Tempted by Her Boss (The Renaldis #1) by Karen Erickson

Successful, powerful businessman and widower Matteo Renaldi had a bad marriage that left him with a bad taste for romance.  His wife died and left him with his precious son.  Now Matteo is on his own and needs a nanny to help him take care of Matty.  Paige Stewart is that nanny.  She was fired from her last position when her employer made unwanted advances toward her and was busted by his wife. She considers this job a lifesaver.  But now she finds herself falling for Matteo.  Matteo is entranced by his sons nanny but he is older and her employer.  She deserves someone who can love her and he has sworn off that particular emotion except with regards to his son.  Can Paige bring Matteo’s frozen heart back to life?

We met Paige, Matty and Matteo in the free prequel Temporary Arrangement.  This Cinderella story has some sexy twists and turns.  There were times I wanted to Gibbs slap both Paige and Matteo. His brothers too.  But by the time they get to their HEA I was laughing with glee.  Can’t wait to find out what is going on with Rafael and Vince.

Love in the Afternoon by Alison Packard

Actress Kayla Maxwell is shedding her slasher flick image by working on one of the hottest shows on daytime television and now her character is going to be paired with the role played but super sexy and talented Sean Barrett.  Kayla has sworn off dating actors after the humiliation she suffered from her ex.  The on screen chemistry between the two is off the charts and when Sean realizes that Kayla is about as real as you can get the chemistry off screen starts to sizzle as well.

This is a feel good contemporary romance that will suck you in and wrap you up till the end.  Characters you will laugh and cry with and ultimately fall in love with.

Famously Engaged by Robyn Thomas

A chef and a rock star. The rock stars sister is marrying the chef’s ex-husband.  He thinks the chef and her ex are too close and he doesn’t want his sister hurt.  He devises this outrageous plan to keep the ex away from the chef by claiming to be engaged to her. (ego much?)  He pushes his way into her life just as she has buried her mother (leaving her vulnerable).  What he doesn’t expect is to fall in love.  For her part she falls just as hard but will his lifestyle kill any chance for love to last?

This is a really sweet and fun story once you check your brain at the door and go with the flow.  A modern fairy tale.  Well worth the read. 

Thanks to Entangled Publishing for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

BDSM and The Silver Chain (The Unbreakable Trilogy #1) by Primula Bond

People ask me why BDSM books are so popular right now.  It is my humble opinion that it is the exchange of power that is the attraction.  I’ll use male Dom woman sub as an example but it works for any dynamic.  Women are working outside of the home, taking care of the kids and the home, and are tired. They like the idea of letting someone else make decisions in the bedroom.  The Dom is portrayed as being very aware of the sub being the focus of that attention is attractive.  Also communication between the Dom and sub is essential so a woman could tell her man what she wants and needs and he cannot hold it against her because as a Dom he has demanded her truth. 

The Silver Chain (The Unbreakable Trilogy #1) by Primula Bond

(Caution some minor spoilers)

Young photographer Serena Folkes heads into London to get her start.  She runs into older entrepreneur Gustav Levi on Halloween while she is photographing kids in their costumes.  He invites her for a drink and she accidentally leaves her cameras at the bar forcing her to meet with him for their return.  As it turns out Gustav owns among other things an art gallery and he offers Serena a show in return she will be his exclusive companion until her photographs sell.

Serena agrees and to mark their agreement, Gustav gives Serena a bracelet to wear at all times. Attached to it is a silver chain of which he is the keeper. With the chain Gustav controls Serena physically and symbolically – a sign that she is under his power.  But they both have trust issues that a silver chain may not be strong enough to overcome.

This is advertised as for fans of 50 Shades and Sylvia Days Crossfire series and they may enjoy it.  I enjoyed this book but didn't see it especially as a BDSM book.  Yes, there are elements of it.  Gustav has control issues and tries to turn it into a D/s relationship but although Serena wants to please and has a masochistic streak she doesn't strike me as especially submissive.  This story is at its core the tale of two very lonely people with trust issues.  I got a kick out of watching Serena grow and bloom and look forward to the next installment. 

I received this ARC courtesy of Harper Collins UK, Avon, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is expected to go on sale in July 4^th 2013

Moosed Up (Wild Men of Alaska #2) by Tiffinie Helmer

When Nurse Practitioner Eva Stuart finds her best friend in bed with her boyfriend she decides to start over as far away as she can get so she signs up to work at a clinic in a remote village in Alaska.  A city girl has a lot to learn in the wilds of Alaska and sexy Wildlife Refuge Officer Lynx Maiski is just the guy to teach her. 

This is a seriously funny romantic romp with a town full of quirky characters and a forest full of frightening ones.  I didn't realize this was a part of a series it stands on its own quite well but now I am going back to read the first one.

Kiss the Cook by Jacquie D'Alessandro

This light, funny, sweet contemporary romance is just the thing when you want to escape.  Filled with one hilarious calamity after another you only stop laughing long enough to sigh at the sweet romance.  Take an accident prone cook add in a sweet smoking hot accountant (now there is a phrase I never thought I’d write) mix well add a dash of an eccentric Nana and you get Kiss the Cook.

Marine in the Wind (Always a Marine #15) by Heather Long

Medically retired marine Greg Rainwater has left Mikes Place after multiple surgeries and intense physical therapy to rebuild his legs after they were crushed when his vehicle was destroyed in the desert.  He has come to Freewill, Wyoming to work with A.J. (The Marine Cowboy, Always a Marine #7) on his ranch and to start over.  He meets an old man who encourages him to “listen to the wind”. Working on the ranch, walking with the old man help Greg find a sense of peace. Meeting the old man’s granddaughter is anything but peaceful but might just be what he needs to find himself.

Another fantastic addition to this wonderful series.  All too often we forget that our young men and women come back from service changed from that service and not always for the better.  Ms. Long gives our returning heroes the gift of a HEA that makes you want to cheer even if it is only in a story.  Greg & Georgia scorch the page with one do over after another. 

I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.  I'm not sure just how un-biased I can be as I love this series.  You really need to check it out.  If you like hunky Marines (in and out of uniform) and the smart, sassy partner that can bring them home and set the sheets on fire than you'll love this series as much as I do.