deveraux's historicals. They are some of my favorite books of all time. Now she seems to write mostly contemporary romances. And while they aren't all my favorites - they definitely have promise as well.

In this one it seemed quite predictable what was going on at least with the main character's romance. I knew who she should end up with - but then again it was written so that you would know if you paid attention at all. I enjoyed the flash back series of things going on with finding out the truth of what happened. It makes me sad that the two lovers were parted and didn't have a second chance at love.

I look forward to seeing what is next to come for Jocelyn's friends.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

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Book Review: All of Me

All of Me by Lori Wilde

Description: Jillian Samuels is an attorney who has had everything go wrong. She has quit her job and is moving to a small town to take control of a house that she was left by an old friend. What she doesn't know is there is someone already living there. Tuck Manning was an architect in his former life. Since losing his wife he has become mostly a home body. And this small town and the small cottage he has is the only thing that makes life still worth living. He can't believe when Jillian comes to town saying that it is HER house. He will definitely fight for it if he can.

But once they start to spend time together they realize that maybe being in a relationship will be better than arguing about who gets the house!


Thoughts: I liked it. It was a good romance. Both had been hurt before and where scared to let themselves open up to the chance at another romance. It was fun and flirty and yet had a touch of realism (a man who had loved and lost the woman of his dreams opening up for another one). I really enjoyed the older man who wanted to play matchmaker even though he had done wrong with his own daughter. It is a great fun summer read for anyone interested.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

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