Lothaire (Immortals After Dark #12) by Kresley Cole

Just finished re-reading Lothaire (Immortals After Dark #12) by Kresley Cole in preparation for Shadow's Claim (The Dacians: Realm of Blood and Mist #1) the spin off of the IAD series. This is what I had to say the first time I read it:

This is the IAD book we have been waiting for. Lothaire is an evil vampire. A chaotic neutral (in it for himself and evil is easier) we have seen glimpses of him in previous IAD books. So who do you pair up with a guy who has made back-stabbing into an art form? What being does the Lore consider the lowest form of life on earth? Besides nymphs? Right, humans. Kresley Cole gets even with Bad Vamp Lothaire by giving him a human bride. This may be the best IAD yet. Now if we could only get Nix set up.

Still loved it.  Maybe even more this time around.

Bed, Breakfast, and Bondage by Riley Shane

Despite the title what this boils down to is a holiday romance with erotic elements.  Very light bondage.

Devlin left Emerald Valley and Naya to pursue his dream of becoming a famous chef.  Mission accomplished but has it made him happy?  Naya stayed and opened a B&B with her best friend who just happens to be Devlin’s sister in-law.  Devlin offers to help out when Naya is short handed in the kitchen but when things start to heat up Naya wants to protect her heart.  Devlin asks for a chance to see if they can’t work things out.  If, at the end of their time together, Naya still believes they can't make a relationship work, the two of them will part -- for good. It's a bargain Naya can't resist, even though she fears it will end in heartbreak.  Will they get a Hanukkah miracle?

I loved this story.  Very sweet and sensuous.  

Mr. Wham Bam by Alexandra O'Hurley

I won this book by new to me author Alexandra O'Hurley from The Romance Reviews Year End Splash party.  It was a quick enjoyable read and I shall look for more books by Ms. O'Hurley in the future.

Kensington Clarke is focused on her career.  She is tempted by the delicious Jace Briarfield but she isn't ready to be a notch on Mr. Wham, Bam, Thank You, Ma’am’s bedpost.  One night while out on a rare girls night out she finds herself tipsily texting Jace.  She figures he might be just what she needs after all he isn't about to get serious about her and she has an itch that needs scratching.  Jace on the other hand is intrigued by the woman who isn't falling at his feet.  He knows she finds him attractive as he has caught her checking him out but she hasn't responded to his flirting.  Jace has never had to chase a woman before and it is a wake-up call.  Can he turn a one night stand into a relationship with a woman as commitment phobic as he was?

I enjoyed the shoe on the other foot aspect of this story and I love that Kensington was shaped like a real woman.

Notorious Nineteen (Stephanie Plum) by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum is back and just as hilarious as ever.  When I need a real giggle I check in with Stephanie and company.  I've even got my husband hooked on this series, although I have discovered we laugh at different things.  So, something for everyone.

Embezzler Geoffrey Cubbin has skipped and it is up to Stephanie to find him and bring him in.  The question is how did he skip in the first place?  He was in a hospital after having an appendectomy when he suddenly just up and left.  When she isn't looking for Geoffrey Stephanie is carting around a tiki and making extra cash by guarding Ranger?

Again this book had me rolling.  Laugh out loud funny.  I read it in one sitting.

Red Zone (Daniels Brothers #2) by Sherri Hayes

 Romantic suspense.  This the second Daniels Brothers story can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed this one even more than the first. 

Gage Daniels is a professional football player.  He has been getting pictures from a stalker and his boss wants him protected.  Enter FBI Agent Rebecca Carson.  Rebecca is on administrative leave after a case went down badly.  She is going stir crazy so when her former mentor (now in the private sector) offers her a job she jumps at the chance.  Gage is nothing like her preconceived notion and Rebecca is unlike any woman Gage has ever known.  Posing as Gages' girlfriend can be dangerous to both her body and her heart.

This mystery will keep you guessing and the sizzle between Gage and Rebecca will keep you turning pages.  I read this book in one sitting.  I couldn't put it down.  

Holiday interruptions

With family and friends and cooking and cleaning and all that goes with this time of year I've been afraid to read anything new.  I've been re-reading Melissa Schroeder's A Little Harmless series to take me away from the craziness that is the holidays.  Should be back to normal tomorrow.

Behind Closed Doors (Daniels Brothers #1) by Sherri Hayes

Romantic suspense.  Elizabeth Marshall is starting over.  She has left all she knows to begin again in small town Ohio.  She’s rented the second floor apartment in a historic home.  Her upstairs neighbor is contractor Chris Daniels.  He has been burnt by a cheating wife and wants nothing to do with women even if they are as sexy as his new neighbor.  When Elizabeth’s apartment is vandalized and she starts receiving threats the big guy just can’t help himself from taking her under his wing and protecting her.  Can he get past his past and help Elizabeth start over again?

This was a fun mystery and love story although there were times I wanted to slap each of the lead characters and say “get over it already”.

Slow Heat (Pacific Heat #2) by Jill Shalvis

A stalker claims she is carrying Pacific Heat catcher and ladies’ man Wade O'Riley's love child.  She isn't but after the drug scandal (Pacific Heat #1) and rumors of Wades licentious lifestyle the front office wants Wades reputation cleaned up and it’s up to  the team's publicist Samantha McNead to make it happen so she is going to be his “pretend” girlfriend for a month proving to the world that he can have a committed relationship.  The problem is they have a past.  There was a one night stand after an away game and neither have been able to truly get past it.  Can the uptight PR pro tame the laid back ladies’ man?

Another home run for Ms. Shalvis. I was disappointed to find that there are no more books in this series.  I hope that Ms. Shalvis returns to the men of the Pacific Heat someday.

Double Play (Pacific Heat #1) by Jill Shalvis

Since reading Jill Shalvis’s Lucky Harbor series I've been digging up whatever I could find from her backlist and came up with this gem.  I love sports romance stories anyway and this has Ms. Shalvis’s trademark humor and romance all over it.  Another fun read.

Pace Martin, top ranked pitcher for the Pacific Heat baseball team is under a lot of pressure to get this young team into contention for the playoffs.  Management wants good publicity so they grant investigative reporter Holly Hutchins access to the team and players including Pace.  Holly is an expert at digging out secrets.  Everybody has them right?  Holly’s innate honesty and dedication to her job has cost her personally before.  She finds herself crushing on Pace but cannot let that influence her reporting.  Pace’s reluctance to grant her an interview doesn't keep Holly from reporting her findings on his team and his sport.  The attraction between the two is downright combustible.  

Blooming in the Wild (Hawaiian Heroes #3) by Cathryn Cade

Romantic suspense with a paranormal twist.  I truly believe that this may just be the best of this series so far. 

 

Bella Moran recently discovered that she is a member of the Ho’omalu ohana and is discovering she may also have the Ho’omalu connection to the islands.  She is on Hawaii’s Big Island to supervise a photo shoot for her sporting goods company.  The center of the photo shoot is TV adventure show star Joel Girand.  The chemistry between the two is volatile and fun to watch.  They are tried and tested when strange things happen while on location.  Can Bella find strength in her heritage and will Joel finally figure out what it is to love? 

I love the location and mystery of this series and hope that Ms. Cade finds a way to continue it beyond the three girlfriends.  I for one would like to see Frank and or Zane find their others.

Red Hot Holiday by K.A. Mitchell, Leah Braemel, & Anne Calhoun

Three hot holiday stories to get you in the mood.
 
Wish List by K.A. Mitchell (m/m) – Jonah and Evan have been lovers for two years when Jonah finds a ring box in Evan’s desk.  He panics when he thinks Evan wants to marry him.  He loves Evan but he has these fantasies that he wants to try and he is afraid that if he tells Evan he might not want him.  Evan is hiding his own desires.  Can these two lovers find the strength to talk things out and maybe get more than just their Christmas wish?
I Need You for Christmas by Leah Braemel – (m/f) What would you give up for the one you love?  In a modern sexy story reminiscent of The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry we have a Canadian Mountie in love with a sculptor.  Ryan and Megan fell in love only to be forced into a long distance relationship by career and family responsibilities.  What if anything will these lovers give to be together?
Breath on Embers by Annie Calhoun – (m/f & m/f/m) The holidays suck when you've lost a loved one.  In a relationship where Thea started out by using Ronan for sex and to forget the pain of losing her husband Ronan wants more.  He wants Thea in the here and now to see if they can explore what has become more (to him) than just sex.  Can Thea get into the Christmas spirit and live again?

I enjoyed all three stories.  They drove home to me the importance of communication in a relationship. My husband will probably benefit from that.  But aside from that you can feel the love running through all three stories and the sex scenes weren't bad either.  Go get a glass of wine, a warm blanket and curl up in front of the tree and enjoy these three tales of Christmas love.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Carina Press for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Grey Wolves series by Quinn Loftis

Okay, so I devoured Prince of Wolves and so I just had to read the next which led to reading the next and I've now read all the The Grey Wolves series by Quinn Loftis to date.  I love the snark and camaraderie this is a really enjoyable YA fantasy.  Now I have to wait for book six.

Prince of Wolves

Blood Rites

Just One Drop

Out Of The Dark 

Beyond the Veil 

Prince of Wolves (The Grey Wolves #1) by Quinn Loftis

Just when I was going to swear off YA for good I read this totally adorable YA PNR.  Now I need to read the next book. 

Jaque Pierce and her friends are getting ready to enter their senior year in high school when a hottie exchange student moves next door.  The next thing you know Jaque is hearing him talk in her head and she and her friends are learning that there are things that go bump in the night.  

For a Good Time, Call... by Trish Jensen

When Sherry Spencer, advertising whiz, receives a twenty dollar bill in her change with “for a good time, call Kit...” written on it she gives it a call if only to let Kit know that her phone # is out there.  Turns out Kit is Christian “Kit” Fleming, definitely not a her.  He isn't thrilled when he finds out about the bill and demands Sherry tear it up.  But twenty bucks is twenty bucks and she offers to meet and swap it out with him.  When they meet he recognizes the scent of her shampoo and mentions it.  She explains she is trying it out as she has to pitch an ad campaign to the company that makes it. She is less than complimentary when she speaks of the product.  Turns out Kit is the guy she needs to pitch to.

Sherry thinks Kit is a sexy uptight stick in the mud.  Kit thinks Sherry is a perky pain in the butt.  Working together on the ad campaign Kit learns that Sherry knows her stuff and isn't a “yes man” type of gal.  Sherry learns that Kit has his reasons for being a “stick in the mud”.  Can the two meet in the middle and find happiness? 

I adored this story.  Mostly because Sherry is smart, sexy, and comfortable in her own skin.  She knows what she wants and doesn't settle.  Kit isn't as far from redemption as he thinks he is.  This is a wonderfully sweet and funny romance. 

I’d like to thank Bell Bridge Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for a fair and honest review.  

Game Misconduct (The Dartmouth Cobras #1) by Bianca Sommerland

Erotic polyamorous romance with a lot of hunky hockey players this book should have hit all my buttons and it did. 

Oriana has spent her life trying to make Daddy happy.  He hasn’t been the same since her drunken mother wrecked the car killing herself and Oriana’s sainted older brother.  Dad has poured himself into the Dartmouth Cobras hockey team in memory.  He has pretty much sold Oriana to the coach despite the fact she has been in love with Max, one of the players, for years.  When Oriana finds the coach cheating on her and her father says suck it up or I’ll cut you off she says enough.  What starts as a way to blackmail her dad ends up being an ongoing D/s relationship with Max and some of the other Cobras.

The only real problem I had with this book was the authors unfortunate tendency to switch back and forth between the players first and last names and when there are that many guys you can get confused quickly.

Cowboy Sexy by Donna Michaels

Cowboys, Navy SEALs, Marines this book has it all.  Wounded former Navy SEAL Finn has to go into town to pick up his birthday present from his twin Brett, a Marine Captain.  Finn isn't too fond of the Marine Corps.  He feels they took the life of his dad and he got injured bad enough to be kicked out of the Navy rescuing a young hot-shot Marine.  So when the present from his brother turns out to be Marine 1^st Lt. Camilla (Cammie) Walker he is understandably upset.  Cammie was asked by Brett to help on the family’s dude ranch till he returned in three months.  When Finn and Cammie find out that Brett told their mother that Cammie was Finn’s fiancé she is delighted.  Finn and Cammie not so much.  Sparks fly, chemistry ignites and lost souls heal.

Despite its improbable beginning if you check your brain and enjoy the ride this is a really sweet often funny story.  I enjoyed it right up to the open ended end.

Double Time (Sinners on Tour #5) by Olivia Cunning

After waiting a long time for the next Sinners on Tour the publisher released book 5 before books 3 and 4.  I have no idea why.  It was nice to have Jace & Aggie confirmed and a relief to know that there is someone out there for Eric (gives hope to the rest of us) and I look forward to reading their stories. 

Double Time is Trey’s story.  Trey is bi and the only person he has ever loved outside his family is Brian.  Now that Brian is married to Myrna and she is expecting Trey knows it is time to move on.  Trey is hanging out at his brother Dares house when Dares band is interviewing for a new guitarist.  Reagan Elliot is interviewing for the job.  She is a classically trained musician who thinks Brian Sinclair of the Sinners is a guitar god.  She is almost as good as he is and is hired as Exodus End’s new rhythm guitarist.  The chemistry between Reagan and Trey is apparent from the start but she has been burned before.  She used to date her best friend and roomie Ethan before she found him having sex with another guy.  When Trey and Ethan meet there is attraction as well and eventually he can’t deny it.  Will Trey come clean to Reagan about his sexuality? Can she love two men?  Can she deal with them loving each other as well as her? 

Double Time lives up to the heat, humor, and romance of each of the previous Sinners books.  Again, I don’t know why it was released out of order but it doesn't affect the story that much. 

Mr. Real (Code of Shadows #1) by Carolyn Crane

Alix Gordon has recently inherited a former hotel from her great aunt who was by all accounts a witch and a computer guru.  Up to this point Alix hasn't taken life too seriously she leaves that for her sisters, her friend Karen and Hardass Paul (the sexy martial arts instructor who kicked Alix out of class because she refused to be serious).  Now she plans to turn the House into a B&B.  She finds out accidentally that her aunt had created a computer program that combined science and magic.  If you click on a computer image the software would bring it to life.  Alix conjures an expensive necklace, some groovy duds and on one drunken (horny) evening she conjures up Sir Kendall, the sexy TV ad spy who looks exactly like Hardass Paul.  Paul created the role of Sir Kendall from his nightmares to get the role of Sir Kendall to finance his UFL fighting career.  He finds himself drawn to Alix's new home and finds himself face to face with Sir Kendall?  How can this be?  Sparks fly between Alix and Sir Kendall and Alix and Paul.  Each comes with his own set of problems.

This is a fun, quirky, intelligent, a paranormal romance, a spy adventure, a romantic suspense.  MR. REAL is wonderfully different.  It had a Jasper Fforde bookworld feel. There is a lot going on and you never know where the next thrill or chill is coming from.  You have to love Alix and Paul.  The characters grow and evolve and become worthy.

I really enjoyed this and look forward to further adventures in Ms. Crane’s world.

I would like to thank Ms. Crane and NetGalley for the opportunity to read thin in exchange for a fair and honest review.  

Rescue My Heart (Animal Magnetism #3) by Jill Shalvis

Holly and Adam have history.  Bad boy Adam stole her heart and then broke it when he went off to join the military.  Now Adam is back training rescue dogs and recovering from PTSD.  Holly too has come home older and wiser.  When Holly’s dad goes missing she needs help searching for him and Adams the best man for the job.  Working together to find her dad forces them to work together.  Will the enforced togetherness force them to clear the air and old hurts and allow them to move on or will it just tear them up again?

I LOVE this series and Jill Shalvis is on my auto-buy list because of books like this.  How can you not love an alpha male that cuddles puppies?

Secrets, Lies & Lullabies by Heidi Betts

The title says it all.  Jessica Taylor is working as a maid at a high end resort.  Her family’s jewelry business was taken from them in a slick business deal by their partners the Bajoran family.  Alex Bajoran is staying at the resort and sees Jessica.  He doesn’t recognize her but he does recognize the chemistry between them which leads to a one night stand which results in a baby.  Jessica not wanting to tell her family who the father is has the baby on her own.  The baby is now three months old and Jessica is getting desperate so she leaves him on the boardroom table in Alex’s office with a note.  She realizes she can’t go through with it too late and Alex wants answers.  Can Alex and Jessica cut through all the secrets & lies to get to the lullabies?

Another smart, sweet romance from Ms.Betts.   Alex is swoon worthy and just about perfect.  Jessica is someone I’d love as my best friend.  Enjoy the fantasy.

Running in the Dark by Regan Summers

Running in the Dark is follow up to Don't Bite the Messenger and the start of a new series.  I do recommend reading these in order.  Vampire Courier Sydney Kildare is now in Santiago, Chile.  She doesn't know the language, the roads or pretty much anybody other than sexy vampire Malcolm Kelly.  Syd has to start from the bottom at her new job because she can’t call Alaska for references.  They think she is dead and it is better that way.  Malcolm is busy doing for the Master he owes when crap from his past comes to bite them all on the butt.  Syd wants excitement but this may be more than she bargained for.

I love the excitement of a new series learning about new worlds and characters.  Running in the Dark lives up to the promise of Don't Bite the Messenger and I look forward to following Syd and Malcolm through further adventures.