Hero of My Heart Blog Hop has started!

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Blog Hop, Hero of My Heart, Romance at Random

Today’s the day so come join Romance at Random for another exciting hop with fantastic prizes!  Enter here for your chance to win:

• 5 eBook copies of HERO OF MY HEART! by Megan Frampton (on sale 4/8)
• 3 eBook copies of A VAMPIRE SALVATION by Virna DePaul (on sale 4/22)
• 2 eBook copies of Taking Shots by Toni Aleo (on sale 4/23)
• AND . . . . . one (US only) prize winner receives a BOX of books! INCLUDING, Debbie Macomber’s STARTING NOW!

Don’t forget to visit each of the sites found here for more chances to win.

And keep an eye out because I will be posting a review of Hero of My Heart soon.  It’s a sizzler with heart so you won’t want to miss it.

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The Trouble with Valentine’s

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Book Review, Kelly Hunter, The Trouble with Valentine's

Hallie Bennett, shoe shop girl, gets an offer on Valentine’s Day that is pretty much too good to pass up – for $10,000 she’ll pretend to be the wife of oh-so-sexy Nick Cooper on a business trip to China.  She needs the money to finish her art degree … and he is quite yummy, so with a few ground rules limiting how “pretend” this marriage really is, what could go wrong?

The Trouble with Valentine’s is an absolute treat.  Hallie is funny, charming and upbeat – a passionate, fiery redhead who fairly sparkles with life.  Nick is handsome, witty, and engaging.  He’s a good match for Hallie and their interactions made me alternately laugh and sigh.  Hunter does a fantastic job of making their flirtations full of heat, heart and humor – keeping readers on their toes and coming back for more.

There’s also a secondary relationship with the daughter of Nick’s business partner, Jasmine, and her bodyguard, Kai.  There are a lot of nuances to their history that makes a romance between them complicated, but they are so compelling that you quickly find yourself rooting for their happy ending.

The art and culture of China is so deftly brought into the story that it is a supporting character all on its own – full of vibrancy and life, adding depth to an already enchanting story.  Readers are also given glimpses of Hallie’s four brothers, tantalizing tidbits that make me hope that we will see them in future stories.

Hunter weaves two emotion-packed stories into a delicious, not-to-be-missed treasure.  The Trouble with Valentine’s is full of humorous dialogue, irresistible characters, and heartwarming romances, which all combine to make one engaging story.  Once you pick it up, you’ll find it hard to put it down.

Craving Her Soldier’s Touch

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Book Review, Craving Her Soldier's Touch, Wendy S. Marcus

A little over a year ago, nurse Jaci Piermont took a chance and became intimately involved with her friend, Staff Sergeant Ian Eddelton. . . only to have him run away, heading back to war.  Now he’s come home, wounded both physically and mentally, and just as sexy and irresistible.  When Ian volunteers to help Jaci make calls to help low income patients in the aftermath of a tropical storm, she can’t say no.  But neither of them counted on the emotions that being together again would stir up.

I really enjoyed Craving Her Soldier’s Touch because it has so much emotion and depth.  Jaci comes from an abusive background and now spends her time helping those less fortunate.  She spends some of her time as a traveling nurse and the rest running a shelter for abused women and their children.  Ian has a serious case of PTSD and survivor’s guilt following a bomb that killed four of his friends and left him with a severely damaged leg.  He was lucky not to have it amputated but, being the only one that survived the incident, he doesn’t feel very lucky.  Both have a desire to help people and it almost makes me feel guilty for not doing more.  They are strong but also have some issues that require therapy sessions.  Jaci has some very definite, and understandable, ideas about her independence and Ian’s ingrained need to protect definitely rubs her the wrong way.  They do a great job of coming to a compromise that works for both.  Ian also agrees to go to therapy to address both his physical problems and his emotional ones.  I always like it when fictional characters admit that they need professional help, that love doesn’t fix everything, and that sometimes their problems are too big to handle alone.  It adds that touch of realism to a book.  My only complaint is that Jaci’s issues aren’t addressed as completely.  She’s started on the path but I would have liked to see a little more about that.  There are a couple of other loose ends but this is part of a duet so the rest should be addressed in her sister’s book, Secrets of a Shy Socialite. Overall, though, I was very satisfied by the way everything was handled.

In Craving Her Soldier’s Touch, Wendy S. Marcus delivers a hard-hitting, heart-warming, sexy story about two people coming to terms with guilt over past actions and learning how to go forward together.

Hero of My Heart Hop begins 3/31!

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Blog Hop, Hero of My Heart, Romance at Random

Join Romance at Random for another exciting hop with fantastic prizes!  Starting 3/31 you can enter here for your chance to win:

• 5 eBook copies of HERO OF MY HEART! by Megan Frampton (on sale 4/8)
• 3 eBook copies of A VAMPIRE SALVATION by Virna DePaul (on sale 4/22)
• 2 eBook copies of Taking Shots by Toni Aleo (on sale 4/23)
• AND . . . . . one (US only) prize winner receives a BOX of books! INCLUDING, Debbie Macomber’s STARTING NOW!

Then visit each of the sites found here for more chances to win.  Good luck!

A Most Scandalous Proposal

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A Most Scandalous Proposal, Ashlyn Macnamara, Book Review

Miss Julia St Claire wants nothing to do with love or marriage, especially after watching her older sister, Sophia, pine for a man who hardly realizes she’s alive. But her parents have other plans and agree to a proposal from the newly named Earl of Clivesdon …. The very man her sister has loved for years. Benedict Revelstoke has been Julia’s best friend since childhood. When he realizes Clivesdon’s plan, he tries to save her. Only to realize that his feelings may be more involved than mere friendship.

A Most Scandalous Propsal is Ashlyn Macnamara’s romance debut and it is a historical treat. Not only do we get Julia and Benedict’s story but Sophia also has her happy ever after in the book. All of the characters are well developed and engaging. They have a lot of depth and emotion to them and readers will find themselves quickly drawn into their trials. Because it tells two interwoven stories, the book is a very emotion packed and fast read.

Julia has a certain, understandable, concern with matters of the heart. She has not seen very many positive examples of relationships built on love and it isn’t exactly a common occurrence with Ton marriages. It’s also very easy to understand why Sophia lets herself get caught up in her feelings for Clivesdon. And the relationship that she develops with a man that has been in a similar situation is delightful. Overall, this was an extremely captivating story about two women re-evaluating their views on love and finding where their hearts truly lie.

A Most Scandalous Proposal is a not to be missed first book from an author that is sure to quickly become a reader favorite. Macnamara has an eloquence and charm to her writing that will lend to a long lasting, and popular, career.

The Wanderer

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Book Review, Robyn Carr, The Wanderer

Hank Cooper is only in Thunder Point because of the death of his friend, Ben.  He’s there to pay his respects and find out what memento his old army buddy left him in his will.  But the little something he was expecting turns out to be hundreds of acres of prime beach front property.  Thunder Point is full of small town appeal and welcoming people but it could prove very lucrative to developers if Cooper sells the land. The fate of the town largely resting on him, Cooper decides to take some time to figure out what his friend would want and what the possibilities mean for him.  A nomad by nature, Cooper hasn’t spent a lot of time in any single place since his childhood but as he gets more involved with the town and its people, things could change.

Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series is one of my favorites and I was excited to hear that she was starting a new series.  If you’ve never read one of her books this is the perfect place to start because she gives you practically a clean slate.  There are some references to the Riordans from Virgin River but they are just wink wink moments and don’t really affect this book.  But those who have enjoyed her other books will be pleased to have a new one full of her trademark style of unforgettable characters and intense emotions.

A Carr book is always more than just a romance.  The worlds she create are so powerful that you are convinced you can just get in a car and go for a visit.  The town of Thunder Point is charming, with a cast of engaging characters who take care of each other.  They have their issues but they work together to help where they can.  And Carr’s readers are never given just the story of one person or couple.  Cooper may be the catalyst for our trip to Thunder Point but there are so many people that make up the town and every one of them is a delight.

For old fans who love Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series and new fans who haven’t read one of her book’s before, The Wanderer is a fantastic start of her new Thunder Point series.

What She Wants

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Book Review, Life In Icicle Falls, Sheila Roberts, What She Wants

What She Wants is a fun and unusual take on romances.  This time, we follow three men on their road to romantic happiness.  Jonathan Templer’s fifteen year high school reunion is fast approaching and it’s the perfect opportunity to tell Lissa Castle how he feels.  Jonathan has loved her forever but she’s never seen him as more than a friend.  Kyle Long has a crush on the gorgeous receptionist at work but she’s always overlooking him for other guys.  He’s convinced she just needs to see beyond his short stature to see the great guy he is underneath.  Adam Edwards might be successful in the traditional ways but when he comes home from a business trip to find himself locked out of his house, he’ll need to dig deeper to win back his wife.  Realizing that romance novels are written by women and contain what they are looking for in a man, the poker buddies start reading to figure out what women want.

Roberts brings readers a cute look at the world of romances.  It’s not too unusual to have books told from both points of view, but it is a nice surprise to have this one told exclusively from the men’s side.  And even better, they aren’t the quintessential hunks that usually populates these books.  Jonathan is a nerdy computer geek who wears glasses and graphic tees.  Kyle is short and also a little geeky.  Adam might be the more traditionally good-looking of the group, however he is definitely lacking as a husband.  All three need help to see where they need to improve and learn the things that are important to women.  They have different issues but at the core they are men looking for a mate, someone to make them complete, and it makes for an intriguing read.

What She Wants is a captivating and entertaining look at the men’s perspective on finding love.  They learn a lot about what’s important about themselves, about the women they love and how to be a good partner.

Dating the Devil

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Book Review, Dating the Devil, Lia Romeo

PR Assistant Lucy O’Neill thinks she’s met the perfect guy …. even if he does like to leave his socks on in bed.  Lewis Mephisto is sexy, good-looking, and seems to be very into her.  So what if he occasionally suggests that she does things that she doesn’t agree with – like stealing her bosses only client and leaving for a different firm or taking money from her rich roommate so she can fly with him to Vegas.  Overall he’s just about perfect … until she finds out he’s Satan.

Dating the Devil should be taken in the fun manner in which it is intended.  Don’t try to poke holes in it, just enjoy the ride.  Both Lewis and Lucy are fun and interesting, although out of necessity everything is from Lucy’s point of view.  She does have issues with who he is once she finds out, but amazingly enough it is handled in a very realistic and engaging manner.  Lewis gives Lucy a logical and moving story about balance in the world to explain his job.  This is the part where you need to just take it as it is intended.  It makes sense and his reasoning that people damn themselves, he just gives them the opportunity, works for me.

Let me say it one more time, just have fun with Dating the Devil.  It isn’t a serious discussion on right & wrong, good & evil, God & Satan.  You could substitute his job for any less than desirable, kinda sketchy, one and the theory would be the same – what can you overlook to be with the one you love?  If you like a little paranormal in your romance and enjoy stretching the bounds of realism just a little, this is a great pick.  In the end, it’s a cute, entertaining romance about an everyday woman dating the devil, and should be handled as such.

Lord of Secrets

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Alyssa Everett, Book Review, Lord of Secrets

In Lord of Secrets, after years of travelling the world, Rosalie Whitwell finds herself an orphan when her father dies on a ship sailing back to England from America.  Her only prospects are to go live with her aunt and uncle, who has assumed her father’s title, or find a genteel lady’s job… until she gets an offer of marriage from fellow passenger, the standoffish Lord Deal.  Deal is known for his solitary tendencies.  He avoids most social interactions and comes across as a snob.  When the lovely Rosalie ends up alone, Deal feels the unexpected urge to offer marriage as a way out for her.  Though he is attracted to Rosalie, he’s done things that make him unworthy of her.  Will he be able to get beyond them to make it a real marriage?  Can Rosalie discover what demons haunt him?

I really enjoyed getting to know Rosalie and Deal.  Rosalie has an overwhelming desire to mother and please everyone.  She feels like she has to be useful in order to not be turned away.  After her mother died, her father sent her away to school until she was old enough to benefit him on his travels.  She’s spent the time since making herself useful so he wouldn’t send her away.  A traumatizing event in Deal’s past has shaped his life up to this point.  It has left him with serious doubts about the kind of man he is and whether he is worthy of giving himself fully to Rosalie.  I loved watching these two get to a point where they can move forward with their life together.  I also loved that at the end Rosalie states that Deal’s history will still affect his future at times, so once again love doesn’t fix everything (a big pet peeve for me).  Some things require time and attention to be resolved.

If you are looking for a heartfelt historical, with hard-hitting emotional issues and a sweetly satisfying resolution, Lord of Secrets is your book.

**Coming Soon**

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Blog Hop, Hero of My Heart, Megan Frampton, Romance at Random

Blog Hops with fabulous prizes from Random House Publishing (www.romanceatrandom.com) are coming in April.   Check back on 3/31 for the details on the first one and author Mary Frampton’s book Hero of My Heart.