First Star I See Tonight (Chicago Stars) / Susan Elizabeth Phillips 384 p.

Let me start by stating, "This is my favorite author!"  Susan Elizabeth Phillips's books are so fun to read!    First Star I See Tonight is the eighth book in the Chicago Stars Series.  Cooper Grant is a recently retired quarterback from the Chicago Stars football team who owns a night club and is looking to expand his investments.  Piper Dove is the daughter of the late Duke Dove who owned a detective agency.  Piper's father never wanted her in the business, but Piper has the bought the detective agency from her step-mother.  Her first big job is investigating Cooper Grant.  It's not long before Piper's cover is blow and now she's working for Cooper himself.  Sarcastic comments are being exchanged and the sparks are flying!

Affair before Christmas / Eloisa James 400 p.

Four years after a romantic marriage, Perdita and her husband, the Duke of Fletcher, split.  She moves in with her friend Jemma, the Duchess of Beaumont.  Poppy feels Fletch has fallen out of love with her and is turning to a mistress.  She reflects that perhaps the problem may be more with her as her mother pushed her to marry a duke.  She is amazing naive, insecure, with a dominating mother full of idea about marital relations that she never hesitates to proclaim to Poppy.  No wonder Poppy has bedroom trouble.  Fletch realizes he misses Poppy and that he still loves her and is willing to compromise to get Poppy back and his mother-in-law out of his house.


2nd in James' Desperate duchesses series.
Readers of Mary Balogh's historical romances may enjoy these by Eloisa James
Affair before Christmas / Eloisa James 400 p.

Silent Melody / Mary Balogh 361 p.

Mary Balogh delves into a twist on the usual romance by featuring a woman who is unable hear or to talk.  Yet, she communicates and emotes with her eyes.  At 15, she has fallen for Lord Ashley Kendrick who is leaving for India.  He surprises the family when he returns home on the night her her first ball, and quite probably her engagement ball.  His return to her resurrects their friendship complete with their secret ways of communicating.  And is the start of a new relationship.

Silent Melody / Mary Balogh 361 p.

Lover Awakened (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Bk 3) / J.R. Ward / 481 pgs.

"A former blood slave, the vampire Zsadist still bears the scars from a past filled with suffering and humiliation. Renowned for his unquenchable fury and sinister deeds, he is a savage feared by humans and vampires alike. Anger is his only companion and terror his only passion—until he rescues a beautiful female from the evil Lessening Society.
Bella is instantly entranced by the seething power Zsadist possesses. But even as their desire for each other begins to overtake them, Zsadist’s thirst for vengeance against Bella’s tormentors drives him to the brink of madness. Now Bella must help her lover overcome the wounds of his tortured past and find a future with her...." - From Amazon.com

Zsadist has a hard, feral exterior; but the reader is quickly shown how incredibly alone, afraid, and tormented this character has become due to the years of abuse he endured.  It is his vulnerability when he opens up to the protagonist Bella, that just makes him so damn sexy.   I feel, the author, JR Ward, does an admiral job in creating a romance where the protagonist Bella is not trying to "save" or "change" Zsadist; instead try to love and heal a broken person.  It is also a poignant reminder that males can also be victims of sexual abuse, by female abusers.    

This book is fast paced, with vengeful, bone-cracking fight scenes, steamy romance, and the characters run through a gamut of emotions.  Highly recommended for Paranormal Romance readers readers who don't mind dark themes in their romances, and readers who like flawed/tormented/tortured hero types.  5 out of 5 stars!!!

The Raven Prince / Elizabeth Hoyt / 356p

Edward de Raaf, the Earl of Swartingham, is a wealthy, controlling, boorish, alpha male with a quick and bad temper.  He ran off his last two secretaries with his out of control tantrums, and orders his servant to find him new help within 24 hours.  The replacement is a kindhearted, unassuming widow named Anna Wren, who is not intimidated by Edward's demeanor, and has the patience to put up with a lot of male posturing and false bravado behavior.  Anna's good nature melts Edward's icy exterior, and her hidden passionate side and curiosity for sexual pursuits captures his heart.  

I picked up this book a long time ago because I read an overly enthusiastic reviewer claim that "this book will
make your ovaries explode".  

Yes, the love scenes are "steamy", albeit a tad too descriptive (imho).  The dynamic between the two characters fit well for readers who enjoyed "50 shades of grey".  Rich/powerful guy meets mousy employee and begins lusting after her.  At least the female character in this story has a stronger backbone than 50 shade's Anastasia Steel.  In "The Raven Prince" it is the female character who takes it in her own hands to initiate and explore her own sexuality.  Readers eventually get to the loving relationship part, but have to slog through pages of the Alpha male not able to make up his mind about anything.

I would give this book an "average" 3 out of 5 stars.  Strong female character, jerk/tortured male who eventually comes around, hot romance.

Slightly Shady / Amanda Quick 343 p.

A gangster's valet's diary provides blackmailers with loads of opportunities to threaten the English nobs.  Tobias March, a discrete private investigator, is hired to find the diary which leads him to the beautiful Lavinia Lake (who sidetracks him).  They tentative form an business alliance as Lavinia acquires a Lady with a past who is also wanting the diary.  An attraction grows between Lavinia and Tobias in this first in their series.

New series

Dark Earl / Virginia Henley 401 p.

Lady Harriet Hamilton falls for Viscount Thomas Anson when they meet as a child when Thomas' father sells off all of the assets of Shugborough. Or perhaps she falls first for Shugborough. Lady Harriet, call me Harry, is rather outspoken. Her family tilts at Victorian mores by reading titillating books and having intimate encounters. Thomas is out to refurbish Shugborough with its original fittings...difficult when one's father has gambled away every penny. Thomas sees Harry as a help with this goal; but, Harry wants to have what her 'in-love' parents have. Thomas proves his love in a variety of ways. Lots of drama with some predictability in this Victorian romance from the author of the Irish Duke.

Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Book Awards 2011 Nominees

Loose Ends/Tara Janzen/389 pgs.

This is another entry in the "Steele Street" series, and clears up the mystery of J.T. Chronopolous' "death" years ago. Due to amnesia and performance enhancing drugs, J.T. has recreated himself as Conroy Farrel. The Steele Street "gang" wants him back so that they can return him to his former identity. There is plenty of action, suspense, and yes, sex, to keep the reader entertained. If you like this book, you'll want to read the others in the series!

Kiss of a Demon King / Kresley Cole 417 p.

Rydstrom Woede, the King of the Rage Demons, wants Tornin and his kingdom back and a Queen worthy of his people. Sabine, Sorceress of Illusions, wants to fulfill the covenant and cease the power from the well of Tornin. Her brother, Omert, currently rules over Rydstrom’s kingdom with his evil ways. Sabine captures Rydstrom and chains him to keep him from using his powerful strength. He’s her captive slave and must do as she wishes. Sabine learns that Rydstrom resists with his considerable strength. He turns the table on her and she is his captive. There starts the romance as he has found his Queen but she resists.

2010 RITA Winner: Best Paranormal