Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

RITA Reader Challenge: At Hidden Falls by Barbara Freethy

This review was written by Carrie S. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Single Title category.

The summary:     

Isabella’s drive to Angel’s Bay would have ended in tragedy when her car slid off a cliff if she hadn’t been rescued by Nick Hartley. As he helps her to safety, she realizes he is the man who has haunted her dreams. Nick, however, is committed to reconnecting with his estranged teenage daughter, refusing to respond to his powerful attraction to Isabella.

And Isabella’s police chief brother has his hands full with a missing mother, an abandoned baby, and an unknown father. What is Isabella’s role in the mysteries—both past and present— that swirl around the town?When she starts helping at the Hartley family theater, all the pieces begin to link together. Loves found and lost, heartbreak and happiness, courage and betrayal are all part of the patchwork quilt of the community—and of life. Isabella’s gift is seeing the patterns. . . .

… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Where All the Dead Lie by JT Ellison

This review was written by Darcy. This story was nominated in the Best Romantic Suspense category.

The summary:     

The headshot didn't kill Taylor Jackson. But it will haunt. In her showdown with the murderous Pretender, a bullet taken at close range severed the connection between Taylor's thoughts and speech. Effectively mute, there's no telling if her voice will ever come back. Trapped in silence, she is surrounded by ghosts-- of the past, of friendships and trusts lost--of the specter of a lost faith in herself and her motives that night.

When Memphis Highsmythe offers Taylor his home in the Scottish highlands to recuperate, her fiancé John Baldwin can't refuse her excitement, no matter his distrust of the man. At first, Memphis's drafty and singularly romantic castle seems the perfect place for healing. But shortly the house itself surrounds her like a menacing presence.

As Taylor's sense of isolation and vulnerability grows, so, too, does her grip on reality. PTSD. Pills. Ghosts.… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: The Welcome Home Garden Club by Lori Wilde

This review was written by Emily. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Single Title category.

The summary:     

Caitlyn Marsh stopped believing in happily-ever-after when high-school sweetheart, Gideon Garza, left for Iraq. Now she raises her small son while her matchmaking gardening club members drive her crazy. Then Caitlyn's world turns upside-down when Gideon swaggers back to Twilight. Gideon had left town in the middle of night with threats ringing in his ears.

A lot of things have changed since then. This bad boy-turned-Green Beret bears scars from the war, the timid girl he loved is an independent mother, and the father who refused to recognize his son in life has, in death, left him a vast cattle ranch. He still aches for Caitlyn, and now there's a dark-haired boy who looks exactly like Gideon did at that age.

Could the child be his? And can this war-weary soldier overcome the scars of the past to claim the family he… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Soldier’s Last Stand by Cindy Dees

This review was written by Paige. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Series Suspense/Adventure category.

The summary:     

Navy Commander Brady Hathaway is done with women. Since H.O.T. Watch is pretty much a 24/7 job, that leaves no time for female entanglements. Then he's appointed Eve Dupont's handler. Tan, leggy and blonde, the lethal-looking civilian chosen to take down a terrorist cell scares the hell out of him. Can he keep Eve safe and resist her charms?

This may be Eve's only shot to clear her name from any involvement in a terrorist cell and bring in a wanted assassin. But can the ultimate party girl do it? And can she convince the sexy Mr. I'm All Business Hathaway that there are times to move fast—and times to go very slowly....

And here is Paige's review:

It’s hard to like a book when you have an extreme dislike for the heroine but somehow, she redeems herself quite well about half way… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Hot Zone by Catherine Mann

This review was written by Jessica. This story was nominated in the Best Romantic Suspense category.

The summary:     

The haunted eyes of pararescueman Hugh Franco should have been her first clue that deep pain roiled beneath the surface. But if Amelia couldn't see the damage, how could she be expected to know he'd break her heart?

Amelia Bailey's not the kind of girl who usually needs rescuing...but there are anything but usual circumstances.

Alternate summary:

Master sergeant Hugh Franco lives only to save others, until he plucks beautiful attorney Amelia Bailey from the wreckage of an earthquake and finds himself embroiled in ways he never expected. On the run from kidnappers, Hugh must call on all his training to protect them. But Amelia's fiery touch threatens to crack his world—and his heart—wide open.

And here is Jessica's review:

I enjoy reading Catherine Mann’s books. I find her stories well researched, full of intrigue, and full of real human characters (flaws and all). Hot Zone is… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell

This review was written by Jamarleo. This story was nominated in the Best First Book category.

The summary:     

From London's slums to its bawdy playhouses, The Darling Strumpet transports the reader to the tumultuous world of seventeenth-century England, charting the meteoric rise of the dazzling Nell Gwynn, who captivates the heart of King Charles II-and becomes one of the century's most famous courtesans.

Witty and beautiful, Nell was born into poverty but is drawn into the enthralling world of the theater, where her saucy humor and sensuous charm earn her a place in the King's Company. As one of the first actresses in the newly-opened playhouses, she catapults to fame, winning the affection of legions of fans-and the heart of the most powerful man in all of England, the King himself.

Surrendering herself to Charles, Nell will be forced to maneuver the ruthless and shifting allegiances of the royal court-and discover a world of decadence and passion she never imagined possible.

… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Shadow Walker by Allyson James

This review was written by SB Sarah. This story was nominated in the Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category.

The summary:     

Winter descends on the town of Magellan, and new evil comes to call. Racing her motorcycle down a lonely winter highway, Stormwalker Janet Begay feels the ground collapse beneath her feet. After tumbling two hundred feet into an underground cavern, she manages to escape with help from her sexy dragon-shifter boyfriend, Mick--but not before they disturb dark forces.

As Janet contends with a hotel inspector intent on putting her out of business, and her grandmother, who's taken up residence, Mick's behavior becomes strange and erratic, until he is a clear danger to Janet and her friends. Janet's drag-queen, attitude-ridden magic mirror insists that Mick has been "touched by shadows," and Janet realizes that someone is out to enslave her dragon.

Now she must free Mick before he kills her . . .… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O’Neal

This review was written by Tabs. This story was nominated in the Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category.

The summary:     

Professional baker Ramona Gallagher is a master of an art that has sustained her through the most turbulent times, including a baby at fifteen and an endless family feud. But now Ramona’s bakery threatens to crumble around her. Literally. She’s one water-heater disaster away from losing her grandmother’s rambling Victorian and everything she’s worked so hard to build.

When Ramona’s soldier son-in-law is wounded in Afghanistan, her daughter, Sophia, races overseas to be at his side, leaving Ramona as the only suitable guardian for Sophia’s thirteen-year-old stepdaughter, Katie. Heartbroken, Katie feels that she’s being dumped again—this time on the doorstep of a woman out of practice with mothering. Ramona relies upon a special set of tools—patience, persistence, and the reliability of a good recipe—when rebellious Katie arrives.

And as she relives her own history of difficult choices, Ramona shares… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Black Ties and Lullabies by Jane Graves

This review was written by Tabs. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Single Title Romance category.

The summary:     

Bernadette Hogan doesn't make mistakes. Not when it comes to caring for her mother, and not at her job protecting Texas's most eligible--and infuriating--bachelor. Maybe that's why she's overcome with guilt after one tiny indiscretion: a passionate fling with her boss that's left her confused, intrigued...and pregnant.

To self-made millionaire Jeremy Bridges, women are like fine wine: if held for too long, they sour. But one wild night with Bernadette changed all that. She makes him laugh, she makes him think, and soon she's going to make him a father. For the first time, Jeremy wants to be a one-woman man.

So how can he convince the fiercely independent Bernadette he's ready to change from partying playboy to dependable dad--and become the loving husband she deserves?

And here is Tabs' review:

For me, the keyword for this story is… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Black Ties and Lullabies by Jane Graves

This review was written by Annie. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Single Title Romance category.

The summary:     

Bernadette Hogan doesn't make mistakes. Not when it comes to caring for her mother, and not at her job protecting Texas's most eligible--and infuriating--bachelor. Maybe that's why she's overcome with guilt after one tiny indiscretion: a passionate fling with her boss that's left her confused, intrigued...and pregnant.

To self-made millionaire Jeremy Bridges, women are like fine wine: if held for too long, they sour. But one wild night with Bernadette changed all that. She makes him laugh, she makes him think, and soon she's going to make him a father. For the first time, Jeremy wants to be a one-woman man.

So how can he convince the fiercely independent Bernadette he's ready to change from partying playboy to dependable dad--and become the loving husband she deserves?

And here is Annie's review:

This is a heart warming novel about motherhood… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Silver Sparks by Starr Ambrose

This review was written by Ashlea. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Single Title Romance category.

The summary:     

The Larkin sisters are used to hearing whispers behind their backs. Being raised by hippie parents in the small resort town of Barringer’s Pass, Colorado, they were always considered oddballs, and for a while, they did everything they could to earn the name.  But now, older and wiser, they're discovering that it's not so great to be the wild child, and are struggling to earn a new place for themselves in town.

When Maggie Larkin resists the come-ons of a sleazy actor in town to shoot a film, she pisses off more than a pretty boy and his manager.  Turns out that Rafe DeLuca isn't just a movie star...he's possibly a killer, and Maggie's landed herself in more trouble than she could imagine.  Enter Cal Drummond, cop extraordinaire, who's been trailing DeLuca himself for weeks, convinced that his recently murdered sister is one… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Envy by JR Ward

This review was written by Michelle B. This story was nominated in the Best Paranormal Romance category.

The summary:     

As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas "Veck" DelVecchio, Jr., grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father- while fighting his inner demons.

Assigned to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in him is both professional and arousingly personal. And Veck and Sophia have another link: Jim Heron, a mysterious stranger with too many answers... to questions that are deadly.

When Veck and Sophia are drawn into the ultimate battle between good and evil, their fallen angel savior is the only thing that stands between them and eternal damnation.

And here is Michelle's review:

Envy, by JR Ward, is the 3rd installment of the Fallen Angels series featuring Jim Heron and his fallen angel wingmen as they once again… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: The Lost by Caridad Piniero

This review was written by Cyndy. This story was nominated in the Best Paranormal Romance category.

The summary:     

Adam Bruno is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . . 

Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. "She's" drawn to his strength of mind and body; "he's "attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam's powers rage out of control-destroy them.

But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Hush by Cherry Adair

This review was written by Randee . This story was nominated in the Best Romantic Suspense category.

The summary: Thrill seekers Zakary and Gideon Stark travel the globe in search of extreme adventure, but a trip to Venezuela to jump off the world’s highest falls catapults them into a perilous game of life or death—where they don’t know the rules. Kidnapped with a woman Zak knows nothing about, the brothers are held prisoner deep in the jungle.

A risky, deathdefying escape separates them and nearly claims Zak’s life . . . until his recovery reveals a baffling new sixth sense. Now, to find his missing brother, Zak and the mysterious Acadia Gray will have to out-smart, out-gun, and out-maneuver not just the brutal kidnappers but also a new player who joins the adrenaline game: a ruthless opponent who wants the Stark brothers dead—at any cost.

And here is Randee's review:

I always recommend Cherry Adair’s smart and sexy romantic suspense to anyone interested in stories about… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: “Unforgiven” by Ruth Ryan Langan

This review was written by Emily A. This story was nominated in the Best Romance Novella category.

The summary:      

The shattered soul of an angry spirit imprisoned in a Scottish manor house could be a young widow's only salvation.

And here is Emily's review:

Ironically I don’t have much to say which is odd, because I usually have a lot to say.

This novella was fine, but filled with characters we’ve met before like the lonely widow, the haunted mysterious Scottish mansion, the groundskeepers, etc….

The ending was a bit of let down with gimmicky twists. I did appreciate the heat in this one compared to the other novellas, but I thought this one the weakest novella in the collection.

I think in a longer book the author might have made ways to make it more distinctive. If you’re like me and a print reader, you’ll buy the whole anthology. Since I read the whole anthology, I am including bonus lightning… read more »