His Sinful Secret by Emma Wildes Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Signet Available: November 2nd 2010 Genre: Historical Romance Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Amy 

Betrothed to one brother, then married to another, Julianne Sutton finds herself a pawn in an unknown game. The enigmatic new Marquess of Longhaven knows all about the art of deception but he’s baffled by innocence. His new wife is trusting, lovely, and utterly bewitching. Imagine his surprise when he discovers that she has secrets of her own. As he battles a ruthless enemy, he quickly learns that love has an entirely different set of rules.

When I think of secrets, espionage and romance, I am immediately excited by the prospect of being transported into an adventure that captivates my mind and heart.  Unfortunately, I was not whisked away in His Sinful Secret by Emma Wildes, the last book in the trilogy of the Notorious Bachelors.

Since birth, Jualianne Sutton has been destined to marry Harry Hepburn, the Marquess of Longhaven.  The marriage, an arrangement between both families, came to an abrupt altering after Harry’s sudden and unexpected death.  Assuming his late brother’s position as heir, Michael Hepburn steps into not only the title and responsibilities of the Marquess but also, at his parents insistence, the bridegroom to Jualianne.  Facing a union out of duty and obligation, Michael  coolly accepts the marriage to console his grieving parents with the mindset of "I’ll survive. I’ve certainly been through worse."  Jualianne barely knew Michael when he left to fight in the Napoleonic war almost five years ago.  Now, a 19 year old young woman, Jualianne still views him as a stranger, but accepts her role as the Marquess’ wife.  Polite yet distant, charming but enigmatic, Michael is the epitome of complexity.  Though Jualianne may not be marrying this mysterious man for love, after marriage she hopes they will be able to learn who the other person is and at least share their lives in mutual companionship.   Developing trust proves difficult when both Michael and Jualianne are hiding secrets from each other that could not only threaten their marriage but also their very lives.

I enjoyed the sensual and alluring style of Emma Wildes in the previous Notorious Bachelors books: My Lord Scandal and Our Wicked Mistake.  However, this last installment lacked the charm and captivation that pulled me into the other books and that I have come to expect in her stories.  Michael was considerate and accommodating to Jualianne, but his aloof demeanor and general detachment from her throughout much of the daily interaction made it difficult to see much chemistry between the two.  Jualianne, both beautiful and intelligent, presented herself as reserved but inquisitive, with her main goal being to establish communication with her husband outside of the bedroom.  Overall, their relationship appeared dry and disconnected, missing the romantic spark and emotional connection that I like between developing couples.  In contrast, the secondary characters, Antonia and Lawrence, provided the charisma and attraction that was lost between the main couple.  Ultimately, Antonia and Lawrence held my attention more through the majority of the story.  The mystery that developed throughout the series is quickly solved with a disappointing and anticlimactic end.  However, there was a nice twist which could warrant a fourth book if Ms. Wildes chooses to extend the trilogy. His Sinful Secret, while a bit bland, still concluded an overall well-written and well-developed series.  Ms. Wildes is an author I would not hesitate to read more work from in the future.

Favorite Quote:  

"Michael was brilliant as a cut diamond, but also every bit as hard.  The facets too were many." 

 

Series list:

• My Lord Scandal
• Our Wicked Mistake
• His Sinful Secret

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Styx’s Storm by Lora Leigh  Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: 368 pages Available: October 5th 2010 Genre: Paranormal Romance Source: Publisher

When Storme Montague’s father and brother are killed by the Breeds, her father’s research is also destroyed — except for a crucial data chip that both the Council and the Breeds would kill to possess. Betrayed to the Council, she is rescued by Styx, a Wolf Breed who is different from most other Breeds she has ever known. Storme has something he wants too — but it’s not a data chip.

Reviewed by: Samantha 

Styx’s Storm is the 22nd book in Lora Leigh’s Breeds series. I actually stopped reading the Breeds series in the middle of book 8. So it has been awhile since I picked one of these up. But when Ms. Fiction Vixen herself said, "Come on. You know you want to." Well, like the good little packmate that I am, I said, "Ok. I will read it." I was hoping it would revive my interest in the series.

Storme Montague is all grown up now and has been on the run for many years since her scientist father and her brother were brutaly murdered by the Breeds. She can’t stay anywhere for too long for fear she will be captured by the Breeds since she is in possession of a very important data chip given to her by her father right before his death. Storme hates and fears the Breeds. Then one night in a bar, she spots Styx – a Scottish Wolf Breed. With his long red hair and his ice blue eyes, Storme’s body reacts instantly to him. Is it possible Styx doesn’t know who Storme really is? Is the scent masker really working? When he sidles up to her in the bar and calls her Lass in that sweet accent of his, Storme finds herself trusting him and goes back to his hotel room for what she hopes is a good night’s sleep for the first time in quite awhile. As you can imagine the drama, sex, action, alpha male, scared female, and more sex ensue from there.

Now I know there are many women out there who love this series. My very own mother has devoured every Breeds book like a ravenous animal. I have had a break in the series going from book #8 to book #22, and I was really hoping for something different, however the formula seems to pretty much stay the same. We are treated to a very sexy, passionate and very funny hero in this book which I truly enjoyed. Styx kept me turning the pages. When Storme, the heroine of the story, was being smart and sarcastic or standing up for herself, I enjoyed her as well. However, sometimes Storme seemed a little too wish-washy and whiny for me. The story itself is fairly simple and uncomplicated.

If you are fan of the Lora Leigh Breeds series, I think you will like this book. If you like your heroes to be tall, Scottish, sexy, and funny, then no doubt you too will like this book. I don’t think it is necessary to read the previous Breeds books to follow along with the story. I didn’t feel lost at any time. But in the end I personally didn’t feel like it really revived my interest in the Breeds series or left me wanting more when I turned the final page.

My favorite thing about this book? Styx’s addiction and obsession to chocolate. And the fact that when Storme licks his skin, he tastes like chocolate.

Favorite Quote:

"You taste like chocolate," she said with a sigh, a hint of amusement in her voice. "A woman wouldn’t have to gain weight to get her fix, all she would have to do is kiss you."

 

 

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Improper Ladies by Author by Amanda McCabe Paperback: 448 pages Publisher: Signet Available: September 7, 2010 Genre: Historical Romance

The Golden Feather Young Caroline Aldritch is shocked to learn her late husband’s only legacy to her is a notorious gaming establishment-where she must hide her face from all, including the dashing Lord Lyndon, who’s determined to unmask the secretive beauty…

The Rules of Love Rosalind Chase must endure her brother’s friendship with the notorious rake Lord Morley. But when she can’t stop thinking of the insufferable libertine, Rosalind wonders if his ways just might be the path to love…

Reviewed by: Samantha 

Improper Ladies contains two previous books released by Amanda McCabe: The Golden Feather and The Rules of Love.

The Golden Feather Caroline owns and runs The Golden Feather, a gaming establishment, while hiding her face behind a disguise. It would be disgraceful for the people of the town to find out a lady runs such an establishment. Caroline needs the money from the establishment to ensure her sister receives a good education. One evening she has an arousing encounter with the enchanting Lord Justin Lyndon. But Caroline must take care to never reveal her true identity to him. After Caroline sells The Golden Feather, she and her sister Phoebe arrive in a seaside town to spend their summer season. Caroline could have never guessed that the family next door spending their summer seaside would be the Lord Lydon himself along with his brother and mother.

The Golden Feather is a simple and uncomplicated historical romance that moved at a quick pace in large part due to the chemistry between Caroline and Justin. As the two spend their summer next door to each other, they each find themselves more and more smitten with each other. I actually found myself more and more smitten with Justin as I read. Caroline knows she can never reveal her true identity for fear she and her sister will be shunned. The story is also infused with other fun characters such as Caroline’s exuberant sister, Phoebe, and Justin’s boisterous and somewhat troublesome younger brother Harry. When I first saw the title of the book was Improper Ladies, I must admit I kept reading along waiting for something "improper" to happen between Caroline and Justin. I guess the "improper" part was the fact that Caroline owned a gaming establishment. The romance in this book is very chaste, so don’t expect to read any improper happenings on the pages. What you can expect is well drawn out characters that were enjoyable to read with each having a uniqueness that kept the story interesting and sweet.

Rating:

 

The Rules of Love Rosalind is the schoolmistress of a school for girls. She has also secretly written a book called A Lady’s Rules. The girls at her school and women everywhere are reading the book and living by the rules. Rosalind must sell lots of copies of her book to help pay for her brother’s debts which he keeps racking up at a feverish pace. One of her favorite students, Lady Violet is heading home for the break and waiting to be picked up by her brother, Lord Michael Morley. Rosalind believes Michael leads her brother into all sorts of trouble. After a brief encounter between Rosalind and Michael at the the time he picks his sister up from school, both leave each other with feelings of attraction. When Michael learns of the book of rules he sets out to break as many as he can. Her book stops selling and Rosalind must go to London to figure out what is going on. She of course comes across Michael in London where he starts to pursue her.

I did not enjoy The Rules of Love as much as I did The Golden Feather. I found the chemistry between the two lead characters of Michael and Rosalind to be a bit forced. And unlike Justin in The Golden Feather, I just didn’t find myself swooning much over Michael in The Rules of Love. This story was again very simple and uncomplicated, and the romance was very chaste. Again, I kept reading while waiting for something improper, but I think the only improper things I found was Rosalind’s desire to drink whiskey (which she really should have drank to maybe loosen up a bit!) and the fact that she hid the truth that she was the author of A Lady’s Rules. I did enjoy Rosalind’s sister, Violet. She was a sweet girl with an infectious personality. I also enjoyed the way Michael showed his softer side by looking after his sister. This story was just a little slow for me and overall I found it to be anti-climatic.

Rating:

 

Overall Rating for Improper Ladies:

Favorite Quote: From The Golden Feather

Justin: "Trying to distract you from what, Miss Lane?" Phoebe: "From my purpose in coming here." Justin: "Which is?" Phoebe: "To tell you what a looby you are, of course. A wicked looby." Justin: " A – what?" Phoebe: " A looby." "It is a word I heard your brother use. And I am sure you are one."

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Eve of Samhain by Lisa Sanchez Paperback: 216 pages Publisher: Omnific Publishing Available: May 25th 2010

As a college senior and server at Hanaford Park’s hottest nightclub, twenty-one year old Ryann Pierce’s plan was simple: work hard, make lots of money, and avoid the ass-grabbers at all costs. What she never planned for was Quinn Donegan—the living, breathing advertisement for sinful behavior that waltzed into her life.

With an angelic face, a hard body and a butt-load of charm, Quinn had a way with the ladies—a lot of ladies. Cursed with a deadly, addictive touch, his trail of indiscretion blazed across five hundred years. Tired and jaded, Ryann is a shocking revelation Quinn didn’t see coming.

Filled with desire, yet unable to touch one another, Ryann and Quinn embark on a daunting journey, battling frustrating physical limitations while exploring their new love. In a race against the clock, Ryann learns she must plead for Quinn’s life before…the Eve of Samhain. Determined to end her lover’s suffering, not even the danger dogging her every move can keep her from her mission.

Reviewed by: Samantha 

Ryann is a 21 year old college student who is self conscious about her size 8 body and works in a bar/nightclub reminiscent of a Hooters. In walks the gorgeous Quinn one night and Ryann is immediately intrigued by not only his roguish and rude behavior, but also the way Quinn leaves his toothpick skinny date in a trance when he walks away. It also helps that Quinn is devastatingly handsome and speaks with an Irish accent. Turns out Quinn and Ryann are enrolled at the same college and they are thrown together at school where Ryann is determined to figure this bad boy out. In the mean time, Ryann is battling something that appears to be a demon and has a crazy roommate who just may be into witchcraft. As she and Quinn become closer, Ryann learns Quinn has a curse – a touch so addictive to women it drives them crazy.

This book was a slow starter for me. In fact I almost gave up on it several times during the first 15% of it. The story is told in first person by the character of Ryann, and I had a difficult time reading about every nuance that went through her head. It’s like there was a war going on inside that brain of hers and I just couldn’t escape. But once Quinn takes center stage in the story along with Ryann, I felt he rescued the book and I was able to soldier on. Quinn is Irish and over 500 years old. The stuff that comes out of his mouth is priceless and I spent many times laughing out loud. Some of the phrases he used were just hysterically funny. And it made him completely irresistible.

There was still too much of what I would consider "over sharing" by Ryann. In fact I felt the author did too much of Ryann telling what was going on instead of showing by describing more emotions or physical surroundings. I often would think I was reading a Young Adult book and then the F bomb would be thrown out or Quinn would make a sexual remark and I would be reminded this indeed was not a Young Adult book.  The other issue I had with the book is the way Ryann came across so body conscious and she felt like a size 8 was too large, but yet she worked in a Hooters style establishment wearing booty shorts and obviously showing off her body. That just didn’t make sense to me?

Overall, if you are looking to spend a little time with a super sexy Irishman who spouts off some fantastic dialogue, this may be the book for you. Another thing I did appreciate is the way the author handled the intimacy between the two characters considering they couldn’t touch each other skin to skin. It was very sensual and you could truly feel the chemistry between Ryann and Quinn. These scenes were very well done. Also, if you really like stories told from a first person point of view where you can hear everything going on inside the characters head, this may be for you as well.

Favorite Quote:

"Well, what can I say? When you’re hung like a Clydesdale, you find yourself naming your appendage." He shifted in his seat and glanced down at his crotch with a smile. "Captain Leviathan here is legendary."

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Damsel in Disguise by Susan Gee Heino Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Berkley Available: August 3, 2010 Genre: Historical Romance

An actress by trade, Julia St. Clement is playing her most dangerous role yet. She dresses as a man to warn Lord Anthony Rastmoor of a cruel plot against him. She still loves him, despite his betrayal years ago. Rastmoor believes that Julia is dead. But when Julia’s actress "wife" disappears, Rastmoor and Julia must form an uneasy alliance. It’s only a matter of time before he unmasks her-and there’s no telling what will happen when he does.

Reviewed by: Tracy 

Have you ever wanted to be just one of the guys?  Sit at the poker table and get the no-holds-barred version of the conversation?  Reading the back synopsis, I thought Susan Gee Heino’s Damsel in Disguise would be an interesting twist on romance.  Unfortunately, though it had a few good moments, I largely found myself wondering when I’d finally get to the end.

Julia St. Clement is an accomplished actress, whose skills are put to the test when she must play Mr. Alexander Clemmons in order to escape the clutches of Cedrick Fitzgeralder and save Lord Anthony Rastmoor.  After the suspicious disappearance of Sophie, Julia’s travel companion who was masquerading as Clemmons’ wife, Rastmoor and Clemmons (aka Julia) team up to find Sophie.  With cropped hair, a mustache and trousers, Julia fools everyone except Rastmoor.  Rastmoor immediately suspects something is amiss and later realizes Clemmons is a woman.  And not just any woman, but the woman who broke his heart three years prior by running off with his unsavory cousin, Fitzgeralder, who is now out to take Rastmoor title.  As Julia and Rastmoor rediscover their love and attempt to rebuild trust, they embark on a quest to find Sophie, keep Julia safe from Fitzgeralder and keep Rastmoor’s title and family name in tact…all while Julia must maintain her male persona.

Let’s start with the things I liked.  There were several mishaps and one-liners in this story that made me smile.  I often re-read the lines that started with “oh bother” or “hellfire and damnation” because it was just too darn funny.  Julia also finds herself in a few interesting predicaments as a “man,” including a quite awkward exchange with a creepy old pervert.  Given the prim and proper Regency-period setting, I would have liked Heino to add more comical or interesting exchanges of a woman pretending to be a man in a male dominated period.  While there were a few, they were less memorable.  What I found most frustrating was the general pace of the story.  Between Julia and Rastmoor hemming and hawing about trusting one another and the various storylines unfolding rather slowly, the middle part of the book was hard to get through.  In fact, I had to put it down for a few days at a time.  With several death threats, assassination attempts, impersonations and arson, I would have thought things would have been more interesting and perhaps a bit more suspenseful.  The pace picked up in the latter part of the book, but the ending left me thinking “THAT was the big secret” and “did Walt Disney write this HEA?”

While I’m not jumping to pick up Temptress in Training, Heino’s next novel, I’m not completely throwing in the towel.  Lord Dashford, Rastmoor’s best friend, who had a big role in this book, is the hero in Heino’s previous novel, Mistress by Mistake.  I have a feeling Lord and Lady Dashford will pique my interest rather than put me to sleep.      

Favorite Quote:

Rastmoor: “All truly does end well”

Julia: “Indeed, but it would be even more well if you would stop making chitchat and please remove your clothes, my lord.”

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