A Woman Entangled by Cecilia Grant

Blurb:

Kate Westbrook has dreams far bigger than romance. Love won’t get her into London’s most consequential parties, nor prevent her sisters from being snubbed and looked down upon—all because their besotted father unadvisedly married an actress. But a noble husband for Kate would deliver a future most suited to the granddaughter of an earl. Armed with ingenuity, breathtaking beauty, and the help of an idle aunt with connections, Kate is poised to make her dreams come true. Unfortunately, a familiar face—albeit a maddeningly handsome one—appears bent on upsetting her scheme.

Implored by Kate’s worried father to fend off the rogues eager to exploit his daughter’s charms, Nick Blackshear has set aside the torch he’s carried for Kate in order to do right by his friend. Anyway, she made quite clear that his feelings were not returned—though policing her won’t abate Nick’s desire. Reckless passion leads to love’s awakening, but time is running out. Kate must see for herself that the charms of high society are nothing compared to the infinite sweet pleasures demanded by the heart.

My Thoughts:

Oh how I wanted to hate Kate.  She has the eye of every man yet refuses to allow them to pay suit as she has her grand plans to repair the family name by marrying a respected member of the Ton.  But every time I was ready to go aha! she would do something incredible sweet.  This is a wonderful tale dealing with the class systems and those of family as well.  Cecilia Grant is a new to me author but I will be checking out her backlist and will look for her future titles as well.  This was a well written story and I am thrilled to have been offered the opportunity by Bantam via NetGalley to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.  If you enjoy historical romance read this book you won’t be disappointed.

This book goes on sale June 25th 2013 

Night Demon by Lisa Kessler

An interesting take on vampires and the Mayan Apocalypse. 

Gretchen is an archaeologist working in the Yucatan with brilliant and eccentric Lukas Smith.  They've discovered glyphs that tell the tales of the night walkers.  Something Lukas is familiar with as he is one.  The altar they've found was used for a sacrifice to banish a demon.  And now someone has freed the demon and Gretchen & Lukas need to find a way to stop the Night Deon before she destroys life on earth as we know it.

A fascinating tale.  It took me a bit to get into it as the author bounced around  some but as the story unfolded it was well worth it.   

The Truth About Numbnuts and Chubbs by Cat Kelly

Okay so I bought this because the title intrigued me.  This is a funny, sexy contemporary romance.  Ben & Bryony met sixteen years ago at their cousins wedding.  He was a groomsman and she was in the bridal party thus forcing them together.  He was a scrappy 17 year old and she was a chubby 13.  Now he is a wildly successful business man and she is starting over as an accountant at a new to her firm.  When they meet again they are drawn together despite their differences.  Can the man who has sworn never to marry get together with the woman who has sworn never to settle?

Funny, sexy, sweet all the things a good romance should have.  I got a kick out of these two strong characters.  

Blood Trade (Jane Yellowrock #6) by Faith Hunter

Once again Faith Hunter brings us another fantastic adventure in the life of Jane Yellowrock, shape shifter and vampire hunter.

Jane is offered a job in Natchez, Mississippi and though her adventures in that city to date have been harrowing she will do just about anything to get out of NOLA and away from the MOC Leo Pellissier for a while.  This trip is no less dangerous maybe even more so.  There is a new breed of vamp out there and they are much harder to kill.  She has help in the form of the Younger brothers and eventually PsyLED in the form of Rick LeFleur and company and of course Bruiser shows up to protect his and Leo’s interests.  When it seems that there are witches involved Jane calls in Big Evan and despite their personal problems Evan agrees to help.  Nothing keeps this big cat down for long.

Rip roaring fast paced rollercoaster adventure from start to finish.  

Touch & Geaux (Cut & Run #7) by Abigail Roux

This series has always been an emotional roller coaster but this book tops them all.

Ty’s Sidewinder friends con Ty & Zane into going to New Orleans, a city that holds secrets from both of their pasts and forces them into the light.  There is danger both physical and emotional.  Will this be the end of our boys?

I can’t begin to say how much I love this series.  I will re-read these books over and over again.

Project: Runaway Heiress by Heidi Betts

Lily has created something to be proud of. She has started her own fashion house in New York. With her sisters doing the accessories and shoes they are a creating something special. When her designs start showing up in LA at a competitors house she is determined to find out who is stealing her designs. To that end she takes a job as personal assistant position with Nigel Statham, CEO of Ashdown Abbey the company at which her designs are appearing. She doesn't expect to be so darn attracted to him. All she can hope is that he isn't involved with the theft.
Nigel Statham is trying to bring Britain’s Ashdown Abbey fashions to America. He works hard and is having trouble finding a PA he can keep. In LA everyone is an actress or a wanna be designer. He needs a PA so when Lily shows up and is competent he is conflicted. He is thrilled to have an efficient PA but his attraction to her is darned inconvenient. Will the attraction last when he finds out she is not who she appears to be?

This is a sweet contemporary romance. I really liked Nigel and Lily and wanted to see them succeed but they had a lot of obstacles in the way. Heidi Betts handled it realistically and well.

On a side note: I've followed Ms. Betts bloghttp://heidibetts.com/wipsandchains/ for a year or so now and have enjoyed her humor and watching the book writing process from afar. She had a couple of days where this book tried her patience. All I can say is that from my perspective it was well worth the angst because the final product was so well done.

Tempting Cameron (Lone Pine Lake Book #2) by Karen Erickson

This book takes place in the same world as Jane’s Gift but can be read stand-alone.

Cameron McKenzie is back in town for Jane’s wedding.  He left town when he was 18 and hasn't looked back. He is a gifted photographer who has traveled the world.  Chloe is his little sister Jane’s friend a good girl schoolteacher who has always had a crush on Cam.  Chloe is all grown up and Cam has noticed even though he doesn't feel like he should.  He is a good time guy and she is a forever kind of girl.  When Chloe asks Cam for a chance to walk on the wild side he knows he shouldn't take her up on it but he can’t seem to say no to the good girl all grown up.

This is a sweet romance with an emotionally scarred guy and a woman who will give all for love without being a total pushover.  A fine line but Ms. Erickson walks it well.  Every time I wanted to kick Cam’s butt Chloe brought something out in him that made me want to go cuddle him.  Well played.

I would like to thank Karen Erickson and Entangled Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read this for an honest review. The pleasure was all mine.

This book will be released on April 8^th.