Review: Secrets Everybody Knows by Charlotte McClain

Secrets Everybody Knows by Charlotte McClain

Publisher: Lyrical Press
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 1

Blurb

Love can't flourish in the dark

Fifteen years ago, Elaine fell in love with Johnny McMannus, the local bad boy. He was nineteen and she was jailbait. To keep them both out of trouble, Johnny left town.

But years later his father's heart attack brings him back to run the family garage. Hoping to reconnect with Elaine, Johnny has to first fix the mess his parent's alcoholism has made of things. Before Johnny can deserve Elaine, he has to salvage his family's reputation, save their home, and rescue the business.

Too bad Elaine doesn't want to be deserved. She wants to be loved. She never got over Johnny and she's done sneaking around with him as they had before. If he can't love her in public, to her way of thinking he doesn't love her enough.

Warning: Nosy neighbors, hypochondriac mothers and underage girls



Lisa’s Review

This novella would have real potential if the characters were given a chance to develop. Unfortunately, because of its size that can be hard to achieve. It was very difficult for me to connect to either Elaine or Johnny as adults. I had a better understanding their teenage years. However, as adults neither character seemed to mature very much.

Johnny came home after 14 years still in the same frame of mind. He still doesn’t feel worthy of Elaine. He let his parent’s alcoholism and poor reputation tarnish his own life. In fact, the only reason he drug his sister to Alanon meetings, at first anyway, was to improve their family’s overall reputation, in order to be with Elaine.
The last 14 years haven’t changed Elaine that much. Even though she has become a respected teacher in their small town, she seems to be just going through the motions of living life. Elaine’s routine life spins off kilter when Johnny returns. In fact she is so upset over Johnny’s return that she drowns her fears in ice cream and Bailey’s Irish Crème. The rest of the time is spent avoiding Johnny instead of confronting him. The little interaction they do have feels rushed and the ending was predictable and anti-climactic.

2 ½ Tea Cups!

Review: Classic Murder : Mr. Romance by Mary Martinez

Classic Murder : Mr. Romance by Mary Martinez

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Adam enjoys a lifestyle most men only dream of. Then one day he wakes up to find the morning headlines blaring, "Another victim falls prey to Mr. Romance. Who is next?" He suddenly realizes his way of life is not only frivolous, but deadly.

Dubbed Mr. Romance by New York society for his romantic adventures, Adam Fernando Russo loves women. But lately he realizes how lonely it is coming home to an empty house. Can he settle for only one woman? After he makes a list of qualities worthy enough to merit giving up his desirable existence, suddenly recipients of his coveted attention mysteriously fall prey to a murderer. The murders seem unrelated with one exception--all the victims have recently returned from a fabulous weekend rendezvous with Mr. Romance.

Adam’s assistant, Katie Sinclair, knows Adam is innocent with airtight alibis. The police are at a loss, so Adam and Katie work together to discover the link between the murders. As luck would have it, their plan to prove the murderer is copying classic Cary Grant movies goes astray just as Adam realizes his perfect woman has been by his side all along.


Lisa's Review

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Katie is a refreshing change from your ever day heroine. She is a hidden beauty, literally. She is very intelligent and extremely business savvy, but because of her looks, men in the business world and out can’t see past her outward appearance. Does she take advantage of that fact? No, instead she dresses in ugly ill-fitting clothes and horrific glasses, puts her hair in a bun and viola, she’s a plain Jane. This makes for a very interesting tale.

Adam Russo, better known in the news papers as “Mr. Romance” is every woman’s dream man. He’s good looking, sexy, rich, thoughtful, honorable, charitable, generous to a fault and known for knowing how to treat a lady. (wink) Ladies, need I say more? Is he a little too good to be true? Well, aside from the fact that he hardly ever dates a woman more than once and never ever more than twice, I’d say he’s ideal.

Katie has been in love with her boss Adam who happens to be the infamous “Mr. Romance” for so long she knows him better than she knows herself. So when his “women” start dying and he is suspected of murder she jumps in to help try and solve the case. This makes for a much closer working environment and pretty soon Adam is seeing Katie in a different light.

Great book. I couldn’t put it down and was disappointed when I finished it because I wanted more. I love that!

5 Tea Cups!

      

Review: Vegas, Baby by Sandra Edward

Vegas, Baby by Sandra Edward

Publisher: Amazon Digital
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Book two of the Soul Searchers series picks up where Broken Wings left off. Rio Laraquette's back in Vegas and settling into her normal routine—except that Eddie LaCall has invaded her space. The two share a mutual attraction and an undeniable connection.

When Eddie's scarred past comes back to haunt him his attachment to Rio strengthens even though neither completely trusts the other. Just when it looks like a poker tournament is bringing them together, their budding relationship gets backburnered when a stalker goes from creepy to dangerous, making several attempts on the reluctant lovers' lives.

Will these two souls—who've been searching for each other across eternity—finally get to share a lifetime together, or will they once again end up as star-crossed lovers?



Lisa's Review

Ms. Edwards has a smash it on her hands with this sequel to Broken Wings. I knew when I finished Broken Wings that Rio was going to have her hands full with Eddie literally and figuratively in the next book. I have been patiently waiting and will say Vegas, Baby was definitely worth the wait. Rio and Eddie are a hot combination of sexy bad ass meets dark, fearless hero. This book is packed with excitement, intrigue, danger and sensual love scenes that will warm you up on a cold night.

5 Tea Cups!

      

Review: Heart of Vesuvius by Sky Purington

Heart of Vesuvius by Sky Purington

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 4

Blurb

Two vampires…one goal.

Alexandria has no choice. She must flee to the last place she wants to. Straight into the arms of a vampire she was determined to forget. Salvator, ancient vampire, finds this a clever fix to obtaining the one vampire he’s always desired…Alexandria.

Together, they must find a way to evade her powerful enemy, Salvator’s brother Luciano. On the run, they struggle to understand one another. Deep, dark secrets are revealed. Denied passion ignites. Blood is spilled.
Within the heart of Vesuvius, anything is possible. All can be conquered. But will it be? Can wrongs be made right? History is the locked door. Forgiveness is the key. Time will tell if ancient love can once again flourish.



Lisa's Review

Sky Purington really does an outstanding job in this novella. This vampire romance grabs you and keeps you riveted until the very end. I couldn’t put it down. If you love paranormal or vampire stories, this is one to read.

The chemistry between Alexandria and Salvatore sizzles. If you like it hot, you’ll love this book.

5 Tea Cups!

      

Review: Blood and Dust by D. McEntire

Blood and Dust by D. McEntire

Publisher: Silver Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

When Brody McAllister set out on a task he has done since his youth—driving longhorns along the trail from Texas to Kansas—the last thing he expected to find along the way is a beautiful woman dressed in men’s clothing. The tale of her brother depositing her in the untamed land, alone and hungry, has him fired up and ready to do whatever he has to do to see to her safety.

Finding herself abandoned in the middle of nowhere was bad enough for Brianna Wallace. She was used to city life, but that’s not the worst of her worries. She is a vampire. When a handsome cattle driver literally scoops her up and takes her along on his journey, Bri fights to keep her heart and her secret to herself, but loses both battles. The sudden reappearance of her brother to force her aid in his return to New York threatens to solve her Brody dilemma by taking her away and most likely, ending her life. Either way, she may never see Brody again.



Lisa's Review

McEntire does a fine job with this love story. Who doesn’t love a good vampire romance? Throw in a handsome cowboy and I am a happy woman.

Brianna is a delightfully innocent vampire who has suffered the loss of her father/creator at the hands of a murderous brother who left her all alone in the wilderness to die. Barely surviving on her own, Briana becomes infatuated with a handsome and thoughtful cowboy even while knowing they can never have a future together.

Brody is a cattleman out on the range driving cattle when he comes across a beautiful woman alone. All of his protective instincts spring to life around Briana. Why is she traveling alone? How can he leave her? Brody feels strongly for Briana and wants to ask her to stay with him, but doesn’t think he’s good enough for her. Surely a dignified woman such as herself would want a man who can traipse her about to all the society functions.

A great book, I hope there’s a sequel.

3 ½ Tea Cups!

   

Review: Heating Up the Holidays by Maddie James

Heating Up the Holidays by Maddie James

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 2

Blurb

Nicky Paxton is up to her pointed elf ears in work—filling in for a sick Santa’s helper, corralling kittens in a mechanical winter wonderland and running her family’s department store chain. With only twelve shopping days until Christmas, the last thing she needs is the return of her high school heart-breaker.

Lawyer and single dad Chris Spencer leaves the Los Angeles rat race to raise his five-year-old daughter, Holly, in his sleepy Virginia hometown. His first goal is to make sure Holly has a Christmas to remember. His carefully laid plans don’t include a second chance with his first love.

When Holly asks the store Santa for a “fairy pony puppy”, Chris enlists Nicky’s help to track down the elusive item. Despite Nicky’s resolve not to re-gift her heart to Chris, their sexual attraction could power the town’s holiday light display. With the help of mistletoe, a hairless dog and a lonely child, Chris and Nicky just might get their Christmas desires.



Lisa's Review

Maddie James is definitely Heating Up the Holidays with this wonderful story of second chances during the season of miracles. After ten long years, a marriage and a child for Chris Spencer he’s come home to Paxtonville. Can he make his high school sweetheart Nicky Paxton believe that love can find a way the second time around? This holiday romance had me laughing out loud, tearing and routing for Chris, Nicky and little girl named Holly.

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Wolfe's Lady by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

Wolfe's Lady by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 1

Blurb

Stella Raines was looking for a change. She moved to the small town of Riverville to begin her first year of teaching history. She quickly learns that teaching in such a rural high school is no picnic, but the math teacher in the class down the hall makes her first week all the more intriguing….

Darien Wolfe is a staple of Riverville High School, with his rule-breaking hair and attire. He seems to have taught there since, well, forever. However, Darien never knew how much his long life might change until he notices the new history teacher down the hall.

Their attraction is instant and for eternity, like the stars under the full moon. But can Stella survive Darien’s secret?



Lisa's Review

When Stella Raines accepted a job teaching History in a rural high school she knew it would be a drastic change from city life. What she didn’t count on was being courted so romantically by the Math teacher down the hall. Her lunch breaks were about to become 4 star.

Darien Wolfe is captivated by Stella. Her very essence draws him. However, he holds a devastating secret he dare not share. He knows he must reveal his true self to her, but is desperately afraid she will not accept him. If she accepts him, will he be able to control his inner beast and keep her safe, even from himself.

This is a short story of love prevailing above all else. I recommend it for anyone who loves a good romance!

3 Tea Cups!

Review: Luscious by Amanda Sidhe

Luscious by Amanda Sidhe

Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Heat Rating: 4

Blurb

Luscious earned his nickname as a human servant to an ancient vampire clan. Willingly, he surrenders body and blood to their whims. Yet despite his devotion to his clan, Luscious’ closest bond is with his fellow human servant, Belle. The blonde beauty services the men and woman of the clan as Luscious does. Taboo alone prevents their friendship from developing into the deeper relationship they both crave. But sometimes the allure of the forbidden is too strong to resist.

Then everything shatters with the prick of a fang, putting more than just their hearts in the crosshairs. A dangerous game of deception and betrayal is the only way out, if they can just survive the night together.



Lisa's Review

Amanda Sidhe did a nice job with this novella. I fell for Luscious right away as I am a sucker for a protective man. As a human servant called Summons, it is Luscious' job to protect the vampire clan and serve them in any way they need. Belle is also a Summons and while they may be close friends, it is forbidden for them to have a sexual relationship that might lead to jealousy. This would interfere in their duties to serve the Kinsmen (master vampire) and their offspring.

What happens to them in one day will change their lives forever. This novella is not stop from beginning to end and I loved every minute of it. The only disappointment is it was over too soon.

4 Tea Cups!

   

Review: Dazzled by Jennifer Schmidlin

Dazzled by Jennifer Schmidlin

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Fantasy Romance

Heat Rating: 3

Blurb

Jewels of the Night Series

Magic? Death by fornication?

Josie Melbourne is not a superstitious woman, but when she is given a blue, heart-shaped hunk of glass from an eighty-two-year-old woman, her life drastically changes. Is it coincidental that moments after she receives the gift, she seduces the elderly woman's son? And in a bathroom of all places?

Travis Bramble has loved Josie for months, but she barely tolerates his presence. A prudish deameanor often accompanied her to the rest home during visiting hours, but the evening she rubs her cute little behind against his groin, things begin changing…for his benefit.


Lisa's Review

A very entertaining romantic suspense by Jennifer Schmidlin. Josie Melbourne has nothing in common with Travis Bramble, in fact, she can’t stand him. Since their mothers are roommates at the rest home she can’t avoid him. Everything changes in one day and now Josie can’t stop thinking about him and what it would be like to be with him.

Travis, on the other hand, has wanted Josie for ten long months. The day she walked her mother into the rest home he was a goner. He can’t understand why Josie doesn’t like him. So, when she practically has sex with him in their mothers’ bathroom he can’t believe his good fortune.

When funny things start to happen to Josie, she can’t help but wonder about the cheap crystal she received from Travis’ superstitious mom Gerty. For instance, why can’t she keep her hands off Travis, a guy she couldn’t stand just the week before? Why are there men following her? Gerty swears that the crystal has magical powers and that there are people who are after. Can Travis keep Josie safe? Will she let him? This book has humor, romance and suspense.

5 Tea Cups!