Book review: Can't hurry love - Christie Ridgway

Series: Three Kisses 3
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pages: 320
Published: July 5th 2011 Berkley

Liam Bennett staked his claim to Tanti Baci after stepping in to help the Baci sisters save their family legacy. But Giuliana Baci doubts his motives. They've been at odds since the hot summer long ago that ended in heartache. With the fate of the winery on the line, the former lovers need to get a handle on their barely leashed hostilities-and the attraction that still draws them toward each other.

 

My thoughts:

This is the third and final book about the 3 Baci Sisters from Napa Valley. It can easily be read as a stand alone (though I did read book 2 but I have not read book 1 yet.)

Giuliana "Jules" Baci fell in love when she was young, but their love story came to a halt and they have not been civil to each other for ten years. Why they broke up is a mystery to everyone else and to the reader. Back to the characters, Jules is the mother hen for her two younger sisters, and Liam is still in her life as he owns a share of the winery and his half-brother is married to her sister.  These two sure can not get along and I did wonder what on earth made them like that, but little by little we understand what happened that fateful summer so long ago.

Jules has a lot on her plate. She is a strong woman but at the same time there is sadness over her cos of the things she has lost. While Liam also is portrayed as strong and the one who is doing the chasing. He wants her or just wants her out of his system. I do like a good lovers reunited story and these two clearly love each other and always have. But then there is that summer....

There is also other things going on. What will happen to the winery? And a slowly building romance between Kohl who works at the winery and Grace who also works there. I liked this story because they both had big emotional scars. Grace had been abused and Kohl was traumatized from the war.

Conclusion:

A lovely romance about lovers who find their way back to each other, and at the same time we get a second lovestory playing in the background. It was very enjoyable and sweet.

Rating:

Sweet summer read

Cover

Meh

--.....................................................

I am over at Alternative read today with a guestreview of Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland

From the USA Today bestselling author comes the first in a magical romantic fantasy trilogy.

Darkness covers the north, since the black mage has begun his assault on the kingdom of Neroche. Legend has it that only the two magical swords held by Neroche's king can defeat the mage. Now the fate of the Nine Kingdoms rests in the hands of a woman destined to wield one of those blades. In this land of dragons and mages, warrior maids and magical swords, nothing is as it seems. And Morgan will find that the magic in her blood brings her troubles she cannot face with a sword-and a love more powerful than she has ever imagined

 

 

 

Come say hi :D

Review: Touch Me if you Dare - Stephanie Rowe

Series: Soulfire 2
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 384
Published: July 1st 2011 Sourcebooks Casablanca

He's just about the hottest warrior she's ever seen...
Reina Fleming really appreciates a man who's on a mission-especially when he's a badass warrior doing his best to impress her. And Jarvis is charmed by the way Reina's magic touch can soothe his dark side. But when Jarvis's attention puts her job, her home, and her family in danger, Reina has to decide whether love is worth the price...

My thoughts:
This is one hard book to describe because so much is going on and it's crazy in a good way. But first, yes this is book two but it can be read as a stand alone novel too.

Where to start now. Jarvis has been tortured for decades by one crazy woman who wanted men to be in touch with their feelings; she just used a bit too much torture and was just way too insane to get it right. He and his buddies are now free and he sure feels that he can never go near a woman again. Not to mention that he is the Guardian of hate and spreads hate wherever he goes. He is as manly as they get (since he must make up for all those lessons in colour appreciation and knitting.). Sure at times he is a bit too much but who can blame the poor guy.

Reina the heroine is working for Death harvesting souls. But she also has family trouble as all the women in her family are now dead after being bitten by one nasty creature. This makes them feel more powerful and free during their last days (one climbed Mount Everest and fell down). Now she wants to protect the only sister she has left. Jarvis will help her as he also needs help getting his brother back. And of course sparks fly since she was attracted to him from the moment she saw him and he can't help feeling things he never thought he would feel.

Honestly the books just have to be read to be understood. There is so much going on, so many beings out there. Like the Beedubs who killed her family because they are Sweets (make the best chocolate), The Godfather who is so good that women die when they orgasm. And of course Death, I love him, he is a total ass and playboy but you got to love him. And here we see that there is something more to him. I can't wait for him to fall in love with a girl and love only her (oh please please give me that book!). And many more. The characters in this book are just the best.

The style is kind of snarky, ironic, sarcastic humour, dark. What I am trying to say it is not haha funny, but funny and incredibly amusing none the less.

Conclusion:
How to wrap this up then...The book is amusing, rich in its world and there is passion and romance that threatens to explode off the pages. it is just one of those books you have to read to fully understand what it is all about.


rating:
nice

Cover:
Ok


--------------------------------

Sourcebooks News

Book 1 is a freebie right now!

So hurry on over and get an ecopy of Kiss at your own Risk and become a Casa Vip member

Or get it from Amazon, Nook and so on

Review: A Wife for Mr Darcy - Mary Lydon Simonsen

Genre: Pride and Prejudice variation
Pages: 384
Published: July 1st 2011 Sourcebooks Landmark

When he meets Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy is already courting another young lady and now, in addition to his original qualms, Darcy has a real matter of honor to overcome...

 

My thoughts:

Yes I am back with another variation and this one is actually one of the best ones I have read. I really fell for this story and perhaps it was because things worked out so well.

This is a bit different in the aspect that Mr Darcy is looking for a bride and has settled on a fine young lady with noble blood. He is courting her now and then, since he is not that taken by her. It is just a duty but a duty that must be fulfilled. Until the day he meets Elizabeth. Here the book begins with him coming over to say that he is sorry for that famous comment who she was not pretty enough. So instead they flirt and become friendly and by doing that many other things do not happen. But the big cloud over their happiness is that he knows he must let her go since he is an honourable man and he will not let down the woman he is courting.

Yes I know! Horrible! Mr Darcy, noooo! He should not court another woman *sobs* but he is also so incredibly nice so he can't let her down when her hopes are up and all of London know they will wed. I have to respect him for that. I could not wait to see what happened and how he got out of this mess. Lizzy did of course find out too and got a bit mad after they met again, as was her right. I shall not tell you how it works out but come on, this is a PP variation so of course Lizzy and Darcy will get married, be happily ever after and get lots of cute babies in that awesome mansion. 

The rest then, Bingley and Jane were sweet as always. Lydia has her story and I will not tell you that end. Mr Collins is an idiot as always, Georgiana has a bigger role and is really nice and wants only happiness for her brother. We also meet Colonel Fitzwilliam's brother who is a real scoundrel, but a loving one.

Conclusion:

This is the Pride and Prejudice variation to read. It was sweet and wonderful, just like a nice desert that you just savour. And it will bring a smile to your face.

Rating:

Good

Cover:

nice

Review: Raven's Kiss - Toni LoTempio

Series: Raven Grace 1
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pages: 173 (out in PB and as an ebook)
Published: April 2011
Review by Lis

Raven Grace had ambitions of a career in law enforcement when she met the demon Aega, whose bite turned her from mortal to Shapeshifter.  Now a member of the Recovery Organization, Raven keeps the peace between humans and errant Hellhounds, trolls, wizards and the like – but her secret ambition is to track down Aega  and bring him to justice.  A chance encounter gives her the opportunity she seeks – in a universe that exists parallel to her own! Recovery Captain Finn McPhee doesn’t know what to make of the strange girl who’s entered his universe – and his heart – But Raven’s quest coincides with his own investigation, a series of murders committed by a serial killer. Complicating matters is the fact Finn is a Mentos – mind-prober- which means Raven has to keep her lusty thoughts under wraps.  Seeking answers, Finn takes Raven to the magickal underworld, where an ancient fae  informs them the demon’s quest is rooted in Scottish mythology and magick.  As they delve deeper into legend, the truth comes to light—Aega is only a pawn, subservient to another, darker demon. Now, Finn and Raven find their passion for one another must take a backseat to Raven’s battle with a  dark force who won’t be satisfied until he’s claimed her soul for his very own…

................

As some of you might know, I’m in the middle of operation: dress 28 knights for two big oncoming shows. Together with a few other ladies, we’re elbow deep in coats of arms, fabric, tabards , tunics and what not. So reading books has become my way of relaxing, though not every book is as relaxing as it promises to be. However…holy mother of knights, I was damn happy to read Toni LoTempio’s Raven’s Kiss. Not only did it give me hope that there are romance writers out there who know what they’re doing, it also helped me take my mind of impending doom, erh knight shows. 

Raven’s Kiss is the story of rough, tough, independent and kick ass Raven Grace – and the first in a series. Once Raven was your typical college student with a promising future in Law Enforcement. Until she met the demon Aega who likes to feed on the blood of virgins and then rapes them. Aega’s bite turns Raven into a shapeshifter. Two years later she is no longer a naïve college student, but a tough recovery agent who kicks the rear bumpers of everything that going boink in the night. Of course, she does have her own agenda. She hopes to one day kick Aega’s rear bumper into the next world. 

The encounter with Aega left her bitter and it’s not until she’s forced on a two week leave by her boss that things start to roll. When she finds the Aega’s latest victim, she also finds a doorway to a parallel universe. Not only does she find answers there, she also finds the hunky, hot as all get out, sex on legs Head of the Recovery Agency Mr. Finn McPhee. Yu-meeeeeee! 

Suddenly the ball just doesn’t only roll, it spins and the story turns action packed and fast moving. 

With Raven’s Kiss Toni LoTempio creates an action packed romance with a wicked mystery plot and a rich supernatural world full of interesting, three-dimensional characters. The author didn’t only turn her attention to the two main characters, but at the world at large, making Raven’s Kiss a story that draws you right in and keeps you on the edge of your seat when not melting you in a puddle of goo. 

What I really liked in this story – apart from the world building – is the character of Raven. She’s a strong woman that doesn’t give up when she’s kicked down, but she’s also independent and I like that in my romance characters. There are too many girly girls who just hang onto their men. Raven’s role in this little mystery is a lot bigger than she thinks and she has a part to play. She just doesn’t know it yet. At the same time her character is also flawed. Yes she is strong and independent, but also bitter because of what happened to her and not an easy person to get along with, but I can appreciate that. All in all she is an unlikely character for a romance. 

Speaking of romance... The romance between her and Finn is believable. It builds and is not instant. Finn is a likeable character, besides very hot. He’s realistic and also a good influence on Raven. More positive. 

At the heart of Raven’s Kiss is a mystery. The focus of this book is equally divided between the romance and the mystery. And it’s not your typical romance mystery. This one actually leaves you wondering what will happened next and if what’s really going on is actually so. 

So to conclude: GO READ RAVEN’S KISS! Seriously peeps. After No Rest for the Wicca, this one is even better. I like Toni LoTempio’s style of writing and the worlds she creates. I can only hope I get to review more of her books!