Title: All About Passion
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Publisher: Avon Books/HarperCollins Publishers
Copyright: September 2001
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: Historical romance. The beginning was slow and the plot implausible. Didn't finish it; not worth it.
Title: Angel's Fall
Author: Nora Roberts
Publisher: Putnam
Copyright: 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: You would think that after a while the formula for a Nora Roberts' romance would get old. Somehow she always finds a way to make her stories fresh enough to grab your interest and keep you reading - she remains a master of the craft. In her latest story, her wounded heroine is Reece Gilmore. Reece is barely functioning emotionally after surviving a brutal crime. When she witnesses a fight that escalates into murder, Reece must convince everyone it really happened.
Title: Angel with Attitude
Author: Michelle Rowen
Publisher: Warner Books
Copyright: August 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This humorous paranormal romance is the story of Valerie Grace, an angel kicked out of Heaven who is determined to go back. Unfortunately, she finds herself attracted to Nathaniel, the Tempter Demon assigned to lure her to Hell.
Title: Back to the Bedroom
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publisher: HarperCollins
Copyright: 1989, 2005
Reviewer: Gayle
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Once again, here is a story with those amazingly quirky Evanovichian characters, truly making this book worthy of a two. However, the ridiculous narration and dialog that makes this book a romance novel is pathetic and only worthy of eye rolling. If the book had been two-thirds shorter, it would have been bearable. Skip it unless you want to see some early character development Evanovich probably used for her Stephanie Plum series.
Title: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
Author: Maggie Shayne
Publisher: Berkley/Penguin
Copyright: December 2005
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: Romantic fantasy. Three short stories which are interesting enough for a one time read, but I would not buy the book.
Title: Big Trouble
Author: Marianna Jameson
Publisher: Signet
Copyright: May 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Naomi Conner is not your typical digital security consultant. She is Southern, blond and beautiful. She makes sure she gets the opportunity the lead the internal security audit of Brennan Shipping so she can make partner in the firm and she can right a wrong from her hacker past. This leads to some major relationship hurdles with Joe Casey, one of the family members that own Brennan and acting chief technology officer responsible for the current security system. A good blend of intrigue and romance!
Title: Born to Be Wild
Author: Catherine Coulter
Publisher: Jove
Copyright: August 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This book seemed more mystery/thriller than romance, but elements of all three were combined in a very good, humorous story: Mary Lisa Beverly - an Emmy winning soap-opera star - gets help from friends and family to find out who is trying to kill her.
Title: Bound
and Determined
Author: Shelley Bradley
Publisher: Berkley (Sensation)
Copyright: January 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This story's plot was not well developed and
only served to get the main characters together. It seemed as though too
much time was spent on the sensual sex scenes - can you say that about
romance?? While well written, I found myself wanting to skip to the action
and found myself disappointed when it didn't deliver these scenes as well.
Title: Captive of My Desires
Author: Johanna Lindsey
Publisher: Pocket Books
Copyright: June 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: As the latest "Mallory" book, this novel has quite a few of the characters from past books. The focus, however, is on Drew Anderson - Georgina's brother. Gabrielle Brooks meets Drew when she is sent back to England by her father (a pirate) to have a proper season and arrange a marriage. He sends her to James Mallory and the conflict between Drew and Gabrielle starts from there.
Title: Delicious
Author: Susan Mallery
Publisher: Harlequin (HQN)
Copyright: April 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Penny Jackson gets the best kind of vindication
when her ex-husband, Cal Buchanan, must hire her as chef to help save
his family's restaurant. As they work together, she discovers the true
reasons he let her leave. Unresolved feelings lead to a second chance
at romance. The author has always been adept at showing both sides of
complex relationships and breathing life into characters who remain compelling
even though they have all too realistic flaws.
Title: Devil
in Winter
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Publisher: Avon
Copyright: March 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: In the third of four in the "Wallflower"
series, Evie Jenner and Lord Sebastion St. Vincent's marriage of convenience
evolves into true love. This is a sweet story, but I liked the previous
book a little better. Still worth a read.
Title: Drop
Dead Gorgeous
Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Publisher: Brava
Copyright: May 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is the second book in the Gorgeous series
(Hello, Gorgeous was the first book). Jenny Branch helps Kevin Stone go
back undercover into the Snakepit to disrupt their evil plans. It's the
author's typical humorous romp with romance.
Title: Extreme
Bachelor
Author: Julia London
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Copyright: May 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is the second Thrillseekers Anonymous book
... Michael Raney is working as a stunt coordinator in a feature film
and one of the actresses with a minor role turns out to be the woman he
could never forget. But Michael broke Leah's heart and his reputation
as the Extreme Bachelor doesn't make it easy for him to rebuild their
relationship. This book has some humor, some adventure and some romance.
Title: Heiress
For Hire
Author: Erin McCarthy
Publisher: Berkley/Penguin
Copyright: January 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A funny, fast read. A rich woman learns there
is more to life than money when she is disinherited.
Title: I Got You, Babe
Author: Jane Graves
Publisher: Ivy/Ballantine Books
Copyright: September 2001
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: For some irrational reason, a book that can be purchased for a bargain price holds more appeal than a book that can be read for free at the library. That is my explanation for why I subjected myself to reading this awkwardly written contemporary romance. Having finished it, my verdict is: I want my 34 cents back. The plot revolves around Renee Esterhaus, innocent fugitive, versus John DeMarco, vacationing cop. The author had a promising premise but her execution of the story killed it.
Title: In
the Bed of a Duke
Author: Cathy Maxwell
Publisher: Avon
Copyright: May 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: In this historical romance, Charlotte Cameron
is socially ruined by Phillip Maddox, the Duke of Colster after she encourages
her sister not to marry him. Both of them must work through these differences
when they face some dangerous circumstances after being forced to travel
together into Scotland. Charlotte was a strong heroine and the book does
well when she is pitted against Phillip. Less interesting was
intrigue surrounding Phillip's twin and Lord McKenna.
Title: Jane’s Warlord
Classification: Romance
Author: Angela Knight
Publisher: Berkley Publishing/Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Copyright: June 2004
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Science fiction romance. Jane Colby is a reporter for a local paper. She’s now covering a grisly series of murders. What she doesn't know is that she’s next on the killer’s list. Baran Arvid is secretly from the future; his one assignment—to save her life. The problem is she doesn't want to be guarded. Unbeknownst to both, the killer is also targeting the warlord. The time travel element of the story was very entertaining.
Title: Jewels
of the Sun
Author: Nora Roberts
Reviewer: Marilyn
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Really rates about a 2 1/2. First of a trilogy
set in Ireland. Kind of a cute though fluffy story. Don't bother with
the other two, though. They're almost identical to the first.
Title: Knight
in Shining Armor (Review #1)
Author: Jude Deveraux
Reviewer: Carol
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Written in 1989, this romance has the added
twist of "time travel" sequences to create more interest.
Title: Knight
in Shining Armor (Review #2)
Author: Jude Deveraux
Reviewer: Nancy
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Contemporary woman meets 14th century knight
and the rest is fabulous. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll lust. I thought
this was great.
Title: Love
Overboard
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publisher: Harper Torch
Copyright: 2005
Reviewer: Gayle
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: In the intro, Evanovich sums up the merit of
this book when she states Love Overboard was initially published as Ivan
Takes a Wife (1989) and immediately went out-of-print. The characters
are cute, the story is cute and those that find it hard waiting for a
new Stephanie Plum story are likely to be the ones who will read this
book. I know it is the only reason I read the reprinted stories by Evanovich.
Hurry up, Stephanie before I become bored silly!
Title: Lie
by Moonlight
Author: Amanda Quick
Publisher: Jove
Copyright: May 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: I'm glad I waited for the paperback version
... Jayne Anne Krentz (aka Amanda Quick) always writes a well-crafted
story but lately she has not strayed from her very successful formula.
I enjoyed the book but wished that it had been something less predictable.
Title: Manhunt
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publisher: Harper Torch
Copyright: 2005
Reviewer: Gayle
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: Janet Evanovich sums up the merit of this book
in the introduction by stating Manhunt is one of nine stories initially
published between 1988 and 1992, and they immediately went out-of-print.
I can see why this one was taken out of circulation. It surprises me anyone
would want to reprint it, even if it is Evanovich! The characters’
personalities and the incredible Alaskan setting are wasted on this ridiculous
story. Truly not worth reading, even if you are desperately awaiting a
Stephanie Plum book.
Title: The
Marcelli Bride
Author: Susan Mallery
Publisher: Pocket (Star) Books
Copyright: May 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: If you are familiar with the author's Marcelli
family series, this is the story of the brother Joe. If not, don't worry
... this book stands on its own. In it Joe must protect the president's
daughter, Darcy, while she is hidden at the Marcelli Winery. The author
takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions as she presents the complex
relationships between this couple and their families.
Title: Master of the Moon
Author: Angela Knight
Publisher: Berkley/Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Copyright: May 2005
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Paranormal romance. Second in the series. She’s a werewolf in charge of a city. He’s the king of Sidhe. They’re both after a vampire who is killing people in her town. Alone, neither of them is its match; together, they can be. Now all they’ve got to do is learn to work together. I enjoyed the funny situations when the irreverent werewolf meets the proud and stubborn king of the fairies.
Title: Master of Swords
Author: Angela Knight
Publisher: Berkley/Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Copyright: October 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Paranormal romance. Fourth book in the series. The witch Lark McGuin survived a vicious vampire attack. The last thing she wants is to be partnered with a vampire knight to hunt the evil ones. The last thing Gawain, the vampire knight, wants is to be training and trying to protect a novice witch while in the midst of the hunt. I liked the interaction between a contemporary woman and a man who’s been around since the time of King Arthur and the Round Table.
Title: On the Way to the Wedding
Author: Julia Quinn
Publisher: Avon
Copyright: July 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The last of the Bridgeton family (series) meets his match - but it's not the woman he thinks he loves! With a touch of humor, farce, and melodrama, this story reveals Gregory's path to discover true happiness.
Title: The
Royal Pain
Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Publisher: Brava
Copyright: November 2005
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: The sequel to The Royal Treatment brings the
cast of Baranov characters back to tell the Princess Alexandria's story.
This amusing romance develops as Dr. Sheldon Rivers, a marine biologist
at the North Dakota Institute for Sea Life, helps Alex find a cure for
her insomnia. Another fun read that makes you wish the next one comes
soon!
Title: The
Royal Treatment
Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Spunky Christina Krabbe loses her job aboard
a ship and is forced to disembark in Alaska. But that's okay, since she
has made friends with Al (who turns out to be the reigning king of Alaska
and matchmaking for his son). The rest of this alternative reality is
a hilarious chronicle of the romance between Christina and Prince David,
their marriage, and her adjustment to life as a Princess. This book is
the first in a series and like her "Undead" novels, it is filled
with the author's usual quirky, comical yet realistic characters and their
penguins.
Title: Shanna
Author: Kathleen Woodiwiss
Reviewer: Nancy
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Since I'm not much of a romance reader, I wasn't
expecting much from this, but I loved it! Just about everything you'd
expect from historical romance; they hate each other, they lust for each
other, they love each other. A perfect beach or bubble bath read.
Title: Sleeping with the Fishes
Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Publisher: Jove/Berkley
Copyright: December 2006
Reviewer: Gayle
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This
book only gets a three if you are: a.) looking for an extremely quick read; b.) love the only romance writer I read; and c.) want a hearty
laugh. This is the story of Fred, a mermaid working for the aquarium
in Boston, and an array of her friends and love interest (similar in personality
and their antics to those who follow Betsy the Vampire Queen around in
Davidson’s Undead series).
Fred is on a mission to find who is poisoning the Boston Harbor and even
though she is half-mermaid, she can’t swim in her human form, is
allergic to eating fish, and gets remarkably sea sick on boats.
This new entry is light on the typical romance themes (thanks God) and
more of a mystery than any of her other books. However, at times the writing
is choppy most likely because she avoids her familiar first person narrative
and appears to have some difficulty switching storytelling between multiple
characters. Still, Davidson makes me laugh and as long as she writes
about paranormal protagonists, I will look forward to meeting her quirky,
comical characters. (Click here to check out other reviews for this title)
Title: Warprize
Author: Elizabeth Vaughn
Publisher: Tor
Copyright: May 2005
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The first in a trilogy, this book is set in the land of Xy. Xylara, the daughter of the now deceased King of Xy, has gone against custom and trained to be a healer. A war against the raiding Firelanders keeps her busy treating the wounded. Her insistence to treat the wounded of their enemy leads to her selection as the warprize when Kier,the warlord, overtakes their army and negotiates with her half-brother for concessions. The story examines the clash between the cultures of the warring parties and the romantic clash between Lara and Kier.
Title: Warsworn
Author: Elizabeth Vaughn
Publisher: Tor
Copyright: April 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The second in a planned trilogy, this book brings back the characters from the first book, "Warprize". On their way back to the Heart of Plains, Lara feels compelled to stop to help a village afflicted with the plague despite reluctance from her warlord Kier. She must use her training as a healer to keep the disease from wiping out the warriors traveling with her and Kier must face a revolt from some of those he leads when he too weakens from the disease.