The Stork Reality by Malena Lott

Suppose you’re the creative director of a major advertising agency and your husband just became a junior partner in his law firm. Your job takes you to great places and you love to party all night and work all day. Live is rough, right? But then one morning you realize that you skipped your period. You’re pregnant or at least that’s what the pregnancy test and your doctor tell you. Now you’ll have to give up the job you love because preggo’s can’t work 80 hours per week and you’re afraid to tell your husband, because he’s going to leave or worse. Can life get any worse than this?

This book follows a woman as she navigates the rocky road of pregnancy. You get to see the low points of her life along with how she battles back to get control. It’s a very good book and one of those books that you’re going to read and say, why didn’t I write this story. Especially if you have children.

Details: Making It, June 2006

Bottom line: A very good book

Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum is fed up with chasing fugitives, so she quits her job as a bounty hunter and applies for a more sensible job as the button factory. Unfortunately, trouble has a way of following Stephanie as she finds someone has beaten her car with a baseball bat, shot holes though her car, set the backseat on fire and finally blows up her car yet again. Not only that, but she manages to get fired from one job after another - often with spectacular results. And the competition between Joe Morelli and Ranger ratchets up a notch as they both fight to make sure she stays alive. Now Stephanie is definitely in trouble, and the only way for her to stay alive is to use her bounty hunting skills to track down the person who wants her dead before they succeed in killing her.

Stephanie is back again with the usual cast of characters and is funnier than ever. There’s a lot of good sexual tension between Stephanie and Joe and quiet a bit of tension between Stephanie and Ranger. The only problem I had with this book was I wished Janet had written another couple of hundred pages. If you haven’t read one of these books, you should start at the beginning with One for the Money and work your way up as there is a lot of history that you should really know. But for a real Stephanie Plum fan, my only thought is why haven’t you read the book yet?

Details: St. Martins, June 2006

Bottom line: A great book

The Fly Guy by Laura Bradford

Sarah Dundee ekes out a living by writing products reviews for a nature magazine. Her reviews attracted the attention of a major publisher who wants her to fly all over the country reviewing products in some of the most remote locations available. There’s just one problem, Sarah is deathly afraid of airplanes. Well, she actually has two problems. The other is she’s trying to stop the nearby airport from expanding into a nature preserve, which immediately pits her against the airport’s owner, Logan Donnelly. Logan on the other hand needs to expand his airport or face financial ruin. Unfortunately, from the instant they met, both Sarah and Logan feel a strong attraction for each other. But without room to compromise, the couple is headed for one big crash landing.

Okay, I’ll admit it. I like airplanes. And finding a book for $2.49 with over 430 pages is a real bargain, so this book had a lot going for it from the start. However, for some reason it took me a long time to get into the story and I never felt much for either the heroine or the hero. However, the ending of this book almost makes up for its flaws. I won’t spoil it by giving away the ending, but I just couldn’t put the book down for the last 50 pages or so. Unfortunately Laura forgot to tie up a few loose ends in the story, so unless you really like stories about airplanes or a good bargain, you might want to think twice about this book.

Details: Zebra, June 2006

Bottom line: A pretty good book

Letting Go! by Mara Fox

Emma Daniels wants to change her life. She wants to be wild like her best friend and have sex with any guy she wants. So she joins her friend on a singles cruise where she meets a hot, Latin lover, who fulfilled her every fantasy. She leaves him at the ship knowing that she’ll never see him again. However unknown to her, her Latin lover is really Tony “Andres” Enterlin – someone she’s been working with over the telephone for a while now. And now Tony is now working at her office. Suddenly Emma’s plans have taken a sharp turn and she’s not sure what to do – should she continue to have great sex with her Latin lover or should she walk away before things gets too serious?

This is part of The Wrong Bed series and offers up some interesting characters. The heroine starts out as a conservative girl who’s afraid to let herself go, while her best friend is the complete opposite. However by the end of the story, their roles are reversed making Mara’s next book, which is about Emma’s best friend a must buy too.

Details: Blaze #257, June 2006

Bottom line: A very good book

The Player by Rhonda Nelson

Jamie Flanagan is an ex-Army Ranger in need of serious help, so his former commander tricks him into reporting to a camp specializing in helping overstressed people. The pretext the officer used was to protect his granddaughter, Audrey Kincaid from danger. Her grandfather warned Audrey about Jamie's problems, but she's got her own problems. Her boyfriend just popped the questions, but she doesn't know how to answer him. Torn with her decision about marriage, she's careful not to let her attraction to the military man show. Now Audrey's grandfather tells Jamie to make sure that Audrey doesn’t become engaged. The only problem for Jamie deciding how far was he willing to do to carry out his orders.

This book is the first book in the Men Out of Uniform series, which features three army rangers who are adapting to civilian life. There is a nice sense of humor between the characters as they try to hide their issues from each other, which makes this a very fun read. If you like traditional Blazes that focus on the sexual tension between the hero and heroine, you’ll love this book.

Details: Blaze #255, June 2006

Bottom line: A very good book

Confessions of a Party Crasher by Holly Jacobs

When her Morgan Miller’s west coast job bites the dust and she’s forced to return to Philadelphia, Morgan’s mother takes pity on her and invites her to a party. The party turns out to be a wedding reception and then Morgan learns that her mother wasn’t invited. When the sexy photographer, Conner Danning realizes that they didn’t belong, Morgan makes up a story that not only gets them out of trouble, but gives her a reason for meeting Conner again. Conner finds himself looking forward to spending time with Morgan, but he’s disappointed when she insists that she’s planning on returning to California as soon as she can find a job. But the more time Morgan spends with Conner, the less she wants to return to the west coast. Now will Morgan return to her former life in California or will she stay and crash Conner’s next party?

I remember reading Holly Jacobs from the days when Harlequin still published Flipsides and Duets. It was refreshing to read her again. I really enjoyed this book and the sense of humor that filled the pages. If you like lighthearted books, I’m sure you’ll love this one.

Details: Signature Select, June 2006

Bottom line: A great book

Almost a Goddess by Judi McCoy

When Zeus decides his muses are slacking off, he sends them to earth on a mission: over the next year, they must use their talents as he intended or face severe consequences. In addition, he carefully instructs them not to get involved with any humans or risk banishment to Earth as a mortal. Kyra, the goddess of Good Luck ends in up Las Vegas where she inspires gamblers that are a bit down on their luck to win just enough money to get their lives back on track. With only a short time left to go before her year is up, Kyra runs into Jake Lennox. Jake is investigating why the casino seems to be losing money and the stream of winners that Kyra leaves in her wake leads him to think he’s found the source of the problem. Unfortunately, Kyra falls for Jakes charms. Now will Kira risk Zeus’s wrath by letting herself fall in love or will she return to Mount Olympus in total disgrace?

Judi McCoy’s books never fail to capture my attention and this one is no exception. I like the tie in to the Zeus and the rest of the gods on Mount Olympus and wish Kira could tap me on the shoulder the next time I mail something to an editor. The story also leaves room for two sequels featuring two more muses, and I’m eagerly looking forward to reading their stories too.

Details: Avon, June 2006

Bottom line: A great book

Two Hot! by Cara Summers

Zoë McNamara worked for the CIA for all of two months before starting on her Ph.D. at Georgetown University. There she runs into Jed Calhoun and wants nothing more than to kiss him. Promising herself that one night of wild sex would get him out of her system, Zoë decides to sleep with Jed. A couple of days after that, she runs into Ethan Blair and again she feels the urge to get naked. Unlike Jed, Ethan reminds her of James Bond and just like all of the women Bond becomes involved with, Zoë finds herself in the middle of some nasty spy business. Assuming that Zoë can stay alive long enough, she needs to make up her mind, Ethan or Jed or both?

For a writer, this book is very interesting as it crosses into an uncharted area. Zoë finds herself torn between two men so much so that she fantasies about having sex with both of them at the same time. Beyond the fantasy, the book tells an interesting tale involving a CIA operation gone wrong. This book is definitely worth the time to read, especially if you like books that try to push the limits of a Blaze.

Details: Blaze #259, June 2006

Midnight Touch by Karen Kendall

Alejandro Torres has a big secret – he gives women pedicures at the After Hours spa and salon. This is as unmanly as a man with Peruvian ancestors can get. When he’s not working, he's busy studying for his degree in business management, alongside Kate Spinney. Kate is also working on her master’s degree while hiding in Miami from her overly rich and controlling family. When a group project brings them together, Alejandro is afraid Kate will find him less than a man because of how he makes his living, so he goes to extreme lengths to conceal his real job – including telling complex lies to conceal his true nature. But Kate falls in love with Alejandro because he's so unlike anyone in her family. Now, can Kate find it in her heart to forgive Alejandro for lying to her or will Kate walk out of his life forever?

I found this to be a very interesting Blaze in the way that it treated Alejandro. It was very interesting seeing someone write about a guy that acts so outwardly masculine yet who is so insecure on the inside.

This book concludes the After Hours series and features the characters from the previous books in the series. All the loose odds and ends are wrapped up neatly too. You’ll definitely have to read this book if you liked the other two.

Details: Blaze #258, June 2006

Bottom line: A very good book

Hurricane Hannah by Sue Civil-Brown

While delivering a business jet to Aruba, Hannah Lamont found herself quickly looking for a place to land when the jet’s engines quit. Shortly before she ran out of fuel, she found a small island with a small runway and managed to land with practically no space to spare. With a hurricane on the way, Hannah finds herself working alongside the handsome guy that owns the airport, Buck Shanahan. Since the island doesn’t have a government – everything is decided by playing poker, Hannah is amazed at how smoothly the preparations worked. Feeling comfortable at the island, Hannah considers staying until the morning where she wakes up to stare at the island’s lone alligator, Buster. Now can Buck convince Hannah to stick around or will Buster insure that Hannah will take off and never return?

This is an absolutely funny book and while the above description sounds somewhat lame, it’s because I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone that might read it. You might want to skip this book if you hate poker, because Texas Hold’em is critical to the plot. However a knowledge of poker isn’t required in order to understand what’s happening. And if you’re a writer, you won’t believe one of the points of view that Sue used in this book. I’m still shaking my head. So if you like romantic comedy, poker and quirky characters, you’ll love this book.

Details: HQN, June 2006

Bottom line: A great book

Hidden Obsession by Joanne Rock

LAPD Officer Graham Lawson was investigating a case of rape and abuse by a gang when he found himself in Linnet Wellbourne’s bedroom in the year 1190. Linnet is betrothed to a formidable knight, who is about to return from a crusade. Like many women of her time, the marriage was arranged and Linnet wasn’t looking forward to marriage with someone who left her locked in an iron chastity belt for the last three years. On the other hand, Graham believed he was involved with an elaborate hoax, conducted for a purpose he couldn’t fathom. But a chastity belt was too much for him to stand. Releasing Linnet from the chastity belt was only the first step in a new adventure into her sexuality for Linnet, who wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with Graham. But will Graham settle for remaining in the past with Linnet or will duty force Graham to return to the present leaving Linnet behind?

Time travel books are among my most favorite types of book to read, so I was really looking forward to this novel. Unfortunately this book felt more like a historical romance than a time travel book. I prefer reading about contemporary characters no matter what the setting. So while Graham is a contemporary character, Linnet is not and I felt like something was missing from the story. I think the story line has a lot of potential and Joanne’s attention to detail is nothing sort of amazing. If you are a true fan of historical romances, I think you’ll really love this book.

Details: Blaze #256, June 2006

Bottom line: A pretty good book

Hot Item by Carly Phillips

The middle Jordan sister, Sophie, loves her perfectly organized life working with major league athletes at The Hot Zone. But when her partner, Spencer Atkins goes into hiding just weeks before the draft and her sisters are busy either with their new baby or husband, Sophie finds her orderly world collapsing around her. Enter Riley Nash. He’s looking for Spencer also, so they decide to join forces. While Sophie finds Riley attractive, she finds spending time with him and his chaotic life driving her nuts. But when she runs away, she finds her life is empty. So will Sophie find it inside herself to cope with Riley’s issues or will she run and hide for the rest of her life.

Another great book from Carly Phillips. I love her voice and the way she blends subtle humor into her stories. This book follows both Hot Stuff and Hot Number, so you might want to read those books first. Unfortunately this is the last book in the set, so I’ll have to wait until next year to see what she comes out with next.

Details: HQN, June 2006

Bottom line: A great book

Express Male by Elizabeth Bevarly

Marnie Lundy was on her way to her car after spending the evening playing piano in the middle of a ritzy department store when she was assaulted by three different people. In each case, the person mistook her for someone named Lila Moreau, supposedly the most dangerous woman in the word. While the first two men merely terrified her, the third man, Noah Tennant left her feeling both scared and hot at the same time. That is until he arrested her as a threat to national security. Now Marnie must convince Noah she’s a victim of mistaken identity before he puts her in prison or worse, uses her at bait to trap her confederates.

What can I say, I’m hooked on this series too. This story has a very strong plot and a few unexpected twists and turns. It would help if you read the previous book, You’ve Got Male, which introduces the back story for this series. Unfortunately, it looks like next spring for the next volume in the series, Overnight Male. I guess I’d better prepare myself for a long wait :) .

Details: HQN June 2006

Bottom line: A great book