Reckless Love

by Elizabeth Lowell

#3 Read and Reviewed for Summer Challenge

Rated 5 stars

Back Cover:

Janna Wayland has survived in treacherous Utah Territory by using her wits, her grit and her knife. She is as bold and free as Lucifer, the wild stallion she vows to protect from men who would stop at nothing to possess him. Men like Ty McKenzie, whose will to survive is as strong as her own.

Nursing Ty back from death's grasp, she realizes that neither Lucifer nor her heart are safe from this man's fierce determination. Now Janna must follow Ty on a perilous trek through the badlands, battling renegade warriors, the elements and her own reckless heart with a fury that can be tamed only by love itself.

My Thoughts:

As I write this review, I find that I'm nervous that I will not do justice to this book. Ok, my only criticism. I'll get that out of the way. Ms. Lowell describes in absolute detail the geography. Every butte/ravine/creek/canyon etc. I'm not that familiar with the desert so it meant very little to me, BUT if I were familiar with that landscape and loved it like she obviously does, it probably would have enhanced the story for me. Ok, #2. Everyone knows that I don't need or particularly want graphic descriptions regarding the steamier more personal aspects of the romance story. There were times (not every/all times)when I felt the language was a little more than necessary. I also know that that is a matter of opinion for me, and therefore does not disqualify this book as a 5 star for me. The raw emotion and the story were so compelling for me that it overshadowed any criticism I may have.

Janna Wayland is an orphaned woman alone in a hazardous land filled with renegades and Mustangers who are intent to capture a wild mustang that she has vowed to protect. So not only is the lanscape harsh and difficult but the inhabitants of that landscape are dangerous as well. When Janna first sees Ty he is being beaten by a group of renegade indians and will more than likely be let to run so that he can be hunted, tortured and killed. He shows true grit in the chase and true courage. Janna finds him and rescues him before the indians can finish their dastardly plan. She nursed him back to health while hiding the fact that she is a woman by dressing like a man and hiding her hair.

Ty has plans and dreams. He wants Lucifer the mustang Janna has vowed to protect so that he can start a herd of horses on his Montana ranch and he wants to make his fortune so that he can find and court a "Silken Lady". A woman who is pure femininity and absolute beauty, and perfect creamy grace. As he is sharing his dream with the "boy" who rescued him, little does he know that he is breaking her heart with every word.

So you see the romantic drama. Eventually Ty finds out that the "boy" is indeed a woman and a passionate, loving, brave, capable women. Due to some rather amazing circumstances Janna and Ty catch Lucifer and as Ty begins to win his trust and loyalty, he doesn't realize that Janna is taming Ty as well. Each little step of the way, he fights and it hurts her desperately to be reminded that she's no "Silken Lady" but slowly and methodically she earns his love, and loyalty.

I was drawn in almost immediately and every time I had to put the book down, (I mean who needs to eat or sleep or take kids to school or work?) I couldn't wait until I could pick it back up again. I wanted to know, how/when they were going to come together. I wanted to know when Ty was going to truly see Janna for the perfect fit for him that she was. I needed to know what was going to happen next.

If you like westerns at all, you should read this book. If you don't like westerns typically, you should try this book.

Dark Lover

by JR Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood~1)

Rated 4 stars

#11 Title read/reviewed in Winter Challenge

Back Cover:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood. The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.

My Thoughts:

I'll say, there were parts of this book that were dry. I understand the need for that since this is the first in the series and she is setting up her entire culture with all its lengends and myths and beliefs and laws. So, I'll give her some space to do that. Besides that, I found the Lesser POV to be almost a distraction from the story. I don't know, if they play a real role in future books, but honestly I think the lessers could have been almost the invisible enemy and the story would have been just as good, maybe even better. Am I supposed to bond with them, feel sympathy for them, hate them? I just could have done without them really, or rather without having to read from their pov. Anyway......

Wrath, I loved. I loved the interplay between all the fellas. I loved Butch. I loved the wise-a$$ remarks between all of them. I'm already more than a little in love with Z and Butch for sure. The others are close behind. I'm glad that Wrath steps up, and does the right thing over and over. (with Beth, Marissa, the Scribe Virgin...)

Beth, well what's not to love. First of all, she has an awesome name....(heh heh!) I liked that she was a "guys girl". I like that she is drawn to this type of guy before she even meets them (all the cops, ya know?!) She's not a patsy, she has a backbone and is not afraid to use it...I'm hoping she'll be a good influence on Marissa and hope that she and Wellsie become great friends.

I've had this book for a couple of months but for some reason hesitated to read it. I'm glad I did and am already looking forward to the next ones. I know that the rest of the series is supposed to be even better than this one, and that means they will be great, cuz this one is really good.

Sun Kissed

by Catherine Anderson

# 3 Sun/Moon/Stars Title

rated 4 stars

Back Cover:

When Samantha Harrington attends the local rodeo, she doesn't expect to wind up in jail. But that's precisely what happens when she tries to stop a drunkard from abusing his horse. At least she isn't alone. Tucker Coulter, a handsome local veterinarian, comes to her defense--and is arrested too. The charges are dropped, but Sam's troubles have only started. Her champion quarter horses are falling ill and the culprit is poison--and a bad guy, of course. Tucker, saves the day, sparks fly, sweet story.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyes this story. It was my first Catherine Anderson. It's a contemporary western-ish romance about a woman from a wealthy family who is a Quarter Horse breeder and a super large animal vet. There is a lot of horse jargon, and some of the details of the symptons of the horse's ailments are...."earthy". So if bodily function/medical talk icks you out, you will not like parts of this. I think it's done well, and is part of the story. There is only 1 "love" scene. So it's not a "Steamy" book, but I loved that as their afterglow stars, so does the chaos. As her father starts banging on the doors and looking for our heroine. They hop up like busted teenagers, and scramble to get dressed and act like nothing happened. (very cute scene if you ask me!!)

The mystery was just so so. I figured it out by chapter 2 before it even started. But, that's ok, for me cuz that's not why I read these. I did enjoy the relationship between Tucker and Samantha. I also enjoyed that where many authors would have increased tension by miscommunications and anger where it wasn't necessary, Ms. Anderson didn't do that. She believes him, and trusts him, and he believes in her.

I'll read her again, but am not sure yet if Catherine Anderson will be a favorite/auto buy or not yet. Overall this was a solid book, and a quick read. A definate 4 stars for me.

Sisters Found

by Joan Johnston

#1 Western or set in the west...

rated 3.5 stars

pages 377

Back Cover:

Three Sisters. Three Lives. Three Hearts. Reunited in a Stunning Drama of Passion and Secrets.
Charity--Beautiful, bold and uncertain of love after being abandoned as on infant, Charity is bewildered by Kane Longstreet's marriage proposal. Despite her misgivings, she agrees to go home with Kane for the holidays. But at his cousin's engagement party at Hawk's Pride, she gets the shock of her life when she comes face-to-face with identical twin sisters Hope and Faith Butler, and sees a mirror image of herself.
Hope--The stunning discovery that she is a triplet does little to distract Hope from her own personal heartbreak. The man she has loved all her life, Jake Whitelaw, is about to marry someone else. With only two weeks until the wedding, she needs a miracle. And thanks to her determined sisters, she might just get it.
Faith--Fearing that her parents gave Charity up for adoption because of her own special needs as a child, Faith is consumed by guilt. She vows to see both her sisters happy, no matter what it takes. That means she's got to break up one wedding, arrange a couple more . . . and seize her own chance for happiness.

My Thoughts:

this was a pleasant read. Jake was a tortured hero, although I'm not really sure why...Hope was ok, but there were times when things just didn't add up. In one scene, Hope and Jake are starting the Mack, then she decides she doesn't want to lose her virginity this way, but with someone who loves her. So she's all...No, I should leave, this will never work. Then a few minutes later she's decided that oh, yea this is going to happen this way and don't try to stop me... I liked Faith and Randy although we really didn't get to know them that well. Now, Kane and Charity were ok, but we don't know anything about Kane from this book. Charity has some issues to work thru and keeps waffling about whether she's forgiving her parents or trying to hurt them. Very split personality. Now I know that we all have emotions that waffle from time to time however I didn't feel like Ms. Johnston wrote this inner emotional turmoil very well. It didn't translate well. It was a quick read and pleasant but not a keeper.

Tall Tales and Wedding Veils

Tall Tales and Wedding Veils by Jane Graves

Rated 5 stars

Pages 378

Back Cover:

Marry in Haste...Accountant Heather Montgomery is a planner. So never in her wildest dreams did she think she'd run into sexy charmer Tony McCaffrey in Vegas, play lady luck, and celebrate his jackpot with a champagne-soaked night. And she certainly never expected to wake up the next morning married! How could this good girl pick a man whose fridge is empty and whose apartment is a disaster zone, yet still drives her crazy with lust she can't see straight?

Lust at Leisure! Quickly hitched and happily ditched, Tony can't wait to get back to his playboy ways. But when Heather's family is thrilled that their no-nonsense daughter is finally in love, he proposes a plan: stay married for a month to repay his good luck charm, even though she sterilizes his toothbrush and forbids anything between the sheets. But Heather is more than he bargained for---a sharp-witted, passionate woman who just might turn his near miss into wedded bliss!

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this story. I've been giving out a number of 5's lately, but I did really like it. Heather is not a perfect size 2, who's soooo beautiful that she makes men lose their minds at the site of her. Tony, is a good looking guy who hides a good heart. They both have their insecurities and family issues. Even though the premise is a little weak, I don't care. I like that they come to a friendly place and work together. I like that the sex is fun, not just steamy. I mean don't get me wrong, they have plenty of steamy, but most real people are ticklish too. They spend much of their first time together giggling, and that is good to me. Healthy, normal! I mean really, sometimes when your fella lightly caresses your (fill in the blank) is kinda tickles. It does! Especially if your nervous, or something, so I like that these characters had some real responses. Not to mention purple fuzzy handcuffs!

It also helps that I live minutes from Plano, Tx. and it's so cool to read a book set in (almost) my backyard! I knew the highways, roads and malls that she mentions. So groovy! There's even a little sports bar about a mile from my house! They have kids karaoke on tuesday nights.

The Raven Prince

The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt

#2 Read a book reviewed in the Fall Reading Challenge

Pages 356

rated 4.5 stars

Back Cover:

THERE COMES A TIME IN A LADY'S LIFE...Widowed Anna Wren is having a wretched day. After an arrogant male on horseback nearly squashes her, she arrives home to learn that she is in dire financial straits. What is a gently bred lady to do?WHEN SHE MUST DO THE UNTHINKABLE...The Earl of Swartingham is in a quandary. Having frightened off two secretaries, Edward de Raaf needs someone who can withstand his bad temper and boorish behavior. Dammit! How hard can it be to find a decent secretary?AND FIND EMPLOYMENT.When Anna becomes the earl's secretary, both their problems are solved. Then she discovers he plans to visit the most notorious brothel in London for his "manly" needs. Well! Anna sees red--and decides to assuage her "womanly" desires...with the earl as her unknowing lover.

My Thoughts:

I liked this story quite a bit. I liked the heroine as a woman who doesn't back down. I liked that she pushed her own comfort zone in several areas. finding a job, her wants and needs, following her conscience, and even in the bedroom. I like reading about women of courage. I liked the hero. He wasn't a perfect picture of manly attraction. I liked that he had his insecurities about his appearance, and that he had a temper and knew it. I liked that he liked her courage. I liked that he liked the dog and horse. I liked the secondary characters. Some of whom were a little ridiculous like Hopple and his wardrobe. I felt like I got to know the deepest longings of the couple without it being a pity party. They wanted what they wanted and were self-aware enough to realize it.

This book was..."Steamier" than I typically read. It was ok, but a little too much for me at this time. That is the sole reason I didn't give this book a 5 stars. If you like steamy, then this book is a must read. If you don't, then read at your own risk. The story was great.

When I Fall in Love

When I Fall in Love by Lynn Kurland

Title with a "W" Word

pages 445

rated 5 stars

Back Cover:

Nicholas dePiaget is finished with demoiselles more interested in his riches than his heart. He is certain he'll spend the rest of his life in his leaky castle, watching others enjoy wedded bliss, until he stumbles upon a flame-haired maiden in distress. His honor demands that he help her return home-if only his heart would allow it.

Jennifer McKinnon is convinced that there are no more knights in shining armor-at least not in Manhattan. Then a chance trip to England leaves her wondering if a happily ever after might be in her future. Little does she know that a hero of legendary chivalry awaits her...eight hundred years in the past.

But desires of the heart and dangerous secrets threaten to tear them apart, and only time will tell if true love can lead them to a fairy-tale ending....

My Thoughts:

I really loved this story. It was a great romantic tale. It truly was a fairy tale for grown-ups. Ms. Kurland writes real people with humor and grace. She acknowledges their flaws and makes them real. The story of Nicholas and Jennifer is full of passion and romance. They both have to come to terms with the complications that time travel provides. I enjoyed the natural progression of Nick and Jennifer's relationship as they each come to realize their love for each other and make choices that will affect their future together. There were bittersweet moments where each was trying to look to the needs of the other. I enjoyed the secondary character who were written well and displayed ranges of emotion but most of all dedication to one another.

Something else I like about this book was that it didn't have a "love scene". It's kinda nice to hear of an alpha male who falls in love with someone without having to continually read about the state of his..."kibbles and bits". I mean really, sometimes the way some of these stories are written it's a wonder that these guys can walk straight! **rolls eyes** Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good steamy story too, but a pure romance is a nice fresh change of pace from time to time.

My only complaint would be that When I Fall in Love is obviously part of a series, and not the first in that series. My personal preference is to read books in order. There seemed to be many back stories and many other pairings of past/present that I felt like it would have enhanced my story experience to have known from the onset. But that's my fault for not doing the research before reading it.

New Author Challenge 2009

I know! How many challenges do I think I can do? I don't know! But they are sooo much fun. This one is hosted by LiteraryEscapeism. It's pretty easy.

The idea is to read 50 (or as many as you want) new authors (to you) throughout 2009. Here are the guidelines:
The challenge will run from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.
Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels, but anthologies are also a great way to try someone new.
I want this to be an easy challenge, so you state how many new authors you want to try this year and then that’s your challenge.

For more information click on the icon above!

I'm going to try for 20 new authors for me! I already have several in my TBR pile! **rubs hands together in anticipation*

I'll be posting the list of new authors here as well as tagging the reviews as (NAC09).

1. Lynn Kurland "When I Fall in Love" rated5

2. Elizabeth Hoyt "The Raven Prince" rated 4.5 stars

3. Christie Ridgeway "How to Knit a Wild Bikini" rated 3 stars

4.Jane Graves "Tall Tales and Wedding Veils" rated 5 stars

5. Unwed and Undead by Mary Janice Davidson rated 2.5-3 stars (see review)

6. Sisters Found by Joan Johnston rated 3.5 stars

7. Sun Kissed by Catherine Anderson rated 4 stars

8. Dark Lover by JR Ward rated 4 stars

9. She's Got it Bad by Sarah Mayberry 4 stars

10. The Duke and I by Julia Quinn 4.5 stars

11. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer 4 stars

12. The Nerd Who Loved Me by Vicki Lewis Thompson 4 stars

13.Line of Scrimmage by Marie Force 4.5 stars

14.The Secret Life of Bryan by Lori Foster 3.5 stars

15. Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julia James 4 stars

16.Reckless Love by Elizabeth Lowell 5 stars

17.The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie by Jennifer Ashley 4.5 stars

18. For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper 4 stars

19.It Happened One Night by Lisa Dale 4 stars

20.The Frasers-Clay by Ana Leigh 4.5 stars

21.Talk of the Town by Karen Hawkins 4 stars

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