Review: The Darkest Passion by Gena Showalter

The Darkest Passion
Gena Showalter
Series: Lords of the Underworld #5
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: May 25, 2010
Mass Market Paperback {p.438}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Paranormal
Olivia, Aeron
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

For weeks, the immortal warrior Aeron has sensed an invisible female presence. An angel--demon-assassin--has been sent to kill him. Or has she? Olivia claims she fell from the heavens, giving up immortality because she couldn't bear to harm him. But trusting--and falling for--Olivia will endanger them all. So how has this "mortal" with the huge blue eyes already unleashed Aeron's darkest passion?

Now, with an enemy hot on his trail and his faithful demon companion determined to remove Olivia from his life, Aeron is trapped between duty and consuming desire. Worse still, a new executioner has been sent to do the job Olivia wouldn't....

Olivia is an angel who has been given the task of killing Aeron, keeper of Wrath. Unable to complete this task because of her growing attraction to him, she chose to fall.

Aeron and his demon child, Legion, I enjoyed from the previous book in the series, so I was excited to get more of them. But in this installment I struggled to like either of them. At times I just wanted them to get rid of Legion and be done with her. And Aeron refused to see Legion’s love for him as anything more than a father-daughter type of love. Both Legion and Aeron managed to be redeemed in the end. I truly felt bad for Legion in the end. I want her to find happiness.

Olivia was not all sugar and innocence I expected her to be. Yes, she was kind and sweet, but I guess all her years of watching humans taught her a thing or two about sex. I know the book was about her and Aeron’s journey, but I would have loved to see her interact more with the other ladies of the house. Some of my favorite scenes were Olivia with the girls and Olivia with Gideon.

The ending has me intrigued. I’m anxious to see what happens next. Although this wasn’t my favorite of this series it was still an enjoyable read.

Review: Bad Boys Do by Victoria Dahl

Bad Boys Do
Victoria Dahl
Series: Donovan Brothers Brewery #2
Publisher: HQN
Publish Date: September 27, 2011
Mass Market Paperback {p.377}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Contemporary
Olivia Bishop, Jamie Donovan
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Olivia Bishop is no fun. That's what her ex-husband said. And that's what her smart bob and glasses imply. So with her trademark determination, Olivia sets out to remake her life. She's going to spend time with her girlfriends and not throw it all away for some man. But when an outing with her book club leads her to a brewery taproom, the dark-haired beauty realizes that trouble—in the form of sexy Jamie Donovan—may be too tempting to avoid.

Jamie Donovan doesn't mean to be bad. Sure, the wild streak in his wicked green eyes has lured the ladies before. Now it's time to grow up. He's even ready for a serious romance. But how can that be when Olivia, the only right woman he has ever met, already has him pegged as wrong?

This time around I enjoyed Jamie so much more than last. But with that comes me disliking Eric. Jamie came across as irresponsible in the last installment, but in his effort to change, his brother Eric refused to let go of the past.

Olivia and Jamie’s relationship started out as “fun,” but quickly became so much more. With her marriage ending because of her husband’s infidelity, serious is not what she’s looking for.

These two had great chemistry together. They were great apart as well. Olivia and her book club members are a perfect example of that. They provided me with some great entertainment.

Jamie managed a complete 180 in this novel. I got to see a whole new side of Jamie I didn’t know existed. And I ha e to say, I loved it.

Review: Good Girls Don't by Victoria Dahl

Good Girls Don't
Victoria Dahl
Series: Donovan Brothers Brewery #1
Publisher: HQN
Publish Date: August 30, 2011
Mass Market Paperback {p.376}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Contemporary
Characters: Tessa Donovan, Luke Asher
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

Too much of a good thing...

With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family's brewery. He's got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he's the father.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother's playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their "baby" sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He's not who people think he is—and neither is she.

I didn’t like Tessa’s brother Jamie at all in this one. He was so quick to believe the worst about Luke but would get upset about his brother Eric doing that very thing to him. The difference being that with Jamie, believing the worst of him was warranted and 99% of the time correct. He was very immature and irresponsible that I couldn’t summon up an inkling of like for him. I hope he is redeemed in his book.

Tessa annoyed me at times with her constant need to fix Jamie’s problems and hide things from Eric. I felt that if Tessa would let Jamie catch heat for his actions, maybe he would grow up and become a man. If she had been upfront about a lot of this stuff instead of trying to sweep it under the rug, the majority of it could have been avoided.

Luke on the other hand, I truly loved. Dahl did a great job of writing this tortured, misunderstood hero. He wasn’t perfect, but he was very close to it. Another great read to add to your keeper shelf.

Review: The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton

The Perfect Play
Jaci Burton
Series: Play by Play #1
Publisher: Berkeley Heat
Publish Date: February 1, 2011
Trade Paperback {p.299}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Erotica
Characters: Tara Lincoln, Mick Riley
Challenge: 100+
Buy the Book: Amazon

The last thing event planner Tara Lincoln needs is the jet-set lifestyle of a football pro like Mick Riley; even though their steamy and passionate one-night stand proved that Mick is an all-star-both on the field and in the bedroom.

Tara played the game of love once and lost big, and she doesn't intend to put herself out there again, especially with a certified heartbreaker. But when Mick sets his mind to win, nothing will stop him. And he has the perfect play in mind to catch this sultry vixen.

The Perfect Play took a while for me to warm up to it. I think it was around chapter 13 or 15 before I actually got into it.

Mick and Tara set the sheets, among other things, on fire throughout the entire book. there was loads and loads of steamy sex. They had great chemistry in and out of the bedroom. Although they had great chemistry, they were a bit boring at times.

I enjoyed the fact that Mick wasn't perfect, because from the outside looking in, it sure appeared that way. Both he and Tara had troubled past. I liked Mick from the start, but Tara and I had our moments. Her back and forth attitude became a little annoying, especially near the end.

I adored Mick's family. His mother, father, sister, and brother were such warm, welcoming characters. Elizabeth, Mick's agent, provided me with all the entertainment. I loved her interaction with both Mick and Tara, although I didn't really care for her as a person because of her meddling. I do look forward to seeing how she redeems herself in the next installment.

Review: The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis

The Sweetest Thing
Jill Shalvis
Series: Lucky Harbor #2
Publisher: Forever
Publish Date: March 28, 2011
Mass Market Paperback {p.348}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Contemporary
Characters: Tara Daniels, Ford Walker
Challenge: Summer Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon

Two Men Are One Too Many . . .
Tara has a thousand good reasons not to return to the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Yet with her life doing a major crash-and-burn, anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. As Tara helps her two sisters get their newly renovated inn up and running, she finally has a chance to get things under control and come up with a new plan for her life.

But a certain tanned, green-eyed sailor has his own ideas, such as keeping Tara hot, bothered . . . and in his bed. And when her ex wants Tara back, three is a crowd she can't control-especially when her deepest secret reappears out of the blue. Now Tara must confront her past and discover what she really wants. If she's lucky, she might just find that everything her heart desires is right here in Lucky Harbor.

I must say that I enjoyed this addition to the trilogy way more than Simply Irresistible. I am so glad that I did not give up on the trilogy. I enjoyed the Steel Magnolia and the Wild Child so much in book one, that I had to read their stories. As a reader, I felt more invested and connected to Ford and Tara than I had with Jax and Maddie.

The characters were well developed and relatable. The whole aspect of a small town and all the gossip was dead on.

The addition of Tara's ex-husband, Logan, was a nice twist to shake things up with her and Ford. I was always laughing when Ford and Logan got together. It would be nice to see him stick around Lucky Harbor.

As always,I loved Chloe! I'm so looking forward to her and Sawyer. You can practically feel the heat between these two in this installment, so they are sure to set the pages on fire in their own book.

Review: Eat Prey Love by Kerrelyn Sparks

Eat Prey Love
Kerrelyn Sparks
Series: Love at Stake #9
Publisher: Avon
Publish Date: October 1, 2010
Mass Market Paperback {p.373}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Paranormal
Characters: Caitlyn Whelan, Carlos Panterra
Challenge: 100+, Paranormal
Buy the Book: Amazon

Wanted: Bride. Must love children. Mortals need not apply.

Carlos Panterra is looking for a mate, a woman who will love and care for the young orphans he's recently taken under his wing (or paw, as the case may be). When the shape shifter spies the beautiful Caitlyn, it's like sunshine amidst the darkness. At last, he's found the perfect woman, except...

Caitlyn Whelan is mortal. Worse, her father is the head of a CIA agency bent on hunting the undead. Still, Caitlyn knows that Carlos is the man for her, shape shifter or not. So she jumps at the chance when her sister offers her a job to work with him, determined to show Carlos their attraction is more than just animal magnetism. But danger lurks in the night, and their unleashed, untamed passion might just get them both killed...

Eat Prey Love was a funny and entertaining take on vampires and shape shifters. The blurb is what caught my eye about this book. A shape shifter searching for a wife to be the mother of his orphans that he's taken in.

Carlos and Caitlyn had an instant attraction that Carlos chose to fight because Caitlyn is human. But that didn't stop Caitlyn; she was determined to have Carlos. There didn't seem to be anything going on deeper than their attraction.

I enjoyed Caitlyn's interaction with the children, but I would have liked to have seen more of that. Afterall she would become their mother, but she only had limited interaction with them. Plus she really only interacted with two of the children he took in.

The book was a bit short on action but it was big on laughs. I'll have to go back and read all the books in the series leading up to this one.

Review: Baby, Drive South by Stephanie Bond

Baby, Drive South
Stephanie Bond
Series: Southern Roads #1
Publisher: Mira
Publication Date:  May 24, 2011
Mass Market Paperback {p.329}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Contemporary
Characters: Nikki Salinger, Porter Armstrong
Challenge: 100+, Summer Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon

The hardheaded Armstrong brothers are determined to rebuild their tornado-ravaged hometown in the Georgia mountains. They've got the means, they've got the manpower…what they need are women! So they place an ad in a northern newspaper and wait for the ladies to answer their call...

Porter, the youngest Armstrong, is all for importing women. Still, he's so blown away by the sheer numbers, he falls off the water tower. Luckily there's a doctor among the newcomers—sweet and sexy Dr. Nikki Salinger.

And Porter has every intention of checking out her bedside manner...

The Armstrong brothers are trying to rebuild their childhood hometown of Sweetness, GA. In an effort to speed things along, they have place an ad in the newspaper to recruit single women to the town with the promise of a fresh start.

Among these women is Dr. Nikki Salinger, who is what some may call a plain Jane. Nikki is trying to heal from a broken heart and is not at all interested in getting involved.

I enjoyed the storyline and the witty dialogue. The town of Sweetness seemed like a place one truly would want to be involved in the rebuilding of.

Nikki was a bit reserved but truly a good person who had taken a few bumps in life for not being the most beautiful. Where it was the total opposite for Porter. At times I didn't like him because of his comments and behavior toward Nikki. Every strike she had against her with him, involved her appearance. Because she wasn't among the most beautiful of the women that moved into town, Porter seemed to dismiss her.

The whole town of Sweetness and the additional Armstrong brothers great entertainment. I truly am invested in seeing how the town of Sweetness progresses.

Review: Forbidden Heat by Opal Carew

Forbidden Heat

Opal Carew {Facebook | Facebook Page | Twitter}
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: January 5, 2010
Trade Paperback {p.266}
Genre: Erotica, Menage
Characters: Danielle Rayne, Jake Jamieson, Trey Garner
Challenge: 100+, Erotica

If you could make your most forbidden fantasy come true, would you dare?

Danielle, Jake and Trey were inseparable back in college. They used to tell each other everything—except for one big secret Danielle always kept hidden. That even though they were best friends, Danielle always had a huge crush on them. But it was a harmless, hopeless crush, because the two men were in love…with each other.

Years later, Danielle learns a startling truth. Jake and Trey have not only broken up— they date women now. Danielle’s most sinful fantasy has always been to have a threesome—and now she finally has the chance to spend the night with not just one, but with both sexy men. Yet when fantasy becomes reality, life gets complicated fast. Despite Jake and Trey’s rocky past, it’s clear to Danielle that they’re still deeply in love with each other. The trouble is, now Danielle’s falling for them too…

Danielle is reunited with her college crushes at her friend Harmony’s wedding. They too had a crush on Danielle, but never acted upon it because they were in a committed relationship with each other at the time. What starts out as one night to live out her threesome fantasy quickly becomes much more.

Forbidden Heat is filled with page after page of white hot sex. The sexual interaction between Trey and Jake was very minimal and only towards the end of the story. I found that aspect to be very disappointing considering the fact that these two used to be in love with each other. Sometimes it felt as if they didn’t even like each other let alone loved each other.

The storyline too was a bit minimal, but enough to want to see how it all played out. I did enjoy the fact that Ms. Carew was able to write it where I didn’t feel like either Trey or Jake was a third wheel.

This book is a spinoff of Six, so I’m hoping there will be more books for some of the other members of their group. And maybe a story for Trey’s sister, Suzie as well, because she was an interesting secondary character that I wouldn’t mind seeing more of. I will definitely continue reading Opal’s work.

Review: Coming Undone by Lauren Dane

Coming Undone

Lauren Dane {Facebook | Twitter}
Series: Brown Siblings #2
Publisher: Berkley Heat
Publication Date: January 5, 2010
Trade Paperback {p.291}
Source: Personal Library/Paperback Swap
Genre: Erotica
Characters: Elise Sorenson, Brody Brown
Challenge: 100+, Erotic Romance

After his parents' death, Brody gave up a promising career to care for his family. Now, with his siblings grown, Brody owns his own business, and for the first time in years he's alone. Elise has come to Seattle with her daughter to find peace. After years as a world-famous ballerina-and trapped in a marriage gone bad-she's looking for neither love nor attention. But she finds both in the handsome, honest man who befriends her with no strings attached.

Brody and Elise discover in each other the wild, physical passion they need. But it'll take a shadow from Elise's past to make them look beyond what they need-to what they truly desire.

Elise has moved from New York to Seattle to get away from her crazy ex-in-laws. Now she lives in a quiet little subdivision across the street from tattoo parlor owner, Brody Brown.

She is immediately attracted to him but her being a privileged ballerina, always figured she would end up with a Mr. Rogers type of guy.

One afternoon after witnessing Brody as the victim of a hit and run, they spark up a friendship that quickly turns into one with benefits.

Elise has a young daughter, Rennie, so they have to be discreet about their relationship. While these two quickly began to fall in love, everyone else was aware of it but them. Brody’s ex, Raven, especially noticed and was not happy.

I did appreciate the relationship Brody and his siblings formed with Elise’s daughter Rennie. It was nice that she was integrated into the story and wasn’t just an afterthought character.

However I did find fault with Elise and the fact that she seemed to share information about her life with everyone but Brody. Or the fact that Brody was so clueless when it came to Raven and her behavior.