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I selected this novel because of the gorgeous female cover model. She looks like a fairy princess and the pink and black and warm tones are just lovely. The big plus is this is how the heroine is described… well, I think it was an angel, but you get the point: lovely, blonde, kindhearted.

Moving on, the first half of the novel can be said in three sentences:

Grace Sheffey has been jilted twice, widowed once.

Michael Ranier has murdered twice, rescued once.

These two souls get together under a single lodging and share one passionate interlude.

The second half deals with the consequences. I found Love with a Perfect Scoundrel to be a fun, fast-paced romp filled with nutty characters, sensual situations, and many a marvelous moments. Some to me seems a little over the top, like a seventy-five thousand pound promissory note, but I will let you decide for yourselves.

I had a wonderful time reading the novel and I felt great when I finished. I haven’t read anything else by Sophia Nash, but I highly recommend her if her other novels are like this one.

Love with a Perfect Scoundrel is book three of the widow club.

Rating: 4 Stars

Buy: Love with the Perfect Scoundrel

It has come to my attention that some readers of Love Romance Passion are unaware of certain features here. In case you also were unawares, I have compiled and shared them below.

Book Reviews:

You have the standard book reviews, but did you know that Love Romance Passion provides a space for guest reviews and advance review copies? You can submit your book reviews directly to me or through the submission form. Authors and publicists promoting review copies can email me at reviewromancenovel@yahoo.com with an inquiry. Learn more about review requests and Love Romance Passion’s policies under advertising.

Movie Reviews:

Occasionally, I review movies. I tend to share the newest viewings, which can mean current theatrical releases. Just as I can’t read all the romance books out there, I can’t watch all the romantic movies. Readers are welcome to share their movie opinions through the submission form outlined earlier.

Interviews:

There are several types of interviews at Love Romance Passion. The first is the author interview, which you see the most of around here. Another form of the author interview is the Kiss and Tell blog series. Any romance or erotica author may submit an article to it by emailing me. Lastly there are the Between the Sheets interviews with professionals related to the romance industry, but aren’t necessarily authors. So far Love Romance Passion has featured model and audio book narrator interviews; we would love to have you too!

Guest Bloggers

Many guest bloggers here at Love Romance Passion are authors. I love having them here and I hope you do as well. I am always looking for guest bloggers, and you don’t have to be an author to contribute.

Carnivals:

Carnivals are a newer feature. They come out every Sunday. I have three in rotation right now to which bloggers can submit related articles. They are: love of movies, author love , and romancing the novel.

Reader Highlights:

A brand new feature that does exactly what it says, highlight readers who’ve made an impression on the blog: on the stage and behind the curtain.

Forum:

Love Romance Passion also has a forum for readers, authors, and bloggers. This tucked away feature deserves some attention! You can register here.

Book Store:

This is an ebay run book store that helps readers find romance books in print and audio format. It’s also a great way to contribute a little towards the running of this site.

LRP’s Best:

LRP’s Best is where I pull from regular circulation, the blog posts I find most interesting and fun to share with new comers and regulars.

On Youtube:

Love Romance Passion’s Youtube channel is under construction. I soon hope to use this feature to share with everyone videos from guest bloggers, authors, readers, and more. If you make a video and want it to appear on LRP’s channel upload file to http://www.mediafire.com/ and email me the link.

On Twitter:

I am on twitter. I share links to contests and articles I am reading and enjoying from other blogs. You can find me at reviewromance.

On Facebook:

Love Romance Passion is on Facebook twice. First as a hobby group and second as a Network blog.

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Hello and welcome to another get into bed author interview here at Love Romance Passion. Today’s pillow talk is with author Judi Fennell. Please join me in welcoming her to the blog.

Last time Judi was with us she discussed her chatty characters and we held a book giveaway for her latest release, In Over Her Head. The winner was drawn and the lucky commentator is… #4: Kat Sheridan! Congratulations Kat!

Now onto the interview!

For me In Over Her Head is like The Little Mermaid in reverse. Was that the inspiration for the book or was it something else?

That was it. Just a “how can I twist The Little Mermaid?” I had entered the story in the First Chapters Romance contest on Gather.com in August of 2007, where 250 of us posted our first chapter for the online community’s review. The first person to comment on the fact that it was like The Little Mermaid was one reader’s 12 year old son. I found that interesting. Then everyone else started chiming in.

I did tell the mom that she might not want her son to read past chapter 2.

If you only had a sentence, how would you sum up In Over Her Head?

He’s a merman and she’s terrified of the ocean.

Fisher, Reel, Rod, Chumley–how in the Zeus did you decide on these names?!

They all started with Reel’s. When I set out to write this story, I was working on a series of fairy tale twists. Cinda Bella, Beauty and The Best, Fairest of Them All… I wanted to write a twist on The Little Mermaid. So, I decided to make him the Mer. Erica’s name was easy because the prince in The Little Mermaid is named Eric, but how do you spin Ariel? I came up with Riel, but figured everyone would pronounce it Ree- el. And then I realized what a pun it’d be to name him Reel.

Chumley, aka Chum, opened his mouth and his name popped out. Same thing with Rod - when Erica was smart-mouthing off to Reel she just asked, “You got a friend Rod around here anywhere?” to which Reel shot back, “He’s my brother. He lives in the South Atlantic .” Until that point, I had no idea Reel had a brother, let alone he was a twin or that the twin’s name was Rod.

In order for their punny names to be believable, I had to name Fisher Fisher. Their mom, Kai’s name means “sea” in Hawaiian. Then, of course, there were the sisters’ names and those are explained in the story.

In your book, In Over Her Head, you’ve created a whole world under the sea. Everything from restructuring common phrases to talking fish to mythology is present. What was the hardest part of world building for you? The most fun?

Hardest part was where to put things in the North Atlantic like Reel’s lair and their traveling to Bermuda to make it believable. There is NOTHING in the North Atlantic except a few small rises in the ocean floor off the coast of NY . Thank goodness for Google Earth. I lived on that site for a long time.

Most fun? Atlantis. I took a look at a few pictures of the caves beneath Bermuda online then let my imagination swim free.

Can you tell us more about Mers? What research did you do and what parts did you make to suit your needs?

I took basic mythology and tweaked it to fit my own needs. I’ve always enjoyed mythology and like mermaids, so there wasn’t a lot I had to research. A great thing about writing paranormal is that you can make your world be anything you want it to be. We have vampires now who aren’t dead, who can be awake in the day, who don’t have to bite people… why not make my Mers do whatever I need them to.

I will say that the question I get most often surprised me. Most people ask, “how do mers have sex?” Honestly, I’m amazed at the question. I don’t write beastiality stories, so it’s really not hard to figure out. I usually say, “Think of the mythology.” If you watch The Little Mermaid, you should have some idea of what I did with the story (but no way am I spoiling it here.)

To suit my needs: I had to give my Mers the ability to breathe both water and air, and make it easy for Erica to, as well. I didn’t want to write the story about the mechanics of being able to live under the sea, so I worked it to where all he had to do was kiss the ability into her. I think I’ve covered all the reasons and wherefores in the story so readers shouldn’t have any trouble suspending disbelief.

What’s the difference between a talking animal and one that is normal or doesn’t talk?

Oh, they all talk. They just don’t talk around us. Humans are kind of the bullies in high school to animals. They put up with us, but they don’t want to be our best friends. It just so happens we’re the top of the food chain, so unless they want to be lunch, they better toe (or flipper) the line.

But they’re organized. Make no mistake about that.

Had you the option, would you choose to live under the sea or on land? Why?

Give me land. Why? Because I saw Jaws at an impressionable age and it left a huge gaping gash in my self-confidence in the ocean.

It’s a totally irrational fear. I know that. I used to LOVE the ocean. I would swim back and forth for hours beyond where the waves break. I’d read a book on a raft, getting off only to swim back up the beach after the current had carried me down. Then I saw “the movie.”

I know there are no great white sharks hanging off the coast of NJ just waiting for me to get in the water. I know that. But I make sure there are people out farther than me and on either side whenever I go in. I have a “shark meter” in my head. My tension level starts out at my ankles and the longer I’m in the water (or the better the conditions are, say, warmer water, recent sightings), the higher it goes. When it reaches my neck, I’m out of there. Sometimes it gets to that point in 10 minutes, other times it’s 45. Never longer.

How does Reel match into your idea of the perfect hero?

One of the reasons I married my husband was because he’s the nicest person I’ve ever met and he can always make me laugh.

Reel is, at heart, a nice person. And he certainly can make me laugh. ‘Nuff said.

And, no, my husband doesn’t have a tail.

How is Erica the perfect heroine for Reel and why should readers root for her?

What I love about Erica is that she’s in a situation that terrifies her and she doesn’t give up. It’d be easy to take her lumps (or shark bite, as it were) and give up. She’s figuring she’s going to die one way or the other, but she doesn’t. She struggles til the end.

Then when she wakes up under the sea, she is determined to survive it.

And then when she confronts her original nemesis towards the end, she’s a changed person. He can’t get away with what he could in the beginning because in fighting for herself, she’s become stronger.

I like when people don’t give up. I mean, it’s your life - what else are you going to do?

A lot of this attitude stems from the time I lived in Spain . I was in college and four of us were going to drive through the south of Spain for Spring Break. I picked up the rental car then went to get everyone else. That’s when I found out that no one else knew how to A) drive a stick shift, B) pack for a week at the beach in a 2 door hatchback, and C) read a map. I drove 1300 miles in 8 days, found all the hotels, navigated through all those medieval towns without an accident and got us back alive. Don’t tell me there’s something I can’t do. I guess in infusing Erica with my irrational fear, I also gave her my stubbornness–though I prefer to call it my Can-Do attitude.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I have loved every minute of writing this book. The characters were some of the chattiest I’ve ever worked with, and they just made it so much fun. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

Thanks so much, Keira, for having me!

You can visit Judi at her homepage and blog for more fun and hunky Mer sightings.

Buy: In Over Her Head

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Tell me how Love Romance Passion can be better! Vote and discuss here.

#13

If you’re completely stuck check out the Fabio Search category.

#14

One of his sexy smiles aimed at you, even if it’s only on the big screen, is sure to send your ovaries into conniptions.

#15

He’s a prince… it’s true.

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We’re moving right along… some guesses have been dead on and some guesses are wrong. I’ll give you a hint all the chests belong to actors… cough #3 cough…

#10

This hunk of burning love made a splash by being blond instead of brunette. Can you guess who and why?

#11

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for him to drop that robe!

#12

He’s got abs of steel and buns too…

Have you voted today yet on the birthday poll? Be sure to do so!

Okay, I’m off to drop off my car so it can get fixed, so these hot sexy men will have to hold you over until I can get back. Be prepared to swoon!

Chest #3

This young man has been known to make ladies sing.

Chest #4

He really doesn’t need an introduction, but I suppose I should give him one. He’s stolen your heart and in this picture he’s from a show based on a legend known for it’s stealing.

He can keep my heart, if I can keep his pants!

Chest#5

He’s easy on the eyes isn’t he?

Sweet sweet love… are you swooning yet?

Book bloggers, movie bloggers, and authors I would like to introduce you to three new carnivals I am hosting in the upcoming weeks. It’s a great way to promote articles that you’ve written so I do hope you will take the time to submit one or two posts to any or all of them.

One: ROMANCING the NOVEL

Categories: Book Reviews, Book Intro, Industry News, Get Into Bed With, Between the Sheets, Writing Tips, Misc.

Two: AUTHOR LOVE

Categories: Book Intros, Writing Tips, Author Interviews, Online Promotion, How-Tos, Tutorials, Book Reviews

Three: LOVE of MOVIES

Categories: Movie Reviews, New Releases, Behind the Scenes, Celebrity, Director, Production News

I can’t wait to read what you share! Feel free to pass this information along to other interested parties! Thank you!

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By: Cara Lynn, guest reviewer

This is a book I really enjoyed. Chantal Thibaudet is a princess, but leading an unhappy life. Her marriage was loveless (and included physical abuse, so be warned) but she is now widowed with a four year old daughter. Her in-laws are power hungry, including a pre-nup that basically holds her daughter captive while forbidding her to remarry. The world sees her as glamorous, which she is, and doesn’t see the negatives.

But life is about to change. Returning home by airplane in very rough turbulence she is befriended by Demetrius Mantheakis, who has been hired, unbeknownst to her, to be her bodyguard because her life has been threatened. The plane goes down; they begin an affair; she finds out he was hired — and her life is in danger.

How are they going to protect her from a crazy person — who might even be one of the inlaws?

He takes her to his private island where the villagers are completely loyal to him, and he is able to ensure her safety until they get a better handle on the enemy.

How is she going to keep her love for Demetrius, who also loves her, without losing her daughter in light of the pre-nup.

All’s well that ends well. Love finds a way.

I rate it 3.5 stars.

Writing reviews are easy! Submission guidelines are simple enough, contact me if you have any questions!

Originally posted 2008-09-01 05:16:42. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Ladies, I’d like to introduce you to Charles Paz, one of the candidates for Mr. Romance this year at the Romantic Times Convention. If you’re at the convention don’t be shy, say hello. I wrote Charles yesterday afternoon and he was such a sweetie to text me his responses right away. Isn’t he wonderful? You can find him on Facebook and ModelMayhem!

1. Why do you think you’re the best candidate for Mr. Romance?

Charles: I feel I’m the best candidate because I portray a character that readers can relate themselves to. Someone who looks like they are a hero. Someone that takes care of a woman and treats them right. Basically, it’s what I am in real life. Respectable, humble and protective.

2. What type of romance cover do you see yourself doing?

Charles: I see myself doing anything. From cowboys to knights in shiny armor. I’d love to do covers that would have me being the hero and saving the woman, but with my versatility, I’d be honored to be on the cover of any style.

3. One thing you think the ladies should know about you:

Charles: The ladies should know that I’m a very caring and sincere guy. I put others first and always make sure that people are ok. Some of my friends say that I care too much, but I blame my mom because she raised this boy right :~)

4. In 3-5 adjectives, how would you describe yourself?

Charles: And a couple words to describe me are loyal, caring, strong, passionate and determined.

So what do you think? Is Charles Paz the next Mr. Romance?

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I read a really funny review of 17 Again right before going to see the movie. It said something along the lines of if you can suspend belief that someone who looked like Zack Efron could wind up looking like Matthew Perry in twenty years then you can enjoy the movie. Truer words never spoken.

Matthew Perry plays in the beginning and at the end of the movie with the majority of the film being driven by Zack Efron. What I liked about the casting the most (besides that Zack is such a hunk) was that both Matthew and Zack developed and acted mannerisms in the same way and also were able to deliver similar lines in the same manner.

Zack was also very believable. He did nothing over the top. It was funny to watch him extract himself from his “daughter’s clutches” and a delight to watch him become good friends with his son. While there was a slight weird factor, it was still cute to watch him fall back in love with his wife. Very romantic. Loved his scene in the court room!

I was non-stop laughing throughout this movie. I was laughing at everything (in a good way) from the dialogue to the actors to the clothes. I highly recommend going to see this movie. It’s feel good, ends happy, and let’s face it has Zack Efron in it. What more of a reason do you need?

As I was walking out of the theater, everybody was raving. If you’re still not convinced go in the morning to a matinee and pay less for your ticket. You’ll be glad you did.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

The winner of Amelia Grey’s A Duke to Die For giveaway was selected from qualified entries using Random.org. Before I announce who won, I would like to take a moment to thank Amelia for being so generous with us. Be sure to check out her interview with LRP here and drop a little love. Without further ado the winner is:

MJ wrote:

I love all animals!! As a child we had dogs, cats, a monkey, crow that could talk, a parrot, a minah bird,horse, ponies, a mule and even an alligator. - plus more!!! Somehow, I married an animal hater!!! I really miss my pets tho. My favorite was Petunia the pig, who was raised from a bottle and lived inside til she got too big!!

Congratulations MJ! I will be emailing you (provided my internet doesn’t die again) soon. If you don’t hear from me send me an email at reviewromancenovel@yahoo.com

Thanks to all who commented!

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To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn was a fairly decent story. There were times in the story when I wondered if the main characters would ever fall in love before the pages ran out. The sex scenes were scrumptious and more than counter balanced the long wait to get to them. Also the scenes where Eloise’s brothers participate are quite hilarious from when they darken Phillip’s doorstep to when Eloise joins them in a shooting contest.

Sir Phillip was in desperate need of a wife. Since Marina’s death, Phillip had come to the conclusion that he wanted his wife to be happy, not melancholy like Marina. Plus his two children were out of control and he had no idea how to handle them. So what he really needed was a mother for them and who better than a desperate spinster?

Of course, poor Phillip had no idea that Eloise Bridgerton had turned down half a dozen proposals. By his letters, Sir Phillip seems the perfect man so when his daring invitation to visit him in the country arrived; Eloise made plans to escape her overprotective family.

Upon her arrival to Sir Philip’s home, Eloise is bitterly disappointed. Why Phillip could hardly speak to her! He was a grumpy moody sort, not at all the dashing charmer she’d pictured. He certainly never mentioned his two children in their letters! Reluctant to turn around and go home with her tail between her legs, Eloise decides to stay and stick it out to see if the two of them would suit.

Warning: This book contains mentioning of child abuse. While one can never call child abuse lightweight, it was not graphic. The nanny, Nurse Edwards, was caught beating the children with a book and action was taken.

Rating: 3 Stars

Buy: To Sir Phillip, With Love

Originally posted 2008-12-02 14:44:15. Republished by Old Post Promoter

I literally couldn’t put Vexing the Viscount down. I devoured the book in just two days. For those on Twitter, this was the book I was talking about not too terribly long ago. So what’s it about?

Romance treasure, naughty sculptures, and pagan adventures are the pursuits of the impoverished Viscount Rutland and curious Miss Daisy Duke. But even more scrumptious than the thrill of finding lost treasure is watching Daisy Duke attempts to win over the reluctant Viscount.

The man won’t budge! Ever since Lucian Beaumont’s run-in with her pike while playacting when they were younger. (Despite the past acquaintance they are not childhood friends.) If her deadly aim weren’t enough of a detraction, clearly there must be something dreadfully wrong with her as she is a lovely unwed heiress… must mean she is nothing less than socially unacceptable. He needs a fortune, but he does not need hers! As if his own reasons weren’t enough of a deterrent his father’s particular disliking for the Dukes, especially her uncle, must be taken into consideration.

Still, Daisy remains undaunted. Adventure she craves and adventure is what she’s going to get. The girl takes the mistaken identity plot device and runs with it - playing herself by day and courtesan by night. It’s wicked good fun! Plus Lucian Beaumont is a virgin hero. Yes, that means what you think it does… a virgin hero going to a virgin heroine for love lessons. Squee!

Vexing the Viscount is engaging, spicy, and delightfully intricate… a must read for the adventurous at heart.

Rating: 4 Stars

Book three in the Twilight saga is by far my favorite of those books published. (Breaking Dawn, book 4, is coming out in August) Eclipse is simply beautiful. It’s longer than the other two books but does not contain chapter one of the next book (darnit!). In Twilight, true love was found. In New Moon, true love was lost. In Eclipse true love is a choice.

Eclipse is all about Jacob and Edward and their love for Bella. Edward hates Bella’s attachment to Jacob, but he feels he should not get between. Why? Simply put, because Edward feels he should suffer the consequences of his actions last year. That having to deal with Jacob is part of the price he has to pay for his foolish decision to leave Bella.

Victoria, the vampire out to get Bella from the last book is still at large. It is Bella who puts all the clues together and comes up with the answer. Edward and Jacob and the rest of the Cullens and Werewolves have to work together to protect her. Are the dogs and bloodsuckers really going to work together? Hmm… you could say trouble is in the air.

I have three favorite scenes in this book. The first is the night Bella goes over to the Cullens for her weekend abduction (this is part of the plan with the werewolves and the vampires) and stays with Edward alone. I won’t say exactly why I like this scene, but if you could probably guess if you have read the other books by this point. I loved it. It is hands down the best scene out of all three books. I laughed out loud quite a few times because of Bella’s remarks.

The second is Bella’s quasi dream where she overhears Edward and Jacob talking in the tent. Jacob asks that Edward speak plainly since he can’t hear his thoughts like Edward can hear Jacob. They talk about Bella and Edward is so noble in this scene you just want to find him and cuddle him to death. Pun intended. Their truce ends at daylight.

And lastly I loved the ending scenes from the time Bella stops crying to the very end. They feel like one big scene, culminating once again in Edward and Bella’s meadow. It is here he’s determined to be the selfless he’s ever been. He’s been watching her and it seems she’s doing everything everybody else wants, making them happy at her own expense. So he puts his wants aside and lets Bella choose how to best make herself happy. She’s happy right where she is and the other pain will fade in time… she hopes.

The point of view changes from there to Jacob’s and as I read it I was feeling vindictive. Not a very nice thing to begrudge a fictional character, but I was glad for his pain. I still am. It’s just another sign in my opinion at Stephenie Meyer’s skill at writing her own characters. We don’t get that wrapped up in the story too often. It is very rare, last seen in Harry Potter, the story of the boy wizard. I hope you will pick up this saga and find yourself as riveted by this compelling love story as I was.

Rating: 5 Stars

Happy Readings!

P.S. What book four will be about I can not begin to guess. True love is able to heal all wounds? What do you think? Leave a comment and tell me!

Originally posted 2008-11-27 10:05:57. Republished by Old Post Promoter

• Love Romance Books

What would constitute an offer you can’t refuse?

Is it money, glory and fame, mercy for a loved one, promises of everlasting passion…

For Lauren (whose gone by Lola since she was little) it’s the first and she has to give up the last to get it. Mrs. Tennant, her boyfriend’s mother, corners her at work and offers an outrageous sum of money for Lola to break up with her son. Naturally, Lola is hurt, furious, and promptly refuses. She loves Dougie with all her heart! They’ve made plans to be together forever! Mrs. Tennant, cool as a cucumber, sits patiently while Lola rants and raves and promises to tell Dougie everything. It becomes clear she’s not getting through to Dougie’s mum, and so Lola hops out of the car and takes the bus home.

Rattled and in need of comfort she calls her friend, who offers some practical advice for a teen. This is advice Lola doesn’t want to hear and tries to call Dougie up at his hotel where he’s staying while sorting out his housing for university that year. The woman behind the desk says he’s gone out with a guy and two girls confirming the friend’s words from before. Still Lola is determined to wait until she sees Dougie again to do anything rash. She loves him, they can get through this… but then Lola runs into her Dad upstairs and everything changes in an instant. Lola must do the impossible and give up the love of her young life to accomplish it.

Ten years later, Lola runs into Doug and his family again through some bizarre happenstance. Doug is shocked and angry; immediately distancing himself from Lola. When he finds out about the money shortly thereafter he’s beyond angry. Lola in his eyes is scum. All Lola wants is to win him back… if only she could tell him why, but her sense of honor refuses to allow her this easy escape. She made a promise and she’s going to keep it, even if it means losing Doug all over again.

I found Lola at 27 to still retain most of the naive 17 year old girl she’d been. She should have been more grownup I felt. I know it wouldn’t be the same book if she’d come right out and told Doug why she took the money, but this was a point of contention for me. She stalks him too, not in the ‘I’m outside your window watching you shower type‘ of stalking, but in the ‘whenever I found out where you are or will be going I try to be there too‘ way. The older Doug showed no signs of weakening his resolve to ignore/hate Lola until the very end of the book, making the reunion a bit too hasty for me. It wasn’t as satisfying as I had hoped.

There were times in the beginning of the book I was hoping Lola would fall in love with the second love of her life… the next door neighbor Gabe. He showed signs of knowing how she thought, what motivated her, did things for her (like sit and watch awful chick flick movies) and keep her in the front of his thoughts. Lola was also devastated with the idea of never seeing him again when he after a girl in Australia (it ended poorly, he came right home). In the end he’s just a great male friend for Lola.

Overall I’d give it 3.5 to 4 stars.