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

The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Cruise, Eileen Dreyer, & Anne Stuart

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Paranormal Romance
Pages: 391 pp
Isbn: 9780312940980
Published: June 2007
Challenge This covers #4 Read a book with an "F" in the title for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.


First Sentence or two: Mare Fortune bounded down the stairs of the family home in her ragged blue running shorts just as the wind caught the front door and blew it open, sending coppery dust swirling in. She batted the dust away and looked out, but instead of Mrs. Elder's beat-up front porch across the street, she saw a golden sunshine beaming down on a red tiled roof and a fat laughing baby toddling in a dusty road while a tough dark haired guy chased after it, laughing, too.

Synopsis:

You’re invited to spend the weekend with three extraordinary sisters…

When she was sixteen, Dee Fortune kidnapped her two younger sisters and ran from danger. Now twenty-nine, she’s still trying to control her shape-shifting power—no easy task when Danny James shows up one Friday morning with his deadly smile and dangerous questions about the past.

Lizzie is determined to save her family from financial ruin by turning straw into gold; now if she could only stop turning forks into bunnies. Then Elric, a sorcerer, appears one Friday—annoyed with the chaos Lizzie is creating in the universe and in his heart. . . .

The youngest Miss Fortune, Mare, towers above her sisters but her telekinetic power is dwarfed by their gifts. She spends her days at Value Video!! and her nights contemplating the futility of her existence. But then a gorgeous Value Video!! VP and Mare’s long lost love turn up. . .and they all turn up the heat on a weekend that no Fortune will soon forget!

Random Thoughts -I'm not sure if I can entirely explain it. SOMETHING, was lacking. What I am not sure of, I can't seem to put my finger on it. I had to force myself to sit down and read this book on many occasions. It literally took me 4 days to get it read. I could of finished it easily in a day if it were a page turner. I thought about giving up on the book a couple times but kept thinking....NO I really wanna see what Mare will do or say next. I wanted to see who she would end up with. Her sisters were cool too just not as "out there" as she was. I loved Mare! So I trudged on and am glad to say I finished the book and know what happens to them. I don't know that I will read another collaboration like this. I think that somehow the different hands on this project didn't make it flow. Maybe "too many cooks in the kitchen" so to speak.

Favorite Scene - I think any with Mare at the video store. I also got a huge kick out of a scene with Lizzie & Elric. He transformed her clothes to a silk nightgown. She looked down and furious, she transformed her clothes into a nuns habit. He looked at her then transformed Lizzie's clothes again this time to a skimpy panty set that could of been from victoria secrets. She grumbles then transforms her clothing into a set of armor. Then she almost fell over from the weight of it. The more he kept trying to get her naked and the more she refused the funnier and funnier it got.
Favorite Quotes-
Mare to a guy customer-"The thing about chick flicks," Mare said to Algy, "is that chicks like them." She picked up Girls Gone Wild and handed it to Shawn. "Here's your dick flick. Enjoy."


Mare and a visiting vice president from the Video store as he is inspecting her unorthodox signs advertising certain movie genres......
Jude-"And the 'Cry Till You Puke' display?" Mare leaned closer trying to look confidential and trusting. "You know, weepers are not my thing. But if you're into them, you really want to go the whole way. Beaches, Terms of Endearment, Shadowlands...actually Shadowlands is a damn good movie. Anyways, you want to be pointed to the ones that are going to get you there. It's like emotional porn, you know? It isn't really the story that matters, it's getting that release."
"I see," Jude said, looking more interested.
"Because that's really what we're selling here," Mare said. "Emotional catharsis, vicarious release. You want to experience the hell of war without getting killed? We have 'Movies Your Recruiter Doesn't Want You to See.'"

Rating - 3 Stars

Loves Me, Loves Me Knot by Heidi Betts

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 297 pp
Isbn: 9780312946722
Published: 2009
Challenge This covers #10 Reader's Choice for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.


First Sentence or two: With a final shove, Charlotte Langan managed to heave the heavy, centuries-old spinning wheel up the last two attic steps and onto the dusty floor.
When she's hauled the thing down to her bedroom six months before, she certainly hadn't anticipated the need to carry it back up so soon--at least not by herself.
Synopsis:
THIS IS KNOT YOUR AVERAGE LOVE STORY
Jenna Langan knows what she wants, and as she tells her best friends after their weekly knitting group, she doesn’t need a man to give it to her…only a few of his best swimmers. And just because her marriage to undercover vice cop Gage Marshall ended badly doesn’t mean he can’t still give her the baby she’s always wanted. In fact, she’s willing to bet a couple of her favorite hand-knit boas that she can tie him up in knots he’ll definitely enjoy…
BUT TRUE LOVE IS MORE THAN JUST SKEIN DEEP
An unexpected seduction is one thing, but stud service? No, thank you. Gage had his reasons for pulling the plug on his happily ever after with Jenna, and nothing that’s happened since their divorce has changed his mind. That is, until Jenna got it into her head to tie him up and drag him down. Now he has no choice but to stick around until he knows for sure if his ex-wife is pregnant. But the more time he spends with Jenna, the more his resolve begins to unravel…

Random Thoughts -This book was a refreshing change of pace. The author has a very unique voice. She is very much of our day and time we live in now. This is not about a simple mix-up and fix it up. Sometimes couples have these almost insurmountable hurtles that can not be overcome. I loved Jenna and Gage! I desperately wanted them together. Gages reasons had valid points and I couldn't fault him for his reason. This made the struggle so very real and scary. I was almost thinking this would be the rare book that ended not happily ever after.
Ms. Betts makes the reading fun and fresh with her MANY pop culture references in the pages and amongst the story. Never have I read a book with more. It was fun and exciting each time I came upon another one. Gage and Jenna are HOT and their story is very endearing. I recommend this to everyone. I plan on reading the other two books in this trilogy of hers.

Favorite Scene - I do love the scene where Jenna, Grace and Ronnie are having Mexican Night and all those lovely Margaritas. I find the trio so fun and I never know what they are going to say. This is like the 2nd book in a week that had a fun drunken ladies nite in it. I think I might need one. Seems I am longing for my gal pals and nice frosty drink. Problem is, I don't really have any Gal Pals that are here in my state. Most of my pals these days are online. Sighs

Favorite Quotes- These are a few of the pop culture references I spoke of earlier.
"Hiding like a fat kid squirreling away a last slice of birthday cake"
" A 'woody', as they used to say...though the last time she'd called it that, her niece's cheeks had turned bubblegum pink and she'd been quietly informed that 'woody' was a term currently reserved for a rather private, highly aroused portion of the male anatomy."

"Put the zip in your Miracle Whip?"

"Jenna?" he prompted when she stood there like a crash test dummy.

She looked like she was about to toss out another of her trivial demands that would bounce off him like bullets off superman

Her life was like a chapter out of some Latin-American telenovela.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are MANY MANY more, those are just a few. Have fun trying to count all the current today pop culture references.
Rating - 4 Stars.

Jewels Of The Sun by Nora Roberts

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 347 pp
Isbn:9780515126778
Challenge This covers #11 Read a book set in Ireland for the Fall 2009 Romance Reading Challenge.


First Sentence or two:Obviously, without question, she'd lost her mind.  Being a psychologist, she ought to know.  All the signs were there, had been there, hovering and humming  around her for months.
Synopsis:
In her new trilogy,(New in 1999)  New York Times #1 Best Selling author, Nora Roberts returns to the lush, green hills of Ireland, where love is forever touched by magic - And where the Gallagher siblings explore the depth of their fiery hearts.

Determining to reevaluate her life, Jude Murray flees America to take refugee in Faerie Hill Cottage, immersing herself in the study of Irish Folk and discovers hope for the future of the magical past.

Random Thoughts -Sorry to say this is not my favorite book of Nora's.  Quite the contrary.  This book was so HARD to get into.   She set the tone and story up of Jude in the beginning but it stayed that way for way to long into the book.  Jude is a solitary person, an introvert if you ask me. (I know you didn't but, HEY it's my blog!)  Jude spends the first part of the book locked up in her own thoughts and discoveries.  She is restless.  This made for restless reading!  I plugged on reading the book then when it hit the halfway point the book SHOT off like thoroughbred in a racetrack.  I couldn't put it down then.  It made for a nice book from that point on. Thankfully!  Aiden is just dreamy!  He says many things in this book worth quoting. Jude I could of lived without.  I think the follow up books in this trilogy will more entertaining if they have Brenna and Darcy in them.  Without a doubt I have hope for those two books.

Favorite Scene - My favorite scene and when the book finally got off the ground, is the sleepover with Brenna and Darcy.  Those two made Jude actually more interesting. 

Favorite Quotes- Aiden took her hand again in the friendliest and the most annoying of manners.  "I suppose I'm accustomed to being so. But if you want to take over and seduce me darling Jude, I can promise to be weak and willing."

Aiden-"Then drink only a little, and I'll fix you some breakfast."
Jude-"You will?"
Aiden-"A bit of this, a bit of that, and a little lie-me-down."


Brenna-"Tell me does he take his sweet time about it, or is he a member of the Irish Foreplay Club?"
Jude-"Irish Foreplay Club?"
Brenna-"Ah you've not heard of it," Brenna said soberly as Darcy snickered. "Their battle cry is 'Brace yourself, Bridget.' Then their in and out before their lager's gone warm."


Shawn(Aiden's Brother)-"Does it hurt?"
Aiden-"What?"
Shawn-"Shoehorning your foot in your mouth that way. I bet it cracks the jaw something fierce."

All in all some wonderfully funny quotes from the Irish characters in this book. 

 
Rating - I gave this book a 3 stars only because it took to long to get moving.

True Love and Other Disasters by Rachel Gibson

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 345 pp
Isbn:9780061866968
Challenge This one covers no challenge, at this time.

First Sentence or two: The Night before Virgil Duffy's funeral, a storm pounded the Puget Sound. But by the next morning, the gray clouds were gone, leaving in their place a view of Elliott Bay and the spectacular skyline of downtown Seattle.

Synopsis:

Disaster Number One: Men

Hard knocks and hunger taught Faith Duffy not to believe in love. Still, when she married her very wealthy—and very old—husband, she became the perfect wife. And then he went to that big bank in the sky, leaving Faith with lonely nights, a pile of money, and a total mess of a pro hockey team. Heck, Faith doesn't even watch hockey!

Disaster Number Two: Passion

But most of America and half of Canada is watching Ty Savage. His lethal sex appeal and deadly right hook make him the favorite of fans. For most of Ty's life, he's dreamed of winning the Stanley Cup. The last thing he needs is a bimbo messing up his plans.

Disaster Number Three: Love

Faith loathes Ty on sight, but she can't stop thinking about him all day . . . and night. Then a moment of temptation ends with Faith in Ty's bed, and she begins to see there's more to him than sex appeal. Ty discovers there's far more to Faith than beauty and billions. But a relationship with Faith is impossible, and falling in love—that would be a disaster.

Random Thoughts - This book was so FULL of PASSION!! It kept me glued to the pages and occasionally holding my breath. I love when books can do that to you, just hold you in a spell as if your very life depended on reading it. I can easily recommend this book to others without batting an eyelash. This is the first time I have read a Rachel Gibson book I believe, and you can bet your ass I will be reading more just as soon as I can get my Hot little hands on them! This book can be compaired to SEP's football series books. I thoroughly enjoyed those and hope Ms. Gibson will be making a few more in her Hockey series.

Favorite Scene - Would have to be the one where she dons her coat and heels and nothing else and heads for the door and her man waiting by a hot car for a HOT night of passion. These two sure made the blood boil when they got together. I enjoyed how they kept saying how "inappropriate" the things they were doing to each other. Made me giggle cause it made it all that more sinful for the things they did.
Rating - I gave this book a 4 stars.

Review: Overnight Male by Elizabeth Bevarly

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 328 pp
Isbn: 9780373772148
Challenge This one covers no challenge, at this time.

First Sentence or two: Darkness had always been Lila Moreau's best friend. Throughout her life she had used different kinds of darkness to aid her in different kinds of ways. As a child, she knew the darkness under a bed or in a closet could protect her from her mother's hurtful words.

Synopsis:

Is there any mission more dangerous than a hot one-night stand?

In the world of international espionage, Lila Moreau is as tough as they come. But she's finally ready to trade in her secret double life for domestic bliss. That is, after she takes care of one last vendetta: to bring in rogue agent Adrian Padgett before he unleashes disaster.

But to find him and his band of merry hackers, Lila must infiltrate small, snooty Waverly College. All while breaking in her sexy new partner, Joel Faraday. Sounds like a challenge--even for a superspy.

Soon Joel starts to distract her in more ways than just the professional. And he's determined to lure Lila into the most impossible mission of all...love.

Random Thoughts - This was a great
book to read. Take a look at the back cover. (-->)
I found it kind of distracting in a good way. It
was just perfect for where you hold the book. Every
once and a while I would catch a glimpse of him looking at me all "Steamy eyed".
I really enjoyed being in on the characters thought processes in this book. The Storyline was great and believable. I think this is the 3rd book in a trilogy. I have not read the others but this was able to stand alone. There were some scenes that had my heart just a pitter patting. *sighs loudly

Favorite Scene - One of my most favorite scenes was one where they went to a frat party to scope out some suspects. Lila and Joel were flirting "in character". (so they told themselves)
..but Joel prevented her from saying a word. Because in one swift fluid gesture, he moved to stand in front of her, arced an arm over her head and braced it against the wall behind her and leaned in very close.
Then he murmured in her ear. "Like I said, don't knock it till you've tried it. You might be surprised how much a guy like me could have taught a girl like you in college. You might be surprised how much I could teach you now.".........

They have another exchange of words but I will not spoil it for you. The next exchange though made my toes curl. If your curious this all happens of pages 142 & 143.
Rating - I gave this book a 4 stars.

Review: Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 374pp
Isbn: 0380782340
Challenge

First Sentence or two: "Let me get this straight," Jodie Pulanski said. "You want to give Cal Bonner a woman for a birthday present."

Synopsis:
Lonely, single, and 34, brainy physicist Jane Darlington is determined to have a baby-even if she has to pretend to be a hooker (and a "birthday present" for football star Cal Bonner) to do it. She doesn't expect, however, that her quarterback is a whole lot smarter than Jane had hoped, definitely more honorable than she had expected, and simply won't take no for an answer. Although the initial premise (while funny) is a stretch, the protagonists are strong and appealing and draw the readers into a sensual, heartwarming story that is graced with some interesting secondary characters, including a savvy backwoods grandmother with ideas of her own.
Random Thoughts - Yes this idea can be a bit far fetched, but that is also what makes this book so much fun to read. I am thoroughly enjoying the various characters and plots of the different "Stars" football team. This one wasn't my top book in the Stars lineup but it had some great writing and wonderful scenes.

Favorite Scene - Any scene that Annie was in .....they were a treat to read. I also enjoyed a few of the scenes with Cal and Jane going toe to toe verbally. I liked the fact that she could stand up to him and he totally respected her for that. Not to mention how it turned him on. Always a plus. The very best scene of the book in my opinion was when she found out he graduated with honors from college and found out he wasn't stupid after all. He confronts her about her "REAL" age just after she finds out about his degree. That made for some good arguing that from the outside would sound like a couple of crazy people arguing over nothing. LOL


Rating - I give this book 4 stars.

Next up: In the Chicago "Stars" series..."This Heart of Mine".

Review: Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 384pp
Isbn: 0380776847
Challenge This one covers two challenges at the same time.
#1 Read Around The Genres
#2 Fall 2008 Reading Challenge

First Sentence or two: "A bodyguard! I don't need any damn bodyguard!"

Synopsis: From the author of It Had to Be You comes a deliciously, sexy contemporary romance. Former pro-football star Bobby Tom Denton has agreed to lend his fame and his name to a movie. But when he doesn't show up, the film company sends straight-laced Gracie Snow to bring him to the set—with surprising results.
Come heck or high water, Gracie Snow is determined to drag the legendary ex-jock Bobby Tom Denton back home to Heaven, Texas, to begin shooting his first motion picture. Despite his dazzling good looks and killer charm, Bobby Tom has reservations about being a movie star -- and no plans to cooperate with a prim and bossy Ohio wallflower whom he can't get off his mind or out of his life. Instead, the hell-raising playboy decides to make her over from plain Jane to Texas wildcat.

But nothing's more dangerous than a wildcat with an angel's heart in a town too small for a bad boy to hide. And all hell breaks loose when two unforgettable people discover love, laughter, passion -- and a match that can only be made in Heaven.


Random Thoughts - I loved this book from the first page on. I could not put it down. I read this in one day. This may be my favorite one of the "Stars" series. This is another "INSIST" read. No recommending about it!

Favorite Scene - I had several so it's pretty hard to nail down just one. I think I will go with the scene in his trailer on the set. The one where she had like 6 of his fans in the trailer just to annoy him. Then he turned it around on her and announced to the girls that he was engaged to her. After the girls left and they got into an ice cream fight with each other. That to me was the first physical step they took in getting together. I was so happy and excited with that scene. Not to take away from any of the other many scenes in this book.

Rating - I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

*Note This is part of a series she has written about the Stars Football team. The first book is "It Had To Be You". To see the rest of the books in this series, or to see what order. Go Here