Baby Love by Catherine Anderson
Why I read this: The back cover blurb sounded good.

Penniless, desperate and determined, Maggie Stanley grabs her small baby and runs into the snowy Idaho night, fleeing a dangerous, hurtful life. Now, in her loneliest, blackest hour, a handsome, down-and-out stranger's compassion shines forth like a torch in the darkness, offering her the warmth and comfort she has always longed for but has never known. But though tenderness lives buried deep in Rafe Kendrick's heart and though Maggie sees a soul wounded like her own in the depths of his startlingly beautiful eyes she knows she must never, ever trust any man again.

Rafe, however, is more than he seems—an enigmatic man of secrets who could give Maggie the moon and stars, had he not solemnly vowed to spend the rest of his life alone. But sometimes, without warning, love can transform a cold, pitiless world into paradise. And a man who has lost nearly everything, a woman who has forgotten how to dream, and the helpless child who needs them both can truly become that most wondrous of creations: a family.

Rafe, the hero of this book, is going into my top 10 Best Heroes list. Rich, charming, loves kids, a protector, good looking, good in bed, etc. You name, Rafe has got it.

Baby Love captivated me from the very first page. The entire time I was reading it I didn't want to put it down.

I'll admit to the fact that the book is cliche in the sense that it is a rich man with a nice family who saves the poor, single mother and loves her baby right from the get-go. The over all scenario that brought the couple together is not one that I relate to or even believe could happen this day and age, however, the way it is written makes me believe it.

Besides the villain, there is a cast of wonderful characters that I fell in love with the instant I read them.

B+ for Catherine Anderson's Baby Love.

Charming the Highlander by Janet Chapman
Why I read this: The back cover blurb sounded good.

When a plane crash strands brilliant scientist Grace Sutter on an icy mountaintop in Maine, she finds herself alone in the wilderness with the only other surviving passenger -- Greylen MacKeage,a sexy, medieval warrior who's been tossed through time to find the woman he's destined to love. Forced together to survive the harsh, wintry landscape, neither expects the fierce passion that flares between them. But Grace is not used to letting her heart take control, and Greylen will settle for nothing less than her heart's surrender....

There were a few things that had me excited to read this; highlander, plane crash, time travel.
I'm disappointed. That blurb is much too misleading.

I was wanting and expecting something similar to Linda Howard's Up Close and Dangerous, but with a highlander twist.
It wasn't even close.

Only two or so chapters covered the survival aftermath of the plane crash, so there goes the plot as described on the back cover that I was wanting to read.

Since I enjoyed a the other Janet Chapman books that I have read I figured I'd just read on. Even though it wasn't the story I was lead to believe, it could still turn out to be a good book, right? Sadly it didn't turn into a good read.

The story was all over the place. Heroine is to give her nephew to his father, but she doesn't want to (even thought she made a promise to her now dead sister) she lies about who the baby belongs to. There is a weird kidnapping plot that is inserted over half way in that doesn't fit the book at all. The heroine trying to help both her Hero and her sister's baby daddy, but there is resistance on both sides. None of it fit. It could have, though. But as it was, it felt like a bunch of different stories meshed into one.

DNF on page 272, however, I did jump to the end to skim the last few pages.

I'm not giving up on this author. I have the next few books in the series, which I do plan to read.

For Nath's re-read challenge this month I decided to re read two of my favourite BDSM books.
Secret Submission and its sequel Submission Revealed by Diana Hunter.

The reason I decided on these two was because there are many books of this genre, but very few of them delve into the real emotions and physical happening of this topic. Anytime I read a Diana Hunter book I always feel like I am reading the real thing. It doesn't matter to me whether or not an author has personal experiences with it, but when I read these types of books, I expect it to sound valid and real. With this author it does. Every time.

When Phillip asks Sarah if she is a compliant sort of woman who will do anything he asks of her, she plays along, wanting a bedroom romp that will quiet the urges within her.

But Phillip has much more than a "bedroom romp" in mind. As he introduces Sarah to the world of bondage and submission, she discovers a need to be dominated. Phillip invites her to explore her sexuality each weekend at his cottage - as his slave.

The question is: how willing is she to give up her hard-earned independence? Even to a man so meltingly handsome as Phillip Townsend...

Secret Submission brings us through the courtship of Phillip and Sarah. Phillip is a Dom who has been searching for the perfect woman who will be his submissive partner both in and out of the bedroom. As it states in the blurb, Sarah first thinks that Phillip is only interested in playing the Dom/sub games and goes along with it for fun.

Phillips made mistakes in the past with women, so he made sure that Sarah knew what he was looking for. It's a bit of a shocking and arousing wake up call when she finds out that he wants the games to go beyond the bedroom. With his help she is eager to learn more about herself and her sexuality.

This is a good book for anyone who isn't too sure about the genre or lifestyle and want to learn about it. It's more than an erotica book with good sex. It's an accurate portrayal of how many true life BDSM relationships start and evolve.

Sarah and Phillip are planning their marriage and exploring the boundaries of an extreme Dominant-slave relationship. As Phillip opens the doors to Sarah's submission, she discovers places she had buried deep within herself. Under his guidance, she will become the woman she has always yearned to be.

But chaos ensues when Sarah's secret submissiveness is revealed to the world, and Phillip's dominance is considered abuse when the law gets involved with their sex lives. Their happiness is threatened, their lives put on hold as they are forced to defend their most private actions and the sex games they play.

Secret Revealed should be an award winning book, IMO. It's a continuation from Secret Submission, and the blurb is correct. Phillip and Sarah are planning their wedding. Sarah has some questions and concerns about their roles as Dom/sub, which are questions that anyone would have for any real life 24/7 Dom/sub couple that they know.

Sarah ends up getting into a car accident and gets pretty banged up. On her body, her buttocks and breasts to be exact, the doctors notice some marks that could not have occurred in the accident. It's soon revealed that Phillip caused the marks, and he is arrested for domestic abuse. The couple is first forced apart by the law, and then they have to defend their actions against friends and society.

I had picked Submission Revealed as one of my best books of the year when I first read it, plus I previously reviewed it on my blog here.
I'm going to copy/past a little bit of what I said in my original review, because I still feel the same way, it sums up my feelings perfectly...

Submission Revealed is an emotional read and had me getting angry, not at the book, but at how the couple was treated, because authorities refused to believe/accept that what was going on in their bedroom was consensual.

They couldn't understand how a woman would not only ask to be spanked with a cane, but also crave it and orgasm from it. Sarah got up on a witness stand and told this to a judge and jury. I can't imagine having to do that.

Just because you do not understand something, it does not mean that it's wrong. Sure, the majority of the world is into monogamous, vanilla, straight sex, so I understand the hesitation when it come to a couple who call each other Master and slave. Still, though, a lot more acceptance would do a world of good.

This was a really enjoyable read. I didn't want to put it down. Even if there are no more books based solely on them, I hope to get a glimpse of Phillip and Sarah in future books.

So those are my re-read books for the month of April. Both get an A. I'm positive that I will read them again and again.

Sorority Girl: Pledge Time by Cheryl Dragon
Why I read this: I was in the mood for some f/f and the cover attracted me.

I struggled with whether or not I should post this review. It's the worst one I have ever given. Perhaps you can call it a rant more than a review, but I did try to explain the things that where wrong with it.

Hazing has never been this hot! At the mercy and sexual whim of their kinky sorority president, Ashley and Blanca must work together to please her and each other. However these former enemies find more than great sex, kinky toys, and Dom/sub play. Lesbian Ashley finds herself falling for the experimenting Blanca. In the past Blanca used sex to get what she wants from men so women are no different but the pleasure and intense connection is more intimate with women. Even when she backslides and brings two men in to play with, Blanca wants Ashley nearby. True love and great sex in the form of her high school nemesis is just too weird. Blanca needs Ash's help and it tests how far she will go for her in this three-way that pushes their limits. One night could push them apart or bring them together for good. Can they build trust and find love under the wrathful paddle of their sorority president?

It's always been difficult to find a good f/f book. Out of all the ones I have read there has only been one that was any good and it was not even erotica. I've come to the conclusion that the reason f/f is not popular is because the grand majority of them are nothing more than porn disguised with a pretty cover and labeled as erotica.

Just like all but one of the other f/f's I have read, Sorority Girl is no different. Porn and erotica are NOT the same thing and it's books like this that give erotica a bad name. Although the author appears to write well when her subjects are men (I've not read her m/m books, but she has plenty--so someone likes them) it felt too me like Sorority Girl was written by a man for a man who had a f/f fantasy.

The plot was unbelievable. The two main characters who hated each other in high school are in the same Sorority. When they start having a sexual relationship it's simply because they are horny. They don't like each other, and call each other bitches, sluts and other names during their sex scenes. One of them can't resist a naked girl, no matter how much she hates her, and the other just likes to have sex... with anyone, anywhere, at any time.

The girls fall in love at the end, but I don't see how. When they were together the only thing they did was have have sex. There was no conversation that had anything to do with anything other than sex with each other, sex with the Sorority President, wanting to have sex with a teachers aid or how they were going to hide the sex they have together from the Sorority President--who had forbid them to have sex with anyone other than her.

Sorority Girl is a F (This is my first F...). It was a bunch of sex scenes slapped together. No story, no romance. It was porn.

Please! Someone recommend me a f/f that I will like before I give up the genre for good.

Too Far Gone by Marliss Melton
Why I read this: Nath review it on her blog and even though she didn't like it I thought that I would like it, so she sent it to me.

Ellie Stuart's life ended the day her children were stolen from her. Driving on a Virginia backroad, Ellie was ambushed by two men who violently pulled her from her car and drove off with her three sons inside. Devastated, Ellie begs the police to bring her babies home. But the authorities wonder if this stressed-out single mom may not be telling the whole truth about what happened that day...

Navy SEAL Sean Harlan agrees to help Ellie find her children, but vows to keep their relationship professional. He's got no room in his life for a woman and her kids--no matter how beautiful she is, or how desperate their situation. But when a sinister organization begins pulling strings behind the scenes, the investigation suddenly targets Sean. Can he and Ellie rescue her children and save themselves? Or are they already...

Three words--Nath was right.
First off, the blurb is misleading. The way it's written makes it sound like she asks him for help, or that he didn't know her before the kids were taken.
A few things; She never asks for his helps. He volunteers, both before and after the kidnapping, to care for the kids. Sean spoils them them toys, games and outings. Once they are kidnapped he is livid and goes out of his way to get them back.

If you look up the word 'inconsistent' in the dictionary, you will see a picture of Sean. (who does not sound at all attractive by the description of him.) He is extremely attracted to Ellie, but over and over again we hear about how he does not date women with children. Then why does he hang around so much? It doesn't make sense that he wont date a mommy because of her kids, but he will still get attached to the kids of someone he is lusting over.
An explanation about that would have been nice, but the author didn't give us one.

Ellie was not an easy character to relate to. As a mother I tend to get emotionaly involved when children are hurt in books. The feeling that come off the pages usually go right to my heart, but that was not the case with Gone Too Far. Anytime Ellie showed grief about her kidnapped sons it rolled off my shoulders. Something was missing, not once did I feel anything for the charaters that would allow me to realate to them.

Romantic Suspense books are a favourite of mine, but this time I could have done without the romance. The sex scenes were misplaced and felt awkward. Almost as if they were thrown in because they had to appear somewhere.

As much as I wanted to like Gone Too Far, and as as much as I thought I would enjoy it, I did not. It's a D book. Everything that one looks for in a romance was missing. Everything one looks for in a good Hero and/or Heroine was missing. IMO, of course.

Aftershock by Jill Shalvis
Why I read this: My book of the month for Nath's Re-read challenge.

If it hadn't been for the earthquake, Amber Riggs would never have made love to a perfect stranger. And no doubt about it, fire inspector Dax McCall was perfect! Who else could have taught her the meaning of passion at a time like that?

Still, when Amber ran into him a year later she wasn't sure how he'd react. She hadn't meant to keep the news from Dax.... But he'd been out of town, and she'd been sort of relieved. After all, how do you tell the perfect man he has a perfect baby girl with a woman he doesn't know from Eve?

I first read this book when it was released with Harlequin's Temptation line. I remember loving it at the time, but now, after reading it all these years later I find that I liked it rather than love it.

The premises is simple. A woman is trapped in a building with a man, they both think they are going to die, and cling to one another. They can't see what each other look like but they can feel each others bodies. They like what they feel because they end up having sex.

They don't die and she gets pregnant. She tries once or twice, half hearted, to contact him to let him know, but messages get lost, so he does not find out that he is about to be a father.

He runs into her one day, sees the baby and puts two and two together that he is the baby daddy.

Dax was fantastic. He stepped up immediately. He never doubted that the baby was his, and even though he was angry at Amber for not telling him, he didn't hold it against her for very long.
I was happy that Amber acknowledged both to her self and to Dax that she did not try hard enough to contact him, and she didn't try to come up with excuses about it. She messed up, she owned up to it and I respect her for that.

My problem while reading this book is that even though I liked it, my mind kept wondering to another Tempation book that had a similar plot that I wanted to re read.
Because it could not keep my full attention, I'm going with a C+. It was well written, the heroine redeemed herself for being dumb about not trying hard enough to contact the father, and Dax was wonderful. Hello, firefighter who is a wonderful dad and puts his baby and baby mama first.

It was a cute read. Give it a go :)

... And to Hold by Pepper Espinoza
Why I read this: I'm interested in one of her longer length novels, but I wanted to try one of the shorter (cheaper) ones first to see if I like her writing style before I spend on the longer book.

Can an unorthodox solution relieve the tension between a bride and her impotent groom?

Mari is deeply in love with her husband, Justin. But shortly after their marriage, a tragic accident leaves Justin impotent. The newlyweds do their best to work around the problem, but no matter what they try, Mari remains unsatisfied.

Until Justin brings home his best friend, Paul...

This was a fast read. Only 66 pages on my e-reader. The blurb is correct. Justin can't get it up and spends a small fortune on various toys for his wife, but after a while she can't get off anymore, she needs the real thing.

Mari loves Justin and has never once thought of being with another man so she is shocked and a little bit angry when Paul walks into the bedroom for sex.

Like I said, it was a super short read and to add to that, it felt unfinished. Readers never learn how Justin's impotency causing accident happened, and we don't find out if they will continue the menage relationship.

It was supposed to be m/m/f but the only m/m part was a kiss. That was a disappointment. I was wanting some more man on man action.

My verdict for ... And to Hold is C+. I wish I had not been left with unanswered questions. It's true that stories this short do not require a lot of history, but I think a few extra lines would have answered questions that I want to know.

Even with the abrupt ending I liked it enough to want to read the longer one. If you are looking for a super fast m/m/f with just a touch of m/m, then this is the book for you.

Dream a Little Dream and Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
Why I read these: Dream a little Dream because I liked the blurb. Kiss an Angel because I liked Dream a Little Dream so much.

SEP is a new to me author. Having only read three of her novels I feel like I have been missing on on something really big and great.

Dream a Little Dream was about a widow and her young son coming back to a town that once loved, but now hated her. Her husband was a Televangelist preacher who scammed people out of their money. He confessed his sins on live TV, putting all the blame on her.
When she returns, she begs for a job from Gabe, a man who is the towns most loved son. Gabe is also a widow. He lost his wife and son is a car accident and as much as he falls for (name) he can't bring himself to like her son.
Rachel will do anything and everything for the welfare of her child, even if it means giving up on the man she loves so much.

My feelings are summed up in this series of emails with Holly.

Re: Dream a Little Dream
Holly: I just saw on your sidebar that you read this book. What did you think? It's one of my favorites by her, but it's not for everyone.

Me: Oh, I loved it! I finished it in less than a day.
It reminded me a little bit of Ain't she Sweet? in the sense that she was coming back to a town that hated her.

Even better than the love story I liked how the relationship with her son and Gabe evolved. Some of those parts, as a mother, were hard to read, but I liked how it ended.

Holly: I completely agree about Gabe and her son (remind me what his name is...I'm drawing a blank). That was painful to read at times, but completely understandable from Gabe's perspective. I wanted to be angry with him or hate him for the way he acted, but I couldn't because my heart was breaking for him.

It really grabs you right from the beginning, doesn't it? I loved that Rachel was willing to do whatever it took to support her son, though. Even if it meant being humiliated. I need to re-read. lol

Me: Edward is his name (or Chip, lol)

Have you read Cal and Janet's story? I wonder if it's any good.

There were many emotional parts to DALD. After that teen stole the car with the kids in it, and then got into the accident. eek. Poor Gabe. I mean, poor Rachel for having to go through that fear, but more so for Gabe who had already gone through it once before :(

Holly: That's right! Duh. lol

Yes, I've read all of SEP's books. I didn't care for Cal's story (Nobody's Baby But Mine). I think it's mostly because the storyline isn't one that works for me. That one and Heaven, Texas are my least favorite by her.

There were a lot of emotional parts. The whole book is just an emotional roller coaster ride from start to finish. My heart broke for Rachel when she'd go hungry so Chip could eat. :(

Holly is exactly right. Dream a Little Dream was indeed an emotional roller coaster. I can see myself picking it up for re-reads many times in the future.

After reading Dream a Little Dream I wanted to dive right in to another SEP book, and Kiss an Angel was recommended by both Ames and Holly.
Gosh, I don't know which book I liked better. Both touched me in different ways, they were so good.

In Kiss an Angel, Daisy is forced to go to jail or marry Alex, a man who runs a Circus. She chooses to marry Alex, and they agree that the marriage will last only six months. Alex is a hard hearted man who wont love Daisy, and he refuses to let her believe that they will last longer than the 6 months, no matter how good they are together in bed. Daisy, or Feather head as he calls her, (because of the way her hair is feathered) chips away at the ice covering his heart, and by the end of the book it is he who is begging her for a chance to make things work.
Truly a Happily Ever After.

One of my favourite things about Kiss an Angel is how Daisy grows. She starts off being deathly afraid of animals, but by the end of the book she has a pet tiger and a pet elephant.

I loved both these books. Can't wait to delve into my next SEP!

Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis
Why I read this: I won it from Book Binge!

The first in a sensational new series, Jill Shalvis introduces Cameron, Stone, and T.J. Wilder – three bad-boy heroes who effortlessly mix breathtaking adventure and scorching sex appeal.

Accountant Katie Kramer is a quintessential good girl – working hard, recycling diligently, all the while trying to ignore the feeling that she doesn’t fit in anywhere. That’s all she wants. Well, that – and amazing sex, and the kind of daredevil escapade she can look back on when she’s crunching numbers in a dusty cubicle. Which explains why she just took a job in Wishful, California, working for Wilder Adventures and Expeditions. Waking up to find a magnificently built stranger towering over her bed – that part defies explanation.

After wandering the planet for months following a life-changing accident, Cameron Wilder has come back to the only home he knows. Under other circumstances, he might be thrilled to find a gorgeous woman sleeping in his cabin, but now, while he’ll risk his body taking clients on adrenaline-drenched excursions, his heart is off limits. Still, Katie’s killer smile triggers something deep in his gut . . . among other places. Showing her how exhilarating it can be to stop balancing her life as if it was a checkbook is the biggest rush he’s ever felt – and an adventure Katie’s wishing would never end.

The first thing I should say is that I'm very glad to have been one of the winners of the giveaway contest. To tell you the truth, I really don't like the cover at all, and the back cover blurb doesn't make the book sound very interesting. So for those reasons, I'd have not purchased this book.

Do not judge a book by it's cover or back blurb.

This was good. So good. Very good!

I'm kicking myself for even thinking that I would have not read this.

Our heroine, Katie, is the classic boring, good girl. She never did anything wrong, and she never did anything adventurous. After being the lone survivor of a bridge collapse, she decides to take a look at her life, and she does not like what she sees. Boring. Plain. A simple life doing nothing exciting.
She decides to start on a quest of adventures. She doesn't know what it is exactly she will do, except that whatever it is, she wants it to be fun and exciting. What better place to start than taking a job at a place called Wilder Adventures and Expeditions.

Instant Attractions opens with Katie waking up in bed and finding one hot, sexy dude staring at her. It's the prodigal son (in a sense) who has come back after a year away wallowing in self pity.
Cam and Katie are instantly attracted to one another. Katie wants to count Cam as one of her adventures... a night of great sex.

Katie gets her night of hot sex, and so much more.

What I liked best about Instant Attraction is how Katie helps Cam. Just like Katie, Cam was also in an accident that nearly took his life. The difference between the two of them is that Katie decided that because of her near death experience she was going to do something with her life. She was going to live. Cam, on the other hand, did the opposite. He tuned out everyone who cared for him and went off on his own to do... I don't know... feel sorry for himself, I guess. With the help and love a good woman, namely Katie, Cam is brought back to the land of living.

Instant Attraction was a great read. A B read from me.
It had excitement, great sex, a hot hero, a smart heroine and an all around good story.

When is the second book out? I can't wait for it!

CONTEST

Since I was given a chance to read this wonderful book, I am passing a copy on to another lucky reader.

If you want to win a free copy of Instant Attraction all you have to do it tell me what the most adventurous thing is that you have ever done. Or if you are a homebody (like me) then tell me what kind of adventure you would like to go on.

The book will be shipped from Chapters.ca, so I can only send to addresses within Canada or the United States. (sorry!)

Wicked Burn by Beth Kery
Why I read this: There were lots of great reviews, and Ames stayed up all night reading it.

Vic Savian knows what he wants when he sees it. And what he wants is his sexy neighbor, Niall Chandler. So when he sees her in the hallway of their building being harassed by an aggressive suitor, Vic makes his move—and finds himself greatly rewarded…

Sleeping with her gorgeous neighbor—when she didn’t even know his last name—was the craziest thing Niall’s ever done. Now, she can’t seem to get enough of Vic—or the uninhibited passion he stirs in her. Suddenly, with his help, she’s opening to sensual pleasures she’s never known before. But when Niall’s past comes back to haunt her, will she and Vic let themselves venture beyond the bedroom and explore the possibility of love that’s in their hearts?

Ames and I were supposed to review this one for Breezing Through, but we decided that I should go ahead and post my review here, and she will maybe post her review on her own blog.

Since all I have to say about it I already told Ames via email, here you have it, my thoughts on Wicked burn.

Me: Hi Amy,

I'm not liking it at all, don't even want to finish it. I'm sorry :(
I don't mind still doing the review with you, but it will be a DNF one.

Ames: That's all right.

What part are you at? What aren't you liking?

Me: I'm in the middle of chapter five.

The dialogue isn't very good, I can't get a feel for Vic's voice at all.

The Amount of POV changes during the love scenes is past the point of annoying. One, maybe two, I am okay with, but I lost count at eight times in a single love scene. I like to stay in the moments during those parts and the going back forth kept giving me pause. I don't like that.

Where is the story? They meet, they have sex a bunch of times. Is there even a plot, a conflict?

You like it, right? Tell me something that makes me want to read on. I don't want a DNF this soon into the new year.

Ames: LOL I found all the sex at the beginning a bit tiring too. I was wondering when it was going to pick up...but around the middle it gets better - that's where the conflict enters the program.

Niall is just on the verge of telling Vic about her past when her mom comes over and coldly tells her her husband is getting better. So Vic is all "you're married?" and Niall doesn't say anything (confirming her guilt to Vic) and Niall goes to see her husband b/c he is asking for her.

Do you want me to tell you more? LOL

Me: Hmm, that does sound a bit better.

I'll read a few more chapters, and get back to you.
Thanks!

Ames: Ok. :P It might frustrate you though, what Niall doesn't do. But just keep going.

Me: That's another thing. I hate her name. I keep trying to pretend her name is Nelly or something.
First I didn't know how to pronounce her name, which is not fun, then we find out that she has a boy name (so, Neil?) ugh. I don't like it when girls have boys names.
If I was enjoying the story, then the name thing would not bother me. But you know how it goes. Little things are hard to ignore when there are so many of them.

Ames: LOL Yeah, I understand. Then you start nitpicking.

I say it the way it looks. Ni-all. Sounds dumb though.

One day later...

Me: I'm a few pages into chapter 12, and I'm going to stop now.

The dialogue did get better and I started to like Vic, but not enough to keep going.

Just waiting for something interesting to happen with this story isn't at all fun.

Is this the book that you stayed up until 3am reading? Can you tell me what you liked that much about it?

Ames: The emotion from the characters is what kept me reading. Like what Niall goes through with her ex. Did you get to that scene when he goes apeshit on her??

Me: No, I didn't get to that part in the book. I don't feel anything for the characters. I don't' care what they are thinking, what they did or what they will do in the future. For me, it's a DNF.

Ames gave it a B.

Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare
Why I read this: At the start of this month I noticed that a few of this authors books were on several Best and worst lists (in the best category, of course) so I put an order in for them with Chapters. Untamed is the other book I bought.

Taken hostage by a convicted murderer while reporting at a prison, Sophie Alton has no idea that the man holding the gun to her head is the bad boy who was her first love in high school. Condemned to life without parole, Marc Hunter finds himself with no choice but to break out of prison after his younger sister disappears with her baby.

Though he regrets what he has to put Sophie through, he can’t let anything get in the way of his stopping the corrupt officials who are set on destroying what’s left of his family. But being near Sophie rekindles memories for both of them. As the passion between them heats up, so does the conspiracy to put both of them in their graves.

Marc, the hero of this book, is who kept me drawn to Unlawful Contact. He is the prime example of the perfect tortured hero. He had a hard childhood and had some terrible experiences in prison. What he went through in life turned him into a hard man, but it didn't turn him into a sissy man-boy.

The suspense parts were well written. I can usually pin point the bad guy during his or her first scene, but that only happened with one of the bad guys this time.

My favourite part of the whole story was the very end. I'm a sucker for a baby ending. I've made it no secret that, to me, the best love stories wrap up with a pregnancy or a birth.

Sophie was hard to deal with. For someone who is supposed to be such a smart journalist, she sure did have a few too many TSTL moments. For that reason, I'm going with a C+. I liked this book, but Sophie prevents me from ever wanting to read it again. However, I did enjoy it enough to recommend it to others, and I absolutely plan on getting the first two books in the series.

Free Pass by Elizabeth Scott
Why I read this: I stumbled upon the author's blog and read an excerpt that I liked. I was sold in a nanosecond. (By the way, I can't seem to find her blog anymore-and I don't mean her MySpace page. If you know the addy, please post it for me. Thanks :)

Cherisse and Wesley. Melanie and Thomas. Debra and Gordan.

These three couples have shared good times with each other as friends. But as they celebrate their seven-year anniversaries, they're planning to share some even better times - with strangers.

Vacationing in Miami, Cherisse and Wesley are up for more than sunbathing, when Wesley spies a naughty lady through his telescope and Cherisse focuses her gaze on the lifeguard. Meanwhile, Melanie passes on the hot men at her health club and chooses a private workout with an out-of-towner. When her husband accidentally walks in on them, it's anything goes. And at their rental in Greece, Debra and Gordon discover a Russian couple making love in a private show just for them. For the restless Americans it's quite a come-on - and an irresistible invitation.

I'll admit that I went into this book thinking that it would be your typical sex filled romp. Obviously I don't mind sex filled romps, which is why I bought Free Pass, but I was not expecting more than that.
I'm thrilled to say that it was so much more than 3 couple each getting it on with a stranger.

It wasn't as simple as the wives bringing up the idea of sex with someone else, then the men agreeing to it in a heart beat and then going out to find the second girl of his dreams. There were slight to major reservations, lots of talking, and jealousy.

The wives used the seven year itch as an excuse to bring up the free pass to their husbands. At first they told their men that since most cheating happens for the first time during the seventh year of marriage, they will give them a free pass to go head and get it out of their system now, in order to avoid any cheating in the future.

The men decided early on that the seven year itch thing was a weak excuse. After some talking, they got to the real route of why each wife offered the pass.
I'm glad it went that way. If avoiding some cheating that may or may not happen in the future had stayed the reason for going along with the free pass, then I would not have enjoyed this book as much as I did.

I can tell you right off the bat that if you believe that sex should always be totally monogamous and that even consenting couples should never, ever have sex with anyone other than the person they are married to, then this book is not for you.

If you like menage, but can't handle or accept an open type marriage, I say it again, this book is not for you.
The trio of couples are not in open marriages, but they do have sex with other people. Away from and with their spouses.

Free Pass in a B+. At times I felt that there was too much talking going on. I think I may even said, "hurry up and get it on," at least twice.

The best thing about Free Pass is the unexpected outcome for each couple. I liked very much how there was a twist to each situation. Not any of the couples had things happen the way they expected them to. I like being kept on my toes that way.

Red Ribbons and Blue Balls by Tia Fanning
Why I read this: Between the cover, the summery and the fact that I have read and loved the authors others books, I couldn't not read it.

After Winter's dominant husband, Nicolas, punishes her for being naughty, the-usually-nice-but-now-sexually-frustrated Winter arrives at their secluded mountain cabin bearing gifts-special gifts that will ensure his submission and her revenge.

With only seven days left until Christmas, Nicolas expects to spend the night decorating the house for the approaching holiday, but Winter has other plans.

Christmas might be coming, but if Winter gets her way, Nicolas won't be.

Red Ribbons and Blue Balls is an adorably sexy read. It's a short story about a submissive wife, Winter, who is fed up with the type of punishments her husband inflicts on her. He gets her to the point of teetering on the edge of an orgasmic cliff but denies her the final push. She decides to give her husband a taste of his own medicine, but unfortunately, things don't go as planned.

This is a good book for anyone who likes it hot and to the point. The hero and heroine are already married so you get to skip right to the good stuff.

Even though it's a short story we still get a glimpse into the workings of their relationship outside of the bedroom. Even though Winter is a sub to her Dom husband, she still needs to occasionally rebel and prove to herself that she has some control.

I give Red Ribbons and Blue Balls an A. The light BDSM of this D/s couple is good enough to whet the appetite of someone who loves a good BDSM read (like me). But is still gentle enough for those who are not overly fond of the life style, but still appreciate to read about it every now and then.

Moon Called, Blood Bound and Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
Why I read these: Great reviews around blog land.

In Mercedes Thompson's world there are Vampires, Fae, and Were Wolves. Both the Fae and Weres have come out to the public. The Vamps are still secret, and they want to keep it that way.

Mercy is a mechanic who was raised by the Marrok of Were Wolves. Even though she is not a wolf, she can shift into Coyote form anytime the mood strikes. She shares a property line with the Alpha Wolf, Adam. She is also roommates with her former flame, Samuel. Sam is the Marroks son as well as a Dr.

In this trio of books Mercy is both a hero and a victim. She is a strong willed, smart, independent woman. She is not some alpha wannabe who pretends to be the toughest bad ass around. She knows her limits as to what she can and can't do, and even though she is able to accomplish many things on her own, she knows when to ask for help, and she is not too proud to do so.
That is why I love Mercy so much.

Like most series books of this nature, there is a bit of a love triangle happening. It's subtle enough to keep us interested, but not so in the plot that we are angry that she has yet to choose who she wants to be with. By the third book, Iron Kissed, Mercy does have to make a choice, and IMO, she made the right one. Not only because she picked the guy I liked the best, but it was a smart move for her and the people around her.

In the first book, Moon Called, Mercy helps rescue the Alpha's daughter who has been kidnapped.

In the second book, Blood Bound, Mercy helps to find a monster who has been killing humans. She works both with and against the vampires in this one.

In Iron Kissed, the third book, Mercy comes to the aid of Zee, a Fae who is in all three books. He has been accused of murder, but she and everyone around her knows that Zee is innocent.
Iron Kissed was an emotional read. Ames had once mentioned that she cried when she read this one, and I must say that I don't blame her. I was not at all expecting to see the book take a turn as it did. The author took a very important issue and handled it perfectly. She wrote it in a way that was sensitive to readers, without portraying it in a too graphic way. One of the Weres, Ben, who I wasn't too sure of through out this series surprised me. I have a new respect and understanding of him. I hope to see more of him in future books.

The next book, Bone Crossed, is out in Feb! You can read the first chapter on the authors website. I ate it up, because the way Iron Kissed ended was a bit of a cliff hanger. I just HAD to know what happens next.

A+ for Mercedes Thompson!

Up Close and Dangerous by Linda Howard
Why I read this: I felt like a contemporary read, and it was the first one that caught my eye when I delved into my TBR pile.

A mysterious plane crash . . . a dangerous trek through the Idaho wilderness . . . a smoldering attraction . . . and a deadly game of cat and mouse. In her latest tour de force of romantic suspense, New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard blends these elements into a gripping story that will keep readers breathless–and leave them begging for more. For in Linda Howard’s world, trust can be a weapon, a kiss can be a threat, and intimacy can be deadly.

Bailey Wingate’s scheming adult stepchildren are surprised when their father’s will leaves Bailey in control of their fortune, and war ensues. A year later, while flying from Seattle to Denver in a small plane, Bailey nearly dies herself when the engine sputters–and then fails.

Cam Justice, her sexy Texan pilot, manages to crash-land the aircraft. Stranded in the wilderness, and struggling to douse her feelings for the ruggedly handsome man by her side, Bailey begins to wonder whether this was a mere accident. Who tampered with their plane? Who’s trying to reunite Bailey and her husband in the afterlife? Cut off from the world, and with little hope of rescue, Bailey must trust her life–and heart–to Cam, as they battle the harsh elements to find a way out of the unforgiving wilds and back to civilization . . . where a killer may be waiting to finish the job.

I've now read three Linda Howard books. Cry No More, Mr. Perfect, and now, Up Close and Dangerous. I have enjoyed all of them!

I read this book in one day. It caught my attention at once and didn't let go. I was flipping pages so fast that I got a paper cut-I'm not even joking. I still have the band-aid on my finger to prove it.

What I liked about Up Close and Dangerous is that it was exciting from the get go. A plane crash, injuries and trying to survive. Wow. It was interesting to read all the detail that went into making shelters, gathering food, melting water, etc. That stuff intrigued me and there wasn't a single thing about their survival that left me asking questions about how they did this or that.

The villain of the story, the one that caused the plane to crash, was a surprise to me. I wasn't expecting the book to take that turn, so kudos to the author for keeping me on my toes.

My only complaint was the end. It felt too sudden and incomplete. I was left saying that's it?

I'll give Up Close and Dangerous a B. It was good, but not great. The ending was lacking, and I felt like there could have been more with the romance part of the story.
Other than that it was awesome. I'm happy to read another Linda Howard book ASAP.

Deep in the Valley, Just Over the Mountain and Down by the River by Robyn Carr

Why I read these: Having met folks from Grace Valley in the Virgin River books, I wanted to head on over to Grace Valley and read their stories.

I read these books pretty much back to back because that's simply how you must do it with the trilogy. In fact, I wont even call it a trilogy. I'd say that they are one continuous book split into three different packages.

Reading just a singular book wont allow you to appreciate the love story between June and Jim. Especially since they only have about 3 scenes together in the entire first book.
If you read each book, in the proper order, you'll not only fall in love with June and Jim, but with each and every character that Robyn Carr introduces into this wonderful little community.

Even though there is a romantic element to this series, I don't classify it a romance, but instead I'll call it a warm hearted fictional read that sweeps you off your feet and makes you feel like part of the town. I'm even tempted to sell our house, pack up my family and go of in search of a town just like Grace Valley. :)

I truly loved these books, and I hope that the author continues to write more stories for both Grace Valley and Virgin River.

I can't give these books anything less than an A.

In order,
Deep in the Valley
Just Over the Mountain
Down by the River

A Virgin River Christmas by Robyn Carr
Why I read this: Virgin River is one of my favourite books
.

Last Christmas, Marcie Sullivan said a final goodbye to her husband Bobby. This Christmas she's come to Virgin River to find the man who saved his life and gave her three more years to love him.

Fellow marine Ian Buchanan dragged Bobby's shattered body onto a medical transport in Fallujah four years ago then disappeared as soon as their unit arrived Stateside. Since then, Marcie's letters to Ian have gone unanswered.

Marcie tracks Ian to the tiny mountain town of Virgin River and finds a man as wounded emotionally as Bobby was physically. But she is not easily scared off. As Marcie pushes her way into his rugged and reclusive life, she discovers a sweet but damaged soul beneath a rough exterior.

Ian doesn't know what to make of the determined young widow who forces him to look into the painful past and, what's worse, the uncertain future. But it is, after all, a season of miracles and maybe, just maybe, it's time to banish the ghosts and open his heart.

Something I noticed when I turned the last page on this book is that I had a big smile on my face. There are a few words to describe A Virgin River Christmas... pure, refreshing, happy, nice, pleasant.
It was a contemporary that was without suspense, there was no killer, no kidnapper, no too stupid to live heroine who you wanted to see shot in the head or eaten by a bear.

It was simply about a man and a woman who fell in love. A Virgin River Christmas is a true test to the talent that Robyn Carr has. The fact that she can write such an entertaining, moving, romantic love story that is not full of fillers and nonsenses stuff puts me a great mood.

I give a Virgin River Christmas an A+, because there was nothing that made me roll my eyes, scoff at, complain about or say WTF?!

Ian was a great hero. He was tortured soul, but it was just enough that all he needed was a little love from the perfect woman. Marcie was sweet, but smart. she knew what she wanted, and didn't let anyone bully her or get in her way.

Being able to see Jack and Mel from Virgin River was a treat.

Mercury’s War by Lora Leigh
Why I read this: I'm addicted to the Breeds.

Someone has been slipping the Sanctuary’s secure information to a pharmaceutical company. Now it’s up to Ria Rodriguez to pose as a clerk and uncover the leak. Yet she has no idea of the danger

she’s about to encounter—or the passion she’s about to ignite in one of the greatest Breeds ever created.

This Breed book is much like the others, plot-wise. There is either someone trying to bring down the Breeds, kidnap the Breeds, kill the Breeds, spy on the Breeds Etc. Breed readers know what I mean.
I'm not complaining. I like how the stories go and follow each other. Consistency is good in a series.

The hero/heroine conflict in this book is that it's thought by both Mercury and Ria that Mercury was supposed to have been mated to a different woman. That was thought to have died. So they were not able to go through the mating head and bond to each other.

When Mercury and Ria do start to show signs of mating to each other, Ria is convinced that the heat he has is for someone else. Even though she accepts him as her mate and aches for him, she feels like second best.
For those who are confused-Breeds can only mate once, however, they can have mate-like tendencies to anyone as long as they have not physically gone through the mating heat with a specific person.

I had always been under the impression that a Breed could only share the hormones from his tongue with a mate that nature picked for them. According to this book, it does not have to be nature's mate, but the real mate will suffer if the one meant for her mates with someone else.

That is why Ria was feeling bad after the mating. She was convinced that she was not really the one nature meant to be mated to Mercury.

I did enjoy this book. There were a few minor issues. The first being that Ria was drinking so much coffee during her heat. Every other Breed book has the women avoiding coffee because it makes the pain of heat so much worse. In this book there is one line mentioning that she should not be rinking coffee, but it felt to me like that line was just thrown in there as an after thought.

Also, it's mentioned through the book how Mercury's nail are actually claws. Although they are blunt, they are still claws (Because Mercury is more lion than man in appearance) At one point during the story, he uses his blunt nails/claws to rip apart off all Ria's clothes. If he can shred clothes, then why the heck was he fingering her so much? Seems to me she would have been torn up. Just sayin'.

3/4 of the book was awesome. The story was engaging, entertaining, and even though it lacked anal, (Lora Leigh writes anal so good!) there was lots of oral to make up for it.

The last 1/4 took a negative turn, imo. There was this big twist about Ria that came way out of left field, and honestly, it was not at all believable, and I actually put down the book for a bit, not because I had to do something, but because I needed to roll my eyes a few hundred times to work out the annoyance I was feeling.

All in all, it was a good Breed book. It wasn't the best, it wasn't worst. I give it a C+. That twist with Ria brought it down for me.

For Jonas fans, he is in this book a lot. Yay. I have a sneaking suspicion that Dr. Ely might be his mate. I'm not too sure how much I would enjoy a book with her as the star of it. She is in most of the books, but I don't like her that much.

Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead
Why I read this: I loved the first book. I Hated the second, so I just had to see how the third would do.

Some days, a girl just can't catch a break...especially when the girl in question is Georgina Kincaid, a shape-shifting succubus who gets her energy from seducing men. First there's her relationship with gorgeous bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, which is unsatisfying on a number of levels. It's not just that they can't have sex in case Georgina inadvertently kills him (generally a turn-off for most guys). Lately, even spending time together is a challenge.Seth's obsessed with finishing his latest novel, and Georgina's under demonic orders to mentor the new (and surprisingly inept) succubus on the block. Then there are the dreams. Someone, or something, is preying on Georgina at night, draining her energy, and supplying eerie visions of her future. Georgina seeks answers from Dante, a dream interpreter with ties to the underworld, but his flirtatious charm only leaves her more confused - especially as the situation with Seth reaches crisis point. Now Georgina faces a double challenge - rein in her out-of-control love life, and go toe-to-toe with an enemy capable of wreaking serious havoc among mankind. Otherwise, Georgina, and the entire mortal world, may never sleep easy again...

In this installment of The Succubus books, Georgina has some more problems. Her relationship with Seth is on the rocks, something is sucking the life force after her every time she seduces a mortal for his life force. Instead of having that beautiful after sex glow she has after stealing some soul, she is tired, weak and doesn't look her best.

With the help of some of her Angel friends, they try to stop the being who is stealing her energy.

Georgina has really grown and come a long way from the way her character was written in the second book. I downright hated her in that book. The author seemed to veer off course from a great debut with the first book, and threw in a bunch of contradictions with the second. I am very happy to say that this third book, Succubus Dreams, is as great as the first one one--story wise.

Like other books by this author (including her Vampire Academy books) I do have a problem with her writing style. It would be nice if she could go one page without using an adverb.

Some authors (a few of my favourite actually) are SO good at weaving a great story, that they can get away with breaking basic English rules. Richelle Mead isn't there yet. This book was damn good, and I wanted to know what would happen next, so I just tried to ignore the intensifiers as much as I could.

Fans of Georgina Kincaide will love this book. I'm eager and excited for the next one, Succubus Heat, to hit stands this summer.

Succubus Dreams was a solid B for me. The plot was great, and there is one scene (okay, two scenes) where I actually had tears in my eyes. I said *oh my god* out loud, I was so shocked.

I liked it so much that the next time I am in a slump I'll be picking git up for a re-read.

If you have not started this series, then this is your chance.
The books are,
Succubus Blues
Succubus On Top
Succubus Dreams

Dark Rival by Brenda Joyce
Why I read this: It was time.

A golden man, he is called Black Royce—a battle hardened soldier of the gods. His vows are his life—until he is sent to New York City to protect a Healer from those who would use her powers for themselves. The moment Royce sees beautiful, feisty Allie Monroe, he knows she will be his only weakness—and he is right. Allie Monroe is more than an heiress. She is a Healer, willing to do anything to save victims of the evil that lurks in the city at night. But alone, she can do only so much—until destiny sends her the darkest Highlander of them all. Then evil strikes and Royce is destroyed before Allie's eyes. Now Allie will do anything to save Royce—even if it means going back in time to a dark, dangerous world to be with him. And confronting their enemies could cost not only their lives, but also their love—for all eternity.

I went into this read a little bit scared. I was very disappointed with the first book in the series. You can read why here. My reason for waiting so long to read this one directly relates to how I felt about the first book.
Brenda Joyce is a favourite author for me, so I wanted to give this series another chance. I'm glad I did. It was SO much better than the first one.

True to the series, Royce is a Master of Time. He protects people from those who commit pleasure crimes. (Bad guys who sex you up so good you die of orgasm. I am paraphrasing, of course)

Allie has powers of her own. She is a healer who can send her white light into the sick and hurt. You have a sore throat, fever or your arm is nearly cut right off? Allie is the gal you want to go to see.

What I liked about Dark Rival is that it is romantic. I wanted the couple to be together no matter the obstacle, and believe me, there were obstacles to climb.

Royce was hot, Allie was a smart, likable heroine.
Good book. Going with a B-.
Give it a go, I think you'll like it, too.