Musing of the Romantics

Fall Into Reading: October Releases by Andrea Williamson

Fall is here! It’s hard to believe that it’s that time of the year already. The leaves are starting to change colors, the air is starting to cool and the holiday season is on its way. And books make great presents! Here is your monthly dose of new releases…

 

Historical

The Christmas Countess by Adrienne Basso
Shadow Rider by Kathrynn Dennis
Under the Highlander’s Spell by Donna Fletcher
Scandalizing the Ton by Diane Gaston
Marry Christmas by Jane Goodger
Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke
Under the Blood Red Moon by Mina Hepsen
A Knight Well Spent by Jackie Ivie
As Luck Would Have It by Alissa Johnson
Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas
A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas
Come the Night by Susan Krinard
Passionate by Anthea Lawson
Night Falls Darkly by Kim Lenox
Veiled Passions by Tracy MacNish
Promises Reveal by Sarah McCarty
The Rustler by Linda Lael Miller
The Scarlet Spy by Andrea Pickens
Mr. Cavendish, I Presume
The Dark Viscount by Deborah Simmons
The Captive Heart by Bertrice Small
Hallowe’en Husbands by Lisa Plumley, Denise Lynn and Christine Merrill
It Happened One Night by Stephanie Laurens, Mary Balogh, Jacquie D’Alessandro and Candice Hern
The Magic of Christmas by Carolyn Davidson, Victoria Bylin and Cheryl St. John

Contemporary

Risking Her Heart by Liz Allison & Wendy Etherington
Watch and Learn by Stephanie Bond
Lies Lovers Tell by Zuri Day
What Matters Most by Gwynne Forster
Bare Witness by Katherine Garbera
Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber (Mainstream Fiction)
Power Play by Deirdre Martin
Driven by Desire by LuAnn McLane
The Ride of Her Life by Natasha Moore
Lucky Charm by Carly Phillips
Home for the Holidays by Lisa Plumley
Addicted to Love by Lori Wilde

 

Romantic Suspense

Night Fall by Cherry Adair
Caught by Jami Alden
No Escape by Shannon K. Butcher
The Private Concierge by Suzanne Forster
Show No Mercy by Cindy Gerard
Deadly Night by Heather Graham
Thread of Fear by Laura Griffin
For Her Eyes Only by Cait London
Where There’s Fire by Maureen McKade

 

Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

Veiled Truth by Vivi Anna
Night’s Master by Amanda Ashley
Bite the Bullet by L.A. Banks
Warrior by Cheryl Brooks
Untamed by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
Midnight’s Daughter by Karen Chance
Knight’s Fork by Rowena Cherry
Fallen by Claire Delacroix
Naughty or Nice by Sherri Erwin
Key to Redemption by Talia Gryphon
Blood Memories by Barb Hendee
Dark Harvest by Lynda Hilburn
Intimate Beings by Jessica Inclán
Red Fire by Deidre Knight
Kiss of a Dark Moon by Sharie Kohler
Mercury’s War by Lora Leigh
Up in Smoke by Katie MacAlister
Your Magic or Mine? by Ann Macela
Irreversible by Liz Maverick
Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead
Immortals: The Crossing by Joy Nash
The Rogue Hunter by Lynsay Sands
Angel’s Pain by Maggie Shayne
The Blackdagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide by J.R. Ward
One Bite With a Stranger by Christine Warren
Crate & Peril by J.D. Warren
Bond of Darkness by Diane Whiteside
King of Sword and Sky by C.L. Wilson (Fantasy)
Aftershock by Sharon Sala, Janis Reams Hudson and Debra Cowan
The Magical Christmas Cat by Lora Leigh, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh and Linda Winstead Jones
Mysteria Lane by Mary Janice Davidson, Susan Grant, Gena Showalter and P.C. Cast
Vegas Bites: Three of a Kind by Monique Lamount, J. M. Jeffries, Seressia Glass and Natalie Dunbar
Blood Lite by Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Kelley Armstrong
Wolfsbane and Mistletoe - Charlaine Harris and Toni L P Kelner, editors

 

Erotica/Erotic Romance

 

The Chosen Sin by Anya Bast

 

Riding Temptation by Jaci Burton
Whispers of the Flesh by Louisa Burton
Nights in Black Lace by Noelle Mack
The Diary of Cozette by Amanda McIntyre
Hot Silk by Sharon Page
Get Your Sexy On by Kimberly Kaye Terry
Leather & Lace by Beth Williamson, Rebecca Goings and Melissa Schroeder
Unwrap Me by Melissa MacNeal, Melissa Randall and Susan Lyons

 

 

As many of you know, I attended the Moonlight & Magnolias conference in Atlanta this past weekend and had an absolute blast! It was so good to see Buffie again and to finally meet PJ and Gannon. I was also able to see and spend time with several of my favorite authors (whom I also consider friends), Jenna Petersen, Jacquie D’Alessandro and Teresa Medeiros. So, I want to know -- which of your favorite authors have you met? Where did you meet them? Which author(s) would you absolutely LOVE to meet?

 

Until next month, happy reading!

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Book Review: Kind of Sword and Sky by C.L. Wilson

Reviewed by Maria Lokken
5 Stars

KING OF SWORD AND SKY is the third in a four book fantasy romance Tairen Soul series.  Rain the Fey King, who is also a tairen (a magical, winged cat of the Fading Lands) was sent to the mortal lands, Celieria, to find the answer that would save the dying tairen.  While there, he finds his truemate, a wood carver’s daughter, Ellysetta (Ellie) Barrista. Upon meeting Rain, Ellie discovers, her true being – she is not mortal but both  Fey and tairen. 

In this third installment KING OF SWORD AND SKY, we find Ellie traveling to the Fading Lands to help find out what is killing the tairen and to stop the Evil Mage from destroying the world. She is welcomed into the Mists of the Fading Lands with mixed feelings. Bearing the marks on her soul of the evil High Mage, Vadim Maur, there is uncertainty as to whether she is there to bring hope and salvation, or death and destruction.

And this is where I say – run and read the books.  Because how do you condense an epic into a cohesive review? It’s not easy; there are many characters, a tightly built world with rules and history, and an intricate plot.  The pacing in all three books is tight, and there’s one end goal for both good and evil – their own reign. How each gets there is the beauty of the series.  Each character is well defined with well written dialogue; every sentence advances the plot, giving the reader more information about the mysteries of the Fey, The Fading Lands and the evil Mage.

The author’s ability to write about shining pure beautiful magic on one hand and the deepest darkest evil you’ve ever seen on the other is rather remarkable.  The evil scenes drip off the page, and they aren’t always explicit.  Ms. Wilson can make the reader shiver to their bone, with the mere mention of the evil Mage or one of his subordinates walking into a room.      

Rain and Ellie are truemates, but they must complete their bond.  This doesn’t happen overnight, they must come to know one another emotionally and trust one another and themselves for the bond to be complete. As of this book they aren’t there yet.  But what does happen is the growth of their emotional ties, their increased understanding of each other, and their respect and deep feelings for one another.  And isn’t that what a love story should be?  Ellie may have started as a simple wood carver’s daughter, but she grows in her strength, her judgment, her compassion, and her powers.  She will defend what she thinks is right to the death as will her truemate Rain.  They make a powerful, believable couple.

For anyone who loves fantasy, the author has created a world filled with magic and deep history.  If you love romance, this is a love story between two beings that is deep and stretches the span of time. This is not a stand alone book.  You will want to start with the LORD OF THE FADING LANDS, and I promise, you won’t be able to stop

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Book Review: Mistress of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle

Reviewed by Andrea Williamson
3.5 Stars

MISTRESS OF PLEASUE is the debut novel by author Delilah Marvelle.  It is also the first in a planned five book series called The School of Gallantry.

At the age of twelve, Maybelle de Maitenon learned that her grandmother was a French courtesan.  Her father had passed away and she was left in the care of her only relative.  Now at the age of twenty-one, Maybelle, who has no desire to marry, treasures her independence and dreams of visiting Egypt and its wondrous pyramids.  Her grandmother, however, has other plans.  She wishes to see her granddaughter happily married and realize her own dream of opening a school to teach men the art of seduction.  Maybelle doesn’t want any part of either plan, but eventually compromises that she will humor her grandmother in the search for a husband and help with the school for two months in exchange for enough money to fund her trip to Egypt.  Her grandmother calls on some favors and gets them invited to a few soirées.  At the first ball they attend, Maybelle sets eyes on a man that absolutely takes her breath away (a vast improvement over other men she has been exposed to), which throws a wrench in her plans.

Edmund Worthington, sixth Duke of Rutherford, is no stranger to scandal.  Therefore, when he is caught ravishing a beautiful stranger in the garden at a ball, he thinks nothing of it.  Imagine his shock when his mother insists that he propose to the girl!  Of course he balks at the idea at first, but eventually gives in to make his mother happy.  Then he is even more stunned when Maybelle refuses his generous offer.  When her grandmother falls ill and Maybelle must take over her place at the School of Gallantry, Edmund formulates a plan to enroll so he can convince Maybelle to take him seriously and accept his suit.

There are a lot of things I like about this book.  I like the idea of a school for gentleman to learn the art of seduction.  It will certainly feature some great storylines in the future for this series, especially since the heroes of the upcoming books are introduced in this story and they are each quite intriguing, to say the least.  Also, I absolutely adore Edmund.  He is confident and forceful when dealing with his peers, yet is tender and sincere when it comes to his mother and Maybelle.  In one scene, he shares a dark family secret with Maybelle and his feelings are so heartfelt that I choked up and my heart went out to him.  Maybelle is a good heroine for Edmund.  She has the mettle to stand up to and hold her own with him.  And I love what she thought the first time she laid eyes on Edmund -- Now there was a chariot worth riding into hell on.  It made me laugh, but not as much as one particular, ahem, “phallic” scene that takes place at the school.  It is priceless.  Oh, and grab yourself a fan while reading this one.  The love scenes are blazing hot! 

I had a couple of quibbles with the story.  One was the use of “My Lord” instead of “my lord” that was spoken by the characters.  I’ve never read a book where it was capitalized and it threw me off when I saw it.  Maybe it just bothers me.  Also, I had a problem with the fact that Edmund’s mother, a duchess, was all right with and even encouraged his son to marry a French courtesan’s granddaughter.  I felt like there should have been at least a little bit of resistance from her, but there was none.

Despite the nit-picks, I enjoyed this book and will definitely be checking out the next books in Ms. Marvelle’s series ... especially after I found out whose book was next.

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Book Review: Night Falls Darkly by Kim Lenox

Reviewed by Gannon Carr
4 stars

Kim Lenox has penned a compelling debut novel, the first in The Shadow Guard series.  Archer, Lord Black, is a member of the immortal Shadow Guard, a race whose purpose is to reclaim the souls of dark and evil individuals before they can cross over to the next realm and cause irreparable damage.  Archer has been summoned by Queen Victoria.  His mission is to find and eliminate Jack the Ripper, who has London paralyzed with terror.   But Archer’s focus is not just on his mission, but also on the lovely Elena Whitney.

Two years ago, Elena Whitney got caught in the middle while Archer was reclaiming a soul.  He saves her life, erases all of her memories of her past, and becomes her mysterious guardian.  Elena spends her time working as a nurse in Whitechapel, pursuing her dream of going to medical school and becoming a doctor.  One day she returns home to find the devilishly attractive Lord Black has arrived with his entourage.  Her enthusiasm is dampened when she realizes he doesn’t recognize her as his ward.  Archer had instructed his secretary to “take care of her”.  He thought she would be at a boarding school, instead of residing in his home.  Their attraction for one another is instantaneous, but Archer cannot allow himself to be distracted by Elena and his growing feelings for her.

As a Shadow Guard, Archer’s raison d’etre is to reclaim marked souls, and Jack the Ripper is at the top of the list.  It appears as if Elena is the Ripper’s next target.  But Archer will not allow her to be harmed, even if it means risking his own immortal soul.  The love and passion he feels for Elena have become his ‘reason for being’ now, and not even Jack the Ripper will stop them.  Archer is an alpha hero with a capital ‘A’.  Underneath his cool and composed exterior, lurks a sensual and sensitive soul.  When it comes to Elena, that sensual, sensitive animal leaps to the forefront….and how!    And Elena is strong heroine that I couldn’t help but like.  She is the perfect match for Archer. Their relationship is tumultuous, passionate and heartbreakingly poignant.  I cheered and wept for them, and I think you will, too.

The second book in The Shadow Guard series, SO STILL THE NIGHT will be released in May 2009, and I can’t wait.  The hero in that one is Mark, one of Archer’s fellow Shadow Guards.  Mark is a fascinating secondary character in NIGHT FALLS DARKLY—another sexy alpha male.  And when it comes to Mark, Lenox gives her readers quite a cliffhanger at the end of this book.  Discovering new authors is such a thrill, and I will definitely add Lenox to my list of auto buys!  Be sure to get this book….and the next one, too.  These sexy immortal heroes will take you on quite a ride!

Night Falls Darkly releases October 7, 2008.

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Book Review: Storm Born by Richelle Mead

Reviewed by Maria Lokken
4 stars

I didn’t know if I should write a review or just use symbols.  My reactions to this book
are a cross between this? And this?!

I admit I was absolutely hooked from page one.  The author has created a heroine with a quirky, smart aleck, tough point of view.  She’s an assassin after all.  Using her athame, silver bullets and magic wand Eugenie Markham deftly destroys ‘Otherworld’ people who’ve crossed over into our world to wreak havoc, make mischief and play the nasty with humans. 

Raised by her mother and stepfather in the Arizona desert, Eugenie was taught by her stepfather how to be a shaman and follow in his footsteps… she’s good at it, really good at it, so the Otherworld Gentry are afraid of  her.

When Eugenie is hired to rescue a teenage girl who’s been kidnapped by a bad ass gentry named Aeson – she must cross over into their world.  Crossing over is not usual, in fact, it’s very dangerous.  But a little danger isn’t about to stop our heroine.  And this is where the journey begins – of good vs. evil, and Eugenie really finding out who and what she is.  Her travels into the Otherworld allow her to begin to develop powers she didn’t know she had, and it’s beginning to turn her… but we don’t know what it’s turning her into. And that is where I went quietly nuts.  Not knowing.  There was no definitive ending, and that’s because this book comes under the heading of ‘fantasy’, not romance.  So, I’m afraid there was no happy ending, at least not in this book.  There’s a sequel promised, so I’m assuming all comes out right in the end, I just don’t know where the end is.

The sizzle factor is high, whether outright or implied, sex is interwoven in this story so much so it’s dripping off the pages.  What I didn’t see coming was the love triangle, and I wasn’t sure who to root for. The author has created a world I didn’t expect. There’s nothing ‘neat’ or ‘pat’ about this story.  There’s always the question in the back of the reader’s mind about who is really good and who is really bad.  My one main objection would be a few of the sex scenes because I felt they were gratuitous, and didn’t really add to the story.  Otherwise, it’s a series I will continue to read because now I need to find out what happens to Eugenie, her two lovers, and what she’ll do with the powers she’s developing.  Ms. Mead has a terrific voice, she knows how to grab a reader and keep them turning the pages.

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Book Review: To Wed a Highlander by Michele Sinclair

Reviewed by PJ Ausdenmore
4.25 stars

I’m a long-time fan of medieval romances but the last two I read were very disappointing so I was   a bit apprehensive when the next book I was assigned to review turned out to be another medieval and written by an author with whom I was unfamiliar.  I’m happy to say that by the end of the first chapter I was already enjoying this author’s voice and knew I was in for a fun ride. 

When highland warrior, Colin McTiernay met the petite and lovely Deirdre Dunstan he knew he had found the woman he would cherish all of his days but a year later his sweet, beloved wife died, taking his heart with her to the grave.  Now, a year after Deirdre’s death, her father, the laird of the lowlander Dunstan clan, knows his own days are numbered and the only way to insure his clan’s safety from their enemies is to have Colin succeed him as laird after his death.  Though Colin has been living with the Dunstan clan and secretly training soldiers to defend them for the past two years, the lowlanders don’t like the serious highlander and, more importantly, don’t trust him.  The laird knows that the only way to make the clan accept Colin as their leader is to marry him to his youngest daughter Makenna, the stubborn hellion who has driven Colin crazy since the day he arrived.  To say both he and Makenna oppose the marriage would be a vast understatement. 

I love the type of storyline where everybody knows the hero and heroine are perfect for each other - except the hero and heroine.   Makenna and Colin have been rubbing each other the wrong way since the moment they were introduced and their scenes with one another throughout the story snap and sizzle.  Neither of them recognizes that it is that very passion that they set off in one another that is missing from the other relationships in their lives.  Even Deirdre, beloved sister and wife, recognized that they would be perfect for one another and, on her death bed, urged a shocked Colin to marry Makenna.   Watching these two awaken to the sexual passion between them is a delight.  Sinclair never goes off course as she deftly guides them through the various pitfalls that await them as they gradually learn to accept one another and their growing feelings while working to save the Dunstan clan from a villainous neighboring laird and traitors within their own clan.  Sinclair keeps the story moving at a fast pace and the reader joyfully flipping pages right up to the ultimately satisfying conclusion.  This is an author I will happily read again!

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Book Review: Up in Smoke by Katie MacAlister

Reviewed by Gannon Carr
4 stars

In the second novel of her Silver Dragon series, Katie MacAlister delves deeper into the lives of doppelganger, May Northcott and her Silver Dragon mate, Gabriel Tauhou.  Filled with humor and heat, this novel is an action-packed, never-a-dull-moment thrill ride.

May Northcott is a doppelganger who was created by her twin, Cyrene, while Cyrene was enthralled by a demon lord named Magoth.  Unfortunately, this made May a servant to Magoth, bound to do his bidding.  During one of her 'jobs' to steal a magical object for Magoth (in the first Silver Dragon novel, Playing With Fire), May crossed paths with Gabriel and discovered that she was his mate.  At first, May fought this fate, but the passion between her and Gabriel
would not be denied.  Ah, but the path to true love is never smooth, and in May and Gabriel's case, this is especially true.  The magical object that May tried to steal was the Lindorm Phylactery, which belongs to Gabriel and his sept of Silver Dragons.  Containing a shard of dragon heart (the other shards are split amongst other dragon septs), the phylactery would give Magoth control over all dragonkin.

Plans go awry, and May has become Magoth's consort, bound to live with him in Abaddon (Hell).  Gabriel finds a way to rescue his mate; he encourages May to surrender to Magoth.  Because May was created in the mortal world, Magoth will now have access to the mortal world, as well.  This horrifies May until she discovers that Magoth will be virtually powerless, and she and Gabriel will be together at last.  She agrees, and sets the plan in motion.  If only it was so
simple.

Gabriel is one sexy dragon!  Small wonder that May will risk everything to be with him.  Passionate, powerful and hot—hey, he's a fire-breathing dragon!-- Gabriel's silver eyes make May melt every time they are together.  His love and all consuming passion for May is so intense, it almost made me melt, too.  These two quite literally burn up the pages (and the sheets)—their dragon fire often sets the bed and room on fire!  Whew!

At a meeting of all the dragon wyverns (leaders), Gabriel gives May the phylactery, so she can hide it and protect it from the others.  By accident, May ‘uses’ the phylactery, and it is destroyed as the room erupts in flames.  Now May has become the phylactery, housing the dragon shard inside of her, which poses all sorts of new and unusual obstacles for her and her mate.  Did I mention that the path to true love was never smooth?

MacAlister’s dialogue is fast and witty, the action is non-stop, and the passion is hotter than the proverbial dragon’s fire.  I thoroughly enjoyed Up In Smoke, and once again MacAlister has left her readers dangling with another cliffhanger.  Although, this book can stand alone, I would recommend reading Playing With Fire first, so you can follow May and Gabriel on their torrid, and often, turbulent journey.  Oh, and be sure to have a fan nearby….you’ll need to cool off after all that dragon heat!

Up In Smoke releases October 7, 2008.

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The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider’s Guide by J.R. Ward

Reviewed by Kati Dancy
4.75 stars

I think that JR Ward must be a genius. I say that with a mixture of dismay and total admiration. You see, with her last book, Lover Enshrined, I’d given up on the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. For a variety of reasons that really aren’t important, except to say that I felt that she’d moved away from romance and into a confusing urban fantasy series that wasn’t much to my taste. All of that has changed with the publication of this book, which Ward refers to as the “Compendium”, as will I.

The Compendium includes a variety of impressive tidbits and not just about the Brotherhood, but also about Ward’s writing process. Ward herself has a very strong voice, which anyone who has read her books knows. She writes very much like she talks, I think. And this book is almost anecdotal in its nature. But it kicks off with what I can only describe as a heart wrenching short story about Z and Bella, set just after the birth of their daughter, Nalla. Everything about the story exemplifies Ward’s excellence at crafting romance. Her complete handle on how to build emotion between characters and her ability to reintroduce us to two beloved characters and make their struggles seem so real and painful. The polish and style of this story is why I started reading Ward. The emotion she wrenches from the reader is both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. For those who love Zsadist best among the brothers, this story is an absolute gift. And it makes you fall even more deeply for him.

The Compendium also boasts wonderful tidbits about the Brotherhood, catching us up with each of the brothers in “current time.” It shows them happy and adjusted and in many cases addresses many of the questions or concerns that I as a reader had. It has interesting and fun “interviews” with each of the brothers, which really expand upon their personalities and shows us how they’re doing. The book closes with an absolutely heartbreaking last interview with Tohr and Wellsie. The book is amazingly well constructed and designed to satisfy readers both new to the series and those of us who are veterans. I would call it a must read for fans of the series and those who wish to know more about Ward's writing and marketing process. For me, it served to draw me back into a series that I’d given up on. I now join the throngs anxiously awaiting Rhevenge’s book, Lover Avenged.

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Book Review: Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

Reviewed by Buffie Johnson
4.5 stars

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to date one of People’s Sexiest Man Alive?   I cannot even fathom how I would react meeting one of those guys, let alone dating them.   But in the debut novel by Julie James readers are able to experience just that with the only man to ever be voted sexiest man alive three times.   

Taylor Donovan is a force to be reckoned with.  As a trial lawyer for a major national law firm, Taylor is all business all of the time.   She is on the fast track to becoming one of the partners in the Chicago office.    Taylor is sent to the firm’s Los Angeles office to work a high profile, high stakes sexual harassment case.  After two weeks in the Los Angeles office, the managing attorney asks Taylor to take on an additional assignment – coaching an actor for his role in the next big legal thriller.   When she realizes there is no way out of this assignment, she reluctantly agrees and nonchalantly asks who the actor is.   Her heart stops beating the moment the boss says Jason Andrews.   THE Jason Andrews.   The actor who has just been named People’s Sexiest Man Alive for the third time.   The actor who has been the “it” man for several years.   The actor who any woman would welcome into her bed.  And many have.   What is she going do?

Jason Andrews is an international celebrity.   He is used to woman falling at his feet, and to having everyone at his beck and call.   But when he meets the lawyer who will be coaching him for his next big role, Jason doesn’t understand why she is giving him the cold shoulder even though he ditched their first meeting for a weekend in Las Vegas with a buddy.   Jason is quite intrigued with Taylor’s no nonsense attitude.    It has been years since he has been around a woman who has no interest in the limelight.   When Taylor seems immune to his Hollywood charm and good looks, Jason finds the challenge to be irresistible.   

Julie James has created a wonderful debut novel.   I thoroughly enjoyed the ride that Taylor and Jason took me on.   Ms. James does a terrific job at showing the strengths of Taylor and Jason while exposing us to the vulnerabilities in their lives.  Plus Ms. James is able to make an international celebrity seem like the guy next door.   As a reader, you are able to experience the development of a relationship that blooms from friendship to love.  And it is funny!  Before I was even 35 pages into the book, Ms. James had me laughing out loud at one particular scene.   Not a mere chuckle or a giggle.  An actual put the book down, laugh out loud, and wipe the tears from my eyes laugh.   It is a fabulous book and I highly recommend it to everyone.

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Book Review: Driven by Desire by LuAnn McLane

Reviewed by Buffie Johnson
4.25 Stars

I don’t know about you, but I totally love reunion stories, especially when it involves high school sweethearts.   I have a very tender spot when it comes to high school romances as my husband and I were high school sweethearts.   There is just something about reconnecting with someone from your past.  Someone who really knows you.  Someone you adored and loved with all of your being.   And, unfortunately, someone who broke your heart in two.    This is the premise for LuAnn McLane’s latest contemporary release, Driven by Desire.   

Alexia Spencer’s heart was broken by her high school sweetheart, Jayden Michaels.   Jayden is an adrenaline junkie and took to motocross racing like fish take to swimming.   After witnessing Jayden’s near-fatal accident, Alexia asked him to give up motocross racing for good.   But instead of acquiescing, Jayden rode out of town without even a good-bye.  Alexia tried to move on and forget about Jayden.    She found herself in an unhappy marriage to a college professor.   After her husband’s death, Alexia realizes she needs to “find” herself again.   So she moves back to her home town, buys a little cabin, and goes to work for her sister, who runs the local newspaper.   As Alexia is walking through the woods around her cabin contemplating the opportunities life has to offer, she does not realize she is about to come face to face, or rather face to motorcycle, with Jayden.

Ten years is a long time to be away from home and to be racing motocross.  So when his best friend and motocross superstar Colin McCord asks Jayden to be an investor and partner in a motocross track center, he jumps at the chance.   The strangeness of being back home has Jayden jumping on his motorcycle for a ride in the woods.   Pushing the bike to its limits, Jayden goes to jump a creek when a person steps onto the path in the woods.   In an effort to try to not hit the individual dead on, Jayden loses control of the bike and crashes.  When Jayden looks up from the cold, damp ground he is laying on, he finds he is staring into the eyes of Alexia Spencer.   Of all the women and all the woods, why did she have to be here?   

Both Alexia and Jayden have been nursing broken hearts for ten years.    Alexia feels that Jayden picked motocross over her.   She desperately wanted him to come back home and tell her that he would never leave her again.    While Jayden fervently hoped Alexia would appear on the motocross circuit to cheer him on and stand by his side.  Jayden did not think his heart could be wounded more, but when he found out Alexia had married, it did.   Maturity and time have helped both of them to realize the selfishness of their ideals.   But will they both lay their hearts on the line again?

The emotional tension between Jayden and Alexia is beautifully written.   As the reader, you really get a good sense of what both characters are feeling in every scene.   The anguish of regret.   The sadness of time lost.   The sweetness of young love.    And don’t forget the feverish wanting of intimacy and sexual gratification.   The love scenes in this book are fabulously written.

Not only did I fall in love with Alexia and Jayden, but I really enjoyed the secondary characters too.   LuAnn McLane is a master at writing secondary characters that come alive on the page but yet do not steal the limelight from the hero and heroine.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching the blooming relationship between Alexia’s sister Brianna and Jayden’s partner Colin.

I highly recommend this book.   It is a wonderful read, and it leaves you with a sigh and a smile.   
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