Katie Lane - Trouble in Texas

 

Title : Trouble in Texas

Series : Deep in the Heart of Texas #4

Release date : December 18, 2012

Publisher : Grand Central Publishing

Genre : Contemporary Romance

THERE'S A FOX IN THE HENHOUSE

Inheriting the most notorious house of ill repute in Texas can spell trouble for a girl's reputation . . . especially when she's Elizabeth Murphy, Bramble's prim and proper librarian. Yet when she discovers a buck-naked cowboy handcuffed to a four-poster bed, she forgets all about the town gossips. Elizabeth has sworn off men, but the stranger's kisses melt her resolve faster than ice cream on a hot summer day.

Waking up in Miss Hattie's Henhouse isn't how Brant Cates reckoned on getting to the bottom of his great-granddaddy's murder. The plan was to solve the centuries-old crime, then get the heck out of Dodge. But after meeting Elizabeth and discovering that the buttoned-up beauty is a sexy siren in disguise, he just can't pull himself away.

Now Brant needs Elizabeth to finally put his past to rest, but is she willing to risk her future on Bramble's newest bad boy?

 

Trouble in Texas by Katie Lane is the fourth book in her Deep in the Heart of Texas Series. I have to admit that I haven’t read any of the previous books in the series, but that doesn’t matter, you can read this book on its own.

Brant Cates is on his way to attend his brother’s wedding, but he decides to take a side stop at the famous Henhouse, believing it’s abandoned. But some of the old hens are still living in the Henhouse and they don’t like strangers on their land.  The story goes that Brant’s great-grandfather was killed there during one of his visits. He believes that the murder of his great-grandfather sparkled the “Cates Curse “. Never in a million years could he imagine getting shot, then drugged and kept captive by the three old hens in order to stop him from reporting them to the police.

Elizabeth Murphy works in the local library as the head librarian and is also the owner of the “Miss Hattie’s Henhouse”. Lizzie was raised by only by her mother and was taught that men were all “scumbags”, but that never stopped Lizzie from reading her beloved romance novels. She wants to sell the Henhouse, but the three little old hens who still love there won’t let her. Their plan is to re-opening the Henhouse in the old glory and they might have a plan to just to that.

I loved Brant and Lizzie together; from their first meeting you can sense the huge attraction between them. Yes, they are definitely the opposite of each other, but that won’t stop chemistry between them. And of course with a little help of the three old hens, they never stand a chance against fate and love.

Katie Lane has written a great romance novel with a fabulous storyline, great characters and a terrific mystery to solve. I just loved reading this light read, I have read one other novel by this author and I’m definitely going to check out the others. I know I will have a great time reading them.

Katie Lane - Hunk for the Holidays

Title: Hunk for the Holidays

Release date: September 25^th, 2012

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance

As vice president of her family’s construction company, Cassie McPherson always puts business before pleasure. That might explain why she doesn’t have a date for the company Christmas party. But it doesn’t quite explain why she’s crazy enough to hire an escort for the event or—crazier still—why she’s dying to unwrap him like a present . .

With whiskey-colored eyes and a killer smile, James is one gorgeous hunk who really knows how to fill out a tuxedo. He charms everyone—including Cassie. And when the night ends, the party doesn’t stop. As Cassie falls, literally, into his bed, James falls head over heels in love. Now he has to figure out a way to tell her the truth: he’s not an escort. He’s her family’s fiercest business rival. But all he wants for Christmas is her . . .

Hunk for the Holidays by Katie Lane was a very enjoyable contemporary romance novel. It’s a book full of humor, steamy scenes and a huge attraction between the main characters Cassie and James.

Cassie McPherson is a strong independent woman who works for the family’s construction business. Lately they are losing some major jobs to a new rival in the business and her father is furious about it. Since the holidays are coming up Cassie will try to schedule a meeting with this James Sutton right after Christmas and hopefully sort things out. But first she has to go to the Company Christmas party and in order to keep the matchmakers away she hired an escort for company.

James Sutton is a handsome determined man who wants to succeed with his new business, but he isn’t aware that the major company M&M Construction sees him as a threat. When James arrives at the M&M Construction building for a meeting with the boss Al McPherson, he meets Cassie for the first time. She mistakes him for the hired escort and since he already is in tuxedo he goes along without revealing his identity. James feels attracted to Cassie and wants to enjoy the evening with her, but how does he tell her he’s the one and only James Sutton, the owner of the rival company.

I loved Cassie and James together, even though they are “enemies” without knowing, the attraction between them is huge. They enjoy each other’s company until Cassie discovers the truth and of course she is mad as hell. Especially when James had enough time to tell her the truth, but luckily for them it all turns out at the end.

I also loved the side love story between Cassie’s best friend and one of her brothers. They have been walking around in circles with their feelings for each other and with a little help of a great Aunt and a little stubborn girl; they are pushed in the right direction.

Katie Lane has written a fabulous novel with great characters, funny scenes and a tight family bond. I’m definitely going to check out more of Miss Lane’s book, because I love her writing and characters.

I received this novel as an ARC, courtesy of Net Galley

Vicky Dreiling - A Season for Sin

Title: A Season for Sin

Series: Sinful Scoundrels # 1

Release date: September 4^th, 2012

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Genre: Historical Romance

Introducing the Sinful Scoundrels...

The Earl of Bellingham is nothing is not a creature of habit: money, meals, and mistresses must be strictly managed if a man is to have a moment's peace. It's a system that works splendidly for him--until now. With his oldest and dearest friends succumbing, one by one, to wedded bliss, Bell is now restless and a trifle lonely. Enter the Sinful Scoundrels--Colin Brockhurst, Earl of Ravenshire, and Harry Norcliffe, Viscount Evermore--who drag him back into society and draw his rakish eye to the ton's new beautiful young widow. Bell isn't after a wife, but a challenge. And Laura Davenport should fit the bill quite nicely...

A Season for Sin by Vicky Dreiling is a short novella introducing her new Sinful Scoundrels series. I have to say this novella had me from the start, it was great and I was craving for more at the end.

In this novella we meet Bell, the Earl of Bellingham; he is a man who likes everything in his life in order and totally under control. His latest mistress is demanding too much of his time and he wants to send her off, but she is one step ahead of him and leaves him for another men. Besides that his best friend is getting married and his chef just resigned his job.

Two of his newest friends Colin Brockhurst and Harry Norcliffe forces Bell back into society to search for a new mistress. They think the lovely new widow in town is perfect for Bell and when he sets his eyes on her he has to agree that she fit the bill, but there is one small problem….she isn’t that interested.

This novella is definitely meant to introduce the characters of the Sinful Scoundrels series. The readers will not find a happy ending in this novella, but an unfinished business between Bell and Laura.

I liked both main characters Bell and Laura from the little I’ve read of them in this short story. I loved the little seduction and the interaction between them and I’m looking forward to read the first book in this series to see how it will turns out between Bell and Laura. I cannot wait and find out.

I received this novel as an ARC, courtesy of NetGalley

Angie Fox - Immortally Yours

Title: Immortally Yours

Series: Monster M*A*S*H # 1

Release date: August 28, 2012

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Genre: Paranormal Romance

IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE GODS… 
No one patches up the incoming wounded like Dr. Petra Robichaud. Recruited by the gods for her uncanny medical skills, she’s the best M*A*S*H surgeon in the army. Along with a nosy guard sphinx, vegetarian werewolf, and other paranormal paramedics, she bandages soldiers who are built like Greek gods (literally). But when one sexy immortal ends up on her operating table—half dead and totally to-die-for—Petra’s afraid she’ll lose her patient and her heart…

NOTHING IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN LOVE
Commander Galen of Delphi is one gorgeous but stubborn demi-god. When his spirit tries to slip out of his fatally wounded body, Dr. Petra has to slip it back in—unwittingly revealing her ability to see ghosts. Now that Galen knows her secret, he’s convinced she’s part of an ancient prophecy. If the oracles are right, Petra could lead Galen’s army to peace. And if he seduces her on the way to hell and back? Heaven knows—all’s fair in love and war….

Immortally Yours by Angie Fox is the first novel in her Monster MASH Series and I enjoyed reading it. I have to be honest that I haven’t read any of the other books by this author and didn’t quite know what to expect. But I have to say that this book pulled me in from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down for long, I just loved the book.

I loved the way this author created a world where immortal gods and demi-gods are fighting each other. Now things are getting out of hand, which shifts the balance on Earth.

Dr. Petra Robichaud has been recruited to join other doctors and work in one of the MASH hospital right in the middle of this war. She didn’t have a choice and knew this was something for the rest of her life. She is one of the best surgeons they have, but she has a gift she wants to keep quiet. She can see ghosts and if the gods finds out about this, she will be dead before dawn.

When demi-god Galen turns up on her table with a deadly wound, she cannot help herself and use her gift to slip his spirit back into his body. Now Galen know her secret and is convince she is the female doctor in the prophecy and that she could turn this war in the right direction.

Petra and Galen are the hero and heroine of this book and they are exactly what I thought they would be. She is the human, down to earth doctor with a paranormal ability to communicate with ghost and sometimes help them back into their bodies. He is the handsome demi-god and very determined to convince her of the prophecy.

Secondary characters and Petra’s roommates a werewolf doctor and a vampire doctor  are hilarious, the companionship between them is so good, they had me laugh quite a few times.

Angie Fox has written a fabulous novel with some amazing characters, great world building and a very good storyline. I always loved to watch MASH on TV and this really reminded me of that time when I was younger, only the male characters in this book are definitely better looking.

I’m definitely going to check out Angie Fox’s Demonslayer Series, because if they are as good as this one, then I know I will have a great time reading them.

I received this novel as an ARC, courtesy of Angie Fox and St. Martin’s Press.

Hailey Edwards - Soul Weaver

Title:  Soul Weaver

Series: Wicked Kin # 1

Release date: August 7^th 2012

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Since the accident that nearly took her life, Chloe suffers from acute agoraphobia. Living alone above her family's bookstore, she spends restless nights terrified by strange visions . . until a mysterious stranger appears and offers her salvation. Chloe is drawn to the ethereal, gorgeous Nathaniel-but her haunted soul warns her there is more to him than meets the eye.

An archangel who roams Earth collecting souls of the newly departed, Nathanial is the sole witness to the accident that should have taken Chloe's life. Seduced by the purity of her soul, he defies Providence by saving her life. But his attempt at kindness marks Chloe for damnation, and makes her an unwitting pawn in a game of unholy ambition. Now together they must fight the demons of Hell itself-for a love that defies the boundaries of Heaven and Earth. 

 

Soul Weaver by Hailey Edwards is the first novel in the Wicked Kin Series. I read the book description of this book and I knew that this was something for me to read and it didn’t disappoint me.

Nathaniel was an archangel before he fell from Heaven for covering up his brother Saul’s forbidden love with a human woman. The punishment; losing his wings and work for the ruler of Hell, Delphi. Now Nathaniel is the Weaver of Souls and collects corrupted souls for Delphi. Nathaniel knows he cannot break the rules again; otherwise he will be ending in the pit of hell himself. But he cannot help himself when he accidentally is witness of a car accident and save a pure soul by bonding a piece of his own soul to hers and gives her a second chance in life.

Chloe McCrea is the woman who survived the tremendous car accident, which turned her life upside down. Since the accident she’s having nightmares and the fear to go outside her home and beloved bookstore gets worse by the day.. When she meets Nathaniel for the first time, she knows he is dangerous but that doesn’t stop the huge attraction towards him.

The moment Nathaniel realizes that his act to save Chloe that year ago, turns out the wrong way and marks her as his soul to collect he knows that he has to save her again, which means breaking the rules all over again.

I loved Chloe and Nathaniel, I believe they make a great couple and I’m definitely happy with the outcome at the end of the book. The only issue I had was the fear Chloe had for going outside, almost the whole book she was frightened but for some reason that disappeared at the end of the book. I would like to see a more smoothed way to overcome her fear.

Since this was my first read by Hailey Edwards I couldn’t compare this work to other books written by her. But I liked her writing and the way she created this world, it has potential for an interesting series. So I’m definitely going to check out the next novel in these fallen angels series. Because I cannot wait to read more about Reuel and Bran, they really need a book of their own.

I received this novel as an ARC, courtesy of NetGalley

Robin LaFevers - Grave Mercy

Title : Grave Mercy
Series : His Fair Assassin # 1
Release date : April 2, 2012
Publisher : Houghton Miffin Books for Children
Genre : Urban Fantasy / Historical Romance

Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers is one hell of a book. The moment I read the book description I knew I had to read it and it didn’t disappoint me. It’s a mix of Urban Fantasy with Medieval Fiction all mixed in a fabulous storyline.

Ismae has been unwanted since birth and felt that too during her childhood. At the age of 14 she has the chance to join the St. Mortain Convent and she accept. In the convent she’s trained to be an assassin for the Saint of Death. During her first big assignment three years later, she meets a young man who will change her life forever.

From the moment I started this book I couldn’t put it down. Normally I don’t read many book of the medieval genre, but for some reason this novel called to me and I had to read it. Miss LaFevers has created an amazing world where young women are trained to act as assassin for the Saint of Death. I totally loved it, they way this author writes about the world, her strong heroine and the historical highlights involving Anne, the Duchess of Brittany and the complots against her.

Ismae is a fabulous strong leading character, her life has been hard and the decisions she makes are something hard, but the further you are in the book; the more understanding you will get for her actions.

Robin LaFevers has written one hell of a novel and I’m definitely a fan and going to keep an eye on her future books. I really hope she will continue writing this series, cause I have two more lady assassins I would like to read about.

RaeAnne Thayne - A Cold Creek Reunion

Title : A Cold Creek Reunion
Release date : March 20, 2012
Publisher : Harlequin
Genre : Contemporary Romance

He was the one you called when you needed rescuing?

But who was Taft Bowman going to call when he needed help? Because ten years ago Laura Pendleton, the love of his life, had left town without a word, then or since. Now she was back, with a new last name - and two adorable, high-needs little ones in tow. Well, Taft had been stupid enough to let her go once before - he wasn't about to make the same mistake again. He'd never stopped loving her - and one look at those adorable little faces and he knew that he was meant to be with Laura and her kids forever. All he had to do was convince her that this time he was a man she could count on!

A Cold Creek Reunion by Raeanne Thayne is the first novel I’ve read of this author. I have to say this story was an enjoyable reading for me.

Taft Bowman is chief of the fire department, while his twin brother Trace is the chief of the police department. Taft was engaged ten years ago with this high school sweetheart Laura Pendleton, but a week before their wedding she broke the engagement and left town. Now Laura is back with her two children and Taft is trying real hard to stay away from them. But he knows this will be impossible, because his feelings for Laura are still there.

Laura Pendleton was broken when she had to call off the wedding years ago, but she didn’t have any choice since Taft wouldn’t postpone their wedding and take care of himself first. Now she is back in town with her two children and wants to start over, that means stay away from Taft. But it seems harder to do when her children decide to adopt Taft in their lives.

Raeanne Thayne has written a great entertaining novel, where you see how two soul mates find each other again after years. I love the fact that Taft accept Laura’s children from the start ad didn’t tread them differently because they were from another man in Laura’s life. But I have to be honest that I thought this novel was a little too soft for me, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t good, I just prefer a little more action and romance in a book.

I was given this eBook to read in exchange of an honest review from NetGalley.