The Broken H

The Broken H by J. L. Langley

A rocky past that sent Shane fleeing his home and seeking refuge on The Broken H has kept him from the one thing that has always been dear to him.Grayson.

Sheriff Grayson Hunter hasn't felt like he belonged for a long time. Once he loved The Broken H, his ancestral home, and Shane Cortez with all that he was. Now he tries to stay as far away from the ranch and the man as possible until an accident brings them together.

Gray didn't count on Shane's decision to let go of the past...and get a hold of Gray.

This is J. L. Langley's 2nd book, and it is a male-male love story. If you've read The Tin Star, you're in for a treat, its even better.

Grayson and Shane are perfect strong male characters and its so obvious that they are perfect for each other. The sensuality factor for this book is also over the top, most times in M/M stories its all about the sex, but Langley makes it an act of love. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in M/M romances.

Overall: 5/5

Someone to Love

Three years after wealthy Jace Montgomery's fiancée, Stacy, committed suicide, he discovers a postcard of Priory House, a British estate, with an enigmatic love note. Although Stacy's family blamed Jace, saying she wanted to end the engagement, he knows their love was mutual, and has never believed it was suicide. Certain that Priory House holds the key, he buys the estate. He detests the rambling house on sight; however, he is intrigued by the Victorian ghost of Ann Stuart because, like Stacy, she supposedly committed suicide before her wedding to escape from marrying her intended groom. Jace knows that if he can untangle Ann's mystery, he can find out what really happened to Stacy. He gets help from his beautiful next-door neighbor, Nigh Smythe, a war correspondent on leave after a tragedy.

I got this book mostly because I love the Montgomery novels that Jude Deveraux writes. In case you're wondering, the Montgomery's are a family that Jude sometimes writes about stretching from historical romances to present day.

Unfortunately this novel does not work. The book builds up the ghost aspect of the plot and never delivers. What's even worse, the heroine doesn't even appear in the book till almost 1/2 way through the book. The result of which is that the reader assumes the female ghost will somehow become the heroine. I didn't feel any connection with either the plot or any chemistry between the 2 main characters, and it was a chore to plod through the whole book.

Overall: 2/5

One Wild Wedding Night

One Wild Wedding Night by Leslie Kelly

This is one super-sexy wedding night these five women will never forget! Meet the lucky bridesmaids:
A totally hot FBI agent offers his full-body protection to very willing witness Bridget Donahue….

Stripper Leah Muldoon bares it all for a sexy stranger in a limo, much to their mutual satisfaction!

Wild big-city attorney Mia Natale is in for the best sex of her life. But who is that other guy?

When dancer Vanessa McKee unexpectedly sees a man from her past, they rediscover their insatiable lust!

A breathless night in the arms of a seductive European

lover should definitely spice up Gloria Santori's marriage….

This red book holds 5 short stories which are very loosely based on a wedding that they all attended. Don't look for much plot or character development. Anyway, the stories are all pretty hot and overall they deliver 5 sensual tales.

Overall: 4/5

The Trouble with Paradise

The Trouble with Paradise by Jill Shalvis

A South Pacific dreamboat cruise turns nightmarish for cute L.A. retail clerk Dorie Anderson, whose winning ticket to paradise proves less than providential in the latest romantic suspense entry from Shavis (Smart and Sexy, etc.). Dorie boards the Sun Song, a small luxury yacht, with three other winning passengers: Vegas dancer Brandy Bradelyne; free-lance artist Cadence Powers and Astros baseball star Andy Hutchinson. After falling on the plank when boarding, Dorie gets a splinter in her shapely posterior that Dr. Christian Montague, the ship's "Grumpy Gorgeous Doctor," guesses at, but Dorie, already Andy-smitten, won't let him near it. Murder, storms and intrigue lead to rough seas indeed, but eventual sunshine is never in doubt.

When Dorie Anderson meets a cute guy, she becomes a huge klutz. But one phone call has turned her dead-end dating life into an adventure: she's won a trip on a singles' cruise to Fiji. On board, she soon meets pro baseball player Andy, and the ship's hunky French doctor. She's sure she'll fall head-over-heels in no time. Unfortunately, she's right: soon, she trips over her luggage right in front of them. Mortifying. But a bigger disaster is just on the horizon. Dorie finds a man murdered in his bunk the same night a storm wrecks the ship, stranding everyone on a deserted shore. It'd be a perfect setting for romance-if it weren't for the fact that there's a killer among them.

I love this book, the plot is actually quite original. A shipwreck and a little murder thrown into the mix, and a heroine (Dorie) who is cute and funny. Its almost like reading a really good episode of the Love Boat, of course this Love Boat holds only 8 persons.


Overall: 4.5/5

Swing (Erotica)

Swing by Opal Carew

It all started with an innocent request…Melissa’s friend Shane asked her to accompany him on a business trip to an exclusive resort. But The Sweet Surrender is no ordinary vacation spot--it’s for men and women who swing. As Melissa mingles with the other guests and discovers the resort’s fantasy rooms, she’s tempted to explore her naughty side and live out her most sinful fantasies—but she isn't prepared for the storm of desire that awaits. She soon finds herself torn between two men, one of her oldest friends and a handsome stranger who belongs to another. Both men bring her the most exquisite pleasure, but which man will win her heart?

There's not a whole lot to say about this book. If you like Erotica then you must just buy this book, you won't be disappointed. Calling it hot is an understatement. There's couples, threesomes and, foursomes but fear not, the story (and there is one) is focused on Melissa and the hunk she finds at The Sweet Surrender.

I was lucky enough to lach onto Ms. Carew with her first book Twin Fantasies and she's now on my must buy list of authors.

Sensuality Factor : 5/5
Overall: 4.5/5

Shadow Music: A Novel

Shadow Music: A Novel By Julie Garwood

For Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel, Scotland is a land of stunning vistas, wild chieftains, treacherous glens, and steep shadows–skullduggery, betrayal, and now murder. Prized for her exquisite beauty, the daughter of one of England’s most influential barons, Gabrielle is also a perfect bargaining chip for a king who needs peace in the Highlands: King John has arranged Gabrielle’s marriage to a good and gentle laird. But this marriage will never take place.

For Gabrielle, everything changes in one last burst of freedom–when she and her guards come upon a scene of unimaginable cruelty. With one shot from her bow and arrow, Gabrielle takes a life, saves a life, and begins a war.

Within days, the Highlands are aflame with passions as a battle royal flares between enemies old and new. Having come to Scotland to be married, Gabrielle is instead entangled in Highland intrigue. For two sadistic noblemen, underestimating Gabrielle’s bravery and prowess may prove fatal. But thanks to a secret Gabrielle possesses, Colm MacHugh, the most feared man in Scotland, finds a new cause for courage. Under his penetrating gaze, neither Gabrielle’s body nor heart is safe.

A gripping novel that delves into the heart of emotions–unyielding passions of love, hate, revenge, and raw desire–Shadow Music is magnificent gift from Julie Garwood and a crowning achievement in her amazing career.

If you read the reviews for this book on Amazon, you'll find many people who didn't like this book. Personally, I loved it. The reason people read authors like Julie Garwood and Nora Roberts, who have been in the book business a long time and have written countless books isn't because their ideas are fresh and original, its because they like the author's writing style.

In Shadow Music, Gabrielle's a princess, rich, beautiful and comes with 4 bodyguards. She's bethrowed to a Highlander by the King. 2 English barons seeking her for their own, kill her bethrowed, she's embroiled in their machinations and becomes an outcast of the crown. She's taken in by Colm MacHugh, laird of the fiercest clan. Love blooms and ... you know the rest. That's it in a nutshell.

There's lots going on in the book that makes the pages fly past but Ms. Garwood has a unique ability of concentrating on the important things that make a romance fun and not getting sidetracked. Moreover this is one of her first historical romances in quite a while and it was worth the wait, in many way's its a throwback to her earlier books like The Clayborne Brides. If you like historical romances, highlanders, and are a fan of Ms. Garwood's earlier works this is a must read.

My only complaint is that this is a hard cover book, but then again, that seems to be the trend for all authors of at least moderate fame these days doesn't it?

Overall Score: 4.5 / 5

Too Much Temptation

Too Much Temptation by Lori Foster

Virginal and voluptuous, Grace Jenkins has secretly loved and lusted after handsome Noah Harper for three years but he was engaged and, therefore, off-limits. Then Noah walks in on his bride-to-be with another man and abruptly breaks off the engagement, refusing to explain the reason for the canceled wedding to his family. His grandmother and his fiancée's family are outraged. Grace rushes to defend him and is stunned when Noah responds by taking her straight to bed. She thinks this is only mutual lust and decides to enjoy the excitement for as long as it lasts while Noah quickly discovers that what he feels for Grace is much more complicated than simple lust. But convincing Grace is another matter entirely--she refuses to see herself as a permanent part of his life. Meanwhile, Noah's ex-fiancée is stirring up trouble with his autocratic grandmother and before she's done, Noah will have to reevaluate his relationship with his grandmother, Grace will have a whole new self-image, and both will face major upheaval in their careers and personal lives.

Author Lori Foster has a reputation for warm, engaging characters combined with sizzling sexual tension and Too Much Temptation has plenty of both. The dominant theme in this novel, however, is that of a woman's sexual awakening and Foster traverses this tricky ground with deft skill.

I love Lori Foster's books, she's on my confirmed buy list. The cover above is actually a reprint, the book was originally released in 2002 (see the original cover below). I hate it when publishers do that, but I did enjoy rereading this book.

I loved this book from start to finish and the sensuality factor was amazing like most Lori Foster books are. I highly recommend this book.

Overall: 5/5

The Frenchman's Marriage Demand

The Frenchman's Marriage Demand by Chantelle Shaw
This is what I classify as a RedBook. I refer to all such series (eg. Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire, Harlequin Intrigue and other monthly series books as RedBooks. They are cheaper, shorter and not books in and off themselves, but short reads.

Two years ago, Freya Addison fell for sexy billionaire Zac Deverell. He gave her everything money could buy, and more pleasure in the bedroom than she'd thought possible. But when Freya announced she was pregnant, Zac threw her out.

Now she'll become his wife!

When they meet again, the passion between them is as strong as ever. Zac whisks Freya away to Monaco and back to his bed, where he'll get his answers! If the baby is his, he'll make Freya his wife….

Amazon has a short excerpt.

I liked the premise but Freya is a complete doorstep. For about 3/4 of the book you just want to smack her and say grow a backbone and buy your self a vibrator. Seriously, the minute she see's Zac Deverell, she basically get's so hot and bothered she can't think. And no matter how badly he treats her she forgives him.

If you can over look that little character flaw, its an ok read.

Story/Plot: 3/5
Sensuality: 3/5
Characters: 2/5
Overall: 2/5