Lord Rakehell by Virginia Henley

From the time she was no more than a child, Anne Curzon- Howe has been infatuated with James Hamilton. The moment the older Hamilton called the pretty young girl a Wild Irish Rose, her esteem for him multiplies exponentially. Anne and her brother Montagu were of Irish blood and undesirable to their father's purely English children by his first wife, especially the petulant half sister Emily, whose disdain for her half-siblings is epic.

Years later, the handsome rake,and heir apparent to the Dukedom of Abercorn, James Hamilton is now appointed attendant to the Prince of Wales and attending this young prince is no easy job. James finds watching over randy young prince his cross to bear.

Lady Anne Curzon-Howe, now seventeen, but passing herself off as eighteen to have her coming out, still has James Hamilton on the brain and she is determined to curb his rakish ways if the last thing she can do. Even with James' younger brother John Claud following her around like a puppy dog, Anne still has her one objective. When her half sister Emily, who still has a chip on her shoulder, tries to foil Anne at every turn, she attempts to rise above consistently.

When James mistakes Anne for mistress of his acquaintance Henry Fane, who she is in fact sister-in-law to, Anne decides to keep up the charade to teach the rake a lesson. James attempts to woo Anne into an illicit affair, only to find that she is in fact an honorable lady, which totally boggles James' mind. Now he wants this young woman and he will do what he must to have her, even if it means dispensing with his rakish ways. The powers that be consistently quarrel to keep them apart and John Claud's constant presence doesn't help in creating any harmony. James tries with all his might to overcome his reputation so that Anne and her family will find him a decent suitor for her, but those outside forces chip at the unstable relationship that Anne and James attempt to build.

Lord Rakehell by Virginia Henley is an enjoyable and frustrating read. Just when the reader wants all to go smoothly a wrench is thrown in to create mayhem. Isn't that the appeal in a romance though? I mean it would be a total bore if all were predictable, and Lord Rakehell is anything but that. Once in a while I wanted to smack Anne, but then again, I had to remember that she was only seventeen and her episodes of immaturity though annoying, were understandable. James Hamilton is a dream. Handsome, intelligent and loyal, this man goes above and beyond the call of duty to protect those he cares about. I really enjoyed Lord Rakehell and I hope you will as well.

~KIMBERLY~

BENEATH THE SURFACE by M.A. STACIE ~ Review by Guest Reviewer PAT SHEPPARD

1,2,….9,10 your out!!!

Kyron Reese was an underground street fighter.  He was a winner.  Never had he been knocked out in a fight or even bruised.  He pounded on his opponents.  Then one day, while his brother was off doing who knows what, his brother’s new assistant came into his office for her first assignment.  1,2,….9,10 your out!!!  From the first moment Kyron Reese laid eyes on Dale it was a TKO.  Kyron did not know what hit him and from that moment on, his life was never what he thought it would be.  The first child of a wealthy man running a business with his good for nothing brother, Kyron was always in control, on point, the big, the head honcho.  Now a small wisp of a woman smelling like vanilla extract had him off his game and out of character.  Dale just coming off a relationship of hurt and pain was not looking for a new man just a new job.  Who says you can’t have both.  From the very moment he laid eyes on her she was a goner.  How to do know you are in love when you have never been loved.  Kyron lost his mother at a young age and being reared by nannies instead of a loving father had not taught him what love was.  All he knew was his body reacted to Dale in ways it had never reacted to any woman who had ever shared his bed.  Dale set Kyron on a journey to find himself, his family and his ability to love.  Words, Kryon learns to use his most trusting words.  I Love You!!!

~ PAT SHEPPARD ~

SOMEWHERE TO DREAM by GENEVIEVE GRAHAM

We meet Adelaide Johnson first in UNDER THE SAME SKY, the first amazing book by Genevieve Graham, which is her sister Maggie's story. Finally, we have Adelaide's saga with SOMEWHERE TO DREAM, which comes forth out of tragedy and heartache.

After losing her family to a band of miscreants, a broken Adelaide and Maggie are taken in by the Cherokee, who heal their wounds and adopt them. While Maggie goes off to her own life, Adelaide remains safely ensconced away with her Cherokee family, blocking out the ills that have befallen her. Both Maggie and Adelaide have a gift that many would consider to be witchcraft but with the Cherokee, this gift is embraced. The girls have the ability to see the future in their dreams, and although Maggie was better at it, Adelaide wasn't far behind if she would only just allow her dreams to come to completion. Adelaide always feared what her dreams would tell her and she constantly made sure to wake herself before they ended. 

In her months of healing with the Cherokee, Adelaide is told that she will marry a Cherokee warrior, but when the warrior meets his demise is a fight, as saddened as she is with his death, she sighs with relief at her reprieve.

Settler, Jessie Black is captured by the band of Cherokee he is brought to the village torn and angry, his animosity to Indians is evident. When Cherokee warrior, Soquili tells Adelaide that Jessie now hold the spirit of his fallen brother, and that the white man is now his Cherokee brother, she knows there will be resistance, but resistance is futile. Adelaide heals Jessie's outer wounds, and begins to calm his internal turmoil, while the entire time planning his escape from the Indians. What does Jessie have to go back to though? An abusive father and hunger, at least with the Cherokee who have adopted him as one of their own, he finally is accepted as family and never has to starve again.

When Adelaide is informed by Soquili that since Jessie is his brother now, Adelaide's betrothal stands and she will marry Jessie, but Adelaide is still broken inside with all the terror she has endured, and marriage was the furthest thing from her mind. Jessie is oblivious to these plans, but day by day becomes closer to Adelaide and his his anger towards the Cherokee dissipates. Where does he belong now? Where does Adelaide belong? 

This tale of recovery and acceptance is such a journey. Genevieve Graham has a winner with SOMEWHERE TO DREAM. Both Jessie and Adelaide have had severe heartache in their lives and each of them has their own trials and tribulations, but thrown together, they are a force to be reckoned with. Their Cherokee saviors turn out to be much more than either of them had anticipated, especially Jessie with his seething hatred of all Indians. While Adelaide must overcome her fear of the white man, Jessie must change his attitude about the Cherokee and his fear of being like his evil father. SOMEWHERE TO DREAM by Genevieve Graham is a lesson to all about insurmountable odds and misconceptions, it's about healing and love, friendship and understanding. SOMEWHERE TO DREAM is going right up on my TO KEEP shelf. I highly recommend SOMEWHERE TO DREAM as I do her entire series for their grittiness and realism in a market for fantasy. These books remain with you always, just like I feel they should.

~ KIMBERLY~  

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HOW TO HANDLE A HIGHLANDER ( HIGHLANDER #6 ) by MARY WINE

In a Land of Warriors Playing a Deadly Game...

Moira Fraser has been given an ultimatum—marry the elderly Laird Achaius Matheson, or risk another deadly clan war. She vows to do the right thing, as long as she can steer clear of the devilish charms of one stubborn Highlander...

How Do You Avoid Becoming a Pawn?

Gahan Sutherland knows there's a dangerous plot behind Moira Fraser's wedding, and will stop at nothing to foil it. But where a hot-headed, fiery Highland lass is involved, trust and honor clash with forbidden attraction, threatening to blow the Highland's sky-high.

Among the clans of Scotland, duty and honor is paramount. When Moira Fraser is given in marriage to a man almost three times her age, instead of running for the highlands, she does her duty to her half-brother Laird Bari Fraser and her clan. Moira feels she needs to make up for her evil and deranged half-sister Sandra who unsuccessfully poisoned the Laird of the Sutherland clan. Laird Sutherland barely survived, but the fate of Sandra Fraser is somewhat of a mystery even though she is believed to be dead at the hand of the Sutherland clan.

Gahan Sutherland is the bastard son of the Laird Lytge Sutherland although Lytge has recognized Gahan publicly as his son, he still gets criticized for being a bastard. Gahan Sutherland  happens onto the groom to be, Achaius Matheson's land. He is immediately taken with the bride to be, Moira and attempts to dissuade her from doing her duty. Not only because he is attracted to Moira,  he does so also in order to attempt to keep a clan war from happening. If Moira's brother, Bari and the perspective husband, Achaius unite in marriage, it could mean trouble for the Sutherland clan.  Moira puts her personal feelings aside and thinks only of her clan's needs.

To Gahan's chagrin, Moira marries Matheson, but is it a marriage in truth? For as much as Laird Matheson boasts of his prowess, the old man only wants possession of Moira's dowery, which includes a healthy portion of land that Bari is bestowing on him to buy his help with Bari's revenge on the Sutherlands. 

Deception and betrayal are two words that jump out at the reader in this tale, and it seems that everyone is playing this game of sorts. From Laird Achaius Matheson who wants to set up his wife, all the way down to even the Sutherlands, whose soon to be revealed secret makes it even harder for any peace to be had between these clans. Among all this deception a love between Gahan and Moira sprouts that can not be denied by either party. How can this woman married to the scheming old laird be free to love Gahan? Will the Sutherland's be able to expose Bari Fraser for the low-life he actually is? Oh, so many questions are answered when you read How to Handle a Highlander by Mary Wine.

How to Handle a Highlander is a fabulous chapter in Mary Wine's Highlander series. So much emotion, so much guile along with the high romance between Gahan and Moira made this a book I could not put down until the very end. Mary Wine knows her stuff when it comes to her history and she never bores , but makes the reader crave more. The mistrust between the Sutherland and the Fraser clans brought about such emotion, especially when so much of the mistrust is directed towards Moira, who because of her sibling's deeds, has earned a bad reputation, unjustly or not. I could go on and on but then some secrets may slip and I don't want that to happen. So just pick up your copy of Mary Wine's How to Handle a Highlander and see for yourself.

~KIMBERLY~

                                                   

COLTER'S GIFT ( Colter's Legacy) by MAYA BANKS ~ BONUS: ALSO INCLUDES A NEW ORIGINAL COLTER NOVELLA!~

Lauren Wilder has been basically hiding out in the Colorado Mountains. Her brother Max is married to Callie Colter and once you are involved in any family way with the Colters, you become family. Lauren had it bad when she was in New York. Her boyfriend was a cruel and sadistic SOB who was also a glorified pimp who ran a prostitution ring. Lauren was often on the wrong side of Joel Knight's fist and the last time she barely got away alive.

Two investigators were hired by her very wealthy brother  to keep a close eye on his precious sister, but Lauren wasn't altogether honest with them, so they make the trip to Colorado to question Lauren about the vermin that did her harm in New York. Only problem is, Liam and Noah have become emotionally attached to Lauren and neither man wants to lose her to the other. The only way they see them all being happy is if the three of them become involved, much like the Colter family's relationships. All Lauren wants is to be loved, but after the horror of her last relationship she wonders if she's even worthy of love. When Liam and Noah tell her that their needs and desires for her are strong, she must take a leap of faith and pray that all will be like she has dreamed.

Now not only do Liam and Noah have to protect Lauren, but the entire Colter clan steps up to the plate to keep one of their own from harm. Joel Knight doesn't like to give up what he owns and apparently Lauren is one of his possessions and he will stop at nothing until he has her within his grasp once again.

I am so happy to be back in the fold with the Colter family. Even though Lauren, Liam and Noah are not blood relations, the relationship to the Colters is a strong one. Maya Banks has done a wonderful job coming full circle with this fabulous series. I have loved each and every moment of it. Colters' Gift is new and fresh with suspense and danger in the mix with the romance and family adoration. I really enjoyed this story and I know other readers will as well.

Note that this also includes a novella after the story and it will have the reader in tears!

~KIMBERLY~

Mistletoe And Magic (Appleton Sisters #2.5) by Katie Rose

The beautiful Penelope Appleton is the only one of her sisters to truly possess an psychic ability. Since she can remember, Penelope can see the future. Seeing what men her sisters would marry was a gift and even seeing who she would marry was a gift until she dances with the would-be husband and has a vision of his death. Unable to come to terms with that sort of perspective loss, Penelope does what she can to avoid this man.

Jared Martin has no inclination to marry at the moment. He is enjoying his bachelorhood and watching his friends enter the marriage mart has him shaking his head, until he sees the exuberant and exquisite Penelope Appleton and makes up his mind from the first dance that she will be his.

Penelope leads Jared on a game of hide and seek all through Mistletoe and Magic until she can no longer deny her fate. How will she deal with the inevitability that her vision will come true and also with those around the pair who do not want to see them together? Will Jared believe in Penelope's vision enough to give them any thought? Those questions and more are answered so easily by reading this very pleasing Christmas tale by Katie Rose.

This is the first book by Katie Rose that I have read and I found it to be a very enjoyable read and I have since gone back to read the first two books in the Appleton Sisters series. I love the characters of Penelope and Jared. Jared is such a great man. I adore the way he stands up to his family and puts his love for Penelope before the money dangling precariously in front of his nose by his father. Even his position at his father's law firm is in jeopardy and Jared decides which is more important to him.

Mistletoe and Magic is a great holiday read and I hope you will give this novella a look! It is worth it!

~KIMBERLY~

Michelle Boone's Review of BIANCA D'ARC'S ~ RED ( Tales of the Were ) ~

A water nymph and a werecougar meet in a bar fight... No joke.

Steve Redstone agrees to keep an eye on his friend's little sister while she's partying in Las Vegas. He's happy to do the favor for an old Army buddy. What he doesn't expect is the wild woman who heats his blood and attracts too much attention from Others in the area.

Steve ends up defending her honor, breaking his cover and seducing the woman all within hours of meeting her, but he's helpless to resist her. She is his mate and that startling fact is going to open up a whole can of worms with her, her brother and the rest of the Redstone Clan.

Trisha's had to hide her special abilities most of her life, but with her brother's Army buddy - the guy they call Red - she's finally free to be herself. He calls to her in a way she's never experienced before and while bad guys keep trying to abduct her, he's her safe port in the storm. But can such dangerous beginnings lead to a life-long love?

Warning: This cat loves water and he doesn't really care who's watching.

In the latest addition to the Redstone story we get to see more of Steve. I couldn’t wait to read his story after getting a glimpse of him when he “helped” his brothers mate out during her needing. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then you haven’t read the previous book and you NEED to go back and read it first.

When you’re reading this story you can actually picture each scene as if you were there. I’ve only been to Las Vegas once myself, but with her detailed descriptions I had no problem imagining each setting. She had me falling head over heels in love with Steve Redstone within the first few chapters. The single minded way he focused solely on his target to protect without knowing she was his mate, but because she was his friend’s baby sister. Yep total alpha male had me at go. But she kept me hooked by making him not the dominate unbending jerk we hate, but the soft sweet man we all want and love.

Of course what makes a really good romance other than an incredible hot hero is an equally strong willed, smart and independent woman named Trisha. Miss D’Arc ticks all the boxes and then some in Red. I couldn’t stop reading and by the end I was so in love with Red, I was disappointed to see I had finished the book. But I do have the happy knowledge that she introduced so many wonderful characters in Steve and Trisha’s book that I know I’ll be getting more from the Redstone Clan, not to mention Trisha has some pretty yummy brothers that I’m hoping will probably get their own stories too. HINT HINT Bianca D’Arc if you’re reading this J

Reviewed by Michelle Boone