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Whispers In The Dark by Maya Banks

She came to him when he needed her the most....

She came to him at his lowest point. The voice of angel, a whisper in the dark. She is the only thing that gets Nathan Kelly through his captivity, the endless days of torture and fear that he'll return to his family. With her help, he's able to escape. But he isn't truly free, because now she has disappeared, and he's left with an all-consuming emptiness as he struggles to pick up the pieces of his life. Did he imagine his angel? OR is she out there, needing his help as he'd once needed hers?

Now he rushes to save her before it's to late.....

Shea has been on the run from people who will stop at nothing to exploit her unique abilities. She never wanted to drag Nathan into more danger, but she doesn't have choice, so she reaches out to him for help. Finally face-t-face after having already formed a soul-deep bond in hell, their emotional connection is even more powerful then their telepathic one. Nathan refuses to let her go again, but she worries they can never have a life free of dangers that dog her every step. Can he convince her that they are meant to face these dangers together?

This is the next book of the KGI series and it is about twin brother Nathan. Poor Nathan has been through hell and back. He has been taken captive and has been beaten and tortured daily. Somehow this voice comes into his head who helps him make it through it. It is because of Shea that he is saved between her getting info to his brothers and the telepathic abilities and a few other things I won't give away he makes it.

But, something is missing when Nathan comes home and he can't get his life back together is it because of the voice in his head. Even his twin Joe is unable to help him. Then one night he gets a call from Shea needing help and he knows what they had was real.

Shea has been on the run for a long time. You see she and her sister have special abilities and some people want them. The thing is you never really figure it out who it is. I think that will be resolved in the next book which is about Grace, Shea's sister. Just haven't figured out if she is going to leave Rio has the hero or not.

When Nathan saves Shea you know the two of them should be together. I loved when they were talking telepathic to each other the brothers would give them a hard time about it. I like how the whole family comes in to help save Shea and they make her part of the family right away. Although Joe did have a hard time at first with her but they make there peace.

Nathan and Shea are very good together. They have a very strong bond that gets them through a lot. I loved the part when Nathan tells Shea he is nothing without her and no mater what he will keep her and her sister safe.

It does get a little confusing because you really don't know who the bad guys are as I said earlier. But overall I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the next one. Ms. Banks never disappoints!!

I got this book as a ARC through my Romance Group and the book will be issued on 1-3-12

My Ruthless Prince

My Ruthless Prince by Gaelen Foley

4th Book in the Inferno Club Series

His brother warriors fear the Earl of Westwood has turned traitor, but Emily Harper knows this is impossible for the man she has loved since childhood...as impossible as a marriage between them could ever be--she, the gamekeeper's daughter and he, a bold and adventurous nobleman.

Driven by hatred and revenge, Westwood is playing a deadly game of deception, bent on destroying the enemy's dark conspiracy from the inside, and he's furious when Emily plunges herself into danger for his sake. Forced into close quarters, their long-suppressed desire explodes into all-consuming passion.

Emily knows her love can save him...but Westwood is a man who doesn't want to be saved.

This is the 4th book in the Inferno Club series.

This book is not a stand alone.... ....I feel it will help you if you've read the other books in this series or I feel you will be lost even though Ms. Foley does do a very good job in bringing up the back story.

Emily and Drake, the Earl of Westwood were childhood friends and grand rivalries until the Seeker came for Drake. Drake is a member of the Order of St. Michael the Archangel. Emily follows Drake to Walfort Castle which is a stronghold for the Prometheans which had held Drake there earlier as a prisoner and were he was torture. Drake was saved by James Falkirk and Drake is now his personal guard. Emily is out to save Drake.

From the time that Emily is caught in the woods and brought to the castle this book will keep you on the edge of your seat. The love that Drake and Emily have for each other and Emily's devotion to Drake just wants you to say AHH!

This book is a really page turner and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. Drake does do and say some things that make you just want to slap him but you understand why as you continue to read the story.

The other members of the Inferno Club are on a chase to catch the head Promethean's son who has escaped from their cell and is also headed to Walfort Castle. The ending of the story keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I really enjoyed this book and Ms. Foley gives us a sneak peek at our next hero and heroine.

I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review.

How The Marquess Was Won by Julie Ann Long

How The Marquess was Won by Julie Anne Long

6th book in the Pennyroyal Series

Did you ever finish reading a book and say AHHHHH!! Well, that's what I did at the end of this book.

Our heroine Phoebe Vale is a school teacher and is hired by Lisbeth Redmond to be her paid companion for a house party.

Our hero Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden knows what he wants and when he talks the ton listens and follows in his footsteps.

This book has two unique character as their lifestyles which is as different as night and day.

The story opens up with the hero after being shot staggering into the Pig & Thistle and starts to fall to the floor were he is caught by Colin Eversea. As they bring Julian to a room in starts talking about some women not even pretty and talking nonsense. The story then goes back six weeks earlier when Phoebe and Julian first meet at Postlethwaite's Emporium of Lady's Goods who is there to buy Lisbeth a fan. Phoebe overs another visitor bet Dryden 10 pounds that he can't get Phoebe to kiss him.

At the house party Phoebe gets Julian to do things that he's never done before. As they both start to fall for each other and fight their true feelings. Dryden is at house party to start to woo Lisbeth Redmond. The Redmonds hold a piece of land that was once in his family and Dryden wants the land back. Phoebe is aware that Julian is at the house party to woo Lisbeth but that doesn't stop her from staying away from him.

The Silverton sisters - Marie and Antoinette invite Phoebe to their house in London for a fortnight to attend parties and balls with them. Lisbeth is not happy to have Phoebe at the Silverton's residence as she is invited too.

While at White's one day Dryden overhears Waterburn and d'Andre making bets in a the bookie book but doesn't pay attention. Phoebe becomes the belle of the ball much to the surprise of Dryden and Lisbeth.

It was fun to see Phoebe enjoying herself and seeing both of them fight their feelings for each other. Dryden trying to do the "right" thing and woo Lisbeth and trying to stay away from Phoebe. Phoebe trying to stop her feelings for Dryden and for the first time enjoying life.

I was surprised to see Lisbeth turn into the villainess but she the Silverton twins, Waterburn and d'Andre and get their just rewards.

This book had me laughing out loud with the banter between Dryden and Phoebe.

Although I'm still waiting for Lyon and Olivia's story I hope Ms. Long does a story on Lisbeth's brother Jonathan who you just fall in love with.

I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review.

The Last Cowboy, by Lindsay McKenna

Rating:  B, warm

Slade and Griff McPherson’s parents are killed by a  neighboring rancher, Red Downing, when the boys were only 6 years old.  Slade stays on the ranch to be raised by one uncle, while Griff is sent to another uncle on the east coast.  Griff, a Wall Street banker has lost his job due to the current recession.  Slade works 14 hour days on his small ranch, trying to stay one step ahead of the mortgage.  

Slade is the current number one endurance horse racer in the country, and runs a school on his ranch to train others for competitions.  Local ER physician Jordana Lawton seeks Slade out to train her and her mare, as she wants to enter level 1 competition.  Due to being burned by his first wife, Slade is not fond of female students.  In fact, he has none but the good doctor gets under his skin and he takes her on as a student.   

Jordana proves to be a better rider than Slade anticipated.  He also starts to fall for her, and it’s evident she returns those feelings.  Jordana has a nasty run in with Slade’s neighbor and riding competitor Curt Downing, son of the man who killed Slade’s parents while driving drunk, at the feed store.  Slade bristles when he finds out about this, warning Jordana that Curt is a nasty person, and an even nastier competitive rider, pulling illegal stunts during races in order to win. 

Slade’s prize bull attacks and goudges him in the thigh, tearing open his main artery.  Slade is out of the upcoming competition due to the seriousness of his injuries. Jordana’s mare is also injured, so she convinces Slade to let her ride his stallion Thor in the upcoming endurance race.   Griff is out of a job, and shows up at the ranch since he is still a part owner.  However, he knows absolutely nothing about running a ranch.  He interferes with a bid Slade has in for some horses, and is accused of bribery, so Slade becomes disgusted with him and throws him off the ranch.  The happenings with Griff paint a pretty true picture of the current recession in our world today. To make things worse, Downing is constant thorn in Slades side, forever causing financial and personal problems for him.  

Jordana’s dream comes true, and Slade lets her ride Thor in the big race.  She wants desperately to win the purse to help Slade with his financial woes.  Jordana and Slade provide many pages of sexual tension throughout the book, so all along you are hoping that these two, especially Slade, can set aside his grudges and anger to make this budding relationship work. 

Overall, a very lighthearted story, and the author is very well versed in the horse world, including the different breeds.  Very interesting, plus I learned a lot about horses! I am looking forward to Grifff’s book.  It should be good, watching him trying to dig his way out of the hole he is in. 

Merry Christmas To All

I would like to thank Teri and Debra for helping me get this blog off the ground. I have to admit it's hard to write a review and next year I hope to contribute more.

To all my friends who read our blog I thank you and I want to wish each and every one of you a Very Merry Christmas. Love to all, Dani

I also would like to wish everybody a Happy Holiday season!!!!! I have really enjoyed working on this blog and want to thanks Teri and Dani in talking me into it!!! SO again to every who reads our blog or just comes for a visit thank you and have a very safe Holiday season and a very Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas to all our our followers!  It's been fun sharing our love of books, and all things book related wirh you.  My thanks to Dani ad Debra for joining me in this venture.  It's been a fun year, and here's hoping that there will be even more reading time and reviews in 2011! 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!!

The Black Hawk by Joanna Bourne

I have to admit that even though this book took me almost a week to read it -- I loved it. I have to be honest and say that I'm not reading like I used to, I don't know if it's the change of weather or the holiday season.

This is a beautifully written book and tells the story of two spies -- one for England the other for France and how their lives intertwined for twenty-five years. Ms. Bourne's weaves a story that takes you back to their past on how they met to the current time of the story line. Adrian "Hawk" Hawkhurst and Justine " Owl " DeCabrillac two spies who have known each other since they were both young children and each know how the other works and thinks.

When the story opens Owl is on her way to Hawk's house. She is stabbed with a knife that has been poisoned on her way Hawk's residence and she collapses on his doorsteps. Hawk does everything in his power to save Owl and then after Owl gets better the two work together to find out who stabbed her.

This book kept my interest as it has to one of of my best reads of 2011. Although there weren't many love scenes in this book the first time Hawk and Owl make love is so wonderfully written that you can feel ever touch and every kiss.

We've met Hawk in Ms. Bourne's other books in this series and I was hoping that he would get his own story. Now, I'm waiting for Pax to have his own story.

Head Over Heels, By Jill Shalvis

Head Over Heels, by Jill Shalvis

Rating: A, Hot

It’s no secret that I am a huge Jill Shalvis fan, and Head Over Heels was a wonderful addition to the Lucky Harbor series.   This book is about the 3^rd sister, wild child Chloe.  She and Sheriff Sawyer Thompson have had quite the love/hate relationship going in the first two books, and in this one, they take it to a whole new level!

Chloe’s sisters want her to help more with the B & B, but Chloe isn’t sure she can commit to that.   She led a vagabond lifestyle, living with her mother, whose hobby was following the Grateful Dead from town to town.   Chloe is an esthetician and travels to local high end spas in the area, creating her lotions and potions, and giving treatments to the clients.  Chloe comes up with an idea to have the sun room at the B & B changed in to a spa area, where her clients and B&B visitors can come to her.   The up side of this plan is that Chloe  would not need to travel so much.  Her sisters, Maddie and Tara immediately say no, pointing out that Chloe in not as reliable as they would like her to be.  This really hurts Chloe, since she has working very hard to change her ways, and she feels the sisters are being unfair.  

Chloe and her good friend Lance, who has cystic fibrosis, have been out rescuing Pit Bull dogs that a local fights, and gets all cut up making their escape. Sawyer is furious with her for taking the law in to her own hands -  again.  He stops by to check on her later that evening, to find her with Lance.  Sawyer immediately thinks they are in a relationship, but they have never been more than good friends.  Good old Sawyer is a reformed bad boy, and now as Sheriff he is about as straight laced as possible.  But he’s got it bad for Chloe, although he has a hard time admitting this to anyone.   The sexual tension between Chloe and Sawyer is palpable, and builds to a boiling point!  Finally – the moment is right, and halfway through their night of love, Chloe has a really bad asthma attack.  Sawyer is scared to death he’s going to lose her, so after the attack he gets cold feet, and as he backs away from Chloe, as the tension starts to build again.

The B & B is really getting off to a good start, but sisters Maddie and Tara kind of got to me with their attitude towards Chloe.  This time, Chloe is really trying, and at least they could encourage her, instead of constantly being so critical of her.  Both Maddie and Tara are upset that Chloe can’t tell them she loves them, but from the reader’s point of view, it’s not so hard to understand.  Chloe has been left alone her entire life, when people like her mother told her they loved her and then bailed on her.   Chloe does open her spa, thanks to a booking by a group of sisters who want their treatments done there at the B&B.

The town of Lucky Harbor has it quirks, and zany residents.  Good old Lucille still manages the Lucky Harbor Facebook page, a perfect job for the elderly town gossip.  There is more about Lance in this book, and a HEA for him too!   Chloe and Sawyer are a hoot as their relationship grows.  Her asthma is really bad, and she just can’t have spontaneous sex or she will have an asthma attack.  I was about rolling on the floor laughing as she is telling this to Sawyer, and telling him there is a test he must pass if he wants to have sex with her. Sawyer can’t believe there is a test – before sex!  She tells him he has to be inhaler worthy, which of course Sawyer is certain he is.

Want some more good news?  There are 3 more books yet to come in this wonderful series!  As we have covered the three sisters, there will be  three more books, about some of the great characters we have met in these first three Lucky Harbor stories. Color me happy!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Because of You, by Jessica Scott

     Jessica Scott, the author, is career military, in the Army, as is her spouse. I suspect the reason the book seems so real is because she’s seen it and done it all, as have her characters. 

     The heroine, Jenn St.  James is a nurse and breast cancer survivor.  She has yet to accept the disfigured body her mastectomy left her with.  Jen is very happy to be alive, but considers herself damaged goods.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Our hero is Shane Garrison, who Jen meets the night before the platoon sergeant and company are deploying for a year.  They share a hot kiss that neither of them can forget. It keeps Shane sane during his long nights in Iraq. Shane has an extremely high level of perfectionism and taking care of his troops, leaving little to no time for himself.

     About 4 months in to their deployment, a bomb blast sends Shane and a few others from his platoon back to Fort Hood Hospital, where Jen works.  Shane wakes up with both legs and one arm in a cast.  Several of his men have lost limbs.  Shane is totally aggravated and surley that he can’t be up and about to be   there and help his men.  The men are all grown up and most are married, but Shane can’t focus  on himself because he’s too worried about them.  Jen tries so hard to convince Shane that in time he will heal and be able to get back to his men, but nothing is moving fast enough for Shane.  He does take his anger out on Jen a time or two, and fortunately because of her job and own brush with cancer, she understands where Shane is coming from very well.    

     The love story advances, though not very quickly.  There is a lot going on in this book, both with Shane and his men who were injured. It’s nice to read a book written from this perspective, as you get to see what military life is like not only for the soldier, but the entire family.  This is where the author’s background shines.  I read a comment that says this is not a military romance, it’s a romance with military characters and I would agree with that statement. There are no scenes from the battlefield, so I felt the label of “Military Romance” was a bit misleading. 

     The hospital scenes were very realistic.  I have heard some complaints about the catheter removal scene, obviously made by people who do not have a medical background.  Stuff like that happens folks, and it may have happened even if a nurse other than Jen removed Shane’s catheter.  The other scenes, physical therapy and the overdose were also very well played out.     Jen’s cancer also played a leading role in the story.  She was worried how Shane would accept her body, but as she got to know Shane better, she should have figured that would not matter to him.

       This was a very emotional book, and for me, who is not one to cry over a book, I shed quite a few tears.  Why not a better rating?  Because I turned the page, right in the middle of another issue and that was the end!   I have never seen an ending as abrupt as this one. Then, there were complete chapters of several more books coming out by different authors, when that space should and could have been dedicated to a decent ending for this otherwise wonderful book.  

Rating:  A-,    warm       (due to  the abrupt ending)

From Our Family to Yours!

Wild Thing, by Robin Kaye

Book provided by NetGalley for review.
Release date:  12/1/2011
Rating:  B+, Hot 

Hunter Kincaid runs River Runner Tours, and Toni Russo is his exact opposite, the queen of the concrete jungle.  Her boss Bianca of Action Models,  is busy with contract negotiations, so sends Toni to Idaho to manage the sportswear photo shoot in her place.  The minute Hunter spies the Goth girl from New York, (fans of NCIS will love her!)  he falls for her and vows to do whatever it takes to win her over.  However, at this early point in the book poor Hunter had no idea what he was in store for.  Toni has a huge fear of the wilderness, and watching Hunter walk her through her fears is extremely entertaining.  What Toni doesn’t know at this point is that Hunter runs a camp for disadvantaged and troubled kids, and is very good at his job.   

Hunter has recruited his siblings, Trapper, Fisher and Karma (interesting why mom choose their names) to assist with the crew of models and photographers.  Hunter is just full of surprises.  While the crew is camping, he takes Toni to his mountain retreat, where Hunter shows off his chef abilities while preparing Toni a meal fit for a queen.  They end up in bed, but Hunter really makes Toni work for what she wants because it’s more than just sex for him.  Toni does not want to feel any connection for Hunter, but for both of them, it’s like they were hit over the head the minute they met.  Who ever knew a toothbrush in the garbage can could cause such a commotion?!?  You will have to read the book to find out why..... 

James the photographer is like the father Toni never had and encourages the relationship to develop between her and Hunter.  Then good old Bianca shows up and thinking Hunter has a thing for her, sends Toni packing for  New York.  There are a lot of things Toni finds out about Hunter while he is out with the group on a shoot,  which she interprets as lies. After promising to wait for him to return so they can talk, she heads for home. This back and forth with her emotions kind of got to me by this point. Then Hunter comes to the rescue again!  He recruits his entire family, including Grandpa Joe, along with Toni’s mother, to help him win back the woman he has fallen in love with.  He’ll go to any length to do this, which is quite hysterical at times.  His brothers and Karma are just a hoot, and provide plenty of comedy relief throughout the entire book. 

The end is a bit rushed, and there are moments that Toni really got on my nerves.  At one point, she belittles Hunter and all but makes fun of him for liking her, and offering to do the things that Action Models hired River Runners to do for the photo shoot. It made me wonder what else Hunter could possibly do to prove he loves her.  He is like the perfect man, but like most men can be pretty dense at times.  Toni of course is in denial of her feelings for Hunter.   Her fears really control her life, and it takes her awhile to come to the conclusion that she has the ability to overcome these. All with the help of a good man!   

I loved the family interaction, both on Toni and Hunter’s sides.  I am really hoping there will be more  books to follow with Trapper, Fisher and Karma.  The investigation to locate Gina’s missing brother is ongoing, and there are a few hints regarding what might be in store for the Kincaid siblings.  Robin Kaye leaves you yearning for more of this fabulous family.

Mistress of Pleasure by Delilah Marville

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book and read it...I was not disappointed. For her debut book --- Delilah had me in stitches; I never laughed so hard in all my life when reading some of the scenes. The sexual tension between Edmund and Maybelle was so well written you could just feel it. The sex scenes were well written. Edmund's mother the Duchess was so down to earth and ruled her son with a firm but loving hand....I loved the way Edmund listen to his mother. Maybelle's grandmere was a woman before her time. Get comfy on your couch or favorite reading chair and kick back and enjoy a light-hearted funny read. I can't wait to read Hawksford story next. I'm looking forward to reading more books by her.

Never Love a Highlander by Maya Banks

Caelen McCabe's young reckless heart nearly destroyed his clan. Now, putting family loyalty above all else, he steps up to marry his older brother's jilted bride and salvage the uneasy alliance between two clans. While beautiful Rionna McDonald is a fit wife for any man, Caelen trust no woman, especially not this sweet temptress who torments him with white-hot longing.

As the sacrificial lamb in her father's power game, Rionna will do her duty but vows to protect her heart and pride from humiliation. Despite everything, though,the heat in Caelen's touch melts her defenses, and she craves the sensual delights of a husband who guards his emotions as fiercely as his clan. But when the ultimate battle for the McCabe legacy is upon them, Rionna's true warrior spirit emerges. She will rick the wrath of her father, the fury of her enemies, and her life to prove to Carlen that his wife's love is too precious to lose.

This is the third and last book in Maya Banks Highland trilogy, and let me tell you t was as good as the other two books. I cannot say that I had a favorite in this series because I loved all three books. And as with the other two books I finished this one in one day.

Caelen is a man who swore he would never marry after he was betrayed by a women he thought he loved. But to help out his brother and the clan he agrees to marry Rionna after his other brother, who was supposed to marry her, married someone else.

Rionna really doesn't want to get married but knows she really has no choice. She has to do what is best for the clan. Rionna is not your typical Lady, she likes to dress like a man and knows how to protect herself with a sword. Caelen wants to change this and make her into the lady of the keep.

At first Rionna really does try to do this and to make Caelen happy. Even though she is very unsure of herself in this role. She has always acted more like a man and she has reasons for this action. When somethings happens to her she and Caelen get into a disagreement over things and he finally lets her have her sword back and says he will train with her.

The love and trust for these two people grow slowly, yes they have a sexual attraction but the rest builds slowly. I got a little upset when Caelen tries to change Rionna, I hate that men can't let the women be who she is and wants to change her. Rionna really tries to make Caelen proud of her but knows that is not her true self.

The ending of this book is wonderful. Rionna does something that could really make Caelen hate her, but he knows more is going on and trusts her. He relizes that not all women were like his first love.

I loved all three of these books and hate to see the series end. Ms Banks does such a good job and thoroughly enjoyed the series.