MARRIAGE REUNITED: BABY ON THE WAY - SHARON ARCHER

Author: Sharon Archer

Line: Medical Romance

Release Date: October 2009

The S-Factor: Sweet

Back-Blurb:

A miracle to mend a marriage

Dr Liz Campbell thought her marriage was over. She still loved Jack, her gorgeous firefighter husband, with all her heart. But he'd left because he could not give her the one thing she wanted most in the world... his baby.

Now Jack's back, and hoping to rekindle his marriage - his time away has made him realise how much he loves his wife. A single kiss leads to one wonderful night - and one incredible miracle... Liz is pregnant with his child!

Now there's every reason for Jack to stay. He's determined to be the husband Liz wants and the father their baby needs.

Review:

If you haven't discovered the magic of Sharon Archer, then rush to the book store and get ready for her wonderfully moving and beautifully written Medical Romances!

Jack Campbell's good looks and charm had swept Liz off her feet! Jack might have been from the wrong side of the tracks, but Liz was unable to resist the firefighter and when he had proposed marriage to her, Liz had accepted. Liz had hoped that she had finally found the man of her dreams. But she was in for a very rude awakening when Jack had told her that he was unable to give her the one thing which she wanted more than anything in the world: a baby of her own!

Liz was shocked when she realized that Jack was adamant that he wouldn't father a child with her. Cracks soon started appearing in their relationship and Jack had decided that the best thing for him and Liz would be to part ways, so he headed off to America for six months and hoped to start afresh. But forgetting Liz was easier said than done...

On his return to Australia, Jack tracked down Liz again - and was gobsmacked when he found out that his wife was pregnant with his child! A baby was the last thing Jack expected. But turning his back on his wife and child was not an option. However, Liz is adamant that she is going to bring up this baby on her own.

But will Jack convince her that he wants to be a permanent part in her life - both as father to her child and a husband to her?

Marriage Reunited: Baby on the Way is a wonderful story. I laughed, I cried and I was completely mesmerized from page one. Sharon Archer's characters just leap off the pages and you cannot help but root for them and cheer them on to their much-deserved happy ending.

Sharon Archer's writing shines with warmth, humour and charm and I'm positive that she's well on her way to becoming as big a name in romance as Margaret Way and Marion Lennox!

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THE WICKED BARON - SARAH MALLORY

Author: Sarah Mallory

Line: Historical Romance

Release Date: October 2009

The S-Factor: Simmering

Back-Blurb:

When Luke Ainslowe returns from his lavishly opulent lifestyle in Paris, his reputation as an expert seducer of women precedes him. The ladies of the ton are torn between scandalized outrage and the desire to become mistress to the most dashing rake London has ever known….

Innocent Carlotta Durini refuses to become the baron's next conquest. For she lost her heart to Luke once before, and now believes herself impervious to his lethal brand of seduction. But what if the Wicked Baron refuses to take no for an answer?

Review:

Sarah Mallory's second Historical Romance for Mills and Boon is a delicious treat for Regency fans the world over!

All of London is enchanted with the exotically beautiful Carlotta Durini. Graceful and elegant, Carlotta has many a gentleman's heart a-flutter and her aunt, Lady Broxted, has high hopes for her. Carlotta hopes to marry a titled gentleman with a substantial fortune in order to allay her parents' financial worries - and to forget the man who had broken her heart: Luke Ainslowe, the Wicked Baron.

Yet, forgetting him seems to be harder than anticipated for Luke has turned up in London again and brought back to the fore all the old feelings which Carlotta had tried so hard to bury...

Luke finds himself enchanted once more by the beautiful Carlotta. However, he's perturbed by the fact that the innocent young girl he fell in love with has now become a ruthless chit with marriage on her mind. As Carlotta accepts another man's proposal, Luke cannot help but feel that she is making a huge mistake...

Will the Wicked Baron be able to convince Carlotta that her future is by his side?

The Wicked Baron is an enchanting Regency romance featuring a wonderfully feisty heroine, a swoon-worthy hero and plenty of adventure, intrigue, passion and seduction to keep readers enthralled from start to finish! Sarah Mallory's Regency world is captivating, beautiful rendered and immensely atmospheric and I for one cannot wait for her next novel to return to this wonderful world!

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ITALIAN DOCTOR, DREAM PROPOSAL by MARGARET MCDONAGH

Author: Margaret McDonagh

Line: Mills and Boon Medical Romance

Release Month: October 2009

The S-Factor: Sweet

Back Blurb:

Gorgeous but shy Ruth Baxter lost interest in relationships long ago – until a seductive encounter with one dangerously handsome Italian ...

He just happens to be Dr Rico Linardi, leading specialist and Ruth’s potential new boss! How can she even consider working in close proximity with a man who stirs desires she didn't know she had?

Rico knows the connection between them overwhelms Ruth, so he begins to break down her defences gently. After all, he is attracted to her beauty and her intelligence, and wants her as his lover – and his wife!

Review:

Margaret McDonagh sweeps us back to the beautiful Scottish town of Strathlochan with her latest mesmerizing Medical Romance: Italian Doctor, Dream Proposal.

GP Ruth Baxter has always been a shy bookworm. She's never happier than when she has her nose stuck in a book. But she's always extremely nervous whenever she has to strike up conversations! Her passion for knowledge has seen her through an awful childhood and an acrimonous relationship with a man who lost no time in telling her that despite the fact that she was an academic genius, as a girlfriend she was a complete and utter failure.

Luckily for Ruth, her busy job as a GP leaves her no time for a relationship - and she's perfectly happy about that! Recently, Ruth has been busy researching the immune system for one of her young patients. She has struck up a correspondence with the expert in the area - Dr Rico Linardi - and when he invites her over for a conference, Ruth is expecting a fusty old Professor - so she's shocked when she claps eyes on Rico for the very first time and realizes that the Italian doctor is the most gorgeous man she's ever seen!

Sparks immediately begin to fly between Rico and Ruth, however, Ruth is wary of acting upon her attraction. Men have always hurt and used her and she is not ready to go through all that pain again. But she hasn't counted upon Rico's determination to make her his...

Margaret McDonagh never fails to pen engrossing romances imbued with pathos, emotion and realism and Italian Doctor, Dream Proposal is another one of her enchanting and enthralling Medical Romances that will keep you reading all night long. Margaret McDonagh's ability to create richly drawn and believable characters and her talent for writing captivating romances make her one of category romance's most talented writers and I am already counting the days until the release of her next novel!

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Title: THE LATIN LOVER – Lucy Monroe/Trish Morey

Author: Lucy Monroe and Trish Morey

Line: Harlequin Presents

Release month UK:/ North America: October 2009

The S-Factor: Sexy and Sensational

Back-Blurb:

The Greek Tycoon's Inherited Bride by Lucy Monroe

Phoebe's betrothal to Spiros Petronides' brother meant she was forbidden, and honor was the code the Greek billionaire lived by. But with one kiss Spiros knew he had to claim her as his!

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ - THE GREEK TYCOON’S INHERITED BRIDE

To say I loved The Greek Tycoon’s Inherited Bride by Lucy Monroe is an understatement…..it was fantastic.

It had all the makings of a super romance, a Greek alpha, family honor, an arranged marriage plus the girl he knew he couldn’t have, his best friend who was promised to marry his brother. The arranged marriage by two proud Greek friends the Petronides and Leonides, a marriage not taking into consideration the participants feelings.

Spiros Petronides is the sort of Greek every woman would die to have in her life. He’s not only gorgeous; he’s rich and he very sexy. From afar he’s always fancied Phoebe Leonides but due to both of their families being close, he’s thought of her brotherly best friend. However, for Phoebe, it’s quite the opposite, she not only adores Spiros, she’s secretly loved him her entire life.

Phoebe has a serious problem because as a teen she agreed to an arranged marriage her family and the Petronides family made years earlier. On top of everything else, her fathers business is in trouble and will go under unless Phoebe married Dimitri, the oldest son. She’s sincerely upset because she feels her family has literally sold her into a loveless marriage when she secretly loves the younger brother, Spiros. On top of everything else, when Spiros visits her and they share a kiss which leads to passion so volcanic it scares them both, she’s sure she cannot go through with the marriage.

There were so many emotions to this love story, Spiros and his overdeveloped sense of honor where Phoebe was concerned to the point of letting love go and even lying about his feelings. He was so afraid he would be weak like his father as far as relationships went that he would go to any length not to become like his parents. Spiros fought his love and his need for Phoebe but in the end you will tear up at how he goes about proving his love and his desire to marry her.

As for Phoebe, one literally reads and watches her become a strong woman when she stands up to both families, forgives Dimitri for choosing another to marry, forgives the scandal that incurs due to Dimitri’s mistress, forgives Spiros for hurting and lying to her about his feelings. It’s truly an incredible love story as only Lucy Monroe can intensely pen.

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Back-Blurb:

Back in the Spaniard's Bed by Trish Morey

Leah left Alejandro Rodriguez because she'd overstepped the boundaries of a mistress and fallen in love! The Spaniard's arrogance angered her, but his touch ignited her. So when Alejandro storms back into her life, how can Leah deny him?
The S-Factor: Sensual and Sizzling

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ - BACK IN THE SPANIARD’S BED

Be prepared for a sensual journey based on blackmail and such a sexual need that defies all reason in Back in the Spaniard’s Bed by the extremely talented author, Trish Morey. It’s a journey that both troubled me at first and then swept me along with Alejandro and Leah.

Leah made an important decision months earlier when she walked away from her affair with the billionaire and impossibly sexy Alejandro Rodriguez because she loved him and knew it was only a matter of time until he replaced her in his bedroom. She was finally becoming independent and stronger. Now months later she’s faced with the man himself who is determined to have her back and then make her pay by dumping her. He holds all the cards because he’s aware her brother is in financial trouble and so he blackmails her into coming back to him and pays off her brother’s debt to the loan sharks. He’s like a drug to her and she can’t help herself. For that matter, neither of them can help themselves and can’t seem to get enough of each other.

Alejandro Rodriguez was probably one of the most sexy alphas I’ve read lately because of author Trish Morey’s description of the man himself. I swear, he was the devil in disguise and her description of him and his relationship with Leah, well lets just say it will have you thinking and dreaming about this hero. What I loved about his character was that he was so self assured until the rug was pulled out from under him and when he had to take a close look at himself, his feelings, their relationship in the past and as it stood in the present; very emotional indeed. It was an affair that was so incredible and entertaining to read, one I will remember for some time.

As for Leah, the emotion she had to hide, mainly her love for him, her feelings that she wasn’t good enough for him nor wife material plus the fact she had to endure the harshness of his sister, well have some tissue ready, you’ll need them. Leah’s feeling of being temporary and convenient and finally giving up difficult to read as well. However, in the end, Alejandro’s realization that he loved her, probably had always loved her redeemed him for me. Back in the Spaniard’s Bed plain and simply was magnifico!

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

THE SHEIKH’S FORBIDDEN VIRGIN – Kate Hewitt – The Royal House of Karedes

Author: Kate Hewitt

Line: Harlequin Presents / Mills and Boon Modern

Release month UK: July 2009/ North America: October 2009

The S-Factor: Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

On her twenty-first birthday, Kalila is pledged to marry the King of Calista. But first she must be delivered to her husband-to-be. Scarred, sexy sheikh Prince Aarif, the king's brother, is sent to escort her. However, willful virgin Kalila tries to escape and Aarif has to catch her. In the desert heat his scorching desire for her ignites—a desire that is forbidden!—and Aarif claims Kalila's virginity, even though she can never be his!

When she walks up the aisle on the day of her wedding, Kalila's heart is in her mouth: who will be waiting at the altar to become her husband?


Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Kate Hewitt takes her readers on an extremely romantic journey through the desert in The Sheikh’s Forbidden Virgin. While reading this exciting adventure, an adventure it surely was, I actually felt like I was in Zaraq, in its markets, the palace and in a desert storm. As for Calista where Princess Kalila is to be wed, the same applied, the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, riding in the desert with the sun beating down and fantasizing of being with a rugged sheikh. The author succeeded in giving me my fantasy and then some.

Kalila had known from a very young age that she would have to marry the future king of Calista. An arranged marriage by her father and Zakari’s father. She had just finished college in London and now she has to return home and to her duty. She mourns the fact that both of her parents married for love and she wants the same for herself. But duty prevails and she must go through with it. She hasn’t seen her future husband since she was twelve years old. Now this future king is due to come and claim her in Zaraq. However, he doesn’t come, he sends his brother Arif who is a very rugged, handsome and aloof prince.

Arif is the brother everyone looks to, the protector and an extremely honourable prince. One immediately senses the attraction between Arif and Kalila, a forbidden one because of course nothing can come of it because she is soon to become the wife of his brother. Arif holds a lot inside, has dreams of a horrible kidnapping which ended in the result of one of his brothers disappearing, never to be found. However, he adores his country and family and is determined to take Kalila home to his brother.

Kalila resists the marriage and escapes by horseback and rides off into a dust storm the day they are to leave. She is confused because first of all she hasn’t heard from her bridegroom and she’s attracted to Arif. Of course Arif follows and they have to spend the night in the desert in a tent. They act on their attraction and in the morning Arif is furious with himself. He can’t believe he has betrayed his brother and the burden is heavy on his heart. However, Kalila is pleased it’s happened even though she’s lost her virginity and is to marry the King. She feels it was precious and sacred.

Once in Calista, still no King, no message and Kalila is more confused. She is lonely and misses her time with Arif. It was such a sad time for them both and really a sad time for this reader because once you read this wonderful book you will be cheering them on and hoping to see them together. Each time they meet or go sightseeing, it’s a battle for them both not to look or touch, it’s heartbreaking.

Kate Hewitt is such a talented author and this sheikh book was a little different from others I’ve read because I felt I could actually live the fantasy. It’s such a sweet romance, even though their emotions for each other were a little rocky at times. The Sheikh’s Forbidden Virgin was a wonderful addition to The Royal House of Karedes series. The author recently stated in an interview “I liked how star-crossed my lovers were – their situation seemed truly hopeless, and yet love prevailed – of course”! Kate Hewitt more than succeed with her goal.


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Reviewed by: Marilyn

CONSTANTINE’S DEFIANT MISTRESS – Sharon Kendrick

Author: Sharon Kendrick

Line: Harlequin Presents / Mills & Boon Modern

Release month UK: July 2009/ North America: October 2009

The S-Factor: Steamy and Sexy

Back-Blurb:

Constantine Karantinos is Greek through and through! When he learns he has an heir he'll do anything to claim him. Even if he finds it hard to remember bedding Laura—she was nothing more than a mousy little waitress! Maybe if he were to have her again, it would refresh his memory….Now that Constantine has summoned Laura to Greece, she's more stubborn than he recalls. Determined to pay her way as housekeeper, by day she insists on cooking and cleaning. However, by night Constantine demands she fulfill her bedroom duties….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Constantine’s Defiant Mistress was one emotional and very dynamic read because this handsome Greek and billionaire playboy didn’t realize he had a seven year old son.

Over seven years have passed since Laura has seen her lover of one night who sailed in and out of her hometown port and now she learns he’s going to be in England and possibly getting married. Years have passed since the many times she tried to reach him to advise him that he had a son. Especially now it’s important as Alex needs to know his father, and Laura’s sister needs to leave the family business and go out on her own.

Laura has a plan and it’s to waitress at the London hotel Constantine is having his lavish party. He doesn’t even recognize her and when she finally tells him who she is and that they share of son, of course he’s in shock. Discussions take place and the end result is they agree that Alex and Laura will come to Greece for a stay in his home and she will work on his staff without anyone, especially his father know their identity. Of course Constantine wants a DNA test but it’s obvious that his young son looks very Greek and their first meeting for him is very emotional because he wants the boy to like him. Reading about their time getting to know each other was sweet and very emotional. On top of that, his desire for Laura surfaces and as he has been her only lover and she’s still attracted to him, eventually they act on that attraction in the secret confines of her bedroom.

Constantine was a man who took care of everyone, a man who never confided so when he told Laura about his mother and that he had no relationship with her and how lonely his childhood was, in the end he was upset with himself for confiding his past to her. In fact, he even lashed out and told her to remember her place in Greece, that she was only Alex’s mother and part of the staff.

Towards the end of their visit, Constantine hosts a party to properly introduce Alex as his son and Laura as his sons mother. However, he dresses her up in silk and diamonds which make her feel cheap because it’s not who Laura is which upsets her. On top of that, he asks her to marry him and it’s obvious only to legitimise Alex as his son, not because he loves her.

What I adored most about Constantine’s Defiant Mistress is when Constantine realizes how much Laura means to him. She makes him laugh, she challenges him, tells him the truth and he truly loves and adores her. It’s a beautiful love story and gives each of them a second chance at happiness and unites them as a family.

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

ITALIAN BOSS, PROUD MISS PRIM - Susan Stephens

Author: Susan Stephens

Line: Harlequin Presents/ Mills & Boon Modern

Release month UK & North America: October 2009

The S-Factor: Sexy and Seductive

Back-Blurb:

Katie Bannister is prim, perky and petite. Worlds apart from her boss, the dangerous, daring and devilishly handsome Rigo Ruggiero.

When she steps into his jet-set world, Katie's sensible brown shoes suddenly seem very out of place. And as Rigo's assistant there's no desk to hide behind….

When she accompanies the magnificent Italian to his newly inherited Tuscan palazzo, Katie witnesses the wolf entering his lair. Finally Rigo has come home—and he's ready to undo Miss Prim's buttons!

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Katie Bannister is a very sweet and supremely inexperienced young woman. She has a junior position in an attorney’s office and it is her task to contact the stepbrother of her deceased client and personally deliver the contents of his will. However, Katie is nervous as the man in question was a very famous Italian playboy Rigo Riggerio. She is what you would call a “plain Jane” but Rigo is intrigued by her sexy voice and volunteers to meet her at the airport.

Katie has never been to Italy and is somewhat apprehensive about going as her wardrobe is plain and dull. During her college years she was training to be an opera singer but that all changed when there was a fire which smoke caused damage to her voice and the fire left her back badly scarred. She’s a very proper and prim young woman so when Rigo meets her, he’s quite surprised by her appearance and primness. But there is something about Katie that touches him and as chance would have it, she is required to stay overnight because they couldn’t get down to the business of the will.

Katie is very aware of Rigo as a man, even the slightest touch or brush of his hand. And Rigo realizes something very touching about Katie, that’s even though she’s “prim” she’s very smart, organized and would make a great personal assistant because like all alpha’s he goes through PA’s who either want him for his good looks or his money plus he’s demanding. He invites her to dinner and she refuses but later she runs into Rigo and a lovely model type who later she finds out is his sister. Katie and Antonia get on well and she introduces Katie to shopping. Katie isn’t used to beautiful clothes but does end up with a few things she normally would not purchase.

When they finally get a chance, Katie reveals to Rigo that he has inherited from his stepbrother the “family villa”, his childhood home which he left when his father remarried. His stepbrother was not a nice man and Rigo felt he stole his childhood and father from him. Rigo realizes quite a few things about Katie that under all her dreary clothes there’s a brilliant, sweet and lovely young woman. He also realizes she would be an asset to his organization so he also offers her a position and asks her to accompany him to Tuscany.

Italian Boss, Proud Miss Prim was a wonderful love story because they both had secrets…..Katie her scars and Rigo his charity. And in the end Katie was no “Miss Prim” she blossomed under the tutorage of Rigo which was lovely to read. It was truly a Prince Charming love story.


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Reviewed by: Marilyn

THE BILLIONAIRE’S BRIDE OF CONVENIENCE – Miranda Lee (Three Rich Husbands)

Author: MIRANDA LEE

Line: Mills & Boon Modern/Harlequin Presents

Release month UK: June 2009/ North America: October 2009

The S-Factor: SENSUAL

Back-Blurb:

Kathryn thought she knew Hugh Parkinson, a charming, rakish playboy who was used to women being served to him on a plate. In his eyes she was just his utterly efficient, slightly uptight assistant.

Until she nearly lost the thing that mattered most to her, and unexpectedly Hugh was there to help: he was prepared to marry her! But the catch… Hugh wanted this convenient marriage to keep Kathryn not only as his trusty assistant—but also to warm his bed….
Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

The Billionaire’s Bride of Convenience is the second book in Miranda Lee’s Three Rich Husbands and its brilliant! Three billionaire sexy alphas that are the closets of friends and this is the very sexy and charming Hugh Parkinson’s story.

Hugh is known as Sydney’s playboy and goes through women at a rapid speed. However, Hugh has a problem in the form of his personal assistant Kathryn who is not so charming. Kathryn is like no other woman Hugh has ever met; she’s more than organized and keeps him on his toes. She not model type gorgeous but he’s attracted to her curves and her sass. For months she’s been driving him crazy and on top of everything, she’s soon to be married to her current live in boyfriend.

Kathryn needs to be married before her 30th birthday in order to inherit a friend’s beach house. If she doesn’t marry, she’ll loose the house which means everything to her. Is she materialistic? No, the house means everything to her because as a young child it was the only place she felt safe and happy because a wonderful widow took in children who came from troubled homes and Kathryn’s childhood was more than troubled, it was over the top as one will learn. She loves her job as Hugh’s PA but also realizes that Hugh is nothing more than a spoiled playboy. When Hugh comes to her rescue because of her jealous fiancé and takes their boss/PA relationship to a new level physically, she’s more than confused, she’s over the top because for Kathryn Hugh is dangerous and she’s very aware of him physically. Hugh more than comes to the rescue, he proposes they marry so that she can get her beach house and he plans have Kathryn physically as part of the deal.

Like all office romances, theirs takes off like a rocket and Hugh can’t seem to get enough of Kathryn. It’s a very emotional and confusing love affair for them both. It frightens Hugh how much he desires Kathryn and Hugh’s afraid he’s going to be just like his father, go from one woman to another. However, what I loved so much about this beautiful romance was when Hugh realized he was not just like his father, that he cared enough about Kathryn to let her go and so he cut her loose.

Kathryn goes to live at her beach home and Hugh leaves his father’s company to start a new business. However, Hugh has a plan for the future; a future which he hopes will include Kathryn. As I said, Miranda Lee weaves such a beautiful and romantic love story, it’s one I will personally long remember. This series, Three Rich Husbands staring Russell, Hugh and James are three perfect Australian alphas!

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

SECRET SHEIKH, SECRET BABY – Carol Marinelli

Author: Carol Marinelli

Line: Harlequin Medical/ Mills and Boon Medical Duo with Jessica Matthews

Release month UK: September 2009 / North America: August 2009

The S-Factor: Sexy

Back-Blurb:

Hot-shot surgeon Karim Zaraq is prince of a desert kingdom. Karim knows he must find a wife and produce an heir, but this playboy wants one final fling before royal duty beckons.

Pretty midwife Felicity Anderson has no idea who Karim really is, but her one night with the sexy surgeon has turned her world upside down—suddenly she's pregnant!

With Felicity carrying the kingdom's hopes, Karim must marry her. But Felicity won't say "I do" unless the prince can prove it's for love.

Review: ♥♥♥♥

Secret Sheikh, Secret Baby was a very intense and sexy sheikh love story written by the very talented Carol Marinelli. It was also my first Harlequin Medical romance and I was very impressed that due to its nature it was not boring but very interesting as the heroine was a midwife and the hero a sheikh prince and surgeon.

They meet at an orientation in London where Felicity Anderson is attending in order to determine if she wants to accept a position already offered in the Middle East or accept a position in one of the most modern and beautiful hospitals located on a private island, ruled by a royal family the Kingdom of Zaraq. The royal prince and surgeon Prince Karim is overseeing the recruitment for his hospital and university.

Karim and Felicity meet in the most interesting way when he slips inside the presentation and immediately they sense each other, through site, smell, and sexual attraction. What’s so very bizarre is that Felicity has recently broken off with her boyfriend because of sexual problems and after a year, she cannot have a relationship, even though she has been through therapy. So, this immediate attraction to a stranger, a man who makes her feel things she’s never felt before are frightening yet exciting. As fate would have it, they are brought together after the conference due to an auto accident and then the fateful night they spend together before they both go their separate ways.

Karim is a man bound by honour to his King (his father), his brothers and his country. His first love is his profession as a surgeon but due to the illness of his father, he will be to any lengths to serve his country. He has also been a playboy but that is soon to end as his father wants him to marry and produce an heir since his brother’s wife is barren. However, he can’t seem to forget his one night with Felicity and wonders if he’ll ever see her again in his country.

Like Karim, Felicity has been honor bound to her mother and sister. She has accepted all financial responsibilities for her sister’s illness and her mother’s bills. She is determined to make a success of her life in Zaraq and when she finally gets there and starts orientation and later being a midwife, she realizes she has made the right decision. Only there are a few problems……upon arrival she finds out the man she spent the night with is a prince and heir to the throne, that she’s pregnant with his baby.

When Karim is told he’s the father of Felicity’s baby, his entire personality changes. He accuses her of lying, he put together a deceitful plan for the good of his brother and for his country, and he demands marriage and takes her into the desert. There in the desert, they learn quite a lot about each other and all Felicity wants is the man who she grew to love in London, the sensitive and caring man.

This royal family would do anything for their country, I mean anything and that was what I found so interesting, the difference in cultures and what lengths they would go to in order to keep peace and structure for their country and King. It was indeed a hurtful scheme which would hurt Felicity. Thanks to a friend she escapes and returns home. But Karim can’t escape and be at peace until he realizes what’s important in life and he doesn’t realize it until it’s almost too late.

The Secret Sheikh, Secret Baby was an excellent look into a royal family, the desert, its customs, the difference between the East and the West and most of all, forgiveness. It’s an intense love story, with intense characters, in a beautiful desert kingdom with lots of sexual tension as only Carol Marinelli can pen.

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

Behind the Book from Dear Reader:

Carol Marinelli states, “I love writing about instant attraction. More than that, I love the whole idea of two people who have never met before, who know nothing about each other, and suddenly they click!”

HER BEST BET - Pamela Ford

Title: HER BEST BET

Author: PAMELA FORD

Line: Harlequin Superromance

Release month: October

The S-Factor: Secretive and Sizzling

Back-Blurb:

Face her ten-year reunion as a lowly traffic manager? No way. Izzy Gordon is going to realize her dream of becoming a filmmaker. Her documentary about an old Wisconsin lodge and its gangster history is sure to be a winner. And she’s got an ace up her sleeve, since her family owns the land.

Too bad this film drops her into a brewing feud. Seems her family wants to sell the property and the lodge owners are fighting to stay open. They’ve drafted Gib Murphy—globe-trotting photojournalist and prodigal grandson—to stack their hand. Wow. Could this get worse? Apparently it could, because she’s developing a thing for Gib. . .one he’s returning. So at what point does her bluff get called and she has to confess her real identity?

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Why, oh why, did Izzy let her roommate talk her into entering a filmmaking contest? The trouble started right off the mark. They weren’t even registered into their rooms when already there were problems. What makes her decide to keep her identity a secret? What other crazy things does she come up with to accomplish her dream?

Why is Gib there? Is he only home to recuperate from an injury, or is there some other reason? Why does he think his grandfather is still running a gambling racket?

Who lets the cat out of the bag about Izzy’s identity?

This is Pamela Ford’s fifth book for Harlequin Superromance. She mixes humor, tension, and sizzle, and comes up with another winning story. Her characters are living, breathing people that you can relate to with ease. I was laughing at the antics of the two friends, and then just a few pages later, I was shivering with them as they crouched, terrified, in the secret passage. Excellent twists, sensual sizzles, and believable characters. I’ll definitely be looking forward to more from this author.

Hero Hotness Factor: ♥♥♥♥♥
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Reviewed by: Donna B

SPANISH ARISTOCRAT, FORCED BRIDE(UK) / THE SOCIETY WIFE(USA) – India Grey

Author: India Grey
Line: Mills and Boon ModernRelease month UK: August 2009 North America:  January 2011

The S-Factor: Sizzling and Sensual

Back-Blurb:

Accidentally pregnant, conveniently wed

Infamous playboy Tristan Romero meets ordinary Lily at a lavish ball, and arrogantly predicts that she will wake up the following morning between his designer silk sheets! Powerless to resist this wicked billionaire, Lily knows Tristan is only offering one night. But then she discovers she’s pregnant…

Tristan’s aristocratic duty demands he take Lily as his bride. However, Lily’s shame over accepting a loveless proposal is heightened when she realises that, as the Spaniard’s wife, she’ll be expected to fulfil his every need…


Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

To say Spanish Aristocrat, Forced Bride was magnificent doesn’t even begin to describe this emotionally charged M&B Modern. In keeping with the line, Tristan Romero is quite the daunting alpha, used to getting what he wants in business and in the bedroom but with all of that comes secrets and a past that haunts him. He was such a charismatic character, one that immediately drew me in from page one and honestly, I couldn’t put the book down. It was that emotion, a powerful story and the need to see Tristan and Lily find their happy ending that kept me reading all night.

So one might ask why I am so passionate about this book? Devotion and friendship are always a “hook”. The reader is introduced to Tristan and his best friend Tom who have a marvellous past together and who have remained devoted friends. Devotion and friendship are always a “hook”. Tom is engaged to a beautiful model Scarlet and she has a best friend who is also a model and that’s Lily. They meet at Tom and Scarlet’s charity costume ball on Tom’s estate and it’s like they are both caught up in the eye of the storm. It’s the way they meet and the no strings one-night of passion they will both never forget.

Tristan is used to getting the girl and Lily is used to having men look at her. The circumstances which bring them together at the party are unusual, their one night in Tristan’s lone room in a tower, their passion, it’s explosive. However, their one night is short lived as Lily leaves for Africa and Tristan goes back to the family business and his secret life. One would think top model and billionaire businessman getting on with their lives, yes that’s true but there is so much more to this story and to this couple as the reader will learn. However, to reveal more would ruin ones reading experience.

As fate would have it, they both return to the scene of their one night together to celebrate Tom and Scarlet’s engagement. Lily has a secret, one that will change both of their lives….she’s pregnant. How will this alpha deal with it? Not very well let me tell you. He of course gives her an option and when she refuses, then its marriage because no child of his will be born out of wedlock. Even though Lily had not had a great childhood, she did believe in love, marriage and happy endings. Lily is such a kind and caring woman and there are so many disappointments for her. Her wedding day which should have been wonderful was disappointing and then diaster struck in the form of meeting his parents. Add to it when the bomb drops and Tristan tells her their marriage can be in name only and they must continue the charade until their baby is born.

Lily realized something important....she not only wanted him on a physical basis, she wanted his heart and also realized it would be impossible. Can anymore tragedy strike? Yes, it does which makes both of their lives even more complicated because of loss, anguish and guilt. And then when one believes there can be no more pain for this couple, Lily asks something of Tristan which only leads to more pain for him because his childhood and family secrets are revealed.

One point was made very clear, in spite of everything Lily’s love for Tristan never faltered. I personally felt they both loved each other at the very beginning and they had so much in common, their childhoods, their choices to do good in the world, and their mutual passion. Just when one believes there is no hope for this couple, Tristan is unexpectantly called away and his other “secret” is revealed which will melt your heart because it reveals the “real” Tristan.

Spanish Aristocrat, Forced Bride was a very heart warming love story to read especially when Tristan sees the light and realizes he can have it all…. Lily and a family. It’s a journey with author India Grey one won’t want to miss due to it’s sexually charged passion, fire and emotion.

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Reviewed by: Marilyn

BEHIND THE BOOK:

"On a personal note: This book took forever to arrive to its home here in North America. First it was sent to the wrong author, then to me with an empty envelope. Hope the postman enjoyed it! And finally it arrived and was well worth the wait!" India Grey

More about the book

MONTANA, MISTLETOE, MARRIAGE - Patricia Thayer and Donna Alward

Title: MONTANA, MISTLETOE, MARRIAGE

Authors: PATRICIA THAYER, DONNA ALWARD

Line: Harlequin Romance

Release Month: November

The S-Factor: Sincere and Sensual

Back-Blurb:

Winter wishes for two sisters at Rocking H Ranch. . .

SNOWBOUND COWBOY by Patricia Thayer

Lone wolf Boone Gifford has spent years standing on the outside. Now he’s looking at Christmas—through the window of beautiful Amelia’s home. The snow falls hard—the stranded family needs help. It’s time for the cowboy to step inside.

A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH by Donna Alward

Kelley is rancher, housekeeper, doting sister to Amelia, granddaughter and aunt—and the stress of preparing the perfect Christmas at Rocking H ranch is getting to her. But distraction soon arrives in the form of delectable chef Mack Dennison. . .

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

This book consists of two novellas in one cover. The stories are intertwined to the point that it almost seemed like one continuous story. Patricia and Donna are very well matched when it comes to writing together. Because the stories are only one hundred pages long each, I found the conclusion came way too fast, but I loved the stories.

Snowbound Cowboy

Amelia Hughes feels like she can’t do anything right. And now she’s gotten her and her son stuck on the side of the road in a Montana blizzard. But then, along comes Boone Gifford. Is he the man the sheriff sent to save her? Is he the man her sister hired to help her out for these few days? Just who is he?

Why has Boone been looking for her? Why does he feel so guilty? Can they really work things out together and become a family?

Who is Izzy, and what does she have to do with getting these three people together as a family?

Included at the end of this story is the recipe for Peppermint Kiss Brownies. Yum!

A Bride for Rocking H Ranch

While Amelia is getting herself stuck in the snow, her sister Kelley is getting herself stuck in a situation in which she has no experience. She might be one of the best ranchers in the area, she might be able to keep house with the best of them. She might love her nephew to distraction, but she could not cook. So why, oh why, did she tell Amelia not to prepare Christmas dinner? But then, along comes Mack Dennison.

Or rather, into his shop Kelley goes. Can he really teach her to cook in two short weeks? And how can she keep it a secret from Amelia?

Both sisters found their best Christmas gifts ever. Young Jesse found the dad he’d asked Santa for, and even Gram was happy.

Included at the end of this story is the recipe for Mack Dennison’s Asparagus Puffs. Yum, yum!

Even though these stories are short, they are believable, and leave you with a very good feeling in your heart. Patricia Thayer and Donna Alward make a very satisfactory writing duo. Their styles are similar, and the facts in the two stories matched.

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Reviewed by: Donna B

THE MILLIONAIRE'S MISBEHAVING MISTRESS - Kimberly Lang

Author: Kimberly Lang

Line: Modern Heat/Harlequin Presents

Release month UK: April 2009/ North America: October 2009

The S-Factor: Sexy

Back-Blurb:

As Dallas's most eligible bachelor and heir to his family's fortune, billionaire Will Harrison knows how to handle the paparazzi—but his little sister Evie is a worry….

Miss Behavior, etiquette expert Gwen Sawyer, has only three weeks to work her magic on Evie before a society ball, and so moves into Will's luxurious penthouse. However, she discovers too late that etiquette is the last thing on devilishly handsome Will's mind….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Author Kimberly Lang delights and charms her readers with the sensual Millionaire’s Misbehaving Mistress. It’s a fun and heart-warming romance involving a billionaire, his teenage half sister who needs help with etiquette and manners. The Harrison family and the CEO Will Harrison from HarCorp International are the crème of Dallas society. Will’s company is sponsoring a gala event in a few weeks and his sister Evie will need to be presented to society. Evie is sort of a “free spirit” and recently lost her mom and needs to learn the proper etiquette.

Gwen Sawyer runs Everyday Etiquette and also writes an advice column for a teen website. She’s no stranger to knowing proper etiquette. She and her sister were schooled by their mother as Gwen’s father was in Foreign Service. Gwen’s training has been in protocol. It has always been her desire to work for a large corporation providing social training. She lost a chance five years ago when there was a scandal in Washington DC involving Gwen and her boss. She came to Dallas and set up a very successful business training debs for their society debuts. She also authors a blog on a teen website, sort of an advice column.

Will Harrison was the sort of alpha every girl dreams of, the perfect physical specimen, very handsome, wealthy, and charming and oozes sexual charm. It’s also obvious he adores his kid half sister. However, when he actually hires and meets Gwen for the first time, she piques his interest and he asks her to move into their home so that she can school Evie on a daily basis, sharing meals, tutoring her in studies and hopefully she’ll be ready to debut in Texas society. As much as I adored Will, it was Gwen who literally spoke to me.

Gwen realizes she has a second chance when Will Harrison hires her to help with his sister. If she does well, then his corporation might give her a chance and hire her for what she’s been train for and she can give up training society debs for good. However, when she actually meets the man himself, she’s very attracted to him, so much so that she realizes if she could be in trouble. As she tells her sister, “she simply trains Princesses – she would get Prince Charming.”

Reading about the three of them…..Will, Evie and Gwen well it was just plain amazing to see how they seemed to learn and grow together, so much so, they actually became the perfect family. Will was not so dedication to his job, in fact he shocked those close to him as he actually left the office on time. Evie and Gwen’s process of bonding and becoming friends was very sweet to read. However, it was Gwen who realized Will was the most amazing man she had ever met and she was afraid she would loose her heart if she wasn’t careful. She not only lost her heart, it became broken in the most serious way by Will misunderstanding an overheard conversation. What I admired about Gwen’s character was how strong she was and how she bounced back.

There are always lessons to be learned and Will learns his the hard way when he realizes he was at fault and also realizes there are more important things in life than business….love and family!


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Reviewed by: Marilyn

Behind the book:

In “Dear Reader” Kimberly says “blame it on my very deep Southern roots, but I’m completely fascinated with etiquette. My obsession, however extends beyond flatware and thank-you notes to very ‘out there’ information I’ll never have an actual need to use – like dinner seating protocol when both an ex-President and a member of the royal family are present. One day, when I was nose-first into an etiquette text, I found the inspiration for this book in a quote by the great Miss Manners, Judith Martin: “’We are all born charming, fresh and spontaneous, and must be civilised before we are fit to participate in society.’

The above quote sparked Kimberly’s imagination and the dinner scene you’ll read in Chapter Two of The Millionaire’s Misbehaving Mistress.

Temporary Boss, Permanent Mistress - Kate Hardy

Author: Kate Hardy

Line: Mills and Boon Modern Heat

Release Month: October 2009

The S-Factor: Sensual

Back-Blurb:

Cold, hard business…

Cool Jakob Andersen likes working with extremes, and the frozen plains of Norway suit his business style. But with Lydia Sheridan accompanying him on business, the temperature is about to soar…

Red-hot passion!

Jakob wants a seven-day affair, and Lydia is finding her resistance melting away… It’s hard to keep saying no when her body is screaming yes! But it will take more than a week to thaw her boss’s buried heart – though with passion this hot, anything is possible!

Review:

Two scarred souls find romance under the breathtaking Northern Lights in the latest romance by best-selling author Kate Hardy: Temporary Boss, Permanent Mistress.

Lydia Sheridan has finally decided to stop pleasing other people and to start pleasing herself. A passionate artist, she's always repressed her desire to be a painter because of her parents' insistence that she go to university and study economics before qualifying as a lawyer. But Lydia has finally had it. She cannot bear to spend another minute working in a stuffy office so she decides to quit her job at Andersen's. But her boss, Jake, is not going to let her slip through his fingers...

Jake has had his eye on Lydia for quite some time and he's determined to get to know the real person behind the capable professional. When he needs a lawyer to accompany him on a trip to Norway, Jake asks Lydia to go with him, and although her every instinct is telling her to quit her job once and for all, she cannot help but be drawn to her handsome Norwegian boss...

As fate throws them together, their attraction begins to simmer and Jake and Lydia soon give into temptation and begin a seven-day affair. But as the seventh day approaches, they soon begin to wish that their seven days could turn into a lifetime!

When you pick up a novel by Kate Hardy, you know that you're going to get an emotional and dramatic tale full of warmth, charm and heart and Temporary Boss, Permanent Mistress is no exception. Poignant, moving and wonderfully romantic, Temporary Boss, Permanent Mistress is just the thing to brighten up the cold autumn nights!

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THE SHEIK AND THE BOUGHT BRIDE (Desert Rogue Series) - Susan Mallery

Author: Susan Mallery

Line: Silhouette Special Edition

Release month UK/ North America: October 2009

The S-Factor: Sizzling and Sensual

Back-Blurb:

It was bad enough being hauled out of bed by palace guards. Now Victoria McCallan had just offered to pay off her father's gambling debts—with herself as the prize! So the palace secretary was shocked when sexy Prince Kateb made her a counteroffer….

When Kateb whisked Victoria off to the desert to be his mistress for six months, the widowed ruler had no intention of falling in love. But the outspoken Texas transplant was soon tempting him to change his royal ways. Duty decreed the El Deharia sheik should wed a proper mate, but Kateb's heart was telling him something else: to claim Victoria as his woman—now and forever.

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Author Susan Mallery in her dedication to her Editor thanks her for letting her “write the book of her heart”. Quite honestly I sincerely believe it was the very best in her entire Desert Rogue series and a perfect ending to her sheik series. For me personally it was bittersweet as for three years I’ve been enjoying the series immensely.

What makes these books so different from others in the sheik genre is the author. Susan’s humour always shines through in her stories, her heroines are NOT faint at heart, they are strong, spirited and intelligent women. Her sheiks are very proud and honourable. These men for the most part have been educated in England or the US as their father’s were Kings in their particular region, their mother had passed away or their father had remarried.

The Sheik and the Bought Bride opens with Victoria McCallan’s father cheating in a card game. When he is threatened he will be imprisoned, his daughter Victoria who works at the palace offers to take the place of her father. Before her mother died, she made her a promise that she would always look out for her dad. Victoria stands by her word, her promise and first and foremost she’s a very honourable woman. When it’s decided that she will become Sheik’ Kateb’s mistress in place of her father going to jail, for Kateb and Victoria their journey begins and just like the heat in the desert, it’s hot!

As the reader learns early on, Sheik Kateb is soon to become the ruler of his desert nation and he’s unmarried. At one time he married his childhood friend who died in an Italian car accident. He’s been single for five years and his people want him to eventually marry. One also learns that this man for the most part has dedicated himself to his people and now faced with this lovely woman who stirs needs he hasn’t felt in a long time, it becomes most interesting reading regarding the interaction between Kateb and Victoria. An example of this and the authors humour is shown in the following: “I’ve never had a mistress before so I don’t have any expectations.” She took the wine without looking at him. “You have a harem.” “It came with the property.” “Sort of like a three-car garage when you only have two cars?” “Something like that”. Obviously, I chuckled throughout the entire book.

Just one kiss for them and it’s all over for both of them. Kateb realizes he’s in trouble and wants to send her back to the palace but when he learns she might be pregnant, it’s determined she cannot leave. However, both of them ponder was there something more powerful or frightening for them both to face as far as their attraction? Kateb also learns a lot about Victoria and realizes she wants nothing for herself and she’s a very complex woman.

Victoria had learned at an early age to take care of herself. Being left alone in the harem she’s no shrinking violet she’s a woman who needs something to do and she takes an interest in the people, especially the women who make beautiful gold jewelry. Being a Western woman, she carefully treads but wants to take their jewelry worldwide and Kateb allows her to present him with a business plan. That’s not all Victoria does, she takes an interest in a child who has been left to live on the streets due to his father’s crime. She a woman who is passionate about life and love, a woman who has only experienced love at the hand of her mother, a woman afraid to love herself. Can you imagine for a woman like this who’s afraid to love, when she realizes that she indeed loves Kateb what this does to her?

It’s the same for sheik Kateb, he cared once for his wife and look what happened, he lost his friend and love. Victoria pulls him in a way no other woman has had the power, but he fights it every way he can. In the end, well let’s just say emotions run high and Kateb realizes he must send Victoria back to the United States but she’s doesn’t want to leave him. It’s an incredible journey, extremely emotional and dramatic ending and very fitting for Mallery’s readers and fans. For us you have loved The Desert Rogue series, The Sheik and the Bought Bride was a perfect last book. My personal thanks to Susan for many, many hours of reading enjoyment!


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Reviewed by: Marilyn

TWO WEEKS IN THE MAGNATE’S BED - Nicola Marsh

Author: Nicola Marsh

Line: HARLEQUIN PRESENTS/MILLS AND BOON

Release month UK: March 2009/ North America: September 2009

The S-Factor: Sexy

Back-Blurb:

Shipping tycoon Zac McCoy can sense there is a passionate woman behind Lana Walker's shy exterior. While aboard his luxury yacht, he'll tempt her out to play!

Lana always looks before she leaps. But the captivating captain has her throwing caution to the wind. The gloves come off, the silk dresses slip on—and the real Lana begins to emerge.

He'll have her as his temporary mistress. But as land approaches, he realizes two weeks may not be enough….

Review: ♥♥♥♥♥

Nicola Marsh again charms her readers with Two Weeks in the Magnates Bed. Zac and Lana’s love story takes place on the high seas in the beautiful South Pacific. I could certainly relate to the experience onboard a cruise ship as I worked for a major cruise line for over 15 years. The author gets it right and weaves such a romantic tale one feels there are experiencing being pampered, wined and dined plus seeing exotic sights.

Lana Walker is all work and no play and it didn’t pay off. She’s been passed over due to her shyness by the museum she works for and wasn’t asked to go on a business trip. However, she won a cruise and decided to make the best of it and was determined to have fun. So can you imagine when an extremely handsome cruise employee rescues her from falling, she’s well let’s say she’s overwhelmed.

Zac McCoy has a huge job to do as his uncle is counting on him to find out who’s causing accidents on their fleet of cruise ships. Jac’s job is to pose as an onboard employee not the shipping magnate he is. He is determined to assist his uncle in solving the mystery. He loves and his uncle knows he has a limited time with him as his uncle he has a terminal illness and is going to put Zac in charge of the cruise line. When he spots Lana and keeps her from falling he’s definitely interested. He is constantly teasing and tempting her and he was a fun, romantic and very much the gentleman to read.

Zac is not your typical Presents alpha who demands and takes; he literally charms and courts Lana. He sees Lana for who she is, not some made up beauty and he sees the real her, a woman with needs and who wants to break free of “her conservative mould”. However, he’s not honest with her about his position or wealth. In the end, when it back fires it breaks Lana’s heart because she’s fallen in love with this handsome and charming man.

Lana has been hurt in the past by another man. What she wanted most from Zac was honestly something he couldn’t give her. So when she finds out he’s not an employee but soon to be the head of the cruise line, she’s devastated. Yes he’d changed her but can she ever trust him again? Want a happy ending, well then you’re sure to get one with this fun and fantastic read as only Nicola Marsh can pen.

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Reviewed by: Marilyn