Once Smitten, Twice Shy-Lori Wilde

Once Smitten, Twice Shy
Lori Wilde
Forever, Jan 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780446618465

Two years ago Secret Service agent Shane Tremont and wedding videographer Tish Gallagher divorced though they remain hot for one another. While Tish’s business borders on bankruptcy, Shane protects the POTUS’ daughter Elysee. When he is injured in the line of duty, Elysee thinks he is her knight in shining armor. He cherishes her friendship combined with her adulation; Shane thinks he is in love. They become engaged as the country goes wild over the romance between the government agent and the First Daughter.

Elysee hires Tish to videotape their engagement party and their wedding as she knows Shane still has a torch for his ex and believes that should bring finality to the couple. However, Elysee plan backfires as Shane and Tish realize they still love each other, but is that enough to start over after failing the first time and if not is it enough for him to break it off with the First Daughter.

The second Wedding Veil Wishes tale (see THERE GOES THE BRIDE) is an entertaining contemporary romance in which Shane is simply a nice guy while Tish starts off too work driven but realizes her error when she a second chance. Fans will enjoy this amusing tale that obviously will remind readers of Katie Holmes’ movie First Daughter

Harriet Klausner

Wicked-Sasha White

Wicked
Sasha White
Berkley, Jan 2008, $15.00
ISBN: 9780425219188

Divorce attorney Karl Dawson notices the shapely butt underneath the desk of his office assistant Graham Nelson. Graham explains to his boss that the divorce business is booming so he asked his friend Lara Fox to install a wireless so that they can connect to the internet using their laptops anywhere in the building. Already attracted when Lara gets out from underneath the desk, Karl’s mouth waters and her nipples hardened, but he doubts she is worth the trouble to teach her who is dominant; she sees he is a SEXY DEVIL, but not worth more than one night with her on top.

Their desire remains high, but Karl is a popular Dominant who frequents the Dungeon BDSM scene and Lara used to being on her own since she was fifteen hates not being in charge of at least herself. Karl sees inside her soul and believes hiding behind the façade of defiance is a submissive who has been forced to wear a controlling hide to survive. As they fall in love, she insists it must be lust as the former does not exist in any form.

Sasha White provides a WICKED erotic romance starring two likable protagonists who believe love and marriage are societal farces. The metamorphous of Lara from tough independent street brawler to submissive is done with tenderness and caring, which makes her transformation seen genuine. The return of players from BOUND and TROUBLE add depth to this contemporary by showcasing the BDSM lifestyle can include commitment. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Sasha White’s latest heater.

Harriet Klausner

Lady of the Roses- Sandra Worth

Lady of the Roses
Sandra Worth
Berkley, Jan 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9780425219140

The rift between the Houses of Lancaster and York has led to civil war throughout England. With that backdrop, Lady in Waiting to Queen Marguerite Isobel Ingoldesthorpe and Lord John Neville fall in love. However, her liege is Lancaster while he and his powerful House support the York claim to the throne. Still after complex negotiations that anecdotally display how divided the country leadership is and an exorbitant bride price, John and Isobel marry.

Their honeymoon is everything both wanted and more until affairs of state intercede. The Roses are preparing for war and though Isobel has some loyalty issues she believes she belongs at the side of her beloved John. As the hostilities between the Houses turn brutal with madness and butchery the norm, the couple is torn asunder, but their love remains stronger than ever keeping them together even in death especially with six surviving offspring.

Known for her terrific in depth historical saga, The Roses of York (see CROWN FROM DESTINY, FALL FROM GRACE and LOVE AND WAR), Sandra Worth stays with the era providing a strong War of Roses tale. The story line is epic in scope using the fifteen years relationship between John and Isobel as a means to provide insight into England from 1456-1471. Historical fiction fans of this era will find LADY OF THE ROSES and the York trilogy worth reading.

Harriet Klausner