Gianni (The Santinis #3) by Melissa Schroeder

Oh my! The Santini men just keep getting hotter.  Gianni Santini is a PJ in the Air Force stationed out of Valdosta, GA where he meets college professor Kianna Jones.  Kianna is older, curvy, and not looking for love with a man in any kind of uniform.  But Santini men never back down from a challenge and Gianni may just be in for the fight of his life.

This is a quick smoking hot read from one of my favorite authors.  Ms. Schroeder has intimate knowledge of the military and brings that realism to her stories.   

Gambling on Love by Nancy Fraser and Patti Shenberger

The Civil War is over and the 13th amendment has been passed. Now Felicity Beaumont is trying to get her father's illegally indentured workers north to St. Louis.  To do this she has sold off some of her deceased mothers silver and fripperies.  She chopped off her hair and dressed to look like a boy of 15 or 16.  She has arranged with Jake McCade, the owner of the gambling river boat to take them.  Unfortunately a storm tears up the boat and Felicity is knocked out.  This is when Jake finally realizes that the young man is indeed a rather striking young woman.  When Felicity’s father finds his daughter and his “property” missing he goes looking for them.  He catches up to them and has Jake arrested for theft and kidnapping.  He and Felicity are forced to marry or he will go to jail.  Can a marriage between a southern lady and a man who prefers the sights, sounds, and smells of a gambling boat work?  It will take Gambling on Love.

This is a smart, sexy historical novel.  Well told with a good feel for the times.  The chemistry between Jake and Felicity is fun romance at its best.  I stayed up late reading this because I just couldn't put it down.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book goes on sale May 20^th .  

Merger to Marriage (Boardrooms & Billionaires #2) by Addison Fox

In Tempting Acquisitions (Boardrooms & Billionaires #1) we met the McBride sisters and were treated to Keiras’ story.  Merger to Marriage is Mayson’s tale.  On the night of Keira and Nathan’s wedding an over-tired Mayson literally falls into the arms of Holt Turner.  She takes it as a sign and they enjoy a passionate one night stand.  She didn't expect to still be thinking of him six weeks later and she sure didn't expect to be pregnant, despite precautions, with his child.

Holt can’t get the girl he met at Nathan’s wedding out of his mind so when she shows up at a house party six weeks later he is thrilled to see her again.  He is less than thrilled that she is pregnant with his child.  He wants to do the right thing though he knows he isn’t the best husband material he proposes a merger for the good of the child.

Mayson doesn’t want to end up in a loveless marriage like her mother can they turn this merger to marriage?

This is a sweet sexy romance. The characters are sharp and interesting and you quickly become invested in their success.  Both Mayson and Holt will need to overcome their pasts to enjoy their future.  I look forward to Camryn’s adventures in The Billionaire's Demands (Boardrooms & Billionaires #3).

Burning Up the Rain (Hawaiian Heroes #4) by Cathryn Cade

It has been the blessing/curse of the Ho’omalu ohana (family) to serve as the protectors of the Hawaiian Islands.  They have served in this capacity for a long time in a lot of different ways.

Cousin Lalei Kai-Ho’omalu has come to Nawea for Daniel and Claire’s (Rolling in the Deep, Hawaiian Heroes #2) wedding.  She has always felt like the outsider in the closely knit family.  Her mother is a socialite widow whose financial stability has suffered in these rough times and she wants to Lalei to marry well so she can continue to live the she has become accustomed to it doesn’t really matter what Lalei wants.  Lalei has been the good daughter up to now but the man her mother wants her to marry makes her skin crawl. 

California Realtor Jack Nord played football with David, Daniel, and Malu and has come for the wedding.  He has seen Lalei at other Ho’omalu functions and thought she was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, also a bit stuck up.  When Lalei offers no strings sex he isn’t about to turn her down even though she is just using him to get rid of the guy her mother wants her to marry. 

While visiting Jack and Lalei learn that developers are trying to carve up Ho’omalu lands for a new resort and using unscrupulous means to do so.  So angered by this Lalei comes into her powers as a guardian and uses them to delay the developers while the rest of the family attempts to get an injunction against the developers. Jack finds himself falling for the Hawaiian warrior woman hidden inside Lalei.  But is he going to be able to handle a woman who can throw lightning? 

I adore this unique series.  Lots of hunky Hawaiian men, beautiful wahines, and exotic scenery.  This steamy installment has a lot going on not the least of which is Lalei growing into her skin as a person and a guardian.  I look forward to future  Hawaiian Heroes.

Marco (The Santinis #2) by Melissa Schroeder

Navy SEAL Marco is the “quiet one” of the Santini brothers.  Stationed in Hawaii he was lucky enough to find a cottage to rent instead of an apartment.  Even better his landlord is a curvy bombshell he has been attracted to but was hesitant about approaching until his brothers visit and start flirting with her.  He stakes his claim and makes his move.  Alana has lost her family and has been hurt by a gold digger ex.  This doesn’t leave her open to relationships but a Navy SEAL never backs down from a challenge and a Santini always gets his woman.

Le sigh.  Marco is an alpha male all the way.  And when he gets done being a neanderthal he is actually achingly sweet and sexy.  Bring on Gee.

Hot Ink (Inked in the Steel City Series #1) by Ranae Rose

Bank teller Mina feels 24 going on 40.  As guardian for her wheelchair bound 14 year old sister she doesn't get out much and can’t identify with her peers.  She meets sexy tattoo artist Eric when she decides to get a rather intricate tattoo.  He is nothing but professional while giving her the tattoo but when Mina’s best friend rising photographer offers to take pictures of some of the ink work as advertisement for the shop Mina and Eric end up in close quarters and the chemistry between them is obvious.  With some pushing from her bff Mina agrees to a date with Eric.  But will he still want to go out with her when he finds out that he can’t be her first priority?

I love that these characters are so real.  Mina is so strong but riddled with insecurity.  Eric is strong and sexy but not perfect either.  They are perfect for each other.  Hot Ink is a short book but it is filled with a terrific story with multiple sub plots.  It is well worth the read.  I do have one problem with it though.  The plot device to introduce the two is improbable given Mina’s character.  She wouldn't spend the money necessary for a tattoo especially one that involved.  But once you get past that…

A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses

A Witch's Handbook of Kisses and Curses

Nola Leary would have been content to stay in Kilcairy, Ireland, healing villagers at her family’s clinic with a mix of magic and modern medicine. But a series of ill-timed omens and a deathbed promise to her grandmother have sent her on a quest to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky, to secure her family’s magical potency for the next generation. Her supernatural task? To unearth four artifacts hidden by her grandfather before a rival magical family beats her to it.

Complication One: The artifacts are lost somewhere in vampire Jane Jameson’s occult bookshop. Complication Two: Her new neighbor Jed Trudeau keeps turning up half-naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn’t need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially since Jed’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard. Can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?

Coming May 28th