Book Binge

Harlequin recently announced its intention to launch a special release miniseries entitled Famous Firsts.

Our Famous Firsts Collection™ features a superb lineup of legendary storytellers and the first books they ever wrote for us. Imagine—these are the first novels written for Harlequin by Debbie Macomber, Anne Stuart, Stella Cameron, Linda Howard, Diana Palmer, Linda Lael Miller, and the list goes on!

As a glommer, I'm very excited about this. I already own some of these, but I'll probably end up buying them again so I have them in new condition.

Tomorrow, Harlequin executive editor Marsha Zinberg will be kicking off her Famous Firsts Blog Tour with us. She'll be talking about the Famous Firsts line and we'll be giving away copies of some of the releases along with a beautiful tote bag.



Make sure you come back tomorrow to see what Marsha has to say and for your chance to win! Check out what titles are being re-released:

The Matchmakers [1986] by Debbie Macomber

Tears of the Renegade [1985] by Linda Howard

Tangled Lies [1984] by Anne Stuart

Moontide [1985] by Stella Cameron

State Secrets [1985] by Linda Lael Miller

Uneasy Alliance [1984] by Jayne Ann Krentz

Night Moves [1985] by Heather Graham

Impetuous [1996] by Lori Foster

The Cowboy and the Lady [1982] by Diana Palmer (available in September 2009)

Fit to be Tied [1988] by Joan Johnston (available in September 2009)

Captivated [1986] by Carla Neggers (available in September 2009)

Bronze Mystique [1984] by Barbara Delinsky (available in September 2009)

This book comes out on June 30, 2009.

When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancée, she doesn't believe it for a second, but still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits... and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something.

Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than a nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself...

Has anyone read that Miranda Cheever book by Julia Quinn? Well apparently this is the sequel to that book and the little blurb looks pretty inviting and cute so I will be reading and reviewing this book on Book Binge because I'm curious.

Will anyone be reading this book as well?

This book is available from Avon. You can pre-order it here.

Alyssa Locke is no stranger to dealing with danger. As team leader of the nation’s number one personal security company, Troubleshooters Inc., she’s seen more than her share of action, survived plenty of close calls, and holds her own with the best of them–and against the worst of them. Guarding lives is her game, and no one plays it better. But her toughest challenge will be protecting herself from a serial killer she’s been after for years–known only as “The Dentist”–who is determined to make her his ultimate trophy.

The assignment was supposed to be an easy one: teach self-defense techniques to a newly elected assemblywoman and her chief of staff after a political controversy generates a blizzard of hate mail–including death threats–from hotheads and cranks. But as soon as she mobilizes her squad of moonlighting Navy SEALs in New York City, Alyssa begins butting heads with the hard-case cop who thinks that the Troubleshooters are chasing shadows. Until they discover a dead body. And then another. Now Alyssa really has her hands full–bodyguarding two independent, busy women, managing a murder investigation, and trying to find time for her husband, Troubleshooters operative Sam Starrett, and their infant son.

Meanwhile, it wouldn’t be a Troubleshooters operation without romantic sparks and heated rivalries–and any time the SEALs of Team Sixteen are involved, there are plenty of both. But then, while investigating a suspect, Alyssa is ambushed and suddenly finds herself imprisoned by The Dentist. Cut off from everyone she loves and relies on, Alyssa must call upon all of her strength and skill to survive this final confrontation with the sadistic monster, meanwhile trusting that her Troubleshooter teammates, led by her beloved Sam, will reach her before it’s too late.

This book comes out on July 28, 2009. It's a Sam and Alyssa book, need I say more? I am SO going to be reading and reviewing this book on Book Binge and I cannot effing wait!

This book is available from Ballantine. You can pre-order it here.

Holly says: Seriously? The worst couple ever gets a SECOND book? *gag me with a spoon*

Casee's review of With a Twist by Deridre Martin.

He's a tall order. She's a hot dish. Are they ready for the main course?

Natalie Bocuse is a waitress at her sister's French bistro in Brooklyn, yet she dreams of managing a chic restaurant in Manhattan.

Among the regulars is Quinn O'Brian, a reporter known for breaking stories—and hearts. When he offers Natalie a job at his parents' Irish pub in Manhattan, she jumps at the chance to be one step closer to her dream. But Quinn will need the luck of the Irish to charm Natalie and write a happy ending to his own love story.

I didn't really care for this book. I really liked Deirdre Martin's earlier books. Body Check, Fair Play, and Total Rush were great. I can't decide if I've grown as a reader or if Deirdre Martin has lost her edge. Maybe it's a little bit of both. All I know is that I've really disliked the heroines in the last two books. Vivi and Natalie. They just rub me the wrong way.

We first meet Natalie in Just a Taste. She was Vivi's shopaholic sister; a woman that had her heart broken in Paris and comes to New York with Vivi to lick her wounds. Unfortunately, licking her wounds includes going into debt.

Natalie is working in Vivi's bistro and attending SA meetings when With a Twist begins. Her dream of managing a classy New York restaurant seems to be as distant as the moon. When she has a chance to go work at an Irish Pub in New York, she takes it, figuring that it will only get her closer to her dream. The only problem is that she has to see Quinn O'Brian almost every day. The reporter delights in teasing her and just driving her crazy in general.

Quinn has been attracted to Natalie since he first saw her. He bides his time and now has her exactly where he wants her. Things don't go according to plan when she starts getting chummy with his new boss at the Chicago Senntinel. Quinn wants to claim Natalie as his territory, but knows that she won't stand for it. All he can do is fight for her.

The whole love triangle thing didn't work out for me. Quinn's boss was a total ass who probably didn't even like Natalie. Natalie was way too childish for my tastes. I just didn't care for her at all. She grew on me the last 50 pages or so, but other than that, I could barely tolerate her.

Quinn's devotion to his work was explained, but it was somewhat ridiculous. The way he screwed up his relationship with Natalie could have been avoided. It seemed to be thrown in as a way to create conflict between the two. There was already enough conflict.

I just wasn't feeling Natalie and Quinn as a couple. They were just blah.

3 out of 5.

This book is available from Berkley Sensation. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

Rowena's review of Hot Property (Hot Zone Series, Book 4) by Carly Phillips.

Hero: John Roper
Heroine: Amy Stone
Grade: 4 out of 5

Just one short season ago, major league center fielder John Roper had it all: the looks—and personal life—of a sports hero and the public's adoration. But this hot property's lucky streak has run out. After a World Series disaster, fans diss him, shock jocks mock him and his dysfunctional family hassles him for money he really can't spare. Now it's up to him, and Hot Zone publicist Amy Stone, to get his life back on track.

Amy finds it's easier said than done. What with the constant intrusions of his nutty family, a crazed fan playing stalker, and Roper's refusal to put his own needs first, she's starting to think that life in the fast lane isn't all it's cracked up to be. But when the two retreat to a secluded lodge, the sexy center fielder throws Amy a curveball—one she never saw coming.…

This is the fourth book in the Hot Zone series by Carly Phillips. We meet the hero, John Roper in the second book in this series Hot Number, Micki's book. Micki and John are friends and I was curious to see if he would get his own book. I'm really glad that I finally decided to pick this one up. I enjoyed it. One thing that you can always count on from Carly Phillips is a lighthearted romantic story featuring two great characters and if the book is part of the Hot Zone series then you can look forward to some hunky athletes.

I love athletes.

John Roper is trying to survive a shitty World series and he's not a favorite among the fans anymore. He's getting hammered on sports talk radio and the fans don't love him anymore. It's getting harder and harder to ditch his family who keep dogging him for money and he just can't win with anyone. Especially Amy Stone, the sexy new publicist at Hot Zone. What does an athlete do when he needs to clear his head? He flies to a secluded cabin and takes the sexy publicist with him.

This book was a pretty fast read and I was happy with the story. I really enjoyed getting to know the John Roper that we didn't get to see in the other books and I really enjoyed getting to know Amy Stone. I thought Amy was a great heroine, one that I could relate to even though I haven't gone through anything she's gone through. She was a very likable character and I thought she was a great match for John.

John was one of those sexy athletes that you can't help but love. The confident way that he pursued Amy even after their disastrous first encounter was so smexy. I love the guys that are cocky but not too cocky and I thought that John was the perfect mix of arrogant ass and sweet softy. He made this story pop for me and made me happy that I took the time to read it.

The other characters were a great addition to the story as well. Even though John's family drove me nuts, I didn't hate them and Yank cracked me up and it was great to see Sophie and them again. This story is a lighthearted, steamy story that will have you smiling throughout the entire book. It's the perfect read on a long weekend and I think everyone will enjoy this addition to the Hot Zone series. It's not my favorite book in the series (that still belongs to Hot Number) but it was still a decent read.

Reading Order:



This book is available from HQN. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

For several months blogland has been in an uproar over various things that Amazon.com has (or hasn't) done. Last month there was some kind of glitch (according to Amazon it was a glitch, many others have a hard time believing that was actually the case) in their system that caused almost all romance and romantica titles to be removed from their main search. To be completely honest, I missed almost the entire thing. I had just started back at work when everything went down and I didn't even hear about it until almost a week later. By then things had cooled off and, from what I understand, the situation had been remedied by Amazon.(If you, like me, were living under a rock and have no idea what I'm talking about, you can visit Dear Author and read the posts Jane did about it here, here, here and here.).

There have also been debates about the Kindle cornering the eBook market and many other complaints. But you know what? Even though Amazon is a big, bad evil corporation, I still do 90% of my print book shopping through them.

Yes, I admit it, I am an Amazon junkie. Why? Because they offer me what I need. Reasonably priced books in a quick, convenient manner. As you all know from my previous rants posts, I live in the middle of nowhere. If I want new books I have the option of WalMart or whatever happens to be stocked at my local grocery store. There are no independent booksellers in my area, and the closest chain store (B&N and Borders) is 50 miles away. Which is fine if I want to make a day of book shopping (something I love to do). But with a full time job, two kids, three dogs and one husband, those day trips are few and far between. So what are my options? Online shopping or no books at all.

About 90% of all my book purchases are now made in e-format. As I've said many times before, I love the convenience of eBooks and, when possible, prefer the instant gratification I receive when I download one.

If I can't find a book in e-format, however, the first place I go is Amazon. You can say what you want about Amazon being evil and awful and terrible, but they offer me, as a customer, something no other online seller does.

I'm not talking about the Kindle, either. I personally think the Kindle is a waste of money. Perhaps I'm just miserly, but the idea of paying almost $400 for a dedicated e-Reader makes me mildly ill.

But let's look at what Amazon has to offer me that no other major online bookseller does:

Fast, free shipping. For $80 a year I was able to get a Prime Account at Amazon, which offers me free 2-day shipping on almost any item sold by Amazon (from books to jewelry) or overnight shipping for $3.99. That means my wait time for the books I ordered is practically nothing.

If I want free shipping from Barnes and Noble I have to spend a minimum of $25. Which is fine if I plan to buy several books at a time. But then the books are shipped regular ground mail, which can take up to 14 days to arrive. Not to mention that I mostly buy books one or two at a time. Because I'm greedy and want them now. I don't want to wait until I have $25 worth of books in my cart.

Not only that, but in my experience, B&N's shipping times aren't very regular. Their shipping policy says, "Books usually ship within 24 hours - 2-3 days", but I've found it often takes upwards of 5 days for their books to ship. So not only do I have to wait 2 weeks once it leaves their warehouse, I may have to wait several days for them to even send it out.

The average mass market paperback is $7.99. According to B&N their shipping charges for regular domestic shipping are $3.00 per book plus a $.99 per item charge. So that's $3.99 for shipping, per book. To have it arrive in 7-21 days. Or I could pay $3.99 at Amazon and get the book overnight.

2 day free shipping at Amazon no matter how much I spend or a minimum purchase of $25 at Barnes and Noble to receive the book in about 2 weeks? Obviously I don't do a lot of shopping at B&N.

I realize the reason Amazon can offer such great benefits to its customers is because they don't have overhead costs from actual brick-and-mortar stores like B&N does. But..well, I honestly don't care what the reason is. I don't care that Amazon is "taking over the world". What I care about is getting the books I love at a reasonable price in the least amount of time possible.

Casee's review of Hard and Fast (Fast Track Series, book 2) by Erin McCarthy.

Grad student Imogen Wilson realizes she's hit on the perfect thesis for her sociology degree. If she follows the so-called "rules" on how to get a man, can she steer her way into the world and hearts of stock race car drivers, and establish their dating— and mating—patterns?

Although sexy and reckless racer Ty McCordle is the ideal test subject, Imogen knows that for the sake of science, she can't give in to her growing attraction for him. Yet he's the one who's chasing after her, and Imogen realizes that she actually wants to be caught. A southern gentleman like Ty will satisfy all her curiosity—and make all the risks worthwhile...

I so wanted to love this book. I was drawn to Imogen and Ty in Flat-Out Sexy. They were such an unlikely couple, you couldn't help but hope that they would end up together. They did end up together, but I wasn't as drawn to them in their book as I was when they were just secondary characters.

I liked Imogen in both books. She's abrupt (in a good way) and tells it like it is. I always respect that in any character, male or female. Imogen doesn't pull any punches; she sees no need for subterfuge. I just loved her outlook and approach on life.

When she decides to do her thesis based on a book "How To Marry a Race Car Driver in 10 Easy Steps", she thinks it will be a great topic. Her boss, Tamara, is married to a race car driver and Imogen has access to the track and some of the drivers. One of which is Ty McCordle. She was attracted to him the first moment she saw him, but knew that she wasn't his type at all. So when she finds herself dating him, it definitely takes her out of her comfort zone.

Ty McCordle is completely opposite from Imogen. She's bookish, he's not. She's freakishy smart, he doesn't think he is. Even with all their differences, he can't stay away from her. There's something about her that Ty just can't get over. She's unlike any other woman he's dated. A novelty really when you consider his ex-girlfriend.

My thoughts/feelings on Ty were mixed. I just didn't relate to him at all. At the beginning of the book, it was made clear that he was dyslexic. I didn't realize until almost 3/4 of the way through the book that he could barely read at all. It wasn't the fact that he was dyslexic (or even illiterate) that threw me off. It was his approach to the whole thing. I just didn't buy that a successful guy like Ty would just accept something like that. It seems like he just took the easy way out.

For the most part, I liked Imogen and Ty together. Even liking them, I just felt that something was missing. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. All I know is that I was far less satisfied when I finished this book compared to reading Flat-Out Sexy.

3.5 out of 5.

This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

Other books in the series:

Rowena's review of Over the Edge (Troubleshooters Series, Book 3) by Suzanne Brockmann.

Hero: Stan Wolchonok
Heroine: Teri Howe
Grade: 4.75 out of 5

The elite SEAL Team 16 Troubleshooters squad is called upon once again to take down a group of terrorists who have hijacked a commercial airplane in this densely plotted romantic thriller. Amid the exhaustive drills and daily dramas of the mission, Brockmann (The Defiant Hero, etc.) weaves three romantic threads: a wistful WWII romance recalled by a Holocaust survivor; a turbulent relationship between SEAL Sam Starrett and FBI sharpshooter Alyssa Locke; and a burgeoning romance between the team's Senior Chief Stanley Wolchonok and helicopter pilot Teri Howe. When Teri asks Stan to help her keep a harassing officer at bay, his instincts are to comfort her and crush the officer. Instead, Stan arranges for her to accompany his team on a cushy training op that quickly turns into a real-life rescue mission. Teri doesn't mind being in the middle of the action, and she's eager to spend time with the fierce but compassionate senior chief. Meanwhile, Sam struggles to earn Alyssa's trust; the FBI's negotiator tries to keep his dealings with an American hostage from growing too personal; and the SEALs prepare to take out the terrorists. Taut suspense, sharp dialogue and splashes of humor help maintain the novel's swift pacing, and Brockmann's complex characters will capture the reader's sympathy. (Sept. 1)Forecast: Brockmann's last SEAL Team 16 installment left readers dangling, and her fans are no doubt eager to get their hands on her newest novel. Brisk early sales will give way to steady sales as word of Brockmann's sterling prose and expert plotting spreads.

This is my May read for Nath's Re-read Challenge. It's my absolute favorite book in the Troubleshooters series by Suzanne Brockmann. I picked it for this month's read because it's been a long time since I've done a reread of this one. Too long, in fact.

This book is about Stan Wolchonok, the Senior Chief of the Navy SEALs Team 16 and helicopter pilot, Teri Howe. This is an early Troubleshooters story where there was still that secondary historical military story going on and in this story we get Annabet and Hershel's story. Though that wasn't my favorite of the historical military secondary stories, I didn't think it was that bad. Her whole connection to Stan seemed kind of forced to me but other than that, this book was damn near perfect for me...even after all these many years since I've read this story for the first time.

This book showcased everything I love about this Navy Seal team. The comraderie between each of the different men on this team plays out so nicely and I can't help but love them all. The way that they trust each other and work well with each other never ceases to make my heart go pitter patter in my chest. I just love me some strong, sexy men and there is a great many of them on this team alone.

This is the story where the story of Sam and Alyssa takes off, this is where your emotions where these two are concerned gets trampled on and your heart gets ripped out of your chest but you won't be able to help cheer these two on. It was so nice to see these two before they get married. To see these two fight their attraction, face their attraction and battle their attraction is my very favorite thing about this entire series. It's their love that kept me captivated with each and every book in this series.

Suzanne Brockmann does a fantabulous job of writing different storylines in one book and just making it work. Reading about Max and Gina, Sam and Alyssa, Annabet and Hershel didn't take away from my love of Stan and Teri. I thought Suz did a marvelous job balancing each of these storylines to make a well rounded story and she excelled at keeping me at the edge of my seat. My heart was backed up in my throat and reading this book this time around shouldn't have been as surprising as it was for me because I read this book already, more than once and yet still I was shocked, I was joyful and I was entertained.

Stan was a fabulous hero and when he got up on that stage and sang his heart out to You Make Me Feel Like a Woman, I laughed because only Stan could get up there and have the balls to sing that frickin' song. Teri was a great heroine, the way that she bulldozed her way into making Stan accept their attraction and the singleminded way she went after him had me cheering her on throughout this entire story. It was nice to revisit these characters again because we don't see too much of them in the series now, I miss these guys and I loved this story all the more after finishing it this weekend. It was a good book then and a great book now. I love this frickin book and if you haven't read this book yet, or even started this series? What are you waiting for? This book is the shit and you should be reading it!

The best quote EVER is in this book, from my lover of all lovers, Sam f*cking Starrett:

He looked up, directly at Stan. “Will you please f*^&*%^ go and f**^&% get me a real f**%^&* World Airlines 747, Senior Chief? Right f**^&%* now?”

*sigh* You just gotta love Sam.

Reading Order:


This book is available from Ivy Books. You can buy it here.

We missed the boat on this one. Holly going back to work has really thrown us off our game. We apologize for the late announcement of our April Reads winners. (and thanks to Diana for the reminder!)

The winners are...

Knowing Caleb by Cameron Dane: Mari
She's Got It Bad by Sarah Mayberry: Leslie
Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas: Eva S.

Email your info to contests @ thebookbinge . com (no spaces).



XOXOXO,
Casee, Holly, & Rowena

Holly's review of The Conqueror by Kris Kennedy

After seventeen years of a civil war, things are about to change.

Reluctant hero Griffyn ‘Pagan’ Sauvage is single-minded in pursuit of his mission: overthrow England. He has vowed to reclaim his beloved home, lost seventeen years ago in a coup of the English crown, and wreak his vengeance upon the man who stole it, John de l’Ami.

He veers from his quest only once, to rescue a brave and beautiful woman from a midnight abduction.

Guinevere de l’Ami, countess of Everoot since her father died two weeks ago, is equally committed to only one thing: redemption.

One fateful night changes everything. A midnight rescue on the king’s highway results in a single night of unforgettable passion, making them risk everything for the despair-defying connection neither ever hoped to find.

Their explosive reunion, a year later, follows betrayal and a bloody invasion.

Now cold vows of revenge, the lure of buried treasure, and the deadly enemy closing in threaten a love that could unite a realm, or bring it crashing to the ground.

I'd forgotten just how much I enjoy medieval romances until I started reading this. I always claim to be burned out on historical romances, but I think I'm just burned out on the Victorian and Regency set ones. Medieval, Gothic and Highland (no matter what time period they're set in) always catch my attention.

After her father's unexpected death, Guinevere de l'Ami is nearly forced into marriage with a man she despises. Marcus fitzMiles has long wanted Gwyn and her ancestral home Everoot, commonly known as The Nest, for himself. Through sheer cunning he almost traps Gwyn into marrying him, but she escapes at the last minute. Alone on the Kings highway she is beset by his men who have been instructed to bring her back. Until a knight appears from nowhere and rescues her.

For 17 long years Griffyn Sauvage has been on a quest of vengeance to win back his home. With almost blinding intensity and ruthless self-control he has managed to almost succeed in gaining what should have been his from birth. But then he comes upon a raven haired beauty in desperate need of a savior, and his tight moral code will not allow him to leave her alone and in distress. He rescues her, but through their long night together it is Griffyn who is saved. He sees, for the first time in nearly two decades, that there is good and kindness in the world. And though they must part he leaves her with something he thought lost to him forever...hope.

A year later they're reunited, but they have both been betrayed by the other. For Griffyn's birthright, the thing he has been after with single minded intensity for years, is none less than Gwyn's home. And it was she, on that fateful night a year ago, that inadvertently betrayed him to his enemies.

With her debut release, Kris Kennedy has given us a stunning tale of betrayal and redemption. Although this started out a bit slow, once it picked up it turned into a beautiful story. I found the characters to be three-dimensional and their personal plights to be very emotionally engaging. On the surface this would seem to be just another historical romance novel, but hidden in it's depths are real treasures.

I absolutely adored Gwyn. It isn't often that I find an impetuous heroine who isn't at all too stupid to live. Though she made rash decisions on occasion, Gwyn was a woman who knew what she wanted and was willing to stand up for what she believed to be right. I found her to be a basically good, yet flawed character - one I immediately identified with. I expected to be angry with her for some of the decisions she made, but in the end I couldn't fault her for doing what she believed was right.

I don't want to give too much of the story away, but watching Griffyn melt under her magic was truly heartwarming, and something each of you should experience. My stomach was in knots as the final confrontation approached and I was afraid to continue reading, yet completely unable to stop.

I highly recommend this. The Conqueror has something for all of us; buried treasure, war, betrayal and, above all, love.

4.5 out of 5


This book is available from Zebra. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

Thanks to all who entered the Dirty Sexy Knitting contest. I really hope all of you will pick it up. It truly is a great book, IMO.

And the winner is....


Congratulations!! Please email me at contests @ thebookbinge . com (no spaces) with your mailing address so I can get the book out to you.

XOXOXO

Holly, Casee and Rowena

In remembrance of all those who have gone before...



Have a safe Memorial Day!

- Holly, Casee and Rowena

Casee's review of The Treasure (Malloy Family, Book 4) by Beth Williamson.

Ray Malloy is a single father in an age when every child has two parents. Abandoned by his shallow wife, he struggles to find the balance between being a father and being a successful rancher. At the end of his rope with his wild child daughter, he hires a governess from New York to teach his daughter, Melody, to be a lady.

Lillian Wickham is desperate for a job, poor as a church mouse, and determined as a bulldog. Arriving in Wyoming to a chilly reception, and saddled with a five-year-old girl that could be mistaken for an incredibly, dirty little boy does not daunt her.

Ray is determined to avoid women completely, to ignore Lillian’s luscious figure, ruby red lips, and husky voice. Lillian is determined to turn Melody into a lady, come hell or high water, and avoid the hellion’s devastatingly attractive father at the same time. Until one night when Lillian’s clumsiness drops her right into Ray’s arms and their passion takes on a life of its own.

When unexpected danger steals into their lives, and threatens the stubborn child they both love, will their passion be strong enough to survive, or will it tear their world apart?

I thought that The Prize was my favorite of this series, but I think that The Treasure is my favorite. Mostly b/c of Lillian. She's such a feisty heroine, something I don't usually like. With the way that Lillian's character was written, I couldn't help but like her.

After Lillian was fired from her job as a governess, she heads to Wyoming to be a governess/teacher. Traveling sight unseen is one of the hardest things Lillian has ever done, but she doesn't have another choice. She has a bit of a problem with clumsiness, which is why she was let go from her last few jobs.

Ray Malloy sees Lillian and immediately knows that she's not the one he needs to take over the caring of his five year old daughter, Mel. For one thing, she's way too young. Ray has no intention of being attracted to someone that is living in his house and taking care of his daughter. He soon learns that Lillian is more of a steamroller than anything else and when her mind is set, there is no turning her from her course. He finds himself agreeing to a trial period, though he's sure that he's going to send her back as soon as possible.

Lillian's clumsiness was so endearing. Ray's acceptance of it was even more so. He just accepted it as a part of Lillian and didn't make her feel bad about being who she was. He was a person that gave her unconditional acceptance, which no one has ever given her. That doesn't mean that he was easy to live with. On the contrary, Ray was the most surly and arrogant man that she's ever been around.

Their attraction is almost instant, with Ray fighting it the whole way. When his ex-wife returns after abandoning her and their daughter five years earlier, Ray has no idea the lengths she's willing to go to get what she wants. Lillian is the only one that can help him, which he grudgingly accepts.

Most of the time I was reading this book, I found that I had a little smile on my face. Lillian was just really refreshing and so perfect for Ray.

4.25 out of 5.

This book is available from Samhain. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

Other books in the series:

Casee's review of The Reward (Malloy Family, Book 3) by Beth Williamson.

Hermano is not just the bandito you met in The Bounty. He’s Malcolm Ross y Zarza half-Spanish, half-Scottish bastard son of a Texas hacienda owner who has hidden in the guise of a Mexican bandito for half his life. Malcolm left home at 18 fueled by rage at his half-brother Damasco and the treatment he received at the hands of Damasco’s mother, Isabella.

He returns at age 35 to find his mother, the Scottish cook that fell under the spell of Don Alejandro Zarza. When Malcolm returns to Texas, he finds his childhood friend, Leigh Wynne, a widow and owner of the neighboring ranch. Unable to believe his gut-wrenching attraction to the girl he thought of as a little sister, he tries to fight his own instincts to make her his woman.

Inevitably, he fails in his struggle, because together they set their world on fire. They forge a bond to find out the truth behind his dying father, his vicious half-brother, the murderous Isabella, and the passionate grab for the land held weakly by a man past his prime. Bullets will fly, and Malcolm and Leigh must stand and fight, for their lives and their future.

Hermano was first introduced in The Bounty. He actually strung Tyler up and semi-tortured him to keep him from finding Nicky. So the relationship between Tyler and Hermano has always been somewhat strained.

After Hermano helped rescue Jack and Rebecca, he decided that it was time to head home to Texas. Hermano left Texas after he was almost beaten to death by his half-brother. Deciding it's high time to return, he sheds his Hermano persona and goes back home as himself. Malcolm Ross y Zarza has a score to settle and it's high time that he finishes it.

When he returns and find his childhood friend, Leigh, in trouble, Malcolm is determined to help her and keep her safe at the same time. He is furious when he realizes how close Leigh has come to not only losing her ranch, but losing her life. After talking to his half brother, Damasco, Malcolm thinks that there's more going on than just sabotage for the sabotage.

Leigh has worked her butt off to keep the ranch prosperous. After her husband unexpectedly dies and leaves it to her, Leigh is stunned. When Malcolm shows up after fifteen years, Leigh is both elated and angry. Elated b/c Malcolm is home. He's no longer the boy she knew. He's now a man that she is even more helpless to resist. And angry b/c she had thought he was dead.

This book really had it all. It had some mystery, tons of romance, and intrigue. I was really happy when Malcolm made peace with his father. The story of his childhood was very sad. Also, his stepmother (though she would never claim him as her stepson) is one crazy bitch. Like uber crazy.

4 out of 5.

This book is available from Samhain. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

Other books in the series: