Instant Attraction - Jill Shalvis

Title:  Instant Attraction
Author:  Jill Shalvis
Publisher:  Kensington Brava
Published:  2009
Pages:  302
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Series:  Wilder Brothers - Book #1

There is just something about Jill Shalvis' writing that warms my heart, makes me laugh (in a good way), and brings tears to my eyes. Her characters endear themselves to me so that I think about them long after I have read her books. I love the witty dialogue, the laugh out loud moments, the scorching passion, and the tender romance. Instant Attraction excels at all that and more. It is the first book in a trilogy and is the story of the youngest Wilder brother, Cameron. I can't wait to get my hands on the second one so that I can continue to be a part of the "world" that Jill Shalvis has created. And also to get to know some new characters as well as revisit the old.

Katie Kramer has always been a "good girl." However, after surviving a devastating accident, she longs for adventure and "amazing sex."  (LOL) So she takes off from L.A. and heads up into the Sierra Madre Mountains to take on a temporary position as bookkeeper for Wilder Adventures and Expeditions. I really enjoyed Katie...she didn't back down from a situation just because her fears got in the way. She plowed through her feelings and came out stronger and more self-reliant on the other side. Her grit and determination to not let the accident rule her life were two of the things that made her such a great character.

Cameron Wilder is the prodigal brother...returning after wandering the world to come to terms with his life-changing accident. After giving up his dreams of professional snow boarding and still not sure he will ever have a new "dream," he returns home to face his family. Even though they welcome him with open arms, he doesn't know where he fits in with his brothers' business...or doesn't even know if he wants to be a part of it. His heart is off limits to everyone..."Still, Katie's killer smile triggers something deep in his gut...among other places." He is determined to show her how "exhilarating" life can be...and she is determined to show him how to open his heart again.

You can read my full review at World According to Books.



Rating: 4/5
Pages: 302
Completed: 3/27/10

Summer Reading Challenge 2010

Summer's almost here and it is time to start planning for that Summer Reading Challenge. It is being hosted by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer Reads and runs from June 21, 2010 to September 21, 2010. You choose what books you want to read and how many you want to complete this summer. So head on over and check Susan's blog out and while you are there...sign up for the challenge.

Here is my list:

1. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
2. The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs
3. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
4. Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris
5. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
6. Glory in Death by J.D. Robb
7. Eyes of Prey by John Sandford
8. Linda Lael Miller
9. Sharon Sala
10. Amanda Ashley

Fragile - Shiloh Walker

Title:  Fragile
Author:  Shiloh Walker
Publisher:  Berkley
Published:  2009
Pages:  346
Genre:  Romantic Suspense

Hero:  Luke Rafferty
Heroine:  Devon Manning

What a truly excellent, fantastic book!!! Wish I had started reading Shiloh Walker's work a long time ago. Fragile is filled with scorching passion, intense suspense, and I was kept guessing until the very end as to how it would all wrap up. The pages kept turning, I just couldn't put it down. There is a follow-up story, Broken, that was just as good if not better...but that is for a later review.

Devon's youth was filled with tragedy, trouble, and heartache. As a teenager, she didn't handle it well, but help came in the form of a dedicated social worker. Wanting to be that kind of help for others, Devon became a social worker herself rescuing children that need her the most. I loved Devon's strength of character, overcoming great odds, and becoming a woman whose compassionate, loving, and dedicated to her job. However, she has a vulnerable side to her also, unable to form relationships with others.

Luke has been searching for a normal life ever since leaving the Rangers six years ago. Working in a hospital, Luke "is faced with things just as heartbreaking as those on the battlefield."  After meeting Devon, Luke thinks he has found what he is looking for...but breaking through her emotional barriers will be his toughest battle yet. Luke makes a great hero...he is so dedicated to getting through to Devon without hurting her. He is patient, understanding, and totally into protecting her when her life is threatened. Not knowing who is behind the threats...he goes into total Ranger mode. Love, love, love Luke!!

You can read my full review at World According to Books.



Rating: 4.5/5
Pages:  346
Completed: 3/21/10

Savor the Moment - Nora Roberts

Title:  Savor the Moment
Author:  Nora Roberts
Publisher:  Berkley
Published:  2010
Pages:  325
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Series:  Bride Quartet - Book #3

Hero:  Delaney Brown
Heroine:  Laurel McBane

Another good book in the Bride Quartet series! Laurel is the baker of the group in charge of wedding cakes and other confectionary delights for the weddings that Vows plans. I loved learning about the intricacies of cake decorating, dealing with brides, and all that goes into making the perfect wedding cake. Each book focuses on a different aspect of planning a wedding. Nora Roberts does an excellent job with expertly weaving the details of each aspect throughout the book without giving too much detail that overshadows the storyline.

Laurel is the more low-key, practical friend of the foursome. She believes in romance...but in theory only. Her no nonsense approach to relationships is so different from Emma's romantic dreams in book two.  Delaney is the lawyer for the company.  He is also the older brother to one of the friends and has always considered all the ladies as his sisters. He was always protective of them while they were growing up. So, he is very concerned when his thoughts turn to romance in regards to Laurel. After the kiss they share in her kitchen, he just can't quit thinking about her. Little does he know that Laurel has had a crush on him since she was a teenager. They decide on a platonic dating relationship for a month...didn't want to muddy their friendship with sex if it wasn't going to work out between the two of them.

I loved how this story ended...great beach scene, perfect amount of romance, and of course, a teary moment for those of us who love Happily Ever Afters.

You can read my full review at World According to Books.



Rating:  4.5/5
Pages: 325
Completed:  5/4/10

Bed of Roses - Nora Roberts

Title:  Bed of Roses
Author:  Nora Roberts
Publisher:  Berkley
Published:  2009
Pages:  335
Genre:  Romance
Series:  Bride Quartet - Book #2

Hero:  Jack Cooke
Heroine:  Emma Grant

Out of the three Bride Quartet books that I have read, I think that Emma's story was my favorite. Her hopes and dreams about romance and marriage match my own, so I really connected with the her. Not only did I love the background information on flower arranging and all the ins and outs of preparing flowers for a wedding, I enjoyed the interaction between the friends in all the books.

For those that haven't heard about this quartet...it is about four childhood friends that grow up and form a wedding planning company together. Each book is about one of the friends and finding their happily ever after. Emma's story is filled with laughter, angst and a tear-jerker of an ending. Jack's insecurities about commitment has Emma questioning whether he is her Mr. Right. Jack has been a long-time friend of the women, so he is a little apprehensive of dating Emma. Yet, the sparks fly when they finally get together...but is the commitment that Emma longs for going to get in the way? The ending scene is simply perfect and will have romance lovers grabbing a tissue or two.

You can read my full review at World According to Books.



Rating: 4.75/5
Pages:  335
Completed:  4/10/10

Shiloh Walker - Contest!!!

Shiloh Walker has a new book out!!! No Longer Mine is a previously published book that has been revised from its original release. It can be purchased from MBaM.


Here is the blurb on the book...(taken from Shiloh's blog).

One woman, one man, and a love that won’t let either of them go.

Born on the wrong side of the tracks and dealt a fair share of hardship, Nikki Kline never gives up a fight. Even when her reason to keep going is ripped from her, Nikki tries desperately to hang on. But when the man who broke Nikki’s heart comes back into her life she doesn’t know how much she can take. Especially since that man seems determined to win back her damaged heart.

Wade Lightfoot is a man who knows he’s made more mistakes than most. As much as he would like to repair the damage he’s done to those he loves, Wade also knows there is no going back. But when he sets out to put things right the last thing he’s prepared to find out is that he had a son. A son he’ll never get the chance to meet.

When the truth is out and all the old wounds are bared, it seems impossible that Nikki and Wade will find their way back to each other. But true love is an undeniable force that even past hurts can’t destroy.

This book has been previously published and has been revised from its original release.

Warning: This title contains heartbreaking tragedy, lies and deception, and a scorching passion that nothing can deny.

But not only am I excited about this release...but Shiloh is also holding a contest over at her blog for one lucky reader to win a Sony Pocket!!! Can you say...Yipeeeeee!!!

So head on over to Shiloh's blog to read all about the rules of the contest.

And if you want to read an excerpt from the book...go to her website.

"D" is for Deadbeat - Sue Grafton

TIME TO CELEBRATE THE AUTHOR

Sue Grafton is this month's celebrated author. Each month we are to choose one author whose birthday falls within the current month. I chose Sue Grafton because of my love of the Kinsey Millhone series!!



Title:  "D" is for Deadbeat
Author:  Sue Grafton
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 1987
Pages:  240
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Series:  Kinsey Millhone Mysteries - Book #4 

I know I have only completed 4 books in this series...but I can say that this is one of my favorite series to read! I love Sue Grafton's rich descriptions of people and events. Her recurring characters are quirky and fun to follow throughout the books. The mysteries are intriguing, and she has a way of telling a story that captures the reader from the first page and keeps their attention until the last. I have the next book in the series on hold at the library. Although, her writing is so engaging that I am thinking about collecting the series for myself.

He called himself Alvin Limardo, and the job he had for Kinsey was cut-and-dried: locate a kid who'd done him a favor and pass on a check for $25,000. It was only later, after he'd stiffed her for her retainer, that Kinsey found out his name was Daggett. John Daggett. Ex-con. Inveterate liar. Chronic drunk. And dead. The cops called it an accident -- death by drowning. Kinsey wasn't so sure.

So here's to you Sue Grafton, I hope your birthday month was a grand one!!

Bound, Branded, & Brazen - Jaci Burton

Title:  Bound, Branded, & Brazen
Author:  Jaci Burton
Publisher:  Berkley
Published:  2010
Pages:  324
Genre:  Erotic Romance

What an intensely emotional, passionate read!!! Jaci Burton pens one hawt romance about three sisters and three sexy, hunky cowboys. Bound, Branded, & Brazen contains three separate stories interconnected because the heroines are sisters. Jolene has been running the family ranch while the other two left home to pursue other interests. However, it is time for them to return home to decide what to do about their interest in the ranch. Both sisters promise to stay for one month, but little did each sister know that it would be a "hot date with destiny."

In BOUND, Valerie has left the ranch and her ex-husband behind...pursuing a career as a doctor in the big city. The ranch only holds heartbreak for Valerie, ever since her parents died. Not wanting to risk her heart again, she divorces her husband, the ranch foreman. "Now, seeing him brings back sizzling memories. But their rekindled fire threatens to burn them both."

I loved Mason's strength of character...his ability to let Valerie find her heart and discover that loving is a risk but reaps the greatest rewards. Valerie is so devastated by her parents death that she lets it overshadow her marriage. Not the greatest at communication, she hides her fears deep in her heart.

In BRANDED, Brea has had some bad relationships that left her with little self-confidence. With the help of her sisters, she reforms her outward appearance, but still feels the awkward, gawky girl inside. Gage, the horse trainer, sees the beautiful woman Brea is on the inside. And with the same gentle but firm hand he trains his horses with...he guides Brea into fulfilling all her desires.  "But can she live out her fantasy with a man who might ask for more than she's willing to give?"

Gage was my favorite of the three heroes. He is a no strings/no commitment kind of guy...but he is also straightforward and lets his stipulations known at the very beginning. He is the ultimate cowboy...definitely a alpha male. Brea is so insecure...but it was great reading about her "coming out" and gaining the confidence she so needed. I could relate to Brea in a lot of ways.

In BRAZEN, Jolene has wanted ranch hand, Walker, since he came to the ranch. But Jolene is the boss, and Walker can't afford to lose his job by getting too close. There are some hidden secrets in Walker's past, and they have made him leery of getting into any kind of relationship with Jolene. So, it is up to her to make the first move..."because what Jolene wants, Jolene gets."

I like Walker because he is trying to do the honorable thing by steering clear of Jolene. However, he does keep tight-lipped about his past...which we all know that communication is the key! Jolene is brash and sassy and is just the type of woman to draw Walker out.

You can read my other review here.



Rating: 4.5/5
Pages:  324
Completed: 3/13/10

24 Hour Read-a-Thon

This weekend from Saturday 8:00 am until Sunday 8:00 am, I am going to be participating in Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon. I am so excited. This will be the first time I am going to be a participant. I have read so many good posts about tips and tricks...and today I am going shopping for my snacks and easy to make dinners for the family!! Everyone has been warned about this for weeks now, so hopefully the family will cooperate and let me enjoy myself.

I won't be posting my progress on this blog...please go to my review blog...World According to Books. There you can read all my updates and stay current with my progress. I will, however, be posting reviews of the books I read as usual...but probably not until next week sometime. I still have so many reviews to post of the books I finished in March. I don't know how I got so far behind...but never fear...they are coming because I read some fantastic books last month.

If you want to participate...it is not too late to sign-up. You can be a Reader or a Cheerleader or both. There will also be some mini challenges for those of us that want to take a break from reading during the event. I don't know if I will get through all 24 hours...but I am going to give it the good ole college try!!! LOL.

Rewriting Monday - Jodi Thomas

Title:  Rewriting Monday
Author:  Jodi Thomas
Publisher:  Berkley
Published:  2009
Pages:  343
Genre:  Romance with a touch of Suspense

In this book, Jodi Thomas does something a little bit different. She writes in both first person and third person. Not only do we get to delve into the thoughts of the narrator...but also the other characters as well. It might not seem like this would work...but it does, in a great way.

Pepper is the main heroine of the story and through her narrative, we are introduced to the town of Bailee and its inhabitants. She has come to the small town of Bailee to pull her life together after a making a mistake that ended her career as a reporter in Chicago. With less than $300 in her pocket, she arrives at the home of her Aunt only to discover her Aunt is in a nursing home, and the dwelling is a rundown mobile home. Left with no choice, she applies for a job at the local newspaper.

Mike is the editor and owner of the Bailee Bugle...not because he wants to be...but because he inherited the job after his father and brother died within months of each other. Living life full of regrets, Mike is the ultimate beta hero. Strong, yet shy, he keeps his inner turmoil hidden from the townsfolk. He has always been in the shadows...growing up with the town hero as his brother.

This is a great story with intriguing characters...ones that will keep you wanting more of their lives depicted in the story. Along with the romance of Pepper and Mike, there are secondary stories that keep you entertained...the threats involving the paper; a mysterious man seen around town; and the disturbing things that keep happening to Pepper.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 3.75/5
Pages: 343
Completed: 3/8/10

Wild, Wicked, & Wanton - Jaci Burton

Title:  Wild, Wicked, & Wanton
Author:  Jaci Burton
Publisher:  Berkley
Published:  2007
Pages:  326
Genre: Erotic Romance

This is one title that actually describes what the book is...wild, wicked & wanton. It is a book that pushes the boundaries and will take you on the most sensual ride of your life. So, if you like your romances a little tamer...then I suggest you don't pick up this book. But, if you like your romances edgy, intense, flaming hot, mixed with great characters and intriguing stories, then Wild, Wicked, & Wanton is definitely for you!!! Jaci Burton creates characters that are vibrant, three dimensional, and realistic. She explores the deep fantasies that some women have and gives them life. This is a fantastic read.

The book is an anthology comprising of three interwoven stories. They are about best friends Abby, Blair, and Callie who delight in sharing their wildest secrets and dares. "But their latest bet is the boldest one of all. Each must sleep with whomever the other two have chosen for her." Little did each of them know that their HEA was right around the corner.

Abby's ex-husband had a reputation while they were married for bedding any woman who let her guard down. So, Abby has sworn off men..."but never counted on a pair of sexy veterinarians who are fulfilling a desire of their own." I liked Abby's strength of character that allowed her to go after what she wanted, evaluate the situation for what it really was, and to reach out and grab her chance for love. Mike and Seth were great heroes in this story. Polar opposites...Mark out for a good time, Seth being the more romantic of the two...they complimented each other and gave Abby the time of her life. But what happens after the weekend is over?? That you'll have to read for yourself...LOL.

Blair is afraid to commit. She has broken off three engagements, all because of one man she has never had the courage to let into her heart. The one man she really loves. But now the decision to avoid him at all costs is out of her hands. Blair is afraid of her own desires, afraid to let the one man she knows who will fulfill all of them into her life. Rand knows all about what Blair truly desires, and he is willing to wait until Blair admits the truth. With the help of her two friends, it is time for Blair to face Rand. Even though Rand is a true dominant alpha male, he understands Blair's fears and is compassionate enough to help her work through them. He is determined to have the woman he wants.

Callie is a true romantic...but she carries a broken heart after the death of her husband. She owns a coffee shop where one of her regular customers happens to be one of the most sexiest, gorgeous man Callie has ever seen. After her friends hear that he has given Callie his phone number, they know who they are going to pick for her wild weekend. Now, her long dormant fantasies may be getting a workout. I loved Callie's ability to reinvent herself after her husband's death. She didn't wallow in self-pity, she pulled herself together, opened a successful coffee shop, and now has the chance to grab at everything she's ever dreamed of with Jack. He is a successful lawyer with fantasies of his own...and they just happen to match Callie's. They both explore their desires together. But someone wants to put a stop to their relationship...does he succeed?? You know the drill...you'll have to read it to find out!!

If you want to read an excerpt from Wild, Wicked, & Wanton, head on over to Jaci Burton's webiste.

You can read my other review here.



Rating: 4/5
Pages: 326
Completed: 3/7/10