Fiercely independent, Molly vows to trust no one until she’s uncovered the truth. Could the enemy be her powerful estranged father? The ex-fiance who still holds a grudge? Or the not-so-shy fan of her bestselling novels? As the danger heats up around them, the only anchor Molly has is Dare himself. But what she feels for him just might be the most frightening thing of all….

– As a long-time reader of Lori Foster’s work, I loved When You Dare. Foster has created strong characters without being abrasive and stubborn to a fault. I hate it when an author takes self-sufficiency one step too far and their actions border on complete idiocy…but I digress.

Dare and Molly are believable and the evolution of their relationship is a pleasure to read. The suspense elements moves along quickly and I couldn’t hit my Next Page button on my Kindle fast enough. For an engrossing romantic suspense read, check out Lori Foster’s, When You Dare. ~  Ana, www.ireadromance.com

In a world where the League and its assassins rule, where betrayal and treachery are everywhere . . . the only survivors are those ones who are . . .

BORN OF SHADOWS

For Caillen Dagan, a defiant soldier of fortune, survival isn’t a right, it’s a brutal daily battle. Moving through the Ichidaian universe like a wraith, his brushes with the law and death are legendary. But when an act of rare heroism reveals his hidden birthright, he’s forced into a world much more dangerous and cold-hearted than the bloody streets where he was raised-one of obscene wealth and lethal politics.

Ferocious and determined, Desideria serves as an official bodyguard for her queen. Born of questionable genetics, she will do anything to prove herself worthy of the weapons she carries and the position she’s won by combat. But when she uncovers a ruthless plot to assassinate the queen and overthrow her country’s government, Desideria is caught in the crosshairs.

With assassination contracts out on both of them, Caillen and Desideria must learn to fight together or die alone. And if they fail, their governments will fall into the hands of an unimaginable evil.

– Author Sherrilyn Kenyon is engraved on the hearts of paranormal fans and there’s no doubt she can capture and keep a reader’s attention. I had mixed feelings about the heroine, Desideria, as it seemed to me she had a huge chip on her shoulder. She constantly tried to prove she was stronger than everyone else and it got a little tedious at times. Kenyon shows the heroine’s soft side and she becomes a more sympathetic character.

Born of Shadows is an action-packed romance that will keep readers guessing. Returning characters from earlier in the series make an appearance which gives a sense of community and family that can easily be overlooked in the paranormal genre. Kenyon is a master wordsmith and Born in Shadows is a captivating read. ~ Cerise, www.ireadromance.com

She lives for passion.

Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society’s rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London’s most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.
He swears by reputation.
Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening — risking everything he holds dear — he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.

– I loved Sarah MacLean’s first book, Nine Rules to Break When Landing a Rake, and was disappointed in her second book, Ten Ways to be Adored When Landing a Lord, so I wasn’t sure what to expect with the third book. Would MacLean redeem herself or would I be relegated to the land of disappointment?

I am pleased to report that Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart was a most enjoyable read. The hero is a complete jerk in the beginning of the book but watching him come to terms with his past was more than enough to keep me turning the pages. The heroine is a breath of fresh air and watching these two generate their own special magic was sheer pleasure. ~ Renee, www.ireadromance.com

 She would marry no man . . .

Serena Carlyle dreams of a happily ever after. Firmly upon the shelf at twenty-five, instead she’s determined to find the perfect match for her beautiful younger sister. What better prospect than their neighbor, the wealthy, rakishly handsome Earl of Savege? Now Serena can beg his help in halting a local band of smugglers. Then, one night, stealing away from yet another disappointing ball, Serena finds herself trapped alone with a stranger . . .

Until he captured her — body and soul

His kiss was irresistible, his caress unforgettable, and he hides a devastating secret. A Robin Hood upon the sea, Alex Savege is the brazen pirate Redstone, seizing the yachts of spoiled noblemen to settle an old debt. Serena needs a hero, but her heart is in the gravest danger — for it is soon to be captured by a man as skilled at seduction as he is at plunder.

– I have to admit, I wasn’t sure I’d like this book because the hero is a pirate. Let’s face it, once you’ve seen Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, what other pirate could hold my interest? Well, I’d like to introduce you to pirate Captain Alex Savege as he accomplished just that.

Captured by a Rogue Lord has it all, passion, tension, sea-swept cliffs and a wicked stepmother to keep the plot line moving along. Toward the middle of the book the constant villainy of said stepmother and the weak-kneed sister caused me to roll my eyes more than once though Ashe’s deft hand at plotting, strong characterization and sexual tension saved this novel from becoming trite and overwrought. I loved almost everything about this book and it definitely earned a spot on my Keeper Shelf.

Ashe is a new romance author with two novels and one novella to her name though she reads like a veteran and I look forward to her next release,  In the Arms of the Marquis, available August 30, 2011. ~ Ana, www.ireadromance.com

Kate McKinnon’s Sanctuary is an island of refuge in a western frontier  shrouded in post-apocalyptic chaos. Her only escape from her crushing  responsibilities is occasional radio contact with other pockets of survivors.  Especially one man whose deep, raspy voice cuts through her exhaustion,  straight to her heart. A man whose face she has only imagined. When she and her  ranch hands are surrounded by renegades, she doesn’t recognize the leader of  the militaristic band that rescues them, but knows that voice.

Ty Bennett is already half in love with the human woman whose voice  haunts his dreams. His impulsive offer to add muscle to the Sanctuary’s  defenses is dangerous to them both. Helping her may redeem some of his sins, but proximity only increases his hunger to possess her—body, soul…and blood. Without hesitation, she welcomes Ty and his men into the Sanctuary…only to
discover the reason why they only ride at night. Yet the survival instinct that
screams at her to drive them off is no match for Ty’s seductive powers. Or the
need for protection from the threat that howls at Sanctuary’s gate.

Undeniable by Delilah Devlin left me wishing for more…more plot, more
character development, more hunger…the writer has shortchanged the reader by
limiting the pages of this story. I liked what I read, I really liked these
characters and the post-apocalyptic setting was perfect, but I would really
have preferred a touch more in all dimensions. Given that this book is marketed
as book one in a new series, it is possible that with the addition of more
books in this series the author will be able expand upon this dark and violent
world to the satisfaction of all readers. All in all, I’m a bit disappointed
and hope that the next one is better…

Morgan is on a terrible first date.  He rushes her through dinner so they can make it to a basketball game and on the way out he isn’t even chivalrous enough to hold the door for her, which results in the door hitting her in the head!  When Morgan regains consciousness she finds herself in the care of a drop dead gorgeous paramedic whose presence calms her on the way to the hospital.

Evan can’t believe his luck when the woman he aided a few weeks ago is standing in the parking lot outside the hospital.  He has never been involved with a patient before but there is something about her that he can’t shake and they make plans for a date that very night. Morgan has the potential to be everything he has ever wanted in a woman.

They come together like dynamite and can’t get enough of each other.  However, Morgan goes into panic mode and calls their budding relationship off before she falls too deeply
for him.

I enjoyed this story and its characters.  Morgan is very likeable and her moments of
panic are endearing and realistic. Her internal dialogues were witty and made me smile.  I could easily imagine Evan as one of those smiling men in uniform posing for a calendar shoot.  Overall, this is a good fast tale to read with low drama. ~ Natalie, www.ireadromance.com

On the surface, court reporter Lark Manning looks like the luckiest girl in the world, blessed with great friends and a wonderful family. Underneath, she harbors a hopelessly unrequited love for the sexy werewolf everyone thinks of as her cousin. Taran rarely notices her except to condescend or lecture. He’s treated her the same way since she was eight years old, and there’s no reason to think he’ll ever change.

Taran Lloyd, a detective in the Houston Police Department’s Shifters Investigations Unit (SHIU), lives for those rare moments he gets to spend around Lark, torturing himself with what he can’t have. Kin only by marriage, she thinks of him as her big brother. He couldn’t bear her pity—or her disgust—if she learned he wants her for his mate.

When weres from a rival pack attack her, Lark screams out the first name that comes to mind—Taran. Only this sexy alpha can keep her safe until they find out who wants her dead, and why. But keeping her safe means keeping her close. And the closer they get, the harder it gets for these not-really-cousins to honor their commitment to keep their paws off.

Man, what a great premise for a story – it hits on a cultural taboo in a gentle but interesting way.  Lark and Taran are a lot of fun in such a few short pages.  Whether they’re arguing or trying to deny their feelings for each other, they are a hoot.  When they do finally come together, it’s hotter than a house on fire.  Even their best friends have me intrigued.  I want to read more! ~ Monica, www.ireadromance.com

This story was a refreshing humorous surprise. If you enjoy such movies as The Princess Bride and Robin Hood Men in Tights then author Nick Howard’s writing style is right up your alley.

Princess Lilly in a fit of despair after being dumped by Sir Justin makes a rash wish aloud that if love is pain then she wants to be hurt. Enter a fairy godmother who, of course, takes things literally and suddenly the princess is being kidnapped by knight Sir Gawain whose bedroom tastes run on the kinky bondage side.  But fear not, the spankings and intricate rope tying are not employed to harm the delicate princess – she is protected under the K.O.D. laws.  The Kidnapping of Damsels laws are specific and in place so that both parties are under legal obligation to cooperate with each other.

There were many instances where I simply burst out laughing only to have my husband looking over at me like I was a loon.  This story is filled with quirky comedic moments and it’s a lot of fun to envision them together with medieval times.  There is a line that I thought
was priceless where the princess is kidnapped a second time and she is curious
as to why the guard stationed under her window isn’t sounding the alarm only to
discover that he is asleep on his break …“Unions and work place regulations have ruined everything.”  Basically, if you enjoy light bondage and laughing out loud then give this book a try. ~ Natalie, www.ireadromance.com