All I Want For Christmas - Ann Roth

Title: ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

Author: Ann Roth

Line: Harlequin American Romance

Release month: North America & UK/ November 2007

The S-Factor: Sweet and Simmering

Back-Blurb:

What exactly are you asking Santa for?"It's A Secret. How Do You Spell Mommy?" Nothing is more precious to Ryan Chase than five-year-old Maggie. She's the reason the widower moved to Halo Island in the first place—he wanted to get away from his hectic, work-all-hours job so he could spend more time with his daughter. Ryan will do anything to make sure Maggie is protected from hurt, which means no attachments to anyone who comes into their lives—and plans to leave. As soon as the holidays are over, Tina Morrell is going back to Seattle to her busy job, and hopefully a big promotion. Her career has always been the most important thing in Tina's life—that is, until she meets the adorable Maggie and her incredibly hunky father. But Ryan won't let Tina get close—even though his daughter seems to be bringing them together. As the spirit of Christmas descends over the island, it's the wishes of one little girl that may be granted!

Review:

The magic of the holiday season is captured in Ann Roth’s All I want for Christmas. It’s an extremely heart-warming and lovely book full of fabulous characters and set on an island in Washington State. What more could a reader ask for than the warm residents of Halo Island.

Tina Morrell lost both of her parents at a young age and her beloved Kindergarten teacher GG along with many neighbours have raised her in a loving environment, sent her to college, believed in her ability to someday run her ad agency and loved her to death. Tina is now a very successful advertising exec and up for a promotion at her Seattle firm. However, she has taken a leave to take care of GG who is recuperating from hip surgery.

Ryan Chase, left Los Angeles as a successful business man and has taken his captivating five year old daughter Maggie and moved to Halo Island, to give her stability and a home in a wonderful neighbourhood. Ryan’s wife died when Maggie was young, his fiancé left them for a “high powered” career and then his nanny also had to leave to help raise her grandson. The loss has affected both Ryan and Maggie. Maggie longs for a woman or mother figure in her life and Ryan wants no part of any sort of relationship, especially a permanent one.

Yet when Ryan and Tina meet, his daughter is immediately drawn to Tina and does everything in her power to spend time with her and GG. Maggie longs for a mother and adores Tina……the feeling mutual. Ryan is extremely protective of Maggie and doesn’t want her to become attached to Tina. Every step of the way, Ryan fights his attraction and puts up protective armour.

Both Ryan and Tina are attracted to each other immediately and fight their attraction for each other every step of the way. Their journey in finding love and each other will melt your heart. However, the entire story, it’s marvellous characters, the warmth I felt while reading this story……well let’s just say, it made me believe there “really is a Santa” and reminded me of the miracle of Christmas.

Reviewed By: Marilyn
Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor ♥♥
Weepy Factor ♥

Fun gossipy tidbit about author: This book was inspired when the author saw a young man with his baby at a Seattle lake. The expression on his face touched Ann deeply. She saw love, pride and joy, but underneath grief and sorrow. In her imagination this man was a single father who had lost his wife. She has carried this picture in her heart and often wondered about the man and child. All I Want for Christmas was born out of that image.

To find out more about Ann you can visit her Website

The Magnates Marriage Demand - Robyn Grady

Title: THE MAGNATE’S MARRIAGE DEMAND

Author: Robyn Grady

Line: Silhouette Desire

Release month: North America/UK: December 2007

The S-Factor: Sizzling!

Back-Blurb:

Marriage and children played no part in Armand De Luca's plans. Then the hard-driving tycoon learned he had to marry—and produce an heir!—or lose his company. When he discovered his late brother had fathered an as yet unborn child, Armand saw the perfect opportunity. But expectant mother Tamara Kendle was not at all sure she wanted any part of Armand, his millions or his convenient marriage. And she was so infinitely desirable, he wasn't sure this union could ever be strictly business…

Review:

This is Robyn Grady’s first novel for Silhouette Desire and what a brilliant debut book……So many layers in each of her characters the handsome and sexy millionaire Armand De Luca and the lovely Tamara Kendle. However, let’s not forget the others…..the dog, the housekeeper, the family friend and corporate attorney and the De Luca and Kendle family dynamics. WOW is the only adjective I can use to describe this wonderful love story.

Tamara’s heart is aching…..she’s not only lost her event planning business, she’s lost her best friend and the father of her baby and she doesn’t know how’s she’s going to make ends meet. Now she has to attend her friend’s funeral and say goodbye to Marc Earle. Tamara knows Marc has a millionaire brother Armand De Luca and when she sees him at the funeral, she’s distracted by his presence.

Think that’s bad enough……Armand arrives at her dilapidated apartment and makes her an offer she can’t refuse. His father’s will stipulates he must have an heir by a certain age and he knows that Tamara is pregnant with his brother’s child and close to being evicted. If he doesn’t produce a legitimate heir then he stands to loose a lot. Being an astute businessman, he proposes to take care of Tamara and the baby but there is a stipulation……they must marry and Armand claim the parentage. So many emotions and when Tamara feels she’s been used, it’s heartbreaking!

Their journey is a full blown rollercoaster ride and issues like family, values, revenge, trust, respect and what’s important. What I found very interesting was Tamara’s upbringing, her mom for the most part was emotionally “unavailable” for Armand, his family was split….he was raised by his father and Marc by his mother and believe me there were scars.

What I so loved about this book was their self discovery; what’s important family and trust being the most important, attraction, business, self worth, and when the walls came tumbling down for Armand when he viewed the ultrasound and he KNEW what was important…..the mother and the baby and his feelings, incredible!!!!

This is a marvellous book is all I can say, it challenges the reader to examine exactly what’s important and yet is so entertaining! Congratulations to Robyn for this very special love story!

Reviewed By: Marilyn

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor ♥
Weepy Factor ♥♥

Fun gossipy tidbit about author: Robyn loves new shoes, worn jeans, visits to the theatre and lunches at picturesque Moffat Beach with her writer friends.

To find out more about Robyn and her books you can visit her Website

A Christmas Wedding Wager by Michelle Styles

Title: A Christmas Wedding Wager

Author: Michelle Styles

Line: Harlequin Historicals

Release month: December 2007

The S-Factor: Simmering

Back-Blurb:

Just one kiss under the mistletoe could change her whole life! Lovely Miss Emma Harrison has long turned her back on the frivolities of the Marriage Mart and dedicated herself to helping her father. But this Christmas everything changes—the unforgettable Jack Stanton is back! No longer the charity boy determined to make good, he has become one of the richest men in England. Driven to succeed and used to getting anything he wants, Jack makes it clear that he wants Emma. And as the Yuletide festivities throw Emma into his company, she can't help but wonder if she made the right choice seven years ago…

Review:

Michelle Styles’s latest Harlequin Historical, A Christmas Wedding Wager is absolutely terrific! Meticulously researched, highly evocative, dramatic and romantic, A Christmas Wedding Wager is the perfect romance to curl up with on a cold winter’s night!

At eighteen, Emma Harrison was the belle of the ball and she loved nothing better than being society’s favorite debutante. Her whole life revolved around frivolity, triviality and, aided by her socially climbing mother, finding a rich husband.
But when Emma met Jack Stanton, her father’s apprentice and a poor Geordie boy with no money or connections, Emma found herself falling head over heels in love with him – until her mother put a stop to it! Jack left Newcastle, determined to make something of his life leaving Emma unable to forget the man she loved.

But seven years later, Emma’s life has changed completely. Her mother died and her poor father’s health is going from bad to worse. With nobody left to run the family business, Emma steps into breach and finds herself coming face to face with Jack Stanton, now one of England's richest men.

Time may have passed, but the flame of attraction still sizzles and a kiss under the mistletoe only serves to cement their ardor. Will Jack and Emma grasp with both hands their second chance at love and happiness?

I absolutely loved A Christmas Wedding Wager. Readers always know they are in for a good read with a Michelle Styles historical and her latest Victorian romance will enthrall and captivate readers who enjoy their historicals with plenty of history and passion!

Reviewed By: Julie

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Weepy Factor ♥♥♥

To find out more about Michelle and her books you can visit her Website

The Rancher's Rules - Lucy Monroe

Title: THE RANCHER’S RULES

Author: Lucy Monroe

Line: Harlequin Presents and Mills and Boon Modern Romance

Release month: North America: December 2007
Australia/NZ: December 2007
UK: November 2006 M&B Modern Romance

The S-Factor: Simmering and very Sweet

Back-Blurb:

Grant Cortez is rich, famous and seriously sexy. But although he arouses feelings in virginal Zoe that no other man ever has, as her best friend he's strictly a no-go zone….Grant wants Zoe badly, but knows he can't have her. When they're forced to live together the temptation is too much, and so Grant imposes some rules—no kissing, and definitely no sex. But then there's the best rule of all: some rules are just made to be broken!

Review:

I so enjoyed this book…….I laughed, I cried and found it to be the perfect Holiday read. Zoe Jensen’s character was fun, invigorating, dear, just plain sweet and not the usual woman in a Harlequin Presents novel. Her love for life, animals and her Kindergarten students was endearing and her secret crush on her best friend Grant Cortez will squeeze your heart.

Grant and Zoe have grown up together and during their later years have had two “sexy” encounters which left Zoe hurt and embarrassed because all of her life she has secretly loved Grant. Their relationship in spite of everything remained in tact and they consider themselves best friends.

Zoe has never felt she’s belonged as her parents made it clear the son they lost should have run their ranch. When her father decides to retire, he sells the ranch to Grant, leaving Zoe without a home. She understands that she would never have been a rancher due to her love for animals, being a vegetarian, plus her non-relationship with her family, well she feels abandoned and unloved with the exception of the one man she can always count on, her best friend Grant.

Grant has the responsibly of running the family ranch and business as his father and stepmother have moved to another state due to his father’s health. For years, he has watched over Zoe, has been her closest friend and truly adores her. Now Grant finds himself not only thinking more about her but also fights a physical attraction for Zoe. On top of everything else, he now finds himself having to take care of her as she’s been evicted from her apartment because of all of her pets….cats, birds, dogs, hamster.

Now they find themselves in a bad situation and where will Zoe live? With Grant? Because of spending more time together they find themselves doing the one thing that Grant has a rule against…..the NO kissing rule, yet on a few occasions, the rule is broken. They both fight the attraction but in the end give in and then decisions need to be made…..should they take it a step further and explore their feelings?

You will absolutely adore this wonderful story, not only due to it’s warmth and humour but the magical journey itself…….falling in love and the miracle of Christmas for these two lovers.

Reviewed By: Marilyn

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor ♥♥♥♥
Weepy Factor ♥♥

Fun gossipy tidbit about author: This particular book is NOT Lucy’s normal style. However, she really wanted to tell this story and show some of her humour.

To find out more about Lucy and her books visit her Website

The Sheikh's Unsuitable Bride - Liz Fielding

Title: The Sheikh's Unsuitable Bride

Author: Liz Fielding

Line: Romance

Release month: January 2008

The S-Factor: Sweet

Back-Blurb:

The single mum's new job: chauffeur to the Sheikh!

Zahir was surprised to find he had a beautiful new driver. This chauffeur did not blend into the background. Oh, no. Diana Metcalfe talked. She laughed. She took him on unplanned detours. And he had more fun than he'd had in years.

But back in his desert kingdom a dynastic marriage was being brokered for Zahir. Crazy though it seemed, he wished that this wonderful, vivacious, thoroughly unsuitable woman could be his bride instead...

Desert Brides
When an ordinary girl
meets a Sheikh...

Review:

2008 is a special year for Mills & Boon as they celebrate a 100 years in publishing and The Sheikh's Unsuitable Bride gets the celebrations off to a brilliant start. This book is also the first in a new Mills & Boon Romance miniseries featuring Desert Bride stories. Liz Fielding's offering is in the form of the gorgeous Sheikh Zahir, and the delightful heroine, Diana.

This story is a truly wonderful read, full of the magic and fantasy that will brighten up 'normal' life for anybody. From the very first moment Sheikh Zahir al-Khatib graces the scene I knew I was in for an entertaining, heartwarming and funny read. Diana is a very lovable heroine and my heart went out to her as she tries very hard to be the professional chauffeur that protocol dictates she should be. She is doing well and holding her own until The Kiss. She has little time to recover before Zahir has her head spinning when he dances her around Berkeley Square.

There are some laugh-out-loud, funny, "Oh, Sheikh" moments, as well as the emotional read that makes this story a Liz Fielding classic. This book is a great way to add some sparkle and fun to your New Year!

Did you know that 2008 will also see Liz Fielding penning her fiftieth book for Mills & Boon? It's certainly going to be a year for celebrations! Visit Liz's Blog and Website to discover more.

Reviewed by: Sue

Hero Hotness Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Heroine Lovability Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Awww Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Stickability Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

Humour Factor = ♥♥♥♥♥

The Greek Billionaire's Baby Revenge - Jennie Lucas

Title: THE GREEK BILLIONAIRE’S BABY REVENGE

Author: Jennie Lucas

Line: Harlequin Presents

Release month: North America: December 2007
UK / Australia: October 2007

The S-Factor: Sizzling!

Back-Blurb:

His mistress...Working for Nikos Stavrakis was exhilarating -- until one fateful night when the Greek tycoon made love to Anna Rostoff...His baby....But then Nikos installed a new mistress, and Anna fled to the last place he would think to find her. Nine months later, Anna is left nursing a tiny baby and a broken heart...His wife?Nikos is furious when he discovers Anna's taken HIS son -- he vows to seek retribution! He will possess Anna as his bride, and make her learn who's boss

Review:

Jennie Lucas is a rising star and she certainly demonstrates it her December release of The Greek Billionaire’s Baby Revenge.

The book begins on an almost violent note when Anna Rostoff and her sister realize that Nikos Stavrakis, Anna’s ex-lover and father of her baby has come all the way to Russia and has taken possession of her infant son.

Nikos is one determined father, he will have and raise his son and he’s angry, angry that he has for months been deprived of his son and silently angry that his mistress Anna left him. He wants revenge, he wants his son and most of all he desires and is determined that he and Anna will marry and raise their son together.
How will he convince her? Your heart will stop as you read about this very sexy and determined man’s plan, a plan to have that family of his own, to be the father he himself had never had. However, his plan did not include love because Nikos believed to love would make him weak!

Anna can’t believe Nikos wants to marry her. How can he think it would work when she left him months before because she thought he was having an affair with his new secretary? Anna had once been Nikos PA and loved the job and working for him. She didn’t count on falling in love with him, becoming his mistress and expecting his baby. When she found out she was pregnant, everything changed…..Nikos insisted she quit her job and stay at home until the baby was born. When she thought he was having an affair, she left and had her baby on her own.

There are other issues involved as well…….her father had worked for Nikos and one learns later that he stole from Nikos, was badly in debt and also owed money to a family friend and Anna’s past employer, Victor. To top it off, Anna’s mother has also been borrowing money from Victor and the debt is astronomical.

In the end, many lessons are learned by both Niko and Anna as to what really matters in life……mainly love and family. The Greek Billionaire’s Baby Revenge is action packed, very sensual and passionate, an all around outstanding and exceedingly pleasing read, one the reader will remember for a long time.

Reviewed By: Marilyn

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor ♥
Weepy Factor ♥♥♥♥

Fun gossipy tidbit about the author: When asked why she writes romance, Jennie says: “I want adventure. I want passion. Most of all, I want hope—to believe we can all learn from our mistakes, to fight for what is right, to live happily ever after.”

To find out more about Jennie and her books you can visit her Website

The Boss's Christmas Baby - Trish Morey

Title: THE BOSS’S CHRISTMAS BABY (In Bed with the Boss)

Author: Trish Morey

Line: Harlequin Presents / Mills and Boon Modern Romance

Release month: North America/UK/Australia: November 2007

The S-Factor: Sizzling!

Back-Blurb:

The Yuletide childTegan Fielding is supposed to be masquerading as her twin, not sleeping with her sister's boss! But James Maverick is too sexy to resist. She'll be his mistress—Yet he doesn't know who she really is.The deception must end; Tegan is falling for the tycoon, and as Christmas approaches she has some news. How will James react when he finds his convenient mistress is expecting a special, seasonal delivery?

Review:

Morgan and Tegan Fielding are twins and Morgan has asked her twin to fill in for her while she attends her friends wedding in Hawaii. However, there’s a catch, since the boss won’t give Morgan time off, Tegan must pose as her twin which shouldn’t be a big deal because the boss is in Italy. Little do both women realize, the deal is on hold because of an illness so when James Maverick shows up at the office the next day, Tegan is blown away and tries to keep up the charade.

Immediately Maverick is drawn to his personal assistant as he watches her put on a pair of nylons….his buttoned up PA for some reason appeals to him out of the blue. There is something different about her, something sensual and he’s going to explore the options. This man is sexy as sin, wealthy and handsome and has a goal………not only to complete his business deal which would put his building development at the top for the next decade. His other priority is to find out why his PA suddenly appeals to him and to explore the possibilities. What does he have to loose or has he gone crazy?

What neither Tegan nor Maverick count on is their mutual attraction for each other and let me tell you their story not only sizzles it will take you on their sensual journey, one you won’t soon forget. Tegan fights her attraction for this man, every step of the way and Maverick is relentless in his pursuit even though he has a rule…..never again to get involved with his PA due to a past relationship where he was deceived.

Tegan counts on her sister being gone for a week but when Morgan is hospitalized from an accident and she realizes she can’t escape from the masquerade, she accepts she will be stuck working for the man. Her defenses against Maverick are shot to pieces, leaving her no choice but to give in to her desire for him. When he suggests an affair, Tegan gives in because she can’t help herself. What she doesn’t count on is falling for this sexy man and in the end, finding out she is carrying his child. What a mess!

Again Trish Morey delivers an incredible story, with strong emotion and wonderful characters. It’s a perfect holiday book and will make the reader really believe there is a Santa after all!

Reviewed By: Marilyn

Hero Hotness Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Heroine Lovability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Awww Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Stickability ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor ♥
Weepy Factor ♥♥

Fun tidbit: Let me just say that I will never look at the hood of a car nor its front seat in the same way…..just read the book and you’ll understand why! Happy Holidays! Marilyn

To find out more about Trish and her books visit her Website