eARC Review: Forever and A Day by Delilah Marvelle

FOREVER AND A DAY by Delilah Marvelle
FORMAT: eBook via Netgalley
GENRE: Historical
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 384 pages
PUBLISHER: HQN (December 20, 2011)
ISBN: 9780373776368

Roderick Gideon Tremayne, the recently appointed Duke of Wentworth, never expected to find himself in New York City, tracking down a mysterious map important to his late mother. And he certainly never expected to be injured, only to wake up with no memory of who he is. But when he sees the fiery-haired beauty who's taken it upon herself to rescue him, suddenly his memory is the last thing on his mind.

Georgia Milton, the young head of New York's notorious Forty Thieves, feels responsible for the man who was trying to save her bag from a thief. But she's not prepared for the fierce passion he ignites within her. When his memory begins to return, her whole world is threatened, and Roderick must choose between the life he forgot and the life he never knew existed.…

Where To Find Delilah: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Blog
Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N/Nook | Book Depository | Powell's
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

Go and Buy it NOW!

Other Book in Series(click for an excerpt):

novella available now

REVIEW & Series Trailer(contains spoilers, read at your own risk):

Oh sweet Jesu, where do I even begin with this review. So many thoughts are running through my head and what are or are not spoilers. I spent 5 hours starting in the dead of night reading this book and let me tell you, it was worth having an addled brain in the morning. Ah-mazingly Marvelleous. I thought my fan girl crush on Delilah Marvelle couldn't grow anymore but holy feck! It has. A lot.

Reasons to read this book:

1. Sassy, sassy, sassy: Georgia Milton has got quite the mouth on her. From the moment she meets The Brit, she's got quite the quip/repartee repertoire. He asks her for coffee, she tells him to get lost. He asks her again, she tells him she's not looking for a one night toss. Even when the poor Brit gets run over and loses his memory, she's still witty and quick.
2. The Brit: Also known as Robinson Crusoe (after he loses his memory chasing down the ruffian who stole Georgia's reticule) and later known as Roderick Gideon Tremayne, a total Hottie McHottiepantsbreeches. He's ever so persistent when trying to get Georgia to have coffee with him. Poor sap, he'll never see what's coming.
3. The Prince and the Pauper(ette): As Delilah (why yes, we're on a first name basis) dubbed her book. The Brit goes from being a well to do lord with all the luxuries money can buy to a man who pumps water for googly-eyed women, eating yams from a street vendor, falls in love with a woman below his station, dances awkwardly, believes he's Robinson Crusoe, remembers stories from books but doesn't remember his own name, who his family is and if he has a wife or not.
4. My Fair Lady(ish): Okay, so no 'Enry 'Iggins 'ere. After find out who he really is, Roderick wants to marry Georgia (all or nothing) but wants her to be accepted by the snooty London ton. He tells her she must act a lady. Oh, basically loose who she really is and be someone else. But then realizes he must give her up and do what duty requires (duty can go hang for all I care). Enter the volumptuous Lady Burton. She teaches Georgia a thing or two about being a lady, especially how to talk; it's hanging not hangin'. [flashback: The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain]
5. There's a mystery afoot. If you haven't read FOREVER MINE, you're missing out. Roderick's uncle was taken from his hotel room in New York City as a young child. He's been missing for a long time but Roderick is looking for him thanks to the pieces of the map his mother had hidden in books. That's the reason why he's in New York in the first place.
6. Holy feck: Feck, feck, feck! Everyone in the book likes to use that word and you'll be using it instead. 
7. Because Delilah Marvelle Wrote It! Is there any other reason? The woman has a way with getting the reader invested into the story, flipping page after page without wanting to put the book down. The emotions flow freely, the touches are sizzling off the pages and good lord almighty! dark and dangerous come out to play. 

FAVORITE QUOTES(what? I couldn't pick just one):

"He tightened his jaw and glanced toward the young woman sitting beside him on the bench. Georgia. Like the state. Who the hell named their daughter after a state? It would be like naming one's daughter Paris. It be-spoke of too much grandeur with very little to show."

"Unlike you, sir, I'm lookin' to marry. Not dance. A woman of little means, such as myself, need a dependable relationship that will forever and a day. Not your version of a day and a night." (***quotes subject to change in finished copy***)

OVERALL: Seriously, Delilah Marvelle's got a hit on her hands. In typical Delilah fashion, she's got me laughing, sighing, crying, gasping, shouting (very quietly since I finished this in the early morning: 5 hours of nonstop reading and spastic tweeting) at the heroine to shut up and give the hero a chance already and wanting more, so much more after finishing. My love for Delilah Marvelle's stories have grown a zillion-fold *sigh* 1 part The Prince and the Pauper(ette) plus 1 part My Fair Lady(ish) equals Me, Lost in Marvelle™ for 5 hours.

***review copy from Netgalley***

eARC Review: Desired by Nicola Cornick

DESIRED by Nicola Cornick
FORMAT: eBook via Netgalley
GENRE: Historical
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 384 pages
PUBLISHER: HQN Books (November 15,2011)
ISBN: 9780373775903

Tess Darent’s world is unravelling. Danger threatens her stepchildren and she is about to be unmasked as a radical political cartoonist and thrown into gaol. The only thing that can save her is a respectable marriage. But when it comes to tying the knot Tess requires a very special husband – one who has neither the desire nor the ability to consummate their marriage.

Owen Purchase, Viscount Rothbury cannot resist Tess when she asks for the protection of his name. But he has no intention of making a marriage in name only. Will the handsome sea captain be able to persuade the notorious widow to give her heart as well as her reputation into his safekeeping? (source)

Where To Find Nicola: Author Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Where To Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N/Nook| Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it!

Other Books in Series(click on covers for excerpts):


REVIEW:

Oh man! What a great book. I read the first three books of this series and somehow missed out on Notorious (which I will go back and read when I get a chance) but Desired is my favorite. That Owen Purchase, recently minted Viscount Rothbury, is something else.

Tess Darent is the tons scandalously notorious widow. She's racking up husbands like a man collecting mistresses. Husband #1 was her best friend. Husband #2 was an old drunk. Husband #3 did a number on her psyche, verbally, mentally and physically abusing her. She's vowed to never again marry unless the man was impotent and old and very rich. Her outlet is drawing and her political cartoons have the government searching for "Jupiter". They even go to lengths sending in their best man into a brothel searching for this "Jupiter".

Owen Purchase, American and inheriting the title of Viscount Rothbury, has come to England to take responsibility in running his title's accounts and lands. Tess Darent intrigues him and he can't help but wonder what the lovely widow is doing swinging from a bed sheet out the window of a brothel he and his men are searching through. She's fascinated him for some time and he doesn't quite believe that Tess is trying to avoid scandal by rappelling out a brothel window.

With the threat of scandal over hanging her stepdaughter, Tess must find an upstanding Lord to marry. Someone who is old, impotent and loaded. She is willing to give up all her scandalous activities just to make sure a slimy, toady, lecherous old man doesn't get his hands on her fifteen year old stepdaughter. *shudder* And what better way than to look through a book of the tons most eligible bachelors.

Owen talking with her brother-in-law puts an idea into Tess's head. Oh no! Oh, yes! Owen Purchase will be proposed to by one, Teresa Darent. She did propose to each of her past husbands, why not make it a fourth time? Tess proposing intrigues Owen. Neither will back out of the engagement even if it is in name only.

Much to Tess's surprise, her new husband isn't impotent as some people have led her to believe. She must stay strong and not let his advances wear down her defenses. Owen knows that something happened to Tess in her last marriage but not what, which makes her uncomfortable with physical touching.

Now, Owen must make Tess respectable in the eyes of the ton, keep her from getting discovered as "Jupiter" by making her promise not to draw anymore, find the traitor who is willing to betray Tess for a handsome sum of money and show her that touching is a pleasurable thing.

FAVORITE QUOTE: "We need to find you a duke or a prince, old enough to die within a year or two so that his continued existence does not inconvenience you, sickly enough not to be interested in his marital rights and rich enough to increase your fortune! How very romantic!" (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)

OVERALL: Danger, suspense, betrayal, lies, spies, desire, lust and sacrifice. Whoa! This book hooked me from the first mention of Tess escaping capture by rappelling out a brothel window to the happily ever after on the last page. It always makes my heart ache knowing that the heroine of the story has been abused by a previous husband. The mental barriers are sometimes so great that the hero must tread carefully as not to scare her away at the slightest touch. Owen has a way of making Tess feel safe and stirs something in her that scares her a little. Owen and Tess may have started off trying to push the other as far as the other would be willing to go but as the barriers are slowly taken down, their passion for one another explodes off the pages and not only love but respect blossoms.

***requested off Netgalley***

ARC Review: Forever Mine by Delilah Marvelle

FOREVER MINE by Delilah Marvelle
FORMAT: PDF
GENRE: Historical
FILE SIZE: 5KB (about 90 pages)
PUBLISHER: HQN Books (December 1,2011)

London, 1802
Lady Augustine Jane Ascott longs for a man who will do more than offer his hand in marriage. She wants a husband she can trust, someone who will shield her from the darkness of the world. Her heart was broken when her little brother was kidnapped years earlier, and she still carries the pain of his loss.

When the handsome Duke of Wentworth makes his feelings for her known, Augustine's past demons warn her away. Besides, every woman in London knows he's devoted to the memory of his late wife. But is it possible he cares for her after all—and that their love can bring them the peace they both crave? (source)

Where To Find Delilah: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Blog
Where To Buy: Kindle | Nook
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it!

Other Book in Series(click on cover for an excerpt):

coming soon

REVIEW:
Dear Delilah Marvelle,
I love you. In a girl crush sort of way. This prequel to your upcoming Rumor series has me eagerly waiting for the release of FOREVER AND A DAY. I can't believe you left me with more questions than answers. But then again, isn't that what a prequel is for? To hook the reader in and introduce them to a world of danger, betrayal, secrets, discovery and  knee buckling kisses. Well, you've got me. Hook. Line. Sinker. You've had me at the School of Gallantry series. :) [leather dildo ass play anyone??]
Your truly,
Kati R

1800
At seventeen years old, Lady Augustine "Auggie" Jane Ascott loses her brother to a kidnapper in New York City. The man is creeping, Edward Cullen style, and she mentions it to her father. He in turn tells her not to worry, he would have a word with his "friend". Next thing she realizes, Nathaniel is gone, taken away through a secret panel in his room. He only left her with a note: I forgive you. What does that mean?

1802
Two years later, back in London, Auggie falls for Leonard Gabriel Stewart, the Duke of Wentworth. He's slightly obsessed with her, once again Edward Cullen style, and he proposes to her. The ton knows that he is loyal to his dead wife's memory. During their marriage they never conceived so he has no heir. Augustine agrees to the marriage but is there more to the proposal than meets the eye?

There's something about her father that I do not like and I can't put my finger on it. Yet. Something is rotten in Denmark New York.

FAVORITE QUOTE: "Did he like her in the way that she liked him? Probably not. He probably felt sorry for her. Everyone did given her family's tragedy, damn them all." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)

OVERALL: Oh Delilah Marvelle, whyyyy??? December can't come soon enough. I must find out what happens next. Who kidnapped Nathaniel? Will Augustine find true love with the Duke of Wentworth? Is her father somehow involved with the kidnapping? This prequel sets up Marvelle's Rumor series. It takes us on a wild ride from the shadowy streets of New York City to the shadowy corners of a London ballroom full of danger, intrigue, too many secrets and a too handsome Duke. It teases and tantalizes the reader into wanting more, needing more and hoping for more. And I do. Oh so much. If this novella is a precursor of the events waiting to unfold in the series, I hope it gets darker and more twisted. After all, this is Delilah Marvelle's specialty and that's what makes her one of my favorite authors of all time. She doesn't sugar coat the unsexy side of romance. Instead, she comes out swinging that riding crop, giving us a hard whack when we least expect it and we keep begging for more.


***review copy provided by Delilah Marvelle***

eARC Review: Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl

REAL MEN WILL by Victoria Dahl
FORMAT: eBook via NetGalley
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 336 pages
PUBLISHER: Harlequin- HQN (October 25,2011)
ISBN: 9780373776092

It was meant to be a one-night stand. One night of passion. Scorching hot. Then Beth Cantrell and Eric Donovan were supposed to go their separate ways. That’s the only reason he lied about his name, telling her he was really his wild younger brother. Hiding his own identity as the conservative Donovan. The “good” one.
But passion has its own logic, and Eric finds he cannot forget the sable-haired beauty with whom he shared one night of passion. When Beth discovers that Eric has lied, however, she knows he cannot be trusted. Her mind tells her to forget the blue-eyed charmer. If only every fiber of her being did not burn to call him back. (source)

WHERE TO FIND VICTORIA: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr
WHERE TO BUY: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | Book Depository | Powell's
BOOK EXTRAS: Read an Excerpt

Go and buy it NOW!

OTHER BOOKS IN SERIES: (clicking on the covers will take you to excerpts):


REVIEW:OH. MY. GOD. Victoria Dahl you are my new contemporary genre goddess. 
Eric Donovan became a father figure and brewery owner at 24 years old due to the death of his parents. He's had to deal with bad boy brother Jamie's constant fuck ups and sheltering sweet baby sister Tessa all the while running a brewery on his own. Taking on these responsibilities at such a young age had finally taken its toll and begins to make Eric question who he really is. His siblings no longer need him, they're in steady relationships and had grown into their responsibilities at the brewery. 
Beth Cantrell is the owner of The White Orchid, an upscale lingerie and sex toys boutique. For the past six months, all she can think about is Jamie Donovan and the things he did to her with his mouth, his hands and other parts of his body. Sure, she's been with other guys since then but, Jamie keeps creeping back into her thoughts. A night out at Donovan's brings her face to face with the man she can't seem to forget, although leaves her a little confused because a different Jamie Donovan is pointed out to her.
Well, turns out Jamie Donovan isn't the man Beth met at the conference six months ago but Eric, the older, uptight brother. Between Eric's lying, her strained relationship with her father due to a mistake from the past and anxiously waiting for the return of her friend and owner of The White Orchid, Beth must figure out who she is and what she wants. Eric knows he lied to Beth about his name but he swears that's the only thing he lied about. Not really a good way to start to gain her trust.
Their physical relationship is scorching hot! I was waiting for my Kindle to start melting in my hands. Beth's big reveal of her secret shocked me and her inner turmoil of whether to tell her father what she really does for a living or not, had me chanting under my breath--'Do it. Do it. Do it.' Of course, I chanted that as well right before Eric and Beth got touchy feely.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "And you didn't tell me our brother was a goddamned rock star?" (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)
OVERALL: Each book in the Donovan Brothers Brewery trilogy has gotten hotter and hotter. Tessa's (GOOD GIRLS DON'T) was hot, Jamie's (BAD BOYS DO) was hotter, and Eric's (REAL MEN WILL) was a complete scorcher. I had to put it down several times to fan myself and run out on the balcony since the weather has cooled down a bit. My cheeks were flushed, I may have gripped my Kindle to the point of almost breaking it, twice and I sobbed like a baby at the heart to hearts, of which I will not divulge. Also, I may have screamed "Sarsaparilla!" a few times while reading this book. I swear, you need a safe word or something when indulging in a Victoria Dahl book. I mean it's a good thing. The smexing was hel-lo! A perfect ending to a five hearts trilogy (I rated each book with 5 purple hearts.) Now I'm itching for more V.Dahl books. *sigh*
***Book requested from NetGalley.***

Review: A Vampire for Christmas by Laurie London, Michele Hauf, Caridad Pineiro & Alexis Morgan

A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS anthology: ENCHANTED BY BLOOD by Laurie London, MONSTERS DON'T DO CHRISTMAS by Michele Hauf, WHEN HERALD ANGELS SING by Caridad Pineiro, ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS by Alexis Morgan
FORMAT:Mass Market Paperback
GENRE:Paranormal Romance
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK:378 pages
PUBLISHER:Harlequin-HQN (October 18,2011)

All they want for Christmas is you... It's the time of year for twinkling lights on trees and kisses under the mistletoe. Yet the passing of another year means nothing to the stunning immortals who lurk in the shadows of the new-fallen snow.
And they don't care if you've been naughty or nice. Let four fanged lovers open your eyes to a passion you never dared to imagine. After all, there's no place like home for the holidays---and these dazzling vampires can't wait for an invitation.(source: back cover)

WHERE TO FIND LAURIE: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
WHERE TO FIND MICHELE: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
WHERE TO FIND CARIDAD: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
WHERE TO FIND ALEXIS: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
WHERE TO BUY: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | Book Depository
BOOK EXTRAS: Enchanted by Blood | Monsters Don't Do Christmas | When Herald Angels Sing | All I Want for Christmas

Go and Buy it NOW!

REVIEW:
Okay, this is the first time I've written a review for an anthology so it's going to be done almost the same way I do my other book reviews.

OMG y'all. My first Christmas book of the season and I loved it! I may be a little biased on the 5 purple hearts rating since I'm a huge Christmas themed book fan. Don't judge me. I like the feeling of magic that accompanies the season, throw in some hunky fanged men and I just swoon, not due to the loss of blood if they ever take a drink from my jugular, but because of their maleness, their love for their women and the magic of the holidays that brings people together.

Let the magic of the sugar plum fairies usher in the holidays™.

"ENCHANTED BY BLOOD" by Laurie London ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
The vampire and the party planner.

Trace Westfalen, former Guardian and almost member of the Governing Council, is ready to take on the duties required of a Council member. Charlotte Grant has just been abandoned by her friend, who is going home with some guy she just met at the bar. She heads to her car alone. Not a good idea, a woman alone is a huge target for creatures of the night. Cue in the tall, dark stranger who comes to her rescue. Well, he's not really a stranger since they met last Christmas but he wiped her memory after witnessing a traumatic scene. She feels comfortable with him and even allows him to drive her home, in her own car. Trace can't forget a woman like Charlotte. He's still drawn to her, still affected by her nearness and begins to question his decision of wiping her memory. They have a one night stand, which you know isn't going to just be a one night stand.

Charlotte is a decorator and sometimes party planner. He hires Charlotte to plan a Christmas party at his home and they end up falling into a comfortable pattern as they did last Christmas. And cue in the bad guy who pushes Trace to reassess his feeling about Charlotte, who has already fallen in love with him.

FAVORITE QUOTE:"She ran her hands over the wood and for some ungodly reason, she found herself wondering if any of its owners had ever had sex on it. It would've been unplanned, of course. Sex on a hard surface wasn't one set out to do. It would've happened spontaneously."

OVERALL: What a great way to start my Christmas themed reading. We meet characters from the other Sweetblood books, Jackson once again steals the show and I'm left eagerly awaiting his story. The chemistry between Trace and Charlotte sizzled off the pages and their "reunion" is as heady as spiced cider with a splash of rum.

"MONSTERS DON'T DO CHRISTMAS"by Michele Hauf ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 
The vampire and the pop star.

What a way to start the holidays, getting pummeled by werewolves. Daniel Harrison, once had a successful career and all the shiny toys money could buy, until he got turned into a vampire. Olivia Adorata comes upon Daniel fighting with the werewolves and comes to his rescue. She seems so chill with the fact that there are creatures of the night. Olivia decides to take a chance on Daniel and it sort of pays off.

Daniel is one type of monster: vampire. Olivia is another: international pop star persona. The holidays are her time off from that crazy world until her publicist makes her do an appearance to sing Christmas songs. She invites Daniel who is very surprised at who she is. Meanwhile, Daniel is trying to prevent this homeless woman with two little girls, from turning into a vampire. He sees himself as a monster but his compassion and understanding sets him apart from the soulless blood sucking vampires.

As Daniel and Olivia start to fall in love, they must come to grips with the fact Olivia will be in the spotlight due to her career, and Daniel is a very private creature of the night.

FAVORITE QUOTE:"The vampire's fangs glided into her vein and Olivia gasped and clutched his bicep. Her soul glittered and reached for the intrusion, pricking herself upon Daniel's darkness and drowning, sinking, nut loving every wicked moment."

OVERALL:Daniel's compassion for Laura Jones,the homeless woman, had my heart aching. Olivia's need to have a private life away from the spotlight and be "normal" made me smile. I appreciate the entertainment celebrities give me, but I think people need to respect their privacy even if they are public figures. Daniel's constant thinking of himself as a monster sometimes made me want to slap him and yell--'Wake up! You've got a gorgeous woman who is falling for you, you're helping a homeless woman and her kids. Get over yourself!' This is a Christmas story that will warm your heart, make your toes tingle and make you believe that risks are worth taking.

"WHEN HERALD ANGELS SING" by Caridad Pineiro ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
The vampire and guardian angel.

OMG y'all. I cried while reading this book. It's a story where love and sacrifice once kept Damien and Angelina apart but in the end, brought them together for a much deserved HEA.

Angelina is sent to be Damien's guardian angel to protect his soul. She fails the first time by getting herself killed and Damien turned into a vampire. Angelina returns again to save Damien's soul and once again, she fails. Angelina comes back on more time, has her wings cut off by Captain Pedro Ramirez, the man hell bent on claiming Damien's eternal soul.

In A Christmas Carol-like fashion, Angelina shows Damien visions of past Christmas Eves in which she tried to save him. He in turn is an active participant and changes his actions, only to be pulled back into the present, watch what really occurred and come to terms with his deeds. As each past Christmas Eve is re-visited, both Damien and Angelina learn something about each other that they did not know before. If Damien, who has picked fights with Ramirez in the past, ends up killing Ramirez, his soul is damned for eternity

Angelina and Damien must learn from the past and apply that knowledge to the present Christmas Eve in order to thwart Ramirez's attempts at inciting anger so consuming, it leads Damien to killing him.

FAVORITE QUOTE: "Believe in the power of love and all of Heaven will be yours."

OVERALL: Um, why have I not picked up a Caridad Pineiro book until now? From the first page until the last, this story enthralled me. I'm a fan of A Christmas Carol and squeed the moment I realized this was a loose take on that. Out of all the stories in this anthology, Damien and Angelina's had me tearing up while sitting on a bench at the boardwalk looking like a crazy person. This is a heartbreaking story of love, sacrifice, forgiveness and redemption.

"ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS" by Alexis Morgan ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 
The vampire and the diner owner.

This story is a must read. Why? Ugly Christmas t-shirts, a sexy undercover cop who is a vampire, a soft hearted diner owner and a city where the things that go bump in the night are very real but remain hidden in the shadows.

Eagan McHale doesn't like the holidays. Della Breit is a big fan, going as far as donning Christmas t-shirts. Teenage kids turning up mutilated and drained of blood brings them together. Happy freakin' holidays! Eagen must go undercover and what better way to do it than to pretend he's down on his luck and try to work for at the diner situated near the disappearance site?

Della is kind and puts others before herself. She's too trusting and sometimes ends up getting into trouble. Her dishwasher, a teenager, suddenly become unreliable and secretive. She is worried about him but tries not to seem too pushy.

Eagan and Della a very much attracted to each other, despite the disapproval of her friend. As they get to know one another, there's a spark just waiting to explode. Eagan's admission of being a vampire, thanks to a cookie making accident that reveals his true nature, freaks her out for a hot minute but finally accepts him for what he is.

FAVORITE QUOTE: "The sun was rising in the east, meaning he needed to haul ass to get home and get horizontal before the day sleep claimed him right out in the middle of the squad room. The last vampire that had happened to hadn't faired well at the hands of their jokester coworkers."

OVERALL: This story made me smile all the while eyeing my glitter glue, iron on letters, puffy paint and hot glue gun. Why you ask? Della is constantly wearing Christmas themed shirts. You know, like those ugly Christmas sweaters with the 3-D Santa protruding out of your chest or the slightly cartoonish reindeer with a goofy grin? Yeah. Those. From the first line-- "Deck the freakin' halls" until the last, this story had be laughing, guessing and slightly slobbering. I mean, who can resist a sexy vampire? How about an undercover cop? Now put them together and you've got a lethal combination of panty dropping, drool pooling, didn't know I was clenching my thighs together, specimen of a man. Oh Alexis Morgan, why have I not read you before now?


***book provided by Laurie London for review***
Disclaimer: My 5 purple hearts rating was not swayed due to the fact the author provided the review copy. I would have still thoroughly enjoyed this book even if I had picked it up on my own.

eARC Review: Bad Boys Do by Victoria Dahl

BAD BOYS DO by Victoria Dahl
FORMAT: eBook via NetGalley
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
MASS MARKET PAPERBACK: 384 pages
PUBLISHER: Harlequin- HQN (September 27,2011)
ISBN: 9780373776023

Olivia Bishop is no fun. That’s what her ex-husband said. That’s what her smart bob and glasses imply. And with her trademark determination, Olivia sets out to remake her life. She’s going to spend time with her girlfriends and not throw it all away for some man. But when an outing with her book club leads her to a brewery taproom, the dark-haired beauty realizes that trouble – in the form of sexy Jamie Donovan – may be too tempting to avoid.
Jamie Donovan doesn’t mean to be bad. Sure, the wild streak in his wicked green eyes has lured the ladies before. But it’s time to grow up. He’s even ready for a serious romance. But how can that be when Olivia, the only right woman he has ever met, already has him pegged as wrong. (source)

WHERE TO FIND VICTORIA: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr
WHERE TO BUY: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | Book Depository | Powell's
BOOK EXTRAS: Read an Excerpt

Go and buy it NOW!

OTHER BOOKS IN SERIES: (clicking on the covers will take you to excerpts):




REVIEW:
Oh that Jamie Donovan. *sigh* Here's 5 reasons why he makes me sigh:

1. He looks good in and out of a kilt. 
2. He's a great instructor of fun. 
3. He's good with his hands; in bed and putzing about the house.
4. For telling a joke or kissing him, first pint's half price.
5. He's charming, approachable and totally panty dropping worthy.

Previously in GOOD GIRLS DON'T, we meet Jamie Donovan who has completely screwed up. He slept with the daughter of the man that the brewery was planning on doing business with and on top of that, the woman he slept with steals the security code so her brother could break in to the brewery to steal sensitive information. Jamie has a rocky relationship with his brother Eric and still thinks of his sister, Tessa, as an innocent little girl.

All his life, he's felt like a no-good fuck up and finally wants to be more than the bad boy who the ladies swoon over when he's wearing his kilt. He's ready to take on more responsibility at the brewery besides being bartender, server and 1/3 owner, and he's got a plan. A really good one. He secretly takes a class on food and beverage management to help him with his plan.

Olivia Bishop doesn't know what fun is. You wouldn't either if you were married to some stuck up tenure chasing professor. Of course, Olivia is no longer married to Victor who she walked in on going at it with a student. Yikes! She's ready to discover who the real Olivia is and well, learning to have fun with Jamie seems like a good way to start.

In exchange for Jamie teaching Olivia how to have fun, she would help him with his plan to expand the brewery into a brewpub. And cue in the bow chicka wow wow music. Insert hot for teacher joke here.

Olivia and Jamie enter into a deliciously hot sexual relationship (hello mirror!) and must deal with creepy, possessive ex-husband Victor, Olivia's insecurity about her age and Jamie's volatile relationship regarding the expansion of the brewery with Eric while trying to deny their growing emotional attraction to each other and pfft-ing it off as hot and heavy sexual attraction. Didja get all that?

FAVORITE QUOTE: "'What the hell?' Jamie muttered, his skin still hot with embarrassment, thought half of his embarrassment was because he wasn't sure what he was upset about: That he'd just been accused of inviting his brewmaster to come on to him, or that his brewmaster had rejected him out of hand?" (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)

OVERALL: Tessa's book (GOOD GIRLS DON'T) was pretty hot but Jamie's book (BAD BOYS DO) was hotter. I'm sure Eric's will be the hottest. Ms. Dahl makes me smile every time I read one of her books and BAD BOYS DO is no different. I like love lust Jamie Donovan. He's a bad boy with a good heart. (Wait, is that like a hooker with a heart of gold?) Anyway, this hot for teacher, older woman/younger man story is  well done. Okay, hot for instructor if you want to get technical. Olivia sort of annoyed me when she kept emphasizing on their age difference but I grew to like her. This book is sexy, funny and heart warming at times. P.S. I wanted to punch Victor in the face and may have cheered when Jamie did. :)

***Requested off of NetGalley***

eARC Review: Good Girls Don't by Victoria Dahl

Good Girls Don't by Victoria Dahl
Format: eBook through NetGalley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin- HQN (August 30, 2011)
ISBN: 9780373775958
With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman – or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break-in at her family’s brewery. He’s got his own problems – starting with the fact that his partner Simone is pregnant and everyone thinks he's the father. The last thing he needs is a nice girl like Tessa getting under his skin.Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother’s playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tensions could tear her tight-knit family apart.  In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their “baby” sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. (source)

Where To Buy: Amazon | Barnes&Noble/Nook | Indiebound | Book Depository
Where To Find Victoria: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Tumblr
Extras: Read an Excerpt

Go and buy it NOW!

Other Books in Series Coming Soon (Donovan Brothers Brewery):




REVIEW:

Dear Victoria Dahl,
Why have I not picked up your contemporaries? I've read your historicals and absolutely loved them. Thanks for getting me back into romance. The Duke of Somerhart will forever be the first hero in my harem. Now, back to contemporaries. Oh yeah, I'm not normally a big fan of them but after reading GOOD GIRLS DON'T, I'll be sure to give contemporaries the good, slow loving they deserve.
I have a new appreciation for men in uniform and a sudden need to order a round of Hefeweizen.
Sincerely,
Kati R

Top Reasons To Read This Book:
Hot detective? Check. Fighting brothers? Check. Peace keeping sister? Check. Bi-sexual brew master? Check. Family owned brewery? Check. Use of social media especially awesome tweets by heroine? Ha-larious! Check and double check.

Other Reasons To Read This Book:

1. Luke Asher. Helloooo detective! Luke has a bit of problem. His partner is pregnant, which the whole town thinks is his. His ex did quite a number on his psyche and it is affecting his relationship with Tessa. He supposedly walked out on his ex while she was battling cancer and his mother still has a close relationship with her.   
2. Tessa Donovan. I love her. She is quite witty, spunky and all around family peace keeper.She's trying to keep Eric from finding out that the deal between Kendall Group and Donovan Brothers Brewery has gone sour. She's the little sister that is perceived as innocent, at least until Luke Asher comes along. Commence the panty dropping...
3. Jamie Donovan. Oh Jamie. He can't keep it in his pants. He sleeps with the daughter of the man who owns the airline that they're trying to get their beer served on. Uh oh! Perhaps my favorite Donovan brother? I'll have to wait for BAD BOYS DO.
4. Eric Donovan. Eric was thrust into the father role for Jamie and Tessa at 24 years old. He's the desk jockey for the brewery. He is the responsible older brother and is constantly butting heads with Jamie since he's a little wayyy irresponsible (or at least in Eric's eyes). Or maybe he's my favorite Donovan brother? I'll have to wait for REAL MEN WILL.
5. Hot loving. There's something about a man in a shoulder holster that I've come to appreciate. He's got quite the, ahem, gun for the job. In the bed, in the car, against the wall, in the shower... you get the point.
6. Twitter! Tessa sends out hilarious and clever tweets announcing specials at the bar. Like this one: Feeling my Celtic roots tonight, ladies. You know what that means. Come on by and say slainte. I'm still waiting for my local bars to have awesome tweets like this. But then again, I'd be constantly broke and drunk.

Favorite Quote: "His features were a little harsh. His jaw a little too cruel looking, but the sparkle in his eyes transformed him into a charming rogue. Tessa was glad her jeans would keep her panties firmly in place...for a few hours." (***quote subject to change in finished copy***)

Overall: Well Ms. Dahl. You've done it again. At least for me. I will be adding the rest of this series to my wish list and in the meantime, I'll be reading your Tumble Creek series. You have quite a way with words and my kind of humor. From the first to the last page, I laughed, giggled, sighed, teared up, lusted after a certain detective and debated with myself as who broke into the brewery. A plot twist indeed. Take a sexy detective, a witty heroine, throw in overprotective brothers and a brewery break in, and you've got a recipe for a laugh out loud, heart tugging, down there tingling, keeper of a book.


***Requested off of NetGalley.***

eARC Review: Embraced by Blood by Laurie London

Embraced by Blood by Laurie London (Sweetblood Book #2)
Format: eBook via NetGalley
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Harlequin-HQN (June 21, 2011)
ISBN:9780373775866
Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, two vampire coalitions battle for supremacy—
Guardian enforcers who safeguard humanity, and Darkbloods, rogues who kill like their ancient ancestors.
Alfonso Serrano is a hunted man. For months he’s managed to elude the Darkbloods, vengeful foes who won’t rest until he’s dead. But he still craves one dangerous temptation: Lily DeGraff, the sexy Guardian agent he’ll risk anything to protect.
Lily is a wanted woman. Her talent for tracking Sweet—a rare blood type that’s addictive to vampires—makes her a prime target for enemy capture. Her only hope is the stealthy vampire operative who stole into her bed…then left her in despair. Danger aside, Lily won’t let Alfonso near her heart again—until an irresistible hunger threatens to draw them back together… and into an assassin’s snare.

Where To Buy: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Nook | Powell's Books | Book Depository
Where To Find Laurie: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Extras: Read An Excerpt 

I loved it.

REVIEW:

---

Shhh...don't tell Vicky Dreiling that I might be dropping Hawk for Alfonso as my new book boyfriend. There's so much I want to say but I can't be giving you guys spoilers! For everyone who has read BONDED BY BLOOD, you know that Alfonso had turned to the Dark Side centuries ago and this upset his brother, Dominic. For a long time, he did horrible, unspeakable things. He even caused the death of his parents, of which his brother wouldn't forgive him. Only spoiler I'll give you (for those who haven't read the first book) is: Alfonso was a double agent. He helped take down the Overlord and everyone believed he died in the fight.

This book picks up a year later. He has decided to atone for his mistakes, starting with recreating the villa in which his family lived in Spain. He still has a thing for Lily and surprise! Lily feels the same.

Top 5 Things I Liked About This Book:

1. Alfonso Serrano- He's been on the run since helping the Guardians take down the Overlord Pavlos. After taking the Blood Oath centuries ago, this allowed him into the inner circle and along with the Oath, came the blood assassin. Should he betray the Alliance, his blood assassin would be activated, and activated he was. Alfonso is broken physically and mentally. He's had to live with the knowledge that his past actions have hurt many people including Lily. He thought he could just silently look after Lily and not get involved. Again. Boy was he wrong! 
2. Lily DeGraff- Lily is a Tracker and recently she's been having issues with her ability. Once one of the best Trackers in the Agency, she's unable to latch on to scent trails quickly and is disgusted with herself. She is scared to let anyone know because she feels everyone will think less of her. Her father is an elite member of the Council and so many in the Agency thought she got the job through familial connections. She has a little girl whom she loves very much. Zoe is her world. Her ex, Stephen, is a jerk and doesn't seem to care much for Zoe. She still has feelings for Alfonso and is determined to keep them at bay. Because of the lessening of her ability, her trainee is abducted and tortured. 
3. Second Chances- I am a sucker for second chance stories. They say third times that charm, but second chances are worth the wait and the road to HEA is paved with redemption and forgiveness.
4. San Diego and Seattle- I may have fan girled out a little when San Diego was mentioned. There's quite a few familiar places in this book which sort of makes it feel realistic. I mean, could the guy living next door to me be a Guardian? Or the cute guy that comes into Starbucks every morning, could he be a Tracker? Could the smelly place near the beach be a Darkblood hideout? Maybe Kurt, the guy from the MMA Gym is as funny as Jackson? Oh, only a girl can imagine. 
5. Jackson and Santiago- Two for the price of one. I'm so glad Jackson gets his own book next. He's a funny, if slightly blockheaded guy, and seems to steal the scenes he's in with a bawdy joke or a quick remark that would put a smile on anyones face. He's a wall of solid muscle and loves his food. Get in his way and you might loose a finger or two. He's harboring a secret though and I can't wait to find out what it is. Santiago is the Region Commander and he's the guy to avoid. He's got a temper as hot as the fireworks on the Fourth of July, cusses like a sailor (perhaps a curse jar is in order-someone would make a lot of money off of him) and he knows everything about everyone. Even when Alfonso divulged his deepest, darkest secret, Santiago didn't flinch. He's the one to look out for. There's got to be an interesting back story to this guy. 

Favorite Quote: "We hang out now, have fun. You tell me about the women you date, and I try to keep them all straight. I'm afraid you've become more like the little brother I never had. A little brother with giant muscles. Jeez, what are you feeding these things?" (***quote subject to change in finished copy of book***)


Overall: I really enjoyed this second book in the Sweetblood's series. I cannot wait to see what Ms. London has in store for us readers. I'm looking forward to how Jackson gets his HEA and if Santiago finally finds someone who can reign in his temper and potty mouth. This is a laugh out loud, heart tugging, unputdownable read. For the past 2 days, it became my Sangre Dulce. It called to me, wanting me to dive in and see if old friends from BONDED BY BLOOD surfaced, and if Alfonso receives his much deserved road to redemption with a HEA. Ms. London did NOT disappoint. Oh, and be on the lookout for the gasp worthy moment or two at the end of the book. Got your attention, haven't I? Seriously. You need to get your copy today.




***I requested this book from NetGalley***