Undercover Daddy by Delores Fossen

Christopher was the most important thing in Elaina McLemore’s life. Her adopted, one-year old son was the only good thing to come from her former marriage. So when her ex died, Elaina changed her name and moved away. After his wife died during childbirth, Luke Buchanan devoted his life to finding his missing son. When he tracks him to Elaina, his immediate reaction is to make her pay, but when armed men show up he soon finds himself assuming the role of protector and sparks start to fly. Now Elaina must decide which man should own her heart, her adopted son or the son’s natural father.

Another good Intrigue, though the plot felt a little unrealistic and contrived. I can’t help but wonder what would happen if she injected a touch of humor into the story. If you’re into Intrigue, I think you’ll like this book.

Details: Intrigue #990, May 2007

Excellence Rating: Pretty Good

Steaminess Factor: Sensual

Hello Gorgeous! by MaryJanice Davidson

Caitlyn James wakes up figuring she partied a little too much with her sorority sisters, but then she slowly remembers the terrible accident and learns that someone injected her with nanobytes which turned her into a modern version of the bionic woman. Soon she meets the man who paid for her upgrades, and who new wants her to work for him as his special agent. While Caitlyn resists, her boss soon convinces her to go after the most dangerous man in the world. When they meet she learns two things, first he’s an absolute hunk and second, he’s the only other person who possesses her nanobyte enhancements. Now she’s forced to choose between her boss who controls her future and her new friend who’s the only person in the world that can understand her.

This book is part chick-lit and part romance, but mostly it’s an absolute riot. The only bad thing about this book is that the story it’s too short. To give the book a little more length, MaryJanice added a cute little story called Ten Little Idiots. While it was an okay story, Hello Gorgeous more than makes up for it. If you like slightly offbeat stories, then this one is for you.

Details: Dorchester, May 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy

Hostage Situation by Debra Webb

Renee Vaughn’s first assignment for the Colby Agency is to lay a trap for a reclusive drug lord by getting close to his brother. Unfortunately for Renee, when she walked into Paul's house she found herself in the middle of a double cross by the drug lord. Now if Paul and Renee want to live to see another day, they need to find a way to survive long enough to get reinforcements and take out the drug lord for good.

This is a nice book with a few really good scenes that kept you turning the pages. I liked the element of danger, though I do think the storyline is somewhat predictable. If you love Intrigues, then you’ll love this one too.

Details: Intrigue #989, May 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Steaminess Factor: Sensual

Sex, Lies and Vampires by Katie MacAlister

Enthralled to a demon lord, Adrian Tomas knows his life isn’t his own. The only way he could ever hope to regain a normal life as a Dark One would be to find his Beloved. But Adrian the Betrayer knows it’s impossible; that is until he meets Nell Harris. While Nell has the ability to Charm, her one experience with lifting a curse resulted in the death of her friend and lasting damage to her own body. Despite her fears, Nell soon finds herself falling in love with the Adrian knowing that their love is doomed from the very start. But Adrian finds hope when he realizes the power of his Beloved strengthens her ability to Charm. Now can Nell find the strength within to use her skills to save Adrian, or will he be doomed to live out the rest of his life as a Demon Lord?

Reading the previous books is definitely recommended when Katie revisits the world she created in A Girl’s Guide to Vampires and Sex and the Single Vampire. Many of the characters from the previous books make an appearance here and their story continues in this one. The final battle between good and evil will definitely catch your attention, though the ending is abrupt and not all that satisfying. Like the other stories, this one is very dark, though Katie’s sense of humor does show through. If you like vampires, you’ll love this book.

Details: Dorchester, February 2005

Excellence Rating: Great

Steaminess Factor: Yummy