Friday, May 20, 2011

Make Mine a Bad Boy-Katie Lane

Make Mine a Bad Boy
Katie Lane
Forever, Jun 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780446582797

After five futile years of failing to make it as an actress in Hollywood, Hope Scroggs returns home to Bramble, Texas. However, her plan is hammered on two fronts. First she arrives to meet a twin sister computer programmer Faith Aldridge she had not known existed; and second her high school sweetheart Slate Calhoun is in love with her sibling (see Going Cowboy Crazy).

A jealous Hope plans to put on an Academy Award performance at her sister’s wedding. Coming from Los Angeles is Bramble’s bad boy turned success story Colt Lomax. He crashes Faith’s wedding as he heard Hope is marrying someone else. Although their desire is palatable, their battles seem even more powerful. Will the wild ones realize their attraction is love or will both return to live separate lives in Southern California?

The other twin’s zany Deep in the Heart of Texas romance is an amusing tale due to the eccentric cast starting with the lead couple. Readers will laugh out loud at the antics of the battling Hollywood duet and the matchmaking antics of the townsfolk as Katie Lane provides a jocular contemporary.

Harriet Klausner

Scandal in Scotland-Karen Hawkins

Scandal in Scotland
Karen Hawkins
Pocket, May 24 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9781439175934

Renowned actress Marcail Beauchamp sacrificed her happiness by sending away her beloved sea captain William Hurst. She did so as she felt deeply that was best for both of their families. Marcail has never forgotten the only man she has ever loved.

A blackmailer forces Marcail to steal an onyx box from William or else watch her family ruined. Inside the box is an artifact that William needs to free his brother Egyptologist Michael held prisoner by an Egyptian sultan. William is shocked when Marcail meets him on his ship. Her plan is to seduce him, drug him and steal his box. She succeeds and he follows her, but when he catches her, the box is gone. Explaining his sibling’s dire straits, they team up chasing after the person possessing the box.

The second Hurst Amulet Regency romance (see Sleepless in Scotland, The Laird Who Love Me and One Night in Scotland) is an enjoyable second chance at love thriller although the story line feels somewhat like a middle book as the overarching theme moves forward very little. Still the lead couple is a wonderful pairing with this being the first male Hurst to star. Saga fans will enjoy the sea adventure of the actress and the captain.

Harriet Klausner

Lady of Seduction-Laurel McKee

Lady of Seduction
Laurel McKee
Forever, Jun 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780446544771

In 1803 Lady Caroline Blacknall never expected to die off the coast of Ireland, but nasty weather left her shipwrecked and clinging for her life. Her goal was to obtain The Chronicle tome on the barrier island Muirin Inish, but now she prays she survives her ordeal at sea.

Sir Grant Dunmore saves Caroline from downing. However, he is also the man who put her life in peril. She believes there is a good soul inside his rakish exterior and obstinately decides to bring his goodness to the surface. As visitors begin to come to the island, Caroline is caught in the crosshairs of dangerous schemes in which her safety depends on believing her heart that Grant as the man she loves will protect her this time.

The final Daughters of Erin Regency romantic suspense (see Duchess of Sin and Countess of Scandal) is an exiting thriller starring a courageous heroine and a man seeking redemption even if it means his life. The story line is fast-paced as fans of the series will marvel at Laurel McKee’s talent showcased by the metamorphosis of Grant. Sub-genre fans will enjoy the entire well written trilogy.

Harriet Klausner

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Lord Langley is Back In Town-Elizabeth Boyle

Lord Langley is Back In Town
Elizabeth Boyle
Avon, May 31 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061783517

For two years the Ton assumed traitor Ellis, Baron Langley was dead. Now, he is back with plans to uncover who accused him unjustly of treason and why as the widower wants to go home to spend time with his beloved daughters after twenty-five years of loyal service to the Crown.

As he climbs up a drainpipe of his house, the quintet of Nannies invade the same home occupied by Lady Minerva Sterling. While he enters her bedroom, she tosses out the army of ex’s. He offers her a betrothal of convenience so she can avoid scandal and he can avoid women. She accepts but gives him three prim and proper rules that he acquiesces to. Still, as he investigates the accusations, he tries to seduce the ugly flannel off his fiancée; not realizing his adversaries give better opportunities to hold her than his seductive attempts.

The latest Standon Widows Regency romance (see Mad About the Duke and How I Met My Countess) is a great suspense thriller as the disgraced hero works diligently to clear his name and to make it with the prim and proper widow. The story line is fast-paced but it is the zany cast especially the Nannies who make for an entertaining, often amusing, but always dangerous to either the heart or the body tale.

Harriet Klausner

The Sins of Viscount Sutherland-Samantha James

The Sins of Viscount Sutherland
Samantha James
Avon, May 31 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061765544

Viscount Grayson Sutherland mourns the death of his wife and child as he plans suicide by duel. Instead, he lives while his opponent lies dead. His remorse and guilt on top of his grief makes him a nasty drunk.

The sister of Sutherland’s victim Claire Ashcroft is raging at Sutherland for the death of her brother. Seeking revenge she plans to break the womanizing sop. Thus, she comes to London pretending to be a widow though she has never been married. Her plan is to seduce Sutherland until he falls in love with her; and then leave. However, he seduces the virgin but she becomes pregnant and they agree to marry, which gives her a close look at the darkened soul of a man who can only redeem himself with love.

This engaging historical romance stars two fascinating beloved enemies whose matchmaker is the man Gray shot dead, her brother. The story line focuses on the relationship between the lead couple although the plot has a Bill Murray’s movie Groundhog Day feel as the pair fight over nothings, make love, fight again and make love again, etc. as the deaths that haunt them fade into the background. Still fans will enjoy the redemption of Viscount Sutherland who believes he has so many sins he deserves hell not the heaven offered by Claire.

Harriet Klausner

Scarlet Nights-Jude Deveraux

Scarlet Nights
Jude Deveraux
Pocket, May 31 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9781439107997

In Edilean, Virginia, twenty-six years old Sara Shaw and Greg Anders are to marry in three weeks. After receiving a late night call Greg leaves without notifying his fiancée.

Two days after Greg vanished; worried about the safety of his sibling undercover Fort Lauderdale Police Detective Mike Newland enters a still reeling Sara’s apartment. He explains he is the brother of her BFF Tess and is staying with her. He conceals that he is there to catch Greg’s mother Mizelli Vandlo while the FBI wants to nab con artist Anders. As she helps them set up a sting to catch a thief, in his wildest imagination, Mike never expected to fall in love with his hostess while Sara wonders if she is fickle as she reciprocates his deepest regard.

The third Edilean romantic suspense (see Days of Gold and Lavender Morning) moves the town into the present with an engaging police procedural romance. Readers will root for Sara although wonder why an intelligent young woman rebounding from her fiancé’s desertion allows a stranger to bully her. Still Jude Deveraux fans will enjoy the commitment phobic Florida cop and the jilted Virginian falling in love.

Harriet Klausner