Category Archives: Romance

July 2, 2012 · 4:45 am

By Royal Command by Laura Navarre

By Royal Command by Laura Navarre
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: By Royal Command*
Author: Laura Navarre
Series: N/A
Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance
Publisher: Carina Press
Format: E-Book
Date/Year: July 2, 2012
Reviewed by: ElaineReads

*This book was provided to the reviewer by the author in exchange for an honest review

Summary from the publisher:

Two brothers. One woman. Three hearts at war.

Katrin of Courtenay’s husband is dead–and she doesn’t mourn him. He was cruel and controlling, and she doesn’t need a husband to hold her northern keep. But her vengeful uncle, the King of England, has other ideas: intent on marrying her off, he’s ordered his Viking-bred warrior to return her to court.

On the journey, the Viking captures her interest, and for the first time Katrin understands passion. But her guard is honor-bound to deliver her to the king, and so it is settled–she must wed the mysterious Rafael le Senay, the Baron of Belmaine.

A forced marriage to a stranger slowly becomes something more, and Katrin realizes she is in love with Rafael. But with the shadow of her former lover hanging over her, and Rafael’s powerful brother making dangerous plans, can Katrin negotiate the delicate balance between survival and happiness?

My Musings:

1005 A.D. – England

This book is historical fiction with a strong romantic component. I like knowing that about a book going in because my expectations are different. Some books are romances with a historical setting. Other books focus more on the setting and historical events with the romance as a subplot. This one is somewhere in between.

Katrin of Courtenay is a strong female character who is not afraid to do whatever is necessary to protect her people. She feels guilty when she must lie to achieve her aims, but will do so anyway. (Should I admit that I admire her for putting the people she protects before her own moral code?)

Unfortunately, Katrin is the pawn of her uncle Ethelred, (Aethelred) the King of England. He has already married her off once to secure the border and now that she is a widow, he plans to do so again. Lady Katrin feels she is quite capable of holding her lands without a husband’s help, but is given no choice in the matter.

The king sends Eomond, a knight and captain of his guard, to bring Lady Katrin to court to be remarried. Katrin is just as determined not to go as Eomond is to obey his orders. And that is why I just couldn’t bring myself to like Eomond. As the story progresses, it didn’t matter how Katrin felt about being given to another man. It didn’t matter that Katrin and Eomond fell in love. The only thing that mattered was that Eomond followed his king’s orders. Yes, I know that was the honorable thing to do, but it definitely wasn’t the romantic thing.

The second half of the book is actually better than the first. Katrin is sent to the home of her future husband where an entirely different subplot develops. I can’t really say more without spoiling the book, but new characters are introduced that I found a lot more appealing than Eomond.

I guess I would summarize this book with the following question: Which is more important . . . a man’s honor or a woman’s heart? Although I had issues with the romantic elements of this book, the story itself was wonderful. Any book that entices me to explore its historical setting has obviously hooked me.

By Royal Command should be read for the excellent writing as well as the plot. Once the story moves away from the romance between Eomond and Katrin, it is difficult to put down.

Ratings:

Overall: 4 stars
Sensuality level: 3

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April 17, 2012 · 4:02 am

Knight of Hearts (McKnight, #2) by Suzie Quint

Knight of Hearts by Suzie Quint
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: * Knight of Hearts
Author: Suzie Quint
Series: McKnight, #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Pink Petal Books
Format: ebook
Date/Year: November, 2011
Reviewed by: ElaineReads

*This book was provided to me by the author for review.

Summary from the publisher:

They have a deal: Rachel will teach the newly divorced Mac to date again, and he’ll accompany her to her brother’s wedding. Seems like a straight forward trade, but when Mac decides the kisses he wants can only be found on Rachel’s lips, he sabotages all her efforts to find him another woman.

Rachel’s never met a man more inept at meeting women. If he’s not sharing inappropriate information, he’s hitting them with the worst come-on lines she’s ever heard. The man can’t even do a decent Texas Two-Step. If she didn’t need a date to her brother’s wedding so desperately . .

My Musings:

Let me begin by saying I loved this book. I did not realize when I began that it is the second in the series (A Knight in Cowboy Boots is the first), but that did not interfere with my enjoyment. Of course, I liked it so much that I immediately read the first book when I finished this one.

Rachel is a strong, take control woman and her personality sometimes puts people off. That includes members of her own family. They love her, but they don’t always seem to like her. She has never had a relationship of her own, which makes it especially funny that she has been chosen to help Mac find someone new.

Mac is having a difficult time entering the dating arena after his divorce. He was married for fifteen years and things have certainly changed. He makes a deal with Rachel to help him learn how to meet women again. In return, he will be her “date” to her brother’s wedding. She needs someone to divert her mother from trying to fix her up.

Mac is not the normal alpha hero. At first, I was not sure I liked him, but his determination to get on with his life was endearing. Rachel’s relationship problems came from her need to be in control. Even when she was interested in a man, she could not seem to let herself go enough to get close to anyone.

This need for control also interferes with Rachel’s developing relationship with Mac. They fall in love (not a spoiler, because really what else did you think was going to happen?), but she still cannot let herself go enough to enjoy a sexual relationship. To me, this is when the story really begins. Mac is determined not to lose Rachel and will do whatever it takes to make her feel the same about him.

Suzie Quint has definitely made it to my autobuy list. She has a short story (All’s Fair) about Sol, one of the other brothers, which only whet my appetite for a complete book. There are so many books to come. After all, Rachel is one of thirteen siblings and I want each one’s story.

The author’s website does not indicate when a new book will be published, but I will definitely keep checking. I don’t even care which sibling is involved as long as I get another story about this family.

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January 28, 2012 · 4:52 am

Inked Magic (Inked Magic World, #1) by Jory Strong

Inked Magic by Jory Strong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: * Inked Magic
Author: Jory Strong
Series: 1st in series
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Berkley
Format: paperback
Date/Year: 2/2012
Reviewed by: ElaineReads

*This book was provided to me by the publisher for review.

Summary from the publisher:

With the touch of her palms to the skin of a crime victim, San Francisco tattoo artist Etaín can see the faces of the guilty and draw them. Changeling elf but unaware of it, at odds with her police captain father and FBI agent brother, magic and gift have put her in the path of two compelling men.
Cathal Dunne, the son of an Irish mob boss, needs Etaín’s help finding the rapists who left his cousin for dead. Eamon, a powerful elf lord, is determined to make her his consort-wife.
Her gift once made permanence impossible when it came to a lover. Now, as she approaches the transition to fully Elven, her survival depends on keeping two. One of the men is willing to share her. The other isn’t-until the search for a sexual predator turns deadly, and only by paying magic’s price will there be any future at all.

My Musings:

First off, let me say I am a big fan of Jory Strong’s books. My favorite series is Supernatural Bonds . . . or Crime Tells . . . or maybe, Fallon Mates. Anyway, I love her books. Inked Magic is the beginning of a new paranormal series and I am already longing for the next book.

Etain is a changeling elf although she thinks she is human. She knows she has the gift of seeing crimes through the victim’s eyes, but she does not associate it with magic. Cathal, who really is a human, needs her to find his cousin’s rapists. The final member of the menage is a full Elf Lord named Eamon.

The only character I really liked is Etain. She uses her gift to help others even though it makes her extremely ill. Her family has abandoned her unless they need her help, but that has not stopped her from making a new family of friends. These friends have wonderful and distinctive personalities and I cannot wait to meet them again in subsequent books.

I really did not care for Cathal. He originally approached Etain in order to use her gifts. Although he did end up falling in love with her, he never appeared to really want to love her. Eamon, however, accepted her as his forever wife from the first meeting. Part of that was a power play due to her gifts, but I felt that he actually cared for her.

The storyline was engrossing with a number of subplots woven into it. Many of these were addressed in the book, but a few were left for the sequels. There a number of characters that I want to read their story. Etain’s brother definitely needs his own book.

The sex scenes were handled well. They were explicit without being coarse. My only concern was that the book is classified as a MFM menage and it was really more of a sharing relationship than a true menage. I expected the three of them to have sex together at some point which I do not remember happening.

As I previously stated, Jory Strong is a favorite author of mine. Inked Magic is another addition to her long line of wonderful books. She is already writing the sequel and I cannot wait for it to be published.

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January 16, 2012 · 4:55 am

Dirty Beautiful by Jodie Becker

Dirty Beautiful by Jodie Becker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Erica is a small town elementary school teacher in Georgia. She lives in her Grandmother’s house and apparently has never been anywhere else. She even attended college from home, so she would not have to leave her ailing grandmother.

Dylan, also a Southerner, although he is from Arkansas, has recently moved to this small Georgia town from Los Angeles. He is getting out of “the life” of being a porn star. Of course,, he thinks he is going to be able to keep his past a secret.

Obviously, he doesn’t really know small towns.

The storyline was one I have not read before and that is saying something with the number of books I read. I found this one to be unique if a little unbelievable. And that is my only real problem with the book. The characters are likable and Dylan’s reasons for becoming a porn star as will as his struggle to return to a normal life are convincing. However, I did have trouble buying that he introduces Erica to his friends in LA, but does not expect them to tell her about the business.

My real issue with the book is Erica and the town she lives in. I found her situation implausible in a number of ways. First, and this is a minor point, she has never seen a beach. This is Georgia, not Kansas, and Georgians go to the beach. No educated person is that isolated.

Which brings up another issue . . . Erica is an elementary school teacher in a small Southern town and when Dylan’s past life is revealed, there are very few repercussions from the townspeople. Teachers are expected to be like Caesar’s wife . . . above reproach. There is no way the citizens would have accepted Erica dating, much less having an affair, with a porn star.

Finally, Erica has been betrayed by a previous boyfriend and has strong doubts that she can hold any man. Although, she is upset when she finds out about his past, she accepts that he loves her (eventually) and does not seem to have any problems with the fact that he has had sex with hundreds of women.

As you can see, I have had a hard time getting past the “yeah, right” portions of the plot. The storyline is unique, the characters are likable, and the book is well written. I just wish more thought had been given to the reactions of the characters to the situation.

And one more thing, I have been a teacher in a small town in Georgia . . . and St. Simon’s Island is my favorite beach.

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January 13, 2012 · 4:50 am

No Dress Required by Cari Quinn

No Dress Required by Cari Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: *No Dress Required
Author: Cari Quinn
Series: n/a
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Format: ebook
Date/Year: December 2011
Reviewed by: ElaineReads

*This book was provided to me by the publisher for review.

Summary from the publisher:

After years of ho-hum dating, Noelle Gregory is tired of fooling around. There’s only ever been one guy for her—Jake Conroy, her best friend’s older brother. Now that Jake’s back in town, she’s headed to his sister’s New Year’s Eve party to make her move. Purse full of condoms? Check. Sparkly dress guaranteed to show Jake the sexy woman she’s become? Check.

Carjacker that makes off with both two hours before the party? Check.

When Jake finds Noelle stranded on the side of the road—looking sexier than ever in her striped socks and silly holiday shirt, damn it—he’s glad for the snowstorm that cancels his sister’s party. His and Noelle’s friendship has tormented him for years, and now, Jake wonders if he should dare to sample what he’s always wanted…and if he’ll be able to walk away when it’s over.

My Musings:

Noelle has been in love with her best friend’s brother Jake for years. Unfortunately, he always saw her as another pesky little sister until it was too late and he was involved with someone else.

Now, Jake is alone once more and it’s New Year’s Eve. Is it possible that Jake and Noelle will start the New Year with a bang?

My initial reaction to the “best friend’s brother” plot was not again. However, one of the reasons it is used so much is that it works. Can any straight girl say that she did not crush on the older, unattainable guy at some point? I know I can’t.

I am not a fan of short stories/novellas and this book is only 61 pages long. However, the author does an excellent job of developing the relationship between Jake and Noelle given the the limited time available. There is even a bit of a mystery involved in why did Jake’s girlfriend leave him.

The best thing about this story is that it is fun. I particularly liked when they realize Noelle has thrown away Jake’s only condom in a fit of temper and he refuses to go through his baby sister’s stash to get another one.

Cari Quinn has several books published and I will definitely try another. This book made me laugh out loud and who can ask for more than that?

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December 23, 2011 · 5:24 am

The Winston Brothers (Winston, 1-3) by Lori Foster

Lori Foster enchanted legions of romance readers with her seductive novellas featuring the Winston brothers. Now, these tantalizing tales are available for the first time in one volume.

This book includes the stories for Cole, Chase, and Mack which were originally published in separate anthologies. I loved this series the first time I read it, but I am not as impressed now. Maybe it’s just not what I am in the mood to read.

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December 22, 2011 · 5:00 am

Hearts and Swords (Celta novellas) by Robin D. Owens

Award-winning author Robin D. Owens returns to the futuristic world of Celta with four original romantic fantasies as four different couples find their HeartMates and their destinies on Celta.

This was a wonderful addition to the series. My favorites were the first story of the ships before landing on Celta and the last one about the Clovers.

I think I would have liked the others better if I had recently read the books they were spun-off from.

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November 4, 2011 · 5:00 am

Fires of Winter (Tales of Jernaeve, #2) by Roberta Gellis

Fires Of Winter by Roberta Gellis
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Title: Fires of Winter*
Author: Roberta Gellis
Series:N/A
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Format: paperback, e-book
Date/Year: November 2011 (reissue)
Reviewed by: ElaineReads

*This book was provided to the reviewer by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Summary from the publisher:

A SPARKLING PRIZE OF WAR: The beautiful, cherished daughter of Scottish nobility, Melusine of Ulle had all the privileges of rank. But her family and her life were destroyed by the ravages of war. And her noble name made her a threat to the new king . . .

A LOYAL VASSAL’S REWARD: A bastard son of an English lord, Bruno of Jernaeve was born with nothing. But through loyalty, cleverness and brute strength, he carved out a spot at the right hand of the king. And to remain in favor he would do anything, even accept the hand of his enemy . . .

They have nothing in common and every reason to hate each other, but even in the coldest of winters one spark can ignite a fire too hot to tame.

My Musings:

Told in alternating chapters, Winds of Fire tells the story of the lives of Melusine and Bruno. I have classified this book as a historical romance, but it is really more history than romance.

The book begins during the childhoods of each character. Melusine is the only surviving daughter of nobility and has been allowed more freedom than most girls of this time period. Bruno is the son of an English lord and the manor whore.

Melusine’s entire family is destroyed and her lands are taken from her by the English king because her father had supported Scotland. Her focus throughout the book is to convince King Stephen to return her lands to her. As a female, this means she must have a husband in the King’s favor.

Bruno is a soldier of King Stephen and attends him at Court. He has given the king his oath of loyalty and although he recognizes the king’s weaknesses, his honor and his love for the king keeps him at his side.

King Stephen gives Melusine to Bruno as a bride to serve two purposes. He is rewarding a loyal soldier and he believes Bruno can control any of Melusine’s desires to overthrow the King.

Taking place during the 1100s or High Middle Ages in England and Scotland, the author spends a lot of time discussing the political maneuverings of various characters at the beginning of the book. These are not the two protagonists, but various lords, princes, and religious leaders. This is not a time period that I am particularly familiar with so it is probably a good thing that the author spends some time setting the landscape . . . but, eighty-five pages!

It is not until the eighty-sixth page that Bruno and Melusine meet. He weds and beds her and she tries to kill him. Probably not the best start to a marriage.

I almost gave up on this book several times. If it had not been a book I had promised to review, I would never have finished it. As I said earlier, it is more history than romance. I felt there was way too much time spent discussing the political landscape to the detriment of the story between Bruno and Melusine.

Having said that, I am glad I finished it. I now know something of the history of that time period, although I do not know how accurate it is. The book had a solid ending with enough information about Bruno and Melusine to satisfy my curiosity on how their lives turned out.

I would never recommend this book to someone who is looking for a romance. However, if you are interested in a political history of the time period, this is definitely the book for you.

Ratings:

Overall: 2 stars
Sensuality level: 3.0

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October 25, 2011 · 3:24 am

A Winter Scandal (St. Dwynwen, #1) by Candace Camp

A Winter Scandal by Candace Camp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: A Winter Scandal*
Author: Candace Camp
Series: Legend of St. Dwynwen Series #1
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Pocket Books
Format: paperback, e-book
Date/Year: October 25, 2011
Reviewed by: ElaineReads

*This book was provided to reviewer by the publisher in exchange for an honest review,

Summary from the publisher:

When plain and proper Thea Bainbridge stumbles upon a baby in the manger of her church’s nativity, she is understandably shocked. Discovering a brooch bearing the insignia of Gabriel, Lord Morecombe, hidden among the child’s clothing, she is certain the dissolute rake is to blame. Incensed, Thea sets out to reproach the arrogant lord—only to find herself utterly swept away.

Gabriel is intrigued by the vivacity in Thea’s flashing gray eyes when she accuses him of fathering the orphan, even as he adamantly maintains his innocence. The brooch is one he remembers all too well, however, and Gabriel is determined to find the mother of the missing child. As the mystery around the baby deepens, Gabriel is continually thrown together with Thea—and finds himself growing more entranced every day.

Even with whispers of winter scandal swirling around them, they cannot deny the longing in their hearts. A longing which promises the best gift of all: a shelter from the storm . . . in each other’s arms.

My Musings:

Thea is the spinster sister of the local vicar. She is content with her life and knows that she will never have a family of her own. She is very conscious that her behavior must be above reproach because it will reflect on her brother. Her one secret is the kiss she received at a party when she was quite young.

Gabriel, Lord Morecombe, has recently purchased a manor house in the neighborhood and has invited some of his male friends to visit. The local people are scandalized by the “goings on” at the house and will not allow any of their daughters to work there. The gentlemen are however invited to the squires party because, after all, they are nobility and he has several daughters to marry off.

Needless to say, Thea is very disapproving and Gabriel hardly notices her. It is certainly not a case of love at first sight.

A few days later, Thea discovers an infant in the church and the only identifying item is a brooch with the Morecombe seal engraved on it. She storms to the manor house with the baby and confronts Gabriel with his misdeeds.

Gabriel certainly notices her now.

I am partial to any romance set in Regency England because it is one of my favorite genres. I have read dozens if not hundreds of Regency Romances and I am always looking for another author to add to my autobuy list. Candace Camp has definitely been added to that list.

Thea is the more well-developed character which is common in romances as most of them are written from the female’s point of few. We do get to see that Gabriel’s life is not just one party after another. He has had tragedies in his life that Thea has been spared.

My only “problem” with the book is that Thea seemed quick to risk her reputation for Gabriel and the baby after years of behavior beyond reproach. Of course, there wouldn’t have been much of a book otherwise.

I thought I had the bad guy figured out well before the end of the book. The author threw in a twist, however, that totally surprised me. It fit well within the story and I feel that I should have seen it coming.

The author did a wonderful job of showing how Thea’s and Gabriel’s feelings for each other develop. After all, sometimes it takes more than the first sight for love.

Ratings:

Overall: 4 stars
Sensuality level: 3

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October 1, 2011 · 4:58 am

Destined Mate by Katie Reus

Destined Mate by Katie Reus
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Angela has been hiding from Knox for decades. She knows how much the Alpha werewolf hates vampires and cannot face the idea of her former lover killing her. Only the kidnapping of her friend gives her the courage to risk her heart and her life by seeing him again.

Knox has hated vampires since they destroyed his family centuries before. He believes they are all evil and should be killed on sight. That is until his lover is turned against her will.

He has searched for her for decades without success and suddenly she is on his land and in his power. Can he convince her that his feelings about vampires have changed, but his feelings for her never have?

This story was a quick read at slightly over sixty pages. Although the forbidden relationship between a vampire and a werewolf is not unique, the author develops the story well in regards to how the pack does or does not accept Angela.
Most of the tension in this book has less to do with Knox convincing Angela that he still loves her as it does with Angela not understanding his reactions as a werewolf. That is not much different than human women not understanding human men . . . now is it?

My only reservation with this story is that it is a story. I would love an expanded version that explores the dynamics of Angela’s vampire tribe and Knox’s werewolf pack. I would also like to see more of how the female werewolves accept her as their Alpha female.

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