Burning Up by Susan Andersen

Title : Burning Up
Author : Susan Andersen
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Publish Date : August 31, 2010
Publisher : HQN Books
Started Reading : March 19, 2011
Completed Reading : March 20, 2011
Book Rating : 3/5

Though it's been years since the infamous Macy O'James stepped foot in Sugarville, Washington, everyone remembers what she supposedly did. The tiny town is still buzzing about her crime and lack of punishment.

Now back to lend her family a hand, Macy vows to hold her head high—especially at her high school reunion. But forget about the hottest man in Sugarville escorting her. Though she and fire chief Gabriel Donovan generate enough sparks to burn down the town, he's a law-abiding, line-toeing straight arrow. So not her type.

But maybe—just maybe—he can change her mind about that.

*****

I enjoyed this one. It's always fun seeing sparks fly and the hero and heroine just don't admit it to themselves that there's something going on with them :). It's funny and sweet. It's really lighthearted and fun to read. I was hoping that Jacl and Grace would have a story of their own but it seems it's already included in this one. =p.

Back In Black by Lori Foster

Title : Back In Black
Author : Lori Foster
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Publish Date : February 02, 2010
Publisher : Berkley
Started Reading : February 22, 2011
Completed Reading : March 18, 2011
Book Rating : 2.5/5

Gillian is a PR expert hired to smooth out the rough edges on hot- headed sports club president Drew Black. He's rough, raw and ready for any challenge Gillian throws his way. But which one's going to end up on top?

*****

Honestly, it took me awhile to warm up to this book. I don't know why.. Maybe I'm not into MMA or something? Or maybe it's something else? It just didn't sit well much for me.. I didn't like the side-story much at the beginning - the one of Audrey and Brett. I was hoping the story would have focused more on Drew and Gillian. Oh well... I kinda liked the ending though... And as to how Gillian and Drew admitted their feelings for each other. :)

Turn It On by Vivian Arend

Title : Turn It On
Author : Vivian Arend
Genre : Contemporary Romance, Erotic
Series : Book #1, Turner Twins
Publish Date : January 19, 2010
Publisher : Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Started Reading : March 17, 2011
Completed Reading : March 17, 2011
Book Rating : 3/5

Pushing the sensual limits can set off all kinds of alarms…

Inheriting her grandmother’s home is a dream come true for web designer Maxine Turner. She’s looking forward to a little freedom from the constant demands of her beloved, crazy mob of a family. When vandals expose just how vulnerable she is living alone, she seeks help.

Ryan Claymore’s well-thought-out life was wrenched out from under him when responsibility for his special-needs stepbrother landed on his shoulders. Going from military man to business man hasn’t been easy. He counts himself lucky he’s found Maxine to trade his security-system knowledge for her website expertise.

The red-hot chemistry that sizzles between them comes from out of the blue, and they both fight a losing battle to resist. Even the secret Ryan hides isn’t enough to keep Maxine from working her way into his heart—and his bed.

But something else might tear them apart. Whoever seems determined to destroy her home, and her sanity along with it.

Warning: Realistic multiple orgasm sex scenes, men getting in touch with their emotions, brothers being—well—brothers, and a very tempting back-porch swing…you have been warned.

 

*****

I was a little confused at first. I thought this was the 2nd book... and I was wondering why it was tagged as the 1st book. It turns out, this was released first but it happened after the 2nd book (Max and Tasha's). Anyways, I think it was ok. I just don't get the mystery side of the story. I didn't like it that much. There seem to be some loopholes on that side of the story. I think it could have been done better. The start was really nice though - I loved how Ryan and Max met. :)

Too Hot To Handle by Robin Kaye

Title : Too Hot To Handle
Author : Robin Kaye
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Pages : 448
Series : Book #2, Domestic Gods
Publish Date : May 01, 2009
Publisher : Sourcebook Casablanca
Started Reading : March 16, 2011
Completed Reading : March 16, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

He sure would love to have someone to take care of...

Dr. Mike Flynn's single mom taught him early how to cook and clean, and there's nothing like vacuuming or doing dishes to help a guy relax. Annabelle Ronaldi is an artist without a domestic bone in her body. Since her fiance's death, she can't paint, and life looks hopeless.

Until the day after her sister's wedding, when she wakes up with Mike next to her in bed, and then she's really beside herself - because the handsome stranger is a dead ringer for her dead fiance.

After their mind-blowing one night stand, Mike is sure this is the woman he wants to take care of forever, but she acts like she's seen a ghost. While Mike sets to work wooing Annabelle, she sets to work sniffing out the truth of the convoluted family secret that turns everybody's lives upside down.

*****

I'm still debating with myself if this is my favorite or Yours for the Taking. Hahaha... I loved the story and I guess I was able to connect with the main characters. By now, I know the rest of the secondary characters and I guess I now feel more comfortable in their world. It's nice finally knowing how these two got together (since of course in Book 3 - Breakfast In Bed, they are already married). I think the side story is kinda nice too - the one about Becky and her dad, and her dad's past. And who wouldn't want a hunkababe doctor for a hero? I think I've been watching too much Grey's! hahahha :)

I can't wait for a new Robin Kaye book very soon! I hope she releases one :)

Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye

Title : Yours For The Taking
Author : Robin Kaye
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Pages : 384
Series : Domestic Gods
Publish Date : November 30, 2008
Publisher : Sourcebook Casablanca
Started Reading : March 15, 2011
Completed Reading : March 16, 2011
Book Rating : 3.5/5

Rosalie Ronaldi doesn't have a domestic bone in her body ...

All she cares about is her career, so she survives on take-out and dirty martinis, keeps her shoes under the dining room table, her bras on the shower curtain rod, and her clothes on the couch ...

Nick Romeo is every woman's fantasy - tall, dark, handsome, rich, really good in bed, AND he loves to cook and clean ...

He says he wants an independent woman, but when he meets Rosalie, all he wants to do is take care of her. Before too long, he's cleaned up her apartment, stocked her refrigerator, and adopted her dog ...

So what's the problem? Just a little matter of mistaken identity, corporate theft, a hidden past in juvenile detention and one big nosy Italian family too close for comfort ...

*****

Robin Kaye's debut book and my 3rd read. The same as the first 2, I also enjoyed this one. Though I have to admit that it's not my favorite. Nonetheless, it was really a good read. As always, I get to see the rest of the characters.. have a glimpse on who they are and it's always kind of nice reading series and sort of get this feeling that, hey, I know this one and that one... they're featured in book... etc etc.. I saw the kick-ass Gina, playing as Rosalie's bestfriend, of course the rest of the Ronaldi siblings, Nick''s family and of course, Rosalie's neighbors - Wayne and Henry. I enjoyed Rosalie and Nick's chemistry.. and I love their dog, Dave! A really nice one to start the series.

Saddled and Spurred by Lorelei James

Title : Saddled and Spurred
Author : Lorelei James
Genre : Contemporary Romance, Erotic
Pages : 336
Series : Book #2, Blacktop Cowboys
Publish Date : March 01, 2011
Publisher : NAL Trade
Started Reading : March 14, 2011
Completed Reading : March 15, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5


This beauty is no greenhorn-and she's about to rope the man of her dreams.

Cattleman Bran Turner is left shorthanded during busy calving season when a bull tramples his hired hand. Rural Wyoming isn't exactly a hotbed of qualified candidates, and the only applicant for the position is the pampered town beauty, Harper Masterson. The curvy cowgirl gets under Bran's skin at every turn, but with no other options, he reluctantly hires her.

When sexual sparks ignite, down-on-her-luck Harper enjoys convincing Bran that not only is she capable of pulling calves, feeding livestock, and handling backbreaking ranch chores, but she doesn't mind getting down and dirty, either. Harper also discovers the hot-bodied cowboy isn't all work and no horseplay...and he's got more than a few tricks up his sleeve.

Bran will learn quickly that Harper is no country mouse-and that she might just have what it takes to stick around for the long haul.

*****

Wow! This was racier than I thought. LOL.. and that would be saying something since I've been reading all these romances lately. Hahaha.. Anyways, I guess it just caught me off-guard and wasn't expecting this to be that. Hindi ko na-research si writer. Nyahahah.. Anyways, overall, I did enjoy the story and I'm not even a fan of Cowboys.. I really loved Harper's character - her strength, her loyalty... her trying to push herself up as being more than a beauty queen. And of course Bran is all-male hot cowboy. hahaha... :)

Really enjoyable read.. I should go and now look for Coralled, the first in the series.

Yours For The Taking by Robin Kaye

Title : Yours For The Taking
Author : Robin Kaye
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Pages : 384
Publish Date : January 01, 2011
Publisher : Sourcebook Casablanca
Started Reading : March 13, 2011
Completed Reading : March 14, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

Gina is convinced that he is either gay... or her perfect match

He might be too good to be true...

Ben Walsh should be single. Handsome and wealthy, Ben is equally at home in Idaho where he grew up and in Manhattan where he's now an art dealer. Suave and successful with impeccable taste, he normally has women beating down his door. But the one woman he wants can't be convinced that he's for real...

And she doesn't have the luxury of believing in fairy tales...

Gina Reyez has fought for every bit of her success, and it's about time for things to start going her way. So when Ben makes a proposal that will allow her to take care of her family the way she wants to, she agrees. Besides, a guy this perfect would never be interested in her...right?

By the time Gina figures out that she's read Ben all wrong, their lives have become intertwined, and seriously complicated...

*****

I really loved this book. Gina was kick-ass :). I find her cute and sassy and strong. Ben Walsh is gorgeous, sweet and so-not gay! haha.. :) I enjoyed how they got together. And as always, I enjoy not just the main characters but also the rest as well. I love Ben's family (I wonder if the upcoming books of R. Kaye would feature them?.. hope so!). I love Ben's grandfather as well.

This is really one entertaining book. I really hope I get to see R. Kaye's books in our local bookstores! I definitely would love a hardcopy of them :)

Turn It Up by Vivian Arend

Title : Turn It Up
Author : Vivian Arend
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Series : Book #2, Turner Twins
Publish Date : February 08, 2011
Publisher : Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Started Reading : March 13, 2011
Completed Reading : March 13, 2011
Book Rating : 3/5


She wants it. He’s got it…and a whole lot more.

Maxwell Turner considers his stubborn and resourceful attitude a plus. After all, it usually gets him what he wants—except for Natasha Bellingham. The long-time family friend may be ten years older than he, but so what? He’s plenty old enough to know they belong together. Now all he has to do is convince her.

Over the past few years Natasha’s love life has degenerated into a series of bad clichés. Her biological clock is ticking—loudly. As a proven architect with her own house-design company, she’s financially ready for a baby. Who says she needs a permanent man in her life for that? She just needs a “donation”.

When Max discovers Natasha’s future plans include artificial insemination, he’s outraged. She wants to get pregnant? No problem. He’s more than willing to volunteer—no turkey basters involved.

But there’s one non-negotiable clause: He wants forever. And he intends to do everything in his power—fair and unfair—to make it happen.

Warning: This title contains one younger man ready, aimed and hell bent on giving one woman everything she wants. Includes interludes against the wall, in a Jacuzzi, on a car hood and even—shockingly enough—on a bed or two. Oh, and about that porch swing? Yup…

*****

I find this story funny and sweet. Max is such a sweetie :). Doing everything to get the girl he wants since time eternal. :) Ang haba ng hair ni Tasha ha! :) LOL.... The Turner family is cute as we see glimpses of how close-knit they were. What I really did not get was Lisa, supposedly Tasha's bestfriend. I mean, what's the deal with her? Why is she so bitter? Why can't she be happy for her Max and Tasha? And I guess, I was kind of hoping that they would be able to close that rift by ending.. Oh well....

Can't Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards

Title : Can't Stand the Heat
Author : Louisa Edwards
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Pages : 368
Publish Date : September 01, 2009
Publisher : St. Martin's Paperbacks 
Started Reading : March 12, 2011
Completed Reading : March 12, 2011
Book Rating : 2.5/5

For sharp-tongued food critic Miranda Wake, the chance to spend a month in Adam Temple’s kitchen to write an exposé is a journalistic dream come true. Surely Miranda can find a way to cut the hotshot chef down to size once she learns what really goes on at his trendy Manhattan restaurant. But she never expected Adam to find out her most embarrassing secret: she has no idea how to cook.

Adam’s not about to have his reputation burned by a critic who doesn’t even know the difference between poaching and paring.  He’ll just have to give the tempting redhead a few private lessons of his own—teaching her what it means to cook with passion…and doing more with his hands than simply preparing sumptuous food.

*****

 

It was a cute, OK read. There had been funny and sweet times. I liked Adam but I'm not so taken with Miranda though. I felt like there's something missing with the book. I enjoyed Jess and Frankie's story though...

Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie

Title : Fast Women
Author : Jennifer Crusie
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Pages : 436
Publish Date : April 15, 2002
Publisher : St. Martin's Paperbacks 
Started Reading : March 02, 2011
Completed Reading : March 12, 2011
Book Rating : 3/5

Nell Dysart is living a too small life in a too small apartment with no visible evidence of a reason to get up in the morning. Weighed down by an inexplicable divorce and a loss of appetite for everything, Nell is frozen in place, and she’s not alone: Her two closest friends and sisters-in-law are as stuck as she is. Suze is married to a controlling lawyer who keeps her housebound while she perfects an almost zen-like denial, and Margie has been stuck in foggy limbo since her husband disappeared seven years before with a lot of money that didn’t belong to him. Good thing Nell’s new job is with a down-and-out detective agency that has huge potential and a boss who looks easy to manage.

Gabe McKenna isn’t doing too well, either. His detective agency is wasting time on a blackmail case, his partner Riley has decided he hates watching cheating spouses for money, and his ex-wife has just dumped him . . . again. Good thing his new secretary looks efficient, boring, and biddable.

But soon Nell and Gabe are squaring off over embezzlement, business cards, bribery, interior decoration, vandalism, dachshund-napping, blackmail, and unprofessional sex, all of which turn out to be the least of their problems. Because shortly after that, somebody starts killing people. And shortly after that, they start falling in love.

*****

 

No mistaking the writing.. this is from Jennifer Crusie. As always, I enjoyed the quick wit and the funny lines. That the story is not just about the main characters but we also get to know the other characters - Riley, Suze, Chloe, Lu and Jas. One thing though is that for me, I think there are too many things happening or there had been a lot of characters to take note of that I sometimes got lost in the story. LOL...

Dare to Love by Jaci Burton

Title : Dare to Love
Author : Jaci Burton
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Pages : 216
Publish Date : May 01, 2009
Publisher : Samhain
Started Reading : March 10, 2011
Completed Reading : March 11, 2011
Book Rating : 3/5

A romantic game of chicken-and they're both too stubborn to flinch. Lucy Fairchild, lawyer and heiress to the Fairchild fortune, has just had the worst day of her life. Her father has found the perfect man for her to marry. Yes, she's thirty and single, but that doesn't give her father the right to run her life. She'll choose her own husband-someday. Jake Dalton is struggling to make his fledgling construction company a success. Ever mindful of his father's derogatory comments that he'd never amount to anything, he's spent his entire life trying to prove he's not a failure. From their first meeting on a construction site, verbal sparks fly. Their argument escalates into a dare for a date-and the game is on. Lucy thinks Jake is the perfect fake boyfriend to parade around in the hopes of getting her father off her back. Jake is amused by the chance to annoy both Lucy and her dad-he doesn't intend to take the dating thing seriously. But the heart is a fickle thing, and not above playing dirty. In their quest to prove something-to each other, or maybe to themselves-they find themselves building a case.for love. And suddenly all the rules have changed. Warning: This book does NOT contain hot monkey lovin', threesome action or anyone swinging from the chandeliers (sorry 'bout that). It does contain sexy romancin' on a trampoline under the stars, fun one liners, a dog named Rascal and a smokin' hot construction worker named Jake that the author is convinced you're going to fall madly in love with. She dares you to read it.

*****

Sweet and romantic.. another great read from Jaci Burton. People from two different worlds collide. I find Jake and Lucy's story endearing... There's really nothing more to say.. just that I enjoyed it :)

Breakfast In Bed by Robin Kaye

Title : Breakfast In Bed
Author : Robin Kaye
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Pages : 384
Publish Date : December 01, 2009
Publisher : Sourcebook Casablanca
Started Reading : March 10, 2011
Completed Reading : March 10, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

He'd be Mr. Perfect if he wasn't a perfect mess…

Rich Ronaldi is almost the complete package-smart, sexy, great job-but when his girlfriend dumps him, Rich swears he'll learn to cook and clean just to win her back…

She'll be happy to make him over, but not for another woman…

Rich is the only guy Becca Larsen's ever met who hasn't tried to change her. She's glad to help him master the domestic arts, but she'll be damned if he'll start cooking in another woman's kitchen-or bedroom…

*****

Of the new authors that I've tried for the past week, this is probably my favorite. I was only at the beginning and I know that I like the book. I enjoyed Rich and Becca. I love their bickering, their exchanges. I love the other secondary characters as it also built up the story. And this is what I like about the male lead wherein we found out early on that he loves her but he doesn't become sappy. =p

And now, I'm looking for Robin Kaye's other books ;)

Game For Anything by Bella Andre

Title : Game for Anything
Author : Bella Andre
Genre : Romance
Pages : 304
Publish Date : July 22, 2008
Publisher : Pocket
Started Reading : March 09, 2011
Completed Reading : March 10, 2011
Book Rating : 3/5

He's the Super Bowl hero men idolize and women lust after...the bad-boy quarterback with a dangerous edge. But behind his devil-may-care grin, Ty Calhoun hides a desire that only one woman can ever fulfill -- and a memory he can't shake: high school graduation night...and mind-blowing sex with the untouchable girl of his dreams. He would trade every trophy to feel the heat of her sensual, uninhibited lust once more. And he may get that chance...because she's just been hired by the San Francisco Outlaws' new owner to make over Ty's less-than-angelic reputation.

The country's top image consultant, Julie Spencer is a total pro at cleaning up the messes of the rich and famous. Even working with the man who took her virginity and broke her heart ten years ago can't rattle her. Until he touches her again. One caress -- and one very hot kiss -- is all it takes to spark the same knee-quaking electricity, and soon they're mixing business and extreme pleasure. But knowing the danger this bad boy poses to her heart, Julie is determined to keep her distance.

But Ty has a game plan of his own. The more he misbehaves, the more Julie will have to keep tabs on him -- and the more he can give his dream girl some very real thrills, by showing her just how fun it is to be bad. This time around, he's game for anything...especially winning her heart.

*****

This is an OK read, my first from the author. How the story turned out in the end is something I didn't expect though. I felt like there could be another better turn or twist to it somehow. I wouldn't mind reading another of Bella Andre's books though, maybe I'll find something better... =p

Tangled Up In Love by Heidi Betts

Title : Tangled Up In Love
Author : Heidi Betts
Genre : Romance
Pages : 320
Publish Date : February 03, 2009
Publisher : St. Martin's Paperbacks
Started Reading : March 06, 2011
Completed Reading : March 07, 2011
Book Rating : 3.5/5

Ever since Dylan Stone beat Veronica Chasen out of a prime position at the Cleveland Courier, they’ve been bitter rivals, engaging in a very public war of words in their competing newspaper columns. They routinely challenge each other to go bungee jumping, white water rafting, or into tattoo parlors to see who will wimp out first.  But Veronica’s latest taunt may be Dylan’s toughest assignment yet: She dares him to learn to knit.

Dylan is not going to let something his grandmother can do scare him off. He’s man enough to make a scarf—and attend Veronica’s weekly knitting circle. But when the infuriatingly handsome Dylan shows up at the craft shop and charms all the ladies, Veronica starts to get all knotted up in something that feels a lot like love...

*****

Yes, I've been trying out a lot of new romance authors now. In fairness, I did enjoy this one. I liked the premise. I laughed at their comebacks. I enjoyed their "wars". I was hoping for a different approach on their ending though. I was hoping that the proposal or something had been through the newspaper..  If that was how it ended, I think this would be perfect. hahaha

Sexiest Man Alive by Diana Holquist

Title : Sexiest Man Alive
Author : Diana Holquist
Genre : Romance
Pages : 352
Publish Date : October 01, 2007
Publisher : Forever
Started Reading : March 06, 2011
Completed Reading : March 06, 2011
Book Rating : 2.5/5

Shy No More Worksheet

Name: Jasmine Burns

Imagine the person who intimidates you. Naked. I'm intimidated by Josh Toby, the world's biggest movie star. Who has to imagine him naked? I've seen it on a forty-foot screen.

Breathe deep. Did I mention he's Josh Toby? As his costume designer, I'm supposed to dress him. And undress him. Oh, and my psychic sister Amy, who has never been wrong, named him my One True Love. Breathing is completely out of the question.

Ask for what you want. What I want is for him to stop being so...irresistible! I want not to fall in love with a man who's stalked by the paparazzi, whose washboard abs could cut glass, and whose movie star girlfriend is the most stunning creature ever.

Believe you can do what needs to be done. Then do it. So, all I have to do is believe I can resist Josh Toby. Resist those deep violet eyes, those strong, muscular arms, and the way he makes me feel like the only woman on earth. Couldn't be easier. Yeah right...

*****

Another trial author for me... Hmmmm.... What can I say? It's OK for me.. I did laugh at times. Jasmine was funny. And I liked who the other girl turned out with, though I kinda expected that would happen. hehehe.. It was alright but I am nott too excited to get to her other books for now.

Simply Sexy by Linda Francis Lee

Title : Simply Sexy
Author : Linda Francis Lee
Genre : Romance
Pages : 368
Publish Date : October 26, 2004
Publisher : Ivy Books/Ballantine Books
Started Reading : February 27, 2011
Completed Reading : February 27, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

She’s sworn off bad boys.
There’s just one problem. . . .

When life goes awry for wild and sexy Julia Boudreaux, she packs up her stiletto heels and swears off guys who spell nothing but trouble. And to keep her job in television, she decides to create a TV hit–a makeover show. She’s going to turn rugged West Texas men into sensitive guys. Easier pitched than done.

Undercover cop Ben Prescott is so sexy it hurts. Back in Julia’s orbit after a brush with a bullet, Ben steers clear of the woman who used to set his blood afire. She’s changed from Mae West to Mother Teresa, and she’s trying to turn him into a sensitive guy. But when life heats up, will this rugged hunk risk everything for a woman who’s about to lose it all?

*****

I finally got a copy of the last book from this 'series', if you could call it as such! And like the other two, I've enjoyed this one too. :) I love Julia's spunk and the way she handles Ben. I love how Ben turned out to be a sensitive guy. As usual, I enjoyed how some parts of the story were told through e-mails. The e-mails between the 3 girls are witty and funny at times. I do wish that there were more of the 3 girls and yes, the other two men (of course it would be hard with Jane and Sterling out on their honeymoon). Hahaha.. Really, after Suddenly Sexy, there had been really small parts of Jesse in the other books. Won't it be more fun if we see more of him? :)

Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl

Title : Lead Me On
Author : Victoria Dahl
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Series : Book #3, Tumble Creek
Pages : 352
Publish Date : January 01, 2010
Publisher : HQN Books
Started Reading : February 26, 2011
Completed Reading : February 26, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

Raw, animal magnetism…

…is a big red flag to prim and proper office manager Jane Morgan. After a rough childhood with a mother who liked her men in prison-jumpsuit orange, Jane changed her name, her look and her taste for bad boys. So why is she lusting for William Chase with his tattoo-covered biceps and steel-toed boots? The man blows things up for a living!

 

She gives herself one explosive, fantasy-filled night with Chase. The next day it's back to plain Jane and safe men.

 

But when her beloved brother becomes a murder suspect, it's Chase who comes to her rescue. And Jane discovers that a man who's been around the block knows a thing or two about uncovering the truth….

*****

This has got to be my favorite from the series. It was a smokin' hot novel =p. This is another "flawed" heroine and someone we don't usually see in novels. Her past was interesting and I had to admit, it made me squirm finding out about who she was and what she did. I admire how she was able to pick up the pieces and start over again. And even if she somehow lost a part of herself (or hid a part of herself) just to rid of her past, I really liked how she discovered and found herself again in the end. I also enjoyed Chase, successful yet humble.. and yes, sexy! :)

I hope I get to see more contemporary novels from Victoria Dahl. And maybe one day I'll read her historicals too (currently on a break from Historical Romances now.. haha)

Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl

Title : Start Me Up
Author : Victoria Dahl
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Series : Book #2, Tumble Creek
Pages : 384
Publish Date : July 01, 2009
Publisher : HQN Books
Started Reading : February 24, 2011
Completed Reading : February 25, 2011
Book Rating : 3/5

Lori had always planned to get out of tiny Tumble Creek, Colorado, but when her late dad left her his beloved auto body shop, she'd stayed. Now, according to her crazy best friend, Molly, what Lori needs is some excitement, in the form of hot, no-strings-attached sex.and lots of it.

Quinn Jennings has buildings on the brain - not love and romance. A serious architect, he's delighted to discover that Lori is willing to skip dating protocols and head straight for the sheets. And aided by the steamy books on Lori's bedside table, he's busy indulging both of their wildest fantasies. But when life in Tumble Creek takes a dangerous turn for Lori, Quinn's protective instincts kick in.

Suddenly he cares. More than either of them ever expected..

*****

A new author for me again. And I am not disappointed. I enjoyed reading the book. It was fun and a hot one. Hahaha... One thing that I'm a little confused though was why Ben wasn't much in Quinn's life when he's supposed to be the bestfriend. Nevertheless, this was a really good read. And I'm definitely reading the other 2 books in the series.

What the Lady Wants by Jennifer Crusie

Title : Trust Me On This
Author : Jennifer Crusie
Genre : Romance
Pages : 320
Publish Date : October 26, 2010
Publisher : Bantam (Reprint Edition)
Started Reading : February 11, 2011
Completed Reading : February 12, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

Nothin' like a dame . . .

Mitch Peabody was learning pretty fast that the life of a private detective was not all it was cracked up to be. Cheating husbands, suspicious wives, unsuspecting mistresss -- case after case left him cynical and disillusioned. This was nothing like the world of tough-talking detectives and smart-mouthed, stunning dames he'd envisioned . . . until she walked through the door.

Right down to her stilettos, Mae Sullivan was a knockout with a lethal body -- and a lethal family to go with it. There was something not quite on the up-and-up about her, but she came with a case he couldn't afford to refuse . . . and left him with a case of lust like he hadn't had since high school. It didn't take long for him to fall for her, hook, line and sinker. But was Mae only interested in catching the double-crossing crooks who murdered her uncle . . . or did the lady want to catch him?

*****

Have I mentioned lately that J. Crusie is now one of my favorite authors? Hahaha... I just can't stop reading her books. I've been trying to find the rest of her books eversince I started reading her. They're just always fun, witty and really sweet. And this book is no exception. The secondary characters were all funny - Mitch's friend and attorney, Mae's uncles, June and Harold.. even Bob! And of course Mitch and Mae themselves were funny and lovable. I can't help myself but love them.

And really, the title was really apt for the story.. :)

Now, time to look for other J. Crusie novels...

Trust Me On This by Jennifer Crusie

Title : Trust Me On This
Author : Jennifer Crusie
Genre : Romance
Pages : 320
Publish Date : October 26, 2010
Publisher : Bantam (Reprint Edition)
Started Reading : February 10, 2011
Completed Reading : February 10, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

"I bet that smile gets you everything you want...."

As soon as Alec Prentice spotted the spicy brunette in red silk, he vowed thatthe tempting con woman would not escape him! Dennie Banks was prepared to doanything to get her story, even flirt her way into the arms of a man whopromised to help-but when the feisty reporter dared him to kiss her, his mouthscorched hers with wildfire yearning. Could two passionate partners in crimeget their man and each other?

In a deliciously fast-paced and funny romance, Jennifer Crusie proves without adoubt that everyone's guilty of something-and it might just be love! Drawninto a reckless charade by a man whose dangerous charm was hard to resist,could she uncover his mysteries without surrendering her own?

*****

This is another one funny and lovely book from Crusie. I love the characters as usual. And not just the main characters, but also the secondary ones, Victoria, Alec's aunt and Harry, 'Alec's boss. As usual, the lines were quick, witty and funny. At this point, Crusie could not go wrong with me (well, maybe just Maybe This Time.. hehehe).

One really sweet line/conversation that I loved in the book was between the leads, Alec and Dennie, which goes:

"I can cover you until you're ninety-six."

"Ninety-six," Dennie's voice sounded flat, and Alec felt a clutch of fear; maybe she wasn't going to come back from this one. After a moment, she pulled back from him and asked in the same flat voice, "Why ninety-six?"

Alec tilted her chin up until she was eye-to-eye with him. "Because when you're ninety-six, I'll be a hundred, and I'll be too damn old to break your fall. Until then, I've got you covered."

Awwww... sweet huh? :)