December 30, 2007
9:55 PM |
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When Coralee Whitmore, a reporter for the fashionable London ladies’ gazette, Heart to Heart, learns that her sister’s death has been dismissed as a suicide, she vows to uncover the truth. Suspecting the notorious Earl of Tremaine was Laurel’s lover--and the father of her illegitimate child--Corrie infiltrates Castle Tremaine, posing as the abandoned, destitute wife of the earl’s distant cousin.
But Corrie finds the handsome earl is not all he seems...nor is she immune to his charms--however much she despises his scandalous ways.
And the deeper Corrie immerses herself in her role, the more certain it becomes that someone is bent on ensuring her questions go unanswered--forever.
Coralee Whitmore writes of a gossip column in the weekly ladies' magazine Heart to Heart. When her sister dies and the authorities write it of as suicide, Corrie doesn't believe this and starts her own investigation to find out the truth. In order to discover the truth about her sister's death she goes undercover, as a country ninny, into the home of the man she suspects of being involved, the Earl of Tremaine: Grayson Forsythe. She soon discovers that with Gray she gets more than she bargained for while fighting her attraction to him and solving the mystery of her sister's death...
I adored Corrie and was utterly fascinated by Gray. They captured me right away.
Corrie is lively, determined and courageous. While reading I almost felt her energy and determination coming of the pages. She's intelligent, outspoken and stubborn. Giving Gray a run for his money. Gray is a hero as I like them: dark and intriguing, loyal and strong. But he also possesses a wicked sense of humor, with which he teases Corrie whenever he can.
There were numerous scenes in which the attraction between Corrie and Gray was tentatively explored. These scenes were lovely and well written.
The secondary characters are kept in the background as Corrie and Gray take center stage and I liked this. It's their story and the secondary characters contributed to it in a nice way.
I truly enjoyed this book and closed it with a very satisfied feeling. It was a nicely balanced mix of regency, suspense and romance, occasionally touching some social issues. Light and playful in the first part of the book and halfway through turning a bit more touching and emotional causing a smile on my face in one page and then a serious lump in my throat on another.
Though it wasn't anything intense or mind-blowing it was still a very compelling story with characters you can relate to easily. With a believable and well-written plot. Some things in the plot were predictable but still there were a few surprises in the conclusion. It was nicely written in a fast pace, keeping me reading and finding it very difficult to put the book down. The story build-up was perfect, both in the romance as in the mystery. Bit by bit the information needed to find the one responsible for Laurel’s death is revealed. But the love between them also grows gradually, from attraction they both want to ignore for obvious reasons to a strong love that melts even Gray’s blackened heart. The love scenes are lush and tasteful, beautifully written
This was the first book I read by Kat Martin and I can honestly say I've gotten a taste of something I want to explore further.
The writing style is pleasant, fluent and easy to read. Providing descriptive and background information with so much ease it blends
effortlessly into the story without being interruptive.
This is book two in the Heart Trilogy. The little tidbits of information on Krista and Leif made me anxious to go and get their book (book one: Heart of Honor) and I'm really looking forward to Thor and Lindsey's story in book three (Heart of Courage).
With Heart of Fire, Kat Martin gives the reader a delightful and captivating book full of love, passion and mystery.
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She might not be a woman of great intellectual capacity, but she set fire to his blood, and should she wind up in his bed, he wouldn't waste time talking.
December 15, 2007
9:46 PM |
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Master spy Emily Redgrave hasn’t been the same since a night six months ago when she was cut down by a would-be assassin’s bullet. Though she is physically recovered, she’s still haunted by memories of the trauma and regrets for what almost happened. She’s desperate to re-enter the field and regain her confidence. When she’s assigned to follow and protect Grant Ashbury, the Earl of Westfield, she reluctantly accepts, knowing this ‘babysitting’ duty could very well lead to more advanced cases.
What she doesn’t know is that Grant is a troubled spy in his own right. And he’s just been assigned to follow her by his own superior officers. But as the two chase each other around London, they inadvertently uncover a real case and a magnetic desire that draws them together in shocking, scandalous ways. Can Grant and Emily overcome their past traumas and work together?
And just who is the mysterious Lady M?
As the last single lady spy, Emily Redgrave feels her only devotion is her work for the Crown but since her injury her fellow spies and superiors watch over her constantly, making her feel incompetent. She's thrilled when she finally gets a case again: protecting Grant Ashbury, Lord Westfield, and finding out who's threatening him. When she finds out the latest assignment is a ruse in order to protect her, and the man she's protecting turns out to be a fellow spy, she's furious. During the case she stumbles upon a real and dangerous case and partners up with Grant. Who knew the partnership would grow into something so much more than she intended to...
What a wonderful ending to a great trilogy. This is truly a case of saving the best for last!
The story starts relatively slow and easygoing, building up gradually to a satisfying conclusion with a nice twist at the end, where all questions are answered and you're not left wondering. Maybe just hoping for some connecting books with some of the secondary characters from the three books.
I loved Emily and Grant to pieces...Their interactions were intense and sparkling. Their blossoming love was palpable despite the fight they put up to deny it. They were true partners in the case as well as in love. The really complemented each other, finding in each other what they didn't know they were looking for.
And the secondary characters are perfect. Visible enough to be complementary to the storyline and the main characters but never overbearing. I liked the bond between Grant and his brother. The bond between Emily, Anastasia and Meredith is strong despite Emily feeling left out after their marriages and her injury.
The plot was thrilling. The romance was so emotional it had me wiping tears at the end.
The case they had to solve was well written and intriguing. The mix of action and emotion was perfectly balanced
Jenna Petersen's writing is easy to read and fast-paced, despite the strong emotions displayed between hero and heroine. It pulled me in bit by bit until I just couldn't stop reading and kept reading to find out what would happen next, either with the case or with the relationship.
The Lady Spies have gained themselves a place on my list of favorite heroines being strong, brave, fiery, sensual and loyal. They certainly are no regular Regency ladies.
And their men are downright yummy, being strong and manly but also unafraid to show their emotions when it comes to the woman they love.
I loved all the installments in this trilogy equally. Every book has it's own uniqueness and together they form a perfect whole. This is a first for me. In series/trilogies there is always a book I like more or less. This proves to me the consistency of Jenna Petersen's writing and I wonder what she has in store for us next.
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He wanted to walk across that room, back Emily into a dark corner, and press his body against hers until there was no space between them. He wanted to fill himself with the scent of her hair. Taste her skin until he was drunk on its flavor.
December 11, 2007
9:41 PM |
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Peril
Lyra Collins has made a life for herself in a sleepy artists' community in Arizona . Having escaped from a cult five years ago, she keeps a low profile, making a living as an artist. But when a mysterious man with a dark, dangerous look appears on her doorstep, she knows it's time to run again.
Passion
Former cop Dare Lancaster didn't mean to lead a bunch of fanatical cult members straight to Lyra's door. But now that he's gotten her into this mess, he's determined to get her out. The frantic heat their bodies generate whenever they're together makes him want to save her.
Prophecy
Neal Barker's grandfather was the first Prophet Jericho, and Neal now rules the Temple of Light commune unchecked. According to his visions, he and Lyra are destined to produce the new Messiah, so he will stop at nothing to make her his own. But soon Dare will discover just how far he'll go to protect Lyra-and never let her go.
When the cult she was trying to escape hunts her down and finds her. Lyra is afraid she will be dragged back to the hell on earth she was running from.
The leader of the cult has pronounced her the chosen one to give birth to the new Messiah and tough she managed to escape him and his followers, she wasn't able to stay hidden enough for them not to find her.
But fortunately the private investigator who found her, Dare Lancaster, proclaims himself her protector and with his help she manages to escape a faith she fears like nothing else. In the process of running they find it unable to run from the feelings and attraction between them...
After reading this book I had an ambivalent feeling. It was good and I liked it but it wasn't mind-blowing.
I loved the action and the love scenes but it was the character development that I found a bit lacking. The romance between Dare and Lyra starts of gradually but at some point it picks up speed and in my opinion things go to fast from that moment on. Considering Lyra's past I couldn't get a grip on the way her feelings for Dare all of a sudden were as deeply as described. It went from being afraid of being intimate with a man to having no limits whatsoever almost overnight. And this was something that didn't go well with me.
But still I liked the book.
The love scenes were beautiful and sensual, intense and very explicit but not distasteful.
The suspense was exciting in a nicely paced and action-filled plot. Cheyenne McCray has a vivid and flowing writing style and does a great job of accurately describing the ways of the cult and the anxiety Lyra feels being hunted down by them.
The main characters are very compelling, despite the little discrepancies concerning the development of their relationship. Dare is a true former cop, rough and rugged. Guilt ridden because of his past and because he's the one who led the cult to Lyra.
Lyra is brave and strong, not willing to be used by Neal, the cult leader. Neal is a seriously depraved man. There were scenes with him that really gave me chills. McCray did an excellent job of penning down evil in its truest form. Nick, Dare's partner, is an intriguing character and I'm very curious to read his story. There certainly much more than meets the eye with him. His story will be part of a new series by McCray (release TBA).
In conclusion although I enjoyed myself with this book and I loved the plot and the action, I must say I liked McCray's paranormal Magic-series better.
December 7, 2007
9:34 PM |
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Josie McCall has been raised to be a soldier, and she could be the best—if she wanted it. Instead, she left her dad’s mercenary school behind for a normal job in computers. But now that someone has torched the school and her dad is MIA from the hospital, Josie’s going to use every bit of her merc training to find him and hunt down the culprits who took him. Josie knows a lot about explosives, hand-to-hand combat, and tracking. What she doesn’t know about is sex. She has no idea what to do with the volcanic attraction she feels for her dad’s new partner, Daniel Black Eagle. And that feels more dangerous than any bomb…
Daniel knows exactly what he’d like to do about that attraction. The brooding explosives expert can’t get within five feet of Josie without wanting to touch, taste, and protect her—even if he’s sure she would happily drop-kick him if she knew one sizzling moment of his fantasies. But he’ll save it for later. Right now, he’s got his hands full figuring out who set that bomb and took Josie’s dad. Daniel’s sure of one thing, though—he’s not letting Josie McCall out of his sight for a single second. Convincing the cutest, most desirable trained soldier he’s ever met that she needs a bodyguard isn’t going to be easy. But if she’ll let him, he’ll show her he’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe, and along the way, he’ll make her feel every inch a woman…
Two tough mercenaries down, one to go!
When her father's training facility blows up, her father disappears from the hospital and her own life is threatened, female mercenary Josie McCall has no choice but to team up with her father's former student and now his partner in the facility, Daniel Black Eagle (Nitro). She has known him since she was a young girl and always hid her feelings for him thinking he didn't return them. But now while searching for her father and the person responsible for the destruction of her father's facility, she has to work closely with Nitro and she discovers things she could never have imagined.
The prologue set the stage and promised another heart wrenching story. And it was. An emotional gem dressed in a coat of suspense and passion.
Another nicely balanced mix of suspense and romance.
This trilogy seems to have a recurring theme: the feelings of not belonging overcome by finding an intense and strong love.
Josie is both innocent and tough at the same time. This makes her a lovely character. She's very capable in the field of bombs and fighting, and yet at the same time so naïve where sexual desires are concerned. But she's a quick learner. The way Nitro introduces her the world of sensuality and desire is breathtaking and to die for. No gallant knight could have done it in a better way. It's the way any woman would wish to have been introduced into the pleasures of lovemaking.
Nitro is tough and at the same time so caring and gentle for Josie. But he has to sort out his emotional heritage before he can accept his love for Josie.
Nitro and Josie are perfectly matched main characters. The chemistry between them is magnetic and hot. It seemed to start in book one but in the first chapters you realize their attraction started much earlier. Danger and fear accelerate the mutual attraction and feelings into sexual tension and eventually into an intense love.
They are drawn to each other like moths to a flame, unable to resist yet still trying to protect their hearts, trying not to be vulnerable because they are supposed to be hardened "soldiers." But it's inevitable.
Contrary to book one this book focuses more on the developing relationship and passion between the main characters and a bit less on the suspense. This provides a nice diversity in the trilogy; giving each installment it's own unique vibe, not only in characters but also in the "touch and feel."
The book provides both romance and suspense, both intense emotions and fun moments, both beautiful love and steamy lust, both tough soldiers and caring soul mates.
The love scenes are exquisitely written. Hot and sensual but intense and emotional at the same time. Lucy Monroe knows how to write those scenes like no other.
The secondary characters were enjoyable and a true addition. Especially Hotwire was a treat, oozing with southern charm and I can't wait to dive into his story.
In the field of romantic suspense I have discovered a trilogy that satisfies my appetite for strong alpha males, lovely heroines, steamy passion and a suspenseful plot. Thumbs up for Lucy Monroe!
Quote:
Even less had she anticipated the leashed force of his passion vibrating from his body to hers combined with a kiss so caring and gentle, she was ready to melt in a puddle of devastating emotion right there on the footpath.
December 3, 2007
9:31 PM |
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To rescue the world from an overwhelming evil, Poseidon's warriors have risen from Atlantis. Chief among them is Ven, serving as the King's Vengeance by birthright and by battle challenge. None can conquer him - except perhaps for one human female...
The warrior...
Ven's mind is filled with duty. He must serve as Atlantean liaison to the humans in a war waged against the vampires. A sword is his weapon -not diplomacy. But on a mission to recover the Nereid's Heart -a ruby of immense power- it will take every ounce of strength he possesses to resist the sexual allure of the beautiful witch chosen to work with him.
And the witch...
Erin's heart is filled with vengeance. She lives only for the chance to punish those who murdered her family. Now she must partner with a legendary Atlantean warrior whose dark desire threatens to crash through the barriers she built around her emotions -and her heart. Caught in a trap of shifting alliances, how long can Ven and Erin resist their awakening passion?
The thrilling ride continues with a vengeance. Alyssa Day has certainly delivered on the promising first installment of this amazing series. Giving me, as a reader, everything I was anticipating and even more.
This is book 3 in the series, the second full-length book and it left me with a very positive and urgent feeling of wanting and hungering. As the alpha-males in the books say: "MINE", all I can say is "MORE" and "NOW"!
I'm still dazzled by the genius plot, the unexpected turn of events and the compelling characters. Miss Day knows how to pen down a book that takes you far and deep into an enthralling and action-filled world combined with magic, love and humor.
From the first page the action grabbed me along with the instant and strong attraction between Ven and Erin.
The wit and bantering between the characters was very entertaining. Especially between the warriors, underneath all the bantering and teasing you can feel their bond and care for each other.
Ven caught my attention in Atlantis Rising with his sharp sarcasm and utter alpha attitude. He's a true contradiction. So tough and big bad warrior one moment and so caring and protective of Erin the next. But still, and this is what amazes me in Alyssa Day's male characters, without coming across as weak or wimpy.
Erin is his perfect match, carrying a tougher front than she really is, hiding her hurt and power deep inside.
The attraction between Ven and Erin is raw, pure and elemental and the way it is described is absolutely fitting, combining the most sensual love-scenes and great sense of humor with such ease. Hot and steamy one minute and funny the next.
I loved all the characters; they all have their place in the big picture. They are all strong, brave and all possess that tantalizing wit, be it main or secondary characters.
The men are alpha-males, dominant and territorial but in a great way. The women are gifted and fierce, not ready to play the lady in need of rescuing but playing their part as efficiently as the men. Not ready to be dominated but treated as the equal they are. I may have said it before but I really love Alyssa Day's heroines and I'm very sure she has some more where Riley and Erin came from.
There are some secondary characters that really fascinate and puzzle me. What will become of them? What is their agenda? What is there more than meets the eye?
Absolutely fascinating! Waiting for these answers will be pure torture!
After the introduction and world-building in the first book and Bastien's short story Alyssa Day takes us further into this intriguing battle against evil and this unique world of Atlantis she has created. With unexpected twists and turns, wonderful characters, a delicious hero and a fierce and gifted heroine.
Thought you can read all the books as stand-alone for the full picture it is better to have read the previous installments, especially Atlantis Rising. As some of the secondary characters of that book play crucial roles in this book.
More fascinating concepts, characters and plotlines are introduced and worked out. But also some surprising and puzzling family-connections, leaving you eager to know how things are going to progress. Storylines are subtly set up and you just know will be revealed in future books, but still leaving plenty of room for some speculation.
The world and the story are captivating and the action never slowed down, keeping me on the edge of my seat, wrapped into this thrilling and magical read, fast-paced and action-packed.
In my book-collection Alyssa Day has most definitely earned her place with this series.
Her talent of combining a unique and utterly witty sense of humor with an action-filled and original plot and still leaving room for an enthralling and intense love-story speaks for itself and just says it all.
Quotes:
"Don't think that what happened between us gives you any rights over me," she said, careful to keep her voice low. "I will sit wherever I choose and do whatever I want."
Deadly calm washed over his expression, belying the suddenly feral look in his eyes. "If you wish to force me to call battle challenge on my friends and brother warriors, feel free to push me in this matter. Be advised that battle challenge is almost always to the death, so choose carefully which of them you wish to see die."
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Nice to meet you!
- Pearl
- Netherlands
- 39, married to my real life romance hero, addicted to TV shows, reading romance novels and Twitter. I'm a chronic (e)book hoarder and my absolute favorite genres within romance fiction are contemporary romance and romantic suspense, but I don't shy away from historical, paranormal or erotic romance either. Even the occasional (urban) fantasy romance, futuristic and sci fi romance may make it to my Mount TBR. This is my corner of the world wide web where I let you know what books I'm hoarding, reading and reviewing.
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