1290. Just Like Heaven (Julia Quinn)

Synopsis:
Honoria Smythe-Smith is: A) a really bad violinist
B) still miffed at being nicknamed "Bug" as a child
C) not in love with her older brother's best friend
D) all of the above

Marcus Holroyd is: A) the Earl of Chatteris
B) regrettably prone to sprained ankles
C) not in love with his best friend's younger sister
D) all of the above

Together they: A) eat quite a bit of chocolate cake
B) survive a deadly fever and the world's worst musical performance
C) fall quite desperately in love

It's Julia Quinn at her best, so you know the answer is . . .

D) all of the above

My rating: 4 stars

My review: It's Julia Quinn. Of course, it's a rollicking good read.

1289. Guarding a Notorious Lady (Olivia Parker)

Synopsis:
A woman of pristine breeding, Lady Rosalind Devine is also an unrepentant meddler and snoop - which is why her brother refuses to leave her to her own devices while on his wedding trip. But Rosalind will not make things easy for any unseen, unwanted 'nursemaid' - and vows to use her considerable wiles to expose her mystery guardian.

Nicholas Kincaid, the Marquess of Winterbourne, agreed to secretly guard his friend's spoiled, stubborn sister, though her infuriating penchant for mischief is causing him to question his decision. Though bound by the rules of society - and friendship - Rosalind's spirit and sensuality have sparked a fierce desire in Nicholas to play a very different role in her life, one that entails passion, ecstasy . . . and unavoidable scandal.

My rating: 2 stars

My review: It's possible that my expectations for this book were too high. I LOVED Olivia Parker's previous book, "To Wed a Wicked Earl," and it would have been hard for any subsequent book to live up to that. I wanted to love this book but I couldn't get myself to care about these characters. Oh, well.

1287. Bastian (Elizabeth Amber)

Synopsis:
The forum excavations in Rome go on, directed by the iron-willed, charismatic Lord Bastian Satyr. Out of nowhere, a mysterious, haunting voice calls out to him... and lures him to the site of a long-vanished temple, where vestal virgins once performed rites of erotic surrender. The temple is the find of his career, but his heart is about to face the unknown...Michaela is a pure Ephemeral. She can enter the bodies of others - and become any woman a man might wish to possess. His choice is her pleasure. And the commanding and utterly virile Bastian is the only man she desires ....

My rating: 4 stars

1285. Notorious (Nicola Cornick)

Synopsis:
When the ton's most notorious heartbreaker.

Dangerously seductive and sinfully beautiful, Susanna Burney is society's most sought after matchbreaker. Paid by wealthy parents to part unsuitable couples, she's never yet failed to accomplish her mission of diverting a groom-to-be. Until her final assignment brings her face-to-face with the man who'd once taught her an intimate lesson in heartache..

Meets London's most disreputable rake.

James Devlin has everything he's always wanted: a title, a rich fiancée and a place in society. But the woman who's just met his eyes across a crowded ballroom threatens it all. Not because she'd once claimed his heart, or that every sinuous swirl of her ball gown takes his breath away. But because the secrets she carries could cost him everything. To put the past to rest once and for all, Dev just might have to play Susanna at her own wicked game..

Let the seduction begin!


My rating: 4 stars

1283. Confessions of an Improper Bride (Jennifer Haymore)

Synopsis:
Serena Donovan left London six years ago, her heart broken and her reputation ruined by devilishly handsome Jonathan Dane. Now, with her family's future in peril, she reluctantly agrees to return to England and assume her late twin's identity. The price? Marry a man she doesn't love and spend the rest of her days living a lie.

Jonathan Dane, Earl of Stratford, has become an incorrigible rake, drinking, gambling-and trying to forget Serena Donovan. Yet the moment he's introduced to the prim and proper "Meg", he recognizes the sensual young woman who captured his heart. Haunted by his past mistakes, he refuses to lose Serena again. But convincing her to trust him is no easy task. Claiming his lost love means exposing the truth and destroying the life Serena has sacrificed everything to rebuild. With the future of all the Donovans at stake, and their undying passion capable of triggering yet another scandal, how much will Jonathan and Serena risk for a chance at true love?

My rating: 4 stars

1282. Black Ties and Lullabies (Jane Graves)

Synopsis:
As a bodyguard, Bernadette Hogan's professional life is devoted to keeping self-made millionaire Jeremy Bridges safe. But if she has to spend one more evening watching him pick up vacuous blondes for casual flings, she may have to kill him herself. After a particularly infuriating night, Bernie drops her professional veneer and calls Jeremy on his womanizing ways. Unfortunately, she discovers that anger and passion are intimately entangled, and before she knows it, she's succumbed to the sexy millionaire herself. Humiliated by her lack of control, Bernie quits on the spot, only to discover eight weeks later that she's pregnant with their baby.

Jeremy is thrilled to discover the hot-blooded woman hiding beneath Bernie's cool control. Even though weeks have passed, he can't stop thinking about her. When he finds out about her pregnancy, he decides to step up. He coaxes her into a reluctant truce, convincing her he's ready to change from partying playboy to dependable dad. But Jeremy has never been a one-woman man. So how can he be falling for this tough, sassy, uncompromising woman who wants nothing less than his heart forever?

My rating: 5 stars

1280. The Book of Scandal (Julia London)

Synopsis:

Nathan Grey, the Earl of Lindsey, is infamously known as the Libertine of Lindsey for his scandalous ways with women. But when he hears gossip that his estranged wife, Evelyn, is about to be named in The Book of Scandal, he has no choice but to remove her from London to protect her and himself from charges of treason -- even if it calls for abduction! While Evelyn has no legal recourse against the man who broke her heart years ago but is still considered her lord and master, she is no longer the immature girl Nathan married. Her enforced homecoming quickly turns into a battle of wills that tears down her husband's defenses and lays bare the passion that still burns between them. Before it is too late, Nathan must confront powerful adversaries as he convinces Evelyn that she is not only his wife, but the one woman he will love for all time.

My rating: 3 stars

1279. The Perils of Pursuing a Prince (Julia London)

Synopsis:

Lady Greer Fairchild's only hope of avoiding marriage to the first bidder lies in journeying into the untamed Welsh countryside in search of an inheritance she's not sure even exists -- one reportedly controlled by Rhodrick Glendower, Earl of Radnor, also known as the Prince of Powys. Rumor has it that the prince is rough, ruthless -- even a murderer. But Greer never imagined that the brute would refuse to let her leave his remote castle until she has proven her identity. Or that she would find herself powerfully attracted to this passionately virile man whose gruff demeanor belies a proud and sensual nature. The further Greer falls under his spell, the more determined she becomes to unravel the secrets of her Welsh heritage and the mystery surrounding the dark prince who dares her to become his wife and princess.

My rating: 3 stars

1278. Voyeur (Lacey Alexander)

Synopsis:

Suffering from writer's block and with no lover to speak of, novelist Laura Watkins is in a funk. She needs a getaway and a release. Fast. Fortunately, she finds both in the retreat of a friend's isolated Colorado home. It's hers and hers alone for as long as she needs it. Then she comes upon the webcam, and her curiosity is aroused. So is her secret fantasy-to be watched by a stranger.

His screen name is Flyboy. He likes what he sees. He wants to open up for her, too. Now, they're only one click away from exploring an after-hours game of exhibitionist and voyeur where anything goes. But now it's time to take it one step further-by meeting in the flesh. This time, no rules, no limits, and absolutely nothing to come between them.

My rating: 4 stars

1277. The Treasure (Suzanne Robinson)

Synopsis:

A mistress of disguise...

Orphan Emily Fox may be London's most skilled lady pickpocket, but she is certain her grandest scheme will also be her last. For when she finds the treasure hidden on Valin North's spectacular estate, she'll be rich enough to give her beloved siblings everything they could ever want... and she'll never have to scheme for her supper again. Disguised as a flirtatious debutante entering the social scene, Emmie slips into North's circle--and is instantly captivated by the powerfully sensual nobleman. Suddenly, stealing from North seems like more than mere deception. It seems like a betrayal of the heart.

A master of control...

Valin North knows he must marry to produce an heir, but every woman he meets provokes his disdain. Except one--an unusual, charming debutante whose social status unfortunately makes her more suited to be his mistress than his spouse. Yet in spite of familial pressure to make a more appropriate match, North defiantly pursues the bewitching woman...even though his affections are shadowed by the mysterious inconsistencies of his lady's past. With suspicions aroused, North is forced to wonder: Has this beguiling beauty made off with his heart--or something more?

My rating: 3 stars

1275. On the Way to the Wedding (Julia Quinn)

Synopsis:

Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except...

She wasn't the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except...

Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar ....

My rating: 3 stars

1274. Mine Till Midnight (Lisa Kleypas)

Synopsis:

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.

Wealthy beyond most men's dreams, Cam has tired of society's petty restrictions and longs to return to his “uncivilized” Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship—but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter ....

My rating: 2 stars

1273. Dark Lover (J. R. Ward)

Synopsis:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.

My rating: 2 stars

My review: Hackneyed writing, hackneyed story.

1272. Indiscreet (Carolyn Jewel)

Synopsis:

Edward, Marquess of Foye, would have been happy to continue his life as an unmarried gentleman rake, until his brother's death changes everything. As the last of his line Edward must now marry. Having already had his heart broken by a capricious young girl, he vows to find an older woman who is seasoned, mature...and no threat to his feelings. Then he meets a woman who will require him to risk everything for their love.

My rating: 3 stars

1270. Annabelle's Courtship (Lucy Monroe)

Synopsis:
Ian MacKay, Laird of Graenfrae, has no use for love or marriage. However, his stepfathers will mandates that marriage is what he must haveto an Englishwoman. A sensible man, Ian develops a list of requirements in a wife: Plain, moderately dowered, older and practical. He thinks he has found the perfect candidate in Lady Annabelle. Labeled The Ordinary her first season, Annabelle longs for a man who will see her as beautiful and love her as her father loved her mother. When she meets Ian, she thinks she has at last found that man. Until his proposal, in which he has the audacity to list his requirements. She refuses his proposal. He informs her that she will marry him at the end of the season. The battle of wills is on.

My rating: 2 stars

1269. Cold As Ice (Anne Stuart)

Synopsis:
The job was supposed to be dead easy -- hand-deliver some legal papers to billionaire philanthropist Harry Van Dorn's extravagant yacht, get his signature and be done. But Manhattan lawyer Genevieve Spenser soon realizes she's in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that the publicly benevolent playboy has a sick, vicious side. As he tries to make her his plaything for the evening, eager to use and abuse her until he discards her with the rest of his victims, Genevieve must keep her wits if she intends to survive the night.

But there's someone else on the ship who knows the true depths of Van Dorn's evil. Peter Jensen is far more than the unassuming personal assistant he pretends to be -- he's a secret operative who will stop at nothing to ensure Harry's deadly Rule of Seven terror campaign dies with him. But Genevieve's presence has thrown a wrench into his plans, and now he must decide whether to risk his mission to keep her alive, or allow her to become collateral damage ....

My rating: 4 stars

1268. Black Ice (Anne Stuart)

Synopsis:
Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion -- even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up.

Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives -- and would she live long enough to find out?

My rating: 3 stars

1267. Ice Storm (Anne Stuart)

Synopsis:
The powerful head of the covert mercenary organization The Committee, Isobel Lambert is a sleek, sophisticated professional who comes into contact with some of the most dangerous people in the world. But beneath Isobel's cool exterior a ghost exists, haunting her with memories of another life . . . a life that ended long ago.

But Isobel's past and present are about to collide when Serafin, mercenary, assassin and the most dangerous man in the world, makes a deal with The Committee. Seventeen years ago Isobel shot him and left him for dead. Now it looks as if he's tracked her down for revenge. But Isobel knows all too well that looks can be deceiving . . . and that's what she's counting on to keep her cover in this international masquerade of murder.

My rating: 3 stars

1266. Wine, Tarts and Sex (Susan Johnson)

Synopsis:
World-renowned chef Jake Chambers could have had any ingŽnue he wanted in California since the kitchen isn't the only room in the house where the hard-bodied hunk has special talents. Still, when he realized there might be more to life than glitz and silicone, he left for Minneapolis to buy a local joint and try to clear his head.

But even though he's no longer serving the glitterati, that doesn't mean he's about to compromise quality and serve a Minnesota wine. However, local vintner Liv Bell-with curves even more delicious than his tapas-has other plans once she lays eyes on this Adonis. Determined to promote her vineyard's juicy bounty, this sun-kissed goddess might just bring Jake around to at least tasting what she has to offer.

My rating: 2 stars

1264. The Truth About Lord Stoneville (Sabrina Jeffries)

Synopsis:
Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville, has been London's most notorious rake for years. Fed up with his behavior, his grandmother threatens to disinherit him if he doesn't tame his wild ways and wed within the year. Outraged, Oliver decides to hire a woman from a brothel to pose as his fiancée to prove that he can't be forced into marriage. When he meets Maria Butterfield, a beautiful American woman who is searching for her fiancé in the most unlikely of places, he knows she's perfect for his ruse. But before long, Oliver finds himself willing to risk anything to make Maria his - even his heart, and the dark secret he hides inside it.

My rating: 2 stars