Riding The Waves - Tawny Weber

Title: RIDING THE WAVES

Author: TAWNY WEBER

Line: HARLEQUIN BLAZE

Release month ( North America/ UK / Australia): North America - September

The S-Factor: ( Sizzling! / Simmering / Sweet) Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

All uptight workaholic Drucilla Robichoux wants is to experience incredible sex, at least once in her life. So she heads off to Mexico for some sun, sand and sin. And she finds the perfect playmate in sexy surf instructor Alex. Her temporary boy toy teaches Dru to ride the waves, all right…

…right into the most intense climaxes she's ever had!

But all vacation flings must end. When Dru heads home, she buttons up tight again. Might as well keep this delicious fantasy right where it belongs…in her naughty memories.

So it sure is a shock when she walks into work Monday morning and finds her secret fling is her new boss! And he's definitely still interested in catching the big one with Dru.

Review: ♥♥♥♥

Ms. Weber adds another sizzling read to her list with RIDING THE WAVES.

Drucilla "Dru" Robichoux wants for once to have some great sex. It seems her track record with men isn't what it should be. Since she has some vacation time to use up before she starts up a huge project at work, her best friend suggests a vacation fling. So when Dru goes to Mexico and lays eyes on the sexy surf instructor, maybe her friend's idea wasn't so outlandish after all. Alex seems to be the perfect vacation fling. Sexy, fun and best of all, they'll never see each other again.

Alex "A.A" Maddow spends his off time in Mexico, relaxing and hitting the waves, sometimes filling in at the local resort as a surf instructor. In his day job however, he's the rock star of the physics world, a job that has him bouncing around from city to city, project to project every few months. Mexico is the one place he can relax and truly be himself, leaving the world of "A.A" behind.

Dru and Alex are a well matched pair, even if the two of them don't know quite how well. While on vacation, Dru neglects to mention her own job as an astrophysicist, and Alex never mentions his real job isn't teaching the tourists to surf. Instead, he's pretty well everything Dru ever wanted in a man, including the brains and great sex.

Ms. Weber excels at is the chemistry between her characters and Alex and Dru are no different. Together they make an explosive pair. When the truth comes out as to Alex's full identity, Alex "A.A" Maddow, the man who's supposed to lead the string theory project with Dru things are beyond awkward. Alex demands to know the truth of why she left Mexico without a word to him and Dru just wants to forget...but truthfully, how can she? It seems Alex is everything she ever wanted in a man, but he's the one getting the helm of what was originally supposed to be her project. Can the two of them overcome that obstacle? One thing's for sure, Ms. Weber creates a memorable sexy read with these two wonderful characters.

Reviewed by: Lis

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THE VIRGIN'S PROPOSITION - Anne McAllister

Author: Anne McAllister
Line: Mills and Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents
Release month: UK: North America: Sept 2010
The S-Factor: Sexy


Back Blurb:


Anny Chamion isn't used to acting out of the ordinary—not when her regal position dictates that she behave sensibly and with decorum. But a chance encounter with the infamous Demetrios Savas has this princess desperate to throw the royal rule book out of the window!


Demetrios Savas's heart is empty—that's the way he likes it. So how has this delectable stranger left him reeling? And why he is craving to taste such deliciously forbidden fruit once more?


Review: ♥♥♥♥♥


If you’re a fan of Anne McAllister’s like I am, you’ve read her Greek series, especially and clans of Savas and Antonides, Greek families who is in the end become family due to marriages and share a beautiful family home in Greece. The Virgin’s Proposition was a beautifully written romance which featured a princess, Anny Chamion and a hunky American actor Demetrios Savas, a beautiful Greek alpha.


They met quite by chance at the Ritz Carlton in Cannes at which time was the celebrated Cannes Film Festival. Anny was at the hotel to meet the husband her father wanted her o marry, a man she didn’t love but respected and knew it was her duty to her country to marry him. However, quite by chance, Demetrios Savas was also at the very same hotel and trying to getaway from the press that was hounding him so when he spotted the lovely and demure Anny he came up with a plan to act like he knew her and have her help him escape the press.


Anny knew immediately who Demetrios was, a famous actor who had married a beautiful starlet who had died leaving a grieving husband behind. For that reason she assumed, he had disappeared from the news but now he was in Cannes promoting his latest release. She felt for him and his loss and he was so unlike Gerard the man she was promised to but she was intrigued, went with him, shared a meal with him and took him to the hospital where she volunteered and for the first time in a long time she felt like a real person. Like Anny, Demetrios felt joy like she did and felt he owed her something; she only had to ask. Actually she did, she asked him to make love to her and it was unbelievable. To make matters worse, the next evening when they thought they would never see each other again, they met on her fiancé’s yacht and Demetrios was furious.


Demetrios knew one thing for sure, he wanted to get on his brother’s sailboat as promised and sail to Santorini for peace and solitude and return the boat and get on with his life. What he didn’t count on was Anny showing up at the dock requesting to sail with him nor his strong desire and how she tempted him every step of the way. Was he a fool to allow her onboard? Could they both survive the journey and keep their hands off each other? The Virgin’s Proposition was a beautifully written love story giving two interesting characters a second chance at love with twists and turns which made their journey even more enjoyable to read.


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Reviewed by: Marilyn


Behind the Book:

From a post on I(Heart) Presents, Anne shares with her fans the following

THE ANDREOU MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENT - Helen Bianchin

Author: Helen BianchinLine: Mills and Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents
Release month: UK: Feb 2010 North America: Sept 2010
The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back Blurb:

Loukas Andreou: a force to be reckoned with in business…and in the bedroom, as rumor has it. The same man who, to Alesha Karsouli's horror, she must marry according to the terms of her father's will.

Alesha reluctantly concedes to a paper marriage where she and Loukas will fulfill social obligations yet lead separate lives. But Loukas needs more…a wife who is doting in public. And the only way to make that arrangement appear authentic is if she's his willing bride in private…

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Helen Bianchin has written the most amazing love story, very powerful, very intense and made me believe that love can survive all in The Andreaou Marriage Arrangement.

Alesha Karsouli had lost so much, her father and had been married for a brief . to a horrible and abusive man, a man she thought she loved and could trust. A man who was only into the marriage for what he could get, money. In order to end her marriage, she had to call her father and tell him of the abuse and he paid off her husband. And now that father who she loved and adored had passed away and had left some of his company to his best friends son, Loukas Andreou, a man with an impeccable business

reputation and and quite the ladies man. A Greek rich and handsome man she in her youth had admired from afar. And now she was being forced into a marriage of convenience with Loukas. Alesha was hurt by her father’s desire to see her married to Loukas plus the fact that she would have to share the helm of running the company with him.

Loukas Andreou was a handsome and successful business man and one could only assume while reading this beautifully crafted love story that he actually was looking forward to his marriage to Alesha. He had always found her attractive, smart and after his meeting with her, I believe she challenged him in and out of the boardroom and the bedroom as well. He certainly realized after they were married that he wanted her and was looking forward to having her in his bed. What he didn’t count on was her past and how very afraid she was of being intimate and then with horror, he realized that she had been abused by someone and then it dawn on him, her husband.

They got off to a rocky start, but with Loukas patience and tenderness their marriage blossomed, or should I say Alesha opened up to him like a beautiful flower. They went on to Greece for business and see his family and as I read this magical love story, I absolutely couldn’t put it down. Reading about their love growing, their mutual respect for each other and how they both came to realize how much they loved each other and wanted a family together was absolutely magical!

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

AN HEIR FOR THE MILLIONAIRE – 2 Stories in 1 – Julia James an Carole Mortimer

Authors: Julia James and Carole Mortimer
Line: Mills and Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents
Month: UK: North America: August 2010
The S-Factor: Sensual

Back Blurb:

Two proud fathers about to claim their heirs!

The Greek and the Single Mom by Julia James
For Greek tycoon Xander Anaketos only money talks, and when he breezes back into Claire's life, he wants her back in his bed. But what will he do when he discovers his impoverished ex-mistress is also the loving mother of his child?

The Millionaire's Contract Bride by Carole Mortimer
Impossibly rich Xander Fraser wants struggling single mother Casey Bridges to be his bride…of convenience! Casey knows their marriage can never be real, but that doesn't stop her falling for her new husband….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Two Greek alpha’s, both named Xander!

Julia James – The Greek and The Single Mom

No commitments for Xander Anaketos in fact he never kept a mistress for more than a few months and then his goodbye, an expensive parting gift! However, Claire sincerely believed her time with him meant more, that she actually might have a chance and a future with Xander because not only the look in his eyes but she had spent almost a year with him and she had a secret, she was expecting his child.

Can you imagine loving a man, knowing you were pregnant with his child and that you actually felt he care more for you than any other woman he had been with before? And then the bomb is dropped, he’s met someone in New York and he’s going to replace you! Personally, I think I would have wanted to kill him but not Clare. She quietly left him alone in a restaurant and literally walked out of his life. And now four years later living with his beautiful son Joey and an older woman Vi who she cares for like a grandmother, she’s trying to make ends meet and saving for a vacation for the three of them. Vi had been wonderful, taking them into her home and in exchange they had worked together and had become a family.

A new job at a new hotel, one that Xander would never think of using until a fateful night when sealing a business deal and who should he run into but the woman from his past, his mistress that had walked out on him, who had made him furious. Of course Xander couldn’t leave it alone, with the help of the staff he finds out where’s she’s living and finds out that he has a son she’s kept from him. Being the alpha he was, he insists they marry and Clare will have not of it. However, they both agree to a Caribbean trip, just the three of them.

Father and son, not a problem in bonding but for Claire, well let’s just say the entire experience was extremely painful. So many things to get past, especially the sensual tension and of course, he manipulates everything thing setting off not just fireworks, everything spirals out of control. A second chance not just for love but for a family? Julia James in this short story wove a beautiful romance with a very happy ending.

Carole Mortimer – The Millionaire’s Contract Bride

Xander Fraser and Casey Bridges whether they want to or not, have a mutual problem. Their spouses left them both with no thought for anyone but them selves. They didn’t care what it would do to Casey, Xander and their each of their children and now they (Sam and Chloe) were both dead and Chloe’s father was trying to get custody of his grand daughter Lauren.

Their children Lauren and Josh had become friends and had been through so much. However, so had the parents who had been left behind due to their selfishness? However, Xander had a plan to save both of the children and Casey who was struggling to make ends meet. That was putting it mildly; she was working two jobs and was dead on her feet. Therefore, Xander’s plan was for them to have a marriage of convenience, providing a trust and safety for Josh and Casey and thus fending the take over of his daughter Lauren. Thus, it would create a stable environment, especially for the children.

Casey had been told so many times she was frigid by her ex-secretly he wanted it all. Would they have a chance at happiness?

The Millionaire’s contract Bride was brilliant, short and sweet and very sensual. What I loved about this is how author Carole Mortimer tied this three week romance up into a wonderful happy ending.

Both authors gave readers a sample of their extreme talent in this “2 stories in 1” romance, two Greek alphas with sweet heroines who so deserved romance and a happy ending!

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

SWEET SURRENDER WITH THE MILLIONAIRE – Helen Brooks

Author: Helen Brooks
Line: Mills and Boon Modern/UK: June 2010 North America/Harlequin Presents Extra: August 2010
The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back Blurb:

Willow Landon is starting a new life. She's determined to prove herself as an independent woman, having escaped a controlling relationship. She certainly doesn't need help from Morgan Wright, her arrogant neighbor! Morgan may have movie-star good looks, own a country estate and have millions in the bank—but she's not interested.

Morgan is also determined—to show Willow just how a lady should be treated….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Helen Brooks has written a most interesting romance with Sweet Surrender with the Millionaire because usually it’s the heroine who surrenders but in this case it was the hero Morgan Wright, the self made billionaire who lived on the bordering estate.

Morgan Wright’s parents passed away at and early age and he was sent to live with numerous relatives, no one really wanting anything of turning them away. And now, his five dogs and his housekeeper and her husband have become his family. He’s extremely handsome, well built and quite the ladies man and clearly is not interested in ever being married.

Willow Landon wants her independence and is determined to purchase a little cottage in the country. She’s been married which was a disaster, she’s lived with single friends and now she’s ready to find peace and quiet in the country when she purchases a fixer-upper country cottage. However, what she doesn’t realize is that this cottage needs work, it needs a central heating system, needs the chimney to be cleaned so when she cleans up the backyard she not only sets a huge fire, the embers and papers fly onto to the estate next door and Morgan comes to Willow’s rescue. And then, she sets her chimney on fire and again, Morgan rescues Willow and she has to stay overnight at his estate until her home can receive the required maintenance.

Weary doesn’t even begin to describe Willow. Her parents are both gone, her marriage was an abusive disaster and she absolutely doesn’t trust men nor herself. However, she’s grateful for her neighbors attention and friendship but it can only be that, just a friendship because Willow definitely has trust issues. Even though her sister and her husband approve of Morgan and encourage Willow to date him, she resists every step of the way. What so intrigued me about this love story is how quickly the hero Morgan fell for Willow, how she enchanted him and made him feel things he had never felt before.

Emotional doesn’t even begin to describe Willow and Morgan’s relationship. She’s an emotional wreck, thinking about him all of the time, dreaming about him where Morgan is quite at peace because he’s very sure of his feelings for Willow. So much so, he realizes he loves her whereas Willow is so afraid, even though her sister encourages her. And then one fateful night, fate intervenes in the form of the birth of Willow’s nephew and it becomes a wake up call, especially for Willow.

Did they get their happy ending? You bet and what a wonderful one it was, sweet and endearing!

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

WEDDING NIGHT WITH A STRANGER - Anna Cleary

Author: Anna Cleary
Line: Harlequin Presents Extra / Mills and Boon Modern Heat
Release month: North America: Aug 2010 UK: Apr 2010
The S-Factor: Sexy

Back Blurb:

Bride: signed, sealed and delivered!

Ariadne Giorgias has been set up! Instead of being welcomed in Australia by family friends, she's picked up from the airport by a lone, strikingly gorgeous stranger...

Sebastian Nikosto doesn't know what to expect from his contract wife-to-be. But it certainly isn't the beautiful Ariadne, or the combustible attraction that sizzles between them. Perhaps there might be an upside to this ridiculous arrangement?

But once the bartered bride’s been wedded, it seems that neither party is in such a hurry to annul the marriage as planned...

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Anna Cleary has written an intriguing romance which was absolutely fascinating and lovely to read. The way they met, how they first reacted to each other, how the tables were turned on both of them was a sweet, soft and tender romance.

Ariadne Giorgias sole my heart because of all she’d been through’ from loosing both of her parents as a young child, to being raised by a dominating older Greek Uncle, for her reason she left her groom at the alter causing a scandal for her Greek family. Now her family sent to Australia for a holiday and to get away from Greece and the press. She believed it was a fully paid holiday from her Uncle until she phoned them before her plane departed and found out that her uncle had arranged a deal with an Australian businessman. She was shocked because her family expected her to marry him. She was terribly upset and didn’t want to go. And then she found out that the holiday had not been paid for and she needed money to survive, money she didn’t have and the question was how was she going to get it?

As a courtesy to her uncle, Sebastian sets up a meeting with Ariadne because her uncle had made a deal with him. He would provide the cash flow to put his business back on top if he would marry his niece. What he didn't know was that she came with baggage but so did he because he vowed never to marry again as his wife died three years earlier and he never wanted to make that sort of commitment again nor experience the loss. However, he felt a duty to his company and employees and so he decided to meet her; but it started out badly. He didn’t meet her as planned at the airport and she found him frosty. He felt she was a spoiled rich girl. What he didn't know was that she didn't inherit unless she married and at the moment she really needed the money because she was actually stranded in Australia and would have to leave her hotel to seek a place to live and a job.

Boy oh boy did the sparks fly between them. I actually felt like a third wheel while reading their first encounters. And then I felt so badly for Ariadne because she tried to hock her jewelry so she could find a place to live; in the end she didn’t have enough money and had to settle for less and agreed to marry him, stay married for a short time and then when she got her inheritance walk away. Honestly, reading about their married life, how hard they both tried, how sweet Sebastian was to her, how much she adored him and wanted to make a special home for him was very special until everything blew up in their faces. However, like all relationships that were meant to be they had to learn what was important, search their souls so that in the end they could have their happy ending. Charming, sensual, emotional and happy endings all rolled into one by the talented Anna Cleary.


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Reviewed by: Marilyn
Behind the Book from author’s website:

“Imagine you're stranded in a strange country without money, a place to live or any connection to a living soul. Except for an icy, angry, stunningly gorgeous Greek who despises you, that is.
This is the situation Ariadne Giorgias finds herself in when she steps off the plane from Naxos and into a nightmare.
Can this beautiful, sad, and until now very sheltered heroine survive the cruel shocks of life in Australia?”

IN TOO DEEP – A Summer for Scandal (Brenda Jackson and Olivia Gates

Author: Brenda Jackson and Olivia Gates
Line: Silhouette Desire
Release month: UK/ North America: July 2010
The S-Factor: Sizzling and Sensual

Back Blurb:

Husband Material by Brenda Jackson

Beware the jilted husband: Matthew Birmingham never played fair…especially when it came to his ex-wife. When she moved across the country, he moved back to their estate—back to their bedroom—determined to win back her love…by any means necessary.

The Sheikh's Bargained Bride by Olivia Gates

Meet the shocked groom: Sheikh Adham saw marriage as a business venture, his wife a mere convenience…until they portrayed the loving couple in public. Would finally seeing his bride in a new light shatter all his rules?

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Book 1 in A Summer Scandal miniseries it’s described “spend the season in the Hamptons, where the wealthy play hard and their passions run hot!”

Husband Material by author Brenda Jackson was a very sensual read about a second chance at happiness and love. A Hollywood Producer and Actress that were adored by the press and fans as they were to have shared a perfect marriage. However, Matthew Birmingham was a work alcoholic and he only wanted to provide the best for his wife; he wanted her to have everything. However Carmen his wife didn’t care about that she only wanted her husband and when he didn’t show up in Spain as promised and she lost her baby she was going to tell him about upon his arrival, that was it…..she filed for divorce.

Now a year later and part of her divorce settlement, she’s staying at their Hampton estate and going to attend the polo matches and have a little R&R. What she doesn’t count on is Matthew showing up and telling her he’s determined to stay at the estate and they could share! Gossips, the press, everyone speculated about a reconciliation. However, they both were determined to seek revenge for each of them hurting each other and it was a very dangerous game, a very sensual game which literally sizzled off the pages.

Husband material was a very enjoyable read, emotional because of the emotional loss they both felt, the misconceptions, the hurt and in the end, the happy ending. It, along with the Sheikh’s Bargained Bride set the stage for this series and I’m looking forward to reading about the other characters introduced at the polo matches.

The Sheikh’s Bargained Bride by the fantastic author Olivia Gates was book with all sorts of surprises because one is immediately given the insight that he cherished and adored his wife, but that was only for the press. Let’s just say I was shocked at the reason he married Sabrina Grant because it was obvious they had made love and that she adored her new husband. She was also confused why he stayed away from her until she found out her about the bargain he made with her father. A ridiculous one at that!

Again, set in the Hamptons and around the polo matches of course this rich sheikh would be involved as he was a top notch player and bred Arabians. He adored his animals but he mistrusted his wife because he believed she knew about the agreement he had with her father. However, he wanted her!

As a new bride Sabina Grant could not understand why her new husband had put a distance between them. They had been intimate when they were dating and she adored him and missed him fiercely. Why during the day in front of his friends and the press did he pay attention to her, touch her, act as if she was the most special woman in the world? Then nothing, no sharing a bedroom…..nothing!

Well it had to stop and then the most horrible thing happened she overheard a conversation one that explained that what he thought of her and why he married her and it broke her heart! However, in the end he lusted after her, he couldn’t help himself and she saw “red” and left him. Well, I loved a dark man, a mysterious one and in the end this particular royal was brought to he knees, I promise. Again, Olivia Gates has written a sensual dance between two extremely charismatic characters in The Sheikh’s Bargained Bride.

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

COUNT TOUSSAINT’S BABY – Kate Hewitt

Author: Kate Hewitt
Line: Mills and Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents
Release month: UK: Dec 2009 North America: Aug 2010
The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back Blurb:

French count Jean-Luc Toussaint had never seen such a beauty! Under the glare of the spotlight, the spirited performance of the waiflike pianist mesmerized him. He wanted to taste that passion for himself!

Swept off her feet by the count, Abigail Summers naively thought she'd be forever wined and dined at his château. Instead, the unassuming starlet found herself abandoned, penniless, pregnant… and waiting with bated breath for the brooding Frenchman to read the newspaper headlines and come thundering back to take what was his….

Review: ♥♥♥♥

Kate Hewitt has written a soulful book with two tortured lovers in Count Toussaint’s Baby.

They met at Abby’s concert, went to dinner and then to his hotel. It was magical their feelings even in light though Jean-Luc Toussaint blamed himself for his wife’s death. However, for a brief moment in time, he felt alive and that was because of Abby.

Talk about guilt Luc was feeling for his dead ex-wife. And then there was the beautiful and talented Abby who lived her life as a prodigal pianist for her father. Now due to his mismanagement of her funds, she was penniless. As for Jean-Luc he blamed himself for his past, for hurting his ex-wife and for hurting Abby.

Abby had lived her life for her musical parents. Piano and music was her life and nothing more. She had definitely never felt this way about a man and she was determined that this very special night would be one she would have and that she would give herself to this man even if it meant only this one time. However, it didn’t happen. And then months later he found her in a small seaside town and they made love.

Now months later, he finds out from a newspaper that she was pregnant with his child. Of course, being the rich and successful alpha he was he came after her and brought her home with him to France but there was no emotion shown and I couldn’t even imagine how this sweet young woman could endure not being loved.

There were so many secrets between them. Their only emotional bond between them was their baby. It was a one sided love and Abby really loved him. And when Abby learned his secrets and the mystery of his Chateau and his past I wondered if they would get a chance to make it right. However, it only took Luc to realize that he couldn’t run from his past and that instead of protecting her, he was protecting himself. It was about taking a risk and choosing love.

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

CLAIMING HER BILLION-DOLLAR BIRTHRIGHT (The Jarrods) – Maureen Child

Author: Maureen Child
Line: Silhouette Desire
Release month: UK/North America: July 2010
The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back Blurb:

The revelation turned Erica Prentice's world upside down—by birth, she belonged to a wealthy Colorado dynasty and her real father had left her a fortune. And the Jarrod family attorney, Christian Hanford, was there to show her the ropes. As Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome escorted her around Aspen, Erica was in for a second shock—her fiery attraction to the strictly off-limits attorney. Fraternizing with the Jarrod heiress could get Christian fired.

Which would she choose: duty to her family dynasty…or desire for a dynamic bachelor?

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Another marvelous book by the very talented Desire author Maureen Child. This is book one in The Jarrod series. “A powerful family divided by secrets, reunited to forge a dazzling future.” This is Erica Prentice’s story, the illegitimate child of Don Jarrod who had recently passed away.

Erica’s life had been turned upside town when a sexy, handsome lawyer from Colorado turned up and told her the father she’d known her entire life was NOT her father and that she had a sister and brothers. She was also told she had inherited a sixth of the Jarrod estate because Don Jarrod had actually been her real father. Part of her inheritance meant she must return to Colorado and help her brothers and sister run the Jarrod resort.

For Christian Handford the Jarrod attorney, there was immediate attraction when he set his eyes on Erica Prentice. However, he also knew his job would be in jeopardy if he acted on those feelings. He also realized another thing, that he had never been so attracted to a woman before in his life. This beautiful woman who he could sense was very strong, especially the way she took the news, she didn’t cry and told him she would go not for the money but for her, to find out who she was since her whole life had been a lie.

Confronting her father with her news was stressful for her but she needed to know the truth from the man she spent most of her life loving only to not have the love returned. He definitely would not allow her to work in the family business, only her two brothers. He made the revelation that Don Jarrod was her birth father, more about him than her. Erica realized when she learned the truth that her father had wanted to prevent a scandal not protect her. However, in the end she was wrong, he actually loved his daughter, he just had trouble showing the emotion.

Christian made arrangements for Erica to fly out to Aspen so she could acquaint herself with Jarrod Resorts and meet her siblings. Immediately, there was a connection with her sister but a few of her brother’s were a challenge. Her new position was to be working with her brother who was the Marketing Director and she would do the PR for an upcoming Food and Wine event in Aspen. However, the attraction between Christian and Erica went to a new level and he found it more difficult to stay away from her. When it became unbearable they acted on their passion for each other. He still resisted because of the clause that had been put into place by Don about personal involvement with a Jarrod. However, Erica was determined that he know what he was missing and she was determined that they be together.

Claiming Her Billionaire Dollar Birthright was Book 1 in the Jarrod series and a marvelous one. It not only set the stage for the upcoming books in the series, it gave the reader lots to think about, gave a little insight and dynamics into this unusual family who all left town, only to be drawn back by their father from the grave. Desire author Maureen Child did a brilliant job tying together the Jarrod family and Emily Prentice a strong and determined young woman.

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

Claimed! (Sons of Chance) Vicki Lewis Thompson

Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson
Line: Harlequin Blaze
Release month: UK/ North America: August 2010
The S-Factor: Sizzling and Sensual

Back Blurb:

Following a dream brought Josie Keller to Shoshone, Wyoming. Following her heart brought her plenty of great sex with good-time cowboy Jack Chance! She was head over heels for him… until he left her.
Stay with one woman? Not a chance! Then why does Jack miss Josie like crazy? Had their relationship been more than just incredible sex?

Little do Josie and Jack know that a plan's afoot to get them back in the saddle…together. And once there, it's not long before they're burning up the bedsheets again!

But the past is never far away. Before it catches up with them, Jack has to decide if he's going to stake his claim on Josie, or lose her forever….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

He was her last chance!

We’ve all been there and done it and I absolutely couldn't’t wait for each book in this mini-series Sons of Chance, by Blaze author Vicki Lewis Thompson! Hot cowboys who reside in Wyoming on the Chance ranch and raise horses. Each brother handsome and unique and Claimed was the last book in the series, the oldest brother Jack’s story. Honestly, I had a lump in my throat in the final three chapters, it was a real tear jerker! Plus a fabulous cast of secondary characters with a few secrets thrown in for good measure. Conflict, tension at it’s best!

In the first two books Wanted and Ambushed we learned quite a few things about the sons of Jonathan Chance. First of all, their father was killed while picking up a horse, a horse Jack Chance was supposed to take care of and one he asked his father to take care of so he could spend time with his lover Josie Keller, a woman his father wasn’t too fond of his son dating. After the accident, Jack broke up with Josie and broke her heart. He also took over the operation of running the ranch, a duty he never wanted and he became a tyrant, working himself to death and he drove his brothers crazy.

One also learned that Jack had some emotional issues and feelings. His birth mother gave him up and walked away from he and his father. His step mom Sarah Chance, even though he adored her, he kept her at a distance and while she wanted him to call her mom, he insisted in calling her Sarah. All his life, Jack had gotten away with shutting down his emotions. What Josie knew and why their relationship hadn’t worked before and probably wouldn’t work again, was that Jack built up walls so he wouldn’t get hurt, like his mother hurt him when she walked, like his father hurt him when he died. He built them so high, he couldn’t commit to past or presents relationships, that same wall that was keeping Josie out. Until he could tear it down she couldn’t be in his life.

And then there was the woman who drove him wild, Josie Keller, the woman who was going to be in his brother’s wedding along with him, the woman he hurt. He ached for her, he missed her and his family offered him an opportunity to mend fences and see her again so he came up with the plan to teach her to ride a horse because his brother and future bride wanted to get married on horseback at the Chance Ranch. Let’s just say eventually they took up where they left off. I loved Josie, how passionately she still loved Jack but was willing to walk away until he came to his senses. Claimed was a very emotional story for me and reading the final chapters I had tears rolling down my face; I didn’t want the book to end. Talk about an amazing second chance love story.

As I read all three books there was one clear message and that was the legacy that Jonathan Chance left to his sons. Life went on, and their father would have been the first to say it. He would have wanted his three sons to make their mark on the town and to know that the Chance boys had been there. He would also have wanted them to move forward. The ending left me thinking and hoping that author Vicki Lewis Thompson will somehow continue this series, writing Josie’s brother’s story and the secondary characters in the series she so lovingly created.

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

SOPHIE’S SEDUCTION (UK) - (USA) SOPHIE AND THE SCORCHING SICILIAN (The Balfour Legacy) – Kim Lawrence

Author: Kim Lawrence
Line: Mills and Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents
Release month: UK Sept 2010: North America: Nov 2010
The S-Factor: Sexy

Back Blurb:

When blue blood turns bad...Illegitimacy scandal rocks Balfour legacy. Last night there was only one place to see and be seen at - the Balfour Charity Ball. But despite the glitz and the glamour, all was not as it seemed. Behind the scenes, Olivia Balfour and her scandalous twin Bella were locked in a battle over a shocking discovery - their late mother, socialite Alexandra Balfour, had conceived their sister Zoe during an illicit affair! The beautiful Balfour twins were witnessed in the midst of a cat-fight...Were they ever going to tell their little sister, girl-about-town Zoe, the devastating revelation...?

There is no Balfour blood running through Zoe Balfour's veins! The Balfour name might be synonymous with glamour and style. But this is the second illegitimate family member to be outed in as many months. It seems this dynasty is rotten to its core. Now Balfour is just a by-word for disgrace and scandal! Such behaviour at this commemorative ball can only lead us to conclude that the Balfour twins are following in their mother's distinctly uncertain footsteps. Is it too late to stop the rot? We challenge Oscar Balfour, the proud patriarch of this crumbling family: wake up and smell the scandal!

Review: ♥♥♥♥

Sophie Balfour was the middle child of the family, the quiet, shy one, and she lived on the estate in the carriage house with her mother where she had studied a interior design course from her home. And how after the Balfour Charity Ball and the scandal involving her sister Zoe, her father is determined that all of his girls will go out on the own and learn something about hard work. He has a past friend who owns a shop and so he sends Sophie there to work. Sophie works very hard and is put always in the background and because of her determination to succeed they take advantage of her and pile on tons of work. And then with they get the call from the handsome Italian Billionaire Marco Speranza that he wants to restore is family villa in Sicily, the owner plus her co-workers are unavailable to go so in the end, they must send Sophie. She arrives in Italy, with no luggage, wearing a sack dress to hide her generous curves and falls asleep in Marco’s office while waiting for him to return to his office. He’s not interested, and is surprised to see such a “plain Jane” sitting there. However, Sophie is fierce with her presentation and in the end he agrees, but she must oversee the job not her boss. There is something about her that intrigues Marco.

Marco had once been married and had married for love. He had expected someday to have a family but once the ring was on his wife’s finger, she told him she had other ideas. And then time after time she humiliated him and he finally divorced her and moved out of his family villa. Now he had returned and was going to hire an interior design firm in England to bid the job. At the last minute the owner had to send Sophie Balfour as she was the only one able to give the proposal because the others were unavailable.

Their initial meeting was very interesting. He wanted to call a halt but Sophie was determined to succeed not only for her boss but to show her father she could. There was something intriguing about the girl and her determination and eventually she wore him down and agreed to take her out to his villa the next day. For Marco, this Englishwoman seemed half alive and yet the was passion just below the surface. As a Balfour she had a life most people would dream of and yet she wasn’t living it. He was also troubled because this plain woman with no fashion sense intrigued him, plus the fact that she hid her curves.

Marco felt anger at the Balfour family who had allowed Sophie to become invisible just because she was the quiet one. Behind her smiles and quiet manner, she was stubborn as anyone he’d met and she was also quietly ruthless when it came to getting her own way. He felt this was why the project came in under budget and was finished ahead of time. She had a body that drove him wild and she responded to him like to one else. She was sweet, stubborn and most of all loyal. One thing was for sure during the evening of his ball Sophie had organized, there was no comparison between his ex-wife and Sophie. She was pure and said what was in her heart. She brought his home back to life and when he finally realized it there was no turning back. They both had a marvelous perfect and happy ending.

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

EMILY’S INNOCENCE (UK) EMILY AND THE NOTORIOUS PRINCE (USA) (The Balfour Legacy) – India Grey

Author: India Grey
Line: Mills and Boon Special Release/Harlequin PresentsRelease month: UK: August 2010 North America: October 2010
The S-Factor: Sensual

Back Blurb:

She ran away from her fairytale lifestyle when she’d discovered her father was a cheat and a liar. Now she’s struggling to make ends meet. When Prince Luis Cordoba sees Emily teaching underprivileged kids to dance, he instantly recognises a Balfour heiress. But Emily’s pride won’t make it easy for the prince to rescue her – especially when she’s uncomfortably attracted to him…

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Emily’s Innocence was a superbly written Cinderella story and a very teary one at that by the very talented India Grey. The fairy tale ending so unique if told would definitely ruin the reader’s experience.

Emily Balfour was looking forward to the Balfour Charity Ball and then an unbelievable thing happened, she’d was kissed in the gardens by the very handsome playboy Prince Luis Cordoba of Santosa. She had never in her life felt such burning desire and then he had embarrassed her by saying “call me when you grow up!” A lot had happened in her family, the loss of her mother, a sister they didn’t know about and her untimely arrival. It had all been too much; the emotions of it all cost her ballet career. And now months later and yet another scandal in her family which was revealed at the ball along with a picture of Luis in attendance. However, Emily’s had not been living at the manor, she’s disappeared after the first scandal and death of her mother. She was living in another city in a shabby rental and teaching ballet at a shabby youth center.

Life had also changed for Prince Luis, he had lost his bother and sister-in-law in a tragic accident and his father the King was gravely ill. The palace press were trying to change his playboy image and one of the things they had planned for him while he was in England was to visit different charities boosting his image. As fate would have it, they visited the very youth center where Emily taught to witness a ballet and to donate money. Imagine the shock for both Luis and Emily when they discovered each other. More of a shock to Luis was Emily’s appearance and her using the name Jones instead of Balfour. While attending the ballet he thought of his shy little orphaned niece and it pricked his conscience that he really didn’t know her and watching Emily with a shy little dancer moved something inside him. He was determined to find out why she was using another name so he demanded she have dinner with him at his hotel. He could see she was dead on her feet and wore clothing not fit for a Balfour. However, he did call her father and told him he’d found Emily and due to the Balfour scandal he’d take care of and talk to her.

Luis found out a couple of things about Emily, she was still suffering from the loss of her mother, the arrival of an unexpected sister and her outlook on the morals of her father. Plus the loss of her ballet career because she was so emotional. However, he also found out from her father that whatever Emily Balfour did she did it passionately with her whole heart and soul. Personally, I thought that statement was the key to who she was plus the fact she revealed to Luis that honor, trust and truth were important in a relationship. Luis understanding that Emily wasn’t ready to go home and was eager to get away from where she was living and working, offered her a job teaching his niece ballet and she could stay in the palace and in the end, she accepted.

The Prince was a wolf, always touching, taunting and it was driving her crazy plus she fell immediately in-love with his little niece Luciana. Of course, Luis had his father to worry about his secretary Tomas and his press secretary was driving him crazy trying to reinvent his image. And the paparazzi had a field day when he took Emily out to dinner or the ballet and Luis couldn’t seem to keep his hands off of her. Their relationship grew to a boiling point and became a very sensual and a passionate one, a most romantic one and Emily fell deeply for him. But the fact still remained; when his father passed away he would be King and would be expected to marry one of the women chosen for him. He knew he didn’t want to hurt Emily and that he would always care for her and he really tried to keep her at a distance. And then the worst thing happened, the King died and Emily’s heart was broken.

Emily’s Innocence was such a wonderful romantic love story with a charming and beautiful ending, giving this innocent young Emily Balfour her Prince Charming in a most spectacular way. India, the ending was amazing!

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

Behind the Book:

See what author India Grey has to say at IHeartPresents

Kat’s Pride (UK) Kat and the Dare-Devil Spaniard (US) (The Balfour Legacy) – Sharon Kendrick

Author: Sharon Kendrick
Line: Mills and Boon Special Release/Harlequin Presents
Release month: UK: August 2010 North America: September 2010
The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back Blurb:

After another of Kat’s exploits makes headline news, Oscar Balfour calls in a favor. Spanish tycoon Carlos Guerrero will employ Kat as cabin crew on his luxury yacht. Trapped in the middle of the ocean with the most fiercely sexy and powerful man she has ever met, can Kat swallow her pride and learn the most important lesson of her life?

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Another incredible romance written by author Sharon Kendrick. Kat’s Pride part of The Balfour Legacy series was a very emotional and sensual read. The Balfour’s were famous for their scandals, wealth, beautiful daughters and their annual Balfour Charity Ball.

Looking back a year ago at her father’s charity ball, Kat remembered how she had humiliated herself with the handsome Spanish billionaire Carlos Guerrero. He was absolutely the most handsome man she had ever seen; she was drawn to him and didn’t understand the emotions she was feeling. She shamelessly flirted with him and he made it plain to her he didn’t like it, nor her behaviour and thought her to be a spoiled rich girl. Kat rarely dated and she put up an armor using fashion and make-up to hide behind. She truly felt the moment you showed hurt, you made yourself vulnerable. However, her spirits were lightened when her father told her he was sending her away to the Mediterranean to sail on a luxury yacht.

Carlos Guerrero was not a happy man because he let Oscar Balfour talk him into taking his daughter Kat and putting her to work on his yacht to teach her responsibility. He didn’t like the young woman, even thought he thought she was beautiful, the didn’t like the way she behaved and the way she flirted. He remembered he had turned her down. You can well imagine when Kat realized not only was it his yacht, her cabin wasn’t a luxury one and she would be cooking and cleaning for his staff she exploded and wanted to be returned to the mainland. In fact she tried by jumping off the boat and had to be rescued by him.

Kat hid behind being impeccably made-up and high fashion, always showing a brittle exterior while really she was insecure inside. She was terrified someone would find out. So when he bated her, she fought back. Her first days onboard were miserable because she had never cooked a day in her life. She failed and he smirked and taunted her. Finally, she asked to use the computer to get some instructions and recipes and she actually enjoyed cooking and the crew and Carlos were amazed and pleased.

Kat and Carlos sparred until it became too much and they acted on their lust when one night when Kat had a nightmare about how her stepfather died. Carlos woke her, cuddled with her and then made love to her. Talk about combustive, I was surprised the yacht didn’t explode. And to his amazement he also found out she was a virgin.

However, one problem occurred to Carlos. He hadn’t used protection and he was the experienced one and now they had to wait it out to see if Kat was expecting his baby. As the days followed, they continued to be close, so close that Carlos share like when he was a young bullfighter and how his father had abused him. He didn’t want his child to feel that their father would be living their life through them, just like his father had done to him. And then one morning Kat came to him and told him she was not pregnant so he sent her home. Only to learn via the press that she was seen leaving an OB’s office.

They each in their own way had suffered pain and both used ways to protect themselves. In ways, they were very much alike….stubborn, passionate. I began to wonder if they could both put their demons in the past and move forward as a couple and embrace their upcoming baby. Kat’s Pride was book 2 in the Balfour Legacy, one I will long treasure. In one word it was stunning!

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

UNTAMEABLE ROGUE – Kelly Hunter

Author: Kelly Hunter
Line: Mills and Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents Extra
Release month: UK: March 2010 North America: November 2010
The S-Factor: Sizzling and Sensual

Back Blurb:

Businesswoman Madeline Delacourte has no time and no need for a man in her life; after all, her late husband left her independently wealthy. But then she meets Luke Bennett. With his hard body and even harder attitude to life he poses a challenge, and awakens a hunger she didn’t know she had…

Luke is only visiting Singapore for a week, and Madeline knows she’s playing with fire. He is as roguish as he is seductive, and if she unleashes this bad boy’s passion she’d better learn how
to tame it – otherwise it’s her who’ll end up getting burnt…

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Untameable Rogue was a most unusual romance set in Singapore with a heroine that sincerely tugged at my heart strings thanks to author Kelly Hunter.

Madeline Delacourte was a interesting heroine who by her shear strength managed to survive a tragic childhood and lost so much but was in the end, a survivor. She married an extremely wealthy man 30 years older, did not love him but was faithful to him and now she was a widow. Maddy built up her husbands company with determination but what I adored about her was that she took street kids to her friend Jacob Bennett’s dojo which if they worked hard and didn’t steel they would get housing and food. Please the fact these children were saved.

On one particular day while taking a child to the dojo she met Jacob’s brother, Luke and all I can say is the sparks fly and for Maddy, he’s the first man in years that makes her ache with need to get to know him in a most personal way. It’s the very same for Luke, this proud “warrior” who for a living flies all over the world with the dangerous occupation of detonating bombs.

Luke Bennett couldn’t stop thinking about Maddy, so they began seeing other, sleeping with each other and everything became complicated because they sincerely started caring for each other. They somehow became a team and they complimented each other. Top it off, Luke’s brother was there in Singapore, Maddy’s housekeeper adored him, Po the boy who was now residing at the dojo loved him and there were times they all spent time together and became in a strange sort of way a family.

Then their balanced lives changed when Luke kept being called away in the middle of the night and went to another corner of the world. And then the worst happened, he was shot and it scared Maddy to death because she realized she loved Luke. But would he love her back and give up his dangerous job and settle down with her in Singapore? She knew Luke was a warrior with “honour, soul deep and absolute. Duty-bound, forsaking all else”. As much as she admired him, she loved him and wanted him safe!

Most people in Maddy’s social circle gossiped about her, said horrible things about her, trashing her and when they overheard someone saying she sold herself on a street corner she felt the need to explain that those remarks weren’t true. She felt she didn’t fit in Luke’s honorable life, they fought and Luke was angry because he wanted her to believe in him like he believed in her. It was hard for Luke to accept why she married a wealthy husband she didn’t love and the money also bothered him. As for Maddy, she was afraid of getting hurt because most of her life had been full of that emotion. However, in the end this couple get their happy ending in a most glorious way. When I emailed Kelly to see if there was a behind the book story, you can see her answer. I can’t wait to read another Bennett story.

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

Behind the Book:

“When I wrote my very first hmb 'Wife For A Week' and introduced my heroine, Hallie, I made the newbie mistake of giving her four completely over the top overprotective big brothers, all with ridiculously alpha occupations that I knew nothing about. They were wanderers, these brothers. Thrill seekers not inclined to settle down. And then I had to write them”. K. Hunter

THE GREEK’S PREGNANT LOVER - Lucy Monroe

Author: Lucy Monroe
Line: Mills and Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents
Release month: UK: July 2010 North America: August 2010
The S-Factor: Sizzling, Sexy and very Sensual!

Back Blurb:

No-strings fling…to wedding ring?

Self-made billionaire Zephyr Nikos has come a long way from the streets of Athens, but his heart is stone-cold – like marble. He can’t offer Piper Madison his love; instead he offers her his world: fine dining, private jet, rubbing shoulders with the rich and powerful…

As their passion heats up and finally reaches boiling point, Zephyr and Piper must end their affair before one of them gets hurt. There’s just one small complication…Piper’s pregnancy test just came back positive!

Traditional Greek Husbands
Notorious Greek tycoons seek brides!


Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Lucy Monroe has written a very sensual, moving and spectacular romance with The Greek’s Pregnant Lover. Spectacular doesn’t even begin to describe this no strings fling and I wondered if there would be a ring?

Childhood friends Zephyr and Neo met in a Greek orphanage, and left Greece at a very young age on a freighter and headed for Seattle where they as young men made their billions in real estate. We met Neo in The Shy Bride, Lucy’s first book and now this story is about the hard Greek Zephyr Nikos and his interior designer Piper Madison, his “friend with benefits”, his lover and his sincere friend. Zephyr knew someday he would probably marry but it definitely wouldn’t be for love, because love hurt and he had learned that as a very small child when his mother left him at an orphanage and left a life of prostitution and her husband who was her pimp for another man who offered her marriage. He begged her not to leave him but she did. Because of that he forged such a deep friendship with Neo and they bonded as not only business partners but as dear friends and brothers! He also developed a deep friendship with Piper, he enjoyed her beauty, personality and had respect for her as a designer and for her developing her new business. However, the had been separated for well over a month and he missed her. Now she was coming to Greece so they could work on an exclusive resort/spa project on a private island.

Piper grew up moving from city to city because her father was in the military and her deepest dream was to someday have love and a permanent home. She knew deep down because of a failed marriage and now being with Zephyr that it would probably not happen but she also realized while in Greece she loved him. After suffering a painful divorce from a cheating husband and having her reputation trashed by him. She was forced to leave New York and move to Seattle to start over. Zephyr had given her a second chance by hiring her which gave her to open her own design business.

Piper and Zephyr spent some down time alone in Greece just enjoying each other. She also realized in Greece after he revealed the secrets of his past and trust me they were upsetting, that he would never love her. Piper was on the “patch” so when they ran out of contraption, they both agreed it was OK not to use any. However, days later when taking a shower she realized it had gone missing…..what a mess and could she be pregnant. It definitely was nothing they intended. He trusted friendship very much and she couldn't’ understand if she was pregnant why he wouldn’t trust that a marriage would work. However, he knew he could not give her something she made clear and that would be love. So off they go to the private island and wait to see if she is expecting his child.

There was one thing for sure while on the island it was intense. However they had a very successful business trip and then returned to Seattle. She promised after seeing her OB-Gyn to see if she was pregnant she would call but a week went by and no word. He had time to think and he was NOT going to be a part time father and he was not going to beg her to marry him. He was determined she would accept and he went crazy when he couldn't’t find her. But one thing was clear, he begged his mother once not to leave him, to love him and he would never do that again or would he?

Their pasts definitely shaped their future, plus their friendship, their deep and powerful passion for each other. My heart ached for Zephyr because deep down I knew he loved Piper because besides Neo, she actual got him and deep down he knew it! The ending of The Greek’s Pregnant Lover was so very intense and moving it broke my heart learning of this proud Greek’s feelings and his turmoil. And my heart broke for Piper because she loved him so. This book will remain on my keeper shelf, along with the other Lucy Monroe’s incredible and amazing love stories……thanks Lucy!

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

HIS VIRGIN ACQUISITION – Maisey Yates

Author: Maisey Yates
Line: Mills and Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents Extra
Release month: UK: August 2010 / North America: October 2010
The S-Factor: Sizzling and Sensual

Back Blurb:

Daring proposal…

When Elaine gives her business presentation to Marco De Luca she thinks she can be cool, calm and collected. She’s wrong! The fierce tycoon can see straight through her shapeless suits and scraped back hair and get right under her skin…

Ruthless awakening!

She may have proposed marriage as the perfect business arrangement, but suddenly Elaine’s not quite so confident. Marco’s made it clear that he’s no modern man – if he takes a wife he wants a ravishing beauty by his side, and at his beck and call day…and night!

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Over the past three years I’ve had the privilege of reading many debut authors from the Mills and Boon and Harlequin Presents Line. His Virgin Acquisition by debut author Maisey Yates takes conflict to a new level! It’s a very fresh, passionate and a roller coaster romance and one that had me reading well into the early morning. Personally, Maisey has I believe, an amazing career ahead of her and one that will thrill many readers of category romance. Her characters have depth and passion plus the conflict which makes for a wonderful love story.

They were both two high powered people with their sole purpose to succeed. Two people who came from such sad backgrounds. Marco DeLuca from a father that turned his mother and brother out into the streets and his mother choosing a rich man over taking care of her sons and abandoning them to take care of themselves,. And Elaine Chapman knew her father loved her but never thought enough of her abilities to run his company when he retired. As for Elaine’s mother, when she couldn’t get the attention and love from her husband, she sought out other lovers.

Talk about an interesting story line. Elaine came to the very rich, sexy, billionaire Marco, to propose a marriage of convenience with no intimacy with her goal being in the end, she would get her father’s company and he would gain some acquisitions because he had settled down. In the end , they both would win due to an air tight prenup! She was a very buttoned up woman, one that had been trashed by an ex-boyfriend which trashed her career and reputation.

However, Marco the man of the hour, the very sexy Italian alpha was known for his business acumen, for his success and for his appeals of dating models, starlets and beautiful women. Could he agree to this marriage of convenience? Yes, but only on his terms and he would change her amid would give her a makeover and show the curves she’d hidden. If she was going to be Mrs. DeLuca, then she would look and act the part. In the end, she would get what she wanted….. her father’s company because he had purchased it and would give it back to her when their arrangement was over.

Their timeline was quick….they needed to be seen together socially, then marriage and then off to Hawaii so Marco could acquire an exclusive resort. From the moment they agreed to marry, the tension sizzled between them and she being the inexperienced woman she was, couldn’t and didn’t understand what was happening. Even though she tried to tap it down, her emotions kept flaring, sensual ones that in the end she decided to give herself to her new husband. OMG, talk about emotions and passion when they finally couldn’t fight it anymore and the tension building up to it had me sitting on the edge of my chair and reading about their month together in Hawaii was incredible.

However, there were trust issues so very strong and issues that Marco didn’t understand…..especially his feelings for this most amazing woman. He believed Elaine to be like all women, always having an agenda and then the most horrible thing happened, Elaine found herself pregnant. Something Marco never wanted…..children and then the worst…..anger, harsh words and on and on. Honestly I thought, could their marriage of convenience get any worse and would they salvage it?

His Virgin Acquisition was an amazing and very well crafted romance, one I will remember for a very long time. If I didn’t know that was Maisey Yates debut book, I would have thought she had written several love stories. If you love attraction, forgiveness, passion and conflict, this is the book for you! Thank you Maisey for letting me be a part of your professional journey, the book was most amazing!

Hero Hotness Factor♥♥♥♥♥
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Reviewed by: Marilyn

Behind the Book:

“I started writing the book right after my second son was born. I knew I wanted to write Presents, and suddenly Elaine was there, and she was demanding to have her story told. Of course, then I had to find the man who was...well, man enough to handle her! And that's where Marco came in.” M. Yates

MIA'S SCANDAL (The Balfour Legacy) - Michelle Reid

Author: Michelle Reid
Line: Mills and Boon Special Release/Harlequin Presents
Release month: UK: Mia’s Scandal Jun 2010 North America: August 2010 Mia and The Powerful Greek
The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back Blurb:

While scrubbing floors, Mia dreams of a better life. Then she discovers she's a Balfour—the illegitimate daughter of one of the world's richest dynasties! Thrust headfirst into her new family's spectacularly glamorous lifestyle, she's scared….

But then comes an opportunity to learn about high society, through the chance to work for Greek tycoon Nikos Theakis, who struggled his way up, himself, from the slums of Athens to Millionaire's Row. Nikos has got where he is by always having taken what he wanted…. Until Mia's sweetness and integrity stop him in his tracks…

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Mia’s Scandal sets the stage for the Balfour Legacy series. Also author Michelle Reid’s online read on Eharlequin, Scandal at The Balfour Ball.

I was so thrilled to have read this book as Mia Bianchi was one smart, sexy and sizzling Italian heroine and Oscar Balfour’s illegitimate daughter. Her untimely arrival at Balfour Manor had caused all sorts of things with her father trying to keep her a secret, the untimely death of his wife and now a scandal. However Oscar wanted to teach his daughters a few of life’s lessons and the first daughter he chose was Mia. Oscar sent her to a one of his business associates, a powerful, dark, handsome and successful Greek billionaire!

Nikos Theakis was the perfect Greek hero as far as I was concerned. He came from poverty, abusive parents, and he came up the hard way. However, he owed everything to Oscar Balfour because he was the man he was today because of Oscar! But take in his daughter, teach her about business, social settings, give her confidence and integrity? The very same beautiful young woman he almost ran over at her parents estate? The very same woman with a “cheeky” mouth, lush curves and determination? What had he agreed to, and what was he going to do with her?

Talk about chemistry, he’s constantly touching her and he’s not even aware. For a man who goes through women like one would change his socks, Mia drives him crazy with her beautiful eyes, long flowing hair, sexy sultry voice and the same holds true for her. She may be an innocent but not for long! She loves him and when they act on their passion, it goes seriously up in flames but it becomes complicated when she finds out she’s pregnant!

What I so loved about Mia’s Scandal was how Michelle Reid tied both of their feelings into knots. Mia definitely wanted love from him whereas due to his abusive past he didn’t know how to love. People viewed this proud Greek as a successful business man, a very handsome man with a string of beautiful women in his past. They didn’t know he never slept alone, that he didn’t have locks on his doors and it was even more brilliant how she chose to put Mia in Greece right along with the very mother that gave her up and how in the end Niko’s realized he loved Mia. This is going to be such an exciting series and I can’t wait to read about the other Balfour sisters!

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

Behind the Book:

.What do you enjoy most about writing as part of a continuity series; how does it differ to writing a single title?

This was my first attempt at writing for a Continuity series, and I enjoyed the challenge of creating a story from someone else’s ideas. However the real challenge for me had to be disciplining myself to keep the story within continuity guidelines when my writer’s head wanted to shoot off in all different directions!

.Did you identify with Balfour sister you were writing about?

Oh gosh no. Mia Balfour was born and brought up Italy, so I had to teach myself to think like an Italian heroine! I do this all the time with my Italian heroes but it felt somehow quite different climbing into the head of an Italian heroine. And Mia was so young and sweet and vulnerable and brave, I admired her from the beginning and I loved “learning” to understand her.

.Which sister’s hero did you find most appealing?

Besides Mia’s hero Nikos Theakis? I thought long and hard about this question but each time I decided on an answer I instantly changed my mind. So I suppose I have to say that I found them all appealing!


Michelle’s website

ONE NIGHT......NINE-MONTH SCANDAL - Sarah Morgan

Author: Sarah Morgan
Line: Mills and Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents
Release month: UK: Jun 2010 /North America: Sept 2010
The S-Factor: Sensual, Sizzling, Sexy

Back Blurb:

She sold the Zagorakis diamond…but he’ll buy her back!

A sleek Ferrari in the sleepy English village of Little Molting was always going to create a stir – but for schoolteacher Kelly it only means one thing. Her ex, Alekos Zagorakis, has stormed back into her life the way he left it: completely on his own terms.

Four years ago Kelly stood, bouquet in hand, realising that her gorgeous Greek groom wasn’t walking down the aisle to meet her. Now he’s come back to claim what’s rightfully his – and that includes one night with Kelly…

…with a nine-month consequence!


Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

To use the adjectives amazing, marvelous, incredible doesn’t even describe One Night……Nine-Month Scandal. Alekos Zagorakis is unlike any Greek alpha I’ve read about. Yes he’s typical with the wounded past, he’s tall, dark, handsome and very very rich but he just can’t seem to get it right when it involved Kelly Jenkins, the woman he left at the altar four years earlier.

Now Kelly was doing the unthinkable, she’s selling the fabulous heirloom diamond ring he gave her, his grandmother’s ring, her engagement ring. And she's selling it on EBay! Kelly was like no other heroine, she loved this man, she spoke freely, she was sweet, kind, adored children, was a teacher and charmed all people she met. She only loved one man, a very confusing Greek man and he left her at the altar, humiliated her in the press, yet four years later she still loved him. However, what she didn’t understand was how he could hurt her like he did but it was time for her to move on, so she decided to sell the diamond, not so much for herself but for closure and yes to make a statement, because the man she so loved was publicly seeing a famous Greek dress designer and it looked serious.

Of course, this proud Greek alpha buys the diamond for four million dollars and came to collect it himself! Call it what you want, lust, passion it leaps off the pages between Kelly and Alekos and when they returned to her home to get the ring they acted on their passion in a most irresponsible way. In the end a pregnancy! A pregnancy Kelly wanted very much and one Alekos did not!

Kelly drove him insane, so much so that he ended his relationship with the Greek designer and sent for Kelly on his private jet and brought her to Corfu. Kelly tried to tell him why they failed, as hard as it was for him, he tried to open up and share why he left her at the altar because he actually didn’t want children. There was a good reason for that because when he was six years old his parents made him choose who he would live with and it took its toll on him. As for Kelly, well she knew what it was like to hope her father would make time for her but he never did…….she was always waiting, hoping and she didn’t want that for herself or her child.

There were so many twists and turns to this romance, so many ups and downs I just kept reading all through the night because One Night……Nine Month Scandal literally captivated me, kept me holding my breath, had my heart racing and all I wanted for this couple was that happy ending! You won’t believe the ending Sarah Morgan gave these lovers, it was simply amazing!

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

Behind the Book

"The idea for One Night – Nine Month Scandal came to me while I was on holiday on the beautiful Greek island of Corfu last year.

Corfu is one of my favourite places - sparkling turquoise sea, golden sand and the most breathtaking sunsets. It’s the perfect setting for a sizzling hot Presents romance.

One hot morning we hired a boat and sailed around the coast to deserted beaches that couldn’t be reached on foot. While we were swimming off the boat, enjoying the clear water and the marine life (my family were watching the marine life, I was looking for sharks because I’m a writer and that’s how my brain works.....) another small boat sailed into the bay and a young couple swam from the boat to the beach.

Later, talking to the locals, we realised that the beach was private and belonged to a rich Athenian who had a holiday home on the island, tucked away out of sight.

I started imagining what would happen if an ordinary English girl on her gap year just happened to innocently swim to the private beach of a Greek billionaire. Soon the story was racing ahead in my mind. I decided that this relationship would be passionate and intense right from the beginning – that my heroine Kelly would be completely swept away by her handsome Greek lover, Alekos. Under the red glow of that romantic sunset he would propose marriage and Kelly would dress for her wedding, sure that she would be with this man for the rest of her life. But on the day of the wedding all her dreams would collapse..........

As I played with the idea I realised that the real story would begin afterwards, when they’d been apart for some years. Bringing them back together was easy – I’ve always wanted to do a scene where the heroine sells her ring on eBay and this was the perfect opportunity. When Alekos sees that she’s selling his ring he explodes right back into her life. The intense passion is still there, but this time they are forced to dig deeper and get to know each other and, as they unpeel the layers of secrets, they each make shocking discoveries –" S. Morgan

To read the opening chapter of One Night – Nine Month Scandal, go to my website www.sarahmorgan.com and click on Browse the Book or the Coming Soon page. Hope you enjoy!