Penelope & Prince Charming by Jennifer Ashley

For my #10 Challenge (Royalty in the Title), I chose to read Penelope & Prince Charming by Jennifer Ashley. This is the story of Prince Damien of Nvengaria, who, as the result of a magical prophecy, journeys to England in search of a princess to marry in order to unite his kingdom. He finds the woman of his dreams in Miss "Twice-a-Jilt" Penelope Trask. Now the question is, in the midst of multiple assassination attempts, wild magic, and in the face of overwhelming desire, can the most famous lover in all of Europe convince this infuriating country miss that they are meant for each other?

I found this book to be a very sweet regency romance. It is the first book of the Nvengaria series & I am definitely going to look for other books in the series! I give it five stars.

Heart of midnight by Fiona Brand

Challenge: Readers Choice
Rating: 5

Synopsis: For Special Air Service agent Gray Lombard, the past seven years had been a nightmare. Not only had he been unable to nab his brothers killer, he's also lost Samantha Munro, the only woman he's ever loved. Seven years ago they had shared their dreams-- and the same bed. But when Gray's mission took over his life, and had walked away...

Now Sam was back. Her life was in danger, thanks to her involvement with Gray, and losing her was not something he wanted to relive. But could he protect her from a dangerous killer-- and safeguard his heart from the secret she had yet to reveal?

Review: Love. Love. Love. I soooooo love this author. This actually was not quite as good as "Blade's Lady" or "Cullen's Bride" (both will be stored with my favorites forever and ever until I die), but while it didn't sweep me away as dramatically as those other two, it still deserves no less than a 5 for me. Just fantastic writing, highly romantic, and another hero that makes me swoon. I've said it many times before, and I'll say it yet again, Fiona Brand is very similar to vintage Linda Howard. This is a keeeeeper!!!

Causing Havoc by Lori Foster

Challenge: Read a book with a sports theme/title
Rating: 4 1/2

B&N Overview: Orphaned and torn from his sisters as a boy, sexy extreme wrestler Dean "Havoc" Conor gets a letter revealing how much his siblings want him back in Harmony, Kentucky. To stop his sister from marrying a sleazeball, Dean finds himself teaming up with her pretty-but-smart-mouthed friend Eve-who's heard of Havoc's reputation and doesn't need some hunk trampling on her heart. Now all Dean has to do is protect his sisters, win Eve over, and expose a devious criminal. And he thought winning the heavyweight belt was hard.

Review: This book was just plain fun. One thing I enjoy about this author is that she clearly does not take herself too seriously. I found it sexy, easy to read, funny, and her characters are very likable. My one and only gripe was one of the side character pair-ups. I could NOT stand the guy. Over all, I definitely recommend this book!! Perfect summer beach reading.

Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas

Challenge: read a book with a food word.
Rating: 3 1/2 (don't throw rocks at me!!)

B&N overview: Liberty Jones has dreams and determination that will take her far away from Welcome, Texas—if she can keep her wild heart from ruling her mind. Hardy Cates sees Liberty as completely off-limits. His own ambitions are bigger than Welcome, and Liberty is a complication he doesn’t need. But something magical and potent draws them to each other, in a dangerous attraction that is stronger than both of them.

When Hardy leaves town to pursue his plans, Liberty finds herself alone with a young sister to raise. Soon Liberty is under the spell of a billionaire tycoon—a Sugar Daddy, one might say. But the relationship goes deeper than people think, and Liberty begins to discover secrets about her own family’s past.

Review: I LOVE Lisa Kleypas. But I did not love this book. It pains me, because I thought I would love it. I think it was a little too much like chick-lit for my personal taste, and that may have been the problem for me. The story seemed to dwell a long time on her childhood. I kept waiting for it to jump ahead at some point, but it rarely jumped more than a year or so at a time. I never loved Liberty as a person, but I liked her well enough. In fact, this book was a 4 for me until close to the end of the book. I LOVED Gage. I thought he was fantastic. But when Hardy showed back up and tried to steal Liberty back, I was frankly appalled at how wishy-washy Liberty was about which guy she wanted. I really lost a huge amount of respect for her because of the way she handled the situation. I thought Gage deserved better, and frankly I wouldn't have blamed him if he had dumped her. I even wondered if she would have ultimately chosen Hardy if he had not betrayed her.... Anyway, I will keep reading her contemporaries, but my heart will always be with Lisa's historicals.

MacKenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard

by Linda Howard

#3 title by Linda Howard

rated-4 stars

Back Cover:
Mary Elizabeth Potter is a spinster with no illusions about love. But she is a good teacher and wants Wolf Mackenzie's son back in school. And after one heated confrontation, she knows father and son have changed her life forever. Still paying for a crime he didn't commit, Wolf Mackenzie has a chip on his shoulder. But Mary Elizabeth Potter doesn't see him as the dangerous half-breed the town has branded him. She sees him as a good, decent, honest man. A man she could love....

My Thoughts:
I really liked this book. I think this is only my second Linda Howard. Her books get such great reviews from friends and this did not disappoint. Wolf was definately the strong type, and Joe was too. I liked that the "mousy" teacher could have been a typical "damsel in distress" but was written with a spine of steel. I love that she stood up for her beliefs and her man. I knew who the "bad guy" was, but that was ok. The solving of the mystery was less about the "whodunit" and more about the conflict resolution.
I liked the chemistry. Even though Mary was a spinster, and "innocent" she wasn't written as tstl! Other authors could take a lesson here. Just because a woman is a virgin doesn't mean she has to be an idiot. Even virgins know the "mechanics" of it all. :::rolls eyes:::
I did really fall for Joe. I'm excited to read his story...may have to substitute it for something else in my Summer Reading Challenge....:::nods head:::

Lady of Light and Shadows by C.L. Wilson

For my #14 challenge (Read a Series Part 2), I read Lady of Light and Shadows by C.L. Wilson. This is the second book of the Tairen Soul Series. Ellysetta Baristani had feared magic all her life. When she called Rainier vel'En Daris - the last Tairen Soul and the Defender of the Fey - from the sky with a mere thought, she is terrified like many of the citizens of Celeria City. Calling the Fey king from the sky, means that Ellie's dreams of him which she'd had since childhood were true. And here he was claiming her as his truemate and the answer to a prophecy. Ellie is stunned.

According to history, Rain had nearly destroyed the world in a fit of madness brought on by the death of his wife Sariel during the Mage Wars. Now that Rain and Ellie are bonded, Ellie has to find a way to battle the darkness that has also stalked her since childhood. Now with Rain by her side, will Ellie be able to embrace her inner magic and battle for the very survival of two races in time? I loved this story and give it five stars.

Echoes of Tomorrow by Jenny Lykins

For my #7 challenge (Reader's Choice), I read Echoes of Tomorrow by Jenny Lykins. One moment, Elise Gerard is dressing to give tours of her 150-year-old plantation house, the next she is shocked to discover an extremely handsome man in her room, demanding to know what she was doing in his bedchamber. Charming and considerate Reed Blackwell was the perfect Southern gentleman and the man of Elise's dreams. Until their wedding night, when he vanished as suddenly as he appeared.

Now, Elise has found a way back to Reed's time, but her future husband had no idea who she was. And now she had to win his love all over again. I really enjoyed this time travel romance even though the romance was a little rushed and I give the story five stars.

All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

All Together Dead
Charlaine Harris
Sookie Stackhouse Vampire Mystery #7
Rating 4.5 stars

Read For:
#8 Select a book that has been marked favorite or 5 stars from another group member's shelf.


Synopsis:
Louisiana cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has her hands full dealing with every sort of undead and paranormal creature imaginable. And after being betrayed by her longtime vampire love, Sookie must not only deal with a new man in her life-the shapeshifter Quinn-but also contend with the long-planned vampire summit.

The summit is a tense situation. The vampire queen of Louisiana is in a precarious position, her power base weakened by hurricane damage to New Orleans. And there are some vamps who would like to finish what nature started. Soon, Sookie must decide what side she'll stand with. And her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe.

My Review:
All Together Dead, to me, started out a bit slow. I don't particularly like the Quinn character so that may have been the problem. Fortunately about 80 pages in, when Sookie and Eric meet again, the books action ramps up and it's a great book after that.

Another fantastic book in the series! 4.5 stars.

Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward

For my #11 challenge (Read and Reviewed During Winter Challenge), I read Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward. This is the second book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series. Rhage is the one brother whose appetites are the strongest of all the brothers in the Brotherhood. He's the strongest fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses. In fact, this lack of impulse control had led him to insult the Scribe Virgin - the spiritual leader of all vampires - leading to her laying a centuries old curse on him in punishment. The curse is something which Rhage fears most of all.

Mary Luce has a deadly curse of her own. A survivor of many hardships, she has lost her faith in miracles when she is unwittingly thrown into Rhage's world. Reliant on his protection, Mary is not looking for love. But when Rhage's attraction to Mary turns to something more emotional and as their enemies close in, Mary fights to stay with the man she loves for eternity. I loved this story and give it five stars.

His Wicked Kiss by Gaelen Foley

Challenge: Read a trilogy or 3 books from the same series, part III
Rating: 4

Synopsis: An English rose blooming in the untamed jungles of South America, Eden Farraday lives a life of independence–unheard of for a lady–with her doctor-turned-scientist father. But Eden misses England desperately. When the dangerous and darkly charming Lord Jack Knight sails into her life, she seizes her chance to return to civilization, stowing away aboard his London-bound ship.

Roguish and charismatic, a self-made shipping tycoon with a shadowy past and a well-guarded heart, Jack is sailing on a vital secret mission. When the redheaded temptress is discovered aboard his vessel, he reacts with fury–and undeniable lust. Forced to protect her from his rough crew, the devilish Lord Jack demands a scandalous price in exchange for Eden’s safe passage across the sea. As his wicked kiss ignites an unforgettable blaze of passion between them, Jack and Eden confront a soul-searing love that cannot be denied.

Review: This book was a 5 in the first half of the book! Sizzling sexual chemistry, adventurous, unusual, and did I mention the chemistry??? Then I got to the second half of the book. I had no problems with Jack. I LOOOOOVED Jack. I want Jack. He's delightfully wicked. Eden, on the other hand, made me look up from my book and roll my eyes on more than one occasion. She was SOOOO annoying in the second half! I swear, the demented woman was mad at him all the time, and just could not let things GO already! Because of her irritating attitude, scenes I was looking forward to reading (confrontation with Jack's past love for example), were less than satisfying. Man, can that woman hold a grudge.... It could have been an easy 5 favorite if not for her and her childishness.

Broken Wing by Judith James

Challenge: Read a book rated 5 or favorite from a group members shelves.

Rating: 4.5

B&N Synopsis: Set during the chaotic beginnings of Napoleon's rule, this saga tells the story of Gabriel St. Croix, a street survivor searching for a place to belong. Abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel, he has never known friendship or affection. Hiding physical and emotional scars behind an icy façade, his only relationship is with a young boy he has spent the last five years protecting from the brutal reality of their environment. But all that is about to change. The boy's family has found him, and they are coming to take him home. Sarah Munroe blames herself for her brother's disappearance. When he's located, safe and unharmed despite where he has been living, Sarah vows to help the man who rescued and protected him in any way she can. With loving patience she helps Gabriel face his demons and teaches him to trust in friendship and love. But when the past catches up with him, Gabriel must face it on his own. Becoming a mercenary, pirate, and professional gambler, he travels to London, France, and the Barbary Coast in a desperate attempt to find Sarah again. On the way, however, he will discover the most dangerous journey and the greatest gamble of all is within the darkest reaches of his own heart.

Review: I confess I have mixed feelings about this book. I ordered it from B&N online, so I didn't get an up close and personal look at the cover until it was in my hot little hands, so I didn't see the blood soaked cloth on his arms before hand. Though I am not street/world wise in many ways, I knew this meant he was a cutter, and I was worried about how large a part this may play in the story, being a bit squeamish about such things. To my enormous relief, it didn't last a long time. This book is not for the faint of heart.... I am slightly faint of heart, so I am not going to be an enormous #1 fan of this book for that reason alone. It was a dark, intense journey. It didn't pull my heart strings as much as I expected it to.... I don't know why that is, but I did enjoy and appreciate this book for what it is -- a story about healing, acceptance, friendship, and of course, love. Honestly, I don't know that I would read more from this author, though I am glad I read this book. **mild spoiler** As for the ending, I get why he didn't come to her immediately upon arriving back, but it bugged me a little. Over all, an excellent debut book from a gifted author!

There Goes the Bride by Lori Wilde

Rating: 4.25

Challenge: #8. Select a book that has been marked favorite or 5 stars from another group member's shelf

Book Description: Legend claims this antique Irish wedding veil can grant your heart's deepest desire. But be careful what you wish for... The moment Texas socialite Delaney Cartwright touches the veil, she knows she can't go through with her wedding. And it's not just because she envisions a stranger's dark eyes and irresistible lips the second her fingers hit lace. But she can't simply call the whole thing off. The nuptials to her nice, predictable childhood friend are the social event of the season (not to mention that her mother would freak). To fan the flames of this dying ember, Delaney abducts her fiance for a night of passion...and grabs the wrong guy! It isn't her fault that Detective Nick Vinetti of the oddly familiar eyes and lips has crossed her path--and looks game for all kinds of sexy fun. Now Delaney hatches an outrageous plan to get out of marrying: she'll hire her own kidnapper. With an altar to avoid and a cop to dream of, this runaway bride is hoping a little Irish magic will unveil the true destiny of her heart.

Review: This is the first book in the "Wedding Veil Wishes" series. I really enjoyed it; it was fun. Although Delaney was a chicken in how she handled her mother and her life, I can understand why, and maybe even sympathize with her. I didn't give this a 5 star rating, only because it's not a book that I'd read again, although I will be tracking down the rest of the series!

After the Night by Linda Howard

I read this book for #12 Romeo and Juliet type book.

Faith Devlin is the daughter of the town tramp and a drunk. She learns at an early age that despite who she is or might become a town as small as Prescott, Louisianna lables you based on what family you come from. For Faith, this means the people of the parish treat her as if she were a tramp like her mom and sister, a drunk like her father or a thief like her brothers. This is not who or what Faith is but to everyone in the town it doesn't matter.

Gray Rouillard is the son of the wealthiest man in Prescott, possibly even in half the state. He is also the golden boy football player from LSU. To Faith he is the idol she has loved from afar for as long as she could remember.

Faith and Gray's paths rarely crossed. Faith being dirt poor and taking care of her special needs little brother and Gray being groomed to take over his father's business one day. One night their paths did cross. Faith's mother was Gray's father's mistress and on this one night both she and Gray's father left Prescott never to be seen again. On that night Gray and Faith's worlds collided. He called her trash and she was forced to leave the only home she ever knew.

12 years later Faith Devlin returned to Prescott to get answers. Answers to where Renee Devlin and Guy Rouillard went that night and perhaps to show the town of Prescott that she was not like the rest of her family.

I very much enjoyed this book. My heart went out to Faith's struggles when she was a young girl. As a woman my heart went out to her even more when she went back to the town that labled her to show them that she was a successful woman and not a product of a horrible family.

The mystery aspect of this book was great. It captivated me and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering who the bad person was and what exactly happened on the night that Renee and Guy disappeared.

If you have never read a book by Linda Howard this book is a good introduction to her writing.

This isn't my first book by her and it definitely won't be my last.

Wild and Wicked in Scotland by Melody Thomas

#2 Read a book set in Scotland- historical or contemporary

Rating 3.5!

Book Description: Running wild . . . When Cassandra Sheridan agreed to an arranged marriage to the Earl of Hampstead, she never dreamed the cad wouldn't even bother to appear for their betrothal ball. It seems her intended cares more for gallivanting than meeting his bride-to-be! So Cassie decides to enjoy an adventure of her own and sets out across Scotland…and meets a dashing stranger who has elevated dueling and deception to an art form. A dedicated spy on a mission, the Earl of Hampstead has more on his mind than a silly party. Now fate has thrown him together with a vivacious lady whom he must protect from harm, and whose sensuous beauty is proving most distracting. Worse still, Devlyn is horrified to discover she's the very woman he's engaged to marry! With their lives and reputations in equal peril, do they dare surrender to their irresistible desires?

My Review: There were parts of this book that I loved and other parts not so much.
I loved the hero Devlyn. I loved the heroine Cassie. They had great chemistry together. The love scenes were steamy and sexy. The storyline its self was interesting. What I didn't like is that it was just a little to long. Have you ever read a book and your enjoying it, but it's just a little to long? That's how I felt about this book. There was to much time spent on Devlyn's government work. I understand that it was a big part of the story. I just felt that it was overwhelming at times. I'm still going to read the other two books in the story to find out what happens to Devlyn's partners.

Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery

#3 Title contains Sun, Moon, or Stars (Moonlight, Starlight, etc, is ok!)

Rating 4!!

Book Description:
What if you got another chance at the life that got away?
L.A. accountant Megan Greene has a successful job, a handsome cardiologist fiancé, and a doting father. Surely they make up for her estranged sister and hypochondriac mother...and a niggling sense that something, somewhere, got lost along the way. But then Megan's life falls spectacularly apart. Faced with the knowledge that neither her father nor her fiancé are the men she thought they were, she is loath to trust Travis -- the high school boyfriend who never quite left her heart. But his reappearance stirs dreams she once reluctantly packed away, and forces her to confront her relationship with her sister -- a bond that has been strained to the limit but has never quite broken. And amid the turmoil lies the promise of a future Megan never expected -- one that may turn out to contain everything she really needs....

My Thoughts: I really like this book. I love Susan Mallery she is one of my all time favorites. Megan and Travis are a great couple and you find yourself absorb in their story. What's great is that the story when they are 18 and you see the relationship from their teenage point of view. Then the story fast forward 10 years later and you see them as adults and how their lives change, because of that summer. There are a lot of great secondary characters. Megan's friends, her sister, her dad and crazy mom.
The only thing that kept this from being a 5 for me was Megan father's reaction when he finds out the she is not his biological child. I just don't believe that someone who has raise a child just shuts them out of their so completely.