Pride and Passion by Charlotte Featherstone

Goodreads Description:

Lucy Ashton had long ago given up her quest for true love. In the rarified society of Victorian England, Lucy plays the game; flirting, dancing and dabbling in the newly fashionable spiritualism. Even marrying when and who she's supposed to. If the stuffy Duke of Sussex cannot spark the passion she craves, he can at least give her a family, a home of her own, and a place to belong. But when her polite marriage reveals a caring and sensual man, Lucy begins to wonder if she can indeed have it all.

But Lord Sussex is not the man the London ton has come to admire. And Lucy has some ghosts of her own, as well. Thus, when a blackmail scheme turns to threats of danger, the newfound peace of the Sussex marriage is cast upon the rocks. Passion has a price, Lucy learns. And not all ghosts stay buried.

My Rating:

My Review:

Lucy's obsession with her 'love' Thomas takes her to spiritualists trying to connect to her dead love who she though burned to death in his studio.  Lord Sussex, who loved Lucy, wants to prove that her 'love' Thomas was really a murderer and an evil man.  Through out the book the romance builds slowly and I was absolutely stunned by Lord Sussex' confession at the end!  The mystery and action in this book rival the first in the series and are FANTASTIC!  A must read!

Temptation and Twilight by Charlotte Featherstone

Goodreads Description:

Iain Sinclair, Marquis of Alynwick, is certain there is a special hell for him. An unrepentant rake, he holds nothing sacred – except for beautiful Elizabeth York. For years, Alynwick has tried to forget the woman he loved so well, and treated so badly. A woman who could hold nothing in her heart for him except hatred.

All of society believes Elizabeth, blind daughter of a duke, to be a proper young lady. But no one knows of her wanton affair with Alynwick. When Lizzy learns of her ancestor’s ancient diary – filled with exotic tales – she longs to uncover the identity of the unnamed lover within and hesitantly allows Alynwick, who claims to have knowledge of the “veiled lady,” to help her solve the mystery.

Eager to be Lizzy’s eyes, Alynwick brings the seductive text to life, and each night it takes greater effort for her to forget his betrayal. With each whispered word, her resolve gives way, without her knowing that a centuries-old secret will lead them to a present-day danger.

My Rating:

My Review:

I loved this book but not as much as much as the first two. I loved the romance between Iain and Lizzy, which has been building in ways through the series. The mystery of who was trying to take the items from the guardian's was obvious to me most of the book and I thought the ending was very anti-climatic and disappointing. I would tell anyone who read the other books that they have to read this one to have the mystery solved but that it isn't my favorite in the series.

The Werewolf's Wife by Michele Hauf

Goodreads Description:

The legacy he must obey…
The child she must save…
The man who threatens to fulfill her every fantasy…
and break her heart.

Alpha wolf Ridge Addison left his wife in Las Vegas, vowing to put their one reckless night of passion behind him and return to his clan. Thirteen years later he needs a divorce so he can become pack leader. Yet he's never forgotten the sensuous witch whose life he saved…or the knee-buckling kisses he still craves.

After they parted, Abigail tried banishing Ridge from her memory. Now her heart belongs only to her son. But when the boy is kidnapped, she knows she alone can't save him. Though Abigail's body still aches for Ridge, she's willing to give him his freedom in exchange for his help. But who will shield her heart from the only man she's ever let claim her, body and soul?

My Rating:

My Review:

I liked how this story was laid out and written. I liked the different surprises laid with in the story and I enjoyed the renewed romance. I also LOVED the strong personality of the heroine. I did feel the story could have been more but all in all I enjoyed the story. As a mother, I felt for Abigail. I was shocked how it ended and how it affected Ridge, but I was also very happy! I would recommend this to my friends!

THe Half-Breed Vampire by Theresa Meyers

Goodreads Description:

Ignorant of his true heritage, half-breed Slade Donovan is fated to feel like an outsider among his clan. Until a mysterious woman arrives with the ability to unlock his secrets—and make him crave a future he never believed he could have….As a game warden, Raina Ravenwing has only one mission in the Cascade Mountains: to hunt down a pack of rare wolves that is terrorizing her tribe. Her instant attraction to Slade is a distraction the beautiful wolf whisperer can't afford, unless she agrees to let him help her. Yet working so closely together only intensifies their passion…even as the unfolding truth of Slade's identity threatens everything Raina holds sacred.

My Rating:

My Review:

I enjoyed this story but not having read the first two in the series I felt I was missing something sometimes. It could be read alone but there are references to things you can only assume were mentioned in the first two books in the series.  I liked the romance but felt it was not too realistic.  One minute they were thrust upon each other unwillingly then it seems they are in love.  I did enjoy the story line and the action however.

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Goodreads Description:

When literature student Anastasia Steele is drafted to interview the successful young entrepreneur Christian Grey for her campus magazine, she finds him attractive, enigmatic and intimidating. Convinced their meeting went badly, she tries to put Grey out of her mind - until he happens to turn up at the out-of-town hardware store where she works part-time. 

The unworldly, innocent Ana is shocked to realize she wants this man, and when he warns her to keep her distance it only makes her more desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her - but on his own terms. 

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey's singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success – his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving adoptive family – Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a passionate, physical and daring affair, Ana learns more about her own dark desires, as well as the Christian Grey hidden away from public scrutiny.

Can their relationship transcend physical passion? Will Ana find it in herself to submit to the self-indulgent Master? And if she does, will she still love what she finds?

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

My Rating:

My Review:

I picked this up because of all the hype around this book.  I really enjoyed it and I did like the unique qualities of this book.  It was definitely not what I expected.  It was more about the story then the erotica content and I really enjoyed that aspect.  I felt for Anastasia and her conflicted feelings about Christian and his unique tastes in sex.  I loved how Anastasia effected Christian as much as Christian affected Anastasia.  I was shocked and excited by the way the first book ended and I hope the second book follows through and makes me more happy.  We will see!

Fair Game by Patricia Briggs

Goodreads Description:

They say opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant alpha. While Anna, an omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind. 

Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can't afford any bad publicity. Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father's dirty work is taking a toll on Charles. 

Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston, when the FBI requests the pack's help on a local serial killer case. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves-all of them were. Someone is targeting their kind. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer's sights... 

My Rating:

My Review:

I truly love the Alpha and Omega series.  I lost interest in Mercedes stories when these came out!  Anna's worry about her husband's stress levels and how he's dealing with the excess amount of killings he has to take care of.  She doesn't stop and finally Charles is given a break by his dad, and Anna is given the lead for the mysterious killings of wolves and other paranormal beings.  I loved the mystery and action and suspense.  Anna and Charles' relationship is renewed and the killer found!  Great read!

Charmed and Enchanted by Nora Roberts

Goodreads Description:

Charmed: Boone Sawyer never expected to move next door to a woman who looked like one of the fairy princesses he often wrote about. Anastasia Donovan had a serene kind of femininity that would baffle and allure any man who was still breathing – and Boone was definitely breathing!

Ana’s gift was for healing. Though her intriguing new neighbor made his living writing fairy tales, she didn’t think he’d easily accept her legacy. But when an accident put a life at stake, she could not deny her powers – though it could cost her Boone’s love, and risked her very life…

Enchanted: IT WAS AS THOUGH SHE WERE UNDER A SPELL

Lovely, guileless Rowan Murray felt drawn to brooding Liam Donovan with a power she'd never imagined possible. And his breathtaking kisses convinced her he felt the same. But she soon realized her darkly enigmatic neighbor was as elusive as the mysterious wolf she'd seen lurking about her cabin.

Liam was tormented by indecision. He understood he had no right to love Rowan, knowing what lay ahead. But the allure of her beguiling innocence overpowered his will until he could resist no longer. And he knew, if he was ever to make Rowan his, he had no choice but to reveal his incredible secret.

My Rating:

My Review:

I loved Ana's story and I really loved her story.  It was sweet and touching.  She had some hard lessons to over come and Boone helps her along.  Boone's daughter is adorable and I thought what Ana did was very brave and in the end proved her point about keeping Boone at arms length.  I like how the author wrapped up the book however and I just all in all thought the story was sweet.

Liam Donovan is a cousin of the characters in the series, and to be the head of the family if he chooses to take over for his father and wear the amulet.  He doesn't want to be controlled by fate but control his own future.  However then comes Rowan and he has some hard decisions to make.  I liked Rowan a lot and was so happy when she decided to take her life in her own hands and not be bullied into a life she didn't feel was right.  I liked the romance of the two but felt it was missing something to make it a all out 5 out of 5.  

Captivated and Entranced by Nora Roberts

Goodreads Description: 

Captivated: Screenwriter Nash Kirkland figured self-proclaimed witch Morgana Donovan would be a great "resource" for his next horror movie. The problem was, getting to know Morgana was becoming an obsession.

Was he truly in love, or was he just bewitched?

Morgana could accept Nash's skepticism, and, fortunately for him, she found him outrageously attractive as well as endearingly sweet. But could an ordinary man handle being in love with a rather extraordinary woman?

Entranced: Obviously psychic Sebastian Donovan was a fraud, but fiercely protective Mary Ellen Sutherland was desperate to find a missing baby and had run out of leads. So, reluctantly, the skeptical private investigator agreed to enlist Sebastian's help. Soon she had to admit - grudgingly - that this man had some pretty remarkable gifts. Especially his extraordinary ability to penetrate her tough facade and awaken her heart.

My Rating:

My Review:

Morgana was my favorite of all the Dovovans.  That being said, since she is the first you meet she makes a great impression!  Morgana has a occult store and has some crazy powers.  Her relationship with Nash is awesome an funny and HOT.  I loved how she finally proved she really was a witch!  

Sebastian is a troubled soul and has a hard magic gift to deal with, psychic abilities.  He can't say no however when a baby boy is stolen, and it doesn't hurt that Mary Ellen is around.  I enjoyed their search and final take down of the people responsible.  And of course the romance was good, a bit slower in pace then Morgana's but the content of this book is a bit more serious then Morgana's as well.  

Definitely recommend these books and the entire series in fact.  

More Than Words Stories of the Heart by Debbie Macomber, Brenda Novak, and Meryl Sawyer

Amazon's Description:
Even as you read these words, there are women just like you stepping up and making a difference in their communities, making our world a better place to live. Three such exceptional women have been selected as recipients of Harlequin's More Than Words award. To celebrate their accomplishments, three bestselling authors have written short stories inspired by these real-life heroines.

Debbie Macomber touches the heart in What Amanda Wants—a young woman's story of strength and courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Brenda Novak's Small Packages shows us how the love of a very special baby boy helps two people get past their pain and embrace a hopeful future…together.

Meryl Sawyer explores the importance of creating balance in our lives, stopping to smell the roses and making time to chase our dreams in Worth the Risk.

My Rating:

My Review:

I really enjoyed all the stories in this book.  I thought they were well laid out and written. The book definitely made you look at your own life and be thankful for what you had!

Betrayal by Christina Dodd

Goodreads Description:

At nineteen, Noah Di Luca was Bella Terra's golden boy, handsome, confident, and untouched by the shadows that tormented his brothers...or so it seems. Driven by ambition, beautiful teenage Penelope Alonso fought her way out of the ghettos. During one hot summer, they came together in the sweetness of first love...until his past reared its ugly head and Noah walked away.

Nine years later, Penelope returns, never imagining she'd see Noah or that one glance would wake their fiery passion. As peril builds around them, Penelope has one choice: to survive, she must once again trust the man who betrayed her.

Even with terror stalking through Bella Terra's streets, love may be the most dangerous choice of all.

My Rating:

My Review:

I was so disappointed by this book.  It wasn't really the writing but the direction of the plot that made me frustrated.  I felt left wanting and there just wasn't the punch like there was in the other two books and in other books written by this author.  It does wrap everything up and I absolutely LOVE the twist at the end but I guess it was just too neat and not as suspenseful and the others.

So Many Books, SOOO Little Time

I have not stopped reading though I haven't posted any blogs in a while.  I have been reading, A LOT.  I however haven't had any time to blog about them let alone rate them on Goodreads!  BUT I wanted to at least list the books I've read so you know what to look forward to in the next week or so as I catch up.

Betrayal by Christina Dodd 3 out of 5 stars Finished 4/?/12

More than words Stories of the heart: by Debbie Macomber, Brenda Novak, and Meryl Sawyer 3 out of 5 stars Finished 4/?/12

Captivated and Entranced by Nora Roberts Both books 4 out of 5 stars 4/12/12

Fair Game by Patricia Briggs 4 out of 5 stars 4/20/12

Fifty Shades of Grey 4 1/2 out of 5 stars Finished: 4/24/12

The Half-Breed Vampire 2 out of 5 stars Finished: 4/25/12

Wanted: Undead or Alive  4 ½ out of 5 stars Finished: 5/2/12

One Night in Scotland 5 out of 5 stars Finished:  5/3

The Memorist by M.J. Rose 4 out of 5 stars Finished: 5/4

More than Words: Stories of Hope by Diana Palmer, Kasey Michael, and Catherine Mann 3 out of 5 stars

Finished: 5/6

The Perils of Pleasure Julie Anne Long  3 ½ out of 5 stars Finished: 5/7

So here is a quick review....I'll post my detailed opinions as I can get to it.