Monday 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:
- The Duke’s Perfect Wife (Highland Pleasures, Book 4) by Jennifer Ashley (available 4/3/12)

All other new reviews:
- When a Scot Loves a Lady (Falcon Club, Book 1) by Katharine Ashe
- Three Wishes by Stephanie Bond
- Dearly, Departed (Gone With the Respiration, Book 1) by Lia Habel
- The Saint (Highland Guard, Book 5) by Monica McCarty

Upcoming reviews:
- Good Cop, Bad Cop by Jenna Byrnes and Jude Mason
- Chain Reaction (8th Wing, Book 2) by Zoë Archer
- Demon’s Bride (The Hellraisers, Book 2) by Zoë Archer
- Skies of Fire (The Ether Chronicles, Book 1) by Zoë Archer
- How to Be a Proper Lady (Falcon Club, Book 2) by Katharine Ashe
- The Fireman Who Loved Me (The Bachelor Fireman of San Gabriel, Book 1) by Jennifer Bernard
- Hot for Fireman (The Bachelor Fireman of San Gabriel, Book 2) by Jennifer Bernard
- Aloha Kaua by Jenna Byrnes
- A Perfect Storm Rising by Cameron Dane
- Elliot’s War by Kim Dare
- Trust, Love, Submit by Kim Dare
- If the Slipper Fits (Cinderella Sisterhood, Book 1) by Olivia Drake
- How to Ravish a Rake (How To Series, Book 3) by Vicky Dreiling
- Too Hot to Touch (Rising Star Chef, Book 1) by Louisa Edwards
- Some Like It Hot (Rising Star Chef, Book 2) by Louisa Edwards
- A Very Personal Trainer by Justine Elyot
- A Beginner’s Guide to Rakes by Suzanne Enoch
- Screw Santa (Who Needs Christmas?, Book 1) by Joyee Flynn
- Sinful Wager by Alice Gaines
- Bound Hearts (Portland Tide, Book 2) by C.C. Galloway
- Trouble at the Wedding (Abandoned at the Altar, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
- Bachelor Number Four by Megan Hart
- Intimate Beings (The Being Trilogy, Book 2) by Jessica Inclan
- Straight Cowboy by Jan Irving
- Midnight Rescue (Killer Instincts, Book 1) by Elle Kennedy
- If You Give a Girl a Viscount (Impossible Bachelors, Book 4) by Kieran Kramer
- The Sure Thing by Claire Matthews
- Secret Light by Z.A. Maxfield
- Blood Persuasion (Immortal Jane Austen, Book 2) by Janet Mullany
- Keeping Faith by Kris Norris
- Strangers in the Night by Brynn Paulin
- Raw Desire by Kate Pearce
- Karma (Serendipity, Book 3) by Carly Phillips
- A Night Like This (Smythe-Smith Quartet, Book 2) by Julia Quinn
- Alien Sex 102 by Allie Ritch
- Carrie’s Answer (Corporate Affairs, Book 1) by Sierra and V.J. Summers
- Meredith’s Awakening (Corporate Affairs, Book 2) by Sierra and V.J. Summers
- Primal Law (Alpha Pack, Book 1) by J.D. Tyler

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Jennifer Ashley/Allyson James/Ashley Gardner Book Order

Click on series title to jump to a particular reading order:

Written as Jennifer Ashley:
Mackenzies & McBrides
Below Stairs Mysteries
Regency Bon Bons
The McLaughlin Brothers
Shifters Unbound
Riding Hard
Nvengaria
Regency Pirates
Immortals Series
Stand Alones

Written as Allyson James:
Stormwalker Series
Demigod series
Dragon Series
Tales of the Shareem
Stand Alones

Written as Ashley Gardner:
Captain Lacey Regency Mystery Series
Leonidas the Gladiator Mysteries

Mackenzies & McBrides

*The Mackenzie Chronicles: A Guide to the Mackenzies & McBrides Series

1. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie
Ian Mackenzie and Beth Ackerley
My Review

2. Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage
Mac Mackenzie and Isabella (Scranton) Mackenzie

3. The Many Sins of Lord Cameron
Cameron Mackenzie and Ainsley Douglas
My Review

4. The Duke’s Perfect Wife
Hart Mackenzie and Eleanor Ramsay
My Review

4.5. Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift
My Review

5. The Seduction of Elliot McBride
Elliot McBride and Juliana St. John

5.5. The Untamed Mackenzie (also available in The Scandalous Mackenzies)
Llyod Fellows and Louisa Scranton
My Review

6. The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie
Daniel Mackenzie and Violet Bastien

6.5 Scandal and the Duchess (also available in The Scandalous Mackenzies)
Steven McBride and Rose Barclay
My Review

7. Rules For A Proper Governess
Sinclair McBride and Roberta "Bertie" Frasier
My Review

8. The Stolen Mackenzie Bride
Malcom Mackenzie and Mary Lennox
My Review

8.5 A Mackenzie Clan Gathering (also available in A Mackenzie Clan Christmas)
Ian Mackenzie and Beth Mackenzie
My Review

9. Alec Mackenzie's Art of Seduction
Alec Mackenzie and Celia

10. The Devilish Lord Will
Will Mackenzie and Josette

11. A Rogue Meets a Scandalous Lady
David Fleming and Sophie

11.5 A Mackenzie Yuletide (also available in A Mackenzie Clan Christmas)
My Review

11.75 Fiona and the Three Wise Highlanders (also available in Tartan and Mistletoe)
Stuart Cameron and Fiona Macdonald

12. The Sinful Ways of Jamie Mackenzie
Jamie Mackenzie and Evie McKnight

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Below Stairs Mysteries

0.5. A Soupçon of Poison (also available in the Murder Most Historical anthology)

1. Death Below Stairs
My Review

2. Scandal Above Stairs
My Review

3. Death in Kew Gardens

4. Murder in the East End
My Review

5. Death at the Crystal Palace
My Review

6. The Secret of Bow Lane
My Review

6.5. The Price of Lemon Cakee

6.75. Mrs. Holloway's Christmas Pudding

7. Speculations in Sin
My Review

7.25 A Measure of Menace

7.5. A Moveable Feast

8. A Silence in Belgrave Square
My Review

9. Murder in Blackfriars (estimated release August 2026)

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Regency Bon Bons

1. Duke in Search of a Duchess
Duke of Ashford and Helena Courtland

2. A Kiss for Luck
Guy Lovell and Gemma Cooke

3. Along Came a Prince
Dominik Laszlo Townsend and Sonia Broadbent

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The McLaughlin Brothers

1. This Changes Everything
Zach McLaughlin

2. Why Don't You Stay?... Forever
Ben McLaughlin

3. Never Say Never
Austin McLaughlin

4. Give Me One Night
Ryan McLaughlin

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Shifters Unbound

0.5. Shifter Made
Niall and Alanna

1. Pride Mates
Liam and Kim

2. Primal Bonds
Sean and Andrea

2.5. Bodyguard
Ronan and Elizabeth

3. Wild Cat
Diego and Cassidy

3.5. Hard Mated
Spike and Myka

4. Mate Claimed
Eric and Iona

4.25 "Perfect Mate" (in the Unbound anthology)
Cormac and Nell

4.5 Lone Wolf
Ellison and Maria

5. Tiger Magic
Tiger and Carly

5.5 Feral Heat
Jace and Deni

6. Wild Wolf
Graham and Misty

6.5 Bear Attraction
Walker and Rebecca

7. Mate Bond
Bowman and Kenzie

7.25 Lion Eyes
Seamus and Bree

7.5. Bad Wolf
Broderick and Joanne

8. White Tiger
Kendrick and Addison

9. Guardian's Mate
Zander and Rae

10. Red Wolf
Dimitri and Jaycee

11. Midnight Wolf
Angus and Tamsin

11.5. Tiger Striped
Tiger and Carly

*A Shifter Christmas Carol

12. Iron Master
Reid and Peigi

13. The Last Warrior
Ben and Rhianne

14. Tiger's Daughter
Connor and Tiger-girl

15. Bear Facts
Shane and Freya

16. Stray Cat (release date TBA)
Lindsay and Xav

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Riding Hard

1. Adam
Adam and Bailey

2. Grant
Grant and Christina

3. Carter
Carter and Grace

3.5 Snowbound in Starlight Bend
Maddox and Haley

4. Tyler
Tyler and Jessica

5. Ross
Ross and Lucy

6. Kyle
Kyle and Anna

7. Ray
Ray and Drew


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Nvengaria

1. Penelope & Prince Charming
Damien and Penelope

2. The Mad, Bad Duke
Alexander and Meagan

3. Highlander Ever After
Egan and Zarabeth

4. “The Longest Night” (in the A Christmas Ball anthology)
Valentin and Mary


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Regency Pirates

1. The Pirate Next Door
Grayson Finley and Alexandra Alastair

2. The Pirate Hunter
James Ardmore and Diana Worthing

3. The Care & Feeding of Pirates
Christopher Raine and Honoria Ardmore


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Immortals Series

Note: This is a multi-author series

1. Immortals: The Calling by Jennifer Ashley
Adrian and Amber

2. Immortals: The Darkening by Robin T. Popp
Darius and Lexi

3. Immortals: The Awakening by Joy Nash
Kalen and Christine

4. Immortals: The Gathering by Jennifer Ashley
Hunter and Leda

5. Immortals: The Redeeming by Jennifer Ashley
Tain and Samantha

6. Immortals: The Crossing by Joy Nash
Mac and Artemis

7. Immortals: The Haunting by Robin T. Popp
Nick and Mai

8. Immortals: The Reckoning
"Wolf Hunt" by Jennifer Ashley
"Blood Debt" by Joy Nash
"Beyond the Mist" Robin T. Popp


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Stand Alones

Lady Clara’s Ghost (in the Ghosts, Graveyards, and Grey Ladies anthology) (available 10/26/25)

"The Scotsman and the Vamp"(in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance II)
Claire and Ross
The Queen’s Handmaiden
Elizabeth I

“Viva Las Vampires” (in the Just One Sip anthology)
Stefan and Meredith

“A Single Girl’s Guide to Christmas” (in the Christmas Cards from the Edge anthology)

Confessions of a Lingerie Addict

Perils of the Heart

A Lady Raised High (written as Laurien Gardner)


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Stormwalker Series

0.5 "A Little Night Magic" (in the Hot for the Holidays anthology)

1. Stormwalker

2. Firewalker

2.5. "Double Hexed" (in the Hexed anthology)

3. Shadow Walker

4. Nightwalker

5. Dreamwalker

6. Dragon Bites

7. Wing Dancer (available 7/23/24)

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Demigod Series

1. Mortal Temptations
Nico and Patricia
Andreas and Rebecca

2. Mortal Seductions
Demitri, Valerie, and Leon

3. "Mortal Sensations" (in the in Wedding Favors anthology)
Madison and Thomas


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Dragon Series

1. Dragon Heat
Caleb (golden dragon) and Lisa

2. The Black Dragon
Malcolm (black dragon) and Saba

3. The Dragon Master
Seth (fire dragon) and Carol


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Tales of the Shareem

1. Rees
Rees and Talan

2. Maia and Rylan
Maia and Rylan

3. Rio
Rio and Nella

4. Aiden & Ky
Aiden, Ky, and Brianne

5. Calder
Calder and Katarina

6. Braden
Braden and Elisa

7. Justin
Justin and Deanna

* Eland (free short story)
Eland and Jeanne

*"The Dream Catcher" (in The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance – standalone story set in the Shareem universe)
Natalia and Ochen


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Stand Alones

“The Decidedly Devilish Duke” (in the Private Places anthology)
Michael and Amelia

Double Trouble
Cas, Pol, and Fiona

Catch a Falling Star
Thane, Deon, and Lea

Howlin’
Alain, Patrice, and Coyote

Christmas Cowboy
Dragonmagic
Club Vamp

Practically Perfect


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Captain Lacey Regency Mystery Series

1. The Hanover Square Affair

2. A Regimental Murder

3. The Glass House

4. The Sudbury School

4.5. The Necklace Affair

5. A Body in Berkeley Square

6. A Covent Garden Mystery

6.5. The Gentleman’s Walking Stick

7. A Death in Norfolk

8. A Disappearance in Drury Lane

9. Murder in Grosvenor Square

10. The Thames River Murders

11. The Alexandria Affair

12. A Mystery at Carlton House

13. Murder in St. Giles

14. Death at Brighton Pavilion

15. The Custom House Murders

16. Murder in the Eternal City

17. A Darkness in Seven Dials

18. Murder on the Rhône
(release date TBA)
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Leonidas the Gladiator Mysteries

1. Blood of a Gladiator

1.5. Blood Debts

2. A Gladiator's Tale

3. The Ring that Caesar Wore

4. Brother at Arms (release date TBA)

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Please note: This page was written by me, so as always, please visit the author’s website for up-to-date, author-verified information as well as for information books that have not yet been included to this list.

http://www.jenniferashley.com/
http://gardnermysteries.com/

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Waiting on Wednesday: The Witness by Nora Roberts

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

It's no secret that I love Nora Roberts's books. But what's so special about The Witness is that it's NR's 200th book. 200th!!!! I've read probably 75% of her novels and I'm still hooked. The woman is amazing.

Title: The Witness
Author: Nora Roberts
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Putnam
Release Date: April 17, 2012

Book Description (from Nora Roberts's website):

Daughter of a controlling mother, Elizabeth finally let loose one night, drinking at a nightclub and allowing a strange man’s seductive Russian accent lure her to a house on Lake Shore Drive. The events that followed changed her life forever.

Twelve years later, the woman known as Abigail Lowery lives on the outskirts of a small town in the Ozarks. A freelance programmer, she designs sophisticated security systems—and supplements her own security with a fierce dog and an assortment of firearms. She keeps to herself, saying little, revealing nothing. But Abigail’s reserve only intrigues police chief Brooks Gleason. Her logical mind, her secretive nature, and her unromantic viewpoints leave him fascinated but frustrated. He suspects that Abigail needs protection from something—and that her elaborate defenses hide a story that must be revealed.

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Teaser Tuesday: The Saint by Monica McCarty

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I've been re-reading my absolute favorite series, J.D. Robb's In Death series, so at the moment I'm in the middle of book 3, Immortal in Death. It's been so long since I've re-read the early books. I love re-visiting all the characters back when they're all so new to one another :)

Teaser:
"In that moment when she was giving him exactly what he wanted--what he thought he wanted--he knew it wasn't what he wanted at all. And what he'd wanted, he'd lost."
*The Saint by Monica McCarty, page 296 of arc copy (book releases 3/27/12)


Book Description:

Robert the Bruce consolidates lands and loyalty in a bold war for Scotland’s independence, as his elite team of warriors, the Highland Guard, fight for king, country... and love.

Magnus MacKay is the ultimate Highlander: tough, proud, able to master any terrain, and best even the most ferocious enemy. Called “Saint” for his refusal to discuss women, as well as for his cool and steady leadership, Magnus’s war name hides a far more painful truth. It isn’t virtue or piety that keeps him silent, but a wound of love and loss that cuts so deep he cannot bear to speak of it. But when the woman who refused him is betrothed to his friend and fellow Guardsman, Magnus is tested by love’s battle cry.

A wild and innocent beauty, Helen chose family duty over her desire for Magnus. Now the anger in his eyes mirrors the tormented regret of her heart. But as deadly subterfuge stalks the King and his Guard, Helen vows to right her youthful mistakes with a woman’s determined spirit. Still, Magnus harbors secrets and an iron will not to weaken to temptation—or heartache—again. But as danger looms, it’s not the kiss of a saint, but a sinner, that can save them.

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Review: Three Wishes by Stephanie Bond

Three Wishes by Stephanie Bond
Publisher: NeedtoRead Books
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Comedy
Buy it here: Amazon

Antiques dealer Ladden Sanderson’s life would be perfect if it weren’t for one thing: he’s in love Jasmine Crowne - the governor’s girlfriend and a woman who will never see him as more than a friend. Then Ladden accidentally releases a genie from a magic lamp and his whole world is turned upside down. Can the three wishes the genie grants him help Ladden win Jasmine’s heart? Or will he manage to drive her out of his life forever?

The classic folk tale Aladdin just got a whole lot sexier! Stephanie Bond mixes magic and mayhem, love and lust, heartbreak and hope in the delicious Three Wishes. Ladden is a genuinely nice guy who works hard and is incredibly kind to those around him – how can you not love a hero like that? He’s not perfect (that would be boring) but he comes close which made it easy for me to become engaged in Three Wishes. Quite simply, I wanted Ladden to win the heart of the woman he loves. Jasmine is an interior designer with plans to distance herself from her upbringing by climbing the social ladder on the arm of her boyfriend, the governor. Jasmine is so focused on separating herself from her past that she’s missing the chance for true love with Ladden. I might have wanted to shake Jasmine had Ms. Bond not made her focus understandable. While she seems to have it all, Jasmine is vulnerable and that side of her endeared her to me. As a pair, she and Ladden fit like lock and key. But they do need a helping hand to get them together. That hand comes in the form of a genie who tries his best but often makes life more difficult for Jasmine and Ladden. I liked the well-meaning genie almost as much as I like Jasmine and Ladden, but the scene-stealer of Three Wishes was the constantly-moving magic carpet. The paranormal elements of Three Wishes definitely bring laughs to the story.

Three Wishes is a delightful story from start to finish. I’m picky about romantic comedies, but I gave Three Wishes a try because I’m a big fan of Stephanie Bond’s work. I’m delighted I did. With its loveable characters, fun plot, and happily ever after worthy of a fairytale, Three Wishes is a charming, lighthearted tale that is not to be missed!


Note: Three Wishes was first published by Bantam Books in 1998 as Your Wish is My Command by Stephanie Bancroft. Three Wishes has since been updated by the author.

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Thursday in Review

I haven't had time to update recently...or even much time to read or write reviews (O_O) so there's only 8 new reviews to post.

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.

All other new reviews:
- Dear Miss Darcy by Laura Briggs and Sarah Burgess
- Kiss Me, I’m Irish by Roxanne St. Claire, Jill Shalvis, and Maureen Child
- Captain Fenna’s Dirigible Valentine (Steampunk Smugglers, Book 2) by Heather Hiestand
- Rainshadow Road (Friday Harbor, Book 2) by Lisa Kleypas – review 2
- Blame It On Bath (The Truth About the Duke, Book 2) by Caroline Linden
- The Tattooed Duke (Writing Girls, Book 3) by Maya Rodale
- Time Out by Jill Shalvis
- A Little Wild by Kate St. James

Upcoming reviews:
- Chain Reaction (8th Wing, Book 2) by Zoë Archer
- Demon’s Bride (The Hellraisers, Book 2) by Zoë Archer
- When a Scot Loves a Lady (Falcon Club, Book 1) by Katharine Ashe
- How to Be a Proper Lady (Falcon Club, Book 2) by Katharine Ashe
- The Duke’s Perfect Wife (Highland Pleasures, Book 4) by Jennifer Ashley
- The Fireman Who Loved Me (The Bachelor Fireman of San Gabriel, Book 1) by Jennifer Bernard
- Hot for Fireman (The Bachelor Fireman of San Gabriel, Book 2) by Jennifer Bernard
- Three Wishes by Stephanie Bond
- A Perfect Storm Rising by Cameron Dane
- If the Slipper Fits (Cinderella Sisterhood, Book 1) by Olivia Drake
- Too Hot to Touch (Rising Star Chef, Book 1) by Louisa Edwards
- Some Like It Hot (Rising Star Chef, Book 2) by Louisa Edwards
- A Beginner’s Guide to Rakes by Suzanne Enoch
- Screw Santa (Who Needs Christmas?, Book 1) by Joyee Flynn
- Trouble at the Wedding (Abandoned at the Altar, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
- Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel
- Bachelor Number Four by Megan Hart
- Intimate Beings (The Being Trilogy, Book 2) by Jessica Inclan
- Midnight Rescue (Killer Instincts, Book 1) by Elle Kennedy
- If You Give a Girl a Viscount (Impossible Bachelors, Book 4) by Kieran Kramer
- The Sure Thing by Claire Matthews
- Secret Light by Z.A. Maxfield
- The Saint (Highland Guard, Book 5) by Monica McCarty
- Blood Persuasion (Immortal Jane Austen, Book 2) by Janet Mullany
- Raw Desire by Kate Pearce
- Karma (Serendipity, Book 3) by Carly Phillips
- A Night Like This (Smythe-Smith Quartet, Book 2) by Julia Quinn
- Carrie’s Answer (Corporate Affairs, Book 1) by Sierra and V.J. Summers
- Meredith’s Awakening (Corporate Affairs, Book 2) by Sierra and V.J. Summers
- Primal Law (Alpha Pack, Book 1) by J.D. Tyler

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Waiting on Wednesday: Bound Hearts and A Breath of Eyre

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

This week I have two very different WOWs, both March releases. The first is Bound Hearts by C.C. Galloway, which promises to be an incredibly erotic read. Ever since Ms. Galloway's debut novel, Hail Mary, I've been dying to see Mary's best friend get her HEA. The second is A Breath of Eyre, which I discovered because of someone's WOW post (I don't remember who you are, but thank you). I've pre-ordered it already - it sounds like a book for book lovers.

Title: Bound Hearts
Series: Portland Tide, Book 2
Author: C.C. Galloway
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Passion in Print
Release Date: March (not sure when this month)

Book Description (from Goodreads):

Calleigh Stuart has lusted after David Shalvington for the better part of the last year, and despite her best efforts, he's never been anything but cool and polite. When she puts her feelings on the line, he discloses a sexual side that demands sexual and emotional submission at odds with everything she believes. Can she put aside her reservations in order to embrace true love?

David is a busy executive in his professional life and a sexual dominant in his personal life. Despite his attraction to her, he's ignored Calleigh's subtle signals because he has no time to initiate a novice submissive. But when he finally realizes he can't get her out of his mind, he's willing to do whatever it takes to demonstrate how satisfying the sexual dark side can be.




Title: A Breath of Eyre
Series: Unbound, Book 1
Author: Eve Marie Mont
Genre: YA
Publisher: KTEEN
Release Date: March 27, 2012

Book Description (from Goodreads):

Emma Townsend has always believed in stories—the ones she reads voraciously, and the ones she creates in her head. Perhaps it’s because she feels like an outsider at her exclusive prep school, or because her stepmother doesn’t come close to filling the void left by her mother’s death. And her only romantic prospect—apart from a crush on her English teacher—is Gray Newman, a long-time friend who just adds to Emma’s confusion. But escape soon arrives in an old leather-bound copy of Jane Eyre...

Reading of Jane’s isolation sparks a deep sense of kinship. Then fate takes things a leap further when a lightning storm catapults Emma right into Jane’s body and her nineteenth-century world. As governess at Thornfield, Emma has a sense of belonging she’s never known—and an attraction to the brooding Mr. Rochester. Now, moving between her two realities and uncovering secrets in both, Emma must decide whether her destiny lies in the pages of Jane’s story, or in the unwritten chapters of her own...

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