Angie's Romance Reviews (and trades) » A Rated

What I Did For Love – Susan Elizabeth Phillips

AngieZ — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:57:36 +0000

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has always been one of my ultimate favorites. She takes up a large portion of my keeper shelves. I hesitated to pick up this latest book because I have had a hard time forcing myself to study for classes. It sucks being an adult college student. I hate sacrificing my reading time for boring college classes, but never the less, I did squeeze this one in. I read it late into the night and got up early the next morning, finishing it in as close to one sitting as I could. So much for cramming for exams.

It is a wonderful story of two Hollywood stars whom are having issues. Georgie York is famous for her wholesome teen character Scooter. Georgie has outgrown the teen role, but her fans still adore her. Her famous actor husband leaves her for a do good-er star (a la Brad and Angelina and Jennifer), she stars in a string of bad movie flops and is desperate to get her career back on track.

Bram Shepard was Georgie’s costar and series love interest, Skip. Having made some really bad choices in life, he has been disgraced as a bad boy drunk that everyone loves to discount. He has grown up and changed his ways, but is hesitant to let others see his reformed side.

Georgie and Bram really don’t like each other much and their verbal sparring provides loads of great content. They are thrown together in a freak drugging accident and end up married. They initially are upset with the rash union, but start to see some publicity benefits to a trial fake marriage. Each of them has their own selfish reasons for staying in the marriage.

Of course with all romances they grow to realize how much they don’t know about each other and soon fall in love.

I was sort of turned off by the knock off Brad/Angelina storyline and was a bit disappointed in the ending, but otherwise the verbal byplay and great secondary characters pulled this together into a really great read that keep me up really really late.

Grade: A-

Cover: Average.

Please remember to show support for your favorite authors by purchasing their novels new — if possible.

Show No Mercy – Cindy Gerard

AngieZ — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:49:02 +0000

First in a series titled “Black Ops”, Cindy Gerard seems to have a good series going here. Having finished up Brockmann’s last book, I was not ready to move on from “shadow warriors”. I was intrigued and entertained by this new series.

While on assignment in Argentina for Black Ops Inc, Gabriel Jones is shocked to see someone from his past that he thought safe and out of his life. Jenna McMillan is a reporter who is covering a story in Argentina, but she doesn’t realize that she is being setup in a complicated revenge plot. When a bomb goes off unexpectedly, Jenna is tackled by a street bum who gets badly injured. While trying to escape, Jenna is thrown into a car and recognizes the men who save her. She doesn’t realize who tackled her, but once she sees Gabes men here in Argentina she puts two and two together.

Gabe is emotionally scarred and doesn’t want anyone in his life. Too bad he can’t stop thinking about the overbearing red head who always brings him to a loud verbal sparring match. Jenna does not want to get hurt again and realizes that Gabe will never love her, too bad she can’t ditch him but there is too much danger around her.

I believe this one may end up being a keeper. I will hold onto it for now while I start on the next few in the series.

Grade: A-

Cover: Standard Suspense art…

Please remember to show support for your favorite authors by purchasing their novels new — if possible.

Take No Prisoners – Cindy Gerard

Darkfever – Karen Marie Moning

AngieZ — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:26:31 +0000

Book 1 in the Fever Series, I have had this book on my TBR pile for a long time. I can’t believe I didn’t pick it up until now.

MacKayla Lane is living a good life with manicures and clothing a key part of her life. Suddenly her sister is murdered while studying abroad in Ireland. Before she knows it she is drawn into an unbelievable paranormal world of which she plays an unknowing part. While trying to track down her sisters killer she meets Jericho Barrons. A man who is much more than he seems and recognizes that MacKayla may hold to the key to his search for an ancient magical book the Sinsar Dubh. This book is bringing about the destruction of the world as we know it.

I enjoyed this book and its Faery myth and legends. Like I said before, I wonder what took me so long. MacKayla’s development is well done, Jericho is richly dark and mysterious. This novel is very dark and a really great read. I believe this book may earn an place on my keeper shelf. Fortunately I have the next in the series Bloodfever and am cracking it open right now.

Grade: A-

Cover: Love the cover art…..

Please remember to show support for your favorite authors by purchasing their novels new — if possible.

Tempting Evil (Riley Jensen-3) – Keri Arthur

AngieZ — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:20:35 +0000

The third in one of my fav kick-ass series, Tempting evil is even better than Kissing Sin. Riley has advanced her training and is making her way up to a full guardian. She is not happy about this, but knows she has not moral choice in the matter.

Having found the compound of past nemesis Deshon Star through an inside connection, Riley prepares to go undercover as a female wrestler to gain access to the compound and eliminate Deshon and end his genetic experiments. Ok, so that sounds like a cheesy plot and perhaps it is, but Arthur has a way of building a complex world while weaving in erotic sex and interesting plots. I could not put this one down.

As usual, Quinn her past vampire lover finds out about her plot and infiltrates the compound also. Quinn has a vendetta to settle with Deshon.

Kade the horse shifter is back as well as the addition of a group of new woman shifters who are not what they appear to be. It seems Deshon has racked up lots of enemies along the way.

As with the past books there is lots of unapologetic sex and rich content. My one criticism was the final confrontation lacked much substance in regard to the evil Starr.

Grade: A
Cover: Same theme as before, nice design.

Please remember to show support for your favorite authors by purchasing their novels new — if possible.

Kissing Sin (Riley Jensen-2) – Keri Arthur

AngieZ — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:38:37 +0000

Riley Jenkins is half vampire and half wolf. She and her twin brother Rhoan live in Melbourne and are working with an organization of supernatural beings called the Directorate. Riley has been resisting becoming a full Guardian, but Jack, her vampire boss, has other plans for her.

In the second book of the series we find Riley captured in a breeding facility to create master races of mixed DNA super beings…. Back are the past characters of Quinn, Rhoan, Jack, Gualtier. The plot turns are really quick and rich and the new characters are fascinating. Of course Riley adds another lover to her mix, but it seems to add to the story. The sex is abundant, but it seems to fit in with the story instead of becoming the story. I have to say that some of her sex lines are just plain cheezy, as the newest lover Kade is a horse shifter and Arthur could not resist the “hung like” line…. (groan…..). Otherwise the world building was imaginative and fresh. Old lovers prove to be more than meets the eye and Riley becomes manipulated and injected with a experimental drug that has long term implications upon her future. Love this new series…

Grade: A-

Cover: Hot.

Please remember to show support for your favorite authors by purchasing their novels new — if possible.

Holy Smokes – Katie MacAlister

AngieZ — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:06:23 +0000

Wow, it has been a long time since I blogged. I have had a busy few months and just have not found the time. Working full time and going to college (at my advanced age to boot) have been rough, but I am still finding time to sneak in a romance novel here and there.

Fourth in a series of Aisling Grey – Guardian. Aisling is trying to get to the alter to marry her destined mate Drake, but her duties as a Guardian, Demon Lord, Prince of Hell (woops Abaddon) and her other various other responsibilities that keep conflicting with Drakes various dragon crisises (is that a word?).

I enjoyed this installment as it had all the familar cast of Jim the Newfie (demon) , Rene the cabbie (daemon), Gabriel, Fiat and myriad other dragons. I love Aislings whit and the fast pace of the book keep it moving nicely along — so much that I almost missed my bus stop… If you are new to this series you will need to read the series in order. Your Slay Me, Fire Me Up and Light My Fire.

Great plot twists — Will Drake and Aisling finally get married after numerious aborted attempts, Will Aislings step mom Paula find a wedding planner that will stick around longer than one wedding attempt? How will Jim adjust to his new “package”? Will Aisling get out of being the mate of Fiat? And most important – is the a dragon “bun” in the oven?

Rating: A-
Cover: Cute and just like the others….

Please remember to show support for your favorite authors by purchasing their novels new — if possible.

Full Moon Rising – Keri Arthur

AngieZ — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 23:25:45 +0000

Rhoan goes missing and a drop dead sexy vampire (Quinn) shows up naked at her doorstop. About to approach the monthly “moonfever” that turns the werewolf into a hunk of burning lust, Riley tries to avoid giving in her to tempation to Quinn. But even with several other lovers on her plate, she cannot resist him. Quinn could be the key to finding her brother so she reluctantly teams up with Quinn and asks Jack for help.

There are lots of interesting twists and turns, tons of unapologetic, guilt free sex.

I have to say however, the story ending left me hanging and now I have to run out and get the next one in the series. I have way too many TBR’s here already…

Grade: A-

Cover: Hot, like the content.

Please remember to show support for your favorite authors by purchasing their novels new — if possible.

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula – Marta Acosta

AngieZ — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 03:13:17 +0000

Milagros de Los Santos has had a bad week, first she is persuaded to attend a book party of the man who wooed then suddenly dumped her in college (Sebastian). You know the guy; the one you thought was IT who turned out to be a total jerk….

Then she meets a sexy guy in an odd suit (Oswald) and finds herself accidentally swapping blood with him while making out (it really is not as gross as it sounds) and contracts a rare disease that has her losing weight and craving blood. Now for most of us losing weight is a bonus, but for this well endowed women (chest wise) it is less than ideal. I absolutely and totally envy the Latino womens ability to flaunt those sexy curves. Not only has she contracted this “disease” but her ex-boyfriend (the jerk above) is a modern day vampire hunter and wants to drive a stake through her heart. Of course he is secretly interested in staking her in an intimate way also — wink, wink.

Milagro is convinced by Oswald’s family to live with them for her safety until they can put a lid on Sebastian. The fun is further compounded when she finds out that Oswald is engaged to a super wonderful woman, has a really snappy, wisecracking grandmother (Edna), another sexy well grounded cousin (Sam) and a flamboyant cousin (Gabriel).

This book is laugh out loud funny and the dialogue is quick and witty. If I would have one criticism I would say it just flowed too quickly because when it was done I wanted more….

Marta Acosta is a new author to me, I will be sure to read her again. Her website is www.martacosta.com

Grade: A — Loved it.

Cover, fun and chicklitish (I know that is probably not a word).

Definitely Dead-Charlaine Harris

The Wolf and the Dove – Kathleen Woodiwiss

AngieZ — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:10:42 +0000

To honor the passing of an favorite author, I pulled this off my keeper shelf. I cannot remember how long it has been since I read it, ages for sure.

The interesting thing I am finding is that as I mature, my views and tastes are changing. When I put this on my shelf another decade ago I get the feeling I like it for different reasons then I do now. As an old time bodice ripper it has the elements of a captured, forced slave all the rage in its time. That time has long gone, but it still has elements the keep it on my favorite list.

After her home is invaded, her father killed and her mother stripped to the role of slave and on the brink of madness, Aislinn the heroine proves to be strong, practical and accepting of her situation. She does not resort to TSTL behavior. She realizes she is falling in love with the conquering invader Wulfgar and bravely works hard to change her situation in life.

Wulfgar is your typical dominate male who never understood what love was. I love it when a hero slowly realizes that he is falling in love and does not know how to handle it. He is very clear that he will never marry Aislinn and elevate her from her slave status. However his actions and words are contrary to each other.

An old time epic tale that is truly worth reading. Woodiwiss will a staple on my keeper shelf for a long time. I wonder what the romance world would be like now if a talent like Woodiwiss would emerge from the mass of every increasing paranormal drivel that makes up the market today.

Grade: A, Keeper Status

High Stakes – Erin McCarthy

AngieZ — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:59:44 +0000

Super funny and a great quick read.

Ethan Carrick is a vampire who owns a casino and happens to be the president of vampires. It is an election year and he has been advised to settle down and take a wife. He thinks he finds her in bubbly, sweet dentist Brittany Baldizzi. Brittany’s sister Alexis is the polar opposite to Brittnay, she is light to her dark, tough to Britt’s sweetness. She is also determined to save her sister from being kidnapped. What she doesn’t expect is to fall for Ethan, who of course is turned on by Alexis instead of Brittany.

I loved Alexis, who is nicknamed by Ethan as BB (Ball Buster). She is protective and guarded and does not give the upper hand to Ethan. They spar with each other verbally and physically from the moment they meet.

In heir first meeting, Alexis’s initial feelings toward Ethan are summed up in the passage.

The calm, casual tone he was using was unnerving. But Alexis readjusted her mental strategy. She was a prosecutor and she knew how to switch gears based on people’s reactions to her. So she stood a little straighter and stuck hour hand out. “Alexis Baldizzi, county prosecutor. I need to speak with you a for a minute”. And rip your nuts off.

Face, nuts, something needed to be ripped off”.

Ethans and Alexis’s verbal byplay is really lol funny. I loved this book.

Grade: A

Cover: Contemporary and a bit close to Chick Lit.