All U Can Eat by Emma HollyI've read Emma Holly's historicals. I quite liked Beyond Seduction but didn't care so much for Beyond Innocence. I've yet to read her paranormals and this is the first contemporary of her's that I've tried. I don't think it will be the last if she writes more. I think her previous books are more erotica than romantica and I like the HEA. I had read other positive reviews of AUCE and was looking forward to reading it. (Thanks Tara). I'm now joining the ranks of readers who like this one.
From the back blurb:
Frankie Smith's longtime boyfriend just left her for another woman. But she doesn't have much time to nurse her broken heart - her diner is as popular as ever, and the people of Six Palms want their appetites satisfied...
When the body of a weathy local woman is discovered in a nearby alley, Frankie's troubles sudenly don't seem so terrible. That is, until she realizes she's one of the Chief Jack West's prime suspects. The truth is, Jack's attraction to the sexy proprietor of All U Can Eat is all-consuming - though he knows hauling her into police custody isn't going to iprove his chances to catch her eye.
What neither of them realize is that this little town is full of secrest, some of which would shock even Six Palm's raciest residents. Determined to clear her name - and to get to know the ultra-responsible police chief better - Frankie joins Jack and a few other dishy locals, on a roller-coaster ride of an investigation. As the twists and turns unfold. letting go of their inhibitions begins to seem like the most natural thing in the world....
I was very pleasantly surprised at the amount of character development in this book. This is one hot book (very, very hot) but despite the numerous sex scenes, Ms. Holly created realistic characters. Frankie was great. Although she had been hurt by Troy, her boyfriend of five years, she still was able to be friendly with him. And I really liked the intriguing character of Mike. While I was reading about those two, although I knew Jack was the guy she would end up with, I quite liked her and Mike. I thought the mystery was quite well done. I never guessed who it was. All in all, I really liked this one.
Grade: 4 1/2 out of 5
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
I'm sure everyone knows by now that this is the one that The Two Ja(y)nes of Dear Author picked for their experiment. And they made a most excellent choice!!! There are a number of reviews popping up on this one now that we are finding it in the stores so I won't do a rehash of the storyline. Instead I'll just go with what worked for me. I loved the character of Sascha Duncan. She is a member of the Pys class in a rather alternate kind of universe. The Pys pride themselves on feeling no emotion but Sashca is different. She feels things and is terrified she will be discovered and sent for "rehabilitation", a process that would pretty much make her a vegetable. And one of the things she feels most is an attraction to Lucas Hunter, the "alpha" of the Darkriver clan and a "Changeling" another class. Lucas is also a wonderful character. Very alpha, he is still tender and loving and protective of those he loves. As he works with Sascha on a project between the two classes and tries to discover the serial killer who has been stalking the Changleling class, he discovers that there is much more to Sascha than he thought. The only problem I had with this one is I got pretty confused towards the end of the book when she goes on the Pys net in order to help Lucas. But once I just decided not to try and analyze and just enjoy - that's what I did. Now with everyone else, I'm very much looking forward to the next book in this different and intriguing world.
Grade: 4 out of 5
Lawless by Patricia PotterNow that I have unpacked so many of my babies I haven't seen in years, I'm going to start a reread marathon. With talk of the Western around Blogland, I figured this one would be a good book to start with. This is one I always recommend even though I haven't read it for a while. And now that I have, I know how right I am to do so *g*. From the back blurb:
Her name was Willow...Strong and determined, she survived in a tough land, taking on the challenges of the Wild West as she worked her ranch with the small band of outcasts she claimed as her family. There was nothing she couldn't handle on her own - until a silent and mysterious gunman came to town and haunted her with his piercing gaze and his fiery touch....
His name was Lobo...The notorious Apache-raised gunslinger was hired to scare a lady rancer off her land using his dangerous reputation and his cold eyes - and worse, if it was necessary. He thought it would be the easiest bounty he'd ever earned until he came face-to-face with Willow Taylor. No woman had ever touched his heart before, and now Lobo faced the toughest challenge of all. Did he dare to reveal his true self to this spirited, giving woman?
What can I say? I love Westerns and I LOVE THIS BOOK!. I love everything about it! Even the cover doesn't bother me - maybe because it was first published in 1991, before this kind of cover started bothering me. Willow is a wonderful heroine. She is a teacher who creates a family out of strays. Ms. Potter manages to make each character come so alive. And Lobo! Ahhhhh what a wonderful hero he is. He doesn't want to take on the job he is hired for because he was lied to and it involves scaring women and children. He thinks he is cold and unfeeling - that's the way he has had to be because of his heartbreaking past. But he finds himself, much to his dismay, helping Willow and her family. The humour is gentle and heartwarming in these scenes. And although it isn't that explicit, the heat between Lobo and Willow just sizzles. Even though this is a reread and I know how it ends, I found myself rooting so much for their seemingly impossible HEA. There are also a couple of secondary romances in the book that have just enough to them that they are satisfying yet they don't take away from the main romance between Lobo and Willow. I love the storyline of the tough gunslinger being brought low by his love of the heroine - and this is one of the best!! This books is simply wonderful!
Grade: 5 out of 5
'til later
