Book Reviews - Angela Z. (WebSoccerMom)

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Smart and funny ad executive, Lucy Cunningham finds herself in a contest to lose 100 lbs in a year. She immediately falls for (literally) her hunky trainer, Theo Redmond, whom she describes as Malibu Ken. As a college student, Lucy was involved in a very humiliating experience and has padded her heart and her booty ever since. Theo's life has also brought him heartache and major responsibilities so he too has shielded his heart. He grows to admire and love Lucy's determination and personality.
Review Date: 8/2/2005

Another great SEAL/Trouble Shooters series book by Brockmann. I find that once I pick one up I have to read almost straight through. Who needs to work anyway?

Chief Cosmo Richter is on leave from the SEAL team to take care of his mother after she has an accident. Not being one to enjoy idle time, he takes on a "cake" job for Troubleshooters. Movie producer Jane Mercedes Chadwick has received a death threat and her production company has taken it seriously and hired security for her.

Cosmo is large, scary and has reportly "weird" colored (light/blue gray) eyes. He is very reserved and a man of very few words. Jane is a driven talkative movie producers who adobts a partygirl image to further her career.

As in most Brockmann novels there are three stories at one. The past story of war vetern Hal and Jack, the potential triangle of Jules Cassidy, his ex lover Adam and the very conflicted brother of Jane, Robin. Robin is referred to as "so in the closet, even he doesn't know he is gay".

I enjoyed this quick moving story but it is not one of my favorites. I did not get into the Hal/Jack story at all and I was not really impressed with the Cosmo and Jane story either. They just kind of met up and went to bed, had a misunderstanding type relationship with lots of danger through into the mix. The Robin/Jules/Adam was interesting but not really a "love" relationship either. Don't get me wrong this was still a great book. I love Brockmann and will read everything she ever writes.
Review Date: 10/24/2005

Erin Mccarthy has a way with humor that appeals to me. This is a cute and funny novel.
Review Date: 7/6/2006

Dream Man and Son of the Morning are two of my favorite Linda Howard paranormal stories and I had hoped that this one followed in its footsteps, but I don't think it did. I enjoyed the story slightly but really didn't feel much chemistry between Knox and Nikta. Many of the events in the story did not seem to tie together (or maybe I somehow missed the connections). I felt that Knox's character did not have much depth, where Nikta was given more personality. I liked her.
Review Date: 2/28/2006

Having just finished Luciens story I immediately picked up Jacinda's story. I am so glad I found this author. I love series but usually get bored and try to spread them out some. Not the case with series on the "Knight" family.

Jacinda Knight, youngest sister with five overbearing brothers is tired of being ruled by her brothers. She is also trying to live down her legacy of being the only daugher of the Hawkscliffe Harlot. Jacinda mother was shunned by polite society since she gave birth to six children to four different fathers. The Ton is just waiting for Jacinda to be the harlot that her mother was and is tired of the whispers and also fears her own wanton feelings. She decides to flee town and go to France. In route she is robbed and flees into an alley where she is forced to hide in a garbage heap. She witnesses a huge gang fight with the area's rival gangs. Still hiding she is found by the gang leader "Billy Blade", whom she had meet previously at her brothers home.

Not knowing who she is Billy proceeds to fall for her. After he discovers who she is he promptly returns her to her brothers (mostly untouched).

Billy is also not who he appears to be and circumstances cause him to leave the underworld and move back into the ton. He crosses Jacinda's path and decides to marry her. Jacinda has not forgiven him for bring her back home and makes his persuit nearly impossible.
Review Date: 8/22/2005

Having read Lord of Ice a few months ago, I was glad to read Lucien's story. Foley's writing has now made her one of my favorite historical authors. Having become bored with typical historicals this one is uniquely different.

Alice Montague has left her home to bring back her slut of a sister-in-law, Caro. Caro has left town leaving Alice to take care of her nephew whom is now sick with the chicken pox. Caro is now the mistress of Lord Lucifer (Lucien) Knight. While looking for Caro, Alice arrives in the "Grotto" where a massive orgy is taking place. Lucien is in the guise of "Draco" and shows up in the middle of the orgy with young new initates crawling all over him. What a different way to start a story.

Everything is not as it seems as Lucien immediately falls for the innocence of Alice and hatches a plan to trap her at his estate. Alice is not some doormat, but proceeds to show Lucien he is try worthy of love.

This book kept me reading late into the night. Not your typical lord/lady story.
Review Date: 8/22/2005

I was in the mood for some comedy so I pulled this out of my ever increasing to be read pile. I was not disappointed, but did not find it too funny either. This would be a nice summer beach book.

Lainie is a single mom who is also a Las Vegas Showgirl. Harry is the boring accountant at the casino Lainie works at and finds himself smitten. It turns out that Harry's mother is a retired showgirl and has decided that he wanted to find a nice normal wife. -- Your standard romance book conflict.

Lainies son Dexter is a genius adorable 4 year old whose father was a spoiled rotten rich kid. Lainie had left Dexter's father Joey years before because of his drinking and lack of desire to be a father. Now due to a possible inheritance, Joey needs Dexter to get into his families good graces.

Harry and his Mom, Rona along with several other retired showgirls and Rona's long time boyfriend, Leo help show Lainie what having a real family and love are all about by protecting her and Dexter from Joey.
Review Date: 7/28/2005

2nd in the Brotherhood of the Sword series, this story is about Christian of Acre. Christian has been given the nickname of Abbott due to his childhood background. He was left with monks by his parents when he was young.

Adara is the queen of her kingdom, Tagaria. At a very early age she was given in marriage to the Elgederion prince-regent whom was a boy himself. After the prince's parents were killed many years later, the prince himself was rumored to be dead. Ardara does not believe this and decides to find her wayward husband (who doesn't know he is married) and drag him back home by the hair to resume his role of King. (Can you guess by now that Christian is that prince?)

Besides Christian's relectance to leave his work with the brotherhood, and his desire to never love anyone, there are evil forces are out to insure that Christian does not take his place as king. Aradara finds a way to get to his heart and he manages to dodge the various assisination attempts coming their way. Secondary character Phantom is also back. He hides a tortured soul as well as his hidden connection to Christian. I can't wait for his story.
Review Date: 9/4/2005

I love a great comedic romance. Rachel Gibson never fails to deliver a a great one. Lucy is a murder mystery writer who is researching internet dating for her next book. Quinn is an undercover cop who is hunting for an internet dating, serial killing, woman.
Review Date: 2/28/2006

This is the second in a series. Shielder was the first. I liked the first but liked this story even more than the first. Sabin and Moriah are both emotionally wounded and the byplay between the two really gave life to the story. The addition of secondary characters of Radd and Lionia were funny and really added to the tale. The returning characters from Shielder were the icing.
Review Date: 5/22/2006

I really liked this story. I give it an A. Chase was the perfect alpha and Nessa was strong and smart enough to battle with him. What I really didn't like was Nessa's wish to have her clan accept her after she is able to save them. I would have told them all to take a flying leap....
Review Date: 5/22/2006

Andersen is a favorite of mine so I couldn't wait to read this newest novel. The cover in my opinion is really ugly, but the story was interesting.

Jackson Gallagher McCall, aka Jax Gallagher -- tournament poker pro, in a drunken pity fest gambles away a family heirloom autographed baseball to an Elvis impersonating Russian Mafioso -- say that fast three times. He soon discovers that the ball was not left to him in his fathers will but actually left to his step mom Treena McCall a 35 year old Las Vegas showgirl with polish roots from Pennsylvania

Assuming the Treena was a gold digging slut who married old men for their money, Jax sets out to seduce Treena and steal the ball back. Oh but of course in romance land, nothing is at it seems. Jax falls in love with her. Being your typical grown up man who still thinks like the insecure geek childhood prodigy he used to be, he doesn't tell her the truth. Treena discovers who he is and kicks the man to the curb with his precious ball in hand (the heirloom one in case you were wondering).

Will JAX survive losing her? Will his fingers and other body parts survive the Elvis dude? Read it and find out....
Review Date: 8/24/2005

Though there were some funny moments, the heroine had not redeeming qualities and was not likable at all. The plot was too thin and very little character development.
Review Date: 12/13/2006

Having enjoyed Undead and Unwed I was looking forward to this one. I am slightly disappointed. The storyline and Betsy's quips are very funny, but after awhile you come to realize that Betsy is truly the "dumb" smart assed blonde. I guess that is the appeal for the story but it I think it gets old and wonder how long this can carry out into a series. I sure it could go on and on, but I don't know how long it would keep my attention.
Review Date: 10/17/2005

Diane Gaston was recommended to me as a newer author whose regency's were not run of the mill. I had immediately wishlisted several of her books. The is the second I have read and I definately enjoyed it.

Lord Guy Keating marries Emily Duprey to get her money which he desprately needs. Emily is a plain girl who cannot believe someone like guy wants to marry her. Days after their elopement Guy finds out her father lied about her heiress status. Guy sets out gambling to try and save his estate and take care of his family and new wife. Emily decides to leave the marriage upon finding out Guy only married her for her money. To earn money she takes the guise of "The Lady Widow" and also gambles to earn money for her escape from the marriage.

There is a very hot "stip poker" card scene that was fun to read. Secondary characters add greatly to the story.

I highly recommend this regency.
Review Date: 5/30/2006

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