Summer Nights by Susan Mallery

Review of Summer Nights by Susan Mallery

Published: June 19, 2012

6 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Horse whisperer Shane Stryker is done with passion. This time around, he’s determined to meet someone who will be content with the quiet life of a rancher’s wife. And the fiery, pint-size redhead who dazzles him at the local bar definitely does not fit the bill.

Small-town librarian Annabelle Weiss has always seen herself as more of a sweetheart than a siren, so she can’t understand why Shane keeps pushing her away. Shane has formed the totally wrong impression of her but only he can help her with a special event for the next Fool’s Gold festival. And maybe while he’s at it, she can convince him to teach her a few things about kissing on hot summer nights, too—some lessons, a girl shouldn’t learn from reading a book!"

What can I say about this installment of Fool's Gold by Susan Mallery?  There is really nothing left to say since every book I have been able to get my hands on by Susan Mallery has been nothing short of fabulous and addictive.  I do have to say this though, so far Shane is my favorite Stryker brother.  He has this air of kindness about him wrapped in a sexy cowboy bod, who wouldn't favor him?  Annabelle is a fantastically funny character who marches to the beat of her own drum, which is entertaining and spontaneous.  Shane and Annabelle at first don't really seem to go together, he's too serious, she's in her own world, but they really bring each other out and make one another the best people they can be.  Summer Nights by Susan Mallery is a story about giving up the past in order to move on with your future.  I really love how Annabelle and Shane have both came from a bad place in their lives and while they each came away with a different lesson, eventually they realize how important to live in the now is as oppose to living in the past.  I give Summer Nights by Susan Mallery 6 smirks because I'm helplessly addicted to Fool's Gold, the characters, and the stories that continue to grow there.

His Secret Temptation by Cat Schield

Review of His Secret Temptation by Cat Schield

Published: April 16, 2012

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Who's the sexy blonde stranger sleeping in Simon Holcroft's bed? The workaholic returns from a business trip to find someone stretched out on his sheets. Between the laundry basket at her side and the smell of orange cleaner, he deduces that the young woman is his maid-and resists the urge to kiss her awake.

But when his brother's fiancé-his own ex-bursts in and strips down to her panties, Simon has to get her dressed and back where she belongs. So he introduces the maid as his fiancée. But his little white lie gets bigger, because now he has to bring his supposed bride-to-be to meet the whole family. One offer-she-can't-refuse later, Simon has bought himself a temporary fiancée.

In debt up to her eyeballs and all alone for the holidays, how could struggling grad student Caroline Sampson not accept her gorgeous client's fantasy proposal? But acting like she's in love comes more easily than she ever expected."

His Secret Temptation by Cat Schield is a charming story about knowing someone without really knowing them and being blind-sided by love. Caroline and Simon really bring out the best and worse in one another. It is easy to see how they are opposites with a fair amount of similar characteristics; their outlooks are different even though they are the same. I found myself drawn to their wit and charm with one another; it is like watching a ping pong match where the volley never ends. I love how Simon's family is so accepting of Caroline and seem to be a genuine family unit (with flaws and all). I also really enjoyed the way Simon and Caroline found each other, first by writing notes back and forth and then through an unusual arrangement that showed both of them what they were missing out of life. I give His Secret Temptation by Cat Schield 5 smirks because the story kept me intrigued, the characters are charming, and I couldn't put it down.

Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione

Review of Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione

Published: June 1, 2012

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he's about to become a father.

Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he's ever wanted-a family."

I LOVE THIS BOOK!  Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione is a magnificent continuation of the Four Horsemen story.  I was drawn in by Thanatos and Regan's ongoing love-hate relationship them seem to have developed between one another.  Their wit and sense of humor are two of the most important draws these characters have.  I know readers everywhere will be enamored with Than, Regan, and their progression of a relationship.  What was the most fascinating aspect of this story for me was how both Than and Regan instinctively know how the other is feeling and how they both seem to know how the other feels like they have never belonged.  I also loved how Than, who is this fierce warrior, wants to just be in love and have romance with Regan but ultimately struggles to fight his past nature with the one he wants for the future.  This installment of the Four Horsemen series is the perfect combination of romance, adventure, war, mystery, and discovery.  I find myself categorizing this installment as my favorite one thus far because Than and Regan are more relatable to me than any of the other characters. Their view of the world before meeting one another is twisted and snared, but becomes clearer when they are together.  I give 5 smirks to Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione because the characters are addicting, the story fresh/mysterious, and I can't wait to read the next one in this continued story. 

Let Me In by Callie Croix

Review of Let Me In by Callie Croix

Published: May 21, 2012

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "On leave for Thanksgiving, the last thing marine lieutenant Talia Barnett expects to find is Liam Brodie waiting for her at the airport. He's had a starring role in her fantasies for the past two years, and although she'd love to make them a reality, she has a dark secret that prevents her from taking things further.

A former marine, Liam's specialty is planning tactical operations, and that's just what he plans to do to win Talia. The woman has kept him at arm's length for too long, and this time he's finally going to claim her-body and heart.

What begins as comfort quickly turns hot. When Liam shows Talia a hint of the dominant nature inside him, the submissive part of her flares to life. Though she desires him, she's going back on deployment and doesn't want to dump all her drama on him. Will he find a way to break through the protective walls around her heart and convince her they have a future that goes far beyond the bedroom."

Let Me In by Callie Croix is a story about trusting your instincts and allowing the people you trust most into your life completely.  I was completely enthralled by Talia and Liam's dance of wits and pleasure; it was hard to put this book down.  And to be frank I did not put this book down until there was nothing left to read.  I find Callie Croix's voice is hard to ignore and her characters always seem to instantly draw readers in.  Liam and Talia while are very much alike, differ in how they act toward the same situations most likely due to the difference in growing up.  Simply put, I felt what these characters felt and in my book that means a must read and a must own.  I give Let Me In by Callie Croix 5 smirks because the story is erotica, addicting, and heartwarming.

I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre

Review of I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre

Published: April 10, 2012

6 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Sophie Sullivan, a librarian in San Francisco, was five years old when she fell head over heels in love with Jake McCann. Twenty years later, she’s convinced the notorious bad boy still sees her as the “nice” Sullivan twin. That is, when he bothers to look at her at all. But when they both get caught up in the magic of the first Sullivan wedding, she knows it’s long past time to do whatever it takes to make him see her for who she truly is...the woman who will love him forever.

Jake has always been a magnet for women, especially since his Irish pubs made him extremely wealthy. But the only woman he really wants is the one he can never have. Not only is Sophie his best friend’s off-limits younger sister...he can’t risk letting her get close enough to discover his deeply hidden secret.

Only, when Sophie appears on his doorstep as Jake’s every fantasy come to life—smart, beautiful, and shockingly sexy—he doesn’t have a prayer of taking his eyes, or his hands, off her. And he can’t stop craving more of her sweet smiles and sinful kisses. Because even though Jake knows loving Sophie isn’t the right thing to do...how can he possibly resist?"

I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre is a story about love that only builds overtime. What really caught me up in this story, even though I haven't read any of the other Sullivan stories, is how Bella Andre makes her characters so real that their emotions became my emotions. It is easy to relate to the characters and to feel what they feel because the characters resemble every day people. I really love how close the Sullivan family is with one another and how the big brothers are really big brothers in every sense of the term. They rally for one another and make sure each other's lives turn out the way they want them to. Sophie is a character who instantly lights up a room with her purity and strength. As an opposite Jake is a bad boy image with a pure heart, which would make anyone stop and look his way. Sophie and Jake's story is one that is full of surprises, twists and turns, but ultimately it's the characters themselves readers will invest in. I only discovered Bella Andre after she followed me on twitter and all I can say is thank goodness she did because I have been missing out. I'm a believer and a follower of this talented author and cannot wait to read not only the upcoming Sullivan stories, but the ones I have missed as well. I give I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre 6 smirks because it's that good.