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”.