Waiting on Wednesday: Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

Anyone who's read the first two books in Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series (Wicked Intentions and Notorious Pleasures) knows that Ms. Hoyt's been teasing readers with the Silence-Mickey storyline. I can't wait to see how their romance plays out!!!!

Title: Scandalous Desires
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Series: Maiden Lane, Book 3
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Release Date: October 18, 2011
Elizabeth Hoyt Reading Order can be found here.

Book Description (from Elizabeth Hoyt's website):

Can a pirate learn...
River Pirate ‘Charming’ Mickey O’Connor has lifted himself from the depths of the slums to be the King of St. Giles. Anything he wants he gets—with one exception. Silence Hollingbrook has been haunting his dreams ever since she spent a single night in his bed.

That the only true treasure...
Once Silence was willing to sacrifice anything to save the man she loved. Now a widow, she’s finally found peace when Charming Mickey comes storming back into her life with an offer she can’t refuse. But this time she won’t be the only one paying the price for his sins.

Lies in a woman's heart?
When his past comes back to torment him, Mickey must keep Silence safe from a merciless enemy, while wrestling with the delicious hold this widow has on his heart. And in the face of mounting danger, both will have to surrender to something even more terrifying...true love.

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Thursday in Review

It’s update time :)

Below are the newest reviews I’ve written here, on Joyfully Reviewed, and on Romance Junkies. The master list and categorical lists on the right-hand side are updated as well.

Reviews for upcoming releases:
- Lord of the Vampires (Royal House of Shadows, Book 1) by Gena Showalter (available 8/23/11)
- Lord of Rage (Royal House of Shadows, Book 2) by Jill Monroe (available 9/20/11)
- Lord of the Wolfyn (Royal House of Shadows, Book 3) by Jessica Andersen (available 10/18/11)

All other new reviews:
- I Spy a Dark Obsession (SHADO Agency, Book 3) by Jo Davis
- The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood
- This Rough Magic (Shot in the Dark, Book 1) by Josh Lanyon

Upcoming reviews:
- In the Arms of a Marquess by Katharine Ashe
- The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Highland Pleasures, Book 1) by Jennifer Ashley
- Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage (Highland Pleasures, Book 2) by Jennifer Ashley
- The Many Sins of Lord Cameron (Highland Pleasures, Book 3) by Jennifer Ashley
- SoloPlay (Come Again, Book 2) by Miranda Baker
- Full Circle by Avery Beck (coming September 1st)
- Irresistible? by Stephanie Bond
- Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase
- Handcuffs and Trouble (Rawlings Men, Book 4) by Kim Dare
- Handcuffs and Megabytes (Rawlings Men, Book 7) by Kim Dare
- Packing Leather (Sun, Sea and Submission, Book 1) by Kim Dare
- Vengeance Paid With Blood (Drone Vampire Chronicles, Book 13) by Stephani Hecht
- His Wicked Revenge by Vanessa Kelly
- Master of Shadows (Mageverse, Book 12) by Angela Knight
- Mummy Dearest (The XOXO Files, Book 1) by Josh Lanyon (Coming October 1st)
- Seven Nights by Jess Michaels
- Orgasmatron by Brynn Paulin
- Serendipity (Serendipity, Book 1) by Carly Phillips (Coming September 1st)
- No Shoes, No Shirt, No Spells (Mystic Café Series, Book 1) by Rose Pressey
- Rock ‘N’ Roll is Undead (Veronica Mason, Book 1) by Rose Pressey
- New York to Dallas (In Death, Book 33) by J.D. Robb (Coming September 1st)
- Beauty Dates the Beast (Midnight Liaisons, Book 1) by Jessica Sims
- Hour of the Lion by Cherise Sinclair
- The Discovery (Queens of Merab 2, Book 1.5) by Violet Summers
- Primal Law (Alpha Pack, Book 1) by J.D. Tyler

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Waiting On Wednesday: Cross Bones anthology

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

Who doesn't love pirates? I love a good pirate romance and with the authors in this anthology, Cross Bones promises to be great (plus, I'm kinda in love with the cover ;)).

Title: Cross Bones
Authors: Rebecca Cohen, Jana Denardo, E.S. Douglas, K.R. Foster, Cornelia Grey, Ellen Holiday, K.J. Johnson, Juan Kenobi, Maggie Lee, Emily Moreton, MJ O'Shea, Riley Shane, B. Snow, Piper Vaughn, and Cooper West
Genre: Male/Male Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: August 15, 2011

Book Description (from Dreamspinner Press' website):

Ahoy, me proud beauty, shiver me timbers! I ask ye to sail me jollyboat on the high seas, lubber, but will ye dare to accept? On offer be a pirate's life full of danger and risk, and not just to yer neck, but to yer very virgin heart! There's many a bodice to be ripped--or perhaps I should say many a codpiece to be snapped--and should ye be graced enough to cross bones with a corsair, don't be an addlepate! Heave ho, lad, handsomely, and show him how ye bury yer treasure!

Pirates didn't only sail the high seas in historical times. Modern-day renegades and futuristic rebels are just as ripe for adventure and plunder. No matter the time, place, or circumstances, bad boys steal affection as often as they salvage treasure, and in these stories of romance, a rogue's black heart always conceals a center of gold.

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Review: The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood

The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood
Publisher: Dutton
Genre: Romantic Suspense
ISBN: 978-0525952251
Buy it here: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Ellie Sullivan was a child prodigy whose life was almost cut short at a young age by a brutal stalker. Now a surgeon, Ellie does her best to keep her life normal. But a run in the park leads to Ellie witnessing a FBI agent being shot. She saves the man’s life, but now hers is under threat from the criminals still at large. Agent Max Daniels is determined to protect Ellie at all costs, so if he has to go to South Carolina to act as Ellie’s bodyguard during her sister’s wedding, that’s what he’ll do. But Ellie’s hometown isn’t as peaceful as it seems on the surface. Danger has Ellie in its crosshairs as old threats meet new.

The passion’s on high as Julie Garwood spins a tale of love, obsession, feuds, and crime. The Ideal Man is an engaging read and both Ellie and Max are sure to win readers’ hearts; they definitely won mine.

Ellie is a brilliant woman whose hard work, kindness, and general likeability make her an appealing heroine. She also hasn’t known what it’s like to be safe since she was eleven years old and a crazed teenager began to stalk – and later – beat her. The sense of never being truly secure made my heart break for Ellie and it also made me sympathetic toward her in that she wasn’t a cardboard model of a heroine with a picture perfect life. Max, in turn, is a deliciously sexy hero. He’s smart, protective, and understanding; he’s a strong man who isn’t the stereotypical “alpha male” and that almost made me swoon. I loved Max and Ellie together and I eagerly turned the pages of The Ideal Man to follow along on their journey.

The threats to Ellie’s safety add a splash of danger that adds further dimension to the story, making The Ideal Man feel like a “full” book. Even though The Ideal Man is missing Ms. Garwood’s signature humor, which first made me fall in love with her books, there were really only two things that kept me from one hundred percent loving The Ideal Man. The first is Ellie’s obnoxious sister Ava, whose antics were so over-the-top they detracted from the story. The second is a small subplot I won’t spoil. What bothered me was not the subplot itself, but rather the fact that it seemed to be a setup for a future book – one I was very excited to read. Unfortunately, the wonderful plot was abruptly wrapped up in just a few pages at the end of the book, disappointing me terribly. With that being said, I still really enjoyed The Ideal Man. Ms. Garwood has delivered a solidly entertaining book that made me smile, laugh, and read late into the night.

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Monday in Review

It’s weekly update time :)

Below are the newest reviews I’ve written over on Joyfully Reviewed and Romance Junkies. The master list and categorical lists on the right-hand side are updated as well.

Reviews for upcoming releases:
- Deceiving the Protector (Resurrection Series, Book 2) by Dee Tenorio (available 8/15/11)

All other new reviews:
- Three Ways to Wicked by Melinda Barron
- Black Jack (Scoundrels, Book 1) by Mari Carr
- Quick to the Hunt (Hawkins Ranch, Book 7) by Cameron Dane
- Wanna Do Bad Things With You by Shelley Munro
- Unlikely Protector by Nicole Sheldon

Reviews that are forthcoming:
- Lord of the Wolfyn (Royal House of Shadows, Book 3) by Jessica Anderson
- In the Arms of a Marquess by Katharine Ashe
- The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Highland Pleasures, Book 1) by Jennifer Ashley
- Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage (Highland Pleasures, Book 2) by Jennifer Ashley
- The Many Sins of Lord Cameron (Highland Pleasures, Book 3) by Jennifer Ashley
- SoloPlay (Come Again, Book 2) by Miranda Baker
- Full Circle by Avery Beck (coming September 1st)
- Irresistible? by Stephanie Bond
- Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase
- Handcuffs and Trouble (Rawlings Men, Book 4) by Kim Dare
- Handcuffs and Megabytes (Rawlings Men, Book 7) by Kim Dare
- Packing Leather (Sun, Sea and Submission, Book 1) by Kim Dare
- I Spy a Dark Obsession (SHADO Agency, Book 3) by Jo Davis
- Dragon Bound (Elder Races, Book 1) by Thea Harrison
- Vengeance Paid With Blood (Drone Vampire Chronicles, Book 13) by Stephani Hecht
- His Wicked Revenge by Vanessa Kelly
- Master of Shadows (Mageverse, Book 12) by Angela Knight
- Mummy Dearest (The XOXO Files, Book 1) by Josh Lanyon (Coming October 1st)
- This Rough Magic (A Shot in the Dark, Book 1) by Josh Lanyon
- Seven Nights by Jess Michaels
- Lord of Rage (Royal House of Shadows, Book 2) by Jill Monroe
- Orgasmatron by Brynn Paulin
- Serendipity (Serendipity, Book 1) by Carly Phillips (Coming September 1st)
- No Shoes, No Shirt, No Spells (Mystic Café Series, Book 1) by Rose Pressey
- Rock ‘N’ Roll is Undead (Veronica Mason, Book 1) by Rose Pressey
- New York to Dallas (In Death, Book 33) by J.D. Robb (Coming September 1st)
- Lord of the Vampires (Royal House of Shadows, Book 1) by Gena Showalter
- Beauty Dates the Beast (Midnight Liaisons, Book 1) by Jessica Sims
- Hour of the Lion by Cherise Sinclair
- The Discovery (Queens of Merab 2, Book 1.5) by Violet Summers
- Primal Law (Alpha Pack, Book 1) by J.D. Tyler

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Waiting on Wednesday: Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

I admit, I've got arcs and have already read books 1 and 2 of the Royal House of Shadows quartet (Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter and Lord of Rage by Jill Monroe) and I'm reading book 3 (Lord of the Wolfyn by Jessica Anderson) right now. The series has gotten progressively better, so I'm hopeful that Nalini Singh's book will be the best of the bunch :)

Title: Lord of the Abyss
Series: Royal House of Shadows, Book 4
Author: Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal/Dark Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Nalini Singh Reading Order can be found here on Wit and Sin.

Book Description (from Nalini Singh's website):

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.…

As the dark Lord who condemns souls to damnation in the Abyss, Micah is nothing but a feared monster wrapped in impenetrable black armor. He has no idea he is the last heir of Elden, its last hope. Only one woman knows—the daughter of his enemy.

Liliana is nothing like her father, the Blood Sorcerer who'd cursed Micah. She sees past Micah’s armor to the prince inside. A prince whose sinful touch she craves. But first she has to brave his dark, dangerous lair and help him remember. Because they only have till midnight to save Elden.

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Monday in Review

It’s update time :)

Below are the newest reviews I’ve written over on Joyfully Reviewed and Romance Junkies. The master list and categorical lists on the right-hand side are updated as well.

Reviews for upcoming releases:
- Wedding Magic by Patricia Coughlin (available 8/2/11)
- Secrets of Bella Terra (Scarlet Deception, Book 1) by Christina Dodd (available 8/2/11)
- Cheri on Top by Susan Donovan (available 8/30/11)


All other new reviews:
- Welcome to Paradise (Welcome to Paradise, Book 1) by Elle Kennedy


Reviews that are forthcoming:
- Lord of the Wolfyn (Royal House of Shadows, Book 3) by Jessica Anderson
- In the Arms of a Marquess by Katharine Ashe
- The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Highland Pleasures, Book 1) by Jennifer Ashley
- Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage (Highland Pleasures, Book 2) by Jennifer Ashley
- The Many Sins of Lord Cameron (Highland Pleasures, Book 3) by Jennifer Ashley
- SoloPlay (Come Again, Book 2) by Miranda Baker
- Three Ways to Wicked by Melinda Barron
- Full Circle by Avery Beck
- Irresistible? by Stephanie Bond
- Black Jack (Scoundrels, Book 1) by Mari Carr
- Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase
- Quick to the Hunt (Hawkins Ranch, Book 7) by Cameron Dane
- Handcuffs and Trouble (Rawlings Men, Book 4) by Kim Dare
- Handcuffs and Megabytes (Rawlings Men, Book 7) by Kim Dare
- I Spy a Dark Obsession (SHADO Agency, Book 3) by Jo Davis
- Dragon Bound (Elder Races, Book 1) by Thea Harrison
- His Wicked Revenge by Vanessa Kelly
- Master of Shadows (Mageverse, Book 12) by Angela Knight
- Mummy Dearest (The XOXO Files, Book 1) by Josh Lanyon
- This Rough Magic (A Shot in the Dark, Book 1) by Josh Lanyon
- Seven Nights by Jess Michaels
- Lord of Rage (Royal House of Shadows, Book 2) by Jill Monroe
- Wanna Do Bad Things With You by Shelley Munro
- Serendipity (Serendipity, Book 1) by Carly Phillips
- New York to Dallas (In Death, Book 33) by J.D. Robb
- Unlikely Protector by Nicole Sheldon
- Lord of the Vampires (Royal House of Shadows, Book 1) by Gena Showalter
- Beauty Dates the Beast (Midnight Liaisons, Book 1) by Jessica Sims
- Hour of the Lion by Cherise Sinclair
- The Discovery (Queens of Merab 2, Book 1.5) by Violet Summers
- Deceiving the Protector (Resurrection, Book 2) by Dee Tenorio
- Primal Law (Alpha Pack, Book 1) by J.D. Tyler

Read More