Christmas Awards 2011

Monday 27 February 2012

Fury of Fire


Fury of Fire: Dragonfury Series by Coreene Callahan

Publisher: Montlake Romance

February 20112

ISBN: 978-1-61218-272-8

Pages: 424


Contemporary, Paranormal


Myst Munroe is a nurse that cares about her patients. When one of them is having some health problems Myst goes out to check on her patient and ends up in more trouble and dealing with a world she never dreamt existed. Now Myst is going to have to find a way of dealing with this new world and figure out if her old live even exists anymore. Of course meeting Bastian is making her wonder if she even wants to go back to her old life.

Bastian has been told that it is time for him to find a mate and sire a son. Bastian also knows for that to happen the human woman will die giving birth. Bastian also knows that being the leader of the Nightfuries, a form of dragon shape shifters that are sworn to protect the humans from the Razorbacks, a form of dragons that are determined to destroy all humans; he has a duty to his men to do what is necessary to make sure their line does not die out. Bastian would find it easier to sire a son if he hadn’t met Myst and formed an instant connection with her. Now she is in his care and he has to find a way to make sure no harm comes to her and also find a way to have the son he needs.

Myst has found herself in the middle of a war between the two sides of dragons with her heart firmly in the hands of Bastian but she isn’t sure that is what is best for her. Bastian has never had a problem with putting honor and duty first before but ever since he set eyes on Myst he is finding it harder to put anything before Myst. She is becoming everything to him but what will the mean when it comes time for him to have a son?


This is an exceptional story that will have the reader extremely reluctant to put down. The characters are very well written and will grab the reader by the throat and won’t let go. With all the action in this book it moves forward very quickly and keeps the reader engaged to the point they won’t want to put it down until the very end and even then they will hate for the book to end. If you like very alpha males that are very possessive of their mates this is one you have to read. The men in this one are over the top and extremely drool worthy. This one will also have the reader counting down the time until the next book comes out. This is one series you shouldn’t miss.



I give this one 5 plus red roses

The Night Lamp


The Night Lamp by Carol A. Spradling

Published by: Carol A. Spradling

February 2012

Pages: 117


March 1781, Mount Vernon Virginia
August 1781, North Carolina


Isabella “Isa” Foster is determined to find out what happened to her childhood friend that has been murdered. While some might think she had something to do with it she has been cleared and now she has to find out what happened. Isa also has to figure out where the document he was supposed to have has gone and who has it. It is a document that is extremely important and there are those that are convinced she has it and want it for themselves.

Cole McKnight is a military confidant that also does bounty jobs for a man that is completely untrustworthy but Cole works for him because it is the only way to get his family home back. With is latest job he needs to find Isa Foster and bring her back and he will finally be done with doing bounties. What starts out as a straightforward easy job is fast turning into anything but easy. Cole doesn’t count on his attraction and admiration for Isa. Now he is going to have to find a way to get his home back and to also help Isa because he is finding out that he isn’t willing to let her get hurt.

Cole and Isa are now racing to find out just what happened with Isa’s friend and who was behind his murder. Someone is after Isa for the information they are sure she has and they will stop at nothing until they get what they want even if that means Isa needs to die.




This story gives a little different view of the Revolutionary War than reader might have seen before. The story is well written and interesting though at times there are more modern references that don’t quite fit the time frame. The characters are fascinating and keep the story moving well and will have the reader turning the pages to find out just what will happen next. The heroine is strong, likable, courageous and will do whatever she has to make sure that when she feels a wrong is being committed that the correct outcomes happens and not an injustice. The hero is also honorable and is determined to do the right thing even when it might cost him more that he would like. This story gives some interesting insight into a time period that sometimes we don’t see enough of.


I give this 4 red roses

Wednesday 22 February 2012

A SEAL in Wolf's Clothing


A SEAL in Wolf’s Clothing by Terry Spear

Publisher: Sourcebooks

March 2012

ISBN: 978-1-4022-5890-9

Pages: 352



Contemporary, Paranormal. Oregon Coast


Meara Greymere is determined to find herself a mate now that her brother is going to be away. Now that Meara doesn’t have to deal with an overprotective brother she figures it shouldn’t be too hard for her to find a mate. What she doesn’t count on is one of her brothers SEAL buddies showing up and ruining her fun. He may be hot but she knows he isn’t mate material. Now she is going to have to find a way around him.

Finn Emerson is a Navy SEAL that has been hardened by battle and he is also an alpha wolf so even though he is over qualified to be a baby-sitter he is determined to keep Meara safe from the trouble she attracts like a magnet. Finn knows he has to Meara safe from the men that are around since he is the only alpha around right now. What he doesn’t count on is his own attraction to Meara. He knows that he isn’t what she needs but that doesn’t make fighting his attraction any easier.

Finn knows trouble is headed Meara’s way and he has to figure out just what is going on before it catches up to her. His job is made more difficult when Meara is convinced she isn’t in any trouble and if she is as soon as Finn is gone she will be fine. But someone is after them both and if they don’t find out whom and why they just might not make it out alive.


This is a wonderful fast paced story that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. This one has plenty of hunky SEALs that will have the reader reaching for an ice cold glass of water to cool them off. This is another great book in the world of the lupus garous (werewolves) world. While a couple from an earlier make a cameo in this one it isn’t necessary to read the books in order though it does make the series much more enjoyable. For those that love hot SEALs this is one not to miss. This one definitely lives up to its title.



I give this one 5 red roses

Monday 13 February 2012

The Yearning Heart


The Yearning Heart by Sylvia Broady
Published by Robert Hale Limited
ISBN: 978-0-7090-9211-7


The year is 1941. Britain is in the turmoil of war, but for many, the family values of the day remain the same. It is therefore no surprise that when Victor Renton takes advantage of his vulnerable 16-year old sister-in-law and she becomes pregnant, Frances is the one who is considered to have brought dishonour on the family. In order to avoid a scandal, Frances’s mother, Agnes Bewholme, deposits her daughter in the middle of nowhere at Gembling Farm. Fran works for her keep and when she goes into labour, Mr Gembling takes her to the local nursing home, where she gives birth to twins, Michael and Christine.

To Frances’s confusion the staff at the nursing home insist on calling her by her sister’s name, Isabel Renton, but Agnes explains that this is to avoid the shame of her being known as an unmarried mother. Frances falls in love with her babies and the brother of one of the nurses takes photographs of the young mother and her children.

A week after the birth, Agnes Bewholme arrives at the nursing home and, to Fran’s horror, instructs her daughter to return to Gembling Farm whilst she takes the twins home to be cared for by herself and Isabel. Totally distraught at the separation from her children, Fran resolves to be re-united with them as soon as possible and then she receives the devastating news that Christine has died.

Years later, Victor is dead and with Michael approaching his 16th birthday, Fran is determined to let her son know that she and not his Aunt Isabel, is his mother. Agnes having died and so being unable to thwart her attempts to be re-united with her son, Frances believes that nothing stands in her way. She writes to Isabel and sets out her plans to put her yearning at an end, but Fran underestimates her sister and the lengths she will go to keep Michael to herself.

Read on to discover if Fran can right the wrong exacted on her all those years ago, or if Isabel succeeds in preventing mother and son being re-united.


The measure of a good book is that it draws the reader into its story from the first few pages. “The Yearning Heart” certainly does that. This book is difficult to put down as it takes the reader through may twists and turns to reach its conclusion. The reader feels sympathy for both Frances and Isabel, two sisters placed in an untenable position as a result of the actions of a weak husband and a domineering, unfeeling mother.

However, this is not a story limited to the triangle between mother, son and aunt. It also successfully explores other characters and relationships.

I highly recommend this novel and award it five Red Roses.

PS
05.02.12

Wednesday 8 February 2012

Hot Secrets


Hot Secrets by Lisa Renee Jones

Publisher: Lisa Renee Jones

January 2012



Contemporary


Lauren Reynolds is an assistant DA that is working on her next big case. Lauren has always been a good lawyer and a good daughter to her Senator father. Now as Lauren prepares for her big murder case she starts having problems and she isn’t sure if it is related to her work or to her father. Lauren is doing her job and the last thing she needs is more distractions especially in the form of one Royce Walker, even if he is one of the best security experts around.

Royce Walker used to work in the FBI until he started a security business with his brothers. Now because of a family connection he needs to consider Lauren off limits but that is a lot easier said than done. With the sparks flying between the two of them Royce’s job just got a lot harder to handle. Now he is going to have to find a way to protect Lauren and still dealing with the passion that is almost too hot to handle.

Lauren needs to trust Royce to handle the treat against her and try and figure out just where that threat is coming from. Is it related to her current case or to an older one or is it somehow connected to her father? If Lauren and Royce can’t figure it out quickly it just might cost them more than they are prepared to pay.



This is a fast paced story that will keep the reader turning the pages and trying to figure just what is going on. This is one that is worth reading and not to be missed. The storyline will keep the reader engaged in the story with trying to find out just who the bad guy is in this one. This is a great introduction to three brothers that will have the reader eagerly looking forward to the next installment in this series.


I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

Wednesday 1 February 2012

Secrets of an Accidental Duchess


Secrets of an Accidental Duchess by Jennifer Haymore

Publisher: Grand Central

February 2012

ISBN: 978-0-446-51315-3

Pages: 432



Historical England



Olivia Donovan looks fragile and delicate but one thing her family has never understood in their concern to protect her after a bout of childhood malaria is that she is much stronger than she looks. Content with the life she has laid out for herself Olivia never expected to suddenly want more in her life like she does when she meets Max. Now she has to figure out what she really wants in her life and whether what she always had planned is what is right for her.

Max, a soon to be Duke, agreed to a wager that was extremely reckless but when he accepted the wager he really didn’t know that the true stakes would be. Agreeing to seduce Olivia who he found to be very tempting seemed easy enough when he agreed or else he can give up part of his fortune. What he never expected was that once he really got to know Olivia just what he truly risked in the wager he agreed to. Now that he has fallen for her he isn’t interested in the wager but he never expects to have his rival become so dangerous. Now Max is going to have to find a way to protect the woman he loves from a man that is as unpredictable as he is dangerous.

Soon Olivia and Max are caught in a snare that if they aren’t careful will cost them more than they ever imagined not the least of which is the love they have manage to find with each other. A love neither of them ever expected but will do anything they have to so that they can keep the love they have found. They will both have to find a way to outwit a very dangerous man if they want to make it out with their hearts intact.




This is a wonderful additional story in a series that continues to get better and better. The characters have all the human flaws that make them easy to identify with and will have the reader turning the pages just to see how this one will turn out. The story has action with a wonderful love story that will have the reader hating to see it come to an end but will have them eagerly awaiting the next story in this series. This is the second book in this series and while it can be read as a stand alone the story will be greatly enriched if the reader reads the first story before this one. This is one author that will be come an auto buy for many readers as her stories are so well written.


I give this one 5 red roses