Serial Readers Challenge

Well, my dear read-a-holics this year is winding down and coming to a close. It has been a very rewarding literary year for me, and a rewarding year in other areas of my life as well. However, the subject of this post is the wrap up for the Serial Readers Challenge.

I know this time of year is sooo busy, so I've extended the due date for your wrap up post until January 14th. Hopefully by then we will all have had time to update our lists, and post all our wonderful books we've read. I know, I've been keeping a running total with the books I've read, and it has been fun.

I'd love to hear on your wrap up posts not only the books you've read, and so forth, but what titles you loved and why. We discover so many new authors that way. Please post your wrap up posts here and we'll have so much fun looking over each others lists. I know I will. I'll be posting mine as well.

I hope dear Read-a-holics that this was a fun challenge for you. I hope that you got great enjoyment from starting and finishing series this year. Maybe you discovered new authors that are now cherished favorites. I know I did, Julia Quinn is my new best friend. Of course, she doesn't know it, but hey some friendships are just that way. I fell in love with the Brothers this year, and am finding the wait for the next book AGONIZING!! Mostly, I hope you all enjoyed the books you've read.

I look forward to hearing from you all. Happy New Year!

Tempting

by Susan Mallery

rated 4 Stars

Back Cover:

After three romantic flame-outs in a year and a restaurant career going nowhere, Dani Buchanan needs a fresh start. She goes looking for her biological father, but never expects to find a senator running for president. As his long-lost 'love child,' Dani could seriously derail the election— something his handsome campaign manager Alex Canfield isn't going to let happen. Dani isn't about to let Alex run her life, no matter how tempting she finds him—and Alex isn't going to allow Dani to melt his cynicism, no matter how close he has to get. The last thing either of them wants is love, especially with scandals brewing and family trouble on the way. But Dani and Alex are forced to trust each other, and when trust turns to passion, the potential for disaster is only a tabloid scandal away.

My Thoughts:

I wasn't sure how I'd like Dani's story. She lost points with me over Gary in the last book. I need my lead characters to be sympathetic characters. We met Dani a few weeks after the end of Sizzling. Her grandmonster Gloria has bequethed to her the name of her biological father. He happens to be Mark Canfield the Junior Senator from the state of Washington. He happens to have dreams of the White House. Dani tries to meet him and meets his Campaign Aid, Alex, who happens to be his adopted son. Alex will stop at nothing to protect his family and that means also protecting his father's bid for the White House.

Unfortunately for Dani and Alex sparks fly. It's unfortunate for them, because it really complicates things. Not only is he the son of a high profile politician but he has entered into an affair with that same politician's daughter. Luckily for us, they are not really related by biology, since the chemistry is soooo slamming. (Get it...biology/chemistry?)

Alex is not the only adopted child of Mark and Katherine Canfield. He is the first of 8 all of whom have some circumstances that many would think would make them unadoptable. Dani falls in love with the children even before she falls for Alex. Katherine is the ultimate politician's wife and suffers her shame (not able to bear children/husband's secret love child) in silence and always says all the right things in the right way, while wearing the right pearls. She's redeemed by the fact that she is hopelessly in love with her husband. He finally redeems himself in my eyes by making her understand that he really does love her completely.

Alex and Dani do the near miss until they finally connect. The chemistry is great and the journey is good. I like Ms. Mallery's use secondary characters. I didn't bond well with Mark or Katherine. He was cool and distant and she was insecure and a martyr. Ick! Well, he warmed up a little and she grew a pair. I'm very proud of her. I'm also proud of Dani and Alex for opening themselves up to Love!!!

So Into You

By Sandra Hill
#11 Title with an S word for Summer
Rated 4 Stars

Authors Synopsis:

Angel Sabato was an ex-poker champ, bayou treasure hunter, and Playgirl centerfold.

Grace O'Brien is an ex-poker playing nun, folk healer with a secret.

When Grace rejects Angel's love, he hightails it out of Louisiana, but neither of them take into account the wacky Cajun matchmaker Tante Lulu who has them in her crosshairs. They don't stand a chance, nor do the precious orphans being rescued by the new Jude's Angels Foundation.
My Thoughts:

I've been a fan of The Cajun Books and the Jinx Books by Ms Hill for some time. We met Angel and Grace in Pink Jinx. We are reintroduced to them in wild Jinx. I came to like them very much. I enjoyed that they were fun. For example Angel was always cracking Nun jokes with a dirty twist to Grace.

I liked So Into You, but found that the interactions were less....witty than I'd come to expect. We don't see the banter between Grace and Angel that I'd have liked. Yes, Tanta Lulu is there and she brings all the hilarity that you'd expect from her. We also catch up with the LeDeux men including Dan and Aaron. I have a feeling we'll get to know Dan more very soon.

Anyway, Grace is keeping a big secret and just knows that telling Angel (who has been her best friend for years) the truth will ruin their friendship. Really!!! Her big bad secret is that she got pregnant at the age of 16 and gave the baby up for adoption. Ooooooo! I know! Listen, in this day and age, that's the least problematic secret. I mean, if she's fessed up to being born male or something....Now that would have been a real problem. Geez!

I liked it better than Pink Jinx, but it is not my favorite. I'm hoping for a return to the books I know and love with her next book.

Irresistible

by Susan Mallery

Back Cover:
When ex-Marine Walker Buchanan stops to help Elissa Towers change a tire, he tells himself it's just the neighborly thing to do.

And when Elissa finds herself baking him a thank-you pie, she's just returning the favor... right?

Both of them have sworn off dating -- Elissa's determined to protect her little girl, and that means ditching her taste for dangerous men... especially former Marines with dark secrets. Walker knows that he's not cut out for hearth and home; his own crazy family made sure of that. But the sparks won't stop flying between them.

My Thoughts:

This was the story of Walker Buchanan the younger brother of Cal Buchanan from "Delicious". Walker is the loner of the Buchanan family. Immediately after graduating high school he joined the Marines. It is understood by all that he did so, to aggravate his evil Grandmonster Gloria. Upon retiring from the Corps, he is on a mission to find the loved one of a fallen brother. He rents an apartment in the same building as Mrs. Ford, the 90-something spitfire and Elissa Towers and her daughter Zoe.

Elissa is an independant single mom trying to do the best she can. She has sworn off men, so she can focus on raising her daughter. Besides, if her track record shows anything, it's a lack of good choices in the Dude Dept! However, her new neighbor sure is a sight to behold.

A flat tire starts a chain of events that neither of them knew would change their lives forever.

I have to say, that for some reason I love old folks as secondary characters. I especially like when they are spunky. My grandma was kinda spunky, so I think that's what I find so endearing. I also like when big burly Mancakes are forced to interact with little kids especially little girlie girls. There is just something about the finding of your inner opposite that apeals to me. So imaging my glee when Ex-marine bad Dewd, Walker gets more than his fair share of 90+ Mrs. Ford and 5 year old Zoe. Love it!!! He even babysat, and it would have been great for him to be caught, having a tea party or humming the Dora song or something. Like when my DH let my 11 year old paint his toenails the other day. Lime green toes with glitter. (he can pull that off.)

I did find their "secrets" a little annoying. They were too witholding for too long. I felt like, most people would have opened up a little sooner, or the whole relationship would have come around more slowly. I mean, she's ok with letting a single man, babysit her daughter but would tell him that the Daddy isn't in fact dead, just a money grubbing deadbeat. Call me crazy, but I would have told the built in security (as a marine isn't he a lean mean fighting machine?) about the possible threat, but not left my kid alone with a man. However, that kinda reality doesn't progress the plot very well, does it. That's why I'm a reader, not a writer.

Ms. Mallery has an endearing cast of characters. We see Dani's next step in her personal progression toward true love. She meets Ryan and starts a fun fling with him, only to find out ::::::spoiler alert------he's married. The jerk::::::::: We see Reid, meet and hire the Grandmonster's new nurse. She doesn't know who he is, and isn't all that impressed, if you must know. So, I'm guessing I know where this is going. Cal and Penny's baby is born. Won't spoil that for you.

All in all, I thought this was a good book. I am invested in the characters and their interrelationships. I give it a solid 4 stars.

Lover Eternal

by JR Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood-2)

Synopsis:

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the vampire with the strongest appetites. He’s the best fighter, the quickest to act on his impulses, and the most voracious lover—for inside him burns a ferocious curse cast by the Scribe Virgin. Possessed by this dark side, Rhage fears the times when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.
Mary Luce, a survivor of many hardships, is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant on Rhage’s protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. Her faith in miracles was lost years ago. But when Rhage’s intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves…

I loved this story. Ms. Ward is adept at bringing together the love and joy as well as the bitter heartbreak of these complicated relationships. I didn't get the tortured hero vibe from Rhage in the first book. He seemed more like a pretty boy jerk to me. Not a very sympathetic character. I liked Mary, but was wary at first as it looked like she was going to be a whiny patsy. But as it turned out, she was a woman blessed with a well of inner strength and resolve. Rhage turned out to be someone who needed to give love and to nurture as much or more than he needed to be loved and nurtured. I teared up in several places. Just about every scene with John Matthew was a winner for me. I particularly liked the scene when he was to dine with Tohr and Wellsie. I cried, at his overwhelming response to the tiniest amount of care. I believe I'm going to love him, and Bella too. I already love Z, who is next in line for his own story.

This is a solid 4.5 stars for me. I would have liked more humorous interplay between the "Brothers" for this to make it to a 5. (Though the scene with Butch and Rhage in the shower was pretty good. ~~~~~~~~~~Oops. I'm back, my mind was wandering to 2 wet/handsome men.)

Check out this series.

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.

Scandal in Spring

by Lisa Kleypas (4th in Wallflower series)

#6 "Spring" Title/Cover

rated 4 stars

Back cover:

After spending three London seasons searching for a husband, Daisy Bowman's father has told her in no uncertain terms that she must find a husband. Now. And if Daisy can't snare an appropriate suitor, she will marry the man he chooses--the ruthless and aloof Matthew Swift.

Daisy is horrified. A Bowman never admits defeat, and she decides to do whatever it takes to marry someone...anyone...other than Matthew. But she doesn't count to Matthew's unexpected charm...or the blazing sensuality that soon flares beyond both their control. And Daisy discovers that the man she was always hated just might turn out to be the man of her dreams.

But right at the moment of sweet surrender, a scandalous secret is uncovered...one that could destroy both Matthew and a love more passionate and irresistible than Daisy's wildest fantasies.

My Thoughts:

I liked this alot. I know that it was 4th in a series of 4, and I haven't read the other 3. I know that everyone I know, who've read these, liked the others better. So, that tells me that I'm really going to like them. Don't get me wrong, this was not a perfect book. It did well until the end, when the wrap up seemed kind of rushed. ...reveal big secret...tragic accident...miraculous discovery...then fast forward and everyone lives happily ever after. I'd have much preferred some of the angst, and relationship development that should have taken place during the fast forward.

I liked Daisy and Matthew. I liked Evie (who intrigues me!!) and Annabelle. I found Lillian...overbearing. I'll give her some space since she was pregnant and all, but geez get over yourself. Maybe I'll like her better upon reading her story. I liked Marcus very well, but had no real engagement from the other 2 fellas. I'll have to meet them when I read their stories. This was my first historical by Lisa Kleypas and it won't be my last.

To Tame a Highland Warrior

by Karen Marie Moning

#2 Read a book set in Scotland

rated 4 stars

pages 366

Back Cover:

Only her love could gentle his savage soul--He was born to a clan of warriors of supernatural strength, but Gavrael McIllioch abandoned his name and his Highland castle, determined to escape the dark fate of his ancestors. Hiding his identity from the relentless rival clan that hunted him, he called himself Grimm to protect the people he cared for, vowing never to acknowledge his love for ravishing Jillian St. Clair. Yet even from afar he watched over her, and when her father sent an urgent summons, "Come for Jillian," he raced to her side -- into a competition to win her hand in marriage.

Why had he run from her so many years before? And why return now to see her offered as a prize in her father's manipulative game? Furious, Jillian vowed never to wed. But Grimm was the man she loved, the one who urged her to marry another. He tried to pretend indifference as she tempted him, but he could not deny the fierce desires that compelled him to abduct her from the altar. She was the only woman who could tame the beast that raged within him -- even as deadly enemies plotted to destroy them both....

My Thoughts:

I thought this was a solid good story. Grimm was a great tortured hero. Jillian was not a pushover, but wasn't a b*!@h either. I liked Quinn although I think he could have been a little more developed. Ramsay, was ...I didn't like him too much at all. I'm not sure if Balder will get his own story since he seemed quite taken with Missus Twillow at the end of this one. I wish we could have seen a little more of the character's sense if humors. At least between Quinn and Grimm. I'll be reading more from this series. For Sure!!

DarkFever

by Karen Marie Moning

#8 favorite/5 stars from Friend's shelf

rated 3.5 stars

Back Cover:

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death-a cryptic message on Mac's cell phone-Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister's killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed-a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae....

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister's death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane-an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women-closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac's true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book-because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands....

My Thoughts:

So I was expecting a paranormal romance. I got a paranormal/suspense. It was a good book, but not was I was expecting. It's kinda like going to the drive thru and expecting a burger when you leave but getting a grilled cheese sandwich. Now, grilled cheese is good, but not satisfying when I want a burger. That's kinda how I feel about Darkfever. (Can you tell I'm hungry??) Anyway, it is a perfectly good book, but I really wanted some love connection. As far as I'm concerned there is no emotion whatsoever. Even the erotic scenes with Vlane left me wanting, because there was only manipulation and humiliation. Not passion, just again with the oogy factor.

Anyway, I'm really hoping the emotion and passion amp up in the next installment Bloodfever. I really (really really) hope Barrons is a good guy, and a love interest for Mac. Some or many of you have already read Bloodfever and will know the answer to that. It's a solid book, but a grilled cheese for me.

C'mon Ms. Moning I got a "fever" for some lovin'.

Always Dakota

by Debbie Macomber

rated 3.5 stars

pages 377

Back Cover:

Local rancher Margaret Clemens is taking a chance on happiness, and going after what she wants for a change. And what she wants is marriage to cowboy, Matt Eilers. Regardless of what her friends and family say, and despite all the rumors, Margaret wants Matt anyway. Oh... and she plans on having his baby, too. Please join me for my third -- and final -- visit to Buffalo Valley, North Dakota. This town exists only in my imagination, but its spirit and sense of community are definitely real. Buffalo Valley resembles many places in my family's history, and perhaps in yours. If you've been to Buffalo Valley before, I invite you to come and visit the friends you've met there; if not, prepare to make some new ones. Buffalo Valley, North Dakota, has become a good place to live -- the way it used to be, thirty or forty years ago. People here are feeling confident about the future again. Stalled lives are moving forward. People are taking risks -- on new ventures and on lifelong dreams. On Happiness. And one of those people is local rancher Margaret Clemens, who's finally getting what she wants most. Marriage to cowboy Matt Eilers. Her friends don't think Matt's such a bargain; neither did her father. But Margaret's aware of Matt's reputation and his flaws. She wants him anyway. And she wants his baby....

My Thoughts:

I liked this one better than Dakota Home! I like Margaret. She's unconventional and I dig that in a heroine! Matt, is the misunderstood hero, and I'm not sure how Margaret sees him as who he is, since they've only met once or twice supposedly and he didn't know she was a woman the first time or two he saw her....This book, closes all the open doors left by Dakota Home. Bob and Merrily lose baby Axel, but find themselves drawing closer to each other and growing in ways they never would have thought possible. Dennis and Sarah Urlacher are pregnant, well Sarah is, and is put on strict bedrest. This pregnancy and subsequent emergency delivery along with the intervention of a few of the towns pillar members help Calla to get a grip and decide to quit being the big baby she's been so far and be a better daughter to Sarah and cut Dennis some slack! I mean really!! She was Too Whiny For Words!! I wanted to SMACK Sheryl! 'Nuff Said.

Overall, I got emotionally invested in the characters, but honestly Debbie Macomber writes kinda gritty realistic relationships. They are not necessarily spicy, even though this book had I think 1 or 2 love scenes they were tame by romance standards. You do get a good idea of the emotional wasteland that can be relationships. So, when reading Ms. Macomber I feel torn. I like her stuff overall, but she is not the escape that I'm really looking for. Some people really love that. They want to get drawn into the angst, but that's not me. I don't like suspense movies either, cuz I get drawn in and it stresses me out! I chew my nails and spend 2 hours anxious, when I'd rather spend my 2 hours and 10 bucks laughing or something. So, that's me! If you like, the drama without the "heat" then Debbie Macomber is a good choice for you. She starts off kinda slow, but ends strong usually.

A Bite to Remember

Author Lynsay Sands

Pages 362

rated 4 stars

Back Cover:

Rule #1: Never get involved with someone who won't be there for you when the sun comes up.

Once bitten, twice shy, and sexy PI Jackie Morrisey wasn't going there again. Vincent Argeneau may be the hottest guy she's ever met, living or dead, but she's here to stop a killer from turning this vampire into dust, not to jump into bed with him.

Rule #2: Never kiss a vampire...it can be a pain in the neck.Okay, so Vincent's had four hundred years to perfect his kissing skills, and he does look rather tempting when he runs around the house shirtless. He's also charming, protective...did we mention he can kiss? Jackie needs to be on her guard, or else she'll have to come up with a new rule:

If you're going to fall in love with a vampire, make sure it's a bite to remember.

My Thoughts:

I just enjoy these Argeneau's. I think they are fun and light, and sexy. I felt heartbroken for Jackie upon learning of her past with the "immortals" of this world. Being controlled and manipulated to do things that are against your morals, in order to humiliate yourself and your family. Then to come to the aid of an "immortal" and find yourself attracted, is a stretch. However, Ms. Sands accomplishes this with grace and a sense of humor. Jackie is won over by the true character of Vincent and he is won over as well. Add in a giant of a mortal named Tiny who can cook like a God, and a half dozen fabulous Italian immortal hotties, and what's not to love? I can't wait to read more and especially add in the Notte family. Hubba Hubba!!

The Pagan Stone

The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts

Rated 5 stars

Pages 305

Back Cover:

Shared nightmares, visions of blood and fire, and random violence plague the longtime friends and Quinn, Layla, and Cybil, the women bound to them by Fate. None of them can ignore the fact that, this year, the demon has grown stronger ---feeding off the terror it creates. But now the three pieces of the bloodstone have been fused back together. If only they could figure out how to use it.

A gambling man like Gage has no trouble betting on his crew to find a way. And though he and Cybil share the gift of seeing the future, that's all they have in common. Were they to take their flirtation to the next level, it would be on their own terms, not because Fate decreed it. But Gage knows that a woman like Cybil---with her brains and strength and devastating beauty---can only bring him luck. Whether it's good or bad has yet to be determined---and could mean the difference between absolute destruction or an end to the nightmare for Hawkins Hollow.

My Thoughts:

Ok! You all know that I love Nora Roberts and that I love her heroes. Gage, was that tortured alpha male! He made me cry in the first couple of chapters. His mother died when he was very young, and left him with an alcoholic abusive father. Cal's and Fox's moms became surrogates. Gage, not being the type of guy who is comfortable withe the ooey gooey emotional stuff, buys them flowers and tells them how much he loves them. He struggles to express that love and devotion to them, and I cried. Cybil, is the perfect match for him. She's not too needy, and she's strong and sassy! She gives as good as she gets. Tit for Tat!! I love a couple who are like that.

This is the final book in the trilogy and the climax between good and evil. Blood and fire and sacrifice. Someone has to willingly make the ultimate sacrifice and I could feel the raw emotion as the 6 stood together until the very end. That they understood that only through great loss could the ultimate destruction of great evil occur. I felt the resolve as they each came to terms with their grief and pain to ensure the greater good. I cried again. There are twists and turns and I loved how she writes the love and affection that all 6 have for each other.

Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts

Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts

Rated 5 stars ( I just love her!)

Pages 314

Back Cover:

In the small village of Hawkins Hollow, three best friends who share the same birthday sneak off into the woods for a sleepover the evening before turning 10. But a night of pre-pubescent celebration turns into a night of horror as their blood brother oath unleashes a three-hundred year curse. Twenty-one years later, Cal Hawkins and his friends have seen their town plagued by a week of unexplainable evil events two more times - every seven years. With the clock winding down on the third set of seven years, someone else has taken an interest in the town's folklore. Quinn is a well known scholar of local legends, and despite Cal's protests, insists on delving in the mystery. But when the first signs of evil appear months early, it's not only the town Cal tries to protect, but also his heart.

My Thoughts:

Ok, so I just love Nora Roberts. I did Cal and love the opening when they are 10 year old kids. I have a daughter who just turned 11, and would never let them go camping like that. I'm an over protective mother...sue me!! I do think that Cal and Quinn fall pretty darn quick, and that there is a lot of "set up" in this book. I expected that, cuz it's a trilogy, with the final climax in the final book. I can dig that. I also like that it's the sensible one who falls first and fast. It would've been too easy for the hippie lawyer to have done that. Ya know? I give it 5 stars cuz I love it. This trilogy has gotten mostly lukewarm reviews from non-Nora junkies. That's ok. Reading Nora's trilogies is like..."coming home" to me. It's like mac and cheese the perfect comfort food. It makes me feel warm, fuzzy, and ooey gooey on the inside. I can't wait to snuggle down with The Hollow.

Serial Readers Challenge List

So this is my post! I'll be reading lots of series and not in order. So I'll be adding as I go along. It may get messy, but if a book makes it into this post then it's been read.

Dakota Trilogy by Debbie Macomber

1. Dakota Born ****3.5 Stars****

2. Dakota Home ***3 stars***

3. Always Dakota ****3.5 stars****

Prince Trilogy by Elizabeth Hoyt

1. The Raven Prince ****4.5 Stars****
2. The Leopard Prince ****4 Stars****
3. The Serpent Prince ****4 stars****


1. Guardian Angel by Julie Garwood
2. The Gift by JG
3. Castles by JG
4. The Lyon's Lady

Sign of Seven Trilogy by Nora Roberts
1. Blood Brothers *****5 Stars*****
2. The Hollow *****5 Stars*****
3. The Pagan Stone ****5 stars****

Argeneau's Series by Lynsay Sands
A Bite to Remember (book 5) (1-4 read in 2008)
Bite Me if You Can (book 6)
The Accidental Vampire (Books 7)
Vampires are Forever (book 8) ::::I keep getting them out of order for some reason...::::
Vampire Interrupted (book 9) :::Oops out of order:::

Chicago Stars by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Match Me if You Can *****5 stars*****

Queen Betsy by Mary Janice Davidson
Unwed and Undead ***2.5-3 stars***(see review, I'm conflicted!)

Fever Trilogy by KM Moning
1, DarkFever ***3.5 stars***

Wallflower Series by Lisa Kleypas
Scandal in Spring (4/4)***4 stars***


Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward
1. Dark Lover ****rated 4 stars****
2. Lover Eternal ****rated 4.5 stars****
3. Lover Awakened ****rate 4.5 stars****
4. Lover Revealed ****rate 4.5 stars****
5. Lover Unbound ****rated 4 stars****
6. Lover Enshrined ****rated 4 stars****
7. Lover Avenged ****rated 4.5 stars***

MacKinnon Rangers by Pamela Clare
1.
2. Untamed ****rated 4 stars****

Race Car (cuz I don't know the name of the series yet.) by Erin McCarthy
1. Flat Out Sexy ****rated 4-4.5 stars (can't decide)****
2. Hard and Fast ***rated 3 stars

Keyes Sisters Trilogy by Susan Mallery
1. Sweet Talk
2. Sweet Spot
3 Sweet Trouble

Montana Creeds: by Linda Lael Miller
1. Logan
2. Dylan
3. Tyler

MacKenzies by Linda Howard
1. Mackenzie's Mountain
2. MacKenzie's Mission
3. MacKenzie's Pleasure
4. MacKenzie's Magic
5. A Game of Chance

Buchanon Family by Susan Mallery
1. Delicious
2. Irristible
3. Sizzling
4. Tempting

Chesapeake Bay Series by Nora Roberts
1 Sea Swept
2. Rising Tides
3. Inner Harbor
4. Chesapeake Blue

Texas Series by Mary Connealy
1. Petticoat Ranch (read previously)
2. Calico Canyon
3. Gingham Mountain

Bayou Angels by Sandra Hill (Tanta Lulu)
1. So Into You

Gamblers Series by Lisa Klaypas
1. Then Came You
2. Dreaming of You (oops, thought there were more to this series.....)

Bridgertons by Julia Quinn
1. The Duke and I
2. The Viscount who Loved Me
3. An Offer From a Gentleman
4. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
5. To Sir Phillip with Love
6. When He Was Wicked
7. It's in His Kiss
8. On the Way to the Wedding

Noble Series by Katie MacAlister
1. Noble Intentions
2. Noble Destiny
3. The Trouble with Harry

Guardian Angel

Guardian Angel by Julie Garwood

Pages 375

Rated 4 stars

Back Cover:

The Emerald flew across the seas, carrying the pirate Pagan--despised by the ton, whose riches he plundered, and beloved by the poor, whose plight was eased by his gifts.

The Marquess of Cainewood vows to hunt down the pirate wretch in revenge for his brother's death. But when Jade, an enchanting vision of rippling red hair and eyes of jewel-green, appears at his door to beg desperately for his protection, the Marquess agrees to keep her safe from the villains who want her dead. Jade is infuriating, exasperating, and gorgeous; Caine is noble, strong-willed, and powerful. No woman has ever befuddled him so, nor so deeply aroused his desire. But as Jade answers his knowing caresses with an innocent, wild abandon, they are drawn into a web of treachery that will test the very heart of their love!

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I liked the quirky heroine. (I guess the goofball in be is showing.) I liked the interplay between Caine and Jade. I liked the twists and turns and the Uncle Harry. I have a hesitation though. I'm not sure what it is. I think that I didn't like that her name was Jade. (seems very unlikely.) Right?! I know I'm being petty, but that is just not what someone of the time would have named their child. Not even close. Caine?! He'd have been a Simon or Neville or Charles or something. I guess it wouldn't have been nearly as romantic if it had been Neville and Winnifred! "Neville, I love you!" "Winnifred, you will be mine!" Naw! Ok, naming aside, there is something that I did have a problem with. The first half of the book, makes Caine look like a buffoon with the whole being duped by Jade. She kept thinking she was getting something over on him, then the second half, was where he was finally proved as the alpha male that he is. He knew she was lieing, and took care of the dangers around them. I'd have preferred knowing from the beginning that he wasn't out to lunch. It would have been fun, to know what he was accomplishing that she never knew, and to see what she was accomplishing that he never knew. I'd have preferred that to the method used here. Anyway, I know I'm being petty, but I just think that Julie Garwood is really good, and this would have made it soo much better. I expect so much from her, and felt like she missed the mark with her approach. I'll give it a 4 stars for sure.