Category: B reviews (Page 62 of 74)

Promises Made Under Fire by Charlie Cochrane

January 16, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I picked this one up from NetGalley.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) France, 1915Lieutenant Tom Donald envies everything about fellow officer Frank Foden—his confidence, his easy manner with the men in the trenches, the affectionate letters from his wife. Frank shares these letters happily, drawing Tom into a vicarious friendship with a woman he’s never met. Although the bonds of friendship forged under fire are strong, Tom can’t be so open with Frank—he’s attracted to men and could never confess that to anyone.

When Frank is killed in no-man’s-land, he leaves behind a mysterious request for Tom: to deliver a sealed letter to a man named Palmer. Tom undertakes the commission while on leave—and discovers that almost everything he thought he knew about Frank is a lie…

What worked for me (and what didn’t): First off, that’s a really great cover. It sets the tone of the novella (it’s only 60 pages so that’s what I’m calling it) very well. For example, I didn’t expect a high steam level and there wasn’t one. In fact, I was surprised there was any sex in the story at all, given its length. What there was was quite tame and very much fade to black. But again, I felt that fit well with the overall tone of the story. It wasn’t a raunchy sexytimes book. I found it quite delightful actually.

Out of Uniform 4, 5 & 6 by Elle Kennedy

January 15, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read them: After enjoying Getting Hotter, I was curious about how some of the other couples had gotten together and decided to finish reading the other books I’d picked up immediately after reading Feeling Hot. It didn’t take long, the earlier books are short and it remained what I was in the mood to read – a sexy, fun contemporary where I didn’t have to think too much with low angst levels.I have put them in order here, but I read them out of order (which was an accident related to all the titles being so similar) and was despite my best intentions (and which challenged my OCD about such things).

Heat it Up

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Letting her into his life is not an option. Letting her go impossible.

One look at Thomas Becker s seriously ripped body, and Jane Harrison is having trouble remembering why she tracked down the Navy SEAL. Oh, yes, that hot scoop for her magazine. Instead they get trapped in an elevator together and she gets sizzling hot sex.After the delicious encounter is over, Becker s out of there, she s left off balance, and even more determined not to take no for an answer. Either for that interview, or another chance to find out if he always goes commando.One minute Becker is making it plain his answer is no. The next, he s using the only weapon at hand to calm her confined-space panic attack a kiss. And caving in to a fierce, unexpected need that wasn t even on his radar. Long term? Hell no not after the divorce that just spit him out. But a fling with the redheaded reporter with a brutally honest mouth and a body made for sin? Abso-effing-lutely.
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Quid Pro Quo by LA Witt and Aleksandr Voinov

January 14, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I saw a tweet from Sarah Frantz which said this book was super hot so I pre-ordered. It was even on special. That’s called karma.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) For the past six months, Jared’s been selling sex at Market Garden, a London club that caters to the better-off. But business is slow in the run-up to Christmas, when businessmen and bankers are too busy bickering over bonuses to rent themselves a little high-class action.Though Jared’s wallet finds the downtime unnerving, the rest of him rather enjoys the opportunity it gives him to admire Tristan, an old hand in the club whose reputation usually sees him well-booked. Jared has been crushing on Tristan for months—he’s no more immune to Tristan’s cockiness and confidence than the johns, and those are just Tristan’s inner qualities.

Just as Jared’s about to chat Tristan up, a businessman asks for something a little different: he wants to book them both. They agree—and Jared finds himself going from crush to mind-bending lust as he’s made the pawn in a sexual power game. Tristan shows him how a pro handles a john while delivering the top-shelf sex for which the Market Garden is so rightly renowned.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): The blurb is spot on as to what happens in the book so I knew not to expect a traditional romance with HEA. It is an erotic short story, not a romance. There does appear to be some romantic interest between Jared and Tristan (certainly on Jared’s part anyway) but whether it will turn into anything remains to be seen. I gather that there are further books in this series planned, so I’m hoping to see a romantic arc develop. The story is told from Jared’s deep third person POV so Tristan remains largely unknown. I’m certainly looking forward to learning more of him. Continue reading

Not Proper Enough by Carolyn Jewel

January 13, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I didn’t read much historical romance last year. I wasn’t in the mood and if I’m not in the mood, I’m less likely to enjoy the book. I try to pick up books I think I will like and sometimes that is merely a matter of timing. I won this book from the author around the time it came out and the deal was that I would post a review – no big deal because I review everything I read anyway. It’s certainly a book I would have bought if I hadn’t won it. Ms. Jewel writes such beautiful prose. And it is precisely because I have such respect for her words, that I waited until now to read the book.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) A woman should always keep her standards…Meant to be?The Marquess of Fenris has loved Lady Eugenia from the day he first set eyes on her. Five years ago, pride caused him to earn her enmity. Now she’s widowed, and he’s determined to make amends and win her heart. But with their near explosive attraction, can he resist his desire long enough to court her properly?

After the death of her beloved husband, Lady Eugenia Bryant has come to London to build a new life. Despite the gift of a medallion said to have the power to unite the wearer with her perfect match, Eugenia believes she won’t love again. And yet, amid the social whirl of chaperoning a young friend through her first Season, she finds a second chance at happiness.

Unfortunately, the Marquess of Fenris threatens her newfound peace. Eugenia dislikes the man, but the handsome and wealthy heir to a dukedom is more charming than he has a right to be. Constantly underfoot, the rogue disturbs her heart, alternately delighting and scandalizing her. And when their relationship takes a highly improper turn, Eugenia must decide if the wrong man isn’t the right one after all.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): There is something very attractive to me about a man desperately in love who has to work for his lady (without being an alpha hole). Hence, Fenris (aka Fox) is very attractive to me. He’s been in love with her for years – his attraction led him to say something awful about which ruined his friendship with his best friend Robert (the man Eugenia – Ginny- married). Ginny is now a widow and is starting to re-enter society. She still misses Robert but life goes on (as she has discovered) and she is lonely – for companionship, for physical passion. Continue reading

Back to the Good Fortune Diner by Vicki Essex

January 11, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I picked this on up from NetGalley.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Everville, New York — it’s the town where Tiffany Cheung grew up, and the last place she wants to be. But after losing her job in Manhattan, that’s exactly where she finds herself. Worse, she’s working at her family’s Chinese diner and feeling like the outsider she once was. The only bright side is that Chris Jamieson, the boy she used to tutor, is still around. Her high school crush is hotter than ever, and he needs her help again. Tutoring Chris’s son is the perfect temporary job. Except, Chris finally seems interested in her — and is hinting about a less temporary arrangement. Talk about bad timing! Because Tiffany’s not staying and nothing will stop her from getting back to her real life. But maybe what’s real is about to change.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): This book generated a bit of buzz on Twitter and among my blogger friends because it has a Chinese-American heroine and race is one of the themes of the book. Sometimes (many times?) it seems to me that ethnic/biracial characters could just as well be Caucasian – by that I mean to say that often different race is not portrayed as difference. Partly, I wonder whether it is because there is a “we are all the same” idea about anti-discrimination, but I also wonder if it is authorial/editorial fear that books with characters that are “too different” won’t sell well. In fact, there have been a few posts which seem to suggest that it is the case that such books don’t sell well. I’m not sure what that says about the romance reading public.

The One That Got Away by Kelly Hunter

January 9, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I picked this up from NetGalley. I’m fast becoming a major fan of Kelly Hunter.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Good job? Tick. Newly purchased apartment? Tick. Evie’s life is on a pretty even keel at the moment. The only thing missing? A man with an edge to keep things interesting. Enter Logan Black. Tortured, distant and sexy, Logan has edge written all over him. He’s also the man who tipped Evie over the edge a few years back – she gave him everything, but he didn’t know when to stop taking. Leaving Logan was the hardest thing Evie’s ever done. Until now. Because Logan’s back, the chemistry is as blistering as ever, and this time he’s not going anywhere…

What worked for me (and what didn’t): Really, she had me at “tortured”. I have a weakness for a tortured hero and the reason for his distance was so damn honorable too! In a nutshell, Logan’s father was an abusive, controlling, violent piece of work and Logan is terrified that he’s just like him. So he doesn’t like to feel too much or get too close. He doesn’t – won’t – trust himself. But Evie makes him feel. Makes him want to get close. The tension is delicious.