REVIEW: TOUCH IF YOU DARE by Stephanie Rowe

Soulfire #2

Paranormal / Humor

Sourcebooks Casablanca

Reina Knight is trying to become a full-fledged Reaper, but she seems to be having a wee bit of a problem, mostly because she's to compassionate. She needs to harden up, because if she can't reap souls, she loses her chance of saving her sister.

Jarvis Swain, the Lord of Hate, needs to save his brother, the Lord of Love. But can't do it without Reina's help. She seems to sooth the animosity he projects.

Together they will fight to prevent their siblings demises, but can they succeed?

*****

Stephanie Rowe has a wonderfully creative talent in her writing, which draws me into her hysterically funny mythical world. While I'll admit that TOUCH IF YOU DARE started out pretty slow for me—mainly because I had get into a more humorous mindset-- once it started rolling I found it difficult to put down.

Jarvis and Reina both have their share of silly slap-stick moments, but Ms. Rowe kept the book from getting cheesy by throwing in some very intense emotional moments. I couldn't help but root for Jarvis and Reina, as they fought for their siblings and each other. Jarvis really had a low opinion of his self-value, I liked how Reina continued to show him that he wasn't all hatred, and even that sometimes there were good reasons to feel such a passionate emotion. I know that sounds off, but trust me, when you read the book, you will understand (I hope).

I loved seeing all the side characters that were first introduced in KISS AT YOUR OWN RISK, they are definitely a lively crew. I also liked that the characters aren't really what you would normally expect. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again in the next installment of the Soulfire series.

As a side note, even though this is the second book of a series it can be read as a stand alone.

Rating 4

Author's Website 

Review:THE SECRET MISTRESS by Mary Balogh

M

Mistress #3 (prequel)

Historical Romance (Regency)

Random House

Lady Angeline Dudley is excited to embark on her first season in London. After a lifetime in the country she is eager to make new friends and with her love of color and hats, anxious to visit the London shops. She knows that she will have to marry, and hopes to find a nice staid husband, unlike her scandalous, but loveable, brothers. 

 

Edward Ailsbury, the Earl of Heyward found life much simpler before he inherited his title, after the tragic and untimely demise of his rakish brother. Edward strives to be everything his brother was not, most apparent is his serious take on life. He has no time nor patience for frivolity. He is ready to take his place in the House of Lords, and he knows he must marry for the title, hoping to find a serene, proper lady.

Do opposites really attract?

*****

Mary Balogh has weaved a truly a delightful tale in THE SECRET MISTRESS. Angeline and Edward are polar opposites. Angeline knows from the get that Edward is what she wants, but it takes some major work for Edward to see that Angeline is not only what he wants, but also what he needs.

Edward is an absolute stick-in-the mud, while Angeline is a bit of a hoyden encased in bright and shinny packaging. Ms. Balogh had her work cut out for her to make the passion and chemistry spark between these two, and she fully succeeded. I loved seeing Edward crack under Angeline's antics. They are a perfectly matched pair. I really enjoyed this whole book. I thought Angeline was so sweet as she tried to pair Edward off...but loved how that turned out, adding another sweet spin of romance to the story.

Rating 4.5

Author's Website 

The Secret Mistress (The Mistress Trilogy)

Review: THE MARRIAGE BETRAYAL by Lynne Graham

Volakis Vows #1

Harlequin Presents
Harlequin
192 pages

Tally Spencer is stunned to be pursued by Sander Volakis, though she gets it. She is not his usual type, and he's just looking for some fun. When Tally discovers she's pregnant, after they broke up, Sander balks at first, though eventually does a complete turn around and asks Tally to marry him. What caused his about face? Can they have a future of love and happiness?

*****

Lynne Graham is one of my favorite HP authors. She has a great knack for blending humor, passion and drama perfectly in a quick read. Sander is your typical high-strung arrogant ass of a HP hero. Oh, and of course he's a Greek Tycoon. :) I really liked Tally, she didn't let Sander walk all over her, sure she got sucked into the whole affair, but she was intelligent enough to see when things were off, and confronted Sander about it. This book had the added “surprise, I'm pregnant” theme going for it, which added to the drama, especially when Sander is blackmailed into marring Tally. There was a huge trust theme going on throughout the whole book. Whereas Tally is very trusting, Sander, of course, is not.

This is the first category romance that I've ever read were the couple is featured in this book AND a book next month, so this is just the Happy For Now book, but if I didn't know that I would have been perfectly happy with the way this book ended. But I do know, and now we have to WAIT for their Happy Ever After. I hate waiting. I was kinda bummed when I realized that this was a HFN ending, until I really thought about it and realized that YAY I get to read MORE about Sander & Tally! Don't forget to look for BRIDE FOR REAL next month, for the conclusion of their story.

Harlequin Presents are my crack. How else can I explain it, they are my quick easy fix when I want to loose myself, but don't have time to get wrapped up into a thicker book. I refer to them as my “popcorn” reads, as I can finish one of these in about the same time as I could watch a movie. These are something that I tend to glom onto, and usually read about 4 or 5 in row, until I get my fill.

Rating: 5

Author's Website 

Review: BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES by Jane Graves

a

Contemporary  (humor)

Forever, an imprint of Hachett Book Group

432 pages 

Bernadette Hogan can't believe what she has gotten herself into, of all the crazy situations she could imagine getting pregnant by her infuriating boss was not even a blip on her radar. This is so not like her, she already has her plate full. 

Jeremy is willing to try to make things work, even though he is still reeling from the shock of that he let things get so out of hand. But how can an independent woman and a self-made millionaire learn to compromise without chewing each other to pieces?

****

In BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES, Jane Graves had penned a delightfully entertaining tale with a fascinating cast of characters, keeping me laughing and smiling all throughout the book. I loved following Bernie and Jeremy on their journey to love and happiness.

Bernie was a great heroine! This is the first book I've read where the woman has been the muscle. Jeremy was no slouch, but Bernie definitely could handle her own in a fight. I loved that she was independent and more than capable of taking care of herself, no matter what the situation, but I also like watching her learn that it's okay to lean on someone elses shoulder.

Jeremy was an irritatingly arrogant guy, but you could sense the loneliness he kept so well hidden. I loved watching him grow emotionally, learning how to love and be loved. Bernie and Jeremy are definitely a couple I can picture living Happily Ever After, forever.

I can't wait for Ms. Graves' next book! Her characters and stories are always very humorous and well plotted.

Rating: 5

Author's Website 

Review: A WEDDING WAGER by Jane Feather

A Wedding Wager

Blackwater Brides #2

Historical Romance (Georgian, 1762)

Pocket Books

 Available July 2011 
 

Three years ago Lady Serena Carmichael told Sebastian Sullivan that it was fun knowing him, but it was now time to move on, breaking his young heart. Now Serena is back in town, and Sebastian is determined to ignore her, not willing to fall under her spell once again. 

Yet no matter how they try to avoid each other, circumstances keep throwing them together. Is Serena really as heartless as she appears? Can Sebastian forgive the past?

*****

 

Serena and Sebastian had an undeniably complex emotional relationship. They didn't want to care for each other, yet they couldn't help themselves, nor could they ignore the fervent desire between them. I found them to be well-written characters, yet their personalities put me off of them a bit. I found Sebastian's actions and emotions to be so young still. I felt like had he an naivety not usual for romance novel rakes, that's not necessarily a bad thing, but I felt that after the initial rejection, he would have been more cynical. Serena's concern for her step-father's prey was all fine and wonderful, but really, her stubbornness in her refusal to accept Sebastian's help was frustrating.

In A WEDDING WAGER, Jane Feather has written a passionate tale of young love, including all the problems that come with it, such as the belief that self-sacrifice is the only answer to a convoluted problem and the thought that if you don't talk about it, your feelings will go away. Of course Serena and Sebastian learn otherwise throughout the story, but they had some major growing up to do before they got there. 

 

 I am curious to see how Ms. Feather will develop Peregrine's story, and what kind of woman she will pair him with. He is very bookish, but I hope he has some more Alpha qualities that emerge as I'm not a huge fan of the Beta hero.

Rating: 3.5 

Author's Website