Monday, August 1, 2011

Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell by Eloisa James

Okay, I've read a LOT of reviews from people who loved this book, so it might be worth a try. 
The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell (McBride Family, #1)Simon Blackwell has been hiding himself away since (from the back cover) a "cruel twist of fate changed [his] life irreperably." He came out of mourning only for his aunt's birthday and helped to save the life of Annabel's (honorary) nephew. Thinking that Annabel is the nephew's mother, he reams her a new one. When the boys actual mother, Annabel's best friend, shows up, he is seduced by her beauty. But he is still attracted to Anne. Enough to accidentally seduce her. He doesn't want to marry her but he does the right thing. Annabel has to somehow work to win Simon's heart... because he's already won hers.
Too dark and grim for me. I like stories with a moral but frankly, this one was mostly ruined by the back cover blurb.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich

Kicking off a new series, Evanovich sticks very close to the style that has served her so well in the Stephanie Plum stories. You could substitute Stephanie for Lizzie and come up with pretty much the same woman. A little klutzy, not quite comfortable in her own skin, but this one has a job. In fact, it's a pretty good job making cupcakes at a store in Salem, Massachusetts. Then, one day, two mysterious men show up. One (Gerwulf Grimoire) is described as your stereotypical vampire but he apparently has the power to generate heat through his hands. The other, Diesel, described as a super-tanned beach bum, makes Lizzie burn. 
Wicked Appetite (Lizzy & Diesel, #1)She discovers that they are all "Unmentionables" with certain powers, hers is to locate things. In the current climate of an overwhelming number of paranormal talents and creatures, having someone be granted such an underwhelming talent was... odd but refreshing. Well, she also makes perfect cupcakes which, IMHO, is much better than being able to move things with your mind or whatever anyway.
Diesel needs her help to gather seven stones, each of which represents one of the seven deadly sins, together, a person could rule the world.
Fast-paced, quirky and a fun read.

Also reviewed: Book #3 Wicked Charms

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

I can't explain why I love this story, but I do. 
Set against the lush background of an Italian summer, Isabel Fortune is trying to gather up the broken pieces of her life. Her self-help empire fell apart when her boyfriend left her and her accountant steals all of her money. How can she help others when she can't even help herself. Even an attempt to cheer herself up with a gigolo goes awry when it turns out that the man is not only a famous actor, but her landlord as well.
Lorenzo Gage is well-known for his roles as fiendish criminals but his off-screen life is just as infamous. He's attracted to Isabel, not only for her "goodness," but because she doesn't fawn over him. In fact, she seems rather irritated by him, which only makes him want her more.
An intriguing situation with a couple of wonderful sub-plots (including Ren's ex-wife who has just moved her pregnant self and four kids into his house because she and her current husband are having difficulties and a mystery surrounding the house Isabel is renting) that make me re-read this book at least once a year.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Desire Me by Robyn DeHart

Second in a series of quick and highly enjoyable books.
Maxwell Barrett is a member of the treasure hunting society, Solomon's. He earned his membership by finding a map of the lost island of Atlantis. But now Sabine Tobias, a descendant of Atlantis, needs the map so that she can read the prophecy contained there. They get caught up working against another descendant of Atlantis who is determined to take down England and to do that, he needs to kill several high placed generals as well as the three Guardians, one of whom is Sabine's aunt