Romeo Romeo by Robin Kaye

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 383 pp
Isbn: 9781402213397
Published: November 2008
Challenge This covers #2 Read a debut author or one with less then 4 books published for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.

First Sentence or two: Rosalie Ronaldi made a successful escape from the insane asylum. Okay, so it wasn't a real insane asylum; it was her parent's Bay Ridge home. But most days it could pass for the Sicilian version of Bellevue.

Backcover:
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 independant 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 refridgerator, 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...

Random Thoughts -These characters were so REALISTIC. No need to get your imagination to bend some of the rules for you to feel this is believable. This book was easy to read and enjoyable. I loved the Italian families. This was great fun to read and to dream of my very own Romeo. (et um.... Don't tell Peevie!)

Favorite Scene - One of my favorite scenes was the family dinner Rosalie went to with out Nick and got a suprise. Also the scene where Joey proposed to her. Be still my heart is all I can say. LMAO

Favorite Quotes- I want to share Rosalie's dating rules.
1. Always meet the guy in a public place in case he turns out to be a psycho.
2. Never sleep with the guy on the first date, no matter what, even if her hormones told her to hurry the hell up, they wanted a cigarette.
3. If you fight on the first date, don't make a second.
____________________________________________________________
(Rosalie's Mom on the phone to her)
"......ungrateful, puttana of a daughter. I thank God my sainted mother is dead, God rest her soul, because if she saw what you've become, it would have killed her. As it is, she's rolling over in her grave."
___________________________________________________________
(Cousin Vin to Nick)
"What do I look like, the freaking Barefoot Contessa? I hear she lives in the Hamptons; you want I should give you directions? Oh, right, you know how to get there. You got a freakin' house out there. So why are you here buggin me?"

Rating - 5 Stars
Author's Website

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 375 pp
Isbn: 9780060791896
Published: 2004
Challenge This covers #3 Read a book that was used in the Summer 2009 Reading Challenge for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.


First Sentence or two: London, 1841
Although Annabelle Peyton had been warned all her life never to take money from strangers, she made an exception one day...and quickly discovered why she should have heeded her mother's advice.

Synopsis:
Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband.So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.
Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing—and persistent—admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition . . . but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.
Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon—and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses . . . and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

Random Thoughts -What a WONDERFUL Book! Sensational! I was glued to the story. Page turner! This book made me have the range of emotions and feel so deeply for the couple. I laughed many times. (I got a funny look and a shake of the head from my husband one time.)
I held my breath and was so excited a couple times I needed to stop and take a deep breath just to calm down. I was very worried and cried at one point even. This is one powerful author. With a flick of her pen she can pull emotions from me. BRAVO. I was so enamored of all 4 wallflowers and can't wait to read the other 3, that I ran out and bought the very next one not wanting to take a chance that it will be checked out at the library.

Favorite Scene - Without question the game of rounders the 4 girls played sans dresses so that they could run the field. Getting caught was an extreme bonus that added the most loudest fit of giggles on my part.
I have a second most favorite scene that I have to mention because it absolutely melted my heart. When Annabelle and Simon are in Paris and a pair of men are trying to decide who will drink champagne from her shoe. Simon is one cool, dashing MAN, for the way he handled that situation. Want to know more? READ THE BOOK OMG!
Favorite Quotes- Not so much a quote this first bit but an exchange of letters between 2 of the wallflowers.

Dear Evie,
Impressed, amused, and somewhat apprehensive about what scrapes these Bowmans will land us in. Where, pray tell, are we to find a place where we may play Rounders-in-knickers unobserved? Yes, I am thoroughly shocked, you shameless hussy.

Dear Annabelle,
I am coming to believe that there are two kinds of people...those who choose to be masters of their own fate and those who wait in chairs while others dance. I would rather be one of the former than the latter. As to how and when Rounders game shall take place, I am satisfied to leave such details to the Bowmans.
With all fondness,
Evie the hussy


Rating - 5 Stars with out question!

Review: Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue

Genre: Romance-Time Travel
Pages: 356pp
Isbn: 1416532862
Challenge This one does not cover any challenges at this same time.

First Sentence or two: The clatter of metal on stone rang through
the air even as the goblet spun slowly to a stop on the floor where it had landed.
"Tantrums will no be helping you, laddie." The old warrior shook his head warily eyeing his companion sitting at the far end of the great table. "You only waste good ale."

Synopsis:

SCOTLAND, 1272. Connor MacKiernan, a descendant of the Fae Prince, is a warrior who lives only for honor and duty. Though he's vowed never to marry, that's exactly what he must do to save his sister. Enter a little Faerie magic, and the search for a bride is on.

DENVER, 2007. Caitlyn Coryell is having a really bad day — she just discovered her fiancé with another woman! Imagine her surprise when she puts on some sexy lingerie and an antique pendant and Connor appears in her bedroom, begging for her help. He offers a simple yet outrageous adventure: travel to his time, marry him, and return home.

But nothing's simple when Cate is trapped in the thirteenth century. The wedding's delayed, someone's trying to kill her, and in the middle of all this, she realizes she's falling in love with a man who can only be her husband for thirty nights.

Random Thoughts -I really enjoyed this authors writing style. This a first Melissa Mayhue book for me and sure not to be the last either! I would recommend this book highly to anyone who loves a good Highlander book. There was also a great bit of intrigue I found refreshing in this book. Usually you can tell what's about to happen or how the story is lining up but this one threw a couple twists at me that I found refreshing.

Favorite Scene -One of my favorite scenes was the wedding night. They were more open and trusting of one another more here than any other part of the book up to that point. I enjoyed the discussions they had and the realizations that they had with each other.

Rating - I gave this book 5 Stars.

Review: Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn

Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 336pp
Isbn: 0446619124
Challenge This one covers one challenge, Read Around The Genres


First Sentence or two: Kate Campbell looked her enemy square in his lifeless face and then swung.

Synopsis:PROTECTING HER WAS HIS PASSION

High-born though she is, Kate Campbell isn't afraid to draw her sword. When raiders strike, she rushes into the fray...and is lucky when a mysterious Highlander shields her from a deadly blow. Swept onto his stallion, she soon discovers that her rescuer is her clan's most hated enemy: Callum MacGregor, the man they call The Devil. Yet she cannot ignore his achingly tender touch or the way his fiery gaze leaves her breathless.

POSSESSING HER WOULD BE HIS PLEASURE

Callum MacGregor has taken many Campbell lives, but he's never saved one--until now. Mesmerized by this spirited lass, he wants her by his side, even if it means holding her for ransom. As his fingers graze her sumptuous curves and tangle in her unruly tresses, Callum realizes Kate Campbell is his most dangerous foe of all. For he can't make love to her without betraying his kinsmen and his honor...and surrendering his heart forever.


Random Thoughts -This is the ultimate tortured alpha male hero. As far as romance books go this was more then a romance book. This book was about a battle for survival. There was love but it really felt as if a sideline story to me. I love my highlanders though they never do disappoint.

Favorite Scene - I loved it when Kate had to drink the brew to get ready for the wound in her shoulder burned. Callum was talking to her afterward and she was sloshed and slurring her words. She called him Clalum MacKeglor instead of Callum MacGregor. LOL

Rating - I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. The writing was superb and flowed well. Not ever single in between scene was spelled out for us since it didn't need to be. This author knows its ok to skip a day or two of uneventful traveling or such. The book kept me engaged and not bored.

*Author's Note- In gratitude for the MacGregor's support in his struggle to regain the throne, Charles II repealed the laws against the MacGregors in 1661. Their name was restored, but their lands were not. In 1693 the prosciption was fully imposed once again by William of Orange. The persecution of Clan MacGregor finally ended in 1774 when the proscription against them was lifted once and for all, 171 years after it was enacted.