I first mentioned this book because of its cover. Oh, what a cover. In the comments, someone asked if the book itself was as bad as the cover. No, not at all. But cover notwithstanding, I couldn’t finish the book. The premise of the book is interesting: for unknown reasons, the hero and heroine mind-meld whenever they’re sexually stimulated. They don’t know one another, but suddenly they are in each other’s minds during orgasm. Talk … Continue reading Irrational Arousal by Summer Devon→
This is a bit outside the boundaries of the genre, but in some ways, it’s not. I first mentioned The Virginity Project here, and when the publisher of the book offered a review copy for me to review, I was so curious to see the collection, I couldn’t say no. Since so much of romance focuses on virginity in one form or another, both literal and figurative, examining sexuality through illustration of the (dare I … Continue reading The Virgin Project by K.D. Boze and Stasia Kato→
My internal monologue while reading this novella went as follows for the first third: “Oh, now that’s different.” “Ok, cool.” “Huh. That’s some smart use of rock and fire imagery.” “Ok, now that’s COOL.” “This is really, really different.” I love cool and different. The story opens on Aera’s final test as a priestess of fire: she must enter a labyrinth of the volcano, pass through multiple gates to the eye of the maze, and … Continue reading Heart of the Volcano by Imogen Howson→
Seems like cougars are the new black: I think there are three new TV shows this fall about older women and younger men, pointing to a cultural fascination with the experienced female and young energetic male pairing. Much of the portrayals I’ve seen in the promotional trailers and ads for these shows seem superficial at best and uninteresting – and the idea of tension based merely on age difference and maturity does nothing for me. … Continue reading Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun→
If this book were portioned out and divided into thirds, two of the thirds would be so outstanding, so fun and awesome and interesting and innovative that I could go on for awhile on the things I enjoyed about them. The remaining portion dulls the sparkle and joy of those other two, because the flaws are contained in a character and in the structure of the tension. Let’s start with the good parts: Edwards has … Continue reading Can’t Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards→
Despite the focus on romance novels in the hot pink palace, I buy many other different types of books, including cookbooks (boy is that a problem), computer instruction guides, and children’s books. This past week I’ve found two children’s products – one book and one DVD/CD – that have rocked my socks enough that I wanted to spread the word. My older son, known online as Freebird, has a book from Sleeping Bear Press called … Continue reading S is for Story: A Writer’s Alphabet→
Once, long ago, I had a guy friend ask me out to dinner. Now, we were pretty much “just friends”, but I thought he was sweet and cute and I enjoyed his company, so I happily agreed to what sounded rather date-like (especially since he told me to dress “nice”). Off we went, with him telling me that where we were going was a “surprise”. Then we pulled up in front of a church. I … Continue reading Shameless by Tori Carrington: A Guest Review by Test Driver Tina→
Ms. Match was my first book by Jo Leigh, and cliche upon cliche, it won’t be my last. My experience with Harlequin’s Blaze line is largely hit-and-miss. I’ve followed it sporadically since the line’s inception (2004-ish?) and have cringed over the tepid sex-centered plots and characters who definitely were not “hip” (God I hate that word) or modern. Despite my so-so experience, I continue to give Blaze a chance because fun and sexy contemporary romances … Continue reading Ms Match by Jo Leigh: A Guest Review by Test Driver Evangeline→
As Harlequin very generously offered a book voucher as part of the Sony e-Reader test drive, I decided to use it to break out of my preferred romance genre (long historicals) and try some short contemporaries. I hadn’t read a contemporary in years, so I figured the best way to re-introduce myself to the genre was to try some random compendiums and the Blaze series seemed to be about the furthest away from my usual … Continue reading Naked Attraction by Jule McBride: A Guest Review from Test Driver Mary→
A house full of Jacks is not a winning hand for Mariah Eller. She knows she is in trouble when she is called to her inn to help deal with a group of trouble-making noblemen using fictitious names like Jack Sprat and Jack B. Nimble. She doesn’t know just how much trouble, even when she realizes that one of those trouble makers was her future king. Soon, she finds herself pressured to be a mistress … Continue reading Make Me Yours by Betina Krahn: A Guest Review by Test Driver Sandra→
Tony was Eustace and useless as well, Until his whole family went to hell. He became a thief to make a living, Now that he’s older, he works for the king Constance is a widowed duchess, Since her duke died, she’s in a big mess. Her skill set comprises curtsies and babies, To keep up appearances and be a lady. Now she’s in a lot of distress, Because the foul villain wants a mistress. He … Continue reading A Wicked Liaison by Christine Merrill: A Guest Review by Phyllis→
