Love Romance Passion » Soldier http://www.loveromancepassion.com Because Books Don't Fall Asleep Afterwards! Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Review: The Night is Mine by M. L. Buchman http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-night-is-mine-by-m-l-buchman/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-night-is-mine-by-m-l-buchman/#comments Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:08:11 +0000 Susan S. http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13830

The Night is MineReviewed by Susan S.

Impressive! M. L. Buchman delivers an action-packed novel that’ll leave adrenaline junkies smoking a well-satisfied cigar. The Night Is Mine contains military covert operations, chopper crashes, secret agents, murder plots, daring rescues, humor, and still…pulls off a touching love story. Where’s book two?

Summary: The Night Stalkers Series, Book One

Captain Emily Beale is a highly trained soldier, the heroine of this story, the daughter to the Director of the FBI, a killer chef, the Black Hawk pilot for the Black Adders, and the first and only female pilot to fly for SOAR (The Army’s Special Operations Aviation Regiment a.k.a. The Night Stalkers). As is evidenced by the aforementioned-she’s one badass female. Oh, and did I mention she’s beautiful? Some gals have all the luck! Or do they?

This gal’s life is about to turn on a dime. The captain harbors feelings for Major Mark “The Viper” Henderson and vice versa. But since the Army prohibits relationships between different ranked soldiers-they’ll have to lock and triple-bolt their passion. Then there’s the reassignment order plunging Emily neck deep into a black-in-black ops mission. Suddenly, the Army’s fraternization policy becomes a moot point. Because if they die protecting the Commander-in-Chief, sex post-mortem just isn’t as appealing.

Review: I’m hoping one day The Night Is Mine adapts to the big screen. But even if it doesn’t, in my mind- it played like a movie. Guess I can always reread the novel when I feel the hankering to watch it again.

With military romantic suspense novels I always think, oh boy-here comes the heavy unintelligible military jargon. I needn’t have worried though. None of that in this novel. Only descriptions of military choppers and a great story infused with megadoses of action.

Recommendations: For readers who stow Silhouette Romantic Suspense and Harlequin Intrigues inside their minivans. Also recommended for anyone who craves the forbidden love tropes. And if you’re a booklover who’s partial to All-American Heroes, hot Army pilots, secret agents, and political intrigue-then this is your kind of read.

Disclaimer: I received this novel free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Review-O-Meter Rating: ★★★★★

Buy: The Night Is Mine

Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc., Copyright 2012, Mass Market Paperback, Print Pages 402. ISBN# 978-1-4022-5810-7.

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-night-is-mine-by-m-l-buchman/feed/ 0 Review: Encompassed (Immortal Series, Book 4) by Em Petrova http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-encompassed-immortal-series-book-4-by-em-petrova/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-encompassed-immortal-series-book-4-by-em-petrova/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Sandra Scholes http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13738

Reviewed by Sandra Scholes

It is interesting the amount of cross genre fiction there is out for readers to have a look at. Encompassed, book 4 is Em Petrova’s chance to show how she can weave a ship’s captain and a Mayan Princess into a loving relationship.

There is a reason Dante and Maria are together and it is to do with the Calling, a way of them bonding with full knowledge of whether they are good for each other. They love each other very much, and their immortal companions notice that too. After a while though, that feeling of love and affection starts to leave them and while others like them are only just getting that feeling, they long to get it back and have the fulfilling relationship they once had.

It isn’t long before a love triangle develops with Dante being distracted by Gracie, another immortal who is influenced by the Calling too. Before this can happen and Dante is torn away from her, Maria has to go back to the place where their feelings were first felt.

I liked how Em Petrova had the original concept for Gracie, the heroine in this new novel. Originally she was under another name and in a contemporary spanking story. She gives her heroines a comical aspect and isn't afraid to create unusual stories in order to somehow make them seem real to others. She has a great descriptive mind and can make the reader truly believe they are there in her chosen world.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Buy: Encompassed

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-encompassed-immortal-series-book-4-by-em-petrova/feed/ 0 Review: Ten Things I Love About You (Bevelstoke, Book 3) by Julia Quinn http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-ten-things-i-love-about-you-bevelstoke-book-3-by-julia-quinn/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-ten-things-i-love-about-you-bevelstoke-book-3-by-julia-quinn/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:24:49 +0000 Keira http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13657

Heroine: Annabel Winslow, eldest sister of 8 siblings, is soon to be engaged to an overweight, short-tempered nobleman as old as her grandmother. She must agree or risk her family’s future happiness. If she does, she loses her own. But she still has time before the Earl of Newbury asks, perhaps there is another way?

Hero: Sebastian Grey firsts hears of Annabel as a woman ‘…so fertile that birds sing when she draws near.’ He knows his uncle, the Earl of Newbury, wants an heir so that he does not inherit the estate. His uncle hates him and the feeling is mutual. He does not care if he inherits or not, he just wished he knew one way or the other.

Meet Cute: A chance meeting outside in the moors at an annual house party when Annabel literally trips over Sebastian. He was just waiting for his female partner to slip back into the house party before he went in again. She was escaping his cruel, odious, groping uncle. (That lecher!  Shudder.) They flirt and then kiss. (Seb and Annabel.) Hawt.

Review: Rosalyn Landor is a wonderful narrator. She brought the characters fully to life and if you combine her talent with the author’s you have an amazing story. I loved it. Capitalize that—I LOVED IT! I was utterly charmed, just like Sebastian was with Annabel. The story is sweet, the sexual tension sizzling, the romance was just perfect. Sebastian is making it to my favorite hero list (which shouldn't surprise him, he loves lists... and so does the heroine). (Now I have more than one Seb to love, bwuahahaha!)

Rating: ★★★★★

Buy: Ten Things I Love About You

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-ten-things-i-love-about-you-bevelstoke-book-3-by-julia-quinn/feed/ 1 Get into Bed with Catherine Mann (Author Interview) http://www.loveromancepassion.com/get-into-bed-with-catherine-mann-author-interview/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/get-into-bed-with-catherine-mann-author-interview/#comments Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000 Susan S. http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13320

Susan: When I interview a Casababe (whose books are published by Sourcebooks Casablanca and blogs over at Casablanca Authors), I “know” I’m going to have fun! Note to readers: Let’s put on our party hats because Catherine Mann is here. Did I just hear a horn blaring? Embarrassed chuckle. That must’ve been left over from last year’s New Year’s celebration. Catherine, c’mon…jump in bed! Ooh, your fuzzy pink socks look comfy. It’s just that bright neon color I’m having some trouble getting accustomed to. But no worries, let’s get started.

Susan: If a genie could bring your writing muse to life, what would your muse look like?

Catherine: My muse would have wildly curly hair with pencils sticking out! No well-traveled paths for her – she follows life wherever it leads. :-)

Susan: Some authors enjoy reading? Are you such an author?

Catherine: I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. My mom swears I read the newspaper in kindergarten. My bookshelves are packed and my kindle is quickly filling up.

Susan: I noticed Hot Zone is a military romantic suspense novel; what branch of the military is your hero, Hugh Franco, affiliated with?

Catherine: My military books always feature Air Force heroes (and sometimes Air Force heroines too!) My husband served in the Air Force for over 20 years, flying. So it’s a natural fit for me to write Air Force characters.

Susan: On a scale from 8-10, how H-O-T is Franco? (What?! Hugh’s a Pararescueman, there’s no 0-7 in that scale!)

Catherine: LOL! If you like intensely, dark and brooding heroes, ripped with muscles, living on the edge, then Hugh’s an eleven. He takes on the missions no sane person would touch, driven to save as if somehow he can make up for not being there to save his wife and daughter. He’s physically hot and emotionally broken. His heroine – Amelia – has her work cut out for her!

Susan: It’s quote sharing time! (Me-to-you): “I am a part of all that I have read.” – John Kieran

Catherine: (You-to-me) My current favorite quote (I have many though) is: "You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." ~Jack London

Susan: How does one become a USA Today bestseller? I understand you happen to be one. Congratulations, btw. “Here, have some popcorn. Eating popcorn in bed is trending now.”

Catherine: Thanks for the popcorn… Maybe if I chew long enough I’ll come up with the perfect answer, but I doubt it. I truly don’t think there’s a magic formula for success. For me, I have just focused on writing the absolute best book I can write, while listening to my heart and listening to readers.

Susan: If I were to look into a crystal ball and say, “Hot Zone!” What would I see?

Catherine: The hero Hugh, completely captivated by Amelia’s blue eyes and spirit as they battle for their lives beneath earthquake rubble.

Susan: Do you have a special way to keep track of vital character info? Like using colored index cards, sticky notes, or old paper coasters-perhaps?

Catherine: I sometimes call my method of brainstorming the “Emily Dickinson Approach.” When an idea comes to mind, I grab the first scrap of paper I can find – anything from a sticky note to the back of an old envelope. There are scraps of paper with story ideas all over my house.

Susan: (Confessions from a reader): I drink way too much vanilla-flavored coffee, eat Birthday Cake Pops from Starbuck’s, and love books. Oh, and I consider myself nocturnal. Mornings are not my thing!

Catherine (Confessions from an author): I’m desperately trying to ease back on my addiction to diet sodas. But recently, I discovered decaf diet coke with raspberry at Moe’s, which is making it tough for me to resist. I also crave cinnamon red hots. And I adore staying up until four in the morning, curled up with a great escapism read!

Susan: This area is for shameless self-promotion. What would you like to share with LRP readers?

Catherine: I’m a blessedly busy author, with 7 books packed into 2012. In particular, I have 3 military romances scheduled back to back this spring - Protector (Berkley, March), Honorable Intentions (Harlequin Desire, April) and UNDER FIRE (Sourcebooks, May.) FMI, you can find me online at Facebook as Catherine Mann (author), at Twitter as CatherineMann1 and at my website www.catherinemann.com

Thanks for the visit and the yummy, super-buttery popcorn!

Susan: Aww! Must you go so soon? O.k., then. Thank you; Catherine. For answering my questions and sharing popcorn with me. Although, I’m not quite sure it’s considered sharing if you ate the whole bowl. Feel free to come back and visit. Anytime. Adding popcorn to my grocery list. I’m all out. Ms. Mann can really eat. That bowl was GINORMOUS!

Catherine: What’s your favorite snack food? Two lucky commenters will win a copy of Hot Zone!

HOT ZONE BY CATHERINE MANN – IN STORES DECEMBER 2011

He’ll take any mission, the riskier the better…

The haunted eyes of pararescueman Hugh Franco should have been her first clue that deep pain roiled beneath the surface. But if Amelia couldn't see the damage, how could she be expected to know he'd break her heart?

She’ll prove to be his biggest risk yet…

Amelia Bailey's not the kind of girl who usually needs rescuing...but there are anything but usual circumstances.

USA Today bestselling author Catherine Mann delivers another hero from the Air Force's celebrated Pararescue Jumpers–"The PJs"– an ultra-elite force who put themselves at extreme risk in the most dangerous emergancies so that others may live. A sizzling thrill-rise of action and attraction, Hot Zone will leave your pulse pounding.

Buy: Hot Zone (Elite Force: That Others May Live)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today bestseller Catherine Mann is a RITA Award winning novelist with over two million books in print, in more than twenty countries. She resides in Florida with her military flyboy husband and their four children. For more information, she can be found online at:

Website: http://catherinemann.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CatherineMannAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CatherineMann1

GIVEAWAY: I have 2 copies of Hot Zone. Open to US and Canada only. Enter by answering Catherine Mann's question, "What’s your favorite snack food?" Last day to enter: December 18, 2011.

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/get-into-bed-with-catherine-mann-author-interview/feed/ 34 Review: The Legend of Michael by Lisa Renee Jones http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-legend-of-michael-by-lisa-renee-jones/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-legend-of-michael-by-lisa-renee-jones/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:48:07 +0000 Lynn Reynolds http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13133

Reviewed by Lynn Reynolds

This is the first book of the "Zodius" series.

Cassandra Powell comes to work for her father and to evaluate some of the soldiers at the military facility.  Not two minutes after literally bumping into one of the soldiers he's hitting on her.  His name is Michael Taylor.  She then goes to meet her assistant Kelly who tells her something interesting about the GTEC soldiers that she will be working with.  I love how Kelly tells Cassandra how to have protected sex - ok Mom!

Cassandra's father seems to be one of the evil forces in this story.  He's done some experiments on the soldiers that Cassandra must now see what the effects are.  He seems to think that he can play God and not be held accountable.  But there is someone who is much more evil than he is.

Michael goes on a mission with two brothers, Adam and Caleb.  Adam shows us how the experiment can take a turn for the worse.  What's even worse is that there is a woman, his wife, who's as evil as he is.  Lisa paints Adam as a very dark sadistic man.  He gets pleasure from other people's pain.  Lisa doesn't make it too graphic but just enough so the reader will understand the type of evil man he is.

Lisa takes the reader on a very suspenseful ride.  From one chapter to the next we don't know what's going to happen to Cassandra and Michael.  But we have to keep reading so that we can find out.  You have to love a hero that in the midst of a war going on, he has time to make love to his lifebond.

Cassandra's father isn't happy on how his soldiers have turned out, now he wants to create a super soldier.  This is one more reason to keep reading.  Was this latest experiment a success?   And how does Michael's mother fit into all this?  Lisa gives us a glimpse into a world where if you fool with Mother Nature, you will suffer the consequences.

I love how Lisa has given Cassandra a strong personality.  She either fights by Michael's side or she'll just go out on her own.  They also love each other - no matter what.  This is the type of love we all long for.

The story ends with us wondering whether good was able to defeat evil.  Who will prevail?  You will have to keep reading the series to find out the answer to this question.  I definitely recommend reading this series.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Buy: The Legend of Michael: Sin and Satisfaction (Zodius)

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-legend-of-michael-by-lisa-renee-jones/feed/ 0 Review: Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-bring-me-home-for-christmas-by-robyn-carr/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-bring-me-home-for-christmas-by-robyn-carr/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:52:23 +0000 Lynn Reynolds http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13225

Reviewed by Lynn Reynolds

Bring Me Home for Christmas is book 16 of the “Virgin River” series.

Rich Timm and his sister Becca have just arrived in Virgin River to hunt and fish. Rich is there for a “guys” get-together and Becca has invited herself along. Robyn starts us off with a great interaction between brother and sister. If any of you have brothers, you can just picture them saying the same things that Rich says to Becca. This story will help you to laugh and reminisce at the same time. But Becca isn’t using this trip as a bonding excursion between siblings. She has an ulterior motive that Rich knows nothing about.

Denny Cutler is a farmer and Becca’s old boyfriend. He also works part time at a bar. Denny’s an ex-Marine and happy with the life he has in Virgin River. Or is he?

Robyn does a great job of giving her readers some good chuckles throughout her story. You have to love, and laugh, at some of the interactions that Becca has with the “guys”. I’ve always passed up reading books by Robyn Carr in the past. I didn’t think that I would like her work. Boy, did this book change my mind.

Robyn gives us characters that have gone through a lot, have ties to the military, and also know the meaning of helping your neighbors. She also gives her readers ideas on how to decorate for the holidays. I love her idea of getting the whole town together to decorate the town’s Christmas tree – what a lovely tradition.

Fate steps in and Becca’s days have suddenly changed. As the saying goes “when one door closes another one opens”. We get to see Becca mature and she also finally understands what Denny is about. Becca has also found her niche in Virgin River. Will she stay or will she go back to San Diego? You will have to read this story to find out.

Robyn will also pull at your “heart strings”. There’s a little girl named Megan. She has a lot going against her but she has a strong personality for one so young. If you’re a teacher – you will feel her pain. I’m glad that Robyn made Becca a teacher with a heart.

You will also love the military theme that runs through this book. Bring Me Home for Christmas is a great story that will have you smiling and eagerly awaiting for the next book in the series to come out. If you have never read another of her series before, this may change your mind – I know it did mine. It will also make you wonder if there are towns out there just like Virgin River.

Rating: ★★★★½

Buy: Bring Me Home for Christmas (Virgin River)

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-bring-me-home-for-christmas-by-robyn-carr/feed/ 0 Get into Bed with Jessica Scott (Author Interview) http://www.loveromancepassion.com/get-into-bed-with-jessica-scott-author-interview/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/get-into-bed-with-jessica-scott-author-interview/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:10:19 +0000 Keira http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13207

Today's author interview is with Jessica Scott, author of Because of You

Keira: You're a career soldier, is that where the Coming Home series was inspired?

Jessica Scott: I'm inspired every single day by the soldiers around me. When you think about what we as a nation have asked my brothers and sisters in arms to do for the last decade: to willingly go into harm's way for a war they may or may not support, to miss birthdays and anniversaries, weddings and funerals and to know that the men and women who serve do so willingly? That's pretty awe inspiring. But there are also some pretty intense dynamics beneath that notion of selfless service, too and that's what I find myself continually exploring.

Keira: What's one thing about the military that you think non-military readers should know?

Jessica: That soldier's families sacrifice as much, if not more, than the soldier him or herself. While mommy or daddy is off at war, the kids are home, worrying about whether or not they're coming home. They don't have a way of *doing* to keep themselves from worrying, you know? When you're deployed, you stay busy so the worry from home doesn't eat away at you. When you're the family member on the other side, waiting for the phone to ring, sometimes, all you do is worry.

Keira: I like caretaking plots, where one character helps take care of another, which Because of You is; what do you like best about them? This one in particular?

Jessica: We all have different ways of showing we care. It's not always the most straight forward way that people tend to think of. In Because of You, Carponti helps take care of Shane, but it's not by being supportive and holding his hand, it's by literally by annoying the hell out of him. But the care is still there. So for me, caretaking stories are about the different ways that we care.

Keira: You met and married your husband in the army. What makes military heroes so special?

Jessica: There are so many reasons to love a man in uniform. I love the dichotomy I see every day around me. These Hyper Type A guys who will just as soon rip your face off as smile at you who are complete pushovers with their families. I love looking at the men beneath the surface and wondering who they are around their families that we don't get to see at work.

Keira: What is your favorite scene in Because of You?

Jessica: I think the scene where Jen finally has the courage to show Shane her scars. She not only moves past a critical viewpoint of herself, she willingly shows him the one thing she's been hiding from him the entire time. It's this selflessness that pushes Shane out of his own funk, something he can easily recognize in her. A kindred spirit, so to speak.

Keira: Ideally, who would you have play the hero and heroine in a movie version of the story?

Jessica: Jason Statham as Shane, hands down. As far as Jen? I'd say Christina Applegate.

Keira: Tell us one or two cool things about yourself you haven't shared yet!

Jessica: Sheesh, there's only so much crazy to go around. Um, hmm, I need an organized space but have absolutely zero ability to get it that way or keep it that way myself.

Keira: You and me both! lol :D Thanks so much for dropping by LRP to talk with us today!

Buy: Because of You

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/get-into-bed-with-jessica-scott-author-interview/feed/ 1 Review: Dark Sins and Desert Sands (Mythica Series, Book 5) by Stephanie Draven http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-dark-sins-and-desert-sands-mythica-series-book-5-by-stephanie-draven/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-dark-sins-and-desert-sands-mythica-series-book-5-by-stephanie-draven/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 09:03:20 +0000 Lynn Reynolds http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=12739

Reviewed by Lynn Reynolds

Stephanie Draven's Dark Sins and Desert Sands is book 5 of the "Mythica Series".

Main characters: Rayhan Stavrakis, he’s a military man with some very special abilities. One side effect from his abilities is that he gets bloody noses (think Firestarter). Dr. Layla Bahset is an American Psychologist. Or is she? She wants to help the lost souls of Las Vegas. Ray and Layla have a previous connection. She doesn’t remember and he wants to find her because of that connection. Layla also has no memory except for the last two years. His memories aren’t that pleasant.

Minor characters: Dr. Nat Jaffe, Psychiatrist. He has been out a few times with Layla. Seth Carey – scorpion king and resident evil. He is the head of a very shifty American company that works with the government. Isabel is Layla’s right hand in the office but she is more than what she seems. Missy is a young woman who starts helping out Ray but seems to blossom.

One issue I had with this book was how fast scenes seemed to switch. Sometimes my mind would get a little confused. In one case, Nat was having dinner with Layla and right in the middle, we would switch scenes to Ray. I think doing this instant switching, stops the flow of the story. For some, it may just confuse them.

In one scene, Seth comes to Layla’s office and meets Isabel. For some reason, she seems to appeal to him but Seth is there to see Layla. They also have a past but Layla fakes her way through the meeting giving him an indication that she knows who he is. She knows that something isn’t right and disappears. Ray and Layla connect but the only way for Layla to remember anything is if Ray kisses her. Ray needs to get information from her and he isn’t above using sex to get it. As soon as we get to the good part, Stephanie switches the scene on us. My mind was definitely not ready for the scene to switch.

We then find out why Seth wants Ray. Seth is a collector of sorts – makes you think of “Star Trek”. But not every collector gets everything they want. I will say that this adds to the suspense – will Ray be a part of Seth’s “collection” or not?

I felt, while reading this story, that Isabel and Seth had more of a connection than Ray and Layla. As I was reading the interactions between Isabel and Seth, I was hoping that Isabel would give Seth a great big kick in his butt. They just seemed a better fit as a couple than Layla and Ray.

The more time that Ray and Layla spend together, the more that Layla remembers about her past. But when Ray finally admits to Layla that he loves her, I just didn’t feel that I ever read that type of connection between the two of them (even with the sex scenes). To me they seemed more like “friends with benefits”.

When Seth finally captures Ray, you can just about see the two of them interact with each other – as if you can see the scene play out right before your eyes. Layla makes Seth a promise that she will go to him if he will let Ray go.

This story was just like a train ride. It starts off slow and picks up speed toward the end of the story. This is finally when we see the love that Ray and Layla have for each other. But at this point, I would rather read more of Seth and Isabel’s story.

You will have to decide if you want to read any more of the series. 

Rating: ★★★½☆

Buy: Dark Sins and Desert Sands

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-dark-sins-and-desert-sands-mythica-series-book-5-by-stephanie-draven/feed/ 0 Review: Fortune’s Son by Emery Lee http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-fortune%e2%80%99s-son-by-emery-lee/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-fortune%e2%80%99s-son-by-emery-lee/#comments Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:40:46 +0000 Susan S. http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=12974

Reviewed by Susan S.

Summary: Hero, Philip Drake, is the proverbial black sheep of his family. And an embarrassing disappointment to his father, the Earl of Hastings. Philip is a rebellious and impulsive young man; who’s spent the last four years drinking, bedding tavern maids, and gambling. Drake’s life is an unmitigated disaster; a reckless gamester locked in a cycle of wins and losses.

When Philip reluctantly agrees to teach a young widow to play cards, he turns a deaf ear to his friend’s cautionary warning. It’s not long after Susannah, Lady Messingham, enters his life that he finds himself in financial ruin.

Life is about to teach Philip and Susannah that when there’s nothing left to lose, there’s still something to be gained.

Review: I could pardon Philip’s impulsive nature in youth, but felt let down he reverted back to old patterns of behavior (after a ten year military career). His good intentions fell short. Sadly, I wasn’t able to connect with the hero. And when he marries “another” lady for her dowry, I stopped sympathizing with his character. His sulking and self imposed pity also failed in endearing me to him.

Now, the heroine is a horse of a different color. She was more relatable. Here’s this young widow managing her finances for the first time, while trying to maintain her mode of living among societal circles. Sure, she makes mistakes. Some were monumental, but she learns from them. Matures.

I enjoyed the twelve year journey showing the evolvement of the main characters; with their highs and their lows. And think the author did a nice job with the story’s resolution. Her strength lies in presenting the reader with great imagery. Her details also appear to be accurate, seeing as I did verify a few out of sheer curiosity.

The story itself would’ve been much improved with the editing of the terminated near rape scene. It felt misplaced in this story, and would’ve fitted more comfortably within another genre. I would read Ms. Lee’s future novels, but am hoping for a stronger hero next time. As that does seem to be my preference.

Recommendations: This novel will appeal to those readers who enjoy the damaged hero/nurturing heroine as well as the older woman/younger man tropes. If you like card games (like Blackjack) and gambling, this is definitely “the” book for you. I’m also recommending it to those who like to read romantic historical novels, more specifically, during the Georgian era. Certain readers may not agree with the infidelity themes throughout, or with the capture of a young lady (near rape scene).

Disclosure: I received this novel free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Favorite scenes:

Favorite scene #1: After riding on horseback in the rain for almost four hours, Philip shows up at Susannah’s home completely drenched. LOVE that scene! Wanted more of them. Anyhow, she recommends he remove the wet clothes. Which he does. But he hit a snag; Drake’s having trouble with the wet boots. He can’t take them off. His instructions to her are absolutely hilarious. Picture his leg between hers, Messingham’s rear end facing him-while she’s yanking and yanking. `Course, he loves every minute of it. He’s turned on.

Favorite scene #2: You know what I love about Georgian romances? That there’s always a duel. Some man is always seeking satisfaction, and I love when he gets it! This novel has a duel. J

Rating: ★★★★☆

Buy: Fortune's Son

Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc., Historical Romance, November 2011, Mass Market Paperback, Print Pages 445. ISBN# 978-1-4022-5644-8.

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-fortune%e2%80%99s-son-by-emery-lee/feed/ 0 Review: The Storm that is Sterling by Lisa Renee Jones http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-storm-that-is-sterling-by-lisa-renee-jones/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-storm-that-is-sterling-by-lisa-renee-jones/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:53:58 +0000 Lynn Reynolds http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=12174

Reviewed by Lynn Reynolds

The reader first meets Rebecca Burns as a very studious high schooler. She’s so smart that she tutors during the summer. Sterling Jeter is a young man that hacks into computers for money. He uses the money to take care of his grandmother. We think that they will be sweethearts right away but then Sterling gets into trouble and Rebecca doesn’t see him after that.

The story then jumps fourteen years. Sterling is now part of a special elite team. He then goes to see Rebecca. This is where Lisa gives her reader an indication of what makes Sterling a hero. This is also where our adventure begins.

If you have not read Lisa’s first book in the series, The Legend of Michael, you may not understand a lot of what’s happening in the story. Originally, I read this book first and was totally lost in what was going on. I then went to my local library and took out Michael’s book. This time everything was less confusing and it made sense. You do need to read this series in order.

This book is darker than the first - the evil in Michael’s book continues here. You can tell that this is a book about good vs. evil but that the evil is getting stronger. As you get into the story, you will question as to which will win.

The first time I read this book, I was reading it as a paranormal romance. This second time, I read it as a paranormal romantic suspense. The book is good as a paranormal suspense but it is a little light on the romance. Danger always seems to get into the way of any type of romance between Sterling and Rebecca.

In other paranormal romances, that I have read, the life mate appears early on and we see the instant connection between the two main characters. As I started to read the first few chapters of Sterling’s story, I just didn’t see that connection. At the end of chapter 5, Sterling and Rebecca finally admit that they want each other but as a reader I just don’t feel it.

In Chapter 21, Becca says how badly she wants him but as a reader I’ll have to take her word for it. I just never saw it in the pages previously. At the end of this chapter, we finally start to see their romance take shape. But as a romance reader, I felt that the author had to put in a love scene somewhere and this is where she decided to put it. To me it felt out of place. It just didn’t seem to flow with the rest of the story.

Once the romance finally starts it seems like the dark side of the story seems to take a back seat. You see glimpses of it so that you know it will continue into the next book but the feeling of the story changed.

Would I buy this book? No. Would I borrow this book from the library? Yes. Would I read the next book in the series? Yes, I would like to see what happens next. I will say that I did like Michael’s story better.

Rating: ★★★½☆

Buy: The Storm That Is Sterling

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