Books 7-11
7. "Pick Me Up" by Samantha Hunter. Back of the book: "Only a very wicked woman would stop for a hitchhiking cowboy. But Lauren Baker is no good girl-not anymore. Playing it safe never got her anywhere, except alone and broke. So when sexy Brett Wallace asks for a ride to a nearby hotel, she knows it’s time to get naughty.
Betrayed by both his bride and best man, Brett’s bad day turns much better when a gorgeous stranger offers to warm his bed for the night. The mind-blowing sex makes him forget everything but luscious Lauren’s body.
The morning after, instead of a “thank-you, ma’am” from Brett, Lauren gets an invitation to his ranch…for as long as it’s mutually satisfying. And that’s a proposition no self-respecting bad girl could refuse…"
Oh, Harlequin, your descriptions slay me. In any case, I really enjoyed this book. It's part of Harlequin's Blaze series, this particular one under the heading of "Forbidden Fantasies." Steamy content aside, it was well-written, although some of the circumstances were a little improbable. But that's what makes this a fantasy romance. I felt like I got to know the characters in the book, which is one of the most important things in this type of book, at least to me. Seriously. I mean it!
8. "A Blazing Little Christmas" by by Jacquie D'Alessandro, Joanne Rock, and Kathleen O'Reilly. This was a trilogy from three different Harlequin Blaze authors. Description from Amazon.com: "Holiday Inn Bed" by Jacquie D'Alessandro. When Eric and Jessica decide to spice up their Christmas engagement, they play out their favorite fantasy - Do Not Disturb. They'll be a little tied up for the weekend in their private hotel room…
"His for the Holidays" by Joanne Rock. Watch out - Heather Dillinger and Jared Murphy are back in the sack for some holiday sex! And this time they find that sweet revenge makes their reunion the hottest gift they never expected…
"Dear Santa…" by Kathleen O'Reilly. When a secret Santa invites Rebecca Neumann for a holiday getaway, she jumps at the chance. And when a sexy blast from her past appears, she's tempted to jump him, too…."
Obviously I was on a bit of a Harlequin Blaze kick here. This one was fun to read even though Christmas is over. I thought the best of the three was the first one by Jacquie D'Alessandro.
9. "Home to Holly springs" by Jan Karon. From bookreporter.com: "Although popular novelist Jan Karon has finished her Mitford series, everyone’s favorite Episcopal priest is back in HOME TO HOLLY SPRINGS, her first installment of the Father Tim Novels.
Throughout the Mitford series, Karon dropped clues about Father Tim Kavanagh’s childhood and his occasional bouts of depression that seemed tied to his conflicted view of his father. Now, Father Tim receives a mysterious unsigned note that reads only “Come home.” The note serves as the plot trigger that sends Father Tim back to his past and helps him resolve a host of personal issues."
I took a break from Harlequin and did a complete 180 by taking a journey back to Father Tim's world. Tim makes a solo trip back to his childhood home in response to the note that he gets. He takes along his dog, Barnabas, because his wife has broken her ankle and can't make the drive. One he arrives back in Holly Springs, Father Tim sets out to find out where his mysterious note came from, and why he got it. He meets up with a few people from his past, and re-visits a lot of personal ghosts in flashbacks. He does finally get to the bottom of the note, with very surprising results.
I loved, loved, loved the Mitford series, and I loved this book, too. I was so glad to hear Jan Karon was continuing a new series with Father Tim and many of the supporting characters in his life. The characters were familiar and endearing, and Karon's descriptions of southern living were wonderful. The best way I can explain how I feel when I read these books is that they are comforting even when my life is stressful, and I am always disappointed when they end. This book made me feel exactly that same way, and I can't wait for the next one.
10. "Just A Taste" by Deirdre Martin. Summary from her website/back of the book: "Since his wife’s untimely death, Anthony Dante has thrown himself into his cooking, making his restaurant, Dante’s, a Brooklyn institution. So far, his biggest problem has been keeping his retired hockey star brother out of the kitchen. But now, a mademoiselle is invading his turf. And you know what they say: too many chefs spoil the neighborhood.
Stunning Vivi Robitaille can't wait to showcase her tastebud-tingling recipes in her brand new bistro, Vivi’s. Her only problem is an arrogant Italian chef across the street who actually thinks he’s competition. The table is set for a culinary war until things start getting spicy outside of the kitchen..."
This was a straightforward, modern romance story which I think is probably one of Deirdre's best books yet. The story flowed really well, and I enjoyed seeing the relationship build between Anthony and Vivi. Anthony Dante was a supporting character in one of Deirdre's other books, and I always love it when authors connect their characters in a different book. Deirdre is a master at doing that.
11. "Sealed with a Kiss" by Carly Phillips. Description from her website/back of the book: "Molly Gifford has it all - a hot legal career and Daniel Hunter, her equally hot boyfriend. But what she desperately needs is a family - her family. So, when she discovers her real father, she doesn't hesitate to pack her bags and go to him. Even though it means leaving the man she loves behind...
A year later, Daniel Hunter's still trying to get on with his life. That is, until Molly shows up at his door, begging for his help. Her newfound father is under arrest for murder, and Hunter's the only attorney in the area with the skill and reputation to get him off.
Hunter can't resist helping an innocent man. And, unfortunately, he still can't resist Molly. But this time, he'll be the one walking away-even though it'll break both their hearts to do it..."
Another great romance, and second in a series of books about childhood friends Hunter, Ty and Lacey. This one focuses on Hunter's story, picking up where "Cross My Heart" left off. I think this book was better than that one, actually. For whatever reason, I connected with Molly and Hunter more than Ty and Lacey, and I had trouble putting this book down. Both Molly and Hunter had difficult childhoods and were struggling for both acceptance and love. Their paths to finding both involved figuring out how to make themselves whole and repairing relationships in each of their lives. A very good read.
Betrayed by both his bride and best man, Brett’s bad day turns much better when a gorgeous stranger offers to warm his bed for the night. The mind-blowing sex makes him forget everything but luscious Lauren’s body.
The morning after, instead of a “thank-you, ma’am” from Brett, Lauren gets an invitation to his ranch…for as long as it’s mutually satisfying. And that’s a proposition no self-respecting bad girl could refuse…"
Oh, Harlequin, your descriptions slay me. In any case, I really enjoyed this book. It's part of Harlequin's Blaze series, this particular one under the heading of "Forbidden Fantasies." Steamy content aside, it was well-written, although some of the circumstances were a little improbable. But that's what makes this a fantasy romance. I felt like I got to know the characters in the book, which is one of the most important things in this type of book, at least to me. Seriously. I mean it!
8. "A Blazing Little Christmas" by by Jacquie D'Alessandro, Joanne Rock, and Kathleen O'Reilly. This was a trilogy from three different Harlequin Blaze authors. Description from Amazon.com: "Holiday Inn Bed" by Jacquie D'Alessandro. When Eric and Jessica decide to spice up their Christmas engagement, they play out their favorite fantasy - Do Not Disturb. They'll be a little tied up for the weekend in their private hotel room…
"His for the Holidays" by Joanne Rock. Watch out - Heather Dillinger and Jared Murphy are back in the sack for some holiday sex! And this time they find that sweet revenge makes their reunion the hottest gift they never expected…
"Dear Santa…" by Kathleen O'Reilly. When a secret Santa invites Rebecca Neumann for a holiday getaway, she jumps at the chance. And when a sexy blast from her past appears, she's tempted to jump him, too…."
Obviously I was on a bit of a Harlequin Blaze kick here. This one was fun to read even though Christmas is over. I thought the best of the three was the first one by Jacquie D'Alessandro.
9. "Home to Holly springs" by Jan Karon. From bookreporter.com: "Although popular novelist Jan Karon has finished her Mitford series, everyone’s favorite Episcopal priest is back in HOME TO HOLLY SPRINGS, her first installment of the Father Tim Novels.
Throughout the Mitford series, Karon dropped clues about Father Tim Kavanagh’s childhood and his occasional bouts of depression that seemed tied to his conflicted view of his father. Now, Father Tim receives a mysterious unsigned note that reads only “Come home.” The note serves as the plot trigger that sends Father Tim back to his past and helps him resolve a host of personal issues."
I took a break from Harlequin and did a complete 180 by taking a journey back to Father Tim's world. Tim makes a solo trip back to his childhood home in response to the note that he gets. He takes along his dog, Barnabas, because his wife has broken her ankle and can't make the drive. One he arrives back in Holly Springs, Father Tim sets out to find out where his mysterious note came from, and why he got it. He meets up with a few people from his past, and re-visits a lot of personal ghosts in flashbacks. He does finally get to the bottom of the note, with very surprising results.
I loved, loved, loved the Mitford series, and I loved this book, too. I was so glad to hear Jan Karon was continuing a new series with Father Tim and many of the supporting characters in his life. The characters were familiar and endearing, and Karon's descriptions of southern living were wonderful. The best way I can explain how I feel when I read these books is that they are comforting even when my life is stressful, and I am always disappointed when they end. This book made me feel exactly that same way, and I can't wait for the next one.
10. "Just A Taste" by Deirdre Martin. Summary from her website/back of the book: "Since his wife’s untimely death, Anthony Dante has thrown himself into his cooking, making his restaurant, Dante’s, a Brooklyn institution. So far, his biggest problem has been keeping his retired hockey star brother out of the kitchen. But now, a mademoiselle is invading his turf. And you know what they say: too many chefs spoil the neighborhood.
Stunning Vivi Robitaille can't wait to showcase her tastebud-tingling recipes in her brand new bistro, Vivi’s. Her only problem is an arrogant Italian chef across the street who actually thinks he’s competition. The table is set for a culinary war until things start getting spicy outside of the kitchen..."
This was a straightforward, modern romance story which I think is probably one of Deirdre's best books yet. The story flowed really well, and I enjoyed seeing the relationship build between Anthony and Vivi. Anthony Dante was a supporting character in one of Deirdre's other books, and I always love it when authors connect their characters in a different book. Deirdre is a master at doing that.
11. "Sealed with a Kiss" by Carly Phillips. Description from her website/back of the book: "Molly Gifford has it all - a hot legal career and Daniel Hunter, her equally hot boyfriend. But what she desperately needs is a family - her family. So, when she discovers her real father, she doesn't hesitate to pack her bags and go to him. Even though it means leaving the man she loves behind...
A year later, Daniel Hunter's still trying to get on with his life. That is, until Molly shows up at his door, begging for his help. Her newfound father is under arrest for murder, and Hunter's the only attorney in the area with the skill and reputation to get him off.
Hunter can't resist helping an innocent man. And, unfortunately, he still can't resist Molly. But this time, he'll be the one walking away-even though it'll break both their hearts to do it..."
Another great romance, and second in a series of books about childhood friends Hunter, Ty and Lacey. This one focuses on Hunter's story, picking up where "Cross My Heart" left off. I think this book was better than that one, actually. For whatever reason, I connected with Molly and Hunter more than Ty and Lacey, and I had trouble putting this book down. Both Molly and Hunter had difficult childhoods and were struggling for both acceptance and love. Their paths to finding both involved figuring out how to make themselves whole and repairing relationships in each of their lives. A very good read.