The Highlander's Time by Belladonna Bordeaux

A brief synopsis...

Fantasy men do exist, even though they might not be in your time period.... Jenny Lofstrand has been abandoned by those who supposedly love her all her life. Now she’s the personal assistant to a woman who’d drive the Devil to drink. Jenny knows she’s the glue that holds her boss’s life together. Even this nurturer has a limit though. The Veil is going to take her on a trip to twelfth-century Scotland and thrust her into the arms of her dream man. Iaen Kincaid has seen more than his fair share of life. The young laird of the clan Kincaid is either in a border war with his cousin to the north, or he’s dealing with some problem within his land. The appearance of three women in his keep puts a dent in his routine and order, but he is immediately drawn to Jenny, with her spit-fire ways and protective nature. As Jenny adapts to life in medieval Scotland, can she continue to save her out-of-control boss or for once, allow herself to love and be happy with a man very different from her own world?

This is an odd little time travel novella. I wasn't quite sure what to expect since I don't normally go for the paranormal romances, but this one wasn't bad at all. It was cute and entertaining. I especially liked how they resolved the super-bitchy boss issue.

This is a cute short story. Definitely worth it for a quick read.

The Stanislaski Brothers by Nora Roberts

This book contains two books in one: Luring a Lady and Convincing Alex, books two and four of the series. I first met the Stanislaskis when I picked up The Stanislaski Sisters at a used book store around two years ago. I fell in love with the characters that Roberts created. I'm a bit of a sucker for the family saga romances. I enjoyed the family so much I picked up Waiting For Nick & Considering Kate, but I had the hardest time finding this book. I finally just broke down and bought it off Amazon. I was not disappointed.

A brief synopsis...

Roberts delivers a special collection with two complete novels about the tempestuous and tantalizing Stanislaski brothers. Mikhail's rare talents attract a wealthy and classy beauty in "Luring a Lady". In "Convincing Alex", Alex mistakenly arrests a headstrong woman who decides the sexy detective is perfect for her research on cops.

Luring a Lady was enjoyable. I liked the very strong female lead in this novel. She managed to be tough as nails and still believably vulnerable at the same time. I cracked up at her anger management techniques. The tension between the main characters was electric. I really enjoyed it.

Convincing Alex was both fun and funny. The female lead felt like a true product of the early nineties (omg wardrobe choices!) and her work writing soap operas brought plenty of humor to what could have been a dark story indeed. The female lead is definitely one of my favorite Roberts' characters.

These books are great additions to the series. I definitely recommend picking this one up.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

A brief synopsis...

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.

This book was great. Wow! I'm still having trouble imagining that this book was intended to be a young adult book. It addresses so many things that are typical of novels directed toward adults. It's not afraid to tackle tough ethical questions, and Collins doesn't pretend to have all the answers. Instead, it leaves you with unanswered questions to tackle, the hallmark of great science fiction. The ending is crazy and unexpected. I don't want to spoil the book, but I can't come up with a better ending that wouldn't be patronizing.

You have to read this book. Skipping this series would be criminal.

My Man Pendleton by Elizabeth Bevarly

A brief synopsis...

Pendleton couldn't believe his ears. He'd taken this new job hoping to make money, not marry into it! But if runaway heiress Kit McClellan didn't agree to enter into wedded bliss soon, the entire family fortune could be willed to the homeless pets of Louisville. Someone had to find Kit and bring her back as his finace--and his boss was telling Pendleton he was just the man for the job.

This book is proof that a really good title will draw in readers. I'm pretty sure I would have read this book regardless of what it was about. I just love this title. Luckily the book is really good to go with it. The book is sweet and funny, with plenty of romantic tension to go around. The premise of the book is a bit tough to swallow, but since the characters are so much fun, it's easy to let that go.

You'll enjoy this book. Grab it today.

Secrets Exposed by Lisa Renee Jones

A brief synopsis...

Lindsey Paxton was once the number one defense attorney in New York. She fought for those who were innocent, but charged. Her instincts were her lifeline, never failing her, as they guided her in her choices of who to defend. Or so she thought. Until she won a case she would forever wish to have lost. Her client, an accused rapist, kills and rapes a woman only a day after being set free. Destroyed by her role in the woman's death, Lindsey blames her father's controlling ways for what she has become, and runs from her career and life. Years later - the past becomes the present . . . Her father has cancer, and Lindsey is forced to leave her career with the Washington branch of the FBI. She finds herself facing the responsibility of running her father's law firm with the reluctant help of hotshot attorney Mark Reeves, a man who sparks her temper while also managing to tempt her heart, while setting her body on fire! With his help she finds herself fighting the emotional battles of the past, tempted to trust both him and her instincts. Now, faced with a case inherited from her father so similar to her career-ending one, she now must decide if her instincts will lead her down the path to saving an innocent man or setting free another killer. But while she fights her own battles, someone watches, wanting from the past what he had failed to get the first time . . . Lindsey.

NOTE: Previously released as Hidden Instincts. 

This book is sizzling. I really enjoyed it. The pace of the book is exceptional. There are no wasted scenes. Everything, including the romance, contributes to the plot. I couldn't put the book down. I really enjoyed the story, and the ending was crazy. It totally caught me off guard.

Get this book now. Don't wait for it to be free. You won't regret it.

Wild Hearts by Virginia Henley

A brief synopsis...

Beautiful Tabby Lamont is given in marriage to the wealthy man who takes her out of an Edinburgh orphanage. Her real identity is hidden in the past. Suddenly, her future is filled with dangerous intrigue when she is kidnapped on her wedding night by Paris Cockburn, a Scottish Border Lord called The Rogue.

Her resolve never to submit to the bold abductor melts before the sensuality of the brazen Rogue who keeps her captive at his remote castle. A dark secret sweeps them toward a blazing destiny of violence and when two wild hearts become one forever.

I really enjoyed this one from beginning to end. It has plenty of fun and suspense mixed with romance and great characters to make an enjoyable and engaging read. In addition to great main characters, the supporting cast is great. They could have each had their own stories; the characters were that well-developed. The story is complex and enjoyable, but it doesn't require you to take notes in order to keep track of everything.

This is a great read. Pick it up today.

Kit and Kisses by Karen Rose Smith

A brief synopsis...

Kit Saunders is a public relations expert and never turns down a challenge. She never gets involved with clients. But Greyson Corey is both challenging and too hunky for words. Is he as down-to-earth and honest as he seems? Change is difficult for him but Kit is resilient enough to present the facts in a way that nudges him in the right direction. Yet when he turns in her direction and chemistry seems to take over, she stops short and takes a deep breath.

         Kit was fooled by a con man who stole her financial well being...but more importantly her sense of trust. Although it's easy for others to put trust in her--in business, in the volunteer program she started to bring pets together with sick children--her sense of trust in men has been destroyed. She is so attracted to Grey she can hardly see straight. And his first kiss could lead to passion she has only dreamed of. But her barriers are high and strong and the con man lurks in her background. When Grey has commitments that he won't explain, Kit's radar senses trouble. She won't fall in love with a man with secrets. 

          Grey has his own walls to climb. His sister has special needs. Although she is now living in a group home, he is responsible for her. He loves Deedee and will protect her until his dying day. A previous relationship ended because the woman he dated couldn't accept Deedee's role in his life. How can he trust that Kit will be any different?

          Two people search for the meaning of love in a real world. Can a few mind-boggling kisses lead to happily-ever-after? Only if they can trust as well as love.

This is a really good love story. It feels very realistic. It doesn't gloss over the struggles in a relationship or the fact that most people enter a relationship with baggage that has to be dealt with before they can move forward. I like that the characters don't just jump into bed. They build a relationship and a ton of sexual tension before hand. This book is well-written.

Pick up this sweet story today; you won't regret it.