Breathless by Anne Stuart

Goodreads Description:

Ruined beyond repair and shunned by London society, lovely Miranda Rohan rebelliously embraces the freedom that comes from having nothing left to lose. However, this dangerous course throws her under the power of the darkly enigmatic Lucien de Malheur—known to many as the Scorpion. 

Seeking to destroy the Rohans, Lucien traps Miranda in a marriage she thinks is based on friendship but instead is rooted in vengeance. Yet even when she realizes the truth, their enmity fuels a shocking passion—and perhaps even more. 

Such a man might drive anyone to murder....


My Rating: 2 out of 5

My Review:

I did like aspects of this book but as a whole I was not in love with it.  I liked Miranda's personality and outlook and I like how she took everything in stride, but at points it got ridiculous how she just shrugged some things off.  I absolutely hated how the book ended.  I felt like the author just decided she was done writing and stopped.  It was horrible.  Though for those who can't figure it out, it's  happy ending. The Scorpion, Lucien, is very negative but has a reason for his hate.  However I don't think he should have wanted revenge so strongly for his sisters suicide, brought on by Benedick.  It was her mother who was so horrible to him and I just can't see how he could bring himself to care so much as to want to destroy a whole family cause his half sister (who he didn't even really know) turned out to be as mad as her mother (who disfigured an abused him)  

Shameless by Anne Stuart (House of Rahan)

Goodreads Description:

A long string of tragic loves haunts Viscount Benedick Francis Alistair Rohan. Cool and cynical, he's weary of life's fickle games and wants a prim and proper wife he can ignore while indulging his sensual appetites. 

Lady Melisande Carstairs is nothing less than a tornado storming into Benedick's measured life. Possessed of boundless energy and the soul of a reformer, Melisande always conquers, whether it's saving the souls of soiled doves or seducing the man she's inconveniently fallen for. When she informs Benedick that his brother's newly revived Heavenly Host has graduated from simple carnal debauchery to sadistic violence, he's compelled to investigate, undercover. Under those covers, however, is Melisande herself, playing a dangerous game in the name of justice. 

And the Heavenly Host has just seen her hand, and more…

My Rating: 5 out of 5

My Review:

I did not read the others in this series yet however I was not lost while reading this.  So in that, it can stand alone.  However there were references to other couples which made me curious to how they got together, so I will be picking up the first 3 in the series.  I absolutely loved the dynamic between "Charity' and Benedick.  Their courtship, as it were, was fun to read and I absolutely love Melisande's tough exterior and soft interior.  I really enjoyed every aspect of this book, the romance, the action, the mystery.  I highly recommend to anyone who loves a historical romance with action and mystery and not just a fluff romance.

Irish Hearts (Novel 1 Irish Thoroughbred, Novel 2 Irish Rose) by Nora Roberts

Goodreads Description:

Two complete novels.

Adelia Cnnane. Her hot temper sent the heart of Travis Grant aflame. Now the proud, powerful owner of Royal Meadows horse farm resolved to make this wild Irish Thoroughbred his own.

Erin McKinnon. A bold beauty, she accepted Burke Logan's loveless proposal and his cool promise of security and wealth. But could this ravishing Irish Rose win her hard-hearted husband's love?

My Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5

My Review:

This book has two related romances.  The first is about a Irish woman who leaves Ireland behind after suffering another death in the family, her aunt.  Her parents died when she was 10 and now she is going to her uncle in Maryland, whom she hasn't seen since she was 3. The only communication she's had with her "Uncle Paddy" are letters they've sent over the years.  However when she arrives, she and her uncle connect.  Adelia and Travis' story is light but a good read.  The next story is about Erin, Adelia's Third Cousin.  When Adelia and Travis go to Ireland with their children (takes place 7 years after first story) they bring their neighbor Burke.  They have an intense liking for each other but fight it so fight each other.  He convinces her to come to America and be his book keeper and soon their relationship progresses.  I liked this story better then the first cause it had an aspect of mystery an action and wasn't purely a fluff romance.  

Blood Brothers By Nora Roberts

Amazon Description:

After three boys accidentally awaken an ancient evil near their small Maryland town, the tight-knit community finds itself lost to a Stephen King–style plague of madness and destruction for a week every seven years. Twenty-one years later, those three boys, now grown, are hoping to find a way to stop the evil before its third return, which may mean the end of the town; they don't know much about the anomalies, but they do know that [e]very time it gets stronger. This time, the town is graced by author Quinn Black, eager to document the paranormal mystery. When two more women arrive—one an associate of Quinn's, the other led to town by strange visions—the circle of six decide to face the oncoming apocalypse together. Hyperprolific bestseller Roberts frontloads her story with drama and endearing characters (especially in Quinn and bowling alley owner Caleb Hawkins), but an abundance of exposition and domestic concerns (protagonists decorate a house, trade banter and pair off predictably) slow the plot significantly. Though future volumes are sure to pick up, this trilogy kickoff suffers from a dearth of twists and little payoff; fans of the brisk, colorful Roberts style will enjoy the ride, though probably not as much as they'd expect.


My Rating: 4 out of 5

My Review:

I really enjoyed the mix of romance and mystery in this book.  I have read A LOT of Nora Roberts and after a while it seems like its the same book just a different title.  But this book was pleasantly original.  Now it does stay the same as her other trilogies in that there are three romances, one for each book.  This one is based around 3 blood brothers, friends since before they were born, Caleb, Fox, and Gage decide on their 10th birthday to become blood brothers.  Mixing their blood over a pagan stone, they unintentionally let out a demon and something else.  In this book, Caleb meets Quinn and from first sight they each are attracted.  You also meet the other love interests for Fox and Gage, tempting you so you want to read the other two books to find out how they get together.  Highly recommend.

Much Ado About Marriage by Karen Hawkins

Goodreads Description:

New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins’s first historical romance, originally titled ONE LUCKY LORD and written as Kim Bennett, has been rewritten to tie into both her "MacLeans" series and her new "Hurst Amulet" series.

Fearless English earl Thomas Wentworth scoffs at failure, trusting in the legendary Wentworth luck to safeguard his spy mission to Scotland. But a single encounter with saucy Scotswoman Fia Maclean turns Thomas's mission topsy-turvy. All-too-innocently entangling him in his enemy's trap, the beautiful Fia gives Thomas no escape but to marry her. But Thomas doesn't know just what he's marrying into. With an ancient amulet in Fia's possession, she wields even more power than her sharp tongue and quick wit. Her cousin, Douglas Maclean stole the magical amulet from the White Witch, Maeve Hurst, and gave it to Fia for safekeeping. But now, with Fia in London with Thomas, the amulet falls into the hands of Queen Elizabeth. Thinking it will be safe in the queen's hands, Fia leaves it be and focuses on bedeviling her newly betrothed!

My Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5

My Review:

This was a good book all in all.  I liked the mystery but I can't say it wasn't predictable to a point.  I did enjoy seeing where the Hurst Amulet comes from, leading to another of Karen Hawkins Series based around it.  The hero and heroine have an interesting relationship and their conversations were well written and made me feel the emotions along with them.  All in all not my favorite in the series but still a good read and a must if you've read the others in the series.

The Demon King and I by Candace Havens

Goodreads Description:

First in a terrific new series featuring wealthy paranormal party girls—from the author of the Charmed books.

The Caruthers sisters are heiresses with privilege, wealth, beauty, and brains. But these party girls have something extra. As the Guardian Keys, possessors of an ancient family secret, they hold the fate of the world in their hands.

Gillian, the eldest, is a sensation in the art world— this world, that is. In her other world she’s the Assassin, a knockout who snuffs out dimension-jumpers who foul up her personal space. She never expected to join forces with one. But when a plague of murderous demons plunges the earth in darkness, she has no choice but to get a little help from a being who knows his stuff.

My Rating: 5 out of 5

My Review:  

The author created a very original world which I enjoyed.  I loved the family dynamics, and the duel lifestyle they all lead.  The romance between Arath and Gillian is sudden and hot.  I've had this book on my shelf for a long time and I just picked it up.  I regret not reading it sooner, cause I really enjoyed the whole read.  There is a second book in the series that I am now going to get my hands on!  Can't wait!

The Reluctant Suitor by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Goodreads Description:

For as long as she can remember, Lady Adriana Sutton has adored Colton Wyndham, to whom she has been promised by an agreement of courtship and betrothal since childhood. As a young girl, she was wounded by Colton's stubborn refusal to comply with his father's wishes and by his angry departure. He was too proud and too stubborn to accept a future not of his own choosing. Rather than submit, he fled from his ancestral home for a life of adventure and danger as an officer in the British army.

The years have been immensely kind to Lady Adriana. No longer the plain, thin tomboy Colton had spurned, she has blossomed into an uncommon beauty desired by nearly every eligible bachelor in the land. Yet the only man she desires is the decorated hero who has finally come home to claim his rightful title. Arrogant, unmoved, and seductive as ever, he remains averse to the idea of their betrothal in spite of his growing desire for her.

To demonstrate his belief that love cannot be forced, Colton agrees to court Lady Adriana for ninety days, after which time he will be allowed to keep his precious freedom if he so wishes. But much has changed since he balked at his father's plans. Forced into a courtship with this stunning, spirited woman, who is as different today from the young chit he left behind as spring is to winter, the heroic heart that was once closed to Adriana is moved by her charm, her grace, and her sensuality ... and begins to yield. But a secret from Colton's past may doom their burgeoning love ... even as the treacherous schemes of a sinister rival threaten to steal the remarkable lady from his arms forever.

A lush and spellbinding story of passion andbetrayal that grandly sweeps the reader into the magnificent ballrooms and intimate boudoirs of Regency England, The Reluctant Suitor is romance as only the incomparable Kathleen Woodiwiss can deliver it — a love story that will dwell in the reader's heart and memory forever and stand proudly as one of the author's very best.

My Rating: 4 out of 5

My Review:

This book is intimidating to look at, being double the size of a normal romance.  And in truth, it seems like two books in one.  I was left with absolutely no questions about any aspect of the plot.  It was very descriptive, and at points you will wonder why is it so wordy but then you'll read something and know that what you read was important.  It seems like every small thing is a clue.  I loved the mystery and the last third of the book I couldn't read fast enough.