Barefoot Season

Barefoot Season is the newest release from author Susan Mallery. From the back cover.~

Product Description

Michelle Sanderson may appear to be a strong, independent woman, but on the inside, she's still the wounded girl who fled home years ago. A young army vet, Michelle returns to the quaint Blackberry Island Inn to claim her inheritance and recover from the perils of war. Instead, she finds the owner's suite occupied by the last person she wants to see.

Carly Williams and Michelle were once inseparable, until a shocking betrayal destroyed their friendship. And now Carly is implicated in the financial disaster lurking behind the inn's cheerful veneer.

Single mother Carly has weathered rumors, lies and secrets for a lifetime, and is finally starting to move forward with love and life. But if the Blackberry Island Inn goes under, Carly and her daughter will go with it.

To save their livelihoods, Carly and Michelle will undertake a turbulent truce. It'll take more than a successful season to move beyond their devastating past, but with a little luck and a beautiful summer, they may just rediscover the friendship of a lifetime.

I’m a big fan of Susan Mallery’s books, and was excited to get a chance to read Barefoot Season early. I have to say, I liked Carly much more than Michelle at the beginning of the book. However, as I read more and more about each of their lives, I came to respect and like them both. Both Michelle and Carly have been put through so much in their lives.

I’ve come to expect lots of emotion when reading books from Susan Mallery, and she totally delivers with Barefoot Season. The initial turbulence between Michelle and Carly gets better the more the two women are around one another. The betrayals that occurred in their past seem to become much less important as they work together to save the Inn and the only real home either woman has had for years.

Not that it is all sunshine and daisies. Both women had hurt the other in the past and Michelle is dealing with some serious PTSD issues. Add in trust issues for both women, and you have drama all over the place. I did like watching Michelle and Carly become not only friends again, but even allies against those people who didn’t have their best interest at heart. I also fell pretty fast for the men who came into both Michelle and Carly’s lives. Jared and Sam were both so strong and patient when it came to the women they wanted to have in their lives. While I think the relationship of Michelle and Carly was the one that grew and was really the most important one to this story, I loved watching each woman find the right man.

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of Barefoot Season from NetGalley. The actual release date is set for March 27, 2012.

Gentlemen Prefer Nerds

Gentlemen Prefer Nerds is the new release from Joan Kilby. From the Carina Press website.~

Description

Self-professed nerd Maddie Maloney is an expert on jewels. Jewel thieves are another matter entirely! So when a mysterious Englishman warns her that a thief known as The Chameleon is after the rare pink diamond on display in her aunt's shop, she tells herself it's just a joke. Even if she can't get Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome out of her mind...

But Fabian Montgomery doesn't give up easily. He's everywhere she goes, convinced the thief will strike. And when the diamond does go missing--and Maddie is suspected of stealing it--he whisks her away from the police and together they pursue The Chameleon.
Fabian plunges her into a glamorous world far from her humble workshop and transforms geeky Maddie into a sophisticated siren capable of espionage. Her mission: to seduce The Chameleon and steal back the diamond.

But Fabian isn't telling her everything--like who he works for, and why he's so interested in The Chameleon...

I really enjoyed Gentlemen Prefer Nerds a great deal. Maddie Maloney cracked me up. She admits to being a nerd and has no problems with her status as one. She is really much stronger than she gives herself credit for, and proved she was quite capable of being sexy when she wants to be as well.

Fabian Montgomery was a cross between James Bond and Remington Steele (why yes I’m showing my age with that reference, but Pierce Brosnan played both). He kept secrets from Maddie, but still needed her help in finding both The Chameleon and the stolen diamond, named The Rose.

There was really great chemistry between Fabian and Maddie from the very first. It only got stronger the longer they were with one another. You could tell they were falling hard for one another early on, even if neither seemed willing to admit it first.

I was lucky enough to get a copy of Gentlemen Prefer Nerds from NetGalley. The actual release date from Carina Press was March 12, so my post is going up a little after the release. You can purchase Gentlemen Prefer Nerds from your favorite online e-book retailer.

Brook Street: Thief

Brook Street: Thief is the 1^st book in Brook Street trilogy from Ava March. From the Carina website.~


London, 1822


It was only supposed to be one night. One night to determine once and for all if he truly preferred men. But the last thing Lord Benjamin Parker expected to find in a questionable gambling hall in Cheapside is a gorgeous young man who steals his heart.


It was only supposed to be a job. Cavin Fox has done it many times--select a prime mark, distract him with lust, and leave his pockets empty. Yet when Cavin slips away under the cover of darkness, the only part of Benjamin he leaves untouched is his pockets.


With a taste of his fantasies fulfilled, Benjamin wants more than one night with Cavin. But convincing the elusive young man to give them a chance proves difficult. Cavin lives with a band of thieves in the worst area of London, and he knows there's no place for him in a gentleman's life. Yet Benjamin isn't about to let Cavin--and love--continue to slip away from him.


I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this book from NetGalley. I can honestly say I’m pretty new to reading M/M romances since I only started reading them in the last year. However, I’d seen many of my twitter friends talking about this book and knew I needed to give it a try. I’m really glad I did too.


I really loved the romance between Benjamin and Cavin. Benjamin had never been with another man before and Cavin was so sweet their first time together, especially since Cavin was supposed to be using Benjamin and then stealing all his money. As much as Cavin knows he should stay away from Benjamin, he really can’t seem to stay away. Benjamin knows nothing of Cavin’s past and falls for him pretty soon after they first meet.


When Benjamin learns of Cavin’s past, his feelings for the other man don’t change at all. Benjamin and Cavin have an extremely passionate relationship and their love and passion for one another is like any other couple. Of course being as it was 1822, their relationship really couldn’t be put on display for all to see. I could see how much they loved one another with every single touch they shared.


This was the first book I’ve read from Ava March, and I look forward to reading more of her books in the future. The release date for Brook Street: Thief is set for March 19, 2012 and is available from your favorite online retailer.

Head Over Heels

Head Over Heels is the 3^rd book in the Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis. From the back cover.~

Breaking rules and breaking hearts

Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge. Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn’t ready to settle into a quiet life running their family’s newly renovated inn. But her love of trouble-and trouble with love- quickly draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who’d like nothing better than to tame her wild ways.

Suddenly Chloe can’t take a misstep without the sheriff hot on her heels. His rugged swagger and his enigmatic smile are enough to make a girl beg to be handcuffed. For the first time, instead of avoiding the law, Chloe dreams of surrender. Can this rebel find a way to keep the peace with the straitlaced sheriff? Or will Chloe’s colorful past keep her from a love that lasts…and the safe haven she truly wants in a town called Lucky Harbor?

I love the Lucky Harbor series and especially love the relationship between the three sisters. Chloe is the youngest of the sisters and the wild child of the family. She has the wander-lust gene just like their mom, but wants to prove to her sisters that she will stick around Lucky Harbor for the long haul. Chloe wants to set up a day spa at the family’s inn and must find a way to convince her sisters she has changed.

Enter the sexy sheriff, Sawyer and Chloe has someone she is willing to change her wild child ways for. Of course, Chloe still has issues with asthma and sex seems to trigger asthma attacks, so before Sawyer and Chloe can make love, she must test to see if he is inhaler worthy. Sawyer is totally inhaler worthy and worthy of a whole lot more. The chemistry between Sawyer and Chloe has been building since the first time they met. In fact, all her run-ins with the sheriff have really been foreplay for them. The first time out lands Chloe in the emergency room with an asthma attack, but they soon figure out what needs to be done to make love. Shalvis gives her readers some super hot love scenes between Chloe and Sawyer, for which I can only say thank you for writing “those kinds of books.”

While Ford is still my favorite of the heroes so far, I have to say that Sawyer is totally on my book boyfriend list. He is yummy and will do anything to take care of the people he loves. I loved watching the three half-sisters become real sisters over the course of this trilogy. While the relationships they cement with the men in their lives are fabulous, it was the sister’s relationship at the heart of this trilogy.

I’m a huge Jill Shalvis fan and she is always an auto-buy author for me. I love the town of Lucky Harbor and am so excited we will get 3 more books in the series this year, starting with Lucky in Love in May 2012.

Destiny

Destiny is the 2^nd book in Carly Phillips’ fabulous Serendipity series. From the author’s website.~

Nash Barron may be cynical about love, yet even he likes a good wedding. But the only good thing about his brother’s wedding is Kelly Moss. Nash can’t help but admire her confidence and beauty, but he’s forced to keep his distance because getting involved with Kelly could destroy his relationship with his newly discovered half sister, Tess…

Kelly came to Serendipity to give Tess–her half sibling as well, thanks to an illicit affair–a second chance at life. She learned long ago not to rely on anyone but herself. Besides, she doesn’t want to upset Tess’s life by pushing for a fling with Nash. Except the more she gets to know him, the more vulnerable she becomes to the kindness beneath his gruff exterior, and the less she’s able to stay away. But she has other reasons for keeping her distance. Like the secret from her past she knows Nash will never forgive…

I have said many times that Serendipity is my favorite contemporary romance of the year. I loved Ethan and Faith so much. That being said, I loved Destiny even more. I know many people had a problem with Nash in Serendipity because he wasn’t ready to forgive Ethan. I admit, I called both Nash and Dare buttheads in the beginning of Serendipity. However, I could see where Nash was coming from, so I was excited to see Destiny was Nash’s story.

I wanted to know more about Nash so I could better understand him. I already understood his looking at things in black or white, as I see many things that same way. Nash also has issues with abandonment thanks to Ethan up and leaving them after their parents death, Dare being placed in a separate foster home, and his marriage to high school sweetheart April ending in divorce. Honestly, Nash is put through the ringer in Destiny. I think it makes him a better man, brother, lover, and future husband, but it was gut-wrenching to read some of the things he has to go through.

Kelly is very similar to Nash with her black and white thoughts on morals. She was raised by a woman who cheated with married men and abandoned her youngest child to find her next meal ticket. Kelly has just come back into Tess’s life after leaving her with her brothers to raise. She has every right to be concerned about how getting involved with Nash might effect her future relationship with her sister. Nash has the same concern about Tess, especially since Tess is Ethan’s biggest cheerleader and she already has a problem that Nash still has issues with Ethan.

However, neither Nash nor Kelly can deny their attraction for one another and their chemistry is off the charts from the very beginning. Their journey isn’t really an easy one for either of them. Nash has to finally deal with his abandonment issues with Ethan and the secret Dare has kept from him since they were kids. I did like that Ethan stood up to Nash about leaving them behind. Nash finally saw Ethan had lived with the guilt he felt from their parents dying on the way to pick Ethan up from jail. Nash and Ethan took a big step in the direction of being brothers again. Dare’s secret coming to life made me bawl my eyes out. Nash being Nash, took a bit to come to terms with not only why Dare kept a secret but what the secret actually was. It just broke my heart to see the wall go up between the two brothers who had been so close for their entire lives.

Of course, when Nash has his world crumbling all around him, Kelly realizes she needs to tell Nash a secret from her past. Life and her mother get in the way and Nash finds out Kelly’s secret before she can tell him the whole truth. Again, so sad for Kelly and Nash. Both characters really were kicked in the teeth a few times in this book. I have to say I think both Kelly and Nash are stronger for all they each had thrown their way on their path to love.

We got to spend more time with several of the supporting characters from the town of Serendipity. I love April, who is Nash’s ex-wife and Kelly’s new best friend. She is such a strong woman and finally saw herself that way following her diagnosis of MS. Divorcing Nash, who was her best friend all through high school couldn’t have been easy, especially when she knew she would have MS episodes for the rest of her life. However, that diagnosis was what it took for her to realize she wanted more out of life. Joe, who runs the local bar in Serendipity has been attracted to April since high school. Since he is a natural care giver, April holds off going out with him for a long time following her divorce. She finally steps out of her comfort zone and agrees to go out with Joe when she sees Nash has real feelings for Kelly. April even accepts Joe’s help when she has a MS flair-up and still goes out with him once she feels better. I loved April from the minute we met her and was glad to see her find someone to love and someone who loved her back.

Destiny is my favorite book I've read ever by Carly Phillips. I loved seeing Nash change as his and Kelly's story progressed. As much as I loved Serendipity, I loved Destiny even more! In my opinion, the Serendipity series is the best series ever by Carly Phillips. Karma, the third book in the Serendipity series, is Dare’s book and set for release in May 2012.

The official release date for Destiny is January 3, 2012. To celebrate the release of Destiny, I’m giving away 1 digital copy of Destiny in either Kindle or Nook format. All comments will be entered into the drawing. Please list in the comment if you prefer Kindle or Nook format and your email address if not listed in your profile. I’ll post the winner on my blog on January 8 and contact the winner by email. Winner will have 3 days to claim the prize or a new winner will be drawn.

One More Summer

One More Summer is the newest release from Liz Flaherty and Carina Press. From the author’s website.~

Grace has taken care of her widowed father her entire adult life and the ornery old goat has finally died. She has no job, no skills and very little money, and has heard her father's prediction that no decent man would ever want her so often she accepts it as fact.


But she does have a big old house on Lawyers Row in Peacock, Tennessee. She opens a rooming house and quickly gathers a motley crew of tenants: Promise, Grace's best friend since kindergarten, who's fighting cancer; Maxie, an aging soap opera actress who hasn't lost her flair for the dramatic; Jonah, a sweet, gullible old man with a crush on Maxie.


And Dillon, Grace's brother's best friend, who stood her up on the night of her senior prom and has regretted it ever since. Dillon rents Grace's guest house for the summer and hopes to make up for lost time and past hurts—but first, he'll have to convince Grace that she's worth loving...


This is the first book I’ve read by Liz Flaherty and I was able to get an early copy of One More Summer from NetGalley. I really liked the characters from this book. I especially loved Grace and her best friend Promise. They each would do anything for the other, including keeping secrets and protecting one another. I liked Grace’s siblings Steven and Faith as well, and loved seeing the siblings grow closer as the book progressed. Dillon was a bit of a surprise to me, but I soon saw he only wanted to protect and get to know Grace as an adult.


One More Summer threw out some major surprises as the love story between Grace and Dillon progressed. I’ll admit one secret Grace had been keeping didn’t totally shock me, but still surprised me that she finally opened up and shared her secret. Grace’s father was such a total jerk with his youngest child that she has never really trusted anyone but Promise with her true feelings, not even her brother and sister. Dillon has a few secrets of his own from his past that make it hard for Grace to believe he really loves her.


With each secret that is brought to light, Grace becomes a much stronger woman. Grace was always strong, but her new strength comes from finally accepting help and love from all her family and friends. Her strength is tested as it quickly becomes apparent that Promise has little chance of surviving her cancer.


One More Summer was Grace’s story from start to finish. I thought it was a good story, but did think she had a bit more on her than any one person should ever have to deal with. Overall, I liked the author’s writing style and will look for other books from her in the future. One More Summer is set for release from Carina Press on January 2, 2012.

Exclusively Yours

Exclusively Yours is the 1^st book in the Kowalski series by Shannon Stacey. Originally released from Carina Press in digital format, the paperback release is set for release on December 27 from Harlequin (HQN line).  From the author’s website. ~

When Keri Daniels’ editor finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.

Joe’s never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he’s intrigued to hear Keri’s back in town—and looking for him. Despite his intense need for privacy, he’ll grant Keri an interview if it means a chance to finish what they started in high school.

He proposes an outrageous plan—for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping and four-wheeling trip, Keri can ask one question. Keri agrees; she’s worked too hard to walk away from her career.

But the chemistry between them is still as potent as the bug spray, Joe’s sister is out to avenge his broken heart and Keri hasn’t ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe 2gether 4ever.

I first read Exclusively Yours when it was released from Carina Press. When I saw the paperback version was being released from HQN, I couldn’t wait to add this book to my keeper shelf. With the help of NetGalley, I obtained an early copy and loved it every bit as much when I read it the second time as I did the first time.

I loved both Joe and Keri and it was fun to watch all they had to go through to get back together. I'm a big fan of reunion stories, even with those being reunited aren't excited about it at first. Joe and Keri’s reunion, although not either of their ideas, helps them both to find what had been missing from their lives. Since neither one had ever forgotten anything about the other, it was fun watching them fall in love all over again. The smexy chemistry between them is really off the charts too.

Joe's family totally cracked me up. Between the pranks and just being the Kowalski’s, they all made me want to be a Kowalski too. I absolutely love the entire Kowalski family and can't wait to add both Undeniably Yours in February 2012 and Yours to Keep in March 2012 to my keeper shelf. I admit I’ve asked..okay begged Shannon for more Kowalski stories. Really hoping we get to read all about the rest of the Kowalski cousins in the future.

Can't Help Falling In Love

Can’t Help Falling In Love is the third book in Bella Andre’s Sullivan series. From the author’s website.~

Get ready for another Sullivan bad boy to fall in love in the third book of Bella Andre's bestselling contemporary romance series!

Gabe Sullivan risks his life every day as a firefighter in San Francisco. But after learning a brutal lesson about professional boundaries, he knows better than to risk his heart to his fire victims ever again. Especially the brave mother and daughter he saved from a deadly apartment fire...and can't stop thinking about.

Gabe Sullivan risks his life every day as a firefighter in San Francisco. But after learning a brutal lesson about professional boundaries, he knows better than to risk his heart to his fire victims ever again. Especially the brave mother and daughter he saved from a deadly apartment fire...and can't stop thinking about.

Megan Harris knows she owes the heroic firefighter everything for running into a burning building to save her and her seven-year-old daughter. Everything except her heart. Because after losing her navy pilot husband five years ago, she has vowed to never suffer through loving - and losing - a man with a dangerous job again.

Only, when Gabe and Megan meet again and uncontrollable flames of desire ignite between them, how can he possibly ignore her courage, determination, and beauty? And how can she deny not only his strong bond with her daughter, but the way his sweetly sensual kisses are challenging her to risk everything she's been guarding for so long?

This winter, if one - or both - of them aren't careful, they just might end up falling in love.

I was sent a copy of Can’t Help Falling In Love from the author. I actually have the first 2 books in the series on my kindle in my TBR folder, but hadn’t read them yet. I absolutely loved Can’t Help Falling In Love! Both Gabe and Megan are such strong characters, yet they have each had a bad experience with relationships in the past. Megan lost her husband to a horrible accident and Gabe had a relationship turn sour with a woman he had rescued in a fire. Gabe swears never to date another fire victim and Megan swears never to get involved with someone in a dangerous job again.

After Gabe saves Megan and her daughter Summer from their burning apartment building, Megan and Summer come to the hospital to thank him. Both Megan and Gabe are attracted to each other from the moment they meet in the hospital, yet the promises they made to themselves are always in the front of each of their minds. Of course, both promises go out the window because of the explosive attraction between them. Megan’s daughter Summer makes it her goal to get her mom and Gabe together at every possible moment. Each time Megan and Gabe are alone together, neither can seem to keep their hands off of the other. They are so hot together, I really thought my Nook might start sizzling as I was reading. Gabe and Megan have some of the sexiest scenes together and yet there is still a sweetness to them as well, as I could see both falling for one another.

Gabe is able to move past his past experience much faster than Megan. He figures out very quickly he is in love with her and is willing to take things slow to have Megan and Summer in his life. Megan is such a strong woman, but had been burned so badly in the past, she had such fear of a real relationship with Gabe. Megan knows in her heart she loves Gabe, yet must get her head to see clearly before she too can admit her feelings.

I usually don’t read books in a series out of order, but felt like Can’t Help Falling In Love reads as a stand alone title well. I really loved spending time with the Sullivan family and can’t wait to read the rest of the family’s stories. I plan on going back and reading the first two books in the series as soon as possible, and really can’t wait for Sophie’s story to be released in February 2012.

Desired

Desired is the latest release in The Scandalous Women of the Ton series by Nicola Cornick. From the back cover.~

Her wicked ways were the talk of the ton

Teresa, Dowager Marchioness of Darent, is rumored to have exhausted her four deceased husbands with her insatiable needs. So it's no surprise that every rake in the ton wants to bed her. If they only knew…through clever marriages to men who would ask nothing of her physical self, Tessa has remained rather innocent in the ways of the bedroom. But now she's on the verge of losing everything and wants to take care of the stepson she's grown to adore.

Enter Captain Owen Purchase. The handsome American adventurer has come into the title of Viscount Rothbury. And the rumors surrounding his injuries at sea suggest that he could fit Tessa's requirements. But little does Tessa realize that the gossipmongers are wrong. She just might lose her heart, and her desires, to the most unlikely of men…

Desired is the first book I’ve read by Nicola Cornick, but won’t be my last. I was lucky enough to get an early copy from NetGalley. I usually don’t read books in a series out of order, but when I read about Desired, I knew I had to break my own rule. Personally, I think it stands alone pretty well, but I do see myself reading the other books in the series in the future, so I can learn more about each of the couples.

I liked the characters in Desired very much, especially Tess and Owen, and I loved Owen called Tess by Teresa rather than her nickname. Tess had never loved any of her other husbands, and after her second husband’s abuse, she never had an intimate relationship with another husband. In fact, when she marries, she searches for men incapable of an intimate relationship. In fact, Tess picks Owen because she needs to make sure he can’t give evidence about her connections to the Jupiter club, and she’s heard he can’t have marital relations. Owen also is aware that Teresa needs his protections about the Jupiter club, but really hopes she will come clean with him about her involvement. However, her intel is a little bit off when it comes to Owen, who she discovers on their wedding night he is not only willing, but able to have an intimate relationship.

Owen thought Teresa might have had a bad experience with a man in her past, but it is only after they spend more time together and she starts to trust Owen does he find out the whole truth. Teresa has been attracted to Owen from almost their first meeting. Owen decides they will take things slow, until Teresa finally admits she wants him. Owen is so tender with her and it was just as sexy to see the tenderness as their later more intense moments. It is obvious to everyone that Owen and Teresa have fallen in love with one another. There are still some trust issues between them, but each soon has no trouble admitting their real feeling for one another.

Desired was released on December 1 and can be found at your favorite bookstore or online retailer. The 6^th book in the series, Forbidden, is set for release in 2012.

Simply Irresistible

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis is the 1^st book in her new Lucky Harbor series. From the back cover.~

Maddie Moore's whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too. 

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

I’m a huge fan of Jill Shalvis. I visit her blog every single day and buy her books the day they come out. In fact, many times I buy both the print and digital copies of Jill’s books. I really loved Simply Irresistible and think it was a great start for the new series.

Maddie, Tara, and Chloe are so different from one another, it was so much fun watching them learn to be sisters. Since the 3 sisters all have different fathers and weren’t raised together, it takes longer than Maddie really wants for them to start acting like a family. I’m the middle child, so I totally got Maddie’s tendencies to be the peacemaker (although I have an older sister and younger brother, so a little different) of the group. Maddie is also known as “the mouse” of the 3 sisters.  However, something about Lucky Harbor makes her strong.

Part of her strength comes from being with her sisters and part comes from within her. However, meeting Jax Cullen seems to help her become stronger. Maddie is attracted to Jax from the moment she sees him. However, she has sworn off all men because of the last guy she dated. Jax wants Maddie from their very first meeting and soon recognizes Maddie has suffered in the past and starts off slow with her. As long as slow is bone-melting kisses that make Maddie forget her name.

The chemistry between Jax and Maddie is off the charts. It’s almost like no one else is in the room when they are together. Even with all the work Jax and Maddie need to do to the inn to help get it up and running, neither seems to be able to keep their hands off the other. I loved watching Maddie fall for Jax. Jax was pretty open about his feelings from the first. I really think Maddie needed to feel like she had a family and home before she was secure enough in herself to admit her feelings for Jax.

I also loved the chemistry between the sisters. They really are pretty much strangers when they all show up at the inn. However, as they fight, share meals, work on the inn, and even all share one bed, they go from strangers to sisters. They are sisters, so there will always be fights, but the fights become more picking on each other as only siblings can do.

I really loved Simply Irresistible and have already read and loved The Sweetest Thing, which is the 2^nd book in the Lucky Harbor series (blog post to come very soon). Up next for me is Head Over Heels, which is the 3^rd book in the series. Jill announced on her blog recently that we will get 3 more Lucky Harbor books in 2012 and I can’t wait to read each of them.

Hidden Summit

Hidden Summit is the newest release from Robyn Carr’s wonderful Virgin River series. From the author’s website.~

Sick of running into her cheery ex-husband and his new wife, Leslie Petruso accepts a job at the Virgin River branch of Haggerty Construction and takes the high road right out of town. Now she's got Paul Haggerty's business running like a well-oiled machine. In fact, things are so busy Paul jumps at the chance to hire an extra set of hands.

Just like Leslie, Conner Danson has been burned by love. But if Leslie was disappointed by her relationship going bad, Conner was decimated. He's got no time for women…although he spends an awful lot of time pretending not to notice Leslie. And she's pretty busy "ignoring" the chemistry between them.

According to Conner and Leslie, they have only one thing in common—they're done with love. But everyone in Virgin River can see that things are heating up at Haggerty Construction. And as far as Paul Haggerty can tell, the best thing he can do is hang on to his hard hat and watch the sparks fly!

I love each and every visit to Virgin River. I get to see so many of my favorite characters from past books and we always get to meet someone new. Leslie and Conner are the newest residents to Virgin River. Conner is in Virgin River waiting to go home to testify against a murderer. Leslie is in Virgin River trying to get away from her ex-husband who thinks they should still be friends, even though he cheated on her and is now re-married with a baby on the way.

Conner was told not to start up any relationships while in hiding, and since he has trust issues when it comes to women, he didn’t expect it to come into play. However, he is attracted to Leslie from the first time he sees her, and Leslie seems to be just as attracted to Conner. Conner and Leslie take things slow for a while, but soon can’t keep their hands off one another.

Of course Leslie’s ex keeps showing up in town and Conner still has to go back home to testify as the only eye witness, but  Leslie and Conner both know they have finally found the one. Conner knows he has to share the truth about his past with Leslie before he has to leave town to testify, and Leslie keeps his secret for him. Leslie and Conner have the full support from everyone in Virgin River as soon as they move to town. I love how welcoming everyone in Virgin River is to new people.

Robyn Carr gives her readers another winner with Hidden Summit. Once again, we will get 3 books from the Virgin River series starting with Hidden Summit on December 27, 2011. Redwood Bend is set for release in March 2012 followed by Sunrise Point in May 2012.

Because of You

Because of You is the debut novel my author Jessica Scott, and the first book in her Coming Home series. From the author’s website.~

Keeping his men alive is all that matters to Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison. But meeting Jen St. James the night before his latest deployment makes Shane wonder if there's more to life than war. He leaves for Iraq remembering a single kiss with a woman he'll never see again- until a near fatal attack lands him back at home and in her care.  

Jen has survived her own brush with death and endured its scars. And yet there's a fire in Shane that makes Jen forget all about her past. He may be her patient, but when this warrior looks her in the eyes, she feels - for the first time in a long time - like a woman. Shane is too proud to ask for help, but for Jen, caring for him is more than a duty -it's a need. And as Jen guides Shane through the fires of healing, she finds something she never expected - her deepest desire.

I love finding both new authors and new-to-me authors. I’ve talked to Jessica Scott on twitter for a while and even got to meet her at RWA in Orlando in 2010 (ran into her at a book signing while in line together). When Jessica announced her book would be released in the revived Loveswept line, I knew I had to read this story. I pre-ordered Because of You for my kindle as soon as there was a release date.

I absolutely loved Because of You! Both Jen and Shane are such strong characters. Jen is a breast cancer survivor who finally starts to feel like a woman again after meeting and kissing Shane. Shane has always put his men first, even about himself. He meets Jen the day before he and his men are scheduled to deploy to Iraq. They share one amazing kiss, that neither one is able to forget the other once Shane is deployed.

When Shane is injured and sent home, Jen is one of the nurses who care for him daily (FYI, sexiest catheter removal scene I've ever read). The attraction is still there after all this time, and only grows as they spend day after day together. Shane is one of those super strong men who don’t like to rely on anyone. However, his injuries leave him no choice, and Jen is more than happy to care for him.

Jen find herself getting stronger each day as she cares for Shane. She also starts to feel like a woman again for the first time since she first lost a breast to cancer. In fact, her battle helps her be able to help Shane move forward with his recovery. The attraction between Shane and Jen just gets stronger with each passing day, and they were so hot together when they finally gave into their attraction.

Jessica Scott has an amazing voice and made it easy for me to feel both the pain and the joy from her characters. I loved so many of the characters from Because of You, but especially Jen's best friend Laura. We get to read all about Laura and her husband Trent in Jessica's next book.The second book in her Coming Home series, Back to You is set for release from Loveswept in February 2012, and I’ll again pre-order as soon as it’s available. 

It Happened One Christmas

It Happened One Christmas is the latest Blaze release from Leslie Kelly. From the back cover.~

Baby, it’s cold outside…

Six years ago, Ross Mitchell and Lucy Fleming shared a hot holiday weekend in Manhattan, back when he was just a hard-bodied guy in a tool belt and she was an impulsive photography student.

Fast-forward a few Decembers: Ross and Lucy meet again, by chance, at his office Christmas party. And when they find themselves alone and snowed in after hours, it’s not long before they’re making their own body heat – again. Only this time, the sex is better than ever! But is it just another holiday romp between the sheets? Or will Lucy and Ross finally get to keep what they really want this year – each other!

I’m a huge fan of Leslie Kelly and was so excited when I saw she had a Christmas story coming out. I love Christmas stories and knew that any Christmas story Leslie wrote would be both super fun and sexy, and Leslie totally delivered with It Happened One Christmas.

Lucy and Ross first met six years ago when Lucy was contemplating how to get back at her ex-boyfriend for cheating on her…more how to remove what he was using to cheat on her. Ross is attracted to Lucy from the minute they start talking, and even is her knight in shining armor when her ex tries to attack her. Lucy and Ross end up spending a hot weekend together that is cut short by a family emergency for Ross.

Six years later they meet again at Ross’s office Christmas party. Fate steps in again and they end up spending another hot weekend together where they quickly pick up right where they left off …in bed. This time they are older and the chemistry is even hotter than it was six years ago. Lucy and Ross have both changed a great deal since they last saw each other, but the desire for one another is just as strong as ever.

I loved that each chapter of the story when back and forth between the present and the past. The reader got to see Ross and Lucy remembering their past as they lived in the present and got to know each other again. I really loved that both their lives came full circle to bring them both back to their hometown, Chicago.  It Happened One Christmas is the perfect story for anyone looking for a fun and sexy read.

It Happened One Christmas is currently available in print and the digital release is set for December 1. Since it is a Harlequin Blaze, it will only be on the bookshelves for a limited time. However, it is available online from http://www.harlequin.com/, http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.bn.com/ and other online retailers for much longer. 

Kismet - A Serendipity Novella

Kismet is newest release from Carly Phillips. Kismet is a Serendipity Novella which falls between Serendipity (book 1 in the series) and Destiny (book 2 in the series) and was released in eBook only on November 18, 2011. From the author’s Facebook page.~

Long Lost Love and Second Chances 

Elisabetta Gardelli thought she'd spend her days serving coffee and writing obits for the town paper until an unexpected opportunity results in her dream job as a journalist. Now, divorced and determined to make it on her own, Lissa is hired to do a series of interviews about entrepreneurs who’ve made their mark at an impressively young age. 

First up? Wall Street mogul Trevor Dane -- Lissa's first love. Lissa hasn't seen Trevor since he left the small town of Serendipity to earn his spot on the right side of the tracks. Ten years have passed but neither has really moved from their super-passionate teenage affair - or the heartbreak that followed. This reunion can be their second chance or it can provide much needed closure. It all depends on Trevor. 

Can he forgive Lissa or will the past continue to stand in their way?

I’ve made it no secret how much I love the Serendipity series by Carly Phillips. I can honestly say, it is my favorite series ever by Carly, and that is saying a lot since I’ve loved all her books. When I read Serendipity, I was hoping we would get stories from other characters in the town, and with Kismet, we get our first non-Barron brother story.

We first met Lissa when she was working at Cuppa Café and was extremely rude to Faith Harrington. She was recently divorced and selling coffee part-time and writing obits for the Serendipity Gazette and waiting for her big break. Luckily, Lissa and Faith found some common grounds and when Faith was ready to tell her story, she gave the exclusive to Lissa, who is now working for The News Journal. Her first major interview was with Trevor Dane…none other than her high school sweetheart, and her one true love.

Trevor hasn’t seen Lissa since he found out she was pregnant with Brad Banks’ child and marrying him. Even though his family still lives in Serendipity, he hasn’t allowed anyone to tell him what is going on with Lissa since he left ten years ago. He finally agrees to give her the interview, and then discovers what Lissa’s marriage has really been like. The attraction is still as strong as it was 10 years ago, and neither can resist the other. Lissa and Trevor are so hot together, but Trevor has to decide if he can accept Lissa’s daughter, who is also Brad’s daughter. Trevor and Lissa are so great together, and it was fun to watch the high school sweethearts fall in love all over again.

I really loved Kismet and can’t wait for my next visit with the characters in Serendipity. The next release in the Serendipity series is Destiny, which is set for release on January 3, 2012, and is Nash Barron and Kelly Moss's story.

SEAL of My Dreams

The SEAL of My Dreams anthology includes 18 stories by many of my favorite authors, and a few new to me authors. From Amazon’s website.~

Honor, duty, courage, passion . . . the men of the Navy SEALs are a special breed of hero, and in these novellas by eighteen top romance authors the SEALs are celebrated not only as symbols of devoted service to their country but as the kind of men every woman wants to love. They’ll rescue a damsel in distress and her lap dog, too. They’ll battle hometown dramas and international bad guys. When it comes to giving away their hearts, they’ll risk everything.

All proceeds from sales of SEAL of My Dreams go to the Veterans Research Corporation, a non-profit fundraiser for veterans’ medical research. 

Between them, the authors of SEAL of My Dreams have won dozens of writing awards including multiple RITAs from Romance Writers of America. Their nearly 600 published novels have sold at least 35 million copies worldwide. The SEAL of My Dreams roster includes many of the best-known authors in modern romance fiction. In addition, many have strong family connections to the servicemen and women of our nation’s military, and many specialize in novels featuring heroes and heroines from all branches of service.

I got an ARC from NetGalley last week and have spent all of my reading time on SEAL of My Dreams this week. I’ve read books by most of the authors in the anthology, but a few authors were new to me. I liked each and every one of the stories in this anthology. Each story features a SEAL and I found that each story was a really quick and enjoyable read. Let’s get real, you really can’t go wrong with sexy SEALs. Add in the fact that all the proceeds for the sales to the Veterans Research Corporation, and you have a total win-win.

I’ll be buying my print copy(must add to my keeper shelf) on release day, which is Veteran’s Day. Print and digital copies can be purchased from Amazon, B&N, and Bell Bridge Books.

SEAL of My Dreams was inspired by a newspaper photo of a Navy SEAL (that's the photo on the cover). Author Christie Ridgway tweeted about the photo in May and quickly followed that tweet with the suggestion that several authors get together to write an anthology to raise money for a military charity. Six months later, SEAL of My Dreams is on sale in digital form ($9.99) and print ($15.95). 

Bring Me Home for Christmas

Bring Me Home for Christmas is the latest book in Robyn Carr’s popular Virgin River series. From the back cover.~

This year, Becca Timm knows the number one item on her Christmas wish list: getting over Denny Cutler. Three years ago Denny broke her heart before heading off to war. It’s time she got over her silly college relationship and moved on.

So she takes matters into her own hands and heads up to Virgin River, the rugged little mountain town that Denny calls home, as an uninvited guest on her brother’s men-only hunting weekend. But when an accident turns her impromptu visit into an extended stay, Becca finds herself stranded in Virgin River. With Denny. In very close quarters.

As the power of Christmas envelopes the little town, Becca discovers that the boy she once loved has become a strong and confident man. And the most delicious Christmas present she can imagine.

I love visiting with so many of my favorite characters in Virgin River. Bring Me Home for Christmas is the perfect Christmas treat for Virgin River fans. You get to see many of the original characters that we sometimes just get glimpses of now that Virgin River is growing larger. I love the new characters that are making Virgin River their home, but still enjoy seeing Jack, Mel, Preacher, and Paige and seeing what is going on with their families.

I’ve liked Denny since he showed up in Virgin River. Becca had guts in my opinion. She shows up on an all-guy hunting trip to see if she is really over Denny, especially since she is at a point in her relationship with her current boyfriend, Doug that could be moving in the marriage direction. However, Becca knows she can’t move forward with her life until she settles things with Denny. Of course, the fact that both Becca and Denny still love one another is the most important thing for either of them. Plus, Becca’s current boyfriend Doug is a total tool. For some reason it takes Becca breaking her ankle and having to stay in Virgin River for her to realize just how much of a tool Doug really is.

It was sweet and yet still hot to watch Denny and Becca discover one another again. Since neither really every stopped loving the other, they also never lost their attraction for one another. Their love making was hot, sweet, or playful depending on their moods. Becca finds herself falling in love with the town and people of Virgin River the longer she and Denny are together.  Jack even offers to build her a school so she can teach the elementary school-aged kids in town. Although, Becca has always planned on going back to San Diego, she soon realizes that home for her might just be a small town with the man of her dreams.

With each trip to Virgin River, I too fall more in love with the town. Denny and Becca are so perfect for one another and they are a perfect fit for the town. Bring Me Home for Christmas helped get me in the Christmas spirit very early. I love reading Christmas stories and after reading Denny and Becca’s story, I’m ready for more Christmas/holiday stories. 

I’m also very excited for the upcoming releases for Virgin River. Robyn once again has 3 Virgin River stories set for release next year. Hidden Summit is set for release in January, and thanks to NetGalley, I have it waiting for me on my kindle.