Wednesday in Review

It’s update time again :)

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.

New reviews:
- Hot for Fireman (The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel, Book 2) by Jennifer Bernard
- If the Slipper Fits (Cinderella Sisterhood, Book 1) by Olivia Drake
- The Taming of a Scottish Princess (Hurst Amulet, Book 4) by Karen Hawkins
- Lucky in Love (Lucky Harbor, Book 4) by Jill Shalvis
- 10 Ways to Steal Your Lover (Love by Numbers, Book 1) by Dee Tenorio

Upcoming reviews:
- Good Cop, Bad Cop by Jenna Byrnes and Jude Mason
- How to Be a Proper Lady (Falcon Club, Book 2) by Katharine Ashe
- Beautiful Obsession by Juniper Bell
- Aloha Kaua by Jenna Byrnes
- Blame It On Texas (Hotter in Texas, Book 2) by Christie Craig
- A Perfect Storm Rising by Cameron Dane
- Elliot’s War by Kim Dare
- Trust, Love, Submit by Kim Dare
- 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
- Hot Under Pressure (Rising Star Chef, Book 3) by Louisa Edwards
- A Very Personal Trainer by Justine Elyot
- A Beginner’s Guide to Rakes by Suzanne Enoch
- Temptation & Twilight (The Brethren Guardians, Book 3) by Charlotte Featherstone
- Screw Santa (Who Needs Christmas?, Book 1) by Joyee Flynn
- Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood
- Trouble at the Wedding (Abandoned at the Altar, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
- Intimate Beings (The Being Trilogy, Book 2) by Jessica Inclan
- Straight Cowboy by Jan Irving
- After the Abduction (Swanlea Spinsters, Book 3) by Sabrina Jeffries
- 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
- Alien Sex 102 by Allie Ritch
- At Last (Lucky Harbor, Book 5) by Jill Shalvis
- Forever and a Day (Lucky Harbor, Book 6) by Jill Shalvis
- Just One Kiss (Friends With Benefits, Book 1) by Isabel Sharpe
- 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
- The Virgin’s Revenge (Rancho Del Cielo, Book 4) by Dee Tenorio
- Somebody Like You (Sugar Shack, Book 3) by Candice Terry
- Primal Law (Alpha Pack, Book 1) by J.D. Tyler
- Taxes and TARDIS by N.R. Walker

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Teaser Tuesday: At Last by Jill Shalvis

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 absolutely love Jill Shalvis's Lucky Harbor series and I highly recommend them. My teaser this week comes from book 5, At Last, which I just started reading tonight. It's a bit longer than two sentences because I had to post about the scene I just got to. It's the middle of the night and Amy is stuck spending it in the woods, where she's just taken a fall...

Teaser:
"Her left wrist was on fire. So was her butt. Great, she'd broken her butt. She could see the headline on Facebook now -- Amy Michaels cracks her crack during a potty break on the mountain."
*At Last by Jill Shalvis, 10% on Kindle e-arc (releases 6/26/12)


Book Description:

HER LOVE HAS COME ALONG...

Amy Michaels loves her new life in Lucky Harbor. A waitress in the local diner, she’s looking forward to her first weekend hike through the mountains. But when a wrong turn takes her off the trail, she finds herself up close and personal with forest ranger Matt Bowers. And even though she’s tempted to kiss that sexy smile right off his face, she won’t make the mistake of getting involved with the town heartthrob.

A former cop whose life went south, Matt doesn’t let anyone get too close. But something about the feisty beauty caught his eye the moment he first saw her in the diner. After a hot night under a starry sky, Matt can’t deny their attraction-or the fact that for the first time in a long time, he feels the stirrings of something more. Now it’s up to Matt to help Amy see that, no matter what is in their past, together they can build a future in Lucky Harbor.

If you like incredibly fun contemporary romances, book 1 of the series (Simply Irresistible) is on sale for $1.99 right now on Kindle and Nook.

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Sexy Snippets: At Last by Jill Shalvis

Tuesdays have never been so sexy!
Sexy Snippets is a weekly feature hosted by Reading Between the Wines for the 18+ crowd. To join in just grab the button, post a sexy paragraph or two from your current read and share the author & title so other participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like. Then add your post to the linky below so everyone can follow along. Have a sexy good time!


I LOVE Jill Shalvis's Lucky Harbor series and I just started book 5, At Last (available June 26th), so here's a sexy snippet from where I'm at:

"Are you offering to share the tent?"

Her gaze dropped down to his chest and she chewed on her lower lip again -- which was driving him insane. *He* wanted to chew on that lower lip and then soothe the ache with his tongue.

"Sharing is a bad idea, she finally said. "A really, *really* bad idea." But she gave him another slow sweep. His chest, his abs, lower... Her pupils dilated, giving her away.

Either she had a head injury he didn't know about or looking him over had aroused her.

*At Last by Jill Shalvis, 9% on Kindle e-arc

And if you like incredibly fun contemporary romances, book 1 of the series (Simply Irresistible) is on sale for $1.99 right now on Kindle and Nook.

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Waiting on Wednesday: At Last and Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis

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

Today's WOW is a double-feature for me. I LOVE Jill Shalvis's Lucky Harbor series and since book 4 (Lucky in Love) came out yesterday, I'm super eager to read books 5 and 6, coming out this summer. I'm lucky enough to have an arc of book 5 (At Last) but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. And man, oh man, do I want book 6, Forever and a Day!

Title: At Last
Series: Lucky Harbor, Book 5
Author: Jill Shalvis
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: June 26, 2012

Book Description (from Jill Shalvis's Website):

HER LOVE HAS COME ALONG...

Amy Michaels loves her new life in Lucky Harbor. A waitress in the local diner, she’s looking forward to her first weekend hike through the mountains. But when a wrong turn takes her off the trail, she finds herself up close and personal with forest ranger Matt Bowers. And even though she’s tempted to kiss that sexy smile right off his face, she won’t make the mistake of getting involved with the town heartthrob.

A former cop whose life went south, Matt doesn’t let anyone get too close. But something about the feisty beauty caught his eye the moment he first saw her in the diner. After a hot night under a starry sky, Matt can’t deny their attraction-or the fact that for the first time in a long time, he feels the stirrings of something more. Now it’s up to Matt to help Amy see that, no matter what is in their past, together they can build a future in Lucky Harbor.


Title: Forever and a Day
Series: Lucky Harbor, Book 6
Author: Jill Shalvis
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: July 31, 2012

Book Description (from Jill Shalvis's Website):

LOVE CAN HAPPEN IN A HEARTBEAT

Grace never thought she’d be starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor, working as a dog walker for overwhelmed ER doctor Josh Scott. But the day his nanny fails to show up, Grace goes from caring for Josh’s lovable mutt to caring for his rambunctious son. Soon Grace is playing house with the sexy single dad...

With so many people depending on him, Josh has no time for anything outside of his clinic and family-until Grace arrives in town. Now this brainy blonde is turning his life inside out and giving a whole new meaning to the phrase "good bedside manner." Josh and Grace don’t know if what they have can last. But in a town like Lucky Harbor, a lifetime of love starts with just one day...

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Review: If the Slipper Fits by Olivia Drake

If the Slipper Fits by Olivia Drake
Series: Cinderella Sisterhood, Book 1
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 9781250001771
Blue Ribbon Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Original Review Link
Book Purchase Link

All Annabelle Quinn wants is to see the world outside the girls’ school where she was raised. A stroke of luck lands her the position of governess to an orphaned duke. But while Annabelle finds herself instantly attached to her new charge, it’s the duke’s guardian who piques Annabelle’s interest. Lord Simon Westbury is a mass of contradictions. He’s gruff, distant and seemingly uncaring, but he can also be tender when Annabelle least expects it. The attraction that pulls them together is unexpected, but then again, if Cinderella could capture the heart of a prince, perhaps Annabelle can win the love of a dark and brooding lord.

Cinderella meets Jane Eyre in the charming romance IF THE SLIPPER FITS. IF THE SLIPPER FITS is the first book in the CINDERELLA SISTERHOOD series and the tone set by author Olivia made me eager to read the second book.

Annabelle is a feisty heroine with a big heart and a quick mind. It’s easy to see how she charms Simon, even though he definitely does not want to be charmed. Simon was a bit tougher to get a true feeling for, as we don’t see as much of his thoughts as we do of Annabelle’s. Still, his passion for antiquities and the care he shows those he loves – once he learns how to show it – endeared him to me.

A dash of danger and a dash of fairytale in the form of a very special pair of shoes add to the romance plot, filling out IF THE SLIPPER FITS nicely. I do wish author Olivia Drake had spent a bit more time showing readers why Annabelle and Simon fell in love, but even taking that into account, IF THE SLIPPER FITS is a fun read. IF THE SLIPPER FITS is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Drake and I’m definitely looking forward to more CINDERELLA SISTERHOOD tales!


Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here with permission from Romance Junkies.

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Book Excitement: The Taming of a Scottish Princess by Karen Hawkins

Karen Hawkins's final Hurst Amulet book, The Taming of a Scottish Princess, releases tomorrow, May 22nd!!! I adore Ms. Hawkins's books, but I was really excited to read this book. I was lucky enough to receive an arc, which I reviewed on Joyfully Reviewed. Michael and Jane's story is everything I'd hoped it would be. Whether you're an old or new fan of Ms. Hawkins's work, you're sure to adore the fast-paced, witty, charming The Taming of a Scottish Princess!

I enjoyed The Taming of a Scottish Princess so much that I made it a June Recommended Read. Click here to read my review. You can also read a short teaser here :)

Book Description:

A DETERMINED EXPLORER
When famed Egyptologist Michael Hurst discovers that the infamous Hurst Amulet is hidden in Scotland, he insists his trusted assistant, Miss Jane Smythe-Haughton, accompany him north. Strangely, the usually unflappable Jane seems perturbed by their destination—the mysterious Isle of Barra. A fascinated Michael watches as his staid assistant transforms, revealing intriguing layers of mystery and vulnerability. Could he be about to uncover not one, but two, precious treasures?

A DAUNTLESS PRINCESS
Once her clan’s princess, Jane fled Barra years ago to avoid a forced marriage. Since then, she has made her living as efficient Miss Smythe-Haughton—the perfect (and highly paid) assistant. Now she must confront her secrets . . . including her feelings for her irascible employer, too-handsome-for-his-own-good Michael Hurst.

A PERILOUS PLEASURE
Others are also searching for the missing amulet, however. Can Jane and Michael learn to trust each other in time to solve two riddles: the location of the Hurst Amulet, and the meaning of the vivid passion flaring between them?

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Review: Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis

Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis
Series: Lucky Harbor, Book 4
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 22, 2012
ISBN: 9781455503728
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Jill Shalvis Reading Order

ER Nurse Mallory Quinn is the quintessential good girl, which means she’s always taking care of everyone around her and the men she goes out with fit the bill for being Mr. Right. At the urging of her friends and fellow chocoholics, Mallory decides to take a walk on the wild side with a Mr. Wrong. And sexy Lucky Harbor mystery man Ty Garrison is the perfect Mr. Wrong for Mallory to let loose with. As hot as the sparks are that fly between her and Ty, Mallory knows that his stay in Lucky Harbor is only temporary. But the more time Mallory and Ty spend together, the closer they get. Will Mallory come to regret her decision to have a fling with Mr. Wrong when he turns out to be the perfect-for-her Mr. Right?

Return to the lively town of Lucky Harbor in the charming, sensual Lucky in Love. I fell in love with the town and people Jill Shalvis introduced in her first three Lucky Harbor books (Simply Irresistible, The Sweetest Thing, and Head Over Heels), so I had high expectations coming into Lucky in Love. Ms. Shalvis did not disappoint! Mallory is a bright, fun, hardworking, caring heroine I simply adored. Like all the Lucky Harbor heroines, Mallory is someone I’d love to be friends with, were she real. But despite how together Mallory appears to be on the outside, she carries internal scars from her past which broke my heart. Ty, in turn, is a former Navy SEAL medic who lost his team and still carries scars of his own from that. He doesn’t want to get attached to anything or anyone, which is why he thinks getting involved with Mallory is a bad idea. What Ty can’t see (at first) is that Mallory is perfect for him. The two of them have fantastic chemistry, which translates into sizzling heat and a heartwarming love story.

Lucky in Love is the fourth book in Ms. Shalvis’s Lucky Harbor series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. Where the first three Lucky Harbor books revolved around three sisters and three best friends, Lucky in Love starts off a new trilogy within the series, this one about three chocoholics and the men who love (or will soon love) them. Fans of the first three Lucky Harbor books will be delighted to hear mention of the previous books’ heroes and heroines, and Sawyer from Head Over Heels even plays a small role in Lucky in Love.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I want to move to Lucky Harbor! The town and its residents are so energetic, so endearing, that I’m always swept away by the Lucky Harbor books, and Lucky in Love is no exception. A strong addition to an already fantastic series, Lucky in Love is one book fans of contemporary romance should not miss!

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