Izzy and Erik’s secret romance is at the heart of the story but there is a little intrigue involving a witchdoctor and a resurrected zombie Alpha bear (don’t get to say that every day). I think that Red does a good job of keeping everything in balance. She introduces us to our main character and does a great job of giving them the right amount of depth to keep us interested, but she also gives us entertaining secondary cast to help keep things light. She manages to bring in some tension with the zombie/witchdoctor plotline but it doesn’t overpower the main love story.

With an amusing supporting cast and an interesting main story line, To Catch a Wolf is a funny, super steamy, entertaining love story, just made for those that like a humorous paranormal twist to their romance.

Full review available at http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/2014/03/09/book-review-to-catch-a-wolf/

(I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)

This isn’t the first time I’ve read a historical book about a male escort (I’m not sure why the sudden popularity or if they were always this plentiful and I just didn’t notice) and I think that it holds up pretty well. Nick has his reasons for doing what he does and Scott does a great job of making him complicated and compelling. I anxiously turned pages trying to get to the bottom of why he is the man he is and whether he can let things go to grab his change at a happy ever after.

I really loved him with Annorah and was rooting for them from their first meeting. It’s interesting to have a hero be so overt in his motivation for the things he says and does – usually they either aren’t as aware or they don’t acknowledge their end game but as a professional escort Nick is more up front about his seductive tricks. It’s actually quite fascinating to read about his thought process. He’s charming, sexy and witty ... and plots every move he makes to come across that way.

It’s not going to be for everyone – I don’t know why we are OK with our heroes being rakes but as soon as they start taking money for it they are a turn-off – but I highly recommend it. It’s the first of a series and I’m intrigued by the idea of finding out more about the other men in the League of Discreet Gentlemen.

(Complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review)

If you are ready to laugh out loud, to the point of snorting, Size Matters is the book for you. You have to be in the mood for screwball comedy (think old I Love Lucy shows times ten) but underneath all of the ridiculousness and silliness, there is also a love story and a heartfelt tale about there being more than meets the eye – the perfect combination to make you laugh and sigh.

Full review available at http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/book-review-size-matters/.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

At a little over 100 pages, Where the Heart Is is a fast-read but it is also satisfyingly real-life. I’ve read one of Darcy Burke’s books before, Never Love a Scoundrel, and loved it so I shouldn’t be surprised that her contemporary stories are just as good. With believable and fun characters, an interesting and heartwarming story, and the promise of some great books coming soon, Where the Heart Is is a must read.

Full review available at http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/2014/03/22/book-review-where-the-heart-is/

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

I should accept by now that these Assassins books are just going to be an emotional rollercoaster. I’ve read Taking Shots and Trying to Score and both of them broke my heart at least a couple of times. Empty Net proves to be no different.

Audrey has some serious self-esteem issues that she has to work through and a pretty big secret that has caused her to seek out only bad relationships. We got a glimpse of how bad her latest one with Levi is in Trying to Score but we get a little bit more of it here. Unfortunately those issues cause her to fight her feelings for Tate for most of the book. There is a lot of back and forth on her part and that man has the patience of a saint to put up with it. But the nice thing is that once she gets everything straight in her head it goes much better for them.

Full review available at http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/2014/03/23/book-review-empty-net/.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

It’s fun watching these two try to figure out if they want to get involved and how they can rearrange their lives to make room for a relationship. There isn’t a ton of drama – most of it centers on their complicated lives and Lara’s lack of confidence than about any real trouble. Of course there is a little bit around the way they met plus what Gage does for a living, not the easiest thing for a good girl to accept, but it is handled with that perfect mixture of warmth and sizzle.

Full review available at http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/2014/03/22/book-review-beefcake-and-cupcakes/

Spiraling is definitely not your typical romance and I was surprised at how difficult this book is to read. Not because it was a bad story but because it dealt with some very serious issues. Both Amy and Shane were very engaging – I was drawn to them from the beginning – but they both battle problems that, if they don’t get control of them, will destroy their futures. I really had fun getting to know them and seeing them get to know each other, but most importantly getting to know themselves. It was difficult at times, but always very compelling. It wasn’t always hardship for them, though, there were some fun times too which just made them all that more appealing.

I think my favorite part was that love didn’t conquer all. These two have to get help and want that help, before anything will change. It’s very realistic and somewhat hard to take at times, but that just meant the payoff was that much better. Spiraling is not an easy read, but it is definitely a worthwhile one.

His Favorite Regret was surprisingly deep. There are a lot of issues that get brought up and resolved (I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll leave it at that). But these difficulties are mixed in with funny and lighthearted moments, making it fun and charming and a fast read.

At about 150 pages, it isn’t novella length but it is something you can finish pretty quickly. And since Bo and Cadie are so engaging, you’ll probably have a hard time putting it down so that’s a good thing.

Full review available at http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/2014/03/29/book-review-his-favorite-regret/.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

There is so much going on with this story – Jack’s unhappiness with his life path and his disconnect with his sister, Lili’s insecurities over her weight and her shifting family dynamic, plus a whole slew of other DeLuca’s thrown in for fun. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, but it also has a deeper emotional complexity. Everyone has fears and Meader does a wonderful job bringing those to the surface and doesn’t pull any punches.

With Feel the Heat, Meader shows her talent, with a wonderfully engaging writing style and captivating characters, and I’m looking forward to many more books to come.

Full review available at http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/book-review-feel-the-heat/

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)

I really enjoyed both characters. They are interesting, charming and fun together. It isn’t an action-packed or drama-filled story. Instead it’s a slow burn – two people getting to know each other and slowly falling in love, discovering some truths about themselves and about each other.

Full review available at http://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/book-review-a-wicked-pursuit/

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.)