Thursday, February 26, 2009

IN THE ARGENTINE'S BED - Jennifer Lewis



Title: IN THE ARGENTINE’S BED
(The Hardcastle Progeny, Book 2)

Author: Jennifer Lewis

Line: Harlequin Silhouette Desire

Release month North America/UK: March 2009

The S-Factor: Sensual

Back-Blurb:

It was just one 'simple' mission—find out whether a winemaker in Argentina was a New York millionaire's long-lost son. But Susannah Clarke quickly learned Amado Alvarez played by his own rules. He'd give her the DNA sample she wanted—if she spent the night with him! And in a moment of madness, she'd given in, to his demand and to her own desire. Now she had to return to South America to face this compelling, sensuous man again—and to face the consequences of that one unforgotten, unforgettable night in a stranger's bed….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

In the Argentine’s Bed is the second book in The Hardcastle Progeny and for Amado Alvarez it’s a second chance at finding love but not an easy one for him. For both Amado and Susannah it’s also a lesson in learning to trust, about family and the true meaning of coming home.

Tarrant Hardcastle is NOT a nice man. He’s a millionaire several times over and he owns a Manhattan retail empire Hardcastle Enterprises. He is also just holding onto life by a mere thread and it’s his goal to track down the illegitimate sons he once denounced.

Susannah Clarke has been given the assignment of getting a DNA sample from the handsome and sexy Argentine vintner Amado Alvarez. What neither of them counts on is their immediate attraction and how they immediately enter into a relationship. Amado is definitely one attractive man with an incredible heart. He loves his family, his grapes and his winery and he has no knowledge that Tarrant Hardcastle is his father until he meets Susannah. When he learns about Tarrant, his relationship with his family and the secrets they’ve been keeping almost rip the family apart.

Susannah is not only beautiful she’s very successful as a wine buyer and well thought of at Hardcastle. She loves her work and all of the travel it involves. As a child, she moved from country to country as her parents were missionaries and she doesn’t know the meaning of “home” but she gets a taste of it with Amado and the Alvarez’s. What tugged at my heart was that Susannah really never new the true meaning of home until she met Amado. She was always on the outside looking in, always moving and never belonging until she met him.

In the Argentine’s Bed is a stand alone book and one you won’t want to miss. Tarrant Hardcastle, his wife, daughter and his long lost sons are an exceedingly pleasing series and I honestly can’t wait to read the last book, The Heir’s Scandalous Affair.

Hero Hotness Factor♥♥♥♥♥
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Humour Factor
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Fresh Fiction Interview:
“In the first two books I had to keep a delicate balance between showing Tarrant’s growth as a human being, and keeping his cold, calculating edge, because I knew he was going to die by the third book. He’s already terminally ill in the first book, so it’s no surprise, but I didn’t want readers to be so attached to him that they’d be upset when he finally met his maker. I hope I managed to make Tarrant endearing enough to be sympathetic, but not so adorable that you’ll be furious with me for killing him off!” J Lewis

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

REVIEW: MOMMY IN TRAINING by SHELLEY GALLOWAY



Title: MOMMY IN TRAINING

Author: Shelley Galloway

Line: HarlequihAmerican Romance

Release month North America: January 2009

The S-Factor: Sweet



Back Blurb:



Matt Madigan's back in town…



And Minnie Clark's furious. Not only does she have her hands full being a new mother to her young niece, she has to face her high school crush again…and he's building a megastore that could put her struggling gift shop out of business!



Ten years ago Minnie was head over heels for Matt Madigan. Of course, the star football player never noticed. Minnie had to sit on the sidelines and watch as he dated her more popular, prettier sister. Now she has a constant reminder of those painful days—he's her new neighbor! But she's not going to let him waltz back into their Texas hometown full of big plans, just to break her heart all over again….



Review:

Mommy In Training by Shelley Galloway is a sweet romance about second chances. I really enjoyed the story and watching Matt and Minnie work through the challenges in front of them in order to get together at last. Whether it was Matt's job, or Minnie's own set of issues and insecurities or a combination thereof, there was always a chance that the two wouldn't get their very own happily every after.



Matt Madigan's returned home to Crescent View, Texas to oversee the development of the new SavNGo. While there, he's taking over the house of Mrs. Wyzecki, his beloved foster mother and neighbor of high school classmate Minnie Clark.



Minnie Clark has enough on her plate. Losing her older sister Paige was hard enough, but now she has her five year old niece to raise on her own and deal with the impending arrival of SavNGo, something she's sure is going to close down her small card shop. Even though she's happy to see the return of her high school crush, Matt, when she finds out the real reason he's in town, she finds it hard to see him as anything but a competitor, even if her heart feels differently.



I really enjoyed Mommy In Training. Matt is a real sweetheart of guy and I especially loved how he treated Kimber, Minnie's young niece and Mrs. Wyzecki. The relationship between him and Minnie evolved naturally and the tension between them was great. I really enjoyed the scene between Minnie and her ex where Matt makes a surprise appearance.



Mommy In Training is part of the MOTHERHOOD mini series.



Heroine Lovability Factor♥♥♥♥♥

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Stickability Factor (will they have a happily ever after) ♥♥♥♥

Humour Factor♥♥♥

Weepy Factor♥♥♥


Reviewed by: Lisa

Thursday, February 19, 2009

AT THE ARGENTINEAN BILLIONAIRE'S BIDDING - India Grey




Author: India Grey

Line: Mills and Boon Modern and Harlequin Presents
(International Billionaire’s Series)

Release month North America: March 2009 UK: March 2009

The S-Factor: Sensual and Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

Argentinean billionaire Alejandro D'Arienzo has fresh prey: heiress Tamsin Calthorpe. He sees her as a ravishing but spoiled beauty who destroyed his past—and he's ready to settle the score!

What Alejandro doesn't know is that Tamsin loved him, hiding her naïveté under the guise of willful sophistication. Now a talented designer, she's working hard to prove herself, despite her pedigree. But her credibility is in the hands of merciless Alejandro, who offers an ultimatum: her name in ruins, or her body in his bed…. He'll accept nothing less than her steamy surrender.


Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

I adore an excellent series and The International Billionaires are going to be wonderful to read; along with a rugby theme. India Grey’s contribution and the second book in the series is absolutely without a doubt……breathtaking as only she can write.

Immediately one will fall in love with the sexy Argentina rugby player, Aljandro D’Arienzo. He’s a gorgeous athletic specimen, handsome, rich and sinister. Years ago he lost his position on the English top rugby team due to a misunderstanding between the coach and his daughter, the Calthorpe’s. He’ll do anything and everything to get even, so he tricks Tasmin Calthorpe into returning with him to Argentina to design uniforms for his team.

You will adore Tasmin Calthorpe, her spunk and spirit just leap off the page. Her passion for fashion and proving herself are fierce. But her past with Aljandro, her youthful crush and her adult attraction will grip your heart. Their journey is full of passion, heat and at times hard to read as they are constantly in a battle of wills and sexual attraction. Be ready for tears when Tasmin shares past secrets. Their’s is such an incredible love story, full of adventure, heat plus the two settings……..rugby in England and polo in Argentina only add to this incredible book.

At the Argentinean Billionaire’s Bidding is like both sports, a very powerful addition to the series and trust me the ending will have you literally “cheering” in the stands!


Hero Hotness Factor
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Fun gossipy tidbit: The International Billionaires series: Read the article “No Knickers at Twickers”
here

UNTAMED BILLIONAIRE, UNDRESSED VIRGIN - Anna Cleary





Title: UNTAMED BILLIONAIRE, UNDRESSED VIRGIN

Author: ANNA CLEARY

Line: Mills and Boon Modern Heat
Harlequin Presents



Release month North America: May 2009/ UK: December 2008 / Australia/NZ: Feb 2009

The S-Factor: Sensual

Back-Blurb:

The rebel billionaire…

Connor O’Brien has scars – inside and out – proof of the dark and dangerous life he leads.

The innocent girl next door…

Inexperienced Sophy Woodruff has never known a man as devastatingly sexy as Connor. Intense, brooding and distant, this bad boy is everything she shouldn’t desire…

He’ll take her – and show her the most exquisite pleasure!
Despite his vow of non-commitment, Connor can’t resist bedding Sophy. But Sophy is a virgin, and once he’s taken her innocence he’s not sure he can walk away…

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Our alpha is Connor O’Brien….just envision tall, dark, handsome and mysterious. He is a man who is totally dedicated to his intelligence occupation and for a reason. He wants to attachments, no involvements as he’s been there and done that; as a result he lost his wife and son in an airplane crash.

Sophy Woodruff you’ll immediately love. She’s lovely, sweet and only wants a family who will love and accept her. Sophy was adopted but has always felt her adoptive parents loved their only child more and the proof of that is they have moved to England to be with that daughter and their grandchildren.

Sophy has discovered she has her biological father living right there in Sydney and she has a half brother. She and her father have been secretly meeting but it’s been a very painful experience for Sophy. He’s cold, uncaring and wants to pay her off. Sophy is not aware she also has a grandfather and he was a very old and dear friend of Connor’s dad.

Upon his arrival for his R&R in Sydney, Connor’s father’s dearest friend approaches him and requests he do a favour, surveillance on a young lady he believes is having an affair with his son. Of course, as the story unfolds one learns that the supposed lover is Sophy’s biological father and everything becomes complicated.

Connor takes an office in Sophy’s building so he can watch her and doesn’t count on the attraction they will experience. Their love story is bittersweet. It will have you cheering when Connor finally gives in to his attraction. However, you will cry right along with Sophy when he returns to his intelligence position.

Untamed Billionaire, Undressed Virgin by author Anna Cleary is written in such a manner you’ll actually feel you’re in Sydney, in its posh areas, the gardens, restaurants, and shops. Anna is very expressive and detailed in each of her books and always such a joy to read.


Hero Hotness Factor♥♥♥♥♥
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Stickability Factor ♥♥♥♥♥
Humour Factor
Weepy Factor♥♥

About the author: Check out Anna’s website here for her inspiration for the book. Reading it, I was transported to a country I’ve never visited but felt right at home.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

ONE MONTH MISTRESS - Sabrina Philips


Title: VALENTI’S ONE – MONTH MISTRESS

Author: SABRINA PHILIPS

Line: Harlequin Presents
Mills and Boon Modern Romance

Release month North America: March 2009
UK: February 2009

The S-Factor: Simmering and Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

Faye Matteson cannot believe the nerve of Dante Valenti! The arrogant Italian expects her to become his mistress in exchange for his help with her failing business.

In her inexperienced youth, Faye gave her heart to Dante—but he took her virginity and left her devastated. She'd sworn, never again!

But no one should ever underestimate the power of Dante Valenti's sensuality. If he wants her, he will have her….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

I was actually blown away reading this debut book by Sabrina Philips. Faye and Dante’s story is incredible! Dante is one stubborn, ruthless and opinionated Italian. As for Faye, she’s beautiful, loving and loyal to her family.

They had a past. It began when Dante came into Faye’s parents London restaurant. He was immediately drawn to her, even though he realized she was just fresh out of school but he recognized Faye’s talents and offered her a job; moving her to Italy. She was an excellent apprentice. She also knew she had very intense feelings for Dante. One evening Dante and Faye act upon their attraction and he takes away her virginity. He’s so upset by his actions, he hurls cruel accusations at her and Faye flees Italy without a word.

Now Faye is back and she needs Dante’s financial assistance to keep Matteson’s, the family restaurant from going under. In the end, Dante agrees, dangles their past in her face and demands she become his mistress. Their interaction, their attraction, the nasty comments and accusations Dante’s says to Faye will make your heart ache, it certainly did mine. Their time together in Italy will put you in an emotional state just reading about it.

I admired Faye’s determination and her need to save her family restaurant for her mother, for her father’s memory and for the staff at Matteson’s no matter what it would cost her in the end. After weeks of hard work, the accusations, and the harsh comments are too much for her so again Faye leaves Dante to return home to rebuild Matteson's. However, now she has a secret and she's more determined to make the restaurant a success. As for Dante, let’s just say he learns many things about himself and what is most important to him which is Faye.

Sabrina Philips is a brilliant author and I feel so privileged to have been able to read her debut book. Its intensity will take your breath away and it will be one love story you will long remember.

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

Reviewed by: Marilyn

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

REVIEW: PLEASURED IN THE PLAYBOY'S PENTHOUSE - NATALIE ANDERSON



Title: Pleasured in the Playboy’s Penthouse


Author: Natalie Anderson


Line: Mills and Boon Modern Heat


Release month : February 2009



The S-Factor: Simmering


Back-Blurb:


At the red-hot millionaire’s mercy!


Bella has always felt like the ugly duckling in her family, but after one night with super-sexy Owen Hughes she feels like a beautiful swan. Until she realises Owen isn’t the ordinary guy she thought… This struggling waitress is daunted by his multi-millionaire status – he is exactly the kind of man she avoids!


But Owen won’t let Bella shrink back into her shell. Two weeks of pleasure in his penthouse and he’ll have her begging for more…


Review:



Natalie Anderson’s latest novel for Modern Heat, Pleasured in the Playboy’s Penthouse, is a fabulously feel-good romance that will go down a treat with Modern Heat readers everywhere!


Bella Cotton is not looking forward to being a bridesmaid at her sister’s posh wedding on a luxurious tropical island. Not only are her fellow bridesmaids all waif-like leggy blondes who could stop traffic, whilst she’s a Plain Jane who has spent most of her life lurking in the shadows, but she also has to contend with her relative’s constant questions about her non-existent love-life, whilst admitting to her father that she’s still working in a café, trying to make it an actress!


Things for Bella soon start to look up when Owen Hughes walks through the hotel doors. Sexy, charismatic and as handsome as sin, Owen soon makes it blatantly clear that the only woman he is interested in is her! A night of sizzling sex soon follows. But when Owen disappears into the night, Bella realizes that she’s been let down once again and vows never to let herself be used like that ever again.


Fed up of being stuck in a rut, she goes back home and decides to move to a city. However, just when she thinks that she’s starting afresh, she bumps into Owen and he makes it clear that he wants to pick up where they left off that night.


Owen had had to leave Bella because of his work and now that he’s found her again, he’s determined that he is not going to let her slip through his fingers! As luck would have it, Bella needs a place to stay and Owen offers her lodging in his sumptuous penthouse. Sparks soon start flying between the two of them and before long they’re indulging in a no-strings passionate affair.


But neither of them has counted on falling in love with one another…


Natalie Anderson is just brilliant at writing hot, sexy, funny, witty and contemporary stories about modern women falling in love with gorgeous Alpha heroes with hearts of gold. Pleasured in the Playboy’s Penthouse is a fantastic story, featuring a lovely heroine and a terrific hero you’d just love to meet, that will delight fans of this most talented writer of romantic fiction.



Hero Hotness Factor♥♥♥♥


Heroine Lovability Factor♥♥♥♥


Awww Factor♥♥♥♥


Stickability Factor (will they have a happily ever after) ♥♥♥♥


Humour Factor♥♥♥♥

Monday, February 02, 2009

THE SECRET MISTRESS ARRANGEMENT - Kimberly Lang


Title: THE SECRET MISTRESS ARRANGEMENT

Author:
KIMBERLY LANG

Line: Mills & Boon Modern Heat
Harlequin Presents


Release month UK: January 2009 USA:
April 2009

The S-Factor: Sensual

Back-Blurb:

One week of red-hot passion…

Time is money to drop-dead gorgeous tycoon Matt Jacobs. But when he meets beautiful Ella Mackenzie at his best friend’s wedding, he decides to break his rule and make the most of his week off work – by spending it in bed with her!

One convenient proposal!

Strong-willed Ella doesn’t do sleepovers – but Matt’s incredible lovemaking has got her hooked! So when their secret week between the sheets comes to an end, Ella finds herself accepting the sort of indecent proposal she never thought
she’d consider…

Review:
♥♥♥♥♥

The Secret Mistress Arrangement is Kimberly Lang’s debut contemporary and it’s magnificent. As a reader I’m always so excited to read a new author, especially a M&B or Presents author. Honestly, they never let me down and Kimberly is no exception. I’m also a true romantic at heart so when I began reading this book and it began with a wedding setting, I was overjoyed and not disappointed.

Mel and Ella are best friends and Ella wants to make Mel’s wedding the wedding of her dreams. They were college roommates and later roomed together in Chicago. She is very special to Ella as she has no family and Mel and her family have adopted Ella into their fold. Let’s just say Ella’s fond memories of family as such, relate to her grandparents who raised her.

Ella is petite, beautiful, feisty, bright, organized and is making plans after the wedding to move to Alabama to begin a new job, a new life and return to her Grands home. Quite honestly she has commitment issues and you will want to help her along because she is such a lovely woman who needs that extra “push”.

The groom and Matt have known each other forever and Matt is his best man. He has arrived late for the rehearsal dinner from Atlanta due to a late flight. This attorney is to die for; he’s handsome, he has an incredible body and well let’s just say is very very good at everything he does in and out of the bedroom. Matt’s goal is to make partner by his mid thirties and he’s a workaholic. He comes from a large and close family, is the youngest and even though he loves his family, would rather spend his time in Chicago with Ella.

Matt and Ella’s journey in finding love begins with a dance at their friends wedding and then Matt invites Ella to dinner and the chemistry between them is hot! They act upon their attraction and the next morning they make the decision to continue their affair in secret for a week. In return Matt will help Ella pack for her move and it will give him time to get to know this lovely woman. Their time together will take your breath away, not only their passion but their romantic journey, first as friends and then as lovers.

Matt and Ella’s goodbyes, well have some tissues ready for the farewell and for their future struggles. Kimberly Lang has crafted such a beautiful and romantic love story. I congratulate Kimberly on her debut book and look forward to reading many more.


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

Reviewed by: Marilyn

Fun gossipy tidbit about author:

On the “Dear Reader” page of her book, Kimberly states she’s a hopeless romantic and loves to fall in love. That’s why she reads romance.