Review: KISSING COMFORT by Jo Goodman

KISSING COMFORT
Jo Goodman
Historical Romance (Western – San Francisco 1870)
Berkley Sensation

When Bram DeLong suprises Comfort Kennedy-and everyone around them- with the announcement of their engagement, Comfort agrees to go along with the ruse, after all he is one of her dearest friends.

Bode DeLong is sure that his charming brother is up to no good. He sets out to convince Comfort that she chose the wrong brother, and his are the arms she belongs in.

*****

Comfort Kennedy knows that Bram DeLong is using her, she just isn't sure what his angle is. She has held a tender for him for years, but she is realistic enough to know that his feelings aren't the same, though of course she has a smattering of hope that he could change. When Bram's brother Bode steps in to the picture Comfort soon finds that maybe there is a more interesting DeLong. 

I thought that Bode and Comfort's developing relationship was very enchanting. Comfort was a very forward thinking woman, not one to wait around for dreams and fairy tales. She worked with her two uncles Newt and Tuck, in their bank and had a rather unconventional upbringing. 

Bode wasn't sure how he would woo Comfort. He's watched her from afar for years, but now has decided to step up to the plate, and try to win her heart. Bode has always been the serious and responsible brother, while Bram was the charmer. He has the confidence that he can spin things in his direction, but he's going to have to work for it.

I loved the emotion and suspense thrown into the book with the mystery of Comfort's past and the terrifying ordeal she was almost forced to face. There was a scene that could have compromised the book greatly for me, but fortunately was moved into a direction that kept the book moving forward.

Jo Goodman is one of my favorite authors and is one the few historical romance writers that still sets her books in America, which is one of my favorite historical settings no matter what era. I absolutely adored her latest book, KISSING COMFORT, where she has spun a gripping tale that absorbed me too the very end.

Rating: 4.5

Review: LORD LANGLEY IS BACK IN TOWN by Elizabeth Boyle

Standon Widows #3

Historical Romance Regency (1815)
Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

Minerva, the last of the Widows' Standon figures she now has it made. Now that Lucy and Elinor have remarried, she can have the house all to herself. She talked the duke into doing some renovations, so she knows that if she is frugal, life will be good. That is until a houseful of the duchess's former “nannies” invade her home, and a handsome rake falls into her bed, literally. Turning her life into chaos.

The Baron Langley is one of Britain's top spies, but it seems as if someone now wishes him dead. He's chosen the perfect hiding spot, that is until the house overflows with women. Running out of options, he decides to come out of hiding, but to do that he will need a cover, one he thinks Minerva will fulfill quite nicely.

When Langley suggests the engagement, Minerva is quick to lay down some rules. She will not be pulled into scandal and he must not kiss her. But how can he resist such a challenge, especially when she doesn't seem to be to adverse to the feel of his lips.

*****

LORD LANGLEY IS BACK IN TOWN was a fun ending to Elizabeth Boyle's Standon Widows' trilogy. Langley and Minerva balanced each other out perfectly. Minerva was definitely the more mature of the two, even if Langley was 10 years older than her. He had a tendency to be a bit of a rapscallion to her more straitlaced and proper lifestyle. I really enjoyed how Langley baited Minerva and provoked her to stray from her strict principles. the sexual tension that practically vibrated between them as they tempted each other, and tried so hard not to succumb.

I loved the Regency “James Bond” theme that Langley portrayed. Ms. Boyle kept a fresh and amusing spin on a well used trope. But I found all of the “nannies” to be distracting, and while I understand their importance to the storyline, I felt that there could have been less of them. I think they made the story lag, especially towards the beginning. One thing I was very thankful for was that Felicity only had a fleeting part. I liked her in her own story, but in everything since she has been overbearing and pushy, yes, I realize that is her character, but it's annoying.

I am looking forward to Ms. Boyle's new series out next year, as I always love her fresh spin on things.

Rating: 4

The Masters, a Harlequin Spice Brief series by Lisa Renee Jones

These look like some fun short reads on a summer day...though you may want to be sitting in front of the air conditioner if they are as hot as they sound!

 

Book 1

Eight years ago, Sarah Michaels locked eyes with Ryan White at a sinful sex club. His dominant presence exuded erotic promises and aroused part of Sarah that she didn't recognize. But Ryan was her family's chief rival in the candy business, the very definition of forbidden fruit.

Since that night, Sarah has tried to deny that she wants what Ryan offers, that she actually wants to be dominated. Yet she can't stop fantasizing about him. When Ryan invites her to his elite club where power and pleasure go hand-in-hand, the temptation to explore her suppressed desires is too strong to resist. Is she ready to give up control to Ryan—a man who might never give it back?

Buy Now:

Nook / Amazon

 

Book 2
 

Three years ago, Darla Rogers's ex, Jacob Remington, left on a top secret Special Forces mission and didn't return—at least, not to her. They had broken up after he pushed her to the erotic edge, asking her to trust him completely...and she pushed him away.

Now Jacob is back, revealing his membership in a secret society that enjoys games of dominance and submission. This time, Darla is determined prove she belongs in his world. Even if that means embracing her darkest desires with Jacob and the society's leader....

Buy Now:

Nook / Amazon

Book 3

 

Book store owner Kim Baker has a serious crush on Dr. Blake Morgan—an attraction that only gets stronger when he shows her an erotic book and invites her on a night of sensual exploration at his private club, the Society.

She's drawn to his sense of power and dominant sexuality...and can't help but fantasize about being controlled by him in every way. But as Blake teaches Kim to claim her pleasure and lose her inhibitions, he may be the one in danger of losing control....

Buy Now:

Nook / Amazon

Review: THE DANGEROUS LORD by Sabrina Jeffries

Historical Romance/ Regency (1820)

Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

Felicity Taylor is determined to save her friend from a disastrous engagement to an immoral libertine, what she didn't count on, was becoming the main focus of the rakish lord.

When Ian Lennard, Viscount St. Clair, reads of his supposed scandalous and debauched life in a popular gossip rag, he is enraged, and vows to locate this “Lord X” that writes such drivel, to make him pay.

When two stubborn wills collide there will be no quick and concise outcome of events. But maybe there can be a compromise of sorts...

*****

Sabrina Jeffries has written another thoroughly entertaining tale of the misadventures one can find themselves on the road to love. I really enjoyed Ian and Felicity's banter and the sizzling attraction that Felicity mostly tried to deny, but of course, in the end could not.


Ian was just trying to find a bride, but between his uncle and then Felicity's interference, it was becoming the most difficult task. He was easy to like, he just wanted to do what was right, and live a nice unassuming, but content life. Though I really liked it when he showed a hint of a darker side, showing he wasn't someone to mess with.

Felicity on the other hand was not so easy to like. I found her to be an terrible gossip, even if she only spread rumors based on truth, about her enemies. She had a nasty habit of misconstruing events and she wasn't willing to budge even when she could be proven wrong. I was irritated with her stubborn convictions and her lack of trust in Ian. I know that she was trying to make a living to raise her brothers, but that didn't make me like her any better.

Felicity turned Ian's life upside down, especially with her unfortunate assumptions. It was good that she got him to feel and she and her brothers definitely brought some added excitement to his world. Even as annoying as I found her, I felt that they could make a good life together.

Rating: 4

Review: THE SINS OF VISCOUNT SUTHERLAND by Samantha James

The Lords of Sheffield Square #1

Historical Romance (Regency)
Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins

Claire Ashcroft is out for revenge. She plans to destroy the man who ruined her family. Yet when she meets the dastardly Viscount, she has to remind herself of her goal.

Grayson Sutherland is enchanted by the lovely widow who is trying to entice him. There is no room in his life for emotional attachment but that doesn't mean he must give up is his pleasure, and he's more than willing to share it with her.

Will Claire succeed in ruining the man who changed her life?

Grayson almost lost himself to a past sorrow, what will it take to make him chance it and reopen his heart?

*****

While I enjoy Samantha James's writing, I did not enjoy Claire and Grayson as a couple. I personally though that Claire's initial plan of revenge was stupid and melodramatic. She had good reason for wanting to ruin Grayson, but really, the whole trope of “I'll make him fall in love with me, and then laugh in his sorry face when I turn him down.” is just so silly. Especially considering the circumstances. If he'd ruined a friend or family member maybe that would have worked for me. But he supposedly murdered her brother, for that I would have expected her to be out for blood or to ruin him financially. I don't know.


All Claire and Grayson seemed to do was fight. Their enjoyable times together were few and far between the pages. I don't mind a few misunderstandings between couples, especially when they are first dipping into a relationship. But after awhile it just gets old. I understand that they both had some pretty hefty issues between them. The deck was stacked against them for finding happiness. I want to see more of them learning and trying to make their relationship work. I don't need love at first sight, but I want to feel like there is a believable future between them, and unfortunately I just wasn't feeling it. And don't get me wrong, I don't mind a good argument even after they've been together for awhile—you can't get along and agree with anyone all the time, but Claire and Grayson went beyond that. I didn't finish this book feeling that they would be happy with each other.

Rating: 3

Review: COLLISION COURSE by Zoe Archer

8th Wing #1

Science Fiction Romance

Carina Press

The life a smuggler suits Mara Skiren just fine, but when the 8th Wing coerce her into rescuing a downed pilot, she has no choice but to agree. What she didn't foresee was that she would be taking on a partner.

Commander Kell Frayne, of the elite Black Wraith Squadron knows he needs Mara's help to breach the Smoke Quadrant and to successfully complete the mission to save his downed comrade and the stealth spacecraft that disappeared with her.

What neither of them anticipated was their mutual attraction. Can they complete their mission without becoming emotionally entangled?

****

Kell and Mara are a sizzling duo, and I find nothing sexier than two strong characters not afraid to work together, even though they had to sometimes butt heads to find the right solutions. They both had to learn to compromise, but it just made things hotter between them when they finally came together. I also loved the little twists of humor Ms. Archer threw into the storyline.

Zoe Archer created a captivating universe and I loved entering her new world. She was able to keep a complex backdrop from overtaking the story and characters, without skimping on the details. I love exotic setting for romances, and I think outer space is about as exotic as they come. I've been fascinated by science fiction romance since I was a kid watching Buck Rogers and Star Wars, and I will be looking for more.

Rating: 4.5

Review: RED HEAT by Nina Bruhns

Men in Uniform #1

Romantic Suspense/Action-Adventure/Military

Penguin Group

Julie Severin hates all things Russian, since it was the Russians that killed her father. As a CIA analyst, she works mostly behind a desk, studying Chinese intel. Now her superiors are assigning her on a Top Secret undercover case to find a missing micro card filled with Chinese design secrets. 

 

Captain Nikolai Romanov knows there is more to the beautiful reporter than she is saying. Can he discover all her secrets?

*****

Well, I'll start with the good. I loved the awesomely unique setting of this book. I have never read a book where the majority of the story took place on a submarine. Nikolai was absolutely delicious, and I gobbled up the pages just for glimpses of him. And I will admit that the sizzling heat between Julie and Nikolai steamed up the book, as I was interested in their storyline and romance, but...

The bad, which completely took me out of the story and made me so frustrated was that Julie was a twit. This woman had so little sense. She has got to be the worst spy ever. I understand that she was thrust into the undercover situation with little to no training, which made this part of the book so unbelievable, and just made me cringe. She couldn't keep a secret, she pretty much told Nikolai everything with barely any prompting. I just couldn't take her.

Now despite all of that the writing wasn't bad—just Julie was. I am looking forward to Clint Walker's story this winter. I only hope he gets a smarter heroine than Nikolai.

Rating: 3

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